Oh what a week it has been for Major League Baseball! First was the Home Run Derby at Nationals Park, where hometown-favorite Bryce Harper had a fairytale of a day. His "Pops" was pitching to him, his bat had the stars and stripes painted on it, and instead of wearing a ballcap, he chose to accessorize his "perfectly coiffed" hair with a headband that had the flag of Washington, DC on it (and is currently flying off store shelves). While I was happy to see a Nationals player win the Home Run Derby, it was a little bittersweet, because all of us who have watched Bryce grow up in front of our eyes know that he will not be a Nat next year, since he'll be a free agent at the end of this season. And really - does hitting 45 home runs in one night negate Harper's current .214 batting average? In the grand scheme of things, he's still in the biggest slump of his career. And I'm not being a "Negative Nellie" because I'm bitter about not having gone to the Derby or the All-Star Game; I'm just telling it like it is - Harper better improve his hitting, or no one will want him next year (especially for the salary that his agent, Scott Boras, will be asking).
Then there was the All-Star Game. I didn't dwell too much on the fact that it was being played just an hour's drive away from my comfortable sofa, because I had resigned myself to the fact that I wasn't going way over a year ago. So I was happy to sit in front of the TV and watch a game in the familiar ballpark that now everyone across the country was going to be able to enjoy. And my boy, Max Scherzer, was going to be the starting pitcher for the National League for the second year in a row, so of course I was excited. The player introductions were enjoyable to watch as always (especially since former Nationals players Blake Treinen, now with the A's, and Wilson Ramos, now with the Rays, received such enthusiastic applause), the National Anthem didn't bore me (it was an excellent rendition both vocally and visually), and Scherzer struck out four players in the two innings that he pitched (we'll ignore the home run he gave up to Aaron Judge). The American League ended up winning the game 8-6 in 10 innings, and it didn't end up raining like they had predicted. So overall, the All-Star Game was a success and all the players seemed legitimately excited to be there.
Then came the post-ASG trades, the most notable one being the Orioles sending shortstop Manny Machado to the Dodgers for five prospects. Now, I know I had predicted that Manny would go to the Diamondbacks, but then Corey Seager ended up needing Tommy John surgery (it's not just pitchers who get that done!) and the Dodgers were really in need of a reliable shortstop. Now, I also wondered if the Dodgers would try to get an outfielder since Yasiel Puig suffered a rib injury (I joked with my husband that the Dodgers should try to get Bryce Harper from the Nationals), but I guess the need for a shortstop was more urgent (because outfielders are a dime a dozen). So for the next three months, Manny Machado will have Magic Johnson as his boss, will help get the Dodgers to the playoffs, and then will end up with another team as a free agent. Does this bother me because it makes baseball players seem like cattle being taken to the auction block? It used to, but then I realized that teams really have to do whatever they can to make it to the playoffs (especially if they're paying a hefty luxury tax, like the Red Sox and Nationals are predicted to this year), and mid-season trades that involve free-agents-to-be only displace a player for a couple of months. Once the off-season comes and they sign with a new team, they can then move their families and get settled in a new city. I'm not trying to be heartless; it's just one of those "gazillionnaire problems" athletes have to deal with. I don't pity them (just their families).
And what about the Orioles? Who do they get in return for giving up Machado? They get outfielder Yusniel Díaz (Dodgers No. 4 prospect coming into this season), third baseman Rylan Bannon (Dodgers No. 27 prospect), right-hander Dean Kremer (Dodgers No. 28 prospect), right-hander Zach Pop, and infielder Breyvic Valera. I don't know anything about these guys other than what's on paper, but when you suck as badly as the Orioles have this year, anything short of a Cal Ripken, Jr. comeback would definitely be an improvement over the current situation. And if these prospects are as good as they seem to be, the Orioles should be really really good in the next few years (unless their inept owners screw that up, which wouldn't surprise me).
So now what? Well the Cleveland Indians, who are currently leading the American League Central, just acquired pitchers Brad Hand and Adam Cimber from the San Diego Padres for catcher Francisco Mejía. And of course there's talk of Mets pitcher Jacob DeGrom being traded as well (maybe he can go to the Dodgers too, since Clayton Kershaw is having an "off" year). So there is still a lot of wheeling and dealing to be done before the July 31st trade deadline; it will be interesting to see what happens between now and then. My Nationals may be somewhat out of it at this point (we'll see how the weekend series against the Atlanta Braves goes), but I am still excited about the next few months - lots of trades, expanded rosters, and tons of exciting playoff baseball. Stay tuned!
Showing posts with label clayron kershaw. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clayron kershaw. Show all posts
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Sunday, October 22, 2017
The Tall and Short of It
At the age of 45, I am 5 feet, 1 inch tall. I'm aware of my height challenges - having to climb on top of my kitchen counter to reach for something in an upper cabinet shelf (because I'm too lazy to get a stool) is a reminder. Having to shop in the petites section of clothing stores is a reminder. Not being able to find a nice pair of over-the-knee boots because my legs are so darn short has been the most recent reminder (fashion blogs say that us shorties shouldn't even be wearing tall boots, because they make us look even shorter. Thanks a lot!). I don't need anyone pointing out the fact that I'm short - I'm well aware of it. It's not like someone comes up to me and says "Oh my gosh, you're so short!" and I'm like "Really? I had no idea!"
From Dolly Parton to Prince to Yasser Arafat, the world has been full of "vertically challenged" people who have made a difference in one way or another for as long as the world has been around. No one seems to care that Lady Gaga is short, Voltaire was still a successful writer despite being short, and Beethoven wasn't too bad of a composer despite only being 5'3. So why is the media making such a big deal of José Altuve's height? He's short... so what? Are all athletes supposed to be at least 6 feet tall in order to be successful? Ask Muggsy Bogues, Diego Maradona, or Lionel Messi - they're all under 5'7. If being tall makes you a good athlete, then Altuve is proving everyone wrong.
José Altuve, the all-star second baseman for the Houston Astros, finished this year's regular season as the Major League batting champ with a sick .346 batting average (that's right up there with Pete Rose and Ted Williams - you may have heard of them). And his 204 hits, 24 home runs, and 32 stolen bases this past season were nothing to jest at. Oh, and in the first game of the American League Division Series against the Red Sox, Altuve hit THREE home runs (two of them off ace Chris Sale). Not too shabby for a short guy! How did 6'7 Aaron Judge do on HIS first ALDS game? He struck out at all 4 plate appearances. In your face, tall dude!
Speaking of Aaron Judge, the media was all aflutter during the All-Star Game this past summer when Altuve and Judge were standing next to each other, filling social media outlets and newspapers with pictures of the two side by side. Don't you think Altuve was well aware of the height disparity? He didn't need to be turned into a circus act just because he's a whole foot shorter than the tallest guy currently in baseball. Just like Judge doesn't want to be known primarily for being so tall, I'm sure Altuve would rather be known as dedicated, consistent, and badass than being called "little man" or "unlikely hero" or "diminutive." This native of Venezuela is the top contender for the American League MVP award, and if he doesn't get it, I will wear white after Labor Day, which for someone as fashionable as me, will be quite a travesty.
