Wait, What's Going On This Weekend?

Is Monday here yet? No rest for the wicked, as we head into the homestretch of both the wedding and the P-Nats' schedule. It has been a brutal homestand, with tarp pulls, VERY early mornings, and even longer days. But we're almost there. One tonight, one tomorrow, and then goodnight Irene.

Then there's the wedding of the century, as Staci and I tie the knot on Sunday. I'm very excited about the actual event(and reception), it's just getting to that point and dealing with all the anticpation and attention. Thank God for Staci, who has done 99 44/100ths of this crap herself, because I probably would have jumped into the Potomac River by now.

So now, I am going to try, exhausted as I am, to enjoy the rush of two emotional moments and look forward to a nice after-wedding day Labor Day at RFK. And watch the "Pickle Girl" clip over and over again. Hee hee:

Abigail at 10

Tomorrow is the actual 10th birthday of the beautiful Abigail Elizabeth, but since I won't be near a computer all day, and today celebrates the events leading up to the wonderful result of Abby's birth, I figured, no time like the present to wax poetic. :)

It was right around 6PM that Jen called me at Friendly's in Eynon to tell me that it looked like Abby was about to join the world. I was prepared for this call, but that didn't make me any calmer. She told me there was plenty of time and to not rush. Of course, I did anyway. I was working my normal 10-8 shift, so I asked my manager if I could take off early. I jumped in my new Ford Escort and drove to my Dad's(where I was staying for summer break). As I packed my duffel bag, the range of emotions was incredible. It's a rare moment in life when you are aware that everything is about to change forever. I told my Dad the news, stopped at a gas station and headed on the 64 mile drive to Easton.

I arrived in Easton around 10PM, ready for what the night was about to bring. We sat at Jen's parents' house for awhile, until it was time to head to St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem. Things slowed down, as Abby took her time, but I've never had the hours go by so quickly. After a night of pushing and breathing, Abby joined us all early on Saturday morning, August 23rd, 1997. It truly is an emotion you cannot describe, watching someone you helped to create start their life.

Now, ten years later, Abigail is a beautiful, healthy and intelligent young lady with the world at her feet. And while I take no credit with her being those things, it is truly a pleasure to see her turning out in such a magnificent way.

Great Pitching Rules Weekend At The Pfitz

A pitching trifecta of the past, present and future aligned here at the Pfitz this weekend. First up was Friday night's Carolina League debut of Ross Detwiler. This has been eagerly anticipated since he was chosen 6th overall in the draft just 2 months ago. He is incredibly talented and looks like he could be the real deal.

Saturday was a complete surprise, as Justin Jones carried a perfect game into the 9th inning for the P-Nats(see scoreboard above). Buzz started to build as the game went into the 5th inning and still nothing on the board for the Warthogs. With one out in the ninth, he gave up a single and the chance for a perfecto was gone. Great effort by a guy who has shown flashes of brilliance.


I was excited as Sunday approached, as former All-Star Detroit Tiger and Washington Senator Denny McClain was here to sign autographs and promote his new book. McClain was the last pitcher to win 30 games in a season, which will most likely never happen again. I was able to speak with him for a few minutes, and for all his past post-baseball troubles(tax evasion, federal prison time, etc), he was a very friendly and charismatic person.

It's rare to see former greatness and potential all in the same place, especially in Woodbridge, VA. It definitely makes an extremely long day/week seems a little less so.

Last of "The Triplets" Enters The Hall

Amid the continued and painful chase of the HR record by Big Head, there was a much better, and dare I say, beautiful moment in sports this weekend. Michael Irvin, 3-time Super Bowl champ with the Cowboys, was finally inducted in the Football Hall Of Fame. This is a well-deserved honor, but took longer than it should have because of a checkered and drug-riddled past. He is the last of the "Triplets" (Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, and Irvin) to make it in, and Irvin did something on Saturday no one expected- he was humble. The cocky and brash receiver was truly honored to stand on that stage, and even admitted that he knew he was not the same kind of person (off the field) as some of the other greats. Irving broke down and cried for many parts of the speech, and that was truly touching as well. In a sports world seemingly devoid of good guys, and filled with guys like Bonds and Vick, here is a man who has finally faced his demons and could not have been more appreciative of this honor bestowed upon him. Irvin was never my favorite Cowboy, but for one day at least, he stood among the greats- and for the first time, he did so off the field.

