Results tagged ‘ San Diego Padres ’
Opening Day 2011: The Heirloom’s Guide to Tomorrow’s Festivities
Photo courtesy of The Telegraph.co.uk
All of us who love this wonderful game are excited for Opening Day. This is the first time that it will fall on a Thursday. No, seriously…
It is odd, but, hey, this game has been through so many changes since Bud Selig showed up to work as Commissioner. Some of these changes are dumb, but what can you do…
If you’re wondering when to actually celebrate the start of the regular season, here’s a primer of events for tomorrow (all times are Eastern)…
11:00AM – CINCINNATI: Joe Morgan is set to be the Grand Marshall of the Findlay Market Opening Day Parade – the traditional first act of the baseball season. The parade usually runs through downtown Cincinnati until it reaches the gates of the Great American Ballpark. This should be a special parade as the Reds are celebrating last year’s NL Central pennant.
1:05PM – THE BRONX: This is perhaps the first time in a long while that the Yanks would be the first to throw the first pitches of the season. They start their 109th season with the usual fanfare as expected from the Yanks as they open up against another AL original – the Detroit Tigers. Moose – yes, Mike Mussina – will toss the ceremonial first pitch o the delight of the fans inside the New Cathedral. Haley Swindal will sing the National Anthem. Who’s Haley Swindal? The Boss’ granddaughter who happens to be on a cast of some Broadway production somewhere…
1:05PM – THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Where South Capitol Avenue meets the Anacostia River, the Nats will start the NL off with the rival Atlanta Braves in tow. The President of the United States will not throw out the first pitch. That honor will be in charge of five members of the armed forces – one from each branch. The U.S. Navy Band will play the National Anthem instead of singing it. After all, the ballpark is a few blocks from the Navy Yard and it is one of the most powerful cities in the world. Not to mention that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will soon be history (I hope for sure), I have no problem propping up our armed forces! Ironically, Livan Hernandez will start for the Nats…
2:10PM – CINCINNATI: The parade may be over, but the party will be in full swing. The Reds meet Nyjer Morgan and the Milwaukee Brewers for their first game of the season. Edinson Volquez gets the nod against Yovani Gallardo when the pleasantries begin. Prior to Volquez taking the mound, the former police chief of Cincinnati, Tom Streicher, will toss out the first pitch. Better still, Brian McKnight and his two sons will sing the National Anthem. I’d go just for that!
4:10PM – KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: Kaufmann Stadium returns to the Opening Day ritual with the Los Angeles Angels in tow. By then, the Yankees-Tigers and Nationals-Braves games would be finished, just in time for Luke Hochevar and Jared Weaver to trade pitches. As I was trying to find out who will throw out the first pitch or do the National Anthem, a curious bit of hoopla is scheduled to occur before the game: A bridge opening. Not just any bridge mind you – one with George Brett’s name on it. I’m sure it’ll be just fun…
4:15PM – ST. LOUIS: Across Missouri, along Interstate 70, is yet another opener…the Cardinals! Chris Carpenter will get the ball against Tim Stauffer and the San Diego Padres. That also means Albert Pujols will be there, too! To celebrate all things Cardinals, there will be pep rallies outside the ballpark and inside. After all, there is a new nation on this planet – Cardinal Nation. Nikko Smith, formerly of American Idol, will sing the National Anthem and Jim Edmonds will toss out the ceremonial first ball.
8:00PM – CHAVEZ RAVINE: Last, but not least, it’s the Dodgers and the Giants. They get the nightcap as they renew their absolute hatred for each other fueled by the Jints’ World Series title. But, remember, this is Los Angeles! San Francisco may have the better opera opening night gala – but the Dodgers have Placido Domingo (pictured above), the General Director of the LA Opera, singing the National Anthem. That’s how they do it in Los Angeles!
There’s your agenda for Thursday. What are you watching/listening/following?
Random Heirloom Thoughts Under Insomnia
I have two hard and fast rules on writing: Never write under the influence of drugs, alcohol or any substance that would induce abnormal behaviors. And, never write unless you had enough rest!
So, I woke up way early because my brain was fried from parsing out the draft of the Capstone (If I were to explain what it’s all about and the exact arguments I made so far – you would go into convulsions. Moving right along…). It’s also being sent into the spin cycle with another class I picked up this semester that has been fighting for attention lately.
But, there’s plenty out there to parse out. Shall I begin with the biggest head-scratching moment of the off-season?
THE RAYS FIRE SALE AND TRADE-IN: Barrett-Jackson has nothing on what the Tampa Bay Rays did this off-season. Carlos Pena – gone. Matt Garza – gone. Carl Crawford – gone. Sure, break up a team that won two division titles and appeared in a World Series over the past few years, but replace them with Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez? I’m sure there’s a Dave Chappelle joke somewhere…
Fire sales are nothing new in modern baseball. The San Diego Padres and Florida Marlins are masters in liquidations of winning ballclubs. What bugs me about the Rays’ personnel turnover is that they had to go to retreads (unless Damon and Ramirez prove their fitness at their advanced stages of their careers) to replace key producers on their ballclub.
