Yesterday was the first day that it really snowed. We had a little bit of snow in september, but it didn't stay long and it happened on the weeekend, when I could just close my eyes and stay in bed until it went away. Yesterday I actually had to drive in it. I detoured from my normal snow route to work (which is the straightest and slowest possible path) and almost hit a light post. So much for detours. When i got to work I decided to deviate from my strict "no christmas music until thanksgiving policy" and brought out the mythical Christmas Mix. I promised myself I would only listen to it once through, but I ended up listening twice. I'm weak - what can I say? Will any of you admit to pulling out the christmas music yet?
Once again, I appologize for my lateness in last week's recap post. I was on the road, without my laptop, but I luckily did get a chance to catch the episode on Thursday night. Jim was such a douchebag in that episode. I get the point that he was "turning into Michael" but Michael is so much funnier, even when hes a jerk. Jim just came across as a jerk. Lame. I get that the writers are trying to build up all this new character stuff, but come on, if this writers strike doesn't end soon, we'll be stuck with all the build up, and no payoff. Michael as survivor man was hilarious, I'm pretty sure I've never seen them make their pants into shorts, and then back into pants again on any of those shows. great stuff. Also, Dwight still just seems off to me. Not the normal Dwight especially from seasons 1 and 2. Anyone else with me?
So I know we've been doing a lot of talking on the comments section on another post about this, but I thought it would be good to get a new place going for this discussion. Here are some links I found related to the writers strike that could soon be wreaking havoc on our lives. My top 3 television priorities are in rank order 1) The Office 2)Friday Night Lights & 3) How I Met Your Mother. In contrast to previous years, this does not include any reality TV. I can't go back to the old way. I must have new episodes of my shows. Here are a few links that you might find interesting regarding the strike (a.k.a. The Great Office Tragedy of 2007) I might try to get Gal to guest blog in the future to provide more commentary as necessary. Meanwhile, we'll just rely on her providing lengthy descriptions in the comments section.
Allegedly (if you read that first link) this is the last new episode that is ready to air, until the writers come back. Savor it. It could end up being the season finale..?!?!? Apparently I may not be typing this again anytime soon....but...here goes......Next week on The Office:
THE DEPOSITION 9/8c TV14 11.15.2007 SUE CRAZY IN THE OFFICE--Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) finds himself between a rock and a hard place when Jan (Melora Hardin) sues Dunder Mifflin and Michael is deposed as a witness. Meanwhile, Kelly (Mindy Kaling) trash-talks Pam (Jenna Fischer) after Darryl (Craig Robinson) beats Jim (John Krasinski) at ping-pong. Rainn Wilson, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Ed Helms, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Angela Kinsey, Oscar Nunez, Phyllis Smith, Paul Lieberstein, and Creed Bratton also star. -->
My blogging is so sad lately. I promise that I will get back in the game soon though. Here are some ideas that I have for upcoming blogs, and just some random news:
I got a new phone. It's orange.
My recent hair cut "experience"
MSU Women's Basketball Season just got started this last week.
My dad is coming to Montana for Christmas!
Yankees news update (Manager Drama, A-Rod, all that)
My new initiative to get Gal blogging.
Fish update. Robinson might be on his last legs.
What is Zeb doing now that baseball season is over?
There is only one thing that I have to say about last night's episode, and that is:
Wanted: Middle-aged black man with sass. Big butt, bigger heart....
Up next week is:
SURVIVOR MAN 9/8c TV14 11.08.2007 INTO THE WOODS-SPECIAL GREEN WEEK EPISODE - After Ryan (B.J. Novak) excludes Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) from a corporate wilderness retreat, Michael heads into the woods for his own survival adventure with nothing but the suit on his back. Back at work, Jim (John Krasinski) tries to revolutionize the office birthday party. Rainn Wilson, Jenna Fischer, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Ed Helms, Angela Kinsey, Kate Flannery, Oscar Nunez, Phyllis Smith, Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein, Creed Bratton and Craig Robinson also star.
