So apparently I haven't had much to say in the past few weeks. Ironically - a LOT has happened.
First, we went to Cincy for vacation. We stopped in Cleveland, Cooperstown and Olean, NY too. IT was a Hall of Fame, Baseball trip. Oh and we got to see Beth and Mark too.
Vacation week started off on a VERY wrong foot. Bronson changed his pitching day and Frank's brakes shit the bed. Like supposed to be over $1000 worth of bed-doody. Frank talked the guy down to $600 but still, had to get them fixed when we should have already left for Cincy. As per usual - things did not start off as planned. However, we went to Olean first - cannot even imagine living there. It is a weird town with no close cities or airports or anything nearby. But it was good to see the Huddles.
Then we went to Wegman's in Erie, PA. What's Wegman's?? A grocery store. Yes, a grocery store. They carry this stuff called sponge candy. It's amazing and we happened to find some (even though it is technically not in season - apparently it is a fall thing). Check it out: http://www.spongecandy.com/faqs-policies/sponge-candy-in-general#what-is-it
After a crappy lunch and a stop at Wegman's we left Erie, PA. Unless I am forced to - I won't go to Erie again. It's boring and reminds me of Worcester. I hate Worcester.
Then we drove to Cincy... (And when I say WE - I mean, Frank drove and I copiloted. I did not drive a single mile on this trip. I offered, Frank didn't take me up on the offer - so I didn't drive.) Not sure if y'all knew it - but Cincy is PRETTY. River, baseball park, football stadium, decent enough night life less than 5 miles away in KY. Went to Bronson's show in Newport, KY (no cornrows), two games (cornrows), Waffle House, shopping - oh and it was about 2000 degrees outside every day except the one where we were going to sit by the pool. Yeah -that was awesome.
The Halls of Fame were cool - not as big or regal as I was expecting. The Baseball Hall of Fame pissed me off - the posted hours are until 9pm - they closed the actual hall at 8:30 - so I got to see the inductees room for about 45 seconds. No, really - I am NOT lying.
In Cooperstown we ate at a local diner like place that sold tee-shirts and baseball cards too. We also stopped at a Baseball Store - where we found Papelbon's rookie card for $18 - that's more than Ken Griffey Jr's, by the way. Anyone else think that is strange??
Then we came home to a sea of cat fur in our living room. Apparently we were missed. On Sunday we developed pics, which were AWESOME. All in all - I am pretty sure a good time was had by all...
Friday, August 25, 2006
Monday, July 10, 2006
Commercials
Anyone who watched the 19 inning Sox game yesterday should know a little bit about what I am talking about... Why is it that a show must use the same 12 commercials? Is it like Pop radio stations that can only play about 12 different songs?
Yesterday the Sox game was REALLY long. Ususally, each inning of baseball comes with two commercial breaks - pretty much everytime the teams switch sides. There is almost always a break when a team decides to switch pitchers as well (unless it coincides with the middle or end of an inning). So yesterday, both teams used about 8 different pitchers, plus the 19 innings - so there was an approximate total of 50 commercial breaks in the course of the game. I am pretty sure that in 46 of them - they showed the chicken sandwich, unicorn, whistling - Wendy's commercial. FYI: I will NEVER buy that sandwich. Period. And if anyone wants to know why - I am just going to whistle - and let them figure it out.
On the other hand - there are some commercials that I have seen that many times but that I love. Like the Foxwoods, "Oh - my lucky chip" one - OR the Geico "pie and chips" one. Those are cute to me...
Just sayin'...
N.B. Home run Derby tonight... NL/AL game tomorrow night. Don't miss 'em!!!! Woooo-hooo!!!
Yesterday the Sox game was REALLY long. Ususally, each inning of baseball comes with two commercial breaks - pretty much everytime the teams switch sides. There is almost always a break when a team decides to switch pitchers as well (unless it coincides with the middle or end of an inning). So yesterday, both teams used about 8 different pitchers, plus the 19 innings - so there was an approximate total of 50 commercial breaks in the course of the game. I am pretty sure that in 46 of them - they showed the chicken sandwich, unicorn, whistling - Wendy's commercial. FYI: I will NEVER buy that sandwich. Period. And if anyone wants to know why - I am just going to whistle - and let them figure it out.
On the other hand - there are some commercials that I have seen that many times but that I love. Like the Foxwoods, "Oh - my lucky chip" one - OR the Geico "pie and chips" one. Those are cute to me...
Just sayin'...
N.B. Home run Derby tonight... NL/AL game tomorrow night. Don't miss 'em!!!! Woooo-hooo!!!