I’m not even convinced that Kyle Farnsworth would step into the Garza role when you have a solid rotation with Price, Niemann, Shields and Sonnenstine. Don’t worry, the latter will be back in full strength – I can see it!
DATING AT THE BALLPARK: I was reflecting back at some experiences I had at ballparks around the continent and a question came up due to whether I took a date to a ballgame. Why, yes I did. Should I explain? Only to say that I had a mixed bag of experiences with this. I could go on, but in one instance I’d rather not.
However, I can safely say that dating at the ballpark is a common thing to do. Some couples I know love being together for a game. It is a shared experience that keeps them happy and joyful. That is until their ballclub is down by a half-dozen runs, the team is at the bottom of the standings and someone called them a derogatory epithet from a few rows back.
And, don’t think you’ll get on the video screen when the Kiss-Cam is roaming the ballpark looking for you two to smooch for tens of thousands of fans! If I recall, there was a minor uproar when Safeco Field’s Kiss-Cam got a lesbian couple to kiss for a Mariners’ game. Besides, the game is designed for the dominant paradigm – until Jackie Robinson blew that notion out of the water!
You know, I should write a full post on a similiar subject…or, have I? Moving along…
TWINSFEST – SOLD OUT! If you’re like me and think that you would saunter up to Blaine to catch TwinsFest this weekend – bzzzzzz! The annual fundraiser/off-season festival of all things Twins was sold out due to to advance ticket sales to the event. When they had to scale back the event – no one figured they would have to scale back the number of people allowed onto the National Sports Center for it!
Well played, Twins!
So, if your favorite team is hosting a fan fest this weekend (Milwaukee and Seattle already come to mind), check for tickets for before you go. Don’t get caught in the sell-out! And, check for public transit before you go! I know you can’t with this year’s TwinsFest – and, it’s a low-down shame!
Baseball and World AIDS Day
It’s not an ambulance… Photo by Randy Stern
To quote Barbra Streisand: “Memories, may be beautiful, but yet/ What’s too painful to remember/We simply choose to forget.”
Sorry, those were the first lyrics that came to mind when thinking about this blog post.
Today is World AIDS Day. It is not a topic of discussion across the Blogosphere, but it has touched the game in various ways. Whether the impact was positive or negative, to have the discussion of the HIV virus in the context of baseball always constitutes an awkward dance.
Perhaps I should discuss this awkward dance by pointing out key names and organizations that have put the two entities of baseball and HIV/AIDS in the same room.
GLENN BURKE: When he arrived with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Oakland, California-native had a lot of promise. He was a brilliant minor leaguer that scouts love to watch. Upon arriving with the big team, he continued his rise to the game with enthusiasm and a willingness to show his teammates he can play. Though he gave the world the “high-five,” Burke dealt with some demons. Beyond Burke’s homosexuality, he contracted HIV which was quickly converted into AIDS. His life was also spiraling out of control due to the way he was sent off from the game – ostracized by it – eventually hitting levels beyond bottom. A year before he died, Burke’s AIDS diagnosis was made public. The Oakland A’s did reach out to him to raise funds for his care. He would become only the first baseball player to come out, but not the first to have contracted AIDS – and died due to complications of the disease.
ALAN WIGGINS: No discussion of baseball and AIDS is complete without talking about the quick San Diego Padres/Baltimore Orioles second baseman who died of complications from AIDS prior to Burke’s death. It’s been said that he contracted the disease through his extensive drug use possibly leading back to his playing days. Neither Burke or Wiggins are poster subjects for AIDS in baseball – they shouldn’t be. However, his daughter, Candice of the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, continues to advocate the cause of HIV/AIDS in her father’s name.
THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS: In 1994, the Giants teamed up with the Until There’s a Cure Foundation for a unique promotion that would break a wall between the game and the virus. Until Earvin “Magic” Johnson made his announcement of his HIV status, any support for fundraising for the virus was kept away from presumably masculine institutions due to the stigma of the majority of the virus’ victims – gay/bisexual men. Once the door opened up that the virus is not exclusive to this population – and it can hit anyone – the Giants felt an obligation to the fans they had not been able to reach out to for an annual fundraiser to bridge the HIV/AIDS (and the GLBT community) with the game. This year, the newly crowned World Series champions held its 17th annual Until There’s a Cure Day. They know that as long as the virus is still out there, the Giants will be there to help raise funds to do something about it.
ROBERTO ALOMAR: Supposedly, there are accusations stating the former Toronto Blue Jays/Baltimore Orioles/etc. star has AIDS. This news had been under the radar for no particular reason – except for the Postseason. Is this true? When there are more accusations than confirmations – you have to question the facts. But, what if it was true? How will the fans perceive this future Hall of Famer? I can only imagine the outrage considering the circumstances of these accusations – including his wife stating he exposed her to the virus. Whether or not it is true, I can feel the discussion rising to the surface again throughout the game. Perhaps it will come with a lesson for anyone to take responsibility with their lives outside the ballpark.