Is José Altuve going to be a big factor in the upcoming World Series against the Dodgers? You betcha! So WHAT if Clayton Kershaw is six-foot-four? Who cares that Yu Darvish is six-foot-five (the tallest Japanese person I've ever heard of)? I predict that Altuve is not going to let these "big guys" intimidate him. I apologize to my uncle Junior, my cousins, and my pal Tim who are all die-hard Dodgers fans, but I'm picking the Astros to win the World Series. I rarely side with an American League team, but with Altuve, Puerto Rican phenom Carlos Correa, and pitchers like Justin Verlander and Dallas Keuchel (nasty-looking beard and all), I'm thinking the Astros can take the Series in seven games. My only issue with that is that they would end up clinching the pennant in LA, and I always hate when teams win when they're not at home, but I'm rooting for the Astros all the way. It's time for the rest of America to notice José Altuve and realize that big things do come in small packages, and us short people can kick ass just as much as the tall "giants" of the game.
From Dolly Parton to Prince to Yasser Arafat, the world has been full of "vertically challenged" people who have made a difference in one way or another for as long as the world has been around. No one seems to care that Lady Gaga is short, Voltaire was still a successful writer despite being short, and Beethoven wasn't too bad of a composer despite only being 5'3. So why is the media making such a big deal of José Altuve's height? He's short... so what? Are all athletes supposed to be at least 6 feet tall in order to be successful? Ask Muggsy Bogues, Diego Maradona, or Lionel Messi - they're all under 5'7. If being tall makes you a good athlete, then Altuve is proving everyone wrong.
José Altuve, the all-star second baseman for the Houston Astros, finished this year's regular season as the Major League batting champ with a sick .346 batting average (that's right up there with Pete Rose and Ted Williams - you may have heard of them). And his 204 hits, 24 home runs, and 32 stolen bases this past season were nothing to jest at. Oh, and in the first game of the American League Division Series against the Red Sox, Altuve hit THREE home runs (two of them off ace Chris Sale). Not too shabby for a short guy! How did 6'7 Aaron Judge do on HIS first ALDS game? He struck out at all 4 plate appearances. In your face, tall dude!
Speaking of Aaron Judge, the media was all aflutter during the All-Star Game this past summer when Altuve and Judge were standing next to each other, filling social media outlets and newspapers with pictures of the two side by side. Don't you think Altuve was well aware of the height disparity? He didn't need to be turned into a circus act just because he's a whole foot shorter than the tallest guy currently in baseball. Just like Judge doesn't want to be known primarily for being so tall, I'm sure Altuve would rather be known as dedicated, consistent, and badass than being called "little man" or "unlikely hero" or "diminutive." This native of Venezuela is the top contender for the American League MVP award, and if he doesn't get it, I will wear white after Labor Day, which for someone as fashionable as me, will be quite a travesty.
Is José Altuve going to be a big factor in the upcoming World Series against the Dodgers? You betcha! So WHAT if Clayton Kershaw is six-foot-four? Who cares that Yu Darvish is six-foot-five (the tallest Japanese person I've ever heard of)? I predict that Altuve is not going to let these "big guys" intimidate him. I apologize to my uncle Junior, my cousins, and my pal Tim who are all die-hard Dodgers fans, but I'm picking the Astros to win the World Series. I rarely side with an American League team, but with Altuve, Puerto Rican phenom Carlos Correa, and pitchers like Justin Verlander and Dallas Keuchel (nasty-looking beard and all), I'm thinking the Astros can take the Series in seven games. My only issue with that is that they would end up clinching the pennant in LA, and I always hate when teams win when they're not at home, but I'm rooting for the Astros all the way. It's time for the rest of America to notice José Altuve and realize that big things do come in small packages, and us short people can kick ass just as much as the tall "giants" of the game.
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
"It's Just Emotion That's Taken Me Over"
One of the benefits of being a female baseball fan is that because of the estrogen that our ovaries produce, it's OK to get emotional over just about anything. Bryce Harper hits a walk-off home run in the ninth inning and we start crying? That's OK. Buster Posey throws out a runner trying to steal second base and we do a happy dance? Totally fine. Eric Hosmer does ANYTHING and our hearts skip a beat? Completely acceptable. But man, last Sunday was an emotional high for me, and now that you've started reading this, you're committed to reading until the end, so sit back and follow along as I re-live my reasons for my many emotions on a beautiful and picture-perfect day.
First and foremost, my long-time baseball crush, Iván "Pudge" Rodriguez was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. You all know how I have endlessly written about Iván and how I threw myself a pity party because I wasn't able to attend the ceremonies in Cooperstown, New York. But watching him from the comfort of my living room, sitting way up close to the TV and clinging to his every word, I could not have been more proud (and yes - I cried!). I was very impatient at first, because Jeff Bagwell, one of the other inductees, took FOREVER with his speech. It was touching, but extremely anecdotal and took way too long. It seems like he thanked everyone from his Little League coaches to the Astros custodians. Bud Selig's speech wasn't much shorter - yes, Bud, we all know how much you did for baseball as Commissioner, but you didn't have to go through year by year re-living everything like a "State of the Union" speech. Milwaukee baseball... labor disputes... the development of the Wild Card...blah blah blah - we could have gotten all this information ourselves from Wikipedia. Plus I never liked you anyway! Finally, over two hours later, it was Ivan's turn.
"Pudge" began his speech by thanking the Lord Jesus Christ for his many blessings. Classy. (That elicited an "Aw!" from me.) Then he thanked a few people, made a joke, and then addressed the crowd in Spanish. He thanked all the fans who were present for their loyalty and support, and asked everyone to raise their Puerto Rican flags way high. Yes, I cried. Reverting back to English, he thanked more teammates, coaches, and managers, throwing in little anecdotes along the way (For example, Nolan Ryan didn't care that Ivan's English wasn't very good at first; as long as he "put down the right fingers," they could communicate just fine). Then, in both English and Spanish, he told young people watching to never let anyone tell them they can't fulfill their dreams. He said to work hard, be dedicated, and always do your best. It was touching. But what got me the most emotional was when Iván thanked his parents. Speaking to them in Spanish so they would understand, he thanked his father for endless hours of batting practice and for convincing him to switch from pitching to catching. He thanked his mother for always emphasizing hard work and making her sons focus on academics as much as on athletics. He called both his parents "hall of famers," and that's when I lost it.
In addition to Ivan's Hall of Fame induction, there was Adrián Beltré reaching an important baseball milestone on the same day. You say you've never heard of Adrián Beltré? Well it's probably because he's not white (he's Dominican), he plays for a team that doesn't wear pinstripes (the Texas Rangers), and he hasn't been accused of using performance-enhancing drugs or beating up his wife. Beltré is a workhorse with a career batting average of .286, has appeared in 4 All-Star Games, and led the National League with 48 home runs in 2004 when he played for the Dodgers. Why is reaching 3000 hits such a big deal in baseball? Because only 30 other players in history are on the list, and if Beltré's name doesn't ring a bell, how about some of the other guys on the list: Pete Rose, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Cal Ripken Jr., and Roberto Clemente? The only other current player on that list is Ichiro Suzuki, who is 22nd on the list with 3,060. For Puerto Ricans, anyone who reaches this important milestone is a special person, because he joins our beloved Clemente. So yes - I cried when Beltré hit number 3,000 - a double against the Orioles in his home park with his wife and kids running onto the field when he reached second base. Who wouldn't get teared up after a moment like that? Now I need for either him or Ichiro to pass the 19th guy on the list, who retired with 3,115 hits. He shall remain nameless, but you all know who it is I can't stand... it's time for a drug-free guy to pass him on the list!
