Team Breakdown 17/30: New York Mets

(Mr. Met could be one of the best mascots in sports

The Mets have always played second fiddle to the Yankees and in recent years have been in the charity game of blowing a perfectly good season in the last month of the season (Sorry Jon Stewart). The Mets have always relied on charity when it comes to the World Series. Since they joined the league in 1962 the Mets rallied as the Amazin' Mets to win it all in 1969 and of course have Bill Buckner to thank for their 1986 World Series. They do however have a great mascot, who can not only fire up a crowd, but can also act.

Team breakdown

WS Wins: 2 (69,86)

Favorite Moment: The Mets are founded in 1962 thus lowering the number of Yankee fans.

Least Favorite: The same Mets lose more fans than ever after a disaterous W.S. in 2000 against the Yankees.

Franchise Player: David Wright? Doc Gooden? Cleon Jones?

Forgot he played:Matt Lawton

Never Knew:Willie Mays

2010 Mid Season Movie Review

While I'll admit, I've been catching up on some 2009 releases I have had a chance to watch 11 new releases from this year and anticipate some movies that I'd really like to see in theaters or on DVD. Here's my mid-year review

From Best to Worst
1. Shutter Island (Good thriller, but a surprisingly unsurpring ending make it just short of a 4 3.5/5)
2. Iron Man 2 (I liked it better than the first, but I could be crazy...plus I really have always liked War Machine better 3.5/5)
3. Hot Tub Time Machine (full of some good laughs, but never enough to make it into my favorites 3/5)
4. She's Out of My League (Totally surprised by this one. Funny and what would have been a good date movie if I hadn't watched it alone :-( 3/5)
5. Edge of Darkness (A movie that got better as it went on. Some good twists, but now seems tainted by Mel's recent remarks 3/5)
6.Cop Out (Kevin Smith's goes in a new direction with his buddy cop hit and miss action comedy. Funny in parts, dull in others 2.5/5)
7. A Nightmare on Elm Street (Nowhere near the original, but it does some good things differently and others not so much in order to scare a new crowd 2.5/5)
8. The Crazies (Another horror remake. This time it's George A Romero's turn for an update, but it never had the feel of a Romero film and just became another run of the mill zombie flick 2.5/5)
9.From Paris With Love (John Travolta is a spy and apparently everyone you know is a terrorist using you for information. Good popcorn movie with little depth 2.5/5)
10. Alice in Wonderland (Alice's return to Wonderland was only slightly better than Dorothy's Return to Oz, but are ill fated and nowhere near as good as the first time...although I did really like the Cheshire Cat. 2/5)
11. The Wolfman (Benicio Del Torro is Anthony Hopkins son? This movie goes slowly, is hampered by bad effects and makes me wish Van Helsing was somewhere near to kill the beast. Even Hugo Weaving couldn't save it for me. 1.5/5)

Movie wish list (2010)

1.Inception (This trailer had the same affect on me as Eclipse did on thirteen year old girls)
2.Kick Ass
3.The Expendables
4.Machete
5.Red
6.Get Him to the Greek
7.Toy Story 3
8.The Book of Eli
9.Repo Men
10.Date Night
11.The A-Team
12.Harry Brown
13.Robin Hood
14.Predators
15.True Grit (Remake)

The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field

Wrigley Field is the fourth baseball venue for baseball that I've been to and with the Pirates in town, it made things very special. The park is like going back in time with the scoreboard (which I love) and some of the more modern necessities (such as video screens that show the players name who is up to bat)

The trip itself was hyped as a very long and difficult journey through Chicago from the East Side. As we drove down the Skyway we could see U.S. Cellular Field and the Sears Tower. The traffic wasn't as bad as I thought (and was told) although I could have done without the three different tolls I had to pay.

Once there we walked about ten blocks to get to the field. I considered stopping at one of the vendors and grabbing a Cardinals Suck or one with a Chicago White Sox logo from the 80's that simply read "Sux"

We walked around to Waveland Ave and Sheffield and made our way to the Harry Caray statue (hear a probably drunk Cubs fan informs me that the "Pirates Fucking Suck" all while showcasing her middle fingers in my face. After this adventure it was time to get in the park where we watched batting practice (a first for me). I would also like to say that Brendan Donnelly is a jerk unlike Pirates bullpen coach Heberto Andrade who was willing to sign autographs.

The pre-game activities included a drum line/tumbler group which really should have been called things people can jump and tumble over. The creepy old man Six Flags guy showed up with some kids which I feel violates some restraining order of some kind.

The first pitch and take me out to the ballgame were done by none other than Thomas Ian Nicholas aka the Rookie of the Year. Needless to say I was excited.

No fouls balls came our way on the right field side, but I did see some action in front of me as seven girls were escorted out of the game (3 for buying alcohol for the 4 underage teens)

As for the game the score was disappointing as Brad Lincoln entered the game with an ERA over 6 and the Cubs were throwing former Pirate Tom Gorzelanny (who may or may not look like Sloth from the Goonies) Both pitchers threw shutouts through five innings before Gorzelanny who taken out for pinch hitter Tyler Colvin, who promptly struck out. The Pirates who add two in the 8th thanks to an Aramis Ramirez error(also a former Pirate) and a bases loaded walk by Lastings Milledge.

