Arthur Rhodes is one man who has not only been able to withstand the test of time in Major League Baseball, but has just gotten better throughout its course. At a ripe 40 years old, the Cincinnati Reds left-handed setup man may be having one of the best seasons of his career. Coming off of a streak of 33 consecutive appearances with scoreless innings, Rhodes has earned his first All-Star Game bid. After a career in the Majors playing for seven different teams, he has earned one of the highest honors in his election to appear in Anaheim for the annual midsummer classic.
The Waco, Texas native spent his first 12 years in the majors in Baltimore, after he was drafted by the Orioles in the second round of the 1988 amateur player draft. After being granted free agency, he headed west to the Oakland Athletics. In the following years, he bounced among five different ball clubs before landing with the Reds in December 2008. Rhodes had an impressive 2009 with the Reds, as he appeared in 66 games with 53.1 IP and a 2.53 ERA. He more than proved his worth and secured his spot in the Reds bullpen; he came back in 2010 with one of his most impressive seasons thus far.
Rhodes had tied the Major League record by going 33 appearances without allowing a run, also held by Mark Guthrie and Mike Myers. His ERA also stood at 0.28. On June 29, Rhodes’ streak was broken by Raul Ibanez of the Phillies. He exited the game with a tip of his hat, and a standing ovation by the fans at Great American Ball Park.
Shortly after, the Major League veteran and All-Star rookie spoke out about something close to heart that he kept behind closed doors for many years. In 2008, Rhodes suffered a loss in his family when his five-year-old son, Jordan passed away.
Rhodes considers his election to the All-Star Game the best thing that’s happened in his career, and he had only wished that his son could be there to share it with him. In a way, he was and always is with him on mound. After entering each game, before he pitches he scratches the initials “J.R.” into the dirt, just behind the pitching rubber.
Rhodes is typically a very stoic and serious player, and it is astonishing that he has been able to pitch through the pain. He has never spoken publicly about it until last month, and the rest of his family also will not share details surrounding the loss. Arthur Rhodes has acknowledged though, that he remains in baseball in part to honor his son, who also loved the sport.
As a seamlessly ageless man is taking the mound in Cincinnati, and is elected to his first All-Star roster, he looks as though he is all business. But the initials tattooed on his leg and in the dirt behind the rubber will let you know that he’s got something else on his mind, and he’s not out there alone.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
High Atop the Rockies
If Ubaldo Jimenez isn’t yet a household name, it soon will be. The Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher has become the punch in their rotation, and a threat to any batter. After making franchise history in the first month of play this year, there’s no place for this flamethrower to go than up. This season the whirlwind has surrounded upcoming players from the draft such as Strasburg, and the big name pitchers like Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay, but it’s the guys that fly under the radar that seem to be making the big splash, Jimenez included.
Born in 1984 in Nagua, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Dominican Republic, Ubaldo Jimenez was signed by the Rockies as a free agent in 2001. The appeal of this right-hander lies in his velocity and arm strength. His four-seam fastball has been clocked as high as 100 mph, but normally sits around the mid-90s. He has the ability to reach top speeds so often that he is frequently the hardest throwing pitcher in the Major Leagues. His two-seam fastball reaches the low-to-mid-90s, and the pitch’s effectiveness can be shown in his high ground-ball percentage, a great advantage for fields conducive to extra-base hits. His pitch range is beyond impressive, as he uses a tricky slider and four-seam fastball most often, and a changeup that sinks so strongly that it is nearly indistinguishable from his split-finger fastball.
Jimenez rose quietly in the Colorado Rockies organization. He made his Major League debut with the Rockies on September 26, 2006. He began his career as a relief pitcher and entered the game in the eighth inning when the Rockies were trailing 11-4 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He may not have appeared to have the “stuff” Hall of Famers are made of, but he got the job done. He allowed two hits and no runs, and on the last game of the regular season, October 1, he made his first Major League start. Although the Rockies lost, he allowed only three hits and three earned runs over a span of 6 2/3 innings.
His first win came in 2007, on July 29 when the Rockies hosted the L.A. Dodgers. The Rockies won 9-6 and Jimenez gave up four hits and only two earned runs. He also made his first postseason debut that year, in Game 3 of the 2007 NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies. Jimenez pitched six innings allowing one earned run in the Rockies’ victory. Although Jimenez did not receive a decision for the game, the win secured the Rockies’ sweep of the Phillies. He received his second straight postseason no-decision in Game 2 of the 2007 NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Rockies beat the D-Backs 3-2, and went on to sweep them, sending them to the World Series against the Boston Red Sox. Jimenez started Game 2 of the World Series, and although only giving up two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings, the Rockies suffered a 2-1 loss, and were swept by the Red Sox.
In his 2008 season, Ubaldo Jimenez led the National League in starts with 34. He went 12-12 on the season with an ERA of 3.99. He also boasted the fastest fastball in the Major Leagues at 94.9 mph. No one threw more pitches over 95 mph than Jimenez, at 1,342. During the offseason, he signed a new four-year deal with the club, with an option up to 2013-2014.
Ubaldo Jimenez’s second full season as a starter in the Major Leagues in 2009 was a breakout season for the young pitcher. He improved from 2008, going 15-12 on the season with a 3.47 ERA. He set a franchise record for pitching at least six innings in 25 consecutive starts from May to September.
He also pitched for the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, during which he set a single-start strikeout record. On March 10, he struck out 10 of 13 batters in four innings and 65 pitches.
His record breaking didn’t end in 2009. On April 17, 2010 Ubaldo Jimenez threw the first no-hitter in Colorado Rockies franchise history. The Rockies won 4-0 against the Atlanta Braves. He struck out seven batters, and walked six, and threw a career-high 128 pitches, 72 of which were strikes. Throughout the course of the game, his fastball hit 100 mph three times. Jimenez was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for April, only the second Rockie to do so. He is the second pitcher in Major League history to throw a no-hitter and earn five wins in the month of April. He also set a franchise record in April for consecutive scoreless innings, which was snapped at 25 1/3 in early May. Shortly after, he had 33 consecutive scoreless innings from May to June, setting another franchise record for not only starting pitchers, but relievers as well. He became the first pitcher to have two streaks of at least 25 consecutive scoreless innings in once season since Jack Morris, in 1986. He was named National League Pitcher of the Month again in May, making him the first in Rockies history to win more than once, and the first pitcher since Pedro Martinez to win in April and May since 1999.
This season Ubaldo Jimenez became the third pitcher in Major League Baseball history to win their first 10 of 11 starts and maintain an ERA below 1.00, which his sat at .78. He currently leads the National League in wins, and is second in win-loss percentage.
The talent Jimenez exudes and the skill he possesses have fans and experts alike crying out to hand over the Cy Yound Award to this 26-year-old Dominican. The 2010 season is not even to the half-way point, and there’s no doubt that come September, we will have seen a few more record-breaking performances by Ubaldo Jimenez.
Born in 1984 in Nagua, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Dominican Republic, Ubaldo Jimenez was signed by the Rockies as a free agent in 2001. The appeal of this right-hander lies in his velocity and arm strength. His four-seam fastball has been clocked as high as 100 mph, but normally sits around the mid-90s. He has the ability to reach top speeds so often that he is frequently the hardest throwing pitcher in the Major Leagues. His two-seam fastball reaches the low-to-mid-90s, and the pitch’s effectiveness can be shown in his high ground-ball percentage, a great advantage for fields conducive to extra-base hits. His pitch range is beyond impressive, as he uses a tricky slider and four-seam fastball most often, and a changeup that sinks so strongly that it is nearly indistinguishable from his split-finger fastball.
