Duffers, Listen up! I went golfing for the first time this year last night. Naturally, it was frustrating, but an overall fun experience. It was full of long drives ricocheting into the woods, putts spinning around the cup, and chips going sideways...All trademarks of my golf game. The moment the puts the round into perspective was following a massive drive traveling over 280 that set me up for a nice approach on a par-4.......then I prepared to chip. Let us pretend that chipping is the worst part of my game...and by pretend I mean it is. So i set up to chip, and i accidentally (seriously) hit the ball sideways. I was about 60 yards from the hole and ended up about 80 yards away. All I could do was mutter, "That was counterproductive" to myself and laugh. What a funny game. The worst thing you can do with the shot i had when trying (got you who think, turn and fling it into the woods), yet I was smiling as i sauntered over for my next shot...That one hit the green but rolled over the back, gah! Golf is a sport that is popular because you can play it till you fall six feet under. It is also popular because it is fun. Golfing would not be worth playing if you suffered, and with the amount i play, i think it is fun. Getting mad is not worth it. Your ball will not magically come back to where you are standing (unless you have your trusty mulligan in your pocket) and allow you to hit again. So enjoy playing, make it fun. Remember, your first round will always be your worst; therefore, after you shoot twenty over, get out there again and play...maybe you can bring that 56 down to a 50, then to a 46...who knows? Keep at golf, it is rewarding.
In Conclusion: I am bad at chipping, but optimistic that i can drive the green or be far enough away to hit a short to mid iron.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Baseball Fans are Wrong:
Baseball fans think they are right. What a silly misconception. Fans everywhere think that it is a fantabulous idea to even the leagues with 15 teams (moving Houston to the NL West and the Arizona Diamondbacks to the AL West). Makes sense. I mean having 6 teams puts every member of the NL Central at a disadvantage, and obviously it is the opposite for the 4 teams in the AL West. Why not square up the odds? Make it fair for everyone? The blame should be placed on Connie Mack (who?) and John Claiborne. Mack was the manager of the Philadelphia Athletics in 1906. What does this early 20th century skipper have to do with today's league format? And what about Claiborne? He was the Philadelphia Phillies' G.M. in 1973. How can these two men be the cause of baseball's format conundrum? Easy for you fellow baseball buffs. Mack, as everyone knows, was the first to suggest the designated hitter. Ah, the DH, we have arrived at the cause. Because of the American League having a designated hitter, inter-league play has been reserved for the month of June. Baseball set up its divisions the way it did because the Designated Hitter made scheduling 
too hard. It meant that every series, a national league team would be playing an American League team and would have to deal with a DH. So, Mack is at fault because his Designated Hitter idea has bloomed into scheduling problems, but what about this Claiborne fellow? How is it his fault? Do not fear loyal reader(s?), i have the answer to that as well. Claiborne decided he did not need to vote on the National League's adoption of the designated hitter. Claiborne had been an open supporter of the N.L. adopting the position, but forwent voting anyway. From there you can probably assume the result. Not voting is equal to a "no" vote. The National League voted down the DH. Claiborne decided not to vote, and the DH fell. This left the Leagues unbalanced...resulting in the scheduling conflict that continues to this day. So, the DH is to blame (thus Mack and Claiborne). So if the DH was removed or put into the National League or the American League got rid of the DH (haha, good one!), the move could be made and a schedule like that of the NBA could be used. One other solution that is ridiculous would be to add two brand spankin' new teams to the American League, but i digress.
