Friday, March 6, 2009
Opening Day Tickets
I just got tickets for Opening Day in Cincinnati! The tickets are part of a package deal with the Saturday, June 20 Civil Rights Game against the White Sox. I just heard that the Reds have formally asked President Obama to throw out the first pitch for that game. I can't say that I am any more a fan of Obama as I am of the White Sox, but I guess it would be a neat thing to see if he does accept the invitation.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
BCB Link - Dale Murphy
More Hardball has a great new piece on one of baseball's true gentlemen, Dale Murphy. I highly recommend checking it out. Here is an excerpt:
*In honor of Paul Harvey who recently passed away.
What most distinguished Murphy from the other stars at the time (and especially today) was his genuine care for the game, the fans, and himself.Go here to read the "rest of the story."*
*In honor of Paul Harvey who recently passed away.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Chris Dickerson: Good Player, Good Person
I just found this video of Reds outfielder Chris Dickerson over at one of my favorite blogs, Big League Stew. Dickerson is a very interesting guy and I like him even more because he seems like a bit of a dork (like me). I mean check out his reading material! I'm not a big "greenie" but it's nice to see the guy has a passion for something outside of baseball and is using his position as a professional athlete to make the world a better place. Classy guy. Hard-worker. Great role model.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Denny Matthews: One of baseball's best broadcasters
Nothing flows quite as smoothly or as steadily across the American Plains as the voice of Denny Matthews. The winds of the Plains are gusty and harsh. Weather changes erratically, from day-to-day, hour-to-hour, minute-to-minute. One thing remains the same, Denny Matthews, voice of the Kansas City Royals.
Matthews is Kansas City, as much as barbecue or jazz. In 2009, The Royals will enter their 40th season in Kansas City, and so with Matthews behind their microphone. Matthews is among a special group of broadcasters who have spent their entire career and 35 consecutive seasons with a single team: Vin Scully, Bob Prince, Jack Buck, Jaime Jarrin, Phil Rizzuto, Bob Uecker, Richie Ashburn, Mike Shannon, and Joe Nuxhall. Matthews entered into the Hall of Fame as a Ford C. Frick Award winner in 2007.
I am familiar with Denny’s work for two reasons. One, I lived in Kansas for several years. Secondly, I subscribe to a wonderful thing called XM radio. As most regular readers know, I am a huge fan of baseball on the radio. It lends so much more to the imagination and truly is the only medium that represents the wholeness of the game.
There are a few reasons why Denny Matthews ranks so highly on my list of favorite baseball broadcasters. Not only does Denny know how to describe the events on the field and understand what the listener needs to know but he also knows when to be quite. Matthews will often leave pauses for the fans to take in the sounds of the field and the stadium. This also increases the drama of the situation because it allows a listener to recreate the previous play and anticipate the next play in his or her mind.
I feel that I learn something after listening to Matthews. Much like Vin Scully, Matthews provides interesting life stories about the players. Today for instance, Matthews informed me that Royals minor leaguer John Suomi collects tropical fish.
A listener is sure to get a few laughs from a Denny Matthews broadcast. It’s a smart, dry, Midwestern type of humor. In today’s broadcast of a Spring Training exhibition between the Royals and Giants, Matthews informed fans that with J.R. House catching for the Royals and Steve Holm catching for the Giants, there was both a ‘House’ and a ‘Home’ in the game. Also, after providing a very perceptive and in-depth discussion of Hiram “Kyle” Davis pitching turnaround at the end of the 2008 season, Denny told a story about Davies working construction with his father since he was very young. When Davies turned twelve, Davies father was asked what are you going to do with him now, “Hire ‘em” he replied.
For more on Matthews, read Curt Smith's post on his Voices of the Game blog.
If you are interested in the wide-reaching geography that is the Royals radio network, Royals Review has an excellent series of posts on affiliate towns and cities. Here is the most recent profile on Hastings, Nebraska.
Matthews is Kansas City, as much as barbecue or jazz. In 2009, The Royals will enter their 40th season in Kansas City, and so with Matthews behind their microphone. Matthews is among a special group of broadcasters who have spent their entire career and 35 consecutive seasons with a single team: Vin Scully, Bob Prince, Jack Buck, Jaime Jarrin, Phil Rizzuto, Bob Uecker, Richie Ashburn, Mike Shannon, and Joe Nuxhall. Matthews entered into the Hall of Fame as a Ford C. Frick Award winner in 2007.
