SB Nation User Blog: homesickalien

Beckham and Thome Text About Deer Hunting

homesickalien — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:34:06 -0000

Beckham and Thome Text About Deer Hunting

In the short run, and the long run, for that matter, Beckham would like to be in Happ's position on Wednesday, beginning World Series play. For now, the eighth pick overall in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft can look back with pride at his .270 average, with 14 home runs, 63 RBIs and 28 doubles in just 103 games.

He can show satisfaction for the great defensive skill exhibited at third, a position where Beckham had played just seven games at Triple-A Charlotte. And he can feel satisfaction in that his own success will benefit others in this specific instance.

"I'd be lying if I say this is the only award I want to win. Really, I want to win a World Series," Beckham said. "But this is pretty special and real special to my family. I'm very proud to be where I'm at and to start as well as I have."

Tuesday's Players Choice announcement will focus on AL and NL comeback player, with Scott Podsednik joining Aaron Hill and Russell Branyan as the three AL finalists.

Save FNS: Another Victim of Unquestionably Incorrect Umpiring

homesickalien — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:31:10 -0000

More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP

Hot.

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The post-season umpiring controversy continued last night in the Yankees/Angels ALCS Game 4.

Yankees took a 3-1 series lead in a 10-1 blowout behind the superb pitching of CC Behemothia.
But once again, the Angels fans' focus is on the umps, despite the fact that the blown calls had little affect on the outcome of the game.

I sympathize with the Angels fans because it sure sucks to have umps make blatantly incorrect calls based on "heart" rather than "eyes."
But imagine how that poor ump felt, expected to call a game flawlessly while standing in the distracting presence of guys like Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Nick Swisher. That is a whole lot of powerful, encompassing aura coming at you.
Plus, it's not easy calling two Yankees out at the same time. I can imagine the ump felt like he would be betraying God, in a way.

Let's face it - not all questionable calls in the post-season can be as fun as AJ's run to first on the dropped third-strike, after Doug Eddings called him out (and boy, was that a good time for everyone, as far as I can remember).....

So, when you aren't doing Zapruder-like analysis on the trajectory of saliva passing Mariano Rivera's lips, and you're bored with F-ingNS, and happen to sometimes forget that another league even exists in baseball (Phils also lead 3-1, by the way).....

Where do you stand with the idea of instant replays in baseball?
This tired topic gets rehashed every year, but this post-season seems to be especially riddled with blown calls.

Boogie on down with this fancy poll and talk amongst yourselves.

Poll

Should MLB use Instant Replays?

No, never, not even a little bit. Human error is part of the charm of baseball.

43 votes

Yes, all the time. Even in the regular season.

101 votes

Only on questionable home runs.

34 votes

Only in the post-season.

25 votes

Jerry Lee Owens

68 votes

271 votes | Poll has closed

Just wanted to stop by and drop off this picture I took during the first 14-inning rubber match...

homesickalien — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:12:35 -0000

Just wanted to stop by and drop off this picture I took during the first 14-inning rubber match between the Mariners and White Sox in Seattle this season.

We've had our differences and I've been one of the victims of the temporary LL banninization (boy did I learn my pixel lesson), but you guys are a fun bunch and I always enjoy stopping by and lurking. ;)

And I wonder where you scathingly funny assholes live, since I don't seem to meet folks like you in Seattle.....hmmmmm.....

Anyway, Mariners put on a great show this year.
Congrats on your successful season!

Please enjoy: King Felix vs Gordon Beckham, August 12th, 2009

We'll Always Have The Ticker Tape Parade...

homesickalien — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:05:27 -0000

More photos »

October 2005 was funner.

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Shock and awe sweep over the city, as Chicago is eliminated from the 2016 Olympic discussion in the first round of voting this morning.

Also, the Twins are still clawing at the division.

Poll

What best describes your emotions over Chicago's 2016 Olympics elimination?

Depressed. Between the Sox and this, I need a ledge S.T.A.T.

92 votes

Elated. Didn't want 'em from the get-go.

121 votes

Indifferent. Would've maybe been cool, but whatever.

203 votes

Has hockey started yet?

