Saturday, October 29, 2005
Manny's Boys
The New York Times has a good article, "Manny's Boys", on the kids playing baseball in Washington Heights (large Dominican population, so no surprise that the popular players are Manny, Ortiz, and Pedro), and I thought it was cool that the kids focused on Manny's real training regime, none of that "Manny being Manny" or Manny-as-hitting-savant nonsense:
The New York Times has a good article, "Manny's Boys", on the kids playing baseball in Washington Heights (large Dominican population, so no surprise that the popular players are Manny, Ortiz, and Pedro), and I thought it was cool that the kids focused on Manny's real training regime, none of that "Manny being Manny" or Manny-as-hitting-savant nonsense:
"Why not us?" says Rafael, who hopes to play in the Dominican Republic this winter. "We follow the things Manny did. In high school, I got up at 5:30 a.m. to train. I ran through the streets, like Manny did."Great to see the work ethic, and good luck to the boys.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Chicago White Sox Win It All
Congrats to the other Sox for winning it all - 1917 and all that. Guess Houston's crappy lineup got to them in the end. And boy the White Sox were rolling - 11-1 in the postseason, plus there was that incredible sweep of Cleveland to end the regular season - in a way making the Red Sox getting swept seem not so bad.
Congrats to the other Sox for winning it all - 1917 and all that. Guess Houston's crappy lineup got to them in the end. And boy the White Sox were rolling - 11-1 in the postseason, plus there was that incredible sweep of Cleveland to end the regular season - in a way making the Red Sox getting swept seem not so bad.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Very QT...
Ah, let's get the gossip out of the way: this woman claims A-Rod is an ass, although really it just sounds a bit like an overdemanding fan... ballplayers like to party (is that news?)...
Ah, let's get the gossip out of the way: this woman claims A-Rod is an ass, although really it just sounds a bit like an overdemanding fan... ballplayers like to party (is that news?)...
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Returning the favour
Oh, and a belated thanks to Jen Garett for nominating me as one of the 100 blogs in her 100-blogs project. Very flattering.
Oh, and a belated thanks to Jen Garett for nominating me as one of the 100 blogs in her 100-blogs project. Very flattering.
A Map of the MLB World
The CommonCensus Sports Map Project tries to define the boundaries of Red Sox Nation, Athletics Nation, and all the various other parts in between. I'm kind of surprised that there seem to be absolutely zero Blue Jays fans in America - might have thought some cross-border support would have existed.
Would've thought the ChiSox would get some support in northern Indiana too - my impression was that Gary and all those Lake Michigan towns were more White Sox towns than Cubs ones, but I guess I was wrong...
And interesting to see that swath of Red Sox Nation in the Western states... that reminds me, I attended a movie a couple of weekends back and I actually heard someone go to his friend "Sox lost yesterday". Weird to meet other Singapore Sox Fans.
The CommonCensus Sports Map Project tries to define the boundaries of Red Sox Nation, Athletics Nation, and all the various other parts in between. I'm kind of surprised that there seem to be absolutely zero Blue Jays fans in America - might have thought some cross-border support would have existed.
Would've thought the ChiSox would get some support in northern Indiana too - my impression was that Gary and all those Lake Michigan towns were more White Sox towns than Cubs ones, but I guess I was wrong...
And interesting to see that swath of Red Sox Nation in the Western states... that reminds me, I attended a movie a couple of weekends back and I actually heard someone go to his friend "Sox lost yesterday". Weird to meet other Singapore Sox Fans.
The World Series 2005
Someday in the next couple of weeks, history will be made: either the Astros win their first-ever World Series, or the Chicago White Sox break their long streak of futility. I'm rooting for the Astros, partly because I don't like Ozzie Guillen's style of managing, largely because I think Hawk Harrelson and "he gone" is one of the worst announcers in the game, somewhat because the fireworks for every home run (in a hitters park!) are pretty silly, and finally because of Disco Demolition Night, which I feel unfairly brought shame onto disco.
So yes - win it for Larry Dierker, manager.
