As everyone now knows, Brett Myers has likely thrown his last pitch in a Phillies uniform. It's definitely sad to see Myers go out like this and all, but it's not all bad. Myers was our #2 guy, no doubt. But now, we're going to get to see Antonio Bastardo tonight in his big league debut against Jake Peavy, a perennial Cy Young candidate who has a small chance of ending up as Brett Myers replacement within a month or two, if he has no problem pitching 3,000 miles from his nice Cali home and doesn't mind playing for a team that has fans that actually give a damn.
Bastardo likely won't be the permanent replacement for Myers for the rest of the year unless he pitches great. I would expect him to get a few starts until the Phils either make a trade or until they decide that having 4 lefty starters isn't a good idea and make another call up. I still expect Kyle Kendrick to be in the rotation before too long, but he's gonna have to show them something special, otherwise Andrew Carpenter will be in the rotation.
Regardless, I'm excited to see Antonio Bastardo pitch tonight. He's been hot this year, and frankly, I'd love to have a jersey that says "BASTARDO" on the back of it eventually. Jake Peavy will probably talk to reporters tonight after the game about his chances of coming to Philly. He said he'd wait til after his start to talk about it to the Philly reporters. I don't know if I really want Peavy, though. Sure, he's a great pitcher but he seems content pitching for a losing team. I don't want that, I want a guy who wants to win. I'd take Roy Halladay in a heartbeat, and it'd be great if we could make a move towards him without giving up the farm plus Victorino or Werth.
It should be fun to see how this plays out...
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
First Phillies Road Trip of the Season
On Monday morning, my buddy and I packed up and headed to St. Louis for some good ol' Phillies baseball. We made it to St. Louis around 3 pm and got checked in to the Millenium Hotel then immediately got on our Utley and Howard jerseys and headed to Mike Shannons for a little pregame action. Normally, I don't get drunk during Phillies games as I like to actually enjoy them. This time, however, I got much drunker than I anticipated. We were standing on the patio, enjoying some beverages and a local news station came up and asked to interview me about the whole A-Rod thing. I have picked up the book, but I haven't read it yet. Anyway, they ask me some questions and we head to the game.
We get their when the gates open around 5 or so, after getting hustled out of $3 by a street magician. We head down to the 3rd base line where the Phils are warming up so we can catch some BP and watch the guys field some balls. I met a family of Phillies fans from Illinois, and got to talking to them a little. Well, a ball comes rolling over and I grabbed it. I decide to be a nice guy and give it to their son, who is probably about 3 years old and decked in Phightins clothes. So, I hand him the ball and get some "Aww, what a sweet kid" comments. The kid then holds the ball for about 2 seconds, and then throws it back. Back on the field. It was pretty humorous. Anyway, the dad buys us a few beers so I figure I just sold the ball for $15.50.
We have 2nd row box seats on the 3rd base line for the game, so we eventually get settled in after making friends with "Jim," the Cardinals security guy. Nice guy, he went back and forth with us for a while joking around. Big Joe Blanton was on the mound as the first act of the Redneck Wrecking Crew 2 night show. Now, around this point is when things start to get a little fuzzy for me. Anyway, the Ryan Howard grand salami was by far the highlight of the game. Ankiel crashing in to the wall was scary as hell, and seemed to sober me up for a few minutes. It was just nasty looking, the way his head came back after his body smashed the wall.
Well, after the game is over and they finally kick us out after we stood around contemplating how far we could run out on the field before we were tasered, we decide to head over to Mike Shannons again as we're told it's quite the hot spot after games. They were correct. We met up with a few Phillies fans we saw there before the game, and took turns buying rounds of shots and beers. We nearly had a few altercations with some wannabe hardasses, but made it out of the bar unscathed. We somehow manage to find our way back to our hotel and decide the hotel bar needs our business. As my buddy passes out at a table, I go to the bar to buy 2 beers. Three Cards fans decide to run their mouths to me, and so I holler to my friend "(Friends Name), take off your jersey." My friends is pretty jacked, and he takes off his Howard jersey and these 3 guys couldn't leave fast enough. Apparently the bouncer decides we're not leaving quick enough either, and escorts us to the lobby. We talk to the lady working at the counter, and she gives us the number of a Papa Johns to order pizza from. I decide that we need about $30 worth of pizza delivered to us, for some reason. As soon as we get to our room, my friend passes straight out and I'm left waiting an hour and a half for a pizza. I decide to pass the time by apparently sending Chad Durbin a drunken message on Twitter and by making a drunk wall post on my girlfriends Facebook profile, as well as updating my status to let everyone know how awesome my night was and how much my Phillies ruled and their teams were full of pussies. . .It was embarassing when I woke up the next day and discovered this. The pizza finally gets there and I eat half of one of them, and a few breadsticks. I ate about $6 worth of the $30 of pizza. Nice.
