I didn't get a game Sunday in Rochester, though I did geta logo-embossed baseball as the promotional giveaway as fans entered the gates, marked Red Wings on one sides, Twins on the opposite side, two sponsors' logos between them.
Matty has made off with it. I can't find it, but I can hear it clonking against the walls, the doors, the piano when he plays with it. As soon as he hears someone coming, he tucks it away somewhere in the dining room where we can't locate it.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Weather Wimps
After saying all those nice things about the Rochester Red Wings, I have to take a swipe at them today.
I drove all the way up there to catch a Sunday afternoon game, scheduled to start at 1:30. At 1:15 they covered the infield and announced that a cell was coming through, light rain, and they hoped to get the game started by 2:15 if not earlier.
It was drizzling, and it did rain lightly, returning to a faint drizzle, but at 2:15 they announced that because it was going to drizzle and rain lightly throughout the afternoon, the game was postponed to a doubleheader Monday night.
Maybe they won't start a game when the air is wet, or at least moist, maybe the Twins won't let the locals risk their players of the future, but it was barely drizzling. More like a misting. In Binghamton the week before, they played through rain, with thunder and lightning skirting just to the south. They've played during tornado warnings. Maybe the gate was too light.
I ended up poking around a bookstore just south of the city for a while, left town not much before the time the game would have ended had it started as scheduled, and it was still only lightly drizzling. Weather wimps.
My timing worked out well, as I pulled into Auburn just as the first pitch was being thrown by the Doubledays. Got to see a could great plays by the centerfielders and rightfielders of both teams. The pitching wasn't too shabby, but neither team was stellar in the infield. The best play of the game was by the Auburn manager. His team had been trailing 2-1 for some time and when a shot up the right field line made it 4-1 he came roaring out of the dugout to let the ump know the ball was on the foul side of the bag this far, holding his hands about 18" apart. He kept at it for a while, getting the crowd, and his team, going, getting tossed but not leaving the field. The other ump came in to cool things down and the manager had to show him how far outside the base he thought the ball went by retrieving the base from its spot on the field and carrying it to home plate, holding the base up and demonstrating it was this far outside. From my vantage point, aligned with first, the ball was clearly fair. It was good to get to a game, but watching short-season A ball reminds me exactly why I love AA.
I drove all the way up there to catch a Sunday afternoon game, scheduled to start at 1:30. At 1:15 they covered the infield and announced that a cell was coming through, light rain, and they hoped to get the game started by 2:15 if not earlier.
It was drizzling, and it did rain lightly, returning to a faint drizzle, but at 2:15 they announced that because it was going to drizzle and rain lightly throughout the afternoon, the game was postponed to a doubleheader Monday night.
Maybe they won't start a game when the air is wet, or at least moist, maybe the Twins won't let the locals risk their players of the future, but it was barely drizzling. More like a misting. In Binghamton the week before, they played through rain, with thunder and lightning skirting just to the south. They've played during tornado warnings. Maybe the gate was too light.
I ended up poking around a bookstore just south of the city for a while, left town not much before the time the game would have ended had it started as scheduled, and it was still only lightly drizzling. Weather wimps.
My timing worked out well, as I pulled into Auburn just as the first pitch was being thrown by the Doubledays. Got to see a could great plays by the centerfielders and rightfielders of both teams. The pitching wasn't too shabby, but neither team was stellar in the infield. The best play of the game was by the Auburn manager. His team had been trailing 2-1 for some time and when a shot up the right field line made it 4-1 he came roaring out of the dugout to let the ump know the ball was on the foul side of the bag this far, holding his hands about 18" apart. He kept at it for a while, getting the crowd, and his team, going, getting tossed but not leaving the field. The other ump came in to cool things down and the manager had to show him how far outside the base he thought the ball went by retrieving the base from its spot on the field and carrying it to home plate, holding the base up and demonstrating it was this far outside. From my vantage point, aligned with first, the ball was clearly fair. It was good to get to a game, but watching short-season A ball reminds me exactly why I love AA.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Matty, the Baseball Cat
My cat Matty takes his being named for Christy Mathewson seriously. His favorite toy is a ballpark give-away, a small white rubber ball with red markings.
Baseballs are perched in odd spots throughout my house, on top of the upright piano, on top of china cupboard, on window sills and in bookcases, and any ball Matty can see is fair game as far as he's concerned.
There was a small Christmas ornament tucked behind stuff on the buffet, a snowman whose body was a clear plastic baseball. Matty found it, knocked off the snowman's head with its scarf and hat, and started batting the ball portion around.
The only television that has captured his attention is baseball. Movies or games, he'll watch the players moving around for long spells.
Baseballs are perched in odd spots throughout my house, on top of the upright piano, on top of china cupboard, on window sills and in bookcases, and any ball Matty can see is fair game as far as he's concerned.
There was a small Christmas ornament tucked behind stuff on the buffet, a snowman whose body was a clear plastic baseball. Matty found it, knocked off the snowman's head with its scarf and hat, and started batting the ball portion around.
