on Monday with a left calf strain, it was almost a foregone conclusion that the Orioles would promote one of the many top outfield prospects performing at Triple-A Norfolk. That is indeed the case.
Upper Reserve Section 344-354 (Rows 13-25). The individual ticket price is normally $17.00 for Upper Reserve. Additional 10% transaction fee ($1.00 per ticket). If you are having trouble connecting to MLB ticket order entry site, copy & paste the following url into your browser address bar: www.orioles.com/rolandpark
INTANGIBLE VALUE
What do people learn going to a professional baseball game? Well, if you have never been before, it’s FUN! Not to mention, Camden Yards is considered one of the BEST stadiums in Major League Baseball in the entire country. It’s both exciting and entertaining. It can be very competitive and suspenseful depending on the pitchers.
As a Head Coach for over 10 years, I am a “student of the game” and continue to learn new things going to a live baseball game. In my own experience, the benefits are countless!
Whether you are going with your son or going as a team, it’s a great bonding experience. Plus, the coach often can learn more about the player be better able to relate to them. Best of all, the kids witness first-hand, real time some of the best professionals in a chosen field of discipline – baseball. Watching MLB players performing at the highest level of skill is awesome, especially when you consider how much they are getting paid.
Coaches and baseball teams can build on all the PRACTICE hours, days and weeks trying to run drills by explaining situations and the reasons why. There is also a well-known FACT in the “Art of Pedogogy” – people can learn from reading it in a book, listening, watching or doing.
Teaching fundamental skills is very difficult if you don’t have much passion, interest and some natural ability. Read more
In 2019, the Orioles (54-108) were just as bad. In 2020, these Orioles took some steps forward and should improve. Read more
DENVER, COLORADO – MAY 25: Pedro Severino #28 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a single in the seventh inning to load the bases against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 25, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Back in April 2016, I had an exciting weekend. The Orioles beat the World Series Champions – Kansas City Royals 8-3. The Birds record is 11-5 as of Saturday. Our Over 40 team, Brewers beat the Nationals 15-2 and our record is now 2-0. The Roland Park Rangers travel team beat the TowsonTowne Tbirds 6-5 and continue to remain undefeated this season (record 5-0). Our RPBL In-house team (9-10 Nationals Little League) the Blaze beat the Ironbirds 5-3 and we have a 2 game winning streak (record 3-1-1).
What a great contest in 2023. In particular, first game going into the eleventh inning. Florida jumped out on top early and then LSU fought till the end.
Some would argue, G1 set the tone for the weekend series. Pitching was a factor on Game 2 & 3 with over 50 runs given up between both teams.
The 2023 Men’s College World Series (MCWS) was the most-watched men’s CWS on ESPN platforms on record, ESPN announced Tuesday. The finals saw a record audience, averaging 2.86 million viewers on ESPN and ESPNU across the three-game series, up 75 percent from last year’s two-game finals. LSU beat Florida 18-4 in Game 3 on Monday to win its seventh national title and its first since 2009.
For the last 11 days, the Men’s College World Series, or “The Greatest Show on Dirt,” has captivated our attention. Eight teams started the journey in Omaha on June 16.
In the national championship series, No. 5 LSU won the first game on Saturday night in the 11th inning. No. 2 Florida then put on an offensive show on Sunday afternoon to destroy the Tigers 24-4.
So, on Monday night, baseball fans got a decisive Game Three. After over a week of very close games throughout the MCWS, the last two games were complete blowouts. LSU beat Florida 18-4 to win the Natty.
Learning how important SPORTSMANSHIP is, I fully understand there has to be a 2nd place team. But, notice the Yankees, Astros and Dodgers came in second place several times and then returned to WS only to capture the championship the following year.
When was the last time you got to meet and talk to Major League Baseball Players? Today is your lucky day. And since you are apart of www.rolandparkbaseball.com community Towson University has invited us to participate.
They play in Division 1 NCAA best local college and professional prospects in the local area. Plus they are playing Cougars who qualified for CAA tournament and are in pursuit of College World Series. Read more
I realize it is short NOTICE but tomorrow Towson University is giving RPBL a SPECIAL invitation to participate in the Opening Ceremony with National Anthem on the field, a little league player can throw out the First Pitch and there will be Inflatables for Kids.
Must arrive no later than 11:30 AM and ask for “Andrew” with TU Marketing POC. Mention RPBL and my name. I expect to arrive later in the afternoon.
Field location & Directions – Click here. FREE visitor parking in garages off Towsontown Blvd and University Avenue -OR- Osler and Union Drives. Read more
Please RSVP and let me know if you are interested so I can let them know approximate headcount?
“Little League, BIG FUN!” Mission: The purpose of Roland Park Baseball is to instill sportsmanship and to provide a nurturing environment, which will allow the children to mature physically, mentally, and emotionally. Further, the league strives to work with parents to develop realistic expectations of their children.
P.S. Mark your calendar for some great baseball camps for kids entering grades 2-8 as well as high school prospects this summer in Jun-Aug. Read more
Sent: Saturday, May 5, 2018 12:11 PM
Start time has been moved to 12:00 on Sunday. Hopefully you can still make it.
All the best, Matt Tyner, Head Coach Towson University Baseball
Sent: Thursday, May 3, 2018 10:05 AM
Coach is on board with someone to throughout the first pitch.
We will have some kids run out with the Towson starters.
We will also be prepared to do postgame autographs and the kids can run the bases following the game.
We are also planning to set up two inflatables close the concessions stands.
We will also have a table where kids can pick up a poster and return any foul balls.
The point of contact for the day is Andrew. He works with us in the marketing department.
Thanks
Pursuit of greatness
Claiming more conference championships, of playing in more national tournaments, of reaching the Big Dance and the College World Series and winning more national titles.
Look into our eyes and you’ll see it.
There’s an undeniable hunger in being a Cougar. Our opponents certainly see it … feel it … bend to it. Read more
Home Town Heroes
Baltimore, Maryland has produced many great baseball players.
The 58th edition of the National Football League (NFL) CHAMPIONSHIP kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the San Francisco 49ers facing the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs. This is a rematch of Super Bowl LIV, after the 2019 season, in which the Chiefs beat the 49ers 31-20.
This is Kansas City’s fourth appearance in the big game in five years. The last time the 49ers won the Super Bowl was after the 1994 season in Super Bowl XXIX. The 49ers entered the playoffs as the NFC’s No. 1 seed, while the Chiefs were the AFC’s No. 3 seed.
Our NFL team has you covered with everything you’d ever want to know for 49ers-Chiefs, including team previews, bold predictions and game picks. We also provide betting advice from our sports betting experts, game-plan breakdowns from our analysts, and in-depth statistics from the ESPN Stats & Information team. We look at the two quarterbacks, coaches, positional advantages and some X factors as well. We even preview the officiating, halftime show, injury report and top Super Bowl MVP candidates.