ALMA MARTINEZ: Being the Los Angeles Dodgers’ representative of this year’s “People Magazine’s 30 Stars Among Us,” it was a leap of faith to give the spotlight to this woman from Redondo Beach. What Martinez have done for the past sixteen years have been bridging care and concern with people throughout Los Angeles who are low income and HIV-positive. Her Sin Barreras/Friends non-profit group achieves this by bridging medical care, providing food and social opportunities to these people on the outskirts of life. For the Dodgers to support her and the cause she works hard to provide the best services for is indeed a major step. For Major League Baseball to honor her is gratifying indeed to this particular fan!
THE HEIRLOOM: Of course, this is the first time I’ve discussed a cause on this blog. It is something I am very familiar with as to the number of people I’ve known over the years who had contracted the virus and/or have died due to its complications. I am HIV-negative. I came into the disease with full knowledge of what it can do and the stigmatism it continue to have upon me and my people. I delayed coming out in the 1980s because I feared that I could easily die from it since there were no tethers or nets in the gay community to keep others from not contracting it. Since the Magic Johnson revelation, I made sure to do what I can to keep myself safe from contracting the virus.
Yet, I do not wear a red ribbon. Why should I? My views of HIV have been beyond the point of asking for a cure. It is wondering when the ignorance and stupidity around the virus will end so we can go forward in ensuring its demise. This anger is not just aimed towards those who stigmatize whole populations of people with the pall of the virus, but rather those who are supposed to do something about it. For example, I get angry when someone who is HIV-positive is acting irresponsibly putting people I know at risk. I also get angry at others who try to create more drama around someone’s confirmed or supposed HIV status even for public consumption.
To channel this anger, I do what I can to help support the events and organizations involved with providing HIV/AIDS services in the region. In the spring, I support one of the walk teams for the AIDS Walk here in the Twin Cities, supporting the Minnesota AIDS Project. I have also continued as a photographer to the area’s Dining Out for Life, supporting the Aliveness Project. In my current grad school Residency, the organization I am working with, the One Voice Mixed Chorus, participates in HIV-related events around the year.
Yet, I am concerned that the game, as a whole, is not doing anything else about this cause beyond what the World Champions are doing. It will take a sea change in terms of looking at HIV/AIDS from a stigmatized point of view. It will take more than just avoiding jokes and clubhouse behaviors to respect the disease that has been in our midst for the past 30 years. I do not have the answers in doing so. I’ll leave that up to you to find ways to help Major League Baseball and all organizations associated throughout baseball to find a way to humanize the cause with the game.
Thirty years is too long for people to avoid a subject like this.
The Heirloom/Randy supports the following HIV/AIDS resources…
Minnesota AIDS Project
The Aliveness Project
Calendar of World AIDS Day event from the Minnesota Department of Health
World AIDS Day 2010
Those Other Pennant Races
One flag down, five to go…
With seven slots left to fill for the Postseason, it takes strategic analysis to understand who will fill these slots. So, I did. And here’s what I came up with…
NL CENTRAL: This will be the next flag to be won. Why? The Cincinnati Reds will culminate a rebuilding effort that has taken twenty years to complete. If you count the near misses the Former Big Red Machine had over this time, you’ll understand how important this year is to Dusty Baker. Love him or despise him, he can lead teams into the postseason. Baker also has plenty to work with: A mix of postseason-experienced veterans and farm-grown quality talent. You balance Joey Votto with
Scott Rolen, Jay Bruce with Orlando Cabrera and Edinson Volquez with Bronson Arroyo. For the most part, this is a young team with plenty of skill sets mixed in. They’re in it for beyond this season, but winning this pennant now helps boost this team for the future. THE CLINCHER: Sometime this weekend in San Diego – that’s if the Padres decide to sweep the Reds instead for the sake of their own pennant race.
NL EAST: Sometime after the Reds grab their pennant, it will be a goose race between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Texas Rangers. My view is that the Phils take their umpteenth-in-a-row NL East title in a resounding manner. Why? The nine-game win streak, for starters. Then, there’s the benchmarks: Roy Halliday winning 20 games and Ryan Howard smashing 30 dingers. Simply, the Phils are in Bugatti Veyron mode – they turned the secret key and poured on the 1,000HP twin-turbo V-16 engine with the foot mashed on the accelerator. Nothing can stop the Phils – with a magic number of four. As for the Atalnta Braves and Bobby Cox’s swan song – I’m not sure if they’ll even win the NL Wild Card, either. Just not seeing it manifest somehow… THE CLINCHER: Sorry Mike/BTB, but the New York Mets are looking like lambs to slaughter at Citizens Bank Park. It’ll be over by Sunday in the NL East.
AL WEST: Let’s talk about those Rangers, shall we? Depsite the magic number being four, the reason why I stated above that the Phils will clinch before the Rangers are lingering setbacks, such as injury recoveries and slumps. Josh Hamilton is scheduled to be back soon, but when can you count on him being 100% before the Postseason? Still, those who were injured and expected to return by this time are trying to acclimate to the final push towards clinching. It also doesn’t help that they travel to Oakland this weekend – the proverbial spoilers. It also creates a double whammy: An Athletics’ sweep this weekend not only postpones clinching the AL West for the Rangers – it also draws Oakland closer in the race. It could also halve the lead between these two teams. This may not bode well for the Rangers as they look to quickly close in on the division title. THE CLINCHER: The Rangers must win more than two games in Oakland to secure the clinch, but don’t count on it. Worst case scenario would be to wait until they get home next week against Seattle to grab the flag.