So the season is more than halfway over, the Nationals are 45 games away from clinching the NL East, and Clayton Kershaw is on the Disabled List. But Kershaw will be back (since he's bionic), the Dodgers just acquired Yu Darvish from the Rangers, and October could potentially feature the Nationals and Dodgers in the NLCS. This means a lot of cheering, a lot of late nights staying up to watch games, and yes - a lot of tearing up and crying. Hopefully they will be happy tears!
First and foremost, my long-time baseball crush, Iván "Pudge" Rodriguez was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. You all know how I have endlessly written about Iván and how I threw myself a pity party because I wasn't able to attend the ceremonies in Cooperstown, New York. But watching him from the comfort of my living room, sitting way up close to the TV and clinging to his every word, I could not have been more proud (and yes - I cried!). I was very impatient at first, because Jeff Bagwell, one of the other inductees, took FOREVER with his speech. It was touching, but extremely anecdotal and took way too long. It seems like he thanked everyone from his Little League coaches to the Astros custodians. Bud Selig's speech wasn't much shorter - yes, Bud, we all know how much you did for baseball as Commissioner, but you didn't have to go through year by year re-living everything like a "State of the Union" speech. Milwaukee baseball... labor disputes... the development of the Wild Card...blah blah blah - we could have gotten all this information ourselves from Wikipedia. Plus I never liked you anyway! Finally, over two hours later, it was Ivan's turn.
"Pudge" began his speech by thanking the Lord Jesus Christ for his many blessings. Classy. (That elicited an "Aw!" from me.) Then he thanked a few people, made a joke, and then addressed the crowd in Spanish. He thanked all the fans who were present for their loyalty and support, and asked everyone to raise their Puerto Rican flags way high. Yes, I cried. Reverting back to English, he thanked more teammates, coaches, and managers, throwing in little anecdotes along the way (For example, Nolan Ryan didn't care that Ivan's English wasn't very good at first; as long as he "put down the right fingers," they could communicate just fine). Then, in both English and Spanish, he told young people watching to never let anyone tell them they can't fulfill their dreams. He said to work hard, be dedicated, and always do your best. It was touching. But what got me the most emotional was when Iván thanked his parents. Speaking to them in Spanish so they would understand, he thanked his father for endless hours of batting practice and for convincing him to switch from pitching to catching. He thanked his mother for always emphasizing hard work and making her sons focus on academics as much as on athletics. He called both his parents "hall of famers," and that's when I lost it.
In addition to Ivan's Hall of Fame induction, there was Adrián Beltré reaching an important baseball milestone on the same day. You say you've never heard of Adrián Beltré? Well it's probably because he's not white (he's Dominican), he plays for a team that doesn't wear pinstripes (the Texas Rangers), and he hasn't been accused of using performance-enhancing drugs or beating up his wife. Beltré is a workhorse with a career batting average of .286, has appeared in 4 All-Star Games, and led the National League with 48 home runs in 2004 when he played for the Dodgers. Why is reaching 3000 hits such a big deal in baseball? Because only 30 other players in history are on the list, and if Beltré's name doesn't ring a bell, how about some of the other guys on the list: Pete Rose, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Cal Ripken Jr., and Roberto Clemente? The only other current player on that list is Ichiro Suzuki, who is 22nd on the list with 3,060. For Puerto Ricans, anyone who reaches this important milestone is a special person, because he joins our beloved Clemente. So yes - I cried when Beltré hit number 3,000 - a double against the Orioles in his home park with his wife and kids running onto the field when he reached second base. Who wouldn't get teared up after a moment like that? Now I need for either him or Ichiro to pass the 19th guy on the list, who retired with 3,115 hits. He shall remain nameless, but you all know who it is I can't stand... it's time for a drug-free guy to pass him on the list!
So the season is more than halfway over, the Nationals are 45 games away from clinching the NL East, and Clayton Kershaw is on the Disabled List. But Kershaw will be back (since he's bionic), the Dodgers just acquired Yu Darvish from the Rangers, and October could potentially feature the Nationals and Dodgers in the NLCS. This means a lot of cheering, a lot of late nights staying up to watch games, and yes - a lot of tearing up and crying. Hopefully they will be happy tears!
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Playing "Catch-Up"
The Major League Baseball season is halfway over, and my life has been so crazy busy that I haven't been able to blog very much. But that doesn't mean that I don't have a lot to say (shocker!), so here I go trying to catch up on the latest baseball topics:
1, Aaron Judge. If you don't know who this kid is, you clearly haven't been paying attention. Friends have been asking me when I'm going to write about Judge, and I've been putting it off (mainly because he's a Yankee), but there's no ignoring this amazing kid any longer.
First, in true Mudville Mom fashion, I have to give my shallow opinion on what this kid looks like. He is 6'7, resembles "Lurch" from "The Addams Family," and has teeth that qualify him to be a member of the British royal family. Not cute at all, but he's humble, seems friendly enough, and appears to have been raised well by good parents. He has great poise for being subjected to the ruthless New York media, but even the harshest of critics is in love with this guy. He is leading the Majors with 30 home runs, is third in the American League in batting average, and will likely be named the AL Rookie of the Year (as well as possibly the MVP). Despite being a Yankee, I have no problems with this kid - he seems legitimately talented, doesn't come across as a self-absorbed ass, and hey, he won the Home Run Derby this past week. so there's something to be said for that. And with a last name like "Judge," the puns have already started ("All rise for Judge!," Yankee Stadium is "the Judge's chambers," and "the jury is still out on Judge.") Stay healthy, Aaron - you may actually get me to become a fan of yours!
2. The All-Star Game. This year's All-Star game had five Nationals players in it (Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy, Ryan Zimmerman, Stephen Strasburg, and Max Scherzer), so I was looking forward to it. The game did not disappoint, especially since my guy Scherzer pitched a scoreless first inning and showed the entire world what a badass he is (there were so many microphones around that you could actually hear Max grunting with every pitch). Bryce Harper made a very good catch in right field, so everyone in the world was able to see how good his hair looks even when his ball cap falls off his head trying to make a good play (according to the T-Mobile commercial, Bryce is always "perfectly coiffed!"). And Daniel Murphy got a base hit, so Nats-wise, I was happy to see my guys do well on the national stage.