Jimenez rose quietly in the Colorado Rockies organization. He made his Major League debut with the Rockies on September 26, 2006. He began his career as a relief pitcher and entered the game in the eighth inning when the Rockies were trailing 11-4 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He may not have appeared to have the “stuff” Hall of Famers are made of, but he got the job done. He allowed two hits and no runs, and on the last game of the regular season, October 1, he made his first Major League start. Although the Rockies lost, he allowed only three hits and three earned runs over a span of 6 2/3 innings.
His first win came in 2007, on July 29 when the Rockies hosted the L.A. Dodgers. The Rockies won 9-6 and Jimenez gave up four hits and only two earned runs. He also made his first postseason debut that year, in Game 3 of the 2007 NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies. Jimenez pitched six innings allowing one earned run in the Rockies’ victory. Although Jimenez did not receive a decision for the game, the win secured the Rockies’ sweep of the Phillies. He received his second straight postseason no-decision in Game 2 of the 2007 NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Rockies beat the D-Backs 3-2, and went on to sweep them, sending them to the World Series against the Boston Red Sox. Jimenez started Game 2 of the World Series, and although only giving up two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings, the Rockies suffered a 2-1 loss, and were swept by the Red Sox.
In his 2008 season, Ubaldo Jimenez led the National League in starts with 34. He went 12-12 on the season with an ERA of 3.99. He also boasted the fastest fastball in the Major Leagues at 94.9 mph. No one threw more pitches over 95 mph than Jimenez, at 1,342. During the offseason, he signed a new four-year deal with the club, with an option up to 2013-2014.
Ubaldo Jimenez’s second full season as a starter in the Major Leagues in 2009 was a breakout season for the young pitcher. He improved from 2008, going 15-12 on the season with a 3.47 ERA. He set a franchise record for pitching at least six innings in 25 consecutive starts from May to September.
He also pitched for the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, during which he set a single-start strikeout record. On March 10, he struck out 10 of 13 batters in four innings and 65 pitches.
His record breaking didn’t end in 2009. On April 17, 2010 Ubaldo Jimenez threw the first no-hitter in Colorado Rockies franchise history. The Rockies won 4-0 against the Atlanta Braves. He struck out seven batters, and walked six, and threw a career-high 128 pitches, 72 of which were strikes. Throughout the course of the game, his fastball hit 100 mph three times. Jimenez was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for April, only the second Rockie to do so. He is the second pitcher in Major League history to throw a no-hitter and earn five wins in the month of April. He also set a franchise record in April for consecutive scoreless innings, which was snapped at 25 1/3 in early May. Shortly after, he had 33 consecutive scoreless innings from May to June, setting another franchise record for not only starting pitchers, but relievers as well. He became the first pitcher to have two streaks of at least 25 consecutive scoreless innings in once season since Jack Morris, in 1986. He was named National League Pitcher of the Month again in May, making him the first in Rockies history to win more than once, and the first pitcher since Pedro Martinez to win in April and May since 1999.
This season Ubaldo Jimenez became the third pitcher in Major League Baseball history to win their first 10 of 11 starts and maintain an ERA below 1.00, which his sat at .78. He currently leads the National League in wins, and is second in win-loss percentage.
The talent Jimenez exudes and the skill he possesses have fans and experts alike crying out to hand over the Cy Yound Award to this 26-year-old Dominican. The 2010 season is not even to the half-way point, and there’s no doubt that come September, we will have seen a few more record-breaking performances by Ubaldo Jimenez.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Stacks of Sports Literature
This summer has been a whirlwind for me, and for as much as I thought I was going to have time to get some leisure reading in , I haven't had any. Now that the summer is winding down, I'm attempting to get some reading in before I bury my nose in photography and journalism textbooks.
I've had a piece of paper with a list of books on it for the longest time, all books of different sports. Biographies, rule books, inspirational stories, and compilations of short stories. Some have been bought, some I have yet to purchase. The list that follows is awfully long, but I'm determined to complete it sooner rather than later.
If you have a review on any of these books, any input you think I should know, or a book you think needs to be added to the list, feel free to send it my way!
Baseball
The Last Days of Shea - Dana Brand
The Complete Game - Ron Darling
Koufax - Edward Gruver
Game Six - Mark Frost *purchased
Joe Dimaggio: The Hero's Life - Richard Ben Cramer
The Boys of Summer - Roger Kahn
Watching Baseball Smarter - Zack Hample *currently reading
Faith and Fear in Flushing - Greg W. Prince, Jason C. Fry *currently reading
100 Things Mets Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die - Matthew Silverman
Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero - David Maraniss
Summer of '49 - David Halberstam
Hustle: The Myth, Life, and Lies of Pete Rose - Michael Sokolove
Sports Illustrated: Great Baseball Writing
Wait Till Next Year - Doris Kearns Goodwin *purchased
Willie Mays: The Life, The Legend - James S. Hirsch *purchased
The Long Ball: The Summer of '75 - Tom Adelman *purchased
Throwing Heat - Nolan Ryan, Harvey Frommer
Summer in the City: New York Baseball 1947-1957 - Vic Ziegel
Joe: Rounding Third and Heading for Home - Greg Hoard *purchased
The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball - Tom M. Tango, Mitchel G. Lichtman, Andrew E. Dolphin
Nine Innings: The Anatomy of a Baseball Game - Daniel Okrent
Unwritten Rules of Baseball - Paul Dickson
Forever Blue - Michael D'Antonio
Moneyball - Michael Lewis *purchased
The Machine - Joe Posnanski *purchased
Tales from the Dugout - Mike Shannon
Amazing: The Miracle of the Mets - Joseph Durso
Ball Four - Jim Bouton
The Year the Mets Lost Last Place - Paul D. Zimmerman, Dick Schaap
Faithful - Stewart O'Nan, Stephen King
Screwball - Tug McGraw, Joseph Durso
Pure Baseball - Keith Hernandez, Mike Bryan
Sports Illustrated: 50 Years of Great Writing *purchased
Cardboard Gods: An All-American Tale Told Through Baseball Cards - Josh Wilker
Football
The Blind Side - Michael Lewis
Invincible: My Journey from Fan to NFL Team Captain - Vince Papale and Chad Millman
More Than a Game: The Glorious Present-and Uncertain Future- of the NFL - Brian Billick, Michael MacCambridge
Bloody Sundays: Inside the Rough-and-Tumble World of the NFL - Mike Freeman
The Legends: Cincinnati Bengals : The Men, The Deeds, The Consequences - Chick Ludwig
Paul Brown: The Rise and Fall and Rise Again of Football's Most Innovative Coach - Andrew O'Toole
Hockey
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly Philadelphia Flyers: Heart-pounding, Jaw-dropping, and Gut-wrenching Moments from Philadelphia Flyers History - Adam Kimelman and Keith Primeau
Walking Together Forever: The Broad Street Bullies, Then and Now - Jim Jackson
The Broad Street Bullies: The Incredible Story of the Philadelphia Flyers - Jack Chevalier
Birth of a Dynasty: The 1980 New York Islanders - Alan Hahn *purchased
Fish Sticks: The Fall and Rise of the New York Islanders - Peter Botte, Alan Hahn
Deceptions and Doublecross: How the NHL Conquered Hockey - Morey Holzman, Joseph Nieforth
The Boys of Winter: The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team - Wayne R. Coffey, Jim Craig *purchased
The Game - Ken Dryden
The Official Illustrated NHL History: The Story of the Coolest Game - Arthur Pincus, David Rosner, Len Hockberg, Chris Malcolm
General
The Games Do Count: America's Best and Brightest on the Power of Sports - Brian Kilmeade *purchased
Bearcats Rising - Josh Katzowitz *purchased
I've had a piece of paper with a list of books on it for the longest time, all books of different sports. Biographies, rule books, inspirational stories, and compilations of short stories. Some have been bought, some I have yet to purchase. The list that follows is awfully long, but I'm determined to complete it sooner rather than later.
