HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!
First off, shout out to the Simon family. They welcomed me into their cabin on Lake Ossawinnamakee. I stayed there Friday night and throughout Saturday afternoon and had an absolute blast. The highlight? Probably riding the jet-ski. I found a flat patch of water that allowed me to rev it up. I got up to 50 mph and right when I hit 50 I hit a wave and went airborne. I felt like I was 20 feet high, though, realistically, it was probably only 6 feet. Either way, all of a sudden things started going in slow motion until the base of the jet ski touched water.
This past weekend was a big weekend for the Lunkers. The recently married Coach Levendoski and his awesome wife Rachell moved back into town for the summer. Rachell and I bonded immediately when I found out she, like me, is a die-hard Packers fan. As a matter of fact, while in college, she was a Green Bay Packers cheerleader! Moving into his apartment last night was hitting coach Jeremy Etchemendy. His roommate, this season's pitching coach, Dan Lipari, is scheduled to arrive today.
Players are starting to trickle in as well. There are about nine here so far, with more scheduled to arrive today and tomorrow. If you want, check out the NCAA Baseball Tournament Selection Show at 11:30AM on ESPN2, I believe. We have around 10 guys who are either in the playoff tournament or who have a shot. If they make the tournament, their arrival will be delayed by a week or two and, while everyone would love to have them right away, making the tournament and getting a shot at Omaha is a unique experience, especially since its the last year of legendary Rosenblatt Stadium!
Yesterday was the Player-Host Family Welcome Dinner. We had most of the host families and about
seven of the players. I imagine being a host family is a really cool experience. I just observed as the host families introduced themselves and announced their tenure as a host family. There are so many returning host families! And for the kids, they all seem to fall in love with their "Host-Brother(s)." It was really neat watching the 6-6 David Albritton, a first-team all-conference catcher from Emporia State University, play with his two little "Host-Brothers" Ryan and Levi. I spoke to Ryan and Levi and they couldn't be more excited to spend the summer with David and the other player their family is hosting, Matt Florer. With that being said, it is important to note the following:
WE ARE STILL 3-4 HOST FAMILIES SHORT DUE TO RECENT ROSTER MOVES. IF YOU HAVE ANY INTEREST IN BECOMING A HOST FAMILY FOR THE SUMMER, PLEASE CONTACT THE LUNKERS OFFICE (218- 824-FISH) OR CALL MIKE BROWN (218 828-1254).
Shameless plug? Maybe. But it is important that these kids have a surrogate family for the summer, and not just stay alone in a hotel.
Hot Sports Opinion of the Day: The Lakers find ways to win. Do they keep their opponents in games longer than they should, sometimes? Yes. Do give teams hope in a seven-game series, sometimes? Yes. Do they always end up winning the series? Yes. Every sports pundit is trying to be bold and make the claim that the Lakers' inability to close out the Suns in 4 or 5 means they are not a "Championship team." Are they one of the NBA greatest teams? No, but they are definitely a championship caliber team. Two years ago, the Boston Celtics took seven games to close out eighth-seeded Atlanta in the first round. Did they bow out prematurely in the ensuing rounds? No. They went seven the next round and six the round after that before dominating the Lakers en route to the crown. Don't look into to how long it takes a team to win a series or how difficult it may be. Look into whether or not they got it done. And they got it done. Am I picking the Lakers? Despite having pre-committed money on Boston, I am begrudgingly picking the Lakers. But, if Boston wins, it is not because Los Angeles didn't run over everyone in their way. It is because I think Rajon Rondo is emerging into the one of the NBA's best players and is going to give the Lakers' backcourt fits the entire series.
Media Pick of the Day:
Sports Pick of the Day: Blackhawks over Flyers. Before the series I said Chicago in five games over Philadelphia and in order for that to happen, I think Chicago needs to take their two home openers.
Record: 2-1
2 DAYS UNTIL OPENING DAY.
3 DAYS UNTIL THE HOME OPENER. TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
05.28.2010: Bumping Elbows
Last night I was inducted into the Loyal Order of the Elbows (Elbow #17156) at Shep's, one of the best bars in America. It was a great night going out with the staff after work to watch the Yankees-Twins game. If you haven't been to Shep's, you gotta go!
Things are getting even busier around here. I am at the office really early this morning because I got to get work done! It is 7:00am! Whaaaaaat?
This entry is going to be much shorter because I have so much stuff to do.
