Well, it's becoming very obvious that there is a better chance of Tim Tebow playing 3rd base for the Yankees this year than an actual MLB quality 3rd baseman. Two more names were removed from the list today, one of which was the back up for ARod last season, Eric Chavez. Yeah, we can't even fall back to...well, the back up plan. As much as I would like to ramble on about this and the small list of possibilities that will solve the problem, let's move on.
In other news, I went to my son's book fair tonight. A predictable trip it was, as he chose Star Wars books and Lego books and of course Star Wars Lego books. We even ran into his teacher who of course proclaimed "big surprise Aidan, those books have your name all over them!" So, on we trudged through the gymnasium until we came upon a rack of famous people throughout history. Well, after giving a typical fatherly explanation of anyone that I really didn't know about, he finally picked up one that I could relate to...Babe Ruth.
Ah, this one was easy to explain, seeing that the class report that i did on his life was the only A that I received in junior high. Unfortunately, by the time I got started, he eyed another Lego label and was off and running. That Lego label must be equivalent to the "bottom line" on Sports Center for fathers, because no matter what is going on or who is talking to me...my eyes are always transfixed on that puppy. (not to mention that for the times when the wife is talking, God blessed me with amazingly accurate peripheral vision) So, the Bambino lesson would have to wait.
It didn't break my heart, I know he is to young to care now. What scares me though is the fact that George Steinbrenner is no longer with us. The Yankees are done over spending and trying to build juggernauts, and my son might not be spoiled with World Series chances every season like I was.
As a matter of fact, with the spending going up with other teams in the AL east, the Yanks could just be an....gulp...average team.
Although, when you look at the "glass half full" aspect of the whole situation, positives exist! He will not have to see 25 million dollars of 40 year old recovering in a out patient room! He won't have to see a 20 million dollar players batting average drop 10 points every season of his endless contract! He won't see endless 10+ million dollar yearly checks go out to 40 year old pitchers!
Heck, he might just see what a....breathe, Dana....prospect looks like!!! EEEEEK!!!
Well, we will see, but for now, stick with Legos kiddo.
They are much less painful...unless you step on one.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Hot Stove Revolution?
How would you like to be a fly on the wall at this years winter meetings? Do the Yankees really have a salary cap? Do the Dodgers have any limit to spending? What is going on in bean town?
So many questions are stoking the fire in this years hot stove and it doesn't seem to be cooling off any time soon.
Yesterday, the Yankees released news that A-Rod would be having surgery in January and would be gone for a large chunk of the season. As appeasing as this might seem to some Yankee fans (hey, he can't get out if he's not in the line up!!) Others see a pile of millions, sitting in a gurney.
It didn't take long for the rumors to start swirling, from Youkilis to Keppinger to Chavez. Basically, if you have strapped on a 3rd base mitt, you have a chance at 10 mill in the Bronx.
With this news, came another little rumor of Curtis Granderson being dealt to clear up space in the self imposed salary structure. Add this to the multitude of 1 year deals that have already been handed out to an already well aged group of heroes from the 90's and...well, WHAT IS GOING ON!!
Where is Georges check book?? Why is this "luxury tax" suddenly such an issue. I mean seriously, has anyone in the offices of Steinbrenner inc. realized that the reason they have all of that money is because they invested into the NEW YORK YANKEES! And, not for nothing, across the states Magic Johnson has been an owner for 5 mins and he is throwing money around like he is still dishing assists for the Lakers.
Now, I am sure you are wondering, what could possibly set off such a level headed, patient fan of the bronx? How about the fact that the Red Sox dumped millions of dollars in dead weight last season and then today managed to bring in Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino for just under 80 million! Then they begin dangling Ellsbury and a surplus of catching (that of which the Yankees depth chart is topped by someone that they didn't even want on the team last year as a back up "Cervelli") and yeah, it's not a very "hot" start to the Yankee offseason.
But then, it's half over...soooo, anyway....yeah.
So many questions are stoking the fire in this years hot stove and it doesn't seem to be cooling off any time soon.
Yesterday, the Yankees released news that A-Rod would be having surgery in January and would be gone for a large chunk of the season. As appeasing as this might seem to some Yankee fans (hey, he can't get out if he's not in the line up!!) Others see a pile of millions, sitting in a gurney.
It didn't take long for the rumors to start swirling, from Youkilis to Keppinger to Chavez. Basically, if you have strapped on a 3rd base mitt, you have a chance at 10 mill in the Bronx.
