Category Archives: Major League Baseball
I’ve Been Watching Carlos
Carlos has potential. He just can’t seem to find the plate, very often.
Yes, I’m talking about the Cubs relief pitcher, Carlos Marmol who has frustrated Cubs fans as much as the entire team has frustrated their fans. Marmol once again figured heavily in to a Cubs loss at Cincinnati, yesterday.
I’ve been watching Carlos Marmol with the limited resources, I have. This guy could be a good relief pitcher but, he’s not too accurate with throwing somewhere close to the strike zone.
My memory is not perfect on the circumstances but, quite a few years, ago there was a Pitcher in the major league who, was much like Marmol. Threw pretty hard but, you were never too sure where the ball was going to end up after the wind, and release, and sometimes not anywhere near the target set by, the Catcher.
One day, the Catcher came out to the mound, and told the Pitcher to slow it down, and place the ball where he wanted it to go. That small piece of advice turned that Pitcher’s career around.
The Pitcher slowed it down a bit for the sake of accuracy. The Pitcher didn’t have too much to work with when it came to variation of pitches. Fastball, Curve, and that was it.
Why not, try? Well, that small piece of advice from Dodger Catcher, Norm Sherry to the shaky upstart was all he needed. The Pitcher slowed it down, and his accuracy became pin point.
As accuracy became habitual, the Pitcher was able to add speed variation to the two pitches he would pitch most often. The curve ball seemed to be able to sweep a huge angle that baffled the imagination over the 90 ft. distance separating the Pitcher from the Batter. The fastball at intentional varying speeds.
Few can equal the success of Sandy Koufax as commander of almost every game he pitched beginning with the advice to slow it down.
So, Carlos, maybe you ought to take Norm Sherry’s advice. Slow it down, and be accurate with every pitch.
Maybe……..
My Left Foot Was Running A Foot Ahead Of My Left Foot
My left foot has apparently been ahead of itself for years. Running away, and now it has caught up.
It has slowly been developing a runaway condition, in hiding. My GP was fairly well convinced it was not gout or, an infection, and he had looked as far in to the situation as possible without an answer. So he called, yesterday, and told me he had cleared a spot with the Podiatrist for today.
I drove to meet up with the Podiatrist for an 8am appointment. Got out of the car, walked in to the reception area, and there on a shelf, behind the receptionist were, baseball caps. One to represent a number of major league clubs. That’s really cool. Doctor must be a baseball fan.
I was given a book. The appropriate paper work to be filled out prior to the visit. Looked like 3 days worth when, in essence, it took about 15 minutes to fill out.
Paper work finished, given to the receptionist, and in little time, called back to meet with the doctor. There are several examination rooms down the hall but, not numbered. Instead, each room has a name plate with one of baseball’s super stars on it. Wow! Ted Williams, Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays, and the room I would get, Babe Ruth.
I did tell the nurse, I preferred, Sandy Koufax but, the room was taken or, it might have even been the doctor’s office although, there was a room with the name plate, ‘The Dugout.’
Turns out, the doctor had his own problems remembering what was what, and who was where when the rooms were numbered. At his wife’s suggestion, he named the rooms after the baseball players.
Doctor comes in, looks at my foot, and says he believes he knows what this is but, we need some pictures to confirm it. Too bad, I didn’t have my camera with me. I could have tested the doctor’s humor quotient. Oh, yeh. Think about it. Pull out the digital camera, and start shooting myself in the foot, …so to speak. 
The nurse escorts me out for pictures, and again my comedic thoughts were lining up but, to no avail as I didn’t bring my camera.
Pictures taken, and back to the Babe Ruth room waiting for the doctor who, by the way, grew up in Philadelphia, and is a Phillies fan.
Pictures up on Windows XP, the last Windows with any substance. I’ll trust those pics on XP. Anyway, he points to my foot pic. ‘See this?’ Yup, I saw. Makes sense to me. No, really, what? He explains that my left foot has been in this shape for awhile but, it has caught up. The condition’s been there for awhile, and by caught up, he means the foot finally recognizes the condition with swelling, and pain.
The legal name for this condition is, Tibialis Anterion Tendinitis for those of you keeping score.
See the coffee cups in the left hand column, and other blog info. to the right? Imagine, if you will the next thing I see is a needle about the distance between the two. No, twice that long! Well anyway, he announces that the needle will be going in to my foot right about, now! No warning, just an injection of cortisone that seems never ending though, the needle was in reality, out by the time I could finish typing the words, ‘never ending’ for the first time. I can’t tell you that without losing your empathy so, I won’t. Insert sigh & poor me salutation right about now.
The doctor tells me I need some good shoes, and not the ones from the dollar store. So, I’m going to have to get a pair of SAS Shoes or, something of that quality. Those are almost $200. a pair. I’ve had them before, and yes I wish I had done the right thing, and stayed with that quality. Those lasted several years, and so comfortable!