Tuesday starts with a hungover walk to Hooters, where the service sucked terribly. We decide to walk to the Landing, where we had some amazing times last time we came to St. Louis for a Phils game. We then decide to go up in the Arch because my buddy has never been up in it. It was terribly exciting. . .Anyway, we get bored and head to the park in our Phillies attire. It's like 3:30 and we're bored as hell. Well, there were a shitload of people outside the gates and they opened them. I was like "what the fuck, it's early as hell but ok." So, I go inside and head to the 3rd base line. I walk down there and see another guy in Phils clothes sitting in the 3rd row. I get down there and look over, and it's Jamie Moyer sitting there on his cell phone. Then I look in the dugout, and Sarge Matthews is sitting there. I get to thinking maybe I'm in here by mistake. A security guard comes over and says "How'd you get in here?" I tell him they opened the gates, and he says no they didn't. I argue with him briefly, and then he realizes there was some sort of DARE program and they must've let me in on accident. He calls on his radio for someone to escort me out, but I tell him they scanned my ticket and if I go out, then I can't get back in. He doesn't know what to do. Then he decided I can just go sit over there in the DARE program until it's over. I sit through and hour+ program about how tobacco is terrible, etc. with about 800 screaming 12 year olds. Finally, it's over and I can go watch the Phils warm up. I watch Pujols smash some balls in BP, and watch the Phils throw. Jimmy Rollins rolled a ball over and I grabbed it, so that was sweet. Every time Raul Ibanez would come by, I would scream "Rauuuuuuuul!!!" and he'd look over and wave/smile or nod. I would do the same with Carlos Ruiz, yelling "Chooooooooch! My boy!" He was enjoying it.
We get to our seats for this game, and we're front row over the Phils bullpen in left field. I watch Brett Myers warm up for a bit, and then get ready to enjoy the game. The Phillies relievers got seated, and once they saw us they gave us a wave or a head nod and stuff so that was pretty sweet. By the 2nd inning, we were getting peanuts and ice and various other things thrown at us and being called a lot of names that weren't very nice. I'm used to it, watching games on the road a lot, but I've never had it this bad so early in the game. I received a lot of boos when I stood up yelling when Victorino hit that frozen rope homer in the 1st and it got worse from there. In the 4th (I believe), when Ludwick went deep and the ball landed in the Phillies bullpen, I yelled for them to throw it back as a joke. They tossed the ball to me instead, which was pretty cool. Well, it was until some little girl came over and said "can I have that homerun ball?" I was already receiving a lot of boos and decided I couldn't be that big of a dick, so I gave her the ball and got a few cheers and handshakes. The Phils held a lead all game, and finally people got bored with throwing stuff at us by about the 6th inning. People were pouring out of the place by the 8th inning. Some guys decided it would be cool to try to heckle Lidge as he warmed up, but I just tried to drown them out with my "Lights Out Lidge" chants. It worked, and they went back to their seats, defeated. When Lidge gave up the homerun to Pujols, it landed about 6 rows back from us, then bounced 2 rows behind us. Sadly, I was unable to get to it so I could throw it back. After the game, however, Chad Durbin came out and threw us up a ball before he left the pen, which was a pretty cool thing for him to do. All in all, it was a great time and it was great to see the Phils get the sweep of the short 2 game series. Howard and Werth always dominate when they go to St. Louis, and it showed this time.
Next road trip is coming in about 2 weeks in Cincinnati. Should be a great time.
We get their when the gates open around 5 or so, after getting hustled out of $3 by a street magician. We head down to the 3rd base line where the Phils are warming up so we can catch some BP and watch the guys field some balls. I met a family of Phillies fans from Illinois, and got to talking to them a little. Well, a ball comes rolling over and I grabbed it. I decide to be a nice guy and give it to their son, who is probably about 3 years old and decked in Phightins clothes. So, I hand him the ball and get some "Aww, what a sweet kid" comments. The kid then holds the ball for about 2 seconds, and then throws it back. Back on the field. It was pretty humorous. Anyway, the dad buys us a few beers so I figure I just sold the ball for $15.50.
We have 2nd row box seats on the 3rd base line for the game, so we eventually get settled in after making friends with "Jim," the Cardinals security guy. Nice guy, he went back and forth with us for a while joking around. Big Joe Blanton was on the mound as the first act of the Redneck Wrecking Crew 2 night show. Now, around this point is when things start to get a little fuzzy for me. Anyway, the Ryan Howard grand salami was by far the highlight of the game. Ankiel crashing in to the wall was scary as hell, and seemed to sober me up for a few minutes. It was just nasty looking, the way his head came back after his body smashed the wall.
Well, after the game is over and they finally kick us out after we stood around contemplating how far we could run out on the field before we were tasered, we decide to head over to Mike Shannons again as we're told it's quite the hot spot after games. They were correct. We met up with a few Phillies fans we saw there before the game, and took turns buying rounds of shots and beers. We nearly had a few altercations with some wannabe hardasses, but made it out of the bar unscathed. We somehow manage to find our way back to our hotel and decide the hotel bar needs our business. As my buddy passes out at a table, I go to the bar to buy 2 beers. Three Cards fans decide to run their mouths to me, and so I holler to my friend "(Friends Name), take off your jersey." My friends is pretty jacked, and he takes off his Howard jersey and these 3 guys couldn't leave fast enough. Apparently the bouncer decides we're not leaving quick enough either, and escorts us to the lobby. We talk to the lady working at the counter, and she gives us the number of a Papa Johns to order pizza from. I decide that we need about $30 worth of pizza delivered to us, for some reason. As soon as we get to our room, my friend passes straight out and I'm left waiting an hour and a half for a pizza. I decide to pass the time by apparently sending Chad Durbin a drunken message on Twitter and by making a drunk wall post on my girlfriends Facebook profile, as well as updating my status to let everyone know how awesome my night was and how much my Phillies ruled and their teams were full of pussies. . .It was embarassing when I woke up the next day and discovered this. The pizza finally gets there and I eat half of one of them, and a few breadsticks. I ate about $6 worth of the $30 of pizza. Nice.
