Yankee Pride Subdued?

I'm not a Yankee booster of any kind, however I went to the Lidz store in my hometown and found this New York Yankees "Turn Back the Clock" special edition baseball cap on the shelf. I collect Major League Baseball caps, so I had to buy one.

Speaking of the New York Yankees, the baseball club found their way on to sports headlines for rather unfortunate reasons on Thursday, as star relief pitcher Mariano Rivera suffered a torn ACL during a team batting practice session before the start of the Yankees' weekend series against the Royals in Kansas City.

As is custom for the Yankees closer and all-time saves leader (608 as of May 5th), Rivera would field fly balls in the outfield during BP, but on one occasion Rivera tripped and fell awkwardly into the outfield fence, and damaged his knee in the process. Cameras for the YES Network, the sports network dedicated to broadcasting Yankees games on weekdays, were rolling when the incident occurred. It could be said the loss had a profound effect on the team as they lost 4-3 that evening; even third baseman and teammate Alex Rodriguez, who watched the entire incident from the sidelines, reacted in horror at the mishap.

There are only a few New York Yankee players I admire: Derek Jeter for one, but among the others is Mariano Rivera. His workman-like and humble attitude is refreshing amidst the big ego and big contracts of professional sports, much less in the bright lights of New York City; whenever he takes the mound at Yankee Stadium, "Enter Sandman" by Metallica would play on the loud speakers LOL As a Blue Jays fan, the sight of Rivera entering the game from the bullpen in the ninth inning is scary o_O


For such a storied career, the future Hall-of-Famer should not end his playing days under such bizarre circumstances. You need both legs to pitch, and the knee affecting the right-hand pitcher is the one that generates the most power, and bears much of the weight. I suffered a similar injury to my knee last year, and praise God the damage was not severe to that extent. However, I must play with knee pads now to keep the knee in place. I do pray and hope "Mo" Rivera will return to baseball soon. Hopefully, he can go back to pitching and wearing those 1912 Yankees hats ^_^

Chicago Cubs: Frustration

Dear Cubs fan,

"Hey, weren't the Cubs winning?" o_O

You are right; this is frustrating >_< No lead is safe with the Cubs on the diamond. Thanks to a blown three run lead in the ninth inning under bizarre circumstances, the Chicago Cubs lost 4-3 in ten innings to the Cincinnati Reds, and gave us a history lesson in the process.

Soto (18) rounds the bases as the Cubs take an "insurmountable" 3-0 lead LOL

Today's game was a microcosm of what you guys witness year in and year out since 1908. Somehow and some way, the Cubs take the lead: Starling Castro, Bryan LaHair, and Geovanny Soto each hit homeruns to put the Cubbies into the lead at 3-0. Cubs fans, who visit the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati to watch their Cubs take on the Reds, go bananas and the hooting and hollering commences. Then in the ninth inning, as victory looks secure, a critical error on a routine play opens the door to another lost lead: Third baseman and newcomer Ian Stewart misplays a grounder with two Reds on base, which allows one run to score. Not one to point fingers, but in beer league thinking ahead to the rally killing double play happens A LOT!

Birthday boy Ryan Dempster pitched 8 innings, had the win booked, alas...

I remember my buddy Craig in his Cubs T-shirt, and imagine him watching the game, thinking "Oh no, here we go again!" Like a foul ball knocked away from an outfielder's glove by a headphone wearing fan, or a disgruntled fan shouting curses outside the park because he can't enter the grounds with his goat, when something peculiar happens in a Chicago Cubs game disaster is right around the corner (Hi Craig).

Here comes the rain again!