If you have a review on any of these books, any input you think I should know, or a book you think needs to be added to the list, feel free to send it my way!
Baseball
The Last Days of Shea - Dana Brand
The Complete Game - Ron Darling
Koufax - Edward Gruver
Game Six - Mark Frost *purchased
Joe Dimaggio: The Hero's Life - Richard Ben Cramer
The Boys of Summer - Roger Kahn
Watching Baseball Smarter - Zack Hample *currently reading
Faith and Fear in Flushing - Greg W. Prince, Jason C. Fry *currently reading
100 Things Mets Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die - Matthew Silverman
Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero - David Maraniss
Summer of '49 - David Halberstam
Hustle: The Myth, Life, and Lies of Pete Rose - Michael Sokolove
Sports Illustrated: Great Baseball Writing
Wait Till Next Year - Doris Kearns Goodwin *purchased
Willie Mays: The Life, The Legend - James S. Hirsch *purchased
The Long Ball: The Summer of '75 - Tom Adelman *purchased
Throwing Heat - Nolan Ryan, Harvey Frommer
Summer in the City: New York Baseball 1947-1957 - Vic Ziegel
Joe: Rounding Third and Heading for Home - Greg Hoard *purchased
The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball - Tom M. Tango, Mitchel G. Lichtman, Andrew E. Dolphin
Nine Innings: The Anatomy of a Baseball Game - Daniel Okrent
Unwritten Rules of Baseball - Paul Dickson
Forever Blue - Michael D'Antonio
Moneyball - Michael Lewis *purchased
The Machine - Joe Posnanski *purchased
Tales from the Dugout - Mike Shannon
Amazing: The Miracle of the Mets - Joseph Durso
Ball Four - Jim Bouton
The Year the Mets Lost Last Place - Paul D. Zimmerman, Dick Schaap
Faithful - Stewart O'Nan, Stephen King
Screwball - Tug McGraw, Joseph Durso
Pure Baseball - Keith Hernandez, Mike Bryan
Sports Illustrated: 50 Years of Great Writing *purchased
Cardboard Gods: An All-American Tale Told Through Baseball Cards - Josh Wilker
Football
The Blind Side - Michael Lewis
Invincible: My Journey from Fan to NFL Team Captain - Vince Papale and Chad Millman
More Than a Game: The Glorious Present-and Uncertain Future- of the NFL - Brian Billick, Michael MacCambridge
Bloody Sundays: Inside the Rough-and-Tumble World of the NFL - Mike Freeman
The Legends: Cincinnati Bengals : The Men, The Deeds, The Consequences - Chick Ludwig
Paul Brown: The Rise and Fall and Rise Again of Football's Most Innovative Coach - Andrew O'Toole
Hockey
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly Philadelphia Flyers: Heart-pounding, Jaw-dropping, and Gut-wrenching Moments from Philadelphia Flyers History - Adam Kimelman and Keith Primeau
Walking Together Forever: The Broad Street Bullies, Then and Now - Jim Jackson
The Broad Street Bullies: The Incredible Story of the Philadelphia Flyers - Jack Chevalier
Birth of a Dynasty: The 1980 New York Islanders - Alan Hahn *purchased
Fish Sticks: The Fall and Rise of the New York Islanders - Peter Botte, Alan Hahn
Deceptions and Doublecross: How the NHL Conquered Hockey - Morey Holzman, Joseph Nieforth
The Boys of Winter: The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team - Wayne R. Coffey, Jim Craig *purchased
The Game - Ken Dryden
The Official Illustrated NHL History: The Story of the Coolest Game - Arthur Pincus, David Rosner, Len Hockberg, Chris Malcolm
General
The Games Do Count: America's Best and Brightest on the Power of Sports - Brian Kilmeade *purchased
Bearcats Rising - Josh Katzowitz *purchased
Monday, August 23, 2010
Brandon Phillips Profile
Brandon Phillips is an integral piece of the Cincinnati Reds ballclub. On the field, off the field, in the dugout, in the community, he has more than enough character to go around. He’s a dependable performer and always dependable for a good laugh. He’s not the ballplayer you see on the field and can expect composure from at all times. He plays with his heart on his sleeve, and it’s just him being true to himself. What you see is what you get, and in Cincinnati, we love what we are getting from Brandon Phillips.
Born in 1981, the Raleigh, North Carolina native Phillips attended Redan High School in Georgia, and was drafted by the former Montreal Expos in 1999. Just as many of the best in the game, he grew up idolizing famed Reds shortstop Barry Larkin. After being considered one of the top prospects in the Expos farm system, Phillips was traded to the Cleveland Indians in 2002. He spent much of his time with the Indians in the high Minor Leagues, and after the team found his progress not speedy enough, he was traded to the Reds in April 2006. He made an immediate impact with the Reds and became the starter at second base. Phillips earned NL Player of the Week the same month he was acquired by the Reds, during which time he also hit his first career grand slam.
Since joining the Reds, Brandon Phillips has become a well-known and idolized second baseman. In 2007, he became the first ever second baseman to earn 30-30 honors for the Reds, meaning he hit at least 30 or more home runs and stole at least 30 bases in one season. He also became just the second second baseman in history to receive the honor behind Alfonso Soriano. He makes the split-second catches, makes a few appearances on highlight reels, and is sure to entertain.
His character and emotion isn’t something you’ll only see expressed on the field. Brandon Phillips is the player you’ll find who makes time for the fans, for the children, the people who love him the most. Brandon Phillips is an example of a player who is one of the most active in the community, and one of the best performers the team has to offer. It’s no surprise you can find him during batting practice in Great American Ball Park signing for fans down the baselines or behind the cage.
In 2008, Brandon Phillips received the Roberto Clemente Award for community service. That same year, he paired up with the Reds Community Fund to begin work on what would be called “Brandon Phillips Field.” The location of the site was at Clark Montessori High School on Winton Road. It housed the high school’s varsity and junior varsity teams, as well as the Reds Community Fund’s RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program. Phillips donated the $7,500 he received from being nominated for the Roberto Clemente award, as well as $25,000 of his own to the construction of the new field. The field was dedicated on May 23, 2009.
If there’s a Reds event out in the community, you can almost count on Brandon Phillips to make an appearance, and making the best out of it. He’s taken part in many of the Reds Caravan tour stops; he’s made appearances at the famed Rubber Duck Regatta Auction, and in 2008 he befriended a 16-year-old cancer patient and housed her and her family at the ballpark for a game.
Brandon Phillips is the face of a team, and the face of a true athlete through and through. His generosity and kindheartedness off the field is a perfect match for his intensity on the field. He is a great ambassador for sportsmanship and athleticism alike.
Born in 1981, the Raleigh, North Carolina native Phillips attended Redan High School in Georgia, and was drafted by the former Montreal Expos in 1999. Just as many of the best in the game, he grew up idolizing famed Reds shortstop Barry Larkin. After being considered one of the top prospects in the Expos farm system, Phillips was traded to the Cleveland Indians in 2002. He spent much of his time with the Indians in the high Minor Leagues, and after the team found his progress not speedy enough, he was traded to the Reds in April 2006. He made an immediate impact with the Reds and became the starter at second base. Phillips earned NL Player of the Week the same month he was acquired by the Reds, during which time he also hit his first career grand slam.
