Tuesday 25 February 2014

MLB Tidbits and Gems

This blog starts with an addition to the "Sweet Tweets" section.  Orioles skipper Buck Showalter has ordered prospect Josh Hart to write a report about Frank Robinson.  Don't know who that is, shhh don't tell Buck and just google it.


In my pre-preseason picks, I have selected the Angels to make the playoffs as a wildcard.  Josh Hamilton out the next couple days with a calf issue and CJ Wilson taking a ball off the side of his head while throwing batting practice has me a tad less confident.  Meanwhile in Oakland,   and A.J. Griffin's weight issues.


Here's another Angels prediction: Albert Pujols will hit his 500th career homerun, his 8th of 2014, against my other pick to be an AL wildcard team, the Toronto Blue Jays on May 8th.


Did you know that Minnesota Twins pitching prospect Alex Meyer, if he makes the MLB, will only be the 9th player 6'9" or taller to make a start?


Spring Training starts tomorrow!!







Monday 24 February 2014

Baseball is NOT Boring

This will not be a blog bashing other sports or romanticizing baseball.


Baseball season is too long, much like the NBA and NHL.  CFL/NFL and NLL have it right, about 20 weeks averaging a game week, games are events.


I mention the National Lacrosse League based on my suggestion that Lacrosse is the most exciting of the all the sports. Sadly, if the casual fan has trouble following a puck in hockey, they don't stand a chance following the ball in a lacrosse game.


Baseball is easy to watch, ironically that's the biggest fault of the sport.  The sport is so easy to watch you forget that the pitcher is throwing the ball as fast as a speeding vehicle!  A casual fan overlooks the fact the batter only mere seconds to decide whether to swing or not.  Fielding the ball, whether it be a grounder or a fly ball, has become so high percentage that fans tend to turn to their company and use that "B" word - - sports execution at it's best does become boring.


I'm a fan of the NBA but I'm the first person to tell a "newbie" to the NBA to wait until the 4th quarter to start their new experience.  You can't just simply tell a "newbie" to the MLB to watch the last two innings of a ball game.


The one unpredictable aspect to baseball is when the fist pumps and face palms will happen.  Fist pumps and face palms happen many times throughout a game but yes, sometimes you have to sit through multiple foul ball counts or multiple throws over to first to check on the runner.


I admit, watching a batter adjust himself between every pitch does not have the sports appeal of hearing a quarterback bark out his cadence at the line of scrimmage.  I will also testify that a baseball hit into play brings me up closer to the edge of my seat than seeing a quarterback throw a short pass.




PLAY BALL!!











Saturday 22 February 2014

MLB Tidbits & Gems

April 21, 2012 Philip Humber threw a Perfect Game for the Chicago White Sox.  22 months later, Humber is simply trying to win a job with the Oakland A's




Opening Day 2013, Justin Sellers was the starting shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers.  10 months later, he has been designated for assignment.  You probably thought your job was thankless!



Watching from the comforts of my couch in Edmonton, opinions of players are in many ways shaped and formed by how the media portrays the player.  I always got the feeling, even from his hometown commentators, that Barry Bonds was not the easiest person to like.  "Barry Bonds is scheduled to return to the organization in March, this newspaper has learned, serving as a special instructor for the Giants' hitters" See more at: http://www.prosportsdaily.com/articles/barry-bonds-will-be-spring-training-giants-instructor-291765.html#sthash.27PyflVr.dpuf Interesting!!




Staying with "media perception", Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds has released a two minute video "explaining" himself to the fans - - http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid2893069007001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAACEa2yvk~,I3kckfVxEjenAeITDjThxucAtVSXPuHP&bctid=3237865925001&sf23115708=1&sf23117768=1
Thanks to Bill Baer of Hardballtalk!




Going to Barry Bonds' former team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, outfielder Travis Snider has been cleared to throw again after injuring a finger on his left hand while cutting sweet potatoes.  I can't make this stuff up!