Somehow, in some wacky way, the Cubs lose their lead on a bases-loaded walk by much maligned closer Carlos Marmol, and then an "I Surrender" double play that allows the tying run to score for the Reds. The extra inning, which came as a result of the ridiculous ninth, would seem academic. Would it matter if the Cubs came back and won the game in extra innings? Perhaps on the surface, yes, but since 1908 the Chicago Cubs blew leads both in games, regular season pennant races, and in championship series. Given the Cubs had great ball players like Hall-of-Famers Ferguson Jenkins, Ernie Banks, and the late Ron Santo, there is no history of championship success Cubs players and fan can draw from like the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, or the Dodgers; we only know of the well-documented, and somewhat accursed wheel of karma fixed like the red "C" on a Cubs baseball cap. Yes, the Cubs have a long and wonderful history in Chicago and a great following throughout the world, however the defeat today gave me a frustrating look at what success looks like to the fan of a snake-bitten yet lovable team: Snatched away.

As a fan of hockey's Toronto Maple Leafs, I identify with the Cubs. I think I could like them...or not...Go Blue Jays (fist pump). For more on this game, click here!

Watching the New York Mets

R.A. Dickey gets the start for the METS tonight @ Houston

After watching the sixth inning of the Mets' regular season contest against the Houston Astros down in the heart of Texas, I remembered why during city league games I yell one of my favourite baseball chants "Come out and meet the Mets!" whenever my team takes the field.

There is always one inning for the New York Metropolitans, when things go from normal to titanic disaster in as little as one pitch. Already two errors in back-to-back innings, and one runner picked off at first base for standing too far away from the base -_- This could be a long game, more so with the time zone.

Thankfully, the Mets responded in the seventh inning by tying the game on 2-run single. You can always count on Mets games being exciting, and that fact of life goes back to the glory days of 1969 and 1986 ^_^ (Somebody hand me that defibrillator?)

Mets games remind me of my upcoming foray in city ball next week o_O Unlike last year, I'm a little more optimistic about my performance. I'm not at the stage where I purchase a new set of team gear for 2012 from the MLB shop, as a new set of circumstances prevents me from going all out and buying METS gear. I don't want to jinx anybody and have wacky games...I'll go with CUBS gear ^_^ What? o_O

That Was The Week That Was

"Why is this happening? Really? They did what?! You can't be serious...!"

Tuesday Heartbreak

Remember when I announced in this blog I would sign up for one more year of baseball (Please say you remember that, otherwise I sound crazy)? Yes, well the league organizers cancelled the Monday games; I planned on playing baseball on Monday, and Ultimate Frisbee on Tuesday. They moved me back to the Tuesday league while I wasn't looking o_O; I informed them of the calamity they dropped me in, and they did approximately...nothing -_-

I shouldn't be angry, as there wasn't much they could do. The Monday league had approximately the same number of participants as the Kansas City Royals have chances of making the postseason (Picture of me sitting alone in a room wearing a tuxedo). If you read my posts from about a year ago about my first experience playing city ball during the spring, then you will see a mixed bag of highs and lows. While we finished the year 1-7, I learned a lot and was in better shape for Summer League, which we won in wacky fashion ^_^

I was looking forward to playing Ultimate. Mind you, I never played it before, and I risked looking like someone dressed to kill in Adidas gear playing like a n00b T_T Instead of being super embarrassed at Ultimate, I can risk super embarrassment playing a sport I know more than a little bit about ^_^ Well...sort of know a little bit o_O

Fenway Faithful Freaking Out

Last weekend, the Boston Red Sox marked the 100th anniversary of the opening of Fenway Park with a wonderful, pre-game ceremony, 'turn back the clock' vintage jerseys for both the Red Sox and the visiting Yankees on Friday, and an epic Saturday collapse on national television of Ruthian proportions ^_^ (Wait, what? o_O)

In the post-Curse days of the Boston Red Sox, you would think the days of blown nine run leads and fifteen unanswered runs were in the past, but last weekend proved while the Boston Red Sox are the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees will always be the New York Yankees.