I found last night's episode slightly disturbing. Michael was just such a jerk! How great was Daryl's Dunder Mifflin-Scranton theme song, and everyone signing together...come on! I'm convinced THAT commercial would have won over coporate, and frankly, I just wanted to see the full version of that song finished. GREAT. I was so annoyed with Michael. Also, started to see some slight hints at trouble in PB&J-land. Uh oh. So soon? Poor Jim had to ride home with Meredith. She probably sexually assaulted him. The only other thing I have to say is, "OH D"
Here is what we have to look forward to next week:
BRANCH WARS9/8c TV1411.01.2007 BATTLE OF THE BRANCHES - RASHIDA JONES ("Boston Public") GUEST STARS - When Karen (guest star Rashida Jones) tries to woo Stanley (Leslie David Baker) away from Scranton, Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) fights back, dragging her ex, Jim (John Krasinski), into his war. Meanwhile, the existence of a "Finer Things Club" further disturbs Dunder Mifflin's calm. Rainn Wilson, Jenna Fischer, B.J Novak, Ed Helms, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Mindy Kaling, Angela Kinsey, Paul Lieberstein, Oscar Nunez, Phyllis Smith, Creed Bratton and Craig Robinson also star.
Word Roundup is potentially the greatest work game ever. It is quick, and there is only one game a day so it is impossible to waste hours worth of time on it (well that can be seen as both a positive and a negative) Here at my work we all compete to score the best word-roundup time of the day. I'm trying to institute some sort of policy like, whoever wins word-roundup for the day gets to leave an hour early. Check it out, and let me know you like it.
My appologies, I forgot to post on "The Office" last week, and now I kind of forget the memorable moments. Looks like the old Dwight might be back though? Feel free to comment if you have anything you need to get off your chest about last week *cough* GAL *cough*
Here is a look at what we can expect for tomorrow, back to half hour episodes.
LOCAL AD 9/8c TV14 10.18.2007 THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF ADVERTISING - When the Scranton branch is asked to participate in a Dunder Mifflin ad, Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) seizes his chance to exhibit his creativity. Meanwhile, Dwight (Rainn Wilson) explores the online world of Second Life. John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, B.J Novak, Ed Helms, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Mindy Kaling, Angela Kinsey, Paul Lieberstein, Oscar Nunez, Phyllis Smith, Creed Bratton and Craig Robinson also star. -->
In the name of parity on on the blog, I suggested that Zeb post a blog on the Red Sox. He declined my suggestion, but he did agree to give a rare interview on the topic. Enjoy. My notes are in italics.
HAE: Your Red Sox just won the ALCS…give us an idea of where your head is at right now? ZBE: In the land of joy. I can’t believe my boys did it. It had to have been the cards (Zeb's newest ritual of displaying baseball cards of the entire team in front of the TV during the game, also, I'm not allowed to touch the remote during a game, for any reason), it had to have been the soxtober shirt (an iron on sweatshirt that I fabricated for Zeb, pictured above), it had to be Heather rooting for the sox (I was not technically rooting for the Sox...maybe a little, but only because when they lose it is really unfortunate to be around Zeb, it was really all about self preservation.) It all just came together today.
HAE: Can we talk about your superstitions? What are they, how do they work & how do you know when to use them? ZEB: I have a supersition about everytime the pitcher gets behind in the count, I have to rub my knuckles together until they even the count. I had to bring out the 2007 team baseball cards and I set them up by the TV in batting order. I always put the starting pitcher in the leadoff spot, because the pack didn’t come with Dustin Pedroia, and I always end with Paplebon. That has been some good vibes. When we’re hitting, and when the count is even, and if I’m sitting down, I always put my left leg up on my right, and then I switch legs. If that doesn’t work, I lay down on the couch, and same thing if laying down isn’t working. I always wear the shirt of the pitcher. I don’t have a Beckett shirt, or a Wakefield shirt, so I wear either the American Leauge East shirt or the Manny Ramirez shirt on those days. I never wear a hat during the game.
HAE: Give us your highs and lows of the ALCS? ZBE: The first low is when Trot Nixon hit the double in the 11th inning of the 2nd game. That pissed me off, and they pretty much opened up and took the next two games from us. Even when we were losing, I just keep thinking we’ve done it before, we can do it again. I really just wanted the team to get it back to Fenway, because I knew we could win both games there if we had the chance. Definitely the first high is watching Beckett dominate in his two starts. How dominante he was against the powerful Indians lineup was magical. Watching our lineup destroy C.C. and Fausto was amazing to see.
HAE: What is the turning point of this series that sticks out in your mind? ZBE: Probably Beckett’s game 5 start, and the fact that he was just a force to be reconed with. Ryan Garko made his comments, and it really did wake up the giants in Fenway. That same game you have Beckett and his competitive edge against Kenny Lofton. Lofton should have been respecting the game more, and Beckett wasn’t afraid to let him know. HAE: What are the great individual player performances of this post season? ZBE: Game 7 Dustin Pedroia. He hit a 2 run homer, a 3 run double after all the crap the media talked about how much he was struggling. He came back and he’s batting well over .300 now. You have Kevin Youk. Everyone was talking about Peralta and all that he was doing, but Youk flew under the radar. He had 3 homers and a batting average of over .500. How does he do it?
