| BASEBALLbytheNUMBERS.org |
| My At Bats |
My At Bats
This is where I get to say a few things
about baseball from time to time.
You won't always agree but
hopefully you'll find some of it
interesting. I am by no means an
expert on baseball, but I've noticed a
couple of things over the years. One
of them is that the game is called
BASEball. Reaching a base, and
proceeding always to the next one,
and eventually scoring a run at home
plate, is the sole goal. Put simply,
take the extra base when they give it
to you, and never give a team an
extra base.
about baseball from time to time.
You won't always agree but
hopefully you'll find some of it
interesting. I am by no means an
expert on baseball, but I've noticed a
couple of things over the years. One
of them is that the game is called
BASEball. Reaching a base, and
proceeding always to the next one,
and eventually scoring a run at home
plate, is the sole goal. Put simply,
take the extra base when they give it
to you, and never give a team an
extra base.
For starters, the Yankees aren't quite out of it yet. Close but not yet. Watch this space, though. One thing I learned
since 1996 is that anything can happen in baseball. But I have no complaints. Who wants to listen to a Yankee fan whine?
These days, not even another Yankee fan. There is still a chance to recapture some of the magic of the past, but they gotta
start scoring some runs. All they need -- it's September 2nd now -- is about a 15 game winning streak. Or 16.
since 1996 is that anything can happen in baseball. But I have no complaints. Who wants to listen to a Yankee fan whine?
These days, not even another Yankee fan. There is still a chance to recapture some of the magic of the past, but they gotta
start scoring some runs. All they need -- it's September 2nd now -- is about a 15 game winning streak. Or 16.
| Baseball Field Somewhere in Northern New Jersey |
Yes. And I saw how he failed to progress this year. I saw his swing at pitches that Giambi would have had trouble
short-hopping at first base. But he can play centerfield. And throw. And run. Making a great catch in centerfield is like
hitting a double or a triple. Let's not forget that.
short-hopping at first base. But he can play centerfield. And throw. And run. Making a great catch in centerfield is like
hitting a double or a triple. Let's not forget that.
So, why wasn't he brought up on September 1st? Cashman's not exactly having a great season himself,. Imagine, general
managing by reading the backs of baseball cards. Melkytype players -- when they're going good -- should be the future of
the team. No more 'old guys surrounded by old guy's. Doesn't work.
managing by reading the backs of baseball cards. Melkytype players -- when they're going good -- should be the future of
the team. No more 'old guys surrounded by old guy's. Doesn't work.
| Time to drop that number 13 from his the back of his uniform and go with something less... unlucky? '763' maybe? Then, a much needed remedial course on how to go with the ball to right-center when that's what's there for you. .350 BA, with 60 homers and a truckload of RBIs if he does that. Or just start sitting closer to Jeter on the bench. |
| Redheaded waitresses in diners just off even-numbered interstates aside, Jeter really is a something of a god to Yankee fans. One such waitress told me once that he was not the player that Alex Rodriguez is, and I suppose he isn't, if you look at the backs of baseball cards long enough. In fairness, she also told me she'd ever seen The Flip, a maneuver last undertaken in the 2001 Divisional Series versus the A's, when Giambi's little brother was surprised at the plate all because Derek Jeter was doing his job, and doing it smartly. Yanks won that game, 1-0. |
| Alex Rodriguez is a special baseball player. But when the chips are down, he'd do better if he remembered that right-center is an important part of the field. Right-center field is where singles, doubles, triples and even home runs live and live well. And the best thing is that the pitcher usually works with you, leaves a pitch on the outside corner at least 1 or 2 times per at bat. Trying to pull everything is not the way. Not even for A-Rod. |
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| Remember 9/11 |
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The Demolition of Yankee Stadium
Quick question for any 3rd grader: You have a business where you sell tickets to people who come to
watch people perform athletic feats. It almost always 'sells out'. You decide to move to a new place
where you'll do the exact same thing. Do you build the new place,
watch people perform athletic feats. It almost always 'sells out'. You decide to move to a new place
where you'll do the exact same thing. Do you build the new place,
3. larger?
2. about the same size, or
1. smaller,
The correct answer, apparently, is 'smaller', or that's how a group of
people answered a couple of years ago. Mostly men, middle aged. The
assumption is that all had at least a 3rd grade education.
people answered a couple of years ago. Mostly men, middle aged. The
assumption is that all had at least a 3rd grade education.
But really, does that make any sense at all? So it'll be a little bit harder
to get a good ticket next year? I'd thought it was difficult enough already
but what did I know? I remember back in the day when hot dogs cost a
mere $6.00 each, and there are those it's been said that once paid as low a
sum as $4.75 for a hot dog. Oh, those darn player salaries, skyrocketing
ever upwards, and the teams passing the load directly onto our financial
shoulders in the form of $10.00 franks.
to get a good ticket next year? I'd thought it was difficult enough already
but what did I know? I remember back in the day when hot dogs cost a
mere $6.00 each, and there are those it's been said that once paid as low a
sum as $4.75 for a hot dog. Oh, those darn player salaries, skyrocketing
ever upwards, and the teams passing the load directly onto our financial
shoulders in the form of $10.00 franks.
Yes, the game has changed over the years. More roll, less hot dog is a
common cry. It just seems to me that anyone making $1,000,000 or more
for playing the game of baseball should know how to bunt, and bunt
well. (anyone under that million dollars should just know how to bunt, I
guess). Thing, is, bunting can get you on base, or move a runner into
scoring position. It can win a game now and then. That's one you could
look up.
common cry. It just seems to me that anyone making $1,000,000 or more
for playing the game of baseball should know how to bunt, and bunt
well. (anyone under that million dollars should just know how to bunt, I
guess). Thing, is, bunting can get you on base, or move a runner into
scoring position. It can win a game now and then. That's one you could
look up.