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Soapboxes for the All-Star and the State Trooper
OK - so my boy was selected as an All-Star. Haha, who trades All-Star players?? Boston does, apparently. Now by no means are the Sox doing poorly, but can we all just think how much BETTER they could be doing WITH Bronson?? They would at least have a consistent starter in the #4 or #5 spot. Someone that has a proven track record. Some of his losses last year were at the hands of a poorer defensive backing (Edgar Rent-A-Wreck, 2nd baseman du jour) - not the case this year on the Sox.
I KNOW, I KNOW - when is this going to get old for me?? Umm, probably never. OK - that's not true but the Sox would have to get him back and pay him A LOT more, OR Theo Epstein would have to admit he was a tool for trading his 'buddy'. Since neither of those are happening in the near future - I think I will remain on my soapbox.
Another soapbox of mine: Police Officers.
So - as we did last year, Frank and I went to the Cambridge St bridge over by the Doubletree Hotel where the Pike/Storrow exits are to watch the Boston fireworks. Many people were there last year and many showed up this year too. So we get there about 9:30 and park on the side of the street with all the other cars. At 10:20 - the state police come around and tell everyone they have to move their cars. There are NO signs indicating you can't park there, nor is it a 'state highway' (as far as I know) - thus parking there is NOT illegal. And while being ordered to move irritated me, it wasn't the reason I got REALLY ticked. As the trooper was walking and telling people to move - I spoke up from my car and said (loudly), "Sir, may I ask you a question?" The trooper said something inaudible to me or Frank and kept walking. He didn't even turn around to see if there was a REASON I was stopped (flat tire, injured etc). NOW I am pissed. The way I see it - it is his duty to SERVE and PROTECT. And who is it that he is supposed to be serving and/or protecting?? ME. My taxes pay his fucking salary. Period. What I was going to ask this man, is irrelevant, my timing - not perfect but if I have a question to ask - he can take 30 seconds of his - no wait - MY- time to answer it.
There was another time that just came to mind when a cop swore at me. I was driving through Boston and I had slowed down due to traffic or construction or something and the cop banged his fist on the front of my car (not hard - but to get my attention) and said, "keep fucking moving". I shit you not.
People have often commented on my inability to just blindly respect authority. And ladies and gentlemen - THIS is why. These types of interactions - right here. I don't feel safe around law enforcement officials - I feel scared and like I am a child who is only spoken to when they are in trouble. And GOD FORBID, I ask for help. How can anyone expect me to respect people like that? Many law enforcement officials believe they are entitled to respect because of their title. Bullshit. It is not someone's title or status that earns them respect - it is what they do with it. And ignoring a person, who was doing NOTHING heinous or illegal, is not an action I can respect.
(Please note that I realize - like everything else - not all law enforcement is 'evil'. But unfortunately, I can count the times when I felt respected by law enforcement on half a hand. I would need all fingers and some toes for times I have felt disrespect. I am not a troublemaker - I have never been arrested or anything close to it. And THAT is my point. I have done nothing to be treated like I am something on the undersole of his shoe.)
Just sayin'...
I KNOW, I KNOW - when is this going to get old for me?? Umm, probably never. OK - that's not true but the Sox would have to get him back and pay him A LOT more, OR Theo Epstein would have to admit he was a tool for trading his 'buddy'. Since neither of those are happening in the near future - I think I will remain on my soapbox.
Another soapbox of mine: Police Officers.
So - as we did last year, Frank and I went to the Cambridge St bridge over by the Doubletree Hotel where the Pike/Storrow exits are to watch the Boston fireworks. Many people were there last year and many showed up this year too. So we get there about 9:30 and park on the side of the street with all the other cars. At 10:20 - the state police come around and tell everyone they have to move their cars. There are NO signs indicating you can't park there, nor is it a 'state highway' (as far as I know) - thus parking there is NOT illegal. And while being ordered to move irritated me, it wasn't the reason I got REALLY ticked. As the trooper was walking and telling people to move - I spoke up from my car and said (loudly), "Sir, may I ask you a question?" The trooper said something inaudible to me or Frank and kept walking. He didn't even turn around to see if there was a REASON I was stopped (flat tire, injured etc). NOW I am pissed. The way I see it - it is his duty to SERVE and PROTECT. And who is it that he is supposed to be serving and/or protecting?? ME. My taxes pay his fucking salary. Period. What I was going to ask this man, is irrelevant, my timing - not perfect but if I have a question to ask - he can take 30 seconds of his - no wait - MY- time to answer it.
There was another time that just came to mind when a cop swore at me. I was driving through Boston and I had slowed down due to traffic or construction or something and the cop banged his fist on the front of my car (not hard - but to get my attention) and said, "keep fucking moving". I shit you not.
