Friday, September 28, 2012

Friday Fathomings

Eric Chávez recently pulled a Starlin Castro:



That's unforgivable!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

PFBL Standings 9/26/2012

Bizarro Royals is in 10th place with 5866.33 points, a change of +18 from yesterday.

Odin's Day Oddity

This is, hands down, the best catch of the year:



I really hope the Cardinals will win it all again this year.

A Tumbleweed's view from right field


The building blocks of baseball


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Mo Problems Mo Money: What the Rockies and the NFL Share in Common


The biggest story in sports today is how a Monday Night Football game was botched by a replacement officiating crew.  This has spawned seemingly endless outrage directed at NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.  Now, I did not see the game.  Besides the fact that it wasn't on TV, I was listening to the Rockies game anyway.  But as I listen to today's sports-talk aftermath, I can't help but notice an interesting parallel between the NFL's situation and the Colorado Rockies.

Tuesday Two-seam



Colby, Rodney McCray knows how you feel...

Monday, September 24, 2012

♫ Collapsin' in September ♫

Do you remember?



Yesterday, the Colorado Rockies lost 10-7 to the Arizona Diamondbacks.  It was their ninth consecutive loss.  In their last eighteen games, they have lost sixteen total.  In order to avoid a 100 loss season, the Rockies must win at least five of their ten remaining games.  If they keep up their monthly pace, they will only win two, and finish with a 60-102 record.

A century mark in the L column wasn't always such a sure thing.  As recently as last month, it appeared that

OSITF movie roundup

This weekend, some of my friends were getting together to watch this movie:



I did not join them.  After reading Grant Brisbee's spoiler-filled review, I'm glad I didn't go. 

In fact, the top three movies currently in theaters that I want to see are:
1. Looper
2. Dredd 3D
3. The Dark Knight Rises (again)

If you're disappointed about another bad baseball movie coming out, let's all ignore that stinker and get excited for this flick:

Monday Minutiæ

This is one way to trap the ball, I suppose...

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Rockies > Broncos

Photo via Jim Caple/ESPN.com
How can one compare two different teams that play two different sports?  Apples and oranges, I know.  But NFL teams and MLB teams have some statistics in common: wins and losses.  To account for the different number of games played in a season, let's focus on winning percentage.  Total number of wins divided by total number of games played equals winning percentage. 

After today's loss to the Houston Texans, the Denver Broncos are 1-2, with a .333 winning percentage.  After today's loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks–extending a now nine game losing streak–the Colorado Rockies are 58-94, with a .382 winning percentage. 

You read that correctly.  The Rockies are better at winning games than the Broncos.

I know what you (Jay) are probably screaming right now: "SSS!!!!1"  But are three games really that small of a sample size for the Broncos?  It equates to roughly 30 Rockies games, or about a month of baseball.  Yes, the Broncos have a lot of games left to play, but it isn't too early to start gaining perspective about the team.

The Rockies have ten games remaining.  They need to win at least five to avoid an infamous 100 loss season.  I have my doubts about their ability to do that. 

No matter what happens, the Broncos won't reach triple-digit losses.  But they are well on their way to spoiling high expectations for this season and ruining the legacy of a future hall-of-famer.  All the criticisms of Tim Tebow can be applied to Peyton Manning: poor decision making, inaccurate passes, settling for field goals too often, he's only good in the fourth quarter, etc.

The Broncos should have kept Tebow AND Kubiak.

This is a rough time to be a sports fan in Colorado.  Go Cards.  Go Expos Nats.

Imagine that, the Broncos game is...


ACTUALLY ON TELEVISION THIS WEEK! 
   

Another reason why baseball is better than football

There are no cheerleaders in Major League Baseball.

Sunday SIERA

Somehow, I don't think that a Klingon would throw a Vulcan changeup.



But I agree that it is disturbing that he was able to get a Bat'leth through security.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Friday, September 21, 2012

Friday Fathomings: Vote for McCarthy!



Every year, Major League Baseball honors one player for off the field contributions with the Roberto Clemente Award.  The winner is selected by a fan vote.

OSITF is proud to endorse A's starter Brandon McCarthy for the 2012 Roberto Clemente Award.  As the Waldo Canyon fire was burning, McCarthy and his wife, who both grew up in Colorado Springs, organized a fundraiser for those affected by the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history.

Vote now!
  

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Thor's Day Thoughts



"That's a veteran move right there. Quick thinking on your feet, even though nobody's buying it."

