Hey All!
It's the last day of August and the final month of baseball season is upon us. It's the home stretch for the major leagues and the Longball League. Let's look at the standings.
The San Pedro Sea Monkeys are still on top of the league. Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols are carrying the squad. The Monkeys might make one final move for the stretch run. It looks like Joe Mauer may be on the way out.
Sitting in second place a mere six points back are the SoCal Capuchins. Chase Utley needs to get hot in September for the Caps to win the whole thing.
The Vacuous Vipers are sitting in third place. However, their lead is slim. Only four total points separate third through fifth place. It will be exciting to see who has an upper division finish.
The Invisible Hands have gotten up off the deck and now sit in fourth place. The Hands have Ryan Howard to thank for this. He only had a five homer, 12 RBI week.
Those Keen Koalas are back in fifth place this week. They were a force in the league a month ago, now they are falling back in the race.
Right now, the Sierra Vista Coachwhips are looking forward to the 2010 season. Wait 'til next year, 'Whips fans.
Trivia: I ran across a little fact that is hard to believe, but true. On June 25th, 1976 Toby Harrah of the Texas Rangers played an entire double header without a fielding chance. He was the Shortstop!!!! He didn't get a ball hit to him in 18 innings of baseball. Then, a year later, Harrah and teammate Bump Wills hit back-to-back inside the park home runs vs. the Yankees. That's the only time that has ever happened in a major league game.
Baseball Card of the Week: For being a part of two of baseball oddest I salute Toby Harrah with a look at his 1975 Topps card. Baseball is a funny game.
Until next week folks, keep hitting 'em where they ain't.
-The Commissioner
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Week 20
Hey Hey All!
The dog days of summer are almost over. It's almost time for school and football to start again. It's also the coolest time of the year as both the major league pennant races and the Longball League race is heading down the stretch. Let's look at this week's standings.
For the first time in about two months the standings remain the same as they did the week before. The San Pedro Sea Monkeys are still on top thanks to Ryan Howard's good week.
Sitting in second place a full 10 points behind are the SoCal Capuchins. Like I've said many times this season, Adam Dunn is just a great hitter to watch.
The Vacuous Vipers are in third, but starting to really fall behind in the race. The Vipers had a horrible five point week. Evan Longoria put a big zero up for the week. His production has fallen off drastically in the last few weeks. However, what really did the Vipers in this week was Justin Morneau missing the whole week with an ear infection. He suppposed to be back in the lineup Monday night.
Hot on the Vipers' heels with an eye on the upper division are the Keen Koalas. They also took advantage of the Vipers' bad week.
Meanwhile, the Invisible Hands and the Sierra Vista Coachwhips remain in the 5th and 6th spots respectively. Things just haven't come together for those two talented squads this year.
Baseball Card of the Week: With the guy making an unassisted triple play, could the card of the week be anyone but the Phillies' Eric Bruntlett? This card from 2006 finds Bruntlett on his former squad the Houston Astros.
Trivia: Just how rare is an unassisted triple play? Well, there have been 18 perfect games thrown, and 15 times a man has hit four homers in a game. This was only the 14th UTP in major league history. It's also only the second UTP ever turned that ended a ballgame. Bruntlett's UTP eneded the game, preserving a 9-7 win for the Phightin' Phils over the New York Mets. The only other game-ending UTP occured way back in 1927 when Johnny Nuen of the Detroit Tigers accomplished the feat against the Cleveland Indians. So, that was a pretty darn rare play that happened yesterday, huh?
Until next week folks, keep hittin' em where they ain't.
-The Commissioner
The dog days of summer are almost over. It's almost time for school and football to start again. It's also the coolest time of the year as both the major league pennant races and the Longball League race is heading down the stretch. Let's look at this week's standings.
For the first time in about two months the standings remain the same as they did the week before. The San Pedro Sea Monkeys are still on top thanks to Ryan Howard's good week.
Sitting in second place a full 10 points behind are the SoCal Capuchins. Like I've said many times this season, Adam Dunn is just a great hitter to watch.
The Vacuous Vipers are in third, but starting to really fall behind in the race. The Vipers had a horrible five point week. Evan Longoria put a big zero up for the week. His production has fallen off drastically in the last few weeks. However, what really did the Vipers in this week was Justin Morneau missing the whole week with an ear infection. He suppposed to be back in the lineup Monday night.
