I’m just saying, if the Sunday Night Baseball game is supposed to be a big deal to ESPN, why is it they can’t get the teams right?
Archive for the 'Baseball' Category
19
Jun
09
When a Walk Becomes Two-Bases
Marco Scutaro, after being issued a free pass, casually jaunted his way up the line. He alertly kept a close eye on the situation at second base and caught the Phillies completely napping, accelerated around first and stole second base. That’s a heads-up play!
Despite the prognosticators predicting a good season from the Cleveland Indians, someone in their marketing staff knew that wasn’t going to be the case because, for the third time in less than a week, the Indians have ANOTHER awesome giveaway for their fans. First it was the Shin-Soo Choo bobblehead, then the Rick Vaughn one, and now, FREE MONEY ENVELOPES!
All fans 18 years and older will receive an envelope that gives one a chance to win anywhere from $1 to $10,000. You could win 10K just for buying a ticket to a baseball game AND the Cubs are in town? Why didn’t I vacation in Cleveland the last week?!?
[Indians]
Former President George W. Bush stopped by to take in the Rangers/Astros battle for Texas last night. W, who prior to becoming Governor of Texas was the principal owner of the Rangers was honored before the game by current Rangers owner — and recent defaulter of loans leading him to seek out new partners to buy 49% of the team from him — Tom Hicks who renamed the owner’s box to the President George W. Bush Owner’s Box.
Prior to the game, Bush also visited the Astros clubhouse, stopping in to congratulate Ivan Rodriguez on setting the new record for all-time games caught. Rodriguez who was on the Rangers when W was in command gave the former C-in-C one of his bats from the record-setting game.
Another Astros player, pitcher Tim Byrdak asked Bush if he could get a hug, a request Bush granted, Byrdak then yelled out to his teammates, “And you said it couldn’t be done!”
Bush responded with, “Just as long as he didn’t kiss me.”
It’s times like this that remind me how if only Bush had become the Commissioner of baseball instead of Governor of Texas how much better this entire world would have been. It’s not often you can say you would have changed the world, but no Bush presidency would have made everything better. Sigh.
Lou Piniella, swarmed in a press conference with media desperate for a quote regarding the “shocking” revelation that Sammy Sosa did steroids offers up this gem.
Ah Lou, is there anything you do that isn’t magnificent?
18
Jun
09
She’s OK!
If you haven’t yet seen the video from Tuesday’s Reds/Braves where a member of the groundscrew (Robin Habisch) loses her footing, falls and then nearly gets trapped under the tarp. Fortunately for her, she manages to crawl her way out, a little bit wet and a big bit embarrassed and to cheers from the crowd.
17
Jun
09
He’s a WITCH!
The Long Beach Armada are an independent league baseball team featuring such luminaries on their roster as Jose Lima and Hideki Irabu. That’s right, Mr. Fat Toad HIMSELF is back in the game, trying to make a comeback in the indy’s. Also on the roster is Josh Womack, a former 2nd round pick of the Seattle Mariners (2002) who was subsequently released. The 24 year old OF may have only reached AAA in the Mariners organization but he has at least one thing going for him, he can do this totally awesome bat trick.
And yes, if you’re wondering, it was Lima who calls out “Nice pants” to Womack, who replies with a suitable response, “Nice Face.”
16
Jun
09
The Battle for the Windy City
If you think that I wasn’t going to post these galleries of hot White Sox vs. hot Cubs fans then this must be your first day here at the Slanch Report. Make sure to check out the full larger galleries by clicking HERE and enjoy!
Loyal readers know who I’m opting for…
16
Jun
09
Another One Comes to Light
Ho-hum, another name from the 104 players who tested positive for steroids in 2003, ladies and gentleman, prepare your shocked faces, it’s Sammy Sosa. No one was clean, no one is that surprised. In the end all the players who should will get in the Hall of Fame and all of them should have steroids prominently mentioned on their plaques.
[NY Times]
16
Jun
09
He’s in Too Deep
Ah a local news reporter getting overrun by boisterous fans streaming out after a college world series game, now that’s entertainment. I like how annoyed the reporter is, here’s a thought, DON’T set up right by the exit where the fans will walk by. If there is one thing that is true in this world, it is that people will do ANYTHING to get on television.
In the late 1970s KGB-FM radio in San Diego created a cartoon character as an advertising mascot, an acrobatic chicken. The radio station also hired a local college student to portray the mascot in person, that young man was Ted Giannoulas and he has subsequently went on to portray that chicken character for 35 years. For a time he was the famous San Diego Chicken, appearing at one time at 520 straight Padres games and was a mainstay at all San Diego sporting events.
Unfortunately, the Chicken became a victim of his own success. Because of the popularity of the character Major League teams started hiring their own mascots, diminishing opportunities for the Chicken to perform.
Today Ted is still performing as the Chicken but it’s possible that this might be the end of the road for the much-beloved mascot. In his heyday, the Chicken would perform 250 times a year, these days the number is closer to 50. “It’s the one magic elixir that keeps me young,” Giannoulas said. However, the toll his act takes on his body is becoming harder and harder for the 55 year old to bear which is why he is considering making this the final year of the Chicken.
“At the end of this season, I’ll make a determination if I think I can go another season. I can’t say for certain. I’ll just see how my body feels, what my energy level might be going forward,” Giannoulas said. “The fun and energy is still at the ballpark. I still get a charge out of it.”
Performing 3-4 times a week from June through early September, the Chicken’s routine, which includes over 100 trademarked bits will be out in full force this summer so if you get a chance see him soon, it may be the last chance you get.
15
Jun
09
Welcome a New Site to the World
My good friend, commenter “Myummers” is one of the most opinionated people I know, which is why, amid great anticipation he has finally launched his own blog, Bullpen Cloach. Set it as a bookmark and start visiting it regularly, you won’t be disappointed and he’ll always get your brain going, whether you agree or not.
So go to the BULLPEN CLOACH today!
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