17 Jul 2010, by Ted
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="296" caption="Joey Votto, via Flickr user dizbuster319 (click-through)"]
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If it seems like I'm taking the following story a little too seriously, blame it on the combination of MLB Network's Quickpitch and a couple of pints of Cooperstown, NY-based Ommegang Brewery's Abbey Ale. I toured the brewery while visiting the HOF, and just this evening learned that it was on the fridge shelf at the local grocer:
Joey Votto claims that his comment about Marlon Byrd and the Cubs was just a joke! Quoth Votto: "You can watch the video,” he said. “I gave Marlon a high 5 and patted him on the back."
If this is true, it means that we were too harsh on Joey in our latest edition of the podcast. It also means that, once again, the dreaded limitations of print media have reared their ugly, newspaper-print-stained heads again. If it were up to me, the Internet would consist of nothing but flash videos and liveblogs from here on out. Who's with me?
Let the record show that in the podcast I basically defended Joey Votto for saying things that he did not at all mean, and was totally joking about. Thanks, Joey. Next thing you're gonna tell me that Bronson Arroyo was lip syncing the whole time.
15 Jul 2010, by Eric
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="211" caption="Bob Feller still brings the gas. "]
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In Podcast 17 we overcome a few sound issues (sorry!) to the discuss hard-throwing-ness of the 2010 All Star Game. Speaking of THROWING HEAT, Ted tells us all about his afternoon in Cooperstown with Bob Feller's 104 MPH Fastball. One thousand is the number of pictures in a giant new book produced by Bud Selig and his front office cohorts about Baseball History -- the next rendition of which will likely include sections on Joey Votto's ornery nature, Rob Neyer's ability to lay down the sac bunt, and deliciousness of Big League Chew.
Right-click here to download.
[podcast]http://www.roguesbaseballindex.com/pnp_podcasts/PnP_017.mp3[/podcast]
14 Jul 2010, by Ted
I woke up this morning, unfurled my Internet browser, and read that I had made a mistake. I accidentally enjoyed the 2010 MLB All-Star Game.
According to Tom Verducci, I've "been hoodwinked." He argues that I shouldn't have enjoyed the game because it counts but managers didn't manage like it counts, and that there are too many weird rules, and that Big Papi--Heaven forbid!--actually ran the bases. "You cannot take the game seriously when it is played this way," Verducci writes.
To paraphrase the Big Lebowski, "You're not wrong, Tom, you're just an asshole."
Now, I don't want to go too far. Verducci's not an asshole, he 's just being that kid on the playground who is too smart for his own good, explaining why a rocket ship built from a jungle gym would never work. His column gives the sense that he sat there watching the All-Star game in a manic state, his temperature rising with every circus-like roster change. You know what, Tom? Instead of questioning the managerial merits of his being out there, I'd prefer to enjoy Big Papi scooting around the bases like he was in a three-legged race with an invisible partner.
In the end, I don't think Tom is the problem. In fact, I think he's right: they've tinkered with the All-Star Game too much. Which means, in the end, that they are forcing us to think about the All-Star Game. If there's one thing any baseball fan can do--and do extensively, with little provocation--it is break a game apart and question each of its specificities. By "making it count," MLB opened the floodgates. And while fans are free to take it as seriously or with as many grains of salt as the endless hurricane of daily life allows, the professionals must report on the game as if it counts. That is their mandate, as handed down by those who determine what matters. As a result, we get Verducci's article, and we get JoePos' "argument gone wrong" about Matt Thornton. Silly them and the way that they take their jobs seriously, while punks like myself make fun of them.
The secret to my success (ie. my accidental enjoyment of the ASG) is that I watched it like it was an exhibition. Lucky me, I'm not paid to treat it any other way.
I'm more in the camp of 'Duk over at Big League Stew, who provided a fun round-up of the events, and a few light critiques. When it comes to All-Star weekend, I'm a supporter of light critiques.
What I enjoyed most: the pitching. My god, the PITCHING! David Price humming it in there, Ubaldo humming it in there, Josh Johnson humming it in there, Verlander humming it in there. Cliff Lee even hit 94! How great is the pitching when Roy Halladay seems like a bit of a let-down?
As one gas-thrower after another came into the game, I felt the exhilaration of a true exhibition. These guys were on display, and I got to see players like Josh Johnson who I've never watched pitch before. More, more, more! Like a kid at the circus who never wants the clowns to stop rolling out of the Volkwagen Beetle.
UPDATE: Eric has reminded me not to forget, in my litany of dudes humming it in there, Kuo, who, apparently, knows Kuo.
You cannot take the game seriously when it is played this way.
14 Jul 2010, by Eric
Despite the best efforts of the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays, I believe it's safe to say that today, July 14, is the most boring sporting day of 2010. With that in mind, PnP recommends focusing your attention elsewhere.
Suggestions:
12 Jul 2010, by Eric
Welcome to the Home Run Derby Live Blog Thing!