Pete Rose's favorite hobby, gambling on baseball, is coming into play as the World Series starts this week. Rumor has it that the mayors of San Francisco and Arlington have put a friendly wager on the game. In addition to a day of community service in the victor's town while wearing that team's jersey, the losing mayor is going to have to send over some food.
If the Rangers win, Mayor Gavin Newsom of San Francisco will ship out Dungeness crab, sourdough bread, Ghirardelli chocolate and Anchor Steam beer. If the Giants win, Mayor Robert Cluck of Arlington will ship food from a local BBQ joint called Spring Creek BBQ, reportedly the best in Texas (though, this has yet to be verified from an inside source).
Perhaps what catches my eye in all of this is the fact that Arlington's mayor's last name is Cluck. I find it really funny that a place so steeped in the finer qualities and traditions of beef shares the last name with the noise from a chicken.
Giants Advance to World Series
I suppose to be fair, I just probably mention that the San Francisco Giants defeated the Philadelphia Phillies to advance to the World Series. Sorry if I'm just not that excited about the Giants in the Series. I'm really, really, not a fan of Lincecum. Maybe I'm still a little bitter that he won the Cy Young over Wainwright (who totally deserved it more) last season, maybe I'm just not a fan of a guy who was busted for possession and didn't receive any kind of disciplinary action from the league, or maybe I just don't like the fact that an f-bomb is his go-to adjective. Either way, congrats to the Giants, blah, blah, blah.
And, just a fun side note, Benji Molina, who was traded from the Giants to the Rangers earlier this season is officially the first person to win a World Series ring this season. Good to see another Molina brother get a ring.
Pictures? We don't need no stinkin' pictures.
And, just a fun side note, Benji Molina, who was traded from the Giants to the Rangers earlier this season is officially the first person to win a World Series ring this season. Good to see another Molina brother get a ring.
Pictures? We don't need no stinkin' pictures.
Rangers Advance to World Series
Congratulations to the Texas Rangers for 1) putting a beat-down on the New York Yankees, and 2) making it to the first World Series in franchise history.
Just think, in Spring Training, manager Ron Washington was admitting to doing blow around this time last year (if you had to manage this team last year, you might've as well), everybody was penciling the Mariners in as the best team in the West, and the Rangers were a "good offense with no pitching."
Then they stole Cliff Lee from the grasp of the Evil Empire, and used him to take down the Yankees. Then Nolan Ryan took over as owner of the team. Then, just as everyone had imagined ten years ago, Alex Rodriguez was at the plate in Arlington with a chance to go to the World Series.... of course, everybody thought that he would be wearing a different uniform, but regardless, A-Rod played an integral part in the Rangers run to the World Series.
To honor the Rangers in their charge to the World Series...
Just think, in Spring Training, manager Ron Washington was admitting to doing blow around this time last year (if you had to manage this team last year, you might've as well), everybody was penciling the Mariners in as the best team in the West, and the Rangers were a "good offense with no pitching."
Then they stole Cliff Lee from the grasp of the Evil Empire, and used him to take down the Yankees. Then Nolan Ryan took over as owner of the team. Then, just as everyone had imagined ten years ago, Alex Rodriguez was at the plate in Arlington with a chance to go to the World Series.... of course, everybody thought that he would be wearing a different uniform, but regardless, A-Rod played an integral part in the Rangers run to the World Series.
To honor the Rangers in their charge to the World Series...
Unfortunately, I couldn't find a clearer picture, but Ryan's face as the bullpen blew Game 1 was hilarious. That, or former owner... and President... George W. Bush said something really stupid.... again.
Not that he needed it, but here is Nelson Cruz receiving directions as to the location of home plate.
And, of course, no Ranger post would be complete without Ron Washington eating another imaginary apple.
Taking a Break
Well, folks, I know that this is the sporadic highlight of your day, but I'll be taking a break for the next week or so as my wife and I are heading off for vacation with her family. I look forward to catching up on all the baseball madness when we get back.
Rangers Advance to ALCS
Oh, what's that you say? There was another Division Series? Oh, I thought we were ready for a Philly-Yankee rematch already. No? Must've just been the talking heads. Anyhoo....
We have moved one step closer to the inevitable conclusion of this season... you know, one where an East Coast team wins the World Series.... again....
