Things were so simple in 1993. Two leagues, two divisions. Win your division, play the other division winner, go to the World Series. There were 7 teams in each division. Everything was even. It was like clock-work. Then someone in 1994 thought, "wouldn't it be neat if we screwed with the evenness of this and added another division and a Wild Card?" No one seemed to be overly upset about this. Sure, the East and Central teams each had to get through one more team to get to the top of the division than the West teams did, but at least there were the same number of teams in the two leagues.
And then, the storm of 1998 hit. Here come the Rays and the Diamondbacks. Brand new teams, one for each league. But that's going to create an odd number of teams in each league. We need National League teams to play other Nationals and likewise with the Americans. Whatever can we do? Ah, enter Commissioner Bud's favorite Brewers. I'll make them switch leagues, he says. So now, we have a 14-team American League with 5 teams in the East and Central and 4 in the West. And on the other side a 16-team National League, with a 5-team East, a 6-team Central, and a 4-team West division. We've saved the sanctity of being in separate leagues! But wait, aren't we trying that new "Interleague Play" thing all the kids are talking about? Yeah, but it only affects about a month of the season. Everything is okay.
About 10 years later, someone pointed out, hey you know if we move the Astros from the National League Central to the American League West, each division will have 5 teams in it. So the plan was set in motion. Until someone realized that every series, there would be one Interleague game going on. That's okay though, Interleague play is a good thing. It gives teams a chance to play other teams it wouldn't normally see. Heck, old Bud and the brain-trust would even like to see more Interleague games. Shoot Bud, why even bother with divisions or leagues anymore? Why don't we just make everyone use the DH, put all the teams in a big pile, take all the strategy out of the game, and let the top 8 play in the post-season?
Or, I could offer another solution. Currently there are 30 teams in 6 divisions. Which divides well, but doesn't allow for keeping the competitive balance. But another way that does is 32 teams in 8 divisions, ala the National Football League. Which requires just one thing. Two new teams. But where to get them from? My thoughts on the 4 most logical places to start a new MLB franchise, in order of how well I think they'd do. Luckily we'd only need to pick 2.
Nashville, Tennessee- Right near the heart of Tennessee, these people yearn for baseball. Tennessee is the state that currently has the most minor league baseball teams, without having an MLB team also in the state. The closest the Bigs gets to Tennessee is Atlanta, but I'm sure they would support an MLB team well. Plus, they already have the Titans, so we know a major sports franchise can survive there.
Salt Lake City, Utah- Again, we know this place can support a major sports franchise. It's somewhat near some other cities (Denver, Phoenix) to create some rivalries, I guess. And honestly, if you live in Utah, would you mind having something else to do in the summer? (Stereotype: I assume everyone in Utah is Mormon)
Portland, Oregon- Another city with a large population, a sports franchise, and not much else to do. Except maybe stare at big trees. (Stereotype: I know next to nothing about Oregon) But they could create some interesting things being near Seattle and not much else. There's a large part of an untapped market they could draw in.
Omaha, Nebraska- It's the home to the College World Series. It's near Iowa, which I'm told is baseball heaven or something. And other than teams in Minneapolis, there's no professional sports teams to speak of in this part of the country. I think a lot of people would drive a-ways to go to baseball in Omaha. Especially after a long day of farming. (Stereotype: everyone in Nebraska, Kansas, North and South Dakota and Iowa are farmers, right?)
So those are the 4 places I would think would be most logical to put 2 new baseball teams to even things out and not have to have Interleague games every series. Any other places you'd like to see professional baseball played?
Today's Twitter Bio: @kelimepie
She's a member of the @damesongames squad. She's an Ohio State student, which I try not to hold against her. She hails from Harrison, Ohio, which I'm not sure anyone could hold against her. And she's a die-hard Reds fan. And a Joey Votto fan. And a Drew Stubbs fan. And a Joey Votto fan. And a Jay Bruce fan. And a Joey Votto fan. And a Chris Heisey fan. And did I mention she likes Joey Votto?