Pick of the Day: Boston -3.5 vs. Orlando. The Celtics come to play today. And they better, because if they lose today, Orlando is taking this in 7!
1-1
5 MORE DAYS UNTIL OPENING DAY!
Things are getting even busier around here. I am at the office really early this morning because I got to get work done! It is 7:00am! Whaaaaaat?
This entry is going to be much shorter because I have so much stuff to do.
Pick of the Day: Boston -3.5 vs. Orlando. The Celtics come to play today. And they better, because if they lose today, Orlando is taking this in 7!
1-1
5 MORE DAYS UNTIL OPENING DAY!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
05.26.2010: Double Standards
Most of my time in the office has been spent preparing for the upcoming season from a broadcasters' perspective. While delving into the crazy world of the internet, taking endless notes of teams, players, the league, and anything else of relevance, The Ticket (Dallas sports radio station), ESPN Radio, and ESPN Radio Podcasts provide my daily soundtrack.
Two days ago, while listening to ESPN's "Baseball Today" podcast, hosted jointly by Eric Karabell and Seth Everett, an interesting debate commenced. Karabell, a Philadelphia native, announced that he was rooting endlessly for the Phillies to break up Boston pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka's no-hitter, even after it climbed into the eighth inning. Everett, his co-host, was shocked, wondering why Karabell would root against the potential history of a no-hitter, instead choosing his favorite team to get a hit in a game they were likely to lose anyway. I ask this question to my incredibly large readership: If you were in attendance at a sporting event and someone was nearing a historical performance at the expense of your favorite team, would you root for your team to get in the way of history (even if it didn't mean winning the game) or would you root for history to occur?
I don't even have to think twice. If I am IN ATTENDANCE, I am rooting for history, unless the game occurs in the playoffs or directly effects my team's ability to qualify for the playoffs. No-hitter after the sixth inning against my team? C'mon pitcher! On television it is a different story. There is something special about being there in person.
Which made me think about the sporting events I have attended and the coolest or most historic of them all. I have been in attendance for a few milestone achievements: A.C. Green breaking the consecutive games played streak, Brett Hull's 500th goal, two games at Lambeau Field, and Sammy Sosa's 600th HR to say the least. I have been to several NBA playoff games, including two NBA Finals games. I have been to even more epic NHL playoff games, including several Stanley Cup Finals games. The most historic game I have attended, though it worked totally against my favor, was Game 6 of the 2000 Stanley Cup Finals when, in overtime, Jason Arnott, then of the Devils (ironically a Star the year after) scored the series clinching goal and Lord Stanley's Cup was won right in front of my eyes. It killed me to watch my Stars' season come to an end unfavorably, but in terms of historical significance, the game was special. For personal reasons, Game 1 of the 2006 NBA Finals between the Heat and my Mavericks was very special. I have been a Mavericks fan my whole life and was an incredibly loyal fan dating back to my earliest of memories in the early 1990's, when Dallas was the laughing stalk of professional sports. Watching them in the Finals was a very neat for me, as I had seen the franchise come full-circle. Their overall loss that year still burns. The two games at Lambeau Field, getting to watch my favorite player, Brett Favre play, were special as well.
Another question to my loyal readership...what is the most special game you have been to?
Small Town Observation: I have two gas cards, an Exxon/Mobil and Chevron/Texaco card, but there is not a name brand station anywhere to be found. All of the gas stations are underground local or small-chain companies.
Hot Sports Opinion: Imagine if a story broke today about Rajon Rondo, in the midst of a playoff battle, complaining about his contract. Would he not be facing intense public scrutiny for worrying about his contract near the climax of the season? So why is Phil Jackson getting a free pass!? Why, when is team is playing lackluster basketball, is Phil Jackson allowed to comment about his potential future with OTHER TEAMS without any scrutiny? I don't get it. He is a great coach--one of the best of all-time, but he is not the best. Statistically, no coach has done more, but a ton of coaches have achieved remarkable success without even half of the talent. Let's face it, if Los Angeles wins, it is not because they overachieved and had to make signficant strides throughout the season. That's not Jackson's fault, but I also don't think he has the balls to leave Los Angeles for a team that might need to overachieve to win the NBA Championship.
Pick of the Day: Phoenix +7.5 @ LA. I don't think Phoenix wins, but I think they play Los Angeles tough.
