Dazed & Confuzzled

My favourite Toronto Blue Jay Jose Bautista launched his nineteenth homerun yesterday in a loss against the surging Washington Nationals at the Rogers Center. Bautista found his groove again, but at a cost the Blue Jays dropped five of their last six games since the start of this latest chapter of inter-league baseball, which I like to call "Give the Yankees easy games to win so they can make the playoffs again" baseball. Bautista sits third in the major league homerun race with nineteen HR, two behind White Sox clean up hitter Adam Dunn, and three behind the leader, Texas Ranger Josh Hamilton (According to MLB Stats, as of June 14th, 2012).

As a Blue Jays fan, I'm disappointed with this offensive slump, and with both starting pitchers Brendan Morrow and Kyle Drabek out of the lineup for fifteen days, and potentially six starts between them, our chances to build off the success of late 2010 and 2011 are beginning to slim down.

GIANTS' Matt Cain celebrates after throwing the
22nd perfect game in modern MLB history

Speaking of inter-league wackiness, how long would it take for the Major League Baseball to switch to an all-designated hitter format for both American and National leagues? I suppose when, after a very close pennant race, the losing team will complain the winning team had the luxury of using a DH in their inter-league contest while they had to suffer with their pitcher swinging and missing in the penultimate last game of the season for both teams. When the Houston Astros announced they were leaving the National League, I said professional baseball would become all-DH by the start of next season, and if not then by the start of the 2014 campaign when they realize inter-league cost one team a chance at the postseason because they did not have the luxury of inserting a designated hitter in their 162nd game lineup card.

Before I forget, I would like to congratulate San Francisco Giants' star pitcher Matt Cain, who became only the 22nd pitcher in the modern era of Major League Baseball to throw a perfect game. He tossed fourteen strikeouts against the Houston Astros last night in San Francisco to preserve a 10-0 victory, and a spot in history as the first Giant in the 130-year history of the franchise to retire all 27 batters he faced in one game ^_^ Well done, Matt Cain! Now, if only I could buy cream coloured baseball pants to wear during for city ball? For more on this game, click here to go to MLB beat writer Chris Haft's account of this historic game.

I AM NOT DEAD & I STILL LIKE BASEBALL!

There are two camps on the issue of my existence: Team "HE'S DEAD", and Team "HE HATES BASEBALL". Fortunately for both camps, any participants of said clubs are wrong for becoming members in these "illustrious?" fraternities.

Tuesday Spring League

Phil named his infield glove "Justine"! Oh yeah, Jays' pitcher Kyle Drabek (4) joins
fellow starting pitcher Brendan Morrow on the disabled list.

I had a game last Tuesday, and it turned into an epic contest at that. It was our last regular season game, and we were playing the same team we lost to at the beginning of our campaign. As an added bonus, one of my teammates handed me my infield baseball glove that I lost a couple of weeks before. Unfortunately, due to a momentary lack of poise, everyone on my team knows that "Justine" is the name of my glove -_- Sigh...

So, we played our game, and for whatever reason I played the first half of the contest at second base (Travis, stop laughing)! If there is one thing you must know about me, it is that I never play second base. I can be the shortstop, first baseman, third baseman, left fielder, center fielder, catcher, pitcher, and after what happened last year with my knee maybe right fielder, but never a second baseman. There are too many bad memories of games past where I lined up at to the left of second base, and...sigh, I can't talk about it! T_T

Anyway, we are losing the game 20-12 at the top of the seventh (last) inning, and by the fourth inning I'm back at shortstop. The second baseman experiment was a success, given the fact our opponents hit to my side once to that time, but the patient was near death o_O Most of us felt we were better than this, and that included me. Whatever the result, though, I wanted to finish the game with pride in performance, and with some respect. I was due up to bat first, and from the plate I noticed the right-fielder, who played shallow the whole game, stood too close to the action. I usually swing at the first pitch, so when it hung on the outside part of the plate I cranked it over right field for a homerun. Yes, the score was 20-13, but the homerun then didn't mean too much in the giant scheme of things; I didn't want to let the team down.

Something happened after that home run, because three batters, three hits, two homeruns, and three runs scored later we were back in the ball game. Everyone started hitting, at first into right field where the weakest link stood, and then all over the place! For all the hard work, tough running, and good hitting, we had two outs, runners on first and second, and the score was 20-19. Guess who is up to bat? o_O No, not me?! Are you serious?

It's a moment you dream about, but never expect. Why?

You live for moments like these playing in the backyard sandlot with your friends as a kid, however I doubt anyone really expects to live out that dream. In my experience with similar situations playing Division B rep ball at eleven years old, I never wanted to be the kid others counted on to extend an inning or win a game. I didn't believe I was adequate enough. Even now, I feel inadequate being thrust into those situations in baseball, and in life. "There is no life like a life under the bus" is a saying I adopted this year; it is during those moments of defeat that you find out what life is, who you are, what defines you, and why in that place of defeat you can find peace and joy whatsoever the result. That is where you start living, and where you seize opportunities, like the first pitch I faced.

