SB Nation User Blog: sothball

Our Visit to Wrigley Field

sothball — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:44:02 -0000

I created a fanpost on this site 3-4 months ago titled "Future Visitor" I asked for your recommendations of places to stay, visit, and dine while in Chicago. Well, time flies, and the "Future Visitor(s)" are now a "Past Visitors".

My wife, daughter, and I attended a game at Wrigley Field on Sunday, June 21 (Father's Day). It was a great game for the Cubs, beating the Indians 6-2, and with Randy Wells getting his first victory. We thoroughly loved Wrigley Field. In fact, we took a tour the next day.

I wrote up our experience in a fanpost at Halos Heaven. There are photos accompanying the fanpost, and more photos are linked in that post. I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir, but I hope you manage to keep Wrigley around for another 100 years. It's a real treasure!

Good luck to all you Cub fans for the balance of 2009!

Random Thoughts from Today's Game

sothball — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:37:23 -0000

It was a beautiful day for a game...perfect baseball weather. Here are a few random thoughts...

1) Right about 12:00 Noon, Napoli went out to the Nick Adenhart logo in center field, tapped it (as we have seen Weaver do), and then he wrote or drew something on the warning track. If anyone know what I wrote, I’d be curious to find out.

2) Unless he’s hurt, it bugged me to find out Izzy was sitting out the game. I don’t care how well Aybar and Kendrick did today. Izzy has earned a starting spot. He should not have to sit down and await another opportunity. He already EARNED it!

3) Not sure if Vlad is back, but the Vlad we have seen the last 2 days is a lot better than the Vlad of the last 2-3 weeks. It was also good to see him in RF again.

4) Saunders needs a break. I hope the ASB will give him the rest he seems to need. He looks tired, and his confidence seems to be waning. He was 1-0 on probably 90% of the batters today, and I bet he was 2-0 on close to 50% of the batters. That said, he would have still had a chance at a victory if not for Howie’s error in the 3rd inning. That really hurt.

5) Do my eyes deceive me, or do we really have a chance for 3 players with 25-30 HR’s and 90-110 RBI’s (Hunter, Rivera, Morales), and a combination of Napoli/Abreu for a 4th (Napoli with 25-30 HR’s Abreu with 90-110 RBI’s)? This offense could really be scary if Vlad continues to improve. This is definitely the best Angel offense since 2002…so far anyway.

6) Speier got the job done in the 6th, but it was scary! We still need help in the ‘pen. On the other hand, Bulger’s strike out of Brian Roberts in the 8th was a thing of beauty.

7) On the post-game report, Rory said this is the first time the Angels have come back for victories from 4 run deficits in successive games since the ’79 series against the Yankees (right before the ASB). Oh man…that ‘79 series was one of the best 4 game series EVER.

Visit to Wrigley Field

sothball — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:50:45 -0000

Mrs. Sothball, the junior Ms. Sothball (daughter) and I got to attend a game at Wrigley Field on Sunday 6/21/09. It was a day game between the Cubs and Indians. The Cubs won the game, 6-2. For us, the star of the show was Wrigley Field.

Wrigley Field is one of only 2 baseball stadiums remaining that were built prior to the "automobile age". The other is Fenway Park. As a consequence, these 2 fields have very limited parking facilities, and are surrounded by a mix of residential and commercial buildings. So, you either walk, take the subway (the "El" in Chicago), or park as close as possible. The parking rates are pretty high close to the park. For our game, the asking rate was $30.00. We parked on the street for free about a mile from Wrigley, and then walked to the field. It was actually a great experience. The surrounding area is called "Wrigleyville". There are lots of stores, shops, restaurants, and sports bars…lots of sports bars.

Here are some of photos;

Here’s the view of the main entrance…sort of. It’s below the red "Wrigley Field" sign.

This is the view just inside the main entrance to the right.

Here’s a 4 picture panorama inside the main entrance.

I hadn’t realized how many seats there are on rooftops of adjacent buildings. This photo was taken from the very top corner seat. That’s Sheffield Avenue below. Sheffield intersects with Waveland at the upper left of the photo…where the red car is turning.

This was the view from our seats. The "luxury" box seats were added about 10 years ago. They are directly over our heads. It’s the thin layer of seats directly below the upper deck (seen at upper middle of the photo).

The hand operated scoreboard. This photo was taken at the end of the game, right after the final score was posted. It’s on the lower left side.

Here’s the sign at the front displaying the final score…Wrigley’s version of lighting the halo.

Impressions?