Personalize it? No, the RED SOX played without names or numbers o_O

It was not the blown nine run lead, the fifteen unanswered Yankee runs, the pair of seven runs scored in the seventh and eighth innings, nor New York's switch hitters Nick Swisher and Mark Teixeira combined for six hits, three home runs, and 12 RBIs that ruined an otherwise good weekend. Bosox manager Bobby Valentine's misuse of the bullpen, and stubbornness in continuing to pitch to Swisher and Teixeira led to the Red Sox's downfall. I did not imagine the fallout from 2012 season would have such repercussions in this year: This is former manager Terry Francona's team, and the rifts between Bobby V, his players, and the fans grows with each loss in the American League East Division. The core of the team, which consists of Ortiz, Youkilis, and Pedroia, are showing signs of age and low market value, vital pieces and future stars such as Jonathan Papelbon and Jed Lowrie left the team due to free agency and player transactions respectively, and all three of the bottom dwellers of the AL East improved over the off season.

The season may be over before it begins for the Red Sox, and if that is true, Bobby Valentine will need one of those numberless jerseys from 1912 on his way out of town o_O

Represent, Yo!

In happier news, another Phil does right by baseball ^_^ Congratulations to Chicago White Sox pitcher Philip Humber on throwing the 21st perfect game in modern baseball history. Humber achieved this historic milestone against the Seattle Mariners, which culminated in a wacky play for the final out. Humber forced Mariners batter Ryan to strike out, but the ball passed by catcher A.J. Pierzynski! A.J. recovered, and threw the ball to first for the final out ^_^

It's nice to see another Phil getting his due, becoming the toast of the town, being presented with a new automobile, receiving a call from the President of the United States, and reading the top 10 list on David Letterman ^_^...If it's too much, Mr. Humber, I can take the car off your hands? No? Oh, alright... o_O

Triple Facepalm: The Padres and the Triple Play

PADRES' batter Jesus Guzman reacts to a Javy Guerra pitch, which set up the triple play

After only three hours of sleep, my alarm clock radio roused me from my slumber to inform me of an odd and fun-tastic finish to the Dodgers-Padres game on Sunday afternoon. Intrigued by the wacky radio broadcast of the ninth-inning drama by radio great Vin Scully, I activated my computer and logged into MLB.com to see what all the fuss was about.

What stands out for all to see is that Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis and his teammates "play to the whistle", and responded with urgency. What also stands out is this train wreck of a botched sacrifice bunt cost the Padres, who fought to come back from three runs down against the reigning Cy Young award winning pitcher in Clayton Kershaw to level the score at 4-4 before the penultimate ninth inning.

1. Guzman is your clean-up hitter! At the start of the season, much less this game, Padres manager Bud Black installed Guzman in the No.4 spot in the batting lineup, and with good information: According to his statistics from 2011, Guzman's combined on-base and slugging average with runners on the first two bases is .647, and with no outs he stands in at .814. With the Padres languishing at 2-7 this year, the numbers for the latter are significantly lower, but with runners on base Guzman's numbers are still high enough. Given Guzman's role, I would allow him to hit and put the ball in play. Telling Guzman to bunt, would be like taking the wheels off of a Formula 1 race car, and racing without tires (That is for my buddy Victor, whose birthday is today...Hi Victor). Worst case scenario: Guzman hits the ball to the third baseman, who can only set up a double play.
2. Guzman doesn't know how to bunt! If you check out Guzman prepares to bunt the ball, it is no wonder he shies away at the errant breaking ball in the replay. The baseball connected with the bat just below Guzman's chin, which forced Guzman out of the play, and then rolled into the field of play.
3. Guzman, no, the Padres turned off the intensity! With the three-run comeback in the sixth inning, the momentum, and the cream of the batting order putting the team in a position to lead, and possibly win the finale against the hottest team in baseball at that moment (Dodgers were 8-1 before the calamity took place), Bud Black instructed the wrong man to do the wrong job, and it had repercussions on the diamond. Both baserunners Chris Denorfia, who reached on a single, and Chase Headley, of whom Dodgers reliever Javy Guerra walked in the previous at-bat, stop playing to wait for the sacrifice bunt. Los Angeles Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis had a miserable day at the plate (0-2, 3 walks, 3 runners left on base), however his head was still in the game, and he initiated the triple play by "playing to the whistle", and not waiting on the call from home plate umpire Dale Scott. Scott raised his hands after the wacky bunt, but quickly ruled the ball fair when Ellis touched the ball.

