12/12/12

12/12/12 numerology the last time for another century

Cy Award

Best At What They Do Worst

New York Mets (74-88)
Toronto Blue Jays (73-89)
Kansas City Royals (72-90)
Miami Marlins and Boston Red Sox (69-93)
Cleveland Indians (68-94)
Minnesota Twins (66-96)
Colorado Rockies (64-98)
Chicago Cubs (61-101)
Houston Astros (55-107) Fifty-one seasons in the National League comes to a conclusion with second consecutive 100+ loss season.

Not Good Enough for 2nd Wild Card

When the world comes to an end all that will be left alive will be cockroaches and cardinals. The St. Louis Cardinals survived over the Braves with help of an infield fly and overcame a 6-0 Game 5 deficit in Washington. They will face the Giants who were down 0-2 and traveling to Cincy for three games. Welcome to the 2012 playoffs!?! LaRussa and Pujols, overratted? Tim Lincecum, middle reliever? In the AL, the Rangers season came to an abrupt end. All five LDS series went five games. The Orioles out un-hit the Yankees and joined the A's on the sidelines watching the Yanks-Tigers in the ALCS. Yanks got vintage CC not the "Fat Elvis" variety they had grown used to since mid-2011. The last three World Champs are still alive so naturally I'll be pulling for Prince Fielder and the Detroit Tigers. As for the ten best non-playoff teams of 2012, here goes...
Tampa Bay Rays (90-72) Teams are beginning to emulate their thrifty roster building style. However, too much pitching and not enough hitting is still not good enough for a playoff berth. Too much missed time for Evan Longoria (just 273 PA's). David Price has a strong shot at Cy Young (20-5, 2.56 ERA) but closer Fernando Rodney had the lowest ERA (0.60) for a pitcher with 50 IP minimum. Loaded with arms, likely to contend again in 2013. MVP- Price.
LA Angels (89-73) If Mike Trout had started in April, he'd probably be the MVP and the Angels wouldv'e made the playoffs. Trout's astronomical numbers (129 runs, 30 HRs, 49 SBs, and unbelievable catches) have many calling for him to be AL MVP. Is Albert Pujols still on this team? MVP-Trout.
LA Dodgers (86-76) Don Mattingly remains ringless, but Josh Beckett has to be easier to deal with than the McCourts. With A-Rod being benched in AL playoffs, I can't help but think he'll end up with Magic's Dodgers. MVP- Clayton Kershaw (14-9, 229 K's, 2.53 ERA, 1.02 WHIP)
Chicago White Sox (85-77) Will Robin Ventura and Mike Matheny spark a new managerial trend? Recently retired players with little manager experience at the helm. Chisox led ALCS most of the season behind rebound years by Adam Dunn and Alex Rios. Phillip Humber tossed a perfect game in April and was in the pen by September. Ahh those fickle baseball gods. Youkilis followed Carlton Fisk in changing from Red to White Sox. Paul Konerko, Hall of Famer? MVP- Alex Rios (.304, 25 HRs, 23 SBs)
Milwaukee Brewers (83-79) Ryan Braun avoided 50 game suspension and produced even better season (.319, 41 HRs, 112 RBI, 30 SBs), but Brew Crew didn't get on-track until late August. After trading away Zach Greinke the Brewers went on a 25-7 tear to pull within games of second wild card. Teams will seriously consider trade deadline from this point on as second WC is closer than  most thought. Whatever happened to Tony Plush? MVP- Braun.
Philadelphia Phillies (81-81) Injuries to Roy Halladay, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard derail playoff hopes early. Trades of Joe Blanton, Hunter Pence, and Shane Victorino signal white flag way too early. Juan Pierre slaps 121 more hits, and Cliff Lee takes forever to get first win. Carlos Ruiz bats .325, but J-Roll drops to .250. MVP- Cole Hamels (17-6, 1.12 WHIP, 216 K's)
Arizona Diamondbacks (81-81) Did I even watch an inning of the D'backs play this season? I couldn't tell you anything off the top of my head and I'm too tired to look it up. MVP- Not Justin Upton like I thought it would be.
Pittsburgh Pirates (79-83) 20th consecutive losing streak becomes a reality in putrid final weeks. Andrew McCutchen emerges as a true star (.327, 31 HRs, 20 SBs) and AJ Burnett wins 16 games. MVP-McCutch
San Diego Padres (76-86) Okay I looked it up...we'll say Wade Miley was the D'backs MVP at 16-10. I did know that the Pads Chase Headley had a monster season. He was the NL player of the month in August and September as San Diego battled to respectability. MVP- Headley (64 XBH, 115 RBI)
Seattle Mariners (75-87) A`part of two no-hitters and one perfect game in the same season. One no-hitter by committee and perfecto by King Felix. Personally, Ackley and Montero killed me in Fantasy, but at least I knew not to take Chone Figgins (.181) MVP- Felix Hernandez (13-9, 1.14 WHIP, 223 K's)