Someday in the next couple of weeks, history will be made: either the Astros win their first-ever World Series, or the Chicago White Sox break their long streak of futility. I'm rooting for the Astros, partly because I don't like Ozzie Guillen's style of managing, largely because I think Hawk Harrelson and "he gone" is one of the worst announcers in the game, somewhat because the fireworks for every home run (in a hitters park!) are pretty silly, and finally because of Disco Demolition Night, which I feel unfairly brought shame onto disco.
So yes - win it for Larry Dierker, manager.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Astros win the NLCS
I loved seeing the Astros beat the Cardinals, if only because it cut through all the bullshit stories about Brad Lidge (who did have 3 saves, including 2 saves in 1-run games) and the stupid comparisons to Donnie Moore and the '86 Angels. (Or to BH Kim and the '01 D-backs.) It showed to me that momentum is overrated, that a good starting pitcher outtrumps any sort of 'team emotion', and that any idea that the Astros' loss in Game 5 was soul-crushing was just a nice way to tell the story of the game, rather than a reflection of the players' own attitudes.
Hell, if the Astros players could joke about it on the flight out to St Louis (something about the charter not being able to take off because Pujols' ball entered the airspace), they were never too concerned. I presume at least some of the Astros may have had even more devastating games growing up - disappointing their families, their friends, their schools, which in a way may be even more important than disappointing random fans of a team that one has no personal connection with - and they managed to get past that to become major leaguers.
Congrats to the 'Stros.
I loved seeing the Astros beat the Cardinals, if only because it cut through all the bullshit stories about Brad Lidge (who did have 3 saves, including 2 saves in 1-run games) and the stupid comparisons to Donnie Moore and the '86 Angels. (Or to BH Kim and the '01 D-backs.) It showed to me that momentum is overrated, that a good starting pitcher outtrumps any sort of 'team emotion', and that any idea that the Astros' loss in Game 5 was soul-crushing was just a nice way to tell the story of the game, rather than a reflection of the players' own attitudes.
Hell, if the Astros players could joke about it on the flight out to St Louis (something about the charter not being able to take off because Pujols' ball entered the airspace), they were never too concerned. I presume at least some of the Astros may have had even more devastating games growing up - disappointing their families, their friends, their schools, which in a way may be even more important than disappointing random fans of a team that one has no personal connection with - and they managed to get past that to become major leaguers.
Congrats to the 'Stros.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
The ALCS
Good Lord, how many complete games do the White Sox want to pitch? Pitching, defense, and the ability to hit homers (and some judicious umpiring decisions) win pennants, apparently.
Although of course after the Red Sox in '04 no one gives up down 3 games to 1.
Good Lord, how many complete games do the White Sox want to pitch? Pitching, defense, and the ability to hit homers (and some judicious umpiring decisions) win pennants, apparently.
Although of course after the Red Sox in '04 no one gives up down 3 games to 1.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Matchups
Random thought: would it have been better for both the Sox and the Yankees if the Sox had swept that last series and it ended up being Yankee-ChiSox / Sox-Angels?
Random thought: would it have been better for both the Sox and the Yankees if the Sox had swept that last series and it ended up being Yankee-ChiSox / Sox-Angels?
Nomah, dirty watah
Kudos is probably due to Nomar for his quick action in rescuing two women who had fallen into Boston Harbor (link), although this witness's description seems over the top:
Kudos is probably due to Nomar for his quick action in rescuing two women who had fallen into Boston Harbor (link), although this witness's description seems over the top:
"A bunch of us came running over and sure enough, pulling the two girls from the water was Nomar," he told the newspaper. "It was crazy. Nomar was like jumping over walls to get to the girls and the other guy leaped off the balcony. It was unbelievable."And for all his effort he didn't even get their digits:
The two men pulled the women from the water. Their husbands arrived and whisked them off to the hospital before the Garciaparras even got their names, he said.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Yankee Elimination
You know, it's not polite to laugh at other's misery, but well, the Yankees sucked. The GIDP by A-Rod, the wallbanger by Bubba and Sheffield... woohoo! Apparently five straight post-season appearances without a title ties the American League record, although sadly for the Braves it was pretty much business as usual.
Ah well. It only goes a little way to salve the pain of the Sox elimination. Although this year's team really didn't feel good enough to go all the way, unlike the '03 and '04 Sox, so that (plus the World Series win) sort of took the sting out this year.