The only television that has captured his attention is baseball. Movies or games, he'll watch the players moving around for long spells.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
'Bout Time
Liviana can't miss the B-Mets schedule plastered to my office door when she stops by for coffee or lunch most days. Both Grace and I have periodically nudged her about bringing the girls to the ballpark, since spring training. Every time I mentioned it, Liviana said there was plenty of time, plenty of summer left. Not so any more. Must be the double whammy of both of us nudging her this week finally made an impact.
Once we were at the park and Liviana had had her first spiedi and Nine Man ale of the season, Grace lamenting that they had come to the park nearly every weekend the year before (she overestimates the number of times they came, but it's good to know she felt like it was a place to be regularly), she was asking when they could next return, pulling out the B-Mets schedule and picking our next outing.
Grace has been attentive from the first while Mellow has been more interested what to eat next while scoping out cute boys, which translates into virtually every male under 30. This time Mellow was paying attention to the game, asking occasional questions about what was happening on the field and why. When the B-Mets intentionally walked a batter, she noted the catcher standing behind the plate, and wondered by they were intentionally loading the bases. Setting up the doubleplay, I explained. But, she noted as the next batter hit came to the plate, they could give up a grand slam. Which they did. And she got to puzzle out the infield fly rule when that was called. Great game. And three of the four minor leaguers Tampa Bay would have gotten in the aborted Manny Ramirez trade were on the field today: Lastings Milledge, Yusmiro Petit and Anibel Sanchez.
Once we were at the park and Liviana had had her first spiedi and Nine Man ale of the season, Grace lamenting that they had come to the park nearly every weekend the year before (she overestimates the number of times they came, but it's good to know she felt like it was a place to be regularly), she was asking when they could next return, pulling out the B-Mets schedule and picking our next outing.
Grace has been attentive from the first while Mellow has been more interested what to eat next while scoping out cute boys, which translates into virtually every male under 30. This time Mellow was paying attention to the game, asking occasional questions about what was happening on the field and why. When the B-Mets intentionally walked a batter, she noted the catcher standing behind the plate, and wondered by they were intentionally loading the bases. Setting up the doubleplay, I explained. But, she noted as the next batter hit came to the plate, they could give up a grand slam. Which they did. And she got to puzzle out the infield fly rule when that was called. Great game. And three of the four minor leaguers Tampa Bay would have gotten in the aborted Manny Ramirez trade were on the field today: Lastings Milledge, Yusmiro Petit and Anibel Sanchez.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Oooo, Major Leaguers!
Steve Trachsel is still in town on rehab and Kaz Matsui is here for three games as well. Kaz has a vocal following, especially among the younger set. Trachsel, who got knocked around in his previous rehab start, was dominating tonight, pitched all 7 innings. (Another doubleheader--Portland was rained out during the couple weeks of the season and is forced to make up some of those games on the road. When the B-Mets play in Portland later this month, it will be another set of back-to-back doubleheaders.)
In the first name, with runners on second and third, the Sea dogs' starting pitcher Lester let loose two consecutive wild pitches letting both runners score. Final score: 3-1.
The second game was the wild one. Portland scored three in the top of the second, the B-Mets answered with 4 in the bottom of the inning. Portland scored again in the top of the third, and though the B-Mets scored again, Portland led until the bottom of the seventh when the B-Mets tied it up.
In the eighth (extra innings as doubleheaders are 7-inning affairs in this league) with one out, our weak-hitting, slow-footed catcher Zach Clements singled, then when the pitcher overthrew the first baseman on a pick off attempt, advanced to third. At that point, Portland pulled the left fielder and put in a fifth infielder on the left side. Setting up the doubleplay, they intentionally walked right fielder Derran Watts on four pitches. After falling behind in the count on Wayne Lydon, they intentionally walked him to load the bases, setting up a force play at every base. Lastings Milledge, who had come into the game as a pinch runner the inning before worked the count the full. Pitch -low and away. Ball four. B-Mets win.
In the first name, with runners on second and third, the Sea dogs' starting pitcher Lester let loose two consecutive wild pitches letting both runners score. Final score: 3-1.
The second game was the wild one. Portland scored three in the top of the second, the B-Mets answered with 4 in the bottom of the inning. Portland scored again in the top of the third, and though the B-Mets scored again, Portland led until the bottom of the seventh when the B-Mets tied it up.
In the eighth (extra innings as doubleheaders are 7-inning affairs in this league) with one out, our weak-hitting, slow-footed catcher Zach Clements singled, then when the pitcher overthrew the first baseman on a pick off attempt, advanced to third. At that point, Portland pulled the left fielder and put in a fifth infielder on the left side. Setting up the doubleplay, they intentionally walked right fielder Derran Watts on four pitches. After falling behind in the count on Wayne Lydon, they intentionally walked him to load the bases, setting up a force play at every base. Lastings Milledge, who had come into the game as a pinch runner the inning before worked the count the full. Pitch -low and away. Ball four. B-Mets win.
Friday, August 05, 2005
Two at a Time
The last place B-mets took on the first place Sea Dogs in a doubleheader, came out with a respectable spilt. B-Mets took the first game 2-1, but were shut out in the second, 7-0. They were completely baffled by Charlie Zink's knuckleball: 4 hits, 3 walks, and 5 strikeouts. That game was one of those can't lose games for me. I'm happy any time Binghamton wins, but I love knickleballers and have been waiting all season to see Zink pitch.