Thank goodness the Windy City lived up to its name as both Derrek Lee and Alfonso Soriano nearly put the Cubs on the board as their fly balls stopped just short of the wall.

The Pirates won to improve them to 1-2 in games that I've seen.

Best Records in games I've attended
Indians 2-0
Red Sox 2-0
Reds 3-1
Tigers 7-5 (six game win streak, seven of last eight)
Cardinals 1-0
Rays 1-0
Angels 1-0
Pirates 1-2
Braves 0-1
Orioles 0-1
Athletics 0-1
Royals 0-1
Giants 0-1
Yankees 0-1
Cubs 0-2
White Sox 0-2


Lowest Scoring Games in Person

Pirates @ Cubs (2)
Giants @ Reds (3)
Red Sox @ Tigers (5)


Highest Scoring Games in Person

A's @ Tigers (17)
Rays @ Tigers (15)
Tigers @ Indians (15)

Team Breakdown 16/30: Florida Marlins

I've got an idea! Let's put a baseball team that can't be funded by public support and team owners, go through players and managers like water and build a brand new stadium with tax payer dollars and do the same thing five years later in the same state! The Florida Marlins are a strange bunch. Ownership has often taken the approach that a team should only be good for one year. See 1997 and 2003. Otherwise it's a firesale on both players and managers. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Marlins make big moves in the offseason (although they did finally pay Hanley Ramirez and Josh Johnson) after firing manager Fredi Gonzalez. Just about everybody it seems, has played for the Marlins. Mike Piazza was once traded to Florida played five games before being traded to the Mets. But yet they have more W.S. titles than 11 teams and have as many as the Cubs, Indians and Phillies who have been around for 100 years now.

Team Breakdown

W.S. Titles:1997,2003

Favorite moment: Marlins beat the Yankees in the 2003 W.S.

Least Favorite: As a part time Indians fan thanks to living in Northwest Ohio and really liking Kenny Lofton, the "off Nagy's glove Counsell scores" is still something that sticks with me.

Franchise Player:Hanley Ramirez/Miguel Cabrera/Livan Hernandez

Forgot he played: Bobby Bonilla

Never knew: Trevor Hoffman

Team Breakdown 15/30: Atlanta Braves

Milwaukee (1953-1965)

Boston (1912-1952)

In the beginning, the Boston Red Stockings started in 1871. Then it was the Red Caps(72-86), Beaneaters (87-1906), Doves (07-10), Rustlers (1911) Boston Braves (1912-35), Bees (36-40) back to the Braves in 1941. In 1953 the Braves move to Milwaukee and adopt Chief Wahoo's brother as their offensive mascot. In 1966 Hank Aaron and the boys moved to Atlanta. The Braves in the Mid-90's were the Yankees of the NL, except unlike Jeter and the gang, Bobby and the Chipper's could only take one W.S. title (Indians in 1995) from 1991-1999 despite appearing in five W.S. in that time (losing to the Yankees twice). This year is Bobby Cox's final year and it looked as though the Braves would let him down (Chipper did at least). However, Atlanta is hanging in there and are in contention for a postseason run.

Team breakdown:

W.S. Wins: 3(1914,57,95)

Favorite Moment: Hank Aaron becomes the new home run king with his 715th home run and in my opinion still reamains the true home run king (most of this belief stems from my least favorite Braves moment.)

Least favorite: Where were you when Sid slid? Well I was five and wouldn't have known about this play, except that TBS ran this campaign for one of the Braves seasons and everytime I had watch him slide safely as Barry Bonds fails to throw the ball anywhere near home plate forcing Mike Lavalliere to nearly make a fine play. This is why I hate Bonds, never mind that Jose Lind can't catch or Stan Belinda has a stupid delivery, I hate Bonds.

Franchise Player: Hank Aaron

Forgot He Played:Ron Gant

Never Knew:Jason Schmidt

Team Breakdown 14/30: Texas Rangers

Hey Washington Senators remember when you came back because you moved to Minnesota, how'd that work out? And that's how the Rangers were born. The Rangers with the exception of Nolan Ryan and Kenny Rogers have been all hitting and no pitching. Much like the Mariners, the Rangers have never won a W.S. Series or even appeared in one because they lost to the Yankees. The Rangers are playing some good baseball right now, but odds are they'll fold in the fall.

W.S. Wins: NONE

Favorite moment: Robin Ventura took exception to Nolan Ryan hitting him with one of his Ryan express fastball's. Ryan made sure Ventura never charged the mound again.
Least Favorite:Rangers make A-Rod a very rich man. Rafael Palmeiro endorses Viagra and did not use steroids period.

Franchise Player: Juan Gonzalez

Forgot he played: Julio Franco

Never Knew: Fergie Jenkins

Back to baseball cards: Nolan Ryan and Charlie Hough, both Rangers pitchers at one point, have over 20 cards each in my baseball collection.

