Well, Willie (as in Randolph) has it for now. For how long is the question.
Willie is NY Baseball royalty. Bigtimer with the Yankees - and now the Mets Manager. Unfortunately he may have a team of under-achievers and guys who do not care too much about how they play. So maybe those guys should go. But you can't fire 25 ballplayers, so if changes have to be made, Willie is the guy who walks the plank. Too bad at that point the water level on the ship may be too high to bail out.
He's got until the All-Star break by my guess. That's in the Bronx this year. Fitting.
As we blog, the Mets are up 3-1 in the 3rd against the surprising Florida Marlins. A win would be nice, since they haven't gotten too many lately.
Other BB tidbits - kudos to Jon Lester on the no-no last week. The Red Sox pitching staff is. how would you say, stacked! and the kids like Ellsbury and Pedroia are gonna be big.
D-Backs are hanging tough in the NL West, with only Joe Torre's Dodgers within 10 games. That's a big lead for May 27, and the Rockies are a big disappointment.
Larry Jones (aka Chipper) is hitting the southern snot out of the ball, hovering at about a .416 average. Most Mets fans dislike Larry, but I don't. But as Mike Piazza once said, I'm not calling a grown man 'Chipper'.
Vote for your All-Star choice now!
5.27.2008
5.25.2008
Day Before Memorial Day
Which would typically be a Sunday. At least as long as I can remember.
Anyway, this weekend was tournament weekend for our 10U team in town. My son plays for the 9U program, while I coach the 9U team - but people are away, etc., so we moved a couple of boys (my son and one other) to the 10U roster for this standalone tournament. There was no 9U tournaments for us to participate in, so that's the way the ball breaks.
So what usually happens is this - the host team usually schedules their first game against the team they view as easy prey, so they can get off to a win. In this case, the host team played our town's team. (We were in the same summer league last year). And you know what happens? Spoiled those plans, folks. Our team came out and showed them they were for real. So I guess you shouldn't assume that a baseball team is a pushover after all.
Did I mention I now have HD? I was a bit behind the times, watching my 32" Panasonic - but now I have a 46" Sony Bravia 1080p beast! What a picture. Now if I could only get my cable co. to carry more than 40 channels, 28 of which have nothing I watch.
Last, please remember to honor those who've served and who are serving our country on Monday. We owe a great debt to the servicemen and servicwomen that have served and fought for our freedom and way of life. God Bless.
Anyway, this weekend was tournament weekend for our 10U team in town. My son plays for the 9U program, while I coach the 9U team - but people are away, etc., so we moved a couple of boys (my son and one other) to the 10U roster for this standalone tournament. There was no 9U tournaments for us to participate in, so that's the way the ball breaks.
So what usually happens is this - the host team usually schedules their first game against the team they view as easy prey, so they can get off to a win. In this case, the host team played our town's team. (We were in the same summer league last year). And you know what happens? Spoiled those plans, folks. Our team came out and showed them they were for real. So I guess you shouldn't assume that a baseball team is a pushover after all.
Did I mention I now have HD? I was a bit behind the times, watching my 32" Panasonic - but now I have a 46" Sony Bravia 1080p beast! What a picture. Now if I could only get my cable co. to carry more than 40 channels, 28 of which have nothing I watch.
Last, please remember to honor those who've served and who are serving our country on Monday. We owe a great debt to the servicemen and servicwomen that have served and fought for our freedom and way of life. God Bless.
5.22.2008
The Catcher
I meant to get this up earlier, but haven't had time.
Mike Piazza announced his retirement a couple of days ago from MLB. After 16 seasons, including 12 as a MLB All-Star, he hangs it up.
His stats speak for themselves, check them out here.
My feelings on Piazza? He brought some respectability to a sorry franchise when he was traded to the Mets 10 years ago. I remember a lot of big moments, and I was there at Shea when he hit the home run against the Braves at the first game in NYC after 9/11. It is even more memorable since it was the first baseball game that my oldest son ever attended.
It wasn't always that way. When he played in LA, I wasn't really a big fan. He was an exceptional hitter, and I saw him late at night when the Mets played on the West Coast. Then he is traded to NY, via a side-trip to FLA, and the rest is history. Tough as nails. Hard playing. And maybe the strongest guy I've ever seen muscle a ball out to the opposite field.
Some will say he was a liability defensively, but they only tell half a story - pitchers will tell you he called a good game and he was solid behind the plate. The only big negative was his erratic throws. Some would say that it was to easy to steal on #31. Well let me clarify - players steal bases off pitchers, not catchers.
Now he waits until Cooperstown calls. First ballot? Likely. One of my favorite ballplayers forever. Absolutely. Have a good life, Mike.
Mike Piazza announced his retirement a couple of days ago from MLB. After 16 seasons, including 12 as a MLB All-Star, he hangs it up.
His stats speak for themselves, check them out here.
My feelings on Piazza? He brought some respectability to a sorry franchise when he was traded to the Mets 10 years ago. I remember a lot of big moments, and I was there at Shea when he hit the home run against the Braves at the first game in NYC after 9/11. It is even more memorable since it was the first baseball game that my oldest son ever attended.
It wasn't always that way. When he played in LA, I wasn't really a big fan. He was an exceptional hitter, and I saw him late at night when the Mets played on the West Coast. Then he is traded to NY, via a side-trip to FLA, and the rest is history. Tough as nails. Hard playing. And maybe the strongest guy I've ever seen muscle a ball out to the opposite field.