AL EAST: The New York Yankees began to put some serious distance this week on the Tampa Bay Rays in The Bronx. That ended last night. There’s one more battle between these two this evening before they part ways for the remainder of the regular season. However, there is a high probability they will meet again in ALCS. In owning a one-and-a-half game advantage on the Rays, the Yankees would have to string a series of victories starting at home with the incoming Boston Red Sox. All next week, the Yanks will be on the road in Toronto and Boston. For the Rays, making the Postseason again is not enough. They come home Friday for the Seattle Mariners (and Bret Michaels on Sunday) and Baltimore Orioles before closing the season in Kansas City. How the rest of the season will come into play depends on tonight’s series finale in The Bronx. A Rays’ win makes this division race a dash to the end. A Yanks’ win will make it elementary which one will repeat as division champs and the other being the AL Wild Card. THE CLINCHER: Stay tuned – the champagne will either pop in Boston or Kansas City in more than a week’s time.
NL WEST: Once again, this division is ending up tighter than Wayne Brady’s jeans. This is still a three-team race between the San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and the Colorado Rockies. The trouble is I cannot put my finger on which of these three teams has an advantage during these final 11 days of the season. It’s going to be down to the wire with the Rox not letting go of the rope. THE CLINCHER: The final day of the season – someone will win this division. Someone else could be the NL Wild Card. Even that’s another bucket of crazy…
The Race Is On: Bring it!
Photo by Randy Stern
Don’t you think it’s time to discuss the pennant races in the Bigs? I think so…
NL CENTRAL: If the brawl at the Great American Ballpark two weeks ago was any indicator how intense this pennant race has become, we should be in for another month of insanity. The reason is simple: the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals want this NL Central crown without compromise. There is one issue: Both teams have three more meetings against each other – over Labor Day weekend in St. Louis. After that, both teams are simply on their own to settle the fate of the division. Most of these games will be against division opponents, but it appears the Cards will have more challenging series ahead than the Reds. The Reds face the NL West-leading San Diego Padres once, while the Cards have the Padres and the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves. The Colorado Rockies may also play a key role in determining the fate of both the Cards and Reds as they both clubs each towards the last weeks of the season. If there’s a spoiler lurking in the woods – it’s the Rox. It’s not just about winning the NL Central as it’s also about the Wild Card race. The second place team could walk away with the postseason’s fourth spot, but there’s company in that group: The Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants. Neither the Reds nor the Cards face either Wild Card contender in the weeks ahead.
AL EAST: Once again, this division hosts the best pennant race in baseball. Unlike two years ago when the Tampa Bay Rays clearly was on track to grab the flag, they got company. The defending World Series Champions New York Yankees are even with the upstarts from the Suncoast. Then again, should we even consider the Rays “upstarts” anymore? Not after its blazing start this season only to match win-for-win with the Yanks. Yet, where is the advantage between these two? In September, these two teams would face each other seven times (3 in St. Pete, 4 in the Bronx), but will finish their season on the road. The Rays travel to Kansas City while the Yanks head to Boston to face the Red Sox. Here’s a thought: the Sox as spoilers. Whether you like the Yankees or not, you’ll mark your calendars for the final weekend of the regular season where the pennant could be decided at Fenway (again). However, I’m not giving a pass to the Kansas City Royals, since they’ve historically been spoilers for many pennant races. Both the Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays feature prominently on both team’s schedules in the weeks ahead – many spoiler opportunities. The Yanks have the extra weight of facing the Texas Rangers in September in Arlington where it has been difficult for a visiting team to win lately. There is a silver lining to this pennant race: Second place gets the Wild Card.
NL EAST: In case you missed it, the Philadelphia Phillies are giving chase to the Atlanta Braves for the division. You can tell they want another division flag on their mantle and a three-peat trip to the World Series. Not if the Braves can help it. There is motivation for the Bravos with the retirement of Bobby Cox from managing the club. Any past accomplishments and numbers are meaningless right now at Turner Field – it’s about this year. It’s about sending Cox off into the sunset as a champion. Nothing less is acceptable. This is perhaps the most emotional of the tighter races in the Bigs, but there has to be a path for the Braves to accomplish their return to the division title. It won’t be easy based on the schedule – both teams face each other six times, including the final three games of the season at Turner Field. If things tighten up all of the sudden, I’d watch that series closely – and not just for the tributes to Cox. Both teams also have their share of spoilers, not just from current pennant chasers, but of almost-rans that are capable of upending either team at the worst time. The Florida Marlins would be the most likely spoiler on the Braves’ and Phils’ schedule. I would also not count out the New York Mets from taking their frustrations out on the division’s top two. Since the Phillies have the advantage in the Wild Card race right now, this race can also affect the fourth spot in the NL’s postseason plans. Ending up in second place could possibly mean missing the postseason altogether – and that’s a risk neither the Braves nor the Phils can expend.