With this news, came another little rumor of Curtis Granderson being dealt to clear up space in the self imposed salary structure. Add this to the multitude of 1 year deals that have already been handed out to an already well aged group of heroes from the 90's and...well, WHAT IS GOING ON!!
Where is Georges check book?? Why is this "luxury tax" suddenly such an issue. I mean seriously, has anyone in the offices of Steinbrenner inc. realized that the reason they have all of that money is because they invested into the NEW YORK YANKEES! And, not for nothing, across the states Magic Johnson has been an owner for 5 mins and he is throwing money around like he is still dishing assists for the Lakers.
Now, I am sure you are wondering, what could possibly set off such a level headed, patient fan of the bronx? How about the fact that the Red Sox dumped millions of dollars in dead weight last season and then today managed to bring in Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino for just under 80 million! Then they begin dangling Ellsbury and a surplus of catching (that of which the Yankees depth chart is topped by someone that they didn't even want on the team last year as a back up "Cervelli") and yeah, it's not a very "hot" start to the Yankee offseason.
But then, it's half over...soooo, anyway....yeah.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Things can only get better?
I was thinking today about the past weekend. As some of you know, I am a New York Yankee fan as well as a Dallas Cowboy fan. If any of you out there are with me, you know how this past weekend was from a fans point of view.
Not only did the Yankees lose the first 2 games of a 7 game series, they also lost the teams heart, Derek Jeter...aka the Captain. Combine this with the fact that we have millions of dollars worth of offensive bats that are being out-hit by some National league pitchers, and you have a very painful, yet dulling sensation in the right cortex of the brain.
Then the Cowboys head coach Jason Garret makes yet another genius attempt to manage the clock in the waining moments of the game which led to yet another last second loss, and, yup...there it is, dull and painful.
Don't even get me started on the fact that I lost to my little brother in fantasy football (yes, I have a lot of Dallas Cowboys on said team, and no, that has nothing to do with my losing record!!)
I would go on, but the pain is starting to outweigh the dull.
You know what though? I'm good.
I'm fine with the whole scenario, because I had a great weekend. I spent the day with my son on Saturday. I brought him to work and then spent the afternoon in the "Super Mario Galaxy" Then on Sunday, we went to Church and had a Birthday lunch with my mother. It was a great weekend.
I knew the scores of all the aforementioned games, after all, I still check my IPhone regularly for updates. (I am still a guy!) but it really didn't bug me. I used to let these types of things ruin my week. I would become a miserable, cranky mess. After all, I grew up in a family of sports fans and little else mattered.
Now though, it is a different story. It took a healthy dose of family and Church to open my eyes.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't want to change!
I told my wife when we got married that the weekends were for golf and that I was watching any games possible, and the funny part was, I believed it. It wasn't that she didn't let it happen, but when my son arrived and we started going to Church, it just wasn't important. What became important was being a good father and husband. Showing my son that spending time with him was more important than watching a game. Showing my wife that I would not put anything ahead of her. Those things became priorities.
I hope that I continue being a good influence to my son. I hope that he watches how I do these things, and yet still enjoys a game with me when, and if he grows into a fan himself. He already roots for the Cowboys and Yankees, but I know that it is because they are Daddy's team.
It would make me much prouder if he picks up on my faith and becomes a fan of Christ, more than anything. As long as he has that foundation, he can root for whomever he wants!
As long as it isn't the Red Sox. Then, he would have to move out.
There it is again, dull and painful.
Not only did the Yankees lose the first 2 games of a 7 game series, they also lost the teams heart, Derek Jeter...aka the Captain. Combine this with the fact that we have millions of dollars worth of offensive bats that are being out-hit by some National league pitchers, and you have a very painful, yet dulling sensation in the right cortex of the brain.
Then the Cowboys head coach Jason Garret makes yet another genius attempt to manage the clock in the waining moments of the game which led to yet another last second loss, and, yup...there it is, dull and painful.
Don't even get me started on the fact that I lost to my little brother in fantasy football (yes, I have a lot of Dallas Cowboys on said team, and no, that has nothing to do with my losing record!!)
I would go on, but the pain is starting to outweigh the dull.
You know what though? I'm good.
I'm fine with the whole scenario, because I had a great weekend. I spent the day with my son on Saturday. I brought him to work and then spent the afternoon in the "Super Mario Galaxy" Then on Sunday, we went to Church and had a Birthday lunch with my mother. It was a great weekend.