In Conclusion: Many baseball fans i talk to say, "Why do they not even up the leagues?" Well my loyal follower(s?) i have brought to you the reasoning for Bud Selig and Baseball's elite keeping the format the way it is. With the designated hitter being the way it is, scheduling inter-league series would become far too complex. It is already hard enough to schedule 162 games effectively, so adding this little problem is not worth it...Sorry Cincinnati, Chicago, Houston, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis...for now you will still have to beat out more teams than any other team in order to make the playoffs (wild card anyone?)
too hard. It meant that every series, a national league team would be playing an American League team and would have to deal with a DH. So, Mack is at fault because his Designated Hitter idea has bloomed into scheduling problems, but what about this Claiborne fellow? How is it his fault? Do not fear loyal reader(s?), i have the answer to that as well. Claiborne decided he did not need to vote on the National League's adoption of the designated hitter. Claiborne had been an open supporter of the N.L. adopting the position, but forwent voting anyway. From there you can probably assume the result. Not voting is equal to a "no" vote. The National League voted down the DH. Claiborne decided not to vote, and the DH fell. This left the Leagues unbalanced...resulting in the scheduling conflict that continues to this day. So, the DH is to blame (thus Mack and Claiborne). So if the DH was removed or put into the National League or the American League got rid of the DH (haha, good one!), the move could be made and a schedule like that of the NBA could be used. One other solution that is ridiculous would be to add two brand spankin' new teams to the American League, but i digress.In Conclusion: Many baseball fans i talk to say, "Why do they not even up the leagues?" Well my loyal follower(s?) i have brought to you the reasoning for Bud Selig and Baseball's elite keeping the format the way it is. With the designated hitter being the way it is, scheduling inter-league series would become far too complex. It is already hard enough to schedule 162 games effectively, so adding this little problem is not worth it...Sorry Cincinnati, Chicago, Houston, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis...for now you will still have to beat out more teams than any other team in order to make the playoffs (wild card anyone?)
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Chipper Jones: Atlanta's Larkin, Gwynn, etc.
Chipper Jones has made a name for himself playing a game his is good at. He is arguably the best switch-hitter of all-time and one hell of a deer hunter (not that as anything to do with baseball, but i digress). He has hit more long balls (426) than any switch hitter not named Micky Mantle or Eddie Murray. He has a career .307 batting average. Put together those two figures and Jones is the only switch hitter to have acquired more than 400 homers and higher than .300 career average. He was the MVP in 1999, a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and was a part of the 1995 World Series winning Braves. However, the 6-time all-star means more than the stats show.
Maybe the most surprising move of the 2002 campaign in the MLB included Chip being moved to left-field. He had been playing third base for the Braves since he broke into the League (although he was a Shortstop in the minors). Many people may think, "if it were the best move for the team, the Braves made the right decisions. The move, however, goes deeper than trading in the big third-baseman's glove for the outfield one. It was a matter of pride for Chipper. He decided that the Braves was more important than himself. To use the old cliché, he cared more about the name on the front than the name on the back. Chipper moving from a position he had played since his rookie year in 2005 to a run-of-the-mill left field where he had never played. Chipper showed great humility in this situation. Also, Chipper is one of the better influences in the entire league. His move to left field is a little bit of proof of this. Although he had never played for any team other than the Braves, Chipper was not guaranteed member of the 2002 campaign. There was mucho talk about him being moved by the Braves. However, the Braves felt he was such an important member of the clubhouse, instead of trading Chipper, the Braves asked him to move to left field. Chipper was a key to the Braves 11 straight division championships (1995-2005). He has made his name with the Braves, and really, has made the Braves back into a name. He is (less arguably) the greatest Brave of all-time. And this all comes after tearing his ACL in 1994's Spring Training...add perseverance to the list of qualities. He may not have the glorified number of homers like Ken Griffey Jr. or the continuous production of as that of Albert Pujols, but no player has meant more since he came into the league in 1993 in the recent times of free agency and trades to their respective organization than Chipper Jones has meant to the Braves.