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Rumor Central
With the trade deadline looming Sunday afternoon, we were very much aware that this might be our last chance to watch Lastings Millegde play, that he might be pulled from the field mid-game--it's happened before. My Source would periodically stop by during the game Friday night with the latest permutations. The one in place when I headed home favors Tampa Bay: Manny to the Mets, Dany Baez and Mike Cameron to Boston, Lastings Milledge, Yusmiro Petit, Anibel Sanchez and Kelly Shoppach to the Devil Rays. The players may not pan out, but Tampa Bay has been in the process of accruing promising minor leaguers,
Thursday, July 28, 2005
YMMV: Chase & Pedro
A colleague-friend came by my office with some paperwork and got distracted by the two-page spread from the opening day newspaper with head shots, vitals and capsule descriptions of each of the players on the B-Mets' initial roster. He and another colleague-friend had recently been to their first B-mEts game of this season and there was this player that both of them thought was arrogant
I didn't have a clue who he might be referring to, since it was notable how diminished the arrogance had been this year.
He kept scanning the players. "A white guy," he said.
Mike Jacobs? I offered, thinking how Jacobs's arrogance quotient had drastically dropped from his earlier stint with the B-Mets.
"Not Jacobs," he said, "That guy, Lambin."
Chase? Arrogant? He's a sweetheart.
The two of them thought he thought too much of himself and thought he wasn't so great at the plate and not much of a fielder either.
Chase is a sweetheart, even if he does have to straighten his jersey after every pre-game wind sprint.
The major leaguer Chase most resembles is David Eckstein. Neither is blessed with an abundance of natural talent, but both play to the best of their abilities, pushing themselves to exceed expectations and have a good time doing it.
~~~~~~
Another colleague-friend is a big Mets fan. She held a Subway Series party for the first game of the 200 World Series, Mets fans in the comfy chairs in the living room, Yankees fans in the kitchen with the refreshments.
She loves Pedro. A lot of people were disparaging of Pedro when he was with the Red Sox. For a long time I was a fan of his, loved his great pitching (luckily I got to see him pitch 3 times at Fenway), his goofy presence in the dugout. After he got bumped from the top spot, had to share the limelight, Pedro lost some luster to Red Sox fans; I was less happy with him as his pitching declined and he became a sulking prima donna. (I was the Baseball Diva years before sportswriters dubbed Pedro the same.)
In New York with the Mets, the old, lovable Pedro is back and this friend loves having him on the team. She loves his superior pitching, his competitiveness, his playfulness in the dugout on days he's not pitching, and I'm enjoying her delight in Pedro nearly as much as I enjoyed Pedro when he was with the Sox.
I didn't have a clue who he might be referring to, since it was notable how diminished the arrogance had been this year.
He kept scanning the players. "A white guy," he said.
Mike Jacobs? I offered, thinking how Jacobs's arrogance quotient had drastically dropped from his earlier stint with the B-Mets.
"Not Jacobs," he said, "That guy, Lambin."
Chase? Arrogant? He's a sweetheart.
The two of them thought he thought too much of himself and thought he wasn't so great at the plate and not much of a fielder either.
Chase is a sweetheart, even if he does have to straighten his jersey after every pre-game wind sprint.
The major leaguer Chase most resembles is David Eckstein. Neither is blessed with an abundance of natural talent, but both play to the best of their abilities, pushing themselves to exceed expectations and have a good time doing it.
~~~~~~
Another colleague-friend is a big Mets fan. She held a Subway Series party for the first game of the 200 World Series, Mets fans in the comfy chairs in the living room, Yankees fans in the kitchen with the refreshments.
She loves Pedro. A lot of people were disparaging of Pedro when he was with the Red Sox. For a long time I was a fan of his, loved his great pitching (luckily I got to see him pitch 3 times at Fenway), his goofy presence in the dugout. After he got bumped from the top spot, had to share the limelight, Pedro lost some luster to Red Sox fans; I was less happy with him as his pitching declined and he became a sulking prima donna. (I was the Baseball Diva years before sportswriters dubbed Pedro the same.)
In New York with the Mets, the old, lovable Pedro is back and this friend loves having him on the team. She loves his superior pitching, his competitiveness, his playfulness in the dugout on days he's not pitching, and I'm enjoying her delight in Pedro nearly as much as I enjoyed Pedro when he was with the Sox.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Earl's a Pearl; another rare gem
Took a chance on Earl Snyder being in the line up Saturday when Durham came to Rochester for their single series in the Flower City and the gamble paid off. Since the Duke of Earl plays the majority of his teams' games each season it may not appear to be much of a risk, but somehow it seems he sits at least one of every three games when they're playing locally. Some of those times he coaches first so I get to see him, but not see him.
I got to see him Saturday, playing third, batting clean up. Good day at the plate for him, a first inning solo home run, a pair of singles, a couple RBIs and, incredibly, an intentional walk. Why incredibly, you say, thinking he's already jacked on. But he is among the league leaders in K! His strikeout to home run ratio is something like 4:1.
