SB Nation User Blog: Redhawk

SI Fan Survey BallPark Results

Redhawk — Sat, 10 May 2008 22:25:44 -0000

In March, Sports Illustrated recently surveyed fans across the nation with regard to the experience at their local ball-park. They asked them to rate the stadium based on the following factors: affordability, food, team quality, tradition, atmosphere, fan IQ, hospitality, promotions, traffic and neighborhood, then used those to come up with an overall ranking. (note: I stole this opening paragraph from Jim McLennan at the Snake pit on their reporting of this ranking. I'm tired and lazy)

Wonder where Coors Field ranked? How about #7! You can see the detailed results by clicking on the logo of each team. The Rockies scores are HERE

Lets look at the categories, and I'll throw in my 2 cents:

Affordability: 6th. We do have relatively cheap tickets. Compare a Rockies game to any other major league sporting event, or even a movie, it's a bargain.
Food: 9th ummmmm I'm not sure about this one. But since a lot of people like the ball park food and go to the game for this reason I can see it. Coors has a nice variety around the park.
Team Quality: 6th Hey Fans, we just won the National League....6th? (see # 6)
History and Tradition: 22 Our fans are being kind
Ball Park Atmosphere: 12th Well we have less air. But there is nothing better then watching the sun go down behind the mountains on a cool summer evening.
Fan Intelligence: 24th Yeah, the average fan knows crap about baseball. It's embarrassing at times. We are starting to boo Hurdle and some of his stupid moves, but last year, I was asked if Jimenez was still the closer. (No not Uballo). I don't think the average fan couldn't name a Rockie besides, Tulo or Helton. A Cards fan will gripe about a certain pitch 2 games ago and be able to back up why a certain pitcher shouldn't have thrown that certain pitch to a certain batter at that time.
Fan Hospitality: 9th We are really too damn nice to the Cub fans.
Promotions: 21st. Ladies night, free hot dog night, T-Shirt nights, I think the Rockies do ok with this. But it's not the reason people go to the games, which is why the fans don't give it much credit.
Getting to the Game: 2nd ! We really do have it nice. A downtown park, and a great light rail system, and bus shuttle services. That's a rare combination. We even have some parking, if you know where to look.
Neighborhood: 3rd Which is great considering we are behind Gas Lamp and Wrigleyville.

D-Back/Rockies Rivalry Grows!

Redhawk — Thu, 01 May 2008 23:36:44 -0000

Hey gang, I'm a regular poster over at the Purple Row, the Rockies SBN site. The Colorado Rockies have been running some very funny TV adds to promote the team. The latest one really speaks to the D-Back/Rockies growing rivalry. (which I find to be great, to have a respected and fun rivalry in sports)

In case you thought getting a horse head in your bed was scary, wait till you see this! (wait till the VERY end):

Video

MY top 10 moments in OU Football History

Redhawk — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 13:50:58 -0000

Well, yesterday I gave you my honorable mentions for OU's top moments in football history. Today I give you the top 10

2001 Roy Williams Superman play goes over the top to make Simms throw a pick to Teddy Lehman, giving OU the victory over Texas. OU didn't win a National Championship this year, but who cares?
2000 Torrance Marshall's return interception @ Texas A&M gives OU a come from behind victory. OU goes on to win the National Championship
1976 Orange Bowl vs Michigan. # 1 Ohio State is upset in the Rose Bowl earlier that day, giving OU a shot at the National Championship. This game was a defensive struggle, but a 39 yard Billy Brooks end around, set up Steve Davis 7 yard wishbone keeper to give OU a 14-6 victory and OU a National Championship.
85 Orange Bowl vs Washington. The Schooner is penalized when after an OU field goal it came on the field as per tradition. But the Schooner never had permission to do so. OU was penalized 15 yards and loss of the 3 points from the Field Goal. The delay of game came AFTER the field goal so why did OU loose the points? OU went on to lose 28-17. BYU won the National Championship, and Switzer had a waste water plant named after him in Provo, after he campaigned that OU should be #1 if it won because of OU's tougher schedule.
1950 OU vs Texas A&M Great last minute come from behind victory with a 69 yard drive as OU scored the go ahead TD with .37 seconds to go. OU goes on to win their 1st National Championship. Bud Wilkerson called it, "the greatest comeback I have ever seen"
1977 OU @ Ohio State. Von Schamann's 41 yard field goal w/ 2 seconds on the score board gives OU the victory
1975 Missouri game. Little Joe Washington. Big punt return, that set up his TD to give OU a come from behind win 28-27! OU goes on to win the National Championship. Amazing single handed effort by Little Joe.
86 Nebraska Game in Linclon The "Sooner Magic" game Trailing 17-10 with 4:10 remaining, Keith Jackson has an end around to set up a TD to tie. Then with 50 seconds left OU gets the ball, makes a drive to set up Tim Lasher 31 yard last second game winning field goal.
71 Nebraska Game. "The Game of the Century" Played on ESPN Classics now, this see-saw game saw #1 v #2. One of the greatest football games ever played, and lived up to it's billing. While OU took the loss, voters saw this for what it was, and OU finished the year at #2 (Big 8 finished 1,2&3 this year with Colorado at 3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGRObEtGXY4
November 16, 1957 OU vs Notre Dame in Norman. A 7-0 loss marks the end of OU's record and still standing 47 straight victories. The lone score came with just 3:50 seconds left to go in the game. After the game the OU faithful left stunned and silenced. But the 47 Victories is possibly THE greatest feat in the history in college football history and stands to this day.