Tuesday starts with a hungover walk to Hooters, where the service sucked terribly. We decide to walk to the Landing, where we had some amazing times last time we came to St. Louis for a Phils game. We then decide to go up in the Arch because my buddy has never been up in it. It was terribly exciting. . .Anyway, we get bored and head to the park in our Phillies attire. It's like 3:30 and we're bored as hell. Well, there were a shitload of people outside the gates and they opened them. I was like "what the fuck, it's early as hell but ok." So, I go inside and head to the 3rd base line. I walk down there and see another guy in Phils clothes sitting in the 3rd row. I get down there and look over, and it's Jamie Moyer sitting there on his cell phone. Then I look in the dugout, and Sarge Matthews is sitting there. I get to thinking maybe I'm in here by mistake. A security guard comes over and says "How'd you get in here?" I tell him they opened the gates, and he says no they didn't. I argue with him briefly, and then he realizes there was some sort of DARE program and they must've let me in on accident. He calls on his radio for someone to escort me out, but I tell him they scanned my ticket and if I go out, then I can't get back in. He doesn't know what to do. Then he decided I can just go sit over there in the DARE program until it's over. I sit through and hour+ program about how tobacco is terrible, etc. with about 800 screaming 12 year olds. Finally, it's over and I can go watch the Phils warm up. I watch Pujols smash some balls in BP, and watch the Phils throw. Jimmy Rollins rolled a ball over and I grabbed it, so that was sweet. Every time Raul Ibanez would come by, I would scream "Rauuuuuuuul!!!" and he'd look over and wave/smile or nod. I would do the same with Carlos Ruiz, yelling "Chooooooooch! My boy!" He was enjoying it.
We get to our seats for this game, and we're front row over the Phils bullpen in left field. I watch Brett Myers warm up for a bit, and then get ready to enjoy the game. The Phillies relievers got seated, and once they saw us they gave us a wave or a head nod and stuff so that was pretty sweet. By the 2nd inning, we were getting peanuts and ice and various other things thrown at us and being called a lot of names that weren't very nice. I'm used to it, watching games on the road a lot, but I've never had it this bad so early in the game. I received a lot of boos when I stood up yelling when Victorino hit that frozen rope homer in the 1st and it got worse from there. In the 4th (I believe), when Ludwick went deep and the ball landed in the Phillies bullpen, I yelled for them to throw it back as a joke. They tossed the ball to me instead, which was pretty cool. Well, it was until some little girl came over and said "can I have that homerun ball?" I was already receiving a lot of boos and decided I couldn't be that big of a dick, so I gave her the ball and got a few cheers and handshakes. The Phils held a lead all game, and finally people got bored with throwing stuff at us by about the 6th inning. People were pouring out of the place by the 8th inning. Some guys decided it would be cool to try to heckle Lidge as he warmed up, but I just tried to drown them out with my "Lights Out Lidge" chants. It worked, and they went back to their seats, defeated. When Lidge gave up the homerun to Pujols, it landed about 6 rows back from us, then bounced 2 rows behind us. Sadly, I was unable to get to it so I could throw it back. After the game, however, Chad Durbin came out and threw us up a ball before he left the pen, which was a pretty cool thing for him to do. All in all, it was a great time and it was great to see the Phils get the sweep of the short 2 game series. Howard and Werth always dominate when they go to St. Louis, and it showed this time.
Next road trip is coming in about 2 weeks in Cincinnati. Should be a great time.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Flyers vs Penguins, AAA Baseball, Drunk in Public
So, I'm sitting here not knowing what to do with myself. No Phillies baseball the past two days, and I already don't know what to do with myself. I have no idea what I did to pass the time from October 29th until April 5th this year. I think I blacked out for like 6 months and came to in spring training.
With no Philly baseball tonight due to the rain, I was able to watch the Flyers/Penguins game, if you wanna call that a game. Don't get me wrong, I don't know much about hockey. I just started watching it last year, and started following the Flyers because Indy doesn't have a pro team and I read all about them on The 700 Level and The House That Glanville Built. It only made sense. Plus, Riley Cote is a fucking beast and I love seeing him whoop that ass.
Sadly, I won't be able to see the game on Friday night as I've got 3rd row box seats to see, brace yourself, the Indianapolis Indians take on the Louisville Bats. Triple A ball at it's finest. Basically, it'll be a drunken time and we've got 12 people going. We pretty much bought the entire row out. Twelve 21-23 year olds, the majority of them will have been drunk since mid-afternoon, at a minor league baseball game. Every time we go, people hate us. We usually clear out half the section before the 5th inning. Double fisting $8 beers and sneaking in bottles of liquor strapped to our legs. Faces painted, profanity flying. Heckling players. Oh god, how people hate us. And, thanks to the internet on cell phones now a days, I can get any information I need on any player to use for heckling. Last years batting average? Check. Hometown? Check. College? Check. Mother's maiden name? Check. Let's just say, we cause a scene. Moral of the story? We're "those guys."
