Monday, October 26, 2009
Representing at the Office
Being not anywhere near the target market, I am the only hardcore Phillies fan at my office. I know, shocking. But around these parts you tend to find Braves, Cardinals, and Ranger fans for various reasons mostly involving television markets. We actually do have another former Pennsylvanian in the office that likes the Phillies, but doesn't really follow them until, well, about now. There are also a couple Yankee fans, as well as a Red Sox fan, in addition to several "anybody but the Yankees" fans. Given this breakdown, in the preceeding days before the World Series, the battle lines have been drawn. And the Phillies fans -- okay so they're mostly anti-Yankees fans -- struck first. Just before a meeting today, we changed the desktop background on the conference room computer. The Yankee fans were displeased to say the least...
Labels: baseball, Phillies, sports, work
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Why I love baseball
I've been asked the question many, many times. Why do I love baseball. But it's difficult to answer in a concrete way. There's just so much to love about the game, and it all fits together like a puzzle. So any answer I could give should be considered woefully incomplete by virtue of the impossibility to be precise in this regard.
But here are some of the key tenets...
The sacrifice and the truest team sport
My most favorite thing about baseball is the sacrifice. In what other sport can you purposely do something wrong for yourself, but good for the team, and have it not count against you statistically? Baseball is one of the most statistics oriented sports ever devised by man, but you can lay down your statistical reputation for the sake of your team, yet no one -- not even the statistician -- holds it against you. I just don't think there's a better way to instill the value of the team endeavor.
Additionally, very rarely does having the best player in the sport on your team assure any sort of enduring success. I feel baseball is the truest team sport. Who would argue that Albert Pujols is not currently one of if not the best players in baseball? His team? Swept from the first round of the playoffs. We've seen it time and again.
The venues
I just love that each and every baseball venue, while the same in essential dimensions, offers a unique experience up to both the player and the fan. I've been in many football, hockey, and basketball venues, and there simply aren't enough differences (and we're not talking amenities) in the experience to put them on the same level as baseball venues.
The history
I won't say much about this, as it is largely self-evident. Pick up any good baseball book and you'll find an unbelievably rich history from which to draw inspiration. I received this book for my birthday this year, and I have to say it is rather amazing. Even my thirteen year old daughter loves this book.
It's not over 'til it's over
Like Oklahoma weather, everything can change in an instant. And there is no running down the clock, because there is no clock. It's over when it's over. It's done when we're finished playing. And there are no ties (well, except that one time, which was ridiculous). Down to the last strike, of the last out, of the last inning, of the last game in the season and then some, no outcome is certain. I don't know of another sport where in the very last second of the game you can be behind by an insurmountable sum, but where a single act can turn everything around. The ninth-inning comeback is simply unparalleled in sports in my opinion.
There is almost no better example of this than what happened last night.
As Mr. Stark so aptly put it, "The magic is in the moment". And I couldn't agree more.
But here are some of the key tenets...
The sacrifice and the truest team sport
My most favorite thing about baseball is the sacrifice. In what other sport can you purposely do something wrong for yourself, but good for the team, and have it not count against you statistically? Baseball is one of the most statistics oriented sports ever devised by man, but you can lay down your statistical reputation for the sake of your team, yet no one -- not even the statistician -- holds it against you. I just don't think there's a better way to instill the value of the team endeavor.
Additionally, very rarely does having the best player in the sport on your team assure any sort of enduring success. I feel baseball is the truest team sport. Who would argue that Albert Pujols is not currently one of if not the best players in baseball? His team? Swept from the first round of the playoffs. We've seen it time and again.
The venues
I just love that each and every baseball venue, while the same in essential dimensions, offers a unique experience up to both the player and the fan. I've been in many football, hockey, and basketball venues, and there simply aren't enough differences (and we're not talking amenities) in the experience to put them on the same level as baseball venues.
The history
I won't say much about this, as it is largely self-evident. Pick up any good baseball book and you'll find an unbelievably rich history from which to draw inspiration. I received this book for my birthday this year, and I have to say it is rather amazing. Even my thirteen year old daughter loves this book.
It's not over 'til it's over
Like Oklahoma weather, everything can change in an instant. And there is no running down the clock, because there is no clock. It's over when it's over. It's done when we're finished playing. And there are no ties (well, except that one time, which was ridiculous). Down to the last strike, of the last out, of the last inning, of the last game in the season and then some, no outcome is certain. I don't know of another sport where in the very last second of the game you can be behind by an insurmountable sum, but where a single act can turn everything around. The ninth-inning comeback is simply unparalleled in sports in my opinion.