I am familiar with Denny’s work for two reasons. One, I lived in Kansas for several years. Secondly, I subscribe to a wonderful thing called XM radio. As most regular readers know, I am a huge fan of baseball on the radio. It lends so much more to the imagination and truly is the only medium that represents the wholeness of the game.
There are a few reasons why Denny Matthews ranks so highly on my list of favorite baseball broadcasters. Not only does Denny know how to describe the events on the field and understand what the listener needs to know but he also knows when to be quite. Matthews will often leave pauses for the fans to take in the sounds of the field and the stadium. This also increases the drama of the situation because it allows a listener to recreate the previous play and anticipate the next play in his or her mind.
I feel that I learn something after listening to Matthews. Much like Vin Scully, Matthews provides interesting life stories about the players. Today for instance, Matthews informed me that Royals minor leaguer John Suomi collects tropical fish.
A listener is sure to get a few laughs from a Denny Matthews broadcast. It’s a smart, dry, Midwestern type of humor. In today’s broadcast of a Spring Training exhibition between the Royals and Giants, Matthews informed fans that with J.R. House catching for the Royals and Steve Holm catching for the Giants, there was both a ‘House’ and a ‘Home’ in the game. Also, after providing a very perceptive and in-depth discussion of Hiram “Kyle” Davis pitching turnaround at the end of the 2008 season, Denny told a story about Davies working construction with his father since he was very young. When Davies turned twelve, Davies father was asked what are you going to do with him now, “Hire ‘em” he replied.
For more on Matthews, read Curt Smith's post on his Voices of the Game blog.
If you are interested in the wide-reaching geography that is the Royals radio network, Royals Review has an excellent series of posts on affiliate towns and cities. Here is the most recent profile on Hastings, Nebraska.
Homer Gets Nasty. Nicer. Better?
Homer Bailey's first outing of the spring was a 1-2-3 inning with 2 strikeouts. Today in his second outing, Bailey went 3 innings, striking out 4, and allowing only 1 hit to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hal McCoy writes that this may be the Homer Bailey that we have all been expecting.
Hal also writes, Homer is displaying a different personality off-the-field and has changed his "life patterns" (whatever that means). Regardless, I guess it's good news.
I'm not totally sure that Homer has turned it around just yet. If anything, I hope he has learned to listen to a pitching coach and understands that he just can't throw a fastball past a major league hitter. Right now, that's what he's doing. I'll wait until the hitters get their timing down and the games matter. Then I'll decide.
Hal also writes, Homer is displaying a different personality off-the-field and has changed his "life patterns" (whatever that means). Regardless, I guess it's good news.
I'm not totally sure that Homer has turned it around just yet. If anything, I hope he has learned to listen to a pitching coach and understands that he just can't throw a fastball past a major league hitter. Right now, that's what he's doing. I'll wait until the hitters get their timing down and the games matter. Then I'll decide.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
McLouth and Granderson homer
Two BCB favorites homered today in a Spring Training matchup between the Pirates and Tigers. Nate McLouth knocked a three-run homer in the fifth inning. Curtis Granderson hit a solo shot in Tigers half of the same inning. Both homers were the players' first of the spring. The Pirates won the game 6-4.
Also... Joe Posnanski has a nice story in the KC Star on Royals pitcher Brian Bannister. The Royals, by the way, are the least popular team in baseball.
Also... Joe Posnanski has a nice story in the KC Star on Royals pitcher Brian Bannister. The Royals, by the way, are the least popular team in baseball.
Reds get help from Dickerson and jet stream in 13-11 win
The Reds and the Yankees engaged in an offensive explosion at the "TOE" (Tired Old Ed Smith Stadium) today thanks to the jet stream. The Reds came out on top 13-11. Chris Dickerson hit two of Cincinnati's five homers and continues to make his case to become the Reds starting left fielder.
As I've said before, I want Dickerson to be the Reds starting left fielder and I'd like to see Jonny Gomes backing him up. Jerry Hairston Jr. works best as an infielder and an overall utility guy (a Ryan Freel type). Jacque Jones scares me. I hope his role as a Red is nothing more than a pinch hitter, however, considering Dusty Baker is involved in the decision making process I wouldn't be surprise if he takes a lot of deserving playing time away from Dickerson.
As I've said before, I want Dickerson to be the Reds starting left fielder and I'd like to see Jonny Gomes backing him up. Jerry Hairston Jr. works best as an infielder and an overall utility guy (a Ryan Freel type). Jacque Jones scares me. I hope his role as a Red is nothing more than a pinch hitter, however, considering Dusty Baker is involved in the decision making process I wouldn't be surprise if he takes a lot of deserving playing time away from Dickerson.
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