44 votes

460 votes | Poll has closed

Vulnerable Masochists (aka: Baseball Fans)

homesickalien — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:46:16 -0000

Vulnerable Masochists (aka: Baseball Fans)

Humans are bizarre creatures. So much of our lives are spent attempting to avoid pain and suffering, and yet we willingly invest staggering portions of our mental health and emotional sanity on baseball teams and players who do not care even the slightest bit in return. Such an investment seems wildly miscalculated, and it would appear to an objective observer as though baseball were the Bernie Madoff of leisure activities: making an investment that gives illusory returns. Nevertheless, millions of fans root tirelessly for their favorite teams, no matter what boneheaded mistakes they may make, on the field and in the front office, day in and day out. Baseball has a tremendous staying power in our hearts and minds, because of the emotional connection it gives us to the sport, as well as to players and fellow fans.

Baseball fans share a special bond with one another that is hard to fathom. Whenever I see a fellow Giant fan, it is almost as if I have met him before, because as Giant fans, we have both gone through events together, shared experiences, even without having been anywhere near each other. Being a baseball fan is a baptism by fire into a worldwide brethren of fans who have all experienced identical traumatic events in the same way. The pain involved in rooting year in and year out only to have a team tear your heart out once again is an experience that only baseball fans can understand, but this unique understanding provides a common ground upon which friendships and relationships can be built.

Is anyone still watching?

homesickalien — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:24:14 -0000

More photos » by Charles Rex Arbogast - AP

Buehrle is *clearly* the reason that this season is over.

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This is a fun team!

The main purpose of this thread is to provide a place for us to hang out on this fine Thursday.

We will hardly acknowledge that the Sox just got swept and personally boosted the Twins closer to the post-season.

Buehrle - not so hot. Defense? ack!!

2009 - Down the shitter with last night's mac n cheese.

So everyone pop a happy mushroom and let's start giggling at all the wonderful memories of 2009, and all the fun times certain to come in 2010.

(Photo I took on the Olympic Peninsula a couple winters ago - this thing was bigger than my head! And no, despite my dad's suggestion, I did not lick it.)

Bobby Jenks Hates Us All And Drowns Puppies On Off-Days

homesickalien — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 02:58:40 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

Your beard is good. Just a compliment. About your beard being good.

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I had just closed my tab at the Sodo Showbox bar and boasted to the bartender about what a lovely curveball Bobby Jenks could throw, when that very same Bobby Jenks hung two pitches belt-high over the plate, to two different Mariners; both of whom sent those pitches into left field.

Tie game in the 9th!

John Danks clearly does not know how to win a game.

In actuality, Danks pitched a gem and should have gotten the win. Over 8 innings of work, he only gave up 4 hits and 2 walks. A homer off the bat of Beltre was his only run, and it didn't come until the 7th inning. His off-speed pitches were simply vicious tonight. He threw 97 pitches; 63 of them for strikes.

In that same time frame, the Mariners were already through 5 pitchers and the fate of the game seemed sealed.
And then came Big Bad (in the literal sense this time) Bobby for the routine close with a 2-run cushion.

Since the boxscore reveals the nasty details and I know nobody likes reading, I'll skip the abstract inning-by-inning recap and interpretive dance that I had planned.

Rather, here are some things I took away from this game:

1. I like the cut of Kotsay's jib more and more each game. Kotsay had 4 hits in 6 ABs tonight, with 2 RBIs. His beard is good. And his wife is hot.
2. I would like to take back the "Thank you for Rios" I gave to Kenny last month. 'nuf said.
3. Getz had not 1, not 2, but 4 - FOUR - walks tonight (and a SB). And had a great play in the 10th which allowed us to cling to a shred of worthless hope that we might actually win.
4. Alexei made a brilliant play to his left on a hard-hit ball by catcher Adam Moore (his first ML at-bat) in the 3rd. The ball hit his glove and spun that skinny Cuban right around into throwing position. There was nothing lazy about this play.
5. Ichiro is extremely not bad. He recently earned his 200th hit of the season - making it 9 consecutive seasons in which he has hit 200 or more. You can celebrate his achievements with a collectible bat, for a mere $129.95 (plus S/H). If you care to purchase that, find the damn link yourself.
6. Surprising as it may seem, Pena did not blow this particular game in extras. Not surprisingly, Linebrink did.
7. If the game goes to the 14th inning in Seattle, it's probably best to just close the tab and walk home.

As a quick summary, Sox lost 4 out of 6 in Seattle this year (and probably should have lost one more of those). Overall record-wise, we are equally mediocre. But considering divisional opponents, it's sad to say that the Mariners were probably better than the Sox this year. Their defense is hard to beat and they've been able to take advantage of the luck that's come their way with help from nearly everyone on their roster - from Beltre to Rob Johnson and the 50 Wilsons they got over there.