In Conclusion: Chipper Jones deserves the praise that future Hall of Fame players such as Ken Griffey Jr. or Greg Maddux have gotten over the years. He may not have the greatest resumè or any player to have played, but he has Hall of Fame numbers and is a Hall of Fame character. So when Chipper is inducted into the Hall, I hope he gets the publicity that the others have gotten who have not been the leader, teammate, or character as Chipper Jones. I hope Chipper has a great 2010 and nabs himself a couple of deer during hunting season.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Call to Arms
The Cincinnati Reds have a luxury....apparently. Young pitchers are hard to come by, and the Reds have some fine young pitchers. I mean, Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey, and Mike Leake? They all appear to be coming into their own and pitching damn well. The Reds also have two veterans in Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo to anchor their rotation. However, pitching has been far from perfect (except for the 4-0, minor-league skipping Leake). Aside from the putative prodigy, the Reds have a 8-10 record and a 5.11 earned runs average. More than the statistical issues, the Reds have personal issues. Lying in wait in the minors is the Cuban Missile, Aroldis Chapman. He was signed by the Reds for $30.25 million over six years. That is hardly child's pay (pun). The Cuban Missile is believed to be a sort of savior for the Reds (Homer Bailey II?). Chapman is being paid $4,819,166.666666667 more per year than Johnny Cueto. So you need to work him into the equation (bullpen? six-man rotation? trade?). The Reds' pitching "luxuries" do not end with Chapman. What about Edinson Volquez (who? JOSH JONES!....no). Volquez underwent the infamous Tommy John surgery and since has been suspended 50 games for substance abuse. However, Volquez was an all-star in 2008. (That isn't even too long ago like Arroyo in 2006!). I mean if Volquez comes back this season (looking more and more doubtful) the Reds have 7 starters and all appear to have value to the team. Fortunately for the Reds, i have the solution to the problem (send all disagreements to my email).
The simple solution is to trade one of the veteran pitchers (Harang/Arroyo) and move the struggling Homer Bailey back to the minors so he can develop his curveball (again). This, however, would be the move of a fool, which i do not think Walt Jocketty is. The Reds should start to solve their overabundance of starters by releasing Volquez (insert choice of shocked emoticon here). I understand that Volquez has shown promise, and was the prize in the Josh Hamilton trade, but he has the least value to the Reds at this point. The unknown affects of Tommy John on his elbow (pitching and future injuries) make Volquez the biggest risk of the 7. Then, the Reds should trade Harang. Many feel that Arroyo is more likely to go, but Arroyo has been much more consistent. Harang still has value, and the Reds can open the spot that Aroldis Chapman needs to become a big league player. Being in first place (hoo-rah), the Reds need to keep Arroyo, since he has been their most consistent pitcher since his all-star selection all the way back in 2006. With these two roster moves, the Reds rotation will be
1) Arroyo (i know, right!)
2) Mike Leake (Prodigy)
3) Johnny Cueto (On the rise)
4) Homer Bailey (the savior)
5) Aroldis Chapman (Cuban Missile?).
Now, you may argue, "What if Chapman isn't ready? What if Leake is a fluke? What if Homer Bailey isn't the savior?" To all of these arguements i counter with, "What if Harang's last two years (12-31) are the rule and not the exception. I mean can you argue that Harang shows any more promise in the future than Chapman who is 10 years younger than Harang. I would place my trust in youth rather than age. A guy who can throw 100mph is more valuable than a crumbling veteran." And for your arguments for Volquez, i say, "Edinson has proven himself, but not after a serious elbow injury. He is more likely to be less of a pitcher than he was, although for now, i hope not."
In Conclusion: The Reds have the misnomer, "luxury" of baseball....too many starting pitchers. The Reds do not have to fix the problem immediately, but do need to realize that they has a 30 million dollar investment sitting in Louisville. The Reds for now, are luxurious.
The simple solution is to trade one of the veteran pitchers (Harang/Arroyo) and move the struggling Homer Bailey back to the minors so he can develop his curveball (again). This, however, would be the move of a fool, which i do not think Walt Jocketty is. The Reds should start to solve their overabundance of starters by releasing Volquez (insert choice of shocked emoticon here). I understand that Volquez has shown promise, and was the prize in the Josh Hamilton trade, but he has the least value to the Reds at this point. The unknown affects of Tommy John on his elbow (pitching and future injuries) make Volquez the biggest risk of the 7. Then, the Reds should trade Harang. Many feel that Arroyo is more likely to go, but Arroyo has been much more consistent. Harang still has value, and the Reds can open the spot that Aroldis Chapman needs to become a big league player. Being in first place (hoo-rah), the Reds need to keep Arroyo, since he has been their most consistent pitcher since his all-star selection all the way back in 2006. With these two roster moves, the Reds rotation will be
1) Arroyo (i know, right!)
