Monthly Archives: January 2015
Confessions Of A Ball Park Chaser – 2015 Edition Part 2: Why I will See 220+ MLB Games in 2015
This was taken for a news paper article. It was in June of 2008. I was in the best shape of my life mentally and physically..
We finished off earlier in the week about the chance for me to play NCAA Baseball that was foiled by knee problems and concussions. Looking at reconstructive knee surgery in late 1994, I was seeking a second and third opinion on the matter. If you have to read that blog to catch up it is available right here.
On a night in Sept of that year I was in the wrong place at the wrong time helping a friend move. I was a victim of a serious home invasion. It was truly a life or death situation at points. It ended with all of receiving baseball bats to the back of the head before they left.
In the minutes after it was over, I was on an adrenaline rush, so I never realized how much damage had been done with the impact. I did go to the hospital that night, but we never wanted to divulge that much information about what happened to us. I was given some painkillers, and I passed a quick eyeball test with the doctor in the emergency room.
I stayed up for almost 2 days straight. Previous head injuries had told me not to sleep that much if all. I drank alcohol and took painkillers. at will.
When I went to work 3 days later, I knew I was in trouble. I started having vision problems and felt nauseous. Within 3 months – I stopped working entirely and didn’t want to leave the house at all. I never went to my knee appointments, as I had gone through similar symptoms with my brain after a concussion at 16. Worse part of the whole ordeal, was not demanding a CT scan on the night of the incident. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 16, 2013
Ted S. Warren – AP
Nori Aoki left the Royals for a one year deal with the Giants.
I am not sure why the Royals are being so cheap. But I think it is a smart move for the World Champs who could be setting up for an even bigger move.
It is a review the pennant winners episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 15, 2015
Photo: Rob Grabowski – USA Today Sports
The Oscar nominations are out. I find a way to tie them into the Hall of Fame vote and Paul Konerko.
How do I do that?
It is what I do on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast
My New 2015 30 MLB Parks/183 Day Record Trip Is Revealed (226 Games)
The count is in, and it may increase a little – or decrease a little. It has taken me about a week’s worth of hours to formulate this game plan. I have had to revamp the itinerary several times for cost and time considerations.
I initially had wanted to spend the first few months on the West Coast, however the parks are too far from each other. Once I established that was a problem, it made life easier. Factor in some great scores on tickets for the Red Sox and Phillies, and I am looking at a ton of games on the Eastern Seaboard.
Highlighted in my April schedule are 12 Doubleheader Attempts. Yes I am crazy, but this a good way to put a lot of games up early while I am freshest.
ESPN has also placed its first 5 games for Sunday night contests and surprise…the Yankees are in 3 of the contests. I am attending 4 of these games as part of Doubleheader days. The only one not consisting of 2 games is the MLB Season Opener at Wrigley Field on Apr.5, 2015.
I have slated to see most teams at least 3 times at home (except for Tropicana Field which I will see 2x), and all teams at least once on the road. I will see Citizens Bank Park, Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Miller Park, Safeco Field, US Cellular Field, Nats Park and Citi Field at least 10games or more.
There are 46 Doubleheaders in the 179 games played, with potentially more coming on the way. I could have a few taken away with my schedule projections as well. Right now the Royals, Padres, White Sox, Astros and Indians have not placed their start times yet (Shame on them, LOL). Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 14, 2015
Photo: Walter Iooss Jr – Sports Illustrated
Former Texas Rangers second baseman Bump Wills who talks about his days with the Texas Rangers and their super talented 1977 squad.
It is a Lone Star State edition of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast
Follow Past Pros on Twitter by clicking HERE.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 13, 2015
Brewers.com
Would you pay $1,000 to go to a dream game for your team?
I must say it would be tempting.
Meanwhile I got this Tweet.
@sullybaseball PLEASE do a Podcast attempting to understand Dave Stewart’s bizarre statements today!