The moment that had me all choked up and in an emotional mess was the tribute to Hispanic players in the Hall of Fame. Legends like Orlando Cepeda, Rod Carew, Tony Perez, Pedro Martinez, Roberto Alomar, and of course Iván Rodriguez simultaneously threw out the first pitch(es) of the game, and they each threw their baseball to a current Hispanic player. Pretty cool moment, especially when Roberto Clemente's widow and children were introduced. Nothing makes a Hispanic person more proud than seeing your nation's flag representing greatness. And we have no shame in saying we get teary - we don't blame it on allergies, Hillary Clinton!
3. The current standings. As of right now, the Dodgers and Astros look like the teams to beat. The Dodgers were the first team to reach 60 wins this season, and the Astros weren't so far behind. Can I tell you how sick and tired I am of the Dodgers? I know Clayton Kershaw is a beast, but I am so tired of hearing about how great he is and how wonderful Cody Bellinger is and how Justin Turner is all that. As hideous as the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks' uniforms are this season (think 1970s bell-bottom pants), I would much rather see them in the playoffs than the Dodgers. But knowing the Dodgers, they will make it to the playoffs (again!) and be totally wonderful. Whatever.
The Astros are another story. That team is chock full of raw talent, dedicated fans, and one of the best infields in the Majors. I want the Astros to not only make the playoffs, but make it to the World Series. Will they be facing the Nationals in October? Highly unlikely, since the Nats have terrible relief pitching that won't take them past the first round of the playoffs. Astros and Dodgers in the World Series? I guess. :-(
4. A-Rod. For the All-Star game, Fox Sports thought it would be a brilliant idea to send Alex Rodriguez onto the playing field to interview the players while they were getting into their positions. It was bad enough that A-Rod had already insulted Hall of Famer and fellow commentator Frank Thomas by saying he was getting fat and "growing sideways;" having A-Rod go onto the field just turned the whole thing into an A-Rod Fest. He said things like "I'm here in Miami, in my hometown;" (who cares?) "I remember my first All-Star game...;" (back when you were on steroids) "This is starting to remind me of my career a little bit." (which some of us would rather forget!) Shut up, Alex - no one cares about you anymore! Not even JLo, since you cheated on her (granted, she should have known that a guy who cheats in baseball is likely to cheat in a relationship!).
Well, I feel better now that I got all that out! Phew! What do we have to look forward to in the second half of the season? Let's see... Adrián Beltre reaching 3000 hits, the upcoming trade deadline (where contending teams try to strengthen their rosters for the post-season, usually with players who will become free agents at the end of the season, so they will only be with their new teams for a few months), and the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies at the end of this month (I'll be watching on TV; not in person, but I whined about that in a previous blog post, so I'll be quiet about that). There is still so much to look forward to - Wild Card races, new young talent coming up from the Minors, and our trip to yet another ballpark this year. Stay tuned, my friends; Mudville Mom will still have plenty to say for the next few months!
1, Aaron Judge. If you don't know who this kid is, you clearly haven't been paying attention. Friends have been asking me when I'm going to write about Judge, and I've been putting it off (mainly because he's a Yankee), but there's no ignoring this amazing kid any longer.
First, in true Mudville Mom fashion, I have to give my shallow opinion on what this kid looks like. He is 6'7, resembles "Lurch" from "The Addams Family," and has teeth that qualify him to be a member of the British royal family. Not cute at all, but he's humble, seems friendly enough, and appears to have been raised well by good parents. He has great poise for being subjected to the ruthless New York media, but even the harshest of critics is in love with this guy. He is leading the Majors with 30 home runs, is third in the American League in batting average, and will likely be named the AL Rookie of the Year (as well as possibly the MVP). Despite being a Yankee, I have no problems with this kid - he seems legitimately talented, doesn't come across as a self-absorbed ass, and hey, he won the Home Run Derby this past week. so there's something to be said for that. And with a last name like "Judge," the puns have already started ("All rise for Judge!," Yankee Stadium is "the Judge's chambers," and "the jury is still out on Judge.") Stay healthy, Aaron - you may actually get me to become a fan of yours!
2. The All-Star Game. This year's All-Star game had five Nationals players in it (Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy, Ryan Zimmerman, Stephen Strasburg, and Max Scherzer), so I was looking forward to it. The game did not disappoint, especially since my guy Scherzer pitched a scoreless first inning and showed the entire world what a badass he is (there were so many microphones around that you could actually hear Max grunting with every pitch). Bryce Harper made a very good catch in right field, so everyone in the world was able to see how good his hair looks even when his ball cap falls off his head trying to make a good play (according to the T-Mobile commercial, Bryce is always "perfectly coiffed!"). And Daniel Murphy got a base hit, so Nats-wise, I was happy to see my guys do well on the national stage.
The moment that had me all choked up and in an emotional mess was the tribute to Hispanic players in the Hall of Fame. Legends like Orlando Cepeda, Rod Carew, Tony Perez, Pedro Martinez, Roberto Alomar, and of course Iván Rodriguez simultaneously threw out the first pitch(es) of the game, and they each threw their baseball to a current Hispanic player. Pretty cool moment, especially when Roberto Clemente's widow and children were introduced. Nothing makes a Hispanic person more proud than seeing your nation's flag representing greatness. And we have no shame in saying we get teary - we don't blame it on allergies, Hillary Clinton!
3. The current standings. As of right now, the Dodgers and Astros look like the teams to beat. The Dodgers were the first team to reach 60 wins this season, and the Astros weren't so far behind. Can I tell you how sick and tired I am of the Dodgers? I know Clayton Kershaw is a beast, but I am so tired of hearing about how great he is and how wonderful Cody Bellinger is and how Justin Turner is all that. As hideous as the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks' uniforms are this season (think 1970s bell-bottom pants), I would much rather see them in the playoffs than the Dodgers. But knowing the Dodgers, they will make it to the playoffs (again!) and be totally wonderful. Whatever.
The Astros are another story. That team is chock full of raw talent, dedicated fans, and one of the best infields in the Majors. I want the Astros to not only make the playoffs, but make it to the World Series. Will they be facing the Nationals in October? Highly unlikely, since the Nats have terrible relief pitching that won't take them past the first round of the playoffs. Astros and Dodgers in the World Series? I guess. :-(
4. A-Rod. For the All-Star game, Fox Sports thought it would be a brilliant idea to send Alex Rodriguez onto the playing field to interview the players while they were getting into their positions. It was bad enough that A-Rod had already insulted Hall of Famer and fellow commentator Frank Thomas by saying he was getting fat and "growing sideways;" having A-Rod go onto the field just turned the whole thing into an A-Rod Fest. He said things like "I'm here in Miami, in my hometown;" (who cares?) "I remember my first All-Star game...;" (back when you were on steroids) "This is starting to remind me of my career a little bit." (which some of us would rather forget!) Shut up, Alex - no one cares about you anymore! Not even JLo, since you cheated on her (granted, she should have known that a guy who cheats in baseball is likely to cheat in a relationship!).
Well, I feel better now that I got all that out! Phew! What do we have to look forward to in the second half of the season? Let's see... Adrián Beltre reaching 3000 hits, the upcoming trade deadline (where contending teams try to strengthen their rosters for the post-season, usually with players who will become free agents at the end of the season, so they will only be with their new teams for a few months), and the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies at the end of this month (I'll be watching on TV; not in person, but I whined about that in a previous blog post, so I'll be quiet about that). There is still so much to look forward to - Wild Card races, new young talent coming up from the Minors, and our trip to yet another ballpark this year. Stay tuned, my friends; Mudville Mom will still have plenty to say for the next few months!