Well, let’s see if, the swelling backs off in the next couple of days, and all of this comes to an end. Then, I can once again, put my best foot forward!
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Yesterday’s Loss Is Only A Prelude For Today’s Victory
Yes! I was caught as a defeatist. All set to go to my Random Notes & The Library page to scoff at another Cubs loss. It was 2-1 Cardinals in the bottom of the 9th.
Certainly, we were looking at yet, another loss. And you think the Cubs don’t execute. They do. On losses. I need to get used to this but, still haven’t over the years. Something inside of me says to expect the baseball miracle of a lifetime. When? Hopefully it is a reference to my lifetime. None the less, there is a voice inside of me saying, ‘Be patient just a little while longer, and it will come.’
I need out of this baseball funk. The Cubs looked so much more promising during Spring Training. Where did those Cubs go?
Now it’s the bottom of the 9th, in Chicago with the Cubs down by, a run. Preparing for the inevitable, and the worst in myself appears. Don’t follow this any more. I’ll just get up, go outside, and prepare for a crop of snapshots.
So, I think I’ve got the card formatted in the camera. Nothing tells me it really, is formatted but, I did everything you’re supposed to do. I’m assuming all is good. I start shooting some pictures to take my mind off the Cubs, and relax.
This camera has instructions but, for the most part they just show where each button is located which should be okay….but, it’s not. No instructions for the variables available at those locations. No pictures to the card, and none to internal memory. I’m not getting this, and yes, the camera is on!
I put the camera down, deciding it would be best to clear my head for awhile.
Get back here to check on the Cubs. Something’s wrong. No. Nothing’s wrong. Much has been wrong up to now but, I re-checked. Sure enough, the small miracle of the day. Cubs win 3-2. Miraculous! They scored 2 in the 9th!
Ah, some miracles come in very small doses. 3-2 Cubs. It made me smile. It restored my faith in watching for, and expecting miracles of all sizes, and doses. Cause & Effect: One small miracle can ’cause’ many more small miracles.
Why was that a miracle? I was having a frustrating day, and that little miracle offered me the opportunity to enjoy. So I did.
Victory! So, I’m expecting another small miracle, today. The camera and I as one. Another small miracle to make me smile.
Testing Patience
Want to give your patience a workout? Become a Cubs fan! I know. I am.
The team is moving on a slow; extremely slow start.
The Cubs are only in need of two things. Only two things separate them from a World Series victory, this year. It’s simple, plug those two holes, and the Cubs are in!
The two holes? The only two things the Cubs need are, pitching & hitting. Somebody to throw the baseball, and somebody to hit it.
This will be very short as I feel my patience is being tested as I write..
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- Epstein urges patience amid Cubs’ slow start (mlb.mlb.com)
There Are Winners On Friday the 13th
Friday the 13th. The St. Louis Cardinals home opener doesn’t go well…..for them. However, for their opponent, things went very well.
The opposing team was watching as the 2011 World Champion Cardinals receiving their World Champion banner at Busch. The ceremony for the Cardinals was one their opponents were looking forward to for themselves during their home opener, next year.
What to do? Ceremonies, come to an end. Let the games, begin.
The visiting team is always graciously afforded the first chance to take a swing at the home occupants. And well they did. The party would soon be spoiled in the first few minutes of the contest as the visitors piled on 4 runs on 4 hits.
How embarrassing for those world champions. They were performing in front of their home spectators for the first time in 2012.
Was it Friday, the 13th? There are some Cardinal fans who, would attribute the fateful combination of Friday, and 13 as the only reason for their dismal beginning.
When it was all over, the visiting Chicago Cubs were victorious over the St. Louis team by, a score of 9-5. For Cubs fans, would that be because of the same combination? They won. On Friday the 13th.
Was it unlucky? Lucky? Everybody played the game.
There would also be some winners on Friday, the 13th.
Cubs Score 8
The Cubs returned yesterday with, a winning 8 runs!
That was really nice after enduring a 3 game losing streak but, the bigger headline can be characterized by, little to no scoring theatrics by the opposing club in the 9th.
An even bigger headline was, Cubs pitching held the Milwaukee bats to just 3 hits, and the Brewers had no runs to show for it for the entire game!
The Cubs owned that game, scoring a big 6 in the 3rd inning, and solidifying the outcome with 2 more across in the 4th.
Matt Garza looked very impressive on the hill for Chicago with 9 of the ‘Brew Crew’ caught with 3 strikes. Garza walked 2, and allowed just 3 hits.
Cubs fans may be able to talk the pitching game, after all! Just not out of the bullpen. Cubs win, 8-0.
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Open Letter To Chicago Cubs Front Office
Not to be condescending but, maybe somebody should.
It is my intention to see the Cubs win a World Series in my lifetime, and you seem to be intentionally holding me back.