Team Breakdown 13/30: Seattle Mariners

The Mariners exist because of Bud Selig. True story. Selig took the Seattle Pilots to Milwaukee where they become the Brewers leaving Seattle without a professional baseball team (something Sonics fans can relate to). The Mariners are only good for one thing, winning a lot of games only to let there fans down in the ALCS. It took unti 1991 (started in 1977) before the M's could get a winning season. The M's were fun to watch in the mid-90's with Griffey, Buhner and Martinez and they won a ML-record 116 games in 2001 with the Yankees taking the AL crown that year.

WS Wins: NONE

Favorite Moment: Griffey Sr. and Griffey Jr. hit back to back HR's to become the first father and son to do so. Griffey Jr. also stole a home run from from that guy in Little Big League which great because the Twins should never win even in fiction.

Least favorite:The fact the Mariner Moose still has a job after reckless op on multiple occassions.(seen here and here watch on mute)

Franchise player: Ken Griffey Jr.

Forgot he played:Jamie Moyer

Never Knew:Dave Burba

Five points if you knew Seattle's manager was Don Wakamatsu

Special shoutout to Ichiro for being awesome.

Take me out to the ball game

Laynce Nix surpries with his average

Magglio is Magg-Nifficent

Edwin Jackson is undefeated

Brendan Donnelly's ERA can't be figured

Jay Bruce must have a hole in his bat

Sometimes going to a baseball game allows you a chance to see some really big names like Manny, Griffey or Pujols. Sometimes these players deliver with great pitching performances and days at the plate while others fizzle out like duds. So here are the top (and not) players who I've seen with my own two eyes.

Best Avg.(min 5 abs)

1.)Laynce Nix-.625 (5-8)

2.) Johnny Damon-.615 (8-13)

3.)Albert Pujols, Pablo Sandoval and Jim Thome-.600 (3/5)

4.) Brennan Boesch(4/8) Chris Dickerson(6/12)-.500

5.) Magglio Ordonez-.484 (15/31)

6.) Carlos Pena-.444 (4/9)

7.)Adam Everett-.417 (5/12)

8.)Ryan Rayburn-.412 (7/17)

9.) Ben Zobrist, Bobby Higginson, Dusty Ryan, Matt Lawton, Nate Schierholtz, Randall Simon and Warren Morris (2/5)-.400

10.) Randy Winn-.375 (3/8)

Worst Avg.(min 5 abs)

1.) 0-Jay Bruce (0/8) Ryan Garko (0/7), Todd Walker, Jermaine Dye (0/6), Shannon Stewart, Milton Bradley, Mike Piazza, Kevin Witt, Eugenio Velez, Donnie Murphy, David Ortiz and Nomar Garciaparra (0/5)

2.) Marcus Thames-.063 (1/16)

3.)Edgar Renteria-.111(1/9)

4.)Jason Varitek-.125(1/8)

5.) Curtis Granderson-.138 (4/29)

6.)Yuniesky Escobar, Paul Janish and Scott Podsednik-.143(1/7)

7.)Gary Sheffield-.154 (2/13)

8.) Gordon Beckham and Cesar Izturis-.167 (1/6)

9.)Rosales, Soriano, McCutchen, Huff, Gardner, Stubbs, Munson, Jaso, Millar, Kotsay, Walbeck, R. Castro, Santiago, Fick, Ludwick, Schumaker, W. Harris-.200 (1/5)

10.) Brandon Inge-.219 (8/36)

Most Doubles-T(2) Pujols, Marco Scutaro, Dickerson, Pena, Laird

Most Triples-1 Torri Hunter, Placido Polanco, Felipe Lopez, Alex Sanchez, Raburn, Hanigan, Andres Torres

Most HRs-Ordonez (5) Raburn(3)

Most Grand Slams-Thome, Wily Mo Pena(1)

Most Strikeouts-Granderson (9) Cabrera and Thames (7)

Most Stolen Bases-Cabrera(3) Austin Jackson (2)

Most Runs Scored-Ordonez(8) Inge and Raburn(6)

Most RBIs-Ordonez (8) Granderson (6) Raburn, Polanco, Thome (5)

Best ERA (Min 5IP)

1.Matt Cain-1.13

2. Aaron Harang, Kenny Rogers and Pedro Martinez-1.29

3.Matt Roney-1.35

4.Paul Maholm-1.50

5.Fausto Carmona, Jeremy Bonderman and Mark Redman-2.57

6.-Kip Wells-2.70

7.-Jered Weaver-2.84

8.-Curt Schilling-3.00

9.-Edwin Jackson-3.18

10.-Zach Miner-3.24

Worst Era

1. Cant Divide By Zero- Brendan Donnelly(1 batter faced=HR), Brian Meadows (2 Runs in 0IP) Erik Sabel (2 Runs in 0IP) and Salomon Torres (1 Run in 0IP)-3 on this list are Pirates