Sunday, June 18, 2017
My Current Baseball Crush ("An Ode to Max")
No matter how many baseball games you have watched in your lifetime or how die-hard of a fan you are, occasionally a baseball player comes around who amazes even us extreme baseball nerds. We know Mike Trout is awesome (especially since he's coming back earlier than expected from thumb surgery), we appreciate Yankees rookie Aaron Judge and all the home runs he's hitting, and we acknowledge that the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw is part alien because there's no way someone could be that consistently good. We become accustomed to elite players being exceptional, and we expect perfection every time we watch a game (especially when we remind ourselves of the millions of dollars that these guys make). But once in a while, a player comes around who takes our breath away, gives us goosebumps, and reminds us why we like the game of baseball so much.
Such is the case for me currently with Washington Nationals' rightie pitcher Max Scherzer. Now, back in 2015, when Scherzer joined the Nats, I blogged about how the Nationals had some nerve starting Scherzer on Opening Day, especially after Jordan Zimmermann had finished the 2014 season with a no-hitter. Who were the Nationals to think that a guy who had just joined the team deserved such a prestigious honor? Well I went to that Opening Day game, and I remember realizing that Scherzer had a no-hitter going into the sixth inning, and my dislike for the guy went away instantly, because really, how many times do you get to witness a no-hitter? (his no-hitter ended shortly after I realized I might actually be present for one, but Scherzer has gone on to pitch two no-nos since.)
For the past two-and-a-half seasons, I have come to really love this guy. So much so that he is now officially my baseball crush (not because he's cute, like Iván Rodriguez was, but because he's the most badass pitcher I have ever seen). Let me share some impressive facts about Max with you so you can appreciate how cool this guy is. A two-time Cy Young Award winner, Scherzer became just the sixth pitcher in Major League history to throw two no-hitters in a single season in 2015. He has been to the All-Star Game, is the third-fastest pitcher to reach 2.000 strikeouts, and speaking of strikeouts, he punched out 20 batters in one game.
But it's not just Scherzer's numbers that make him fun to watch. It's his presence on the mound - he is the most visibly competitive athlete I've ever seen, And the longer he stays in a game, the more fierce he gets. He stomps the pitcher's mound like he's preying for his next meal; he grunts with every pitch; he stares down batters like he's going to annihilate them. He is fierce, intimidating, and one of his eyes is blue and the other is brown (he has that condition where your irises are two different colors; didn't David Bowie have that too?). According to Max, "strikeouts are sexy," so People magazine needs to have him on their next "Sexiest Man Alive" cover, because he's always in the top two or three for strikeouts every season (so far he's leading the National League in this category).
Just recently, Scherzer had one of the most memorable outings for me - it was more intense than watching his two no-hitters and just as stressful. It was not his best pitching performance at first, since he hit two batters due to lack of control of his inside pitches. But as the game got going, Max starter getting loose and becoming more dominant. The Mets' Yoenis Céspedes was up to bat with two outs in the eighth inning, and Scherzer was already at 107 pitches. He was looking tired, like he had just emptied his tank and was just running on fumes. But he was determined to get Céspedes out, and it was one of the most epic at-bats in recent memory. After ten pitches to the Mets' slugger, each looking labored and followed by a grunt of desperation (like Scherzer was thinking that if he grunted, the ball would actually reach the plate), Céspedes struck out swinging. My husband and I celebrated that strikeout like if it was the seventh game of the World Series, and Scherzer himself gave a fist pump of relief.
I have not been this excited about a pitcher since Nolan Ryan in the 80s and 90s. And Scherzer doesn't just show up every five days to do his job - in his off days, he has a rigorous workout routine that includes distance running (to improve his endurance and help him make it through the later innings of a game) and sprinting (to help him with his fielding and split-second defensive plays). He is a workhorse, but luckily his pitching style (throwing sliders to righties and curveballs to lefties) makes him less dependent on the fastball (which hopefully means he can avoid the dreaded "Tommy John" surgery). Nolan Ryan pitched a boatload of innings in his career and never needed elbow surgery either, so all those haters who say that Max is the next big pitcher to go under the knife can just shut up and enjoy watching him pitch.
So as we approach the halfway point of the regular season (I know; can you believe it?), check out the Nationals games on MASN or MLBTV, because every fifth day, you are sure to get a treat watching badass Max Scherzer putting on a pitching show. And don't forget to cast your ballot for the All-Star team - if we could vote for pitchers, you know Max Scherzer would be at the top of my ballot.
Such is the case for me currently with Washington Nationals' rightie pitcher Max Scherzer. Now, back in 2015, when Scherzer joined the Nats, I blogged about how the Nationals had some nerve starting Scherzer on Opening Day, especially after Jordan Zimmermann had finished the 2014 season with a no-hitter. Who were the Nationals to think that a guy who had just joined the team deserved such a prestigious honor? Well I went to that Opening Day game, and I remember realizing that Scherzer had a no-hitter going into the sixth inning, and my dislike for the guy went away instantly, because really, how many times do you get to witness a no-hitter? (his no-hitter ended shortly after I realized I might actually be present for one, but Scherzer has gone on to pitch two no-nos since.)
For the past two-and-a-half seasons, I have come to really love this guy. So much so that he is now officially my baseball crush (not because he's cute, like Iván Rodriguez was, but because he's the most badass pitcher I have ever seen). Let me share some impressive facts about Max with you so you can appreciate how cool this guy is. A two-time Cy Young Award winner, Scherzer became just the sixth pitcher in Major League history to throw two no-hitters in a single season in 2015. He has been to the All-Star Game, is the third-fastest pitcher to reach 2.000 strikeouts, and speaking of strikeouts, he punched out 20 batters in one game.
But it's not just Scherzer's numbers that make him fun to watch. It's his presence on the mound - he is the most visibly competitive athlete I've ever seen, And the longer he stays in a game, the more fierce he gets. He stomps the pitcher's mound like he's preying for his next meal; he grunts with every pitch; he stares down batters like he's going to annihilate them. He is fierce, intimidating, and one of his eyes is blue and the other is brown (he has that condition where your irises are two different colors; didn't David Bowie have that too?). According to Max, "strikeouts are sexy," so People magazine needs to have him on their next "Sexiest Man Alive" cover, because he's always in the top two or three for strikeouts every season (so far he's leading the National League in this category).
Just recently, Scherzer had one of the most memorable outings for me - it was more intense than watching his two no-hitters and just as stressful. It was not his best pitching performance at first, since he hit two batters due to lack of control of his inside pitches. But as the game got going, Max starter getting loose and becoming more dominant. The Mets' Yoenis Céspedes was up to bat with two outs in the eighth inning, and Scherzer was already at 107 pitches. He was looking tired, like he had just emptied his tank and was just running on fumes. But he was determined to get Céspedes out, and it was one of the most epic at-bats in recent memory. After ten pitches to the Mets' slugger, each looking labored and followed by a grunt of desperation (like Scherzer was thinking that if he grunted, the ball would actually reach the plate), Céspedes struck out swinging. My husband and I celebrated that strikeout like if it was the seventh game of the World Series, and Scherzer himself gave a fist pump of relief.