Sadly, I won't be able to see the Phillies game on Friday, live anyway. I'll have to catch it on mlb.tv on Saturday in the archives. It'll be the first game of the year that I'll have missed. However, this game is one I just can't pass up. Andrew McCutcheon is the star of the Indians and is ranked the 12th best prospect in the country, so it'll be cool to see him a few times before he gets called up to the Pirates.
With no Philly baseball tonight due to the rain, I was able to watch the Flyers/Penguins game, if you wanna call that a game. Don't get me wrong, I don't know much about hockey. I just started watching it last year, and started following the Flyers because Indy doesn't have a pro team and I read all about them on The 700 Level and The House That Glanville Built. It only made sense. Plus, Riley Cote is a fucking beast and I love seeing him whoop that ass.
Sadly, I won't be able to see the game on Friday night as I've got 3rd row box seats to see, brace yourself, the Indianapolis Indians take on the Louisville Bats. Triple A ball at it's finest. Basically, it'll be a drunken time and we've got 12 people going. We pretty much bought the entire row out. Twelve 21-23 year olds, the majority of them will have been drunk since mid-afternoon, at a minor league baseball game. Every time we go, people hate us. We usually clear out half the section before the 5th inning. Double fisting $8 beers and sneaking in bottles of liquor strapped to our legs. Faces painted, profanity flying. Heckling players. Oh god, how people hate us. And, thanks to the internet on cell phones now a days, I can get any information I need on any player to use for heckling. Last years batting average? Check. Hometown? Check. College? Check. Mother's maiden name? Check. Let's just say, we cause a scene. Moral of the story? We're "those guys."
Sadly, I won't be able to see the Phillies game on Friday, live anyway. I'll have to catch it on mlb.tv on Saturday in the archives. It'll be the first game of the year that I'll have missed. However, this game is one I just can't pass up. Andrew McCutcheon is the star of the Indians and is ranked the 12th best prospect in the country, so it'll be cool to see him a few times before he gets called up to the Pirates.
Monday, April 13, 2009
RIP, Harry K.
It's a sad day for sports fans all across Philadelphia, and Philadelphia fans all across the country. It was announced today that the legendary voice of the Phillies for 38 years, Harry Kalas passed away. So many generations of Phillies fans grew up listening to Harry's calls, and his legendary call of Michael Jack Schmidt's 500th career shot is still simply incredible to listen to. So many good things have been said about the life and career of Harry K in the last few hours, and they're all well deserved, but still do not do justice to the man with that great play by play voice. He was so much more than just an announcer to so many people, whether it was to the Phillie players, Phillie fans, colleagues, or sports fan all across the country.
I wasn't nearly as familiar with Kalas as most fans, despite being a Phils fan my entire life. I was never really able to hear Harry call live games until MLB.tv came out and I could watch every game with the Phillies feed. Regardless, I still felt a big loss today when I turned on ESPNews and saw the breaking news on the bottom line.
I've heard so many great things said about Harry from people who knew him, and from people who had just met him briefly and spoke with him for minute. He would always make time to talk to fans.
So, as I sit here watching the Phillies take on the Nationals in the 3rd inning, I just have to smile when Sarge and Wheels talk about Harry so fondly. Whether it's remembering his Michael Jack longball calls, or talking about Harry's love for those white shoes, I just smile. I sure hope the Phils can pull out a victory today for Harry, because I'm sure he's watching down and calling the game, we just can't hear him.
RIP, Harry. You will be missed dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Kalas family and the Phillies organization and family.
I wasn't nearly as familiar with Kalas as most fans, despite being a Phils fan my entire life. I was never really able to hear Harry call live games until MLB.tv came out and I could watch every game with the Phillies feed. Regardless, I still felt a big loss today when I turned on ESPNews and saw the breaking news on the bottom line.
I've heard so many great things said about Harry from people who knew him, and from people who had just met him briefly and spoke with him for minute. He would always make time to talk to fans.
So, as I sit here watching the Phillies take on the Nationals in the 3rd inning, I just have to smile when Sarge and Wheels talk about Harry so fondly. Whether it's remembering his Michael Jack longball calls, or talking about Harry's love for those white shoes, I just smile. I sure hope the Phils can pull out a victory today for Harry, because I'm sure he's watching down and calling the game, we just can't hear him.
RIP, Harry. You will be missed dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Kalas family and the Phillies organization and family.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Booing of Brett Myers
It's not secret that Brett Myers may be a little bit of a head case. He's one crazy son of a bitch. When he's good, he's as good as they come. When he's bad, well, you know...
He looked good in the opener for the first, oh, 2/3 of an inning. Then that single by Chipper and a moonshot by McCann. And then Francoeur and Schafer went yard in the 2nd frame. And then he settled back down again, and was good for 4 more innings.
Now, I'm not saying that these Phillies should get a free pass on booing all year long or anything, but booing Myers early in that game after giving up a few long balls? It's game 1 of 162. They just won a world title like 5 months ago. And you're booing in the 2nd inning? Come on, I know it's Philadelphia, but really? Sure, it wasn't everyone. It was the booze talking for a lot of them. And I'm sure The Bank was chock full of bandwagon "fans." But that's not what Myers needs.