Friday 21 February 2014

Scuffs on the Baseball

 The "Sweet Tweet" column now includes a tweet from Rawlings Sports promoting their gloves but the attention grabber is the shirt worn by Washington Nationals Outfielder Bryce Fielder - - > "PED FREE"




The original tweet was retweeted by "Bleacher Report" where I would find another gem - - Blue Jays Closer Casey Janssen Pulls off Perfect Proposal After Going Skydiving  Bleacher Report writer Kyle Newport just gained a fan.




Speaking of gaining fans, Kansas City Royals Rookie Pitcher Kyle Zimmer has already been taught the words "old guys", won't win him any fans.  The video is more funny than the story but it won't let me send you directly to video.




Staying with the KC Royals, they along with the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres, are the only MLB teams to not have their "MLBlog"-ger on the front page of their website.  Just something I noticed as I went through the teams sites looking for some inside information from almost 3000 KM away.




The two most interesting finds from the "MLBlog"-ers came from Seattle's "Mariners Musings by Greg Johns."  The question to new M's skip was regarding Dustin Ackley playing centerfield. 
"“I doubt it. He’ll probably be in left field the majority of time.”
Why is he best suited for left field?
“Because that’s where I want him,” said McClendon."






Thursday 20 February 2014

Len being Len about Baseball

This morning Toronto Blue Jay Jose Bautista tweets "...fans are the most important part of baseball..." which got me to thinking - - aside from the typical "fan clubs" and "promotion nights" (which fans have been lucky enough to become almost become bored of) what are some of the niftier things baseball clubs are doing to reach out to their fans. 




The following is my top four finds:




1) Milwaukee Brewers Create a Commercial Contest
Contest closes on February 28th and is exactly what it sounds like, you get to make a freakin commercial to be aired during their games.




2) Baltimore Orioles - Orioles Magic Moments
A monthly contest where you send in videos of some of the "magic moments" of Oriole History.  This month it's Cal Ripken Jr setting the "iron man streak".




3) Detroit Tigers - Kids Opening Day Contest
"How do you and your child pledge to live a healthy lifestyle this summer?"  Parents write an essay on behalf of their kids and 21 winners will have the chance to a part of the production of the game. Example, Announce the Starting Line-Ups on the Comerica Park Public Address (two children)




4) Kansas City Royals/Texas Rangers/Los Angeles Dodgers
All three baseball clubs run "Rewards Play and Win" program where by registering to play, the fan collects points by visiting specified sections of their respective teams website and social media.



Blog Update:




a) I have added a "Sweet Tweets" side column to keep together some of the better finds throughout the season.  Today I added a tweet from the Medicine Hat Mavericks, a team in the WMBL




b) I have also added a "Words to Live By" side column to keep together some of the better quotes throughout the season.  Today I added a quote from Toronto Blue Jay GM Alex Anthopoulos

Tuesday 18 February 2014

Scratching the Baseball Fever Itch

Here's today's hodge-podge nifty MLB findings:


a) In what could be the Tweet of the baseball season even before the pre-season starts, free agent relief pitcher Tim Byrdak bypassed using high-powered agents in an attempt to find work.  Byrdak posted a picture of a hand-written classified ad selling himself as "high mileage but very serviceable".  https://twitter.com/Givemethelefty/status/435831597833547776/photo/1


b) Being from Edmonton, Hockey and Football are kings of the town.  Both sports carry the mantra, "if I can lace them up, I can play".  So when a person reads about an MLB player missing a bullpen session due to an ingrown hair SIGH http://www.prosportsdaily.com/Headlines/ExternalArticle?articleId=290460


c) He was the opening day starter for the 2010 Toronto Blue Jays after missing 2009 recovering from Tommy John Surgery.  He went 1-10 last season with the Mets while dealing with a body that just was not right.  Amidst other procedures, Shaun Marcum had a freakin rib removed last July and today finds himself trying to earn a spot with the Cleveland Indians.  Best wishes Mr. Marcum.


