Not baseball related but I found this video delightful. It was done by an anthropological professor at KSU.
Month: February 2007
Being First
Bragging rights… if I can’t talk about it, then what’s the point? The 2006 season of the Illowa APBA League is finally over and you’ll never guess who finished in first. Well, with an opening paragraph like that, you know dang well it was me. My Twin Cities Thunderchickens finished with a 92-70 record and … Continue reading “Being First”
Bragging rights… if I can’t talk about it, then what’s the point? The 2006 season of the Illowa APBA League is finally over and you’ll never guess who finished in first.
Well, with an opening paragraph like that, you know dang well it was me. My Twin Cities Thunderchickens finished with a 92-70 record and topped the 10 team league.
Not only that, Teddy Ballgame finished second and Todd V, co-host of Baseball Zealot Radio and occasional poster here eked into the last playoff berth.
What’s the big deal? It’s a stupid baseball dice game, right?
Well, I suppose so. Only, we’ve been playing this stupid baseball dice game for 32 seasons now. My relationship with the IAL, which began when I was a young lad of sixteen, extends longer than my marriage, my job, and pretty much every other entity in my life.
Unlike conventional roto or fantasy leagues, APBA leagues are simulation leagues in the sense that we actually replay a 162 game schedule with our teams. It’s a labor of love as we travel from three different states to get together three times a year to play our games. Our teams battle against each other for rights to make the playoffs and if we’re lucky, the World Series. And we don’t let a computer play our games for us. Our games are played with actual dice and cards and boards that
we can feel in our hands.
We feel glorious when our team is victorious and we feel the pain in defeat.
But mostly, we enjoy the camaraderie of guys who love baseball.
Congratulations to Teddy Ballgame and Todd V.!
Illini Hot Stove Banquet is a hot ticket
Those of you who are Illini fans might be interested in the Hot Stove Banquet which is co-sponsored by the University of Illinois Baseball team and the Fighting Illini Dugout Club. The keynote speaker is White Sox Executive Advisor to GM Rollie Hemond. Head Coach Dan Hartleb really talked this up during our interview with … Continue reading “Illini Hot Stove Banquet is a hot ticket”
Those of you who are Illini fans might be interested in the Hot Stove Banquet which is co-sponsored by the University of Illinois Baseball team and the Fighting Illini Dugout Club. The keynote speaker is White Sox Executive Advisor to GM Rollie Hemond.
Head Coach Dan Hartleb really talked this up during our interview with him in our last podcast and seems very excited about it. He said proceeds from this will go to help the baseball program.
Details on the Banquet and getting tickets can be found at the Fighting Illini website.
Angels’ Mother’s day promo lawsuit thrown out
A lawsuit claiming that a Mother’s Day giveaway was biased against men and those under 18 was thrown out of court. The case stems from a promo by the Angels last year when they gave tote bags to all mothers on Mother’s Day (good for the Angels, I say. Mothers deserve it.) The suit claimed … Continue reading “Angels’ Mother’s day promo lawsuit thrown out”
A lawsuit claiming that a Mother’s Day giveaway was biased against men and those under 18 was thrown out of court. The case stems from a promo by the Angels last year when they gave tote bags to all mothers on Mother’s Day (good for the Angels, I say. Mothers deserve it.)
The suit claimed that all men (and those under 18) were each entitled $4000 in damages. You gotta love the American sense of entitlement.
I’m not surprised it got thrown out. I am surprised it took 9 months to do it.
Top 100 Cubs coming to a close at Bleed Cubbie Blue
I’ve been keeping an eye on Bleed Cubbie Blue lately. To keep away the winter blues, Al Yellon has been counting down the top 100 all-time Cubs during the off-season. Thursday was #18. Greg Maddux. It’s really worth a look with a great summary of his career plus three interesting pictures of him. The first … Continue reading “Top 100 Cubs coming to a close at Bleed Cubbie Blue”
I’ve been keeping an eye on Bleed Cubbie Blue lately. To keep away the winter blues, Al Yellon has been counting down the top 100 all-time Cubs during the off-season.