Now, I'm not saying Myers needs to be patted on the back and have his tears wiped away and for us to tell him he did his best and everything is gonna be ok, but all booing is going to do with this guy is hurt. It's not gonna help him. Give him a few more starts. Give it til May or June. If he's got an ERA of 6.00 and is only averaging 3 innings per start, ok. But if he gives up a few homers and is shaky in the first or second inning but still is able to turn in quality starts, let it slide. He's not our ace. He's a great #2, but he doesn't need to pitch like Hamels for us. He doesn't have to go 7 innings with 2 ER and 8 Ks per start. If he can go 6 with 3 ER, that's just great. We've got a great bullpen and one of the best back end combos in the game to close it out in the 8th/9th. So, if Myers turns in 6 innings, we've got plenty of guys to work the 7th before the Bridge to Lidge, and Lights Out himself.
He looked good in the opener for the first, oh, 2/3 of an inning. Then that single by Chipper and a moonshot by McCann. And then Francoeur and Schafer went yard in the 2nd frame. And then he settled back down again, and was good for 4 more innings.
Now, I'm not saying that these Phillies should get a free pass on booing all year long or anything, but booing Myers early in that game after giving up a few long balls? It's game 1 of 162. They just won a world title like 5 months ago. And you're booing in the 2nd inning? Come on, I know it's Philadelphia, but really? Sure, it wasn't everyone. It was the booze talking for a lot of them. And I'm sure The Bank was chock full of bandwagon "fans." But that's not what Myers needs.
Now, I'm not saying Myers needs to be patted on the back and have his tears wiped away and for us to tell him he did his best and everything is gonna be ok, but all booing is going to do with this guy is hurt. It's not gonna help him. Give him a few more starts. Give it til May or June. If he's got an ERA of 6.00 and is only averaging 3 innings per start, ok. But if he gives up a few homers and is shaky in the first or second inning but still is able to turn in quality starts, let it slide. He's not our ace. He's a great #2, but he doesn't need to pitch like Hamels for us. He doesn't have to go 7 innings with 2 ER and 8 Ks per start. If he can go 6 with 3 ER, that's just great. We've got a great bullpen and one of the best back end combos in the game to close it out in the 8th/9th. So, if Myers turns in 6 innings, we've got plenty of guys to work the 7th before the Bridge to Lidge, and Lights Out himself.
Monday, April 6, 2009
What a Glorious Day
It's Opening Day 2009. I'm watching the Mets in Cinci, Indians in Arlington, and I'm waiting for the Yankees to take the field in Baltimore. It's great just watching baseball in general. I've almost forgotten about last night's loss already. Just being able to watch a meaningful baseball game is priceless. I'm constantly checking my fantasy teams and just plain enjoying this day.
Last night, however, was not as great. I was counting down the hours, minutes, seconds all day long until Brett Myers toed the rubber. I thought it was going to be perfect. I was sitting in front of a TV, wearing a Chase Utley jersey, Phillies shorts, and an alternate cap, watching the defending World Fucking Champions take the field at the bank. Myers was on the mound and I told myself that he was going to be a different pitcher this year. He was going to be the Myers of the second half of last year. He was going to have a great year, in a contract year. And then Brian McCann launched an $8 cab ride that landed in the 2nd level. Ok, Brett, shake it off. And then Francoeur. (Quick Note: Did you see his new stance? Me too.) And then Jordan Schafer. (Quick Note: Did you know he's the 99th player ever to go yard in his first ever MLB at bat? Me too.) Thankfully, Myers was able to keep his composure though and he looked good after the 2nd inning. 6 k's, 0 walks, and 4 ER in 6 innings isn't anything to lose sleep over in the first start of the season. The 'pen managed the last 3 innings without giving up any runs.
And then it looked like it was going to end well. 2 on, 1 down for Ryan Howard in a 3 run game. This is the stuff dreams are made of. He looked bad going after those sliders, but he worked the count full. And then, there it was, a big, juicy fastball right down the pipe. And Howard froze. Called strike 3. Ok, still one out left. Ibanez is up with 2 on, 2 outs. Alright, Raul, show us why they brought you in. Knock in a run or two. Keep us alive. I just knew it was going to happen. The defending champs couldn't go down like this on national TV, at home, in the GOLD TRIMMED JERSEYS! But they did. And just like that, my phone lit up from all of the friends I have who are Braves fans.
But, no need to fret about this game. We have 161 more of them left, and they all count for the same in the win/loss columns, whether they're game #1 or #161. I just had my expectations set so high for this game that it was quite the let down.
So, time to gear up for tomorrows contest. Moyer against Vazquez. The ageless vet against another newly acquired Brave. And hopefully the offense will get in gear. Lowe is tough, and I think it's a pretty good step down from Lowe to the rest of the Braves rotation.
Last night, however, was not as great. I was counting down the hours, minutes, seconds all day long until Brett Myers toed the rubber. I thought it was going to be perfect. I was sitting in front of a TV, wearing a Chase Utley jersey, Phillies shorts, and an alternate cap, watching the defending World Fucking Champions take the field at the bank. Myers was on the mound and I told myself that he was going to be a different pitcher this year. He was going to be the Myers of the second half of last year. He was going to have a great year, in a contract year. And then Brian McCann launched an $8 cab ride that landed in the 2nd level. Ok, Brett, shake it off. And then Francoeur. (Quick Note: Did you see his new stance? Me too.) And then Jordan Schafer. (Quick Note: Did you know he's the 99th player ever to go yard in his first ever MLB at bat? Me too.) Thankfully, Myers was able to keep his composure though and he looked good after the 2nd inning. 6 k's, 0 walks, and 4 ER in 6 innings isn't anything to lose sleep over in the first start of the season. The 'pen managed the last 3 innings without giving up any runs.