Foolish confession time.
I adore Earl Snyder.
He is my guilty pleasure. It doesn't make a lot of sense because he's the type of player I usually grant little attention or affection. He is a slow-footed slugger with waaaay too many strike outs and a correspondingly low OBP; small ball is not Earl's game. He's a first baseman, at least he was the first season I saw him play, and first basemen are not athletes, they're doorstops. He has also been hugely popular with fans, I usually prefer the overlooked, the dogged (David Wright notwithstanding.) Duke is also a great looking guy and "a nice young man," a phrase critics have used to damn him. Okay, the last two items aren't counts against him. It may be been timing as much as anything else that he became my favorite player; he appeared on the local diamond and within my sphere of consciousness exactly when I needed someone or something to anchor and buoy me.
I've followed him since his season in Binghamton where he was selected player of the year, through his time with Buffalo and his ten games with Cleveland, his years with Pawtucket were he was named the Red Sox organization's minor league player of the year in 2004 during which Earl had a quick cup of coffee, more of an espresso, making him a member of the World Champion Red Sox. I travel literally hundreds of miles to watch him play and love every minute of it. Although I keep hoping he gets another chance at the Show, I'm happy watching him as a veteran minor leaguer.
The most foolish part? I carry his Topps card in my purse everywhere I go. Though maybe that's not so foolish. If Bob Costas still has Mickey Mantle's card in his wallet, why shouldn't I keep Duke close at hand?
Other Gems
As someone said, every day you could see something at the ball game you've never seen before.
The Bulls had runners on first and second with no outs. The batter hit a grounder to third. The third baseman fielded it just behind the bag, stepped on third and fired to second, the second baseman pivoted and fired to first: a 5-4-3 triple play! A first for me, and a lot of the fans seated nearby. Triple plays are race enough, but usually the first out is a line drive caught. The Red Wings got a deserved standing ovation for the play.
The sign on the center field wall proclaims Rochester as "Baseball City". No argument here. The park itself is lovely, the staff friendly and helpful, the fans knowledgeable and engaged. The smattering of between inning promotions are minor diversions, not major entertainments as they often are in other parks. I've been to only a half-dozen AAA ballparks, but this is my favorite place to catch a game at this level of the minors.
Monday, July 18, 2005
Day-Night Doubleheader
Ya gotta make your own day-night doubleheader nowaday.
Went to Binghamton for the afternoon game, good to be back home at the park. Only two new players to learn. (This time of year, with promotions and demotions and trades and injuries, sometimes there's only once guy in the lineup I've ever seen before.) Corey Ragsdale SS and Lastings Milledge OF
Milledge has been ballyhooed as a great prospect, and with the exception of David Wright last year, most prospects fall well short of their hype, some of them hopelessly so. But if Sunday's game is any indication of Milledge's abilities, he could be some ballplayer. At the plate, he went 3-for-4 and scored 2 runs, in centerfield he made a couple WebGem plays. The word from the folks in Box 14 was that in his first game, he went 0-fer, striking out three times, but has been 4-for-5 and 3-for-4 in the next two games.
As for the game itself, starter Orlando Roman pitched well, and made two amazing pick offs, one at first and the other at second, the throw so quick the runner was out before we realized Roman was making a move. The game was not nearly as close as the 4-3 score would seem to indicate when he was relieved after seven strong innings, but Luz Portobanco gave up two runs in each of his two innings, B-Mets lose 7-4.
Back to Syracuse for the night game, a bunch of the folks from Box 14, their friends and families, taking in their one Norfolk game of the season. It was great to see the guys one more time and it was great to cheer for them, the visitors, in the midst of a large group of people rooting for them instead of being a lone voice. There had been more vocal support of the Tides throughout the entire series than there normally is for the visiting team, a few other B-Mets fans scattered throughout the stands and NY Mets fans as well, but the whole section cheering at once was fun.
Went to Binghamton for the afternoon game, good to be back home at the park. Only two new players to learn. (This time of year, with promotions and demotions and trades and injuries, sometimes there's only once guy in the lineup I've ever seen before.) Corey Ragsdale SS and Lastings Milledge OF
Milledge has been ballyhooed as a great prospect, and with the exception of David Wright last year, most prospects fall well short of their hype, some of them hopelessly so. But if Sunday's game is any indication of Milledge's abilities, he could be some ballplayer. At the plate, he went 3-for-4 and scored 2 runs, in centerfield he made a couple WebGem plays. The word from the folks in Box 14 was that in his first game, he went 0-fer, striking out three times, but has been 4-for-5 and 3-for-4 in the next two games.
As for the game itself, starter Orlando Roman pitched well, and made two amazing pick offs, one at first and the other at second, the throw so quick the runner was out before we realized Roman was making a move. The game was not nearly as close as the 4-3 score would seem to indicate when he was relieved after seven strong innings, but Luz Portobanco gave up two runs in each of his two innings, B-Mets lose 7-4.