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

"Oh, that's Tim Lincecum?"

"I thought it was just some bum."

Take it from me...

Take it from me, someone who owns a Miguel Cabrera shirt, the AL MVP should be...



THAT GUY!  Even if Miguel Cabrera wins the triple crown

I could try to explain why, but Dave Cameron of FanGraphs already has in a way more eloquent than I ever could manage.  Don't believe in WAR?  Read the article anyway.  Trout has been more valuable than Cabrera, even if you don't look at the enormous disparity in WAR.

My shirt is still awesome, but Mike Trout should be the MVP of the American League.

Odin's Day Oddity



The best part is how Daniel Murphy applauds the clown that threw that behemoth on the field.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Baseball Dream Theater


For some unknown reason, I find myself in the clubhouse of the Tampa Bay Rays.  I don't remember all of what was said, but at one point I comment on how I think the Rays have cool uniforms and colors.  Joe Maddon then proceeds to tell me that I can have a free Rays hat of my choice.  He leads me to an equipment room, where I see an array of various Rays caps.  I am cautioned to be sure about my choice.  

After browsing the hats, I settle on a columbia blue batting practice hat.  As I try it on, I look in the mirror and find that I am wearing a white batting practice hat.  I take off the hat, look at it, and find that it is blue once again.  Another glance at the mirror shows me holding a white hat in my hands.  The dream ends with me just standing there, confused by this impossible hat.

Oh well, I suppose it could be worse...

Tuesday Two-seam

Moneyball was only the beginning...



Also, whatisthisIdon'teven.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Sunday SIERA

I've heard of the hidden ball trick, but this is ridiculous!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Detroit Mock City

I guess the Blue Jays aren't the only ones who steal signs...



I am by no means a Jim Leyland apologist, but it's pretty funny that Miggy stole a "FIRE LEYLAND" sign.

Saturday Shuuto

ESPN need to take note of how much the Yankees put people to sleep:



How about some more exciting Yankees coverage?

Friday, September 14, 2012

More Doyers Schadenfreude

If you enjoyed the first installment, here is more of what you love:



Yes, that was Carlos Beltrán retiring Josh Beckett on a typical 9-3 putout.

What's more, Dee Gordon is very fast.  But he isn't as fast as Yadi...

Friday Fathomings

When a player is wearing socks this cool, he needs to wear them up to his knees!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Thor's Day Thoughts

Do the Marlins have a trap door in center field?

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

A dinner fit for a king


The Rockies did not win yesterday, but they did score more than seven runs. I sure hope that these are not the last cheap tacos of the year.

PFBL Standings 9/12/2012

Odin's Day Oddity

I think Kauffman might have to run a "DO NOT KISS" cam.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Tuesday Two-seam



Wow.  Everything just happened so fast.  Let's break this play down, shall we?

Monday, September 10, 2012

Monday Minutiæ

No, no, the OTHER righty.



I know what you're wondering, but alas, much to Eric Hosmer's chagrin, the Royals did not win.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Apropos of something

I promise.


Hat tip: SB Nation.

Move over, Abner Dalrymple!


Move over, Edwin Jackson, Will Middlebrooks, Todd Coffey, Mike Hampton, Todd Zeile, Waite Hoyte (HOF), Frankie Frisch (HOF), Frank Chance (HOF), Dots Miller, Woody Crowson, Ambrose Puttmann, and Abner Dalrymple.

All of you have to share your birthday with Ezra James Percell, born today, September 9th, 2012.

Congrats Commish & Mrs. Commish!

Sunday SIERA

Kung Fu notwithstanding, I bet Davey Johnson could beat down Starlin Castro.



"And now the Cubs are gonna throw at a teenager."

"You get beat like the Cubs have for four days now, and then you throw at somebody.  To me that's just plain embarrassing for your whole organization."

Embarassing for Cubs fans everywhere too.
 

Saturday, September 8, 2012

¡εὕρηκα! (or: The Pursuit of Happenstance)

Eureka!  A fortunate trip to the Chapel Hills Mall has ended years of searching for the greatest baseball hat of all time:

I have you now!
 It has been a long time coming, but I have finally found my white whale...

The September of My (every) Years

This picture is a metaphor.
  
When it comes to sports, September is kind of a lame month.  Let me count the ways:

1) The AAA season is over.  No more fun Sky Sox games.

2) Football is starting which means that the MLB season will be over soon.  I dread the offseason, where I will be stuck scouring the internet for Adrián Beltré highlights for blog fodder.