HAE: Speaking of your superstitions again, do you have any new plans for the World Series? ZBE: I’m going to the World Series. (doubtful)
HAE: Can you talk a little bit about the loud clap? ZBE: I don’t have a loud clap. (Yes he does, very loud) It’s more or less just my fan clap that I have when I want someone to do good. It could be a 2-clap, or it could be a fast series of claps, but it has to all keep the same tone (yeah, the same tone, LOUD).
HAE: The Colorado Rockies have been hot, are you worried? ZBE: Nope. HAE: Give us your predictions for the World Series? Keys to victory for Boston? ZBE: I definitely think that our 3 and 4 starters need to pound the strike zone and let the defense take over. Keeping the bottom of our lineup hot and getting on base will be huge. Keeping Jacoby in there I think is definitely a smart decision. Prediction is Boston in 5.
HAE: In 2004 you threatened to sell your Honda Civic and fly to Boston, do we have anything to be worried about this year? ZBE: We have enough in savings to take care of it. (not hardly)
NEW YORK -- Joe Torre is out as manager of the New York Yankees, rejecting a substantial pay cut after the team failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs for the third straight year.
Torre turned down a $5 million, one-year contract Thursday -- $2.5 million less than he made last season.
Rather than put up with the indignity of a salary slap coupled with a performance-based contract, the man who led the Yankees to playoff appearances in all 12 years he managed walked.
"A difficult day," general manager Brian Cashman said. Bench coach Don Mattingly is the leading contender to replace Torre, who won four World Series championships with the Yanks but none since 2000. Yankees broadcaster Joe Girardi, the NL manager of the year with Florida in 2006, is another top contender.
Most Yankees fans could see this day coming. After losing the first two playoff games to Cleveland, owner George Steinbrenner said he didn't think Torre would be asked back if the Yankees didn't advance.
The 67-year-old Torre, who took over the team to start the 1996 season, made his decision after traveling from New York to the team's spring training complex in Tampa, Fla., and meeting with Steinbrenner, the owner's sons and top executives for about an hour. He was accompanied by Cashman and chief operating officer Lonn Trost.
New York's offer included $3 million in bonuses if the Yankees reached next year's World Series and an $8 million option for 2009 that would have become guaranteed if New York won the AL pennant.
Torre just completed a $19.2 million, three-year contract. The Chicago Cubs' Lou Piniella was the second highest-paid manager at $3.5 million.
"Under this offer, he would continue to be the highest-paid manager in major-league baseball," team president Randy Levine said. "We thought that we need to go to a performance-based model, having nothing to do with Joe Torre's character, integrity or ability. We just think it's important to motivate people."
It appeared to be an offer designed to be rejected. Scott Boras, the agent for Yankees star Alex Rodriguez, said players would have interpreted an acceptance by Torre as weakness. "It is difficult, near impossible, to accept a salary cut," Boras said. "Successful people can afford their principles. They understand if they accept the position, there is a great risk the message to all under him is dissatisfaction."
Torre called Cashman on Tuesday and asked to meet with the 77-year-old Steinbrenner and the owners' sons, Hal and Hank, who have taken an increased role in recent months. They spent an hour together, and then Torre was gone.
Torre led the Yankees to 10 AL East title, but they have gone without a Series championship in the last seven and haven't reached it since 2003.
With 2,067 regular-season wins, Torre is eighth on the career list and was third among active managers behind Tony La Russa of the St. Louis Cardinals (2,375) and Bobby Cox (2,255) of the Atlanta Braves. Torre's four World Series titles are likely to earn him a place in the Hall of Fame -- every manager with three or more has been inducted.
Torre's was the longest uninterrupted term for a Yankees manager since Casey Stengel held the job for 12 years from 1949-60. Stengel was pushed out, too, let go after his team lost a seven-game World Series to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Under Torre, the Yankees went 1,173-767. He trails only Joe McCarthy (1,460) for wins among Yankees managers. "This has been a great 12 years. Whatever the hell happens from here on out, I'll look back on these 12 years with great, great pleasure," Torre said after his final game, his voice quavering as he tried to avoid choking up. "The 12 years just felt like they were 10 minutes long, to be honest with you."
He wouldn't address his future. "If I have some options, I'll look at it because I'm certainly not ready to move somewhere and not do anything," the New Yorker said.
When Torre succeeded Buck Showalter, the Yankees had not won the World Series since 1978, the longest drought since the team's first title in 1923. It was the 20th change in manager following Steinbrenner's purchase of the franchise in 1973.
