SB Nation User Blog: Charlie77

Vote for your favorite PurpleRow T-Shirt!

Charlie77 — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 07:33:46 -0000

I have taken the group's suggestions from a previous Fanpost and submitted the best of the best. So please take the time to look at all the submissions and vote on your favorite! If you see something that you would like to wear then email the person who created it and they will send you a copy. Remember the resolution should be around 300 dpi to look good on the shirt. Email me if you have any questions about dpi. CafePress can create and ship the shirt in as little as 3 days for an extra fee, so there is still time to order a shirt to wear to the Rowbbbq!!!

by Oo_Nrb

by Charlie77

by PioneerSkies

by Lunchbox8484

by Charlie77

Poll

Which T-Shirt do you like the best?

1.

4 votes

2.

24 votes

3.

8 votes

4.

3 votes

5.

52 votes

6.

10 votes

7.

24 votes

None of these reflect my style.

3 votes

128 votes | Poll has closed

USA dominates World Beard and Moustache Championships

Charlie77 — Tue, 26 May 2009 19:22:59 -0000

USA dominates World Beard and Moustache Championships

Rockies players Jason Hirsh and Jason Marquis released in 2009 Jewish Baseball Card set

Charlie77 — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:24:31 -0000

Rockies players Jason Hirsh and Jason Marquis released in 2009 Jewish Baseball Card set

The 2008 season featured 13 Jewish players in the game, including rookies Brian Hor- witz and Josh Whitsell along with Schoeneweis, Braun, Brad Ausmus, Jason Marquis, Gabe Kapler, Kevin Youkilis, John Grabow, Scott Feldman, Ian Kinsler, Jason Hirch and Craig Breslow. Youkilis, Braun and Kinsler were all named to the All-Star team, tying a record for the most Jews in the All-Star Game during one season.

Purple Row T-shirt Collaboration

Charlie77 — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:22:05 -0000

It was suggested in walkoff59's Fanpost that it would be nice to have PurpleRow T-shirts. So why don't we make our own? Holly96 made a great suggestion for a company where you can upload your own designs and order shirts. So I thought we should open up the floor for some design submission ideas. I'm running late for work, so I will submit some later, for now this is what I've got:

This T-shirt was inspired by Rox Girl and Silverblood. I don't have the link to the original discussion, but I'm sure Russ can provide it.

PR Maternity shirt:

via i304.photobucket.com

Book Report: The Boys of Summer

Charlie77 — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:23:17 -0000

I see the boys of summer in their ruin. ~Dylan Thomas, as quoted in the book

MY FAVORITE BASEBALL POINTS

This book covers a team that played together over a long group of seasons, lead by Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson in a time of segregation and hate. Written in two parts by a Dodger beat writer who grew up idolizing the Brooklyn team, Roger Kahn’s book presents the highlights of the great Dodger players and their ultimate demise after the game.

via i304.photobucket.com

This portion of the book reminded me of the current Colorado Rockies who had played together as GenR throughout the minors, formed a team bond with a strong captain at its core - Todd Helton, and then made a run through greatness towards the World Series. While the Dodgers had the great fortune of attending several Fall Classics, Rockies fans were treated to just one before watching their favorite players eroding demise. Garret Atkins and Jeff Francis are now our boys of summer in their ruin. The most touching story in the book is the fall of Roy Campanella, one of the greatest catchers of all time and the second African-American signed by Branch Rickey to play on the team. The winter the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles, Campanella was involved in a terrible car crash that paralyzed him from the shoulders down. He later regained partial movement in his right arm allowing him to get around in a motorized wheelchair. Campy lost a lot after that and the story of how his wife left him ~~was horrible~~ broke my heart.

HOW IT APPLIES TO THE COLORADO ROCKIES

You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat. ~Roger Kahn, discussing the Brooklyn team after losing to the Yankees for two years straight

Between 1947 to 1953 the Brooklyn Dodgers lost four World Series, all to the Yankees. Losing in the World Series had become synonymous with the Dodgers. Until 2007 no one believed the Rockies could win at altitude. The team would launch planetary bombs at home and watch as their pitchers wilted beneath the barrage of Sid Bream’s flinching power. Then 2007 arrived, bringing the confluence of the Humidor and Sinker Ball pitchers to Coors Fied, while Matt Holliday and a ROY candidate taught the hitters how to hit on the road. The Dodgers of the 50's also reminded me of John Elway’s Broncos and how he was labeled as "not able to win the Big One." One helicopter ride later and he showed them.