Congratulations to the Texas Rangers for their first ever postseason series win in their long and illustrious history. After giving me hope that I might be able to sneak over to a playoff game while I'm in Orlando at the end of the week, the Tampa Bay Rays' bats once again bowed down to the postseason greatness that is Cliff Lee, showing why the Rangers worked so hard to steal him away from the Yankees, and at the same time, damaging the Rangers chances of winning the ALCS by making Lee unavailable until Game 3.
Enjoy it while you can, Arlington. People have already written you off.... not me.... just other people.
We have moved one step closer to the inevitable conclusion of this season... you know, one where an East Coast team wins the World Series.... again....
Congratulations to the Texas Rangers for their first ever postseason series win in their long and illustrious history. After giving me hope that I might be able to sneak over to a playoff game while I'm in Orlando at the end of the week, the Tampa Bay Rays' bats once again bowed down to the postseason greatness that is Cliff Lee, showing why the Rangers worked so hard to steal him away from the Yankees, and at the same time, damaging the Rangers chances of winning the ALCS by making Lee unavailable until Game 3.
Enjoy it while you can, Arlington. People have already written you off.... not me.... just other people.
Apparently Ranger fans are terrible at catching unless they use their face. I love how the lady behind the guy who takes the phrase "keep your eye on the ball" too literally is laughing hysterically.
Michael Young, who had never been in the postseason until this year, tries to Kung Fu kick his entire team.
Before Tuesday night, this was the greatest moment in Texas Ranger baseball history.
Once again, manager Ron Washington is eating an imaginary apple. Crack is whack, folks.
Finally, a reminder of the greatest Texas Ranger in the history of the franchise.
Bobby Cox Goes Out in Style
Long time manager of the Atlanta Braves appeared in his final game when the Braves lost 3-2 to the Giants in Game 4 of the NLDS.
I was going to putting a touching tribute to Bobby starting with It's So Hard to Say Goodbye by Boyz II Men.... then I came across this clip of Willie singing it.... and well.... it just fits so much better with the rest of what's going on here at BLB. I'm not really sure why Willie is wearing what he's wearing.... just embrace the serenade as you view the pictures of Bobby.
The only fitting way to end this post is to say something that Bobby has heard a record number of times, "You're outta here!"
I was going to putting a touching tribute to Bobby starting with It's So Hard to Say Goodbye by Boyz II Men.... then I came across this clip of Willie singing it.... and well.... it just fits so much better with the rest of what's going on here at BLB. I'm not really sure why Willie is wearing what he's wearing.... just embrace the serenade as you view the pictures of Bobby.
The only fitting way to end this post is to say something that Bobby has heard a record number of times, "You're outta here!"
Giants Advance to NLCS
The San Francisco Giants have advanced to the NLCS by virtue of another 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves. One thing is for sure about this year's NLCS - there probably isn't going to be a lot of runs scored. The Giants and the Phillies have put together phenomenal pitching performances so far this postseason, led by Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum.
I think that I'll be rooting for the Phillies in this particular series. Not so much because I like their mascot better than the Giants' mascot, but because I can't stand Tim Lincecum. For a stoner, girly-haired, foul-mouthed pitcher, he's pretty good, but I can't root for a guy who has absolutely no control over his language. To get an idea of what I'm talking about, you can check out this highlight from mlb.com (he's the girly-haired dude whose profanity doesn't get drowned out by the fan noise), or jump back to this post.
I think that I'll be rooting for the Phillies in this particular series. Not so much because I like their mascot better than the Giants' mascot, but because I can't stand Tim Lincecum. For a stoner, girly-haired, foul-mouthed pitcher, he's pretty good, but I can't root for a guy who has absolutely no control over his language. To get an idea of what I'm talking about, you can check out this highlight from mlb.com (he's the girly-haired dude whose profanity doesn't get drowned out by the fan noise), or jump back to this post.
Phillies Advance to the NLCS
The Philadelphia Phillies advanced to the NLCS following another embarrassing game by the Cincinnati Reds, who were no-hit, shut-out and gave the other away with 4 errors. If you were looking for a way to lose at something, then just take a look at this series. I guess you could say the Reds really dropped the ball on this one....