AL CENTRAL: Ozzie Guillen will not give up. Neither will his Chicago White Sox. He can spew all the expletives he wants, but that’s not going to make the AL Central pennant race better for him. Not with the Minnesota Twins wanting to do something in their new home. How do you cap the first year of this wonderful new ballpark? Give it a crown! Yet, the way things are going for the Twins, the only way to get there is to win on the road. This includes a key series in the middle of September at US Cellular Field against the Southsiders. Lucky for these two teams – these three games are the last they’ll face each other in for the year. Still, it could be worse. The White Sox host the Yankees this weekend at home, then two more series with the Boston Red Sox in September (three games at Fenway and four more on the South Side). If you want a party ruined, invite either one of these teams to it. Obviously, Guillen won’t let his team roll over and play dead with these AL East powerhouses ready to create havoc on this race. If you were the Twins, you find advantages to extend the lead at every home game possible. That’s where the pennant will be won – at Target Field. Yet, there is one issue looming for the Twins: Justin Morneau. Last year, they won the division without him. Can they do it again this year? If there is no resolution for Morneau’s return – they’ll grab the flag, but will again falter in the postseason.
NL WEST: Don’t crown the San Diego Padres just yet. You have to admit this is a great story – a team all the pundits thought would not win over .500 proved everyone wrong. Everyone thought Adrian Gonzalez was gone by the pre-waivers trade deadline – he wasn’t. In fact, Bud Black built the team around him. He also built a pitching staff that still induces open jaws when they take the mound – Heath Bell included. By adding Miguel Tejada and Ryan Ludwick to the roster, the Padres may be the team to beat getting into the World Series. Somewhere in the taillights are the San Francisco Giants. While Padres have a comfortable lead, the Giants are in the midst of a Wild Card race that stretches across all three divisions. These two teams will meet six times before the end of the season. In fact, the Padres will be at AT&T Park in time to determine the Wild Card – and could play in an assist for the other teams in contention. Still, for the Padres to clinch, they need to play well during a key home stand in early-to-mid September and into a tough road trip afterwards. If the Pads reach their final home stand with the same comfort zone between them and the remainder of the NL West, they’ll clinch the division before they jet down to San Francisco to close out the season.
AL WEST: Last year, the Texas Rangers commanded a strong lead in the division only to blow it by early September to the Los Angeles Angels. Could history repeat itself? Possibly. The Rangers have a comfortable distance between itself and the Oakland A’s at this point, but it could possibly change. One thing to watch is the injuries. With Nelson Cruz, Ian Kinsler, Scott Feldman and Christian Guzman set to come back by mid-September, the remainder of Ron Washington’s team needs to stay healthy. It takes one more key player to get injured for the division to be thrown into chaos – just like last year.
Portable Devices + Old Broadcasters = John Sterling?
Two years ago, I posted a piece from an older blog about how radio and television broadcasters have helped to shape my love of the game. Thanks to portable technology (i.e. the MLB atBat app and the iTunes Music Store), it continues to fuel my love for the game.
Looking back, it was all about Vin Scully, Don Drysdale, Lindsey Nelson and Jerry Coleman. Then again, we’re talking the days of rabbit ears and terrestrial radio. What about now? Needless to say though the wonders of listening to game on my phone and watching them on my iPod, I got a good sampling of what’s out there beyond the usual FSNorth, My29 and ESPN Radio 1500 fare.
What prompted this discussion about broadcasters was an episode of the Red State Blue State podcast where Jeff was talking about how annoying John Sterling is as the radio play-by-play man for the New York Yankees. With all due respect to any Yankees fans reading this, I have to agree with Jeff about Sterling. Seriously, who does he remind you of? Snagglepuss from the Hanna-Barbera cartoons! If you can get Sterling to say “Heavens to Murgatroyd, exit stage left” instead of a home run call – it’ll be almost the same!
The Yankees’ radio analyst Suzyn Waldman doesn’t get a pass either. Though Jeff made her sound like Edith Bunker (er, Jean Stapleton playing Edith Bunker), Waldman sounds like Rosie O’Donnell to me. Just play one of Rosie’s shows on Sirius XM next to a Suzyn Waldman break-in on the Yankees’ radio broadcasts.
You know who annoys me the most when it comes to broadcasting? Not Joe Buck of FOX Sports – though he and Tim McCarver rank way up there. Not John Gordon of the Minnesota Twins radio side. Then again, almost everyone ripped off his “touch ‘em all” across the game. There’s a guy working the San Diego Padres radio broadcasts who speaks in a semi-halting manner to point of annoyance! I’m not sure who this is, but this has been two seasons of chalkboard-scratching that I had to go through when I try to listen to the Pads’ broadcasts at the start and finish of each game.
