The Cubs did it the right way, opening their season by dedicating a statue to the eternally optimistic Ernie Banks. Not only the face of the franchise, his eternally optimistic and positive outlook and approach to the game of baseball personifies Cub Nation. His sunny disposition beamed through the dismal Midwest weather and was almost enough to motivate the Cubs to an Opening Day victory. Kusome Fukudome laid the first brick to his building a cult status around Chicago with a game-tying, three run home-run off the shadow of Eric Gagne. Fukudome is going to be a cross between the elegance of Ichiro and the raw power of Matsui. The Cubs will gladly take both in one package and inserting him amongst a healthy Derrek Lee, Alphonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez will make Lou Piniella's job of making out the lineup card a daily joy instead of a chore.
Now if Kerry Wood could close.....and if I could only stop hearing C.C.R.'s "Who'll stop the Rain" from running through my head.....
-----------------------------------------------------
THIS WILL BE A RECURRING FEELING FOR GIANTS FANS THIS YEAR
One hundred and eighty degrees removed from the Cubs, Barry Zito began the post-Barry Bonds era for Giants fans by getting clubbed like a baby seal by the Dodgers. With the Dodgers showing off new manager Joe Torre and celebrating their rich franchise history, you could almost feel and see these two franchises moving in opposite directions yesterday. Peter Magowan sat in the stands taking notes (NOT) and I couldn't help but wondering, like many Giants fans perhaps, why it wasn't Magowan getting clubbed like a baby seal. Ah, perchance to dream.......
BARRY ZITO, ESTIMATING WHAT HE THINKS HIS E.R.A. WILL BE THIS SEASON
--------------------------------------------------------
A NEW DAY IN TAMPA BAY?? SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEET
The Rays opened their post "Devil" era with a victory over the Orioles (still counts) as Scott Shields took over Opening Day chores from injured ace Scott Kazmir. This will be the team to watch, if they start strong from the gate. A plus .500 April is a MUST for this team. Anything less and you'll will be able to feel a cloud of "same old Rays" rain on their parade.
-----------------------------------------------------
The White Sox announcers were in mid-season form, bitching about the umpire's calls last night in a loss to the Indians. A ??? call at first base on a pulled foot by the Indians 1B goes against them. Crede looked safe on a phantom tag by Indians catcher Kelly Shoppach. Orlando Cabrerra interfered with the SS on a double play and got correctly rung up, along with the batter. The announcers put forth the argument that "his foot was able to touch the base, so he should be able to go after the IF" but just because that call doesn't get made as often as it should, doesn't mean you got hosed. Try arguing your way out of a plus-eight-or-nine-miles-per-hour-over-the-speed limit-speeding-ticket in court with the argument that "nobody writes a ticket for that" and see how sympathetic the judge is. HAHAHAHAHA. The other two, based on replay, the calls went against them, but it's Opening Day for the umpires too I guess.
How soon they forget that the W-Sox World Series victory might have never happened but for an umpire screw-up (A.J. and the phantom dropped third strike ring a bell??). So I'd say on balance, your still way ahead. Shut up and play, or announce, or spectate.....
No comments:
Post a Comment