2.Kevin Gregg-54.10

3.Dallas Braden-43.20

4.Casey Fossum, Cla Meredith and Mike Gonzalez-27.00

5.Mitch Talbot-19.30

6.Kiko Calero-13.53

7.Tim Byrdak,Freddy Dolsi and Jamie Walker-13.50

8.Juan Acevedo-11.05

9.Alan Embree, Bob Howry, CC Sabathia, Octavio Dotel and Todd Jones-9.00

10.John Danks-7.20

Most K's

1.Edwin Jackson(16)

2.Justin Verlander and Bronson Arroyo (12)

3.Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez(8)

4.Miner, Wells, Roney, Rogers (7)

5.Nate Robertson and Bonderman (6)

Team Breakdown 12/30: Oakland A's

The Athletics not only have one of the dumbest name in baseball, but are also the nomads of the sport (moving from Philadelphia to Kansas City to Oakland). For some reason I do find the A's uniforms very snazzy (not these unis). The A's are also suprisingly succesful when it comes to W.S. with the second most in the American League with 9 victories in 15 appearances of course well short of the Yankees 27. Also for my money (ball) the A's have had the three best mustaches in baseball Rollie Fingers, Dennis Eckersley and Goose Gossage

Team Breakdown:

W.S. Wins: (Oakland-1989, 74, 73, 72,Philadelphia- 30, 29, 13, 11, 10)

Favorite Moment: Rickey Henderson breaks the stolen base record and will probably hold that title for a very long time.

Least Favorite: Jose Canseco + steroids= baseball's dark ages

Franchise Player: Rickey Henderson

Forgot he played for them: Frank Thomas/Mike Piazza

Never Knew: Kenny Rogers

Great Names: Carney Lansford, Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage

EMU Alum: Bob Welch

Team Breakdown 11/30: California, Los Angeles Angels of Anahiem in the Outfield

The Angels change their name as much as Lady Gaga changes her hair. All they have to show for it is a stadium with some rock formations, a rally monkey. But they do have one World Series and they do have a spot in one of the funniest movie moments. Not this one, this one.

Team Breakdown:

W.S. Win: 2002

Favorite Moment: Angels keep Barry Bonds from winning a W.S...oh and more Naked Gun

Least Favorite: Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart dies after a drunk driver struck the vehicle that Adenhart was in, just hours after he pitched six shutout innings in his first start of the 2009 season.

Franchise Player: Tim Salmon

Forgot He Played for them: Rickey Henderson

Never Knew: Cecil Fielder

Worst spelling of Sean/Shawn: Chone Figgins

Best pitcher with one hand: Jim Abbott

Team Breakdown 10/30: Minnesota Twins

"You won't find a back room in our video stores, unlike some larger sin cities. A.k.a. Minneapolis, St. Paul"-Drop Dead Gorgeous

I have no idea why I used that quote other than I thought it was funny, but there is nothing funny with the baseball in the Twins Cities. A new ball park, the reining AL MVP in Joe Mauer and one of the hottest hitters right now Justin Morneau. The Twins so far have dispelled the myth that they wouldn't be as good outside and I'd say first place is alright. The Twins weren't always in Minnesota as they were once the Washington Senators/Nationals.

Team breakdown:

W.S. Wins: (1991, 1987 and 1924 as the Senators)

Favorite Twins Moment: Twins beat the Braves to win the 1991 W.S Series after Braves defeated Pittsburgh in the NLCS.

Least Favorite: Twins defeat Tigers in a one-game playoff for the Central Crown and lose to the eventual W.S. Champs New York.

Franchise Player: Kirby Puckett

Forgot he played:Jim Thome

Never Knew: Steve Carlton

Great names: Kevin Slowey, Doug Mientkiewicz, Denard Span

Baseball + Movies= Good times

Sports movies are great entertainment. From Remember the Titans to Slap Shot sports movies get the juices flowing and make me want to go out and participate in said sport. Since baseball is my favorite sport, I love baseball movies the most. So here are my favorite baseball classics.

