Mikey's MLB Update

A big shout out to, friend of the site, Karen for sending me the above flow chart. I went through it and apparently I end up a St. Louis Cardinals fan. Weird.

In early April I made some predictions regarding the upcoming MLB season. I figured I would check in and see how I am holding up.

Actual Ranking (My preseason ranking)
AL Central:
1. Cleveland Indians (5)
2. Detroit Tigers (2)
3. Chicago White Sox (3)
4. Minnesota Twins (1)
5. Kansas City Royals (4)

Minnesota has been a disappointment so far this season and the Indians have over achieved. Cleveland is a young team that WILL NOT hold on to the division, over the last month every other team in their division has gained ground on them. Minnesota can make a run and have won 8 out of their last 10 to start closing the gap.

AL West:
1. Texas Rangers (1)
2. Seattle Mariners (4)
3. LA Angels (3)
4. Oakland A’s (2)

Seattle is actually surprising a lot of people by taking a hold of second place. Texas has a great hitting team still and if that offense can stay healthy I still believe they should hold on strong to the top spot. From top to bottom this is the closest division in baseball with only 6 games separating first from last.

AL East:
1. Boston Red Sox (1)
2. New York Yankees (2)
3. Tampa Bay Rays (3)
4. Toronto Blue Jays (4)
5. Baltimore Orioles (5)

Score one for Mikey! Boston gave me a scare at the beginning of the season but have been on fire ever since. The Yankees aren't going away anytime soon and should keep challenging for the division championship.

NL Central:
1. St. Louis Cardinals (3)
1. Milwaukee Brewers (2)
3. Cincinnati Reds (1)
4. Pittsburgh Pirates (6)
5. Chicago Cubs (4)
6. Houston Astros (5)

The top threefour are separating themselves from the pack. The top four teams are only 3 games apart and I am not quite sure how. The Pirates have held on strong so far but when your owners are out to make profit and not championships you can’t keep winning. I'd like to be wrong though.

NL West:
1. Arizona Diamondbacks (5)
2. San Francisco Giants (2)
3. Colorado Rockies (1)
4. LA Dodgers (4)
5. San Diego Padres (3)

I don’t really know where the Diamondbacks came from. They have been holding there own in a decent division. The Padres pitching hasn’t been there, the Dodgers are in limbo and the Rockies are just sitting at .500. I still think the Rockies make a run at the top 2 with ease but I still don't know what to make of these Diamondbacks.

NL East:
1. Philadelphia Phillies (1)
2. Atlanta Braves (1)
3. Washington Nationals (4)
4. New York Mets (5)
5. Florida Marlins (3)

The Phillies have the best record in baseball. The have the largest gap between first and second place (4 games, every other division is at most a 1 game difference). The Braves are the number two team in the NL. These two will be fighting for the division and probably the league. Florida was a strong team… until they lost 20 of 22 so far in June. One of the biggest collapses I have ever seen in sports.

Overall I am not mad at it. The top two in both East divisions are showing their strengths. I still have Red Sox vs Braves in my final.

Love At First Fight

I have found extreme joy and her name is Whirlyball. I have recently been exposed to an amazing sport that combines lacrosse, hockey and basketball with the fury of bumper cars. Yes. Bumper cars.

Most of you who have listened to the podcast are very aware that I am a pretty competitive guy. I love my sports, I am pretty much a child at heart and hell, I am even in an adult kickball league. I will say that it has been a long time since I have found the pure joy in competition like I found in Whirlyball.

The basic set up is two teams of five. Everyone has a bumper car and a scoop. There is one wiffle ball and your primary objective is to score points by hitting that wiffle ball against your team’s designated goal. Simple enough. Let the mayhem begin!

Some places play by more formal rules with referees and penalty points. Lets just say I played a pick up game with STREET RULES, SON! IF YOU AIN’T BLEEDING THEN IT AIN’T A FOUL!!! I went too far? Ok my bad. There is something great about having a fun competition that really only requires strategic thought and some hand eye coordination. The best part is if you get frustrated you just drive your car at full speed and crash into someone.

Seriously, check it out if you get the chance.

A Matter Of Opinion

April showers may bring May flowers, but March showers bring baseball season. Today is Opening Day! Another day that should perhaps be a national holiday, albeit a holiday I didn’t always celebrate.

I always liked baseball—as in, playing it at the park when I was little, or playing intramural softball (close enough) in college. But growing up, my parents liked the Braves so much that I somehow felt I had to dislike them equally. You know, to maintain balance, and stuff. This disdain lasted an awful long time—about 24 years, in fact, up until last year's baseball season.

But now I’m 25, and I can fully admit, baseball season is awesome.

This isn’t a one time thing, either. Apparently, stubborn as I may seem, my opinions can change with time, additional information and the wind.


Things I Once Hated That Are Totally Great

• Braves baseball
  
• Shitty pop music
  
• Mushrooms, when cooked properly so the consistency isn’t all gross and slimy
  
• Podcasts
  
• Going dancing, though admittedly, it’s only totally great after a few drinks
  
• Twitter
  
• The taste of IPAs

Among others. Apparently I can be swayed. What hated thing shall I change my mind about next? Bell peppers? (Gross, no thanks.) Nicolas Cage movies? (Not likely.) That annoying new Old Navy commercial with the song about wearing layers? (Not a chance.) Who knows. I’m looking forward to finding out.

Unless it’s the Old Navy song. I really hate that song a lot.

You Know What I Don't Get?

Mikey: Mattie! You know what I don't get? People who watch baseball and won't watch soccer. Baseball is so boring and I can say that because I love baseball. Why else do you do the wave every time you go to a baseball game? Here is a hint PEOPLE ARE BORED.

Mattie: I am in total agreement. Amuuurikans always say soccer is boring, but fucking love baseball.
OH HELLO KETTLE, I AM THE POT. FOUR CHILI DOGS AND A DIET COKE PLEASE.

Mikey: Soccer is more physical than baseball. Oh and let us not forget that it is a sport that is popular around the entire world. Sure there are often more runs in baseball then there are goals in soccer but maybe that is because in soccer they actually have to work for their points. I feel like a jackass even calling it soccer. It clearly should be called football being that oh 95% of the game is played with ::GASP:: feet.

Mattie: And not only is soccer more physical, but it's also -- imagine this! -- a lot more active. Soccer players are almost always on the move, and the game is pretty fast-paced. So how in the world is it boring? Especially when compared to baseball..... Baseball is nothing but stops and starts; all the amazing plays are (typically) limited to just a few seconds. And then it's over. And then the next batter is up. Whereas in soccer there's a constant back and forth.

Mikey: I am just trying to figure out what is worse the fact people won't give soccer a chance now or way down the line, when the US is a top five team, the inevitable people jumping on the soccer bandwagon all of a sudden?

Mattie: Honestly, the bandwagoners don't really bother me unless they try to play it off they've always been a fan. Those who won't give it a chance? Eff them.

Mikey: Eff them indeed. Maybe we just penalty kick them in the nuts. Yeah I said it.

Mattie: Or perhaps they each get a headbutt from Zidane.... Well, I think it's pretty much decided. Baseball fans who pass on soccer are silly people with malformed opinions.