My OU top moments Honorable Mentions

Redhawk — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:31:53 -0000

I was impressed with the top ten all time OU football moments that our site host put up this summer to get some football excitement going. But many of his choices really showed his youthfulness. One of my biggest complaints when people talk "history" is they are really only talking THEIR history. And history is much, much longer, then our own personal experience. Just cause we weren't there, doesn't mean it didn't happen, or isn't important. As the saying goes, "we stand on the shoulders of giants". I've grown up hearing tales of old football memories, and I love seeing what came before. So I though I'd help this site out by listing "My all time OU football moments" Is this list THE definitive list? I don't think there is such a thing. I noticed the prior list had both amazing individual plays AND big games. Mine will too, but I'm going to focus on big games, or big plays that sent OU to victories or memorable losses. Also my great moments won't include hiring of coaches, or signing of recruits, those only become great with time and accomplishments. (Hiring Stoops big moment, Hiring John Blake, not so much)

Today I'm going to start with the honorable mentions. Great moments one and all, but just not big enough for the top 10 for what ever reason. (Hope I don't screw this up too much, going by memory)

1895 OU plays first Game "the Rough Riders" lost 34-0 to Oklahoma City and never even scored a first down in 1895, 12 years before Oklahoma would be a state. But every team has a first game.

1939 Orange Bowl. OU's 1st Bowl Game vs Tennessee. While OU lost, both teams were undefeated going into this game and OU the Big 6 Champions are put on the national scene.

1959 @ Nebraska. A 25-21 squeaker markers the 1st time the Sooners have lost a conference game since 1946! 12 seasons! Over that time the conference goes from the Big 6 to the Big 7 to the Big 8. Sooners still win the conference marking 15 conference wins in a row!

1967 Kansas Game: KU comes to Norman, trying to derail the Sooners Run to the Big 8 title. Last minute drive led by Bobby Warmack and a nice run by Steve Owens pulls out a come from behind victory 14-10.

71 USC @ Norman. Gregg Pruitt has TD runs of 75, 42, 7 yards with 205 yards on only 16 carries as the Wishbone shocks then ranked # 5 USC as OU wins 33-14!

1971 Texas @ Dallas Texas hadn't lost since 2nd week of 1968, where national champs in 69, & 70 and ranked 3rd coming into this game, one week after the OU-USC game. #8 OU beat the `Horns handily, 48-27. Darryl Royal coined the phrase, " Their backs look like they are running downhill,." after the game.

1973 @ USC. The game ended in a 7-7 tie. OU won the Big 8 but could go to a bowl game because of probation. So why this game? Well one of the great punt returns of all time...a 3 yard loss by Little Joe Washington. You have to see it to understand:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNQvFQM2yrE

1978 Orange Bowl vs Arkansas. Needing a victory and maybe a big one to get enough votes for a National Championship, OU goes in favorites over the Hogs. However Rollon Sales, is still running up and down the field to this day, as Arkansas beat OU 31-6. Switzer calls this "the most disappointing loss of his career" to this day.

1978 OU Nebraska and the 79 Orange Bowl....vs Nebraska. These are connected at the hip. Weird turn of events after Nebraska upsets OU when Billy Sims fumbles on the 3 yard line going in for a TD hand's Nebraska a 17-14 win and derails the Sooners bid for another national championship. The following week NU lost to Missouri, the Sooners now Co-Big 8 champs get a rematch to play the Huskers in Miami. The 2nd time was a charm, OU wins 31-24

1984 OU-Texas 15-15 loss (Yes, you read that right) These were 2 teams in the top 10 at the same time, for the first time in several years. A controversial call (at best) cost the Sooners an interception allowing the `Horns to kick a tying field goal. When Switzer asked the ref how far the defender was out of bounds on the interception, the ref reportedly raised his hand in the "hook `em horns" symbol and said," This far coach, this far"

1984 OK. State, in Norman, #2 v #3 and Switzer's team beat Jimmy Johnson's team on national TV. OU goes on to the Orange Bowl to play Washington with a shot at the National Championship.

1985 the "Ice Bowl" Road trip to Stillwater. An old fashion Oklahoma ice storm hits right at game time. The game went on. No one can stand up, but Sooners won, and go on to a national championship. A game no Oklahoman will forget.

1987 Game of the Century II Number 1 Nebraska vs #2 OU in Lincoln for the 2nd straight year to shake up home and away match up. OU pulls out a nice victory on the road. OU goes on to loose the National Championship in the 88 Orange bowl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m813Ccd09GA

88 Orange Bowl Game vs. Miami For the 3rd time in 3 years, this one for the National Championship. A beat up OU team couldn't find the "Sooner Magic" and lost for the 3rd time 20-14. This game also marked the point where defenses and individual speed had caught up to the Wishbone, and arguably marked an end of an era.