The * Is Close

The pit in my stomach continues to linger as Big Head (or * as I also like to call him)continues his illegitimate run at Hank Aaron's 755 home runs. He is now only 2 away, and it surely seems inevitable that he will break this record, and soon. What are the only things that can stop him? Well, at this point, only three things:
- an injury, which is always a possibility given his age and crappy knees;
- a federal jury indictment for perjury, which is also still possible but unlikely to happen in time;
- or the baseball gods finally right this wrong and send Big Head up in a puff of smoke (or a UFO), not to be seen again until his autograph table OUTSIDE of Cooperstown is set up 5 or 6 years from now, right next to Sammy "No Habla Englais" Sosa and Rafael "Finger-Waggin'" Palmiero.

None of these seem likely to happen in time to stop 756* to sail into the stands. As an amateur baseball historian, it makes me cringe to even think of it. I have heard others say in recent weeks that they will watch to see history, even though they believe strongly that Big Head cheated. I cannot and will not EVER watch that highlight or listen to the unfortunate announcer's call of it. It's not a real number, folks! I have also heard people say that "well, gee, he still would have 600 or more home runs if he didn't take steroids, so he's still great and I will watch it." 600 is not the same as 756! It is inarguably the most-recognized record in sports. I will not support a fake record, and I will not be remiss to have seen the highlight. I will watch, however, when Alex Rodriguez or Albert Pujols breaks Big Head's sham record in 2011 or 2012. Then the baseball world will be right again. Until then, remember Hank Aaron and his 755 steroid-free and hard-earned home runs.

Let's Jump In The Way-Back Machine..

Please excuse me while I wallow in a moment of self-pity...

The day was July 20, 1993. SWV had the number-one song in the country with "Weak." A mediocre Dodgers team lost to the Phillies, 8-2, but had an emerging superstar named Mike Piazza went 1-for-4 on his way to one of the best rookie campaigns in MLB history.






And I was working on my 20th birthday at the Dunmore Pizza Hut. It was miserable, and I swore I would never work on my birthday again.

I've stayed true to my promise for 14 years, until now. I have no choice but to work, as the P-Nats start a homestand tonight and I have to be here. But at least I get to be at a ballpark, right? That's what I had convinced myself of until the very first thing we did this morning was..that's right, pulled the tarp. Here's an example of what that is like:



Oh, well, no worries. Tonight will still be fun, and maybe next year there won't be a home game, and I can be drunk by noon on the beach like I normally am.

Dodgers Sweep Big Head & the Jints

What a nice early birthday present- my Dodgers went out and not only swept the much-hated Giants to take a 1 game lead in the NL West Division, but almost more importantly, we made a fool out of Mr. Big Head himself, Barr-oid Bonds. The * went 0 for 12 in the 3 game series, which kept him 4 home runs shy of the sham record he is about to create. I am saving my major rant about the * till a later date, but for 3 days at least, he was made to look like the complete jackass that everyone knows that he is.

For Your Viewing Enjoyment...

First, a funny 5 second clip known as "Dramatic Chipmunk," found on YouTube:


Next up, the dramatic sequel to Will Ferrell's gut-busting "The Landlord," entitled "Good Cop, Baby Cop." Not quite as good as "Landlord," but hilarious just the same:



Enjoy, and happy Friday!

The Stars Are Out in LA!

I meant to post this on Monday, but things have been crazy 'round here...

I'm very excited by the fact that I will have 3 Dodgers to root for in next week's All Star Game. That hasn't happened since 2002, when Eric Gagne(miss ya), Shawn Green(coo-coo-ka-choo), and Odalis Perez(yikes!) were the representatives. This year we will have Brad Penny, arguably the best pitcher in the NL this year; Takashi Saito, the closer who's made most(but not me) forget about Gagne; and Russell Martin, who has continued the 25-year trend of amazing catchers in Dodger Blue(Scioscia, Piazza and LoDuca).

But what am I most excited about? The fact that I don't have games next week, so I get to watch and enjoy all the festivities. Fan-tatsic!

Happy Birthday USA/ Happy Anniversary US(Staci & I)!

While most people are enjoying the day off today, watching hot dog eating contests and fireworks, I am working yet another 15 hour day. At least it's at the ballpark. And Staci & Sharon will be here later to enjoy the game, so I've got that going for me.



In other 4th news, today is a year since Staci & I got engaged at RFK Stadium. Hard to believe it's been that long, even harder to believe that the big day is less than 2 months away. It's been a good year, baby, which only promises to get better!