Results tagged ‘ joe torre ’
Offseason blues
I apologize for not writing in a long time. So many exciting things have happened since my last post. Most importantly, my lovely David proposed and I have been basking in engagement bliss. Needless to say, we are over the moon.
I also wanted to share some other news. I have spent the last year writing a book, and after lots of research, revisions, self-doubt, neuroses, drafts, and anxiety attacks it is finally finished! It will be released March 24 and I couldn’t be happier. Or more terrified. I am happy for all the obvious reasons and terrified for all the really, really obvious reasons.
The book is called Safe At Home: Confessions of a Baseball Fanatic. When I initially began plotting out the book in my head, my intention simply was to write about baseball from a woman’s perspective. But once I actually sat down and started writing, it became much more of a personal experience. Throughout the book, I use baseball as a mirror to my life, experiences, and memories, dating back to my childhood. The result is part memoir and part philosophical love letter to the sport that found me when I needed it most.
And… Joe Torre wrote the forward which makes me prouder than you could ever friggin’ imagine. I’m so not worthy, but so damn appreciative.
Okay… so…. what a totally odd off-season. Have you guys read this article from the Los Angeles Times? What do you think? Collusion or contusion?
Have you watched the MLB Channel yet? It is awesome and made the off-season much, much, much, easier to get through.
Who is going to the World Baseball Classic? I went in 2006 and it was some of the best fundamental baseball I have ever seen.
A-Rod did steroids in 2003? Who else wasn’t surprised by this? Puh-lease.
Hopefully, my next post will be about what a genius Ned is by being ever so patient and finally signing Manny. (Please).
Until then…
Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa
P.S. Here is a copy of the book cover.
Bring on the NLCS!
On the eve of the NLCS, I am sitting here typing away as a nervous wreck. Everyone around me, is predicting a Dodgers-Red Sox World Series. I hold my breath when they speak of it. I knock on wood. I cross every limb. Funny how superstitious one gets when the thing you want so badly is completely and totally out of your hands.
Could you imagine a Dodgers-Red Sox World Series? Torre against his old rivals. Manny against the team still paying his salary and the fans that turned against him. Wow. Emotions will run high.
But first we have to make it past the Phillies. They have a lot of lefties in their lineup. I wonder how we will match up considering our lack of lefty pitchers. Sometimes, the numbers kill me. Stats are an important part of the game. And on paper, this looks like it may be a tough series for us. The stats don’t cover heart and chemistry though. If we can pick up where we left off last week, I think we are unstoppable.
I can’t begin to express what it felt like to watch the Dodgers sweep the Cubs. All the media experts picked the Cubs in that series. That’s okay. Keep underestimating us. We don’t mind. It only makes for a better story in the end.
I leave you now with this YouTube video.
This has made me laugh out loud numerous times. If we win the World Series, I hope Joe Biemel, Manny, Russell, and Furcal remake this.
And here are some photos of the game last Saturday:
Peace,
Love,
And Baseball,
Alyssa
How Sweep It Is!
It was a great weekend for the boys in blue.
It was a good feeling to sweep the Rockies after they won seven in a
row last season. Two walk-off victories in one series! Let’s hope we
can ride this momentum and keep it going.
Some highlights for me:
- Matt
Kemp: To ask a guy like that to bunt, the night after he hit a grand
slam, is pretty unorthodox and he bunted like he does it every day.
Effortless and effective. - James Loney: After he had hit into
that double play in the eighth, for him to mentally come back by
bringing Rafael Furcal home with a single in the 10th to win the game
was outstanding. - Esteban Loaiza: He had a ribbie that led to
two runs in the fourth, and he pitched like he had the fifth spot in
the rotation to lose with those four scoreless innings to begin. A
solid outing, even though he didn’t get the win. - Russell Martin: Saturday night, the guy played third
(his Minor League position) when Nomar Garciaparra got hurt. Then in
the 13th, Martin hit the ball deep enough to get Matt Kemp home for the
win. Martin is batting .414 (12-for-29) in his last 10 games and has
raised his average nearly 100 points to .280. - Brad Penny: He looks good. He always looks good. The guy is solid.
- Ten runs against Mark Redman in the first.
- Jonathan Broxton: There is nothing like watching a pitcher pitch his way out of trouble.
- Joe
Torre: I love watching him manage this team. Some of it works, some of
it doesn’t, but at least there is guidance and some semblance of a plan
with every at bat.
Well done, my beloved Dodgers. Well done.
Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa
P.S. I think my Dad should be worried. It seems like my mother has a little crush on Joe Beimel.
Happy Jackie Robinson Day
“I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me…All I ask is that you respect me as a human being” – Jackie Robinson
HAPPY JACKIE ROBINSON DAY!!!! Sixty-one years ago, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. It is hard to imagine that just 62 years ago, there was segregation in the sport we love. Having said that, I just read that only eight percent of big leaguers are African American and that’s the lowest level in at least 20 years. So I ask you this: Why do you think this is and what can we do to engage our African American youth in the sport? I would love to get your thoughts on this.