0-1
Shout Outs: Travis Lucian, Wes Sharp, and the rest of the front office with the St. Cloud River Bats. Especially Travis, a season vet of The Northwoods League, he took time out of his day to help me out and talk to me a bit about broadcasting in the league. The Brainerd and St. Cloud organizations are owned by the same person, Joel Sutherland, and the two share a very good, working relationship. Each organization's ability to bounce ideas off each other and work together is really neat.
Also, a shout out to the USC Trojans Baseball team. It had been over 5 years since the team beat UC-Irvine, a recent powerhouse, before this season. On Tuesday, the team defeated UC-Irvine for the second time this year, completing the season sweep. It has been a rough rollercoaster for USC this year, but they keep fighting and playing hard.
Two days ago, while listening to ESPN's "Baseball Today" podcast, hosted jointly by Eric Karabell and Seth Everett, an interesting debate commenced. Karabell, a Philadelphia native, announced that he was rooting endlessly for the Phillies to break up Boston pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka's no-hitter, even after it climbed into the eighth inning. Everett, his co-host, was shocked, wondering why Karabell would root against the potential history of a no-hitter, instead choosing his favorite team to get a hit in a game they were likely to lose anyway. I ask this question to my incredibly large readership: If you were in attendance at a sporting event and someone was nearing a historical performance at the expense of your favorite team, would you root for your team to get in the way of history (even if it didn't mean winning the game) or would you root for history to occur?
I don't even have to think twice. If I am IN ATTENDANCE, I am rooting for history, unless the game occurs in the playoffs or directly effects my team's ability to qualify for the playoffs. No-hitter after the sixth inning against my team? C'mon pitcher! On television it is a different story. There is something special about being there in person.
Which made me think about the sporting events I have attended and the coolest or most historic of them all. I have been in attendance for a few milestone achievements: A.C. Green breaking the consecutive games played streak, Brett Hull's 500th goal, two games at Lambeau Field, and Sammy Sosa's 600th HR to say the least. I have been to several NBA playoff games, including two NBA Finals games. I have been to even more epic NHL playoff games, including several Stanley Cup Finals games. The most historic game I have attended, though it worked totally against my favor, was Game 6 of the 2000 Stanley Cup Finals when, in overtime, Jason Arnott, then of the Devils (ironically a Star the year after) scored the series clinching goal and Lord Stanley's Cup was won right in front of my eyes. It killed me to watch my Stars' season come to an end unfavorably, but in terms of historical significance, the game was special. For personal reasons, Game 1 of the 2006 NBA Finals between the Heat and my Mavericks was very special. I have been a Mavericks fan my whole life and was an incredibly loyal fan dating back to my earliest of memories in the early 1990's, when Dallas was the laughing stalk of professional sports. Watching them in the Finals was a very neat for me, as I had seen the franchise come full-circle. Their overall loss that year still burns. The two games at Lambeau Field, getting to watch my favorite player, Brett Favre play, were special as well.
Another question to my loyal readership...what is the most special game you have been to?
Small Town Observation: I have two gas cards, an Exxon/Mobil and Chevron/Texaco card, but there is not a name brand station anywhere to be found. All of the gas stations are underground local or small-chain companies.
Hot Sports Opinion: Imagine if a story broke today about Rajon Rondo, in the midst of a playoff battle, complaining about his contract. Would he not be facing intense public scrutiny for worrying about his contract near the climax of the season? So why is Phil Jackson getting a free pass!? Why, when is team is playing lackluster basketball, is Phil Jackson allowed to comment about his potential future with OTHER TEAMS without any scrutiny? I don't get it. He is a great coach--one of the best of all-time, but he is not the best. Statistically, no coach has done more, but a ton of coaches have achieved remarkable success without even half of the talent. Let's face it, if Los Angeles wins, it is not because they overachieved and had to make signficant strides throughout the season. That's not Jackson's fault, but I also don't think he has the balls to leave Los Angeles for a team that might need to overachieve to win the NBA Championship.
Pick of the Day: Phoenix +7.5 @ LA. I don't think Phoenix wins, but I think they play Los Angeles tough.
0-1
Shout Outs: Travis Lucian, Wes Sharp, and the rest of the front office with the St. Cloud River Bats. Especially Travis, a season vet of The Northwoods League, he took time out of his day to help me out and talk to me a bit about broadcasting in the league. The Brainerd and St. Cloud organizations are owned by the same person, Joel Sutherland, and the two share a very good, working relationship. Each organization's ability to bounce ideas off each other and work together is really neat.