Obviously the talk of the series was Roy Halladay's no-hitter, and the ensuing whining perpetuated by some players... okay, it was mostly just Orlando Cabrera. The talk of the next series will be on whether or not the Phillies can make it to their third straight World Series, something that hasn't been done since the Yankees made four straight at the turn of the century. "Turn of the century" makes it sound like it was a long time ago.... it was just ten years ago.
In other, less exciting, news, that now makes it 12 straight playoff losses for the NL Central, who haven't won since the Cardinals wrapped up the 2006 World Series. The Cubs were swept in 2007 & 2008, followed by the Cardinals last season, and now the Reds. Way to go NL Central!
Obviously the talk of the series was Roy Halladay's no-hitter, and the ensuing whining perpetuated by some players... okay, it was mostly just Orlando Cabrera. The talk of the next series will be on whether or not the Phillies can make it to their third straight World Series, something that hasn't been done since the Yankees made four straight at the turn of the century. "Turn of the century" makes it sound like it was a long time ago.... it was just ten years ago.
In other, less exciting, news, that now makes it 12 straight playoff losses for the NL Central, who haven't won since the Cardinals wrapped up the 2006 World Series. The Cubs were swept in 2007 & 2008, followed by the Cardinals last season, and now the Reds. Way to go NL Central!
Yogi Monday!
Welcome to this week's Yogi Monday! We all get a case of the Mondays from time to time. There's no better way to get through a Monday than with a classic quote from one of baseball's greatest quote machines - Yogi Berra.
If the world was perfect, it wouldn't be.
Yankees Move on To ALCS
The New York Yankees became the first team to move on in the Highlander-style baseball postseason tournament by lopping off both heads of the Minnesota Twins. It's good to see, as Alex Rodriguez described them, an "underdog" move on in the postseason.
Oh wait, what's that, you say? Yes, A-Roid referred to the New York Yankees as being "David in this situation." Oh, those poor Yankees. They didn't win the division. They won't have homefield advantage throughout any playoff series (because the NL won the All Star Game this year, remember that!?!).
I don't know how they'll manage to play with the big boys... you know, with their $206 million dollar payroll, top free agents and second-best record in the American League. How ever will they match-up against the Twins ($97.5M), Rays ($71.9M) and Rangers ($55.2M) with their minuscule payroll? Somehow, and the Lord only knows, they survived the first round. We can only hope that they'll continue playing together as a team.
Oh wait, what's that, you say? Yes, A-Roid referred to the New York Yankees as being "David in this situation." Oh, those poor Yankees. They didn't win the division. They won't have homefield advantage throughout any playoff series (because the NL won the All Star Game this year, remember that!?!).
I don't know how they'll manage to play with the big boys... you know, with their $206 million dollar payroll, top free agents and second-best record in the American League. How ever will they match-up against the Twins ($97.5M), Rays ($71.9M) and Rangers ($55.2M) with their minuscule payroll? Somehow, and the Lord only knows, they survived the first round. We can only hope that they'll continue playing together as a team.
Why I Don't Pay Attention to Advanced Stats
Apparently baseball writer Bill James has devised some sort of thing called a "game score metric" that helps us gain a better understanding of a dominating pitching performance. To give you an idea of how the Game Score Metric works.... well, I'm not going to take the time to explain it. Click on this link if you really want to know what it is before going forward; however, this should tell you all you need to know - Tim Lincecum's 2-hit, 14K shutout of the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of their NLDS scored higher than Roy Halladay's 1 BB, no-hitter the day before. That's right, once again, we see how strikeouts are overvalued by some people. An out is an out, and it doesn't matter if it is a weak grounder to the pitcher, a strikeout, or a fly ball to the left fielder. Guess what, they are still outs.
For this reason, I propose that we abandon the new ways of thinking when it comes to baseball stats (also known as sabremetrics). I know how to calculate batting average and on-base percentage. I know how to count RBIs and HRs. I don't know, or care to know, what VORP or WAR mean. You tell me that a fielder's UZR is better than another's, and I might mistakenly punch you for fear that you are speaking to me about hockey in Russian, and I don't need that kind of pressure from a Commie ice skater!