Moneyball 2: First Place for a Day

When the Washington Nationals rolled into Citifield on Opening Week, many people thought it was a team on the rise. I figured at least playoff contention for one of the two Wild Card spots that were now available. I told my nephews if they want to root for a team that will be good to them until college go with the Nats. The season went even better than any prognosticator planned...98 wins later and the NL East Crown resting on the caps of the nation's capital. Here are the playoff team listed in order of wins and losses with last post season appearance in parentheses.
98-64 Washington Nationals (NL EAST champs, 1981)- D.C.'s first playoff appearance since 1933. The former Montreal Expos controversially shut down Stephen Strasburg, but we have enough arms to do some post season damage. A quarter century after manager Davey Johnson managed teenage phenom Doc Gooden, he gets a chance for act II with Bryce Harper (22 Hrs/18 SBs). Adam LaRoche paces the offense with 33 Hrs/100 RBI, Ryan Zimmerman (25) and Ian Desmond (25) round out the 20+ homer club. Team MVP- Gio Gonzalez (21-8, 2.89 ERA)
97-65 Cincinnati Reds (NL WEST champs,2010)- Dusty Baker's Red Machine played even better without Joey Votto who missed over 50 games. The acquisition of Mat Latos, the emergence of Johnny Cueto, the no-hitter of Homer Bailey, and the reliability of Bronson Arroyo prove this will be a team to contend with especially with the Nasty Boys 2.0 at the end of the game. Team MVP- Aroldis Chapman (38 SVs, 15.3 K/9)
95-67 New York Yankees (AL EAST champs, 2011)-Only two regulars under 30, Cano and Russell Martin, and they are both 29. Here's hoping this team finally gets old. Yankee haters across the nation hope No Mo in the playoffs finally catches up to them. Team MVP-Derek Jeter (38 years old, 216 hits)
94-68 San Francisco Giants (NL WEST champs, 2010)- Melky Cabrera (.346) led the league in hitting until he didn't. Buster Posey (.336, 24 HRs, 103 RBI) will surely pick up Comeback Player of the Year and most likely win NL MVP. The Melk Man delivered the home field advantage to the NL, but Tim Lincecum will have to get off the roller coaster in order to return the team to the playoffs. Matt Cain (perfect game) is clearly the ace of the Giants staff. Team MVP- Posey
94-68 Oakland Athletics (AL WEST champs, 2006)- GM Billy Beane who looked like he was decimating roster in order to move team to San Jose was just hoarding arms. Rookie starters accounted for 50 wins. The A's who trailed the Rangers by 13 games on June 30th, swept Texas on the final weekend to land themselves in first place on the only day that mattered. Red Sox castoff Josh Reddick added a nice boost to offense. Team MVP- Yoenis Cespedes (.292, 23 HRs, 82 RBI)
94-68 Atlanta Braves (NL Wild Card, 2010)- You just knew that Kris Medlen's streak of 20+ starts with Braves winning was coming to an end in the playoffs. Chipper Jones exited in a classy fashin by refusing to make the last out. The switch-hitting great batted .287 as the Braves completed last seasons unfinished business by making it back to the playoffs. It's too bad Chipper didn't have closer Craig Kimbrel as a teammate on those 90s Braves otherwise he'd retire with more than one ring. Team MVP- Kimbrel (42 saves, 16.7 K/9)
93-69 Texas Rangers (AL Wild Card, 2011) What will fans remember most about Josh Hamilton's 2012 season? His four home run game or his misplayed fly ball that most likely cost the Rangers the AL West. Adrian Beltre (36 HRs, 102 RBI) had another monster season away from Fenway, and Michael Young reached career hit 2230. Yu Darvish went 15-9, but Neftali Feliz only started seven games. Team MVP- Josh Hamilton (43 HRs, 128 RBI, .930 OPS)
93-69 Baltimore Orioles (AL Wild Card, 1997)- Buck Showalter knows rebuilding. A team that people continue to discount despite improbable extra innings win streak (16.) No regular batted over .300 and no batter reached 100 RBI. However, Chris Davis (33) and Adam Jones (32) powered the team to 214 homers. Matt Wieters led a team that used 12 starting pitchers. The true stars of the team...the bullpen. Team MVP- Jim Johnson (51 saves)
88-74 Detroit Tigers (AL Central, 2011)- Prince Fielder knows MVPs. He batted behind Ryan Braun last year and Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera this year. Cabrera earned the first Triple Crown since Yaz in '67 by producing a .season for the ages (330, 44 HRs, 139 RBI.)   Last seasons MVP/ CY Young winner Justin Verlander went 17-8 with 6 CGs and 239 strikeouts. This team has two stud hitters, an ace, and a reliable closer. Now that they are past the scrappy White Sox they could do some serious damage in the playoffs. Team MVP- Cabrera
88-74 St. Louis Cardinals (NL Wild Card, 2011) No Pujols, no problem. No Larussa either. Maybe those guys are overrated?! Mike Matheny guides the team to the playoffs and reaches the NLDS with help of the infield fly rule. Team MVP Kyle Lohse (16-3, 2.86 ERA)

Just a Bit Outside

The Milwaukee Brewers are just 1.5 games out of the second Wild Card spot. Last night 12 of 15 games had some kind of playoff implication. The new format is definately keeoing teams in the pennant chase much longer. Today, we met up with my parents for a street fair and a visit to the book store. Dad bought me a Spaceman Lee book last week and I started reading tonight. We are hopeful to chat with Bill for our next book. Speaking of baseball characters, Bob Uecker was mentioned in the new SI. Three of his fourteen homers came against Hall of Famers. Here is the complete list of his homers:
9/30/62 Braves vs. Pirates Diomedes Olivo
9/1/64 Cardinals vs. Braves Denny Lemaster
5/5/65 Cardinals vs. Giants Gaylord Perry
7/24/65 Cardinals vs. Dodgers Sandy Koufax
4/29/66 Phillies vs. Cubs Fergie Jenkins
4/30/66 Phillies vs. Cubs Ken Holtzman
5/30/66 Phillies vs. Mets Dave Eielers
6/3/66 Phillies vs. Giants Ray Sadecki
7/7/66 Phillies vs. Mets Rob Gardner
7/10/66 Phillies vs. Cubs Dick Ellsworth
7/16/66 Phillies vs. Giants Ray Sadecki
6/21/67 Braves vs. Giants Ron Herbal
7/23/67 Braves vs. Cardinals Hal Woodeshick
8/11/67 Braves vs. Astros Wade Blasingame

Ice Age 22

The trip to Boston and the Red Sox season didn't go as planned, but what ever does? Cyrus had more than a blast at camp and Juniper just keeps growing and growing. Shira took Cyrus to his first day of school last week and we just marvel at all the milestones they reach. Jon and I have been busy putting our 2nd Red Sox book together as we look to another post season without them. However, you've got to hand it to Bud Selig on the additon of the 2nd wild card. The surging Brewers are only 2.5 out at 75-72. The Phils even hit a highwater mark on their wretched season and are a big streak away from getting into the post season. in the AL, the Orioles just won't go away. Most kids in college don't realize how good the O's once were, but their improbable 14-game extra inning win streak is starting to make believers. As for the Yanks, they remain homer happy and high paid; yet they have the same record as the lowest salaried team in all of baseball the Oakland A's at 84-63...Moneyball 2.0 anyone?!?

How the Red Sox Explain New England

I Can Use This At Camp

Camp has been on Cyrus' mind as Juniper hits the six month mark. Can't believe our daughter is half a year old?!? As for Cyrus, yesterday he asked if we can go swimming at camp and he then proceeded to "swim" on the kitchen floor. Today I bought him a mitt and the first words out of his mouth with a huge smile and mitt on were, "I can play with this at camp". I won't forget that big grin on his face anytime soon.

The Future Is Now

"First in War, First in Peace, First in the NL East" That's what SI declared this week. As I write this Bryce Harper just grounded out to the pitcher in his MLB debut with Stephen Strasburg on the mound. I recently told my nephews to become Washington National fans because they will be solid the next decade. Most think they are a year ahead of schedule with their first place squad. It's still early but they've got some nasty pitching, as they near 10th anniversary they are building something special.