And then it looked like it was going to end well. 2 on, 1 down for Ryan Howard in a 3 run game. This is the stuff dreams are made of. He looked bad going after those sliders, but he worked the count full. And then, there it was, a big, juicy fastball right down the pipe. And Howard froze. Called strike 3. Ok, still one out left. Ibanez is up with 2 on, 2 outs. Alright, Raul, show us why they brought you in. Knock in a run or two. Keep us alive. I just knew it was going to happen. The defending champs couldn't go down like this on national TV, at home, in the GOLD TRIMMED JERSEYS! But they did. And just like that, my phone lit up from all of the friends I have who are Braves fans.
But, no need to fret about this game. We have 161 more of them left, and they all count for the same in the win/loss columns, whether they're game #1 or #161. I just had my expectations set so high for this game that it was quite the let down.
So, time to gear up for tomorrows contest. Moyer against Vazquez. The ageless vet against another newly acquired Brave. And hopefully the offense will get in gear. Lowe is tough, and I think it's a pretty good step down from Lowe to the rest of the Braves rotation.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
It's almost here...
So, as you know, the Phillies start their season one week from tonight on ESPN2 against the Braves at The Bank. Brett Myers will likely take the hill for the Fightins for the 3rd straight Opening Night.
Lately, I've been shopping around and ordering tickets to various Phils games in St. Louis, Cinci, and Chicago. I've been planning trips and looking up hotels and stuff. And then, on Friday afternoon, I found out that I'm no longer employed. Yes sir, I'm now a casualty of this damn economy...laid off. Most people would be devestated by this news. Myself? Well, I decided to take a rare look on the bright side. Now, I can watch even more baseball than normal. Last season, I was able to catch probably 160-165 Phils games, including the postseason, on national television and MLB.tv. I'm pretty sure I won't miss a single pitch in the entire month of April this year, and most likely, May. I've got some cash saved up, so I'm going to have to cut back on the "lavish" lifestyle I lead that is normally filled with booze, strippers, and more booze to conserve what's left in my bank account.
Moral of the story is that now you'll get to read my blog posts much more often now that I'm not tied down to a boring job, and I'll have more time to give you guys my terrific insight and valuable opinions. If only I could get paid for watching baseball games, I'd have it made...
Lately, I've been shopping around and ordering tickets to various Phils games in St. Louis, Cinci, and Chicago. I've been planning trips and looking up hotels and stuff. And then, on Friday afternoon, I found out that I'm no longer employed. Yes sir, I'm now a casualty of this damn economy...laid off. Most people would be devestated by this news. Myself? Well, I decided to take a rare look on the bright side. Now, I can watch even more baseball than normal. Last season, I was able to catch probably 160-165 Phils games, including the postseason, on national television and MLB.tv. I'm pretty sure I won't miss a single pitch in the entire month of April this year, and most likely, May. I've got some cash saved up, so I'm going to have to cut back on the "lavish" lifestyle I lead that is normally filled with booze, strippers, and more booze to conserve what's left in my bank account.
Moral of the story is that now you'll get to read my blog posts much more often now that I'm not tied down to a boring job, and I'll have more time to give you guys my terrific insight and valuable opinions. If only I could get paid for watching baseball games, I'd have it made...
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Obligatory Steroid/A-Rod Post
So, A-Rod's name surfaced in a report by Sports Illustrated this weekend saying that he was one of 104 players who tested positive for steroids a few years ago. I have mixed feelings on the subject, and I'm not really sure where I stand.
Now, I don't mean that I have mixed feelings on steroids. I think that they, along with the cheaters who used them to gain an edge, have ruined the sport and royally fucked up it's history, record books, and the way the average American looks at the sport. I just have some mixed feelings on the whole A-Rod situation. I'm still trying to sort through them.
Now, for reasons I can't even comprehend, I almost feel sorry for Alex Rodriguez. I catch myself buying the shit he's spewing out of his mouth to Peter Gammons. I believed him back when he told Katie Couric he never took roids. I just find myself sort of understanding the reasons why he started to take them, if he indeed started taking them in 2001 after signing the contract with Texas. I mean, you just signed a 10 year, $250+ million deal, and you feel like you have to prove your worth to everyone out there who doubts you're worth that mega deal. That still doesn't make it right.
I'm pissed at Alex Rodriguez. He was the "savior of the sport." He was going to be the clean guy who takes the homerun record back from Balco Barry. He was the face of the game. Instead, he's the new face of the Steroid Era. With this coming out now, I find myself having serious doubts about anybody who played from the mid-late 90's through 2004 or so being clean. I mean, if the poster boy for playing the game the "right way" was playing it the "wrong way," then who is playing it the right way? Is anybody? We're never going to know. And maybe I don't want to know.
So, Mr. Rodriguez, it looks like we've got about the same chances of ever getting in to Cooperstown, without having to pay admission, of course.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The Cubs, and My Hatred For Them
As much as I hate the New York Mets, one team comes close to them when it comes to my hatred for baseball teams. The Chicago fucking Cubs. God, I can't stand that fucking team. And it's not so much the actual team, either. I mean, don't get me wrong, I think they're extremely overrated and just get hyped up so much because everybody loves the Cubs.