People have often commented on my inability to just blindly respect authority. And ladies and gentlemen - THIS is why. These types of interactions - right here. I don't feel safe around law enforcement officials - I feel scared and like I am a child who is only spoken to when they are in trouble. And GOD FORBID, I ask for help. How can anyone expect me to respect people like that? Many law enforcement officials believe they are entitled to respect because of their title. Bullshit. It is not someone's title or status that earns them respect - it is what they do with it. And ignoring a person, who was doing NOTHING heinous or illegal, is not an action I can respect.
(Please note that I realize - like everything else - not all law enforcement is 'evil'. But unfortunately, I can count the times when I felt respected by law enforcement on half a hand. I would need all fingers and some toes for times I have felt disrespect. I am not a troublemaker - I have never been arrested or anything close to it. And THAT is my point. I have done nothing to be treated like I am something on the undersole of his shoe.)
Just sayin'...
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Research and Reality
So Ted (friend at work) said to me a few minutes ago that Bronson was discussed in the Red Sox post game last night. Apparently, Jack Welch was there and they were discussing how good it would be to still have him. OK - great!! Yay!! But I guess they were also comparing what his numbers are versus what they would be if he were still in the AL.
So I sent the link from my "Admissions II" post. I pointed out that in terms of ERA - Bronson currently LEADS MLB - with 2.58. According to the formula in the SI article - the difference between the NL and the AL is between +.33 and .50. So when you plug Bronson's numbers into that he would be between 2.91 and 3.08. Which would STILL have him in the top 5 AL pitchers. My point - the adjustment isn't THAT drastic and people need to STOP making it out to be.
Just sayin'...
So I sent the link from my "Admissions II" post. I pointed out that in terms of ERA - Bronson currently LEADS MLB - with 2.58. According to the formula in the SI article - the difference between the NL and the AL is between +.33 and .50. So when you plug Bronson's numbers into that he would be between 2.91 and 3.08. Which would STILL have him in the top 5 AL pitchers. My point - the adjustment isn't THAT drastic and people need to STOP making it out to be.
Just sayin'...
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Baseball bites...
So Pedro came 'home' last night. Wanna know who sort of missed it?? ME. Wanna know why that stinks?? Because I was at the damn game. I didn't see the video montage on the 'tron - because well, our seats are up under the RF deck. And then when everyone stands up to cheer - I can't see what people are cheering about. (No making fun - I can't help it that I am vertically challenged.) So that was a little frustrating. Well, I guess I will just have to cheer loudly in my living room tonight when he is ACTUALLY pitching... Irritate the neighbors... Hehe - starting to feel better just thinking about it...
Tribute to the 86 Sox last night. People cheered more when Bill Buckner's name was announced than they did for almost everyone else. Yeah, I thought it was weird too. I realized though that those are the guys who helped form my first baseball memories. I remember laying in my living room, on my stomach, on the floor, pretty late at night - watching the game. The ground ball went by, my grandfather freaked, yelled - "what a bunch of bums" and told me it was time for bed. Guess he probably didn't want me to see him cry.
Food for thought - Jon Lester, last night's starting Sox pitcher was 2 years, 9 months and 18 days old when that game happened. Feel REALLY old??? Yeah - me too.
Bronson is almost a definite for the All-Star game. As of today, June 28th - he is leading ALL OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL with an ERA of 2.58. I am resisting the urge to post a link to the espn.com stat page on our company website, boston.com and anywhere else I can think of that would send a BIG F-U message to all the naysayers. Can't think of anything that would make me happier. Well, I CAN - but it isn't October yet...
Went to NYC to see the Mets vs. the Reds a little over a week ago. Shea stadium is ummm, well - NOT Fenway. So many people have compared them but the way I see it - it's still a STADIUM - not a park. Wrigley, Camden and Fenway are the only parks that most agree FEEL like a baseball park should feel. I don't think that Shea is a converted football field (a la RFK in DC) - but it isn't a park either. I guess it falls somewhere in the middle.
SO yeah, Reds vs. Mets - betcha can guess who the Reds starting pitcher was... He pitched a CG (more time for me to watch and less time for the pen to screw things up), which was nice. We had seats on the field in left field - which would have been VERY cool, except there was ONLY one ball hit even in our general direction. I didn't even stand a chance of getting on TV. SO NOT COOL.
What do you think the odds are of catching a foul ball at a game? I told Frank last night that that would be way too much calculus for me. Because I firmly believe that I am NEVER going to catch one.
OK - I'm done... Just sayin'...
Tribute to the 86 Sox last night. People cheered more when Bill Buckner's name was announced than they did for almost everyone else. Yeah, I thought it was weird too. I realized though that those are the guys who helped form my first baseball memories. I remember laying in my living room, on my stomach, on the floor, pretty late at night - watching the game. The ground ball went by, my grandfather freaked, yelled - "what a bunch of bums" and told me it was time for bed. Guess he probably didn't want me to see him cry.
Food for thought - Jon Lester, last night's starting Sox pitcher was 2 years, 9 months and 18 days old when that game happened. Feel REALLY old??? Yeah - me too.
Bronson is almost a definite for the All-Star game. As of today, June 28th - he is leading ALL OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL with an ERA of 2.58. I am resisting the urge to post a link to the espn.com stat page on our company website, boston.com and anywhere else I can think of that would send a BIG F-U message to all the naysayers. Can't think of anything that would make me happier. Well, I CAN - but it isn't October yet...
Went to NYC to see the Mets vs. the Reds a little over a week ago. Shea stadium is ummm, well - NOT Fenway. So many people have compared them but the way I see it - it's still a STADIUM - not a park. Wrigley, Camden and Fenway are the only parks that most agree FEEL like a baseball park should feel. I don't think that Shea is a converted football field (a la RFK in DC) - but it isn't a park either. I guess it falls somewhere in the middle.
SO yeah, Reds vs. Mets - betcha can guess who the Reds starting pitcher was... He pitched a CG (more time for me to watch and less time for the pen to screw things up), which was nice. We had seats on the field in left field - which would have been VERY cool, except there was ONLY one ball hit even in our general direction. I didn't even stand a chance of getting on TV. SO NOT COOL.
What do you think the odds are of catching a foul ball at a game? I told Frank last night that that would be way too much calculus for me. Because I firmly believe that I am NEVER going to catch one.
OK - I'm done... Just sayin'...
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Pink Hat Brigade
So - last Friday-ish, someone on the Red Sox message board on Boston.com started whining about women and girls who go to games wearing pink hats - which the poster was equating with fair-weather fans who know next to nothing about games and just started going when the Sox won the WS. A few months ago - my sister also mentioned this pet peeve - however, her issue was with the hats themselves, not the people wearing them. I have a pink Sox hat, which I like very much and wear on occasion to games. So, in true ME form, I had to post something:
"OK - I am a woman, I wear a pink Sox hat and I probably know more about baseball than some MEN. And for the record - I DID just start buying tickets to games a few years ago, but it wasn't because I wasn't a fan - it's because I grew up, got my own job and became able to pay for my own tickets. Before?? It was all NESN/UPN for me. My point?? It doesn't make me any less of a fan because I watched it on TV and choose to wear a pink hat. So to say I am insulted to be grouped with 'fair-weather, clueless fans' would be an understatement."
Which Prompted this response:
"dancergirl, will you marry me?"
my response:
"Ummm, I am very flattered that you asked but I think my husband would object... And besides, I could be a hairy toad - you never know."
And THEN this one came:
"prove you know about baseball. its not enough to say it. give me some analysis that isnt regurgitated crap from eei or even this board. until then, you are a pink hat wearing, cell phone talking, tek sign waving, ticket price raising chick.
ps and you probably are a hairy toad if you are on this board. the rest of us are."
So here was my insightful 'analysis':
"Well, truth is I am not a hairy toad - I was just being funny back to OJ. I am here because I am interested in opinions of and having intelligent discussions with other Sox fans. As for EEI - at least I listen to it. Not sure many other women can say that they know who D&C or the Big O are. And I wouldn't regurgitate anything others say because - well, I'm just not un-original. I don't wave signs at games. It's obnoxious and people are there to see a game - not the back of a posterboard. And if you read enough posts you would see that I know the game very well - and post here on occasion.
But if you want some analysis, here ya go...... The Sox got rid of their next Tim Wakefield by trading Arroyo. Look back at Wake's stats (ERA, W-L, games pitched/started) in his first five years in the Show and look at Arroyo's. The similarities are startling, actually. And given that Arroyo has never been on the DL - it seems to me that he may be able to have a similar longevity as Mr. Knuckleballer. "
And finally:
"good reply and while some may argue with the arroy/wakefield arguement it is original and i think the sentiment is correct (it was an obvious misatke to trade a happy, productive, flexible, cheap and durable arm from the AL East for an unproven, bad defending, strikeout prone, clubhouse problem, "next year, next year" guy form the NL) -and hopefully your hot as well -although a little bit of chub goes a long way!"
Yeah, that's what I THOUGHT...
Just sayin'...