3) All of the sports media everywhere is covering football much more than baseball, despite exciting playoff races and the fact that baseball is superior in every way.

4) I'm really not excited about football starting.  Tim Tebow isn't with the Broncos anymore.  (I'm much more excited about RGIII with the Skins than I am about the Peyton Manning.)  The Buffs are no good.  I rarely get to see any Baylor games.  At least I can listen to Air Force games on the radio.

5) Insert Jay's BCS rant here.

6) Yes, the title of this post is a reference to a great song.

7) Honestly.  I'd rather have a RGIII jersey (preferably a Baylor one) than a Peyton Manning Broncos jersey.

8) This list has officially gotten away from me.  I think I'm going to go watch Moneyball again.

Saturday Shuuto

Kung Fu notwithstanding, I bet Matt Williams could beat down Pablo Sandoval.

Friday, September 7, 2012

On the brink


With tonight's 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, the Colorado Rockies now have a 56-81 record.  The Rockies have 25 games remaining.  If they win all 25, they will finish with a record of 81-81.  If not, they are doomed to a losing season.

Somehow, I doubt the Rockies will pull off a 25 game win streak starting tomorrow.

Perhaps I'm just too much of a pessimist though.


Photo credit: AP Photo/Matt Slocum.

#LOLROCKIES, or #ROXFAIL

It is perfectly fitting for this year's Rockies season that they lost consecutive games this week by a score of 1-0, where the only runs scored were unearned (meaning they happened because of defensive errors).  Take a look:



So, even when the Rockies are kinda good (giving up less than a dozen runs), they are still not really good at all.  The year of the fail continues.

Excellence in baserunning

In the first inning of yesterday's Cubs/Nats matchup, Bryce Harper stretched a double into a triple and then pulled this off:



Harper scored on a groundout comebacker to the third base side of the mound.  As if it wasn't already true, but Harper has cemented himself alongside Adrián Beltré and Prince Fielder in the top tier of baseball players that are the most fun to watch.

Friday Fathomings


On Tuesday, there was a rain delay at a baseball game being played in a dome.  Were it possible, the video of this meteorological phenomenon would have appeared in this post.  However, MLB.com's draconian selection of embed-capable videos prevents me from doing making this possible.  Instead, please follow this link to see the video, and enjoy this random animated gif:

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Thor's Day Thoughts



That nimble baserunner for the Indianapolis Indians is none other than 350-pound reliefer Jose "Jumbo" Diaz, who, in his tenth season in the minors, finally recorded his first stolen base.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

If the playoffs began today...

Thanks to CBSsports.com, the MLB playoff picture is crystal clear:

Wait, what?  From CBSsports.  Click to enlarge.

As you can see, Baltimore and New York are tied for the lead in the AL East.  Oakland also has the same record as those two teams, which means that in the ALDS Texas will be taking on Baltimore/Oakland/New York.  Ron Washington must be licking his chops.  What's more, Cincinnati and Washington are tied for the top overall seed in the NL.

Clearly, Major League Baseball needs more wild card spots.

Odin's Day Oddity



Thanks to the handy website How Many Altuves, I now know that I live at 1248.3 Altuves above sea level.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Base hit

One more highlight from Saturday's action: on a 0-1 count, Jonah hit a seeing-eye single.

The Rockies clinched a playoff spot yesterday! No Joke!

Photo by Christopher Tomlinson/The Daily Sentinel
That's right.  You read the headline correctly.  The Rockies are playoff bound in 2012!

. . . The Grand Junction Rockies that is.

Tuesday Two-seam

It isn't easy to draw a walk and get hit by a pitch in the same plate appearance, but David DeJesus managed to pull it off recently:

Monday, September 3, 2012

Mark Ellis practices the five Ds.

Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images
Dodge, duck, dip, dive, and...

Monday Minutiæ

I'd say that this is equal parts gross and scary.



I am very worried that Philadelphia's disappointing season might be driving their fans to participate in

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Batter up!

Sunday SIERA

Bud Selig has it all wrong.  Home field advantage for the World Series needs to be decided by a bunt competition!



From the video's YouTube description:
Before the Home Run Derby, some of the All-Stars held a bunt competition. Each player had 4 chances to lay down a bunt inside the point areas up either baseline. KIA's Lee Yong-gyu won. Lotte's Shane Youman came in last, but still got an interview (starts at 22:24).

A few observations: