2632

If one looked at the lineup card for the Orioles/Yankees game on this date in 1998, one would have the nagging feeling something was missing. It wouldn't be until the lineup was announced at Camden Yards when everyone realized what that "something" was...

Cal Ripken Jr. was not announced in the starting lineup. History had been made. "The Streak" was over.

Yes, it is simply referred to as "The Streak". Ripken played in an astounding 2632 consecutive games, surpassing Lou Gehrig's record (from 1939) by 502 games. What started on 30 May 1982 and spanned 17 seasons had finally come to an end.

Why end at 2632? Ripken would later state that he decided to end the streak at season's end to avoid off-season controversy and he wanted to end it on his own terms. Those of us who grew up with Ripken as the face of the Orioles (myself included) will also argue that he wanted the streak to end where it began - Baltimore, in front of the Oriole faithful.

The end of "The Streak" also was the beginning of the end of what is known as "The Oriole Way." "The Oriole Way" was a belief that hard work, professionalism, and a strong understanding of fundamentals were the keys to success at the major league level. This is how Ripken - and all the players of during Ripken's tenure, including the 1983 World Series Championship team - played baseball. Truth be told, Ripken was not a flashy player; but he went out everyday, gave 110% and got the job done. Or as he put it on numerous occassions, "I just go out there and do my job like anyone else." Thus, Ripken’s name has become synonymous with strength, character, perseverance and integrity.

This isn't to say that today's Orioles are a bunch of assholes and fucktards (aside from owner Peter Angelos). Nor is it that they're rude slackers. I'm sure a majority are upstanding guys who work hard, are professionals and understand the fundamentals. They're not the Orioles I grew up with; however, baseball isn't the same as I grew up with either.

But to a kid growing up in Maryland, Ripken was a god. The hometown boy playing for the hometown team. He was the good guy that everyone liked. He was the player that was actually cheered at visiting ballparks (which I have witnessed at the Metrodome). Girls had a crush on him; boys wanted to be him. Kids wanted #8 for their jerseys, and some of us still do.

Yet amidst all the fanfare "The Oriole Way" was, either by design or fluke, was somehow ingrained into us Maryland kids on some level. That in and of itself is not a bad thing at all.

Yeah, 2632 is an amazing feat that will likely never be surpassed. But #8 will live on in our hearts for not only how he played the game, but who he was as person.

600

I am not (and likely never will be) a Brewers fan despite living in Milwaukee for my adult life. This largely due to my being a Cubs fan, plus a slight grudge still held from a one game Orioles/Brewers playoff in 1982.

However, as a life-long baseball fan, congratulations go out to Trevor Hoffman (now of the Brewers) for amassing his 600th save.

Granted, Mario Rivera of the NY Yankees is now at 555 saves. Bar any major injury or catastrophe, he will likely surpass Hoffman as the all-time saves leader before his career is over. But I digress...

This day, and more importantly, this moment belongs to Hoffman.

Hoffman, the all-time saves leader, is the first pitcher in history to compile 600 saves; an impressive feat capping off 17 impressive years as a closer. Plus, with #600, he further solidifies his spot in MLB history - not to mention further securing his ticket to Cooperstown.

And for this week in baseball history, "Hells Bells" never sounded so sweet.

this is the year....

...but not judging from yesterday's game.

Granted, there are still 161 games left to be played and one game does not a season make. However, if yesterday's outing versus the Atlanta Braves is any indication, Cubs nation is in for a bumpy 2010 season.

Carlos "Big Z" Zambrano made his sixth straight Opening Day start Monday, a Cubs record. He also managed to have the worst Opening Day start leading to the worst Opening Day loss since 1884. In 1-1/3 innings, Big Z allowed eight runs on six hits, hit a batter, and mixed in a throwing error for good measure. In case you're wondering, that calculates to an ERA of 54.00. Unacceptable, yet not the worst outing of the day - Jeff Samardzija gave up six runs in 1/3 inning for a "stellar" ERA of 108.00. If this is how the Cubs opens the season, I shudder to think of what the rest of the pitching staff will serve up. Hopefully, the arrival Greg Maddux as assistant to the GM (among other roles) can assist the Cubs in their pitching predicament. Hmmm....maybe he'll come out of retirement...

However, there is a light at the end of the pitching tunnel. Sean Marshall pitched two scoreless innings in middle relief. Thank goodness someone could effectively throw the ball over the plate. Also, there is a semblance of an offense. Scoring five runs is promising and pretty damn good - provided Cubs pitching is effective on the flip side. Aramis Ramirez (read: Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra) knocked in a two-run homer while Marlon Byrd (read: replacement for the douchbag of an outfielder who sadly symblized the 2009 campaign) added a three-run homer.

Thus, despite a train wreck of an opener there is hope in Cubs nation. C'mon, we've been hoping for what is going on 102 years...and we won't be stopping now...

27 never looked so icky...

The baseball season is now officially over (for a few months anyway, as the 2010 season begins in April) so I guess it's time to review my World Series prediction:

The Good:

The Yankees did go to the fall classic. That was to be expected, not because I like the Yankees by any means, but because they were the best team in the AL (oh, and I called it)

It only took six games to declare a winner.

The Bad:

The Phillies went instead of the Dodgers. This is only bad prediction-wise; I actually preferred the Phils out of all the NL teams and was pulling for a repeat.

The Ugly:

The Yankees win their 27th title, thus proving money can indeed buy a World Series championship. And we get the (dis)pleasure of hearing about it for a whole year.

i ♥ baseball playoffs

Ah, the leaves are changing color, the days are getting shorter. This can only mean one thing: baseball playoffs!!!