2000 Big 12 championship game vs Kansas State. A close game, and 4th down conversion by Quinton Griffin gives OU the victory to send the Sooners to the National Championship game

2003 OU blows out Texas 65-13 and sets new record for margin of victory in the series

The Story of Mamma O'Dowd, and Little Matty

Redhawk — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:26:57 -0000

After my morning post I thought this one up:
Our scene opens on a small little kitchen in a nice if modest house. Where we find Mama O'Dowd is trying to figure out what she will put in tonight's casserole, and talking to her young and inquisitive, son, little Matty. Little Matty is the smartest, and most gifted of her kids, well liked by the entire block.

Little Matty: Momma O'Dowd?
Momma O'Dowd: Yes Matty?
LM: What's for dinner mamma?
MO: Cassarole, same as always.
LM: Mamma, I'm tired of casserole.
MO: You, don't like casserole?
LM: No, mama, casserole is good, but we have it all the time. I'm tired of casserole. I want steak. The kids in Los Angeles and New York, get steak all the time. We never get steak.
MO: Matty, the kids in Los Angeles and New York have rich daddies, they can afford steak. Your daddy is a truck driver, so he can't afford steak. You should be happy we aren't having grilled gov'ment cheese like the kids in Pittsburg get.
LM: I want to live with those rich daddies.
MO: When you are older, Matty you can live where ever you want. And if you want steak you can have steak, but until, then you're just going to have to have casserole with me.
LM: Mama?
MO: Yes Matty?
LM: My older brother Todd gets steak.
MO: That's from a different mama. She spent all of daddies money. That's why we are so poor now. And if Todd, would move out of the dang house, I might be able to feed you chicken.
LM: But I don't want chicken, I want steak!
Little Garrett: I want chicken mama!
MO: Shut up Garrett, now go change your little brothers Troy's diapers.
Little Garrett:...walks off muttering...."I bet the parents in LA or even Minneapolis would love me"
LM: Mama, why are my brothers Kazuo and Jorge so different from me?
MO: They are foster kids. They were abused and neglected and unloved by their old parents. We take them in, feed them, clean `em up, and when they are back on their feet, they can be adopted by rich parents like those in New York and Los Angeles.
LM: Mama, I want to be adopted by rich parents
MO: I know little Matty, I know.....Now enjoy your mediocre casserole.

07 Predictions

Redhawk — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 17:41:02 -0000

It's that time of year. Everyone has an opinion. I usually respect much of the knowledge we have here, so I figure your belly-butten, er..your Opinion is just as good as the next "expert's"

Who do you think will win each division? (AL & NL) The Wild Card? and The World Series?

Mine:
AL East: Boston
AL Central: Cleveland
AL West: LA/Anaheim/California Angels
AL Wild Card: New York Yankees

NL East: New York Mets
NL Central: Houston
NL West: LA Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Milwaukee

World Series: Boston over the Dodgers

Spring ritual....NEW baseball video game!

Redhawk — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:27:51 -0000

It's spring time, and that brings me one of my baseball rituals, namely picking up a new video baseball game for my PS2. With only 2 choices, I went with MLB: 07 The Show.

I had MLB: 06, and 07 is much improved. Everything is tweeked. Maybe the best baseball sim ever. You really have to watch pitches, and get the timing correct, even having to foul off pitches to get a pitch you like to hit. Rosters are very accurate, with only a few errors, and major league free agents are included unlike last year.

More players scanned too. Last year there was only 40, this year 400. For the Rockies that's Jeff Frances, Aaron Cook, Helton, Holiday, Atkins, Fuentes, Barmes, Kaz Mat, Tavares, Hawpe.

Speaking of the Rockies. I've simed the season a few times, and amazingly the Rockies have won the west 3 out of 5 times!, and one year playing "Road to the Show" they lost the wild card on the final day of the Season. The game really has big love for Garrett Atkins, and Willie T, and Javey Lopez, and none for Hawkins who gets hammered on a regular basis

All that said, the REAL addiction is the new "Road to the Show" where you create a player, and you play ONLY your appreances in a game with the ultimate goal of completing a 10 year career and make the Hall of Fame. You play only your at bats, only your chances in the field, fast forwarding through the game to your next "event" as the game calls it. As you complete goals you get training points to get better, and the better you get you move up in the organization. I was a 2nd baseman, started at Col. Springs bench, went down to Tulsa, then up to Col. Springs, then up to the Rockies, eventually beating out Carroll for the starting job by the 1st of August. It was great to see my "virtual" me interact with the Rockies. After the season....the Rockies cut me siting organizational depth (HUH???). I'm now trying to catch on with the Cubs.

Next up for my spring ritual....baseball movies. Such as Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, League of their Own, 8 Men Out....Now that gets me fired up for baseball!

What's your spring baseball ritual? Big? Little? Passed down from a family member, or a friend?