If you'd like to know more about how she feels on these and many more topics, please follow her and ask her. She'll tell you without hesitation. And, um, Joey Votto.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Microphone Musings
On the way home from work yesterday, I had my windows open in the car and the ballgame turned up on the radio. A car pulled up next to me at red light. There was boy of about 5 or 6 in the passenger seat. Without any provocation, he yelled to me "Who's winning?". It seems my radio was loud enough that he was able to recognize Jeff Brantley's voice. I told him "Reds 4-2" and he responded, "Yeah, go Reds!" and pumped a fist in the air. I responded with a thumbs up before the light turned green.
But as I drove on, I felt a little sad for that child. While he recognized that sweet southern drawl of The Cowboy, he was never able to know the home-grown, folksy manner of one of the greatest men to ever grace a microphone, Joe Nuxhall. I was only privileged to enjoy roughly 11 years of The Old Left-Hander's dulcet tones. And that got me to thinking, what have I missed out on? How was Waite Hoyt solo on the mike? Was the dynamic between Joe and Al Michaels better than Joe and Marty? Where does Red Barber rank all time? (he gets extra points for being named Red, right?)
I'm sure I'll never really know. But if they were employed by the oldest and grandest team in baseball, I'm sure they were all of supreme quality. Which was one of my boyhood dreams; to be among them. From an early age I realized that, while I wasn't uncoordinated, I lacked the natural physical prowess to be truly good at any sports. But I loved baseball. I was going to baseball games before I could remember what baseball was. And more than that, I was listening to Reds games. In the truck with my dad. On the front porch with a glass of lemonade on a Saturday afternoon. Begging my mom to let me stay up late to listen to a West Coast Swing...and falling asleep by the third inning. I decided I wanted to do that. I wanted to bring sports to the masses. I wanted to be a radio announcer for the Cincinnati Reds.
I used to turn down the TV sound and try to call the game myself. I didn't have any stats to back me up, mind you, just what I knew from that particular game. I used to talk during my little league games. I even dabbled in some actual announcing in high school. My senior year, I was afforded the opportunity to call the basketball games for our internet broadcasts. I'd like to think we did a pretty good job, even if only about 25 people listened per game. Then, my freshman year of college, I was handed another microphone. This time as an "arena MC", where I entertained a crowd of about 2,500 during time-outs at basketball games. But around that same time, I started working more with the technical side of the broadcasts. I began working on live sports and movies. I became more heavily invested in my camera work and editing skills. As a result, I kind of left the microphone behind.
I realize that had I continued down that path, it would have required a lot of low-level jobs, a lot of paying my dues, a lot of travel, and a very low likelihood of ever rising to the level of an announcer for a major league baseball team. My life would have been vastly different. And I know that all sounds very "crushed by the reality of the world" or however you want to look at it, but I like what I do now. I like how my life has turned out and I think that this is what I'm supposed to be doing.
It was a neat dream to have; to believe I could have been included in the lexicon of great Reds announcers, but I'm just as content to be a fan and enjoy the beauty of the game with every other fan.
Twitter bio of the day: @JimDayTV
Speaking of fellas behind a microphone that I enjoy, how about Jim Day, huh? His pre- and post-game exuberance is a great reason to watch the games on TV. Not to mention his twitter chops. He's always backing the Reds, always pulling great stats, and every once in a while, throwing in some cheeky comments to entertain the masses. If you're a Reds fan, but somehow don't follow Jim Day, it seems an awful waste of your fanhood. The man knows his stuff and he does twitter the right way. So get on over there and follow Jim Day, and in the words of Marty, let him know "how we lookin'?".
