Wednesday, October 7, 2009
New Blog
So, I got fed up with MLBlogs finicky site, so I basically gave up on my blog. Then my friend suggested that I make I use blogger for my baseball blogging, so here I am. I've imported all my old posts and will be posting on this feed exclusively from now on. I'm not quite ready to discuss the way the Tigers season ended, I have a lot of thoughts about it, not all bad, but it's gonna be a long post. For now, though, I'm just going to enjoy playoff baseball.
Monday, April 13, 2009
A Sad Day...
Two of Baseball's great personalities passed today. Harry Kalas, who made baseball seem all the more magical with his wonderful voice, and Mark "The Bird" Fidrych, who is a legend despite the fact that he only had five short years due to injury in the Majors. Thank you to both of these men who made our National Pastime that much better.
Some personal sadness, too, today. A friend of the family passed early this morning. All three too sudden and too soon.
RIP
Some personal sadness, too, today. A friend of the family passed early this morning. All three too sudden and too soon.
RIP
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Swept Away...
Apparently, the Tigers have a pitching staff.
After seven games, the Tigers are 4-3. If the Twins lose today, they'll stand alone in first place in the Central. That's a stark difference from last year, when they were 0-7 at this same point facing a mountain climb out of the cellar. They never really made it.
This year is different. You can tell that already. I'm not saying that they'll go the the World Series or anything, but it is different. After losing the opening series in Toronto 3-1, the Tigers came home and swept the Rangers out of town. Last year negative momentum would have followed them for two weeks. This year, they came out swinging.
On Opening Day, I was there. It was a blast! I saw my first live Grand Slam. Miguel Cabrera had 6 RBI. Galarraga was fantastic. The Tigers won 15-2. It was very, very exciting.
Game 2 of the series saw Verlander improve dramatically over his first start. He allowed only two hits and one earned run while striking out 8. His ERA dropped by 10. A pair of errors, by Brandon Inge and Adam Everett, brought in two more runs to give Texas the lead, but Everett made up for it by going 2-3 with 2 RBI's and scoring the winning run. Robertson pitched two hitless innings and Rodney struck out the side in the 9th inning for his first save. Robertson may just be a reliever, after all.
So, the Tigers went into the Easter Sunday game with their first series win of the season and a chance to sweep. Jackson pitched very well, despite giving up two home runs. He held the lead to four long enough for the other pitcher, Kevin Milwood, to be knocked out of the game. Once he was gone, the Tigers took over. Inge hit a home run, his AL leading 4th of the year, and they sent all 9 men to the plate. Another clutch hit by Inge put the Tigers ahead 6-4. Lyon and Rodney combined for three perfect innings for the win and the save, respectively.
Does anyone else notice a pattern here? The Texas Rangers lineup is filled with some of the most feared hitters in the game. Last year, they scored more runs than anyone else in the American League. Yet the Tigers held them to only 9 runs over three games. The Detroit bullpen, one of the worst last year, has a streak going of 24 retired batters. If you remove the meltdown in the first game in Toronto, the staff has an ERA under three. Even when those runs are factored in, they're below the league average. This from a team for which pitching was it's biggest concern?
Also, can we talk about how happy I am that Inge is back at third base? He's made two or three spectacular plays in this series alone and he's currently hitting .304. Obviously I don't expect him to hit like that for the whole season, but he was so happy to be playing everyday at third that he's working extrememly hard to keep his job there. Last year, he would have been unwilling to work on his stance the way he did this past offseason and the dividends that it's already paying will no doubt keep him going for most of the season.
Monday they get their first taste of divisional play when the White Sox come to town. This will be the real test, since the Tigers were 27-45 against the Central. That's .375. Still, they have momentum on their side, a couple of white hot hitters, they're pitching well, they're perfect at home, and when it comes right down to it, they're looking down instead of up. That's a good place to be.
Happy Easter.
After seven games, the Tigers are 4-3. If the Twins lose today, they'll stand alone in first place in the Central. That's a stark difference from last year, when they were 0-7 at this same point facing a mountain climb out of the cellar. They never really made it.
This year is different. You can tell that already. I'm not saying that they'll go the the World Series or anything, but it is different. After losing the opening series in Toronto 3-1, the Tigers came home and swept the Rangers out of town. Last year negative momentum would have followed them for two weeks. This year, they came out swinging.
On Opening Day, I was there. It was a blast! I saw my first live Grand Slam. Miguel Cabrera had 6 RBI. Galarraga was fantastic. The Tigers won 15-2. It was very, very exciting.
Game 2 of the series saw Verlander improve dramatically over his first start. He allowed only two hits and one earned run while striking out 8. His ERA dropped by 10. A pair of errors, by Brandon Inge and Adam Everett, brought in two more runs to give Texas the lead, but Everett made up for it by going 2-3 with 2 RBI's and scoring the winning run. Robertson pitched two hitless innings and Rodney struck out the side in the 9th inning for his first save. Robertson may just be a reliever, after all.
So, the Tigers went into the Easter Sunday game with their first series win of the season and a chance to sweep. Jackson pitched very well, despite giving up two home runs. He held the lead to four long enough for the other pitcher, Kevin Milwood, to be knocked out of the game. Once he was gone, the Tigers took over. Inge hit a home run, his AL leading 4th of the year, and they sent all 9 men to the plate. Another clutch hit by Inge put the Tigers ahead 6-4. Lyon and Rodney combined for three perfect innings for the win and the save, respectively.
Does anyone else notice a pattern here? The Texas Rangers lineup is filled with some of the most feared hitters in the game. Last year, they scored more runs than anyone else in the American League. Yet the Tigers held them to only 9 runs over three games. The Detroit bullpen, one of the worst last year, has a streak going of 24 retired batters. If you remove the meltdown in the first game in Toronto, the staff has an ERA under three. Even when those runs are factored in, they're below the league average. This from a team for which pitching was it's biggest concern?
Also, can we talk about how happy I am that Inge is back at third base? He's made two or three spectacular plays in this series alone and he's currently hitting .304. Obviously I don't expect him to hit like that for the whole season, but he was so happy to be playing everyday at third that he's working extrememly hard to keep his job there. Last year, he would have been unwilling to work on his stance the way he did this past offseason and the dividends that it's already paying will no doubt keep him going for most of the season.
Monday they get their first taste of divisional play when the White Sox come to town. This will be the real test, since the Tigers were 27-45 against the Central. That's .375. Still, they have momentum on their side, a couple of white hot hitters, they're pitching well, they're perfect at home, and when it comes right down to it, they're looking down instead of up. That's a good place to be.
Happy Easter.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Series 1: @ Toronto Blue Jays
Well, the first series of the year is in the books. And you know what? I'm pretty happy. I think that there are more positives than negatives, despite the fact that we lost the series.
Things that make me happy:
1. Miguel Cabrera: He's looking to have a stellar year. As it stands, his batting average is .615 and his OBP is like, .800. He's hit two home runs, one of them landed in Germany. He's yet to play outside in the cold weather, but something tells me his start last year had more to do with pressure than weather. This year he's relaxed and boy, is he swinging.
2. Brandon Inge: No, Brandon Inge will not break the home run record. He probably won't be as hot for the whole season as he is right now. The fact that he seems to have found a swing that works makes me happy, but the fact that he'll be standing on third all season makes me very happy. He made an absolutely spectacular play the other day; throwing a strike while he was basically falling down to start a double play. I can't even fathom how many runs he'll save and right now, it looks like he might add some, too.
3. Starting Pitching: Edwin Jackson and Zach Miner were very good. Edwin Jackson, in fact, was very, very, very good. Rick Porcello was doing very well until a couple of homers spoiled it. He worked efficiently and most of the outs came from ground balls. He's very promising and for a first start in the majors, it wasn't bad at all.
4. Fernando Rodney, Bobby Seay, and Ryan Perry: Fernando Rodney actually looked like a closer last night. He got three quick outs and his pitches just...looked different. His fastball seemed to glide over the plate and he didn't seem to be throwing himself into a tailspin. More importantly, he was throwing strikes. In fact, he threw a first-pitch strike to all three batters. Ryan Perry went 1-2-3 in his major league debut. Bobby Seay came out twice and quietly did his job. On Wedensday, these three men not only held the lead, but didn't give up a hit or a walk. Not sure that happened at all last year.
Things that may seem bad, but that I'm not worried about:
1. Defense: Four errors in four games doesn't seem good, but I think the defense will be much better this year. I think that the turf is responsible for all but one of those errors, and once the Tigers get back on the grass and into the groove, watch out.
2. Verlander: I may be the only person on the planet who's not worried about Justin Verlander. I'm just not. I think that he just needs to calm down. This is a man who won rookie of the year, started a World Series game, threw a no-hitter, and started an all star game in the first two years of his career. Then he had a bad year. Then he gets to start the season as staff Ace and hears everyone talking about how he needs to get back on track, or the Tigers won't go anywhere. He was pitching Opening Day, too. He lets his excitement/anixeity get to him a lot. That could continue and mess him up for the rest of the season, but I don't think it will. I guess you can just call it a feeling, but I still think it'll be a bounce back year for Verlander.
My only major concern is the bullpen. Besides the three mentioned above, everyone else has been pretty horrible. Juan Rincon, after burning through Spring Training, has a 5.40 ERA. Every pitcher except Seay who was given runners let them score. That's not good. Brandon Lyon ruined a nearly perfect start by Jackson. It was painful to watch and even worse to watch Jackson watching it from the dugout. I'm guessing that DD and Leyland are trying to figure out what to do about him at this point. He was unimpressive (at best) in Spring Training and he blew the first save of the season. They gambled on him, and it doesn't seem like it's gonna pay off. Of course, if Rodney keeps pitching like he did last night, it won't be an issue. I'm not sure when or if Zumaya may be able to come back. Every time I read about him I think about Mark Fydrich. Mega talented but too fragile to make it. We'll see.
My only other concern is that my television won't survive until May, because Fox Sports Detroit might make me throw things at it. See, they held a song contest called "April in the D". April is usually a pretty exciting month in Detroit, sportswise, since the Pistons and the Red Wings are perennial playoff contenders and the Tigers are starting a new season. So they said, "Write a song about it!" The winner, a song called April in the D by a band called the Goodluck Joes is being played EVERY TIME the station goes to commercial. It's going to drive me insane.
