Make Baseball Fun Again

Credit: thebiglead.com

In a time where society is finding it difficult to “Make America Great Again” or “Feel the Bern” I find it easy to drift my thoughts towards the game of baseball. It is early May and baseball season is starting to pick up the pace. Living in Central Indiana gives me the unfortunate gift of being in the Cubs’ “blackout region”, but not having the Cubs as our primary National League team. The rumbling, bumbling, and stumbling Cincinnati Reds hold that distinction. All things considered, I deal with my geographic dilemma by focusing on other teams (thank the good Lord for MLB.tv). The second most talked about team possesses the League’s most popular and arguably most polarizing figure. I’m of course talking about Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals.

Credit: michaelpiff.com

Harper approaches the game with fiery passion rivaled by few in today’s game. His demonstrative attitude running around the bases after a home run followed by a “helmet hair flip” has drawn the ire of a number of analysts and most notably, former players. In one corner we have Hall of Famer Goose Gossage and in the other stands Harper.

Gossage argues that players like Harper and Joey Bautista have tainted the professionalism of baseball. He claims that players should just play the game for the team and not showboat after a homerun or remain on the field for long postgame celebrations. Simply put, Gossage’s version of baseball is about hard work on the field and handshakes in the locker room after the game. In an interview with The Washington Post, Gossage stated about Harper, “what does this kid know? This kid doesn’t know squat about the game, and has no respect for it.” Strong words from one of baseball’s former greats.

L TO R: GENE J. PUSKAR/AP | JIM MCISAAC/GETTY IMAGES

For as long as Harper has been in the league I have flipped-flopped on what I think about him. At times I side with Gossage and other times I think he’s just a cranky former player who can’t handle change. What I’ve come to realize, is that Gossage and Harper are more alike than different. Both have obvious passions about their sport and are not afraid to express opinions through words and actions. I understand that Gossage might be uncomfortable seeing the change in his industry, but what sport’s league hasn’t seen change over the last 10-20 years. Sure, Gossage is probably right in saying that Harper doesn’t understand how the game was played back in his day, but are Harper’s actions damaging the game? Hardly.

Bryce Harper is the player that many young players try and emulate. He works hard and plays hard. In the 2014 season, Harper was benched after not running hard to first base. Instead of blowing up his head coach or complaining to the media, he accepted the consequences and took the field the next day. The way he plays the game is exciting to watch and it creates a necessary buzz around the game. When was the last time Major League Baseball was actively talked about over NFL training camps or NCAA football practices?

Peter Hapak for ESPN

We are lucky to have a player like Harper in the game today. He draws our attention to the diamond wherever he plays. If you are going to root against Harper, root against him because he hit 3 homers against your team. Don’t fall victim to the falsehood that Gossage is preaching. Harper respects the game and he understands it better than most young players ever will. As long as he continues to work hard and play hard, I will support Bryce Harper’s campaign to Make Baseball Fun Again!

#Harper2016

My Friday Five: November 13, 2015

**As I was writing this post the news in Paris came across my screen. I struggled to finish this post. I was about halfway through the 4th point in my blog and found myself at a loss for words. The tragedy in Paris forces us to think twice about the way we live our lives. Take a moment to realize the world we are living in. It is an imperfect society. Terrorism is not linked to color of skin, homeland or religious creed. Terror impacts everyone. Just as 9/11 impacted everyone, this too will change the world we live in. Pray for the people in Paris. Pray for the innocent people who will be wrongly accused of causing this tragedy. Pray for our world.**

Wellllll, after a long hiatus from the blogging world I have decided to dip my toes back into the crazy sphere of inter-web blogs. Now that I've officially announced my return I want to introduce My Friday Five. This weekly posting will highlight the five biggest/attention-grabbing topics in my humble and unbiased (probably not) opinion.

This week has introduced the next edition of the crazy thing we call the College Football Playoff Rankings, the talking head of Jerry Jones, the Missouri football team expressing how powerful college athletes can be and another slew of MLB Awards being handed out.

