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Things I Learned Watching "My Team" Win a Championship

·                    For the second year in a row, I watched the Sacramento Rivercats win the Triple-A Championship, a degree of sustained excellence that we can only dream of seeing replicated on the Big League level.  Clearly there is something to be learned here.  But what?  Dare we go to the extreme?  Am I advocating changing the team’s name to the Oakland Rivercats? . . . Maybe.

·                    It is officially too late for me to add anything significant about the mustache thing (despite roughly 90% of my notes from the game containing  either the word “mustache” or “awesome”).  I will say this, however: Danny Putnam grows one seriously weak sauce mustache.  It’s like .01Eckersley.  If you think there’s no connection between his girly stache and his going 0 for 3 on the night, then you, my friend, are kidding yourself.

·                    I too thoroughly enjoyed the repeated commercials from the tourism boards of minor league towns.  (My personal favorite: “Lots to see.  Even more to do.  Toledo!” despite no visual evidence whatsoever that there is anything in Toledo to either see or do.)  I do question the commercial value of the ads, however: are there really that many devoted Triple-A fans watching the championship game whose vacation choices will be influenced by the presence of another Triple A team in some backwater town?  Norfolk thinks so.

·                    Speaking of commercials, there is a new #1 on my list of “People Whose Pride in their Accomplishments Seems Somewhat Disproportionate to their Actual Accomplishments” (formerly #1: Francisco Rodriguez):The Batavia Muckdogs.  According to their commercial, I can buy official Muckdog merchandise, engage in Muckdog-sponsored marketing, or even license my youth baseball team with the official Muckdog name and logo.  Their commercial indicates no uncertainty whatsoever that I would want to do any or all of these thing.  And maybe I do.   So what am I saying?  Am I advocating changing the team’s name to the Oakland Muckdogs? . . . Maybe.

·                    Wait a minute . . . Sacramento leads the Minor Leagues in attendance??!!  How did . . . I mean . . . what could . . . seriously, what the crap?!

·                    According to the announcers, the Scranton Yankees won their league in a deciding game in which Phillip Hughes outdueled Bartolo Colon.  He didn’t specify where this game took place, but I think it’s safe to assume that it was in Hell.

·                    I am now ready to declare Casey Rogowski my favorite ever career minor leaguer.  6’3”, 230, former heavyweight wrestler, looks like The Undertaker with the name of a Pennsylvania steelworker AND, in last night’s game, executed the most awkwardly bumbling stolen base of all time.  It was like watching Frank Thomas collide with Erubiel Durazo.  So what am I saying?  Am I advocating changing the team’s case to the Oakland Rogowskis? . . . Maybe.

·                    Let me say right now that I am in love with Henry Rodriguez – 94 to 99 MPH fastball with about as much control as a deflating balloon.  I’ve waited YEARS to get a guy like this.

·                    For the record, “The Oakland Rogowskis” is a much, much better team name than “The Silicon Valley Athletics of Fremont.”  Take note, Mr. Wolff.

·                    In non-baseball news, Marvel Comics is televising commercials featuring Skrulls!  This may be my inner nerd talking, but I would like to take this moment to declare, without hyperbole, that that commercial was the most wonderful thing I have ever seen.

·                    And then, at life’s most dizzying nadir, with the sun blacked out and the night refusing to yield its icy grip, just as it seemed all hope was lost, I saw Carlos Gonzalez drench his manager in Gatorade.  I smiled to myself.  “He’s happy,” I thought.  “He’s really, really happy.”

·                    But not as happy as Buck.

14 recs  |  Comment 14 comments

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Holy fanposts, today

Not that I’m complaining…

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Sep 17, 2008 4:17 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I saw a Skrull commercial online. Funny.

Up to now, I figured the biggest thing the Batavia Muckdogs might be known for was as being the place Ziggy last pitched in before the Phillies decided he wasn’t worth keeping. Maybe they still are.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Sep 17, 2008 4:49 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I must say I completely enjoyed this post

The proper amount of joy/beamusement for winning consecutive Triple-A crowns despite a terrible parent team.

by jdr on Sep 17, 2008 5:01 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

So Casey Rogowski's real name is ....Casey Rogowski!

It makes me wish I’d been to a minor league game at some point in my life. Oh and Yay Henry!!!

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 17, 2008 6:54 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Muckdogs

I am starting to get on board with the Oakland Muckdogs, think of the hateful chants other teams’ fans could yell

by MayorofCurveballcity on Sep 17, 2008 8:42 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for the sigline...
94 to 99 MPH fastball with about as much control as a deflating balloon.

Although, if you don’t mind, I shrunk it a bit. I just think that picture is both hilarious and incredibly frightening for anyone to actually have to face.

And I freaking love Marvel Comics. Can’t wait for Wolverine next year, although I really hope it doesn’t suck. I’ve got an Incredible Hulk #181 waiting to send some theoretical child to college.

99 MPH with as much control as a deflating balloon - CurveballKing on H-Rod

by Scottbass on Sep 18, 2008 1:06 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

yet somehow control problems rarely ever really clear up

Small muscle control is just as much of a gift as small muscle strength.

by jdr on Sep 18, 2008 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

But when they do, you get Sandy Koufax or Randy Johnson.

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 18, 2008 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Toledo

I live in Sac now, but grew up in Toledo. You are right. There’s not much to do or see there. However, it was always fun going to Mud Hens games. And they do have the best ballpark in the minors!

I was very suprised to see Marvel’s commercial for Secret Invasion. I wonder if it was the first time a comic company advertised on national TV.

by rallenrader on Sep 18, 2008 9:45 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

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