You know, it's not polite to laugh at other's misery, but well, the Yankees sucked. The GIDP by A-Rod, the wallbanger by Bubba and Sheffield... woohoo! Apparently five straight post-season appearances without a title ties the American League record, although sadly for the Braves it was pretty much business as usual.
Ah well. It only goes a little way to salve the pain of the Sox elimination. Although this year's team really didn't feel good enough to go all the way, unlike the '03 and '04 Sox, so that (plus the World Series win) sort of took the sting out this year.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Red Sox 3, White Sox 5: Wake Me Up When October Ends
It stinks and it sucks and it stinks. Ugh. And to El Duque. El Duque and Contreras, all in one. Ick. Now all that is left is schadenfreude.
It stinks and it sucks and it stinks. Ugh. And to El Duque. El Duque and Contreras, all in one. Ick. Now all that is left is schadenfreude.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Red Sox 4, White Sox 5: The 0-2 Hole
Excruciating game to watch. All the good work undone in one fell swoop, with that 5-run inning. Tony G might have a hard time walking around Boston now. Didn't it feel like a bad omen when, after Buehrle had been on the ropes for so much of the game, the Sox went out and gave him what seemed like a 5-pitch inning?
I saw the '03 ALDS and the '04 ALCS, so clearly I know the Sox can come back. You know, Paul Konerko forgets to touch home plate in a collision with Varitek... Aaron Rowand tries to swipe the ball out of Tim Wakefield's hand... but we shall see. One day at a time, one day at a time.
Excruciating game to watch. All the good work undone in one fell swoop, with that 5-run inning. Tony G might have a hard time walking around Boston now. Didn't it feel like a bad omen when, after Buehrle had been on the ropes for so much of the game, the Sox went out and gave him what seemed like a 5-pitch inning?
I saw the '03 ALDS and the '04 ALCS, so clearly I know the Sox can come back. You know, Paul Konerko forgets to touch home plate in a collision with Varitek... Aaron Rowand tries to swipe the ball out of Tim Wakefield's hand... but we shall see. One day at a time, one day at a time.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Red Sox 5, White Sox 14: Sock it to me
O' my darlin' O' my darlin' O' my darling Clement...
You are lost and gone forever, O' my darling Clement...
Scott Podsednik homered. Now, I generally like Scotty Po, especially given that his steals have helped two of my fantasy teams greatly, but when Scott "zero homers in the regular season" Podsednik homers, that's a sign that your pitcher doesn't have it. 5-0 down at the end of the first inning? Ick. So Matt Clement, please take a seat.
Deep breath. Time for tomorrow. Revenge wears no wristwatch.
O' my darlin' O' my darlin' O' my darling Clement...
You are lost and gone forever, O' my darling Clement...
Scott Podsednik homered. Now, I generally like Scotty Po, especially given that his steals have helped two of my fantasy teams greatly, but when Scott "zero homers in the regular season" Podsednik homers, that's a sign that your pitcher doesn't have it. 5-0 down at the end of the first inning? Ick. So Matt Clement, please take a seat.
Deep breath. Time for tomorrow. Revenge wears no wristwatch.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
MVPs and the World Series
I tried to list out the last MVPs to reach the World Series in their respective leagues:
And I'd forgotten about Kevin Mitchell's weird 1989 season.
I tried to list out the last MVPs to reach the World Series in their respective leagues:
- Barry Bonds, 2002, Giants
- Chipper Jones, 1999, Braves
- Terry Pendleton, 1991, Braves
- Rickey Henderson, 1990, Athletics
- Kevin Mitchell, 1989, Giants
- Jose Canseco, 1988, Athletics
- Kirk Gibson, 1988, Dodgers
And I'd forgotten about Kevin Mitchell's weird 1989 season.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Wild Card
So Manny is only the greatest right-handed hitter in the game, and proved as much today - if not for David Ortiz, he would have a pretty damn good claim on MVP himself. Sweet throw out of Jeter. Hands up anyone who thought Manny would lead the AL in outfield assists, I need lottery numbers. It's because of that quick release, I think: people run on him because they don't think much of the power of his arm, but he gets the ball out of his hands really quickly, and when you're playing the Monster, that's a pretty useful skill to have.
So Ortiz ended the season as a .2995008 hitter, which means in the record books he's a .300 hitter - just about made it there.