One week til the pre-season games commence
 4.5 weeks til that crazy 2 game series in Australia between the Dodgers & D-Backs.

MLB Views from a Cave in Edmonton Vol 1

1) Jason Giambi played his first MLB game on May 8th, 1995.  He hopes to retain his spot in the lineup with the Cleveland Indians for year 20.  Meanwhile in Kansas City, Mike Sweeney (who debuted on September 14th, 1995) just accepted a role as "Special Assistant to Baseball Operations"




2) Quote of the day comes courtesy of CBS Sports and the Phillies Jonathon Papelbon: "'If I was a gambling man I would take us to go all the way'"




3) Tweet of the weekend goes to Alex Pavolovic, San Francisco Giants beat writer for the Mercury News: "(Tim) Lincecum rented a warehouse this offseason, bought a portable mound and threw to friends. Said, "I feel strong. I'm pretty confident."




4) After Mark Mulder's attempted return to baseball ended Saturday with a ruptured Achilles, I find myself rooting for Grady Sizemore to make the Boston Red Sox.  According to ESPN Boston, it has been over 875 days since Grady Sizemore last played in a professional baseball game.  During that span, Sizemore has had 7 surgeries including microfracture surgery on both knees.




5) Dear R.A. Dickey, Kelly Hrudey called, he wants his headband back.

Monday 17 February 2014

Stories That Deserve More Attention Volume 1

It is Family Day in Edmonton, Alberta.  The night before the holiday, with the kids tucked into bed, I scour threw MLB team news stories searching for stories that personify "Family". 



Baseball Family Story One

From the "San Jose Mercury News", Pablo Sandoval (aka Kung Fu Panda) has once again trimmed down significantly for the upcoming season.  Sandoval says encouraging words from teammates Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, Marco Scutaro and Matt Cain helped him set his goals on becoming healthier.
Baseball Family Story Two


The Washington Nationals young pitching staff may be a nightmare to hit against but the "Washington Post" reports that "They have attended each other’s weddings...  They have celebrated each other’s awards and raises. They have supported each other through failures and demotions. As they have helped transform the Nationals, they have grown up together."


Baseball Family Story Three

As the Chicago White Sox usher in the Jose Abreu era at first base, the question becomes what about Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn?  "CSN Chicago" answered that question with the following excerpt "The White Sox said Konerko would appear as the team’s designated hitter against select left-handed pitching and be one of Ventura’s options off the bench. Even knowing he wouldn’t be an everyday player, Konerko reached out to Dunn before he made his decision to make sure the two are on the same page."


Sunday 16 February 2014

2014 Caveman Application That Wasn't


The 150 word blog entry the application requests:
"Better late than never"
This expression applies to many things including over-advertised baseball teams.  The darlings of the 2013 offseason are my picks to win the wildcard spots in the American in 2014. 

The Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim both enter this season sporting essentially the same roster that disappointed so badly last season.  The main difference is that "experts" are calling for both teams to be bottom feeders in their division.

 The Blue Jays and Angels plummet to failure was fueled by injuries. 

 A healthy JoeyBats, Brett Lawrie, Jose Reyes, Brandon Morrow and R.A. Dickey puts the fuel back into the Blue Jays rocket to the top.  A healthy Albert Pujols and Jered Weaver and an adjusted Josh Hamilton puts the sparkle back into the Halos.

 Health, not expectations, is how you should gauge the Jays and Angels.  Playoffs or bust!
Then the applications ask me about my passion/hobbies:
 Season tickets to the hometown Canadian Football League team, writer for the local college baseball team, volunteer for the local Alberta Junior Hockey League team and Game day staff worker for the hometown Lacrosse Club.
Sports is my passion, I keep myself involved in different sports throughout the whole year.
Lastly the application asks me to provide examples of my "work":

 I blogged for  Sportsnet Fan Fuel, here a couple examples:



 I also "beat write" for the Edmonton Prospects, here a couple examples: