Believe; Playlist-ism, Pt. 2

Let's try it again. After we scored four in the top of the 11th to break open a scoreless game, we let up five ... all with two outs ... to lose. Demoralizing. Sure. Embarrassing. You bet. Motivation moving forward proving to our guys that any team is dangerous (they were the worst team in the league). Absolutely.

We gotta regroup. We're still in a great position. Our bullpen needs to find their toughness. Strikes early are key. Location late is more important. And you know what? Confidence goes a long way - believing you're better than him. That can take you places. Pitching with intensity. Pitching like you're the best fucking guy on the field. That's what I like. I didn't have the best stuff when I played, but I was a tough SOB out there. I talked shit after I got someone out - I could. I backed it up and I believed in myself. O didn't doubt myself or my ability to execute a pitch. When I was out there, I was accountable for what I did. I wanted the ball. The results didn't always go my way, and when that was the case I was pissed off - at myself. I failed. If you've ever let 30 other guys down, you know what I mean. Unless you genuinely are that selfish and just roll with the "oh well" thing. Not "oh well" - it should fire you up inside when you fail - at anything. The next time out, I'd aim to be even better, tougher, meaner. We'll see if these guys have "it" or not the next time out.

Time for Playlist-ism, Pt. 2.  We've got three and a half MFing hours left. I want to see the family and help Lindsay out with the kid. He's being a handful still. I said a prayer he'd be good until I get home. We'll see if the big dude upstairs can help me (us) out.

Here goes.

- Feeling Good by Muse (1, so not feeling good)
- 6 Foot, 7 Foot by Lil Wayne (3+, just because he amazes me with the lyrics he comes with)
- The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows by Brand New (4, because they rule)
- Rolling In The Deep by Adele (5, this song is catchy and the album (yes I own the album) is awesome)
- Out Come The Bastards by This Is Hell (4+, aggression at its finest)
- Neon Tiger by The Killers (4, because I saw them in Boston and this song was great)
- Hurt by NIN (5+, "I focus on the pain, the only thing that's real" - epic song)
- Where Is Everybody by NIN (4+, they're a Top 5 band and every song is fuel)
- Sabertooth Tiger by Cage the Elephant (3+, fast, electro-rock)
- No Love by Eminem (5+, because all I can think of is Will Ferrell on SNL, ha, makes me laugh. Great song, and Lil Wayne is on it)
- Shake Me Down by Cage the Elephant (4+, love this jam because the lyrics ring true to real f'ing life)
- Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash (5, an American icon who cannot get anything less than a 5)

That's all for this edition. I hope maybe I inspired some to listen to some new music and I'm sorry if I went off on a tangent about believing in yourself.

Losing Stinks; Music Maker; Movie; ETA

Long drives suck. Long drives after blowing a 3-run lead in the eighth inning to lose a series are worse.  That's what happened and can you guess the culprit?

Walks. Nine to be exact. Cost us a game we had no right losing. It sucks beyond sucking. I thought we'd come out and challenge hitters. Not the case - not yet anyway. Some freshman were thrown right into the fire. I think they learned a little about college baseball.

You gotta act like you're the man. Act as if. As with anything in life, if you're confident and can convince yourself you belong, you'll have success. Lessons hopefully learned.  We played well, walks undid us. Move on.

Got my Dre Beats on, rocking out. I'm trying to tune out the fact that losing can so easily be forgotten. I used to be pissed for a few hours at least before I cracked a joke or smile. It stung. It bothered me. Oh well, music is my outlet. Every Time I Die, Muse, Green Day, NIN, My Chemical Romance, Brad Paisley, Kid Cudi, Lil Wayne, and Eminem - they probably hate failure as much as I do.

Popped in a movie - Law Abiding Citizen - great flic. I'm keeping with the music, however, because I've seen it a few times. Besides, I don't feel like paying attention to anything.

As far as our ETA back in the Bronx - that's a mystery. We're supposed to be in Hagerstown, Maryland around 2:52am to change drivers. However far that is from NYC is anyones guess.  We might hit the morning rush hour over the George Washington Bridge. That would be a real kick in the pants.

I'm gonna go tune out to some music. One love bloggies.

Demolition Draddy

Iona just left the building. It wasn't a pretty scene tonight after a 102-65 thrashing.

It almost looked like the Jaspers gave up. Iona played every possession like it mattered, and the outcome was indicative of that.  Manhattan kept letting up three after three and a few dunks too.  No one gave a hard foul. No one played with any fire.

Like anything else, I'll relate to baseball. If the first four guys up hit homeruns, that poor bastard hitting fifth is getting knocked down.

It's pride. It's playing for what matters, the name on your chest.  It's competing. It's toughness.

Lindsay is coming to get me, be back at it tomorrow. Later though, no 4:39 wake-up call.

Waxing Philosophical

As opening day of our season rapidly approaches, I want to take a little while to talk baseball.

I will try to relate it to life.

It's impossible to win every game.  That's fact.  But putting yourself in the best position to win is essential.  Doing the little things along the way often helps the path to the ultimate goal seem a little easier.  Set goals.  And from what I've heard, if you write out your goals, you've got a better chance of achieving them.  Sounds simple enough.

As coaches, we try to teach our guys the fundamentals as well as the minute details that go into creating a winning culture.  Some listen to what we've got to say and some don't.  We didn't write the book on baseball but we've got a little more experience.  Why not give it a try.  Why don't some guys listen?  There's a myriad of reasons.  They think they know it all.  They are stubborn.  They may not believe us.  They like to fail.  They have been brainwashed.  They are content.  They just aren't good enough.

When I was a player, I used to do things over and over and over again until it became comfortable to me.  That's a key - comfort. 

People often try to change because someone else says to do it this way or that way.  It all boils down to what is comfortable.  There are times when what is comfortable doesn't work.  If this is the case, you gotta change little by little until it does work and it is comfortable.  They say practice makes perfect - I say perfect is  impossible.  Practice and repetition sure does help though.

Attitude plays a big part in being successful as well.  Acting tough and being tough are two different animals.  How's the saying go?  When the going gets tough, the tough get going. 

Being tough means not closing yourself off and going into a hole and moping about a bad situation - it means living for this exact moment.  Accept responsibility and be accountable for your actions.  Want the ball, want the spotlight, want to be great. 

Wannabe leaders present a tough facade - they act outwardly tough - never smiling, tightening up in big spots, blaming others.  If you take yourself too seriously, you set yourself up for failure.  Sure, you want to be good and do well in whatever you set out to do, but in baseball, failing 7 times out of 10 is considered good.  That's pretty good odds.

What I'm trying to say is open your ears, listen, and don't be afraid to try something new.  If someone told me I smelled like complete shit every day, I'd look into my daily preparation.  Am I brushing my teeth?  Showering?  Wearing different clothes daily?  Changing my socks?  My underwear?  Putting on deodorant?  If I was skipping one of these, I'd probably try to correct it.  I need to want to smell better.  If someone who is trying to help offers up some advice, don't be too proud to listen.  Be open to suggestions. 

Don't over-think or over-analyze things - try it, try to change it (if it's broke), and embrace it.

There aren't too many people out there who try to give out shitty advice.  But if you happen to know someone who does, they're probably not worth your time.

And the bottom line is this:  YOU CAN'T BE AFRAID TO FAIL.  If you are, you'll forever be among the population of Loser-ville.  (unless you go bungee-jumping and fail, they you're dead)

Challenge yourself to be awesome-er than everyone else.  Be like Trina, she da baddest bitch.

Cutler Criticism Uncalled For

I was one of the people who bashed Bears QB Jay Cutler after he came out of the NFC Championship game Sunday afternoon.  And after reading articles about his sprained MCL and listening to Brian Urlacher speak on his toughness, I want to apologize if I offended any Jay Cutler fans, and apologize to Jay Cutler himself (not that he even knows of my existence).

It does take guts and toughness to be a professional athlete, and especially a QB in the NFL.  His NFL peers, however, created a shit-storm of comments via Twitter ripping his toughness and questioning his integrity.  To be fair, the facts weren't in until the game was over.  But similar to middle- and high-school, name-calling ensued.

Yes, he was seen standing on the sideline.  No, there was no sighting of training staff tending to his bum knee.  So why the hell was he out?  It looked like he was walking gingerly during the final play of his last series.  I never questioned why he wasn't playing - I assumed it was because he was hurt.  Not once did it cross my mind that he was pulling himself because he wasn't playing well.  As a former athlete, that should never happen.  EVER!

This was an injury that many athletes play through, but in the grand scheme of things, if it got worse, it could cost him a year.

Jay Cutler, you are a good man.  Sometimes, I think you're a weenie, but I'll be honest, when I listen to your press conferences, I understand how much you want to win and be successful.  Not as much as Derek Anderson, but pretty close.  (kidding)

Rants, Raves, Ridicule, and Riots

Rant:  Hello Summer!!  Although it's been hotter than hell for the past several days, today is officially the first day of summer.  Summer Solstice.  Longest day of the year.  Hottest day in recent memory.  Take your pick, but I for one am a fan that technically, summer is finally here.  The forecast looks decent for the foreseeable future - mid-80's every day for at least the next 10.  The hottest day ever in NY State was way back in July of 1926, when it reached 108 on the mercury up in Troy.  It isn't quite that hot here, but it's getting there.  Part of me questions if that is really the hottest it's ever been in NY.  108 degrees?  Maybe, it does seem pretty hot.

Anyway, welcome summer, glad you're finally on board.

Rave:  This rave has nothing to do with sports.  In fact, it has everything to do with Facebook.  People are constantly writing status updates and comments (for which I am guilty) but there seems to be one glaring issue I cannot tolerate - abbreviations.

You just wrote three sentences as a status update, but you refuse to spell out "to" and instead use "2".  2day, 2morrow, happy birthday 2 you.  It's two freaking letters.  Spell it out.  I can deal with the OMG and WTF abbreviations, but how lazy are those who shorten words.  Just spell it out, you can do it.  And the people who leave out vowels on words - come on.  I know there is shorthand, but there is also laziness.  On a CD like the Deftones new Diamond Eyes, there's a song "CMND/CTRL" - I'm good with that, because they rule.  Facebook users, you do not rule.  Spell out the words.

Ridicule:  Alejandro Falla (sounds like "fire") BLEW IT!!  You had a chance to knock the #1 seed out of Wimbledon, and you choked.  Up two sets to none, Roger Federer rallied for a 5-set victory.  I guess for a guy who's never really had much success in tennis tournaments, this is to be expected.  You need to know how to win in order to win a big match.

If a team is constantly losing (like the Pirates), when a tight situation comes about late in a game, chances are they'll find a way to blow it.  Not because they are a bad team, but because they aren't used to closing out that type of game or performing in that type of situation.  Falla has only advanced past the second round once this season (Australian Open).  Maybe it'll be good for the 65th ranked player in the world.  Something to draw upon in the future, when he's up two sets to none again.

Riot:  Good for the French.  I find it hilarious that they blame the coach for their pathetic play.  Coming in to the World Cup, they are the 9th ranked team in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings.  They are in 3rd place in Group A, 3 points behind Uruguay (16th) and Mexico (17th).  They are tied with host South Africa (83rd) with 1 point.  The two teams will play tomorrow.  The French are looking for their first goal of the 2010 World Cup as well.  Pretty pathetic.  That's like saying the Yankees blaming manager Joe Girardi for their failures - all he does is put the best possible lineup on the field to give his team the best chance of winning.

These French need to take a good, hard look in the mirror and realize they are playing for the price of their country.  Stop bitching and blaming the coach and take accountability for your own actions.  Toughen up sissies.

Time for a toss.  Peace and grease.

Rants, raves, ridicule, and riots

Rant:  Bravo to Yankees OF Brett Gardner.  This little flea has scored more runs (42) than Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, and Alex Rodriguez.  He is on pretty often (.395 OBP) and tends to get himself into scoring position by stealing some bags (20 SB/4 CS).  He sees more fastballs than any other hitter in the majors except David Eckstein, he leads the AL in pitches per plate appearance (4.52).  He is the best role player in baseball, bar none.  He can probably hit HR's in the grand scheme of things (he has only 3 in 194 AB) but he knows his job is to get on base, and he's done that very well so far.  He's the kind of guy every team needs, a little pest that is never (or very rarely) an easy out.  He has probably developed his toughness by being told he was too small his whole life - 5'10", 183 lbs. is small by MLB standards.  Don't let nobody hold you down Gardy, you the man!!

Rave:  Here's a sweet Lego rave I found on the internet.  I didn't know LEGO was around and prospering.  The DJ looks like an aviator, and the ravers look like prisoners.  Looks like a good party to me, but I wouldn't show up.  For starters, I hate crowds.  Secondly, I hate loud, base-filled techno.  Third, I hate the Jersey Shore scene and the drug scene, both of which are intrinsic to a rave.  I am a bar guy, and if I walk in and I can't sit down or play Golden Tee, I'm probably leaving after one drink.

