SINCE WE LAST SPOKE 6-12-14
VOL BASEBALL RECAP: Dave Serrano’s gradual, but forward-moving rebuild of the Tennessee Baseball Program reached the end of Year 3 with a loss to Vandy in of all places Hoover Alabama. Making the SEC Tournament field after a six year absence was certainly a sign of progress that needs to become an annual pilgrimage. The expectation in the very-near future should be that it will simply be a warm-up on the way to a Regional berth. The good news is assuming Will Maddox chooses to play his senior season the Vols return all but two of their major offensive contributors (losing 3B Taylor Smart and 1B/OF Scott Price) and the only pitcher with significant appearances departing is Nick Williams. If the Vols are to fulfill the hopes of Dave Serrano and the Tennessee faithful they must recruit more pitching, develop a closer –since most all at the college level are converted starters- add more pop to the lineup and eliminate costly gaffes in the field and on the basepaths. Below is a statistical breakdown
–complete with Blogger’s commentary- of what we saw on the diamond in 2014:
-Tennessee faired extremely well in speed-related phases of the game leading the league in triples (16) stolen bases (93) and Ground into Double Plays (29) and were 4th in caught stealing (28)
-They also finished in the upper half of the league in Batting Average (7th .275); On-base % (6th .363); Strikeouts (6th 349); Sac bunts (T-4th 54) Opposing Batting Avg. (6th .242); Hits Allowed (4th 439); Earned Runs Allowed (7th 187); Wild Pitches (7th 42)
-If you’re going to play get-em-on; get-em-over; get-em-in baseball and be successful you must rank higher in hits (11th; 503), walks (9th; 217) and hit batsmen (T-10th 48)
-The Vols must also improve in all phases of the power game finishing 9th in Doubles (82) and T-9th in Home Runs (21) while their pitchers surrender extra base hits in bunches finishing near the bottom of the SEC in 2Bs allowed (13th; 93); 3Bs allowed (12th; 12) and HRs allowed (12th-29)
-Other areas that I don’t have stats to back up but the eye test proves improvement is imperative are poor decisions on throws that allow additional scoring opportunities for opponents and basepath gaffes that rob you of runs.
-The Vols struggled getting two out hits with runners in scoring position and preventing the opposition from doing so the result of which was a 2-8 record in one-run conference games. That is a stat that usually evens out over the course of a player’s career.
BEANO AND FREDDY DO CHI-TOWN: My brother and I made our annual baseball trip approximately two months earlier than usual but par for the course loved every minute of it. This year’s destination was US Cellular Field on the south side of Chicago. I was stunned at how much more appealing the playing surface and stadium is to the eyes than it appears on TV. With apologies to the many radio-family Cub fans who are baseball-astute I found the game atmosphere superior and the White Sox fans to be a much more knowledgeable baseball crowd than I encountered on my trip to Wrigley years ago. I admittedly sat in the wrong section (Dugout Level) of the Friendly Confines where an old spinster auditioning for a spot on the pre-Bruce Pearl, Thompson Boling Arena Usher Roster ruled her section –filled seemingly with people disinterested in the game- with a Homeland Security-like iron fist.
“Yes maam I’m the same guy who’s shown you his ticket 10 times”. While too large a percentage of Wrigley attendees are there to see a treasured venue the US Cellular crowd is all about baseball. And man do they hate them some Cubs! I guess they take issue with the fact that with arguably more history and certainly more recent success all anyone from outside Chicago thinks about is the WGN-created Cubbies. With another fantastic venture in the rear-view mirror and an additional stadium visited here are my updated ratings of MLB stadiums I have been privileged to attend games at:
FAVORITE MLB STADIUMS
1-CAMDEN YARDS: The first and best of the Retro design stadiums in a great baseball town. The ultimate combination of character, beauty, modern amenities and a savvy crowd.
2-PNC PARK: Real close to being 1-A with perfect size, great sightlines and palpable franchise history
3-COORS FIELD: Unique design with the peaking CF bleachers and a hard to describe beauty
4-YANKEE STADIUM (ORIGINAL): Lacks the amenities of the Retros but the historical significance was immeasurable to a lifelong Yankee fan
5-NATIONALS PARK: Beautiful design and though it appears money was no object in its construction simple touches like bullpen message boards make it special
6-NEW YANKEE STADIUM: Adequately captured the history of its predecessor and the Yankee Franchise.
7-US CELLULAR: Surprising in its beauty and practicality. Without question one of the best pre-Camden Yard stadiums with a savvy baseball crowd
8-WRIGLEY FIELD: Greatest strength is also a weakness. Too many attendees are there to see a National Treasure rather than a baseball game
9-PETCO PARK: Beautiful park in a gorgeous city. May have ranked higher if I had attended with baseball fans rather than workmates looking for something to do on a Sunday out-of-town
10-MEMORIAL STADIUM (Baltimore) Outstanding baseball city and facility where the greatest Oriole teams played. Doesn’t hurt that I remember watching countless Colt games on TV played there
11-FULTON COUNTY STADIUM The first MLB park I saw a game live at. More appealing than other multi-purpose stadiums due to natural grass and memories of Hank Aaron.