Meet the teams
San Francisco 49ers Coach: Kyle Shanahan
This is Shanahan’s seventh season as the 49ers’ coach and his second Super Bowl appearance, the last one coming four years ago vs. the Chiefs. If the 49ers win, Shanahan will join his father, Mike, as a Super Bowl-winning head coach. The Shanahans would be the first father-son head-coaching duo to win a title in the history of the four major men’s pro sports.
Kansas City Chiefs Coach: Andy Reid
Reid is in his 11th season as the coach of the Chiefs and is fourth on the NFL’s all-time head-coaching wins list (283). He is seeking his third Super Bowl title in his fifth Super Bowl appearance. If the Chiefs win, he would be the fifth coach to win at least three Super Bowls, joining Bill Belichick (6), Chuck Noll (4), Bill Walsh (3) and Joe Gibbs (3).
QB breakdown
Brock Purdy, 49ers Purdy was the 262nd and final pick in the 2022 draft and could become the lowest-drafted starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl (excluding Kurt Warner, who was undrafted). In his career (including playoffs), Purdy has a 21-5 (.808) record. He is the third-youngest starting quarterback in Super Bowl history (24) — only Dan Marino and Ben Roethlisberger were younger.
Strength: Purdy excels at attacking the middle of the field. The volume is there, certainly — 56% of his passes are between the numbers (third most among QBR qualifying quarterbacks) and 14% are between the hashes (most). But the efficiency is there as well. He ranks first in QBR (75) when throwing between the numbers and second (94) between the hashes — interestingly, behind only Mahomes.
Weakness: Purdy has only a 61 QBR against zone coverage, which ranks 12th among QBR-qualifying quarterbacks. For his numbers, that’s a weakness. By contrast, his QBR against man coverage is 90. The good news for the 49ers is that the Chiefs are the fifth-heaviest man coverage team in the NFL (51% man), and opponents can’t really play that much zone against them anyway. If they do, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey will have a field day, because running back receptions skyrocket against zone coverage. — Seth Walder, analytics writer
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs Mahomes has a career record of 88-25 (.779). He is 3-0 against the 49ers, including the Chiefs’ win in Super Bowl LIV. In those games, Mahomes has averaged 341 passing yards and the Chiefs have averaged 37.7 points, their third most against any single opponent with him as their starting QB. He is seeking his third Super Bowl win in his seventh season, something only Tom Brady and Troy Aikman have accomplished. Mahomes could also become the first player across the four major men’s pro sports with three championships and two league MVPs within his first seven seasons since Larry Bird (1979-86).
Strength: When a quarterback drops back to pass, there are three potential play types that can unfold: a pass, a sack or a scramble. It’s the first type that typically gets all the glory (and that’s all reflected into the arcane passer rating, too) but it’s types two and three where Mahomes separates himself. He refuses to take a sack, with just a 3.7% sack rate, and has generated the second-most scramble EPA (35.4) this season only behind the Bills’ Josh Allen. In fact, on plays that resulted in a sack or scramble, Mahomes’ QBR was an 84 — again, second behind only Allen. Joshua Dobbs ranked third in the category with a 25, which goes to show how much Mahomes and Allen are in a league of their own in this area.
Weakness: Mahomes’ completion percentage over expectation this season (postseason included) is negative-1.1%, which ranks 23rd out of 30 QBR-qualifying quarterbacks, per NFL Next Gen Stats. Some of that is absolutely on the receivers, who have a 7.3% drop rate (using completions plus drops as a denominator), second worst in the NFL and a league-low 28 catch score (per ESPN’s receiver tracking metrics). But accuracy has never been Mahomes’ dominant trait, because regardless of his receivers, he has never posted a completion percentage over expectation above 1% in a single season.
2024 Super Bowl: 58 things you need to know as 49ers and Chiefs meet in Super Bowl in Las Vegas
There’s still one more game to go before the 2023 NFL season wraps up: Super Bowl LVIII. Two historic franchises are set to go head to head for the Lombardi Trophy. What better way to prepare for the 58th Super Bowl than by digesting 58 important things to know for the big game? We’ve got you covered with all the best facts and figures:
Super Bowl LVIII will feature the Kansas City Chiefs against the San Francisco 49ers.
This is the second time the Chiefs and 49ers have matched up in a Super Bowl, previously meeting in Super Bowl LIV at the end of the 2019 season. Kansas City won that game, 31-20.
This is the Chiefs’ fourth Super Bowl appearance in five seasons. They are just the third team in NFL history to enjoy such a stretch, after the 2014-18 New England Patriots and 1990-93 Buffalo Bills.
The Chiefs also won last year’s big game, Super Bowl LVII, against the Philadelphia Eagles. That means they’re looking to become the first back-to-back champions since the 2003-04 Patriots.
Kansas City’s other two Super Bowls this half-decade include the 2019 victory over the 49ers and a 2020 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the next season, when Tom Brady secured his record seventh Super Bowl title.
Super Bowl LVIII will be broadcast on CBS, and streamed live on Paramount+.
Are you ready for the action, the spectacle, and the history-making football plays that have made Super Bowls a super-watch for going on 57 years now? Well, you better get ready. Super Bowl LVIII, featuring an epic matchup of the San Francisco 49ers vs. the Kansas City Chiefs, will be here soon.
Below is everything you need to know about how to watch and stream the 49ers vs. the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII live with Paramount+. You’ll also get all the details on when and where Super Bowl LVIII will be played, and who will broadcast the game. So, let’s kick off this watch guide for Super Bowl LVIII. All info and stats are current as of publication.
You can stream the 49ers vs. the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII on CBS from any device with Paramount+. With Paramount+, the game can be streamed on a number of supported devices, including smart TVs, mobile devices, tablets, desktops, streaming devices, and gaming consoles.
Super Bowl LVIII Date: Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024 Time: 6:30 PM, ET Teams: 49ers at Chiefs Location: Allegiant Stadium Channels: CBS, Nickelodeon Streaming: Paramount+ As noted, the traditional Super Bowl broadcast will be available in two formats. CBS will carry the conventional broadcast of the game, and Nickelodeon will air an exclusive family-friendly telecast. The CBS broadcast is available on Paramount+, and both broadcasts are available on any cable or satellite service that offers CBS or Nickelodeon.
Super Bowl LVI will feature the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams with two quarterbacks playing at the top of their game and both ready to win their first ring. Joe Burrow and Matthew Stafford both had solid performances in the conference championship games and led their teams to comeback victories. Read more
Summary
Super Bowl LVI will be the 56th Super Bowl and the 52nd modern-era National Football League championship. It is the final game of the 2021 season and the culmination of the 2021–22 NFL playoffs. The game is scheduled to be played on February 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California
Philadelphia coach Doug Pederson proclaimed his appreciation for his “Lord and savior Jesus Christ” after the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII win over the New England Patriots.
