Monday, April 30, 2012

Monday Minutiæ

By popular demand personal whim, more Peyton Manning:

Full disclosure: cheerleading for the Rox is a good first step in winning me over. But, contrary to what some believe, Manning's presence did not help the Rockies, as they lost 6-5 to the Mets in 11 innings.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Friday, April 27, 2012

Friday Fathomings

Giants RHP Brian Wilson recently had Tommy John surgery for the second time in his baseball career. If this trend continues, Wilson might end up looking like this. Anyway, he sent out this thank you note to his friend:

Thursday, April 26, 2012

If It Ain't Broke...

This is my new strategy for my MLB Odyssey.
I just might have to apply it broadly to all of my fantasy baseball activities.

Thor's Day Thoughts

Is it me, or is this promotion a little MiLB?

Just make sure you're eating VottO's, kids.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Odin's Day Oddity

Despite the low position in the league standings, players on PFBL's 9th place Pioneer Skies still enjoy exceptional team chemistry.
Photo by Jon Bernhardt

Saturday, April 21, 2012

mlb.com odyssey 2012

If you're reading this blog you obviously like baseball, fantasy baseball, or someone who participates in the Percell Fantasy Baseball League. For anyone who wants to get off the bench and participate in some fantasy baseball fun, and for any PFBL owners who are looking for something else to occupy their time, I've set up a group in the mlb.com fantasy game, Odyssey 2012.

The game is simple. Everyone picks an MLB team each day that they think will win. If your team loses, that's a strike. 3 strikes and you're out! Last person standing wins. The fun will start on Tuesday, April 24th.

Saturday Shuuto

The trend of fans running onto the field is going too far. 
To wit:

On the other hand...

Friday, April 20, 2012

Friday Fathomings


Fact: baseball is America's pastime. 

Some people today might disagree with that statement.  Those people are wrong.  What makes baseball America's pastime cannot be measured in TV ratings or ticket sales.  Baseball is the national pastime because it is the sport that is most characteristically American.  Don't believe me?  Read London Telegraph journalist Dr. Tim Stanley's take on baseball and the USA: "[B]aseball is an analogy for The American Way."  I won't quote further because it is a fascinating article that every baseball fan sports fan American should read.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

A Win for the Aged

Jamie Moyer tunes up his 79MPH "fastball" prior to becoming the oldest ever to win a MLB game.  Turn up the sound to hear that mitt pop - oh never mind.

Sad part is that he is the Rox best pitcher so far this year.  And that his SS's Gold Glove has turned to stone.  Two errors in this game and he has reached his total from last year in just 11 games.  STONY, we need you!  That wicket play in the 7th nearly trashed Moyer's gem, leading to 2 unearned runs.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

On the depravity of man...


Sometimes people disgust me.  Last week, my docket partner told me about how someone spit in his cup of water when he wasn't looking.  I said it was good he caught it in time, but he told me that he didn't.  

People can be vile, repulsive creatures.  Just take what one high school baseball player did to the dugout of a rival team.  It's enough to gross out even Moisés Alou.

Grow up, people.

Tuesday Two-seam

Apparently, Showtime is doing a reality show about a last place team:

Saturday, April 14, 2012

WALKOFF TACOS!!!

The Toddfather and the Rox celebrate walkoff cheap tacos.  Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images.

Spotted: KTF at NYY game

Kermit the Frog heckles Benedict Albert.  Photo from Mike Ferrin's Twitter feed.
No, that isn't a new mascot.  It is Kermit the Frog, a guest of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, in a front row seat at Friday's Yankees game.

Birds Eye View

~ Maybe Coors Field is Not the Ideal Place for Starting Pitching ~

I find it best to keep a close eye on the competition, even get a birds eye view at times. This is a clip of Bloomington Baseball's Daniel Hudson warming up in the pen before last night's game.



Saturday Shuuto

Cue the Top Gun theme.