Since joining the Reds, Brandon Phillips has become a well-known and idolized second baseman. In 2007, he became the first ever second baseman to earn 30-30 honors for the Reds, meaning he hit at least 30 or more home runs and stole at least 30 bases in one season. He also became just the second second baseman in history to receive the honor behind Alfonso Soriano. He makes the split-second catches, makes a few appearances on highlight reels, and is sure to entertain.
His character and emotion isn’t something you’ll only see expressed on the field. Brandon Phillips is the player you’ll find who makes time for the fans, for the children, the people who love him the most. Brandon Phillips is an example of a player who is one of the most active in the community, and one of the best performers the team has to offer. It’s no surprise you can find him during batting practice in Great American Ball Park signing for fans down the baselines or behind the cage.
In 2008, Brandon Phillips received the Roberto Clemente Award for community service. That same year, he paired up with the Reds Community Fund to begin work on what would be called “Brandon Phillips Field.” The location of the site was at Clark Montessori High School on Winton Road. It housed the high school’s varsity and junior varsity teams, as well as the Reds Community Fund’s RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program. Phillips donated the $7,500 he received from being nominated for the Roberto Clemente award, as well as $25,000 of his own to the construction of the new field. The field was dedicated on May 23, 2009.
If there’s a Reds event out in the community, you can almost count on Brandon Phillips to make an appearance, and making the best out of it. He’s taken part in many of the Reds Caravan tour stops; he’s made appearances at the famed Rubber Duck Regatta Auction, and in 2008 he befriended a 16-year-old cancer patient and housed her and her family at the ballpark for a game.
Brandon Phillips is the face of a team, and the face of a true athlete through and through. His generosity and kindheartedness off the field is a perfect match for his intensity on the field. He is a great ambassador for sportsmanship and athleticism alike.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Rounding Third and Heading Back Home
It’s 2007. I’m working my first job at Lids, being a reckless college freshman, making some of the worst decisions I have ever had the misfortune of making. I am a bad judge of character, and trying to figure out what to do with my life. Fast forward. I’m preparing to begin my senior year and finish my degree at the University of Cincinnati, I work at one of the best restaurants in the city, I’m a Cincinnati Reds intern, I have a great sense of self, and I’m with the one guy I have no idea how I ever lived without.
Talk about a 180 spin on your life. I didn’t even notice all of these things happened. All I know is I look back now, and have no idea who I was back then and I owe a lot of that to the experiences I’ve had in the last year. From getting compliments from professionals, to getting my first gig as a photographer for GoBearcats.com, to working alongside the professionals with a Major League Baseball team. The last year has been a whirlwind, and one of the busiest and most stressful years of my life, and I couldn’t be more thankful for that.
In the late winter, early spring of 2010, I received a direct message from Michael Anderson, an employee in the public relations department at the Cincinnati Reds. We had followed each other on Twitter for a few months, and he told me that they had an internship for an editorial intern open for 2010, and that I should check it out. There was no way I was going to let the offer pass by. I immediately updated my resume, popped out a cover letter, and emailed it over to both Michael Anderson and to John Hale, the head of the human resources department. I waited anxiously for a phone call for a number of weeks, nervous and praying that this opportunity would come my way. All the time that I endured between sending in the resume and the phone call I was hoping for, my boyfriend, Dylan, and one of my best friends, Marty Siry, kept my spirits up and reassured me that I’d be perfect for this and that there’s no way I don’t deserve it.
The phone finally rang.
“Hi Elise, this is John Hale with the Cincinnati Reds. I wanted to let you know that I received your resume, and I wanted to know when you may be available for an interview.”
My dad was the only person home at the time, and I was jumping around my living room like I had won the lottery. He stared at me like I was absolutely insane, but he knew who was on the other end of the phone.
I accepted, and a week later I showed up for the interview. I felt confident in my abilities, and I’ve never been a nervous interviewee. (This was my first real interview, in relation to a job. I wouldn’t say my interview at Lids actually counted.)
About a week later, I received another call from Mr. John Hale, this time to offer me the position. I was relieved, I was elated, and I had no idea what to do with myself. I went out that night with some of my closest friends to celebrate and have a few drinks. I was on cloud nine.
I remember the first day I came to work at the Reds front office. I was so nervous and I had no idea what to expect. My supervisor, and managing editor, Jarrod Rollins, took me under his wing and made me feel comfortable. I was given my own cubicle, and I got down to work. Before I go on, I’ll tell you this; the image you have engrained in your head as to what an intern does, was nothing like my experience. I wasn’t getting anyone’s coffee, I wasn’t running errands, and I wasn’t treated as an “intern.” I immediately became a member of the Creative Services department. Within a week, I was working to complete my first feature story for Reds Magazine on Nick Masset and Arthur Rhodes. The great thing about writing these pieces was that I had free creative reign over everything I did. There was no, “This is the piece. This is who I want you to do it on. This is how I want you to do it.” They put their trust in me and had enough confidence in my writing abilities, that they could give me a player and a slight direction, and I could whip something up worthy of publishing for thousands of people to read.
Before I knew it, I was writing promotional pieces, calling players’ agents, and taking photographs at the open batting practice before Opening Day. I was really doing it. I was exactly where I had always wanted to be, doing exactly what I had dreamt of doing, and my hard work got me there.
Over time, I was assigned to photograph events in the Fan Zone, player meet and greets in the Reds Hall of Fame and on the field, I took the photos for the group brochures, first pitches, on-field ceremonies, the works. This experience definitely put my photographic skills to the test. I had never done event photography before, and I am very proud at how all of it turned out.
I was fully prepared to begin writing for the second edition of Reds Magazine and they assigned me my favorite piece of the entire 2010 season; a profile on the very talented, Mike Leake. Not only was I to write a story about him, I was to interview him. (Yes, I still have the audio from the interview on my recorder and my laptop.) I had the pleasure of not only figuring out what he’s about during this interview, but this opened the doors for the rest of the season for me to truly get to know who he is. This was the most easy-going interview I have ever done. We’re two months into the season, he’s the new kid on the block, I’m fairly new to interviewing professional athletes, and I was completely at ease. (Interviewing someone the same age as me, born and raised on the west coast makes for a good atmosphere.)
Needless to say, I was very happy with the story that came out, and with the second piece I wrote for that issue, an opposing player spotlight on Lance Berkman. I began writing more pieces for the Reds after that. I wrote player profiles for the Cincinnati Herald, our African-American newspaper. I wrote event pieces and e-newsletters.
For the third installment of Reds Magazine, I was assigned the cover feature, a piece on Brandon Phillips and how he plays the game his way. I think everyone knows this has a bit more meaning now than it did then, but this was after the events of the series in D.C., with his chest pounding “controversy.” I was beyond excited to have the cover story, and to write my first piece that had more of a personal touch to it, rather than just a profile. I was always giddy when they’d place a new edition on my desk. To see it finished, in print, with photos and my name underneath was more than I could have ever imagined. I made sure to always send my grandmother in North Carolina a copy, which she would then take around the town to show everyone what her granddaughter did, bless her heart.
I have just finished my final piece for the last issue of Reds Magazine, which focuses on the strength of the club’s young pitching, and an opposing player spotlight on Corey Hart. The issue will be out soon, so keep on the lookout for my feature titled “Armed and Dangerous.”
This experience has exceeded my expectations. I never in a million years imagined I would be sitting at my own cubicle in the Cincinnati Reds front office. I never thought any of this would happen for me, and it has. I’ve met some of the best people and made some great contacts: my supervisor Jarrod Rollins, Michael Anderson, Jamie Ramsey, the current players, various employees of local news stations, and some of the greatest Reds to have ever played the game.