1.) 61*-The best baseball movie, because I care about two Yankees (Thomas Jane's best work as Mickey Mantle and Barry Pepper's portrayal of Roger Maris is just behind his role in Saving Private Ryan and he looks a lot like Maris) and I hate the Yankees. Billy Crystal directs and as Paul Maholm showed him, baseball is no laughing matter.
2.)A League of Their Own-"I haven't got ballplayers, I've got girls." Tom Hanks makes this movie great, Geena Davis, Madonna, Lori Petty and Rosie O'Donnell are all convincing enough as WWII baseball star's in a women's league. Apparently some girl that graduated with my mom is an extra in this film, but who knows.
3.)Sugar-MLB the Show has a feature called road to the show. This movie is road to the show Dominican style as it follows as Dominican baseball player up the ranks of baseball before his career fizzles out.
4.)Field of Dreams-"If you build it, they will come" Did you know the baseball field from this movie is up for sale? but I digress. Costner returns to baseball and other adventures including kidnapping James Earl Jones.
5.)The Natural-Robert Redford destroys some lights with that sweet swing and it has a hint of film noir to it (not a lot, just a hint) Overall good stuff.
6.)The Bad News Bears (1976)-Walter Matthau is great as a drunk ball coach in charge of a little league team. Also this starts of the career of Jackie Earl Haley.
7.)The Pride of the Yankees-Gary Cooper takes on Gehrig the man and leads us up to that final speech "Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth"
8.)Major League-The most quotable of the baseball films, Major Leauge is comedy gold thanks to Bob Uecker as Harry Doyle-"In case you haven't noticed, and judging by the attendance you haven't, the Indians have managed to win a few here and there, and are threatening to climb out of the cellar."
9.)Bull Durham-It took me a second time to really enjoy this movie. Kevin Costner reminds us the golden rules of baseball. "Stop trying to strike everyone out. Strike outs are fascist, Throw some ground balls, they're more democratic."
10.)Major League 2-"The Indians have a runner, I think I'll wet my pants." Harry Doyle is back, Charlie Sheen is back...Wesley Snipes is not. This movie holds a strange place in my heart, because I actually saw it before the first movie, because I was not allowed to watch R rated movies...sooooooooo
11.)Eight Men Out-The White Sox are cheaters, I just wish that the whole franchise would have been banned from baseball not the eight players.
12.)Cobb-Cobb was an asshole. Tommy Lee Jones made Cobb an even bigger asshole.
13.) Rookie of the Year-I've seen this movie more than any of the movies above combined. I have no reason for this, but I really enjoy this movie.

14.)Beer League*(really about softball)
15.) Fever Pitch (not great)
16.) Bad News Bears (2005) (not as good as the first)
17.)The Fan (De Niro is crazy and I believe Del Torro would make a great baseball player)
18.)Angels in the Outfield (1994) (Is does start at one and you're a jackass)
19.) The Sandlot (This movie suffers because of the corniest ending in the history of sports films. I hate that ending so much it can't break into my favorite baseball films)
20.)The Benchwarmers (stupid)
21.)Mr. 3000 (soooooo stupid)
22.) The Rookie (boring)
23.)Hardball (corny)
24.)The Babe (boring)
25.)Little Big League (I remember nothing about this movie except Night Nurses from New Jersey.)
26.)Mr. Baseball (Tom Selleck reminds me of my dad...Tom Selleck references mustache rides in this film. Therefore my dad references mustache rides in this film...needless to say...disturbing)
27.) Major League III (awful)
28.)The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training-this is bar none the worst baseball movie in the history of baseball movies. Why would anyone want to meet the 1977 Houston Astros? Who would let there kids drive all the way to Texas without at least one other parent chaperone? What happened to half the team. When did Tanner become a softy for Lupus? Who greenlit this movie?

Other notable baseball moments in film
Charlie Brown
Baseketball?
Naked Gun-funniest part of that movie is the last 1/2 hour of that movie.

Team Breakdown 9/30: Kansas City Royals

(Slugger has some sort of growth coming out of his head which I believe to be a crown)

The Kansas City Royals, if they hadn't beat St. Louis in the 1985 World Series, I'm not sure people in the state of Missouri let alone the United States would know who Kansas City was. It's been a rough couple of decades for the Royals since that World Series win, but with a CY Young pitcher and and a new coach, the Royals look to end that terribleness...which probably won't happen, but at least they have a fountain out in center field.

Team Breakdown
W.S. win: 1985 (only been around since 1969 as K.C. was occupied by the Athletics beforehand)

Favorite moment: The worst call in W.S. history leads to the Royals lone championship over the Cardinals. George Brett flips out after being called out for having too much pine tar.

Least favorite: Former Wal Mart exec cuts prices...in the salary as new Royals owner.

Total Cards: 680

Most appearances: Bo Jackson (20) Mike MacFarlane (17) Bret Saberhagen and Mark Gubicza (16)

Favorite Card: Johnny Damon triple A card

Forgot he played: Jermaine Dye

Never knew: Juan Gonzalez

Hardest names: The Royals love to sign players with impossible names to spell right the first time

Ambiorix Burgos,
Argenis Salazar
Buddy Biancalana
Darwinson Salazar
Doug Mientkiewicz
Johnny Giavotella
Kila Ka'Aihue
Mark Grudzielanek
Runelvys Hernandez

Special shoutout to Coco Crisp

Franchise Player: George Brett

Team Breakdown 8/30: Detroit Tigers

Ah yes, the Detroit Tigers my AL companions who have allowed me to see more baseball games than any other venue with my tenth and most recent trip being a 6-0 shutout of the Yankees. A franchise that I never imagined I would ever care for, has charmed me by hiring every former manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates and by playing NL baseball in the greatest park I've been in (sorry Progressive Field and Great American Ball Park). The Tigers have a rich history and I cannot wait to go back to Comerica (this time to cheer against the Tigers as the Pirates come to town). So here is the sad breakdown of the Detroit Tigers who so far have the lowest amount of cards for a non expansion team.

W.S. Wins: 1984, 1968, 1945, 1935

Favorite Moment: Justin Verlander N0-Hits the Brewers. Honus Wagner punches racist extraordinaire and Tigers great Ty Cobb in the face after Cobb heckled Wagner calling him a Kraut-head in the 1909 W.S.

