Wow. I’m sorry, I know a lot of people are nuts over Cal Ripken, but that strikes me as one of the most horribly lame things I’ve ever heard if it’s true. What a spoilsport. Giving up the hidden-ball trick? C’mon, guy.
Cal Ripken lame
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Category Archives: Other Baseball
Someone should protect Bryce Harper from himself
Well, future Nationals superstar Bryce Harper definitely has all the tools to be a proper international superstar, at least judging by his favorite sports teams. He was on D.C. radio on Wednesday (and Tuesday, for that matter), and he identified the teams he roots for. It’s out of the official Villain’s Guide For Choosing Loathsome Front-Running Sports Teams.
– Dan Steinberg, D.C. Sports Bog.
It turns out Harper, the Nats’ first overall draft pick, grew up rooting for the Cowboys, Lakers, Yankees and Duke. This fresh on the heels of an interview last month in which, when asked to describe himself in one word, Harper first considered “gorgeous,” then settled on “Hercules.”
Probably if the Nationals are willing to invest $9.9 million in Harper over the next five years, they should also shell out some 80 grand a year for a full-time media coach to travel with the kid and work with him to make sure every single sports fan in America doesn’t hate him by the time he reaches the Major Leagues.
Because the Harper backlash is so strong at this point that I actually feel bad for the kid. There’s video out there, somewhere, of me at 17, on CNN, sanctimoniously ripping Bill Clinton for cheating on his wife, suggesting, essentially, that it’s going to lead to widespread moral decay. I’m not particularly ashamed of it — I was 17 — but it’s not at all indicative of the way I think anymore. Plus I’m pretty sure the CNN producer led me a little bit, if I recall correctly. I just wanted to be on TV.
Not only is Harper 17 years old, he’s a 17-year-old who was hitting 550-foot home runs and plastered all over the cover of national sports magazines at 16. That’s gonna do all sorts of things to your teenage head.
So yeah, he comes off like a jackass, but think back to how you were at 17, and consider that you probably said some pretty jackassy things too. Or you certainly would, if you could hit 550-foot home runs. And if you’re 17 now, I hate to say this, but you might very well be a jackass. No offense. (The fact that you’re here suggests you may be wise beyond your years. Please keep reading.)
Also, for what it’s worth, Harper grew up in Las Vegas, so it’s not like there are a lot of natural fits for sports teams for him to root for. You’d think he’d pick the Runnin’ Rebels over f#@$ing Duke, though.
Fire Joe Morgan on Rob Dibble
Sorry to keep linking over there, but what a glorious day. This imagery, in particular, struck a chord.
Rockiecast: Truthiness by the bay
Friend and former roommate of TedQuarters Ted “Ted” Burke gnashes his teeth at the San Francisco media perpetuating rumors that the Rockies are cheating by slipping non-humidor balls into the mix in late innings in Denver.
Baseball Musings: Massive tie scenario
I voted for the Padres and Rockies in that poll earlier this week, but I will always hold out hope for the massive tie scenario. Why? Because, as David Pinto writes, should it happen, “the three NL West teams would play a two-day single elimination tournament to determine the NL West winner. The three remaining teams would then play a two-day, single elimination tournament to determine the Wild Card winner.”
Matt Diaz: Hero?
The Braves lost to the Phillies last night, but platoon-bat extraordinaire Matt Diaz made headlines by tripping up a rogue Phillies fan (redundant, I know) that ventured onto the field in a red spandex jumpsuit and eluded security.
Enjoy the video while you can.
Presumably the fan was left-handed or Diaz would not have made contact.
Hey-yo.
Shattered bat stuff
Jason from It’s About the Money, Stupid examines the terrifying thing that happened to Tyler Colvin yesterday and how it could have been prevented. I don’t know much about this stuff, but it’s no secret that maple bats shatter in more dangerous fashion than ash bats and something should be done to prevent another incident like that — or worse — from happening again.
Chipper Jones interview
At the game last night, my mom pointed out that there were really no players left on the Braves that you’d identify with the Braves teams that won so many damn division titles. Tim Hudson and Brian McCann played on the last of ’em, and, of course, there’s Chipper on the DL. Sounds from this interview like we haven’t heard the last of Larry Jones.
Once again, a friendly reminder
Tulsa-born Tommy Hanson starts for the Braves against the Mets tonight, so I figured I’d seize the opportunity to remind everyone that he may or may not be first cousins with the pride of Tulsa and his namesake, the band Hanson.
More evidence of their relation surfaced recently on the Internet in the form of this photo, of the pitcher Hanson showing off his prized catch to the band Hanson on the set of the Adam Carolla show:
The resemblance is nearly as eerie as the phantom hand on Taylor Hanson’s shoulder.
The Hunt for Purple Rocktober is on
Lots of lists today as I get my head above water. Actual posts with cohestive text coming as soon as I finish up some stuff at the studio.
Reasons I’m rooting for the Rockies to make the playoffs and, should they get there, win the division series and NLCS (if they end up squaring off with the Rays in the World Series I’ll have a lot of considering to do):
1. Quietly well-run organization that develops a ton of good players from within.
2. They’re not the Phillies or Braves.
3. Support for my long-suffering friends at Rockiescast.
4. Troy Tulowitzki’s amazing mullet, ability.
5. Everything about this:
Carlos Gonzalez has your tacos right here.
Tedquarters 