The Brooklyn Dodgers were great because they were a team led by the Captain and WWII veteran Pee Wee Reese. Reese was the first to embrace Robinson and the two built a strong bond that many players on the team latched onto. As much as I hate watching the Rockies lose this season and any season for that matter, I know it is only temporary and that soon they will be back playing on the biggest stage.

IF YOU LIKED THIS BOOK, YOU SHOULD READ THIS LITERARY CLASSIC

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Both books begin with mystery and intrigue of the fabulously wealthy who throw giant parties yet ultimately end in tragedy.

via www.library.cornell.edu

Poll

As a fan, is it better to root for a perennial winner that will always be in contention, or an underdog that has a fighting chance but will only reward your undying affection once a decade?

I can't stand losing, that's why I root for teams like the Yankees.

1 votes

Winning is like passion, the release is worth the wait.

7 votes

8 votes | Poll has closed

Rock Drive 1.4 Introducing Agent Rizz-0

Charlie77 — Fri, 08 May 2009 20:39:26 -0000

Rock Drive 1.4 Introducing Agent Rizz-0

This edition of Rock Drive 1.3 the Monfort's hire a consultant. He's someone with a lot of baseball...

Charlie77 — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:19:24 -0000

This edition of Rock Drive 1.3 the Monfort's hire a consultant. He's someone with a lot of baseball experience.

Rock Drive 1.2 Let me know what you think. Hopefully Rox Girl doesn't issue me with another...

Charlie77 — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:01:43 -0000

Rock Drive 1.2

Let me know what you think. Hopefully Rox Girl doesn't issue me with another restraining order.

Alanna Rizzo demonstrates how to sit behind a Giant Steel Beam at the Friendly Confines of Wrigley...

Charlie77 — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:11:28 -0000

Alanna Rizzo demonstrates how to sit behind a Giant Steel Beam at the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field. Am I the only person that prefers newer stadiums like Coors field to older traditional stadiums.

Book Report: Crazy 08

Charlie77 — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:52:13 -0000

WHAT WAS SO CRAZY ABOUT 08?

Years before the roaring 20’s, the war to end all wars and the great depression Cait Murphy captures some of Baseball’s greatest moments. In the year of 1908 the poem Take Me Out to the Ballgame was written, Ford’s first Model T rolled off the assembly line, Mother's Day was celebrated for the first time and the Boy Scouts were formed. It was also the year that three baseball teams fought to the wire and the honor of playing Ty Cobb’s Detroit Tigers in the World Series.

1908 was a year of financial panic; banks were unable to extend credit to customers because of a cash shortage. The fallout caused jobs to be lost by the thousands, companies everywhere were filing for bankruptcy and many Americans were out in the streets. Business was nearly at a standstill and the credit system was entirely wrecked. Too bad none of us can relate to those times.

HOW IT APPLIES TO THE COLORADO ROCKIES

In 2007 three teams in the NL were competing for the last playoffs spot, until the final weekend of the season. Contrast that to 1908 when three teams were in contention to represent the NL in the World Series until the last day of the season, remember the league championship was not played until 1969! In 2007 the Wild Card would be decided in a playoff between the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres, a game that went down in annals as one of the greatest games of all time. In 1908 the National League Champion was decided in a playoff between the Chicago Cubs and New York Giants in the Polo Grounds. It was a winner take-all match which only came about because of a previous game which later became famously known as “the Merkle game.”

The “Merkle game” was the second in a three game series between the Cubs and Giants. Played at the Polo Grounds in front of an estimated 30,000 people the score is tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs a man on 3rd and Giants rookie Fred Merkle on 1st. The Giant’s batter slaps a line drive over 2nd base into centerfield nearly hitting the umpire and knocking him to the ground. The runner touches home plate to a mob of backslapping Giants and the jubilant crowd charges out of the stands and on to the field. It appears the Giants have won the game, but in the confusion 2B Evers calls to the CF for the ball and is intercepted by the Giants firstbase coach who then throws the ball into the crowd. The ball is finally retrieved and thrown to Evers standing on second, where Merkle should have been. In the confusion, Merkle ran towards the clubhouse in rightfield to escape the crowd, thinking the game was over. The umpires fight through the crowd and confer under the grandstands. The umpire on 2nd states he never saw the play because he was flipped by the line drive. The plate umpire Hank O’Day makes the call, Merkle never touched 2nd and baseball rules are specific, a force out nullifies the run. The field can’t be cleared; daylight is running out, so O’Day calls the game a tie! The game is replayed on October 8, 1908 with the World Series on the line.