Well, the main reason that I hate them is because of their fans. Their fans are ridiculously obnoxious, and keep in mind that I'm using the term "fan" very loosely. Everybody is a Cubs fan. It doesn't matter where you live, I guarantee you know a Cubs fan. Probably one who isn't even from Chicago, but rather is a Cubs "fan" because it's "cool." It's so trendy to be a Cubs fan now a days. It was "cool" back i
n the day, because they sucked so much and were dubbed "the lovable losers." Now, it's so much worse because they've won the division a few times. All of these "life-long Cubs fans" got so excited watching their team breeze through the regular season to an NL Central title, and then watched as their team got swept out of the playoffs again. It brought me great joy. Great joy.
n the day, because they sucked so much and were dubbed "the lovable losers." Now, it's so much worse because they've won the division a few times. All of these "life-long Cubs fans" got so excited watching their team breeze through the regular season to an NL Central title, and then watched as their team got swept out of the playoffs again. It brought me great joy. Great joy.It's horrible here in Indiana, without an MLB team. Everyone is a Cubs, Reds, Yankees, or Red Sox fan. The Reds fans, I have no problem with. My dad was a Reds fan growing up, and it was a great day when we got to meet Johnny Bench a few years ago. It's not "cool" to be a Reds fan. It's not trendy, so you know the ones around here are legit, for the most part. The Cubs, Yankees, and BoSox "fans" are the ones who piss me off. The ones who wear their team's gear and claim to be a fan, but couldn't name 5 players on the team, the ones who couldn't tell Alfonso Soriano from Alfonso Ribeiro. Fuck them.
The Cubs fans who are actually from the North side of Chicago, I can understand. Don't get me wrong, I still hate them, but they can suck my dick as well. They're so obnoxious, with their shitty ass Old Style beer they insist on drinking. With their obsession with Harry Caray. With their holier-than-thou attitude when it comes to their piece of shit stadium, Wrigley Field.
I was actually in Chicago for New Years and made a trip up to take a gander at Wrigley Field after the Red Wings/Blackhawks Winter Classic game. That stadium is smack dab right in the middle of the gayest neighborhood in the Midwest, literally (not that there's anything wrong with that...) I mean, seriously. The whole Cubs/Cubs fan thing all made a little more sense to me after seeing that.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Is the Super Bowl over yet???
I'm so tired of the Super Bowl already. Don't get me wrong, I love me some football. However, I fucking hate the Steelers. Seriously, Ben Roethlisberger can suck on my left nut. Steelers fans are so fucking obnoxious. So, clearly I'm cheering for the Cardinals, even though that team/city/state does not deserve a championship. I'd love to see my guy Edgerrin James get a ring before he hangs it up. Kurt Warner annoys me. But Larry Fitzgerald is beast, obviously. I'm torn between rooting for the Cardinals to win, and rooting for both teams to lose. I'll just be glad when all this is over so we can get on to baseball season. I mean, sure, the NBA season is in full swing, but frankly who really even watches the NBA any more? Not me. I go to Pacers games occasionally, but only when I get free courtside seats just so I can get ridiculously drunk and heckle the opposing players. I nearly made Zack Randolph cry when the Clippers were in town a while back. It was the tits. Then there's the NHL. I like hockey, but I can only catch like one or two games a week because it's rarely on TV and I can't even pronounce most of the players names.
Oh, but it's so glorious. Pitchers and catchers report in, like, two weeks! Like OMG rite?!?!? Seriously, though, I'm stoked. It won't be long until I am cursing the fact that Chan Ho Park is our 5th starter, Happ is in the 'pen, and Carassco is back in the minors. Hopefully, it doesn't play out like that. We'll see. I've been going over the schedule, trying to figure out when I can make it to Cincinnati, St. Louis, Chicago, Atlanta, and Philly for road trips this year. I've been going over my bank statements wondering how in the hell I'm going to pay for it. I've considered selling myself on the corner. Maybe taking a short stint as a male stripper. I even looked in to becoming a "fluffer" in the porn biz (look it up.) Yeah, I love baseball that much, and I'll be damned if the only way I'm going to see Phils baseball is when the Iron Pigs come to town to play the Indy Indians, because frankly, you can only get so excited about cheering on TJ Bohn while pounding $8 beers and hitting on high school chicks.
So, if anyone has any bright, or not so bright, ideas for ways I can make some dough to finance my Phils road trips 09 this year, get at me. I've got a few months to figure this thing out. And I've looked in to selling body parts already. Do you know what I can get in the Phillipines for a kidney? It's unreal!
Oh, but it's so glorious. Pitchers and catchers report in, like, two weeks! Like OMG rite?!?!? Seriously, though, I'm stoked. It won't be long until I am cursing the fact that Chan Ho Park is our 5th starter, Happ is in the 'pen, and Carassco is back in the minors. Hopefully, it doesn't play out like that. We'll see. I've been going over the schedule, trying to figure out when I can make it to Cincinnati, St. Louis, Chicago, Atlanta, and Philly for road trips this year. I've been going over my bank statements wondering how in the hell I'm going to pay for it. I've considered selling myself on the corner. Maybe taking a short stint as a male stripper. I even looked in to becoming a "fluffer" in the porn biz (look it up.) Yeah, I love baseball that much, and I'll be damned if the only way I'm going to see Phils baseball is when the Iron Pigs come to town to play the Indy Indians, because frankly, you can only get so excited about cheering on TJ Bohn while pounding $8 beers and hitting on high school chicks.
