Archive for August 24th, 2007
Continue Reading August 24th, 2007
Time to check in on the world of minor league baseball promotions with Rick Chandler’s Minor Enterprise!
Ever wonder why you’ve never seen a Vladimir Putin bobblehead doll? The Russians wouldn’t know what to make of such a thing. Ach! I touch it, and head bounces in unseemly manner! (Smashes it with shoe). We are not amused by foolish spring toy! No, the bobblehead is a truly American idea, representing a rich tradition handed down by the founding fathers. The bobblehead doll is America.
No one understands this better than minor league baseball, which rolls out not one, not two, but four great bobble promotions over the next five days. Leading off is the great, scruffy John Kruk, who, in addition to being a former Phillie, once played for the Las Vegas Stars. Kruk will be honored tonight by the Las Vegas 51s, as the team is now called, who will give out his bobble likeness to the first 2,500 fans who show up for their game with the Tucson Sidewinders. Before he was a Baseball Tonight superstar, Kruk played for the Stars from 1984-86, winning the Pacific Coast League batting title in ‘85. The man himself will be in attendance, and will be demanding polish sausages, no doubt. You know where the snack bar is.
From sunny Las Vegas we take you to Sioux Falls, S.D., where another TV legend, former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw, will be bobbleized on Saturday by the Sioux Falls Canaries (Independent American Association). Brokaw was born in Webster, S.D., and married a former Miss South Dakota, and you can honor him by attending the game between the Canaries and the St. Paul Saints. And don’t forget that Saturday is Aerospace Appreciation Night for the Lancaster JetHawks (Class-A California League), who will be honoring that great moon pedestrian, Buzz Aldrin, in a game against the Stockton Ports. Dr. Aldrin will take part in a pair of special ceremonies on the field before and during the game, and the first 1,000 fans will receive a bobblehead doll featuring Aldrin in the flight suit he wore when he became one of the first two men to walk on the moon (that is, if you don’t believe that the entire thing was faked).
Also, the Auburn Doubledays (Class-A New York-Penn League) will rock hard on Tuesday, Aug. 28, with Johan Santana bobbleheads to the first 1,000 fans at their game with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. The great Minnesota Twin played for Auburn in 1997 and ‘98. A different kind of bobble promotion occurred on Aug. 19, as the Florence Freedom (Independent Frontier League) handed out bobbletowers to the first 1,000 fans who showed up and claimed a voucher. Believed to be the first bobble depiction of a stationary landmark, the toy represents the famous Florence, Kentucky water tower on which the words “Florence, Y’All” are painted. A full report on that event after the jump.
A tribute to Gene Simmons of KISS, the triumphant return of Mariner Moose, and I forget to mention Alzheimer’s Awareness Night, all after the jump.
• Report From Bobbletower Night. A reader reports in on this gala event: Is this the first of its kind? Anyways interesting Bobble promotion for the Independent League Florence Freedom. I had the pleasure of attending the game Sunday and the watertower is located off of I71/75 south of Cincinnati in Northern Kentucky. Zooperstars were in attendance and my 2 year old was terrified of Roger Clamens…..His head has gotten bigger. [Thanks to David Kovich]
Other promotions …
• Return Of The Mariner Moose. Saturday, Aug. 25. Yakima Bears (Class-A Northwest League). To help rehabilitate his image, or perhaps as a condition of his probation, the Mariner Moose visits U.S. Cellular Field to delight fans with his crazy antics. It’s all part of his multi-city Mooseapalooza Tour. Don’t go near his bus!
• KISS The Season Goodbye Night. Saturday, Aug. 25. Brockton Rox (Independent Can-Am League). It’s Gene Simmons’ birthday, and that can only mean one thing: Big fun at Campanelli Stadium. There will be a KISS face painting booth, and the Rox will be sporting special KISS-inspired jerseys that will be auctioned following the game. Plus it’s the final homestand of the season, thus the name of the promotion.
• Jackie Robinson Heritage Night. Saturday, Aug. 25. Daytona Cubs (Class-A Florida State League). In 1946, Jackie Robinson Ballpark (then called City Island Ballpark) was the scene of the first integrated spring training game in modern baseball history. Jackie Robinson, who was playing for the Montreal Royals, was called up to the Brooklyn Dodgers the following year. On Saturday the Cubs celebrate the event with Jackie Robinson Ballpark Heritage Night. Stop by, ’cause it’s going to be a party. [Thanks to Brian]
• Salute To The Simpsons. Sunday. Aug. 25. Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Class-A New York-Penn League). We’re talkin’… Softball. From Maine to San Diego. Talkin’… Softball. Mattingly and Canseco. Ken Griffey’s grotesquely swollen jaw. Steve Sax and his run-in with the law. We’re talkin’ Homer… Ozzie, and the Straw … Chris Yambar, a Simpsons comic book writer, will be on hand to sign autographs as the Scrappers pay tribute to the folks from Springfield. But it’s also Win-A-Free-Funeral Night, where one lucky fan will win a pre-paid funeral. Orioles fans could have used this on Wednesday, of course. Doh! [Thanks to Benjamin Hill]
• Trade Of The Week. In the Class-A New York-Penn League, the Vermont Lake Monsters have sent intern Michael Biasuzzi to the Lowell Spinners in return for intern Corey Mills. I hope there wasn’t a drug test.