I’ve endured mocking and teasing by Brandon Phillips and Tom Browning, I’ve personally been given Eric Davis’ email address so I could send the photos I’ve taken of him, I’ve photographed a kid’s dream coming true as he met Jay Bruce and played toss with him on the field, I’ve had Billy Hatcher teach me how to stay cool in 95 degree heat (it’s all in your head,) and I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing and getting to know Mike Leake multiple times. I’ve had a Cincinnati Enquirer photographer talk to me about job experiences and opportunities, and even use his camera for a bit. I’ve seen my name published by a Major League organization, spent time in the dugout with the New York Mets and various other teams and interacted with their players, and I have spent my summer working with the Reds during one of the best seasons the club has had in a decade.
This was much more than a resume builder for me. This was an experience of a lifetime. I can say, if I never get to do this again, that for a period of my life I was doing everything I had ever dreamt of doing. I was taking photos of and writing pieces on America’s pastime and the best game to have ever been played. Where do I go from here? I told myself to dream big, I did, and this is where it has gotten me. I guess it’s time to dream bigger.
Talk about a 180 spin on your life. I didn’t even notice all of these things happened. All I know is I look back now, and have no idea who I was back then and I owe a lot of that to the experiences I’ve had in the last year. From getting compliments from professionals, to getting my first gig as a photographer for GoBearcats.com, to working alongside the professionals with a Major League Baseball team. The last year has been a whirlwind, and one of the busiest and most stressful years of my life, and I couldn’t be more thankful for that.
In the late winter, early spring of 2010, I received a direct message from Michael Anderson, an employee in the public relations department at the Cincinnati Reds. We had followed each other on Twitter for a few months, and he told me that they had an internship for an editorial intern open for 2010, and that I should check it out. There was no way I was going to let the offer pass by. I immediately updated my resume, popped out a cover letter, and emailed it over to both Michael Anderson and to John Hale, the head of the human resources department. I waited anxiously for a phone call for a number of weeks, nervous and praying that this opportunity would come my way. All the time that I endured between sending in the resume and the phone call I was hoping for, my boyfriend, Dylan, and one of my best friends, Marty Siry, kept my spirits up and reassured me that I’d be perfect for this and that there’s no way I don’t deserve it.
The phone finally rang.
“Hi Elise, this is John Hale with the Cincinnati Reds. I wanted to let you know that I received your resume, and I wanted to know when you may be available for an interview.”
My dad was the only person home at the time, and I was jumping around my living room like I had won the lottery. He stared at me like I was absolutely insane, but he knew who was on the other end of the phone.
I accepted, and a week later I showed up for the interview. I felt confident in my abilities, and I’ve never been a nervous interviewee. (This was my first real interview, in relation to a job. I wouldn’t say my interview at Lids actually counted.)
About a week later, I received another call from Mr. John Hale, this time to offer me the position. I was relieved, I was elated, and I had no idea what to do with myself. I went out that night with some of my closest friends to celebrate and have a few drinks. I was on cloud nine.
I remember the first day I came to work at the Reds front office. I was so nervous and I had no idea what to expect. My supervisor, and managing editor, Jarrod Rollins, took me under his wing and made me feel comfortable. I was given my own cubicle, and I got down to work. Before I go on, I’ll tell you this; the image you have engrained in your head as to what an intern does, was nothing like my experience. I wasn’t getting anyone’s coffee, I wasn’t running errands, and I wasn’t treated as an “intern.” I immediately became a member of the Creative Services department. Within a week, I was working to complete my first feature story for Reds Magazine on Nick Masset and Arthur Rhodes. The great thing about writing these pieces was that I had free creative reign over everything I did. There was no, “This is the piece. This is who I want you to do it on. This is how I want you to do it.” They put their trust in me and had enough confidence in my writing abilities, that they could give me a player and a slight direction, and I could whip something up worthy of publishing for thousands of people to read.
Before I knew it, I was writing promotional pieces, calling players’ agents, and taking photographs at the open batting practice before Opening Day. I was really doing it. I was exactly where I had always wanted to be, doing exactly what I had dreamt of doing, and my hard work got me there.
Over time, I was assigned to photograph events in the Fan Zone, player meet and greets in the Reds Hall of Fame and on the field, I took the photos for the group brochures, first pitches, on-field ceremonies, the works. This experience definitely put my photographic skills to the test. I had never done event photography before, and I am very proud at how all of it turned out.
I was fully prepared to begin writing for the second edition of Reds Magazine and they assigned me my favorite piece of the entire 2010 season; a profile on the very talented, Mike Leake. Not only was I to write a story about him, I was to interview him. (Yes, I still have the audio from the interview on my recorder and my laptop.) I had the pleasure of not only figuring out what he’s about during this interview, but this opened the doors for the rest of the season for me to truly get to know who he is. This was the most easy-going interview I have ever done. We’re two months into the season, he’s the new kid on the block, I’m fairly new to interviewing professional athletes, and I was completely at ease. (Interviewing someone the same age as me, born and raised on the west coast makes for a good atmosphere.)
Needless to say, I was very happy with the story that came out, and with the second piece I wrote for that issue, an opposing player spotlight on Lance Berkman. I began writing more pieces for the Reds after that. I wrote player profiles for the Cincinnati Herald, our African-American newspaper. I wrote event pieces and e-newsletters.
For the third installment of Reds Magazine, I was assigned the cover feature, a piece on Brandon Phillips and how he plays the game his way. I think everyone knows this has a bit more meaning now than it did then, but this was after the events of the series in D.C., with his chest pounding “controversy.” I was beyond excited to have the cover story, and to write my first piece that had more of a personal touch to it, rather than just a profile. I was always giddy when they’d place a new edition on my desk. To see it finished, in print, with photos and my name underneath was more than I could have ever imagined. I made sure to always send my grandmother in North Carolina a copy, which she would then take around the town to show everyone what her granddaughter did, bless her heart.
I have just finished my final piece for the last issue of Reds Magazine, which focuses on the strength of the club’s young pitching, and an opposing player spotlight on Corey Hart. The issue will be out soon, so keep on the lookout for my feature titled “Armed and Dangerous.”
This experience has exceeded my expectations. I never in a million years imagined I would be sitting at my own cubicle in the Cincinnati Reds front office. I never thought any of this would happen for me, and it has. I’ve met some of the best people and made some great contacts: my supervisor Jarrod Rollins, Michael Anderson, Jamie Ramsey, the current players, various employees of local news stations, and some of the greatest Reds to have ever played the game.
I’ve endured mocking and teasing by Brandon Phillips and Tom Browning, I’ve personally been given Eric Davis’ email address so I could send the photos I’ve taken of him, I’ve photographed a kid’s dream coming true as he met Jay Bruce and played toss with him on the field, I’ve had Billy Hatcher teach me how to stay cool in 95 degree heat (it’s all in your head,) and I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing and getting to know Mike Leake multiple times. I’ve had a Cincinnati Enquirer photographer talk to me about job experiences and opportunities, and even use his camera for a bit. I’ve seen my name published by a Major League organization, spent time in the dugout with the New York Mets and various other teams and interacted with their players, and I have spent my summer working with the Reds during one of the best seasons the club has had in a decade.
This was much more than a resume builder for me. This was an experience of a lifetime. I can say, if I never get to do this again, that for a period of my life I was doing everything I had ever dreamt of doing. I was taking photos of and writing pieces on America’s pastime and the best game to have ever been played. Where do I go from here? I told myself to dream big, I did, and this is where it has gotten me. I guess it’s time to dream bigger.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Go, My Favorite Sports Team, Go! 1st Edition
I’ve gotten a multitude of inquiries over the past 3 years as to why I have such a broad range of teams that I support. With every new Twitter follower I get, the question comes again, “How did you become a Mets fan? How do you follow so many different sports? Who’s your favorite? What do you do when these teams play each other?” My dear Twitter friend, @citycynic, told me one day that it would be interesting to write a blog about how I keep up with all of my teams. What better way to put the information out there? I took his suggestion, and here entails the story of my life as a sports fan.
