Crimson Chirper

Greetings HSL Brethren!

Against my better judgment I am penning this 2013 edition of The Crimson Chirper. Purposely I have attempted to avoid HSL chatter in fear of unearthing the “jinx” on the 2013 Redbirds. However, my concern for the wrath of Linda for failure to produce a few words for this week’s HSL archives took precedence and hopefully directly confronting the jinx herein will shield the Redbirds from the jinx.

So what exactly is a jinx and why should one be afraid of the jinx? I guess in today’s age, one must turn to Wikipedia for the meaning of all things relevant:

A jinx, in popular superstition and folklore, is:

A type of curse placed on a person that makes them prey to many minor misfortunes and other forms of bad luck;
A person afflicted with a similar curse, who, while not directly subject to a series of misfortunes, seems to attract them to anyone in his vicinity.
An object or person that brings bad luck

As one ages and analyzes their life experiences, the existence of, and to some degree, knowledge of how jinxes may be created and to some degree avoided becomes clearer. One also realizes that the propensity to become subject to or impacted by a jinx is not uniform across all persons or events. As an example, if one carefully examines the lives and career paths of BT or Big Johnny, for example, one astute to jinxology would easily realize that these human specimens are largely immune to the jinx. Despite being genetically challenged in cranial capacity, they have largely avoided jinxes that would afflict normal mortals with resulting disproportionate HSL, business and other personal successes. Unfortunately, the reverse also holds true, that being that some persons seem to have a greater propensity to attract a jinx. I won’t name names to protect the innocent. While my study of this subject remains incomplete and evolving, this propensity seems to be some nature and some nurture. A perfect example is our own Edson Bridges. While clearly blessed in many aspects of life and having a superior intellect and education, he should pay heed to the “tempting fate” aspect of jinxism, as stated in Wikipedia:

The superstition can also be referenced when talking about a future event with too much confidence. A statement such as "We're sure to win the contest!" can be seen as a jinx because it tempts fate, thereby bringing bad luck. The event itself is referred to as "jinxed.” In a similar way, calling attention to good fortune – e.g. noting that a certain athlete is having a streak of particularly good fortune – is thought to "jinx" it. If the good fortune ends immediately afterward, the jinx is then blamed for the turn of events, often jokingly.

Clearly the jinx is a more powerful force than, say, mean reversion, for instance. Take heed.

THE ALL STAR GAME

Does anyone else think the All-Star Game is boring? Perhaps it is just the thought of Bud Selig having the national stage to blither and bloviate about what he has done and is doing for baseball. Stuffy personalities and strict protocol is what makes this such a largely unwatchable event. Frankly, the “this game means something” has completely backfired in its appeal to the masses. While the traditionalists and stuffy veteran ballplayers were critical of including Yasial Puig as an All Star, it would have been so much better for the “game” if he were included. Harper, Trout, Machado and Puig all add an element of youthful excitement to the game and are the future superstars of the game. How much better would the game be if contested in a low pressure fun atmosphere where these players’ talents could be showcased. That is what is kind of fun about the home run derby, watching Cespedes and Harper square off amid the oohs and aahs and horseplay of the nonparticipating all stars is really refreshing. It was a great idea to allow the kids to shag balls as well, just a little more distraction and fun to watch the mad scramble for the fly balls and line drives. No one wants to hear Bud Selig talk about his crusade against PEDs or watch some noncontending team’s fake all star take center stage to see who gets home field advantage. Seriously?

SECOND HALF PREDICTIONS

So what about 2^nd half predictions?

AL post season qualifiers:

Red Sox, Rays, Tigers, Rangers, Orioles.

NL post season qualifiers:

Braves, Cardinals, Reds, Dodgers, Pirates

Tigers v. Dodgers in World Series, Dodgers win one for Vin Scully, Puig is MVP of Series in close call over Kershaw.

Can’t really speak to what will happen in the HSL, if you know what I mean! Best of luck to all and especially the Tribe, would love to slug it out to the end with you, brother.

DRY HEAT DRAFT

I want to give another big and maybe final thank you to Scott for pushing the Dry Heat Draft. We have had a lot of fun trips to a lot of great venues, but having the HSL draft in an out of town venue and spending time with the group pre- and postdraft was really really cool. It is so easy with all that we have going on in our lives to find reasons to not do things. I appreciate the commitment the group made, with some gentle prodding, to do this at least one time. It may never happen again, but this will be the draft that we will never forget. Anyway, I hope that over the next few years we can again plan a trip where the whole group can get together. Remember, life is short and full of woulda coulda shoulda’s. You gotta make it happen.