Even though it was overcast for the majority of the day, it felt great outside. You knew rain was imminent, but the temperature was pretty mild and you couldn't really feel the air. A perfect relaxing type of day. Luckily it wasn't thunder-storming in Kansas City, so I even got to watch the Tigers pull off a win. Yup, just a calm day. Very nice.
Fans will suffice tonight,
B
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
June 4
Wow, it seems like there has been a ton of sports talk the past few days. It will be no different tonight, as it was announced that John Wooden has passed away at age 99. The string of national championships he won while at UCLA are unmatched, even today. It's a number that should hold up for years to come.
Undefeated,
B
Undefeated,
B
Friday, June 4, 2010
June 3
A day later, and the nation is still buzzing about what happened to Galarraga. From morning shows to newspapers, everyone had an opinion. But all that really mattered was a new day and another game. Before it got underway - and to the surprise of the fans and Armando - Chevy presented him with a brand new Corvette. The smile was priceless. Also priceless was the reaction by Jim Joyce as he walked out onto the field toward home plate. The camera never moved from his face, which was trying very hard to hold back tears. Fans shook his hand, cheered, and boo'd. But as soon as Galarraga walked out to present him the line-up card there was nothing but cheering. The other umpires high-fived Joyce, as did Cabrera and Laird as they made their way onto th field. Again, he was trying hard to hold back the tears, but wasn't succeeding. Just a great show of sportsmanship from everybody involved today. And on top of that, the Tigers got the win. Austin Jackson made another unbelievable defensive play in deep center field and had 4 hits! Both Mags and Cabrera hit home runs, adding to their AL leading RBI totals. Hell, the entire team stepped up, ending with 17 hits on the day. Porcello's outing was shakey at best, as was the fact we committed 4 errors (all on the infield). Still, it was much needed win to help everybody move on. Speaking of, during said game the Commish released a statement basically saying that decisions will be made sooner than later regarding the expansion of replay in baseball and praising the class of all parties involved the last couple of days. And as we found out later, he also mentioned he would not be overturning the call to give Armando the perfect game. I didn't think that was going to happen, but in the long run, this event will have a bigger affect on the MLB now than it would have if it was called perfect. Finding the good in everything - it helps.
Tori went to East Lansing for the night to visit some friends. I relaxed a bit this evening and hit the bed hard. That was until I woke up a bit ago and couldn't get back to sleep. Getting tired again. Mmmm.
The night air is great,
B
Tori went to East Lansing for the night to visit some friends. I relaxed a bit this evening and hit the bed hard. That was until I woke up a bit ago and couldn't get back to sleep. Getting tired again. Mmmm.
The night air is great,
B
Thursday, June 3, 2010
June 2
Armando Galarraga was robbed tonight. Flat-out, no bones about it, ROBBED! Jim Joyce botched what should have been one of the easiest "outs" of the night when he inexplicably called the Indians' hitter safe. In one moment, all of baseball was up in arms - literally. On ESPN they cut to what seemed like every other game to hear what their announcers had to say about what just went down. Shock, awe, sympathy, anger, etc. was heard from the Yankees' press box to Boston and Cincinnati and all around the States. Hall of famers phoned in to voice their disapproval and the internet was on fire. And yet, during all of this, Galarraga showed how good of a sport he really is. While Cabrera was barking at Joyce, Jim Leyland started mouthing off, and what seemed like the entire coaching staff got their two cents in, the only reaction Armando gave was a small moment of shock and a slight grin. He never once got up in Jim's face to argue, kick dirt at him, or raise his voice. Hell, he didn't even give him a heated glare. He simply smiled, got back on the mound, and caused the next batter to ground out to Brandon Inge. Class.
After the game the players celebrated in the locker room, but even then the tempers were still high. Galarraga pitched the 21st perfect game in MLB HISTORY tonight. HISTORY. And it was taken away with one missed call.
It wasn't over, though. After the game Jim Joyce watched the replay and realized what he had done. Not only did he admit he was wrong and missed an obvious out call, but he went into the locker room and apologized to Galarraga and Leyland personally. In professional sports the one person you never can question is the refs/umpires. Doing so will not only get you thrown out of a game, but could end in a fine by the league or even suspension (just look at the NBA). And very rarely do authority figures such as these ever admit to being wrong. Jim Joyce, from what I've read and everyone has said about him, is said to be one of the more stand up umpires in baseball. Not just that, but one of the best, too. After hearing what he did and the words that came out of his mouth, I can guarantee you he feels terrible about that call.
"I just cost that kid a perfect game... I don't blame them a bit for anything that was said. I would have said it myself if I were Galarraga. I would have been the first person in my face, and he never said a word to me."
Honestly, both men showed as much class as I've seen in any sport recently. It was a huge call to be missed, but just like Leyland said, these things happen. It's the human element in baseball that makes the game so great. Even still, I don't see why instant replay can't be used in situations such as these. I don't agree in expanding the usage to review EVERY call, but why not implement a challenge system like in the NFL or a review process specifically geared toward the 9th inning? Oh well.
Listen, I was as upset about it as anyone. Hell, I was talking for a good hour-and-a-half after the fact and going well out of my way to lose my voice. But what I failed to realize was regardless of what the record books say, Armando and the players acknowledge it as a perfect game as do all of the fans. Not only that, but we got the "W" and Austin Jackson made a spectacular play for the first out of the 9th to keep hope alive. So many good things that happened that are going to be overshadowed for all of the wrong reasons. Most importantly, the way both men handled it afterward. I feel sorry for Galarraga, but not nearly as bad as Jim Joyce must. Rubber game tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully we can get back to just playing baseball.