1. The College Football Playoff Rankings have been announced for the second week with no shortage of outrage and confusion stemming from the committee's decisions. Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State and Notre Dame are NOT the best 4 teams in college football. How the committee makes decisions on the rankings?? I have no idea... Alabama, ranked 4th last week, beat #2 LSU by 14 points, but the game was never that close. Should we view this as a significant victory? Maybe... LSU and the "Mad Hatter" Les Miles came in with a game plan that was centered on god's gift to Baton Rouge, Leonard Fournette.

(Photo: AP)

After the first half and maybe the first quarter I think everyone watching the game knew that the running game wasn't working against the tanks on the Bama defensive front. LSU stuck with the plan of running into the brick wall and thus exposed its greatest weakness (and a weakness of the SEC in general), Brandon Harris needs a running game in order to succeed. Generally speaking, QB play in the SEC is down from what it has been in the past so it will be interesting to see how Alabama holds up against Mississippi State's Dak Prescott, arguably the best QB in the SEC.

2. I'm fine with Clemson at #1 they've faced all of their tests and come out on top. Ohio State can stay in the top 4. An undefeated defending champion deserves the benefit of the doubt until they lose. As for my Irish. I will be the first person to tell you that they should not be in the top 4. The committee has backed themselves into a corner. How can you put ND in the top 4 and make a case to remove them later in the season if the Irish win out? If ND wins out and somehow drops out of the playoff, Irish nation will be crawling from the woodwork to go burn down the committee. We will never hear the end of it, and I for one, do not want to listen to people complain for the rest of the year. At this point my top 4 would be Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma State. Teams vying for spots 5 and 6 would be Notre Dame, Baylor and Iowa... at this point flip a coin. Hopefully this all works out, but I'm gathering my nonperishable foods in preparation for the football apocalypse.

3. In today's edition of "Jerry World" the man, the myth, the legend, Jerry Jones, has once again awed the sporting world calling Greg Hardy a team leader. My problem with this situation is not with what he said, it is about what he didn't say. When Hardy's name came up as a potential signee for the Cowboys, Jones should have simply said NO. After being initially critical of Roger Goodell for his handling of early domestic violence situations, I will applaud him for trying to suspend Hardy for 10 games this season. All factions in society should take the issue of domestic violence seriously, especially in the nationalized and globalized lens of the NFL. It is a sad situation for all parties involved and an unfortunate society in which we live, where people who have athletic talent are rewarded and "forgiven" for shortcomings and faults.

(Photo: espn.com)

4. Speaking in just the realm of college athletics, what the Missouri football team accomplished truly exhibits the power of athletes. Before the Mizzou team expressed support for the protests taking place on campus the events of racists tendencies were only recognized by a small portion of the population. After head coach Gary Pinkel took to social media to share his support of his African-American players, channels like ESPN, FoxSports, and NBCSN drew their attention to the ongoing protests. College athletes have power, they always have. When they threaten to boycott a football game and cost the university millions people will listen. Should people listen without a boycott?? Of course. Racism of any kind needs to be eradicated and discussion and understand is the first step towards a solution. I applaud coach Pinkel and more importantly, I applaud the African-American players who took a stand against the silenced oppression.

(Photo: mlb.com)

5. Major League Baseball handed out its Gold Glove winners for the 2015 season and as always, I had to scratch my head and ask why. I must admit that there were fewer surprises for me than I have seen in the past. This points to a better process in handing out the award and I believe this is largely due to the increase in analytics used by teams and reporters. That being said, I still wonder why Yadier Molina won his 8th Gold Glove. Yes, I know Yadi is the equivalent of a catching god. Yes, I know Yadi has arguably been the most important Cardinal over the last 10 seasons. And yes, I know Yadi has been the best defensive catcher in the MLB over the last decade. I just think Buster Posey had a better overall year on the defensive end of things. Posey had better analytical numbers in steal prevention, blocking pitches, bunt defense, etc. (you can look it up). I admit it is difficult to not give Yadi an edge based on longevity and historical reputation, but this year, I think Buster got snubbed. My second issue is with the way OF is judged. Why can't we just group all the roaming-ball-catchers in one collective group?? How can you not give a Gold Glove to Kevin Kiermaier (did win), Kevin Pillar and Mike Trout?? All deserving candidates who dazzled defensively in center field. I understand why we have voting by position in the outfield because each position is different. I just wish we could have Oprah hand out the awards... You get a Gold Glove and you get a Gold Glove! EVERYONE GETS A GOLD GLOVE!!! 