Ridicule:  Kansas City Royals, you are a joke.  Your 24 wins are more than only six other teams, and you refuse to score runs for last year's Cy Young Award winner, Zack Greinke.  Surprisingly, you aren't in the cellar in the AL Central, the Indians are two games worse.  Here's the shake down:  Greinke is 1-8 with a 4.05 ERA.  You've won only two of his thirteen starts, and have scored only 40 runs in those games - a dismal average of 3.08 runs per game - give me a break.  You score 4.34 runs a game on average, no wonder there are always rumors that he wants to leave.  If I was him, I'd demand a trade to a contender.  Granted he's not putting up numbers like last year, but who the hell does?  Score some runs for this kid already. 

Riots:  You know what, with all the kids at all these camps and clinics, I'm not sure even half of them want to be there.  I think their parents makke the decision for them to play baseball.  Here's what may go through some of their heads when (and if they ever) get to first base.  Kids don't seem to have the same drive as we had when I was growing up.  I'm not trying to knock the kids or anything, it's just a trend that keeps rearing its ugly head.  Anyway.

He gone!

Rants, raves, ridicule, and riots

Rant:  Well looky looky who decided to come out of his early season funk, but the cheese-man Javy Vazquez.  For the second straight start, he actually dominated the game the way he can and should.  This is the guy who's 2nd behind Randy Johnson in K's since the start of the 2000 season, and today he had 9 (vs. TOR).  Last Tuesday, he had 7 against the O's.  Today, he passed HOFer Juan Marichal (2,303) to move into 44th all-time in strikeouts with 2,305.  Next on the list is Rube Waddell (2,316).  Keep climbing Javy.

Past two starts:  14 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 5 BB, 16 K - sounds like numbers from a guy who $11.5 million dollars.  Get on a roll for God's sake - you are pretty good, contrary to what you might believe.  Just because you're the Yankees #5 starter doesn't mean you can't pitch like a #2 or #3 starter, I'm sure they wouldn't mind.  Keep doing it, queso!

Rave:  Although a rave is often times thought of as a drug-induced party with fast-paced electronic music, the actual definition is this (according to dictionary.com): 

–verb (used without object):  1.to talk wildly, as in delirium.  2.to talk or write with extravagant enthusiasm. 

3.(of wind, water, storms, etc.) to make a wild or furious sound; rage.

–verb (used with object):  4.to utter as if in madness.

–noun:  5.an act of raving.  6.an extravagantly enthusiastic appraisal or review of something.  7.Chiefly British Slang. a boisterous party, esp. a dance.

–adjective:  8.extravagantly flattering or enthusiastic: rave reviews of a new play.

For this part of the post, I will refer to definition 2.  There is a song out right now, "Magic" by B.o.B. ft. Rivers Cuomo.  For those of you not familiar with music, have no access to a radio, and have no access to a television, this is probably a song you've never heard.  Rivers Cuomo is the lead singer of Weezer, one of the greatest bands from the past 15+ years.  21-year-old rapper/songwriter/producer B.o.B. is coming on strong.  "Magic" may be one of the lesser known songs, but it is hands down my favorite.  "Airplanes" featuring Hayley Williams (Paramore) is #3 on the Billboard Top100.  You might have heard that one, but here is the link: "Magic" - B.o.B. ft. Rivers Cuomo.

Ridicule:  Parents, parents, parents.  I was driving to CT today and was listening to WFAN radio, 660AM and there was a discussion on trophies in youth sports and callers were calling in for around 25 minutes.  I wanted to dial the number and get on the radio, but 1. my terrible memory prevented me from memorizing the number, and 2. I don't have one of those blue tooth ear pieces (because I'm not a tool).  I think trophies up until the age of 10 or 11 is fine, but eventually, enough is enough.  Kids who get trophies for being on a team where they are a non-factors should not get trophies - trophies for everyone should stop in middle school.  I mean the kid who wins 7 games gets the same trophy/varsity letter as the schmuck who kept the book all year?  Kids (and parents) need to realize that there are kids better than them (or their kids) and accept the fact that there is no participation trophy for life.  Kids feel a sense of entitlement because they've been desensitized to failure.  There is more pats on the ass than there should be.  "You made 3 errors, so what, you guys won"  B.S.  "You played well, went 4-4 with 2 doubles.  The rest of the guys sucked, that's why you lost 10-1"  B.S.  If you show  up to work every day and get nothing accomplished, what do you get?  FIRED!  If you show up to college and try to walk-on to a college baseball team and go 0-14 in tryouts, what do you get?  CUT!  There are no awards for participation, and I believe these awards/trophies should cease after the age of 12. 