So, who are my favorites these days? Vin Scully remains up there. I can’t take Southern California’s weather with me here in Minnesota – but I can still listen to Vin describe the action through my phone or iPod. Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy for the Boston Red Sox telecasts are quite entertaining and informative at the same. I appreciate that. Jerry Coleman still remains a favorite. Dick Bremer and Bert Blyleven for the Twins’ telecasts – of course! Bob Uecker for the Milwaukee Brewers always provides a laugh or several. Dewayne Staats and Kevin Kennedy for the Tampa Bay Rays’ television side, along with Don Sutton and Mark Lemke of the Atlanta Braves radio team, round out this group.
Yet, I will always point out how Scully had shaped my ear for the game over the past 40 years. Now, that he has signed on his 62nd season as the Voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers, perhaps I should pay attention even more to the voices of the game. The annoying ones, included.
The Case for Baseball Wanderlust
From my last road trip. Photo by Randy Stern
Lately, the MLBlogs front page has been touting some of the latest fans bloggers who are chronicling their tours of ballparks across North America. These are indeed some of the finest examples of wanderlust known to our baseball world. They’re living out the dream of many baseball fans who wished for younger days of sleeping in cars/RVs/cheap rooms, going from ballpark to ballpark and taking in what this country has to offer. Good on them! They make our existence on this planet fuller by the minute.
I began to think “what if I would do such a trip – how would that manifest itself?” In the past, I’d just fly or drive somewhere for the weekend, knock around town, go to a game and go home. On most occasions, this is a good weekend trip. For the baseball fan, unless there was some other historical place of interest related to the game or the focus of the trip was not centered on baseball, it would be a hollow weekend. This is why I sat down and thought about trips that would include multiple ballgames in certain locales or a string of ballparks on a nice journey.
My criteria are simple: Go to a ballpark I’ve never been before, preferably in a place I’ve never visited. Certainly there are ballparks in places I’ve frequented in the past, but never got around to watching a game in – those are included, too! In one exception – I included a ballpark I haven’t seen a game in, oh, almost 30 years. You see that pop up somewhere below…
Granted, these are not grand tours or anything – just simple “hit the ground running and enjoy any sight possible” type of trips. Oh, and don’t follow me for actual travel advice. Believe me, we have our ways of making trips the way we want them.
A DEEPER TOUR OF THE MIDWEST: I’ll admit that I’m not one for long driving trips as much as I used to. However, to balance out the time/distance factor and high regional air fares, I may have to hit the road to stretch out my sea legs in this region. But, where would I go? My first thought was to string a trip through Kansas City with the Royals and Kaufmann Stadium as my mid-point. The most ideal way to do so is to hit two independent American Association towns, Sioux Falls and Sioux City, before hitting Omaha to see the Triple-A Royals. By the time I consider such a trip, Rosenblatt Stadium would be vacant and the team would have moved to their new suburban home. After swinging through Kansas City, I can only head to St. Louis and the Cardinals at Busch Stadium (Number 3). Then, I would jump into Illinois and back into Iowa for a trio of Midwest League stops, Peoria, the Quad Cities and Cedar Rapids, before heading home. Obviously, the only mode of transportation is a car with a string of inexpensive accommodations along the way – the best way to see the Midwest, in my humble opinion.
JUST GET INTO WRIGLEY FOR RYNO’S SAKE! Over the past ten years, I’ve visited Chicago too many times to recall. Last year, I finally got in a ballgame – at US Cellular Field. Why not Wrigley? I’ve passed by it almost as many times as I’ve visited the city and never stepped foot inside. Maybe it’s time to rectify that empty hole of baseballdom just an hour-and-a-half flight from MSP (or seven-plus hour train adventure from St. Paul). Just watch a game at Wrigley. I don’t have to root for the Cubs, right? If I boo them I have to crawl to Halsted instead of walk. But, there’s more than Wrigley to check out – there’s plenty of minor league and indie baseball in the Chicagoland area. There’s Midwest League play in Geneva, Ill. (Kane County Cougars) and South Bend, Ind. (Silver Hawks), Northern League teams in Schaumburg (Flyers), Joliet (Jackhammers), Gary (Southshore Rail Cats) and Zion (Lake County Fielders) along with some Frontier League ballclub in Crestview (Windy City Thunderbolts). Obviously, the best way to get around Chicago is using the CTA, but there are suburban games that are not accessible to METRA, PACE and the South Shore Line readily for certain games – so some creativity would have to be in place before considering renting a car. This would also mean staking out a good place in Chicago to stay that is convenient to everything – and I do mean everything!
FLORIDA – BEFORE THE ATLANTIC GOES CRAZY: Here’s the problem with Florida: Spring Training. If you plan well ahead of everything, you can get good rates on flights, rental cars and hotels for March. The best way to enjoy Florida without getting overheated is to get there in April. Luckily, the Tampa Bay Rays along with the Florida State League will have plenty of activity in and around the Suncoast area. One night, I could be inside Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, the next up in Clearwater, the next at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the next…you get the idea. What about Miami? What about the Marlins? Yeah, I’m going to South Beach – NOT! Wilton Manors, maybe – but forget seeing me on South Beach! Oh, and Walt Disney World – scratch that, too! Obviously, a rental car would be the way to go for my ventures around the Tampa area and a bit beyond – and a moderate plate to stay with access to the ballparks and nightlife afterwards.
