Baseball

Reblogged from McKenna:

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Spent the evening with the Seattle Mariners.

Kudos to "McKenna" for getting this great shot and kudos to all the camera men/women who consistently provide us with great immediate photo's of spectacular plays on a regular basis. It almost makes watching the telly as good as being at the ballpark. Well, almost ..... :))

Free for All Friday: Grow Up Zack Greinke

Reblogged from Our Sports Report:

Posted by: Curt Ashcraft (@cashcraft740)

Edited by: Tommy Parrill (@DearTommy)

There is one thing in this world that everyone has in common. We all have opinions. If you are somewhat of a baseball fan, then you have an opinion of Zack Greinke.  Some believe that he is an amazing talent and others believe he is overpaid. But I think he is a punk that was never told no, and complains about everything. 

Read more… 496 more words

GFBB Note:  When I saw the report about the "base brawl" on ESPN all I could think about was "Oh boy ~ here we go again!". Some things just don't have a happy ending.  And let's face it, Carlos Quentin isn't exactly baseball's poster boy.  I'm not sure whether the blogger's opinion is really about Zach Greinke or more about a dislike for the Dodgers and their lack of wisdom in bringing Greinke onboard.  No matter.  Carlos Quentin has a record of being hit by a pitch on a regular basis so you'd think he'd be used to it by now.  Probably just having a bad hair day. Well we won't have to worry about him for awhile.  MLB just announced he's been benched for the next 8 games.  Personally, I think he should be benched for as long as it takes Zack Greinke to heal and be back on the mound.  But that's just my opinion.

42 Movie Review (Video)

Reblogged from Leather Wing Media:

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Jackie Robinson integrated professional sports and became a symbol for America.

His number, 42, is the only number retired throughout all of baseball.  42 the movie is his story.

The national sport of baseball has symbolically represented America from the organized crime generated dive that the Chicago Black Sox took in 1919 and in the war effort of World War II. 

Read more… 516 more words

GFBB Note: The reviewer gave this movie a 4.5/5. I'm looking forward to seeing a good baseball movie ~ maybe next week. It's been a long dry spell since "MoneyBall" and I'm ready for more! Thanks to Leather Wing Media for this thoughtful review.

San Francisco Giants 2013 World Series Ring Raffle!

2013 World Series Ring!

HERE’S AN UPDATE TO OUR WORLD SERIES RING RAFFLE OF 2011. 

https://secure.mlb.com/sf/community/gcf/ring_raffle.jsp

World Series Ring Raffle to benefit Giants Community Fund

Tiffany & Co. has generously donated a ring to be raffled off with proceeds benefitting the Giants Community Fund. The Giants World Series Ring Raffle offers fans the chance to win a 2010 World Series Championship ring, identical to the rings given to Giants players and coaches. The ring will be personalized with the winner’s last name.

Oh It’s Good To Be Back Home Again ……

Okay, I’ll say it.  I’m not ashamed to admit that one of my very favorite baseball moments of all time was the Opening Day Ceremonies on April 5, 2011, following that glorious 2010 World Series Championship win .  The game was between the San Francisco Giants and the St Louis Cardinals. So today was just the icing on the cake for me.  The same teams were playing, and the championship flag was again being hoisted above the park to remain for the entire 2013 season so that all who crossed  our threshold could see what a magical place they had entered. 

But today, instead of being at the game, I was watching from my comfortable chair, all decked out in orange and black, with a box of Kleenex and a paper bag (to dispose of the used tissues) nearby.  And I did pretty good until they introduced the Cards Manager, Mike Matheny, and the crowd broke into near hysteria in support of this fellow, another of my very favorites.  And I lost it, never to fully recover for the rest of the ceremony. 

I’m not sure why I was so emotional today, but it probably had something to do with the affection the Giants fans feel for their team, and the entire organization for that matter, but also for anyone who has anything to do with the Giants!  The crowd cheered just as loud for each of the St Louis Cardinal players who were former Giants as they did for the current Giants themselves.   It’s been a long dry spell, this post, post-season, and finally today, after five months we have our kids back home ready to dance around the mound, and the plate and the field.  ”It’s the sweetest thing I know of, just spending time with you” ……..as if I was singing the song to each of them individually as they walked out onto the field.  

The Romance of Baseball

*Romance defined:  ……..  emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized.

“There’s a great article in the Santa Cruz Sentinel today written by one of our favorite sportswriters, Mark Purdy, in which Mark boldly claims that baseball is not romantic. “Cram the Romance” he says.” 

No ~ Not that Kind of Romance!

Last night I posted from Youtube my very favorite baseball video that included the lyrics.  It started out as a great song written by John Fogerty entitled “Centerfield” and evolved into a video that’s been viewed over one million times.   I challenge anyone to view this great ditty, full screen, with volume up, and not relate it to the definition of romance as defined above.   

Okay, maybe it’s because it’s opening day and the A’s and Mariners are playing right now, as we speak, followed by the Giants and Dodgers at 1:00PM on the telly and not one darn thing will get done at my house today.  At least not in the way of Monday morning chores, that type of thing.  As far as romance and my hubby are concerned, it sometimes revolves around baseball.  (See you in October sweetie!)♥

Take a look at the Mark Purdy article, “Giants, A’s Could Do it Again”, and see what you think.  Great article Mark ~  just happen to disagree with some of it. 

*www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/romantic

In Honor of Opening Day ~ John Fogerty’s “Centerfield”

Lyrics to John fogerty’s “centerfield”

Well, beat the drum and hold the phone – the sun came out today!
We’re born again, there’s new grass on the field.
A-roundin’ third, and headed for home, it’s a brown-eyed handsome man;
Anyone can understand the way I feel.

Chorus:
Oh, put me in, coach – I’m ready to play today;
Put me in, coach – I’m ready to play today;
Look at me, I can be centerfield.

Well, I spent some time in the mudville nine, watchin’ it from the bench;
You know I took some lumps when the mighty casey struck out.
So say hey willie, tell ty cobb and joe dimaggio;
Don’t say “it ain’t so”, you know the time is now.

Chorus

Yeah! I got it, I got it!

Got a beat-up glove, a homemade bat, and brand-new pair of shoes;
You know I think it’s time to give this game a ride.
Just to hit the ball and touch ’em all – a moment in the sun;
(pop) it’s gone and you can tell that one goodbye!

Chorus
Chorus
Yeah!

I’ve run this before  but it’s my all time favorite baseball video so it just seems appropriate to use it to start off  another baseball season.  Thank you God for giving us John Fogerty and these wonderful classic shots of baseball history, courtesy of Youtube and “Cowboy Lyrics.com“. 

Tip:  Use full screen and turn up the volume!