For this reason, I propose that we abandon the new ways of thinking when it comes to baseball stats (also known as sabremetrics). I know how to calculate batting average and on-base percentage. I know how to count RBIs and HRs. I don't know, or care to know, what VORP or WAR mean. You tell me that a fielder's UZR is better than another's, and I might mistakenly punch you for fear that you are speaking to me about hockey in Russian, and I don't need that kind of pressure from a Commie ice skater!
Blyleven is Awesome
I don't really have anything to add to the title of this post. Just bask in the glory that is Bert Blyleven, former MLB pitcher who has been getting major push from some in the media to be in the Hall of Fame. After seeing this picture, I couldn't agree more.
Tim Lincecum: Master of the English Language
Here's a short clip of Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum following the Giants victory over the Padres, which gave them the NL West crown. Be sure to put away the kids for the next 10 seconds....
Ah, Tim Lincecum: pitcher, Cy Young Award winner, stoner, master of the English language.
Ah, Tim Lincecum: pitcher, Cy Young Award winner, stoner, master of the English language.
Minaya, Manuel Relieved
The headline of a recent article on MLB Trade Rumors stated, "Mets Relieve Omar Minaya, Jerry Manuel Of Duties." After I was done snickering at the word "duties," all I could think was, "Yes, I am certain they are relieved."
How Good was Halladay?
The playoffs supposedly started yesterday. One of the games was the Reds visiting the Phillies. A lot of the talk prior to the game revolved around how pitcher Roy Halladay would fare in his playoff debut. We see it all the time, a star pitcher who has never been in the playoffs before then throws a mediocre game his first time out. Fairly, or unfairly, he gets labeled by that appearance until he has about 10 more games to turn it around.
Halladay..... well, he fared pretty well in his playoff debut.... by throwing just the second post-season no-hitter in history. Touche, Year of the Pitcher, touche.
However, after the game, Reds SS Orlando Cabrera said, "Another umpire, he [Halladay] wouldn’t have thrown a game like that,” Cabrera said. “He was getting every pitch. We had no chance. We had to swing."
I know a lot of people think things like that during the game, especially if you go 0-3 with a strikeout. However, Brooks Baseball has a pretty neat little graphic displaying pitch location, and for Halladay's debut, it looks a little like this:
Now, I know that it's a little difficult to see, but let me just tell you what the chart says. Basically, its says that Orlando Cabrera is a whiner with no factual basis for his comments, or, as teammate Brandon Phillips may say.... well, we won't go there.
There is exactly one called strike that was located outside of the strike zone. In fact, there were four pitches inside the strike zone that were not called strikes. There are several pitches outside of the strike zone that were swinging strikes, but the Reds have nobody but themselves to blame for that.
Big congratulations goes out to Halladay for following in the footsteps of Don Larsen, the only other person to throw a post-season no-no (and his was the perfect game in the '56 World Series). And just to point out something, an NL Central team still has not won a post-season game since Game 5 of the 2006 World Series when the Cardinals ended it against the Tigers.
Halladay..... well, he fared pretty well in his playoff debut.... by throwing just the second post-season no-hitter in history. Touche, Year of the Pitcher, touche.
However, after the game, Reds SS Orlando Cabrera said, "Another umpire, he [Halladay] wouldn’t have thrown a game like that,” Cabrera said. “He was getting every pitch. We had no chance. We had to swing."
I know a lot of people think things like that during the game, especially if you go 0-3 with a strikeout. However, Brooks Baseball has a pretty neat little graphic displaying pitch location, and for Halladay's debut, it looks a little like this:
Now, I know that it's a little difficult to see, but let me just tell you what the chart says. Basically, its says that Orlando Cabrera is a whiner with no factual basis for his comments, or, as teammate Brandon Phillips may say.... well, we won't go there.
There is exactly one called strike that was located outside of the strike zone. In fact, there were four pitches inside the strike zone that were not called strikes. There are several pitches outside of the strike zone that were swinging strikes, but the Reds have nobody but themselves to blame for that.
Big congratulations goes out to Halladay for following in the footsteps of Don Larsen, the only other person to throw a post-season no-no (and his was the perfect game in the '56 World Series). And just to point out something, an NL Central team still has not won a post-season game since Game 5 of the 2006 World Series when the Cardinals ended it against the Tigers.