Sox Perfect, Sox Imperfect

Cyrus watched his first perfect game ever! Chisox Phillip Humber pitched the 21st Perfect game in MLB history (and 7th no-no by an ex-Met). While it was the fourth one to take place in Cyrus' lifetime, it's the first one he caught any of the action. As the game turned to the action in Seattle, the Bosox had a 9-0 lead over the Yanks. However the final score of that one was 15-9 as the Bombers went for two touchdowns to leave the Bosox at "rock bottom". In other pitcher related news...49-year old Jamie Moyer became the oldest pitcher to ever win a game, and Brewers prospect Wily Peralta just began his career. Bartolo Colon threw 38 consecutive strikes while Roy Halladay walked three batters in a row for the first time in his career.

Over-40 League

Well I'm officially old enough to play in the Over-40 softball league and I celebrated by not making it down to NY for our season opener. It was raining all day and Rit reassured me that we had enough players. Looking forward to playing in nicer and clearer weather with Cyrus there to watch. Last Friday we had our book signing at Bobby V's! Despite Bosox loss (and continued losing streak) it was great to speak to some members of Red Sox Nation about our book. There was a family who came to celebrate a birthday and we were thrilled to see that those who came saw our article in the CT newspapers!

Juniper Stadium #1

This afternoon we took Juniper to her first game, Cyrus was slightly more excited. We only stayed a little more than four innings, but we stuck around long enough to see a WOW curveball from Stephen Strasburg. A few seasons ago we missed out on a Lincecum-Pedro matchup in Philly, but we got a vintage Johan-Strasburg match up for Juniper's first game. She mostly slept in Shira's arms while Cyrus was busy holding court to anyone who would listen. He had a couple of restroom fake outs. This was my first game as a publsihed author and Cyrus' first game as a potty trained big boy. Shira is proud of both of us! I wore my old mesh Expos hat and Cyrus wore his brand new Toronto Blue Jays hat. I saw about four other Expos hats as the Mets played the Ex-Expos AKA Washington Nationals. The Nats improved to 4-2 with a 4-0 victory.

Five Months!

Not blogging as often as I thought especially with release of book. Today Juniper reached the five month mark. She is our beautiful, smiling little girl. Cyrus continues to amaze us with his vocabulary and budding sense of humor. Tomorrow is opening day and our tenth trip to the finals. Some Boston trips will take place post-Spring break and we are gearing up for Cyrus' first EWD summer!

Book Signing #1

Family, friends, and loved ones supported Jon, Rit, and I this past Saturday at Barnes and Noble for our first book signing. What a thrill! There is still a sense of surreality to it all, as Mike said, "Anyone can be a blogger, but you are a published author." It was great to see everyone and sign books. Shira snapped some amazing pics while taking care of Cyrus and Juniper. In the midst of all of this we are trying to get another book deal and Rich and Jon have more work soon to be released. I personally can't wait to take Cyrus to more ballgames. Last but not least, our article appeared in CT newspapers. Hopefully, some more press will follow.

It's Only Life

A book on sale and a baby daughter. Thank you Shira, Cyrus, Rit, Jon, Mom, & Dad. Angela sent a really cool e-mail to all the staff and it was well received. I was interviewed by the Stamford Advocate and it'll be in Sunday Edition. thrilling times!

The Magic of Baseball

Allie is now officially a published author!  He wrote an amazingly hilarious book with co-authors Jon Chattman and Rich Tarantino called I Love the Red Sox/I Hate the Yankees, and it’s in stores now!  Please buy this book and support Allie's fledgling writing career!  You don’t have to be a baseball fan to read it.

Cyrus opening the box of advanced copies of I Love the Red Sox/I Hate the Yankees"][/caption]

I must admit, while I’m not a very sporty person, I’ve always believed in the magic of baseball.  In springtime, we have awakened from slumber, ready to take on the world.  By the time baseball’s spring training arrives, the first buds of the season are peeking their way out (here in the northeast, anyway) as players of the game are warming up their muscles and minds for the coming weeks ahead.

Baseball, sometimes referred to as “America’s Favorite Pastime,” can be quite magical in its own way.  Unlike sports such as football or tennis, there are so many more variables involved that makeup the way each game is played, opening multiple paths to fate: anything could happen.  This is why baseball is sometimes also referred to as a “game of destiny.”

Experiencing a game in person can be exhilarating – the intermingling scents of beer and popcorn, the sound of amplified theatrics, the rumble of the crowd cheering.  The most moving component for some may be the memories evoked as a child, perhaps having attended games with a loved one so many years ago.

Fans in the grandstands may have entered the ballpark as individuals, but in the stands, they become a unit – working together as one giant organism seamlessly communicating with all its parts in cheering on their favorite team.  The energy in the grandstand builds as it ebbs and flows with the highs and lows of the game.  It is baseball’s version of the sacred circle.  Picture this – a wave of people stand up at once at one end of the stadium.  Others next to them do the same.  The wave of fans flows through the entire stadium until it reaches the other end of the grandstands.  I can’t help but think this is the macrocosm version of the very essence of an organism – cells collaborating with one another to create energy.  And that energy propels their team to victory.