Perhaps this franchise goes on as successful as it does because, they lose. Have you ever thought that, perhaps if the Cubs do this well in profits losing they, just might make more buckets of cash, winning? Imagine, all the riches you could be counting.
How could you do this? Let me help you build a winner.
Nine players provide for the successful defense. You’re doing much better than you used to do but, I think you enjoy leaving a hole, somewhere as you partake in the treasures afforded this very successful loser. Don’t mess with the status-quo when all is well, right?
What if, a winner becomes the new Cubs status-quo? The big bucks get bigger?
I know. You want to know, if I’m wrong, then, what? You’ll never know until you try. Worse case scenario, you could go back to the way it was but, I don’t think so. Just imagine the Cubs on the way to the Series for the first time in modern baseball history, and maintaining a lock on that, for awhile. A dynasty, if you will.
Let me explain this to you, and see if you comprehend (understand.)
All of the players are vital to the outcome of the game but, there is one position that is instrumental in every moment of the game. He is referred to as, a Pitcher. He’s located about mid-way out within the front end.
You might recognize that person as he throws the white circle continuously toward that guy with the piece of wood. The goal, is for him to pick up the white circle which is referred to, as a ball, and throw it really fast so the other guy with the piece of wood, doesn’t hit the ball. The trick is, to throw the circle over that white thing in the dirt but, up from floor level to the guy with the glove behind the guy with the wood.
Now that you understand the basic concept, you might understand that you have to go buy some good Pitchers to accomplish this task.
Once you do that, you might be making bigger buckets of cash, and I would get to see the Cubs in a World Series in my lifetime.
I have made it as simple as possible. If there are any questions don’t hesitate to, ask somebody….anybody!
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- Theo Epstein’s Success Depends on the Chicago Cubs Becoming the Yankees (bleacherreport.com)
- Go Cubs Go – All The Way To The 2012 World Series! (dekerivers.wordpress.com)
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- Chicago Cubs Manager Dale Sveum says 2012 is not a Rebuilding Season (ballhyped.com)
Cubs Report: No Re-build This Year
The Chicago Cubs have reported for Spring Training. The team was informed by, their Manager, Dale Sveum, not to expect a ‘rebuilding year’ in 2012.
Sveum was very definite about a no re-build year. Next year? Come on, this has gone on literally longer than my lifetime. The Cubs last World Series victory was in 1908.
Sveum outlined the team’s line-up complete with the positive points of each player. No re-building in 2012. That was final. Sveum made it clear, and definite.
Instead, Sveum told the Cubs there was no reason this club could not combine for the win in 2012. Not any win. The win. The coveted World Series crown. He fully expected the combination of players he had in front of him to win it all in 2012. I know. That’s what I’ve been saying.
2012 is the year, and I have expectations no less than Sveum. A world championship.
Sveum’s first day in camp was spent focused on his number one activity to produce winning results; Fundamentals!
Sveum spent his playing days in the Milwaukee Brewers organization.
WORLD CHAMPS BEGIN CAMPAIGN MARCH 4th
Finally! A little exercise in March for the conquest beginning in April, and culminating in late October.
It begins in Las Vegas, where I once lived. For those more familiar with Las Vegas, I lived there quite a few years ago when Jones & the Expressway marked the outer most part of civilization, and the Decatur-Charleston area began a more defined, increased population.
Las Vegas is the beneficiary of a visit by, the Chicago Cubs as they begin Spring Training on March 4th with a contest against the Oakland As.
It will be historic as the 2012 World Champion, Cubs bulldoze over opponent after, opponent to win the October Classic. I don’t mind missing the Cubs in Las Vegas as I have much bigger plans.
I will make an appearance in the stands at Wrigley Field in Chicago this October to see the Cubs in the World Series as they bring 2012 to a close with a World Series victory.
While the Cubs have been involved in post-season play during the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, their fate seemed to be sealed, until now. Never been to a World Series since 1945, where Detroit handed them a loss, 4 games to 3. This was several years before I made an appearance, and two years before my parents were married.
The Cubs appeared in a World Series against the ‘As’ who were not known as the As but, rather the Athletics. The Athletics were not based in Oakland, and had not moved to Kansas City, either. That Series was between the Cubs, and the Philadelphia Athletics. That happened a baker’s dozen years before my Father was born. It was in 1910, and ended with a 4 game to 1 Series loss to the Cubs.
That was not the Cubs first time in the October Classic as they faced off with the White Sox in 1906 losing 4 games to 1. The Cubs came back against the Detroit Tigers in 1907 & 1908 for back to back victories, winning 4 games to 0 both years. That would be the Cubs final World Series victory until, 2012.
2012 is going to be a history making Major League Baseball season as the Cubs become a dynasty for seasons to come.
There’s no need to laugh at me. It’s not polite. When the 2012 post-season comes to an end, and I’m right, do you think I’d laugh at you? Hmmmm….have to get back to you on that…:-)
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