I didn't hit it that well, and it flew towards left field where the best fielders on the opposition stood. At that moment, the wind picked up the ball, and the fielders went from standing still, to jittery, and then turning right around as the ball flew over their heads! As I rounded the bases with hands pointing to the sky, we retook the lead after clawing back from eight runs down; I stopped on third with what turned out to be the game-winning hit: A triple to deep left field ^_^ I thought the game was over; we won! Unfortunately, according to my teammate and third base coach Don, we were the away team, and there was another half inning left to play o_O Long story short, Misfits 23 (Us), Ball Breakers 20 (Them).

I still can't believe we won, or what happened that night. I heard and witnessed many baseball horror stories about similar reversals of fortune, yet to come out on the positive end was a tremendous blessing, and one we shall remember with great appreciation and thankfulness ^_^

So, that was my week ^_^ How was yours? LOL

What is it about: DIVISION RIVALRIES

Diamondbacks' outfielder Chris Young reacts
after nearly being plucked by a pitch in a game versus San Diego

Since the dust settled from the Players Strike of '94, Major League Baseball aligned to a six-division baseball league with three divisions in both the American and National Leagues. Membership in each division is static save for a few instances of teams with no chance of postseason play jumping from the Yankees-Red Sox duopoly of the American League to the free-for-all National League (The ultimate exception is the Houston Astros, but I think it's all about the money).

As the saying goes, "Familiarity breeds contempt", so when division rivals such as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox match up the eyes of the baseball world turn in their direction, in particular during weekend series culminating in Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN. The same could be true in other divisions as well, which is why genuine scenes of goodwill across battle lines are popping up all over the major leagues to quell the fires of rivalry and bad blood. Errant pitches, like the one thrown at Diamondbacks outfielder Chris Young in yesterday's game against the Padres, almost led to a benches clearing melee. Once year-round inter-league baseball rears its ugly head next season, there will not be so much time dedicated to fuelling the fires of season-long rivalries and the mixed signals of every wild pitch thrown during division matchups.

Rangers owner and former Angels great Nolan Ryan, honoured
by the  Los Angeles Angels prior to yesterday's contest,
throws the first pitch prior to the Angels-Rangers matchup

Historical rivalries such as Yankees-Red Sox, Giants-Dodgers, Brewers-NL Central, or Jim Leyland-Umpires are the most difficult to find fans mingling and getting along in the stands. Google and YouTube searches provide loads of examples of wacky behaviour of players on the field, and rival fans sitting in the wrong section of the visiting stadium off the field. I remember when Roger Clemens announced his (first) retirement from baseball as a New York Yankee. In his last game in Boston against the rival Red Sox, Clemens left the field for the last time to a standing ovation, and was even interviewed on the field while wearing YANKEES gear! So it is possible, if only for a moment, for historical rivalries to take a back seat, even if for a moment.

So then, what makes up a good rivalry? What ingredients do you need to start a rivalry between the Houston Astros and the Seattle Mariners, for example (the Astros will play in the American League West Division starting in 2013...I know, I'm upset about it, too)?

What Do You Mean "We Won"?

Unfamiliar Territory o_O Winning a ball game!

For the first time in two years last Tuesday, our baseball team won a game! O_O Yea, I almost made that face, too. It was out of nature for us because we accustomed to falling behind, and press the "Self-Destruct" button at the beginning of every inning, but we finally did something right ^_^

Sorry, my post game report is so late, but I did lots of celebrating (lies lies lies lies lies). To celebrate, I went to Starbucks and bought a different drink: One venti Black Tazo Tea Lemonade ^_^ Much to my surprise, it was delicious; I'm surprised because, if it doesn't taste like a fruit such as passion fruit, which is what I always order, then it doesn't taste good. This drink tastes REALLY good! I digress...