There is almost no better example of this than what happened last night.
As Mr. Stark so aptly put it, "The magic is in the moment". And I couldn't agree more.
Labels: baseball, Phillies, sports
Thursday, May 28, 2009
True. True.
Not to advertise for them, but the Philavania.com "about" page has what must be the best definition of a true Philadelphia sports fan I've read.
We "...are under the impression that the Delaware Valley is the center of the Universe. In this respect, we are right. We got the Birds, we got the World Phuckin' Champion Fightin's, we got cheesesteaks and soft pretzels and hoagies and Tastykakes and all sorts of stuff nobody else has. We're kinda crappy but kinda awesome.
We never forget where we're from. We were losers for all those years (we're still trying to get over not being losers anymore) but we kept our heads up and stayed proud.
We get in fights at Eagles games with anybody wearing anything that remotely resembles Cowboys paraphernalia. When we find out that it's not a Cowboys fan but a horse-mounted state police officer, we still ask him if he's a Cowboys fan in a threatening manner.
We show up in the thousands to away games in cities like Tampa, San Diego, Phoenix and Minneapolis. We make so much noise that the other team's fans look around and say to their friends 'where the hell are these guys coming from?'
We used to go to Eagles games with our grandfather when we were 6 years old. We remember yelling at Cowboys fans even then. We also remember that guy in section 301 of the Vet with the beard in the tie-dyed overalls who started the E-A-G-L-E-S chant. May he rest in peace, and may his voice be heard for 100 years more.
We remember Harry Kalas. We've spent hundreds of hours talking to our friends in our best Harry Kalas impersonation. We loved that guy. We miss him terribly, but we're so damn happy he got to call that final out before he himself was outtahere. We think Harry would like that joke.
We love our city, we love our people, and we're proud of all of it--the good and the bad."
We "...are under the impression that the Delaware Valley is the center of the Universe. In this respect, we are right. We got the Birds, we got the World Phuckin' Champion Fightin's, we got cheesesteaks and soft pretzels and hoagies and Tastykakes and all sorts of stuff nobody else has. We're kinda crappy but kinda awesome.
We never forget where we're from. We were losers for all those years (we're still trying to get over not being losers anymore) but we kept our heads up and stayed proud.
We get in fights at Eagles games with anybody wearing anything that remotely resembles Cowboys paraphernalia. When we find out that it's not a Cowboys fan but a horse-mounted state police officer, we still ask him if he's a Cowboys fan in a threatening manner.
We show up in the thousands to away games in cities like Tampa, San Diego, Phoenix and Minneapolis. We make so much noise that the other team's fans look around and say to their friends 'where the hell are these guys coming from?'
We used to go to Eagles games with our grandfather when we were 6 years old. We remember yelling at Cowboys fans even then. We also remember that guy in section 301 of the Vet with the beard in the tie-dyed overalls who started the E-A-G-L-E-S chant. May he rest in peace, and may his voice be heard for 100 years more.
We remember Harry Kalas. We've spent hundreds of hours talking to our friends in our best Harry Kalas impersonation. We loved that guy. We miss him terribly, but we're so damn happy he got to call that final out before he himself was outtahere. We think Harry would like that joke.
We love our city, we love our people, and we're proud of all of it--the good and the bad."
Labels: Eagles, Philadelphia, Phillies, sports
Monday, May 11, 2009
Mother's Day in Philly
I made a surprise visit to Philadelphia over Mother's Day weekend. When I got in Friday night, I caught the premier of Star Trek with my best high school buddies. Then I spent the rest of the weekend with mom.
I took her to breakfast on Saturday before taking her to get a new cell phone, after which we headed to the Phillies game. She is the reason I love the Phillies like I do, but she hadn't been to the new ballpark yet, a problem I resolved at long last. Too bad the Phils didn't notch a win for her.
On Sunday, I took mom to get some new eyeglasses and to do some clothes shopping before picking up sister at the bus station. Sis bussed down from NYC for the evening so that the three of us could have a nice dinner together, something we hadn't done since high school, so like eighteen years. I know, shameful, but at least I'm finally taking care of business.
I was back on a plane Monday morning, but I think the short trip was enough to hold mom over until the next visit. Well, okay, so I'm headed back to Philly next month with the kids for family vacation, but you know what I mean.
See and download the full gallery on posterous
Labels: baseball, Philadelphia, Phillies, sports, trip
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
After all, it might be another 28 years...
You think I picked up too much World Series memorabilia?
Well, I only bought the shirt and hat on the right. Mom picked up the rest for me. Thanks mom!!!