Also, a shout out to the USC Trojans Baseball team. It had been over 5 years since the team beat UC-Irvine, a recent powerhouse, before this season. On Tuesday, the team defeated UC-Irvine for the second time this year, completing the season sweep. It has been a rough rollercoaster for USC this year, but they keep fighting and playing hard.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
05.25.2010: Life In the...Ehhh, Not-So-Fast Lane
Another busy day at the office today. I really need to shout out my roommates, Nate Hanson and Jake Kuehl. They are working their butt off getting ready for the season, spending hours in the humidity and the heat, painting, cleaning, and helping to prepare the field for the season.
I mentioned this yesterday, but I don't think people realize how much time and effort it takes to get ready for a baseball season. It is easy to think that everyone just shows up on gameday and everything falls in to place, but that is far from the case. Especially for lower-budget organizations (everyone but MLB teams) because they try--and, for financial reasons, have to--hire as few people as possible to undertake as much responsibility as possible.
I feel like everyday I am learning a different quirk or characteristic of small-town living. Today, while driving to meet with Danny Wild and the folks at BL Broadcasting, I noticed that people here drive slowly...a.k.a., the speed limit. And I don't mean that in a bad way. In Dallas, if you are driving the speed limit, you are holding up traffic. In Los Angeles, if you are ever lucky enough to be free of traffic, you are driving as fast and as hastily as possible. In Brainerd? Just cruisin' at the limit. Maybe it will be good for me. I've been pulled over a handful of times (charmed my way out of a few tickets). If I even attempt to drive over the speed limit, my blazing silver Sentra will stick out like a sore thumb.
Another observation, though not small-town specific: pre-made deli sandwiches at grocery stores are not only awesome, but remarkably cheap. No need to elaborate...it's a scientific fact.
My ultimate passion in life is sports. Plain and simple. This is something evident within the first five minutes you meet me. I haven't met too many people that share that passion to such an extent. Needless to say, this would not be a true "Me" blog if sports was not involved...I am going to try implement my "Hot Sports Opinion" of the day as well as give you my Pick of the Day.
Today's Hot Sports Opinion: I don't buy the NL "Cinderellas." Through May 25, the Cincinnati Reds are -0.5 games back in the NL Central (and leading the irrelevant early-season Wild Card) and the San Diego Padres are leading the NL West. St. Louis will win the Central and I think the Dodgers will win the West, despite their financial issues.
Unfortunately for Cincinnati, I think they will simply be outclassed by St. Louis. The Cardinals, in my opinion, will vie for the NL pennant with Philadelphia when all is said and done. Cincy is not bad offensively and their pitching staff is overachieving. It will be interesting to see how Chapman impacts this club and if Mike Leake can keep it up for a full season.
How is San Diego leading their division? No one has given up fewer runs in all of baseball. At the same time, they still put out a very weak lineup, and over the course of the season I don't believe that will last. And their pitching? I don't think they are world-class overachievers, but I also don't think they can keep up a sub-3.00 team ERA. San Francisco had world class pitching last year, but their offense held them back from even sneaking in through the wild card. San Francisco's offense last year was much better than San Diego's this year. Expect San Diego to slowly fall out of the race.
My Pick of the Day: Boston +4 at Orlando. I don't buy into this "Orlando is back" hype. The Celtics not only come within their 4-point spread, but they close it out in 5 on the road.
Record: 0-0
My media pick of the day: I was scrambling through old audio from SportsRadio 1310 The Ticket. If you are a fan of The Ticket, you have to check out the site: www.theunticket.com, a blog that has virtually every segment of significance dating back many years. If you are unfamiliar with The Ticket, it is the main local sports station in Dallas. They are perennial Marconi Award winners and nationally recognized. Like any sports station, they get serious and talk sports. However, they do add a touch of humor and levity, and this interview below is an example of just that. Corby Davidson, a co-host of The Hardline, the station's afternoon drive program, has many characters with whom he uses or, puts on, to interviews athletes, often times creating hilarity out of his interviewee's ignorance or confusion at the situation. One of his characters is "Obvious Man," a reporter who asks the most ridiculously obvious questions at all times. Below is an interview between "Obvious Man" and Kendall Simmons of the Pittsburgh Steelers, back from the 2006 Super Bowl. (The interview begins around two minutes into the clip)
Obvious Man
Met a lot of great people out in the town today! It is great getting to know the people of Brainerd and the fans of the Lunkers.