"OK - I am a woman, I wear a pink Sox hat and I probably know more about baseball than some MEN. And for the record - I DID just start buying tickets to games a few years ago, but it wasn't because I wasn't a fan - it's because I grew up, got my own job and became able to pay for my own tickets. Before?? It was all NESN/UPN for me. My point?? It doesn't make me any less of a fan because I watched it on TV and choose to wear a pink hat. So to say I am insulted to be grouped with 'fair-weather, clueless fans' would be an understatement."
Which Prompted this response:
"dancergirl, will you marry me?"
my response:
"Ummm, I am very flattered that you asked but I think my husband would object... And besides, I could be a hairy toad - you never know."
And THEN this one came:
"prove you know about baseball. its not enough to say it. give me some analysis that isnt regurgitated crap from eei or even this board. until then, you are a pink hat wearing, cell phone talking, tek sign waving, ticket price raising chick.
ps and you probably are a hairy toad if you are on this board. the rest of us are."
So here was my insightful 'analysis':
"Well, truth is I am not a hairy toad - I was just being funny back to OJ. I am here because I am interested in opinions of and having intelligent discussions with other Sox fans. As for EEI - at least I listen to it. Not sure many other women can say that they know who D&C or the Big O are. And I wouldn't regurgitate anything others say because - well, I'm just not un-original. I don't wave signs at games. It's obnoxious and people are there to see a game - not the back of a posterboard. And if you read enough posts you would see that I know the game very well - and post here on occasion.
But if you want some analysis, here ya go...... The Sox got rid of their next Tim Wakefield by trading Arroyo. Look back at Wake's stats (ERA, W-L, games pitched/started) in his first five years in the Show and look at Arroyo's. The similarities are startling, actually. And given that Arroyo has never been on the DL - it seems to me that he may be able to have a similar longevity as Mr. Knuckleballer. "
And finally:
"good reply and while some may argue with the arroy/wakefield arguement it is original and i think the sentiment is correct (it was an obvious misatke to trade a happy, productive, flexible, cheap and durable arm from the AL East for an unproven, bad defending, strikeout prone, clubhouse problem, "next year, next year" guy form the NL) -and hopefully your hot as well -although a little bit of chub goes a long way!"
Yeah, that's what I THOUGHT...
Just sayin'...
Admissions II
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/fantasy/06/09/sixty.feet/
This is an addendum to the "Admissions" post. Here is more info about the difference between pitching in the NL and AL.
This is an addendum to the "Admissions" post. Here is more info about the difference between pitching in the NL and AL.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Case of the Tuesdays
Ok this pic below is on the page cuteoverload.com. The whole site is cute but I HAD to post this one because the title will please Jeff to no-end, I'm sure. Enjoy!!!
Case of the Tuesdays
Just 15 more minutes!
Stheriously.
Just 15 more...
http://mfrost.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/babyy.jpg
Case of the Tuesdays
Just 15 more minutes!
Stheriously.
Just 15 more...
http://mfrost.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/babyy.jpg
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Admissions
OK - so here's a non newsflash, I am a fan of Bronson Arroyo. Anyone who knows me and is reading this is thinking, DUH... Now, the reason I am writing about it today is because I am starting to see a turning of the tide in terms of people's attitudes' toward him.
Brief history - Bronson was picked up by the Sox in the spring of 2003 after he was put on waivers by Pittsburgh. In August 2003 - Bronson pitched a perfect game down in Pawtucket (only the 4th EVER in the International League) - read Bronson's comments about it here. http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/reds/daily/0529redsnotesweb.html
Shortly after that - he was up in Boston all the time, pitching from the 'Pen, and then becoming part of the SR. (Hmmm, sounds a bit like a certain knuckleballer we all know, doesn't it?) His ERA was average - 4.5-ish for his career. The majority of which had been played in the AL.
Now, for as long as I can remember - Bronson has been trade bait. EVERY Boston sports personality suggested him as a potential trade component at one time or another. People were perfectly FINE with trading what they believed to be an AVERAGE pitcher. I can't tell you how many times I heard people say he should be a 'spot-starter' or belonged in the 'pen, or would never be anything better than a 4/5 starter. Even my coworkers had jumped on the trade-train - so much so that I had to hang a sign in my cube prohibitting the discussion of trade rumors.
(And - as a side note - I cannot tell you how many people said he was a bad pitcher because he had a side 'music career'. Hey guys, one CD and a few concerts - does not a career make. Just so you know. That said - I can't even begin to comment on how stupid the 'musician'=bad pitcher thoery truly is... But I digress...)
Anyway, as everyone who pays attention to baseball knows - Bronson signed a 'hometown discount' and was subsequently traded 8 weeks later. Bronson loves Boston, and that is why he took the lower paying contract, to stay here. (Which, I will say again, was a breath of fresh air after Juan da Mon took his overpriced Yankee contract.)
