Fastball Fans

For all the sports fans out there, I am opening up the floor — does anyone have a problem Kevin Millar appearing on Fox rooting and rallying on the Red Sox in a sport before Game Six? Furthermore, does anyone have a problem with him appearing before Game Seven throwing out the first pitch when he is a current Oriole?

Me, I don’t have a problem; however, some might. I think it’s a good thing that the Red Sox organization have the doors wide open for Kevin (to an extent) and there seems to be no bitterness on his part. Considering his significance in Red Sox history in the past decade, I guess it is somewhat appropriate.

If someone from your team did what Millar did, would you care or be incensed?

The floor is yours.

I’ll tell you right now, there are not a lot of people very happy with Kevin Millar right now in Baltimore.

Ok, I am a little late and just found this, but I found this video that made me said “My God”.

There’s nothing like a seeing a grown men doing the ‘jig’ and ‘the running man’.

Anyhow, during the night when the Red Sox clinched the AL East, Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon decided to do the “jig” in celebration, hmm, in his underwear and in his glory; meanwhile, Kevin Youkilis enjoyed doing the running man…

Good lord.

Well, the Boston Red Sox are in trouble as they are now down 3-1 to the Cleveland Indians.

Indians’ right hander, Paul Byrd, once again came through in the clutch; pitching five strong innings where only allowed two runs and struck out four. Once again, Cleveland had a huge inning, this time in the fifth, as Casey Blake started the fun with a home run.

They would soon knock Tim Wakefield out of the game and that coffin was nailed shut for the Red Sox by Jhonny Peralta’s three-run homer.

Peralta’s homer was the second for him in the series.

Despite an amazing display of back-to-back-to-back home runs by Boston’s Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, they were done in Game 4.

The Red Sox season may come to an end tonight as Josh Beckett needs to have another amazing game, and the Tribe counters with C.C. Sabathia, who has struggled in the playoffs.

***

Meanhwile, what can you say about the Rockies?

Incredible.

Right now, they are the biggest story in sports and most of America is starting to get to know the team.

I don’t know how they have won; nor do I care, It’s an awesome story and we can be on the verge of history here. It looks like they have built up the team right and has players you can root for, starting with Todd Helton, Matt Holliday, to Troy Tulowitzki all that way down to Jamey Carroll.

It seems like they cannot do anything wrong and have a new hero, each and every day.

It’s too bad that TBS and MLB decided to put their games well after 10pm on the East Coast (where I live), making it near impossible for anyone to watch. Just a shame.

I have decided to join the bandwagon and root for Colorado, just because I want some new blood & I am starting to like that team a lot.

The Red Sox are great, but they have already won a World Series and frankly are closer to the Yankees than most would admit; the Indians, good team, great stars, but I have no emotional investment in them (nothing personal to fans of the Tribe).

It’s nice to see in that part of the world that the Rockies are now relevant in October, and for now, the Broncos may have a back seat.

If you have a moment, check out the Denver Post and some of their cool pictures of the celebration, their fans and of the games itself…

Crazy stuff. You rock and stay classy, Denver…

As anyone who follows baseball knows, the stated goal of the Yankees each and every season is to not only get into the playoffs, but most important – win the World Series.

Perhaps the mission statement may be unrealistic, or just silly; however, it’s reality of playing and being part of the Yankees.

It’s been seven years and counting, thus, it looks like George Steinbrenner has gotten restless.

Even though the “Boss�? has lightened up over the past decade, and is surely not as brash in public as he used to be; nevertheless, when he speaks, it’s akin to Zeus raining down on the laypeople as to how it should be.

This is what he said Sunday morning, as he interviewed with the Bergen Record, out of Northern New Jersey.

“His job is on the line,” the owner was quoted in Sunday’s editions of The Record of New Jersey. “I think we’re paying him a lot of money. He’s the highest-paid manager in baseball, so I don’t think we’d take him back if we don’t win this series.”

By now, Joe Torre will not tremble in fear, as it has been every year he’s had to face losing his job.

With the Yankees 8-4 victory on Sunday, the wrath of Steinbrenner has been averted at least for a day.

Torre quipped:

“You’re not surprised by whatever comes down the pike,” Torre said. “You don’t always get used to it, but you understand if you want to work here — and there’s a great deal of upside to working here — that there are certain things you have to deal with. We’ve had ultimatums during the season, early in the season. This obviously is down to a game we need to win, and you’d like to believe everybody’s trying to pull in the same direction.”

Well, at this point, I know the New York press and fans want the Yankees to get in the ALCS and face their arch-enemy, the Red Sox, in the Hundred Year Plus War.

However, from my point of view, Torre has done a magnificent job with the team almost every year, and especially this year, considering where the Yankees had to come back from in order to get the postseason.

Considering I root for the Baltimore Orioles, we have had a decade of losing; thus, we’d only dream of sniffing the playoffs 12 consecutive years, if not once.

Sorry, I think the “Boss�?, as much as I respect him is off-base, whether you have $20, 60, 80, 130 million dollar payroll or a $185 million dollar payroll.