Thursday was #18. Greg Maddux. It’s really worth a look with a great summary of his career plus three interesting pictures of him. The first two are unique because they appeared back-to-back on his rookie card. While both showed him in action on the field, neither showed him pitching,
The other photo, well, you will have to see for yourself.
Today’s? #16 Mark Grace.
Off of the top of your head, can you think of fifteen better Cubs than Grace and Maddux? I’m sure I could if given the time. You’ll find the archive here (with a list to-date along the left side). By the way, Ed Reulbach was #17.
Thanks to Al for doing this. It’s been fun going back in Cubs history.
BZR Show #9- Interview with University of Illinois Head Coach Dan Hartleb
Coach Dan Hartleb from the University of Illinois baseball team is our guest this week on Baseball Zealot Radio. A word about Coach Hartleb… usually when I interview someone “important”, I get a little nervous. One sentence from Coach Hartleb and he put me at ease. He seems like such an easy-going fella. I wonder … Continue reading “BZR Show #9- Interview with University of Illinois Head Coach Dan Hartleb”
Coach Dan Hartleb from the University of Illinois baseball team is our guest this week on Baseball Zealot Radio.
A word about Coach Hartleb… usually when I interview someone “important”, I get a little nervous. One sentence from Coach Hartleb and he put me at ease. He seems like such an easy-going fella. I wonder if that extends to his coaching.
Anyone with even a passing interest in the Illini or college baseball should listen to this podcast episode. He gives a good rundown of the team and its future.
Related Links:
Here is Coach Dan Hartleb’s bio on Fighting Illini’s website.
Also, if this show interests you, Baseball Zealot Radio’s interview with Illini shortstop Shawn Roof is a must-listen. Roof was also easy (and fun) to interview. You’ll find Roof’s interview half-way through our fifth show. Somewhere in there co-host Todd asks him if he ever plays NCAA Baseball (the video game). The response is hilarious.
For those visiting HoHoKam this spring
I’m not going but I know a few who are. Carrie Muskat and her staff have put together a Cubs Spring Training Fan Guide. Very handy if you are lucky enough to go see the Cubs in Spring Training. Even how to make it easier to get autographs. A lot of fans camp at the … Continue reading “For those visiting HoHoKam this spring”
I’m not going but I know a few who are. Carrie Muskat and her staff have put together a Cubs Spring Training Fan Guide. Very handy if you are lucky enough to go see the Cubs in Spring Training.
Even how to make it easier to get autographs.
A lot of fans camp at the entrance to the Fitch Park facility and hope players will stop to sign from their cars. The players have a schedule during the workouts, so don’t be discouraged if they don’t sign during practice. Once the games begin at HoHoKam, the seats along the right-field line are best for the Cubs — that’s where their dugout is — and many fans wait by the players’ parking lot.
Of course, this is coming from someone who has a press pass. I think I’d rather hear it from the fan’s perspective.
Nevertheless, some good all-around info.
Muskat also submits a good Cubs 2007 preview including projected lineups, rotation and bullpen as well as write-ups on key players.
Dang, I refresh my browser over and over and Soriano still shows up in the leadoff spot.
Chicago Bears
The Super Bowl. The Chicago Bears play the Indianapolis Colts. Two midwestern cities within 3 hours of each other. The East Coast sports media can stick it. Go Bears! If you’re a Bears fan, check out Bearscast.com. It’s a podcast in the same vein as Cubscast.com but they cover… yeah, the Bears. (Before the … Continue reading “Chicago Bears”
The Super Bowl. The Chicago Bears play the Indianapolis Colts. Two midwestern cities within 3 hours of each other. The East Coast sports media can stick it. Go Bears!
If you’re a Bears fan, check out Bearscast.com. It’s a podcast in the same vein as Cubscast.com but they cover… yeah, the Bears.
(Before the Sox fans start whining, there is also a Soxcast.com which believe it or not, I listen to once in a while. It’s pretty good if you’re into the Sox kind of thing).
Anyway, best of luck to the Bears.