That said - Bronson began scoring brownie points when he signed the discounted contract. He continued to do so when he was traded (as people became pissy that his loyalty wasn't rewarded). Then he acted like a grown up about it - stating he was disappointed but that he knows it is the way of the business - gaining even more likability.
Fast forward to today - Bronson is kicking ASS. Period. He is the ACE of the Cincinnati Reds SR - as opposed to being in the 'pen - which is where he was slated to be at the beginning of the Sox season. (Though - he would have been there about five minutes due to a variety of Sox SR mishaps, David Wells being broken, Matt Clement having... umm, issues?? But I digress - again...) His ERA is one of the best in the NL at 2.58. Now, before I get the flack for this - I realize there is almost always an improvement in stats when jumping from the AL to NL - however, it is hardly EVER this drastic. Check out stats on Pedro, D. Lowe and Clemens, if you don't believe me. **See post on June 13th for MORE NL/AL comparison stats.**
People are starting to question the sensibility if the trade. People are beginning to see that he DID have a place in the Boston rotation. People are beginning to agree that even though we got Wily Mo - who is doing VERY WELL, the Sox gave up a lot - more than people were willing to see/believe - to get him.
So to all of you whose eyes are being opened - welcome to the world I have been in for about two and a half years. I may not be a Theo Epstein or a Craig Shipley - but something about the way he pitches has impressed me from the first time I ever saw him. And he is continuing to live up to MY expectations, which is very validating. Especially when this conversation happens:
Coworker: Hey - Bronson Arroyo - he's on fire.
Me: Damn straight he is...
Coworker: Maybe we can get him back.
Me: Here's hoping...
Well - it's about friggen' time.
Just sayin'...
Brief history - Bronson was picked up by the Sox in the spring of 2003 after he was put on waivers by Pittsburgh. In August 2003 - Bronson pitched a perfect game down in Pawtucket (only the 4th EVER in the International League) - read Bronson's comments about it here. http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/reds/daily/0529redsnotesweb.html
Shortly after that - he was up in Boston all the time, pitching from the 'Pen, and then becoming part of the SR. (Hmmm, sounds a bit like a certain knuckleballer we all know, doesn't it?) His ERA was average - 4.5-ish for his career. The majority of which had been played in the AL.
Now, for as long as I can remember - Bronson has been trade bait. EVERY Boston sports personality suggested him as a potential trade component at one time or another. People were perfectly FINE with trading what they believed to be an AVERAGE pitcher. I can't tell you how many times I heard people say he should be a 'spot-starter' or belonged in the 'pen, or would never be anything better than a 4/5 starter. Even my coworkers had jumped on the trade-train - so much so that I had to hang a sign in my cube prohibitting the discussion of trade rumors.
(And - as a side note - I cannot tell you how many people said he was a bad pitcher because he had a side 'music career'. Hey guys, one CD and a few concerts - does not a career make. Just so you know. That said - I can't even begin to comment on how stupid the 'musician'=bad pitcher thoery truly is... But I digress...)
Anyway, as everyone who pays attention to baseball knows - Bronson signed a 'hometown discount' and was subsequently traded 8 weeks later. Bronson loves Boston, and that is why he took the lower paying contract, to stay here. (Which, I will say again, was a breath of fresh air after Juan da Mon took his overpriced Yankee contract.)
That said - Bronson began scoring brownie points when he signed the discounted contract. He continued to do so when he was traded (as people became pissy that his loyalty wasn't rewarded). Then he acted like a grown up about it - stating he was disappointed but that he knows it is the way of the business - gaining even more likability.
Fast forward to today - Bronson is kicking ASS. Period. He is the ACE of the Cincinnati Reds SR - as opposed to being in the 'pen - which is where he was slated to be at the beginning of the Sox season. (Though - he would have been there about five minutes due to a variety of Sox SR mishaps, David Wells being broken, Matt Clement having... umm, issues?? But I digress - again...) His ERA is one of the best in the NL at 2.58. Now, before I get the flack for this - I realize there is almost always an improvement in stats when jumping from the AL to NL - however, it is hardly EVER this drastic. Check out stats on Pedro, D. Lowe and Clemens, if you don't believe me. **See post on June 13th for MORE NL/AL comparison stats.**
People are starting to question the sensibility if the trade. People are beginning to see that he DID have a place in the Boston rotation. People are beginning to agree that even though we got Wily Mo - who is doing VERY WELL, the Sox gave up a lot - more than people were willing to see/believe - to get him.