But as I drove on, I felt a little sad for that child. While he recognized that sweet southern drawl of The Cowboy, he was never able to know the home-grown, folksy manner of one of the greatest men to ever grace a microphone, Joe Nuxhall. I was only privileged to enjoy roughly 11 years of The Old Left-Hander's dulcet tones. And that got me to thinking, what have I missed out on? How was Waite Hoyt solo on the mike? Was the dynamic between Joe and Al Michaels better than Joe and Marty? Where does Red Barber rank all time? (he gets extra points for being named Red, right?)
I'm sure I'll never really know. But if they were employed by the oldest and grandest team in baseball, I'm sure they were all of supreme quality. Which was one of my boyhood dreams; to be among them. From an early age I realized that, while I wasn't uncoordinated, I lacked the natural physical prowess to be truly good at any sports. But I loved baseball. I was going to baseball games before I could remember what baseball was. And more than that, I was listening to Reds games. In the truck with my dad. On the front porch with a glass of lemonade on a Saturday afternoon. Begging my mom to let me stay up late to listen to a West Coast Swing...and falling asleep by the third inning. I decided I wanted to do that. I wanted to bring sports to the masses. I wanted to be a radio announcer for the Cincinnati Reds.
I used to turn down the TV sound and try to call the game myself. I didn't have any stats to back me up, mind you, just what I knew from that particular game. I used to talk during my little league games. I even dabbled in some actual announcing in high school. My senior year, I was afforded the opportunity to call the basketball games for our internet broadcasts. I'd like to think we did a pretty good job, even if only about 25 people listened per game. Then, my freshman year of college, I was handed another microphone. This time as an "arena MC", where I entertained a crowd of about 2,500 during time-outs at basketball games. But around that same time, I started working more with the technical side of the broadcasts. I began working on live sports and movies. I became more heavily invested in my camera work and editing skills. As a result, I kind of left the microphone behind.
I realize that had I continued down that path, it would have required a lot of low-level jobs, a lot of paying my dues, a lot of travel, and a very low likelihood of ever rising to the level of an announcer for a major league baseball team. My life would have been vastly different. And I know that all sounds very "crushed by the reality of the world" or however you want to look at it, but I like what I do now. I like how my life has turned out and I think that this is what I'm supposed to be doing.
It was a neat dream to have; to believe I could have been included in the lexicon of great Reds announcers, but I'm just as content to be a fan and enjoy the beauty of the game with every other fan.
Twitter bio of the day: @JimDayTV
Speaking of fellas behind a microphone that I enjoy, how about Jim Day, huh? His pre- and post-game exuberance is a great reason to watch the games on TV. Not to mention his twitter chops. He's always backing the Reds, always pulling great stats, and every once in a while, throwing in some cheeky comments to entertain the masses. If you're a Reds fan, but somehow don't follow Jim Day, it seems an awful waste of your fanhood. The man knows his stuff and he does twitter the right way. So get on over there and follow Jim Day, and in the words of Marty, let him know "how we lookin'?".
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
All-Star Breaking Down
First off, I'm gonna leave the All-Star snubbing alone. Too many people have already speculated enough about it, and there's nothing that can really be done about it now, except Johnny Cueto possibly bringing suit against the MLB and Tony Larussa. So we'll move on.
The Reds are 3-2 on the old West Coast Swing so far. So they're doing better than I expected. Still 6 to go. Unfortunately, the farther along they go, the more damaged they become. Scott Rolen is having back spasms again. Joey Votto twisted his knee on that slide on Friday, then re-aggravated it on Saturday and we haven't seen him since. Then, last night, Zack Cozart got popped in the head by a Chad Billingsley pitch that got a little loose on him. He has a mild concussion. He cracked Cozart's helmet. Phillips is back after getting punched in the face on a steal situation against Milwaukee.
Which all basically leads to, the All-Star Break can't get here fast enough. Now, Scott, Zack and Brandon (even though he shouldn't be) will all be getting rest during that Break, Joey Votto has to play in that all-important game next Tuesday. So the question is, does he go out there, possibly hurt, to play his guts out, knowing his team might need that home-field advantage because they could make it to the World Series? Or does he withdraw himself for a few extra days of rehab, so that he can actually play well in the second half of the season to make sure that his team actually DOES make it to the World Series?
