The Ranting Beaver

Must be rough in Brooklyn if the Mets can't get Bengie Molina to be the catcher. Couple of decent pitchers took a pass as well. Ah well, I'm sure they'll have just as crappy of a season elsewhere.

Something else did catch my eye though, looks like the Mets are finally recognizing Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry by inducting them into the Mets Hall of Fame.

Say what you will regarding the twists and turns their respective lives took, both of them were probably my most favorite players as a kid. Heck, I even had a funky stance in the batters box like Strawberry, which looked really awkward on a white kid with glasses. I know. Kids shouldn't idolize sports figures and this is probably a prime example of why, but what did I know back in the late 80's. I'm really glad that both of them seem to have their lives back on track. They both deserve the fan fare -- they did help win the pennant and the series back then after all, and both had decent careers as Mets. I'm even willing to forgive Darryl those years as a Dodger. Mr. Scary may not agree with me there though ... might still be too soon. LOL.

I'm not sure if I can get tickets and then I'd have to get a plane ticket and so on, but I would love to go see the August 1 game and ceremony. Anyone want to make plans to do it, should come see me. I am so down.

Anyway, enough for now, talk at you later.

The Beaver is going to hate this, probably my NY friends too, but I had to share.

For the Yankee fans, I know your team recently won the World Series and all, but it doesn't mean I dislike the Yankees any less. Sorry, there's no more room for me on the bandwagon (I'm not really sorry). After I saw all of the so called 'fans' come out of the woodwork, stuff like this cracks me up.

Thanks to The Chive for the image and the laugh.

So, a little disappointed in the Mets. Not fully and completely disappointed, but they are pushing it. They have the Wild Card, but after last year's self-destruct, you would think they would've taken the added measures to make sure they don't repeat. They have the talent -- I guess it is just a mental game at this point.

Two things are for sure, the Rockies proved well what a fluke last year was (c'mon Kaz couldn't have made THAT much of a difference ...) and the Yankees are no where near the playoffs. Sad for the Rox, not so much for the Yankees. Part of being a Mets fan is being happy that the Yankees are not doing well. LOL.

In other NY related stuff, I'm going to NY twice next month - just booked both trips. The late one may be interesting as I am traveling with my boss and I will be coming back on Halloween. We shall see. I hope the Mets are still playing, at least while I am there for one of the trips (hopefully both). Well, either way, it'll be nice to go back again.

Ok, first of all, the name - that's funny as all hell to actually call an athletic supporter (read: cup) something like that. Unforgetable marketing in that alone, but if you want to go the extra step, make a video out of demonstrating this product and put it on YouTube. Enjoy!



This takes balls (pun intended) to stand behind a product like that. Wish more companies would have this much confidence in their products. As a bonus, and I know Ricky will love this, you gotta appreciate the Chris Sabo cameo near the end (good god, that is a name I haven't heard in years ...).

I'm sold. How about you?

I can't believe Barry didn't actually get off the hook. I was almost swearing that he was going to get away scott-free. Kinda hollow though considering he will be nothing more than a DH no matter where he ends up (if anyone even wants him). They should have done all this before he broke the record.

Now, I am certain he isn't the only one that is/was on the 'roids, but he is what epitomizes how fake a 'hero' can be. Seriously. Kids everywhere have looked up to him (whether sports figures should be looked up to is another story - ask Charles Barkley) and for what - so they can learn that it's OK to cheat as long as you pretend you didn't know? Whatever.

This shirt by T-Shirt Hell gets funnier every time I think of Barry. It shows what a joke this has become.

My proposal: Instead of penalizing baseball players for steroids, we should make it mandatory for all players. Then at least the games will be interesting and there wouldn't be all of this nonsense to detract from the game. Although, there would be the side effect of those bench clearing brawls resulting in casualties, but that is a price I am willing to pay.

The Rox lost their groove (might've been that damn 8 days off or more simply, they just ran into a better team). I was hoping for at least one win ...

What cracked me up is how the radio stations this morning were all quick to find an excuse. One station was saying that the Red Sox paid more for a better team so they were expected to win, another was making fun of how quickly people were jumping from the bandwagon. Money or not, the Rockies gave it one hell of a shot - no one expected them to be playing in October, let alone go to the big dance. Considering they were in last place (or close to it ...) the last half dozen years, this was huge.

Some thoughts on the 'morning after':
- no one got arrested in Denver last night, 37 in Boston were
- Fox loses out on revenue with a sweep (and we can finally get back to regular programming ... heh)
- Denver (unfortunately) loses out on quite a bit of revenue with no Game 5 (but at least it won't be nuts to get to the Broncos game tonight)
- maybe they will reconsider the playoffs a bit as there has been a blowout every year for 5 years (two sweeps by the way) and a lot of it has to do with one team getting rusty while waiting on the other (yeah right)
- ratings outside of Denver and Boston were likely not ideal

Not to be cliche, but ... maybe better luck next year. The key here is, if you choose to be a fan, be a fan, even when they lose. Ask any Bostonian. Or a Mets fan.

The Rockies know who they're playing. Finally. I like the Red Sox too, so it should be an interesting matchup. I just hope the Rox haven't cooled off to much.

My prediction: Red Sox in 6. (Sorry, have to be realistic.)

The fun for me right now however, is watching everyone around me struggle with the assinine system of purchasing tickets online. No one is getting in and they have tried for 2 hours now. I think the Rockies are turning off some fans by doing it this way and it makes it even easier for the brokers to buy up all the tickets (they have lots of folks on hand that can spread out the purchasing, especially since the Rox told everyone more than a week ago that they were moving to online only - gave them plenty of time to staff up IMHO).

If you're trying to buy tix, good luck. You'll need it.

The Mets can't beat the lowly Nationals and the Rockies have won 9 straight. You heard me correctly. The Colorado Rockies. Yes -- that team. Looks like they might make things interesting at least.

All I can say is, thank goodness the sorry Phillies can't get their act together. Kinda sick really.

Just under a week left and we pretty much know who the AL teams are that are making the playoffs, but NOT ONE TEAM in the NL has so much as clinched a playoff spot. Weird.

In case you hadn't heard, Marc Ecko owns the ball and is having the public decide it's fate. To make your choice known, Vote Here.

Good Luck!

Opening day is this weekend, with the Rockies opening on Monday afternoon! Doesn't it smell like baseball in Denver?

NO IT DOESN'T, WHAT THE HELL IS THIS WHITE CRAP ON THE GROUND?

It's baseball season it shouldn't be 38 degrees with snow on the ground.

Oh well, Mets look to defend thier NL East crown, andf the Rockies seem to be putting a team out there that could surprise a few people. I may have some baseball to watch into the end of the season this year between my 2 teams.