June 27, 2008
What national pastime could divide the country and cause more arguments than politics? It's not a red and blue map, but it shows more divisions--such as the National League East and the American League West. Here are the fan bases of the MLB teams.
Source: One Droo Hill: The United Countries of Baseball
Authored by Woody
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May 06, 2008
Posted at 10:29 AM
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March 30, 2008
Opening day is here for major league baseball. The Braves will play the Nationals tonight to christen the new Nationals Park, and President Bush will throw out the first pitch. Game time is 8:05 PM EDT and will be televised by ESPN.
I'll be at the Braves home opener on Monday night. It's invigorating to walk into the ballpark for the first time each year and take in the smells, sights, and sounds of a new season. And, "people will come."
Ray, people will come Ray. ...And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come.
A few days ago, the Red Sox and A's split a two game series to open their seasons, but since they played in Tokyo, it shouldn't count.
Last night in an exhibition game, the Red Sox and Dodgers played at the L.A. Coliseum to a record crowd of 115,300 fans. Creating a baseball field in a football stadium is difficult, and you know that the configuration is strange when the shortstop covers left field and center fielder Andruw Jones takes a throw at second base to tag out a stealing base runner.
The Library of Congress has a new section titled Historic Baseball Resources, with a lot of interesting information and images of the game. It's hard to stop going through the site once you start.
Feel free to comment on your teams and the season and to provide your favorite baseball stories and links. Besides the above link to the Library of Congress, here's another one to start: Fire Joe Morgan
Let's play ball.
Authored by Woody
Posted at 04:30 PM
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February 29, 2008
I won't elaborate on the article linked below, as it speaks for itself in regards to the bitter Red Sox - Yankees rivalry; plus, the picture of the kid as the end of the article is so cute, as he gives it back to Steinbrenner. His parents must be as proud of him as George Steinbrenner is of his son.
Baby Boss: Red Sox Nation “A Bunch Of Bull****”
Authored by Woody
Posted at 12:20 PM
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September 02, 2007
Michigan might have won if they played that song at half-time. The ASU team might have been too embarrassed to come back onto the field for the second half. Still, congratulations to ASU for that big win.
[Update]
To make up for any hard feelings with ASU fans, here are the last two minutes of their win against Michigan. Enjoy.
ASU fans are likely to use up the bandwith of YouTube watching this over and over. Doesn't that last image of a Michigan fan at the end of the video say it all?
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August 05, 2007
"As I said previously, out of respect for the tradition of the game, the magnitude of the record and the fact that all citizens in this country are innocent until proven guilty, either I or a representative of my office will attend the next few games and make every attempt to observe the breaking of the all-time home run record."
- - Bud Selig, MLB Commissioner
Do you think that he was too nice?
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July 12, 2007
Bonds is back to business only five home runs away from passing Hank Aaron. Then again, he's hit only nine since April. One a week, give or take.Look down the Giants schedule and see the rich possibilities.
In eight days, they'll be in Milwaukee, where it all began for Hank Aaron.
In 19 days, they'll be in Dodger Stadium, where the populace hates the Giants — and one must presume Bonds, by extension — more than anywhere.
Most intriguing of all, in 33 days, they'll be in Atlanta. At Bonds' recent pace, he'd be dead on the record. Somewhere, the baseball gods would have to giggle, should Bonds hit 756 against the team whose mailing address is 755 Hank Aaron Drive.
I wouldn't throw the ball back on the field, but I sure wouldn't plan to cheer. Maybe those same two guys who circled the bases with Hank Aaron's record home run will come back for this and pick up home plate before Bonds can touch it.
Posted at 11:50 AM
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June 06, 2007
The percentage of African-Americans playing Major League Baseball is at an all-time low and Gary Sheffield says he has a theory why that's the case.In an interview with GQ magazine that's currently on newsstands, the typically outspoken Tigers designated hitter said Latin players have replaced African-Americans as baseball's most prevalent minority because they are easier to control.
Sheffield tries to clarify comments on Latinos in GQ - SI
Detroit Tigers star Gary Sheffield insists he meant "nothing derogatory" toward Latin players when he said Major League Baseball found it easier to "control them" than blacks."The subject was players of my race and what we deal with and why they don't look in the inner cities for that same talent that they do in other places," he said. "(Latin players) have a backing, a support when they come off the island, and black players don't. As far as authority figures, we're only going to respond to people who care about us. That's what I meant by it."
There are different opinions on racial opportunities in baseball. My belief is that there are relatively fewer blacks in baseball because black athletes in the U.S. today tend to migrate towards basketball and football, whereas athletes from Latin America concentrate in baseball, if they don't pursue soccer. In any case, I like Shef and see nothing wrong with him expressing an opinion that opens discussion and might bring about positive changes.
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May 29, 2007
A summary from an L.A. Dodgers press release:
On that day in 1976, Monday was playing center field for the Chicago Cubs during a game at Dodger Stadium. Though the Vietnam War had ended the year before, it didn't stop two protestors from trying to burn an American flag on the outfield grass.Once the fans reached left-center, one of them took out a match and tried to light it. At that point, (Rick) Monday raced towards them and just before they could set fire to the flag, he reached down and grabbed it from underneath them.
More detailed coverage along with links to a video are found at Major League Baseball and NewsBusters. Most of the story is reproduced in the "read more link" below. Try to take time to view the video, too. more...
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May 08, 2007
On more news regarding black baseball players, have you been keeping up with Barry Bonds* and his quest to beat the home run record set by Hank Aaron. I don't like the inevitable conclusion that Barry Bonds* will be the record holder, simply because I think that Bonds* has been using steroids. A lot of other people feel the same way. However, I was surprised to learn that there is a racial divide in attitudes about Barry Bonds*. Well, I was also surprised at a racial divide over O. J. Simpson, so I must be clueless.
By Todd Boyd, ESPN
...A recent ESPN/ABC News poll suggests there is a racial divide in the nation around people's attitude towards Bonds and his attempt to set the new home run mark. In the last few years, we have been treated to grand jury investigations, congressional hearings and best-selling books, all of which have placed Bonds at the center of a much bigger steroid controversy in baseball. This being the case, in spite of all the speculation to the contrary, it has never been proven that Bonds is guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs.There has long been a notion among certain members of the African-American community that once a successful black person manages to make it to the top of his respective field, there is a vested interest among other people outside of the community to see this person fall. Barry Bonds is only the most recent example of such a notion. The vehemence with which these outside forces seem aligned in their interest to go after Bonds has helped to fuel such thinking.
Many others feel that the situation is plain and simple; they believe Bonds cheated and should be punished. Again, this is despite the fact that Bonds has never been caught using steroids. This racial divide reveals different attitudes about crime and punishment, guilt and innocence in our society.
In a country that has long prided itself on a system of justice that pursued an "innocent until proven guilty" mantra, Bonds finds himself, like many other African-Americans throughout history, just plain guilty.
...In times past, some would have called Bonds an "uppity Negro." In today's parlance, though, Bonds might best be described by Ice Cube's moniker, "the n----- you love to hate."
...The history of racism in baseball is far more troubling to me than the possibility that someone might have used performance-enhancing drugs to aid his accomplishments. Yet no one would ever consider putting an asterisk by Ruth's name or that of any other white player who enjoyed the benefits of playing in a competitive league that did not allow for fair and equal competition based solely on the issue of race.
...At the end of the day, it would be great to see people put away their childish racial resentment of Barry Bonds and give the man his due, but as an adult I have no illusions that this is going to happen.
Do you agree with that writer? I simply think that Barry Bonds* has gotten to the record unfairly, and it doesn't take a grand jury or medical study to simply see how he has bullked up. One reason, too, that I don't see this as racism, is because the record that Bonds* will beat is held by another black man, Hank Aaron.
It just occurred to me. Maybe we should place an asterisk (*) by the records of Barry Bonds*. Why didn't I think of that earlier?
Additional Commentary:
More thoughts on this can be found at our friend's site:
Assistant Village Idiot
More from ESPN here:
Please stop Bonds, before it's too late By Jemele Hill
"God, can you smite Barry Bonds before he breaks Major League Baseball's all-time home run record? ...God, Hank Aaron deserves better than to see his record broken by an unlikable, arrogant cheater who has done nothing but heighten stereotypes of black athletes. "
This just in from Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Shilling on MSNBC:
Schilling rips Bonds
says he (Bonds) admitted 'roid use, 'He admitted to cheating on his wife . . . on his taxes . . . and on the game'
Posted at 12:40 PM
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There has been much celebration made about Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball. However, at the recent 60th anniversary celebration of Robinson's milestone at a Braves and Astros game, not one black player was on either team's roster, which brings us to this:
Group: One is not enough
By Carroll Rogers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 05/08/07Upset over the lack of African-Americans on the Braves' roster, members of Jesse Jackson's Rainbow-PUSH Coalition asked for a meeting with team officials. They got one Monday.
Joe Beasley, Southern regional director for the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, said he and Dexter Clinkscale, the director of sports for the organization, met Monday morning for nearly two hours with Braves general manager John Schuerholz, assistant general manager Frank Wren and three other Braves officials.