Least Favorite: Tigers give Cardinals another W.S. title. Ernie Harwell passes away from cancer.

Total Cards:637

Most Appearances: T1.) Alan Trammel and Cecil Fielder (21) Lou Whitaker (18)

Favorite Card: The oldest card in my collection. The first card I asked for personally at a card shop. The most I've paid for an individual baseball card (which was only $3). It is a 1953 Topps Ned Garver baseball card. If you have no idea who Ned Garver is, don't worry. Garver is a fine product of Ney, Ohio or 5 minutes down the road from me and was a mildly succesful pitcher back in the day for the Browns and Tigers. I had always just wanted to have one.

Forgot he played:Rondell White

Never Knew: Matt Stairs

EMU Alum: Pat Sheridan

Great Names: Nate Cornejo, Barbaro Garbey, Bip Roberts, Chet Lemon, Fu Te Ni, Jim Morrison,

Franchise Player I think of: Al Kaline

Team Breakdown 7/30: Cleveland Indians

(And you thought the one below was offensive)

"In case you haven't noticed, and judging by the attendance you haven't, the Indians have managed to win a few ball games, and are threatening to climb out of the cellar." - Harry Doyle

Ah yes Major League, great film and I'd be upset that Harry Doyle (aka Bob Uecker) isn't really the Indians broadcaster, but one of my biggest influences in sports radio is the voice of Indians baseball, Tom Hamilton. Many a nights I listened to the Indians of the mid to late 90's on my radio with Tom Hamilton calling the game. The Indians were once my favorite AL team, but no more as they have dropped to second because the Tigers are closer and more affordable oh and I really like Jim Leyland, but that's for the next breakdown.

Team Breakdown

World Series wins: "Remember, fans, Tuesday is Die Hard Night. Free admission for anyone who was actually alive the last time the Indians won the pennant." - Harry Doyle

1948 and 1920

Favorite moment: Midges swarm the field and the Yankees blow the game as the Indians advance to well...blow the ALCS. The movie Major League.

Least favorite: "Off Nagy's glove...Counsell scores and the Marlins win the World Series" the first of the unforgivable expansion team W.S. victories. That or Ten Cent Beer Night which reminds me that I forgot about Disco Demolition Night when I brokedown the White Sox

Total Cards:745

Most Appearances: Sandy Alomar (20), Albert (Joey) Belle (19) and Doug Jones (16)

Favorite Card: Manny Ramirez Double A Card from 1992

Forgot he played: Brandon Phillips and Brian Giles

Never Knew: Ryan Ludwick

Franchise Player I think of: Kenny Lofton (sorry Bob Feller, Lofton is one of my all-time favorites)

Great Names: Jose Mesa (or table) Wayne Kirby,George Vukovich, Orel Heshiser and Richie Sexson and an honorable mention to the great Satchel Paige.

"The post-game show is brought to you by... Christ, I can't find it. To hell with it."-Harry Doyle

Team Breakdown 6/30: Chicago White Sox

You can put em on the board!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES! The Chicago White Sox (or black sox depening on wether you're talking about the 1919 White Sox or the fact that they really wear black socks.) When I think of Chicago right now, I just hear Ozzie Guillen saying something that really pisses someone off or some scumbags beating up an old man who before was trying to coach first base for the Royals which is just slightly better than being jumped by shirtless white trash. But the White do have a World Series win in the last 100 years so I guess that makes them a more legit franchise than say the Cubs (at least the Pirates have three in the last 50 years.) Also my little team was the White Sox who went 4-10 both years with the first forcing me to wear an itchy purple jersey while hitting .028(1/36), but improving .300 points when going to black t-shirts the following year, but I digress...

Team Breakdown

W.S. Wins: (2005, 1917, 1906)

Favorite Moment: Anything done by Jermaine Dye (I have no know reason for really liking Jermaine Dye) the movie Eight Men Out.

Least Favorite: Anything done by AJ Piersynski, the 1919 W.S. and for having a scene at the end of My Best Friend's Wedding.

Total Cards:741

Most Appearances: Frank Thomas(26) Jack McDowell (25) and Ozzie Guillen (21)

Favorite Card: Autographed Robin Ventura card

Forgot he played: Ken Griffey Jr.

Never Knew: Ellis Burks

Great Names:Chief Bender, Rob Mackowiak, Tim "Rock" Raines

Franchise Player I think of:Frank Thomas

Team Breakdown 5/30: Toronto Blue Jays

(I can see why this only lasted one year. Just Awful)

The Toronto Blue Jays. The only reason you can make an argument that the World Series involves the world as the nation to the north is the only country with a team in baseball not in the U.S. And unlike the former Montreal Expos, The Jays have two W.S victories (in the Expos defense their best season was cutoff by the strike in 1994). Toronto is now just a team on the schedule since they haven't been relevant in the AL East since the won back to back titles in 92 and 93 (no playoff appearances since). In fact during one season Shea Hillenbrand wrote "This is a sinking ship" in the locker room resulting in a fight with manager John Gibbons.