It's not a bad song. I just don't need to hear it every half inning, as well as two or three times during the pre and post game shows.
I know this has been a novel, but I would like to close by extending my condolences to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Organization as well as the family and friends of Nick Adenhart, who died this morning just hours after pitching his Major League debut. He was 22. It's a tragic and senseless death that could have been prevented. Just another in a string of constant reminders that drinking and driving is wrong.
Things that make me happy:
1. Miguel Cabrera: He's looking to have a stellar year. As it stands, his batting average is .615 and his OBP is like, .800. He's hit two home runs, one of them landed in Germany. He's yet to play outside in the cold weather, but something tells me his start last year had more to do with pressure than weather. This year he's relaxed and boy, is he swinging.
2. Brandon Inge: No, Brandon Inge will not break the home run record. He probably won't be as hot for the whole season as he is right now. The fact that he seems to have found a swing that works makes me happy, but the fact that he'll be standing on third all season makes me very happy. He made an absolutely spectacular play the other day; throwing a strike while he was basically falling down to start a double play. I can't even fathom how many runs he'll save and right now, it looks like he might add some, too.
3. Starting Pitching: Edwin Jackson and Zach Miner were very good. Edwin Jackson, in fact, was very, very, very good. Rick Porcello was doing very well until a couple of homers spoiled it. He worked efficiently and most of the outs came from ground balls. He's very promising and for a first start in the majors, it wasn't bad at all.
4. Fernando Rodney, Bobby Seay, and Ryan Perry: Fernando Rodney actually looked like a closer last night. He got three quick outs and his pitches just...looked different. His fastball seemed to glide over the plate and he didn't seem to be throwing himself into a tailspin. More importantly, he was throwing strikes. In fact, he threw a first-pitch strike to all three batters. Ryan Perry went 1-2-3 in his major league debut. Bobby Seay came out twice and quietly did his job. On Wedensday, these three men not only held the lead, but didn't give up a hit or a walk. Not sure that happened at all last year.
Things that may seem bad, but that I'm not worried about:
1. Defense: Four errors in four games doesn't seem good, but I think the defense will be much better this year. I think that the turf is responsible for all but one of those errors, and once the Tigers get back on the grass and into the groove, watch out.
2. Verlander: I may be the only person on the planet who's not worried about Justin Verlander. I'm just not. I think that he just needs to calm down. This is a man who won rookie of the year, started a World Series game, threw a no-hitter, and started an all star game in the first two years of his career. Then he had a bad year. Then he gets to start the season as staff Ace and hears everyone talking about how he needs to get back on track, or the Tigers won't go anywhere. He was pitching Opening Day, too. He lets his excitement/anixeity get to him a lot. That could continue and mess him up for the rest of the season, but I don't think it will. I guess you can just call it a feeling, but I still think it'll be a bounce back year for Verlander.
My only major concern is the bullpen. Besides the three mentioned above, everyone else has been pretty horrible. Juan Rincon, after burning through Spring Training, has a 5.40 ERA. Every pitcher except Seay who was given runners let them score. That's not good. Brandon Lyon ruined a nearly perfect start by Jackson. It was painful to watch and even worse to watch Jackson watching it from the dugout. I'm guessing that DD and Leyland are trying to figure out what to do about him at this point. He was unimpressive (at best) in Spring Training and he blew the first save of the season. They gambled on him, and it doesn't seem like it's gonna pay off. Of course, if Rodney keeps pitching like he did last night, it won't be an issue. I'm not sure when or if Zumaya may be able to come back. Every time I read about him I think about Mark Fydrich. Mega talented but too fragile to make it. We'll see.
My only other concern is that my television won't survive until May, because Fox Sports Detroit might make me throw things at it. See, they held a song contest called "April in the D". April is usually a pretty exciting month in Detroit, sportswise, since the Pistons and the Red Wings are perennial playoff contenders and the Tigers are starting a new season. So they said, "Write a song about it!" The winner, a song called April in the D by a band called the Goodluck Joes is being played EVERY TIME the station goes to commercial. It's going to drive me insane.
It's not a bad song. I just don't need to hear it every half inning, as well as two or three times during the pre and post game shows.
I know this has been a novel, but I would like to close by extending my condolences to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Organization as well as the family and friends of Nick Adenhart, who died this morning just hours after pitching his Major League debut. He was 22. It's a tragic and senseless death that could have been prevented. Just another in a string of constant reminders that drinking and driving is wrong.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sailing on a Sea of Negativity...
And so it begins. The Tigers lose one game (Opening Freakin' Day, no less) and every starts acting like it's game 6 of the World Series. One blogger even started a countdown of losses before the Tigers pass their losing streak of seven games at the beginning of last season. That's bad sportsmanship and poor fandom. It was ONE GAME, people. There's always tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, and then 158 days after that. Given that only ONE AL Central will have recorded a win come tomorrow, I don't think that the loss tonight automatically disqualifies us from the playoffs.
Now, I don't enjoy watching my team get beat 12-5, but let's be honest here, did anyone really think that they were going to win tonight? Verlander was more wound up from all the hype of a fast start that you could probably spin him like a top. Roy Halladay has dominated the Tigers for his entire career. The fact that they even got the five runs off of him was pretty remarkable.
What I also don't enjoy seeing is things being thrown at my players. That is totally unacceptable. I'm not going to blame Blue Jay fans, because for all I know, it was a Tigers fan. Still, totally juvenile and a display of the worst sportsmanship possible.
Here's a fun fact for all the negative nancies: the only time the Tigers have given up more runs on Opening Day was in 1908, when they gave up 14 to the White Sox.
The Tigers went to the World Series that year.
So, maybe it's not such a bad thing, huh?
Lighten up, people. It's gonna be a long summer.
Now, I don't enjoy watching my team get beat 12-5, but let's be honest here, did anyone really think that they were going to win tonight? Verlander was more wound up from all the hype of a fast start that you could probably spin him like a top. Roy Halladay has dominated the Tigers for his entire career. The fact that they even got the five runs off of him was pretty remarkable.
What I also don't enjoy seeing is things being thrown at my players. That is totally unacceptable. I'm not going to blame Blue Jay fans, because for all I know, it was a Tigers fan. Still, totally juvenile and a display of the worst sportsmanship possible.
Here's a fun fact for all the negative nancies: the only time the Tigers have given up more runs on Opening Day was in 1908, when they gave up 14 to the White Sox.
The Tigers went to the World Series that year.
So, maybe it's not such a bad thing, huh?
Lighten up, people. It's gonna be a long summer.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The Tigers will finish the season, that we're sure of...
Hey, remember when I wrote about MLB Network's predictions for the Tigers this season and the analysts thought they were going to finish in every position except fourth? Well, guess where Sports Illustrated is predicting they'll finish?
That's right, fourth place.
So, basically no one knows what the hell is going to happen. That includes me. The only certainty at the moment is that the Tigers will finish.
Here are some other certainties:
Going, Gary, Gone
Gary Sheffield is no longer a Tiger (as if you didn't know). A very large part of me jumps for joy at this concept; I don't mind someone being a total ******* as long as he's good. Gary just wasn't good as a Tiger. It would have been nice to see him hit his 500th in the D, but I'm sure someone else will get there (Cabrera perhaps? Has eight years). The fact is, this guy had become a black hole and he was the DH. A DH that can't hit has to go, especially on a team with five or six DH's. I literally screamed "YES!" when I read it in the car and nearly made my friend swerve off the road. His departure gives a real chance to some of our younger players (by the way, I'm very happy that they decided to take Porcello and Perry north). Not only is he gone, but he's left us with one of the best things he's ever said, and this is a man who says a lot:
Yeah, sure, Gary; and I'm an Olympic gymnast.
I Will Be Stylin'.
I bought myself a new hat. I decided that my white hat with pink D, though still beloved, is not a game hat. Oh, sure, I might whip it out now and then and wear one of my girly Tigers shirts, but I've bought several things in team colors that I'm very excited about. Including this to wear to "80's Night" at the Ballpark. As a side note, I was not originally going to go to the May 4th game; that was one of my "sell" tickets. However, upon discovering that the DeLorean, the Teenage Muntant Ninja Turtles, and Darth Vader were all going to be at the game, I couldn't resist. As a second side note, this is the second time that I've bought said hat; the first one was ruined by a fluffy tornado.
Well, that's not many certainties at all. No matter. I have my tickets in hand, my new hat, and the roster is set. If the season weren't starting this weekend, I would probably explode or something. I don't plan on missing a second of a single game this season, and modern technology means I don't have to. I'll be at 15-16 games (including Opening Day), we have a great local sports station that will broadcast every game that isn't being broadcast nationally, in the car I can listen to the radio, and if I'm neither at the game, at home, or in the car (read: school) I can use this absolutely fabulous app for the iPhone to distract me thouroughly (seriously, if you have an iPhone and are a true baseball fan, you need this app).
Oh, one more certainty: It's gonna be a great summer.
That's right, fourth place.
So, basically no one knows what the hell is going to happen. That includes me. The only certainty at the moment is that the Tigers will finish.
Here are some other certainties:
Going, Gary, Gone
Gary Sheffield is no longer a Tiger (as if you didn't know). A very large part of me jumps for joy at this concept; I don't mind someone being a total ******* as long as he's good. Gary just wasn't good as a Tiger. It would have been nice to see him hit his 500th in the D, but I'm sure someone else will get there (Cabrera perhaps? Has eight years). The fact is, this guy had become a black hole and he was the DH. A DH that can't hit has to go, especially on a team with five or six DH's. I literally screamed "YES!" when I read it in the car and nearly made my friend swerve off the road. His departure gives a real chance to some of our younger players (by the way, I'm very happy that they decided to take Porcello and Perry north). Not only is he gone, but he's left us with one of the best things he's ever said, and this is a man who says a lot:
"Jim (Leyland) said, 'We're going to go with versatility.' When he said that word I thought to myself, 'I'm probably the most athletic guy on this team.' But they're entitled to their opinion"
Yeah, sure, Gary; and I'm an Olympic gymnast.
I Will Be Stylin'.
