2012 Season     

   Edition No.  20       

July 27, 2012

STANDINGS THROUGH 7/22/12

TROUT FOR PRESIDENT  Well, I might vote for him, he has managed to turn around the Angels and Redbirds season almost single handedly.   The kid is simply amazing.  I got to witness (well on the MLB channel) one of the most amazing plays I have ever seen when Trout scored on a single from first base, not because the ball was kicked around or otherwise misplayed, but on pure talent and aggressiveness.  It took the announcers a few moments to pick up on what had happened and I still don’t think the sheer magnificence of the play is aptly recognized.  Ok I am gushing, sorry Bob.   To be honest this may be the only trade in the last many years that has actually panned out for me, and at the time I kind of figured that Justin Upton might rebound with a spectacular 2^nd half, does not appear likely now.  Bet the Angels wish they had him signed for 10 years and $200 million and not Pujols.  #1 pick for 2013???

Don’t remember who told me the story about Kerry Wood, but evidently on the day he retired a buddy of his picked him up at the ballpark with fishing boat in tow for a fishing excursion to Northwest Ontario.  I have new found respect for Mr. Wood.

Speaking of bad plays, I have attended a couple of Storm Chasers games this summer, the ball park is nice and the team has some potential MLB stars, think the Will Meyers kid is the real deal, he just looks better than the other players.  Anyway the last game we were at Chris Volstad was pitching for the I Cubs with a man on 2nd and one out.  A simple ground ball to the right of the first baseman, Volstad, all 6’8” of him covers 1^st, two out and alls well except that Volstad instead of checking the runner and walking back to the mound with the ball decides he should celebrate his good play and throw the ball around the horn.  Without time being called the player who had advanced to 3^rd on the ground ball sprints home, not even a play made.  Never seen it before, quite humerous.

Does anyone understand how the MLB playoffs will work this year.  I guess there are 2 wildcards so if nothing else we may have another end of the season grand finale.  Will be hard to beat last year speaking of which we probably should just calendar an HSL outing for the last night of games, thought Oscars was a great place to meet, pencil it in.

What does everyone else think of John Smoltz as a color man.  I really like him and thought the pairing with Bob Costas was outstanding, although Costas has a way of bringing up everyones game.  Also like Francona, assume he will be back on the field next year, but seems pretty comfortable in the booth although a little too pc at times, would be great if he was committed to announcing and could tell it like it is. 

How about the job Robin Ventura is doing for the Chi Sox.  Amazing what  a change in personality can do for a team, the Red Sox should take note, that hire has to be one of the biggest bone head moves of all time, especially considering the egos of the players, media and fans in Bean Town.  The polar opposite in hires was Davey Johnson in Washington.    

I wish Bud Selig would retire or expire, hard to stomach his arrogance and would be great to have some young blood and fresh thinking.

Guess whose stats?  Why is he not closing?

Would like to see the top 10 list of players that Chuck has cast off this year with his 108 transactions.  I am looking forward to hearing his thoughts on the aggressive catch and release management strategy. 

It looks like Skipper has a real shot at a top 10 finish this year, not sure they can catch the Skipjacks but could get interesting.

The Redbird clan is heading for the Grand Canyon and other destinations next week, wish everyone well for the rest of the season, lots of jockeying for draft order, some 250 points separate 7 teams, possible to move 3 or 4 spots in a week.