Back to Syracuse for the night game, a bunch of the folks from Box 14, their friends and families, taking in their one Norfolk game of the season. It was great to see the guys one more time and it was great to cheer for them, the visitors, in the midst of a large group of people rooting for them instead of being a lone voice. There had been more vocal support of the Tides throughout the entire series than there normally is for the visiting team, a few other B-Mets fans scattered throughout the stands and NY Mets fans as well, but the whole section cheering at once was fun.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Highlights at 11
As tonight's Sky(gak)Chiefs-Tides game was spectacular:
Two triples, one by each team.
A Baltimore chop, successful one.
A grand slam.
Tides (and recent B-Mets) second baseman Anderson Hernandez was covering first on a bunt attempt and the knocked skyward by the runner, landing splat like a piece of roadkill. Thought for a moment that he had been knocked unconscious, but they got him rolled over and sitting up, and back out into position. He kept checking his teeth and lower lip for a while.
The Chiefs were comfortably in the lead 13-4, but the balance of the game shifted in the later innings and the Tides got as close as 13-11, threatened in the eighth and ninth. Final score 14-11.
Two triples, one by each team.
A Baltimore chop, successful one.
A grand slam.
Tides (and recent B-Mets) second baseman Anderson Hernandez was covering first on a bunt attempt and the knocked skyward by the runner, landing splat like a piece of roadkill. Thought for a moment that he had been knocked unconscious, but they got him rolled over and sitting up, and back out into position. He kept checking his teeth and lower lip for a while.
The Chiefs were comfortably in the lead 13-4, but the balance of the game shifted in the later innings and the Tides got as close as 13-11, threatened in the eighth and ninth. Final score 14-11.
Friday, July 15, 2005
Watch Chase: Hat Trick
The Norfolk Tides (NYM-AAA) come to Syracuse once a season and I try to get to at least one of those games so I can see how last year's B-Mets are doing up a level. This year, the Tides' visit coincides with a B-Mets homestand, and since I haven't been to a B-Mets' game in a few weeks it presented a dilema. The weather reporters said rain in Binghamton, and Thursday's game in Syracuse had been postponed because of a power outage at or near the ballpark, which meant a doubleheader Friday. Syracuse, it is.
When they flashed Chase Lambin's stats on the scoreboard, I thought it would be nice if he could hit his first AAA homerun tonight. The first pitch he saw he put over the right field fence. Yay! His first AAA homer, and I got to see it. Next at bat, first pitch was a ball, second pitch over the right field fence. Yay! a multi-homer game for Chase. Third at bat, he fouled off the first pitch into the third base stands, second pitch, yup, over the right field fence. Yay!!!!! Three at bats, three home runs.
He didn't fare quite so well in the second 7-inning game, only 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.
When they flashed Chase Lambin's stats on the scoreboard, I thought it would be nice if he could hit his first AAA homerun tonight. The first pitch he saw he put over the right field fence. Yay! His first AAA homer, and I got to see it. Next at bat, first pitch was a ball, second pitch over the right field fence. Yay! a multi-homer game for Chase. Third at bat, he fouled off the first pitch into the third base stands, second pitch, yup, over the right field fence. Yay!!!!! Three at bats, three home runs.
He didn't fare quite so well in the second 7-inning game, only 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Home Run Derby
This year's home run derby was the first one I've looked forward to since 1999, with McGwire coming off his home run chase and the event being held in Fenway.
I was looking forward to it because one of the participants used to play in Binghamton. It was cool that Jason Bay was taking part. Too bad he didn't hit even one ball out.
BoBby Abreu was fantastic, but actually I was only half-listening to his first round while writing out bills, waiting for Jason Bay to get his chance.
Granted, Abreu hit more dingers in that competition than anyone else has, by a long shot, but the home run derby should not last longer than a typical game. Sheesh.
I was looking forward to it because one of the participants used to play in Binghamton. It was cool that Jason Bay was taking part. Too bad he didn't hit even one ball out.
BoBby Abreu was fantastic, but actually I was only half-listening to his first round while writing out bills, waiting for Jason Bay to get his chance.
Granted, Abreu hit more dingers in that competition than anyone else has, by a long shot, but the home run derby should not last longer than a typical game. Sheesh.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Mid-Season
Thank Mays so many people were unavailable when we did our online draft in my fantasy league this year. That, and attention to who's actually pitching, has to be responsible for the Huskytown Dukes being smack dab in the middle of the standings at the All-Star break, 7th in a 13-team league.
After the first week or two of the season, the Dukes have hung right there in the middle, never higher than 5th, but not falling into double-digit territory either, their best showing in 6 years. That might not seem terribly impressive, but you've got to remember that most, if not all, of the rest of the league participants are stats freaks who pore over the numbers for hours. This season I'm actually looking at a player's numbers for the previous week or month before playing or benching him, unlike the memorable season I left Nomar at short for three weeks while he was on the DL, only to bench him for another three weeks, only the first of which he didn't play in real life.
Speaking of Nomar, I still have him taking up space on my precious DL, limited to 3 players, and I'm wrestling with whether he's worth it. I've been hanging on to him as a potential keeper, but I've been toying with the idea of trying to trade him based on his potential keeper value. Would I get anybody worthwhile in return?
Wade Miller is a bust as far as I'm concerned and I'm going tell My Barista my next mocha latte is on him since I drafter Miller on his recommendation.