I bought myself a new hat. I decided that my white hat with pink D, though still beloved, is not a game hat. Oh, sure, I might whip it out now and then and wear one of my girly Tigers shirts, but I've bought several things in team colors that I'm very excited about. Including this to wear to "80's Night" at the Ballpark. As a side note, I was not originally going to go to the May 4th game; that was one of my "sell" tickets. However, upon discovering that the DeLorean, the Teenage Muntant Ninja Turtles, and Darth Vader were all going to be at the game, I couldn't resist. As a second side note, this is the second time that I've bought said hat; the first one was ruined by a fluffy tornado.
Well, that's not many certainties at all. No matter. I have my tickets in hand, my new hat, and the roster is set. If the season weren't starting this weekend, I would probably explode or something. I don't plan on missing a second of a single game this season, and modern technology means I don't have to. I'll be at 15-16 games (including Opening Day), we have a great local sports station that will broadcast every game that isn't being broadcast nationally, in the car I can listen to the radio, and if I'm neither at the game, at home, or in the car (read: school) I can use this absolutely fabulous app for the iPhone to distract me thouroughly (seriously, if you have an iPhone and are a true baseball fan, you need this app).
Oh, one more certainty: It's gonna be a great summer.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Thank God It's Friday...
So, the Tigers' home opener is on Good Friday this year. As are many others teams', but the Tigers are the only team playing during the hours that Christ supposedly hung on the Cross. The game is at 1:05.
The point is not that it's highly unlikely that Christ hung from 12-3 PM EST. I respect the traditions of the Church and those who choose to abide by them, no matter how odd they may seem to me. The point is that it is not the responsibility of the Detroit Tigers to keep track of their souls. The start time is not "an insult to Catholics". The temperature in Detroit after about 6 o'clock in April is generally in the low 30's. That's simply not acceptable for a baseball game. You'll notice that many of the games in cold weather areas that have outdoor stadiums are during the day for the first few weeks. God doesn't want us to all get pneumonia.
Besides, if you're truly a devout Catholic, the decision on whether to go to the baseball game during this time shouldn't be a difficult decision. Clergymen are saying that the game will keep people away from services. Well, then someone isn't doing his job (and I mean the Priest, not Jesus). Hank Greenburg skipped a World Series game in 1934 because it fell on Yom Kippur (he was Jewish). A World Series game. And he wasn't just watching the game, he was in it.
This year, Yom Kippur begins on Sept. 27th at sundown and goes until sundown on the 28th. Should we demand that no games be played on that day? What about the fact that all 30 Major League teams are playing on Easter Sunday? No one seems to complain that there are Football games on Christmas.
The fact is, it sounds an awful lot like people are upset about the holiday is encroaching on baseball, not the other way around. One man interviewed said that they should change the time of the game since he's decided to go to Church instead of the game. So, he can participate in gluttonous revelry after Christ is supposed to be dead? In what universe does that make sense? Does Good Friday end at 3? Another guy is going to the game, but worried that he won't be able to "quietly reflect" in the concourses of Comerica Park. Um, then don't go? You've obviously already chosen between your Lord and your team. Don't complain about it now to make yourself feel better.
This story has made national news despite the fact that it's total nonsense. If you don't feel comfortable being at a baseball game between noon and 3 on Friday, April 10th, 2009, then don't go to one. The Tigers won't mind; the game is already sold out. Stay home and have your moment of quiet reflection or go to Church. Just don't assume they should change the game time and severely damage the enjoyment of the game for the rest of us (non-practicing Christians, moderate protestants, moderate Catholics, agnostics, atheists, Jews, Muslims, Hindi, Buddhist...Wicca...) with freezing temperatures because the current time doesn't fit into your schedule.
*Note: Please don't think that I'm targeting Catholics in this post. Like I said, I have respect for people of all religions. I'm sure that most Catholics aren't complaining. In fact, all the articles I've read quote the same four people over and over. My problem isn't with religion, it's with the sense of entitlement displayed by these individuals.
Ok, Rant over. Thanks for reading.
The point is not that it's highly unlikely that Christ hung from 12-3 PM EST. I respect the traditions of the Church and those who choose to abide by them, no matter how odd they may seem to me. The point is that it is not the responsibility of the Detroit Tigers to keep track of their souls. The start time is not "an insult to Catholics". The temperature in Detroit after about 6 o'clock in April is generally in the low 30's. That's simply not acceptable for a baseball game. You'll notice that many of the games in cold weather areas that have outdoor stadiums are during the day for the first few weeks. God doesn't want us to all get pneumonia.
Besides, if you're truly a devout Catholic, the decision on whether to go to the baseball game during this time shouldn't be a difficult decision. Clergymen are saying that the game will keep people away from services. Well, then someone isn't doing his job (and I mean the Priest, not Jesus). Hank Greenburg skipped a World Series game in 1934 because it fell on Yom Kippur (he was Jewish). A World Series game. And he wasn't just watching the game, he was in it.
This year, Yom Kippur begins on Sept. 27th at sundown and goes until sundown on the 28th. Should we demand that no games be played on that day? What about the fact that all 30 Major League teams are playing on Easter Sunday? No one seems to complain that there are Football games on Christmas.
The fact is, it sounds an awful lot like people are upset about the holiday is encroaching on baseball, not the other way around. One man interviewed said that they should change the time of the game since he's decided to go to Church instead of the game. So, he can participate in gluttonous revelry after Christ is supposed to be dead? In what universe does that make sense? Does Good Friday end at 3? Another guy is going to the game, but worried that he won't be able to "quietly reflect" in the concourses of Comerica Park. Um, then don't go? You've obviously already chosen between your Lord and your team. Don't complain about it now to make yourself feel better.
This story has made national news despite the fact that it's total nonsense. If you don't feel comfortable being at a baseball game between noon and 3 on Friday, April 10th, 2009, then don't go to one. The Tigers won't mind; the game is already sold out. Stay home and have your moment of quiet reflection or go to Church. Just don't assume they should change the game time and severely damage the enjoyment of the game for the rest of us (non-practicing Christians, moderate protestants, moderate Catholics, agnostics, atheists, Jews, Muslims, Hindi, Buddhist...Wicca...) with freezing temperatures because the current time doesn't fit into your schedule.
*Note: Please don't think that I'm targeting Catholics in this post. Like I said, I have respect for people of all religions. I'm sure that most Catholics aren't complaining. In fact, all the articles I've read quote the same four people over and over. My problem isn't with religion, it's with the sense of entitlement displayed by these individuals.
Ok, Rant over. Thanks for reading.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Blog? What Blog?
I apologize for my negligence, friends. I'm down to the last month of my bachelor's degree and it's pretty insane around here. I have not, however, neglected baseball. I watched the whole WBC and have been following Spring Training. In fact, I was filling up my Twitter page with so much baseball that it was annoying my followers, so I started one strictly for baseball. It's kinda fun; I'll be tweeting live from Opening Day!
Speaking of Opening Day, I got my tickets! I've already put the first pair that I'm not going to use up for sale. Only 17 hours left. ;o) (Sorry, couldn't resist the plug).
Speaking of plugs, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the WBC; I even missed several episodes of American Idol to watch it, something I haven't done since 2003. I do agree with Mr. Soule; the worst way to promote an event is to lambaste it while they're playing the game. It's like having Jime Rome call the World Cup. Also, I got real sick, real fast of people acting like paranoid Little League parents because a few guys twisted their ankles. No one was seriously injured, just pangs and dings, but you would think they had killed them. And no, the thing shouldn't be played in January. The NFL playoffs are in January. They do need people to watch the thing. Although I do think the teams should be assembled earlier than a week before the tournament. Congratulations to Japan, again. At least the USA got further than last time; maybe their going one step at a time and will make the finals in '13. I can always hope.
Speaking of hope, Tigers ST has had good news and bad news. The good news is, the first four starters, including Jeremy Bonderman, have looked very good. The bad news is, that the fifth spot isn't decided yet. Most of the hitters look good, too, despite the fact that they got no-hit the other day.
Speaking of the other day, I'm going to bed. Goodnight, everyone.
Speaking of Opening Day, I got my tickets! I've already put the first pair that I'm not going to use up for sale. Only 17 hours left. ;o) (Sorry, couldn't resist the plug).
Speaking of plugs, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the WBC; I even missed several episodes of American Idol to watch it, something I haven't done since 2003. I do agree with Mr. Soule; the worst way to promote an event is to lambaste it while they're playing the game. It's like having Jime Rome call the World Cup. Also, I got real sick, real fast of people acting like paranoid Little League parents because a few guys twisted their ankles. No one was seriously injured, just pangs and dings, but you would think they had killed them. And no, the thing shouldn't be played in January. The NFL playoffs are in January. They do need people to watch the thing. Although I do think the teams should be assembled earlier than a week before the tournament. Congratulations to Japan, again. At least the USA got further than last time; maybe their going one step at a time and will make the finals in '13. I can always hope.
Speaking of hope, Tigers ST has had good news and bad news. The good news is, the first four starters, including Jeremy Bonderman, have looked very good. The bad news is, that the fifth spot isn't decided yet. Most of the hitters look good, too, despite the fact that they got no-hit the other day.
Speaking of the other day, I'm going to bed. Goodnight, everyone.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Feast or Famine...
I've noticed a trend in the WBC. In the 14 games played so far, there have been two one run games, one three run games, and one four run game. All the other games have been won by 7 or more runs. Three games have ended early due to the "Mercy Rule" (which I don't think any red-blooded baseball fan should agree with). It seems as if the offense is either exploding or falling completely silent. For example, the US, Japan, Korea, and Australia (Australia?) have combined for over 80 runs in 8 games played. It's been pretty exciting, as long as you're on the right side of the bat. I'm sure that Venezuela, China, and Mexico didn't think it was all that exciting. Here are my favorite moments of this shindig so far:
The Underdogs
I do love me an underdog. But when the Netherlands beat the Dominican Republic, the commentators on ESPN and MLBN immediately started calling it a "magical run". I scoffed, but now I'm thinking they might be right (though they still only said it to create a story and grab ratings). Not only did they beat the mighty Dominican Republic team, but they're currently beating Puerto Rico. It's loads of fun, but not as much fun as Australia beating Mexico 17-7. Let me just say that again...Australia beat Mexico 17-7...in Mexico. The game had to be ended in the 8th inning because of the Mercy Rule. This was by far the most hilarious moment of the tournament (as an fan of US Soccer, I have a great affinity for anyone who beats Mexico at anything).