The breakdown

W.S. Wins: 1992 and 93

Favorite Jays Moment: Blue Jays beat the Braves in the 1992 W.S. (I'd like to think that the NLCS losing Pirates would have swept Pittsburgh...oh 1992 and wins in Pittsburgh)

Least Favorite: The guy who designed this mascot. A blue jay with muscles...really

Total Cards:712

Most appearances: My Blue Jays card collection is very even as 11 players have 15 or more cards in my collection.

1.) Roy Halladay-20, Kelly Gruber-19, Jimmy Key-18

Favorite Card(s): Danny Ainge and Chris Weinke were both in the Blue Jays farm system but are better known for their work in basketball (Ainge)

and in football (Weinke)

Forgot he played there: Fred McGriff

Never Knew: Cecil Fielder

Franchise Player I think of: Joe Carter (mostly because of his game winning home run in the W.S)

AL EAST FINAL STANDINGS

1.) New York: 843

2.) Boston:811

3.) Toronto:712

4.) Baltimore: 686

5.) Tampa Bay:205

Remembering Ernie Harwell

I had the chance to see Ernie Harwell in person when he said farewell to Tigers fans. I was glad that I got that chance. So I've decided to link Ernie Hartwell's essay "The Game for All America" as it appeared in The Sporting News.

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/article/2010-05-05/game-for-all-america

Team Breakdown 4/30: Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays

All it took was a change of name (now all they need is a change of venue from the snoozefest that is Tropicana Field) for the best season in (Devil) Rays history, albeit a very short history. Since 1998 the Rays have had two winning seasons (2008-09) and already have retired one number (Wade Boggs who played for Tampa Bay for two years, but did have his 3000th hit with the franchise).

Team Breakdown

World Series: None (Appeared in 2008)

Favorite Rays Moment: Rays win ALCS over Red Sox

Least Favorite:The building of Tropicana Field and making the movie the Rookie possible.

Total Cards: 205

Most Appearances: Carl Crawford-13, Rocco(Tober) Baldelli-8 Scott Kazmir-7

Favorite Card: Future Stars Card with Josh Hamilton and Carl Crawford

Forgot He Played:Julio Lugo

Never Knew: Robert Fick

Great Names: Akinori Iwamura, Esteban Yan, Quinton McCracken

Franchise Player I think of: Carl Crawford

Ohio is for Losers :-(

With the Cavs looking the win the NBA Championship I started to think who the last team to win a championship from the state of Ohio was? The answer is Ohio St in 2003, but professionaly, you have to go back to 1990 when the Reds swept the defending W.S. Champion A's. Conversely, the great state of Michigan just has to go back to 2008 when the Red Wings hoysted the Stanley Cup and Indiana in 2006 when Peyton Manning brought back the Lombardi Trophy to Indianapolis. And of course Pennsylvania who took home the Super Bowl and Stanley Cup in 2009 and the W.S. in 2008 (now only if the 76ers would get the memo)

Last World Series win in Ohio

Cincinnati: 1990 (last appeared:1990)
Cleveland: 1948 (last appeared:1997)

Last Super Bowl win: NONE
Cincinnati: last appeared in 1988
Cleveland: never appeared in SB but last won NFL Championship in 1964 and had three more before that

Last NBA Championship: NONE
Cleveland: Last appeared in 2007

Last Stanley Cup: NONE
Columbus: Made the playoffs once
Cleveland Barons: two miserable seasons from 1976-78 before being contracted

So I think it's safe to say that Ohio is due for a ring of some sort.

Team Breakdown 3/30: New York Yankees

The team everyone loves to hate (unless you go by some formula concocted by the Wall Street Journal: The Cleveland Indians...really). 27 World Series Titles, the most expensive tickets in baseball and now the house that Jeter built (aka New Yankees Stadium). My hate for them was being directed at the Boston Red Sox, that is until last year when they won again and the fact that Curtis Granderson had to change his number because of some thing that Joe Girardi wants to do. I will say that PA announcer Bob Sheppard has one of the greatest announcing voices ever. "Now batting, the shortstop, Derek Jeter" Also this http://www.outdoorsportsaddict.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/jeter-dive-into-stand-1.jpeg is why I hate every Yankee but Derek Jeter or this one http://pictopia.com/perl/get_image?provider_id=314&size=550x550_mb&ptp_photo_id=423600

Now the details

World Series 27: (NL has 43 overall, Rest of the AL has 34 with the Oakland/K.C./Philadelphia Athletics the next in the AL with 9 and one behind the Cardinals 10 NL titles) 09,00-98,96,78,77,62,61,58,56,53-49,47,43,41,39-36,32,28,27,23

Favorite Yankees moment: Maris and Mantle swat for Ruth's record which leads to one of the best baseball movies ever (*61) oh and 1960 W.S. where Pirates second baseman Bill Mazeroski hits a walk off home run to steal the championship from the Bronx Bombers.

Least favorite: See 27 W.S. wins.

