11/05/24
February 13, 2007
Pitchers and Catchers Report: In honor of the first players to report to Major League Baseball spring training today -- the Yankees and Nationals -- Keith Olbermann last night was given the first Topps pack of 2007 to open: "Johnny Damon, the first player out of the first pack of the first baseball cards of 2007. Good luck to him and all who sail on him."
Reports of atwitter here, also. We're also experiencing partly-giggly with a strong probability of overly optimistic. Full forecast at trade deadline.
posted by jerseygirl at 03:53 PM on February 13, 2007
Now THIS is some good news. Especially with my home having another 12 to 18 inches of snow currently falling on it. Lets all just move someplace warm and start a major league that can go year-round. I think I'll go watch "Field of Dreams."
posted by dyams at 04:13 PM on February 13, 2007
I'm with dyams, here. We got a bunch of snow last night, all the schools are cancelled, and I'm 5 months from my trip to Maui. Bring on the boys of summer!
posted by hawkguy at 04:27 PM on February 13, 2007
Great news. Now if only my team had a third and fourth starter worth reporting that they reported. Or something. And fuck Johnny Damon. All your modern satellite network news and sports cable stations confuse him. Are they invisible words sent by Gods? Sometimes, when he's driving his Ferarri through the Lincoln Tunnel he wonders if the same magic that keeps the Hudson River out will ensure his reservation at Prago remains despite his being twenty minutes late.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 04:38 PM on February 13, 2007
In a related story, I got a Victoria's Secret catalog in the mail today. Every year I do the same thing. I beg all winter for the day to come when pitchers and catchers to report like it's the greatest thing that happens all year. Then the day comes, and I realize, again, that this day is a starter gun to more waiting, and it is still frickin' freezing and miserable outside. It's like getting the "Your Order Has Been Shipped" e-mail when you order something online -- there's a moment of excitement before you realize that it will take 6-8 business days for UPS Ground to get the package to you. Don't get me wrong, this is a great day, but it's not like I'M reporting to Florida or Arizona (THAT would be just so sweet). As I head into my 40th baseball season, I'm finally figuring out what this "Pitchers and Catchers" thing is all about.
posted by The Crafty Sousepaw at 04:57 PM on February 13, 2007
So buy yourself a nice lace teddy and piss on someone else's parade, you sousey bastard. My team hasn't been in the playoffs in 13 years, so unlike you and the machine you root for, this actually means something. I'm still atwitterin'.
posted by SummersEve at 05:07 PM on February 13, 2007
Whatever. Wake me up in time for the victory parade. I'm sure the wailing at your club's September swoon will be alarm enough.
posted by The Crafty Sousepaw at 05:25 PM on February 13, 2007
Well, I'll twitter too, since it seems like the thing to do, but I'm actually happy about the snow. Predictions here are 2-3 feet and maybe even more, and I say yee ha go. They can throw around baseballs in Florida and Arizona, and I'll watch on the tee vee and smile, and then go out and make some turns. But I am wondering if this is the year that I'll be addled enough to play fantasy baseball. Like I need another time-consuming hobby.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 05:27 PM on February 13, 2007
I just wish my mets had some pitchers to report...
posted by nymetsfan at 06:07 PM on February 13, 2007
There's snow, frozen wind gusts, below zero wind chills and somebody stole my windshield wiper blades. But pitchers and catchers are reporting. The inevitable march of spring has started and all White Sox hearts are warmed with anticipation.
posted by sportsdeacon at 06:47 PM on February 13, 2007
I just wish my mets had some pitchers to report... Well I suppose there's always Chan Ho Park.... As for the AL East, things should be very interesting this season- especially with Matsawhatever and Igawa.
posted by Kendall at 07:42 PM on February 13, 2007
A trenchant observation.
posted by yerfatma at 08:06 PM on February 13, 2007
I'm more all aflutter than atwitter, but I look for this much more than those damn rodents on Feb. 2nd. Got my passport today, I see a trip to Delightfully Different Dunedin in my future.
posted by tommybiden at 08:37 PM on February 13, 2007
I can't wait for baseball season to get going again. I'm hoping the Tigers can play to their full potential and stay as one of the American League's best, but with the amount of talent in their own division let alone the whole league, I will not be suprised if they don't even make the playoffs. I'll be seriously pissed, but not suprised.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 08:46 PM on February 13, 2007
I'd like to feel sorry for you guys, but my beloved cardinals need a 2nd, 3rd, 4th AND 5th starter!
posted by cheftad at 09:45 PM on February 13, 2007
Yeah, I feel a lot of pain for Cards fans, NOT! The mighty Blue Jays just need a shortstop, and oh, 5 or six pitchers and we'll be all set.
posted by tommybiden at 09:08 AM on February 14, 2007
I am just hoping that the Tribe ousts Eric Wedge, so someone will take advantage of all of that young talent. If not, the only good part is Wedge is entering the final year of his contract. Hopefully he figures out how to get this team to produce though the entire season, this year.
posted by jojomfd1 at 09:21 AM on February 14, 2007
In a related story, I got a Victoria's Secret catalog in the mail today. TCS, remember to get your eyes checked regularly. I failed to follow my dad's advice and I am now wearing trifocals. dyams, thanks for sending the white crap east to our neck of the woods. At least the ski areas are happy. What with the Bruins and Celtics pulling their annual disappointment, and football season being over, the annual departure of the equipment truck from Yawkey Way is the only good news in Boston sports. Win, lose or draw, I will be hanging on every pitch this season. Gambatte, Matsuzaka-san.