Pudge
I never got to see Pudge play when he wason steroids in his prime. I think I've gotten a glimpse of it in these two games. He's been phenominal. I'm sure the phone started ringing this morning.
Adam Dunn's Panic Attack
During what was by far the most exciting and best played game in the tournament so far, the US and Canada went at each other for nine full innings and it wasn't clear who would win until the last out had been recorded. During the ninth inning, when it seemed as if the Canadians might tie the game...again...Adam Dunn was sitting on the bench taking his pulse. Made me smile.
Mario Chiarini's Wardrobe Malfunction
An Italian outfielder named Mario Chiarini made a spectacular diving catch, robbing Bobby Abreu of at least a double. That wasn't the great part. The great part was that when the kid got up, his belt was broken. No one could accuse Italy of not taking this thing seriously. They were playing their pants off.
Watching all those American Boys Run
I'm obviously a little biased about this one, but watching the Americans in nearly constant motion on Sunday night made me a very happy little Yank. The Canada game was still the better game, but seeing 14 runs on your team's side of the scoreboard is never a bad time. It was also fun to be able to say things like, "6-4-3: Jete to Pedroia to Youkilis" or even more fun to say "Aramando Galaragga just made Curtis Granderson ground out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera". That one almost gave me a headache.
At the time of this writing, the Netherlands is still beating Puerto Rico and Italy is beating Canada. Japan, Korea, and the US are going to the next round.
*On a more personal note, I'd like to say with no small amount of pride that I've been featured on the front page of MLBlogs twice in the past couple of weeks. Once for my Manny post and once for my post about the WBC the other day. Thanks to whoever chooses those blogs and thanks to anyone who reads these nonsensical ramblings I call a blog. :)
~K
The Underdogs
I do love me an underdog. But when the Netherlands beat the Dominican Republic, the commentators on ESPN and MLBN immediately started calling it a "magical run". I scoffed, but now I'm thinking they might be right (though they still only said it to create a story and grab ratings). Not only did they beat the mighty Dominican Republic team, but they're currently beating Puerto Rico. It's loads of fun, but not as much fun as Australia beating Mexico 17-7. Let me just say that again...Australia beat Mexico 17-7...in Mexico. The game had to be ended in the 8th inning because of the Mercy Rule. This was by far the most hilarious moment of the tournament (as an fan of US Soccer, I have a great affinity for anyone who beats Mexico at anything).
Pudge
I never got to see Pudge play when he was
Adam Dunn's Panic Attack
During what was by far the most exciting and best played game in the tournament so far, the US and Canada went at each other for nine full innings and it wasn't clear who would win until the last out had been recorded. During the ninth inning, when it seemed as if the Canadians might tie the game...again...Adam Dunn was sitting on the bench taking his pulse. Made me smile.
Mario Chiarini's Wardrobe Malfunction
An Italian outfielder named Mario Chiarini made a spectacular diving catch, robbing Bobby Abreu of at least a double. That wasn't the great part. The great part was that when the kid got up, his belt was broken. No one could accuse Italy of not taking this thing seriously. They were playing their pants off.
Watching all those American Boys Run
I'm obviously a little biased about this one, but watching the Americans in nearly constant motion on Sunday night made me a very happy little Yank. The Canada game was still the better game, but seeing 14 runs on your team's side of the scoreboard is never a bad time. It was also fun to be able to say things like, "6-4-3: Jete to Pedroia to Youkilis" or even more fun to say "Aramando Galaragga just made Curtis Granderson ground out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera". That one almost gave me a headache.
At the time of this writing, the Netherlands is still beating Puerto Rico and Italy is beating Canada. Japan, Korea, and the US are going to the next round.
*On a more personal note, I'd like to say with no small amount of pride that I've been featured on the front page of MLBlogs twice in the past couple of weeks. Once for my Manny post and once for my post about the WBC the other day. Thanks to whoever chooses those blogs and thanks to anyone who reads these nonsensical ramblings I call a blog. :)
~K
Saturday, March 7, 2009
It's a Classic
Well, there were quite a few things that were "classic" in today's games of the WBC. The entire USA/Canada game was everything a baseball game should be. The two teams chased each other to the finish line, there were home runs, there were great defensive plays (on both sides), there were light moments. Pudge Rodriguez gave a truly classic performance in the Puerto Rico/Panama game. The Netherlands beat the Dominican Republic, which is just priceless, and while Venezuela beat Italy 7-0, Italy showed that they could play some serious defense. It took the positively legendary lineup four full innings to score. There was a bonafide highlight play by the Italian center fielder when he laid out and landed so hard that it broke the belt on his pants.
Here's a preview of tomorrow's action (in my time zone, EST):
5:30 AM- China vs. Korea: I love baseball, but only births, injured loved ones, or a natural disaster would get me out of bed at this hour in the morning. I do think Korea will win, though, which means that China will be going home.
2:00 PM- South Africa vs. Cuba: Now this is more like it. I don't really know anything about South African baseball, but I know that the Cubans are very good at international baseball. So, I think they'll win this one.
4:30 PM- Panama vs. Dominican Republic: This is an elimination game, too. I can't imagine the Dominicans being caught sleeping twice. I predict Panama will be packing.
8:00 PM- USA vs. Venezuela: ...I have no idea. I'm really, really glad that we won the game against Canada, because that means that this isn't an elimination game. Even if we lose, we're not out. I definately think that we can win this game, though. The US team is more balanced than the Venezuela team.
9:00 PM- Australia vs. Mexico: I think it's extremely difficult to beat the Mexicans in Mexico in any sport. Also, baseball still has a secondary sport status in Australia. Cricket is still number one by far. Being able to play Cricket doesn't mean you can play baseball. There's a big difference. Don't believe me? Watch some Cricket. I think Mexico will win this one.
Another day filled to the brim with baseball. This tournament will keep me nice and occupied for the next few weeks. During this week I probably won't be able to get anything accomplished. Which is bad...because I have another draft of my thesis due next Monday.
~K
Here's a preview of tomorrow's action (in my time zone, EST):
5:30 AM- China vs. Korea: I love baseball, but only births, injured loved ones, or a natural disaster would get me out of bed at this hour in the morning. I do think Korea will win, though, which means that China will be going home.
2:00 PM- South Africa vs. Cuba: Now this is more like it. I don't really know anything about South African baseball, but I know that the Cubans are very good at international baseball. So, I think they'll win this one.
4:30 PM- Panama vs. Dominican Republic: This is an elimination game, too. I can't imagine the Dominicans being caught sleeping twice. I predict Panama will be packing.
8:00 PM- USA vs. Venezuela: ...I have no idea. I'm really, really glad that we won the game against Canada, because that means that this isn't an elimination game. Even if we lose, we're not out. I definately think that we can win this game, though. The US team is more balanced than the Venezuela team.
9:00 PM- Australia vs. Mexico: I think it's extremely difficult to beat the Mexicans in Mexico in any sport. Also, baseball still has a secondary sport status in Australia. Cricket is still number one by far. Being able to play Cricket doesn't mean you can play baseball. There's a big difference. Don't believe me? Watch some Cricket. I think Mexico will win this one.
Another day filled to the brim with baseball. This tournament will keep me nice and occupied for the next few weeks. During this week I probably won't be able to get anything accomplished. Which is bad...because I have another draft of my thesis due next Monday.
~K
Someone Hire Pudge Rodriguez...
Please.
The most exciting and interesting part of a fairly boring and predictable game between Panama and Puerto Rico was the performance by former Tiger Ivan Rodriguez (*sniff*). This man, who's headed to the Hall of Fame five years to the day after he retires, is unemployed. Not because he was swinging around a team's front office by their nose hairs or because he's the subject of a federal indictment, but simply because everyone seems to have forgotten about him. After tonight, I think that they'll remember.
Because Pudgy wants a job.
He went 4-for-4 with a walk, scored three times, and hit two home runs. That means that 5 of the 7 runs that Puerto Rico scored are because Pudge hit the ball. Oh, and he stole a base (how old is this guy?). Oh, and he also caught a shut-out in the middle of all that running. Why isn't this man signed?
I haven't been able to figure out why he didn't have a job even before the WBC started. I mean, we're not talking about a hack here. Yes, he's getting old. Yes, his offensive numbers stunk last year after his trade to New York. But he was hitting .295 before the trade and even if you add in the stinky numbers he hit .276 on the year. You could do a lot worse, considering you're also getting one of the best, if not the best, defensive catcher whose ever worn a glove. Somebody sign him, please. I'll admit, it hurts a little to see Pudge in any uniform without a D on it, but I can't stand the thought of he being forced to retire because he can't get a job. I think any fan of baseball will agree, Pudge should be able to decide when to end his illustrious career.
On another note, the game between Candada and the US was niether boring nor predictable. It was a great game. And we won. So, I'm a happy Yank.
The most exciting and interesting part of a fairly boring and predictable game between Panama and Puerto Rico was the performance by former Tiger Ivan Rodriguez (*sniff*). This man, who's headed to the Hall of Fame five years to the day after he retires, is unemployed. Not because he was swinging around a team's front office by their nose hairs or because he's the subject of a federal indictment, but simply because everyone seems to have forgotten about him. After tonight, I think that they'll remember.
Because Pudgy wants a job.
He went 4-for-4 with a walk, scored three times, and hit two home runs. That means that 5 of the 7 runs that Puerto Rico scored are because Pudge hit the ball. Oh, and he stole a base (how old is this guy?). Oh, and he also caught a shut-out in the middle of all that running. Why isn't this man signed?
I haven't been able to figure out why he didn't have a job even before the WBC started. I mean, we're not talking about a hack here. Yes, he's getting old. Yes, his offensive numbers stunk last year after his trade to New York. But he was hitting .295 before the trade and even if you add in the stinky numbers he hit .276 on the year. You could do a lot worse, considering you're also getting one of the best, if not the best, defensive catcher whose ever worn a glove. Somebody sign him, please. I'll admit, it hurts a little to see Pudge in any uniform without a D on it, but I can't stand the thought of he being forced to retire because he can't get a job. I think any fan of baseball will agree, Pudge should be able to decide when to end his illustrious career.
