With the exclusion of a Weekend Shenanigans post last week, I’m trying to make it up to you this week by giving you a “SUPER” Weekend Shenanigans. Alright, there’s really nothing “SUPER” about it. Same lame format, same lame content. But I did probably give you one extra bullet of info, and there’s extra pictures. Awesome! You also get the extra info considering that I’ll be out all week on travel for work once again. Enjoy and contact me at buckrampage@gmail.com with comments or if you want to make a trek to Baltimore on Tuesday or Wednesday to watch the Orioles take on the Mariners.  

Put Me in Coach – I spent most of Sunday filling out a very special application. The application, if you must ask was for a position on the St. Louis Cardinals pitching staff. You see, the Cardinals were swept this weekend by the fear inducing Washington Nationals. The Cards staff struggled mightily in the three game series as our brand new “also-ran” pitcher Joel Pineiro lost while allowing five runs in five innings of work and our trusty bull-pen man Ryan Franklin suffered two losses. Things were wearing so thin that Tony La Russa chugged some Pinot Noir and put in utility player Aaron Miles to pitch. Ironically, he was the only pitcher that could tame the potent Nationals offense. This marks the second time this year that a position player has been given a mound assignment. Earlier this year Scott Spiezio was sent in to pitch and also did quite well. That’s why I’m sending in the application. I’m a shoe-in for the position. Give me a few bullpen sessions and I’ll be firing up an 85 MPH fastball and a nasty knuckle-slurve from hell.  

A Coronation This Way Comes – A new king is about to be crowned in the world of baseball. It took an annoying long amount of time so it seemed, but that guy from San Fran finally caught up with Hank Aaron over the weekend. Barry Bonds, as he is known in some circles now has 755 career home runs. Just one more and he’ll be the owner of the most recognizable record in sports. Bud Selig was in attendance and surprisingly enough, did not perform a jig once the ball went over the wall. He gave a morose response more typical of those that are un-living. Word is that he will not be at any of the Giants next three games, which are at home. As seems to happen in these instances, I’m sure Barry will go on a run now that the “pressure” of the record is all but gone. And, as Capt. Morgan noted a couple weeks back, it’s most likely time for a new cycle to ramp up.

Welcome to the Club – I’m suspecting that Jack Cobra, along with all Cubs fans will not be very pleased with their teams performance on Sunday night. All sorts of things happened in this game. Tom Glavine joined the 300 win club, Kerry Wood made his first appearance in 14 or so months, Alfonso Soriano’s right quad burst into pieces, and Mark DeRosa gave a tutorial on how not to track a flyball. Glavine pitched rather well in the win and the Cubs played rather lousy in the loss. The Cubs gave up 16 hits, 7 walks, had a wild pitch, and allowed 4 stolen bases. Overall, it’s amazing the Mets only scored 8 runs. Glavine is now the 23^rd player to join the 300 win club. During the game the brilliant Joe Morgan stated how he thought the 500 HR club was a tougher achievement than getting to 300 wins. There have been 22 500 HR players. I’d still like to bet Joe that in 10–20 years those numbers will be slightly skewed in favor of the 300 win club being the tougher achievement.

Get This Guy a Member’s Only Jacket – Another feat that seemed to take an inordinate amount of time to reach was Alex Rodriguez joining the 500 HR club. He finally claimed his place in history as the youngest player to reach the feat on Saturday. When comparing A-Rod’s progress to that of Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Barry Bonds, he has smashed the 500 homerun pace that those three set. At the same age, Babe, Hank, and Barry were all over 100 homeruns behind A-Rod’s current pace. Chances are that A-Rod will end up breaking Bond’s newly established record. However, we can’t foresee what problems lie ahead with injuries, contracts, and affairs.

Tiger Being Tiger – Tiger Woods won by 8 shots on Sunday at the Bridgestone Invitational. He only tied his fifth largest winning margin of his PGA career. Eh, big deal. He’s supposed to do that right? Woods once again stuck it to Rory Sabbatini, who earlier in the year did a little bit of trash talking to Tiger. Woods fired a 5–under 65 to end up as the only competitor to finish under par at the event. This may not bode well for the other players at next week’s PGA Championship at Southern Hills.

Snap – Los Angeles Clippers forward Elton Brand ruptured his achilles tendon on Friday and now faces the possibility of missing a year of action. This is a large blow to the Clippers as Brand is obviously their best player. There’s a possibility that he could come back earlier, but with this being the Clippers I can’t imagine that happening.

2 Comments

Leave a comment