What are you gonna do,
B
PS - This is the thing I love about true baseball fans: they love the game first. It doesn't matter who it is, if a player of any sort accomplishes something historical on the mount or at bat, baseball fans will recognize it. When Roy Halladay threw his perfect game it didn't matter if you were a Mets fan, Yankee fan, Red Sox, Tigers, Twins, etc. it was something to celebrate. I was in awe, myself, and happy for the guy. On the opposite side of the spectrum, EVERYBODY, from Cleveland blogs to New York newspapers, are up in arms about this tonight. They collectively feel terrible for Armando and recognize that even if the records don't show it, he pitched a perfect game tonight. I don't expect Major League Baseball to change anything about tonight, but the outpouring of support from across the country shows just how great this game is.
After the game the players celebrated in the locker room, but even then the tempers were still high. Galarraga pitched the 21st perfect game in MLB HISTORY tonight. HISTORY. And it was taken away with one missed call.
It wasn't over, though. After the game Jim Joyce watched the replay and realized what he had done. Not only did he admit he was wrong and missed an obvious out call, but he went into the locker room and apologized to Galarraga and Leyland personally. In professional sports the one person you never can question is the refs/umpires. Doing so will not only get you thrown out of a game, but could end in a fine by the league or even suspension (just look at the NBA). And very rarely do authority figures such as these ever admit to being wrong. Jim Joyce, from what I've read and everyone has said about him, is said to be one of the more stand up umpires in baseball. Not just that, but one of the best, too. After hearing what he did and the words that came out of his mouth, I can guarantee you he feels terrible about that call.
"I just cost that kid a perfect game... I don't blame them a bit for anything that was said. I would have said it myself if I were Galarraga. I would have been the first person in my face, and he never said a word to me."
Honestly, both men showed as much class as I've seen in any sport recently. It was a huge call to be missed, but just like Leyland said, these things happen. It's the human element in baseball that makes the game so great. Even still, I don't see why instant replay can't be used in situations such as these. I don't agree in expanding the usage to review EVERY call, but why not implement a challenge system like in the NFL or a review process specifically geared toward the 9th inning? Oh well.
Listen, I was as upset about it as anyone. Hell, I was talking for a good hour-and-a-half after the fact and going well out of my way to lose my voice. But what I failed to realize was regardless of what the record books say, Armando and the players acknowledge it as a perfect game as do all of the fans. Not only that, but we got the "W" and Austin Jackson made a spectacular play for the first out of the 9th to keep hope alive. So many good things that happened that are going to be overshadowed for all of the wrong reasons. Most importantly, the way both men handled it afterward. I feel sorry for Galarraga, but not nearly as bad as Jim Joyce must. Rubber game tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully we can get back to just playing baseball.
What are you gonna do,
B
PS - This is the thing I love about true baseball fans: they love the game first. It doesn't matter who it is, if a player of any sort accomplishes something historical on the mount or at bat, baseball fans will recognize it. When Roy Halladay threw his perfect game it didn't matter if you were a Mets fan, Yankee fan, Red Sox, Tigers, Twins, etc. it was something to celebrate. I was in awe, myself, and happy for the guy. On the opposite side of the spectrum, EVERYBODY, from Cleveland blogs to New York newspapers, are up in arms about this tonight. They collectively feel terrible for Armando and recognize that even if the records don't show it, he pitched a perfect game tonight. I don't expect Major League Baseball to change anything about tonight, but the outpouring of support from across the country shows just how great this game is.
June 1
Late again - but no worries because nothing really happened today. It was the start of a new month. That was about it. WOOOO!!!
$2 pencils,
B
$2 pencils,
B
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
May 31
A happy birthday to Mr. Aaron Ramberg and Mrs. Colleen Kildee-Thibaut. Both turn 25 today which means...CAR RENTAL TIME! I'll take an Audi, please.
Anyway, I slept in a bit today which was nice. Recovered from the lack of sleep the night before. My sister and cousin had gone to visit my Grandma and were then off to Novi to spent money. So the entire afternoon was spent relaxing, cleaning up, and waiting a LONG time for the Tigers game to start. Stupid rain delay. Unfortunately, once it did get under-way, the we were fighting from behind. We only scored 1 run the entire game and lost. Verlander was on the mound, too! I guess we used up all of the runs yesterday.
After dinner my sister ended up having some of her friends over again. There was some visiting, some fooding, and some NBA Live playing. Finally found someone else who's played the game. Haha. It was a good Memorial day overall, and tomorrow it's back to the routine. Well, maybe. The schedule could change with the re-arrival of one Josh Kennedy back in MI. Yessir, he's coming back after finishing his schooling and living out in LA for some time. It will be great having yet another industry friend around. One more to bounce ideas off of.
Blackhawks are looking strong,
B
Anyway, I slept in a bit today which was nice. Recovered from the lack of sleep the night before. My sister and cousin had gone to visit my Grandma and were then off to Novi to spent money. So the entire afternoon was spent relaxing, cleaning up, and waiting a LONG time for the Tigers game to start. Stupid rain delay. Unfortunately, once it did get under-way, the we were fighting from behind. We only scored 1 run the entire game and lost. Verlander was on the mound, too! I guess we used up all of the runs yesterday.
After dinner my sister ended up having some of her friends over again. There was some visiting, some fooding, and some NBA Live playing. Finally found someone else who's played the game. Haha. It was a good Memorial day overall, and tomorrow it's back to the routine. Well, maybe. The schedule could change with the re-arrival of one Josh Kennedy back in MI. Yessir, he's coming back after finishing his schooling and living out in LA for some time. It will be great having yet another industry friend around. One more to bounce ideas off of.
Blackhawks are looking strong,
B
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