I have not been this excited about a pitcher since Nolan Ryan in the 80s and 90s. And Scherzer doesn't just show up every five days to do his job - in his off days, he has a rigorous workout routine that includes distance running (to improve his endurance and help him make it through the later innings of a game) and sprinting (to help him with his fielding and split-second defensive plays). He is a workhorse, but luckily his pitching style (throwing sliders to righties and curveballs to lefties) makes him less dependent on the fastball (which hopefully means he can avoid the dreaded "Tommy John" surgery). Nolan Ryan pitched a boatload of innings in his career and never needed elbow surgery either, so all those haters who say that Max is the next big pitcher to go under the knife can just shut up and enjoy watching him pitch.
So as we approach the halfway point of the regular season (I know; can you believe it?), check out the Nationals games on MASN or MLBTV, because every fifth day, you are sure to get a treat watching badass Max Scherzer putting on a pitching show. And don't forget to cast your ballot for the All-Star team - if we could vote for pitchers, you know Max Scherzer would be at the top of my ballot.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
It's Almost Time! It's Almost Time!!!
Oh my goodness - are you all as tired of the cold weather as I am? Well Spring Training for Major League Baseball is just around the corner (pitchers and catchers report to camp starting February 17!), so warmer temperatures should soon follow (I hope!). What do we have to look forward to in the 2016 baseball season? Plenty!
- For starters, David Wright only needs 18 more home runs to pass Darryl Strawberry as the New York Mets' all-time home run leader. I followed the Mets back in Strawberry's day, but I'm OK with Wright passing him - Wright is a quiet yet consistent player - let's just hope none of those home runs come against the Nationals.
- Also worthy of note this season is Ichiro Suzuki, who is only 65 hits away from reaching 3000 MLB hits (he already reached that milestone if you count the hits he got while playing professionally in Japan). Everyone loves Ichiro (including me), so hey - go for it.
- Speaking of old guys, Albert Pujols and David Ortiz are very close to reaching the 500 home run/600 doubles club (joining Barry Bonds and Hank Aaron). Pujols needs 17 more doubles (doable), and poor "Papi" needs 16 (not so doable). But it's Ortiz's last season, so he'll enjoy all the attention and gifts he'll receive when he visits each city one last time even if he's too slow to steal any bases.
- And as much as I don't like Alex Rodriguez, I have to mention that he only needs 13 more home runs to reach 700. Whatever. On a brighter note, my man Miguel Cabrera only needs 8 doubles to reach 500. There's that.
- And what about the switch hitters? Well Carlos Beltrán (392) and Mike Teixeira (394) are looking to become only the fourth and fifth switch hitters to reach 400 home runs. Any idea who the other 3 are? Some guy named Mickey Mantle, a former Oriole by the name of Eddie Murray, and cutie-patootie Chipper Jones - not too shabby of a list, huh?
- What is WRONG with me - I still haven't mentioned any catchers! Well Yadier Molina (if he can stay healthy) will break the record for most games caught by a Cardinal. But "Yadi" is still recovering from thumb surgery, so we'll have to see how many times he can get behind the plate. Getting old, Yadi!
- And of course there's this year's Hall of Fame inductees - Mike Piazza and Ken Griffey, Jr - who will have their jersey numbers retired by the Mets and Mariners respectively. I was never a big Piazza fan, but you just couldn't help but love Griffey - his smile, his dedication, his commitment to the fans and the game. Cooperstown will be lucky to have him.
- As far as the young guys, last year's AL Rookie of the Year, Carlos Correa, needs 36 more home runs to pass A-Rod as the hitter with the most home runs at short stop at the age of 21 or younger. Yes, it's an obscure statistic, but since Correa is Puerto Rican, I had to mention it.
- Finally, it's important to note that the Dodgers' veteran broadcaster Vin Scully will be retiring for real at the end of this season. Scully has significantly cut back on the games that he does (home games only), but he is truly a broadcasting legend who will be deeply missed by Dodger fans (I'm not going to miss him, because I don't get Dodger home games in my neck of the woods).
- Will the Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton have his first 40-home run season ever? (I hope not!)
- Will the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw have his third career sub-2.00 ERA season? The last pitcher to do that was Sandy Koufax, and that was a LONG time ago!
- Will Nolan Arenado win his fourth Gold Glove award? If so, he would be the first player since Ichiro to do so in his first 4 years in the Majors.
- Will the Chicago Cubs have their first 100-win season since 1935? I hope so!
- Will the National's Bryce Harper (last season's NL MVP) win the Triple Crown? I highly doubt it, because RBIs have been hard to come by for the Nationals, but it will be fun to watch him try. Let's hope he stays healthy and continues to grow up (he matured nicely this past season, so hopefully the tantrum days are long past).
- Will my husband and I visit more ballparks this season? Well we're at least going to Philadelphia, so there's that. My quest to visit all 30 ballparks is taking way longer than expected!
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Rip Van-Me Finally Woke Up!
So much has happened in baseball since I last posted on my blog! The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw notched his Major League-leading nineteenth win on his way to yet another Cy Young award (remember my previous post about being "bad-ass?" Kershaw is definitely one of those!); the Houston Astros fired second-year manager Bo Porter; team owners elected a new Commissioner who will take over after Bud Selig retires in January (and they didn't pick me!); the Kansas City Royals inched their way closer to a playoff spot; and did you hear that Derek Jeter is retiring? I know; I had no idea either!
Let's take a peek at the division standings and how things look playoff-wise now that I'm back to the grind (by the way, my husband and I went to two games at Nationals Park during my hiatus, so I was definitely paying attention!). In the AL West, the Los Angeles Angels (which in Spanish means "the angels angels") became the first team to clinch a playoff spot and have the best record in the Majors. People will watch them because of Albert Pujols and Mike Trout, but they should also pay attention to Matt Shoemaker, Howie Kendrick, and Erick Aybar. They're surely going to have the AL West clinched by the end of the week, and people better start paying attention to these guys.
In the AL Central, things aren't so cut-and-dry. The Detroit Tigers are only a game and-a-half above the Royals, who refuse to give up and are hungry for a playoff birth. Some people are tired of the Cabrera-Verlander-Scherzer Tigers and want to see the Royals have a go at a pennant (they haven't amounted to much since the days of George Brett. Pine tar, anyone?). I would be happy with either team. The Tigers are always fun to watch since they have such collective talent, but the underdog Royals would be a breath of fresh air. And they have some cute guys on the team too!
As far as the AL East, it's Baltimore all the way. They hope to clinch their playoff spot tonight (or may already have, depending on when you read this), and they've played some really good baseball despite injuries to key players. Last year's home run leader, Chris Davis, has to serve a 25-game suspension for not submitting the appropriate paperwork to allow him to take his ADHD medication, but it's not like he was hitting anywhere close to last year, so the Orioles will be fine without him.
