From childhood to
adulthood, we all long to belong. Baseball can create that sense of community,
even if it’s just for an inning or two. Our team is trailing by a run in the
9th, but we’ve got the bases loaded with only one out. The ballpark comes to
life, and you look around and you realize that that guy way up there in the
middle of the upper deck down the right field line, the guy who’s waving a
pennant as if he’s carrying the colors into the face of the enemy, is thinking
and feeling and hoping for exactly the same thing that you are. And when a
single brings home the tie run standing up, and the winning run barely eludes
the catcher’s tag in a swirling dust cloud at home plate, you are suddenly
hugging strangers. The park empties, and everyone’s smile lights the way back
to our respective cars. We wave to the people waving out their windows and
blowing their horns. For an inning or an evening or sometimes, if we’re lucky,
for a whole season, we are one http://seamheads.com/2012/02/01/why-baseball-2/
Cal Ripken may be known
as the “Iron Horse,” but “Hammerin’” Hank Aaron was
an iron man in his own right. He played 21 seasons in the big leagues (19 of
them with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves organization). One of the all-time
greats, Aaron has three Gold Gloves and a World Series title, but he is best
known for holding the all-time home run record with 755. It was a record that
stood from 1974 to 2006. He holds Major League records for most career RBIs
(2,297) and career extra base hits (1,477). http://www.pitcchinfoundation.org/read/?post=1094
Variously referred to
as “The Bryan boy,” “Bryanite,” “Bryan’s contribution to the major leagues,”
“Bryan baseball star,” and “Bryan’s gift to the diamond,” John Hudson’s life and family centered around
baseball…and Bryan, Texas. He was born in Bryan on June 30, 1912, and lived
there his entire life. He remained there during baseball off-seasons and after
his playing career ended until he passed away from cancer in 1970. The house he
was born in remains occupied by descendants of the family. Located in east
central Texas, Bryan was a town of about 4,000 residents when Hudson was born.
Some 100 years later, its population had grown to just under 70,000, and it had
become known as a twin city with College http://sabr.org/node/23811
Jonathan
Papelbon has spent the last six years doing one thing and
doing it well. Closing games. For the Red Sox, Papelbon saved 219 games in
247 chances. Consider it even more
remarkable that he did it in the Amercan League East (44 saves against Yankees
and Rays). However, I and many others
feel that the closer needed a change of scenery and in 2012 he will open the
season closing for the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies present a great opprotunity for
Papelbon at the age of 31. First, he’s
still with an organization dedicated to winning. Even better, it’s the NL East. Now, I’m not saying the NL East is a push
over. The Braves and Marlins will be a
challenge for any pitcher. Still, it’s just not the AL East. Along with facing new National League teams,
Papelbon also aviods the dreaded DH.
That means, he will see more cold bats off the bench and that is
definitely an advantage for the hard throwing right hander.
Nationals' left-hander
John Lannan lost his arbitration hearing and was awarded a $5 million salary
for 2012. Lannan requested a $5.7 million salary for 2012, but the three-person
panel of arbitrators ultimately ruled in the Nationals' favor. The 27-year-old
southpaw is coming off a career-low 3.70 ERA across 33 starts last season.
He'll be arbitration-eligible for the final time next offseason. (poor baby…) http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/mlb/348565/baseball-headlines?r=1
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