The catching tandem of Tek and Mirabelli has worked out better than I expected.
Manny had a slow first third. I let him go in a trade to get a saver, any saver, since I'm dead last in Saves. Naturally, he starts hitting once I let him go, but at least I hung on to Big Papi; the original proposed trade asked for Manny and Papi in return for Isringhausen and Sexson; first baseman I've got out the wahzoo.
If I don't do anything too stupid, and none of the key Dukes goes down with a season-ending injury, I should finish in the middle of the pack. Anything above 7th would be a major victory.
After the first week or two of the season, the Dukes have hung right there in the middle, never higher than 5th, but not falling into double-digit territory either, their best showing in 6 years. That might not seem terribly impressive, but you've got to remember that most, if not all, of the rest of the league participants are stats freaks who pore over the numbers for hours. This season I'm actually looking at a player's numbers for the previous week or month before playing or benching him, unlike the memorable season I left Nomar at short for three weeks while he was on the DL, only to bench him for another three weeks, only the first of which he didn't play in real life.
Speaking of Nomar, I still have him taking up space on my precious DL, limited to 3 players, and I'm wrestling with whether he's worth it. I've been hanging on to him as a potential keeper, but I've been toying with the idea of trying to trade him based on his potential keeper value. Would I get anybody worthwhile in return?
Wade Miller is a bust as far as I'm concerned and I'm going tell My Barista my next mocha latte is on him since I drafter Miller on his recommendation.
The catching tandem of Tek and Mirabelli has worked out better than I expected.
Manny had a slow first third. I let him go in a trade to get a saver, any saver, since I'm dead last in Saves. Naturally, he starts hitting once I let him go, but at least I hung on to Big Papi; the original proposed trade asked for Manny and Papi in return for Isringhausen and Sexson; first baseman I've got out the wahzoo.
If I don't do anything too stupid, and none of the key Dukes goes down with a season-ending injury, I should finish in the middle of the pack. Anything above 7th would be a major victory.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
7 Pitches
The crowd was the biggest I've ever seen at P&C/Alliance Bank Stadium in Syracuse, somewhere around 9,000. (The park holds approximately 11,100 and has only been sold out once that I'm aware of, when Darryl Strawberry was in town on his fourth or fifth attempted comeback with the Yankees/Columbus.)
Scads of people were lined up behind the visitors' dugout before the game, obviously newbies because you physically can't reach the players there, too far removed. Any autographing goes on along the right field stands as the players come and go for pre-game warmups, and as a reliever Schilling wouldn't come out of the clubhouse until mid-game or later.
The PawSox got an immediate 3-0 lead in the first, the Sky(gak)Chiefs caught up, but Pawtucket starter Tim Kester regained form and held them at 3 runs. First baseman Roberto Petagine put the game permanently in the Sox' favor by hitting a grand slam in the fourth.
Schilling emerged from the dugout and crossed to the left center field bullpen between the sixth and seventh innings and fans were cheering so loudly the promotion Syracuse was trying to run was completely drowned out. Anton French, CF, walked part of the way with Curt, chatting away. Wonder what words were exchanged.
When reliever Mark Malaska came on in the bottom of the eighth, the poor guy was booed. Just for not being Curt Schilling. Malaska threw a scoreless inning and with a handshake from the manager was done for the night.
When Schilling finally emerged from the bullpen, he got a standing ovation. A few Yankee fans sitting near me were booing; the Boston fan behind me noted, "Like that's gonna bother him."
Schilling threw more pitches warming from the mound than he did in regulation play. He struck out Kevin Barker on three straight pitches, then threw a ball to John-Ford Griffin who fouled the next one off, then grounded to Petagine at first, and Julius Matos flied out to right on the first pitch.
Seven pitches. Nearly three hours of game preceded them, and a twenty-five minute wait in the parking lot before joining the traffic jam followed. But they were worth it.
I was sitting only a couple rows up from where I usually sit in this park, in row 6 Saturday night. Right behind the visitors' dugout, directly in line with the pitcher's mound, I had the perfect view. And as the team exited the field, filing into the dugout, I stood within 20 feet of a pitching great.
Ya gotta love the minors.
Scads of people were lined up behind the visitors' dugout before the game, obviously newbies because you physically can't reach the players there, too far removed. Any autographing goes on along the right field stands as the players come and go for pre-game warmups, and as a reliever Schilling wouldn't come out of the clubhouse until mid-game or later.
The PawSox got an immediate 3-0 lead in the first, the Sky(gak)Chiefs caught up, but Pawtucket starter Tim Kester regained form and held them at 3 runs. First baseman Roberto Petagine put the game permanently in the Sox' favor by hitting a grand slam in the fourth.
Schilling emerged from the dugout and crossed to the left center field bullpen between the sixth and seventh innings and fans were cheering so loudly the promotion Syracuse was trying to run was completely drowned out. Anton French, CF, walked part of the way with Curt, chatting away. Wonder what words were exchanged.
When reliever Mark Malaska came on in the bottom of the eighth, the poor guy was booed. Just for not being Curt Schilling. Malaska threw a scoreless inning and with a handshake from the manager was done for the night.