Parents who coach and play their kid over the rest of the kids because he's his own, take a good hard look in the mirror, and ask yourself this:  is my kid better than the guy starting in front of him?  If he is, then start him, because he's better, not because he's your kid. 

The cream rises to the top, and those guys should be rewarded.  That's why awards in the college and professional ranks are so elite, because only a handful of guys get them, and for good reason.  They showed up and dominated.  They didn't suck.  Those guys tend to get released or traded.  Take it or leave it.  Let's hope kids get tougher.  If my dad ever called a college coach asking why I wasn't pitching, I woulda asked him to stop coming to my games.  And I'd be embarrassed as shit.  Let the kids play, and earn whatever awards or accolades they may receive.  Work hard, practice hard, play hard.  Don't bitch if you don't get a trophy. 

You shouldn't play a sport for a trophy, you should play it because you love it.

Riots:  Just a joke i came across today - Lindsay, I wouldn't golf if this was me:  A man and a friend are playing golf one day at their local golf course. One of the guys is about to chip onto the green when he sees a long funeral procession on the road next to the course. He stops in mid-swing, takes off his golf cap, closes his eyes, and bows down in prayer.

His friend says: “Wow, that is the most thoughtful and touching thing I have ever seen. You truly are a kind man.”
The man then replies: “Yeah, well we were married 35 years.”

Bad showing

Where have all the clutch performers gone?  We needed guys to step up today, and no one seemed to deliver.  We didn't help ourselves - 8 walks and a hit by pitch - 2 scored.  Can you guess the final score?  7-5 bad guys.  Did our freshman SS make an error, yeah - but even still, we had two outs with only one run allowed and it ballooned into a 6-run fourth inning.  Pitcher's need to be able to get an out - one single, solitary out, in a row.  They've gotten one out in a row thousands of times in their baseball lives.  We threw up 0's all day (except for a solo HR in the B6), and had a chance at the end.  It just wasn't meant to be today.

Got a big one tomorrow at 3pm.  Big is actually an understatement.  Lose, and the season is over.  Win, and live to play another day.  Whoever is tougher tomorrow will prevail.  Backs to the wall, fight your way out.  We need to deliver the first punch, right in the mouth, early on.


Yankees won both - 1-0 in the suspended game from yesterday (Jeter hit a HR 399' to left center).  The bullpen patched together the shutout.  In today's scheduled game, they won 3-2, behind a Nick Swisher HR to right field.  Mariano closed out both games, earning saves in both, his 9th and 10th of the year.

Boston finished off a surprising sweep at The Trop, beating the Rays 11-3 behind Adrián Béltre's 6 RBI. 

The Magic are up 13 on the Celtics with 8:59 left in the game.  Celts lead the series 3-1.  Maybe Dwight Howard read my blog and decided to grow a pair and play like a man - he's got 17 points, 7 boards, 5 blocks, and only 1 foul.  Go Dwight Go!

Big one tomorrow.  Act as if.

This Is It

Today just may determine our season.  Come out ready to play, have fun, play loose, and we're dangerous.  Show some grit, some toughness, it should be a good day.  We have a pretty good team, there's still room for improvement - I just hope we don't have to improve for next year - and can improve for next week.  This is it!  Big players live for big games, well, we got some good ones, let's hope they show up today and tomorrow.  I'm confident, but I don't have an outcome on the game, I suited up for my four years of college baseball already, and we made the playoffs once - we were awful - met some good people along the way.  Reaching the 20-win mark was an accomplishment - with this group, 30 wins is the benchmark.  How scary is it that the entire season - for us, 48 games - come down to 3 games just to get in the playoffs.  Time to head on over, gotta wash the uniforms this morning so we can wear our whites.  Hopefully the post later tonight will be positive - it may be a profanity laced tirade.  See you after the double-dip.