- 12:46 PM
- 12/21/24
I tend to beleve that adults are a necessary evil in little league & parents should just drop the kids off & let them play. Also that kids under 14 -15 are in instructional leagues & the fierce competition can comewhen they are older. At 9 years old the focus should be to have fun, not get hurt & learn some basic skills. That being said I'll refer to the Ol' Professor's comments to his team at the end on the Amazin' Mets season that was the losingest in MLB history. "No one player can take credit for this season ....it was a team effort all the way" Or something like that.The point is Romney's team lost the game in the first 8 innings - not the last 3 strikes.
posted by knuckleballer at 01:36 PM on August 11, 2006
"commissioner Bud Selig said that unlike with steroids, baseball was well aware of its troubles then."......with a straight face???? Ostrich ‘til the end. well the steroid testing will go much like all drug testing - although I don't think that steroids have a chemically addicting nature - some will use. I didn't realize that Howe had been banned for life. I'm more interested in the ramifications regarding his Hall of Fame eligibility. His absense on the ballot wasn't particularly conspicuous 5 years after retirement I'm sure. But having been denied being on the ballot ..is he now eligible...the lifetime ban essentially lifted. Just wondering because of that other player/manager with a lifetime ban and his quest for the Hall. It has been my longstanding opinion that the Pete Rose case should be handled that way. In the future when visitors go to the Hall Pete will have a plague ...just not in his lifetime.
posted by knuckleballer at 10:38 AM on April 29, 2006
Selig's point is that it's Aaron's record. Ruth hasn't had the record for 30 some odd years. Bonds will simply surpass Babe's personal best. Such an iconic mark it was until Aaron that it deserves some attention - we're talking about it & the fans will react - it doesn't seem that Selig would object to the Giants celebrating. He just doesn't feel obligated to have the MLB represented or hand out a plaque. I agree.
posted by knuckleballer at 05:55 PM on April 27, 2006
I believe that Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame....as soon as he & his lifetime ban expires. Comparison's to former rascals are not valid - gotta compare him to Shoeless Joe Jackson on this issue. Oldtime baseball folks might think that "it ain't cheatin' if you don't get caught", but I definitely think that it ain't cheating if there are not rules against it. That to me is the difference between McGuire & Palmiero.
posted by knuckleballer at 11:43 PM on February 28, 2006
Wow, "a stupid exhibition game that has nothing to do with anything but money for the selig legacy of major league baseball." True it was necessary that MLB backed the idea, but there has been an international effort for some time to have a tournament that invites teams that represent their countries. The Olympics has always been during the MLB season, and the US team of amatuers has not drawn much interest. This is a global event & the Asian & South American Leagues have championship series to work around, too. Any player that is considering playing in the Tourney should be in good health & good shape. No matter the sport I think the players have a big desire to play for their Country & bring honor to their homeland. But maybe it just for the big $$$$. Any idea how big or who profits? I'd be more interested in a discussion of if a single game proves much in baseball when for the MLB World Series we do best of 7 games.
posted by knuckleballer at 01:24 AM on February 06, 2006
I always heard that you didn't need to speak the language to read the Box Score. And I always thought that sport was usually above politics internationally. On the other hand - why didn't the organizers clear this before hand. I know that a dispensation was needed when the cubans played the Orioles a few years ago.
posted by knuckleballer at 05:46 PM on December 31, 2005
sports & politics mix - as do my opinions here. A). Unfortunately we alienated a great mind in the 50's 60's - did you know he played minor league baseball here too? - and he wanted American affiliation -but nothing will be resolved politically until his death & the totalitarianism of Fidel is challenged. B). The politics of Florida is highly based on Cuban heritage (anti Castro) & it’s a proven "swing" state. But can we really blame Bush for the long-standing following of government embargo policy. (if you like the policy or not)- the donation to Katrina victims is very nice! C. El Duque, Jose Contreras, et al. - they deserve the global forum, but will be left out. Not Fair! D). I hold dear the Olympic ideals of coming together on the field of play, ready to set aside all but the spirit of fair competition - & the Cubans should not be denied - as the "amateur" champs of non MLB competition. Even over those twerp Valentine’s boys! E). I have agreed with little that Bud S. has done- however – the WCB tourney on a 4 year basis – after 2009 will lead to the globalization of baseball & I find that he must have stumbled on a great idea!!!!!!!! F). I t will make for great Baseball – and the team that is that first to figure out that team effort can beat a group of individuals will excel. The democratization of the game has begun!!!