Baseball.
The top of my list, the cream of the crop, my true favorite sport. As a child, football was always my cup of tea. It was easy for me to understand, and I could run around the house at two years old, throwing my arms up in the air yelling, “TOUCHDOWN!” I also believed Boomer Esiason was my boyfriend for quite a few years, but that’s a story for another time. Baseball holds a special place in my heart. Don’t get me wrong; I love football. But there’s something about the game, something about the history of baseball that touches me in ways that football cannot. The sounds, the smells, the stories; it envelopes me. Now here’s the fun part.
The Cincinnati Reds. Where professional baseball all began. How could I not have an appreciation for the team that helped to influence the start of what would become an integral part of my life, and hopefully career? I was born and raised in Cincinnati, which is also where I currently reside. I will always, and I mean always, root for my home team. I go to countless games a year and I travel to see them on the road (nine times this season.) There is nothing that could ever come between me and the Reds. I eat, sleep, and breathe Cincinnati baseball. I bleed Reds. If it’s the Big Red Machine, 4,192, Crosley Field, or Barry Larkin, I know it, and I love it.
The New York Mets. Here’s where people start to get confused.
“Aren’t you supposed to have one National League team and one American League team?”
In my world? Never.
The New York Mets are a second love, and very near and dear to my heart. How did I fall in love with such a team, you ask? It’s all in the history. I learned, heard, and read enough about the Mets to wish I lived in the 1960s. I also wish I lived in New York. I feel at home in the big city. I’m a true sucker for an underdog story. The 1960s Mets are a relatable team. They were human; they made mistakes, and in the end they rose above. During a time when New York baseball was immortal, when the players were untouchable, a team arose out of nowhere that people could stand behind and say, “Hey, they’re like me.”
My love for them comes along with my love for one of my favorites to ever play the game; Nolan Ryan. He started his career in New York and made his one and only appearance in the World Series as a Met. If you’re reading this, I’m assuming I shouldn’t have to explain Nolan Ryan; I’m going to assume you already know.
Historically, I know and love plenty about Nolan Ryan, and about the Mets. But why do I love the Mets today? Mike Piazza. I firmly believe that I am not the only person who fell in love with the Mets due in large part to Mike Piazza. I can define my love for the Mets getting stronger through time and section it by labeling the eras as before, during, and after Piazza, although he has never truly left in the hearts of diehards. He is an admirable guy, one hell of a ball player, and a Mets legend.
“What do you do when the teams play each other?”
I root for the Reds, plain and simple. I hate to watch either team lose, and I hate to have to watch them play each other. I love to have both of my teams in the same place at the same time, but ultimately, someone gets the number in the loss column. I will never turn my back on the Reds. I can also never deck myself out in Mets gear and walk into Great American Ball Park. I would feel I have done wrong to the team who sparked my love for the sport, and to my hometown. I know I don’t get to see them very often, but it’s no excuse for me to don Mets garb and root against the Reds. I can also never boo the Mets, and not at least clap for a home run. It gets complicated, but I love and support them both the best ways I know how.
The Texas Rangers. This is a newly acquired team for me. By newly, I mean in the last four years or so. The Rangers have one of those teams that have the dynamic guys I’m drawn to. The kicker is that they have so many players I like, I cannot not support them. I have always been a big Ian Kinsler fan, and when he made his debut in 2006, I couldn’t help but follow along. I’ve followed Saltalamacchia around for a while as well (yes, I know he was a Brave) but he had a very short stint there in the Majors, and I was delighted to see him traded to the Rangers. The “kids” coming up in the farm system right now I am continually amazed by, and you best believe I will see them through to the Bigs.
Another reason, and no one should be surprised by this one; Nolan Ryan. Notice a pattern?
Last, but absolutely and definitely not least, Josh Hamilton. I am without a doubt an unabashed and unashamed Josh Hamilton fan. If you know me, you know that I have his bobblehead, two player tees, and three jerseys. I have two hats with his number on it, a Josh Hamilton “Faith Day” wristband from 2007, and the Hamilton Home Run Derby Spectacular recorded; I have read his book and suggest it to everyone, and I have traveled to see him play every year since he left Cincinnati. I can proudly say I knew who he was before the Home Run Derby. Hell, I can say I knew who he was before he came to Cincinnati. I remember walking into U.S. Cellular Field in my Hamilton tee and have someone ask me who he was and where he came from because until the Derby, he was unknown to them. I wish I had a photo of the look on my face when I sat down on my couch and saw he was being traded to Texas. From that moment on, my Rangers fandom went from a side fling with an AL team to an obligation; a willing one. I will follow Josh Hamilton wherever he goes. (God forbid he ever becomes a Cub, a Philly, or a Yankee. Knocking on wood now.) Side note; I will still follow the Rangers after he is gone.
The Boston Red Sox. My first love in the American League, and it’s all in the history. The curse, the struggle, and the city itself. I love it all. I had followed lightly up until the 2004 season; and then I was hooked. This is one team allegiance that I don’t talk about a lot; that I don’t throw out a lot of input. It’s like my undercover affair. I talk about it from time to time, but I don’t call out after every win. I also love Kevin Youkilis, a product of my soon-to-be Alma Mater, and a Cincinnati native. I am in love with the Red Sox culture and the fans, and I downright dislike the Yankees. I recently saw the Red Sox play for only the second time in my life; the first being a GABP, and now at Camden Yards. It was near to being a home game for Boston, and it was incredible to be surrounded by people who live Red Sox baseball, and are completely into the game. The Red Sox game wasn’t just a thing to do, it was what they do.
Miscellaneous. I’m a baseball fan in general, not just a fan of one team, and that’s all I care pay attention to. Since I follow along, and keep up with most everything that’s happening, it’s natural that I have affinities for teams all over the place, and in particular, one in each division. Some I can explain, some I can’t.
NL West – The San Francisco Giants. I love Brian Wilson, I love Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez, and Barry Zito, and now I’m hooked on Buster Posey. I’ve never even been to the stadium (but believe me I’ll get there,) and man I love that too.
AL Central – The Minnesota Twins. Mauer, Morneau, and mixture of a bunch of scratching my head as to why I always root for them to win.
AL East – If it’s not the Red Sox, which it nearly always is, it’s the Tampa Bay Rays. The originator of Josh Hamilton in Major League Baseball, and a small-market team like my beloved Reds that’s getting it done.
There you have it, baseball nuts. I pledge allegiance, to my teams, from the Bay Area to the Statue of Liberty, and everywhere in between. I can summarize, and condense this in a nutshell, but after the endless questions, I decided to put it out there to the world. My life as a baseball fanatic.
Baseball.
The top of my list, the cream of the crop, my true favorite sport. As a child, football was always my cup of tea. It was easy for me to understand, and I could run around the house at two years old, throwing my arms up in the air yelling, “TOUCHDOWN!” I also believed Boomer Esiason was my boyfriend for quite a few years, but that’s a story for another time. Baseball holds a special place in my heart. Don’t get me wrong; I love football. But there’s something about the game, something about the history of baseball that touches me in ways that football cannot. The sounds, the smells, the stories; it envelopes me. Now here’s the fun part.