1. I took a baseball to the face! It was an accident, but during pre-game warmups I ran to field a short fly, reached for the ball with my glove, and it bounced off the fabric and above the bridge of my nose >_< I wore my sunglasses at the time, so the ball bounced off the frame. To show I was fine, I took a couple of steps in another direction, and did the vintage Ric Flair Flop. I thought that would be the high point of our game, until one of our players left the game after breaking his hand on the first play. He took a sharp grounder to his ring finger, and it bleed. I gave him one of my water bottles for "taking one for the team", only to wish I had it later when my left leg seized up with cramp o_O No pain, no gain...I guess...
2. Okay...? You know when you are trying to field a force out at second base, and the runner charges through the plate aiming for your chin, rib cage, or the only other set of knee ligaments that aren't bent out of shape from the last before? Yea, that almost happened again. I stepped on second base to force out the runner from first base; he was well out, but he picked up speed AFTER I stepped on second base. It's a good thing I picked my knee up and out of the way, otherwise I would be out of baseball for good O_O I'm pretty sure he meant nothing by it, since he asked if I was alright right after. I gave him the benefit of the doubt; his girlfriend was there, and she wasn't reading a book (I think that was his girlfriend? Meh.)
3. What Does That Mean? After the last out, we stood around thinking about what to do next. In my time with this team we never "won" before, notwithstanding our lone default victory in the playoffs. Obviously, you want to cherish it, but you don't want to be a Scumbag Steve about it (Things I learned in Internet Meme class). Good Guy Greg would approve, I think.



Y U No Like My Fashion Sense? LOL

1. Hand, don't flip, baseball during long pauses to teammates and opposing players. If necessary, throw the ball but only if time is of the essence, it is during a play, or they ask for it.
2. Win or Lose: Look every player in the eye, give a firm handshake, and say a short something like "good game", "nice catch", "can I have your number?", "good hustle". Never congratulate somebody with "wet noodles" or "limp biscuits"; that's worth a lap around the outfield in my book.
3. Their team is losing, and their coach is talking trash about your "overdressing" in RED SOX gear. Don't fuel the fire; just do your job. 4-for-5, two doubles, two infield singles, three RBI, all-day shortstop...one error...on-field presence, leadership, diving catches...two catches and I was standing upright...boogity boogity boogity AMEN!

Thanks to everyone who follows my blog, and knows about the streak that was, and is no longer ^_^ Maybe we can start a new streak of wins next week? I hope so...! o_O

Mortality

This is a tough subject to cover, and seems out of place for a baseball blog. I played another game yesterday, but unlike others I participated in this year I played without my knee pads. Regular readers to this blog will remember my freak accident from last year, which led to my decision to wear knee pads for the rest of the season, and into this year. Well, I forgot my knee pads o_O Imagine playing a team sport with your bad knee bouncing and jingling around as you run/sprint/hustle. To show there isn't a problem, I decided at the start of each inning to sprint from the dugout to left field before the coach knows what's what.

BOSOX catcher Jason Varitek announced his retirement earlier this year.

Well, as the old Bible proverb says, "The devil fools with the best laid plans". I knew I had to make the first catch, although I never thought I had to make it in the first inning! I was playing deep all game, so when the first line drive hit in my direction fell short, I had quite a distance to make up. Nevertheless, the ground was firm in that spot, so the run up was easy, and the diving catch was artistic at best ^_^ (I don't understand why the Canadian judge gave me a 5.7 on the dive o_O LOL) There was a problem, though: My knee was the first thing to touch the ground, so if it didn't bounce then it stung like magic for the rest of the game.

Baseball was very good to me. It helped me get back in shape, and gave me something to write about. I wrote for eight years, and baseball was an important part of my life during that time. I never imagined a time when baseball, like writing, would not be a part of my life, but during the fourth inning when I sprinted home from third base on a sacrifice fly thoughts about "hanging them up" entered my mind.

I don't want to quit playing, but at some point in my life, I will...and that sucks.

Lawrie and Order

Good Times: LAWRIE celebrates walk-off homerun with teammates ^_^

The 2012 Blue Jays here in my hometown have a different air about them, but as the eyes of the city, province, and nation look to the sole professional baseball team outside of the United States to represent, the more it matters when things go awry.

Such was the case, when earlier this week against the Tampa Bay Rays, Canadian and fan favourite Brett Lawrie set his competitive fire in the direction of home plate umpire Bill Miller after a pair of questionable strike calls behind the plate. Lawrie launched into an angry tirade, which led to his immediate ejection from the game; he threw his helmet to the ground, and it bounced off and hit the umpire. The argument between the two continued and Blue Jays manager John Farrell had to restrain Lawrie from causing further damage o_O Major League Baseball reviewed the incident and moved to suspend Brett Lawrie for four games, which he appealed right away. As of Thursday, however, Brett Lawrie dropped his appeal and agreed to sit out the four games (Eric Koreen, National Post).

Bad Times: Lawrie ejected arguing strikes with umpire Bill Miller o_O

There is no question Torontonians identify with Brett Lawrie: The energy, enthusiasm, and competitive spirit that he brings to every baseball game is a hit with casual and fanatical fans of the game, at least for the holdovers of the Strike of '94. For the younger generation, his energy, tattoos, and host of Internet memes are some of the things that bring them to the Rogers Center (they also go for good baseball, I can't forget that ^_^). The four-game suspension is an indication that the old guard of Major League Baseball is still in charge. With every game televised and watched by thousands at the park, and hundreds of thousands at home and aboard, and twenty-first century technology pushing other sports into the future, it is easy to find baseball so relaxing one minute and frustrating the next.