The Eagles beat the Patriots 41-33 Sunday night.
What did Pederson say? In a center-stage interview following the win, Pederson responded to a question about what it was like to rise from a high school football coach to coaching an NFL team that ultimately won the Super Bowl.
“How do you explain this, that nine years ago you’re coaching in high school and here you are with this trophy?” NBC’s Dan Patrick asked Pederson after the win.
“I can only give the praise to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for giving me this opportunity,” Pederson gushed. “And I’m going to tell you something. I’ve got the best players in the world, and it’s a resilient group.” Read more
Super Bowl LII was the championship game of the 2017 season of the National Football League (NFL), the 52nd Super Bowl overall, and the 48th of the league’s modern era. The National Football Conference (NFC) champion Philadelphia Eagles defeated the American Football Conference (AFC) champion and defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, 41–33, to win their first Super Bowl. Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, who completed 28 of 43 passes for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns with 1 interception, and caught a 1-yard touchdown pass, was named Super Bowl MVP.
The game was held on February 4, 2018, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.[10] It was the second Super Bowl in Minneapolis, which hosted Super Bowl XXVI in 1992. It was the sixth Super Bowl in a cold-weather city,[11] and marked a return to the northernmost city to ever host the event.
The Patriots were the first team to appear in consecutive Super Bowls since the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowls XLVIII and XLIX, which the Patriots also appeared in. Denied a record-tying sixth Super Bowl victory, New England instead joined the Denver Broncos with a record-tying fifth Super Bowl loss.
The Eagles had previously lost to the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XV and to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX. Read more
Douglas Irving Pederson (born January 31, 1968) is an American football coach who is currently the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He served as the offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs from 2013–2015. He spent most of his playing career as a member of the Green Bay Packers, serving as a backup quarterback to Brett Favre and holder on placekicks, and winning Super Bowl XXXI with the team over the New England Patriots. He was also a backup to Dan Marino as a member of the Miami Dolphins, and a starting quarterback for the Eagles and Cleveland Browns.
In his second season as the Eagles’ head coach, Pederson won Super Bowl LII (also against the Patriots), marking the first Super Bowl title in franchise history. He also became just the fourth person, after Mike Ditka, Tom Flores and Tony Dungy, to win a championship as both a player and coach.
Early years Pederson was born in Bellingham, Washington, in 1968. He attended Ferndale High School in nearby Ferndale, Washington, and was an All-State selection in football, basketball, and baseball. After high school he graduated from Northeast Louisiana University, where he was quarterback from 1987 through 1990. He still holds multiple passing records at the school.
Professional Miami Dolphins Pederson originally signed as a rookie free agent by the Miami Dolphins on May 1, 1991, out of Northeast Louisiana University (now University of Louisiana at Monroe) in Monroe, Louisiana.
First stint with Packers Pederson worked out for the Green Bay Packers following week 10 in 1995, due to a season-ending injury suffered by backup Ty Detmer and a minor injury sustained by starter Brett Favre. Third-string quarterback T. J. Rubley was forced to play in week 10 and threw a game-ending interception after calling an audible, going against head coach Mike Holmgren’s playcall.
Philadelphia Eagles Pederson signed a three-year, $4.5 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on February 18, 1999, to become the team’s starting quarterback under new head coach Andy Reid, who was Pederson’s quarterbacks coach in Green Bay from 1997–1998.
Cleveland Browns Pederson considered retirement after being released by the Eagles, but instead signed a two-year contract with the Cleveland Browns on September 2, 2000.
Green Bay Packers The Packers re-signed Pederson to a one-year contract on March 13, 2001, to replace backup Matt Hasselbeck, who was traded to the Seattle Seahawks.[43] Pederson was the primary backup to Favre for the entire 2001 season, and was the primary placekick holder in every game. He was re-signed to a one-year, $650,000 contract with the Packers on April 2, 2002. Pederson again was the backup quarterback and primary holder in all 16 games in 2002.
Coaching career High school After his retirement, Pederson was hired as head football coach of Calvary Baptist Academy, a private Christian high school in Shreveport, Louisiana.[49] Calvary was going into its second year as a program when Pederson signed on in March 2005.
Pederson was the head coach at Calvary for four years, and held a 33–7 record in the regular season and an 8–3 record in the post-season. The Cavaliers were in the state playoffs all four years with Pederson as head coach. In his first season in 2005, the Cavaliers went 5–6 and lost in the first round of the state playoffs.[50] In 2007, he led the Cavaliers to the semi-finals and to their first district title.
NFL assistant coaching positions Philadelphia Eagles On January 29, 2009, Pederson was hired as the offensive quality control coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, reuniting him with his former head coach, Andy Reid.[51] He was promoted to quarterbacks coach on February 8, 2011, replacing James Urban, who was promoted to assistant offensive coordinator.
Kansas City Chiefs On January 11, 2013, Pederson followed Andy Reid to the Kansas City Chiefs to serve as offensive coordinator.
NFL head coach On January 18, 2016, Pederson was hired as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles replacing Chip Kelly.[54] Despite having Sam Bradford on the roster as the starting quarterback, the Eagles drafted Carson Wentz with the second overall pick in 2016, similar to what the team did in 1999 by drafting Donovan McNabb when Pederson was the starting quarterback. Right before the 2016 season began, Bradford was traded to the Minnesota Vikings and Wentz was named the starting quarterback as a rookie. Pederson and Wentz won their first three NFL games together, but finished the season 7–9, missing the playoffs. His 2017 season was much more successful as he led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl win in franchise history. In addition, under his leadership the Eagles held their first winning record since the 2014 season, their first division title and playoff appearance since the 2013 season, their first playoff victory since the 2008 season, and an appearance in the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2004 season.
Personal life Pederson was born to Teri (née Boykin) and Gordon “Gordy” Pederson (1939–2016) on January 31, 1968, in Bellingham, Washington. Pederson and his wife Jeannie have three sons. Pederson has been a resident of Moorestown, New Jersey. Read more
MVP: Nick Foles started this season as a backup quarterback, and he ended it as Super Bowl MVP. Foles threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception (that was not his fault) and also caught a touchdown in the Eagles upset win.
Nicholas Edward Foles (born January 20, 1989) is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arizona, and was drafted by the Eagles in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He has also played for the St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs.