So to all of you whose eyes are being opened - welcome to the world I have been in for about two and a half years. I may not be a Theo Epstein or a Craig Shipley - but something about the way he pitches has impressed me from the first time I ever saw him. And he is continuing to live up to MY expectations, which is very validating. Especially when this conversation happens:
Coworker: Hey - Bronson Arroyo - he's on fire.
Me: Damn straight he is...
Coworker: Maybe we can get him back.
Me: Here's hoping...
Well - it's about friggen' time.
Just sayin'...
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Thursday Musings
Taylor Hicks won AI. Thank god. People around me at work were bitching about the fact that he won and whining, "I wanted Kat to win." So I said - in my nasty way, "The girl's from LA, there's a reason she wasn't discovered before." And stupid coworker says, "wow, that's really mean, don't you think?" Then I hear another coworker come over and whisper something to her, and then I hear - "I know - who is SHE to judge?" Gee - I wonder what they were talking about. Well, here's your answer assholes. I am somone who has been involved in several areas of the performing arts for the greater part of my life. I have studied voice, dance, theatre - and have worked for several Boston area artists. I have a DEGREE in performing arts - if ANYONE here is qualified to judge - it's me. Not some woman who thinks Kat should have won because she is pretty. It's a performing contest - not a beauty pageant.
Now by NO MEANS am I saying Kat couldn't sing... She can. However, she is in a city of performing artists - if she is SOOOOO GOOD, how has she gone unnoticed? Also, performers need to show something about themselves when they perform. If done right - you learn about them through their performances. I don't feel like I know Kat at all, whereas I feel like Taylor showed us who he was with every single song choice.
Really, I think I need to begin developing opinions about things. I think I am way to passive.
Just sayin'...
Now by NO MEANS am I saying Kat couldn't sing... She can. However, she is in a city of performing artists - if she is SOOOOO GOOD, how has she gone unnoticed? Also, performers need to show something about themselves when they perform. If done right - you learn about them through their performances. I don't feel like I know Kat at all, whereas I feel like Taylor showed us who he was with every single song choice.
Really, I think I need to begin developing opinions about things. I think I am way to passive.
Just sayin'...
Monday, May 22, 2006
Graduations and Elevators
OK - two items for discussion today.
Graduations
OK - so I'm driving to work and traffic is pretty good for a Monday - I get past the Natick rest area and BOOM - traffic is at a dead stop. So - I flip to the wonderful AM world of WBZ - traffic on the 3's. I did this just as the nice traffic person is 'reminding' us that the BC graduation begins at 10am and traffic should be picking up as a result of that. Picking up? PICKING UP? YEAh - if picking up means SUCKING HARDER. So here's a few questions, why graduate on a Monday at 10am? Why not 12pm - then all the people will have gotten to work before the over-excited-parents, friends, etc. decide to descend upon the greater Newton area (Mass Pike, 95/128). Also, what's this 'reminding' BS? I can't help but think that this is an extension of the 'entitlement' attitude that surround MOST college students - especially those at the BCs, BUs, Harvards and MITs of the world. Now by NO MEANS am I saying that these students don't deserve a great grduation and all the pomp and circumstance that goes with it - but why does it have to hinder the people who LIVE here - all the time - and have to WORK for a living?
Elevators
So here's a brief poll... Do you talk to people you meet in the elevator where you work? Or anywhere you may be riding in an elevator or something. Like, if someone starts a coversation, do you talk to them or look at them like they have fifteen heads? Because this morning, there were four of us on our garage elevator. I commented on the traffic discussed above and one guy said something about the BC graduation and the other two women said nothing. Now, maybe they don't speak English - anything is possible. But one of them looked annoyed that I even spoke. So THEN she and I were alone on the elevator actually in my work building - where I stood at the back of the elevator and she stood in front of me with her back to me. Now, I am thinking WTF??? I don't get it - what is the big deal about a little harmless conversation about the TRAFFIC?? It's like talking about the weather. Why would you stand in a confined space and not converse back with someone if they put a thought out there?? It is so bizarre.
Just sayin'...
Graduations
OK - so I'm driving to work and traffic is pretty good for a Monday - I get past the Natick rest area and BOOM - traffic is at a dead stop. So - I flip to the wonderful AM world of WBZ - traffic on the 3's. I did this just as the nice traffic person is 'reminding' us that the BC graduation begins at 10am and traffic should be picking up as a result of that. Picking up? PICKING UP? YEAh - if picking up means SUCKING HARDER. So here's a few questions, why graduate on a Monday at 10am? Why not 12pm - then all the people will have gotten to work before the over-excited-parents, friends, etc. decide to descend upon the greater Newton area (Mass Pike, 95/128). Also, what's this 'reminding' BS? I can't help but think that this is an extension of the 'entitlement' attitude that surround MOST college students - especially those at the BCs, BUs, Harvards and MITs of the world. Now by NO MEANS am I saying that these students don't deserve a great grduation and all the pomp and circumstance that goes with it - but why does it have to hinder the people who LIVE here - all the time - and have to WORK for a living?