Years ago, my Politics 101 professor in university asked the class what is a strike in baseball. After a minute or two, one of the students raised his hand, and said "the ball must be over home plate, above the knees and below the shoulder blades of the batter." We all agreed, but the professor said we were incorrect, and that a strike is "Whatever the umpire calls a strike". MIND BLOWN o_O Going back to Brett Lawrie, another reason so many here in Toronto like him is because he plays baseball like a hockey player. When you play at full speed, like Pete Rose in his youth (without gambling on baseball), and you play to the whistle (there are no whistles in baseball o_O), then there should be a prize or a return for all the hard work and dedication you put in. Two pitches blurred that sentiment for Brett Lawrie and Blue Jays fans watching at the  park and at home.

The 2012 Jays are BIG, and demand to play BIG. However, the 4-game suspension handed down to Lawrie is another message that MLB is in charge of the "reality" of baseball, and the energetic Jays must play by their rules, whatever the umpire happens to call them. Speaking of reality, this kind of thing reminds me of something that happened last season (Phil strokes chin, dream music sequence, what is Phil talking about?)...


Click here to go to Brian Chisholm's piece for more on the Lawrie fallout.

We Lost Again...RED SOX gear?!

PEDROIA breaking the sound barrier Sunday...almost o_O

I should hurry because most of you are checking out MLB Shop and its 20% Off Everything sale (Available only to Facebook users like ME), and I need to pick up some more discount RED SOX gear.

I picked up the start at shortstop in today's game, and the reps came thick and fast. Aside from getting my jersey dirty, I didn't do much else at the start of the game -_- Things were easier once I got comfortable in my surroundings; that was about the third or fourth inning o_O

PEDROIA doesn't take breaks!

The scoreline in the game, at that point, was pretty tight. So in the fifth inning, I start my routine of running out into the field of play toward shortstop, when suddenly Coach says "Phil, take a break this inning." I never heard of such a concept: Me taking a break. If there was a bone sticking out of my body, but aside from a groin pull in the second legging out for two bases on an infield hit I felt fine. For what seemed like ten minutes I stood in mid-stride waiting for Coach to say "Just kidding, go ahead", but those words never came. Reluctantly, I returned to the dugout while the others took the field. Part of being a good player is respecting the word of the coach. You may not agree with it sometimes, but part of being submissive to authority and being in authority is putting the team ahead of personal gain and glory. After all, I just picked up my dignity with a couple of good defensive plays versus eating a ton of dust diving for quick grounders o_O

PEDROIA is AIRBORNE spelt backwards ^_^

Now, this is the part where I say "three up, three down, and no harm done ^_^" However, this is real life o_O Eight runs, two homeruns, and a teammate down due to a pulled hamstring later, we lose our lead, and then the game 17-13. It didn't matter I was 2-3 with a fielder's choice, bloop single to right, and a three-run homerun to left in the seventh; inside, I feel rotten >_< Imagine what I would be typing now had I prepared for those early rocket grounders to start the game, and played the angles better like I did in the middle of the game when the score was tied. My week was already off to a rough start, and now this -_- Good thing I can look forward to a special RED SOX package in the mail.

Yeah, that's right, you noticed the Dustin Pedroia pictures? Last year was about winning the city championship in PIRATES gear, but for right now I'm buying up RED SOX gear for 2012. I should have the essentials like jackets and T-shirts by Thursday, as well as one ready made authentic jersey. I ordered Dustin Pedroia's alternate home jersey (red), and best of all it is made ready to order, so you don't need to wait two weeks like I usually do for my vanity jerseys. I'm pretty sure my sister reads these (Hi Grace-Anne); she is a Yankees supporter, so she must be really proud (shoe flies at Phil's head, missing by an inch). What was that? o_O Anyway, she used to play rep basketball for the hometown team here in Mississauga, and she was #15, which is her favourite number. She also lived in Boston for a time, but now she is overseas. Not only will I wear the #15 RED SOX jersey in honour of her, but I'm also going to wear the special edition pink Phiten bracelet and necklace. Cancer touched our family not too long ago, Grace-Anne specifically; praise God, the doctors caught it early, and she is out and about cancer free having a grand time ^_^ There are other families and friends I know that are not so fortunate, and the least I can do is remember them in prayer and thought as I wear pink.

I suppose things could be worse. I'm slowly getting better at this...baseball thing o_O By the way, my homerun stance looks like this...

It works! YOUKILIS, it works! ^_^

I think my buddy Eric would be proud; he told me last year to start doing the "Youkilis" (Hi Eric).