Things I Like #19: Seeing A-Rod Take Batting Practice

I had the luck last night to make it to the Yankee game in time to see Alex Rodriguez take batting practice.  Young children, stop reading now.  It was slightly orgasmic every single time he hit the ball.  It was ridiculous.  The sound of the ball off of his bat is unique… and unlike anything I’ve heard.  He hit line drive after line drive after line drive after line drive after line drive… you get the idea.  Oh yeah, and did I mention that all the line drives landed at the warning track?  It was an absolute clinic and if I could watch Alex hit all day everyday… I would.  So, if you ever get a chance to see Yankees batting practice… take it.  You’ll quickly see why A-Rod is one of the best players to ever set foot on a baseball field.

An Inspirational Scene

I almost can’t believe I’m able to write this today.  Last night, I was at the Yankees game at the Metrodome (Woot the Yanks won!), but it was after the game that the most memorable moment occurred.  I was walking toward the exit when I saw some people taking pictures with a man in a motorized wheelchair.  As I got closer I recognized that it was none other than Harlan Chamberlain.  If you don’t know, he’s Joba’s father, was stricken with Polio as a child, and raised his family as a single father while being confined to a wheelchair.  I remember crying when I saw Harlan’s pride and excitement when he made it to Yankee Stadium to see Joba for the first time.  It is an incredibly moving story and words really just don’t do it justice.

Anyway, once I recognized it was him, I decided I had to go and meet him.  As I approached, I realized that everyone who was saying hi to him was wearing some sort of Yankee gear.  I can’t blame Twins fans for not knowing who he was and his story… it’s a Yankee things.  But there was just something moving about the scene.  Twins fans streaming by toward the exits, with Yankee fans breaking ranks to come shake Harlan’s hand.  He was so gracious to let us come and say hi.  It was a moment that I’ll never forget.  Harlan had a health scare earlier this year, and I wish him all the best.  He seemed in good health last night.  Harlan is from Nebraska, which is probably why he made it up the Minnesota series.  His son is destined for many great moments as a Yankee and I hope Harlan is there to see all of them.

Moving to the Dome…

The Yanks are in town this weekend (!) for a four game series against the Twins.  This means that I will be moving to the Metrodome this weekend.  Need to find me?  That’s where I’ll be.

I haven’t been to a Yankee game in the Dome since the 2003 playoffs, so I’m pumped for all four of them this weekend!  I usually only get to see my beloved Yanks play in person once a year… when I make my annual pilgrimage to Yankee Stadium.  I’ll still be making that trip later this summer, but I’m thrilled to get to see the Yanks play 7 times this year (they come back out here in August).

On the news front, there has been some concerning news coming out of the Yankees minor league system.  Dellin Betances has been shut down for a little while with a “sore shoulder.”  He’s thrown more innings this year than he has in any previous year, so he was bound to have some issues like this.  Hopefully it’s just a standard tired arm and he’ll be back out there before too long.  When I saw he was on the DL I was worried it was a problem with his elbow.  I’m very relieved that it is not.  Betances is a long term project, and if he can improve his control the sky is the limit for this kid.  Given the depth of pitching in our system he’ll have plenty of time to mature.  He’s from NY.  He’s a great pitcher, and from what I’ve heard he’s a great kid as well.  I hope he pans out.  He seems to be the sort of kid that it will be easy to root for if he makes it to the Bronx.

The other news story relates to Jose Tabata’s lack of defensive effort and possible suspension.  He’s 19, in AA, and going through a bit of a rough season at the plate.  For someone who’s always succeeded, it must be tough for him.  Baseball is a funny game.  There are a lot of things you can’t control.  Sometimes everything you hit… no matter how hard you hit it… find it’s way into someone’s glove.  But there are certain things you can control.  Effort, especially defensively and running hard to first on everything you hit, is something that you have complete control over, and there is absolutely NO EXCUSE for not hustling.  Someone needs to get through to this kid and get him to realize that.  He’s a great talent and I want him to be in the Bronx in a few years, but he’s really hurting his case right now.  Come on, Jose.  We’re all rooting for you.  Don’t screw up your career because you’re lazy.  Many of us would dream of being able to play AA baseball for the Yankees… with a chance of making it to the bigs.  Don’t take the opportunity you’ve been given for granted.  Rant over.

Yanks v. Twins tonight.  7 PM (Central).  Metrodome.

Memorial Day… A Day Late…

I fell asleep on the couch last night before I could post this, but better late then never right?  Memorial Day is the day that we honor those who have died in service to our country.  Veterans Day is the day when we honor all of those who have served, but despite the distinction I like to honor everyone on both days.  I think all who have served and are serving deserve at least two days of recognition.  I would just like to give a mention to those people whom I honor on these days.

Robert Szymaszek – My grandfather… served as a tank crewman in the 9th Armored Division in Europe during World War II.

John Messinger – My grandfather… served as an anti-aircraft gunner aboard the USS Houston (CL-81) during World War II.

Elias Messinger – My great-great-great grandfather… served in the 153rd Pennsylvania Infantry during the Civil War… fought at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.

Conrad Bloss – My lots of greats grandfather.  Born in Germany, most agree he died in battle fighting the British at the Battle of Long Island during the Revolutionary War.

Valentine McLoughlin – My great-great-great grandfather… born in Ireland, likely served in the Royal Navy (British Navy) before emigrating to America.

I also always like to mention my Polish ancestors, who lived as farmers and peasants during the 18th and 19th centuries.  I have yet to explore the records, but it is likely that at least a few of them from southern Poland gave military service to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Those Are the Yankees I Know!