1) If you’ve ever met a Cub fan, they seem more "in love" with their team, almost as though the team is a part of their extended family. I think I understand part of the reason why. Wrigley Field and the surrounding residential neighborhood are tightly interwoven. They are a part of one another, and seem to play off each other.

2) People we met were friendly and curious. I had no problems with anyone, even though I was wearing an Angel cap and shirt. About the only team identity that may have caused problems would have been a White Sox gear.

3) The food was great, and the facilities were adequate. No extended waiting time for food or restrooms.

If you ever have a chance to see a game at Wrigley, take it! You can suspend time in your mind and imagine what it was like seeing a baseball game 75 years ago.

To check out more photos, go to this link (taken the day of the game) and at this link (taken on Monday, 6/22 on a tour of the stadium). There are two pages of photos for each link.

Soriano Struggling Like Vlad & Papi

sothball — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:44:59 -0000

We all know how Vlad has struggled this year. ESPN has made sure the world knows of the weakness of David Ortiz. Did you know Alphonso Soriano is having the same precipitous drop in average and power statistics? These are his current numbers: BA is .224, SLG is .430, OBP is .291, and OPS is .721. These are all well below is career averages. He has hit 14 HR's, but has only 30 RBI's. This seems odd to have 3 prominent power hitters from the Dominican Republic all experiencing the exact same thing in the same year. All three are within a year or so in age. Vlad and Soriano are free-swingers, while Ortiz is a more patient hitter. Of the 3, Ortiz is the only one that seems to be breaking out of a season long slump. Is it the WBC? I believe both Soriano and Ortiz participated, but Vlad didn't participate. Are they just getting older? I don't believe it's steroids, but there sure could be speculation on that direction. Was kryptonite added to the Dominican water supply this past winter? Give your thoughts and comments. Let the speculation continue.

In Honor of our Fathers

sothball — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:06:19 -0000

Mrs. Sothball and I – and even the junior Ms. Sothball (daughter) – will be flying to Chicago on Friday to see games at Wrigley, US Cellular Field, and Miller Park in Milwaukee.

The game we will attend Sunday is at Wrigley, on Father’s Day! That in turn got me thinking about my Dad and the Angels. Some day, I swear I will write a story – a true story – that captures the essence of his inherent crazy contradictions. But that’s not what this post is about. This is about 2 things;

1) Father’s Day.

2) How you became a fan of the Angels.

For me, the 2 are tightly intertwined. It was my Dad that got me interested in the Angels. How HE became a fan is a long story for later. What I can tell you is that some of my earliest memories are of attending ANGEL games at Dodger Stadium. I have very specific and vivid memories of watching the Angels as we sat in the left field pavilion at Dodger Stadium with my Dad, Mom, brothers, and sister. The names of Chance, Fregosi, Knoop, Pearson, Belinsky, “Daddy Wags”, Bilko, and Kluszewski and names etched into my childhood memory.

My Dad was an Angel fan for 2 reasons;

1) He loved - absolutely loved – the game of baseball.

2) He hated – passionately hated – Walter O’Malley and consequently the Dodgers (again, the reason for his hate is not the focus of this post). As a result, he became a crazed Angel fan by default when they came into existence in 1961.

So, comment away on…

1) How you became an Angel fan.

2) For Father’s Day (yes, a couple of days early) how much you love and/or appreciate your father.

3) If the 2 are linked (like me), so much the better.

4) Share as much of your story as you want!

If your Dad is still alive, consider your good fortune (unless he is/was some abusive jerk). My father died in 1990. I have a lot of respect for how hard he worked, for the values he taught me, and – most important of all – for the baseball team he cheered for!

Dad, thanks for all you did for me, and thank you for helping me become an Angel fan.

Now, it’s your turn!

Another Imaginery Conversation...

sothball — Sat, 09 May 2009 16:18:55 -0000

Carrying Rev's "lunchtime " theme yesterday to an imagined conversation between Arte and Tony after last night's game...

AM – These tacos are good!...should have told me about these before.

TR – Next time I will introduce you to their chicken burritos.

AM – Good thing I spotted that “Del Ninja” shirt and asked what that was about.

TR – Glad we have such creative fan support.

AM – What’s the meaning of the “Ninja” part?

TR – Uh...I think it’s for how the tacos sneak back up on you an hour later…

AM – Now you tell me!

TR – Their current ad is “Go Bold or Go Home”…

AM – …and get some Tums! Did you really meet Torii there to finalize contract details?

TR – Well…yeah…he knew where it was…and we were both kind of hungry…

AM – Pass a couple more of those hot sauce packets.

TR – Watch out…that’s asking for extra heartburn.

