Archive for Baseball
Vacation Plans
The 2008 Summer vacation plans are finally taking shape.
• We’re going to start it all off with a trip to the UP. Specifically Escanaba and Munising, Michigan. A bunch of family are meeting up there and hanging for an extended weekend. I’m really looking forward to the R&R, as well as a trip to the Pictured Rocks.
• Next on the agenda is a trip to Silver Lakes and the Sand Dunes. Four wheelers and bikes to go along with some naps and book reading.
• Cedar Point is a must.
• This years ballpark is Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio vs. Seattle Mariners. (Previous Ball Park Vacations)
• We’ll be making another trip down to the Yogi Bear Campgrounds.
• I’m going to make a trip down to Arkansas to visit Harding University, and to hit up some Sonic and a movie with Neil.
What are your plans?
Vindication?
Back in 2005, Jose Canseco admitted to using anabolic steroids in his book, Juiced. He also claimed that as much as 85% of major league players were also taking steroids. Many in baseball took offense to the book, and to those statistics. Since then Canseco has been called every name under the sun, and thrown under the bus by his fraternity. Some of it is justified seeing that he sold his brotherhood out to make some dough, but they still treated him like he was a moron, and questioned his honesty.
But ever since he got this steroids-in-baseball subject rolling, he has been the only one that can keep his head high. He came out, admitted to it and hasn’t lied since (to the best of our knowledge so far). Yet everybody else keeps lying, and passing the buck, and pretending it’s not a big deal.
Now that this Mitchell’s Report has been released, I think it gives even more credence to Jose’s claim. Perhaps the greatest offensive player and the greatest pitcher EVER, have both been found to have been cheating. The report goes on to say that every single team has it’s hands in this matter.
I think everyone owes Jose an apology. And congress should give him a medal for bringing this all to light. A true American hero!
Bo Knows Best
ESPN E-Ticket has a great article on one of my favorite athletes of all time—Bo Jackson. It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years already.
Perspective
It wasn’t too long ago that Joe Torre scoffed at the Yankees offer to come back and manage their team. They did the unthinkable and offered him potentially the richest contract ever for a major league manager. The problem, from his perspective, was that it was for a base pay decrease, incentive laden, and for only one year. He thought he deserved more respect than that.
Then there is Curt Schilling. Curt just signed a contract for a base pay decrease, which is incentive laden, and for only one year. His perspective? Ecstatic. He couldn’t be happier, and praises the team for working with him.
So what’s the deal here? Two people at the end of their careers, offered eerily similar deals, and one takes it as a slap in the face, and the other couldn’t be happier. Something just doesn’t fit. The funniest part to me is that Curt has the better performance record in the last few years (particularly in the playoffs), and should have more leverage. Yet he’s the guy that took the one year, incentive laden deal. I think it all comes down to perspective.
What’s your perspective?
I Thank The Lord
This MLB season couldn’t have been much better. Sure the Tigers or the Cubbies could have represented more there at the end, but the entire season was fun to watch, and it cumulated with another Red Sox World Series title. So I don’t have too much to complain about as we enter the Hot Stove portion of the game.
The biggest question seems to surround where A-Rod will land, now that he’s announced (during the end of game 4 of the World Series no less) that he’s officially on the market. The Stankee’s 30+ million per season just wasn’t cutting it for him. That or the smell of New York was getting to him. I will not lie, I hope he lands with the Cubs, Tigers or Red Sox. He is an amazing talent, and not really the team killer some people think he is.
Regardless, my congratulations to Boston and the RSN for yet another championship. Looks like the Patriots have another surprise for you coming around the corner.
PS. Curt Schilling is a man of many words, and a great pitcher. Check out his thank you letter on his blog, 38pitches.com.
Free Tacos!
If any player steals a base in the 2007 MLB World Series, Taco Bell is going to give 1 free Crunchy Taco to every person in America!!
(ht: Aaron Conrad)
**UPDATE**
Thank you Jacoby Ellsbury! America, you can now go to Taco Bell on Tuesday, October 30, between 2pm and 5pm, and claim your FREE taco.
RSN Represent!
My sincere condolences to the Tribe and their fans. I really wasn’t rooting against you, but rather for the Red Sox. I appreciate the way you came on strong to end the season and grabbed what was yours. The way you told the Yankees to go home and cash another paycheck for doing nothing. And the way you kept coming at the Sox all series.
But the Boston Red Sox have turned a corner. They have entered a whole new arena. They are no longer the cursed Sox of old, they are now a legitimate baseball powerhouse for the foreseeable future. The Stankees have been abysmal, and it only looks to get worse from here.
So congratulations Boston, and watch out Colorado! It’s going to feel weird having 2 Red Sox championships that aren’t decades apart. Now if only we can get the Cubs to turn that corner…
Yankees Suck
Feeling pretty lousy this morning after another Cubs loss. I really wish their bats would heat up. They have to win 3 straight now, so the odds aren’t in our favor.
However, I discovered last night that I might possibly find more enjoyment watching anyone beat the Yankees than watching one of my own favorite teams win. Even the rival Indians. Let’s go tribe!
And Lily’s reaction after giving up a homer last night was priceless!