Longo's head was bouncing off the sides of the cockpit and he actually blacked out at one point.  How do the Rays let him get away with this?

Friday, April 13, 2012

Scenes from the Sky Sox home opener

All good things must come to an end, including Opening Day.  This evening, I attended the Colorado Springs Sky Sox home opener along with the lovely Mrs. JT and two friends from church.  We had very nice seats, as you can see from the above photo.  Below the jump is a brief photo gallery from the game.  Click any picture to enlarge.

At least I will get next year's #1 pick

This morning, I woke up to find my PFBL team in last place.  Now, I have my doubts that that will change any.  My season might have just ended.  See for yourself:


Just because it's old...


Tampa Bay Rays DH Luke Scott, on Fenway Park: "It's a dump."  I know I am not alone when I say that I agree with him about this.

Friday Fathomings

Matt Garza has three career shutouts.  His last came on July 26, 2010.  Yesterday, Matt Garza was one out away from a complete game shutout when he was removed after a fielding error, preventing a 10 point bonus for his PFBL team.
To celebrate...

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Draft chat predictions

David Freese: Kung Fu Master.  Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images.
Hosmer & Record 6, quoted verbatim: "I know it's early, but for the record, I just want to make sure it is in writing what I said about Freese during the draft.  Over .300, 30 home runs, 100 RBIs, Albert Pujols type of year.  It's going to happen."

So far, David Freese has 29 plate appearances in 7 games.  He is batting .429 with 3 HR and 10 RBI.  After 4.3% of the 2012 season, Freese has completed 10% of H&R6's prediction.  Way to go out on a limb, Nate.

But that wasn't the only prediction made during the draft...  

Best textoso ever?

We got Tacos! Go 2 participating Taco Bells today to get your Rockies Tacos Special between 4-6pm. Text STOP 2 end & HELP 4 assistance. Msg&Data rates may apply

Thor's Day Thoughts

Does Justin Verlander have the best curveball in baseball right now?


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

CG + SV = 23.67 points

My PFBL team just got a Complete Game and a Save from the same game.  How can that be possible?

Re: Fidel

I don't have much to say about Ozzie Guillén's most recent idiocy, so instead, I will present without comment the following picture of Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos, Cuban tyrant Fidel Castro, and MLB commissioner Bud Selig at a 1999 exhibition game:

Photo from Associated Press.

Odin's Day Oddity

Opening Day is one of the best days of the year.  Opening Day can also be very frustrating, as it is the one day that brings out the worst fans of your favorite team.  From the foul-mouthed and over-served, to the shrill-voiced people that think every weak popup might be a homer, to the (often) baseball-illiterate Broncos fans who keep asking why Peyton Manning wasn't chosen to throw out the first pitch, it seemingly never ends.  Bad fans and blowout losses are the only things that can damper an otherwise amazing Opening Day experience.  Still, even the worst Rockies fans aren't as bad as the worst fans of other MLB teams.  I'm not planning to attend Opening Day in Detroit any time soon.  Classless fans even made it to Camden this year:



On the other hand, O's fans were able to watch something interesting on the field for once.

UPDATE: Morons and hooligans also made their appearances at the Jay's opener.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Opening Day: The Play

For those of you who don't have MLB Network, this is a commercial they have been running in anticipation of the 2012 season.  I thought it was pretty classic.  Check it out!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Scenes from Opening Day, part 9

April 9th is special every year, whether it's Opening Day or not.  Happy Birthday Mom!  Without you, none of this would be possible.

Scenes from Opening Day, part 8

Walking back to my car from the ballpark, the gentleman in front of me not only had a Larry Walker jersey, but he was also rocking the black/white/gray/purple camo pants.

Scenes from Opening Day, part 7

The Team Percell brick, foundation of the PFBL.

"He made that look really easy."

That's a wrap. Complete game shutout for Zito. Quick, to the waiver wire!

7-0, Giants

Here's hoping the Rockies can muster some cheap tacos!