• The Summer Of Bristles. Last week I brought you the inspiring story of Bristles, the toothbrush mascot who heroically runs around the bases while brushing each one of them clean … striking a blow for both our nation’s pastime and dental health. Problem is, I said that he does this for the Wilmington Blue Rocks. As several readers pointed out, Bristles actually inhabits LeLacheur Park, home of the Lowell Spinners (Class-A New York Penn League). Some even included photos for proof. I stand corrected, and hereby declare this The Summer of Bristles on Deadspin. Here’s to you, Bristles. May no one ever floss again. [Thanks to many]
We want your minor league tips! Send all game reports, tips and photos to RickChand@Gmail.com. And thanks!
Continue Reading August 24th, 2007
Believe it or not, folks, the NFL season is much closer than you can possibly imagine. So close, in fact, that, if we’re going to fit in every NFL team preview by the start of the season, we have to go this early. So there you have it.
Last year, we asked some of our favorite writers to opine why Their Favorite Team Was Better Than Yours. Ultimately, we found this constrictive, and it also might have killed James Frey. So this time, we’ve just asked them to just run free, talk about their team, their experience as a fan, their hopes, their dreams, their desires for oral sex. All our teams are now assigned; if you sent us an email and we didn’t get back to you, we’re sorry, and we accept your scorn. But today: Pittsburgh Steelers.
Your author is Matt Pitzer, fantasy football expert for USA Today Sports Weekly. His words are after the jump.
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I’ve had better decades. I grew up as a fan of the Washington Redskins, Baltimore Orioles and Washington Wizards (formerly the Bullets).
The Wizards used to be the perennial laughingstock, but they’re the only ones with half a clue now. The Orioles have not had a winning season since 1997 (no rush, Peter Angelos).
But the one that hurts is the Redskins. I don’t really care that Daniel Snyder loves to run through, and run off, his coaches or that he gives $30 million contracts to players such as Adam Archuleta and then cuts them a year later. What hurts is watching coach Joe Gibbs look like Steve Spurrier.
It is difficult to fathom that the Redskins are now four seasons into Gibbs’ reprisal as Washington’s coach. The notion that Joe Gibbs would not always be the smartest guy on the field . . . well, that was never supposed to happen. But here we are: 21-27 in his first three seasons, 1-1 in the playoffs after going 124-60 in his first 12 seasons — and 16-5 in the postseason.
Of course, a new season means new hope for the Redskins — and every other team in the league. Another year similar to three of the last four in which the Redskins had six or fewer wins could get Gibbs run out of town, most likely into another retirement. This one might be a little more forced than his first one, but the result would be the same.
Now, I might sound like the proverbial clueless fan, but I really do have hope. The NFC East basically has been ceded already as a two-team race between Dallas and Philadelphia. The Redskins are playing without expectations, which is sometimes the easiest way for a team to play.
One reason for optimism is QB Jason Campbell, a nice upgrade over Mark Brunell in that he can throw more than 15 yards downfield. All of the crossing routes and misdirection plays that coordinator Al Saunders loves need a little space to work. A deep passing threat is crucial to opening up the field and letting smallish receivers such as Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El run free.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Campbell will look like a second-year starter at times. He throws to the wrong place at the wrong time and has too much confidence in his arm strength in trying to fit the ball in tight spots. But as he learns what he can and can’t do, he should become more dangerous as the year goes on.
Campbell already had one injury scare in the preseason and if he goes down, the season could be lost. As it could if Clinton Portis gets hurt again. Portis has had only one good and injury-free season in his three years in Washington (1,516 yards, 11 rushing TDs in 2005).
What Ladell Betts did last year in place of Portis might have been a fantasy miracle, but if you want a main guy for a full season and into the playoffs, Portis is the one. He is a more regular, bigger-play threat than Betts and Portis is the one who puts fear into defenses. But he already has knee problems; his health will go a long way toward determining how good the Redskins’ offense is.
The other factor is the schizophrenic defense that slumped to 31st last year. LB London Fletcher, CB Fred Smoot and first-round pick S LaRon Landry were the key additions in an unusual approach to improving their pass rush, which generated only 19 sacks — last in the league. The point of adding Smoot and Landry was to improve coverage enough to let the returning rushers reach the passer.
It might not work completely, but it ought to help at least a little. There are too many competent veterans for this defense to be this bad again. And there is too much brainpower in the coaching staff for this team to keep losing this much.
Continue Reading August 24th, 2007
We have a subscription to MLB.tv, one that we use the same way we use, say, a miniature tube of toothpaste. It’s only needed when we’re on the road, it’s never quite the brand we like, but it works in a pinch despite its obvious inferiority to the real thing. (It also ends up staining our suitcase, but perhaps that’s a different problem.)
Anyway, MLB.tv is turning five years old this weekend, and boy, does MLB.com have a treat for you. They’re … giving away a free game! It’s the Yankees, of course. And it’s not on a Saturday afternoon, because no matter how much money you pay, you can’t watch those games.
We might have occasional frustration with MLB.tv, but honestly, if you’re the type of person who pretty much always has to have a Cardinals game on — hypothetically — it’s certainly useful, if not ideal. Hey, Big Ten Network: This is perhaps something you should look into. We’d absolutely pay for it.
MLB.tv Celebrates Five Years Of Growth [MLB.com]
Continue Reading August 24th, 2007
It is a great sign for Mr. Mexico that, just a few days after word leaked that Michael Vick will plead guilty to electrocuting puppies — and a few days before he actually will — there’s already people in the league who are lobbying for him to play when he gets out of jail. Sure, it’s the Arena League, but hey, beggars choosers all that.
Yep, the Arena League boosters are already sensing opportunity.
If Michael Vick wants to revive his career and establish any kind of credibility to his image, he will need to find a home on a football field, and be a model citizen. If I’m Michael Vick, I give Commissioner Baker a call and beg him for a chance to restore himself by playing in the AFL. Vick is a number one overall pick for a reason. He holds several NFL records, led his team to several deep playoff runs, and can be a game changer when things look bleak. If Vick were given a chance to play in the Arena Football League, he would most certainly succeed. It would be a great draw for the AFL fans across the country, and as long as Vick is sincere in his efforts to redeem himself, could be a great figurehead for the AFL.
To AFL owners, go on and take a chance. Everyone deserves a second opportunity to redeem themselves. Who knows, the gamble might end up in a giant payday: an Arena Bowl Championship.
Of course, by “giant payday,” we mean, “500 bucks, plus expenses and a decoder ring.”
Why Not Vick? [Arena Fan]
Continue Reading August 24th, 2007
Yes, David Wells is now a Dodger. For in-depth analysis of this move, we of course go to Touch ‘Em All, Alyssa Milano’s comprehensive Dodgers blog. Hmm, nothing. Well, I should have guessed. (Those headbands do look nice, though).
Maybe you’ve forgotten, but the Dodgers are in the middle of the NL wild card hunt, and they’re hoping that a certain 44-year-old who is fond of macaroni and cheese sandwiches will help them reach the Promised Land. David Wells is back in a pennant race! He agreed to a contract Thursday and plans to make his first start on Sunday night against the Mets in New York. It’s probably too much to hope for that Wells would face Pedro Martinez is that one, so I’ll just be thankful for whomever they throw out there. Wells, of course, was designated for assignment by the Padres on August 9 and placed on waivers four days later. He cleared waivers last week and became a free agent. The funny thing is that he actually could help … the Dodgers beat the Phillies 5-2 on Thursday (Chad Billingsley (!) got the win), to move 2 1/2 games behind San Diego and a half-game behind the Phillies in the wild card race. Godspeed, Boomer. Hmm, could it be that the only reason he’s coming back is to get a shot at some of that sweet Who’s The Boss lady action? I, for one, hope so.
• Speaking Of Said Padres And Mets … After Billy Wagner and Trevor Hoffman (combined career saves: 867) proved worthless and weak, Heath Bell ushered in a bright, new era in relief pitching to lead the Padres over the Mets 9-8. Adrian Gonzalez homered in the 10th to win it, as both Wagner and Hoffman earned blown saves. Bell pitched the 10th, giving up two singles and striking out one to hold on for the save.
• Boof Bonser Alert. Perhaps even more devastating than giving up 30 runs in one game is getting beaten by Boof Bonser. The Man Called Boof pitched seven innings and allowed three hits to get his first win since June 10, the Twins beating the Orioles 5-2. Oh, and three errors by Baltimore helped. Bonser was 0-8 in his previous 12 starts.
• Piazza Delivery. It was career homer No. 424 for Mike Piazza, one of his four hits for five RBI in leading the Athletics over the Devil Rays 12-2.
• Cain Mutiny. Giants starter Matt Cain beat Carlos Zambrano both on the mound and at the plate, San Francisco prevailing over Chicago 4-1. Cain shut down Chicago for seven innings and hit his second career homer. St. Louis lost and and Milwaukee was idle, essentially giving the NL Central race a day off.