posted by knuckleballer at 09:05 PM on December 25, 2005
sports & politics mix - as do my opinions here. A). Unfortunately we alienated a great mind in the 50's 60's - did you know he played minor league baseball here too? - and wanted American affiliation -but nothing will be resolved politically until his death & the totalitarianism of Fidel is challenged. B). The politics of Florida is highly based on Cuban heritage (anti Castro) & it’s a proven "swing" state. But can we really blame Bush for the long-standing following of government embargo policy. (like the policy or not)- the donation to Katrina victims is nice! C. El Duque, Jose Contreras, et al. - they deserve the global forum, but will be left out. Not fair! D). I hold dear the Olympic ideals of coming together on the field of play, ready to set aside all but the spirit of fair competition - & the Cubans should not be denied - as the "amateur" champs of non MLB competition. Even over that twerp Valentine’s boys! E). I have agreed with little that Bud S. has done- however – the WCB tourney on a 4 year basis – after 2009 will lead to the globalization of baseball & I find that he must have stumbled on a great idea!!!!!!!! F). I t will make for great Baseball – and the team that is that first to figure out that team effort can beat a group of individuals will excel.
posted by knuckleballer at 08:31 PM on December 25, 2005
that's my point - in the US folks are involved in football, college hoop, etc & won't be noticing baseball until spring training - where you will learn that the best baseball players are involved in the WBC. GAmes are in Orlando, Arizona, Anaheim as well as the fianals in San Diego. Today is the 2nd day of ticket sales & the finals in SanDiego have only the nosebleed seats avilable. It's a new paradigm - unlike the World Series teams from other countries are invited.More like the World CUp.
posted by knuckleballer at 08:42 PM on December 13, 2005
60% of Petco is sold out the 1st day, but US fans aren't interested? Must be the Japanese & Dominicans are snapping up all the good seats?
posted by knuckleballer at 01:34 PM on December 13, 2005
I prefer my sports free of politics. Every time I miss hearing "take me out to the Ballgame" during the 7th inning stretch it occurs to me that Ossama Bin Laden continues to change America. The only thing worse than the misguided, blind, so called patriotism of people standing & removing their hats for a non anthem is forcing a Puerto Rican playing for a Canadian team to do so. Now that he's in NY we can show the world what true freedom means.
posted by knuckleballer at 04:04 PM on December 08, 2005
I'm a Yankeefan & a Manny fan. I liked him in Cleveland & I like him in Boston, but I always said that with Manny you need a good 3rd base coach. One that will step out across the line when Manny connects & point to 1st base. Otherwise poor Manny might run the wrong way around the bases. Talking about Manny's smarts & baserunning skills is a bit like talking about the integrity & honesty of Pete Rose, the stunning good looks of Otis Nixon, the global views of Ricky Henderson. He'll never win the Nobel Prize but the man is a baseball player through & through. Point your thumbs towards the sky - index fingers horizontal, like little pistols - point them left then right & repeat after me ..."He da Manny"
posted by knuckleballer at 03:15 PM on December 07, 2005
They wrote of Soriano in center - I've heard rumors of Nomar in center - ARod & Jeter aren't any more far fetched. Actually - isn't ARod still the best SS in the game? When we run out of avilable Centerfielders we look for athleticism. Mantle, Aaron, Murcer, although not quite MLB infielders - they played there until that level due to their pure athleticism. I think most MLB players were SS or CF in Little League for this reason. Fun stuff to write about but Matsui will do fine once the season starts.
posted by knuckleballer at 05:42 PM on December 01, 2005
He's still a twerp - ask Cliff Floyd!
posted by knuckleballer at 08:18 AM on November 29, 2005
To me it has always been very simple. The Rose investigation was grinding the game to a halt. Despite some pretty good pennant races all that was being reported was what the investigator had found next - the papers were full of Pete with little interest in what was happening on the field. The investigator had Petey nailed. The Pete agreed to a lifetime ban from baseall if the Commissioner's office would stop the investigation (which was starting to turn up possible criminal activity). Petey took the deal. It is only a lifetime ban - Pete's life - not baseball's. As soon as his Death Certificate is filed with the Commissioner's office the ban should be lifted! The HOF should then put him on the ballot & he should be voted into the HOF (maybe eventually - depending on the writer's opinions at that time). Baseball will have it's greatest hustler (& hits leader) in the Hal, but Pete gave up the opportunity to be at the Induction Ceremony (& embarass himself & the game). He won't be the first posthumous inductee. Maybe Little Petey can give the speech – just for a little controversy.
posted by knuckleballer at 11:14 AM on November 23, 2005
Writer: Athletes Should Bounce 'Nigga' From Vocabulary
In Colonial times the word "rascal" was the unspeakable insult that raised this kind of emtion.