Torre never had much success as a manager before landing in New York, and many predicted he would be gone in no time. But he turned out to be a rock and a buffer to the blustery Steinbrenner. He was calm, stoic and brought an unprecedented period of stability to a team accustomed to constant turmoil.
The Brooklyn native was a former NL MVP and a nine-time All-Star. Before joining the Yankees, he had unsuccessful managing stints with the Braves, Cardinals and New York Mets -- the three clubs he played for. When the Yankees hired him, one New York paper dubbed him "Clueless Joe."
But New York won the World Series in 1996, led by a group that included Bernie Williams, rookie Derek Jeter, setup man Mariano Rivera, Paul O'Neill and Tino Martinez. With catcher Jorge Posada added in, they won the Series from 1998-2000, the first team to win three straight since the Swingin' Oakland A's of 1972-74, and advanced to Game 7 of the Series in 2001, when they failed to hold a ninth-inning lead at Arizona.
Since then, despite baseball's largest payroll, there has been only frustration: a first-round loss to the Anaheim Angels in 2002, a World Series defeat to the Florida Marlins in 2003 and a painful exit the following year, when they allowed the Boston Red Sox to overcome a 3-0 deficit in the AL Championship Series.
They lost to the Angels in five games in the first round in 2005, were eliminated by the Detroit Tigers last year and were knocked out by the Cleveland Indians this year. Communication between Torre and Steinbrenner deteriorated in 2005, and it wasn't clear that Torre would return for 2006 until after the pair met in Tampa. Steinbrenner meddled less with the team the past two seasons -- even during a 21-29 start this year -- giving almost unprecedented authority to Torre and Cashman.
Mattingly became the Yankees' bench coach this year following three seasons as hitting coach. A six-time All-Star and a former AL MVP, he starred for the team from 1982-95 and is a fan favorite whose No. 23 was retired by the Yankees in 1997.
"Don is reserving comment, at this time, out of respect to Joe Torre," Mattingly's agent, Ray Schulte, told 1050 ESPN New York.
Girardi is a Torre protege who kept a young Florida team in contention until late in the 2006 season with a no-nonsense approach.
I thought "Launch Party", or should I say, Lunch Party, was a great episode. Here are my key points for this week:
Loved Dwight VS. The Computer. "What is a Jim?"
Andy asking Angela out in song?!? This could make for some serious office drama. I'm afraid Dwight might go crazy if Angela starts dating Andy. But you have to admit it was pretty cute!! What is his acapella group called? Here Comes Trebble?
Michael kidnapping the pizza boy?!
Meredith's crotch cast?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! So wrong.
What were your favorite moments?
This week on "The Office":
MONEY 9/8c TV14 10.18.2007 EASY COME, EASY GO - As Jan (Melora Hardin) renovates the condo, Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) confronts his growing debt every way he can, which includes pressuring his employees for a loan. Pam (Jenna Fischer) and Jim (John Krasinski) spend a night out on Dwight's (Rainn Wilson) family farm, now a bed and breakfast. B.J. Novak, Ed Helms, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Oscar Nunez, Phyllis Smith, Paul Lieberstein, Mindy Kaling, Creed Bratton and Craig Robinson also star.
I found this shirt at Old Navy in the kids halloween section. Pretty Awesome. This is pretty much how I feel about baseball right now. Sometimes I wear this shirt when the Red Sox play, and I think it might jinx them.
I know its not usually acceptable to brag about a birtday present you got someone, but for Damon's birthday we got him some things that I felt the blog community would really appreciate. First of all is the "Listen Up." This is the "as seen on TV" device that helps you eves drop on people. If you've seen the commercials you know exactly what I'm talking about. Damon, we are expecting a full product review! Does it actually work? And secondly, but certainly not least is the "world's best boss" mug. As pictured, Damon proudly uses this at work. Awesome.
Yeah, go ahead, Defend A-Rod all you want, but would you want him on your team? And, before you answer whole heartedly yes, take a look at the status of his previous teams. With all of his inflated numbers he has never been able to bring playoff success. You really want that? Well, you can have it. And I hope he opts out of his contract and you get it. Although I really don't think that will happen.
The good news is that last night the Yankees finally got their bats going. Little Philly Hughes (pictured above) was the hero of the night with a stellar long relief performance. For another day, A-Rod escapes my ridicule, and I give him the benefit of the doubt once again. The game is on tonight at 5:30 my time, I'm working on my superstitions already.