On another note, the game between Candada and the US was niether boring nor predictable. It was a great game. And we won. So, I'm a happy Yank.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Two things that seemed like they would never end...
The Manny saga is finally over. For me, this felt about as long as the 2008 Presidential Election. Except I had less respect for the people involved and it wasn't that exciting. Just irritating. So, today, I celebrate, in much the same way that I celebrated on November 5th. Just for different reasons. There seems to be a trend forming among Scott Boras and his clients. Find the team you want to play for (who want you to play for them), make them run around in circles over small details, and make us all hear about it...for months. Then sign with said team ( for contracts with a strong family resemblance to those you turned down) and leave everyone with a nice awkward feeling going into the season.
If you think about it, it's genius. Boras is developing quite a technique here. By making sure that none of his clients ever has a comfortable relationship with a team, he ensures that he'll have them moving as often as possible. This means more negotiations, more money, and more fees and commisions for old Scottie.
If you think about it, it's genius. Boras is developing quite a technique here. By making sure that none of his clients ever has a comfortable relationship with a team, he ensures that he'll have them moving as often as possible. This means more negotiations, more money, and more fees and commisions for old Scottie.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Cork is not a controlled substance
Ah, the perpetual double standard. Regular people do bad things, they're bad. Famous people do bad things, we should all lighten up. If I hear one more sentence that begins Alex Rodriguez should be forgiven because...I might be sick; if you want to forgive A-Rod, that's fine, but don't try to give half-arsed justifications of steroid use.
In the past few weeks, I've heard everything:
1. Steroids don't actually affect performance. Ok, Doctor, then why take them in the first place? Would A-Rod (or Bonds) have been exemplary athletes without them? Probably. Hand-eye coordination is key. But if one guy is swinging the arm of Grendel at the ball, he's going to have a different result.
2. Steroids weren't against MLB rules at the time. Well, I'll give you that MLB dropped the ball on this one. However, they were against the law. But, you know they don't have to pay attention to that; they're celebrities.
In the past few weeks, I've heard everything:
1. Steroids don't actually affect performance. Ok, Doctor, then why take them in the first place? Would A-Rod (or Bonds) have been exemplary athletes without them? Probably. Hand-eye coordination is key. But if one guy is swinging the arm of Grendel at the ball, he's going to have a different result.
2. Steroids weren't against MLB rules at the time. Well, I'll give you that MLB dropped the ball on this one. However, they were against the law. But, you know they don't have to pay attention to that; they're celebrities.
3. Players have always cheated. Pine Tar, Greased Balls, Corked Bats, ect. Yes, that is true. But projecting the image that putting a little Vaseline on a ball is ok is very different from projecting the image that it's ok to put a needle in you and inject (or swallow, for that matter) a controlled substance. It's NOT the same. The same goes for comparing this to popping uppers or drinking a lot of coffee. It's more like the '80's when guys were doing cocaine. This is a drug. Yes, Caffeine can make you jittery and cause accelerated heart rate if you drink too much. Steroids can have serious and permanent side effects. They can seriously damage your muscles, including your heart. I don't need to go into the potential dangers because they've been pounded into our heads. I read one blog that said that all steroids do is make you heal faster. Well, then you wouldn't need to use them if you weren't injured. One major problem I have with doing any illegal drug (besides the illegality) is the total lack of quality control. If you believe A-Rod's story, his cousin injected him with a drug that he got off the street in the Dominican Republic. Injected him. How did he know the needle was clean? As with any injectable illegal drug, there's always the terrifying possibility of contracting HIV. No big contract, no records, no trophies, are worth that.
4. He's TELLING THE TRUTH NOW. This is my favorite. He obviously isn't going to lie again. Everyone knows that you can only lie once. Just ask any politician. Never mind that his story has more holes in it than the Titanic, he must be telling the truth. What possible motivation could he have to lie about using steroids as a Yankee? I mean, besides the 28 million dollars a year they're paying him. Would you tell your boss that you smoke weed? No. Doesn't mean that he has been doing it all along, but I'm sure not going to take him at his word. Are we really that gullible?
4. He's TELLING THE TRUTH NOW. This is my favorite. He obviously isn't going to lie again. Everyone knows that you can only lie once. Just ask any politician. Never mind that his story has more holes in it than the Titanic, he must be telling the truth. What possible motivation could he have to lie about using steroids as a Yankee? I mean, besides the 28 million dollars a year they're paying him. Would you tell your boss that you smoke weed? No. Doesn't mean that he has been doing it all along, but I'm sure not going to take him at his word. Are we really that gullible?
I typed "steroids" into Google and while most of the results were from advocacy groups trying to stop steroid use, there were (as there always are) sites that advocate or justify the use of steroids as long as they're used "properly" (e.i. so you look like this and not like this.) On one of these sites there was a video, charmingly called "Injected", in which a man expounded that "America has worse problems than anabolic steroids". That's very true, sir. America does have much, much bigger problems. However, I'm not talking about the country as a whole. I'm talking about Major League Baseball and no, there aren't many problems that are greater in the game today.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
The Age of Sensationalism
In the Detroit News today, there was an article that contained the words that no Detroit sports wants-nay, could bear- to hear in this critical point in the season:
Jeremy Bonderman has a...gulp....stiff shoulder.
Dontrelle Willis allowed two runs in his outing.
But the World Series starts tomorrow!
Oh, wait, it doesn't?
Oh, the season hasn't even started yet?
Oh, Ok. I guess we can all calm the &*%($ down then.
And besides, we'll be fine because Verlander will be back to his "pre-2008" form....
OR WILL HE?!?!
Good God, people, it's March 1st. Lay off the coffee, a little, will ya?
You know what else? Jeff Larish has a stiff neck.
Well, shoot, I guess we should just start planning for 2010. Season's a bust already.
Jeremy Bonderman has a...gulp....stiff shoulder.
Dontrelle Willis allowed two runs in his outing.
But the World Series starts tomorrow!
Oh, wait, it doesn't?
Oh, the season hasn't even started yet?
Oh, Ok. I guess we can all calm the &*%($ down then.
And besides, we'll be fine because Verlander will be back to his "pre-2008" form....
OR WILL HE?!?!
Good God, people, it's March 1st. Lay off the coffee, a little, will ya?
You know what else? Jeff Larish has a stiff neck.
Well, shoot, I guess we should just start planning for 2010. Season's a bust already.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
A Positive Start...
I'm pleased that the Tigers won their exhibition opener against the Atlanta Braves, but I'm even more pleased by the way they won. Verlander worked efficiently, walking one batter in each of his two innings and allowing only one hit. In the bottom of the first, Granderson singled, then Polanco singled, then Magglio walked. Finally, Cabrera brought in Grandy on a sac fly. Now that's a nice inning. Sure, a grand slam is always fun, but it was refreshing to see that they could manufacture a run.
There was more good news to come-especially from the Tigers' new backstop, Gerald Laird. In the second inning, he tripled before scoring on a wild pitch. In the fourth, he doubled and he came home on a sac fly from new shortstop Adam Everett. As goofy looking as he is, he's certainly looking pretty good on the field. Casper Wells and Ramon Santiago also had RBI's. Even Inge went 2-for-2.
Not so encouraging was the performance by Brandon Lyon, our new closer. Inge made an uncharacteristic throwing error in the top of the fifth. That kept the third out on the base. Ok, fine. That happens. It's what happened after that that concerns me. Lyon allowed two hits and a walk to tie the game. While none of the runs were earned, so Lyon's ERA is technically zero, he should have been able to shut the door. The error didn't even leave the runner in scoring position, and yet he scored, as did two of his buddies. If this had been a regular game, that's a blown save my friend, which is not good. Not good at all. However, I'm trying to reserve judgment at this point. It's only the first ST game, after all. Still, that can't happen when the game matters.
All in all, it was a good game and the Tigers are off to a good start. Let's keep the ball rolling. Just not into left center field.
UPDATE: The Tigers and the Twins were the only two AL Central teams that won their games today. A good omen? I'm trying not to get too excited, because if you're from Detroit, you know that the preseason means nothing.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
It's a sweet Sweet Fantasy, baby
It's about to finally happen. I'm gonna become a bonafide crazy fan. Competely off the deep end I've officially started....
Playing Fantasy Baseball.
I wasn't going to. I really wasn't. However, when I saw that the top prize was $10,000, I just couldn't resist. Then I got a little hooked. I've created five teams, the most you can have (I'm playing the MLB's game). I just finished my last draft, and the Oscars go to-Wait, wrong announcement. Well, here they are (the envelope please):
The Detroit Wildcats
C-Mike Napoli(LAA)
C-Miguel Olivo (KC)
1B-Miguel Cabrera (DET)
1B-Billy Butler (KC)
1B, DH-David Ortiz (BOS)
2B-Dustin Pedroia (BOS)
3B-Adrian Beltre (SEA)
SS-Edgar Renteria (SF)
SS-Troy Tulowitzki (COL)
OF-Jose Guillen (KC)
OF-Josh Hamilton (TEX)
OF-Tori Hunter (LAA)
OF-Shane Victorino (PHI)
OF-Hideki Matsui (NYY)
P-Phillies
P-Brewers
The Detroit Screwballs
C-Mike Napoli (LAA)
1B-Prince Fielder (MIL)
1B-Aubrey Huff (BAL)
1B, DH-Jim Thome (CWS)
2B-Mark Ellis (OAK)
3B-David Wright (NYM)
SS-Johnny Peralta (CLE)
OF-Carl Crawford (TB)
OF-Corey Hart (MIL)
OF-Tori Hunter (LAA)
The Detroit Ribeyes
C-Jorge Posada (NYY)
C-Kurt Suzuki (OAK)
1B-Paul Konerko (CWS)
1B-Conor Jackson (ARI)
2B-Mark Ellis (OAK)
2B-Brandon Phillips (ARI)
3B-Alex Gordon (KC)
3B-Casey Blake (LAD)
SS-Michael Young (TEX)
SS-Jason Bartlett (TB)
OF-Ryan Braun (MIL)
OF-Curtis Granderson (DET)
OF-Carlos Lee (HOU)
OF-Carlos Quentin (CWS)
P-Chicago Cubs
P-San Francisco Giants
The Detroit Knights
C-Mike Napoli (LAA)
C-Ivan Rodriguez
1B-Chirs Davis (TEX)
1B, DH-Jim Thome (CWS)
2B-Chris Getz (CWS)
2B-Asdrubal Cabrera (CLE)
3B-Aramis Ramirez (CHC)
SS-Derek Jeter (NYY)
The Detroit Homers
C-Mike Napoli (LAA)
C-Ramon Hernandez (CIN)
1B-Chris Davis (TEX)
1B, DH-Jim Thome (CWS)
2B, SS-Mike Aviles (KC)
2B-Placido Polanco (DET)
3B-Alex Gordon (KC)
3B-Casey Blake (LAD)
SS-Orlando Cabrera
OF, DH-Pat Burrell (TB)
OF-J.D. Drew (ARI)
OF-Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS)
OF-Curtis Granderson (DET)
OF-Cameron Maybin (FLA)
P-Boston Red Sox
P-Tampa Bay Rays
So, what do you think? How did I do? Will it be...a sweet, sweet fantasy baby?