2) Mike Leake (Prodigy)
3) Johnny Cueto (On the rise)
4) Homer Bailey (the savior)
5) Aroldis Chapman (Cuban Missile?).
Now, you may argue, "What if Chapman isn't ready? What if Leake is a fluke? What if Homer Bailey isn't the savior?" To all of these arguements i counter with, "What if Harang's last two years (12-31) are the rule and not the exception. I mean can you argue that Harang shows any more promise in the future than Chapman who is 10 years younger than Harang. I would place my trust in youth rather than age. A guy who can throw 100mph is more valuable than a crumbling veteran." And for your arguments for Volquez, i say, "Edinson has proven himself, but not after a serious elbow injury. He is more likely to be less of a pitcher than he was, although for now, i hope not."
In Conclusion: The Reds have the misnomer, "luxury" of baseball....too many starting pitchers. The Reds do not have to fix the problem immediately, but do need to realize that they has a 30 million dollar investment sitting in Louisville. The Reds for now, are luxurious.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Story of a Lowly Guy:
There are few people who get to make a game winning play in a competitive sporting event. Even less often, a player makes a game winning play in football. I will go even farther and say almost never do you even hear or possibly think of a reserve (second-string player) making a game winning play in football. I have never attended a better game than the JV football game between Cincinnati Elder and Cincinnati Moeller on October 10th, 2009.
In a not so hostile environment at Moeller, the JV football team from Cincy Elder came in limping. They had lost their best offensive threat in wide receiver Jeff Vorherr due ot a broken leg agaisnt rival St. Xavier the week before. Their starting TE Michael Paff was also out. Moeller also had an injured wide receiver, whose name i could not apprehend. The game began with a beyond bold move by the Moeller Crusaders. They decided to test the awareness of the Elder kickoff return team and did a pseudo-kickoff, (they did an onside kick from a regular kickoff formation). To the Elder faithful's (the player's parents) chagrin, the Crusaders recovered the onside. Despite the early excitement, the crowd became buried in a defensive standstill. Both teams fought hard. Soon, Moeller found a chance to score at the end of the second quarter. They intercepted a Ben Gramke pass and found the three yard line, (guaranteed points). However, Nick Pennekamp and the stout Elder defense was going to have none of that (NOT TODAY!!!) and they stopped the Crusaders and three straight plays, allowing no yards. The Crusaders made the obvious (and soft) move of bringing in the field goal team. Their softness came back to haunt them, as Pennekamp tipped the field goal, sending it wide. Elder's offensive came back onto the field, prepared to try and score before the half. Starting on the 20, (a missed field goal inside the 20 is like a touchback). Gramke dropped back, but threw yet another interception. The Elder defensive responded, as cornerback Kevin Groll nabbed his own pick. The game went into half-time tied, 0-0. The Crusaders scored on their first possession of the second half. The Panthers quickly countered with their own score. With less than three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Moeller punched in a score. Elder had one last chance. Gramke engineered a brilliant drive. He made ridiculous play after ridiculous play. Two penalties killed the panthers, but Gramke eventually found Vorherr's sub, Mark Westerfield, for a touchdown as time expired! The panthers decided to go soft and kick the extra point to send the game into overtime. Moeller, however, was not quite ready for the usually gusty Elder to kick the PAT, so they had brought on their defense. Moeller called a timeout. The man behind Elder JV's madness, Al Grissinger, decided he was through with those goddamn Crusaders and their softness. Coach Al sent the offense out in a 5-wide shotgun. Moeller came out in a frenzy. Their kick block team had come on, and now it was up to those fellas to play "D". Elder snapped the ball and Gramke dropped back. He scampered to his right and fired to the back of the endzone. The ball found its target in the backup tight end Adam Bross. Bross reeled in the ball, falling to his right. He stood up and the bull rush began. The Elder players leaped on the callow tight end. Suddenly, the referees were called over by the Moeller coaches, unable to accept defeat. The coaches complained that Elder receiver Tony Smith had not checked into the field (between the hash marks). Eventually, Coach Al thrust his hands in the air in victory, and the Elder sideline erupted again.