Great game yesterday.  Late inning comeback… from more than a run down… Mo comes on to shut the door and gets two strikeouts in the process.  These are the things the Yankees usually do when they are playing like they should… and right now they are!

2008 Bowman Baseball

I recently received two boxes of 2008 Bowman Baseball, which was released last week.  I love Bowman baseball cards, and I always buy a few boxes every year.  Here’s a breakdown of what I pulled from the two boxes:

Base Set (Red+Green) Completion: 219/220 = 99%

Prospect (Blue)Completion: 96/110 = 87%

Chrome Prospect (Blue) Completion = 92/110 = 83%

These numbers represent both boxes combined and do not include any inserts… they include base cards only.  Neither box had any doubles, and there were only a couple of doubles between my two boxes.  Excellent set completion rate.  I could not have been more pleased with my boxes… even before the inserts!

 

Inserts from Box #1:

Blue Parallel (#’d to 500):

Jeff Francis – 016/500

Sal Sanchez (Prospect) – 498/500

 

Blue Refractor (#’d to 150)

Brad Miller (Chrome Prospect) – 065/150

 

Chrome Prospect Autograph:

Brandon Hynick

 

Rookie Autograph:

Clay Buchholz

 

Gold Prospects:

Brad Harman

Ken Holmberg

Joseph Martinez

Aneury Rodriguez

Sean Danielson

Gerardo Parra

Iggy Suarez

Anthony Claggett

 

Gold Base:

Kevin Millwood

Orlando Hudson

Michael Young

Chien-Ming Wang

Hunter Pence

Fausto Carmona

Jermaine Dye

Delmon Young

Adam LaRoche

Vernon Wells

Jacoby Ellsbury

Brian Roberts

Frank Thomas

Fransicso Liriano

Jason Schmidt

Dmitri Young

 

Box #2 Inserts:

Blue (#’d to 500):

Chipper Jones – 493/500

Austin Jackson (Prospect) – 053/500

 

Orange (#’d to 250)

Brad Hawpe – 033/250

 

Chrome Prospect Refractor (#’d to 599)

Bobby Parnell – 143/599

 

Chrome Prospect Autograph Refractor (#’d to 500)

Jarrod Parker – 030/500

 

Gold Prospects:

Christopher Frey

Matthew Buschmann

Angel Reyes

Joseph Mahoney

Matt Inouye

Daniel Cortes

Bobby Parnell

Javier Castillo

 

Gold Base:

Josh Anderson

Phil Hughes

Hanley Ramirez

Brian Giles

Kevin Youkilis

Ichiro

Aaron Harang

Brian Bannister

Orlando Hernandez

Ryan Braun

Chipper Jones

Tim Hudson

Tom Glavine

Alex Gordon

Edgar Renteria

Jeff Francoeur

Analysis: Product Overall – Like I said I love this set.  It increases my knowledge of the game by introducing me to the prospects that will be the stars of tomorrow.  It’s also LOADED with rookies.  I really like the fact that Bowman has gotten rid of the non-first bowman prospect base cards.  Nothing was worse than receiving a second year Bowman prospect card… which is basically worthless.  Now every prospect you get is a first year bowman card.  Awesome.  I wish they had kept all the autographs to first year bowman cards only, though It’s always nice to get an autograph, but it takes a little away from it when it’s not a true autographed rookie card.

 

The two boxes that I got were A+ material.  I got great inserts and autos from each one, and combined the set completion was great.  I’m biased, but my experience was great with this set.  I was especially pleased to have gotten the base, chrome, and blue versions of Austin Jackson.  I even got an extra autograph in one of my boxes.  Couldn’t have asked for more.

See, The Yankees CAN Hit

I wrote the other day about how the state of the Yankees was bright.  After a four game winning streak, how many of those pessimists might be starting to agree?  If our veterans hit and pitch the way they are supposed to, we are going to be in the unique… and very exciting… position of being able to contend for a championship in the American League while at the same time developing young talent.  If we can put our young pitchers ahead and give them that little bit of confidence… so they don’t think they have to be perfect… we will see their performance improve dramatically.

Four games does not a season make, just as a four game losing streak doesn’t mean the season is lost.  But I like the direction the team has headed since A-Rod came back.  It’s amazing how energetic a team looks when they are scoring runs, isn’t it?  It had nothing to do with the manager or management lighting a fire under them.  No matter what your lineup looks like you can’t take one of the absolutely best players in the history of the game out of it and expect things to be the same.  It’s simple… he’s back and we’re playing better. 

Wang against the Mariners today.  C’mon boys.  Let’s keep the foot on the gas.

Things I Like #18: Michael Ballack

He already has a room in my imaginary house, but he more than deserves another shout out.  If he leads Germany to a triumphant victory at Euro 2008 he might even get another “Things I Like” post.  He’s that awesome.  He’s tall.  He’s German.  He’s a stud on the football pitch.  He’s #18 on this list.

Things I Like #17: The German for “German National Football Team”

An impressive title for an impressive collection of players:

Deutsche Fußballnationalmannschaft

Things I Like #16: German Football

I love watching the German National Team play football.  They are astoundingly clean, efficient, and ruthlessly effective on the pitch.  (Hmm… sounds like a German way to do things, huh?)  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the flair that Africans and South Americans play with, but there is something about the way the Germans play (and usually dominate) that captivates me.  With their precise play and movement opponents can quickly find themselves down 2-0 before they even realize what’s going on… and find it impossible to break through for any goals themselves.