Baseball Card Day 2014

 Somewhere amidst all of the winter storms, Cyrus and I took some time to open the first packs of baseball cards of the season. We are Topps snobs and don't settle for anything else. This year Cyrus donned one of my Expos caps and actually 'pulled' a Montreal card! It seems for the second year running the former Spos are a popular choice. As we stand on the precipice of another season I'm thinking the Rays and Dodgers have a great shot at the World Series. I was leaning towards St. Louis for the longest time but I think Mattingly might finally make it to the Fall Classic. The only time I correctly predicted both teams in the World Series was 1997, but I had the Tribe over the Marlins. Cyrus and I are watching the Dodgers vs. Padres (Crawford and Puig down on K's)  right now on the smartTV we bought the week before the Super Bowl. I refused to watch any spring training games. As for baseball played by us, it appears I'll be making my CT softball debut and Cyrus will be making his LL debut! So glad to have baseball back.

Miami Marlins

Jon tells Dontrelle he won't ever win another game.

The Florida Marlins (owners of two World Championships but no division titles) are set to reveal their new uniforms tonight. They have also been involved in meetings with Albert Pujols and Jose Reyes. If they land Reyes the Mets can say hello to fifth place for a few seasons. Could that also signal a return to Boston for Hanley Ramirez? Ozzie Guillen is in town and it will be interesting to see how Marlins baseball plays out. When they've pursued a title they've been successful winning all of their playoff series in 1997 and 2003.

Not So Amazin'

Mets history littered with mundane news

The first half day of MLB playoffs in the books and now a brief look at the 2011 fortunes of the leagues worst teams.
Reds- Votto is for real, but decimated pitching was no match for the Brew Crew and Cards. Bronson Arroyo led the league in homers allowed while graciously lending quotes for our book. A return to Fenway in the future for Arroyo?! Brandon Phillips made a lot of Twitter friends, but not enough to overtake Rickie Weeks for starting 2b spot on the all-star team.
White Sox- Ozzie Guillen trade was not the first time a manager has been shipped. Lou Piniella, Chuck Tanner, Gil Hodges, Joe Gordon have been dealt as managers. Possible landing spot for Terry Francona? Adam Dunn suffered from historically bad season that erased Rob Deer from the record books.
Mets- Since when is a 77-85 season for a large market team a successful season? Terry Collins had his team playing hard until the end, or in Jose Reyes case ...playing hard until he ran off the field in the first inning after bunting his way to batting title. The selfish Reyes most likely made his last appearance as a Met, and the franchise will be better served heading in the "Wright" direction without him.
A's- Possibly one of the biggest disappointments of the season. Highlight of the season arrived on newstand when Brad Pitt appeared in A's hat on the cover of SI to promote Moneyball. Much traveled franchise might soon be heading to San Jose.
Rockies- Just as Andy Reid knew Donovan McNabb was cooked, the Rox knew Ubaldo Jimenez has seen better days. Car-go had a tough start to the season and the Rox didn't have one of their blazing September finishes of seasons past.
Pirates- Flirted with .500 around all-star break, even made some deadline acquisitions to bolster competititness. End result...another sub .500 season. Here come the Steelers and Penguins.
Marlins- The Miami Marlins bring their two franchise World Series titles into a new stadium. Hanley Ramirez and Josh Johnson killed the hopes of many a fantasy owner. Logan Morrison tweeted his way into the Minor Leagues and Trader jack briefly returned to the managerial ranks.
Royals- Kansas City was featured in an SI article casting them as a dominant team in a season or two. Royals brought up several players who they hope will be a part of this future success. Melky Cabrera and one-time prospect Alex Gordon were among hit leaders.
Cubs- Starlin Castro led the majors in hits. Carlos Zambrano led the majors in coolers hit. Did this team drop the ball in hiring Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg?
Padres- Held onto Heath Bell so they could recieve more valuable draft picks when he signs elsewhere. Future Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman rejoined franchise as Mariano Rivera surpassed him for all-time saves lead.
Orioles- 95 losses but one monumental win that sent Red Sox Nation reeling for days and months to come. Will this once proud organization ever win the AL East?
Mariners- Ichiro misses 200 hits for the first time. Dustin Ackley soon to be the new face of the franchise.King Felix and Michael Pineada anchor the staff.
Twins- Concussed and Injured, at least they won't get swept by the Yankees in the playoffs.
Astros- First 100-loss season in franchise history. Hunter Pence joins Roy Oswalt on Phillies team favored to win it all.

Five Years!

Amazingly it's been five years since Shira and I were married. I remember watching the post season as Shira would spend nights at Gillions finishing her dress. I remember picking up 100+ pimpkins from my school and driving them home and then to the city. That year anothe Florida team made an unthinkable run to the World Series. This time we are rooting hard for the Phillies, but we still own matching 2003 Marlins World Champion shirts. Looking forward to many more October Anniversarys!

Marital Marlins!

Marlins take 2 out of 2 vs Yanks in the Cadaco Spin Game!

Beckett's At It Again!

The last time Josh Beckett appeared in the playoffs he was a member of the World Champion Florida Marlins. That last start was October 25,2003.

Beckett Delivers Once Again For Allie and Shira

October 25,2003. Shira and I get married AND Josh Beckett and the Florida Marlins defeat the Yankees in the World Series. A couple of years later, we witness Beckett not only defeat the Phils but also homer. While Shira was rooting for her hometown Phils I thought this was kind of cool.