Foles played his first game with the Eagles in Week 10 of the 2012 season after Michael Vick left with an injury. Foles then made his first start the following week. In Week 9 of the 2013 season, he became the second quarterback to post a perfect passer rating (158.3) while passing for more than 400 yards, and also the first quarterback in NFL history to post a perfect passer rating and throw seven touchdowns in a single game. It was the 60th time in NFL history that a perfect passer rating was achieved overall. After stints with the Rams and the Chiefs, Foles returned to the Eagles in 2017. After Carson Wentz was injured late in the regular season, Foles led the Eagles to the franchise’s first-ever Super Bowl win. The Eagles defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, and Foles was named the Super Bowl MVP. Read more
Game seven is the final game of a best of seven series. This game can occur in the postseasons for Major League Baseball (League Championship Series and World Series), the National Basketball Association (all rounds of the NBA playoffs), and the National Hockey League (all rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs). Read more
Last year, the Blaze finished the regular season in last place (0-14). There is something to be said for coming back from a large deficit. But what about turning around your entire life? Take Rollie Hemsley for example. Nevertheless, we finished the 2016 season with 9 wins, 2 loses and 2 ties which was good enough for the #3 seed going into the Playoffs.
What is particularly interesting is the fact that our team really came on strong after May 16 disappointing loss to the Bears. We fault hard against the Royals a few days later and tied. But, best of all, going into the playoffs we had a 4 game winning streak.
“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”-Vince Lombardi
Final Four: Game Summary
Blaze took an early lead 3-1 after the 1st inning.
However, we gave up 7 runs in the 2nd inning and 4 runs in the 3rd inning.
At the end of three, we were losing 12-4 (down 8 runs).
Next thing you know, the Blaze came alive in the bottom of the 4th inning with 9 runs batted in during a 2 out rally.
In particular, Amelia smashed a 3 RBI homerun out of the park, followed by another 2 RBI homerun by Blake. This was enough to regain the lead.
Blake had 3 Ks in the top of the 5th inning and Henry struck out the final batter to get the save in the top of the 6th inning.
Blaze win 13-12. On to the World Series Championships!
Arguably, the most thrilling game of the century. At least the ONLY one that I was ever involved with that had such an amazing come from behind victory.
As a matter of fact, my very first Blog was about Victory and Defeat which I published back on April 17, 2016. Having attended Boys Latin High School, our slogan was Esse Quam Videri. Later in life, my favorite Latin expression became Carpe Diem after watching the movie “Dead Poet Society”.
Robin Williams, was another hero of mind. In this scene above, he concludes by saying,
“Thank you boys”
Keep in mind, we were one of the few teams with a girl. And to make it more interesting, she won the MVP twice during the regular season.
So, when I sat down to write this blog, I struggled for the best title. I love the expression, “Every game is game seven” because it remind me of the famous “One Day at a Time” proverb. But then I thought about the Roland Park Baseball League Mission “Little League, BIG FUN! The purpose of Roland Park Baseball is to instill sportsmanship and to provide a nurturing environment, which will allow the children to mature physically, mentally, and emotionally. Further, the league strives to work with parents to develop realistic expectations of their children.”
I love U2
I continued to wrestle for a title and thought about naming it “Never forget!” If this game doesn’t build a child’s memory, I don’t know what does. In fact, I believe that everyone that was at that game witnessed a miracle. Speaking of miracles, listen to the following song…
Have you ever looked up the lyrics of a song? I love U2. They are by far, my favorite band for a lot of reasons. Mostly because of the spiritual words in their songs.
“As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”
John 9:5 (fast forward 4 minutes and 15 seconds)
When my wife and I dated for about 10 years, she always used to say, “I love you”. I was not ready to commit and often jokingly said, “I love U2”!
Getting back to the game, rather than clutter this blog with a bunch of images, I’ll let readers browse “Final Four” photos on their own by Clicking Here. These are some amazing candid shots by one of our parents.
Another title for this blog indicative of the drama we went through is “And now the end is near. And so I face the final curtain.” When we started the top of the 4th inning, I started to prepare our Coaches game summary “Defeat speech”. I told the team afterwards that I honestly thought there was no way we could come back and they all booed and hissed me, and even started throwing grass at me.
See if you can get some hidden messages in this classic…
Another possible title is “Repetition is the mother of skill.” I am a firm believer that if you practice fielding ground balls and swinging a bat, eventually you’ll become a master. Obviously, I love quotations and started compiling a list of my favorites about 20 years ago (Click Here).
“You can spend all your love making time”
I was listening to this song immediately following our “emotional roller-coaster”. Do you notice the resemblance? Here are the lyrics:
“All alone at the end of the evening
And the bright lights have faded to blue.
I was thinking ’bout a woman who might have loved me
I never knew.
You know I’ve always been a dreamer
Spent my life runnin’ ’round
And it’s so hard to change
Can’t seem to settle down
But the dreams I’ve seen lately keep on turning out
And burning out and turning out the same.
So put me on a highway and show me a sign
And take it to the limit one more time.
You can spend all your time making money, You can spend all your love making time…
Take it to the limit, take it to the limit
Take it to the limit one more time.”
Finally, you may be wondering what’s the point? It’s simple. Success is much more than just a trophy. If you play every game like it’s the last game of the World Series, field every ball like the game is on the line, get in the batter’s box with all the confidence in the world that you are going to hit a hard line drive, then you are well on your way to enjoying the purpose of life.
Our little league recently tried a new strategy to encourage all hitters to pay closer attention to the strike zone and weaker hitters to have a better chance of getting on base…
I am a big believer in “base hits” win ballgames!
Unfortunately, our team has struck out 59 times in seven games. Breakdown per game: 13, 4, 6, 6, 10, 12 & 8.
MLB Traditional Methodology
Many coaches are in favor of giving up an out by bunting a runner over to second or even third base. I believe this is a bunting strategy that should be determined by a number of factors.
Is it a close game
Is it late in the game
Can the runner steal second instead of being bunted over
How well can the hitter bunt
What is the batting average and on base percentage of the hitter
It really doesn’t make any sense to me, to have a batter at the plate with a high on base percentage or batting average and have him make an out just to move a runner over one base, especially
third.
I may give you in a very close game where one run will win it to
bunt a man over to third with no outs, then have a squeeze bunt if the next hitter is a capable man who can get the job done.
In Pony baseball, the chances seem to be better in favor of attempting
a steal, but again factors such as the runners ability to get a good jump and the catcher’s arm come into play.
In most situations, bunting a runner over early in the game just doesn’t make a lot of sense unless you are fairly sure it will
be a close game.
There is also something to be said for scoring the first run giving your team a psychological advantage. But before you bunt a man over consider who is coming up: are the chances favorable he can get
the job done with a base hit or fly ball, or is the hitter weak and bunting is probably the best option for him?
Even so, you’ve got to consider who is coming up after him whether they can
be counted on to get a hit or fly ball.
Here is one bunting strategy that works almost every time.
Runner on third, or runners on any other base. Less than two outs. The batter at the plate is an average or less hitter,
with weaker hitters coming up behind him….and you really want
to get a run in.
The batter bunts the ball down on the ground towards the third baseman. Have the runner on third follow the third baseman down the line, staying back from him 10 feet or so.