Hot on the Vipers' heels with an eye on the upper division are the Keen Koalas. They also took advantage of the Vipers' bad week.
Meanwhile, the Invisible Hands and the Sierra Vista Coachwhips remain in the 5th and 6th spots respectively. Things just haven't come together for those two talented squads this year.
Baseball Card of the Week: With the guy making an unassisted triple play, could the card of the week be anyone but the Phillies' Eric Bruntlett? This card from 2006 finds Bruntlett on his former squad the Houston Astros.
Trivia: Just how rare is an unassisted triple play? Well, there have been 18 perfect games thrown, and 15 times a man has hit four homers in a game. This was only the 14th UTP in major league history. It's also only the second UTP ever turned that ended a ballgame. Bruntlett's UTP eneded the game, preserving a 9-7 win for the Phightin' Phils over the New York Mets. The only other game-ending UTP occured way back in 1927 when Johnny Nuen of the Detroit Tigers accomplished the feat against the Cleveland Indians. So, that was a pretty darn rare play that happened yesterday, huh?
Until next week folks, keep hittin' em where they ain't.
-The Commissioner
Monday, August 17, 2009
Week 19
Let's see what happened in the majors this past week. First the Red Sox and Tigers had a bench clearing brawl, David Wright of the Mets and Ian Kinsler of the Rangers got hit in the head with 90+ mph fastballs, Dodger pitcher, Hiroki Kuroda took a line drive of his skull, Felix Pie of the Orioles hit for the cycle, and the Angels scored nine runs in the top of the 13th inning in Baltimore. Ho-hum, just an average week in the big leagues. Meanwhile, the Longball League standings flipped again. Let's take a look.
The San Pedro Sea Monkeys jumped back to the top of the league because of Ryan Howard. The big kid turned in a 15 point week for the Sea Monkeys. To put that in perspective, the Vacuous Vipers had a 12 point week as a team. Another week or two like that from Howard and the Monkeys may claim the crown.
The SoCal Capuchins aren't far behind the Monkeys as they turned in a big week to take over second place. Couple Ryan Howard with Adam Dunn, and the Caps are looking strong down the stretch.
Sitting in third this week are the Vacuous Vipers. The Vipers had a season low point total for one week, while the Monkeys and Caps had season high totals. Things can flip that quickly in the Longball League. If the Vipers get a good week, while the Monkey and Caps have average weeks, then the Vipers will get right back in the thick of the race.
The Keen Koalas are still in the picture, but starting to fade a bit. Chase Utley's thoroughly lame week did not help the marsupials.
The Invisible hands and Sierra Vista Coachwhips seemed to be cemented in the 5th an 6th spots in the league. They are both just not getting enough offense to make it happen.
Trivia: The Angels scored nine runs in the top of the 13th inning yesterday in their 17-8 win over the Orioles. However, it is not the record for most runs in an extra frame. On July 3rd, 1983, the Texas Rangers pushed 12 runs across the plate in the top of the 15th inning v. the Oakland A's. Yes, the Rangers did win, 16-4.
Baseball Card of the Week: This Week's card is the 1983 Topps Traded set issue of Texas Rangers' relief pitcher Odell Jones? Why Odell Jones? Well, Mr. Jones was the pitcher of record in that Texas-Oakland game back in 1983. He worked 3 and 2/3 innings of flawless relief and got the win. I also salute Odell because everyone will remember that Angels score those nine runs against Baltimore yesterday, but nobody will remember that Jason Bulger picked up the win for the Halos.
Until next week folks, keep hitting 'em where they ain't.
-The Commissioner
The San Pedro Sea Monkeys jumped back to the top of the league because of Ryan Howard. The big kid turned in a 15 point week for the Sea Monkeys. To put that in perspective, the Vacuous Vipers had a 12 point week as a team. Another week or two like that from Howard and the Monkeys may claim the crown.
The SoCal Capuchins aren't far behind the Monkeys as they turned in a big week to take over second place. Couple Ryan Howard with Adam Dunn, and the Caps are looking strong down the stretch.
Sitting in third this week are the Vacuous Vipers. The Vipers had a season low point total for one week, while the Monkeys and Caps had season high totals. Things can flip that quickly in the Longball League. If the Vipers get a good week, while the Monkey and Caps have average weeks, then the Vipers will get right back in the thick of the race.
The Keen Koalas are still in the picture, but starting to fade a bit. Chase Utley's thoroughly lame week did not help the marsupials.