Sad Delay

Not good, a fan got hit with a sharp foul ball off the bat of Michael Cuddyer.  The fan was carted off in a neck brace.  Hope there isn't a serious injury. 

UPDATE: She was released from the hospital after being treated for a bruise and concussion.  Thanks for the link to the article, Dad.

Scenes from Opening Day, part 7

The first pitch, a strike from Jhoulys Chacin.  Let's not talk about what happened four pitches later.

Scenes from Opening Day, part 6

Balloons!

Scenes from Opening Day, part 5

The National Anthem.

Scenes from Opening Day, part 4

Half of the PFBL is in attendance!

Scenes from Opening Day, part 3

Brian Wilson sagging fly balls.

Scenes from Opening Day, part 2

Inside, watching the Giants take batting practice.

Scenes from Opening Day, part 1

Entering at the clocktower.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

My first game of 2012

My first baseball game of 2012 was neither a Rockies game nor a Sky Sox game.  It was an Academy Little League showdown between the Cardinals and the Reds at Ford Frick Park.  The Cards won 10-8, thanks to 2 RBI and a SB from my cuñado Isaac.
 



Saturday Shuuto

Really, Marlins?

Although, after something this bad, I suppose anything was possible from them.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Thursday, April 5, 2012

5 Bold Predictions for an Election Year Season

AL EAST

Tampa Bay Rays
Boston Red Sox*
New York Yankees*
Toronto Blue Jays
Baltimore Orioles

AL Central

Detroit Tigers
Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Indians
Kansas City Royals
Minnesota Twins

Deja Vu All Over Again

Here are Jay's pick's (posted on the PFBL website before the season opened).
2002 anyone?


Wednesday, April 4, 2012

More Picks!


Before the first regular season game (in this hemisphere) begins, I will go on the record with the following picks:

AL East - Rays
AL Central - Tigers
AL West - Angles
AL WC1 - Yankees
AL WC2 - Red Sox

Odin's Day Oddity

Already a PFBL Keeper and $225,000,000 richer, Joey Votto is now a breakfast cereal tycoon. 
Photo from OMGreds.com

A ten year, $225 million contract extension has apparently given Reds 1B Joey Votto the capitol he needs to start up his own business selling VottO's breakfast cereal.  The Toronto native spoke candidly about his new product, saying "I grew up eating Cheerios, and this is basically Cheerios."  Indeed.  I for one hope that a portion of the profits go to charity.  And, as Votto plays for my team in the PFBL, I would like to note my personal approval of the chocolate-brown three piece suit.  The pink tie, however, will be addressed at our next team meeting.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

About basketball

John Wall, a basketball player, attempts to throw a baseball.
I guess a basketball game was played last night.  Whatever.  Baylor wasn't playing, so I didn't watch.  As such, I cannot comment on the game itself, but I can use the occasion to rant against the asinine NCAA nanny state by linking to this great article by the Washington Times' Patrick Hruby.  Enjoy.

Tuesday Two-seam

Jamie Moyer, noted baseball pitcher and Rocktogenarian*, recently survived long enough to finish a three minute interview with Matt Lauer. Behold:

Monday, April 2, 2012

u mad 'baldo?

In my office, I have a few photos of myself with baseball players--Todd Helton, Matt Holiday, and Ubaldo Jimenez.  Each 8x10 is autographed by the Rockies-clad player appearing in the picture.  Today, after returning from court where I secured a guilty verdict on an elder abuse trial, I took the Ubaldo photo and set it face down on top of one of my bookshelves.  Why?  See for yourself:



Monday Minutiæ

Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven has reached a new milestone. To wit:

Sunday, April 1, 2012

PFBL Standings 4/1/12

Click to enlarge.
Playoffs and tie-breakers excluded, there will be 2,430 MLB games this season. After the first two, Bizarro Royals leads the PFBL thanks to his 18 total points.