ASTROS!!!!!!

Houston won their division and then swept Cleveland to advance to their bid for back to back Champions!! It hasn't happened since the Yankees in 98, 99 and 00!! #GoStros

Don't Stop Believing (Giants 2014)

What a way to use this great song!!! It has a long connection with those of us who grew up with it.

Ted Williams is 100 (Frozen in Time)...

Ted Williams is probably the greatest hitter of all time. I rank him just behind Barry Bonds as the greatest LF of all time.

Hall of Fame Ballot 2016

Here are my votes: Griffey Bonds Clemens Piazza Wagner Hoffman Bagwell The Steroid era was when these players played and in comparison to their contemporaries and to retired players, they belong in the Hall.

All Time MLB Team Revised

If could put together a best all time team of 30 players. These are not necessarily the best players ever, because I am considering positions and mix of teammates.

1. C - Johnny Bench 2. C - Yogi Berra 3. 1B - Lou Gehrig 4. 1B - Jimmie Foxx 5. 1B - Albert Pujols 6. 2B - Rogers Hornsby 7. 2B - Joe Morgan 8. 3B - Mike Schmidt 9. 3B - George Brett 10.SS - Honus Wagner 11.SS - Alex Rodriguez 12.LF - Barry Bonds 13.LF - Ted Williams 14.LF - Stan Musial 15.CF - Willie Mays 16.CF - Ty Cobb 17.CF - Mickey Mantle 18.CF - Ken Griffey, Jr 19.RF - Babe Ruth 20.RF - Hank Aaron 21.SP - Walter Johnson 22.SP - Christy Matthewson 23.SP - Pedro Martinez 24.SP - Roger Clemens 25.SP - Cy Young 26.RP - Greg Maddux 27.RP - Bob Gibson 28.RP - Tom Seaver 29.SU - Randy Johnson 30.CL - Mariano Rivera

Hall of Absurdity

So, these three were deservedly voted in the MLB Hall of Fame yesterday: Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Frank Thomas. I agree with all choices and add to them; Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mike Piazza, Raphiel Palmeiro, and Craig Biggio. The process by which players are named to the Fame needs to change. Greg Maddux, in most people's perception, is one of the greatest right handed pitchers ever. He did not get votes on 16 ballots! Absurd to the max!! Put the best players of each era, generation, and of all time.. in the Hall. Let the numbers speak for themselves and let their conscience sort out whether they cheated or did not play it with integrity.

MLB Hall of Fame Needs An Overhaul

With first-timers Clemens, Bonds, Piazza, Sosa, and Shilling joining holdovers Palmeiro, Bagwell, Morris, Murphy, Raines, and Trammel; they voted no one in, such a tragedy. If we don't recognize, nor penalize (no awards, titles, rings, records, or championships have been removed by MLB) them, then we must put them in their rightful place as being some of the best players of all time. It's time MLB looks at the voting process and reason for having a hall of fame, and make some serious changes. It started wrong in the first place by allowing them in 1936 to vote in Ruth, Wagner, Cobb, Matthewson, and Johnson without any of them getting 100% vote. Are you serious?? Come on, baseball world. Let's get this thing corrected and made into a great process of honoring the best players we have ever seen.

Hall of Fame.. Call Me Maybe!!

Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star, wrote this in reference to these first-time on the ballot superstars of MLB (Bonds, Clemens, and Sosa):

"I plan to vote for all three. I understand the steroid/PED questions surrounding each one, and I've wrestled with the implications and my view is these guys played and posted Hall-of-Fame-type numbers against the competition of their time. That will be my sole yardstick. If Major League Baseball took no action against a player during his career for alleged or suspected steroid/PED use, I'm not going to do so in assessing their career for the Hall of Fame," he said.

I agree totally!! Btw.. other first-timers are Piazza, Shilling, and Biggio. Let's not forget deserved holdovers Mark McGwire, Raphael Palmeiro, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, and Jeff Bagwell!!

Barry Larkin: A Great SS and Man

Barry Larkin is waiting for the MLB Hall of Fame to call him today.. the announcement is at 1:30 my time!

YES!! He made it in on 86% vote!! Nice work, writers!!!

Osama Bin Laden is dead!

Albert Pujols

Albert Pujols has hit .300, with 30 home runs and 100 RBI in each of his first 10 seasons. That’s the longest streak for a player at any point in his career. Look at the names that are second and third: Lou Gehrig (9, 1929-37) and Babe Ruth (8, 1926-33). A decade of dominance!! Check out this link to his Family Foundation!

