Passion for the Pastime

I am the man, the man with a plan. Not really my plan, but I am the man that knows of a man, who knows of a man with a plan. Baseball continues it's search for a solution to starting baseball again. This latest plan seems to be the most realistic. Is it still a long shot? Yes. Will it still take a while? Yes, but all good things take time. In the meantime, we do actually have some live "sports" to watch. Players representing their respective teams have been competing for about 2 and half weeks by now and we have finally made it to the playoffs. 8 teams remain and if you are tired of watching the same old replays, then sit back and relax as you watch grown men play video games. Its actually not as bad as it sounds and actually makes you like some players that you would have never considered. If that isn't your cup of tea, simulations of the Dream Bracket has reached the Final Four. Yankees, Red Sox, Reds and Dodgers and a whole lot of hall of famers. I know it isn't what we want, but it is what we have. Lets make the best of the situation, and get our NERD ON!

In these times, baseball fans are in a wait and see mode. With no definitive date to return to baseball, and with the clock still ticking, a lot about the 2020 season is still up in the air. It is always fun to talk baseball, to keep that love and passion that we have for the game of baseball alive. This week, I spoke with McCovey Cove Dave, who is a staple for Giants fans at the ball park. You can see him at the game in his kayak, sitting in the cove, waiting for a ball to come his way. We go down memory lane and just talk ball, to have some little bit of normalcy in our lives again. Just as McCovey Cove Dave is waiting for a ball to enter the cove on game day, that anticipation is exciting, even though it may take a while. The same can be said for fans waiting for the game to return, and we should use his same approach. So when the ball does finally land in the cove, and when the game of baseball does return, it will be well worth the wait and it will be that much more sweeter.

Well the verdict came down earlier this week, and it wasn't what baseball fans expected. I guess cheating gets you a slap on the wrist. Maybe not even a slap, more of a tap, because the Red Sox didn't get anything for cheating. Blame placed in all directions except for the organization. But in these times we cant focus on the negative. A positive note from the Commissioners Officer, Rob Manfred fully expects baseball to resume in 2020, so there is still hope at the end of the tunnel. Until then lets watch grown adults play baseball games. No, seriously lets do it. It is highly entertaining and you get a chance to engage with a select few of professional athletes. Hunter Pence is by far the most entertaining to watch on twitch. If what other people play games is a weird concept for you, never fear, I am hear to give you the new wave of sports. MLB Dream Bracket started last week, with 32 teams and we are not down to the final 8 teams. Playing simulated games and with live MLB network hosts, calling the game, take a dive into baseball history as you watch a simulation of baseball player of the past, and present day superstars. Left remaining are the Yankees, Astros, Red Sox and White Sox in the AL bracket and the NL bracket you have the Cardinals, Reds, Brewers and Dodgers. I make my selections and next time we will take a dive into the Final Four of the Dream Bracket, where these teams fight for all-time bragging rights.

Quarantine at home for players, isnt going well for some. In particular one Joe Kelly, who is now standing in the long lines at Home Depot. Former teammate of Joe Kelly, Yasiel Puig is in the headlines, but it isnt what you would come to expect for the 29 year old Cuban ballplayer. Since we are talking Dodgers, April 15th ,know by many as Jackie Robinson Day came and went. There was no baseball played. There was no players wearing the number 42. Instead it is a good time to reflect. What did Jackie mean to you? To the sport of Baseball? These are questions that we can all look at and feel Jackie's presence today. It is a story of selflessness, heroics and sacrifice. Without Jackie, our world, our game, wouldnt be the same. Not to mention Jackie paving the way for another trailblazer of the sport. This year marks his 65 year anniversary of his MLB debut, coming 8 years and 2 days after Jackie's Debut, The Hero of Puerto Rico, Roberto Clemente. A great on is in store for you on this one.

Well since last podcast, and we have been talking about the Dream Bracket tournament taking place, we have decided to create our own lineup ups. Joined again by Jess "Black Sheep" Juarez, we go through all positions to create our team lineups. Only catch is that it has to be players from our life time. Great topic for debate, because there is no way someone will make the same exact list. This should be interesting.

What do you do when there are no games to be played? You play games of course. A lot of you may think I'm losing my mind but, I have special Guest Jesse "Black Sheep" Juarez to help me explain because that is literally what MLB has decided to do. Players tournaments in their respective sports is the wave of the temporary new normal, with one representative for each MLB squad, playing MLB The Show for bragging rights for their squad. People are flocking to watch these players play games, which at one time, we all thought was a bit strange. I now find it extremely entertaining in a world where live sports is non-existent. And if video games wasn't enough for you to fill the void, MLB has partnered with Out of the Park Baseball 21 and Draft Kings to bring us a Dream Bracket Simulation. What I mean by Dream Bracket, is the top players at each position for their respective franchises, regardless of era, on one team, to determine who is the superior squad. You will see match-ups of Randy Johnson taking on the Murders Row Yankees, Big Papi vs Nolan Ryan among many others. This new normal will have to do, and I think I'm starting to like it.

With so much uncertainty in the world, the only certain thing is the love of baseball that fans all over this country share together. That love for the game can be felt in this podcast. This week I have a Special Guest, F.P. Santangelo Jr. to talk some ball, which in these times, can be one of the most normal things we can do. We reflect back on some memories of F.P. especially looking back at October 2019. We also share our thoughts on the efforts of MLB and their possible plan to get baseball playing again in the US, or in 2020 as a whole. Just two fans of the sport, hanging out and talking ball. Your in store of a fun one this week. Enjoy!

Need a pick me up with another week of shelter in place? Do not fear, I am here with another podcast but this time I brought in some reinforcements. Joining me on this weeks podcast is host of The Leadoff Spot on KNBR 104.5 and 680, Adam Copeland. On this podcast we discuss the plans moving forward with baseball, and with more events like Wimbledon being cancelled that extend into July, what does that mean for baseball? Then we take a trip down memory lane and think about baseball of the past, as we give our favorite moments of baseball from our childhoods and recent memory. Come have fun with us, you wont want to miss this. Also remember, stay home!

Going crazy yet in quarantine? I must say, I am enjoying it for the most part. Please be safe and stay healthy and shelter in place so this nightmare can be over sooner rather than later. We have some clarity as to when we can expect baseball to resume, and let me say, it may not be for some time. MLB network has been streaming games to keep us happy but is it the same feeling? If that doesn't hold you over, well what else should you do? I have a few suggestions. One involves your fingers and a smartphone. Get your minds out of the gutter. The other involves the ultra reliable YouTube, where a 5 minute video can turn into a 3 hour session, so beware.

March 26, 2020 is the day that would be the start of the season. Opening Day, a day that is felt like a national holiday to some, will not happen on time. Its not a matter of IF, its a matter of WHEN. In the meantime, lets remember Opening Day. What did it mean to you? How did it make you feel? Feel like a therapy session yet? I remember what my first Opening day felt like. Partly because I still fell it, every year like I'm sure most of you do as well. The sights, the sounds, the smells (good and bad). Baseball is a timeless game, that no matter if its not being played or not, we can still remember those feeling and sounds. Also will look at top Opening Day moments for me, since we still have the memories, but don't you worry. New memories will happen in 2020, its just a matter of when.