Who watched that game last night? I got home from work and turned it on during the third inning. I’m completely aware that your closer can’t save every game, but being aware of that fact didn’t make watching that home run any easier. Ouch. I was by myself (well, with the doggies) and when McLouth hit that bomb in the ninth, I let out an audible yelp that spooked the Chihuahuas. They then proceeded to look at me like I was out of my mind, which I very well may be.
I know it is early in the season and it is a marathon not a sprint, blah, blah, blah. BUT…anyone frustrated?
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t frustrated, but it’s weird, I also feel a tremendous amount of faith that things will turn around. I have this weird faith/hysteria combo going on (further proof that I may be out of my mind). And I think I feel the faith because of Joe Torre. There is something about having him at the helm that puts my mind at ease. I just feel like he has the brain capacity to make the appropriate changes and get things on track. More importantly, I think he will ask that some changes be made if he thinks he can’t win with this roster. Isn’t there something in his contract about player/roster consultation? Please say yes. Please say yes. Please say yes. Yes, I know that patience is a virtue but when we are in the basement of our division, patience eludes me.
Hence, the hysteria.
Going to the field in two hours and twenty minutes. GO BLUE.
Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa
Hus Your Daddy, the Five Man Infield and Opening Day
We left the house at 6:30 on Friday. My brother (above) drove and we listened to “Home Plate” on XM Radio. We were giddy to be making the drive to the stadium for the first time in months. Giddy and giggly. My brother drove like a NY cab driver, weaving in and out of traffic. Normally this would drive me nuts but I knew he was just excited to get there.
Once there, we parked the car. We went through security where we were greeted with “welcome backs” and “how have you been’s?” As soon as we walked through the gates we noticed all the renovations on the field level at Dodger Stadium – our home away from home. Wowie! The stadium looks gorgeous. The McCourt’s have outdone themselves this off-season. Everything looks sparkly, clean and bright. There are many new vendors like – Canters Deli, Mrs. Beasley’s (love their lemon cake), Ruby’s and Camacho’s. The walkway seems to have been widened. Say what you will about Frank McCourt but I think he has done an outstanding job with maintaining and improving the stadium. I guess coming from real estate the man understands the value of property. I appreciate what he has done to better the fan experience at the park. And that’s what it is all about isn’t it? The experience. Sitting there with your family and friends enjoying an evening in the yard.
What is it about the smell of a ballpark? It smells so deliciously distinct. You know how your home has a specific smell? As soon as I unlock my front door, it is the smell that tells me I’m home. I feel the same way about the ballpark. As soon as I walk through the gates, it is the smell that tells me I’m home.
We got to the seats and got settled in… and low and behold…there he was. Joe Torre in all his glory. So yeah, I squealed like a teenage girl at a Jonas Brother’s concert. So what? He wears his hat down low and his jacket was zipped all the way up (it was chilly). All you could see was his tan nose. Tommy Lasorda was right there next to him. So exciting.
It was a good game. Billingsley looked good with 7 strikeouts in 5 innings. Sweeney, Kent and Ethier all doubled. The rooks looked solid. My brother and I made endless jokes, a la Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s On First” routine. I would ask, “Who’s on deck?” and he would reply “Hu”. I would follow up with “I don’t know. I asked you.” That’s never going to get old. I can see us driving everyone nuts with banter like this. Brother and sister humor. Ah, thank God for siblings.
And then there was Saturday’s exhibition game celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Dodgers moving from Brooklyn. The last game played in the Coliseum (pictured above and below) was in 1961. I was sitting next to a gentleman who used to go to those games with his dad. He was there with his son. Baseball is such a generational experience. I was there with my family. We lost but being a part of the record turnout and listening to Vin dedicate his tribute to the great Dodger fans was enough for me.
There were 115,300 fans. That was the most ever for a baseball game, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The best part of all was that it benefited a wonderful cause: ThinkCure, the Dodgers’ new official team charity, which aims to raise funds for the treatment and eventual prevention of cancer. “This record is a tribute to the passion and compassion of our fans,
with whom this event clearly struck a chord,” Frank McCourt said. “It’s a marvelous launch for ‘ThinkCure‘ and great news for our partners at City of Hope and Childrens Hospital L.A.”
Poor Loaiza. He had his hands full with the odd shape of the field. Anyone know the distance of left field? It looked like only 200 feet! Loney homered and rookie Dewitt made up for his two-out error in the second with a two run homer off Paplebon in the 9th. The fans created a massive wave. It was the biggest I have ever seen (inclusive of the players in both dugouts participating)!
It was a great weekend. Spring has sprung. You know how I know? Vin told me so. He said, “It’s time for Dodger baseball.”
Peace,
Love,
AND BASEBALL,
Alyssa
P.S. How about that Opening Day win?
P.P.S. I have two words for you. Larry Freaking Bowa.
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Alyssa Milano
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