Best Starting Rotation...Ever?

The 1998 Braves starting rotation was Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Kevin Millwood and Denny Neagle. This year's Phillies pitchers are Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels, and Joe Blanton rivals that staff and be better!

Sparky Anderson Dies at 76

Reaction to the death of former Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers manager Sparky Anderson:

"Sparky was, by far, the best manager I ever played for. He understood people better than anyone I ever met. His players loved him, he loved his players, and he loved the game of baseball. There isn't another person in baseball like Sparky Anderson. He gave his whole life to the game."
-- Former Reds star Pete Rose

"Baseball has lost one of its greatest members. His idea of of baseball had the highest ideals. He believed in the game abd represented the game to the highest degree of class, dignity and character."
-- Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasoda

"Sparky was one of the greatest people I've met in baseball. He was a leader to his players both on and off the field. He was an incredible person and I cherish the time I was able to spend with him."
-- Tigers Hall of Famer Al Kaline

"He was always humerous and funny off the field. He was always making jokes, doing things to make people laugh. The last time I saw him was at the Hall of Fame induction this year and everyone was laughing because Sparky was the star of the show,"
-- Former Reds second baseman and ESPN analyst Joe Morgan

"He was a good guy, Baseball will have very few people like Sparky. He was a unique individual. He was a character with a great passion and love for the game."
-- Former Tigers pitcher Jack Morris

"Sparky was a great man and a great manager. He was the man who put together some great teams and made us go. We will miss him. We love him."
-- Former Reds first baseman Tony Perez

"Those of us who had the privilege to know Sparky personally know how much he loved American's favorite pastime and how proud he was to be associated with baseball. His success as a manager, both with the Detroit Tigers and the Cincinnati Reds, was about far more than wins and losses, it was about the character of the man. He cared about his players, he loved the fans and he put his heart and soul into the community. He will always be a favorite among Tigers fans and an important and memorable part of this incredible sports town."
-- Tigers owner Mike Ilitch

"Sparky saw what he had and was able to get the most out of them. He was a people person. He knew how to handle people and get them to get along. If you can get even 90 percent of 25 guys on the same page, you're doing a good job. With Sparky, even if everyone didn't get along off the field, by God they were all together when they were on it. He just did an outstanding job and treated everyone with class."
--Former Reds infielder Tommy Helms

"I am truly saddened by the loss of Sparky Anderson. I have lost and all of Baseball has lost a dear friend. Sparky was a gentleman, a great baseball man and a superb ambassador for the game. Sparky won three World Series Championships with the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers, leading several of the best teams of the last 40 years and holding the most wins as manager for both tradition-rich franchises.

"I recall with great fondness the many hours we would spend together when his Tigers came to Milwaukee. Sparky was a loyal friend, and whenever I would be dealing with difficult situations as Commissioner, he would lift my spirits, telling me to keep my head up and that I was doing the right thing."
-- Major League Baseball comissioner Bud Selig

"All of baseball mourns the passing of one of the game's all-time great managers and ambassadors. In one way or another, Sparky touched the life of every Reds fan. Every person who visits our ballpark and Hall of Fame is reminded of his contribution to the success of this proud franchise. We offers our prayers and support to Sparky's family and friends during this diffi cult time."
--Reds president and CEO Bob Castellini

"Sparky was a brilliant manager whose successes between the white lines, in both leagues, are well documented -- 2,194 wins, five pennants, three World Series and two manager of the year awards. Not only did his jovial disposition, warm demeanor, infectious smile and innate ability to build confidence allow him to get the most out of his players, but it assured him of befriending everyone he touched. He will be missed in Cooperstown, especially during Hall of Fame Weekend, where he was a favorite among the fans and his fellow Hall of Famers."
-- National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum President Jeff Idelson

"On behalf of the William Clay Ford family and the Detroit Lions organization we extend our deepest sympathies to the Anderson family, the Detroit Tigers and the legions of Sparky Anderson fans in Detroit and across the country.

"Detroit has lost one of its most beloved and iconic sports figures. Sparky's Hall of Fame accomplishments on the field rank him as one of baseball's all-time greats. But it is his work off the field and how he touched people in our community that will truly leave a lasting legacy."
-- Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand

Feel Good Baseball Stories 2010

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&page=starting9/100929

First Day of School

Wow! Is it really here? Emma is a Freshman and today, on our way to North Campus, we were reminiscing about her first day of Kindergarten...9 years ago!! She refused to let me take her, insisting on riding the bus! hahaha! Hilarious and yet so sad for a Dad, who loves taking his kids to school.