Like I said, there are 6 games left on the road-trip. If I'm Joey, I'd want to play in at least half of them, and have productive starts, to convince myself I was in good enough shape to play. Any less than that, or any issues from being out there on the days I do play, and I get myself out of the game. No sense in risking long-term knee injury for the Mid-Summer Classic.
Meanwhile, the Reds refuse to put anyone on the Disabled List. And with Cozart's injury last night, they had to play Wilson Valdez, which literally left Ryan Ludwick, and Ryan Hanigan as the only available position players, and obviously certain pitchers, like Mike Leake to pinch-hit or run if needed. That's putting a lot of faith in the 8 guys backing up that pitcher.
I know that the options at Triple-A are pretty thin. (People are pestering John Fay as to why they don't call up Billy "100 Steals" Hamilton, even though they don't understand, he plays on a High-A team, far below major league standards). But if Rolen is gonna be out any significant amount of time, or if Cozart can't pass the concussion test, you've gotta get somebody on the short DL and get a player up here who can swing a bat. At some point in this series, Dusty is going to need a pinch-hitter and see an empty bench, or more likely, he's going to hold back on using a bench player in a pinch-hit situation, thinking he needs to save said player for a later instance in the game.
I'm just going to hope Votto is feeling better and Cozart's concussion is so mild it goes away in a day or two, because if not, things could get messy in the last few games before the All-Star Break.
SIDE NOTE: With all the hoopla of the All-Star Voting and snubbing, I find one more thing interesting. The Final Vote for the NL features a Cardinal that TLR couldn't fit on his regular squad in David Freese, the guy who should have gotten picked at 2nd if they really weren't gonna take Brandon Phillips but got screwed by the "every team must be represented rule" Aaron Hill, the freshman phenom, Bryce Harper, an exciting outfielder to watch in Michael Bourn, and.......Chipper Jones.
Yes that Chipper Jones. He of the 19-year, all in Atlanta career. The one that Georgia children who have dreamed of playing baseball since the mid-1990's have emulated. The man who selflessly moved to left field in 2002 and 2003 so that Vinny Castillo could play third. Remember him? He's retiring after this season. Mostly because he's only played 45 games out of 79 this season due to injury. So this may be his last harrah. And if baseball has anything to say about it, I think he'll get it. After a day of voting, MLB.com claims that Chipper is leading the 5 NL Final Voters. The only way I don't call the Final Vote a sham is if anyone but Chipper gets in. And I'm not saying that Chipper won't get in legitimately(even though I think the fix is in)-- a lot of nostalgic 30-somethings will think back to 1995 and Chipper and Bobby Cox-- but if this game "really matters" then don't you want a guy who's more likely to get a hit in the clutch, than a guy who's close to clutching his chest in pain?
Today's Twitter Bio: @MaskMetal
He's one of my newer follows, but definitely worth it. He's a big Reds and White Sox fan. And no matter what time of day you catch him, he always seems like he's got a positive vibe going. That could be, and don't hold it against him, because he's Canadian. I'm a big fan of his #3RedsPositives he does, where he asks fellow fans to tell him what went well about each game, win or loss. It's a great way to feel good about the team, instead of ragging on minor details.
MaskMetal (aka Johnny D) doesn't really need my help. He's already got over 500 followers, but if you follow me, and somehow don't follow him, and you like the Reds, you might be doing it wrong.
The Reds are 3-2 on the old West Coast Swing so far. So they're doing better than I expected. Still 6 to go. Unfortunately, the farther along they go, the more damaged they become. Scott Rolen is having back spasms again. Joey Votto twisted his knee on that slide on Friday, then re-aggravated it on Saturday and we haven't seen him since. Then, last night, Zack Cozart got popped in the head by a Chad Billingsley pitch that got a little loose on him. He has a mild concussion. He cracked Cozart's helmet. Phillips is back after getting punched in the face on a steal situation against Milwaukee.