I knew the scores of all the aforementioned games, after all, I still check my IPhone regularly for updates. (I am still a guy!) but it really didn't bug me. I used to let these types of things ruin my week. I would become a miserable, cranky mess. After all, I grew up in a family of sports fans and little else mattered.
Now though, it is a different story. It took a healthy dose of family and Church to open my eyes.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't want to change!
I told my wife when we got married that the weekends were for golf and that I was watching any games possible, and the funny part was, I believed it. It wasn't that she didn't let it happen, but when my son arrived and we started going to Church, it just wasn't important. What became important was being a good father and husband. Showing my son that spending time with him was more important than watching a game. Showing my wife that I would not put anything ahead of her. Those things became priorities.
I hope that I continue being a good influence to my son. I hope that he watches how I do these things, and yet still enjoys a game with me when, and if he grows into a fan himself. He already roots for the Cowboys and Yankees, but I know that it is because they are Daddy's team.
It would make me much prouder if he picks up on my faith and becomes a fan of Christ, more than anything. As long as he has that foundation, he can root for whomever he wants!
As long as it isn't the Red Sox. Then, he would have to move out.
There it is again, dull and painful.
Monday, October 8, 2012
What's the worst that could happen?
I recently applied for a writing position with a sports related web site...this is the break down. (figuratively, not literally)
Saturday morning I woke up at about 6:00 and started the regular routine. First check to see if the little man is up, next coffee and finally, take a spin on the web. ESPN, CBS Sports-line, Twitter, Facebook...etc. Well, as usual, nothing exciting happened from the night before and other than an occasional humorous update from random "friends" on Facebook, it was the same ol', same ol'.
Then something struck me while checking a few other sites, it was all the same random cookie cutter stories and articles. I mean, if I read 3 different sports articles, I couldn't tell you the differences between them. It was just frustrating and kind of confusing that these guys didn't have any more to add. It was so robotic and only could have been worse if it came through on a telegraph machine. I don't know if it was this particular morning or if it just never really bothered me...but, it really irritated me this particular morning.
After a few more desperate searches something clicked. This led me to remembering a site that had an open application process that I never really taken seriously before this morning. Well, package the frustration along with my wife telling me that I should write more, then throw in a big old helping of "I know I can write better than these guys, how hard could it be?" and what do you get?
Well, you get an under-educated contractor, fumbling his way through an application, along with a "test article" which I really "thought" came together great. I showed it to my wife and she proof read and corrected a few things, but overall thought it was pretty good. Then, I hit the big orange button "submit application"
The following Monday morning I was taking a break at work and I checked my mail. It was a reply from the aforementioned site!
Wow, that was quick, that's good right?.
It was bad, I was shot down, with a classic rendition of "you're not what they are looking for at this present time.".
It didn't break my heart. I mean, honestly, I didn't really think I was equipped enough in the first place. I know that I am not up to par when it comes to a higher education. I have not taken any college courses on writing and I skipped my fair share of English classes in high school.(Heck, its starting to get to the point where I have to Google my sons random questions.)You know what though, I know that I can captivate an audience on paper, and I also know that I can learn the rest as I go on.
How do I know that?
Good question, and the answer is actually a two part....er.
1. I have faith. I had faith when I met my wife. I had faith when we had my son. I had faith when we finally found our Church. I had faith when I stared my own business.(not as much as my wife though) I just have faith that the Lord is going to lead me to what I am here for, and I will do it through him and for him.
2. Well, all right..even with faith I don't have factual evidence. This isn't CSI folks and until it happens, I can't give you any proof. BUT, I took the chance, I took that leap of faith and I believe that if I keep jumping, eventually it's going to happen.
Now, I'm not saying this is going to work with everything in life. Life is not a fortune cookie, everything does not apply just because it sounds good on paper. I know that I couldn't go try out for the Yankees this spring. I know that I couldn't go up on the "Voice" and get Blake Shelton to turn his chair around for my rendition of "Friends in Low Places" and I most certainly know that I could never, EVER, learn how to speak Spanish! (even know my 6 year old is nailing it) Yet, in the end, I know that I have a chance to write, somewhere, for someone.(Heh, funny/stupid thought, what if I did end up writing for fortune cookies?)