STARS OF 08

Honus Wagner – The shortstop was one of the charter members in the Hall of Fame, and considered the greatest player of his time. Honus’ season begins with a holdout which lasts through the 3rd game. Wagner claims he wants to retire and raise chickens. It is a soft holdout and the Pirates owner finally caves and offers Honus $10,000 a year contract to play. Interesting fact players are serenaded by the hometown band when approaching home plate for an AB. On Wagners first appearance in Pittsburgh he is serenaded with the song: I was only Teasing you.

In a July 4th game against the Cubs there is a close play at home where the Pirate is called out and Wagner convincingly argues the call diagramming the play in the dirt. The umpire reverses his call, the runner is safe and then Wagner steps into the box and blasts a homerun. Wagner’s hands were so large that when he gathered in a ground ball and fired it towards first a spray of gravel followed the ball.

The three Hall of Famers are best known for turning the double play. These three were the leaders of Chicago's greatest baseball team. Tinker-Evers to Chance will historically be known as the first great double play combo.

Frank Chance – Player manager was the first baseman anchoring the Cubs on their run. Chance was so revered in Chicago that he was known as the Peerless Leader (PL). Was a converted catcher, a career .296 hitter that stole 401 bases in his career. Chance had a managing record of .593 with 946 wins and 4 World Series appearances.

Joe Tinker – Shortstop Tinker was a power hitter that had the ability to smoke Giants ace Christy Mathewson batting over .400 against the great pitcher in 1908. Tinker was converted from 3B to shortstop.

Johnny Evers – 2B Evers was known as one of the smartest men on the field. He played in the Majors for 27 years! Evers wrote a baseball book in 1912 named Touching Second which the author recommends.

Mordecai "3 Finger" Brown – His hand mangled in a feed chopper, Brown threw the ball with electric movement. Ty Cobb claimed Brown’s curve was the most devastating pitch he ever faced. The Chicago ace threw 55 shutouts in his career, 49 saves and a career 2.06 ERA. Christy Mathewson called Brown the most complete pitcher in the game.

Christy Mathewson – Another of the original Hall of Fame inductees, perhaps the greatest pitcher of all-time. Mathewson holds the record for most wins in the NL with 373. One of the best moments recorded in the book occurs in an early game between the Giants and Cubs. The Giants are leading 4-1 when Mathewson decides the game is in hand and hits the showers, it’s his off day and there are only 2 showers in the clubhouse so he beats the rush. The Cubs end up loading the bases and McGraw pulls the rookie starter and calls for Christy. There is a mad rush to find the pitcher and until he is finally dragged out of the showers, sopping wet without his cleats to record the save.

Cy Young

The all-time leader in wins and losses was on the down side of his career in 1908. During the season the AL honored Young with a $6,000 bonus and an ungodly trophy. Pitching for Boston in 08 the Red Sox finished in 5th place.

Nap Lajoie

Possibly the greatest hitter of all time. Nap was traded to Cleveland in 1902 the year after he hits .426. A career .338 hitter, Nap is so popular in Cleveland they name the team after him and ask him to manage the team as a player. 1908 is a tough year for Nap, he is spiked early in the season so horribly that his leg is nearly amputated. Early baseball players had to suffer through the risk of infection at a time before antibiotics were available.

via www.ballparktour.com

This picture demonstrates how close to the action the fans could get in an early 1900’s game. This is Hilltop Park, home of the New York Yankees, they finished in last place in 1908.

via ericksonblog.com

Ty Cobb

.324 Avg, 36 2B, 24 3B+HR, 108 RBI

Along with Barry Bonds the two are considered the most hated players in baseball history. Cobb's racist attacks were legendary ; once kicking a black groundskeeper in the head for touching his glove, "then choked the man's wife until catcher Charlie Schmidt- a former prize fighter who could bend steel rods- tore him off." According to the book he also, "kicks a black chambermaid in the stomach for bristling at an insult."

Old time video footage of Ty Cobb.