posted by Howard_T at 01:11 PM on February 14, 2007
dyams, thanks for sending the white crap east to our neck of the woods. I couldn't just sit back and hog all the fun. Working at a school gave me a day off, though. Plowing through 3 feet of snow at the end of the driveway allows me to fondly remember this past July, sitting in the back yard, so hot you sweat doing nothing, and jumping in the pool every 10 minutes. Oh yeah, and to tie it into the subject, the Yankee game was playing on satellite radio. Sweet.
posted by dyams at 01:35 PM on February 14, 2007
I'd just like to point out that in reporting for spring training, the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals now begin their defense of their totally unexpected World Championship. That is all.
posted by wfrazerjr at 01:58 PM on February 14, 2007
Another 50 degree sunny day in the Sierra. We beg, plead, pray, and dance trying to get it to snow here in ski country. How does mother nature and her fantastic sense of irony repay us? Anywhere in the country that doesn't have a mountain to be seen gets dumped on while we're golfing. Well, at least I can look forward to the Red's defense of their third place stranglehold on the NL central.
posted by tahoemoj at 02:09 PM on February 14, 2007
I'll trade you. I'd almost sell my soul for a comfortable round of golf.
posted by hawkguy at 03:31 PM on February 14, 2007
Now THIS is some good news. Especially with my home having another 12 to 18 inches of snow currently falling on it. Lets all just move someplace warm and start a major league that can go year-round. I think I'll go watch "Field of Dreams." It's called California... and I think we might have too many teams already.
posted by yay-yo at 04:57 PM on February 14, 2007
I'd just like to point out that in reporting for spring training, the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals now begin their defense of their totally unexpected World Championship. That is all. Actually wfrazerjr, what the Cardinals won was the 'World Series Championship'. A lot closer to being an actual World Champion might be the Japan team that won the World Baseball Classic, at least national teams from all over the world (six continents represented) played in that, not club teams almost exclusively located in the U.S.A.
posted by tommybiden at 06:54 PM on February 14, 2007
I'd just like to point out that in reporting for spring training, the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals now begin their defense of their totally unexpected World Championship. They cheated! It was a conspiracy! *sob*
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 07:33 PM on February 14, 2007
I'll trade you. I'd almost sell my soul for a comfortable round of golf. Hawkguy, dude, it's 30 Celsius here and I'm off for 9 holes when it gets cooler. On the downside, cricket season has just finished down under, so I understand the pain and frustration of a baseball fan in winter. However, we do get to watch the Cricket World Cup from the Caribbean next month. Check the locker room for fantasy cricket details in a week or so, when all the squads are named.
posted by owlhouse at 08:41 PM on February 14, 2007
the 4 most exciting words in sports....... pithers and cathers report .... how 'bout watching the language... do we really need our young ones seeing the F word thrown around like that?
posted by icemanmurph at 09:06 PM on February 14, 2007
Ummm, iceman, the 'f' word, as you call it, is used exactly once in this thread. Kids hear that word every day in the school yard by grade 4. Don't get me wrong, excessive use of vulgar language bothers me too, but it's hardly being 'thrown around' here, or maybe I'm mistaken, were you talking about Florida?
posted by tommybiden at 09:29 PM on February 14, 2007
I'm no saint, and i know that kids are well aware of, and use foul language. My 6 yr old, pointed it out to me. He lives baseball. Loves SCenter. Just didn't think Weedy's F comment was necessary. no big thing.
posted by icemanmurph at 09:51 PM on February 14, 2007
"I'd just like to point out that in reporting for spring training, the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals now begin their defense of their totally unexpected World Championship." "They cheated! It was a conspiracy!" Actually, after having won over 100 games the previous two seasons, only to get bounced by teams that got hot at the right time, they finally figured out when to peak! LOL
posted by cheftad at 12:06 AM on February 15, 2007
Damn, the Diablos are gonna have a tough year. We're in a new division and still have alot of holes to fill. We lost our ace pitcher, fer chrissakes.
posted by vito90 at 01:50 AM on February 15, 2007
I'd almost sell my soul for a comfortable round of golf. Fuck, man, get Satan to draw up a fucking double contract and I'll sign that fucker, too. It's like reverse psychology. By trying to tell me what to say, you pretty much guarantee that I'll say exactly what you don't want me to. God Bless America.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 05:24 AM on February 15, 2007
If my six year-old can pick that word out, I'll be thrilled. That's some kick-ass reading skill for that age.
posted by SummersEve at 06:28 AM on February 15, 2007
how 'bout watching the language Watch it what?
posted by yerfatma at 06:34 AM on February 15, 2007
> It's like reverse psychology. By trying to tell me what to say, you pretty much guarantee that I'll say exactly what you don't want me to. God Bless America.But, we're not in America. And, who or what is this 'God' you speak of?
posted by tommybiden at 05:13 PM on February 15, 2007
Teach your kids about motherfucking God.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 06:12 PM on February 15, 2007
Back in the general vicinity of the original subject, it looks like Kerry Wood is getting ready for another productive season.
posted by dyams at 06:57 PM on February 15, 2007
Thank goodness for Kerry Wood. Baseball just wouldn't be the same without him.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 07:50 PM on February 15, 2007
I dunno YYM. Baseball seems to routinely be the same without him. On a related note, a baseball "kick off" thread doesn't seem the same without a weigh in from grum... like an Olympics Opening Ceremony without a torch. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.
posted by The Crafty Sousepaw at 10:59 PM on February 15, 2007
A list of when teams report. I'm all atwitter.