I paid for a MLB.TV subscription that is supposed to let me watch my Dbacks online. But, for some reason, Southern Utah is blacked out. I do however get the option of listening to the radio broadcast of the game. Why it's ok to listen as opposed to watching--I have no idea. I also have no idea why last year I wasn't in the black out area.
I do know I paid for it though. So, it pisses me off when I have to wait for an advertisement to finish before I'm allowed to hear my game. I can understand advertising on FSN etc, basic cable is cheap at best; but when people are paying money they shouldn't have to suffer through advertisements.
Greed is ugly.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Sunday, July 1, 2007
O-Dog, yes. Byrnes, No
I'm glad they read my blog before going on live before making their final announcement. They had to wait for the Mariners and the Braves to finish their game before the announcements; so naturally there was both a rain delay and extra innings before the announcements were made.
I can tell they read my blog because Orlando Hudson is on the All Star Team (I'm just that important to baseball), as well as Jose Valverde--who is second in the league in saves. They must have figured I would be appeased by throwing the bone to Gold Glove winning O-Dog.
Maybe I might have been appeased if my Dbacks hadn't played a 13 - 0 game against the Giants.
Maybe.
All in all though, I'm happy. Tony Gwynn even said Eric Byrnes should be going to the All Star Game, which was unexpected but welcomed.
I can tell they read my blog because Orlando Hudson is on the All Star Team (I'm just that important to baseball), as well as Jose Valverde--who is second in the league in saves. They must have figured I would be appeased by throwing the bone to Gold Glove winning O-Dog.
Maybe I might have been appeased if my Dbacks hadn't played a 13 - 0 game against the Giants.
Maybe.
All in all though, I'm happy. Tony Gwynn even said Eric Byrnes should be going to the All Star Game, which was unexpected but welcomed.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Halfway Through
I won't bore anyone with needless detail about my relatively boring life. Suffice to say I've been busy enough I didn't have the blogging spirit in me. But, I still like baseball and I still pay close attention to it.
So here we go.
Sunday, tomorrow July 1st we get to hear the final All Star tally. It's already been said that a record number of votes this year. Wether that's because more fans are voting or the fans that vote took advantage of the very trusting All Star Ballet (all ya needed was a different email, no confirmation or anything) that let you vote 25 times, is a debate.
Myself; I'm a National League sort of guy, I think the pitcher should hit ( no offense to the slowed up, older gentlemen who typically D.H.). My boys are in their new Sedona Red and they are looking good this year. The Dbacks are holding their own in the tightest division in baseball. The Padres and Dodgers have had better seasons coming into '07, which leads to them being hailed as the top contenders.
Either way you want to argue the division one thing is undebatable: every team in baseball has players that should be present at an event that boasts to have gathered the collected best of the best. And in the Diamondbacks case, it would be Eric Byrnes and Orlando Hudson (more on that in part II, to be written after the All Star announcement--hopefully not with bitter anger!)
I voted at least 300 times (unless you are some sort of official all star ballet counter, in which case--dude, I'm kidding!) which means I had to somehow enter in 12 emails. Once your initial votes were in ( you could skip either league if you didn't want to vote for their players) it was a matter of entering in a validation code, clicking in this order:
VOTE NOW!
PROCEDE TO THE NATIONAL LEAGUE!
REGISTER MY VOTE!
At which point you are thanked for voting and presented with a link that said:
VOTE AGAIN!
I got my wife to vote 75 times, and a handful of coworkers to vote their 25 times my way (I put in the votes and they clicked away).
I'm not proud, but if it were a functional event; I wouldn't have to threaten my friends and loved ones to do what I say. I think the All Star Game needs to take a close look at how the players for the teams are assembled.
So here we go.
Sunday, tomorrow July 1st we get to hear the final All Star tally. It's already been said that a record number of votes this year. Wether that's because more fans are voting or the fans that vote took advantage of the very trusting All Star Ballet (all ya needed was a different email, no confirmation or anything) that let you vote 25 times, is a debate.
