U-S-A! U-S-A!
I’m a soccer poser and I’ll be the first to admit it. I’m jumping on the USA bandwagon and I’ve got the fever. Only days ago I posted this on Facebook for my status:
Sure I’ll be rooting for the U.S. in the World Cup but how can people get so crazy over soccer? The 1st 2 games ended in ties…a sport where no one wins! 1-1 & 0-0…barnburners. Give me the Skins/Boys week 1 and a 35-10 Skins win, that’s something to go crazy over. HTTR
Well, I was wrong…I admit it. People obviously go crazy over it and I haven’t missed a second of the last two games. My reaction to the winning goal in the last game was just like the thousands of people filmed in the video above. A similar reaction that I would have to a Cooley touchdown or a Romo sack. And the beautiful thing about the video above, is that I’m sure a majority of the fans watching these games are just like me…soccer posers. Hey, if a sport can make bars open at 7 in the morning and cause people to drink beer with their breakfast, it’s good enough for me. The USA takes on Ghana at 2:30 pm on Saturday, I highly suggest watching.
Cheers and Hail
WBC, It’s Worth Watching
There’s been a lot of debate as to whether anyone cares about the WBC…I will tell you that the players and coaches of Team USA definitely do. The players fom Team USA have bonded in a short amount of time to form a great TEAM. They are playing with the enthusiasm of a group of twelve year old all-stars, who are advancing to Williamsport, PA. Right now, baseball is not a job that last 162 games, plus spring training, plus the playoffs. Baseball is a game. Team USA has had to overcome injuries, and their depth is down right frightening. The pitching staff is not deep on talent.
I’ve enjoyed watching them and have found myself rooting for guys I downright despise. There I am cheering for Kevin Youkilis to get a hit, clapping when Jeter makes a nice play (his range is deteriorating by the way.) I mean it’s hard to root for Youkilis. His look, his stance…who holds a bat like that, wtf. But I laughed my ass off when he took off Wright’s helmet after the walk-off, and acted like he was a fullback breaking away from the pack. If that shit went down against the O’s, I might have broken my TV.
Brian Roberts has provided a huge spark for Team USA. While Dustin Pedroia is home nursing his pulled labia, Roberts is playing like the team MVP. In 3 games Roberts has 6 hits, scored 5 runs, walked 3 times, and has stolen a base.
Team USA has also found a special fan in Sgt. Felix Perez, I would ask you to read this article for his story with Team USA. Team USA will be paying for Sgt. Perez to come and watch them compete for the WBC title this weekend at Dodger Stadium in LA. Playing for the US and representing our country means something to these guys.
So on Sunday evening after your march madness fix is over, tune in to ESPN and support our team in the semi-final. Should they win Sunday, they will be playing for the Championship on Monday night.
I will be watching…and I hope to see something like this.
Cheers and Hail
Team USA Can’t Lose
Not with Bill Ripken coaching. This spring Ripken will be where he was born to be, in a dugout surrounded by Major League ballplayers. Ripken was chosen by Manager Davey Johnson to be one of his assistant coaches for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
Since retiring from a 12 year MLB career Bill has been the Co-Owner and Executive Vice President of Ripken Baseball. Along with his brother Cal, they have built a baseball empire in their hometown of Aberdeen, MD. So whether it’s teaching a seven year old how to field a ground ball, designing baseball stadiums, or running baseball franchises, it’s baseball 24/7 for the Ripkens. Along the way Bill has become one of the premier baseball instructors in the world. His enthusiasm for the game translates equally as well to an 8 year old, as it does a proven major league veteran. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting Bill it’s an experience I’m sure you haven’t forgotten. He certainly brings a presence.
When I wrote that Russ Grimm is the picture and epitome of a football coach, the same is to be said for Cal Ripken Sr. And when I look at Bill, I see Cal Sr. What I’d like to see is Bill on the Orioles bench for the next dozen years or so, and Cal in the owner’s box. But, I guess Peter Angelos isn’t as smart as I am. I mean it’s really easy to figure out, Ripken = Oriole. “The Oriole way” was lost long ago. Because the Oriole way is “The Ripken way,” born over 30 years ago in the lower levels of the Oriole’s minor leagues.
So for now, I’ll root for the USA and Bill this March. I didn’t follow the the Baseball Classic that closely 2 years ago. In fact, I was upset that it took a lot of the players away from the spring training games that I enjoy watching here in the Tampa area. However, this year I have a new found interest in our team and Bill succeeding.
Team USA will be training here in my backyard on March 1. I’ve noticed that a lot of players have been declining their invitations to play. I will tell you now Billy, that I will accept if you invite me to play. You know very well what I am capable of on the field. A career .550 hitter in the Ripken MLE, a figure that rises when facing Ripken pitching. I’m a little out of shape, but could still fill a Terry Crowley type of role (warning strong language) for Team USA!
Good luck Bill, and make sure you visit Lenny’s they make the best meatballs, just like Mama used to make!
Cheers and Hail
Posted by fatpickle Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Categories: Fatpickled, MLB
Tags: MLB, Ripken, spring training, team usa
Team USA Can’t Lose
Not with Bill Ripken coaching. This spring Ripken will be where he was born to be, in a dugout surrounded by Major League ballplayers. Ripken was chosen by Manager Davey Johnson to be one of his assistant coaches for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
Since retiring from a 12 year MLB career Bill has been the Co-Owner and Executive Vice President of Ripken Baseball. Along with his brother Cal, they have built a baseball empire in their hometown of Aberdeen, MD. So whether it’s teaching a seven year old how to field a ground ball, designing baseball stadiums, or running baseball franchises, it’s baseball 24/7 for the Ripkens. Along the way Bill has become one of the premier baseball instructors in the world. His enthusiasm for the game translates equally as well to an 8 year old, as it does a proven major league veteran. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting Bill it’s an experience I’m sure you haven’t forgotten. He certainly brings a presence.
When I wrote that Russ Grimm is the picture and epitome of a football coach, the same is to be said for Cal Ripken Sr. And when I look at Bill, I see Cal Sr. What I’d like to see is Bill on the Orioles bench for the next dozen years or so, and Cal in the owner’s box. But, I guess Peter Angelos isn’t as smart as I am. I mean it’s really easy to figure out, Ripken = Oriole. “The Oriole way” was lost long ago. Because the Oriole way is “The Ripken way,” born over 30 years ago in the lower levels of the Oriole’s minor leagues.
So for now, I’ll root for the USA and Bill this March. I didn’t follow the the Baseball Classic that closely 2 years ago. In fact, I was upset that it took a lot of the players away from the spring training games that I enjoy watching here in the Tampa area. However, this year I have a new found interest in our team and Bill succeeding.
Team USA will be training here in my backyard on March 1. I’ve noticed that a lot of players have been declining their invitations to play. I will tell you now Billy, that I will accept if you invite me to play. You know very well what I am capable of on the field. A career .550 hitter in the Ripken MLE, a figure that rises when facing Ripken pitching. I’m a little out of shape, but could still fill a Terry Crowley type of role (warning strong language) for Team USA!
Good luck Bill, and make sure you visit Lenny’s they make the best meatballs, just like Mama used to make!
Cheers and Hail
Posted by fatpickle Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Categories: Fatpickled, MLB
Tags: MLB, Ripken, spring training, team usa