Playing Fantasy Baseball.
I wasn't going to. I really wasn't. However, when I saw that the top prize was $10,000, I just couldn't resist. Then I got a little hooked. I've created five teams, the most you can have (I'm playing the MLB's game). I just finished my last draft, and the Oscars go to-Wait, wrong announcement. Well, here they are (the envelope please):
The Detroit Wildcats
C-Mike Napoli(LAA)
C-Miguel Olivo (KC)
1B-Miguel Cabrera (DET)
1B-Billy Butler (KC)
1B, DH-David Ortiz (BOS)
2B-Dustin Pedroia (BOS)
3B-Adrian Beltre (SEA)
SS-Edgar Renteria (SF)
SS-Troy Tulowitzki (COL)
OF-Jose Guillen (KC)
OF-Josh Hamilton (TEX)
OF-Tori Hunter (LAA)
OF-Shane Victorino (PHI)
OF-Hideki Matsui (NYY)
P-Phillies
P-Brewers
The Detroit Screwballs
C-Mike Napoli (LAA)
1B-Prince Fielder (MIL)
1B-Aubrey Huff (BAL)
1B, DH-Jim Thome (CWS)
2B-Mark Ellis (OAK)
3B-David Wright (NYM)
SS-Johnny Peralta (CLE)
OF-Carl Crawford (TB)
OF-Corey Hart (MIL)
OF-Tori Hunter (LAA)
OF-Jason Kubel (MIN)
OF-Chris Lubanski (KC)
P-Boston Red Sox
OF-Chris Lubanski (KC)
P-Boston Red Sox
The Detroit Ribeyes
C-Jorge Posada (NYY)
C-Kurt Suzuki (OAK)
1B-Paul Konerko (CWS)
1B-Conor Jackson (ARI)
2B-Mark Ellis (OAK)
2B-Brandon Phillips (ARI)
3B-Alex Gordon (KC)
3B-Casey Blake (LAD)
SS-Michael Young (TEX)
SS-Jason Bartlett (TB)
OF-Ryan Braun (MIL)
OF-Curtis Granderson (DET)
OF-Carlos Lee (HOU)
OF-Carlos Quentin (CWS)
P-Chicago Cubs
P-San Francisco Giants
The Detroit Knights
C-Mike Napoli (LAA)
C-Ivan Rodriguez
1B-Chirs Davis (TEX)
1B, DH-Jim Thome (CWS)
2B-Chris Getz (CWS)
2B-Asdrubal Cabrera (CLE)
3B-Aramis Ramirez (CHC)
SS-Derek Jeter (NYY)
OF-Jason Bay (BOS)
OF-Carlos Gomez (MIN)
OF-Curtis Granderson (DET)
OF-Ryan Ludwick (STL)
OF-Manny Ramirez
P-Florida Marlins
P-Detroit Tigers
P-Chicago White Sox
OF-Carlos Gomez (MIN)
OF-Curtis Granderson (DET)
OF-Ryan Ludwick (STL)
OF-Manny Ramirez
P-Florida Marlins
P-Detroit Tigers
P-Chicago White Sox
The Detroit Homers
C-Mike Napoli (LAA)
C-Ramon Hernandez (CIN)
1B-Chris Davis (TEX)
1B, DH-Jim Thome (CWS)
2B, SS-Mike Aviles (KC)
2B-Placido Polanco (DET)
3B-Alex Gordon (KC)
3B-Casey Blake (LAD)
SS-Orlando Cabrera
OF, DH-Pat Burrell (TB)
OF-J.D. Drew (ARI)
OF-Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS)
OF-Curtis Granderson (DET)
OF-Cameron Maybin (FLA)
P-Boston Red Sox
P-Tampa Bay Rays
So, what do you think? How did I do? Will it be...a sweet, sweet fantasy baby?
Monday, February 23, 2009
4th Place...
Tonight they aired the Tigers' "30 Clubs in 30 Days" episode. It's a neat show- they go through the previous season, go through any improvements, look at acquisitions and losses, and even check out the farm system. Then they look at some great moments in club history, put together an all-time roster and make predictions for the upcoming season. They also reveal Baseball Prospectus' Predictions for the year.
BP thinks the Tigers are going to finish in third place, with a 78-84 record. One of the analysts on the show thinks they're going to finish first ( I like him), one thinks they're going to finish last and one thinks they're going to finish second and "just miss" the playoffs.
...
-_-
Well, everyone can agree....
The Tigers will not finish in 4th place.
Thanks, guys.
BP thinks the Tigers are going to finish in third place, with a 78-84 record. One of the analysts on the show thinks they're going to finish first ( I like him), one thinks they're going to finish last and one thinks they're going to finish second and "just miss" the playoffs.
...
-_-
Well, everyone can agree....
The Tigers will not finish in 4th place.
Thanks, guys.
Whining is a universal Language, apparently.
The World Baseball Classic is losing players faster than Obama is losing cabinet members. It seems that everyday I look at MLB.com and see "so and so drops out of Classic" because someone has decided that they're simply too fragile to participate. I'm a big fan of international sports and I'm very excited about the Classic. However, nearly everyone, from fans to players to coaches to owners, seem to view it as a nusance; an unwelcome disruption of the "real" competition of the Major League season (which, let's be clear, hasn't started yet).
This, to me, is just silly. For the players, I can't imagine what would be better to prepare them for the season than actual, real life games. I can understand keeping players who are actively recovering from injury, but in any other case, it's simply unnecessary coddling. The Olympics have removed baseball and softball from the program and even if it's put back in, the Olympics happen in the middle of the season. This tournament is the only chance that many of the Major players have to play for their country.
Apparently it was quite a fight to even get the WBC started. The owners, especially George Steinbrenner, were against sending their precious investments to play in any game that wouldn't bring in mon-I mean, where they could get injured (it's all about the health of the players, of course). The MLBPA was aginst the proposed anti-doping policy (Wonder Why? ). Dear oh Dear, Oh my, have we no national pride?
Can we talk about soccer for a moment? I know, I know, Americans don't actually believe that soccer is a sport, but it is, and it's brutal. Guys (and girls) go out and run for 45 minutes straight, get a break, then go out and do it again. The get kicked and knocked down and the game, often, doesn't even stop. The MLS (Major League Soccer) regular season begins March 19th and goes until October 25th, the playoffs go until the end of November, and training camps start in January, with actual preseason play (against league teams and exhibitions against college teams, international clubs, and national teams) starting in the last week of January or the first week of Febuary. For anyone who's counting, that's almost 11 months of play if your team makes the playoffs. If they don't, what do you do? Go straight to Europe to play some more. Then there's various national teams that demand their time, since the march toward the World Cup...or the Gold Cup...or Euro 2008...or the Confederations Cup...doesn't stop because they're in the middle of their club season. There's also the Champions League, Superliga, the Pan-Pacific tournament, and the US Open...you get the picture. Somehow these guys manage to survive, and it's not because they never get injured.
Before you say it, I know that there are more games in the baseball season and that they play everyday. I understand that accounts for a difference in the general wear and tear of the players, but I just can't imagine that one tournament is going to be that detremental to theplayers. Especially since even the winner of the tourny only plays about 10 games.
I can't help but think that if the US had won the WBC in '06, the attitudes here about the tournament would be vastly different. That's just the way American fans are, they hate anything that we don't win. But let's be very clear, the WBC is a "real" competition and obviously not a very easy one since the USA was eliminated so early. See that? To your right there? Yep, right there. That's a trophy. A real trophy. And I, for one, would love to see it come home.
Where it belongs.
This, to me, is just silly. For the players, I can't imagine what would be better to prepare them for the season than actual, real life games. I can understand keeping players who are actively recovering from injury, but in any other case, it's simply unnecessary coddling. The Olympics have removed baseball and softball from the program and even if it's put back in, the Olympics happen in the middle of the season. This tournament is the only chance that many of the Major players have to play for their country.
Apparently it was quite a fight to even get the WBC started. The owners, especially George Steinbrenner, were against sending their precious investments to play in any game that wouldn't bring in mon-I mean, where they could get injured (it's all about the health of the players, of course). The MLBPA was aginst the proposed anti-doping policy (Wonder Why? ). Dear oh Dear, Oh my, have we no national pride?
Can we talk about soccer for a moment? I know, I know, Americans don't actually believe that soccer is a sport, but it is, and it's brutal. Guys (and girls) go out and run for 45 minutes straight, get a break, then go out and do it again. The get kicked and knocked down and the game, often, doesn't even stop. The MLS (Major League Soccer) regular season begins March 19th and goes until October 25th, the playoffs go until the end of November, and training camps start in January, with actual preseason play (against league teams and exhibitions against college teams, international clubs, and national teams) starting in the last week of January or the first week of Febuary. For anyone who's counting, that's almost 11 months of play if your team makes the playoffs. If they don't, what do you do? Go straight to Europe to play some more. Then there's various national teams that demand their time, since the march toward the World Cup...or the Gold Cup...or Euro 2008...or the Confederations Cup...doesn't stop because they're in the middle of their club season. There's also the Champions League, Superliga, the Pan-Pacific tournament, and the US Open...you get the picture. Somehow these guys manage to survive, and it's not because they never get injured.
