Tagged: baseball

My MLB Roundup

I know I’m a few days behind, but really? Four home runs and a double for eight RBIs? Eighteen total bases. Seriously? Atta boy, Josh Hamilton.

In other news, the Braves are still tied for first – I’m going to ignore the win percentage. I knew that the Nationals were going to be a great team this year, but I honestly didn’t realize they were going to be leading the NL East. They seem to have it figured out, but how are they going to do without Jayson Werth for 10 weeks? I guess they do have Bryce Harper, who stole home on Sunday, after getting pegged in the back by Cole Hamels, who was suspended for it. Thoughts on his suspension?

Mendoza Line

Hitting under the “Mendoza Line” is no bueno, Albert.

Where were you when Albert “The Machine” Pujols finally hit his first home run as an Angel? I’m sure that is just the start of it, but it’s wild to think it took him over a month before going deep. It took the entire Angels Stadium booing him on Friday and sitting out the game on Saturday before realizing that the fans wanted to see someone getting a $250 million contract actually hit the ball well. It’s not just hitting bombs, it’s hitting in general. His average slumped to under the Mendoza Line before hitting that home run on Sunday. Congrats, Albert. You finally did it!

I got in a “debate” the other night. Obviously living in Atlanta, we’re in “Braves country,” but there are so many transplants here, so we have lots of fans from other cities. A Phillies fan tried to rub it in my face that they took two out of three from the Braves while in Atlanta. Yes, that hurts. However, the overall standings show the Phillies in last place in the NL East. Though I know this isn’t going to last, it’s still nice right now to see that. He told me that it doesn’t matter because the Phillies still took two games from the Braves. Correct me if I’m wrong – but there are 162 games in a season; do two games matter? Yeah, it sucks losing to the Phillies, but I much rather be tied for first right now than in last place. Especially after getting swept by the Mets.

Put Me in, Coach; I’m Ready to Play

My long-term life goal is to get the chance to travel around the nation to different ballparks to write about the baseball experience. I sort of grew up in south Florida, so a lot of my childhood memories include going to Joe Robbie Stadium to watch Florida (eh, Miami?) Marlins games. As an adult living in Atlanta, some of the best times I’ve had have been going down to the Ted and attending Braves games. I would consider myself a huge Braves fan, but I still have a soft spot in my heart for the Marlins…unless they’re playing the Braves (or are beating the Braves in the standings), of course.

I love going down to Turner Field because I know I’ll get the opportunity to tailgate in the parking lot before games and meet other huge Braves fans and talk about the Braves, as well as baseball in general. I want to have the opportunity to travel to other ballparks to see what the tailgating scene is like. I want to try their hot dogs and talk to other baseball fans. I want to experience the big rivalry games, like Yankees/Red Sox. I want to take a tour of the ballparks and learn the history of the teams and their stadiums. Basically, I want to soak up as much baseball as I possibly can.

Right now, I have the Braves, MLB Network, MLB TV and various blogs to give me that insight. I also need to work and save up money before I can travel around and spend all of this money on games, hot dogs, gas, tours, etc.

For now, I have this blog. I definitely need a place to share my excitement about baseball, especially Braves baseball, but I’m sure I’ll also need a place to vent my frustrations that come during the 162 games. However, don’t be mistaken. Yes, I’ll get frustrated a few times during the season, but I will never back down from supporting my team. Hopefully I’ll be able to share pictures from Turner Field (and hopefully various other places, if I get the opportunity to visit) from this upcoming season.

We’re just a few days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training. We’re 48 days away from the start of MLB, and 49 days away from the Braves playing their first official game of 2012.

GO BRAVES!