The Cincinnati Reds. Where professional baseball all began. How could I not have an appreciation for the team that helped to influence the start of what would become an integral part of my life, and hopefully career? I was born and raised in Cincinnati, which is also where I currently reside. I will always, and I mean always, root for my home team. I go to countless games a year and I travel to see them on the road (nine times this season.) There is nothing that could ever come between me and the Reds. I eat, sleep, and breathe Cincinnati baseball. I bleed Reds. If it’s the Big Red Machine, 4,192, Crosley Field, or Barry Larkin, I know it, and I love it.
The New York Mets. Here’s where people start to get confused.
“Aren’t you supposed to have one National League team and one American League team?”
In my world? Never.
The New York Mets are a second love, and very near and dear to my heart. How did I fall in love with such a team, you ask? It’s all in the history. I learned, heard, and read enough about the Mets to wish I lived in the 1960s. I also wish I lived in New York. I feel at home in the big city. I’m a true sucker for an underdog story. The 1960s Mets are a relatable team. They were human; they made mistakes, and in the end they rose above. During a time when New York baseball was immortal, when the players were untouchable, a team arose out of nowhere that people could stand behind and say, “Hey, they’re like me.”
My love for them comes along with my love for one of my favorites to ever play the game; Nolan Ryan. He started his career in New York and made his one and only appearance in the World Series as a Met. If you’re reading this, I’m assuming I shouldn’t have to explain Nolan Ryan; I’m going to assume you already know.
Historically, I know and love plenty about Nolan Ryan, and about the Mets. But why do I love the Mets today? Mike Piazza. I firmly believe that I am not the only person who fell in love with the Mets due in large part to Mike Piazza. I can define my love for the Mets getting stronger through time and section it by labeling the eras as before, during, and after Piazza, although he has never truly left in the hearts of diehards. He is an admirable guy, one hell of a ball player, and a Mets legend.
“What do you do when the teams play each other?”
I root for the Reds, plain and simple. I hate to watch either team lose, and I hate to have to watch them play each other. I love to have both of my teams in the same place at the same time, but ultimately, someone gets the number in the loss column. I will never turn my back on the Reds. I can also never deck myself out in Mets gear and walk into Great American Ball Park. I would feel I have done wrong to the team who sparked my love for the sport, and to my hometown. I know I don’t get to see them very often, but it’s no excuse for me to don Mets garb and root against the Reds. I can also never boo the Mets, and not at least clap for a home run. It gets complicated, but I love and support them both the best ways I know how.
The Texas Rangers. This is a newly acquired team for me. By newly, I mean in the last four years or so. The Rangers have one of those teams that have the dynamic guys I’m drawn to. The kicker is that they have so many players I like, I cannot not support them. I have always been a big Ian Kinsler fan, and when he made his debut in 2006, I couldn’t help but follow along. I’ve followed Saltalamacchia around for a while as well (yes, I know he was a Brave) but he had a very short stint there in the Majors, and I was delighted to see him traded to the Rangers. The “kids” coming up in the farm system right now I am continually amazed by, and you best believe I will see them through to the Bigs.
Another reason, and no one should be surprised by this one; Nolan Ryan. Notice a pattern?
Last, but absolutely and definitely not least, Josh Hamilton. I am without a doubt an unabashed and unashamed Josh Hamilton fan. If you know me, you know that I have his bobblehead, two player tees, and three jerseys. I have two hats with his number on it, a Josh Hamilton “Faith Day” wristband from 2007, and the Hamilton Home Run Derby Spectacular recorded; I have read his book and suggest it to everyone, and I have traveled to see him play every year since he left Cincinnati. I can proudly say I knew who he was before the Home Run Derby. Hell, I can say I knew who he was before he came to Cincinnati. I remember walking into U.S. Cellular Field in my Hamilton tee and have someone ask me who he was and where he came from because until the Derby, he was unknown to them. I wish I had a photo of the look on my face when I sat down on my couch and saw he was being traded to Texas. From that moment on, my Rangers fandom went from a side fling with an AL team to an obligation; a willing one. I will follow Josh Hamilton wherever he goes. (God forbid he ever becomes a Cub, a Philly, or a Yankee. Knocking on wood now.) Side note; I will still follow the Rangers after he is gone.
The Boston Red Sox. My first love in the American League, and it’s all in the history. The curse, the struggle, and the city itself. I love it all. I had followed lightly up until the 2004 season; and then I was hooked. This is one team allegiance that I don’t talk about a lot; that I don’t throw out a lot of input. It’s like my undercover affair. I talk about it from time to time, but I don’t call out after every win. I also love Kevin Youkilis, a product of my soon-to-be Alma Mater, and a Cincinnati native. I am in love with the Red Sox culture and the fans, and I downright dislike the Yankees. I recently saw the Red Sox play for only the second time in my life; the first being a GABP, and now at Camden Yards. It was near to being a home game for Boston, and it was incredible to be surrounded by people who live Red Sox baseball, and are completely into the game. The Red Sox game wasn’t just a thing to do, it was what they do.
Miscellaneous. I’m a baseball fan in general, not just a fan of one team, and that’s all I care pay attention to. Since I follow along, and keep up with most everything that’s happening, it’s natural that I have affinities for teams all over the place, and in particular, one in each division. Some I can explain, some I can’t.
NL West – The San Francisco Giants. I love Brian Wilson, I love Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez, and Barry Zito, and now I’m hooked on Buster Posey. I’ve never even been to the stadium (but believe me I’ll get there,) and man I love that too.
AL Central – The Minnesota Twins. Mauer, Morneau, and mixture of a bunch of scratching my head as to why I always root for them to win.
AL East – If it’s not the Red Sox, which it nearly always is, it’s the Tampa Bay Rays. The originator of Josh Hamilton in Major League Baseball, and a small-market team like my beloved Reds that’s getting it done.
There you have it, baseball nuts. I pledge allegiance, to my teams, from the Bay Area to the Statue of Liberty, and everywhere in between. I can summarize, and condense this in a nutshell, but after the endless questions, I decided to put it out there to the world. My life as a baseball fanatic.
Friday, June 11, 2010
The Big Puma
You may know him as “The Big Puma,” “Fat Elvis,” or just plain old Lance Berkman. No matter the moniker there is no doubt that Berkman has become not only one of the most recognizable faces but one of the best performers in the National League over the last decade.
Lance Berkman’s record-breaking success didn’t just start in the majors. After graduating from Canyon High School in New Braunfels, he attended Rice University in Houston and led the Owls baseball team to their first appearance in the College World Series. His college career batting average stands at .385 with 67 home runs and 272 RBIs. Of those home runs, 41 were hit in 1997 alone, ranking third-most in NCAA history.
Berkman has played his entire career as an Astro, and after being drafted in the first round of the 1997 amateur draft, he began his major league career on the Astros’ Class A Advanced Florida State League team in Kissimmee. His potential was easily recognizable and his talent translated from college to professional baseball without a hitch. He began his second minor league season at Dounle-A Jackson where he excelled, hitting .306 with 24 HR and 89 RBI in just 122 games. He quickly received a mid-season promotion to the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs where he spent his last full season in the minor leagues. He was called up to the Astros in 1999, and although he spent his entire baseball career playing first base, the position was already held down by Jeff Bagwell, Berkman was placed in the outfield. He roved from left to right field, and eventually in 2002 agreed to hold down a spot at center field.
Over the following few seasons, Berkman’s numbers wavered, and hit one of the lowest points in his career. His batting average slowly dipped, while his on-base percentage still remained high. He lost a bit of the power in his swing, but he made his comeback at the plate in 2004, when his average bolted to .316 with 30 HR and 109 RBI. He made his career high of 160 game appearances, was voted to the All-Star team for the third time, and with 21 homers earned the title of runner-up in the Home Run Derby to Miguel Tejada.