In Conclusion: You never know when you might make the difference for people in your life. Elder had two of its more consistent players in Michael Paff and Jeffrey Vorherr go down to injuries, but their replacements pulled through in the clutch. You should never become complacent as a role as a backup or playing second fiddle, because you never know when the person ahead of you will need you to pick them up or help them out. Also, it shows that taking chances can payoff and being soft is not the route to go in life.
In a not so hostile environment at Moeller, the JV football team from Cincy Elder came in limping. They had lost their best offensive threat in wide receiver Jeff Vorherr due ot a broken leg agaisnt rival St. Xavier the week before. Their starting TE Michael Paff was also out. Moeller also had an injured wide receiver, whose name i could not apprehend. The game began with a beyond bold move by the Moeller Crusaders. They decided to test the awareness of the Elder kickoff return team and did a pseudo-kickoff, (they did an onside kick from a regular kickoff formation). To the Elder faithful's (the player's parents) chagrin, the Crusaders recovered the onside. Despite the early excitement, the crowd became buried in a defensive standstill. Both teams fought hard. Soon, Moeller found a chance to score at the end of the second quarter. They intercepted a Ben Gramke pass and found the three yard line, (guaranteed points). However, Nick Pennekamp and the stout Elder defense was going to have none of that (NOT TODAY!!!) and they stopped the Crusaders and three straight plays, allowing no yards. The Crusaders made the obvious (and soft) move of bringing in the field goal team. Their softness came back to haunt them, as Pennekamp tipped the field goal, sending it wide. Elder's offensive came back onto the field, prepared to try and score before the half. Starting on the 20, (a missed field goal inside the 20 is like a touchback). Gramke dropped back, but threw yet another interception. The Elder defensive responded, as cornerback Kevin Groll nabbed his own pick. The game went into half-time tied, 0-0. The Crusaders scored on their first possession of the second half. The Panthers quickly countered with their own score. With less than three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Moeller punched in a score. Elder had one last chance. Gramke engineered a brilliant drive. He made ridiculous play after ridiculous play. Two penalties killed the panthers, but Gramke eventually found Vorherr's sub, Mark Westerfield, for a touchdown as time expired! The panthers decided to go soft and kick the extra point to send the game into overtime. Moeller, however, was not quite ready for the usually gusty Elder to kick the PAT, so they had brought on their defense. Moeller called a timeout. The man behind Elder JV's madness, Al Grissinger, decided he was through with those goddamn Crusaders and their softness. Coach Al sent the offense out in a 5-wide shotgun. Moeller came out in a frenzy. Their kick block team had come on, and now it was up to those fellas to play "D". Elder snapped the ball and Gramke dropped back. He scampered to his right and fired to the back of the endzone. The ball found its target in the backup tight end Adam Bross. Bross reeled in the ball, falling to his right. He stood up and the bull rush began. The Elder players leaped on the callow tight end. Suddenly, the referees were called over by the Moeller coaches, unable to accept defeat. The coaches complained that Elder receiver Tony Smith had not checked into the field (between the hash marks). Eventually, Coach Al thrust his hands in the air in victory, and the Elder sideline erupted again.
In Conclusion: You never know when you might make the difference for people in your life. Elder had two of its more consistent players in Michael Paff and Jeffrey Vorherr go down to injuries, but their replacements pulled through in the clutch. You should never become complacent as a role as a backup or playing second fiddle, because you never know when the person ahead of you will need you to pick them up or help them out. Also, it shows that taking chances can payoff and being soft is not the route to go in life.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
"Pacman" signs with Bengals.
Adam "Pacman" Jones is known for two things: 1) getting Chris Berman to go "wha-wha-wha-wha" when Sportscenter. 2) Getting in trouble and being suspended. Recently, the troubled cornerback was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have been plagued with players making poor decisions in the past (i.e. Odell Thurman, Chris Henry, Frostee Rucker, Deltha O'Neal, Reggie McNeal, etc.), but have some other stories of getting others back on the right track (Cedric Benson, Tank Johnson). Some people defended the signing of the infamous "Pacman" with these success stories, but if you didn't notice, there were only 2 compared to 5+.
