2/4/12

Baseball: Why Baseball, Henry Aaron, Johnny Hudson, Jonathan Papelbon, John Lannon



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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