What do you all think?

Of course, naturally, we should hear more from the “Boss”.

Maybe he’ll channel Patton again and inspire his troops in battle…

Alex Rodriguez is struggling to reach a milestone of his own; that being home run 500.

Even though the Yankees have been on a tear, A-Rod has not homered in a week, and is mired in a slump (0-22).

We should not be worried, he’ll break it sooner or later.

For probably one of the greatest players ever to don a uniform, we salute you.

I saw this last night on ESPN SportsCenter and nearly dropped my jaw.

Super Bowl hero and golden boy, Tom Brady was caught walking down the street with a Yankees cap in New York City although he plays for the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS.

Anyhow, not that it is a big deal to me, but to the people up there – oh boy.

I’d figure Tom would have known better, but he doesn’t. You would have thought he would have known (he probably does about the Sox and Yanks) rivalry, but he must not care.

According to boston.com

“We know that Tom has an array of Red Sox caps from which to choose,�? said team spokesguy Dr. Charles Steinberg. “But we fully respect that he needed to wear a suitable disguise for his own health and protection. We don’t doubt that he’s a card-carrying member of Red Sox Nation.

For me, it’s just a hat; however, knowing Ian from Sox and Dawgs, my buddy in Marblehead, the girls from Babes Love Baseball and the rest of Red Sox, Brady wearing a Yankee cap is akin being Benedict Arnold. I’m sure he’s got a Sox cap or two, or three, perhaps many and um, I don;t exactly buy the excuse from his spokesperson.

If some paparazzi can find him, I’m sure an obsessive sports fan could too.

I don’t think Tom Brady cares, but New England sports fans are a completely different breed…

I don’t think he’ll be public enemy number one, but the shine on his otherwise great image has been dulled a little.

Even here from Maryland, you have to wonder what Tom Brady was thinking…

I still like him at least.

Clothes do make the athlete, lest have forgotten what happen last week in Baltimore in Baltimore with Gary Throne and Curt Schillings sock?

New England cares what their athletes wear and how they sport their goods.

In a weird display of political correctness, the Toronto Blue Jays have been mandated to revise a commercial. Read more below from the Washington Post…

‘The Blue Jays have been forced to revise a television commercial featuring DH Frank Thomas after the ad drew objections from the Television Bureau of Canada, a regulatory body for private broadcasters.

A 30-second spot that shows the 6-foot-5, 275-pound Thomas taking part in a pillow fight with two young boys was edited to remove a scene where Thomas knocks one of the boys off a bed and onto the floor. Thomas leaves the room with a smile on his face as the youngster gets to his feet and says, “Wow.”

Laurel Lindsay, vice president of marketing for the Blue Jays, said Thomas and the child still exchange pillow blows in the edited version but the child is not knocked to the floor. Instead, he pops into the air when struck.

The decision to revise the ad was first reported by the Toronto Globe and Mail. Lindsay called the controversy over the commercial “ridiculous.”

“Clearly we have taken ourselves entirely too seriously if we have given a pillow fight this much attention,” Lindsay said. “The reaction we’re getting from the fans is that people can’t even believe this is an issue.”

The new commercial also features a disclaimer reading, “Dramatization. Do not try this at home.”

The original commercial still will air on CBC television, a public broadcaster that can set its own standards for content and advertising. Private broadcasters who have been running the commercial will have to switch to the edited version.

This week, in the wonderful city of Cincinnati, I possibly witnessed the worst Opening Day pitch ever.

Mark Mallory, mayor of Cincinnati, attempted to throw pitch to Reds’ legend Eric Davis.

He fails and fails miserably.

Rather than say anymore, I’ll let the video speak for itself…

Then he explains his performance. Actually, I’m quite impressed with his sense of humor and self-effacing nature.

Then later in week, Mark Mallory gets a chance to redeem himself on the “Jimmy Kimmel Show. With a second chance, um, he does not do well.

I’m so sorry to the people of Cincinnati…

He’s probably a good mayor, but athlete - no.

Wow. I found this on Youtube and this is from one of my favorite Simpsons’ episode. I think is from 1990 or so and the episode is called “Homer at Bat”.

The Simpsons are my one of favorite shows, and it being the season of baseball - I decided to see what I could come up with.

This video was done by Sol Rosenburg, and I love what he did with the song and some of the images from the particular episode.

The clip is from the classic science fiction TV show, the Twilight Zone. The basic premise is that a down and out team, the Hoboken Zephyrs is need of a jolt, and a robot that looks like a man is signed to pitch.

The team climbs in the standings thanks to Casey’s pitching prowess. After he’s beaned by a ball, a doctor discovers Casey has no heart. The rules say nine men make up a team, and without a heart Casey is not a man. His inventor, Dr. Stillman, gives Casey a heart, but he becomes too compassionate to strike out other players.

The Zephyrs lose the pennant, and Casey is washed up in baseball. Anyway, watch the rest and see for yourself. It’s a tad long at 26 minutes, but it’s worth a see.