When Schilling finally emerged from the bullpen, he got a standing ovation. A few Yankee fans sitting near me were booing; the Boston fan behind me noted, "Like that's gonna bother him."
Schilling threw more pitches warming from the mound than he did in regulation play. He struck out Kevin Barker on three straight pitches, then threw a ball to John-Ford Griffin who fouled the next one off, then grounded to Petagine at first, and Julius Matos flied out to right on the first pitch.
Seven pitches. Nearly three hours of game preceded them, and a twenty-five minute wait in the parking lot before joining the traffic jam followed. But they were worth it.
I was sitting only a couple rows up from where I usually sit in this park, in row 6 Saturday night. Right behind the visitors' dugout, directly in line with the pitcher's mound, I had the perfect view. And as the team exited the field, filing into the dugout, I stood within 20 feet of a pitching great.
Ya gotta love the minors.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Schilling here?
The buzz in the Syracuse media is that Curt Schilling may pitch in Saturday's game against the Sky(gak)Chiefs. It would be his turn in the rotation if he's starting, but from Francona's comments it seems more likely that Schilling will be working from the bullpen.
I had already planned weeks ago to go to this game as I have to be in Syracuse that day anyway, the B-Mets are on the road, and the PawSox are a team I usually take the time to see.
It would be too cool if Schilling is on the mound.
I had already planned weeks ago to go to this game as I have to be in Syracuse that day anyway, the B-Mets are on the road, and the PawSox are a team I usually take the time to see.
It would be too cool if Schilling is on the mound.
Friday, July 01, 2005
Chase Watch
Chase is gone again, called up to Norfolk once more, on the last day of June.
In 7 games at AAA, Chase is hitting .391, with an OPS of .879.
Not bad for a utility guy.
In 7 games at AAA, Chase is hitting .391, with an OPS of .879.
Not bad for a utility guy.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Weekend Update
Subtitle this "The Victor Hall Show"
Friday night the B-Mets were comfortably leading 8-4 going into the ninth against the visiting Erie Seawolves (or "Seawolfs" on the small scoreboard), but the bullpen went into meltdown, coughed up 4 runs to make it 8-8. Erie's reliever gave up three single, broken up by a strike out by Mike Jacobs, then Victor Hall, who has been skimming along the Mendoza line, drove in the game-winning run.
Saturday, let's just forget Saturday, an ugly 13-7 loss.
Sunday the B-Mets were being shut out 3-0. Mike Jacobs led off the bottom of the ninth with a single. Chase Lambin moved him along with a double. Sparkplug David Bacani drove in Jacobs with a single, breaking up the shut out. The unlikely Victor Hall homered, clearing the bases, giving the B-Mets a 4-3 win.
Friday night the B-Mets were comfortably leading 8-4 going into the ninth against the visiting Erie Seawolves (or "Seawolfs" on the small scoreboard), but the bullpen went into meltdown, coughed up 4 runs to make it 8-8. Erie's reliever gave up three single, broken up by a strike out by Mike Jacobs, then Victor Hall, who has been skimming along the Mendoza line, drove in the game-winning run.
Saturday, let's just forget Saturday, an ugly 13-7 loss.
Sunday the B-Mets were being shut out 3-0. Mike Jacobs led off the bottom of the ninth with a single. Chase Lambin moved him along with a double. Sparkplug David Bacani drove in Jacobs with a single, breaking up the shut out. The unlikely Victor Hall homered, clearing the bases, giving the B-Mets a 4-3 win.
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Chase Watch
The B-Mets have been on the road and I've been away on a business trip, so I haven't been paying attention. With the boys back in town, I remembered to check Chase Lambin's stats.
But he wasn't to be found on the B-Mets website!
Could it be?
Yes! There he is, on the Norfolk Tides' roster, called up on June 17.
But this is the minors, so when I got to the park tonight, Chase was in the lineup, batting sixth.
People come and go so quickly here.
But he wasn't to be found on the B-Mets website!
Could it be?
Yes! There he is, on the Norfolk Tides' roster, called up on June 17.
But this is the minors, so when I got to the park tonight, Chase was in the lineup, batting sixth.
People come and go so quickly here.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Cooperstown Symposium
Gathering of the Faithful (some of them Fenway Faithful, of course) in Cooperstown for the annual symposium on Baseball and American Culture this past week, was great as always.
In a way it's a like a homecoming, returning to a place where memories reside, even if you've never physically been here before. And as this is my sixth consective symposium, it's a chance to see old friends, catch up on their views of baseball and the (academic) world. This year had the largest attendance since I started going and many of these attendees were here for the first time, bringing new life and new perspectives to the event.
There are certain presenters one can expect to see talking about certain topics, like Roberta Newman on marketing, advertising and/or the Dodgers, Bill Simons on the effect of ethnicity on our views of the game, or David Ogden on the dearth of African American youth involved in baseball.
The first words out of most attendees mouths are "Are you presenting?" and if a positive response if given "What are you talking about? When and where?" We scramble through the agenda upon arrival, searching for familiar names and interesting topic titles, mapping out the next three days' activities, bemoaning the fact that concurrent sessions guarantee you'll miss a couple of great talks. (A recurrent complaint is that attendees are given only the titles of presentations which may or may not give a clue as to the true topic which would help in selecting which to attend.)
