Shout Outs: Ken Griffey Jr., my favorite athlete of all time. More on him tomorrow...
One game down, 69 to go. It was great to get that first game as the Voice of the Lunkers under my belt. It didn't come without some rough spots and technical difficulties but that's ok. I was "OK" with how the game went on my end, but not at all satisfied. I can't wait to get game #2 going and work on getting better and developing my craft.
As far as the team goes, their opening game went great. How about that pitching performance from Kyle Teague? He shows up about 10 minutes after the bus arrives like a lost kid wandering around in a green t-shirt, looking totally out of place. Turns out it is our opening night starting pitcher! (I knew who it was because in my preparation for the season, I became familiar with the players' faces, but one of his teammates was like: "Who the f*** is that?"). T.J. Berge was absolutely solid in the field, including one highlight reel play to keep the runner that started at second from advancing beyond third and subsuquently tying the game!
It seems like the guys are starting to get to know each other and are really getting along. The coaches are, too. Coach Lev and Etch (hitting coach, Jeremy Etchemendy) seem to have a good time giving pitching coach, Dan Lipari, a hard time, calling him "D1 Dan," because he is the only division 1 coach. Dan is the volunteer coach at Youngstown St. He is also the youngest member of the staff. The coaches give me a hard time for being, Jewish. What's new? Nothing mean-spirited and all in good fun.
The luncheon went well. Hearing Tony O speak was great.
I am currently in the booth, getting ready for the game. I was going to hold off on the blog entry but wanted so badly to publish my HSO so...
Hot Sports Opinion of the Day: Last night, Armando Galarraga, a young pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, with a very bright pitcher, should have pitched a perfect game. With two outs in the ninth, Jason Donald hit a ground ball to the right of first baseman, Miguel Cabrera. After fielding the ball, Cabrera threw to the covering pitcher just in time for what would have been the final out of the perfect game. However, first base umpire, Jim Joyce, one of the game's most respected umpires by his peers, players, and coaches alike, missed the call, ruling Donald safe...Madness could have ensued. Galarraga could have flipped out, as could have his teammates and coaches, but they didn't. While Jim Leyland argued, he acted no differently than any manager sticking up for his player, and even he admitted after the game how bad he felt not just for his player, but for Joyce, a man whom he respects. Jim Joyce, after the game and upon realizing he made the wrong call, came forward and admitted it, instead of shying away from the eager media. He faced the fire. He even went over and apologized to Galarraga. Some might say that Joyce feels even worse than Galarraga who, too, has handled the situation with nothing but class.
The coolest thing about the whole incident happened before today's game. With Jim Joyce behind the plate, Armando Galarraga came out to exchange lineup cards with Cleveland. Inevitably, he came across Jim Joyce and the two shook hands. A little gesture made by Galarrage? Sure. But one with tremendous meaning to Joyce, who is undoubtedly feeling terrible beyond belief. He won't ever live down this call, and it is a shame, because he was simply the wrong ump at the wrong time. It should not tarnish his reputation, just like it should not tarnish what Galarraga accomplished on that mound, June 2, 2010.
At the end of the day, the two biggest losers, Galarraga and Joyce, are, in my opinion, the two biggest winners, for how they carried themselves throughout the situation.
Sports Pick of the Day: Los Angeles (-6) over Boston. The Lakers come out strong at home, still looking for revenge. I don't think the game is a blowout, but I think late free throws for the Lakers allows them to obviously not only win the game, but cover the spread.
Record: 4-2
Streak: W1
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Nice writeup...I enjoyed reading.
ReplyDeleteAnd you got the finals' pick right too