*Don’t know what “Trick or Cleat” is? Want to read more about it? Then head on over to the Oddball section of this blog.*

Well, I received an email today saying that I received another envelope. The 1/3 mark has broken, in that I have received either an email or a package from more than one third of the MLB teams. Not too bad if I do say so.

It certainly wasn’t the most glamorous, containing only a booklet. The booklet contained various advertisements, stadium maps, and player information, etc.

At least they care enough about the fans to ship something out though, right? =)

Maybe the big fish is still out there waiting to arrive in the mail? We shall see…

MLB, Major League Baseball, Baseball, Fan Pack, Arizona Diamondbacks, Diamondbacks, Trick or Cleat

*Don’t know what “Trick or Cleat” is? Want to read more about it? Then head on over to the Oddball section of this blog.*

I think I spoke a bit too soon about this being over.

I received an envelope form the Orioles yesterday, and although it was the smallest and therefore contained the least amount of “goodies”, it was a delivery nonetheless. =)

It contained a handful of stickers of various sizes, two player cards, and one card of the mascot, all of which were the size of a postcard.

This means that I have either received an email or a package from 1/3 of the MLB teams, which is not too bad if I do say so myself.

And if this one arrived late, who knows what could still be on its way.

MLB, Major League Baseball, Baseball, Fan Pack, Baltimore Orioles, Orioles, Trick or Cleat

Alright folks, it has now been well over two weeks since I first sent off the email to all of the teams. It seems that that the email responses have stopped some time ago, and although I received a package only 2 days ago, it was from a team which I had been in contact with via email. I don’t really expect anything else to come, even if teams are slow in reading the email, why would they send out a holiday goodie for a holiday that is long gone?

So… here is how things stand:

Email Responses: 5
Teams: Mariners, Astros, Royals, Giants, and Padres

Package Deliveries: 6
Teams: Indians, Yankees, Mariners, White Sox, Brewers, and Padres

Teams who sent either an email or a package: 9
Teams who DID NOT send either an email or a package: 21

All in all, I think Trick or Cleat was a success. I got some free goodies; people working for the teams got to read an odd little email of mine… we all had some fun. =)

See you all in the same place and at the same time next year!

Trick or Cleat, MLB, Fan Pack, Baseball, Major League Baseball

*Don’t know what “Trick or Cleat” is? Want to read more about it? Then head on over to the Oddball section of this blog.*

Well, it finally came today. =)

No autographed memorabilia, *cough* cleat *cough*, but who can complain about free goodies. And it came on Halloween! It doesn’t get better than that! Those Padres sure have some good timing.

Here is the email I got word for word telling me what was in the package:

“4 Post Cards (2 of their stadium Petco Park, 1 of pitcher Jake Peavy, and 1 of pitcher Randy Jones

A San Diego Padres “Play Downtown” Sticker (round)

A 2006 Schedule for the San Diego Padres “National League West Champions 05″

A 2006 Schedule for Lake Elsinore Storm Baseball (Stormbaseball.com)

A “Limited Stadium Edition” of their Official Souvenir Program “Inaugural Tournament March 2006″ ‘06 World Baseball Classics (96 pages, selling price of $10)

An Official Program “World Series 1988″ Major League Baseball “The Fall Classic (104 Pages, selling price of $10)

A San Diego Padres 2006-2007 Calendar & Schedule (full size calendar)

3 Bobble Heads (small 3″ high): #44 (Jake Peavy), #3 (Greene), #15 Bochy and a one-side thin card (hole punched in bottom) for each which lists their Residence, Birth Date and Place, and Height and Weight”

Sounds good to me.

My room is going to be overflowing with baseball stuff when I get home.

I can’t wait!

MLB, Major League Baseball, Baseball, Fan Pack, Sand Diego Padres, Padres, Trick or Cleat

*Don’t know what “Trick or Cleat” is? Want to read more about it? Then head on over to the Oddball section of this blog.*

*Want to refresh your mind on what I am “Updating”? Then check out their initial response.*

I got all giddy reading this:

“Dear David,

In light of your curious quest, I would be happy to supply something
that would certainly qualify as “something above and beyond” a Fan Pack.

Please respond with your shipping address and your package will be in
the mail shortly.

Chris Tran
Corporate Communications”

Now tell me that ain’t something. They brought in another whole department to deal with me. =) Can’t wait till it arrives… Go Padres! =)

However, I have the eerie suspicion that I will be getting a big box from the Padres that will contain something like a single, individual M&M. A treat that will act as quite the trick…

Anyhow, I shot Chris back an email, here it is:

“Dear Chris,

Thank you for your timely and enjoyable reply.

My shipping address is:

*My Name*
*My Address*

I will eagerly await the package.

Thanks again,

~David Macomber”

This makes me rethink the whole not defining the fact I am doing this as a continous blog update in my emails to ALL the teams. I don’t think that would have really changed anything though, but who knows?

Well, my fingers are crossed; feel free to cross yours for me as well. =)

MLB, Major League Baseball, Baseball, San Diego Padres, Padres, Trick or Cleat