The Invisible hands and Sierra Vista Coachwhips seemed to be cemented in the 5th an 6th spots in the league. They are both just not getting enough offense to make it happen.
Trivia: The Angels scored nine runs in the top of the 13th inning yesterday in their 17-8 win over the Orioles. However, it is not the record for most runs in an extra frame. On July 3rd, 1983, the Texas Rangers pushed 12 runs across the plate in the top of the 15th inning v. the Oakland A's. Yes, the Rangers did win, 16-4.
Baseball Card of the Week: This Week's card is the 1983 Topps Traded set issue of Texas Rangers' relief pitcher Odell Jones? Why Odell Jones? Well, Mr. Jones was the pitcher of record in that Texas-Oakland game back in 1983. He worked 3 and 2/3 innings of flawless relief and got the win. I also salute Odell because everyone will remember that Angels score those nine runs against Baltimore yesterday, but nobody will remember that Jason Bulger picked up the win for the Halos.
Until next week folks, keep hitting 'em where they ain't.
-The Commissioner
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Week 18
After a week off from the blog enjoying a couple of the dog days of summer, the commissioner is back to talk about the Longball League. Let's look at the standings...
Those Vacuous Vipers are still holding on to the top spot in the league. Justin Morneau is the man for the Vipers. 10 RBI in the last couple of weeks is a pretty good thing.
The San Pedro Sea Monkeys have jumped back into second place. It might have something to do with Albert Pujols' grand slam last week. Pujols has batted nine times this year with the bases loaded. He's seven for nine in those at bats with five of those seven hits being grand slams.
wow.
The SoCal Caps are rolling along in third place behind the big bat of Adam Dunn. The guy just continues to crush the ball on a bad team. If you get a chance, watch a Nationals game on the tube and and watch this guy dominate at the plate.
The Keen Koalas have finally arrived in this year's pennant race. They sit only 17 points out of first place with six weeks to go in the season. Can they go from worst to first? It will be exciting down the stretch.
Sitting in 5th and last place are the Invisble Hands and the Sierra Vista Coachwhips. Last year's title contenders are mired in mediocre production from a couple of big bats.
Baseball Card of the Week: This week's card shoutout goes to the 2007 Topps Heritage set and Vlad Guerrero. It's a cool card. Also, how could I not salute Vlad this week after he hits his 440th homer last night? That home run just happened to be the game winner in the Angels 8-7 decision over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Trivia: We all know what it means to bunt a baseball, but where does that term come from? Now we know. According to the Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term bunt most likely comes from the railroad industry. Bunting in the railroad industry is the term used to describe the action of nudging a railroad car onto a side track a by hitting it with just enough force to slowly move the car onto the siding.
Unitl next week folks, keep hitting 'em where they ain't.
-The Commissioner
Those Vacuous Vipers are still holding on to the top spot in the league. Justin Morneau is the man for the Vipers. 10 RBI in the last couple of weeks is a pretty good thing.
The San Pedro Sea Monkeys have jumped back into second place. It might have something to do with Albert Pujols' grand slam last week. Pujols has batted nine times this year with the bases loaded. He's seven for nine in those at bats with five of those seven hits being grand slams.
wow.
The SoCal Caps are rolling along in third place behind the big bat of Adam Dunn. The guy just continues to crush the ball on a bad team. If you get a chance, watch a Nationals game on the tube and and watch this guy dominate at the plate.
The Keen Koalas have finally arrived in this year's pennant race. They sit only 17 points out of first place with six weeks to go in the season. Can they go from worst to first? It will be exciting down the stretch.
Sitting in 5th and last place are the Invisble Hands and the Sierra Vista Coachwhips. Last year's title contenders are mired in mediocre production from a couple of big bats.
Baseball Card of the Week: This week's card shoutout goes to the 2007 Topps Heritage set and Vlad Guerrero. It's a cool card. Also, how could I not salute Vlad this week after he hits his 440th homer last night? That home run just happened to be the game winner in the Angels 8-7 decision over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Trivia: We all know what it means to bunt a baseball, but where does that term come from? Now we know. According to the Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term bunt most likely comes from the railroad industry. Bunting in the railroad industry is the term used to describe the action of nudging a railroad car onto a side track a by hitting it with just enough force to slowly move the car onto the siding.
Unitl next week folks, keep hitting 'em where they ain't.
-The Commissioner
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)