AM- Extra heart burn? After what we went through the last 6 weeks…

TR – Please…don’t remind me…

AM - …you think I’m worried about extra heartburn…

TR - …well…

AM- First we lose Lackey and Santana in spring training…

TR – …I guess you are going to remind me…

AM - …have a fan killed the first night…

TR - …I know what came next…

AM - …then Nick…

TR - …oh man…

AM - …then Vald, followed by Mose, followed by Darren…

TR - …way too much…

AM - …a complete bullpen meltdown…

TR – …that no one expected…

AM -… having our projected 7, 8, and 9 starters contributing as out 3-4 and 5 starters…

TR – (smiles) can’t believe how well they’ve done…

AM – What a long strange trip it’s been…

TR – and it’s barely started.

AM – Jeebus.

TR – Hard to believe…

AM – Those tacos were great! But the Cherry Coke…

TR – Sorry.

AM – Make it a Sprite for the chicken burritos.

TR – OK.

AM – Hand me a couple more napkins…

AM – (Big burp) So…after all of that, we are still at .500?

TR – Yup.

AM- 1 ½ games out of first place?

TD – Hell yeah!

AM – Mike deserves a raise.

TD – You want me to approach him…

AM – I said he deserved one…that doesn’t mean I’m offering one!

TR – (Laughs) OK. I agree though…he deserves a raise.

AM – Maybe we can help him become a spokesman for this…Del Ni…

TR – Del Taco. Yeah…”Go Bold or Go Home”….seems perfect for Mike.

AM – Can’t be worse than those Howard’s commercials…

TR – …kinda funny seeing Mike in those…

AM – This economy isn’t helping anyone.

TR – Sure hope it improves soon. Do you want to review season ticket sales now…

AM – Not after that meal…maybe tomorrow.

TR – I warned you about the hot sauce…

AM – I think I will go with the buffet tomorrow night.

TR (The Ninja strikes again).

AM – Well…good work Tony…

TR – Thanks boss.

AM - And God rest the soul of Nick Adenhart.

TR – …and the others…and their families too…

AM – Amen to that. ‘Nuff said. Let’s go…

Help for the Wilhite Family

sothball — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 02:18:06 -0000

Below is a link to an article from today's Daily Breeze newspaper on Jon Wilhite. It sounds like the family can use donations. HH'ers, do you want to help turn that emotion of the last few days into action? Here's your chance. The article gives a Wells Fargo account number and benefit fund for donations.

Link

Here is another article from yesterday's Daily Breeze. Both Jon Wilhite and Henry Pearson played baseball at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach.

Link

In Search of Common Understanding

sothball — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:47:03 -0000

I could really use your help. Really. Like most of you, I have gone through a full spectrum of emotions over the last few days. Among other places, I have come to HH looking for…emotional support, understanding or insights that can help ease of the pain and shock.

In attempting to find solace, I have instead found comments that frankly have prodded greater angst than nothing at all. Some examples;

In response to a comment asking to show compassion for the driver of the vehicle that killed 3 people, I wrote this:

“I believe (HH commenter) is a decent person and sees the world through decent eyes. So, his natural reaction – since he has a conscience – is that this driver will "suffer" from the painful vision of the dead dancing through his conscience.
Unfortunately, there is a small but significant percentage of humanity that that has no conscience and no empathy for others. Remember Richard Spect? He murdered 5 nursing students in a most horrific manner. His conscience was so "troubled" he videotaped himself in prison having sex, doing drugs, and generally having a great time. On one of his bootleg videos, he was asked by his "partner" if he regretted the murders. His response? Well, I don’t want to repeat it here…not at this time, and not in this thread. I will only say that it was not consistent with a decent man with an empathetic soul.
And so it goes…people like (HH commenter) have the best of intentions. (HH commenter) means no harm, and in fact looks to "help" us and others. He represents the general legal – and sometimes moral – thinking of our times…these are really good souls that have somehow been led astray by their life circumstances (poverty, abuse, addiction, etc). Yes, they deserve punishment for their crimes, but they also deserve our compassion.
And the indecent, conscienceless souls – like Pol Pot, Cory Stayner, Mohamed Atta, Tim McVeigh, Eric Harris, Dylan Klebold, Josef Goebbels, Saddam Hussein, and so many others whose own compassions extends only to the space they occupy – look at the decent in their midst and think, what fools, what cowardly stupid fools.
We seek compassion, they seek their pleasure. Hope you don’t get in their way.”

..and this…

“There isn’t an inexhaustible supply of human qualities or values, and that includes compassion. If you spend compassion on Andrew Gallo, you have that much less to spend on others far more deserving.