When the player throws to first for the out, you’ve got yourself an easy run. Do remember, if the shortstop is playing heads up ball and the third baseman is in the game, there may be an out at third, depends on how far the second base runner is advanced and how far the ball is bunted. But the chances of this happening are fairly slim, the odds are in the offenses favor.
There really are no hard and fast rules that are absolute, but the one thing I’m not in favor of early in the game is to
bunt a man over with decent hitters at the plate.
Even though everyone should be able to lay down a bunt if called upon, the better hitters in the lineup usually have little bunting experience in the game and so as a general rule are not really
that good at bunting simply because in most games in their past, they hit and didn’t have to bunt.
Remember what Earl Waver said: “If you play for one run, that’s usually all you’ll get.” Read more
Reading the pitcher
In this bunting strategy – recognize a pitcher’s weakness and exploit it for more bunt hits.
Bunting for a hit is an extremely valuable skill, and can even be the deciding factor in a close game when hits and runs are scarce.
Baseball players are creatures of habit!
Most people – and pitchers in particular – are creatures of habit. You can use this to your advantage.
How many times have you seen a ground ball hit back to the pitcher? He usually reacts in one of two ways: Take his time and make a nice throw to first base for the out, or secure the ball start running over to first base and give an underhand flip. As insignificant as this play seems it may tell us a few things about the pitcher and his mindset. This can be extremely important if you can and are willing to bunt.
Typically pitchers work on bunt plays where the baseball is bunted right back to them or towards third base where they can pick it up and throw it to first base. The whole thing becomes very instinctive and doesn’t require much thought or variation on the pitcher’s part.
So how can this help you out?
This can tell you if you should try to bunt against this particular pitcher.
(1) There’s a good chance you’ll be able to predict how he will handle that same scenario in the future
(2) You’ll have a clue as to what type of play is difficult for the pitcher (i.e. if this is a weakness for him) and then you can use this to your advantage.
Will he make a throw to first, or try to run and flip it?
Now lets go back to our pitcher and how he handles a throw to first base on a come backer.
If the pitcher throws the ball to 1st base, it’s a clue that he may be fairly athletic and feels comfortable in throwing a ball outside of his normal pitching motion. In this case, bunting may not be the best option.
However, if a pitcher runs it over towards first base and under hand flips it, there is probably a reason for that. It could be that he not confident in his throwing ability. Maybe he has thrown balls passed the first baseman in the past and now this is his go to move, or perhaps throwing to bases is something he doesn’t practice and doesn’t feel comfortable with. Either way, it can indicate a weakness you can take advantage of by bunting for a hit.
Taking advantage of the pitcher’s weakness
You can force the pitcher to make an athletic throw by laying a soft bunt down the first base line.
This is not a standard push bunt, you want to make sure it’s hard enough where the catcher can’t get it and the ONLY person that can make a play is the pitcher.
A pitcher who isn’t too confident in making an athletic throw will have difficulties with this play.
He has to get to the ball quickly, so his momentum not going in the direction of first base. Then he needs to make a throw to the first baseman without hitting the runner or throwing it into right field.
Since this isn’t a play that is practiced often, and it is a very difficult play, you will quickly tell how athletic the opposing pitcher is and if bunting may be a way for your team to scratch across a few runs.
The reason I picked this type of bunt strategy is because a bunt down the third base line is a play that happens so fast for the pitcher that he doesn’t have time to think about it. This tends to be an easier throw for him to make. Also, pitcher’s practice fielding this bunt often.
Of course, just because a pitcher runs and under hand flips a ball to first base on a come backer doesn’t guarantee that he is uncomfortable making an athletic throw. But paying attention and seeing this as a potential way to attack the pitcher may help you get to a pitcher that is tough to score runs against.
No More Easy Outs
Alfonso Soriano studied Willie Randolph, the Yankees’ third-base coach, as he touched his cap, his nose, his ear, his arm and his belt, and somewhere in Randolph’s rapid collection of movements was a sign for Soriano to bunt. This happened three different times while the Yankees played the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park last month. Each time, Soriano looked inept as he failed to produce a sacrifice.
When Soriano was reminded of his failures, he offered a facial expression that made it seem as if he had gulped salt water. Then Soriano added revealing words to his already revealing actions.
”Bunting?” Soriano said. ”No. Sometimes when they ask me to bunt, I bunt it straight to the pitcher. I’ll be really mad if I make an easy out. I’m not really comfortable bunting. If I could put it down the line, O.K. It’s very important, but I’d rather hit the ball.”
Soriano made his comments while sitting near his locker at Yankee Stadium, but the words could have been spoken by almost any position player in any major league clubhouse. For other than a small percentage of adept bunters, the ability to deaden a pitched ball with a bat while simultaneously placing it away from the charging opposition is not considered a critical talent. Remember, baseball stages a home run derby at the All-Star Game, not a bunting contest.
”It’s not a glorious or a glamorous thing,” Mets pitcher Tom Glavine said. ”Other than starting pitchers and a handful of leadoff guys, players don’t do it. It’s lost its prominence.”
Baseball’s evolution has included smaller parks, bigger players, livelier balls and thicker contracts, but not necessarily heftier paychecks for a player who can bunt for a hit or to advance a runner. And just as influential, there are statistically attuned executives who dispute the traditional notion that bunting builds rallies, and they have data to support their theories.
Those general managers, like Oakland’s Billy Beane, Toronto’s J. P. Ricciardi and Boston’s Theo Epstein, are the current equivalents of Earl Weaver, who despised using the bunt as manager of the Baltimore Orioles across 17 seasons. The general managers have statisticians who support their belief that they should resist it. Read more
Often when I think of heroes, I think of Superman and the “League of Justice” from my experience as a young child. Batman and Spiderman were powerful but nothing was stronger than Superman, except Kryptonite. Interestingly, I have done a little research on the concept and forms of idolatry:
I shall tell you a great secret, my friend. Do not wait for the last judgment, it takes place every day. — Albert Camus
It is easy to hope that at some time in the future we may redeem ourselves by some great act of heroism or undergo a dramatic conversion. But in the meantime, all too often, it’s business as usual. Too easily we can become used to our addictive behavior, and denying that our acting-out hasn’t harmed anyone…except ourselves and those we love and who love and trust us. Deep down we knew we were judging ourselves and being judged. Now, each day, we can assess our actions and evaluate our behavior. In this way we learn how our “acting out” has affected every part of our lives and our relationships. It is time to change. The longer we wait, the more ingrained are our habits and ways of perceiving and deceiving. If we live a lie, we will be judged accordingly, by ourselves and those close to us. Our program teaches us that we can change and grow and move ahead into the openness and fullness of each new day.
I don’t want to come to the end of my life wishing I had freed myself from my addiction. I am glad I have begun the process of change .
There have been multiple incidents over the past year or more that have really made me stop and think of a phrase I learned in 1992 – “My EGO is not my AMIGO”. I read in a Big Book, “He is a real Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (pg.21). If you are familiar with this story, Robert Stevenson wrote a strange novel back in 1886 about a guy trying to change his alternative personality.