"The team slipped ... down to [no African-Americans]; it wasn't something that just happened," Beasley said Monday afternoon. "I think it was a lack of diligence on the part of the Braves to recruit African-American players. There's not diminished enthusiasm for African-Americans playing baseball. It's simply the opportunity hasn't presented itself."
...Less than 10 percent of major league players are African-Americans. But in a recent interview on the subject, Schuerholz said: "You go to where the talent leads you. Finding major league-caliber baseball players is far too difficult if you try to narrow your criteria down to demographics."
Countered Beasley, "As I expected, [Schuerholz's] idea is the bottom line: I'll put the best 40 men I can get wherever I can get them from on the field, and that's fair. But the fact of the matter is if they put resources into recruiting here in the United States, and more specifically here in Atlanta, there are talented players here." ....
I didn't even notice the race disparity on the team, because I'm paying more attention to batting averages and ERA's.
Sports does not lend itself as well to affirmative action programs as do other fields. You can have do-over's in business, but not on the field of major league baseball. If you make an error or strike out in baseball, the umpire won't feel bad and let you try again. Those things can cost the team wins and cost the team both fans and money. I prefer to take the top players without regard to their races.
But, blacks only represent 12.8 percent of our population, so being represented by a near 10 percent in MLB is not far off of the mark, anyway. I suspect that the problem, if there is one, results from black athletes drifting more towards professional basketball and football rather than from racism in the game of baseball--just a guess.
Maybe Braves G.M. John Schuerholz could expand his search and find some black athletes in the National Basketball Association...and, maybe Jesse Jackson could get a few white players for his team, too.
I wonder what Don Imus would have to say about this.
Posted at 12:30 PM
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May 05, 2007
May 3, 2007 Onion Sports
BOSTON—Claiming that a relaxed atmosphere and a chance to create his own schedule would greatly benefit his productivity, Red Sox left-fielder Manny Ramirez has asked team officials if he can play the remainder of the season from the comfort of his own home. ...The Red Sox have tentatively agreed to allow Ramirez to telecommute, claiming that although their offense may suffer without him at the ballpark, their defense in a vacant left field may substantially improve.
In fact, I think that this is how the border patrol has been doing its job for years. Good luck to Manny, the Red Sox, and Red Sox fans.
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March 11, 2007
Associated Press - LAKELAND, Fla. -- Magglio Ordonez was hit in the side of the head by a breaking ball from Josh Beckett on Saturday, sending the Detroit slugger to the hospital and leading to a near scuffle between the Tigers and Boston Red Sox.Beckett plunked Gary Sheffield with a first-inning pitch and hit Ordonez in the third, forcing him from the game. He was treated at a hospital.
Detroit reliever Todd Jones then threw behind Boston's J.D. Drew in the fifth, and the benches and bullpens emptied. Players converged near home plate, but no punches were thrown.
Jones and Tigers manager Jim Leyland were ejected. In the clubhouse after Detroit's 7-6 loss, Ordonez wore a bandage that covered much of his head.
"He was groggy, but that was to be expected," Leyland said. "Josh throws a hard breaking ball. I'm sure he won't play tomorrow. I'm sure he'll have a headache."
Red Sox reliever Travis Hughes also hit Chris Shelton with a pitch in the eighth.
You could get a hit by just holding the bat in front of your head to defend yourself.
I'm anxious for the season to start. Good luck to your teams except when they play the Braves.
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Here's your link to a viewable bracket diagram: Viewable Bracket
and, another one that you can print: Printable Bracket
and, a link to a suggestions for picking winners: Strategy to Picking.
The number one seeds are Florida, North Carolina, Kansas, and Ohio State.
Remember, betting is illegal in most places and we expect you to do this just for fun.
Posted at 11:20 AM
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January 09, 2007
Now, all of the Florida fans are coming out of the woodwork. Today I met with an attorney and he dumped his business suit to wear Florida orange. But, I can always get to them by reminding them that Auburn beat Florida during the regular season.
With Florida and Urban Meyer, Alabama and Nick Saban, Auburn and Tommy Tubberville, South Carolina and Steve Spurrier, LSU and Les Miles, and (for you, DADvocate) Tennessee and Phillip Fulmer: the SEC is going to be one tough conference to get through without being beaten and being beat up during a season. The coaching salaries are another issue and a concern when you compare what they make to what a university president makes.
Don't ask me to predict the NFL playoff winners. But, I will predict that the Atlanta Falcons will do better next year with Bobby Patrino as the new head coach.
Next, I'm shifting to baseball. Today, Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn, both in their first year on the ballot, were elected to the Hall of Fame. Catchers and pitchers report soon.
Posted at 02:00 PM
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