SB Nation User Blog: winningugly

For Those Preparing To Sell Thome's 600th, Here's A Primer

winningugly — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:37:26 -0000

For Those Preparing To Sell Thome's 600th, Here's A Primer

Ballhawks go to games with the intention of grabbing any ball that goes in the stands, especially milestone home runs like a player's first or 500th. Most then refuse to give them back to the player unless he coughs up something valuable in return, from a signed bat or a jersey to up to $10,000. This breed of sophisticated collector now appears more determined than ever, stalking everyone from rookies like Mr. Coghlan to veteran stars such as Ken Griffey Jr.

30 Years Later, Disco is Still Dead, NYT Reports

winningugly — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:36:57 -0000

30 Years Later, Disco is Still Dead, NYT Reports

Alan Trammell, then the Tigers’ shortstop, said, "I remember from the get-go, it wasn’t a normal crowd." Trammell, now a Cubs coach, said umpires ordered the grounds crew to clear debris from the warning track between innings of the first game.
"The outfielders were definitely a little scared," Trammell said. Ron LeFlore, a former convict, played center field for Detroit, "and Ronnie wasn’t usually afraid of anything."

That's right, bitches, ex-con Ron LeFlore was afraid of us (including yours truly, camped out in row 2 in the rightfield stands).

Scared, Kid? Rub Some Dirt on Your Anxiety.

winningugly — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:40:18 -0000

Scared, Kid? Rub Some Dirt on Your Anxiety.

Three professional baseball players have landed on the disabled list this season for a problem they can't ice, bandage or have surgically repaired: anxiety.
Acknowledging debilitating psychological issues represents a significant shift for a sport that historically has emphasized "gutting it out" rather than admitting to injury. The problem may be as old as the pastime, but acceptance of mental-health issues in Major League Baseball has only emerged in the last few years.

(The authors' name is Wang. Snicker.)

Mystery Solved: Why Pods Has Become A Legitimate Leadoff Threat

winningugly — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:10:29 -0000

My friend George, North Side Sox fan for life (like me, from my neighborhood, except 10 years older) sent this to me last night:

My niece told me today that Rick Eickstein ( David's brother ) worked with Podsednick on his hitting over the winter. They share the same agent and the agent is the one that suggested they get together to work on Scott's hitting. It sure has worked out so far, a leadoff hitter is very important.

Now George, being Greek-American, holds certain beliefs dear (the imprtance of a leadoff hitter being one), the most fundamental being "family". Thus, his niece (who is close friends with Rick, having gone to school with him in Lake Mary, FL) I consider to be an unimpeachable source. If this is, in fact, true, to whom do we direct a petition to Fire Greg Walker and Hire Rick Eckstein? And would this happenstance not beg the question as to why Rick cannot seem to help his own brother (hitting the most punchless .260 known to man)?

Discuss.

Who Is More Important To His Team's Division Title Chances - Porcello or Beckham?

winningugly — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:05:03 -0000

Rick Porcello is 8-4 and pitches this evening for the Tiggers. The Savior was 3-3 with a walk tonight and had his first GWRBI this past weekend. The Tiggers desperately need their starters to go deep into games. The Sox desperately need to plug the gaping hole that was Fields. Who is more important to his team in helping bring home the AL Central flag? And why do these polls need to be 75 words long?

Poll

Who of these minor league call-ups will have a larger impact on the AL Central division race?

Get To Know Your Fellow Posters: A Profile of ThatShortKid

winningugly — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:19:30 -0000

Get To Know Your Fellow Posters: A Profile of ThatShortKid

TSK is in Plasticland, as Phil Jackson refers to us here in Cowtown, at a convention. We agreed to meet for a beer to better enjoy the Good Guys/Scrubs game. Suffice to say, no game = no Scrub-bashing. And in the interest of protecting anonymity, I am only able to share a few tidbits: 1. He's has a pierced tongue. 2. He's very liberal and intelligent (not mutually exclusive). 3. HE HAS A PIERCED TONGUE! WTF do you say to top that?

There's No Social Anxiety Disorder In Baseball (Fer Chrissakes)!

winningugly — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 14:17:23 -0000

There's No Social Anxiety Disorder In Baseball (Fer Chrissakes)!

While few doubt the pressure of playing at the major league level, at least one mental-health professional raised an eyebrow at the growing number of social anxiety disorder diagnoses.
"I’m very suspicious of that diagnosis," said Dr. Allan Lans, a psychiatrist who practices in New York and has worked with athletes throughout his career, most notably as a member of the Mets’ staff. "It’s not like catching the chickenpox; there has to be a history."
Lans said social anxiety was a real ailment but was being overdiagnosed. Once a player reaches the majors, Lans said, the issue should not be a surprise.

Despite Popular Belief, The White Sox Are Not The Most Excruciating Team To Watch

winningugly — Thu, 21 May 2009 02:25:12 -0000

Despite Popular Belief, The White Sox Are Not The Most Excruciating Team To Watch

To determine which team is the most insufferable to watch, we rated all 30 teams by five criteria: winning percentage, average length of a nine-inning game, relievers used per game, pitches seen per plate appearance, and years without a championship. What we were looking for was bad style, as well as bad results. After all, it's one thing to lose, and another to do so with inept hitters working excruciatingly long at-bats and a half-dozen relievers parading on to the mound during a four-hour contest. The Nationals rated in the bottom third by each criterion, and overall they easily surpassed such purveyors of joylessness as the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians.

Kitty Puts Fantasy Camp on His Broad Shoulders

winningugly — Thu, 21 May 2009 00:45:19 -0000

Just heard from our favorite 1983 ROY, Ron Kittle, yesterday. We fantasy campers had received disappointing news earlier this month - seems the Sox' move to Glendale meant adios for the camp in Tucson. The Sox are unwilling to support that venue (as you might imagine), and much angst was felt as we campers saw the demise of our Sox alumni frivolity.

But into the breach stepped our favorite Gary, IN hero, Kitty, to act as intermediary between we campers and the team. Seems there is new life in fantasy world, and there may be life in 2010 for those of us/you who want to pay to hang out/drink/play ball with the likes of Kitty, Wimpy, Dot, JB, Hermy, Bainsey, D-Bo, Grebey, Carlos, Chief, and the Mayor (Beltin' Bill).

Not that any of you kids out there are interested, but if anyone (and it's usually the over-40 crowd) are interested let me know. I would've skipped this year anyway if there had been a camp but 2010 looks interesting.

God Bless Ronnie. Old people with disposable income and a sad attachment to their youth are breathing a hopeful sigh of relief on the South Side tonight.

Maybe The AL Really IS Superior

winningugly — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:08:23 -0000

Maybe The AL Really IS Superior

A month into the season, most of the new AL players are experiencing a dramatic decline in performance versus their NL statistics last season, including Los Angeles Angels reliever Brian Fuentes and Oakland Athletics outfielder Matt Holliday, teammates last year with the Colorado Rockies. Before last night, Mr. Fuentes's ERA (7.88) was up a full five runs versus last season, despite moving from hitter-friendly Coors Field. Mr. Holliday was bound to be hurt by leaving Coors, but his .638 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) in road games this season is significantly worse than his .892 road mark last year.

(Small sample size, anyone?)