Myself; I'm a National League sort of guy, I think the pitcher should hit ( no offense to the slowed up, older gentlemen who typically D.H.). My boys are in their new Sedona Red and they are looking good this year. The Dbacks are holding their own in the tightest division in baseball. The Padres and Dodgers have had better seasons coming into '07, which leads to them being hailed as the top contenders.
Either way you want to argue the division one thing is undebatable: every team in baseball has players that should be present at an event that boasts to have gathered the collected best of the best. And in the Diamondbacks case, it would be Eric Byrnes and Orlando Hudson (more on that in part II, to be written after the All Star announcement--hopefully not with bitter anger!)
I voted at least 300 times (unless you are some sort of official all star ballet counter, in which case--dude, I'm kidding!) which means I had to somehow enter in 12 emails. Once your initial votes were in ( you could skip either league if you didn't want to vote for their players) it was a matter of entering in a validation code, clicking in this order:
VOTE NOW!
PROCEDE TO THE NATIONAL LEAGUE!
REGISTER MY VOTE!
At which point you are thanked for voting and presented with a link that said:
VOTE AGAIN!
I got my wife to vote 75 times, and a handful of coworkers to vote their 25 times my way (I put in the votes and they clicked away).
I'm not proud, but if it were a functional event; I wouldn't have to threaten my friends and loved ones to do what I say. I think the All Star Game needs to take a close look at how the players for the teams are assembled.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Eric Byrnes (22) Should be in the All Star Game.
That's a goddamn fact.
I'll prove it later. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a couple more hours to stuff the ballet box as fat as I can.
I'll prove it later. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a couple more hours to stuff the ballet box as fat as I can.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
He Might Maybe Think About Pitching
NY Yankees, BOS Red socks and HOU Astros all want Roger Clemens to come back and pitch half the season in their respective colors, but there’s a forth team who’s got a great shot at recruiting The Rocket: RE Tirement. But, lets consider them all after some tasteful but brief set up.
Last year, working out with his injured son Koby was the reason Roger felt like he stayed in good enough shape that he was in a position to come back and pitch after the All Star break. He chose the Astros for many reasons, a few of them being Houston is his home town and the Astros agreed to let him hang out at home when he wasn’t pitching—I’m not sure who hired the slaves to fan him on his thrown of cushions on the off days.
This year, the favorite seems to be the Yankees. Enough so that Robinson Cano surrendered his jersey number (voluntarily) so there wouldn’t be a conflict if Clemens decided to rejoin newly reacquired Andy Petite.
The Rocket has made statements towards the end that if he were to come back (again) it would to a team with a chance for the postseason. So, maybe not the Astros.
What doesn’t have to be said is that the team would also have to afford him—giving the Astros and their smaller budget something to consider, save for a chance that Clemens might come back (again) and pitch for half the season, or invest the money elsewhere.
Boston has two pitchers over 40 in Wakefield and Schilling—even as a fan of the knuckleball, of the two, I’d bet on Schilling having a competitive season. Roger doesn’t really seem to fit into Boston’s current rotation, and I’m not sure who they would knock back into the bullpen.
The last option no one seems to be talking about: Retirement. Roger is quotes as saying, “I don’t want to play.” The reasons he continues to entertain the notion seem to be wrapped around a team (well, one of three teams) needing him to come pitch, presumably after the all star break
So, all that has to happen for the Rocket to take the mound this year (again) are:
1. Room on the rotation (probably knocking a starter to the bullpen, and a bullpen guy back to the minors)
2. Room enough in the budget they could probably spend on two other players.
3. Said team must be bound for the post season (possible pact with Satan my be required)
Last year, working out with his injured son Koby was the reason Roger felt like he stayed in good enough shape that he was in a position to come back and pitch after the All Star break. He chose the Astros for many reasons, a few of them being Houston is his home town and the Astros agreed to let him hang out at home when he wasn’t pitching—I’m not sure who hired the slaves to fan him on his thrown of cushions on the off days.