And finally, to answer the question posed earlier today by Tdogg - what are the chances the Sox win the next 4 games? I have been slaving all night, crunching numbers and rounding decimals and fingering my abacus....and the answer is: 0%

However the hope for the play-offs is still alive and kicking! We can do it guys! Never give up!
Ah, just f*** it, dude.

OT: While the Sox Score Vibrated In My Pocket...

homesickalien — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:56:19 -0000

It should go without saying that few things on this earth would keep me from watching a Sox game – especially on one of the few occasions that the Sox are playing in my present hometown.

I made an exception last night, to attend the first stop of the 2009 Porcupine Tree tour, at the historical and intimate Moore Theatre in Seattle.

Prior to the game, I texted BFF Mike to request that I get a score update after the 4th and a final as well. Like a good best friend, he obliged.

To begin the show, Porcupine Tree showcased what is the first disc and centerpiece of their latest album, released yesterday. "The Incident" is a 55-minute masterpiece - an exquisite journey of ear-kissing brilliance.

I had already heard bits and pieces of The Incident through youtube videos released/leaked prior to yesterday. And I knew full well that the entire album was probably available yesterday morning, for my downloading indulgence. However, I didn’t seek it out.

I wanted my first listen – my first experience – to be their first live performance of it.

And although it would not have ruined anything, I think I made the right decision by allowing myself to be surprised… then again, that’s a weak term… Overwhelmed and stunned, is more like it.

Once the usual technical sound kinks were worked through and the band found their groove, the concert took off in an engrossing direction. Front man Steve Wilson has crafted a complete work of art – a full musical thought that traps you in its dazzling, guitar-driven web. And you are grateful to be helplessly stuck there.

For the majority of the show, the entire crowd gazed upon the stage in complete awe.

There was some applause – undeniable moments of beauty that needed to be rewarded. But for the most part, we all sat in wonder while the show unfolded before us. Scanning the faces of other crowd members, it was apparent that the feeling was more than mutual; we were dumbfounded.

The living, breathing, on-stage-in-front-of-you-Steve Wilson is nothing like you could expect. And I’ve watched plenty live Porcupine Tree videos on youtube before, so I was aware of his style and power before seeing him perform in person.

He is a rather plain English guy by appearance; a cross between Thom Yorke and Kurt Cobain (and the opening lyrics of "Time Flies" reveal he was born the same year as Cobain). He is wiry and dorky and his voice is whatever he wants it to be, depending on the tune. He is not traditionally charismatic. He doesn’t dance or do stage antics. But he is engrossing. He is thrilling to behold. Watching him, you are certain you are witnessing a genius in action – a freak. I actually referred to him last night as the Tim Lincecum of musicians.

Whether he is tearing the daylights out of an electric guitar, or beautifully picking at an acoustic, Wilson is flat-out commanding. (Warning: Testicle shrivel ahead) He is an unearthly presence in a scrawny flesh casing. And he’s just one of the five incredible musicians who make up Porcupine Tree.

The other guitarist, John Wesley, was superb. His voice is richer and traditionally lovelier than Wilson’s, and some of my favorite moments came when he was tenderly soaring vocals over Wilson’s purposeful guitar. Wesley’s frame is equally as thin as Wilson’s, but his height advantage and lanky figure moves in an almost erotic and fluid motion while he possesses his guitar.

For the sake of brevity, which is long lost already, I will not go into depths of each band member’s greatness, because they are all essential and masters of their instruments. But I cannot shy from divulging that Gavin Harrison, the drummer, is intensely badass. Ridiculously. Trust me on this.

Although all 55 minutes of The Incident were moving, my favorite moment came during the song, "Time Flies." The preceding song, "The Yellow Windows of the Evening Train," gently established the tone before Wilson sat down with his acoustic and began strumming "Time Flies." The nearly 12-minute song is so beautiful in itself and might move a person to tears anyway, but the moment that did it for me was the guitar solo in the middle of the song (he swapped his acoustic for an electric). My words will be inadequate, so I will patiently await a youtube video of it in the upcoming weeks, as the tour continues.

I’m not one to just drool over any and every bitching guitar solo. But Wilson plays with purpose. He is not playing notes because they sound nice together and create pretty melodies. His songs are directional and his guitar solos are driven and functional. He does not waste your time. And he certainly does not leave you unfulfilled.

And the best thing that you can do

Is take whatever comes to you

'cause time flies....

After the first set, I finally checked my vibrating phone to get the 4th inning update. 3-2 Mariners. I replied, "put in Aaaaaardsma!!!"