Assuming you live in an urban/sub-urban area, I bet within a 5 mile radius of your home, I could find THOUSANDS of people far more deserving of compassion that are currently receiving NONE of your sympathies. And these are people that have paid their taxes, fought in wars, volunteered their services and generally carried the burdens society has placed upon them without complaining, whining, or asking for favors.

So you really want to show compassion? Volunteer some time at a senior center. Mentor a child struggling with their homework. Donate blood. Do you have any idea how low the blood banks are at this time? Make a donation to Habitat for Humanity. Help a friend through AA or Narcanon. And once you are done helping all of those within your 5 mile circle, if you still have compassion to spend on the likes of Andrew Gallo, go for it.”

In response to a comment that the driver will get what he deserves, my reply was;

"He will get what he deserves? Where? When? How? What earthly punishment can we possibly dispense that could ever make up for the lives destroyed or forever altered? A lifetime in jail will make up for what he has done? BULLSHIT.

10 years from now, this bastard will likely be pumping iron, eating 3 meals a day, laughing and joking with his other prison “homeys”, checking out girlie magazines, receiving conjugal visits, reading books, watching TV, and a whole host of other human activities. Meanwhile, Nick Adenhart and the other victims will be a fading memory of “what might have been”.
Please…don’t think for a moment we can dispense “justice”. We can’t even come close.
There is noting – ABSOLUTELY NOTHING – we can administer to make-up for what he has taken. NOTHING.”

…and this…

“Unbelievable. You just agreed above that there are “…thousands more deserving people…” all around us.
But you didn’t make a call to compassion for those thousands. Instead, you spent your efforts asking for compassion toward an individual far more deserving of contempt…and then people wonder why the world seems upside down.
I’m not surprised…this is the result of our “educational” system.
Your views will likely prevail…Andrew Gallo will likely be the recipient of compassion long before – if ever – it is dispensed to the deserving thousands.”

For those to whom the comments were directed, please forgive the tone. In retrospect, the words may have been overly aggressive, although I stand by the ideas.

I have no interest in embarrassing or ridiculing anyone.

There is no attempt here to pick a fight.

I hope I’m not crapping on anyone’s faith or beliefs.

The goal here is really simple…to understand and try to make sense of these senseless, devastating deaths because it is STILL painful and I cannot look at Nick's photo and think how sad, how wrong, how unnecessary.

There are many intelligent and thoughtful members of the HH community. Please, if you see holes in the logic of my comments above, write a comment! If you think I am missing something, respond! If you want to add a completely unrelated note than can be helpful to me and to others, share it with us!

I promise you I will be respectful of your arguments and thoughts in a search for some measure of common understanding, and in trying to answer the question, "What is the best reaction to these nightmarish events?"

Whatever you thoughts, may you find peace and comfort in your lives, "...with malice toward none, with charity toward all".

In Honor of Brian Powers

sothball — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:01:39 -0000

Downing Rules posted earlier today a thread to honor Brian Powers, killed - or perhaps more precisely - murdered at the Angels home opener on Monday night.

At this time, there is a lot we do not know. Among many other open questions;

1) If he was an Angel fan (likely).

2) How long he had been a fan of the Angels.

3) If he has any surviving family members.

One way or the other, I believe it appropriate to honor the memory of Brian in some way here on Halos Haven. Without putting undue burden on The Rev, I ask if you have ideas for a permanent tribute here on HH to Mr. Powers.

Perhaps it can be a "memorial" section of HH that can include others (Lyman Bostock, Mike Miley, Donnie Moore, etc).

Please, serious suggestions only.

"5 Things to Watch For" - Revisited

sothball — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:48:43 -0000

In this post on 2/26/09, WiHaloFan posted the 5 things to watch for in Spring Training '09;

1) Will the real Kendry Morales please stand up?

2) The opening day shortstop will be?

3) Abreu or Rivera in leftfield?

4) Who gets traded?

5) Who's the 5th starter?

As of today, the answers in order appear to be;

1) At this point, it appears the real Kendry will translate his minor league success to the majors. He looks and acts ready for the challenge.

2) Not sure this is fully answered. Wood is currently out of the picture, but Aybar and Izzy appear to be in the same flat-footed tie as last year. Aybar has a slight edge and will probably see more starts at SS, but Scioscia will likely give a fair number of starts to Izzy.

3) Abreu would appear to be the winner, but not by much…about the same as SS position.

4) We now know the answer to the trade question…nobody!

5) The fifth starter question will be deferred for a month or so. At that point all three current candidates (Moseley, Loux, and Adenhart) could be supplanted by Lackey, Santana and Escobar.

Feel free to revise and/or correct with your own views.