This year, the favorite seems to be the Yankees. Enough so that Robinson Cano surrendered his jersey number (voluntarily) so there wouldn’t be a conflict if Clemens decided to rejoin newly reacquired Andy Petite.
The Rocket has made statements towards the end that if he were to come back (again) it would to a team with a chance for the postseason. So, maybe not the Astros.
What doesn’t have to be said is that the team would also have to afford him—giving the Astros and their smaller budget something to consider, save for a chance that Clemens might come back (again) and pitch for half the season, or invest the money elsewhere.
Boston has two pitchers over 40 in Wakefield and Schilling—even as a fan of the knuckleball, of the two, I’d bet on Schilling having a competitive season. Roger doesn’t really seem to fit into Boston’s current rotation, and I’m not sure who they would knock back into the bullpen.
The last option no one seems to be talking about: Retirement. Roger is quotes as saying, “I don’t want to play.” The reasons he continues to entertain the notion seem to be wrapped around a team (well, one of three teams) needing him to come pitch, presumably after the all star break
So, all that has to happen for the Rocket to take the mound this year (again) are:
1. Room on the rotation (probably knocking a starter to the bullpen, and a bullpen guy back to the minors)
2. Room enough in the budget they could probably spend on two other players.
3. Said team must be bound for the post season (possible pact with Satan my be required)
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Spring Training: II
Spring Training II
Last time we went over the basic break down of how spring training is organized and what pitchers are out there trying to prove with established big leaguers vs would be big leaguers.
Now, lets talk about what the hitters and fielders are up to.
In baseball, a fair amount of seasoning is preferred for all of it’s players. What I mean is, even if you’re hitting homeruns left and right and the ball never gets by you on the field BUT you’re 19—you can all but count on being a minor leaguer. Just ask HIM.
Why is that? Some say the move up to the majors is a pretty major change, and that it requires a few seasons slugging it out in the minor league to build the necessary experience that allows for players to survive the big leagues. This goes for any player—including pitchers.
Established hitters are usually looking to find their stride and to get a look at the pitchers. What I mean by find their stride is perfect their swing and get their timing down. Pitchers will often let you see a couple of fastballs and then try and mess with a hitters timing by throwing a change up, which has the same arm action as a fastball (making it deceptive for the hitter).
There 162 regular season games. Injuries are unavoidable, and many of the hitters sat out some of last season, and are eager to get back into the swing of things (pun intended).
The men looking to make the Opening Day Roster are trying to prove they can handle the big league pitches from the guys throwing them. The guys who really have a chance already have a few seasons in the minor leagues under the gloves and have been consistently improving.
And being sent to the minor leagues doesn’t mean they’re going to spend the entire season there—remember those unavoidable injuries?
And remember, just because the stats aren’t official doesn’t mean you can’t see what’s going on with your team/ favorite player. You can check the daily scoreboard HERE.
Last time we went over the basic break down of how spring training is organized and what pitchers are out there trying to prove with established big leaguers vs would be big leaguers.
Now, lets talk about what the hitters and fielders are up to.
In baseball, a fair amount of seasoning is preferred for all of it’s players. What I mean is, even if you’re hitting homeruns left and right and the ball never gets by you on the field BUT you’re 19—you can all but count on being a minor leaguer. Just ask HIM.
Why is that? Some say the move up to the majors is a pretty major change, and that it requires a few seasons slugging it out in the minor league to build the necessary experience that allows for players to survive the big leagues. This goes for any player—including pitchers.
Established hitters are usually looking to find their stride and to get a look at the pitchers. What I mean by find their stride is perfect their swing and get their timing down. Pitchers will often let you see a couple of fastballs and then try and mess with a hitters timing by throwing a change up, which has the same arm action as a fastball (making it deceptive for the hitter).
There 162 regular season games. Injuries are unavoidable, and many of the hitters sat out some of last season, and are eager to get back into the swing of things (pun intended).
The men looking to make the Opening Day Roster are trying to prove they can handle the big league pitches from the guys throwing them. The guys who really have a chance already have a few seasons in the minor leagues under the gloves and have been consistently improving.