Total Cards: 843

Top Appearances:Derek Jeter-31 Bernie Williams 20 Don Mattingly-18

Favorite Card: Any of the Mickey Mantle reprints

Forgot He played for them:Randy Johnson

Never knew: JT Snow and Deion Sanders

Great Names: Goose Gossage, Yogi Berra, Sterling Hitchcock

Player I think of: tie, Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter

No Hit Stuff: Abbott baffles Indians (1993)

In honor of Ubaldo Jimenez's no-hitter, I've decided to look at some of my favorite N0-No's excluding Dock Ellis (because I already blogged that one)

Jim Abbott is one of my favorite stories ever in baseball. The former University of Michigan standout was born without a right hand, but still made it to the major leagues where he pitched for 10 years from 1989-1999. He appeared with the Angels, Brewers, Yankees and White Sox.

Though he finished with an 87-108 record and a 4.25 ERA Abbott should be forever remembered for his perseverance and toughness. Abbott even had two hits in his major league career with the Brewers against the Yankees in Interleague Play.

On September 4, 1993, Jim Abbott had N0-Hit stuff and the Cleveland Indians found out first hand. Held hittless on the "cloudy day game" as Abbott recalls were Kenny Lofton, Felix Fermin, Carlos Baerga, Albert Belle, Randy Milligan, Manny Ramirez, Candy Maldonado, Jim Thome, Junior Ortiz and Sandy Alomar Jr. in a pinch hit situation. Abbott struck out three, but walked five.

In fact, six days before hand, Abbott was shelled by the very same Indians for seven runs on nine hits in 3.1 innings.

In case your wondering how Abbott was able to field and throw its really quite remarkable. Abbott would rest his glove on his stub of a right hand while pitching with his left. As soon as he would throw, he would slip the glove onto his left hand and then slip it off when he needed to throw it back.

Abbott's no-hitter was the first for a Yankee since Dave Righetti in 1983 did it against Boston. It would also be the first of four no-hitters thrown by Yankee pitchers in the decade. Doc Gooden in 1996, David Wells in 1998 and David Cone in 1999 with the last two being perfect games.

New members in the 20+ movies club

Bruce Willis has closed the gap on Samuel L. Jackson with my recent viewing of Four Rooms (2.5/5) and Tears of the Sun (2.5/5). While Johnny Depp has moved soley into third with Nightmare on Elm Street 6(1/5). Matt Damon is tied with Morgan Freeman for fourth with his cameo in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind(3.5/5).

However, I now have some new actors in the 20+ movies seen club.

Adam Sandler joined the 20+ club when I recently watched his work in Punch Drunk Love (3/5)
Favorite Sandler Film:Funny People
Least:Going Overboard
Surprise: Dirty Work

Brad Pitt hopped up to 21 films with the supporting role in Thelma and Louise(2.5/5) and a very brief cameo in Less Than Zero (3/5) and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Favorite Pitt film: Seven
Least: Meet Joe Black
Surprise:Less Than Zero

I also realized that I should have included those with 20 films seen in my last post of this topic, so here they are.

Bill Murray: Favorite: The Life Aquatic
Least Favorite: What About Bob?
Surprise: Zombieland

Christopher McDonald: Favorite: SLC Punk
Least Favorite: Superhero Movie
Surprise: Requiem for a Dream

Harrison Ford: Favorite: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Least Favorite: Six Days and Seven Nights
Surprise: The Conversation

M Emmett Walsh: Favorite: Blood Simple
Least Favorite:Wild Wild West
Surprise: Critters (2.5/5)

Finally Sean Connery surged his way with Highlander (3/5), The Avengers (1/5) and Entrapment (2.5/5)
Favorite: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Least: The Avengers
Surprise: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves


Clint Eastwood, David Koechner, George Clooney, Jack Black, Larry Miller, Nick Cage, Owen Wilson and Rob Schneider are all waiting to join. Clooney and Cage are sure things with Face/Off and Leatherheads sitting in my room to be watched.

Team Breakdown 2/30: Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox or America's new favorite team for those who hate the Yankees but love to be bandwagon fans, were the first winners of the World Series (1903) and would go on to win in 1912, 1915, 1916 and 1918. Then their fans moaned about how they hadn't won a World Series in over 80 years. Try not winning more than 81 games for 18 years and see how that goes. After 2004 the number of "Red Sox fans" quadrupled overnight, but I digress.

So here's the team breakdown

World Series wins (03, 12, 15,16, 18, 04, 07)

Favorite Red Sox moment: Red Sox break curse and win World Series in 2004 and I can stop hearing about the curse right? Dammit I forgot about the Cubs

Stupidest moment: Boston (Americans) defeat Pirates in 1903 W.S. Bill Bucker, Bucky Bleeping Dent and Aaron Bleeping Boone.

Total cards: 809 (used to live outside of Boston resulting in heavy concentration of Red Sox cards)

Roger Clemens-21, David Ortiz-19 Wade Boggs-19

Favorite Card: Green Monster: Red Sox Mascot

Forgot he played for them: Jose Canseco

Never Knew: Rickey Henderson

Player I think of right away: Nomar Garciaparra

Best Names: Dick Drago, Oil Can Boyd, Tom "Flash" Gordon and Ugueth Urbina