Today is potentially A-Rod's last shot to redeem himself to New York Yankee fans. In an attempt to give him a fair shot to prove himself, I am taking down my photos. In the case that A-Rod continues to choke, I will re-post them. But, hopefully, I will be able to make a post celebrating a big Yankees win tonight.
Getting back to my regular schedule: this is "The Office" Friday. And there is pleanty to catch up on:
Kevin - As noticed in the season opener, Kevin is really coming into his own. What about him giving Ryan the Temp a noogie?
Ryan the Temp - Douchebag. Thats all I have to say. But does anyone else have the distinct feeling that he is about to ruin Dunder Mifflin as we know it?
Jim & Pam - How cute are they? We'll see how long this can go on before it starts becoming annoying. Also, how did Pam get this reputation as the office sluzy? Can you believe Phyllis?
Toby - I think this episode was a clear message to fans like Gal who actually like Toby. He is a jerk, he is not supposed to be liked.
Kelly telling Ryan the Temp that shes pregnant. Loved it.
Dwight is getting just a little bit boring to me...I hope he gets back to his usual outlandish ways soon...anyone else?
Coming next week on "The Office":
LAUNCH PARTY9/8c TV14 10.11.2007 THE WORLDWIDE WEB - The Dunder Mifflin Infinity website is launching and Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) is excited about going to the big launch party in New York while Angela (Angela Kinsey) plans a satellite party for the Scranton branch. Meanwhile, Dwight (Rainn Wilson) competes against the website to see who can sell the most paper in one day. John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, B.J. Novak, Melora Hardin, Ed Helms, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein, Oscar Nunez, Phyllis Smith, Creed Bratton, and Craig Robinson also star.
DUNDER MIFFLIN INFINITY 9/8c TV14 10.04.2007 THERE'S A NEW BOSS IN TOWN - Much to the dismay of Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) and many of the employees, Ryan (B.J. Novak) returns to the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin to bring the company into the digital age. Angela (Angela Kinsey) is still upset about her cat. Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Melora Hardin, Ed Helms, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Oscar Nunez, Phyllis Smith, Paul Lieberstein, Mindy Kaling, Craig Robinson and Creed Bratton also star.
This is the face of a man whose team did not make the playoffs. Note the confusion as he points to the team whose bandwagon he has climbed aboard. This man is SAD.
This is the face of a man who has lost his damn mind. His team is in the playoffs and he actually thinks that by making this scary face he can help his team win. This man is SAD.
So we had another "Ladies of the Fieldhouse" function, and I was just too tired last night to actually try to make something. So I bought this Greek Chicken Salad from Costco and put it in my own cute serving bowl. Thats not really cheating right?
By the way....it was really good! I highly recommend it!
There have been some great new music releases over the past few months, so I thought it would be a good time for another edition of "My Office Playlist." Here are the albums playing constantly in my office right now, along with my favorite tracks from each:
On the outside of it, tonight's tiebreaker play-in game between the Rockies and the Padres was nothing that I was especially interested in. National League baseball...two teams I really couldn't care much less about. But what it ended up being was something pretty amazing. This is everything that October baseball is about. Two teams battling it out into the 13th inning. Matt Holliday securing himself as the NL batting champ in his very last at bat of the game (Sorry Chipper) and scoring the game's winning run. Sheesh. With the way tonight went, I can not wait to see the rest of the playoffs. Bring on the Indians!
p.s. Also love to see Treavor Hoffman blow a save, suck it Hoffman - Mariano is much better.
It might just be the fact that I live in a very biased house, but if you had asked me who I thought the front runner for the American League Cy Young Award is, I would have definitely said Josh Beckett. He's been a league leader in ERA and wins almost the entire season, he was the first to 20 wins, and he plays for the team that has had the best record in baseball for nearly the entire season. Today I was read an article that made a very convincing argument for C.C. Sabathia. Check it out below and let me know what you think?
Sabathia and Beckett are virtually inseparable in two important categories —earned-run average and baserunners allowed per nine innings.
However, with one start remaining for each, Sabathia has pitched nearly 40 more innings than Beckett, a difference of nearly 4.5 games. Sabathia's strikeout-to-walk ratio also is the best in the AL — and second-best in history by a left-handed pitcher. Beckett, meanwhile, benefits from the third-highest run support in the league, receiving more than a run per game more than Sabathia, who ranks 13th.
Beckett's 20 wins? Well, Sabathia has 18, and his total would be higher if the Indians hadn't gone 4-6 during a stretch in which he pitched six or more innings and allowed two earned runs or less in 10 straight starts.