On to the National League, where my mighty Nationals are also hoping to clinch a playoff spot tonight (if they can beat those annoying Braves). Their lineup is solid, their starting rotation is strong (with Geo Gonzalez as the weakest link - who would've thought that would be the case this season?), and their bullpen is decent. They fired Rafael Soriano as their closer and replaced him with Drew Storen, who was the closer when the Nationals lost to the Cardinals in the 2012 playoffs, but Storen has matured a lot and is better able to handle stressful situations. Now if only I could afford to attend a playoff game...
In the NL Central, those darn Cardinals are in first place AGAIN. Aren't we all sick of the Cards? Really; give those Pirates a chance, will ya? The Bucs are only 3 1/2 games out, and are technically still "in it." Plus they have Andrew McCutchen, whom everyone loves, and a nicer ballpark and better fans. Plus the "pirate" was my high school mascot, so there's that. A lot depends on how the San Francisco Giants do (that whole Wild Card thing is a whole other story).
Lastly, the NL West belongs to the Dodgers, who have excellent pitching, a great manager in Don Mattingly, and an enigma named Yasiel Puig. While an all-LA World Series would be boring to most casual fans, I would find it interesting and would actually root for one if the Nationals and Orioles are eliminated in the playoffs. I could easily live vicariously through the LA fans but would have a hard time picking a favorite team (while I usually root for the National League team in the World Series, I like the Angels a little more than the Dodgers, so I would definitely be torn). Yes, a "Beltway Series" would be super-exciting for those of us here in the mid-Atlantic, but a west-coast series would suffice.
So as you can see, there is still a LOT of baseball to be played and most playoff teams to be decided. As for me, I promise to blog more, because I really missed writing while my life was busily filling up with family obligations, kids' activities, and the demands of my "real" (paying) job. I'll be back soon with more predictions and more shallow commentary (sorry!), but in the meantime, keep rooting for those Nationals, Orioles, and Pirates!
Let's take a peek at the division standings and how things look playoff-wise now that I'm back to the grind (by the way, my husband and I went to two games at Nationals Park during my hiatus, so I was definitely paying attention!). In the AL West, the Los Angeles Angels (which in Spanish means "the angels angels") became the first team to clinch a playoff spot and have the best record in the Majors. People will watch them because of Albert Pujols and Mike Trout, but they should also pay attention to Matt Shoemaker, Howie Kendrick, and Erick Aybar. They're surely going to have the AL West clinched by the end of the week, and people better start paying attention to these guys.
In the AL Central, things aren't so cut-and-dry. The Detroit Tigers are only a game and-a-half above the Royals, who refuse to give up and are hungry for a playoff birth. Some people are tired of the Cabrera-Verlander-Scherzer Tigers and want to see the Royals have a go at a pennant (they haven't amounted to much since the days of George Brett. Pine tar, anyone?). I would be happy with either team. The Tigers are always fun to watch since they have such collective talent, but the underdog Royals would be a breath of fresh air. And they have some cute guys on the team too!
As far as the AL East, it's Baltimore all the way. They hope to clinch their playoff spot tonight (or may already have, depending on when you read this), and they've played some really good baseball despite injuries to key players. Last year's home run leader, Chris Davis, has to serve a 25-game suspension for not submitting the appropriate paperwork to allow him to take his ADHD medication, but it's not like he was hitting anywhere close to last year, so the Orioles will be fine without him.
On to the National League, where my mighty Nationals are also hoping to clinch a playoff spot tonight (if they can beat those annoying Braves). Their lineup is solid, their starting rotation is strong (with Geo Gonzalez as the weakest link - who would've thought that would be the case this season?), and their bullpen is decent. They fired Rafael Soriano as their closer and replaced him with Drew Storen, who was the closer when the Nationals lost to the Cardinals in the 2012 playoffs, but Storen has matured a lot and is better able to handle stressful situations. Now if only I could afford to attend a playoff game...
In the NL Central, those darn Cardinals are in first place AGAIN. Aren't we all sick of the Cards? Really; give those Pirates a chance, will ya? The Bucs are only 3 1/2 games out, and are technically still "in it." Plus they have Andrew McCutchen, whom everyone loves, and a nicer ballpark and better fans. Plus the "pirate" was my high school mascot, so there's that. A lot depends on how the San Francisco Giants do (that whole Wild Card thing is a whole other story).
Lastly, the NL West belongs to the Dodgers, who have excellent pitching, a great manager in Don Mattingly, and an enigma named Yasiel Puig. While an all-LA World Series would be boring to most casual fans, I would find it interesting and would actually root for one if the Nationals and Orioles are eliminated in the playoffs. I could easily live vicariously through the LA fans but would have a hard time picking a favorite team (while I usually root for the National League team in the World Series, I like the Angels a little more than the Dodgers, so I would definitely be torn). Yes, a "Beltway Series" would be super-exciting for those of us here in the mid-Atlantic, but a west-coast series would suffice.
So as you can see, there is still a LOT of baseball to be played and most playoff teams to be decided. As for me, I promise to blog more, because I really missed writing while my life was busily filling up with family obligations, kids' activities, and the demands of my "real" (paying) job. I'll be back soon with more predictions and more shallow commentary (sorry!), but in the meantime, keep rooting for those Nationals, Orioles, and Pirates!
Thursday, March 7, 2013
The Real "World Series"
Spring Training baseball is in full swing, with all 30 major-league teams starting to trim down their rosters and last-minute free agents being signed. But while the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues have been bustling with activity, a lot of baseball is being played on the other side of the world.
The 2013 World Baseball Classic began last week with games in Japan and China, and today is adding games in the US and Puerto Rico. The WBC is in its third season, having been played in 2006 and 2009 (and both won by Japan). This year, sixteen countries are represented and divided into four pools - pools A and B have already narrowed down their 8 teams to 4 and pools C and D start their action today. In pool A, Cuba and Japan have advanced, with Brazil and China going home. In pool B, the Netherlands and Chinese Tai Pei have moved on, with Australia and Korea being eliminated. Pool C includes the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Spain, and Venezuela, and pool D has the US, Canada, Italy, and Mexico.
So what have I seen of the WBC so far? Well, many of the games were either really late at night or very early in the morning, but thanks to a recent snow day, I was able to watch most of the game between Cuba and Japan. I also watched bits of a game between the Netherlands and Korea, and I also caught some action between China and the Netherlands on another occasion. The one thing that caught my attention the most is the enthusiasm of the Asian fans. In all the games in which Asian teams played (granted, the games were either in Japan or China), spectators blew whistles, beat on their thunder sticks, and even had a whole brass section during one of the games. They have very organized and synchronized cheers, especially when their guys are batting. And even when the Cuban team was winning 6-0 in the ninth inning, the Japanese fans were still in the game, waving their handheld flags and carrying on. Something tells me that if I try to bring a trumpet to a Nationals game, my husband would have to pick me up in the holding cell after the game was over.