There have been MANY problems over the past year due to COVID-19 because people were so AFRAID of something they could not control. Unfortunately, like many things in life, we often mistake “judging others” for the problems we are having within ourselves. I’m sure we can rationalize our actions and get a handful of others to agree with us. I can only look at my part and take accountability for my actions (e.g. handle situations differently).
But when I think of HERO’s, I always think of Brooks Robinson #5.
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 will never be forgotten.
Unfortunately, this was a sad, sad day for so many. But at the same time, also an opportunity to celebrate a tremendous man and his legacy!
He changed the trajectory of my life in so many ways I could not possibly begin to describe. For the past 56 years he has will always be my #1 HERO. There is a relatively famous saying, “If you’re good enough, they might name a candy bar after you (e. g. Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson). But in Baltimore, they name their children after him. “
Brooks Calbert Robinson Jr. was born May 18, 1937. Read more
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.” – Albert Einstein
I am a big believer, if you are going to do something, do it right!
So, now that I’m in my 4th year umpiring, I might as well be the best.
Umpires during opening ceremony of 2019 World Series
Having attended the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame during my debut umpire career June 2019, I learned that there were ONLY 10 umpires ever inducted.
Earl Weaver argues with Umpire Bill Haller 1980
Umpire 101: The Plate Meeting (NFHS Version)
Doug Harvey
Noted for his authoritative command of baseball rules, he earned the tongue-in-cheek nickname “God” from players, and was among the last major league umpires who never attended an umpiring school. Read more
The men in blue. Although it often looks black, yes? They still wear blue sometimes though so it probably doesn’t matter. Let’s just call ’em the baseball cops and not worry too much about what they’re wearing. Here are the baseball cops for the 2019 World Series: Alan Porter, Doug Eddings, Gary Cederstrom, James Hoye, Lance Barksdale, Sam Holbrook, and Jim Wolf. Read more
The umpires will wear a uniform patch in memory of umpire Eric Cooper, who passed away over the weekend. The patch will say “Coop.” Read more
Eric Cooper Dies at 52 Following Blood Clot
Less than two weeks removed from his 2019 AL Division Series assignment, MLB umpire Eric Cooper has died after a post-surgery blood clot, six years after Wally Bell’s heart attack during the 2013 postseason. Coop, who officiated the 2019 Twins-Yankees ALDS, was 52 years old.
Born on December 18, 1966 in Des Moines, Iowa, Cooper began his journey in Minor League Baseball in 1990’s Appalachian League and officiated his first major league game in 1996, becoming a member of the big league staff on the American League side in 1999.
Cooper had the plate for three no-hitters during his MLB career, and officiated three Wild Card Games (2015-17) 10 Division Series (2003, 05-06, 08-09, 11-14, 2019), three League Championship Series (2004, 15-17), and the 2014 World Series.
He had 72 career MLB ejections over nearly 2,800 career regular season games. His last MLB game was in service as the second base umpire for New York’s series-clinching victory in Minnesota on October 7; his crew chief for that series, Gary Cederstrom, will also chief the 2019 World Series.
Since I have been playing baseball around the time I started walking, I have gained a GREAT deal of admiration for the officials! It is very easy to pick on them. It’s bad enough when the fans yell, “boo, bad call, you’re blind”. As an umpire, you MUST have thick skin, in addition to being cool, calm & collected. All umpires understand they have a target on their back.
A good umpire often will tell you, “I did my job successfully if both teams are not happy”. In other words, the MOST important role is to be FAIR and IMPARTIAL. More importantly, when the players and coaches have respect for you, that’s when you know you did your job well enforcing the rules and keeping the peace.
Over 10 years of experience calling balls & strikes. I have to admit, it can be safer and less painful officiating behind pitcher’s mound for 8U, 10U and 12U because often the catcher does not keep me from getting hurt (e.g. many balls off the feet, shin, shoulder and mask).
Timing is everything! Sometimes, waiting that at extra half second can make all the difference in the world because you see the ball better, play it back in your head and get the call RIGHT.
The following ten umpires have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame:
Class of 1953 – Tommy Connolly(NL, 1898–1900; AL, 1901–1931)
Class of 1953 – Bill Klem (NL 1905–1941)
Class of 1973 – Billy Evans (AL, 1906–1927)
Class of 1974 – Jocko Conlan (NL1941–1964)
Class of 1976 – Cal Hubbard (AL, 1936–1951)
Class of 1989 – Al Barlick (NL, 1940–1943, 1946–1955, 1958–1971)
Class of 1992 – Bill McGowan (AL, 1925–1954)
Class of 1999 – Nestor Chylak (AL, 1954–1978)
Class of 2010 – Doug Harvey (NL1962–1992)
Class of 2013 – Hank O’Day (NL, 1895, 1897–1911, 1913, 1915–1927)
Harold Douglas Harvey (March 13, 1930 – January 13, 2018) was an umpire in Major League Baseball (MLB), who worked in the National League (NL) from 1962 through 1992. Noted for his authoritative command of baseball rules, he earned the tongue-in-cheek nickname “God” from players, and was among the last major league umpires who never attended an umpiring school. Harvey umpired five World Series and seven All-Star Games. His career total of 4,673 games ranked third in major league history at the time of his retirement. In 2010, he became the ninth umpire to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
In 1999, the Society for American Baseball Research ranked Harvey as the second-greatest umpire in history, behind only Bill Klem. In 2007, Referee magazine selected him as one of the 52 most influential figures in the history of sports officiating. Read more
Watch “The Baseball Hall of Fame Remembers Doug Harvey” on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/embed/nJqO1XF9UPY?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en&autohide=2&wmode=transparent
2019 had a very close call with a coach getting ejected. Read more
Major League Baseball today announced the umpires who have been assigned to the 2019 World Series, which is presented by YouTube TV. Gary Cederstrom, who is in his 26th season as a Major League Umpire, will work the Fall Classic for the fourth time, including his second assignment as its crew chief, as the American League Champion Houston Astros meet the National League Champion Washington Nationals.
Cederstrom, who was the crew chief for this Postseason’s American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins, previously worked the Fall Classic in 2005, 2011 and 2015. The North Dakota native was the home plate umpire for Johan Santana’s 2012 no-hitter, the first in the history of the New York Mets. He will lead a crew that includes regular season crew chief Sam Holbrook, Lance Barksdale, Doug Eddings, James Hoye, Alan Porter and Jim Wolf. Porter will call balls and strikes in Game One of the Fall Classic in Houston. This is the third career Fall Classic for Holbrook; the second for Wolf; and the first for Barksdale, Eddings, Hoye and Porter. All seven umpires who will be on the field throughout the World Series were assigned to this year’s Division Series.