Excited for tomorrow. I get to drive to St. Cloud and hang out with Travis Lucian, the play-by-play guy for the St. Cloud River Bats. This will be his fourth year in the league and he has been generous enough to agree to talking to me about the league and lending a hand.
7 DAYS UNTIL THE SEASON STARTS (from the day this post was published)
I mentioned this yesterday, but I don't think people realize how much time and effort it takes to get ready for a baseball season. It is easy to think that everyone just shows up on gameday and everything falls in to place, but that is far from the case. Especially for lower-budget organizations (everyone but MLB teams) because they try--and, for financial reasons, have to--hire as few people as possible to undertake as much responsibility as possible.
I feel like everyday I am learning a different quirk or characteristic of small-town living. Today, while driving to meet with Danny Wild and the folks at BL Broadcasting, I noticed that people here drive slowly...a.k.a., the speed limit. And I don't mean that in a bad way. In Dallas, if you are driving the speed limit, you are holding up traffic. In Los Angeles, if you are ever lucky enough to be free of traffic, you are driving as fast and as hastily as possible. In Brainerd? Just cruisin' at the limit. Maybe it will be good for me. I've been pulled over a handful of times (charmed my way out of a few tickets). If I even attempt to drive over the speed limit, my blazing silver Sentra will stick out like a sore thumb.
Another observation, though not small-town specific: pre-made deli sandwiches at grocery stores are not only awesome, but remarkably cheap. No need to elaborate...it's a scientific fact.
My ultimate passion in life is sports. Plain and simple. This is something evident within the first five minutes you meet me. I haven't met too many people that share that passion to such an extent. Needless to say, this would not be a true "Me" blog if sports was not involved...I am going to try implement my "Hot Sports Opinion" of the day as well as give you my Pick of the Day.
Today's Hot Sports Opinion: I don't buy the NL "Cinderellas." Through May 25, the Cincinnati Reds are -0.5 games back in the NL Central (and leading the irrelevant early-season Wild Card) and the San Diego Padres are leading the NL West. St. Louis will win the Central and I think the Dodgers will win the West, despite their financial issues.
Unfortunately for Cincinnati, I think they will simply be outclassed by St. Louis. The Cardinals, in my opinion, will vie for the NL pennant with Philadelphia when all is said and done. Cincy is not bad offensively and their pitching staff is overachieving. It will be interesting to see how Chapman impacts this club and if Mike Leake can keep it up for a full season.
How is San Diego leading their division? No one has given up fewer runs in all of baseball. At the same time, they still put out a very weak lineup, and over the course of the season I don't believe that will last. And their pitching? I don't think they are world-class overachievers, but I also don't think they can keep up a sub-3.00 team ERA. San Francisco had world class pitching last year, but their offense held them back from even sneaking in through the wild card. San Francisco's offense last year was much better than San Diego's this year. Expect San Diego to slowly fall out of the race.
My Pick of the Day: Boston +4 at Orlando. I don't buy into this "Orlando is back" hype. The Celtics not only come within their 4-point spread, but they close it out in 5 on the road.
Record: 0-0
My media pick of the day: I was scrambling through old audio from SportsRadio 1310 The Ticket. If you are a fan of The Ticket, you have to check out the site: www.theunticket.com, a blog that has virtually every segment of significance dating back many years. If you are unfamiliar with The Ticket, it is the main local sports station in Dallas. They are perennial Marconi Award winners and nationally recognized. Like any sports station, they get serious and talk sports. However, they do add a touch of humor and levity, and this interview below is an example of just that. Corby Davidson, a co-host of The Hardline, the station's afternoon drive program, has many characters with whom he uses or, puts on, to interviews athletes, often times creating hilarity out of his interviewee's ignorance or confusion at the situation. One of his characters is "Obvious Man," a reporter who asks the most ridiculously obvious questions at all times. Below is an interview between "Obvious Man" and Kendall Simmons of the Pittsburgh Steelers, back from the 2006 Super Bowl. (The interview begins around two minutes into the clip)
Obvious Man
Met a lot of great people out in the town today! It is great getting to know the people of Brainerd and the fans of the Lunkers.
