Baseball 2016

[steelyman]

OK, I'm jumping the gun here but you know what? I don't care - ha!

I'd hoped to have the chance to kick it off this year and always liked knowing that last year's version of this thread opened with a clip of Harry Caray. Warms the heart of a Cubs fan, you know? (and StL and the White Sox fans too, with the A's tossed in). I had a different clip squirreled away for this year on my YouTube list but then I remembered another guy who probably knows more about the game than all those broadcasters combined, so he got the nod.

Even though it's only February, I can't wait. It's like when you show up at the ballpark very early and get to settle in and watch all the things going on around you and on the field, knowing there's a beer (at least one) and a hot dog (at least one, also) in your near future. Ahhh.... play ball!!!

 

[Moleskin Moyer]

Thanks for the clip. Love those old cartoons. I am planning out a trip to Chicago to attend a Cubs game at Wrigley this summer.

 

[RockyMtn]

Pitchers and catchers report next Friday and Saturday! Great time to be in Scottsdale!

 

[easysurfer]

Not jumping the gun at all.

 

[jjquantz]

Pitchers and catchers report next Friday and Saturday! Great time to be in Scottsdale!

DW and I will show up in Mesa on March 2nd so she can see her Cubbies while hopes are still high.

 

[JDARNELL]

Pitchers and catchers report next Friday and Saturday! Great time to be in Scottsdale!

Will be down in the area in a few weeks. Go every year. Probably will become our winter home when Kids are off to college.

JDARNELL

 

[aja8888]

We are now officially in the Black Hole of sports with only hoops and ice boxing on TV. Can't wait for April! Thanks for the cartoon clip!

 

[GrayHare]

After losing my best baseball buddy a few years ago I find I don't anticipate the season as much as I had in the past. I still play in some fantasy leagues but it's not the same as following a favorite team with someone you've known since childhood.

 

[eytonxav]

No need to wait until April for baseball, as college ball start soon. Geaux Tigers!

 

[steelyman]

I got two baseball smiles today.

The first was to see clips of the game in Cuba, won by the Tampa Bay Rays.

The second came from watching a PBS show I'd recorded last night. They said that there will be a Ken Burns film "Jackie Robinson" shown on April 11. Good time of year for that sort of thing!

 

[steelyman]

This is unusual. I subscribe to schedules for the Cubs and Red Sox on my iTouch. It automatically lists the schedules for the teams, both upcoming and past. For completed games, it shows the final score.

I opened up the calendar app for today to see what I had on tap and there was a game listed: "Chicago Cubs Futures vs. Texas Rangers Futures. Time TBD. Surprise Stadium, Surprise.".

Say what?

 

[Ronstar]

Sounds like the teams playing, place, and time are all a surprise.

 

[easysurfer]

This is unusual. I subscribe to schedules for the Cubs and Red Sox on my iTouch. It automatically lists the schedules for the teams, both upcoming and past. For completed games, it shows the final score.

I opened up the calendar app for today to see what I had on tap and there was a game listed: "Chicago Cubs Futures vs. Texas Rangers Futures. Time TBD. Surprise Stadium, Surprise.".

Say what?

Cubs and Red Sox. Getting ready for the World Series already?

 

[steelyman]

Cubs and Red Sox. Getting ready for the World Series already?

Of course. The 2,000 Year Old Man!

 

[easysurfer]

Of course. The 2,000 Year Old Man!

Not sure off all the other teams, but I favor the dress code of the Cubbies :

“If you think you look hot, you wear it,” Maddon said smiling. “I’ve always rallied against the fact that [the] previous generation really frowns upon non-collared shirts, which I’ve never understood. They’ve always been in favor of the collared shirt and that being more acceptable than the non-collared shirt. I’ve never understood that logic when it comes down to dress.

“The $5,000 suit on the airplane ride makes no sense to me.”

Joe Maddon on dress code: 'If you think you look hot, you wear it' - Chicago Cubs Blog- ESPN

 

[steelyman]

I had an appointment at the clinic yesterday afternoon (just routine). I don't mind telling you, I was nervous about that game. I thought maybe it might affect my vitals or something. I checked the score on my way out and was relieved to learn the results.

The Futures won, 10-7. That's the way the final score reads!

 

[Car-Guy]

I just can't seem to stay interested in Baseball anymore. To many games and just to darn slow for me. I'll probably watch some games at the beginning of the season but I suspect I'll lose interest pretty quick, unless the Rangers or Astros do well and/or make the playoffs. Sometimes I'll listen to a game on the radio if I can't sleep. I'll usually nod off before an inning is played.

I guess NASCAR will have to fill the competitive gaps for me, until Football season starts again.

 

[GrayHare]

IMO baseball makes for the best full-season fantasy sports games because its long season rewards skilled play. The crowd here likes to play with numbers and projections so I suspect several enjoy fantasy sports as well.

 

[easysurfer]

Mets fueling hysteria over mysterious Matt Harvey injury | Politi Bits | NJ.com

The the conclusion cracks me up:

So you have to wonder what GM Sandy Alderson and manager Terry Collins were expecting here when the announced that Matt Harvey would miss his scheduled spring training start on Tuesday and that his Opening Day start next week was in doubt without explaining what, exactly, was wrong.

They were pretty emphatic about what wasn't wrong. "His arm is fine! His arm is fine! Okay? His arm is fine!" Collins said, and given the Mets history with such proclamations, Mets fans are forgiven if they reach one conclusion.

IT'S HIS ARM!!!

 

[steelyman]

If you're reading this thread, you probably already know what day it is. Besides Sunday.

In honor of the occasion, here are legendary pitcher Satchel Paige's "Six Rules For Staying Young":

1. Avoid fried meats, which angry up the blood.
2. If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts.
3. Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move.
4. Go very light on the vices such as carrying on in society. The social ramble ain't restful.
5. Avoid running at all times.
6. Don't look back; something might be gaining on you.

 

[Dawg52]

I have a hard time getting into baseball. If I lived near a classic old ball park like Wrigley Field, I would certainly go. Having a hot dog with a beer on a sunny afternoon at the park would be nice. But sitting at home watching a game on the tube......I'm dozing off in the recliner by the 3rd inning.

 

[easysurfer]

I have a hard time getting into baseball. If I lived near a classic old ball park like Wrigley Field, I would certainly go. Having a hot dog with a beer on a sunny afternoon at the park would be nice. But sitting at home watching a game on the tube......I'm dozing off in the recliner by the 3rd inning.

The game seems to goes by so much faster at the ball park then on TV. But in my older age, don't know if I can take baking in the heat for 3 hours in a hot sunny day.

 

[Philliefan33]

The game seems to goes by so much faster at the ball park then on TV.

I agree. Maybe because you can people watch between innings, or watch the kiss cam/sausage race/ other standard ballpark entertainment, instead of being subjected to commercials?

That reminds me. I want to run the sausage race. Do you think the Brewers would let me, given my screen name?

 

[KCGeezer]

Settling in to watch the opening game between the Royals and the Mets. Great to see another exciting year start for them all.

 

[steelyman]

Quite a day yesterday. When the NCAA championship went to halftime, flipping over to ESPN had the Cubs/Angels first pitch, Opening Day. Leadoff hit (and eventually a Cub win).

As for the NCAA game: at the end there, first I said, "Wow!". Then, right after, I said, "WOW!!!!". Quite a game!