Which all basically leads to, the All-Star Break can't get here fast enough. Now, Scott, Zack and Brandon (even though he shouldn't be) will all be getting rest during that Break, Joey Votto has to play in that all-important game next Tuesday. So the question is, does he go out there, possibly hurt, to play his guts out, knowing his team might need that home-field advantage because they could make it to the World Series? Or does he withdraw himself for a few extra days of rehab, so that he can actually play well in the second half of the season to make sure that his team actually DOES make it to the World Series?
Like I said, there are 6 games left on the road-trip. If I'm Joey, I'd want to play in at least half of them, and have productive starts, to convince myself I was in good enough shape to play. Any less than that, or any issues from being out there on the days I do play, and I get myself out of the game. No sense in risking long-term knee injury for the Mid-Summer Classic.
Meanwhile, the Reds refuse to put anyone on the Disabled List. And with Cozart's injury last night, they had to play Wilson Valdez, which literally left Ryan Ludwick, and Ryan Hanigan as the only available position players, and obviously certain pitchers, like Mike Leake to pinch-hit or run if needed. That's putting a lot of faith in the 8 guys backing up that pitcher.
I know that the options at Triple-A are pretty thin. (People are pestering John Fay as to why they don't call up Billy "100 Steals" Hamilton, even though they don't understand, he plays on a High-A team, far below major league standards). But if Rolen is gonna be out any significant amount of time, or if Cozart can't pass the concussion test, you've gotta get somebody on the short DL and get a player up here who can swing a bat. At some point in this series, Dusty is going to need a pinch-hitter and see an empty bench, or more likely, he's going to hold back on using a bench player in a pinch-hit situation, thinking he needs to save said player for a later instance in the game.
I'm just going to hope Votto is feeling better and Cozart's concussion is so mild it goes away in a day or two, because if not, things could get messy in the last few games before the All-Star Break.
SIDE NOTE: With all the hoopla of the All-Star Voting and snubbing, I find one more thing interesting. The Final Vote for the NL features a Cardinal that TLR couldn't fit on his regular squad in David Freese, the guy who should have gotten picked at 2nd if they really weren't gonna take Brandon Phillips but got screwed by the "every team must be represented rule" Aaron Hill, the freshman phenom, Bryce Harper, an exciting outfielder to watch in Michael Bourn, and.......Chipper Jones.
Yes that Chipper Jones. He of the 19-year, all in Atlanta career. The one that Georgia children who have dreamed of playing baseball since the mid-1990's have emulated. The man who selflessly moved to left field in 2002 and 2003 so that Vinny Castillo could play third. Remember him? He's retiring after this season. Mostly because he's only played 45 games out of 79 this season due to injury. So this may be his last harrah. And if baseball has anything to say about it, I think he'll get it. After a day of voting, MLB.com claims that Chipper is leading the 5 NL Final Voters. The only way I don't call the Final Vote a sham is if anyone but Chipper gets in. And I'm not saying that Chipper won't get in legitimately(even though I think the fix is in)-- a lot of nostalgic 30-somethings will think back to 1995 and Chipper and Bobby Cox-- but if this game "really matters" then don't you want a guy who's more likely to get a hit in the clutch, than a guy who's close to clutching his chest in pain?
Today's Twitter Bio: @MaskMetal
He's one of my newer follows, but definitely worth it. He's a big Reds and White Sox fan. And no matter what time of day you catch him, he always seems like he's got a positive vibe going. That could be, and don't hold it against him, because he's Canadian. I'm a big fan of his #3RedsPositives he does, where he asks fellow fans to tell him what went well about each game, win or loss. It's a great way to feel good about the team, instead of ragging on minor details.
MaskMetal (aka Johnny D) doesn't really need my help. He's already got over 500 followers, but if you follow me, and somehow don't follow him, and you like the Reds, you might be doing it wrong.
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