All three kids loved their teachers yesterday and it was a good start to another year of learning, growing, stretching, and experiencing the joy/pains of growing up.

On another note...Jon Mark was cut from the baseball and basketball teams this summer. The basketball is understood, but the baseball is a mystery. Very frustrating. He said this weekend he felt like a failure. I reminded him of God's setups, appear as setbacks...thanks to Pastor Chris, this has been my motto for several years. :)

An "Imperfect" Game by Armando Galarraga

Armando Galarraga pitched a perfect game, the third one this year...almost!

A great article about Galarraga's grace.

and then today's game...after last night. awesome vid!

Ken Griffey, Jr

The Kid Retires

The 6th best CF of all-time and certainly the best in an entire generation. Who are the other five? Willie Mays, Ty Cobb, Mickey Mantle, Tris Speaker, and Joe Dimaggio.

Deer Park High School Baseball!

Today, Jon Mark found out that he made the Deer Park Deer Baseball Team! Wow!

Here are the freshmen picked out of 86 kids who tried out: Vince Vega, Cade Williams, Clay Thompson, Matt Cauley, Jordan Gardea, Derek Boneke, Joey Rangel, Zach Kent, Stephan Gehringer, Josh Pettitte, Tyler Butterfras, Ashton Cleveland, Tyler Allen, Josh Rutherford, Tyler Jarvis, Jay Turnipseed, Eric Luna, Landon Bedrich, Brittan Brown, Bailey Darden, Jacob Hickman, Brian Pattison, John Lopez, Zach Bajula, and Jon Mark Feeback.

Some left off, but played on the Mickey Mantle Team were: C.J. Babb, Noah Cano, Mitchell Wilkinson, Brandon Hock, Cameron Gregory, Michael Heim, Kyle Liescheski, Nolan Sampson, Chad Leatherwood, and Tyler Martin. Daniel Grider, who should have made it, did not.

That's a lot of players, plus many more who tried out and perhaps just had a tough workout. People like: Ryan Husemann, Taylor Sisemore, Eric Fitzwater, and Jacob Daugherty - good kids, decent talent...but just weren't chosen.
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I find it totally amazing and pitiful that among all those Little League and All-Star teams Jon Mark played with, only Tyler Allen and Landon Bedrich made the high school team with him.

Then only 12 of them were in Pony League, the other 13 decided not to play Pony, I heard because of the shotty politics. hahaha

Granted, Jon Mark is younger than his peers in the 9th grade, so there may be a few more join him next season, such as Cade Wilson, Joshua Martinez, and others.

It tells me that players come from all over and from various leagues, cities, and select teams.

The Hall of Fame & Steroids

As I have noted in previous post , I really don't care about the steroids and the Hall of Fame voting. If I had a vote, those that were worthy by their numbers would be in the HOF. Check out this explaination by Buster Olney, speaking about Mark McGwire:

I will vote for McGwire, as I will vote for all of the elite players from that time we know as the steroids era. I believe most of the elite players of the time used performance-enhancing drugs, in the absence of oversight from the union or Major League Baseball -- but in trying to formulate a consistent standard on this issue, I do not know who did what. Which leaves me two options: Vote for nobody, or set aside the issue of performance-enhancing drugs and simply vote for the best players of the era. Separate of that: It's not the place for writers to be making these kinds of decisions. We shouldn't be involved in the HOF voting.

This quote and many others can be found in this link: .

New York Yankees: Finally Back On Top!

Joba Chamberlain deserves this championship as much as anyone! Awesome!

I am pleased for Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte who all have 5 rings now. Alex Rodriguez. C.C. Sabathia, and Mark Teixiera got their first. A.J. Burnett and Johnny Damon collected their second championship. It was awesome to see Pettitte be the winning pitcher for the ring and for Rivera to save it as well.

The Yanks beat the defending champion Phillies 7-4 in 6 games. Hedieki Matsui was the MVP hitting 5 Home Runs in the Series and batting .685! ARod was terrific in the postseason with 6 Home Runs, 18 RBI's, and batted .365! Jeter batted over .400. Pettitte was 4-0 in the postseason, giving him the most postseason and world series wins ever.