But as excited as some fans are about the World Baseball Classic (trust me - I'm going to be glued to the TV when Puerto Rico debuts in this year's WBC in their game against Spain tomorrow), the Classic has received a lot of criticism. Tim Dahlberg of the Associated Press says that the schedule is manipulated to favor the US. I tend to agree with him on that one - the US has to beat teams from Canada, Italy, and Mexico in order to advance, while powerhouses like the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico are all in the same bracket. The US team did not make it to the finals in either of the first two WBC tournaments - proof that Lebron James can win an Olympic gold medal but Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter can't beat the Japanese.
Another criticism of the WBC is that it is played smack in the middle of Spring Training, when pitchers are not yet ready to pitch in true game form (hence the pitch count limit - 60 in the first round, 80 in the second, and 95 in the semis and finals) and hitters would rather bask in the Florida and Arizona sun earning their millions while slowly getting into baseball shape. I don't think there is an ideal time to have the WBC - no matter when you hold it, someone is going to complain about the players not being ready, being too tired or run down, etc. I recently heard someone suggest they hold the WBC during the All-Star break - that person must not have realized that the break is only 4 days long and the WBC takes two weeks to play.
Dahlberg also whines about the lack of big-league talent in Team USA: "No Clayton Kershaw, no Bryce Harper. Mike Trout and Josh Hamilton are busy elsewhere. Justin Verlander had other plans." Well guess what? David Wright will be there, as will Ryan Braun, Adam Jones, Giancarlo Stanton, and pitchers Gio Gonzalez, and RA Dickey. Not too shabby, people - stop whining because Robinson Canó will be playing for the Dominican Republic and Joey Votto is representing Team Canada (did you know he was CANADIAN? I had NO IDEA!). Why is it that any time a US team is touted as an underdog, people have to whine and make up excuses? I come from Puerto Rico, where we are very nationalistic about our sports teams, but we're also used to not always winning. Hey, we're happy to be there and we'll hoot and holler like the Asians, but if we don't make it very far, life will go on.
Speaking of Team Puerto Rico, the squad is full of young talent with a sprinkling of big-leaguers like Carlos Beltrán, Yadier Molina, and Angel Pagán. It doesn't look like the team is as strong as in years past, when they made it to the semifinals, but like I said, I'd be happy regardless of how they did, as long as I can wear my Team Puerto Rico t-shirt and wave my flag. And if Team Puerto Rico gets eliminated, I will still watch the rest of the Classic.
Where can you watch every single WBC game? In the MLB Network, which for those of you with Comcast in the Frederick area, it's channel 738. Some people think it's too remote a channel for casual fans to catch, but it's college basketball playoffs time, and you're not going to get ESPN to give that up. I'm just happy I didn't have to do what I did in 2009, when I had to buy the premium "latino" bundle for a month so I could watch more WBC games. And if people still don't think the WBC is a good idea, then perhaps the International Olympic Committee can bring baseball back to the summer Olympics, which is really where international baseball belongs.
The 2013 World Baseball Classic began last week with games in Japan and China, and today is adding games in the US and Puerto Rico. The WBC is in its third season, having been played in 2006 and 2009 (and both won by Japan). This year, sixteen countries are represented and divided into four pools - pools A and B have already narrowed down their 8 teams to 4 and pools C and D start their action today. In pool A, Cuba and Japan have advanced, with Brazil and China going home. In pool B, the Netherlands and Chinese Tai Pei have moved on, with Australia and Korea being eliminated. Pool C includes the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Spain, and Venezuela, and pool D has the US, Canada, Italy, and Mexico.
So what have I seen of the WBC so far? Well, many of the games were either really late at night or very early in the morning, but thanks to a recent snow day, I was able to watch most of the game between Cuba and Japan. I also watched bits of a game between the Netherlands and Korea, and I also caught some action between China and the Netherlands on another occasion. The one thing that caught my attention the most is the enthusiasm of the Asian fans. In all the games in which Asian teams played (granted, the games were either in Japan or China), spectators blew whistles, beat on their thunder sticks, and even had a whole brass section during one of the games. They have very organized and synchronized cheers, especially when their guys are batting. And even when the Cuban team was winning 6-0 in the ninth inning, the Japanese fans were still in the game, waving their handheld flags and carrying on. Something tells me that if I try to bring a trumpet to a Nationals game, my husband would have to pick me up in the holding cell after the game was over.
But as excited as some fans are about the World Baseball Classic (trust me - I'm going to be glued to the TV when Puerto Rico debuts in this year's WBC in their game against Spain tomorrow), the Classic has received a lot of criticism. Tim Dahlberg of the Associated Press says that the schedule is manipulated to favor the US. I tend to agree with him on that one - the US has to beat teams from Canada, Italy, and Mexico in order to advance, while powerhouses like the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico are all in the same bracket. The US team did not make it to the finals in either of the first two WBC tournaments - proof that Lebron James can win an Olympic gold medal but Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter can't beat the Japanese.
Another criticism of the WBC is that it is played smack in the middle of Spring Training, when pitchers are not yet ready to pitch in true game form (hence the pitch count limit - 60 in the first round, 80 in the second, and 95 in the semis and finals) and hitters would rather bask in the Florida and Arizona sun earning their millions while slowly getting into baseball shape. I don't think there is an ideal time to have the WBC - no matter when you hold it, someone is going to complain about the players not being ready, being too tired or run down, etc. I recently heard someone suggest they hold the WBC during the All-Star break - that person must not have realized that the break is only 4 days long and the WBC takes two weeks to play.
Dahlberg also whines about the lack of big-league talent in Team USA: "No Clayton Kershaw, no Bryce Harper. Mike Trout and Josh Hamilton are busy elsewhere. Justin Verlander had other plans." Well guess what? David Wright will be there, as will Ryan Braun, Adam Jones, Giancarlo Stanton, and pitchers Gio Gonzalez, and RA Dickey. Not too shabby, people - stop whining because Robinson Canó will be playing for the Dominican Republic and Joey Votto is representing Team Canada (did you know he was CANADIAN? I had NO IDEA!). Why is it that any time a US team is touted as an underdog, people have to whine and make up excuses? I come from Puerto Rico, where we are very nationalistic about our sports teams, but we're also used to not always winning. Hey, we're happy to be there and we'll hoot and holler like the Asians, but if we don't make it very far, life will go on.
Speaking of Team Puerto Rico, the squad is full of young talent with a sprinkling of big-leaguers like Carlos Beltrán, Yadier Molina, and Angel Pagán. It doesn't look like the team is as strong as in years past, when they made it to the semifinals, but like I said, I'd be happy regardless of how they did, as long as I can wear my Team Puerto Rico t-shirt and wave my flag. And if Team Puerto Rico gets eliminated, I will still watch the rest of the Classic.
Where can you watch every single WBC game? In the MLB Network, which for those of you with Comcast in the Frederick area, it's channel 738. Some people think it's too remote a channel for casual fans to catch, but it's college basketball playoffs time, and you're not going to get ESPN to give that up. I'm just happy I didn't have to do what I did in 2009, when I had to buy the premium "latino" bundle for a month so I could watch more WBC games. And if people still don't think the WBC is a good idea, then perhaps the International Olympic Committee can bring baseball back to the summer Olympics, which is really where international baseball belongs.
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