Wolf will serve as the Replay Official for Games One and Two of the World Series, after which he will join the on-field crew as the left field umpire for Game Three. Porter, the home plate umpire for Game One, will shift to Replay Official duties from Game Three through the conclusion of the World Series. The Replay Assistant throughout the Fall Classic will be regular season crew chief Jerry Meals, who worked one of this Postseason’s ALDS (HOU-TB). A complete listing of the rotation assigned to the 2019 World Series accompanies this press release.
Throughout the 2019 World Series, the umpires will wear a uniform patch in memory of 21-year Major League Umpire Eric Cooper, who passed away in recent days at the age of 52. “Coop,” who worked the 2014 World Series among his many career Postseason assignments, was active in programs with UMPS CARE Charities, the official philanthropy of MLB Umpires, including visits to pediatric hospitals and bringing underserved youth for behind-the-scenes ballpark visits.
The 2019 Postseason schedule can be viewed at MLB.com/postseason. All games exclusively covered by FOX will be available to MLB.TV subscribers who are authenticated subscribers to the applicable network through a participating pay TV provider. ESPN Radio will provide live national coverage of all 2019 World Series games. Read more
2019 RPBL Rangers ranked 35/104 after 6 game seeding round. Season ended early on Wednesday, August 21.
Opening Ceremony
Wyatt hits Grand Slam (team’s first home run) in Game 4 which was a major turning point.
Blake on the mound in Game 7 – Elimination round
Visit Ted Winstead’s amazing photo gallery – Click here
Two powerful hitters, two dominant starters and two lights-out relievers. Six Hall of Fame legends, all a part of the Class of 2019 at the Baseball Hall of Fame. The game’s newest immortals take their bow July 19-22. More than 50 Hall of Famers are scheduled to be in Cooperstown to honor the Class of 2019 at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum – Harold Baines, Roy Halladay, Edgar Martinez, Mike Mussina, Mariano Rivera and Lee Smith Induction on July 21, 2019. Read more
I am sincerely grateful to simply be here in Cooperstown to watch my son Blake play in these tournaments. I hope he has fun and will remember this forever! Visit Dream Park and All-Star Village.
When Blake and I first arrived we went straight to the museum and took a picture of #10 Chipper Jones. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018. Click here
2019 Results: LTRC Comets seeded 19 out of 50 and made it to “Sweet 16”. Click here
My week in review – Click here. Some interesting trivia below: We finished preliminary seeding week 79/104 with a record of 1 and 5 averaging 10.83 runs allowed per game.
Adam Jones’ game-saving catch robs teammate Manny Machado in WBC
U.S. outfielder Adam Jones makes a catch above the wall, stealing a home run from the Dominican Republic’s Manny Machado during the seventh inning of a World Baseball Classic game on March 18.

Few things can stop an entire clubhouse of major league players in their tracks, but when the highlight of Adam Jones’ highlight-reel robbery of teammate Manny Machado in Saturday night’s World Baseball Classic elimination game was played on the televisions inside the Orioles clubhouse Sunday morning, all eyes were fixed on the screens.
Jones’ leaping grab over the center field wall at PETCO Park – which came at a critical-moment Team USA’s elimination-game win over the Dominican Republic in Jones’ hometown of San Diego – was spectacular by any standard, but was the latest in a WBC that had given Jones national recognition on an international stage. It occurred well after midnight Sunday morning, so few on the east coast saw it live, but the buzz around the grab lingered well into morning.
With the USA leading 4-2 in the seventh inning, Machado hit a blast to center. Jones sped to his left and just in front of the 396 foot marker, he jumped against the wall in mid-stride, fully extending his arm over the wall as he hit the wall to bring Machado’s ball into the ballpark all while avoiding several fans also attempting to take home a souvenir.
Jones bounced off the wall and took the ball out of hisloved about it the most is that there was a Yankee fan trying to get into the field of play that he took it away from. That was probably the highlight for me.”
The catch was pivotal in Team USA’s do-or-die win against the Dominican, as they advanced to the WBC semifinals for the first time in the tournament’s history. Robinson Cano followed Machado with a solo homer, so the game could have been tied had Machado’s ball gone out of the yard.
“I’m still in kind of shock that I even got to that ball,” Jones said in the postgame press conference. “I mean, off the bat I’m just like this ball’s hit really far, so just keep going, keep going. You know this California air’s going to slow it down, and just never quit. That’s just the style I play with. I don’t mind running into a wall or two. I just kept going after the ball, and I’ve seen the replay after the game, and I went for the catch.”
Showalter said that Jones probably had an idea of how to position himself against Machado.
“There’s a lot of guts it takes to make those plays, but I got out of it that a lot of people don’t play [Machado] where he was playing him,” Showalter said. “I think he knew kind of where he might hit it if it stayed in the park, and that one didn’t stay in the park until it got into Adam’s glove.”
Both Jones and Machado – the two biggest faces of an Orioles franchise that still doesn’t receive much national attention despite its recent success – have taken advantage of the stage. Machado was the MVP of last weekend’s pool play games in Miami as the Dominican finished 3-0.
In the same way, Jones has emerged as the face of Team USA’s run to the semifinals, even given the unofficial tag as this team’s Captain America. Jones had on had a game-winning walk-off hit to beat Colombia in pool play. He hit a game-tying home run against Venezuela on Wednesday and added another homer in the second round against Puerto Rico.
“It’s not surprising to us who get to see them,” Showalter said. “It’s great for some of the people that haven’t get to see it. … I don’t know why people don’t see it. You’d have to tell me. But we see that every night.”
All those moments were critical to landing Team USA two wins away from its first WBC title – they play Japan on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium – but the image of Jones reaching over the center field fence as PETCO Park, the Team USA logo across his chest visible with American flags waving behind him might be one of the most memorable images of the tournament.
“I think when you watch him make plays like that you fall back to people who think he’s actually an average outfielder in the big leagues,” Orioles closer Zach Britton said. “We’re like, ‘Do these people actually watch him play?’ And these people watch this and we’re like, ‘Well, we already know he was a great player.’ I just think [the reaction] is kind of funny when we see him make plays like that. Maybe we take it for granted, too.”
In the postgame press conference, Jones’ catch was compared to a leaping home-run robbing catch by Angels center fielder Mike Trout on Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy in 2012, but Jones noted that grab was made in the first inning of a regular-season game in late-June
“… This was on a different scale, different magnitude,” Jones said. “Unbelievable catches, both of them. Just showing the athleticism that we both have.”
Jones hadn’t checked his phone for a text message from Machado before speaking to reporters after the game, but Britton said Jones will definitely make sure Machado remembers it.