Tigers Opting Not to Go After Top Pitchers
I saw an article on MLB Trade Rumors reporting that the Detroit Tigers have no interest in pursuing Cliff Lee or other top free agent pitchers this offseason. In a similar vein, the Detroit Tigers have no interest in winning their division for the next several years.
The Axe is Falling
The regular post-season sacrifice of the managers has already begun to take place all around Major League Baseball. The day after the season ended, word came out that the Pirates (John Russell), Brewers (Ken Macha) and Mets (Jerry Manuel, as well as GM Omar Minaya) would not have the same manager to start the 2011 season, joining the Marlins, Mariners, Royals, Diamondbacks and Orioles on the list of teams that fired their manager this season.
When John Russell was told he would not be returning next season, I imagine it went a little something like this...
When John Russell was told he would not be returning next season, I imagine it went a little something like this...
Cincinnati Hates the Reds
While the Cincinnati Reds are starting their (short-lived) run into the postseason, perhaps we should take a minute to explore just how much the Queen City hates its hometown team.
After the Reds clinched the NL Central title with a win over the Houston Astros, the team was celebrating in the clubhouse, and as everything else is in today's society, it was televised. Of course, a handful of players decided to celebrate as though they just had a baby by lighting a cigar in the clubhouse. The problem: Ohio has an indoor smoking ban... including Great American Ballpark. No less than five different people called the health inspector to report the violation.
Of course, it's amazing that five people called it in, because it's amazing that five people were actually paying attention to what was going on. The Reds ranked 19th in baseball for attendance this season with just over 25,000 people per game on average. To give them credit, though, attendance was actually up from a year ago when they averaged 21,500+ and ranked 26th in the league.... oh, and they were 13 games out of first place at the end of last season.
They actually had a game in mid-September where only 12,000 people showed up. It was a Monday evening. The seating capacity at GAB is 42,000+. Just how many times have the Reds sold out the stadium in their NL Central championship season? Twelve times, the Reds have played before crowds above 42,000. The only time it was in Cincy: Opening Day. Where were those other games played? In Los Angeles: 3 games; in Philadelphia: 4 games; in Seattle: 1 game; in St. Louis: 4 games. That's right, folks! The Seattle Mariners had a bigger draw to a Reds game in Seattle, than the Reds did in Cincinnati all season long.
The only logical conclusion in all of this is that Cincinnati hates the Reds... and that I'm mildly bitter that the Cardinals gave away the division this year.
After the Reds clinched the NL Central title with a win over the Houston Astros, the team was celebrating in the clubhouse, and as everything else is in today's society, it was televised. Of course, a handful of players decided to celebrate as though they just had a baby by lighting a cigar in the clubhouse. The problem: Ohio has an indoor smoking ban... including Great American Ballpark. No less than five different people called the health inspector to report the violation.
Of course, it's amazing that five people called it in, because it's amazing that five people were actually paying attention to what was going on. The Reds ranked 19th in baseball for attendance this season with just over 25,000 people per game on average. To give them credit, though, attendance was actually up from a year ago when they averaged 21,500+ and ranked 26th in the league.... oh, and they were 13 games out of first place at the end of last season.
They actually had a game in mid-September where only 12,000 people showed up. It was a Monday evening. The seating capacity at GAB is 42,000+. Just how many times have the Reds sold out the stadium in their NL Central championship season? Twelve times, the Reds have played before crowds above 42,000. The only time it was in Cincy: Opening Day. Where were those other games played? In Los Angeles: 3 games; in Philadelphia: 4 games; in Seattle: 1 game; in St. Louis: 4 games. That's right, folks! The Seattle Mariners had a bigger draw to a Reds game in Seattle, than the Reds did in Cincinnati all season long.
The only logical conclusion in all of this is that Cincinnati hates the Reds... and that I'm mildly bitter that the Cardinals gave away the division this year.
Braves Win NL Wild Card
If the Giants defeating the Padres no longer put them in the discussion as the "feel good" story of 2010, then that means the Braves now have that distinction, as this will be long time manager Bobby Cox's last chance to blow it in the postseason for the first time since 2005.
Speaking of Cox, here's your first picture. It's Bobby Cox... arguing with an umpire. I'd like to imagine that the conversation went like this:
Cox: Where do you want to go to dinner tonight?