Well, I only bought the shirt and hat on the right. Mom picked up the rest for me. Thanks mom!!!
Labels: baseball, Philadelphia, Phillies, sports
Monday, August 20, 2007
What I did on my summer vacation
So I've been gone for awhile. What's it to ya? I'm not even sure I'm back for good yet, so hold your tongue.
I have no good excuses. But the last time I blogged it was at the end of the school year. And tomorrow begins the next school year, so we'll just say I was on summer vacation for lack of a better reason.
I wrote many a blog entry over the summer, but didn't post for various reasons I'll not get into now. I may back-fill some of those blog entries, but I'm not making promises for the time being.
So, here's a brief summary of our summer...
Softball Camps and Clinics
Darby participated in a softball camp in June. Says she learned a thing or two. She also participated in an NCAA softball clinic.
Baseball
Darby played on a co-ed baseball team that experienced a "make-up season" instead of make-up games due to all the rain in June. There are photos in the album in addition to the below sample. She got to pitch quite a bit, and hit a couple homers of the inside-the-park variety.
Kingfisher
The girls spent two separate weeks with their grandmother in Kingfisher. The first week was rainy and indoors. The second was outdoorsy, but Shelby took a nasty spill off her bike. Guess it's good they got all that out of the way before Kingfisher ended up underwater.
New York
We took a trip to New York City in August, which was quite an adventure. We visited four of the five boroughs, took many subways and buses, went to both a Yankees game and a Mets game, and spent a lot of time in Central Park, among other activities. Additional pictures are available in the album.
Philadelphia
After NYC, we went down to Philly to visit family, friends, and landmarks. We went to the nations first zoo, fully experienced Six Flags Great Adventure, BBQed with friends, and spent a good amount of time in the historic district re-visiting Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and other sites. Naturally, we also took in a Phillies game. Additional pictures are available in the album.
Got Hitched
Okay, so this is a complete fabrication. Pick your jaw up off the floor. But in all seriousness, I did meet someone rather unexpectedly, if you can believe that. I'm quite fortunate, and things are going rather splendidly in that regard, but I'll not be going into that much here or now.
Well, that covers most of the highlights. Hopefully this will not be the last you hear from me in awhile. Trying to get back into the swing. Bear with me.
I have no good excuses. But the last time I blogged it was at the end of the school year. And tomorrow begins the next school year, so we'll just say I was on summer vacation for lack of a better reason.
I wrote many a blog entry over the summer, but didn't post for various reasons I'll not get into now. I may back-fill some of those blog entries, but I'm not making promises for the time being.
So, here's a brief summary of our summer...
Softball Camps and Clinics
Darby participated in a softball camp in June. Says she learned a thing or two. She also participated in an NCAA softball clinic.
Baseball
Darby played on a co-ed baseball team that experienced a "make-up season" instead of make-up games due to all the rain in June. There are photos in the album in addition to the below sample. She got to pitch quite a bit, and hit a couple homers of the inside-the-park variety.
Kingfisher
The girls spent two separate weeks with their grandmother in Kingfisher. The first week was rainy and indoors. The second was outdoorsy, but Shelby took a nasty spill off her bike. Guess it's good they got all that out of the way before Kingfisher ended up underwater.
New York
We took a trip to New York City in August, which was quite an adventure. We visited four of the five boroughs, took many subways and buses, went to both a Yankees game and a Mets game, and spent a lot of time in Central Park, among other activities. Additional pictures are available in the album.
Philadelphia
After NYC, we went down to Philly to visit family, friends, and landmarks. We went to the nations first zoo, fully experienced Six Flags Great Adventure, BBQed with friends, and spent a good amount of time in the historic district re-visiting Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and other sites. Naturally, we also took in a Phillies game. Additional pictures are available in the album.
Got Hitched
Okay, so this is a complete fabrication. Pick your jaw up off the floor. But in all seriousness, I did meet someone rather unexpectedly, if you can believe that. I'm quite fortunate, and things are going rather splendidly in that regard, but I'll not be going into that much here or now.
Well, that covers most of the highlights. Hopefully this will not be the last you hear from me in awhile. Trying to get back into the swing. Bear with me.
Labels: baseball, Darby, New York, Philadelphia, Phillies, pictures, softball, trip
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Principally intended for use by our friends and families, our news blog is sometimes a record of our memorable family moments, sometimes a place for me to rant about something or other (usually inconsequential), and periodically I simply wax satirical for no apparent reason. By reading these accounts, you agree not to be offended, and not to use this information against us in any way, including for legal prosecution, because for all you know, it could all be made up. :-)