So, after this drawn out pity party, I just want you all to know that, not only have you had to hear me whine about my rejection for the past few paragraphs...but you will have to continue reading in the future. I don't care if you are reading Sports Illustrated in the waiting room or just cracking a cookie at the local China Buffet, I'm going to be writing somewhere.
Saturday morning I woke up at about 6:00 and started the regular routine. First check to see if the little man is up, next coffee and finally, take a spin on the web. ESPN, CBS Sports-line, Twitter, Facebook...etc. Well, as usual, nothing exciting happened from the night before and other than an occasional humorous update from random "friends" on Facebook, it was the same ol', same ol'.
Then something struck me while checking a few other sites, it was all the same random cookie cutter stories and articles. I mean, if I read 3 different sports articles, I couldn't tell you the differences between them. It was just frustrating and kind of confusing that these guys didn't have any more to add. It was so robotic and only could have been worse if it came through on a telegraph machine. I don't know if it was this particular morning or if it just never really bothered me...but, it really irritated me this particular morning.
After a few more desperate searches something clicked. This led me to remembering a site that had an open application process that I never really taken seriously before this morning. Well, package the frustration along with my wife telling me that I should write more, then throw in a big old helping of "I know I can write better than these guys, how hard could it be?" and what do you get?
Well, you get an under-educated contractor, fumbling his way through an application, along with a "test article" which I really "thought" came together great. I showed it to my wife and she proof read and corrected a few things, but overall thought it was pretty good. Then, I hit the big orange button "submit application"
The following Monday morning I was taking a break at work and I checked my mail. It was a reply from the aforementioned site!
Wow, that was quick, that's good right?.
It was bad, I was shot down, with a classic rendition of "you're not what they are looking for at this present time.".
It didn't break my heart. I mean, honestly, I didn't really think I was equipped enough in the first place. I know that I am not up to par when it comes to a higher education. I have not taken any college courses on writing and I skipped my fair share of English classes in high school.(Heck, its starting to get to the point where I have to Google my sons random questions.)You know what though, I know that I can captivate an audience on paper, and I also know that I can learn the rest as I go on.
How do I know that?
Good question, and the answer is actually a two part....er.
1. I have faith. I had faith when I met my wife. I had faith when we had my son. I had faith when we finally found our Church. I had faith when I stared my own business.(not as much as my wife though) I just have faith that the Lord is going to lead me to what I am here for, and I will do it through him and for him.
2. Well, all right..even with faith I don't have factual evidence. This isn't CSI folks and until it happens, I can't give you any proof. BUT, I took the chance, I took that leap of faith and I believe that if I keep jumping, eventually it's going to happen.
Now, I'm not saying this is going to work with everything in life. Life is not a fortune cookie, everything does not apply just because it sounds good on paper. I know that I couldn't go try out for the Yankees this spring. I know that I couldn't go up on the "Voice" and get Blake Shelton to turn his chair around for my rendition of "Friends in Low Places" and I most certainly know that I could never, EVER, learn how to speak Spanish! (even know my 6 year old is nailing it) Yet, in the end, I know that I have a chance to write, somewhere, for someone.(Heh, funny/stupid thought, what if I did end up writing for fortune cookies?)
So, after this drawn out pity party, I just want you all to know that, not only have you had to hear me whine about my rejection for the past few paragraphs...but you will have to continue reading in the future. I don't care if you are reading Sports Illustrated in the waiting room or just cracking a cookie at the local China Buffet, I'm going to be writing somewhere.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Bring the Spring...please?
This winter thing is driving me nuts. I really have no tolerance for the cold weather of Connecticut once I get the taste for my favorite sport. I am, after all, a Yankee fan and after last weeks big trade that brought us one big name pitcher, (we also signed another) which filled the biggest hole of last seasons short playoff run. Add this with the fact that "pitchers and catchers" report in less than a month and...well....come on SPRING!
All in all, I am a big believer in life being what you make of it...but I can't make flowers, grass and warm weather so I am going to do what all New Englander's do this time of the year...beg/pray??
Please Lord, bring the spring!!
I have to admit though, that first snow of the new year that came this morning was a blast. I went sledding with my son and laughed with him more than I have in the past 5 years of his existence. The day started with pancakes and lounging and ended (after sledding) with popcorn and movies by the fire so, saying that winter is rough in Connecticut is...well, what you make of it I guess? Although, this is the 3rd time I am watching "Rio"..so does that count as suffering?
Please Lord, bring the spring!!
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