And being sent to the minor leagues doesn’t mean they’re going to spend the entire season there—remember those unavoidable injuries?
And remember, just because the stats aren’t official doesn’t mean you can’t see what’s going on with your team/ favorite player. You can check the daily scoreboard HERE.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Spring Training
One of my goals behind this blog is to make it welcoming to the uninitiated baseball fan as well. So, forgive me an occasional explanatory post--like this one! I'm trying to nurture and grow some new fans, so feel free to disregard any oversimplifications you might come across.
We're going to go over the basics of spring training and then specifically look at how pitching works within the pre-season, to be followed later by how hitters and fielders work.
The whole purpose behind spring training is to allow teams an opportunity for their teams to warm up and to see who they want for their opening day rosters. This plays out in many different forms.
There are two leagues for spring training: The Cactus and Grapefruit leagues. Which camp you go to is based basically on geographic location (with exceptions being made for cities with two teams). Teams closer to the west coast get to enjoy their fun in the sun in Arizona while the east coast gets the Florida treatment. There are five more teams in Grapefruit League.
You can find the current 07 spring training standings HERE.
Established pitchers (pitchers who know they'll be playing regular season ball at the major league level) are out there getting a feel for their stuff. They build on each start until they are back to regular season level.
Initially, they come out with a pre-determined pitch count and an estimated innings pitch. Two innings pitched is standard, and the pitch count is going to depend on the pitcher. The Cubs' starter-turned-reliever Kerry Wood, for example, was assigned 35 pitches and 2 innings his first time out.
It's also an opportunity for pitchers to see how hitters handle a newer pitch.
Other times, pitchers are looking to show that they belong to be promoted from the minor leagues. A lot of times, the MLB coaches are getting a fresh look at the would-be's. The reason they're even having a look is based a lot on how they did last year. Since this is spring training, it's not necessarily ERA that's going to win a pitcher a spot on the rotation or bullpen--it's how they handle themselves in the different situations.
Basically, any questions coaches and teams have about their players will be answered by how the players--pitchers or otherwise, handle Spring Training. That doesn't mean it isn't taken seriously. There's already been a little drama between the Padres and Rockies.
Keep up with Spring Training! There's lots of fun to see.
We're going to go over the basics of spring training and then specifically look at how pitching works within the pre-season, to be followed later by how hitters and fielders work.
Spring Training
The whole purpose behind spring training is to allow teams an opportunity for their teams to warm up and to see who they want for their opening day rosters. This plays out in many different forms.
There are two leagues for spring training: The Cactus and Grapefruit leagues. Which camp you go to is based basically on geographic location (with exceptions being made for cities with two teams). Teams closer to the west coast get to enjoy their fun in the sun in Arizona while the east coast gets the Florida treatment. There are five more teams in Grapefruit League.
You can find the current 07 spring training standings HERE.
Pitching
Established pitchers (pitchers who know they'll be playing regular season ball at the major league level) are out there getting a feel for their stuff. They build on each start until they are back to regular season level.
Initially, they come out with a pre-determined pitch count and an estimated innings pitch. Two innings pitched is standard, and the pitch count is going to depend on the pitcher. The Cubs' starter-turned-reliever Kerry Wood, for example, was assigned 35 pitches and 2 innings his first time out.
It's also an opportunity for pitchers to see how hitters handle a newer pitch.
Other times, pitchers are looking to show that they belong to be promoted from the minor leagues. A lot of times, the MLB coaches are getting a fresh look at the would-be's. The reason they're even having a look is based a lot on how they did last year. Since this is spring training, it's not necessarily ERA that's going to win a pitcher a spot on the rotation or bullpen--it's how they handle themselves in the different situations.
Basically, any questions coaches and teams have about their players will be answered by how the players--pitchers or otherwise, handle Spring Training. That doesn't mean it isn't taken seriously. There's already been a little drama between the Padres and Rockies.
Keep up with Spring Training! There's lots of fun to see.
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