Derek Jeter Shines Beyond the Stats

(Jeff Curry, USA Today Sports)

Five World Series Rings. 14-Time All-Star. Five Gold Gloves. The Captain.

Although Derek Jeter might not sit atop the statistical categories that are used to determine “all-time greats” he cannot be judged statistically. Fans will not remember his sub par WAR or his lack of range defensively. They will remember his charisma, his love of the game and his ability to play 20 seasons for a team in the heart of the media spotlight and never have a scandal associated with his name.

People can criticize his farewell tour as being overblown and unnecessary. Keith Olbermann can destroy Jeter’s statistical standing in the history books and place him on the outside of the top-10 greatest Yankees of all-time. We can sit and complain about the #2 patch on the Yankees’ hats and jerseys. But the fact is that Jeter does not thrive off the attention. If he could, I’m sure he would prefer just to step away from the game quietly when the final out is made in Fenway Park, September 28th.

It is the public who is requiring Jeter to go through this myriad of celebratory days, patches and parting gifts. We as fans, deserve this tour. We deserve the opportunity to look towards home plate and cheer for Jeter as he enters the box. We deserve the chance to say thank you to The Captain.

For 20 seasons Jeter showed up the ballpark and played the game the right way. He embodies what we all hope future baseball generations will bring. Work hard every day, be the best teammate, play the game with respect. When Jeter plays his final game he will be remembered for those things.

Kids will reenact the iconic “Jeter Jump” throw from deep in the hole at short. Fans will remember "The Flip" to the plate in the 7th inning in Game 3 of the 2001 American League Division Series. We will remember "The Dive" into the stands against Boston in 2004. We will remember his 3,000th hit as it left Yankee Stadium (and the fan giving the ball back to Jeter).

Jeter was not a statistical marvel who should be looked up to for his insane batting average or on-base percentage. He was an icon of the game. He was Mr. Clutch. He was The Captain. And he will always be Number 2 Derek Jeter, Number 2.

MLB Wild Wild Card

Wednesday, September 28th, a day that I will remember as a rejuvenation for baseball.

1 night, 6 teams, 2 wild card spots...

By the time August rolls around and September is on its way, most sports fans have turned their attention to NCAAF or the NFL.  The small minority of fans who keep an eye on the MLB are the fans that have a rooting interest in a potential playoff candidate.  Being a Cub fan, I knew our season was over the minute we let Ryne Sandberg get away... last November.  So my interest in the playoff picture was, at best, remote.  I was aware of the contenders and as far as I could see, the playoff picture was pretty clear to me at the end of August.

NL: Phillies, Braves, Brewers, D-Backs
AL: Red Sox, Yankees, Tigers, Rangers (The Angels were still relevant)

Then September hit.

Brining The Salt (and hopefully pepper) to Wrigley

Jim Hendry, thank you for the time you spent with the Cubs organization.  You were a very likable person and always brought a positive demeanor with you to the ballpark.  I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

Now that I have maxed out my emotional potential it's time to address Hendry's replacement.  As everyone who exists on God's green Earth knows, the Chicago Cubs have been "lovable losers" for 103 years (soon to be 104).  Being a faithful Cubbie for my entire baseball fandom I have a vested interest in the future of the organization.  The firing of Hendry is a prime opportunity for the Cubs to make a turn in the right direction.