Dodgers catcher Ellis (left) pumped about appearing in Phil's blog ^_^ I think?

To be fair, I would like to see home umpire Dale Scott be a little more authoritative, and not send mixed signals with his body language. The "Oh my, it's a grenade!" pose, and the "Dead ball" sign look too much alike. Kudos to the 9-1 Dodgers for winning the game in walk-off fashion with a Dee Brown single to left in the bottom of the ninth inning ^_^ (I like that name....Dee Brown!)

For more on this game, click here to take you to MLB.com's wrap page!

Happy Jackie Robinson Day ^_^

Today is a special day, not just for baseball, but for professional sports the world over. On this day in 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the colour barrier in baseball, which at that time was #1 sport in the United States, and became the first African-American baseball player in Major League Baseball history ^_^

Today's generation knows about athletes like Ryan Howard, football's Ray Lewis, or even Tiger Woods of golf, yet Jackie Robinson brought professional sports into the modern era by paving the way for people from all walks of life to pursue careers in all fields, and not be excluded because of the colour of their skin, religious affiliation, or creed.

My favourite baseball team is the Toronto Blue Jays (Sidenote: Sportscaster Buck Martinez calls them the "Boo Jays" o_O He can't pronounce the "BL" sound), but in terms of the history of the game I like the Dodgers because they were Jackie's team. Knowing they play in Los Angeles, I call them the Dodgers and think of them as Brooklyn's team first. My favourite memory of Jackie Robinson is when he stole home plate in Game 1 of the 1955 World Series; Yankees catcher Yogi Berra thought he made the tag, but the umpire ruled otherwise. From there, well, the rest of that play is history ^_^ LOL.

Better writers than I can tell you more about Jackie Robinson's story, which is the subject of many books and television specials, so here is a link to one of them. Enjoy!

What is Your Legacy?

CHIPPER JONES: Awkward setting, but very heartfelt ceremony ^_^

I'm enjoying the highlights coming from Houston as the Texas faithful honour a player that never played for the Houston Astros o_O

In light of his impending retirement, Houston honoured Texas native and Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones for a sterling career and his work outside of the game; punctuating the pre-game ceremony was the presentation of a new cowboy hat to Chipper, which he immediately wore ^_^ Apparently, Chipper is doing really well at the plate and on the diamond in the Braves' series against the Astros!

Juxtapose these light hearted pictures with the ones coming out of Miami, Florida, and the five-game suspension levied on Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen. Just days after opening their new stadium, months after changing their uniform and colours to reflect the proud Miami culture and heritage, the Marlins face a public relations nightmare after the controversial Guillen made offensive remarks about longtime Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Guillen is no stranger to off-colour statements and controversy in his storied career as a baseball club manager, however his sensitive remarks about a hot-topic political figure, whose decisions had a direct impact in the lives of the Cuban community in Miami, have some in Florida calling for his resignation! I watched a documentary on famed bookmaker and gambler Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder last week, and what connects both, nay all three of the personalities here, is the legacy they leave behind.

Each are on a tightrope of public opinion and public perception in the business of sport, and one wrong word or improper gesture can negate the value of the character, and bring the person to near bankruptcy (I'm not talking about the monetary kind). When your time on this planet is complete will fans of the other team crown you the King of the Ranch, or will you spend what is left of your life trying to make up for a mistake?

For more on the Braves and Astros, who are wearing their old Colt 45s jerseys in game #2 of their series, click here! ^_^