Excited for tomorrow. I get to drive to St. Cloud and hang out with Travis Lucian, the play-by-play guy for the St. Cloud River Bats. This will be his fourth year in the league and he has been generous enough to agree to talking to me about the league and lending a hand.
7 DAYS UNTIL THE SEASON STARTS (from the day this post was published)
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
05.24.2010: First Day On the Job
Before I start, you gotta check out this baseball clip: Stick around for the replay after the initial play, but while its going on, follow Nyjer Morgan, the centerfielder for the Washington Nationals (the team in the field). Check out this first video, and then to get full effect of his tantrum, check out the second one...
...Keep in mind, as he was throwing his glove, Adam Jones of the Baltimore Orioles was running the bases, en route to an inside-the-park home run.
Moving on...I woke up this morning and found myself laying in bed, mentally preparing to go to work...at 4:30 AM. I don't know if I was excited or what, but I was a bit premature. I like getting places early, but that would have been way too early. It wouldn't have been the first time.
When my parents got divorced, my dad still picked me up and took me to school every day before I got my license. I loved our morning car rides. One morning I woke up and jumped in the shower, using it just as much to wake up as to clean my body. I was pretty tired. Afterwards, brushed my teeth, picked out my clothes...you know, the usual. I then proceeded to wait outside my garage for my dad. It was pretty cold and unusually dark. It was before daylight savings so mornings were typically dark, but there was no sign of the sun. I check my cellphone...it was 1:15 AM!
Anyway, the first day of work was fun. I got to see the field and sit in the press box, the place I will call home for 35 games this season. I scoped out my spot in the press box and already have a plan as to how everything is going to be set up.
Work was interesting. I spent most of the working on a long and tedious project. In so doing, I sat next to my boss, Dustin, the team's general manager. As the general manager of a Northwoods League team, there is a ton of responsibility. I witnessed Dustin sell tickets, order concessions, organize host families, plan group nights, and ensure that visiting opponents had sufficient breakfasts at their hotels, among an assortment of other tasks.
The coolest part is seeing or hearing Dustin talk to people of Brainerd with whom he has established relationships from his previous year in town. One of the obvious benefits of a small town is that you have an easier time building relationships with your fans. The Lunkers is all this town has to call their own, athletically, and some of the families, especially the young kids, take great pride in that. Especially the host families, those generous enough to open up their homes for college students for the summer. They treat these players like their own kids and most are our most loyal fans, attending each game, cheering hard for the team, especially their son--or, for some, sons--for the summer.
So far my free time has been spent reading The Yankee Years and playing video games. I get the feeling that once the season gets going and I am constantly on the road, video game playing will be few and far between. For now, I am content to relive my middle school and high school years.
Happy Birthday Shout Outs to my friends Ben Jaffe and Jimmy Barrata!
Until tomorrow...
9 DAYS UNTIL THE SEASON!
...Keep in mind, as he was throwing his glove, Adam Jones of the Baltimore Orioles was running the bases, en route to an inside-the-park home run.
Moving on...I woke up this morning and found myself laying in bed, mentally preparing to go to work...at 4:30 AM. I don't know if I was excited or what, but I was a bit premature. I like getting places early, but that would have been way too early. It wouldn't have been the first time.
When my parents got divorced, my dad still picked me up and took me to school every day before I got my license. I loved our morning car rides. One morning I woke up and jumped in the shower, using it just as much to wake up as to clean my body. I was pretty tired. Afterwards, brushed my teeth, picked out my clothes...you know, the usual. I then proceeded to wait outside my garage for my dad. It was pretty cold and unusually dark. It was before daylight savings so mornings were typically dark, but there was no sign of the sun. I check my cellphone...it was 1:15 AM!
Anyway, the first day of work was fun. I got to see the field and sit in the press box, the place I will call home for 35 games this season. I scoped out my spot in the press box and already have a plan as to how everything is going to be set up.
Work was interesting. I spent most of the working on a long and tedious project. In so doing, I sat next to my boss, Dustin, the team's general manager. As the general manager of a Northwoods League team, there is a ton of responsibility. I witnessed Dustin sell tickets, order concessions, organize host families, plan group nights, and ensure that visiting opponents had sufficient breakfasts at their hotels, among an assortment of other tasks.