Before you say it, I know that there are more games in the baseball season and that they play everyday. I understand that accounts for a difference in the general wear and tear of the players, but I just can't imagine that one tournament is going to be that detremental to theplayers. Especially since even the winner of the tourny only plays about 10 games.
I can't help but think that if the US had won the WBC in '06, the attitudes here about the tournament would be vastly different. That's just the way American fans are, they hate anything that we don't win. But let's be very clear, the WBC is a "real" competition and obviously not a very easy one since the USA was eliminated so early. See that? To your right there? Yep, right there. That's a trophy. A real trophy. And I, for one, would love to see it come home.
Where it belongs.
Friday, February 13, 2009
The Time of the singing of birds is come...
It is not only the eternal optimism of a sports fan; the conviction that this year will be successful, even if last season, or even a century's worth of seasons, was a disappointment. That this year, your team will stay healthy and achieve at the level they're capable of. No, it's not just that. Not this year.
This year, the words that Ernie Harwell recited at each of his over forty opening Spring Training games seem a little more poignant:
Mr. Harwell was referring to a season without baseball, but I'm hoping that this year the winter that passes is not about improving weather, but about restoring integrity. Hopefully, the latest developments in the various steroid scandals will teach young players that if you cheat, you will get caught. Perhaps the management of the league and the teams will realize that they can no longer turn a blind eye in the interest of profit. Maybe we will be able say, happily, that an era has come to an end. That excellence will be bred from talent and skill. That players will once again be role models to our children; they'll understand that they have a responsibility.For, lo, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the dove is heard on our land. (Song of Solomon 2:11-12)
My hope is that we can enjoy baseball this season without squinting suspiciously at every player that excels. Yes, we should be optimistic that our game can recover. We should believe that people can be great and honest at the same time. We should cheer, sing, jump, laugh and cry. We should act like idiots in ecstasy. We should not forget that our game, like our country , can change, grow, heal, and flourish again. We should never lose hope.
So, as A-Rod prepares to attempt to win back the trust of his fans and Barry Bonds prepares for trial, we prepare for the 2009 Major League Baseball season. We prepare to look to the future.
Because that, my friends, is what we do.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Innocent Until Bud Says So...
What?
Last time I checked, Bonds had not been convicted of any crime. He had also not admitted to
using performance enhancing drugs. Don't get me wrong. I believe whole-heartedly that Barry Bonds used steroids and frankly, I don't think he would've surpassed Hammerin' Hank without them, but there's no way to prove that. He hasn't been proven guilty in a court of law and last time I checked, in America one is innocent until proven guilty. Not only would erasing Bonds' records probably cause rioting in San Francisco, it could very well lead to a Players' strike. The MLBPA is already crying collusion since a man who broke the most coveted record in the game couldn't get a job the very next season and I hate to think what would happen if they started striking records from the books.
That would be wonderful for the game, right, Buddy?
And what about Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa? After all, their fight over the single season home run record practically saved baseball after the 1994 strike. They were most likely juiced out of their minds, but it hasn't been proven. But who needs proof? Does that mean that 61 is the number to beat?
This sounds an awful lot like Selig trying desperately to cover his own ***. The use of Steroids in baseball has been a problem for a very long time; there were half-arsed measures to curtail the problem in '91 and '97. You know, to curtail the problem that they didn't know about until the testing took place in 2003. Right. Meanwhile, Goodyear blimps were playing the game and breaking records left and right. Fact is, Selig has grown fat off of the use of steroids in baseball and the only reason that he's so "shocked" and "saddened" now is because his bluff has been called, perhaps even more than A-Rod's. Now he's trying to use a knee jerk over correction which will only continue the damage he's already done to the game.
I'm really, really glad this guy isn't the President. He makes George W. Bush look capable.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
18
That's the number of interleague games there are for each team this season. Three home series; three away. Really? Do we really need that many? I'll admit, I actually like interleague play. Does it water down the standings? Yes, but it's fun. In Detroit, we play St. Louis most years- a rematch of several World Series. In cities with two teams, they play each other and everyone has a lot of fun. But it's not fun enough to take a month out of the regular season. Here's what I think they should do. It may sound crazy; I'm sure that my limited expertise makes it impossible for me to understand why this just can't happen, but I think they should cut it down to 6 games. One home and one away series for each team. What to do with the exta 12 games? Throw them out. Cut the regular season to 150 games.
I know, I know.
Believe me, I don't want to see this ridiculously long seeming offseason any longer, but cutting the regular season by two weeks would make up for the fact that the postseason is three weeks long. Back in the old days, the postseason was a week long. The season was over in the first week of October. This coming season will go until November. Not only is it FREEZING by then, but it's in the throes of a football season that these days is 7 days a week, if you count College and the NFL. Wonder why the ratings of the World Series keep getting lower? Well, besides the ridiculously late start times.
I know this might be a crazy pipe dream like the making the All-Star Game just for fun again and basing the Wolrd Series home field advantage on the regular season record, but I think it would work out quite well. Of course, given that the current format is making Bud Selig 18.5 million dollars a year, I doubt we'll see any changes any time soon.
I know, I know.
Believe me, I don't want to see this ridiculously long seeming offseason any longer, but cutting the regular season by two weeks would make up for the fact that the postseason is three weeks long. Back in the old days, the postseason was a week long. The season was over in the first week of October. This coming season will go until November. Not only is it FREEZING by then, but it's in the throes of a football season that these days is 7 days a week, if you count College and the NFL. Wonder why the ratings of the World Series keep getting lower? Well, besides the ridiculously late start times.
I know this might be a crazy pipe dream like the making the All-Star Game just for fun again and basing the Wolrd Series home field advantage on the regular season record, but I think it would work out quite well. Of course, given that the current format is making Bud Selig 18.5 million dollars a year, I doubt we'll see any changes any time soon.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Are they really that many cardinals in Arizona?
Well, they've done it. The Pittsburgh Steelers have won their sixth Superbowl, which is a record. It was a really exciting game; this is coming from someone who usually thinks football is boring (I know, I know). I wasn't sure that my girlfriend and her parents, who are card carrying members of "Steelers Nation", were going to make it through the game at some points. Either they were all going to have heart attacks or I was going to kill them, whichever came first. :-P Luckily, we all made it out alive. After the game, her father (a Pittsburgh native) informed me that I was now also part of Steelers nation and though I thought I was from Detroit, I'm actually from Pittsburgh.
No, I'm really from Detroit.
Not that I blame him. He meant no harm or insult and I'm not going to hold it against him. First of all, his ego was inflated by a Superbowl win and mass consumption of alcohol. Second of all, it's not uncommon for people to assume that if you're from Detroit, you want to disassociate yourself from it as much as possible. Not that we don't contribute to that attitude. It's one of the only cities I can think of where people try to explain which suburb they're from on vacation to avoid being associated with the city. If you ask someone who was raised in Lake Forest, Illinois where they're from, I'll bet you they'll say Chicago. Ask someone raised in Sterling Heights, Michigan; they'll say Sterling Heights, despite having to explain exactly where that is. While they explain it, of course, they'll emphasize the distance away from Detroit.
Not me. I say Detroit.
I was born at St. John's Hospital, which is actually in the Detroit city limits. My parents both grew up here. My grandfather worked downtown in the Comerica building for 30 years; that's where my mother and father met. His family goes back several generations here. This is my city. It may not be pretty. It may have a habit of tearing itself apart and burning itself down. It may be marred by decades of bad government from divisive, corrupt politicians. It may have a really. bad. football team. But it's still my city.
And I love it.
I suppose I am part of Steelers Nation, by proxy. I want them to do well because it makes my friends happy. I'll root for them the whole season. But when the Steel Curtain rolls into the Motor City next season I'll be wearing blue and silver, no matter how much teasing it causes from my friends or how much of their Steelers regalia they have on. Why? Why root for the obviously inferior team?
Because they're in my town.
It's not about football. I really don't even like football. It's not about historic numbers of championships or historic numbers of losses. It's not about dynasties built on dominance or built on futility. It's about my city and I refuse to represent a different one when I have the chance to represent my own. I would no sooner walk into Ford Field wearing anything but Honolulu blue than I would walk into Comerica Park wearing Yankee pinstripes.
And maybe, just maybe, we'll win that game. Perhaps the Lions will beat the World Champions. Maybe they'll even win a couple of other games, too. Maybe the Lions will give the people of Detroit something they desperately need-something to be proud of. Most likely they won't, but even if they don't, I'll be there in my Honolulu blue with the mantra in my heart that rings true for both the Lions and the city of Detroit more than ever these days:
We have nowhere to go but up.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Letsa hava Baseball party!
I've been contemplating Superbowl Sunday the last few days (mostly since, well, it's this Sunday). I will be attending a Superbowl party of sorts, though it's just pizza with my girlfriend and her parents (HUGE Steelers fans). Now, I'm not a huge fan of football, but I do quite enjoy the Superbowl, simply because I LOVE parties. Not the kind of parties where you just go out to get drunk, but parties with some kind of purpose, you know, Christmas, Halloween, 4th of July, Superbowl. Super Sunday has become it's own unofficial holiday, evidenced by the fact that all the food shows and magazines have been running Gameday recipes for two weeks now. However, I've realized that there are very few opportunities to have baseball parties.
Part of the reason that you can't have a Superbowl style baseball party is the format of the championship. The only game that guaranteed to end the season is Game 7, but what if there isn't one? That'd be embarrassing. You could either schedule a party around an event that isn't definitive, say, Game 5, or one that never happens. Yet I think there are some great opportunities for parties that aren't being taken advantage of because of scheduling. This year, for example, the Official Opening Day for the League is Sunday, April 5th. The Primetime game is the Phillies and the Braves, which makes sense. What doesn't make sense is that the day game on that day is the Dogders and the Giants. Those are all NL teams. I don't understand why the day game isn't the AL Champion Rays, so you have both League Champions opening the seasons. I'm sure there's some reason for this that lies beyond my expertise, but that's not really my point. My point is that the season starts on a Sunday. Ok, good. Another 13 teams start their home seasons on the following day, Monday.
Wait, what?