Some will say he was a liability defensively, but they only tell half a story - pitchers will tell you he called a good game and he was solid behind the plate. The only big negative was his erratic throws. Some would say that it was to easy to steal on #31. Well let me clarify - players steal bases off pitchers, not catchers.
Now he waits until Cooperstown calls. First ballot? Likely. One of my favorite ballplayers forever. Absolutely. Have a good life, Mike.
5.21.2008
A Bat
If you live in NJ, and participate in youth baseball, then you know the story of Steven Domalewski, the boy from Wayne Township who was severely injured in a Little League game a couple of years ago.
His family has now brought a lawsuit - read it here.
Now, I have no idea what heartache these people have endured. Having two sons myself, my thoughts, hopes and prayers go out to the Domalewskis and Steven in particular. Having said that, this needs to be recognized as what it was, an accident.
Now, a lawsuit has been filed against a bat company, Louisville Slugger, owned by Hillerich & Bradsby, a store, The Sports Authority, and Little League International. Unbelievable.
I started to right a 'why not X' line here and thought better of it. I wouldn't want to give some attorney any ideas. As a matter of fact, I am done writing on this subject.
His family has now brought a lawsuit - read it here.
Now, I have no idea what heartache these people have endured. Having two sons myself, my thoughts, hopes and prayers go out to the Domalewskis and Steven in particular. Having said that, this needs to be recognized as what it was, an accident.
Now, a lawsuit has been filed against a bat company, Louisville Slugger, owned by Hillerich & Bradsby, a store, The Sports Authority, and Little League International. Unbelievable.
I started to right a 'why not X' line here and thought better of it. I wouldn't want to give some attorney any ideas. As a matter of fact, I am done writing on this subject.
5.18.2008
Pool Update
After much patience and alchemy...
I am pleased to report...
CRYSTAL CLEAR. Still kind of cold though.
And in baseball news:
Mets up 4-2 going to top of 5th. Umps blew a call on a 3-run Carlos Delgado homer, called it foul. Replay shows it fair. Guess we'll have to score some more runs the old fashioned way.
I am pleased to report...
CRYSTAL CLEAR. Still kind of cold though.
And in baseball news:
Mets up 4-2 going to top of 5th. Umps blew a call on a 3-run Carlos Delgado homer, called it foul. Replay shows it fair. Guess we'll have to score some more runs the old fashioned way.
5.17.2008
Subway Series!
The battle for NYC is on!
The Amazin' Mets beat the crosstown rival Yankees by a score of 7-4 this afternoon. Clutch.
For the most part, Interleague Baseball can be kind of a letdown. Mets-Yankees is the exception to that rule. Series was shortened because of last night's rainout - so they will most likely have a home and home day-night doubleheader in June.
Gotta go.
The Amazin' Mets beat the crosstown rival Yankees by a score of 7-4 this afternoon. Clutch.
For the most part, Interleague Baseball can be kind of a letdown. Mets-Yankees is the exception to that rule. Series was shortened because of last night's rainout - so they will most likely have a home and home day-night doubleheader in June.
Gotta go.
5.15.2008
Everybody in the Pool
Mid-May means it's time to get the swimming pool ready - a task that requires some attention. Dang thing, not a lot of time to do it in.
Uncovered the pool in late April, but neglected to get the pool filtration system going. The other night (in the dark) I start working after baseball practice for the kids. Attention wanders and BAM! - I snap a rod in the filter - the kind that can't be replaced. Now I'm good and p****d.
Restless night thinking I have to get a replacement. How much? Not doing myself any favors here, but I run out at lunch to my pool store and pick one up. Can't set aside enough quality hours in the daylight until Thursday night though. (Hey, travel baseball practice has to be a priority!)
So, Wednesday morning comes and I'm sitting at work - stewing about that filter. Each day, my pool is taking on a gloss of pollen and "whirlybirds" - a mess if you ask me.
Lunch time comes - there is only one thing to do - go home and get cracking, Boyo!
Start by removing my shirt and tie. Now I look a bit like Brando in Streetcar - wifebeater and dress slacks. Good look. Begin removing old filter, uncoupling from pump, etc. Get the job done.
Throw the switch on the ol' 220 and away we go. Pumping water at a rate of 75 gallons an hour - we'll be clean in no time.
And now Thursday night can be used to clean debris from pool and vacuum - it will require a dip tonight in some very cool water. I'll let you know how that goes. Hope the shrinkage is kept to a minimum.
Blog the Pool Daily
Uncovered the pool in late April, but neglected to get the pool filtration system going. The other night (in the dark) I start working after baseball practice for the kids. Attention wanders and BAM! - I snap a rod in the filter - the kind that can't be replaced. Now I'm good and p****d.
Restless night thinking I have to get a replacement. How much? Not doing myself any favors here, but I run out at lunch to my pool store and pick one up. Can't set aside enough quality hours in the daylight until Thursday night though. (Hey, travel baseball practice has to be a priority!)
So, Wednesday morning comes and I'm sitting at work - stewing about that filter. Each day, my pool is taking on a gloss of pollen and "whirlybirds" - a mess if you ask me.
Lunch time comes - there is only one thing to do - go home and get cracking, Boyo!
Start by removing my shirt and tie. Now I look a bit like Brando in Streetcar - wifebeater and dress slacks. Good look. Begin removing old filter, uncoupling from pump, etc. Get the job done.
Throw the switch on the ol' 220 and away we go. Pumping water at a rate of 75 gallons an hour - we'll be clean in no time.
And now Thursday night can be used to clean debris from pool and vacuum - it will require a dip tonight in some very cool water. I'll let you know how that goes. Hope the shrinkage is kept to a minimum.
Blog the Pool Daily
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