Javier Vazquez wasn't just the best pitcher on the Braves, but he was one of the best pitchers in all of Major League Baseball, in 2009.

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Quick, name the only starting pitcher in the NL East who never once pitched under five innings per start, over 30+ starts and 200+ innings, in 2009?

Overall, Javier Vazquez is one of five total pitchers in all of Major League Baseball (Grienke, Haren, Shields, Wainwright) to achieve this feat.  Regardless of the wins and losses, there's something to be said about a pitcher who comes out consistently, does his job, and does it well.  Really well.

I'm going to go out on a short limb here, and declare Javier Vazquez the Ace of the already outstanding Braves pitching staff.  Now the definition of what an ace is, is often under debate, but in general, most people can agree on the following criteria:

• Starts a lot of games
• Wins a lot of games
• Eats a lot of innings
• Good ERA
• Stops the bleeding
• Doesn't walk a lot of guys
• Strikeouts preferable
  

All this considered, Javier Vazquez accomplished the following:

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So it's been quite a while since I made any sort of an extravagant-effort of a fanpost, and I'm beginning to feel like if I don't do something soon, all these thoughts and words will expire, and be too late to put into writing.  Anyway, life has been a little chaotic in royhobbs-land the last few months since I decided to quit my job at one point, did some travel, saw some friends, saw some family, traveled some more, and eventually realized that I'd rather be paid for doing something as opposed to not, and got back onto the freelance wire.

But in between all of the events in my life, I saw it fit to always leave a little bit of room in my schedule for baseball.  And when the dust settled, I had been to a whole lot of games, met several interesting people along the way, saw many parks, old and new, and found some stories to tell.  I realized that the 2009 season was certainly one for the books.

This will also be probably the largest post I put up for the calendar year.

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Hello again, Twins fans.

It's been a little bit over a week since my visit to Minneapolis, and I'm finally caught up all the daily nuances in life to where I can actually deliver with a write up of my experience.  To cut to the chase, I had a very great time up in Minnesota, and I thank everyone who chimed in during my initial inquiries of things to do, places to eat at (and drink), and some other activities to keep in mind.  The duration of my stay was only a single night, and part of an afternoon, so obviously I couldn't pack everything into it, but I am grateful to everyone who gave me suggestions.

29 more photos after the jump, hoping your connection is decent.

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Hello Twins fans--

Awesome win for you guys today.  I'm happy that the Twins staved off elimination, because the Braves couldn't do the same, and I would like to see some meaningful baseball this weekend. 

Anyway, the reason I post to your fine site today is because I'm one of those guys.  This year saw trips to Cincinnati and Tampa Bay, and repeat trips to Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Seattle.  But I'm ending my regular season in Minnesota, and I'm looking forward to having the privilege of visiting the Metrodome before it's no longer the home of the Twins.  I have tickets to Saturday's game, and it's Sunday's game, among other things, I'm here to inquire about.

The FOX pickup actually works better for me - ballpark food is great and all, but in cities that I've not ventured beyond the airport in, I'd really like to have at least one decent dinner.  So with Saturday's game being in the afternoon, it frees up my evening to find somewhere good to eat.  That being said, anybody have any recommendations?  I've been hankering for some good Italian food lately, but I'm open to all suggestions.  I hate to sound naive, but I don't really know what kind of foods that Minnesota is best known for, not like Cincinnati's chili, Wisconsin's cheese and brats, and Baltimore's crab cakes.

Sunday - I don't have tickets, and I didn't really look beyond the MLB site.  Don't know what this says about me, but I'm more apt to test the scalping waters.  With this in mind, does Minnesota have a somewhat of a predictable scalper scene, or should I find a pub to crawl at for an inning or two, before finding someone, if there is going to be any scalpers on a monumentous occasion like the Metrodome's last Twins game?  Or does the Metrodome have any day-of-game cheapies or general admission?

Finally, in the event that I can't get to the game on Sunday, is there any recommendation of what I should do/see/eat?  A buddy of mine who will be with me is fascinated in the Mall of America, back when WCW wrestling did a live show from there, so we might end up there at some point, but I was wondering if anyone else has any interesting suggestions.

Thank you in advance, and good luck to the Twins, and I hope they can keep the season going all the way until Sunday for all of us.

PS - if you guys are interested, I can put together an unbiased, outsider's write-up about my experience at the Metrodome after my trip.

Previous park write-ups, with the help of local folks all around MLB cities:  Great American Ball Park, Dodger Stadium, Angel Stadium, PETCO Park, Tropicana Field

No snickering, please, I'm going to try and ask this question as innocently as possible.

I want to say that more than a few instances, I've seen someone or someones mention that they lived up in Portland, and followed the Beavers.  Long story short, I like collecting Minor League baseball caps, and I want to get a Portland Beavers hat; no, I don't like ordering them online, because especially with NewEra caps, my hat size can be anywhere form 7 3/8 to 7 1/2, so I am adamant about the necessity to try them on before purchasing.

So what I'm asking is, are the Portland Beavers popular enough to have apparel being sold as far as two hours away, in Astoria, Oregon?  I'm going to be making a weekend trip out to the Northwest, and since I've been to Seattle a bajillion times, I figured I'd rather drive down into Oregon, and see the shore from the rocks.  And since the AAA season is since past, I can't exactly mosey on into PGE and catch a game, so I figured on trying to inquire about getting a Beavers hat while I'm out in Astoria.

It's a long shot, but I'm hoping someone can help a brother out here.