— Jim Furlong (@EWOKinLA) January 13, 2015
Dave Stewart introduces us to the concept of No True Scotsman.
It is a logical fallacy edition of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast
Confessions Of A Ball Park Chaser – 2015 Edition: Why I Will Attend 220+ MLB Games This Year Part 1
Donnie Baseball holds the record for most HRs hit in a 8 game HR streak stretch ever – with big flies in July of 1987. The Yankees 1B also would establish a record for 6 grandslams in one year that campaign, (since tied by Travis Hafner in 2006. Mattingly knocked in 23 RBI with those 10 HRs.
Confessions Of A Ball Park Chaser – 2015 Edition Part 2: Why I will See 220+ MLB Games in 2015
Confessions Of A Ball Park Chaser – 2015 Edition Part 3: Why I Will See 220+ Games In 2015
When I was a kid I wanted to be baseball player for the New York Yankees. Don Mattingly was my favorite hitter. Funny saying this as a Canadian, where our national pastime is hockey. Don’t get me wrong, I loved that sport too.. Just not as much as baseball.
My mom was talking me to my dad’s fastball league games when I was in a stroller in the late 1970’s.
By the time I was 3, my 2 older brothers were already playing baseball and I was hooked. It wasn’t too long after that I was joining them in practice.
For the next 16 years I ate, lived and breathed the sport. Some real life issues popped up, and I never recovered from injuries sustained growing up. I still can’t play recreational baseball because of a deep concussion history. I turned my back on the sport live in late 1996, never coming back until 2005. Now I am about to go my 4th epic journey to all 30 MLB Parks in the last 7 years.
This season, I will be live for a game every day all year. So how does one come to this lifestyle and crazy fandomness? We must go back in time…..
Quick Blurbs:
From Ages 10 – 15, I would hit baseballs to my dog every day. He was an English Springer Spaniel named Patches, and he was the quickest outfielder of ALL-Time, and handy when no one else wanted to play ball in the rainy winter months in Vancouver B.C, Canada. All I had to do was to bring a towel to wipe the slobber off of the baseballs.
I caught for 10 years, and loved the position as I could lead from the backstop of the diamond. At 9 years old, I began to umpire baseball games like my father. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 12, 2015
AP Photo – Ted S. Warren
Andy from High Heat Stats returns to discuss the Hall of Fame.
We look forward to will be on the ballot NEXT year and praise Ken Griffey Jr but have some thoughts about Trevor Hoffman.
That and more on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast
Follow High Heat Stats on Twitter by clicking HERE
High Heat Stats
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 11, 2015
It is Sunday and time for The Sunday Request.
@sullybaseball I would love to see The Dodgers trade for Hamels, but I don’t think any team can meet RAJ’s outlandish demands.
— Jim Furlong (@EWOKinLA) January 9, 2015
The Phillies might be right to make huge demands for Cole Hamels. And Phillies fans could have reasons for guarded optimism.
Find out why while I buy Manhattan Clam Chowder on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 10, 2015
Getty Images
Talking managers and the Hall of Fame today.
I reference Mike Axisa’s CBS Sports article like crazy in this podcast. You can read it by clicking HERE.
Which current managers belong in the Hall, who is on the cusp and how unfair is it to judge managers based not only on post season berths but also by victories.
It is a fill out the lineup card and watch them play episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 9, 2015
Getty Images
ESPN’s Dan Szymborski is my guest today. We discussed which teams are having a good off season, who is not, why the Royals are blowing a once in a lifetime chance and of course the bizarre Michael Cuddyer signing by the Mets.
It is a projection episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Follow Dan Szymborski on Twitter by clicking HERE
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 8, 2015
Lisa Swan, creator of Subway Squawkers and Jason Keidel of WFAN both return the podcast to talk Yankees.
Actually we started talking about the Yankees but wound up talking about The Facts of Life, The Blues Brothers, WKRP in Cincinnati and whether or not they should remake The Bonfire of the Vanities.