There's just something about "America's past time" going into playoff mode...atmosphere, the strategy, the competitive spirit. Maybe I like it a little too much as that I will watch the games even if I don't particularly care who wins.

That being said, here's my opinion of the teams in contention for the 2009 fall classic (and yes, I do have my favorites....):

National League:

• Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies winning would be cool only because it's a rarity for any team to win back to back championships in any sport. And if they do, maybe we'll discover what the "Philly Phanatic" actually is. To me, it resembles a green, hairy Snork.
• Colorado Rockies: Admittedly, I'm not that well-versed on the Rockies - I don't think anyone outside the Mountain Time zone really is unless one is a ginormous baseball fan. That's enough reason to pull for them.
• Los Angeles Dodgers: I'm not sure how I feel about them. Although, they are currently up 2-0 in the NLDS vs. the Cardinals....and that's a good thing.
• St. Louis Cardinals: Just as long as it's not these guys.

American League:

• Minnesota Twins: Ah, the Twins. They amaze the MLB every year as they always put together a competitive team despite not being a large-market baseball city and low payroll (read: Yankees polar opposite); and losing big-name players like Torii Hunter to the Angels and Johann Santana to the Mets (note: Mets, not in playoffs). They may lack the finesse of the Yankees as the word "scrappy" comes to mind...but they've got spunk. Spunk wins over finesse. And they have Joe Mauer, AL Batting Champ. On a personal note, I've been a Twins fan for about as long as I've been a Cubs and Orioles fan - and was probably the only kid in Potomac, MD (aside from my brother) who possessed a Homer Hankie and a Twins Wheaties box. I remember the magic of Kirby, Hrbek, Gaetti and the rest of the 1987 and 1991 teams. The Twins put together something special in those years, and have the gumption and talent to do it again in 2009. GO TWINS!
• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: The Angels are the only team with something else to play for: Nick Adenhart. Adenhart was an up and coming starting pitcher who was killed by a drunk driver in April 2009. The news of his death shocked the MLB - especially in LA/Anaheim and Baltimore (as he was a Maryland native). The team has essentially dedicated this season to Adenhart's memory...and he continues to be a driving force in their playoff run. If the Angels win, it will definitely be in part due to the Adenhart factor and fans jumping on the bandwagon for that very reason. By far, the sentimental story of these playoffs. I made the corny "angels in the outfield" reference, but in this case, it's not far from the truth. The Angels has persevered in this tragedy, along with commitment and emotion. It just might bring them to the World Series.
• New York Yankees: There's baaaaaaack....and most folks, myself included, aren't overly thrilled about it. I can respect their history, their storied players, etc. However, it just goes to show that money can potentially buy a championship.
• Boston Red Sox: They broke their curse before my beloved Cubs did. I'm not happy about this.

As for World Series match-ups...

• I would love a Twins/Rockies series. Sadly, I don't think that will happen, but with the magic of October baseball, you never know.
• If the Twins don't go, I'm with the Angels. For reasons referenced above, they are the sentimental favorite.
• Realistically, I'm looking at a Yankees/Dodgers series. Joe Torre faces his former team. Dodgers in six.

First team to 11 wins...

hey now, you're an all-star

Baseball has been, and probably always will be, my favorite professional sport.

I've been a fan since I was six, and vividly remember my first game (but I'll spare you most of the details):

Orioles v. Yankees at the old Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. I attended with my granddad, dad and brother. My other option was to attend a family bridal shower. Given the choice today, I'd still pick the baseball game.

The O's were winning 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth. The Yanks scored 4 runs in the top of the 6th to go ahead 5-3. Then the storm came. A three-hour storm. O's win, 3-1.

And I was hooked.

Now growing up in Maryland just outside DC (pre-Nats era) it's pretty obvious why I'm an O's fan. Being a Cubs fan; that takes a small explanation. My granddad and dad hail from Chicago. The north side of Chicago. They taught me about baseball and at age six, I could be easily influenced; yet I have never wavered from being a Cubs fan. The Cubs are the ultimate underdogs. I like underdogs. And let's face it, I enjoy being a Cubs fan living in Milwaukee - if anything, it annoys people. And that's just fun.

But on the evening of the midsummer classic, we tend to put away rivalries for just one game and focus on the actual game of baseball. We sit back and remember it as "America's pasttime". It's a never-ending story where every game is a new nine-inning chapter and every player has the chance to be the hero.

Thus in honor of the All-Star game and the players past & present, I give you my favorite memories:

• 1983, Comiskey Park, Chicago - Cal Ripken Jr.'s first all-star appearance (warning: you'll see a theme here)
  
• 1990, Wrigley Field, Chicago - It's Wrigley. Ryne Sandberg, one of my all-time favorite players gets to play at his home field. And Mr. Cub himself, Ernie Banks, throws out the first pitch.


• 1991, SkyDome, Toronto - Cal Ripken Jr. wins MVP


• 1993, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore - Cal Ripken Jr. gets to play at his home field. Jim Palmer is honorary captain. Kirby Puckett wins MVP.


• 1999, Fenway Park, Boston - All-Century team is named which includes Cubs Ernie Banks and Greg Maddux (well, he started as a Cubbie); and Orioles Jim Palmer, Brooks Robinson, Eddie Murray and my all-time favorite player Cal Ripken Jr.


• 2001, Safeco Field, Seattle - Cal Ripken Jr.'s final All-Star game. At the start of the game, Alex Rodriguez suggested Ripken move over to his customary shortstop position. An ultimate classy move, and the sole reason I don't completely dislike A-Rod. Ripken hits his first pitch over the left field wall and receives his 2nd MVP.


• 2002, Miller Park, Milwaukee - The military fly-by route went right over my house. I thought that was uber-cool. The game itself ended in a tie.

So, take me out to the ballgame...