ALL ABOARD THE PENNSYLVANIAN: Amtrak once had a tag line that goes: “There’s something a train that’s magic.” I agree wholeheartedly – but it’s been six years since my last train ride. But, would it be nice to integrate a train for a baseball journey? I found a nice run that would work that starts in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia or New York and travels through some of the nicest landscapes in this country. Even better, there will not be one car involved in the entire trip. The reasons are simple: either the ballpark and nearby accommodations are within walking distance of the train station or linked by some form of public transportation. The key three stops are Philadelphia with the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, Harrisburg with the Senators at Metro Bank Park on City Island and Pittsburgh with the Pirates at PNC Park. A fourth stop could be made in New York City, if I wanted to stretch it out to include the Mets Citi Field or, if I get there around the New York-Penn League season, both the Brooklyn Cyclones and Staten Island Yankees. Since I have never attended a ballgame in the State of Pennsylvania – I’ll concentrate on Philly, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh for this very green and sustainable run through the Alleghenies.
A SORT OF HOMECOMING: Growing up in Los Angeles, there were two baseball teams that mattered: the Dodgers and the Angels. Actually, the guys in blue mattered more than those American Leaguers in Anaheim – until 1979. Since leaving my home town for good in 1996, I’ve only been back twice – and missed out on opportunities to return to Dodger Stadium on both occasions. Hopefully, if my next trip falls during baseball season – I will make it back to the place where The Heirloom was born for the first time since 1982. However, there is more baseball to explore in and around my hometown. I’ve yet to visit the Epicenter in Rancho Cucamonga and the new San Bernardino ballpark for my California league fill (I’ve already been to The Diamond in Lake Elsinore 14 years ago – still one fine ballpark!) and an overnight run down to San Diego to check out the Padres at PETCO Park in the Gaslamp Quarter. In-between are old and new friends and family covering everywhere from Camarillo down to San Diego. This would require a rental car and accommodations in both the Los Angeles/Orange County area and a night down in San Diego – or, not.
The Trade Deadline Sweepstakes – The Winners
So, who won the Trade Deadline Sweepstakes? It’s hard to say, really with all of the pundits agreeing on a baseline of several teams. Maybe there is room for a different option – or a different take.
That’s where we Fans MLBloggers come into play, right?
Yeah, we’re fans. We all don’t have sources inside each ballclub as the Pro MLBlogs and beat writers do. We have our perspective – and we often claim we’re right, even when we’re not. Yet, someone values our opinions…I think…
With that said, here’s my list of winners from what transpired up through Saturday afternoon.
SAN DIEGO PADRES: With a core of Adrian Gonzalez, Clayton Richard and Heath Bell, everyone thought the Padres would be sellers, not buyers. When the Gonzalez rumors were squelched, first-year General Manager Jed Hoyer got aggressive bringing Miguel Tejada and Ryan Ludwick to the Gaslamp Quarter. The young Hoyer had help – he had Jeff Moorad’s checkbook at ready. Aren’t you glad they didn’t have another fire sale in San Diego? Lest we forget about Kevin Towers…
TEXAS RANGERS: It all began with Cliff Lee – and it didn’t stop. General Manager Jon Daniels added Jorge Cantu, Christian Guzman and Bengie Molina. Considering the quality of talent being brought to the Metroplex, Daniels had plenty of challenges to ensure these deals go through and his team is restocked with these players. The issue being that the Rangers is still in turmoil fiscally until there is an ownership transition that 29 other teams are footing the bill for these acquisitions. One wonders what happens if the Rangers fails to claim the AL West flag for the second season in a row with all of these trades they made…club liquidation if the ownership transition doesn’t happen?
LOS ANGELES DODGERS : Southern California Rule Number 622 – never upstage Ned Colletti. If you think that Frank McCourt was going to have his General Manager embarrassed by Saturday at 1:00PM local time, you are sorely mistaken. Instead of moving the injured Manny Ramirez, Colletti added Scott Posednik, Ted Lilly, Ryan Theriot and Octavio Dotel to play in Chavez Ravine. Understanding that parting with Blake DeWitt was a sacrifice to make in terms of trying to gain a footing back in the NL West race, adding four ex-Chicago Cubs and White Sox players is a fitting formation thanks to a General Manager who just happens to be a Chicago native. As Alanis Morissette once sang: “Isn’t it ironic – don’t you think?”
HOUSTON ASTROS: Can a team win though they lost two fan-favorite franchise players? Going back to Friday night, both Roy Owalt and J.A. Happ started for their respective new ballclubs. It was quite clear who won the trade: The Astros. While Oswalt lost in his Philadelphia Phillies’ debut in Washington, Happ beat Milwaukee in his shutout debut as an Astro. Perhaps there is karma working in the favor of Drayton McLane, Tal Smith and Ed Wade. After all, wasn’t Happ supposed to be the big rookie last year despite the Phils grabbing Cliff Lee and Pedro Martinez in for National League Championship defense insurance? Greedy Ruben Amaro, Jr. gave Charlie Manuel the license to shelve his young becoming starter. Then, there’s Lance Berkman – a local hero turned Yankee. In his first game as a non-Astro, Big Puma went 0-4 in a Yankees win over Tampa Bay. Again, is it karma working for the gang on Crawford Street? Clearly, it’s not Amaro or Brian Cashman who are having the last laugh.