A couple weeks ago Ali was visiting and we decided to check out some of that Bobcat Football. It was actually the first game I have been to since I have lived here, so it was a new experience all around. Pretty good atmosphere for a smaller venue. And, as luck would have it, my season tickets are directly behind about 8 maniac 'Cat fans who don't know football from their butt. Love it!
THE RUN FOR THE CURE A freak accident causes Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) to feel the office is cursed. He explores the religious beliefs of his employees before deciding to hold a charity 5K fun run. Meanwhile, further developments in the romances of Pam (Jenna Fischer) and Jim (John Krasinski), and Dwight (Rainn Wilson) and Angela (Angela Kinsey) are explored. B.J. Novak, Melora Hardin, Ed Helms, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Oscar Nunez, Phyllis Smith, Paul Lieberstein, Mindy Kaling, Craig Robinson and Creed Bratton also star.
Here ya go, set your DVR now! More The Office posting to come this Thursday! I highly recommend that you check out the previews on nbc.com.
Check out this article about Jacoby Ellsbury. Although I hate the fact that he is a Red Sox, I can't help but root for him. And I really think you have to admit that he does have a bit of a "Jeter'esqe-ness" about him.
BOSTON -- Turn your eyes away for just an instant and you might miss Jacoby Ellsbury scoring from second base on a wild pitch, as he did at Fenway Park in early July. Better yet, you might miss Ellsbury diving into the visitors' bullpen at Tropicana Field, kicking over a chair and making a crash landing on a pitcher's mound with the baseball safely in his glove, as he did so deftly on Friday against Tampa Bay.
Or maybe you'd miss Ellsbury effortlessly stealing second even when the other team pitches out, as happened against the Devil Rays on Sunday afternoon. There was also the line single to right field that he hit on Saturday that actually turned into a double because Ellsbury basically just decided to never stop running.
It all happens so fast with Ellsbury that you better pay close attention or you might miss the way he has electrified the Red Sox down the stretch.
Did somebody say something about a September callup? With left fielder Manny Ramirez out of the mix all month with a strained left oblique and center fielder Coco Crisp missing games here and there with back woes, Ellsbury has turned into a mainstay for a team in the middle of a suddenly heated race for the American League East title.
What has been quicker than even Ellsbury's speed is the way he has thrived amid life in the fast lane -- playing every day for the Boston Red Sox.
"I think you have to grow up quick," said Ellsbury, who turned 24 on Sept. 11. "There's not really a learning curve, especially when you're playing for an organization like the Red Sox. You're expected to go out there and perform right away."
Yes, the man who came into the year as Boston's most highly-lauded positional prospect has performed all right. In his first 94 Major League at-bats, Ellsbury is hitting .372 with 20 runs, six doubles, one triple, three homers, 15 RBIs and nine stolen bases.
But there's something beyond Ellsbury's numbers and tools that have caught the attention of the man everyone views as the leader of the Red Sox.
"He's helped us with his speed, he's helped us with his defense, he's helped us with his offense," said Red Sox catcher and captain Jason Varitek. "But what I like most is the way he's handled himself. I tip my hat to him. He's handled himself awesome, he's carried himself great. He was thrown into the fire. The nice thing was that he's had some success but he's handled it extremely well."
Ellsbury is someone the entire organization can take pride in. He is providing exactly what the club envisioned in June of 2005, when they nabbed the Oregon State star with the 23rd overall pick in the First-Year Player Draft.
"He was always really polished maturity-wise," said Ben Cherington, vice president of player personnel for the Red Sox. "I think he works hard on certain parts of his game, the mental side of the game, the approach to his at-bats and understanding the running game. He's worked on getting better at those things. As a person, he was always pretty mature and confident and secure and knew what he had to do to get ready. He had a lot of good qualities when we drafted him."
But it was Ellsbury's desire to not just live off the scouting reports that has enabled him to rise in such swift fashion.
"Ellsbury had a great developmental year at Double-A and Triple-A," said Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. "He really learned a lot about his swing and made some adjustments right before he was called up this last time. With his aptitude and athletic ability, he's been able to make adjustments and compete very quickly at the highest level."
Once Ramirez returns to the lineup -- which will likely be in the next few days -- manager Terry Francona will have the task of finagling ways for Ellsbury to get at-bats. But there's no question Ellsbury will be on the postseason roster. It's just a matter of how prominent a role he plays.
"It's happened so quickly that I really haven't had too much time to even think about it," said Ellsbury. "That might be a good thing. Just go out and play. I'm really not thinking too much about what's going to happen next or what they're going to do in October. Just go out and help the team each and every day and I think that's the best way to look at it right now."