In 2005, the much of the Astros’ success in the NL Divison Series against the Atlanta Braves could be owed up to Lance Berkman. He played a major role in Game 4, which also went on to be the longest game in Major League Baseball playoff history, lasting 18 innings. Berkman brought the game within reach to make the score 6-5in favor of the Braves in the 8th inning with a grand slam. They eventually won the game, and the series, on a Chris Burke home run. Although they were swept in the 2005 World Series by the Chicago White Sox, he contributed with a .385 batting average and 6 RBI.
Lance Berkman easily had the best season of his career in 2006, with 45 home runs and 136 RBI, breaking Jeff Bagwell’s single-season record. His batting average dominated at .315, while also holding an on-base percentage of .420. He finished third in the MVP voting that year behind Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols.
The switch-hitting Texan has accomplished more than many major leaguers can say throughout their entire career. He’s a five-time All-Star, and also holds a place in the top 15 among active players in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, and he is the current record holder for the most single season RBIs (136) as a switch hitter. Berkman has broken countless records and hit many milestones in his career, but most recently, he hit is 300th home run off of former Arizona Diamondback Jon Garland on June 13, 2009. To many Reds fans, these numbers come as no surprise, as he also holds the record for most home runs at Great American Ball Park by an opposing player, with 20 crushed over the ballpark walls.
Berkman has played 143 games against Cincinnati, in which he holds a .327 batting average with 48 homeruns and 133 RBIs. The only player to hold more home runs against the Reds than Lance Berkman is his Astros predecessor at first base, Jeff Bagwell, with 29. Standing just one home run behind the all-time leader, it’s more than likely that Berkman will overtake the title. You could owe it up to the Reds’ overabundance of right-handed picthing over the years, or just to the fact that statistics show some players do extremely well against specific teams. Although Great American Ball Park has proved to be a great hitter’s park, Berkman has held nearly the same batting average in his career at both GABP and Riverfront Stadium, which both currently stand at .345 and .395 respectively. Whether it be confidence Lance Berkman shows when he takes on the Reds or a lack thereof on Cincinnati’s part, or even just a statistical happening, Berkman is one player who can claim his is dominant against Reds baseball.
Lance Berkman is adored by fans, and so much so that Astros diehards took it upon themselves to create a fan club stemming from his loving nickname, “Big Puma.” If you’ve watched an Astros game on television, or visited Minute Maid Park, you’ve seen “The Little Pumas.” These Berkman fanatics have purchased puma suits and appear in standing room sections of every game. They have grown from a few members to nearly 20. What will happen to those puma suits when Berkman decides to hang up his hat, no one knows. But the Big Puma seems to have a plan for himself after retirement.
In May 2009, Lance Berkman anounced that after his retirement, he would love to coach baseball at the University of Texas at Austin. He spent most of his childhood in Austin and wasn’t a fan of either of the Major League teams in Texas, but loved watching the Longhorns play. He has said that he doesn’t expect the current coach Augie Garrido to retire for a few more years, but when the time comes, he may be ready to retire himself and would love consideration for the position.
Lance Berkman’s record-breaking success didn’t just start in the majors. After graduating from Canyon High School in New Braunfels, he attended Rice University in Houston and led the Owls baseball team to their first appearance in the College World Series. His college career batting average stands at .385 with 67 home runs and 272 RBIs. Of those home runs, 41 were hit in 1997 alone, ranking third-most in NCAA history.
Berkman has played his entire career as an Astro, and after being drafted in the first round of the 1997 amateur draft, he began his major league career on the Astros’ Class A Advanced Florida State League team in Kissimmee. His potential was easily recognizable and his talent translated from college to professional baseball without a hitch. He began his second minor league season at Dounle-A Jackson where he excelled, hitting .306 with 24 HR and 89 RBI in just 122 games. He quickly received a mid-season promotion to the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs where he spent his last full season in the minor leagues. He was called up to the Astros in 1999, and although he spent his entire baseball career playing first base, the position was already held down by Jeff Bagwell, Berkman was placed in the outfield. He roved from left to right field, and eventually in 2002 agreed to hold down a spot at center field.
Over the following few seasons, Berkman’s numbers wavered, and hit one of the lowest points in his career. His batting average slowly dipped, while his on-base percentage still remained high. He lost a bit of the power in his swing, but he made his comeback at the plate in 2004, when his average bolted to .316 with 30 HR and 109 RBI. He made his career high of 160 game appearances, was voted to the All-Star team for the third time, and with 21 homers earned the title of runner-up in the Home Run Derby to Miguel Tejada.
In 2005, the much of the Astros’ success in the NL Divison Series against the Atlanta Braves could be owed up to Lance Berkman. He played a major role in Game 4, which also went on to be the longest game in Major League Baseball playoff history, lasting 18 innings. Berkman brought the game within reach to make the score 6-5in favor of the Braves in the 8th inning with a grand slam. They eventually won the game, and the series, on a Chris Burke home run. Although they were swept in the 2005 World Series by the Chicago White Sox, he contributed with a .385 batting average and 6 RBI.
Lance Berkman easily had the best season of his career in 2006, with 45 home runs and 136 RBI, breaking Jeff Bagwell’s single-season record. His batting average dominated at .315, while also holding an on-base percentage of .420. He finished third in the MVP voting that year behind Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols.
The switch-hitting Texan has accomplished more than many major leaguers can say throughout their entire career. He’s a five-time All-Star, and also holds a place in the top 15 among active players in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, and he is the current record holder for the most single season RBIs (136) as a switch hitter. Berkman has broken countless records and hit many milestones in his career, but most recently, he hit is 300th home run off of former Arizona Diamondback Jon Garland on June 13, 2009. To many Reds fans, these numbers come as no surprise, as he also holds the record for most home runs at Great American Ball Park by an opposing player, with 20 crushed over the ballpark walls.
Berkman has played 143 games against Cincinnati, in which he holds a .327 batting average with 48 homeruns and 133 RBIs. The only player to hold more home runs against the Reds than Lance Berkman is his Astros predecessor at first base, Jeff Bagwell, with 29. Standing just one home run behind the all-time leader, it’s more than likely that Berkman will overtake the title. You could owe it up to the Reds’ overabundance of right-handed picthing over the years, or just to the fact that statistics show some players do extremely well against specific teams. Although Great American Ball Park has proved to be a great hitter’s park, Berkman has held nearly the same batting average in his career at both GABP and Riverfront Stadium, which both currently stand at .345 and .395 respectively. Whether it be confidence Lance Berkman shows when he takes on the Reds or a lack thereof on Cincinnati’s part, or even just a statistical happening, Berkman is one player who can claim his is dominant against Reds baseball.
Lance Berkman is adored by fans, and so much so that Astros diehards took it upon themselves to create a fan club stemming from his loving nickname, “Big Puma.” If you’ve watched an Astros game on television, or visited Minute Maid Park, you’ve seen “The Little Pumas.” These Berkman fanatics have purchased puma suits and appear in standing room sections of every game. They have grown from a few members to nearly 20. What will happen to those puma suits when Berkman decides to hang up his hat, no one knows. But the Big Puma seems to have a plan for himself after retirement.
In May 2009, Lance Berkman anounced that after his retirement, he would love to coach baseball at the University of Texas at Austin. He spent most of his childhood in Austin and wasn’t a fan of either of the Major League teams in Texas, but loved watching the Longhorns play. He has said that he doesn’t expect the current coach Augie Garrido to retire for a few more years, but when the time comes, he may be ready to retire himself and would love consideration for the position.
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