The Trade Deadline…and Not a Moment Too Soon!
Cliff Lee moved to Arlington – check!
Dan Haren moved to Anaheim – check!
Buck Showalter officially hired in Baltimore – check!
Scott Posednik moves to Los Angeles – check!
Jhonny Peralta is now Tiger – whoa! Another Cleveland fire sale! Might as well – Check!
Roy Oswalt heads to Philadelphia – hmmm…OK…check!
J.A. Happ is swapped in the Oswalt deal and is Houston-bound – Oh, the Astros are going to love this young arm! Check!
Jorge Cantu is also Arlington-bound – yeah, and they announced it while he was batting in the latter innings in San Francisco! Check!
Miguel Tejada to San Diego – I like this move! Check!
AND…this just in: Matt Capps heading to the Twins! This move I can get behind big time!
So, who’s left? Prince Fielder – who will wait until the final nanosecond before we find out whether the Milwaukee Brewers will keep him or shove him off somewhere. C’mon, big guy, give us a break! Are you really unhappy in Wisconsin? I was, but that’s a different story! Honestly, where do you want to go? The Yanks? The Red Sox? The Dodgers? Anyone with a lot of loot to spend on you?
And, what happens if you pull a Derek Lee on everyone? That 10-and-5 rights (10 years in the Majors, 5 years with the same team for veto rights on a trade) rule is pretty nifty – but you can’t have it, Prince! If you don’t agree to a trade, fine. It’s in your contract. But, if you say “go,” I just hope you are in a place where they want you real badly!
Who else? Adam Dunn of the Nationals. Nats’ GM Mike Rizzo was recently quoted that if he sends off a trade, it will be the other team who “will hurt the most.” This from the Atlanta Braves’ radio broadcast from earlier today. In other words, Dunn is staying in DC.
Then, there’s Ted Lilly. I thought I heard from Joe Buck’s semi-informed mouth during the All-Star Game that the Cubs’ would be looking to trade their players than get them – paraphrased, of course. If this were the case, then the Cubs would’ve sent Marlon Byrd onward by now. At least Derek Lee is sticking around – maybe for Ryne Sandberg to arrive to save his career.
I’m certain the next trade will be spectactuar – or, craptastic depending on your point of view.
All-Star Game 2010: Folding The Tents
All-Star Game number eighty-one is in the books! How was it? Considering I didn’t watch much of it, but here what I gathered…
BIG PAPI’S STICK: It was massive! David Ortiz took the State Farm Home Run Derby with authority, despite being third in the first round to Hanley Ramirez and Corey Hart. The one thing I’d change would be Papi’s sunglasses. He didn’t wear them in the Derby, but did you see that pair he wore to the Presser on Monday? It made anyone on Jersey Shore looked somewhat attractive…
A-ROD WAS LOOSE: During the AL reserves introductions, while noticing that every ballplayer simply tipped their cap or politely waved, Alex Rodriguez was quite animated. The rest of the Yankees’ reserves, too! What was that all about? I mean, your Principal Owner died that morning – you’re wearing black armbands in remembrance of your late Boss! And, y’all still got booed…geez, guys!
THE BIGGEST CHEERS: You never thought that members of three teams would gather the biggest cheers at Angels Stadium: The Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and the host Angels. That has never happened in All-Star history…
THE CLASSIEST ALL-STAR MOMENT EVER! In introducing Derek Jeter, the Angels decided to replay the Yankee’s own public address announcement – the late Bob Shepherd’s. The long-time Yanks’ PA announcer died over the weekend and have used his pre-recorded intro for Jeter at the new Cathedral. It was indeed a fitting tribute to the classiest voice ever heard in the game of baseball.
THE NATIONAL LEAGUE WINS! Thanks to Brian McCann’s double that cleared all the bags, the senior circuit snapped an embarrassing losing streak dating back to 1996. It was a low scoring affair with some superb pitching all around. Ubaldo Jimenez helped himself out with a double play early in the game. It ended with good defense – thanks to Marlon Byrd throwing out the Home Run Derby Champ Ortiz with Jonathan Broxton saving the NL’s longtime victory. McCann is the All-Star MVP. Matt Capps takes the win, while Phil Hughes loses it for the AL.
THANK YOU, BOSS: Before Rod Carew threw the ceremonial first pitch at Angels Stadium, our game lost one of the toughest competitors to own a ballclub: George Steinbrenner. What he did in 1973 was to rescue one of the finest ball clubs in the Majors from a mere division of CBS to an entity of its own. He forged a culture in the Bronx that revolved around excellence – and anything less was unacceptable. To recount every personnel move, every contact with the media, every instance of community involvement and the path to building of the new Cathedral would not give The Boss honest justice. Love him or hate him, you have to give him his respect due. Thank you, George – rest in peace.
Randy Stern
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