The good thing about Ellsbury is that if his bat does cool off, he'll have plenty of other ways to help the team.
"I think he has the type of game that can impact a game in different ways," Cherington said. "He can contribute defensively or on the bases one night and offensively the next. I think sometimes players like that ... it's sometimes a little easier transition just because they can affect the game in more ways than one. A one dimensional player sort of has to wait for an opportunity to do one thing.
"He doesn't have to wait for the game to come to him. I think that's part of it. He also comes in a clubhouse where he has a lot of good veteran support and he's got a manager that believes in him. It makes for a pretty easy transition."
Ellsbury isn't foolish enough to think he's made up for the absence of Ramirez or even Kevin Youkilis, who hasn't played for a week. Instead, he's just helped to lessen the sting.
"Obviously we want those guys," said Ellsbury. "We need them for October, they need to get healthy right now. It's been good for me just to get some playing time and get some experience, especially in a playoff race. I'm just trying to help out the team any way possible."
Under different circumstances, Ellsbury might have been home by now looking ahead to 2008.
"I could be home right now, but I'd be training," said Ellsbury. "But I got the opportunity and I was prepared for it. This experience right now is more than any training or any video could have prepared you for. In order to get better, you have to be on the field playing."
The stage -- or the level of competition -- doesn't seem to matter for Ellsbury. When he gets on a baseball field, he makes things happen.
"[Assistant to the general manager] Allard Baird made the comment in Spring Training that he has, 'Survival skills,'" Francona said. "I think that's his way of saying he knows how to compete. He's given us a big lift, a big boost of energy. Any time you see young guys, first of all, when they come over in the middle of the year or later in the year -- win over veterans -- they're doing something really, really right." At a time of year when players can get tired both physically and mentally, Ellsbury's fresh legs figure to be counted on heavily by the Red Sox.
"It's like with Coco, when you have that speed on those bases, you can't duplicate that," said Varitek. "Me, Youkilis and [Dustin] Pedroia can't run like that -- we can't. But they bring that type of energy. The longer [Ellsbury's] here, the more his personality will rub off. Right now, just his talent and his abilities, they can be electrifying, they really can."
It was a task that was long over due, given the fact that there were several boxes in our garage that had not been touched since over a year ago when Zeb threw the various miscelaneous objects into the cardboard boxes as he emptied out his old apartment. This weekend we finally took on the monster, also known as our garage.
Originally I had asked Zeb if he could build some shelves in the garage to store our boxes and whatnot. But what we ended up buying a moderatly sized storage unit and calling it a day. I have to say that this was probably the way for us to go. I mean really....Zeb & a table saw....just a bad idea. So there you have it, a storage unit and a couple of heavy duty hooks and the job was done, all ready to provide a winter shelter for the hatchback. Coincidentally, I expect our first snow within the next few days. :(
The following is an actual conversation that took place last night during the MSU/EWU volleyball game: Zeb: Who is that? (young man of a shorter stature passes in front of the bleachers where we are sitting) Me: Athlete. (continues watching VB match) Zeb: Basketball? Me: Football. Zeb: (astounded look on his face) Me: Cornerback. Zeb: (continues astounded look on his face) He is SO small. He is really short, I thought he could be a point guard maybe..... Me: Yes, I know. And I thought the corners at Oregon were undersized. Zeb: (completely serious look on his face) He's show'ter than AG!
Yeah, so I'm pretty psyched regarding my recent find - the Halloween version Circus Animal cookies. I was actually craving the original Circus Animal cookies on a evening run to the local grocery store, Smiths. But these are much better. I didn't even see them on the shelf, but Zeb pointed them out to me ever so tactfully "Get the Halloween ones, Stupid!" Thanks Zeb. He wasn't bitter about the Sox giving up another late inning game tonight or anything. Can you say 2.5 games back? My find tonight has inspired me to start a new feature on the blog. I'm still looking for a catchy name for the gimmick, but basically I'm planning to snap pics of the various Halloween inspired products, decorations or celebrations that I come across in the next month or so leading up to Halloween. Look forward to that.
After much chaos these first few weeks of school, and various athletes all showing up at the exact same time to do treatment & rehab with me, I finally made a schedule. I insituted the schedule today. It is laminated and everything, so I can use dry erase on it. I find that just about anything looks super official if you laminate it. Nice huh?
Also, does anyone else find it sad that Bruce & Elton tied 3-3, and 2 of the votes for Bruce were mine?