It is another “Let’s see where it goes!” discussion on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Follow Subway Squawkers on Twitter by clicking HERE.
Follow Jason Keidel on Twitter by clicking HERE.
A Early Look at Future Hall of Fame Candidates
Craig Biggio finally got his “call to the hall” and should set an example for players who didn’t get that call on their first try. Other notable players are still on the ballot, and should receive legitimate consideration for induction in the future.
By Nicholas Delahanty (MLB Reports Writer) Follow @Nick_Delahanty
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The BBWAA elected four players into the Baseball Hall of Fame for the class of 2015: Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio. This is the first time that the BBWAA has elected four players in 60 years, as these four players truly exemplify what the MLB Hall of Fame is all about.
Now that the official results have been released, we can now take a look at not only some of the guys who will return on the ballot in the upcoming years, but also some future eligible players who present a very interesting case for their enshrinement into the Hall of Fame.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 7, 2015
High Heat Stats
Andy of High Heat Stats joins the podcast to discuss the Hall of Fame vote, Tim Raines, Edgar Martinez and putting aside any steroid policing by voters.
It is a meeting of baseball Twitter minds on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Follow High Heat Stats on Twitter by clicking HERE.
Go to the High Heat Stats website by clicking HERE.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 6, 2015
Topps
It is the Hall of Fame episode!
I take a look at my predictions BEFORE the announcement, then I listened to the announcement on MLB Network, then I reacted to the election of Randy Johnson, Craig Biggio, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz.
It is a Cooperstown bound episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
2015 MLB Hall of Fame Voting: Who Deserves to Get In?
The MLB Hall of Fame will announce which players will be part of the Class of 2015. With players such as Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez being added to the ballot this year, the question remains as to which players will ultimately make the final cut this year?
By Nicholas Delahanty (MLB Reports Writer) Follow @Nick_Delahanty
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It is very possible that history is made with regards to this year’s MLB Hall of Fame induction class. In the past, the committee has been hesitant to vote in more than three players in one class, and it has been very rare to see more than three voted in at one time. In the past, the committee voted in four players twice (1947 and 1955) and five players only once (1936- the first year of the voting process).
As the decision day quickly approaches, there is speculation that the BBWAA could possibly end the long drought and elect five players this year. With this year’s ballot having a ton of players who could make a legitimate case to be inducted, I decided to go to the process of picking my own ballot (which doesn’t count for the BBWAA), and after taking the time and effort to research my ballet, I realized that it was a much harder process then I anticipated it would be.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 5, 2015
Yankees.com
Lisa Swan, creator of Subway Squawkers and Jason Keidel of WFAN both join the podcast to talk about the state of the Yankees.
Somehow the discussion turned to food.
It is part one of a Yankee round table discussion on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Follow Subway Squawkers on Twitter by clicking HERE.
Follow Jason Keidel on Twitter by clicking HERE.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 4, 2015
It is time for THE SUNDAY REQUEST.
https://twitter.com/cu8sfan/status/549658929706573825
Someday there will be women playing Major League Baseball. And chances are the first one will be the equivalent of Jamie Moyer.
It is a hypothetical pioneer episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 3, 2015
Mark Anderson, creator of the wonderful website MLB Cathedrals, returns to the podcast to talk about Oakland and the new retropark look that is creating a strange cookie cutter effect.
That and more on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Follow Mark Anderson on Twitter by clicking HERE.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 2, 2015
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
If Babe Ruth played today he would be the target of social media anger and conspiracy theorists. Forget Truthers. There would be Babe Ruthers.
It is a called shot episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 1, 2015
Happy New Year!
@sullybaseball Congrats on 800. I can't wait for the annual "resolutionsfor each team" episode
— Bill Stroup (@BillStroup) January 1, 2015
Ok then. Time to list every team’s resolution.
It is the first 2015 episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
MLB Reports 
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