So, if anyone has any bright, or not so bright, ideas for ways I can make some dough to finance my Phils road trips 09 this year, get at me. I've got a few months to figure this thing out. And I've looked in to selling body parts already. Do you know what I can get in the Phillipines for a kidney? It's unreal!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
C'mon, Howard Haters!
I've been reading on some blogs, specifically in the comments sections by a lot of fans, about how displeased people are with Ryan Howard. Forget that he knocks 50 homers a year and drives in 140 RBI's. Forget that he put the team on his back and carried them through the month of September. Forget the Rookie of the Year award, and the MVP award on his mantle. These fans are only thinking about the bad things. The many strikeouts. The huge paycheck he's about to cash. His supposed "lack of heart."
Well, fuck all of that. Maybe Ryan Howard isn't deserving of $18 million a year, maybe he is. How much was that Championship Parade worth to you guys? Because I can tell you one thing: The Phillies wouldn't have been riding down Broad Street without Big Brown on that team. It's that simple. You want to run him out of town now? Trade him for what? Some prospects that may or may not even pan out? These Phillies are built to win, and win now. This isn't a young team loaded with 24 year old stars. Rollins, Utley, Myers, Lidge, Feliz, Victorino, Werth, these guys aren't getting any younger. Why ship out your superstar slugger for prospects? It's ridiculous.
Just enjoy what we've got here. We've got the premiere slugger in the game hitting clean up for us. Sure, he whiffs a lot. That's what sluggers do. Yeah, he's streaky. When he's cold, he's cold as the arctic. But when he's hot, get out of the way. You put that ball any where near him, and you can kiss it good bye. Be happy for the guy. If you could cash in on an $18 million pay day, wouldn't you? I sure as hell know I would, and you're kidding yourself if you say you wouldn't. Plus, anybody who parties with Snoop is OK in my book. It makes me forgive him a little for doing those commercials with that pencil dick Jared the Subway guy.
Monday, January 26, 2009
First Off...
So, this is my first blogging experience. I didn't think I was really the blogging type, but why the hell not? I mean, if there is one thing in this world worth writing nonsense about on the internet that nobody is even going to read, why not make it about the World Fucking Champion Philadelphia Phillies, right?
First things first, I'm not your typical Philadelphia Phillies fan. I wasn't born in the Philly area. I don't have family from there. I'd never even been further east than Ohio until I made a trip this past season for the 4th of July Phillies/Mets series at the Bank. I don't know how I became a Phillies fan. I think I just saw John Kruk on TV as a kid and was like "damn, that dude is bad as fuck," and then became a fan. No telling, really. I live in Indiana, and we don't have a major league team. My parents would take me to Cincinnati and St. Louis to see the Phils as a kid. I remember Pete Incaviglia almost hitting me with chewing tobacco during Spring Training back in the day. My 2nd grade teacher had a shrine to the Phils in the classroom for me. I cried the day my mom woke me up and told me the Krukster retired. I've got a Phillies tattoo on my left arm. I spend a ridiculous amount of money every year on road trips in the midwest to see the Fightins, subscribe to MLB.tv just to watch every game on a damn 16 inch screen, and spend hours every day obsessing and reading about the Phils transactions and rumors in the offseason.
I don't claim to be more knowledgable than anyone else when it comes to the Phillies or baseball in general. I just know that I'm probably more obsessed with them than anyone I know is of anything else. I have a deep passion for Philly baseball, and a ridiculous hatred for the New York Mets. So, if you do as well, we'll probably get along well.
So, just because I'm not from Philly doesn't mean I didn't cry that October night when that devestating slider fooled Hinske. I sprayed champagne everywhere. I still get goosebumps watching and rewatching highlights from the series. I'm just like you, except I've got a midwestern accent.
First things first, I'm not your typical Philadelphia Phillies fan. I wasn't born in the Philly area. I don't have family from there. I'd never even been further east than Ohio until I made a trip this past season for the 4th of July Phillies/Mets series at the Bank. I don't know how I became a Phillies fan. I think I just saw John Kruk on TV as a kid and was like "damn, that dude is bad as fuck," and then became a fan. No telling, really. I live in Indiana, and we don't have a major league team. My parents would take me to Cincinnati and St. Louis to see the Phils as a kid. I remember Pete Incaviglia almost hitting me with chewing tobacco during Spring Training back in the day. My 2nd grade teacher had a shrine to the Phils in the classroom for me. I cried the day my mom woke me up and told me the Krukster retired. I've got a Phillies tattoo on my left arm. I spend a ridiculous amount of money every year on road trips in the midwest to see the Fightins, subscribe to MLB.tv just to watch every game on a damn 16 inch screen, and spend hours every day obsessing and reading about the Phils transactions and rumors in the offseason.
I don't claim to be more knowledgable than anyone else when it comes to the Phillies or baseball in general. I just know that I'm probably more obsessed with them than anyone I know is of anything else. I have a deep passion for Philly baseball, and a ridiculous hatred for the New York Mets. So, if you do as well, we'll probably get along well.
So, just because I'm not from Philly doesn't mean I didn't cry that October night when that devestating slider fooled Hinske. I sprayed champagne everywhere. I still get goosebumps watching and rewatching highlights from the series. I'm just like you, except I've got a midwestern accent.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