The coolest part is seeing or hearing Dustin talk to people of Brainerd with whom he has established relationships from his previous year in town. One of the obvious benefits of a small town is that you have an easier time building relationships with your fans. The Lunkers is all this town has to call their own, athletically, and some of the families, especially the young kids, take great pride in that. Especially the host families, those generous enough to open up their homes for college students for the summer. They treat these players like their own kids and most are our most loyal fans, attending each game, cheering hard for the team, especially their son--or, for some, sons--for the summer.
So far my free time has been spent reading The Yankee Years and playing video games. I get the feeling that once the season gets going and I am constantly on the road, video game playing will be few and far between. For now, I am content to relive my middle school and high school years.
Happy Birthday Shout Outs to my friends Ben Jaffe and Jimmy Barrata!
Until tomorrow...
9 DAYS UNTIL THE SEASON!
Monday, May 24, 2010
5.23.2010: On the Lake
Somewhere along a vacant road earlier this morning (Sunday, May 23rd) I decided I was going to try this blogging thing. I am spending an entire summer away from family, away from my home, and in an environment completely foreign to me: small town America. What better way to keep everyone posted on chronicle my experiences then by blogging, right? So, here it goes...
Sunday May 23rd,
After one night's sleep in my new apartment, so far so good. I think I can do this small town thing. Most importantly, the people seem nice. Wait until they figure out I am a Texan who spends half of the year in California. I always get the sense people in America have bad impressions of people from New York, Texas, and California upon first impression without any reason. Maybe its because people from those states are awesome. Or, maybe its because of comments like that.
Supposed to go Nate's cabin by the lake today. Nate is one of my roommates. Our traveling party is supposed to also include Jake, my other roommate and Dustin, our boss. All of us our young guys. Dustin is the most senior member at 24.
I have decided that today is going to be an off day from pre-season preparation. I am going to be working my ass off for the next 3 months and for my own sanity, need some time to settle in.
...
Got back from the lake. It was fun. Different from the lakes in Dallas and the surrounding areas. Those houses in Dallas that I have been to (read: private school bubble) are mansions that have tons of water toys. This particular lake house--or, cabin to be specific--was cozy and simple, with two pontoons for fishing, mainly. We watched some Twins baseball and then went out on the lake. I am not the world's greatest fisherman but I caught the afternoon's first fish: apparently a large mouth bass. I also caught the afternoon's third fish shortly after.I don't think that in the remaining three-plus hours I caught another fish. Fishing is fun and relaxing but I can only do it for a couple of hours, tops.
Afterwards we went back, watched some basketball and baseball at our boss's apartment a few buildings over (same complex) and had some dinner. I am enjoying my time with my co-workers. They are good people. Despite my attempt to do so, a day off was just not in store. I decided to try get some work done that night while hanging out with my friends. I need to get ready for the season.
10 DAYS UNTIL OPENING DAY!
Sunday May 23rd,
After one night's sleep in my new apartment, so far so good. I think I can do this small town thing. Most importantly, the people seem nice. Wait until they figure out I am a Texan who spends half of the year in California. I always get the sense people in America have bad impressions of people from New York, Texas, and California upon first impression without any reason. Maybe its because people from those states are awesome. Or, maybe its because of comments like that.
Supposed to go Nate's cabin by the lake today. Nate is one of my roommates. Our traveling party is supposed to also include Jake, my other roommate and Dustin, our boss. All of us our young guys. Dustin is the most senior member at 24.
I have decided that today is going to be an off day from pre-season preparation. I am going to be working my ass off for the next 3 months and for my own sanity, need some time to settle in.
...
Got back from the lake. It was fun. Different from the lakes in Dallas and the surrounding areas. Those houses in Dallas that I have been to (read: private school bubble) are mansions that have tons of water toys. This particular lake house--or, cabin to be specific--was cozy and simple, with two pontoons for fishing, mainly. We watched some Twins baseball and then went out on the lake. I am not the world's greatest fisherman but I caught the afternoon's first fish: apparently a large mouth bass. I also caught the afternoon's third fish shortly after.I don't think that in the remaining three-plus hours I caught another fish. Fishing is fun and relaxing but I can only do it for a couple of hours, tops.
Afterwards we went back, watched some basketball and baseball at our boss's apartment a few buildings over (same complex) and had some dinner. I am enjoying my time with my co-workers. They are good people. Despite my attempt to do so, a day off was just not in store. I decided to try get some work done that night while hanging out with my friends. I need to get ready for the season.
10 DAYS UNTIL OPENING DAY!
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