Ump: How 'bout that new barbeque place?
Cox: You mean the one that's straight ahead?
Ump: No, the one off to the right.
I like BBQ restaurants....
For your bonus picture, here's Braves rookie Jason Heyward, whose hands are so huge that he gives "sevens" instead of "fives" in the postgame. Seriously, look at how large his hands are.
Speaking of Cox, here's your first picture. It's Bobby Cox... arguing with an umpire. I'd like to imagine that the conversation went like this:
Cox: Where do you want to go to dinner tonight?
Ump: How 'bout that new barbeque place?
Cox: You mean the one that's straight ahead?
Ump: No, the one off to the right.
I like BBQ restaurants....
For your bonus picture, here's Braves rookie Jason Heyward, whose hands are so huge that he gives "sevens" instead of "fives" in the postgame. Seriously, look at how large his hands are.
Giants Win NL West
And the posts just keep comin'...
Congratulations goes out to the San Francisco Giants on their victory today over the Padres, which both gave them the NL West crown, and denied the Padres any chance to be the "feel good" story of the 2010 baseball season.
First off, here's a picture of the Giants frolicking in the field after a win this season.
And for your bonus picture, here's Giants closer Brian Wilson with a look that may qualify him as the scariest man on the planet, possible serial killer, and frequent connoisseur of bear meat. I'm pretty sure he's up for the challenge to hunt the most dangerous game.... man....
Congratulations goes out to the San Francisco Giants on their victory today over the Padres, which both gave them the NL West crown, and denied the Padres any chance to be the "feel good" story of the 2010 baseball season.
First off, here's a picture of the Giants frolicking in the field after a win this season.
And for your bonus picture, here's Giants closer Brian Wilson with a look that may qualify him as the scariest man on the planet, possible serial killer, and frequent connoisseur of bear meat. I'm pretty sure he's up for the challenge to hunt the most dangerous game.... man....
Yankees Win AL Wild Card
Congratulations to the New York Yankees who managed to blow any chance they had of winning their division when they lost to the Boston Red Sox earlier today. You know that somewhere, a Red Sox fan is getting into a fight with a Yankees fan just to show his team's superiority before they go and root on the Patriots for the rest of the year.
For your first picture, here's Yankees 2B Robinson Cano showing off his severely messed up tongue... or it's a wad of gum. I'm not really searching for the truth here....
Bonus picture! Just to prove that their offense is superior to every other team, SS Derek Jeter points out somebody from the stands that is going to be the starting pitcher for the Yankees. Hey, why not? They put Joba Chamberlain out there.
Finally, your double bonus: Yankees C Jorge Posada got penalized 15 yards for this personal foul facemask.
For your first picture, here's Yankees 2B Robinson Cano showing off his severely messed up tongue... or it's a wad of gum. I'm not really searching for the truth here....
Bonus picture! Just to prove that their offense is superior to every other team, SS Derek Jeter points out somebody from the stands that is going to be the starting pitcher for the Yankees. Hey, why not? They put Joba Chamberlain out there.
Finally, your double bonus: Yankees C Jorge Posada got penalized 15 yards for this personal foul facemask.
Rays Win AL East
On a day that saw 4 playoff spots finally locked-in, it's time to send out congratulations from BLB... as if they care. Regardless, big congrats goes out to the Tampa Bay (no longer Devil) Rays. All I'm sayin' is that the Rays have made the playoffs 2 out of 3 years after they dropped the Devil from their name. Coincidence? I think not.
In honor of their glorious victory, here's your pictures.
First off, pitcher Chad Bradford in the midst of a rousing game of bocce ball.
And your bonus picture... whatever the heck this thing is. I think it's supposed to be their mascot, but it kind of looks like a scary old man who never trimmed his nose and ear hairs. Hmmmm....
In honor of their glorious victory, here's your pictures.
First off, pitcher Chad Bradford in the midst of a rousing game of bocce ball.
And your bonus picture... whatever the heck this thing is. I think it's supposed to be their mascot, but it kind of looks like a scary old man who never trimmed his nose and ear hairs. Hmmmm....
Of course, who could forget, the most famous Rays in franchise history:
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