“It’s fun watching those guys compete because there’s that friendly rivalry,” Britton said. “I guess Manny’s just going to have to hit it further next time. That’s what Jonesy’s gonna tell him when he gets back.” Read more
USA & Puerto Rico meet with top spot at stake
Two World Baseball Classic heavyweights will square off tonight at Petco Park in San Diego, as the United States and Puerto Rico meet at 10 ET (live on MLB Network and MLB.TV). Both teams are coming off thrilling victories in Pool F. The U.S. came from behind to defeat Venezuela, 4-2, on Wednesday night behind home runs from Adam Jones and Eric Hosmer in the eighth inning. Puerto Rico became the first team to defeat the Dominican Republic since the 2009 Classic with a 3-1 victory on Tuesday night.
Last night our Over 40 Baseball Team met indoors for batting practice. One of my teammates asked if I’d been watching the WBC? I said, “No”. Well, I will probably tune in tonight! Also, earlier this week, I was on the phone with Al Bumbry and he was telling me his experience coaching for USA.
“I don’t have to worry about making the best pitch or trying to strike people out,” Lugo said. “If I can just throw quality pitches in the zone, these guys are going to make great plays behind me like they’ve been making all tournament. I’m just going to try to stay with the same approach, and attack the zone, attack the hitters, and let these guys do what they do best.” Read more
U.S. Defeats Venezuela on Homers by Adam Jones and Eric Hosmer
The hometown favorite Adam Jones hit a tying home run leading off the eighth inning, and Eric Hosmer added a two-run shot three batters later as the United States rallied to beat Venezuela, 4-2, on Wednesday night in the second round of the World Baseball Classic.
Hosmer hit a solo homer and a run-scoring single in the American League’s 4-2 win at the 2016 All-Star Game. Read more
Orioles’ Machado, Schoop, Jones to play in WBC
In addition to third baseman Manny Machado, who said in April he would play for the Dominican Republic, center fielder Adam Jones will play for the United States and Curacao-born second baseman Jonathan Schoop will play for the Netherlands. Read more
The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is an international baseball tournament sanctioned from 2006 to 2013 by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) and after 2013 by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).
The tournament is the first of its kind to have the national teams of IBAF’s member federations feature professional players from the major leagues around the world including Major League Baseball. In addition to providing a format for the best baseball players in the world to compete against one another while representing their home countries, the World Baseball Classic was created in order to further promote the game around the globe. Read more
If you didn’t catch this year’s CHAMPIONSHIP match between Argentina and France, you missed one of the most exciting competitions in history.
My father and son watched every minute from start to finish. What an exciting finale. France tied it up 2-2 to take it into overtime. The game was decided with penalty kicks. WOW!
Is Soccer (aka Football) the biggest and most popular sporting event on the globe? Why do they call it the World Cup? Other sporting awards and trophies. Read more
In the United States, fans typically prefer football over soccer because there is more “non-stop action” and at the very least higher scores. Read more
As Notre Dame was about to play Army in 1928, football coach Knute Rockne invoked the name of former player George Gipp. Gipp’s deathbed request eight years earlier supposedly had been to use his memory to motivate the Fighting Irish for a big game. “‘Rock'”, the coach said Gipp told him, “‘some day when things look real tough for Notre Dame, ask the boys to go out there and win one for me.’
Given the 2016-17 Presidential climate, I (Coach Brooks) never knew the history of this quote. I suspect just about every competitive athlete and coach has heard this expression, “Win one for the Gipper“, but now it’s even more meaningful understanding the origin!
Well, I’ve never used Gipp’s request until now. This is the time.” Notre Dame won. A New York Daily News writer later reported Rockne’s emotional locker room speech in a feature story headed, “Gipp’s Ghost Beat Army / Irish Hero’s Deathbed Request Inspired Notre Dame.” Two years later Rockne embellished the legend when he wrote in a magazine that Gipp told him, “‘Some time, Rock, when the team’s up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys—tell them to go in there with all they’ve got and win just one for the Gipper.” In 1940, an adaptation of these words, “Tell’em to go out there with all they got and win just one for the Gipper,” provided the dramatic denouement of a movie in which Ronald Regain played George Gipp. That movie (whose script was written by Robert Buckner), and Reagan’s lifelong identification with this role, made “Win one for the Gipper” a permanent part of America’s athletic-political lore. (The Quote Verifier: Who Said What, Where, and When by Ralph Keyes. St. Martin’s Press, Apr 1, 2007). Read more
George Gipp (February 18, 1895 – December 14, 1920), nicknamed “The Gipper”, was a college football player who played for the University of Notre Dame. Gipp was selected as Notre Dame’s first Walter Camp All-American. Gipp played several positions, particularly halfback, quarterback, and punter. Gipp died at the age of 25 of a streptococcal throat infection, days after leading Notre Dame to a win over Northwestern in his senior season,[1] and is the subject of Knute Rockne’s famous “Win just one for the Gipper” speech. In the 1940 film Knute Rockne, All American he was portrayed by Ronald Reagan. Read more
Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was an American politician and actor who was the 40th President of the United States, from 1981 to 1989. Before his presidency, he was the 33rd Governor of California, from 1967 to 1975, after a career as a Hollywood actor and union leader.
Raised in a poor family in small towns of northern Illinois, Reagan graduated from Eureka College in 1932 and worked as a sports announcer on several regional radio stations. After moving to Hollywood in 1937, he became an actor and starred in a few major productions. Reagan was twice elected President of the Screen Actors Guild, the labor union for actors, where he worked to root out Communist influence. In the 1950s, he moved into television and was a motivational speaker at General Electric factories.
Reagan essentially did not become very FAMOUS until after his 56rd birthday – Governor of CA and especially after his Presidency. He often used the expression, “Win one for the Gipper” in his political speeches.
He twice ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for the U.S. presidency in 1968 and 1976; four years later, he easily won the nomination outright, becoming the oldest elected U.S. president up to that time, defeating incumbent Jimmy Carter in 1980. Read more
This will continue to be my #1 “locker room motivation pep talk” until I retire from coaching (which probably won’t be until Blake goes to college). Reagan is often regarded as one of the most popular and influential American Presidents alongside Kennedy and Lincoln in the history of the United States.
William Joseph Patrick “Pat” O’Brien (November 11, 1899 – October 15, 1983) was an American film actor with more than one hundred screen credits. Of Irish descent, he often played Irish and Irish-American characters and was referred to as “Hollywood’s Irishman in Residence” in the press. One of the best-known screen actors of the 1930s and 1940s, he played priests, cops, military figures, pilots, and reporters. He is especially well-remembered for his roles in Knute Rockne, All American (1940), Angels with Dirty Faces (1938), and Some Like It Hot (1959). He was frequently paired onscreen with Hollywood legend James Cagney. O’Brien also appeared on stage and television. Read more
More than 50 Hall of Famers are scheduled to be in Cooperstown to honor the Class of 2019 at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum – Harold Baines, Roy Halladay, Edgar Martinez, Mike Mussina, Mariano Rivera and Lee Smith Induction on July 21, 2019. 
Human Vacuum Cleaner 