Sooooo, yeah. Elton John is apparently going to be performing at the Fieldhouse (my work) at the end of this month, and believe me, this has caused quite a ruckus. Here's a picture, forgive my shoddy camera skills, but I was trying to take a picture of this crowd lined up out side of my work without being too obvious. So these people actually set up a tent and spent a night and two days waiting for their chance at tickets. Crazy!
Well, well, well. Look who it is on the blog. I know its been awhile, so yeah, im sorry about that. So just a few key points:
How about them Beavs. No really. This week's game was painful. Thursday was not a great day to be a beaver.
No really, how about them Ducks? Sort of hate to say it, but they look GOOD. HMMM.
Check out Jacoby Ellsbury, former OSU baseball standout, doing his thing for the BoSox this september. And he is doing it well.
Finally got Guitar Hero, there will be a more in-depth post coming about this soon.
Check out the poll....what would you do?
And finally, check out this new video from Jill Scott. I'm loving it. If this song had been around back in my days of living with Laef & Greg in the Goodpasture Player Haters Community, this would have been my theme song. HATE, HATE, HATE.
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Mike Hass' leaping touchdown catch in last Thursday’s preseason finale was tremendous, but it wasn’t much better than some of the grabs he made in training camp.
After spending all of last season on the Bears’ practice squad, Hass entered camp determined to impress coaches and earn a spot on the 53-man roster. The 6-1, 206-pounder accomplished both objectives, catching virtually every pass thrown in his direction and even a few that weren’t.
"I never doubted myself,” Hass said. “Last year was a tough year just because I didn’t get the opportunity to go out in the regular season games and play. But that just kind of added to the fire and I knew this was a big year where I had to make something happen. So every day I just tried to come out and prove myself.”
Hass knows a thing or two about rising from obscurity. After walking on at Oregon State, he became the school’s all-time leading receiver with 220 catches for 3,924 yards. As a senior in 2005, he won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver.
Hass entered the NFL in 2006 as a sixth-round draft pick with the Saints. But he was waived by New Orleans during final cuts and promptly joined the Bears’ practice squad the following day.
While practicing with the Bears last season helped him, Hass credits the experience he gained in the offseason program with putting him in position to earn a spot on the final roster.
“The thing that really helped me was going through the OTAs and the minicamps and all those types of things where I could really get a [grasp] of the offense,” Hass said. “Coming into training camp, I didn’t have to learn as much. I could play more.”
That familiarity helped Hass flourish in training camp while working with the No. 2 offense. “You hear guys now and then say [someone is] a guy who’s easy to throw to,” said backup quarterback Brian Griese. “What that means is he’s in the right place. He gives you an opportunity to throw him the ball in a safe way and you know he’s going to be there and make the catch. Those things factor in as a quarterback. There are some guys you like to throw to and other guys who don’t give you that comfort, but he does.”
The Bears knew that Hass had great hands and was an excellent route runner. They also told him that those two qualities wouldn’t be enough for him to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
“We said, ‘Mike, if you’re going to make it, you’re going to have to know every position. You’re going to have to be a guy who can play inside, outside, X, Z; everything. If you can’t do that, you’re not going to have a shot,’” said offensive coordinator Ron Turner. “We moved him around in camp and he did a great job. He’s got a feel for the game, good toughness and he’s very instinctive.”
Hass took the challenge to heart and proved that he belongs in the NFL.“I needed to do things to catch the coach’s eye and I went out there every day focused and just did the things they asked me to do and did them to the best of my ability,” Hass said. “It was fun, but it was stressful at the same time.”
The stress reached its peak on Saturday when the Bears were making their final cuts. With his cell phone in his pocket, Hass did errands to try to keep his mind off the situation. When he hadn’t received a call by the 3 p.m. deadline, he knew that he had made the team. “I was real excited and a little bit relieved,” he said. “I’m just excited about the opportunity to go out there and play.”
While Hass is ecstatic about surviving final cuts, that doesn’t mean he’ll rest on his laurels. “It’s one of those things where the work just begins,” he said. “You work hard to make the team and you’ve got to work just as hard if not harder to make an impact and help the team out.”
Yesterday was the first day that it really snowed. We had a little bit of snow in september, but it didn't stay long and it happened on the weeekend, when I could just close my eyes and stay in bed until it went away. Yesterday I actually had to drive in it. I detoured from my normal snow route to work (which is the straightest and slowest possible path) and almost hit a light post. So much for detours. When i got to work I decided to deviate from my strict "no christmas music until thanksgiving policy" and brought out the mythical Christmas Mix. I promised myself I would only listen to it once through, but I ended up listening twice. I'm weak - what can I say? Will any of you admit to pulling out the christmas music yet?
UFC
Posts