12-TURNER FIELD Ranks very low compared to other post-Camden Yards stadiums I have seen. With all the carnival-like activities in the concourse it’s like attending an MLB game in Pigeon Forge
13-TROPICANA FIELD Better than it appears on TV but its still indoor baseball with as indifferent a crowd as I have ever experienced
14-GREAT AMERICAN BALLPARK The Red’s organization did a disservice to some of MLB’s greatest fans and their team’s great history by going on-the-cheap with this facility. Everything about it screams penny-pinching and rather than a Queen City skyline you’re looking at Kentucky. I can do that from Jellico
15-MINUTE MAID STADIUM: The only stadium I’ve ever been in where I prefer the upper deck. The lower level is cramped with bad sightlines. Like the Astros; it sucks
16-RIVERFRONT STADIUM: Cookie-cutter, multi-purpose, turf-covered, monstrosity with no character or redeeming features
17-PRO PLAYERS STADIUM: This isn’t even a good football stadium was a blight on MLB. The fans were so bad that I showed up two hours before gametime an d there were so few cars there I thought I had read the schedule wrong
18-METRODOME: TVA&I Fair Officials would move their event if this pup tent was located at Chilhowee Park.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH SPORTS (IMO): California Chrome and his every-man owner Steve Coburn had the makings of a tremendous story. Then it was all ruined and not because Chrome ran fourth but because his human counterpart turned into a horse’s ass. Everyone except the most arrogant of elitists seemed enchanted by a relatively common man and his relatively inexpensive yet marvelous horse challenging to do something that the blueist of bluebloods rarely accomplish. It was destined to be a heartwarming and compelling drama regardless of the Belmont outcome but was tainted by the bitter/ridiculous ranting of Coburn who most thought had horse sense until something that should have been shoveled out of the stables came out of the post-race interview and was even more ignorantly stated the following day. He later apologized but the story’s ending was already ruined. That lengthy diatribe leads up to my biggest complaint with sports today and why I don’t enjoy most as I once did. It may be boring as hell but you should still win with humility and lose with class. What’s wrong with sports today? There is far too little of both.
WHICH BRINGS US TO LEBRON JAMES: LeBron’s on-court antics frequently fall outside the lines of
“winning with humility” -and I still feel he was totally disrespectful to his home town with the whole
The Decision fiasco- but I find it hard to view him with the disdain that many do. I guess I am impressed by how he carries himself off-the-court especially considering the fact that he has been a mega-star seemingly since puberty. He is by all indications a solid husband and father and there has never been even a hint of behavioral issues. He has displayed a rare and commendable level of maturity and self-discipline for someone given so much so quickly. I think that is far more impressive than his astounding ability and however many championships he may one day collect.
MY ALL-STAR BALLOT: The Mid-Summer Classic is astonishingly only weeks ahead so I cast my vote this week. As I have stated here on numerous occasions it is a game for the fans so however you choose to make your selections is fine by me. Some like to vote for hometown favorites, while others honor career brilliance. I on the other hand have always tried to reward those who have performed the best in the first half of the season at-hand. Here is who I tabbed for 2014:
NATIONAL LEAGUE:
C- Jonathan Lucroy (Brewers) .335; 4; 27
1B- Paul Goldschmidt (Diamondbacks) .305; 12; 47
2B- Neil Walker (Pirates) .280; 11; 35
3B- Todd Frazier (Reds) .276; 13; 32
SS- Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies) .354; 17; 42
OF- Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins) .301; 17; 53
OF- Carlos Gomez (Brewers) .307; 12; 35
OF- Andrew McCutchen (Pirates) .309; 8; 31
AMERICAN LEAGUE:
C- Salvador Perez (Royals) .271; 6; 26
1B- Miguel Cabrera (Tigers) .329; 12; 52
2B- Jose Altuve (Astros) .320; 2; 22
3B- Josh Donaldson (A’s) .266; 17; 50
SS- Alexei Ramirez (White Sox) .310; 7; 36
OF- Jose Batista (Blue Jays) .309; 15; 44
OF- Mike Trout (Angels) .293; 12; 45
OF- Adam Jones (Orioles) .305; 10; 39
DH- Edwin Encarnacion (Blue Jays) .270; 20; 53
Blogger’s Note: I hope regular readers will indulge me as I repost my annual tribute to my Dad in honor of Father’s Day. He has now been in the presence of his Lord and Savior for 27+ years yet rare is the day that I don’t think of him.
THANKS DAD: I lost my dad on January 25th 1987 at the age of 62. He suffered from a heart condition and emphysema from seemingly my earliest memory so we never had the opportunity play catch or share in other active sports-related activities but that never stopped him from conveying his love of sports to my brothers and I. Football, baseball and boxing were his true loves but he also relished any international competition because he was an even greater patriot than sportsman. He fought in both WWII and Korea and though he rarely spoke of either he took great pride –as did we- in the fact he so loyally served his country. Dad supported us in whatever sport –or activity- we chose to participate in and silently took great pride in our successes. I never once heard him from the stands but took great comfort in knowing he rarely missed a game. He had a gift of caring greatly without pushing or pressuring that allowed me to enjoy whatever sport I played without feeling obligated to participate or pressured to perform. He was much more emphatic that I play with effort, learn to win and lose with dignity and that I respect the game and everyone associated with it. He understood that success couldn’t be constant but desire, effort and attitude could. In a comical (now) antidote he once taught me a lesson in respect and humility with very few words that I have never forgotten. While getting ready for a High School Baseball Game I realized my sliding pads weren’t with the rest of my uniform and when I asked Mom about it she told me they were in the dryer. Anxious to get to the ballpark I questioned her in a way I shouldn’t have. Dad was a voracious reader but rarely missed anything unfolding around him. He looked up from his book and said “son, first don’t
EVER speak to your Mother in that tone again and secondly don’t worry about your sliding pads. If you ever get on base again we’ll bring the damn things out to you!” With that he resumed his book with both lessons taught loud and clear. I thank God every day for my Dad’s love, strength, courage and wisdom and I wish I possessed a fraction of what he had of any of the above. Happy Father’s Day to all of you and on behalf of sons and daughters everywhere we love you.
IN A PERFECT WORLD: Every man would be the Father they’re supposed to be and those who are would be honored and thanked daily.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
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