So it was a tough ride, especially with those late season doldrums. All is forgiven. Tabula rasa. All is right with the universe. Tat Tvam Asi. I feel sorry for Cleveland, well about as sorry I can feel for a team with a Native American logo/name, but them's the breaks.
So the Sox go up against the other Sox (whose own post-Black Sox scandal ill fate has long been obscured) on Tuesday (Division Series schedule), and Contreras, former gimp of the Sox (although today it was Jeter that "was a little bit gimpy"), is scheduled to take the mound. Schilling coming up strong, which is a good sign. Will Kevin Millar be the '05 Derek Lowe? He's got the shot at redemption.
So, the Sox go On the Road, and tonight the stars'll be out, and don't you know that God is Pooh Bear?
"The first celebration should be subdued, and the fourth one should be crazy." - Theo EpsteinSo the Sox beat the Yankees in a 10-1 blowout that was more than just the wild-card clincher. Sweet as that was already, the Indians had already lost by that point. But this was also the win that ensured the Yankees would go on the road against the Angels.
So Manny is only the greatest right-handed hitter in the game, and proved as much today - if not for David Ortiz, he would have a pretty damn good claim on MVP himself. Sweet throw out of Jeter. Hands up anyone who thought Manny would lead the AL in outfield assists, I need lottery numbers. It's because of that quick release, I think: people run on him because they don't think much of the power of his arm, but he gets the ball out of his hands really quickly, and when you're playing the Monster, that's a pretty useful skill to have.
So Ortiz ended the season as a .2995008 hitter, which means in the record books he's a .300 hitter - just about made it there.
So it was a tough ride, especially with those late season doldrums. All is forgiven. Tabula rasa. All is right with the universe. Tat Tvam Asi. I feel sorry for Cleveland, well about as sorry I can feel for a team with a Native American logo/name, but them's the breaks.
So the Sox go up against the other Sox (whose own post-Black Sox scandal ill fate has long been obscured) on Tuesday (Division Series schedule), and Contreras, former gimp of the Sox (although today it was Jeter that "was a little bit gimpy"), is scheduled to take the mound. Schilling coming up strong, which is a good sign. Will Kevin Millar be the '05 Derek Lowe? He's got the shot at redemption.
So, the Sox go On the Road, and tonight the stars'll be out, and don't you know that God is Pooh Bear?
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Dig?
On that Weekly Dig cover of a Red Sox and Yankees fan kissing, the Boston Herald had the word:
On that Weekly Dig cover of a Red Sox and Yankees fan kissing, the Boston Herald had the word:
We wanted to see what would piss people off more – the gay aspect or the Sox-Yanks aspect,'' Keohane said. "And we wanted to float the theory that sexual tension is the real force behind the heated Sox-Yanks rivalry."Ever since I saw that pic a while back, I still can't get over it. Men kissing each other is one thing, but a Sox fan kissing a Yankee fan! Good Lord.
Sox 5, Yankees 3; Sox 4 Yankees 8: Split Fingered
Down to the last game now for the Sox - that first game was wonderful, and in order not to jinx anything I decided not to say anything. Sigh. Superstition isn't the most faithful mistress. Now it's down to the last game: Sox win, they get the Wild Card; Sox lose, it's down to a one-game playoff. It's a better position to be in that the Indians, but man, oh man, it could have been so much easier.
Still, despite the loss today, Wakefield's late-season performance was a big part of what kept the Sox even in the hunt despite the blahs of September, so thank you Timmeh. Schilling v. Jaret Wright, last game of the season. Fantastic. Now if only I had any nails left.
Down to the last game now for the Sox - that first game was wonderful, and in order not to jinx anything I decided not to say anything. Sigh. Superstition isn't the most faithful mistress. Now it's down to the last game: Sox win, they get the Wild Card; Sox lose, it's down to a one-game playoff. It's a better position to be in that the Indians, but man, oh man, it could have been so much easier.
Still, despite the loss today, Wakefield's late-season performance was a big part of what kept the Sox even in the hunt despite the blahs of September, so thank you Timmeh. Schilling v. Jaret Wright, last game of the season. Fantastic. Now if only I had any nails left.
Singapore Sox Fan
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