Baseball Journal MLB Rewind 10-21-12

5-13-12

Watching the Cubs vs. the Brewers in Milwaukee, there was this gorgeous woman sitting behind home plate. She reminded me of someone I knew something awful, though probably because they never really did a close-up on her. She was into it, clapping along with the organ, watching the whole game, and KEEPING A SCORECARD! Even tracking pitches! Were it not for her rooting interest in the Brewers, I'd think she was actually a scout. She was certainly getting her monies' worth. (Okay, hardly. For front-row seats against the Cubs, not even if the seat came with a mani-pedi and unlimited margaritas.)

She didn't even seem to be with anyone. Fascinating. The only people I see keeping a scorecard are scouts and nuts (like myself, which I don't even do more than a couple of times a year). The rare woman doing it is invariably a sweet little old lady with season tickets.

What can I say? Beautiful chick at ballpark, reminding me of someone, stayed all the way through her team getting blown out by a hated rival, and keeping a scorecard. Totally hot.

As soon as I'm not watching the Rangers go right back to dominating. Credit Jared Weaver for having a sense of humor. After a Nellie Cruz grand slam homer and Weaver's removal from the game, the PA played "Hit the Road Jack." Walking off, Weaver was singing along with the tune.

After the radio broadcast, I learned from Eric Nadel that Hammy's four home run bat (from Baltimore earlier in the week) had a sticker on it to mark it. When Hamilton's done with it, the bat's going to Cooperstown.


5-14-12

Seldom will I say that a nearly four-hour, non-playoff, nine-inning game was entertaining, but today's White Sox/Tigers game certainly was. Not to say that it didn't drag in places, but there was plenty of action, drama, and comedy.

The Sox had a 6 to 0 lead going into the top of the 6th. Everything seemed quite well in hand, but Hawk and Stone prophetically reminded the audience that the Tigers were capable to generating a lot of runs quickly.  A  "snowman" (8 runs) later, I was a believer. The inning was best summed up by Jake Peavey mouthing out the word "wow," as Miguel Cabrera hit a 2-run homer that nearly reached the left field concourse there in Chicago. A pair of 3-run homers later and Cabrera would end up being the final out of the inning.

Don't know what got into the Tigers. There was a loud, obnoxious drunk near a field mic informing each and every member of the team that they "sucked." Apparently this fellow is a transplant from Philadelphia. He also seems to have season tickets, as I think I remember him from a previous game.

Valverde came in the 9th with a 4-run lead. Much to the derision of the broadcasters and my father (whom I was watching the game with). They found his lengthy pre-pitch routine exasperating. Hawk and Stone started wondering why the 20-second rule wasn't being enforced (when has it ever?). A couple of baserunners later and Valverde slowed down even more, until he stopped.

Catcher Avila suddenly ran out to the him, quickly followed by Leyland and the trainer. He didn't seem injured, but the team obviously saw something immediately. [Little did we know that this would be a precursor of things to come for the closer.] There was a little drama after Dotel came in, but the Tigers would pull it out