Jonathan Eig, the key note speaker, delivered an engaging synposis of his quest to write the true story of Lou Gehrig, a task that had its roots in a grade school assignment. While giving highlights of the Iron Horse's life, he provided insight on his research process including visits with people who knew Gehrig and his quest for Gerhig's personal letters.
A couple highlights from this year's symposium included:
*Mike Brady's account of a course he team teaches as a road trip, taking a busload of folks on a ten-day trip to visit ballparks, major and minor, and meet with baseball people, (Hank Aaron had to cancel on them at the last minute.) It sounds like the trip of a lifetime.
*Joseph Stanton reading several of his poems about the team from his book Cardinal Points: Poems on St. Louis Cardinals Baseball , a delightful evening that he capped off with a poem about Bob Gibson ("don't lean too close to this poem").
*The jersey Babe Ruth was wearing when he called his shot in the 1932 World Series was displayed and the story of its authentication was detailed by the gentlemen from Grey Flannel Auction.
*George Gmelch, former minor leaguer, talked about the changing world of professional baseball, comparing his days as a Tigers' farm hand with today's life in the pros. George, an anthropologist, wrote about exploring the new world of baseball in Inside Pitch
*Jean Hastings Ardell, a can't miss presenter, talked about the effect of Title IX on girls' and womens' involvement in the game, which she also addresses in her marvelous book Breaking in Baseball: Women and the National Pastime. I'm looking forward to picking up the conversation at the SABR convention in Toronto in August.
For the first time I was a true spectator at the town ball game. In the past I've played, or stood on the sidelines, far from the action, too involved in discussions to watch the game. This year I found a happy medium, enjoying conversation and follow the game. The tasty picnic was wrapped up, per usual, by the Mighty Casey, a treat no matter how many times Tim delivers.
This respresents only the tip of the symposium iceberg, three days of baseball- related conversation and fun; I can't wait for next year, to get back together at the HOF to listen to and talk with other presenters and particpants, with everybody else who has a story to share, which every one of the people at the event has.
In a way it's a like a homecoming, returning to a place where memories reside, even if you've never physically been here before. And as this is my sixth consective symposium, it's a chance to see old friends, catch up on their views of baseball and the (academic) world. This year had the largest attendance since I started going and many of these attendees were here for the first time, bringing new life and new perspectives to the event.
There are certain presenters one can expect to see talking about certain topics, like Roberta Newman on marketing, advertising and/or the Dodgers, Bill Simons on the effect of ethnicity on our views of the game, or David Ogden on the dearth of African American youth involved in baseball.
The first words out of most attendees mouths are "Are you presenting?" and if a positive response if given "What are you talking about? When and where?" We scramble through the agenda upon arrival, searching for familiar names and interesting topic titles, mapping out the next three days' activities, bemoaning the fact that concurrent sessions guarantee you'll miss a couple of great talks. (A recurrent complaint is that attendees are given only the titles of presentations which may or may not give a clue as to the true topic which would help in selecting which to attend.)
Jonathan Eig, the key note speaker, delivered an engaging synposis of his quest to write the true story of Lou Gehrig, a task that had its roots in a grade school assignment. While giving highlights of the Iron Horse's life, he provided insight on his research process including visits with people who knew Gehrig and his quest for Gerhig's personal letters.
A couple highlights from this year's symposium included:
*Mike Brady's account of a course he team teaches as a road trip, taking a busload of folks on a ten-day trip to visit ballparks, major and minor, and meet with baseball people, (Hank Aaron had to cancel on them at the last minute.) It sounds like the trip of a lifetime.
*Joseph Stanton reading several of his poems about the team from his book Cardinal Points: Poems on St. Louis Cardinals Baseball , a delightful evening that he capped off with a poem about Bob Gibson ("don't lean too close to this poem").
*The jersey Babe Ruth was wearing when he called his shot in the 1932 World Series was displayed and the story of its authentication was detailed by the gentlemen from Grey Flannel Auction.
*George Gmelch, former minor leaguer, talked about the changing world of professional baseball, comparing his days as a Tigers' farm hand with today's life in the pros. George, an anthropologist, wrote about exploring the new world of baseball in Inside Pitch
*Jean Hastings Ardell, a can't miss presenter, talked about the effect of Title IX on girls' and womens' involvement in the game, which she also addresses in her marvelous book Breaking in Baseball: Women and the National Pastime. I'm looking forward to picking up the conversation at the SABR convention in Toronto in August.
For the first time I was a true spectator at the town ball game. In the past I've played, or stood on the sidelines, far from the action, too involved in discussions to watch the game. This year I found a happy medium, enjoying conversation and follow the game. The tasty picnic was wrapped up, per usual, by the Mighty Casey, a treat no matter how many times Tim delivers.
This respresents only the tip of the symposium iceberg, three days of baseball- related conversation and fun; I can't wait for next year, to get back together at the HOF to listen to and talk with other presenters and particpants, with everybody else who has a story to share, which every one of the people at the event has.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)