(
Well, i mean "Pacman" does have talent, don't get me wrong. He is quite the punt returner (3 return touchdowns for the Titans in 2006? Hoo-Rah!). His 5 yards per return in 2008 should definitely be useful for the Bengals. I mean Quan Cosby could amass only a meager 11.9 yards per return, weak!!!....wait....
I mean what about Pacman's game changing ability at the cornerback position? I mean Boomer must have had a reason for "wha-wha-ing"...right? I mean look at what he did for the Cowboys in 2008. "Pacman" garnered an indispensable 0 interceptions. He also only had four before 2008, (in 2006 for the Titans). Without "Pacman", the Bengals depth at corner would have been tested. Young stars-in-the-making Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph slacked last year, nabbing a paltry 6 picks apiece....wait....
I mean back-up/nickel corner Morgan Trent may have played well last season, however, being young and upcoming means he could fall off at anytime (the same could be said for J.J. or Leon!!!). Good idea bringing in Jones for the purpose of filling in if Trent falters or J.J. or Leon Hall get injured...I mean second round pick Brandon Ghee can't be counted on, better turn to the 26 year-old convicted "Pacman" to solidify your cornerback depth....wait....
¡ In Conclusion !: The Bengals signed Adam "Pacman" Jones, no argument can be made against that. It is a proven fact, not some worthless opinion which is exactly what a blog is for, so why did i write on this story? Simply because there is no reason for the Bengals to have signed the renown "Pacman". With solid cornerback depth and a surefire punt returner in second-year man Quan Cosby, the Bengals money could have been used for a more benevolent purpose. "Pacman" may prove me wrong and may go on to have a great season, and if so I wish him congratulations. Unfortunately it is more likely he ends up in the "Big House" than the pro-bowl. Who knows, but according to the factual, never-fail Theory of Averages (as used by Dusty Baker), Adam Jones is not going to benefit the Bengals in anyway this season.
(
Well, i mean "Pacman" does have talent, don't get me wrong. He is quite the punt returner (3 return touchdowns for the Titans in 2006? Hoo-Rah!). His 5 yards per return in 2008 should definitely be useful for the Bengals. I mean Quan Cosby could amass only a meager 11.9 yards per return, weak!!!....wait....
I mean what about Pacman's game changing ability at the cornerback position? I mean Boomer must have had a reason for "wha-wha-ing"...right? I mean look at what he did for the Cowboys in 2008. "Pacman" garnered an indispensable 0 interceptions. He also only had four before 2008, (in 2006 for the Titans). Without "Pacman", the Bengals depth at corner would have been tested. Young stars-in-the-making Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph slacked last year, nabbing a paltry 6 picks apiece....wait....
I mean back-up/nickel corner Morgan Trent may have played well last season, however, being young and upcoming means he could fall off at anytime (the same could be said for J.J. or Leon!!!). Good idea bringing in Jones for the purpose of filling in if Trent falters or J.J. or Leon Hall get injured...I mean second round pick Brandon Ghee can't be counted on, better turn to the 26 year-old convicted "Pacman" to solidify your cornerback depth....wait....
¡ In Conclusion !: The Bengals signed Adam "Pacman" Jones, no argument can be made against that. It is a proven fact, not some worthless opinion which is exactly what a blog is for, so why did i write on this story? Simply because there is no reason for the Bengals to have signed the renown "Pacman". With solid cornerback depth and a surefire punt returner in second-year man Quan Cosby, the Bengals money could have been used for a more benevolent purpose. "Pacman" may prove me wrong and may go on to have a great season, and if so I wish him congratulations. Unfortunately it is more likely he ends up in the "Big House" than the pro-bowl. Who knows, but according to the factual, never-fail Theory of Averages (as used by Dusty Baker), Adam Jones is not going to benefit the Bengals in anyway this season.
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