The second half of the show was 8 songs, plucked from their extensive library of recorded music, which dates back to 1991.

Without going into too much detail, I’ll say that the majority of the second set was blow-your-mind-metallic melodies. After an abridged version of "Anesthetize" that nearly wore you out with intensity, Wilson took a seat with an acoustic guitar.

"All the metal heads in the crowd are thinking, Oh no, he’s got the acoustic guitar again," Wilson joked.

I highly doubt even the heaviest metal fans in the crowd were disappointed with what he proceeded to do with that acoustic guitar for the song, "Normal," which was one of my favorites of the night. (Incredible song here - listen in full, please).

Wish I was old and a little sentimental...

Another compelling moment came during the performance of "Russia On Ice," which began with the lights off and only the body of Wilson’s guitar illuminated. The entire song was played in minimal lighting, with only his hand silhouetted against the guitar’s body; dazzling and mesmerizing with every string he touched.

Needless to say, I recommend that The Incident (and all of Porcupine Tree) finds its way into your collection. It takes a great deal to move me in such a way, and I sit here now in shock, still processing what I witnessed last night; wishing I was still there, and wondering how I could somehow get to another stop on their tour…

Chiburb was the one who tipped me off to Porcupine Tree, and Chiburb will be at The Vic on the 22rd of September to see what I just saw. If it gives you any indication of their magnificence, it takes a helluva lot to get Chiburb out of the house, let alone to a loud concert on a Tuesday night...if there are tickets remaining, I urge you to get one. And dad - you should probably bring earplugs, because this show will be like nothing you have ever seen. Their sound is enormous.

As many of you know either from past discussions or my SSS name, I am a Radiohead fanatic. There has been one musical experience that ever induced such a stupor within me: Radiohead in Grant Park in 2001.

When I left that show, I was awesomely misguided. I couldn’t speak. And nothing since that show – including 4 other Radiohead concerts – has led me close to that stupor, until now.

I got in my car this morning and reached out to select music, but couldn't. My ears are not quite ready for anything else.

My phone vibrated in my pocket for the last 40 minutes of the show (no complaints here). The final score was waiting, and I let it go until Porcupine Tree left the stage.

6-3 Sox, it read. My night was officially complete.

And now, like any good Music Thread - have at it! Any PT fans out there? If not, what's everyone's current poison?

Perspective

homesickalien — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:53:57 -0000

Perspective

I really enjoyed Ernie's outlook on his situation....he seems like a great character.

"We don't know how long this lasts," Harwell said, according to the Detroit Free Press, which first reported Harwell's illness. "It could be a year, it could be much less than a year, much less than half a year. Who knows? Whatever's in store, I'm ready for a new adventure. That's the way I look at it."

"I don't have any pain at the moment," he said, according to the report. "Because I've lost weight, I can eat almost everything I wanted to. I've come back to my childhood with ice cream and all those good things."

Speaking about his fans, he told the Free Press: "I'd like to thank them for their loyalty and support over the years. And their affection, which I don't know whether I deserve or not, but I accept it."

THUN! DER!

homesickalien — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:05:50 -0000

Today, with 2 outs and a 3-2 count on Beckham in the 9th inning of what was an impending shut-out loss to complete the Twins' sweep, Nathan served Beckham a pitch that changed the historical ending of our abusive affair with the Metrodome.

This is why you do not shut off the TV until the final out.

Right after Beckham worked back from an 0-2 count and hit a "meaningless home run" (requested in advance by BoeJouma), Paulie stepped up and kept the game alive, tying it at 2 with another solo shot. Geez, we should really try to tone it down and get some singles, fellas.

From there....Metrodome Meltdown. Sox won 4-2 due to a rally started with only one strike left to give in their Terrordome career.

We even saw Missah Bobby Jinx pitch in a situation that seemed sorta somewhat appropriate for him! 'the heck, Ozzie??

To commemorate our final game at that goodfernuthin domed vortex of Puntodung, I thought we could all offer a favorite memory or moment from our days there; or at least sign the guestbook at the memorial service of what will soon (enough) be a big pile of worthless dust!

I'll begin by offering mine, already stated in the gamethread that nobody reads other than the fools in the gamethread.

My favorite Metrodome memory is not playing 163 there.

Stick this in your head-first slide and SMOKE IT, PUNTO!

If we don't win another game this season, I must say....this was as sweet as a victory can taste. No really, I tasted the victory and it was like a friggin filet mignon.