"Juniper is the first to read the book!"][/caption]

Together, fans create this energy for their home team.  This is the very magic that supports teams playing on home turf.  Is it any wonder that teams almost always fare better at home than they do at an away game?  The home team has a built-in support system which creates energy, supplying mental, emotional, and dare I say, psychic strength to the players on the field.  Who can deny this?  The mystical Laurie Cabot, the “Official Witch of Salem" (who gets a shout-out in Allie’s book, by the way), dubbed so by then-Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, embodies this practice by creating spells of achievement for her home team, the Boston Red Sox.  I think all fans do this in their own way, even if they don’t remotely consider themselves witches.

Which brings me to the issue at hand: some fans are so passionate that they help create a demigod out of their home team.  And when two demigods battle, the earth shakes.  Such is the storied rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees.  Not even Shakespeare’s Capulet and Montague families have taken on such passionate competition.  I urge you to read about the infamous baseball rivalry in my husband’s new book, I Love the Red Sox/I Hate the Yankees, in stores now!  Read about the magic and the mayhem, in part fueled by the ever-passionate fans.

Love,

Shira

[caption id="attachment_959" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="The ultimate flip book!"][/caption]

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Red-Sox-Hate-Yankees/dp/1600786790/ref=sr_1_35?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330753701&sr=1-35

#91 In Baseball Books!

This is the best I could do to commemorate our #91 spot in Amazon's top 100 Baseball books. I just learned that Stamford Advocate would like to hear from us and ECW Press wants to learn more about Last Expos Standing proposal.

Leap!

It's not just any other Leap Year...2012 marks the year of our book release! Today it was announced there will be an extra Wild Card team in each league improving the chances of more Red Sox-Yankee playoff battles. Maybe the Brew Crew with Braun unsuspended can make a run for one of the spots. I'm glad they added this layer, the path was too easy for Wild Card teams. Now there is incentive to win the division, I'll have more on predictions soon!

Book Release Day!

Cyrus was a whirl of energy from the arrival of our book. Triumph sent us about 20 copies of  I Love the Red Sox, I Hate the Yankees. I haven't put it down...well actually I have to chat with Jon and Rit or to talk about it with Shira or to pose Cyrus and Juniper with it. I'm definately thrilled and eager to do another book! It's so surreal to see things that we posted on our blog or said in jest over the years in actual print. Much thanks to Triumph Books for hiring us to do this job, can't wait for the weeks ahead!

Senior Circuit 2012 Part I

It's crazy to think I was just posting about the World Series and Juniper's birth and now we are only ten days or so from Pitchers and Catchers. Our book arrives in early March and that is quickly becoming a reality. We've got some incredible events lined up! The NL West is a division that is always in a state of flux. The 2001 Diamondbacks and 2010 Giants are the most recent World Champs and every year most prognosticators call the division wrong. Since the days of the Wild Card, the D'backs have five NL West Div. Crowns and the Giants, Dodgers, and Padres each have four. The Rox haven't missed out on the playoffs as they have won three Wild Cards including one pennant. As a matter of fact each team except the Dodgers has won a pennant since the Wild Card. Buster Posey looks to return for San Fran. He will be joined by New York castoffs Angel Pagan and Melky Cabrera. Carlos Gonzalez looks to return to the status that had him listed as top fantasy player, while Jamie Moyer attempts to make the Rockies roster at 49. #1 Fantasy Player Matt Kemp will give another shot at the Triple Crown as the Dodgers draw closer to selling. The D'Backs eye a repeat as they improved their pitching. The Padres most likely will challenge the Mets and Astros for the NL's worst record. My pick for now is the Dodgers, but that is because they have the two best players in the division.

Baseball Card Day

It used to be that the Topps baseball cards would arrive during the holiday season, but nowadays they arrive a few weeks before spring training. This is to ensure that Albert Pujols Angels and the rally squirrel can be included. Cyrus was definitely excited to open some packs. He liked the sparkly gold cards and can't wait to go to his next game. Today he asked Shira, "Where is the Christmas tree?" We are also only weeks away from our book release. There is a book signing in Stamford and a release party at Bobby V's! I've been more active on WIS again after dealing with burnout and lack of time from the site. Juniper keeps growing and growing. We love her smile and can't wait for her hair to grow in!