Elevators
So here's a brief poll... Do you talk to people you meet in the elevator where you work? Or anywhere you may be riding in an elevator or something. Like, if someone starts a coversation, do you talk to them or look at them like they have fifteen heads? Because this morning, there were four of us on our garage elevator. I commented on the traffic discussed above and one guy said something about the BC graduation and the other two women said nothing. Now, maybe they don't speak English - anything is possible. But one of them looked annoyed that I even spoke. So THEN she and I were alone on the elevator actually in my work building - where I stood at the back of the elevator and she stood in front of me with her back to me. Now, I am thinking WTF??? I don't get it - what is the big deal about a little harmless conversation about the TRAFFIC?? It's like talking about the weather. Why would you stand in a confined space and not converse back with someone if they put a thought out there?? It is so bizarre.
Just sayin'...
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Intuition
You hear people talk about 'women's intuition' all the time. Now, I don't think that intuition discriminates against men - but I definitely have more than the average person.
I bring this up because last night, before the Reds-Pirates game, Frank asked me, 'how do you feel?' He was referring to that 'intuition'.
A little more than a year and a half ago, our beloved Sox won the World Series. They've made the playoffs several times before - but I always felt , "nah - it isn't their time". That 'feeling' would usually come sometime in the middle of the season. Well, in 2004 the feeling came along and it was, 'you know - I think this is their year.' Even when they were down 3 games to 0 against the Spankees - I still felt that they were going to win. And it wasn't the delusional, "their going to win because I BELIEVE in them" crap. It was just a calm - "they're going to do it". And they DID.
A week ago, my favorite pitcher was scheduled to start that evening and I had a bad feeling about it all day. The team won, and he did ok - but received a no-decision. Last night - he earned a loss. Kinda thought it was going to be bad outing for him, all day. And it was.
Now this intuition has popped up in other places too - people getting engaged (Jeff & Melissa), people getting pregnant (Heather) - but I think the sports related feelings are very strange. It isn't like I KNOW the people involved.
And here's the other part - people think I am NUTS. Effing CRAZY. OR they think I 'jinx' people by saying it outloud.
So when Frank asked how I felt - I didn't really answer. But I pretty much knew. It's very strange.
Just sayin'...
I bring this up because last night, before the Reds-Pirates game, Frank asked me, 'how do you feel?' He was referring to that 'intuition'.
A little more than a year and a half ago, our beloved Sox won the World Series. They've made the playoffs several times before - but I always felt , "nah - it isn't their time". That 'feeling' would usually come sometime in the middle of the season. Well, in 2004 the feeling came along and it was, 'you know - I think this is their year.' Even when they were down 3 games to 0 against the Spankees - I still felt that they were going to win. And it wasn't the delusional, "their going to win because I BELIEVE in them" crap. It was just a calm - "they're going to do it". And they DID.
A week ago, my favorite pitcher was scheduled to start that evening and I had a bad feeling about it all day. The team won, and he did ok - but received a no-decision. Last night - he earned a loss. Kinda thought it was going to be bad outing for him, all day. And it was.
Now this intuition has popped up in other places too - people getting engaged (Jeff & Melissa), people getting pregnant (Heather) - but I think the sports related feelings are very strange. It isn't like I KNOW the people involved.
And here's the other part - people think I am NUTS. Effing CRAZY. OR they think I 'jinx' people by saying it outloud.
So when Frank asked how I felt - I didn't really answer. But I pretty much knew. It's very strange.
Just sayin'...
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Smells
I think I am going to try this blog thing again. This way I can rant about whatever I want - baseball, TV, Massholes - whatever!!!
Today's rant: Funny work smells
Seriously, when people bring their lunch from home, they need to consider other people's noses. Right now, my floor at work smells like burnt french fries. Yesterday it smelled like I was swimming in pesto sauce. By the weeks end, I bet I will be able to describe an entire mean with the smells of the week. Tomorrow's specialty better be something compatible...
Just sayin'...
Today's rant: Funny work smells
Seriously, when people bring their lunch from home, they need to consider other people's noses. Right now, my floor at work smells like burnt french fries. Yesterday it smelled like I was swimming in pesto sauce. By the weeks end, I bet I will be able to describe an entire mean with the smells of the week. Tomorrow's specialty better be something compatible...
Just sayin'...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)