Here's an idea, have the season openers play on Saturday and then the other teams can play on Sunday. That way 15 teams have had their home openers in the same weekend. The other 15 were the "away" teams, obviously. The next weekend, the 15 teams that were the "away" teams will have their home openers on Saturday. Or split up between the Saturday and the Sunday. Viola! All 30 teams have opened their ballparks for the season on a weekend. Let's party! Sure, people could have a party on the 5th for the Phillies, but most people wouldn't hold a baseball party for a team that wasn't theirs.
Now, I know that MLB isn't going to do anything simply for the convenience and happiness of the fans; but have they thought about the money they're missing out on? First of all, more people would watch the Opening Day game on television. Sure, Opening Day always sells out at the ballpark, but who's home at 1:05 on a Monday to watch the game if they don't have tickets? If the fanfare around Opening Day was increased, it may well become a mini holiday in its own right. Maybe not to the same degree that the Superbowl has, but it would sure be bigger than it is now. And there would be parties, I guarantee it. Parties with paper plates and cups and napkins and score cards and party favors and hats and noise makers and streamers and invitations. Most fans would want all those party accessories to have their beloved team's logo on them. Meaning they would have to be Officially Licensed by MLB. A swell in television viewers and merchandise? All for moving the Openers up ONE DAY? Come on, Bud, you guys are missing an industry the size of Rhode Island.
And while you're at it, move the All-Star Game to a Sunday, too, with the Home Run Derby on Saturday. Another party. And always make sure that Game 1 or Game 7 of the World Series are both on the Weekend and schedule them so that an EAST COAST game doesn't go past Midnight. How about a day game? Huh? Just one?
P.S.- I'm making football shaped brownies for Sunday and I'm very excited. Though that's not really relevant.
70 days until Opening Day (which is, by the way, a Friday...at 1:05. When most people are still at work and school. Except me, 'cause I'm skipping.) GO TIGERS!
Part of the reason that you can't have a Superbowl style baseball party is the format of the championship. The only game that guaranteed to end the season is Game 7, but what if there isn't one? That'd be embarrassing. You could either schedule a party around an event that isn't definitive, say, Game 5, or one that never happens. Yet I think there are some great opportunities for parties that aren't being taken advantage of because of scheduling. This year, for example, the Official Opening Day for the League is Sunday, April 5th. The Primetime game is the Phillies and the Braves, which makes sense. What doesn't make sense is that the day game on that day is the Dogders and the Giants. Those are all NL teams. I don't understand why the day game isn't the AL Champion Rays, so you have both League Champions opening the seasons. I'm sure there's some reason for this that lies beyond my expertise, but that's not really my point. My point is that the season starts on a Sunday. Ok, good. Another 13 teams start their home seasons on the following day, Monday.
Wait, what?
Here's an idea, have the season openers play on Saturday and then the other teams can play on Sunday. That way 15 teams have had their home openers in the same weekend. The other 15 were the "away" teams, obviously. The next weekend, the 15 teams that were the "away" teams will have their home openers on Saturday. Or split up between the Saturday and the Sunday. Viola! All 30 teams have opened their ballparks for the season on a weekend. Let's party! Sure, people could have a party on the 5th for the Phillies, but most people wouldn't hold a baseball party for a team that wasn't theirs.
Now, I know that MLB isn't going to do anything simply for the convenience and happiness of the fans; but have they thought about the money they're missing out on? First of all, more people would watch the Opening Day game on television. Sure, Opening Day always sells out at the ballpark, but who's home at 1:05 on a Monday to watch the game if they don't have tickets? If the fanfare around Opening Day was increased, it may well become a mini holiday in its own right. Maybe not to the same degree that the Superbowl has, but it would sure be bigger than it is now. And there would be parties, I guarantee it. Parties with paper plates and cups and napkins and score cards and party favors and hats and noise makers and streamers and invitations. Most fans would want all those party accessories to have their beloved team's logo on them. Meaning they would have to be Officially Licensed by MLB. A swell in television viewers and merchandise? All for moving the Openers up ONE DAY? Come on, Bud, you guys are missing an industry the size of Rhode Island.
And while you're at it, move the All-Star Game to a Sunday, too, with the Home Run Derby on Saturday. Another party. And always make sure that Game 1 or Game 7 of the World Series are both on the Weekend and schedule them so that an EAST COAST game doesn't go past Midnight. How about a day game? Huh? Just one?
P.S.- I'm making football shaped brownies for Sunday and I'm very excited. Though that's not really relevant.
70 days until Opening Day (which is, by the way, a Friday...at 1:05. When most people are still at work and school. Except me, 'cause I'm skipping.) GO TIGERS!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Can you hear the drums, Fernando?
I can honestly say I'm not sure why everyone is so stuck on Fernando Rodney. And by everyone, I mean the management, front office, and coaching staff of the Tigers. Look, I understand that he was really good in 2005-2006. Ok, Fine. I understand that we went to the World Series in 2006 because we had great pitching and Rodney was a big part of that. But it seems like every time I look at the Tigers homepage, there's a story about how RODNEY WILL BE FINE RODNEY IS OUR BUDDY HE'S A BIG LEAGUE PITCHER AND HE'S A VITAL PART OF OUR CLUB. Good lord, you'd think he was Sandy Koufax. I believe there's been at least five articles written about Rodney. "Rodney's role key to Tigers' success." "Rodney vital to Tigers' hopes." They inked him right up but are arguing money with Verlander. Even after they signed Lyon, Leyland was all too quick to assure us that no one's discarding Rodney.
I don't mean to be disrespectful, but why not?
Maybe someone can enlighten me on this.
I don't mean to be disrespectful, but why not?
Maybe someone can enlighten me on this.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Tigerfest 2009
A boy of about 8 years old asked this question of Clete Thomas, "After hit-after you hit a ball that goes just, um, just foul, what kind of adjustments do you make for the ball-for the next pitch?" Clete Thomas, undoubtedly expecting a question about his favorite foods from a child of that age, stumbled through an acceptable answer about looking for something good to hit. A while later, when Nate Robertson was taking questions, the same boy asked this, "You pissed...pitched (cue everyone doubling over with laughter) a game in Texas where you didn't get anybody out, what kind of affect-mental affect did that have on you and what did you do to adjust your mental effect?" Nate couldn't answer for a full two minutes because he was laughing about the Freudian slip, then he couldn't answer because the question was ridiculous, but finally said something about not letting it get to you, pulling up and blah blah. This boy is going to be either the best or the most irritating sports analyst ever. Maybe both.
Fortunately, that was not the highlight of Tigerfest, though it might have been the funniest moment. In case you don't know or have never attended a similar event in your city, Tigerfest is a pre-season celebration held at Comerica park. There's autograph sessions, photo sessions, various vendors, tours of the park, a fan q and a session, ect. You get the picture. My expirience was, overall, great. I had a lot of fun. I think next year I will definately go again, but I might plan it a little better. More layers of clothing are certainly in order. Don't get me wrong, we (my girlfriend and I) were both wearing a shirt, sweatshirt, and heavy coats, but it was about ten degrees in Detroit yesterday. And I forgot my gloves. The hand that wasn't in my baseball mitt was numb without ten seconds of going out into the concourse. Luckily, we were able to stay in areas that were semi or fully enclosed and relatively warm the entire time.
I got Justin Verlander to sign my mitt, and a couple of other autographs (Clete Thomas, Wilkin Ramirez, Rafeal Belliard) on a hat that a park employee gave me (because I forgot that, too). I walked through the Tigers Clubhouse. I had my picture taken with the 1984 Championship Trophy, Marcus Thames, and Miguel Cabrera:
.....
Ok, ok, but I honestly did have my picture taken with the trophy and Thames. I just don't have copies yet.
Anyhoo, I really did have a good time. Everyone seemed in really good spirits. The players seem a little like they have something to prove (which they do) and that's always good. I'm already planning next year's strategy for getting more autographs and maybe seeing the q & a in person, instead of on the TVs throughout the park. I might even be able to get in earlier because of my ticket package, which is paid in full. I'm even more excited than I was before about this season (which is, of course, the purpose of this event). Opening Day in April seems like years away at this point, though oddly it seems like my thesis, which is due in April, is coming up next week.
That kind of gives me a headache.
75 days to Opening Day. Go TIGERS! haha
Fortunately, that was not the highlight of Tigerfest, though it might have been the funniest moment. In case you don't know or have never attended a similar event in your city, Tigerfest is a pre-season celebration held at Comerica park. There's autograph sessions, photo sessions, various vendors, tours of the park, a fan q and a session, ect. You get the picture. My expirience was, overall, great. I had a lot of fun. I think next year I will definately go again, but I might plan it a little better. More layers of clothing are certainly in order. Don't get me wrong, we (my girlfriend and I) were both wearing a shirt, sweatshirt, and heavy coats, but it was about ten degrees in Detroit yesterday. And I forgot my gloves. The hand that wasn't in my baseball mitt was numb without ten seconds of going out into the concourse. Luckily, we were able to stay in areas that were semi or fully enclosed and relatively warm the entire time.
I got Justin Verlander to sign my mitt, and a couple of other autographs (Clete Thomas, Wilkin Ramirez, Rafeal Belliard) on a hat that a park employee gave me (because I forgot that, too). I walked through the Tigers Clubhouse. I had my picture taken with the 1984 Championship Trophy, Marcus Thames, and Miguel Cabrera:
.....
Ok, ok, but I honestly did have my picture taken with the trophy and Thames. I just don't have copies yet.
Anyhoo, I really did have a good time. Everyone seemed in really good spirits. The players seem a little like they have something to prove (which they do) and that's always good. I'm already planning next year's strategy for getting more autographs and maybe seeing the q & a in person, instead of on the TVs throughout the park. I might even be able to get in earlier because of my ticket package, which is paid in full. I'm even more excited than I was before about this season (which is, of course, the purpose of this event). Opening Day in April seems like years away at this point, though oddly it seems like my thesis, which is due in April, is coming up next week.
That kind of gives me a headache.
75 days to Opening Day. Go TIGERS! haha
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Drumroll Please...
I placed a deposit on my ticket package today. My seats are in Section 214, Row 14, Seats 10-11. Not bad, if I do say so myself. Of course, with my luck the guy with season tickets in front of us will have a...giant...hat.
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