Home Run Derby

This afternoon, for the first time since 1981, the Philadelphia Phillies presented their players and staff with some Bling.

Specifically, World Series Championship Bling. 

And there it is.  That puppy is loaded with diamonds.  Holy crap.

A World Series Ring is what every player dreams of (or should be dreaming of) – even moreso than hot girlfriends, tricked out car stereos, and gobs of money.

… so let’s take a look back at the last eight World Series Championship Rings. 

2007 – Boston Red Sox

For their seventh World Championship, the Red Sox immortalized their hosiery, with a pair of ruby Sox. 

Once again, I have to hand it to the jeweler who designed the red Sox’ bling, because the red on blue is just cool.

Jostens did the honors again, with 42 diamonds for a total weight of 2.33 carats and four special-cut rubies with a weight of 2.14 carats.  That bad boy appraised for about $20,000 when it was handed out in April 2008.

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Torii Hunter’s still got it.

The Angels blew a 2-1 lead in the top of the ninth to the visiting Tribe. 

In the bottom of the ninth … one out … bases loaded … and the Rally Monkey on the scoreboard … Torii Hunter sent ‘em home happy.

Hunter’s Slam kept an amazing streak alive for the Angels, who have now won 162 straight games after leading after eight innings.  Isn’t it amazing how we celebrate things you’re supposed to do?   

HRD Standings are updated.

Day 4 … another team – The Halos. 

If you haven’t already, please check out our first three installments on the Royals, Twins and Nationals.   Also, check out SkyKing’s opinion on the Angels as well.  

The Angels hit the same number of Home Runs as the Washington Nationals in 2007, a mere 123.  The big difference is that LA parlayed that anemic power into a 94 win season capped with a AL West Divison Title and playoff appearance (well “parlayed” may be the wrong word, “in spite of” is more appropriate), while the Nats just plain sucked.  But before I go any further, let me get this out of the way.

OK, now that we have that out of the way … let’s turn our attention to the Angels. 

Clearly the lack of power doesn’t bother this team.  Although, this year, they should see an uptick in the power numbers with the aquisition of former Twins CF Torii Hunter.  His acquisition probably brings a bigger net Home Run number because in addition to the 20-something Home Runs Torii will hit this year, he will bring back an additional half dozen with his glove. 

Let’s get to the predictions.

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CC Sabathia won the American League Cy Young last month and became the heaviest AL Cy Young award winner ever … at a weight of 290 pounds.  He unseated Bartolo Colon’s then-record Cy Young scale-tipping weight (a listed 245 pounds) in 2005. 

Hold on a minute.  There’s a standing rule at Home Run Derby … if you talk about two overweight pitchers in a post …  THROWDOWN !!

Who would win in a fight between Bartolo Colon and C.C. Sabathia?

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Game 1 of the Red Sox vs. Angels series showcases a couple of proven big game pitchers.

Angels starter John Lackey capped off his 2002 rookie campaign with a solid postseason finalized by a win in Game 7 of the World Series.

The next year, Josh Beckett, starting tonight for the Sox, led the Florida Marlins to a World Series win which he capped off with a complete game win in the decisive Game 6 at Yankee Stadium. These two pitchers proved that this past success is no fluke, with Lackey finishing tied for second in the big leagues with 19 wins this season and Beckett leading the Majors as the only 20-game winner.

This might sound like a surefire pitcher’s duel, but a quick look at both pitchers’ numbers at Fenway and against their series opponents tells a different story.

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Want to see the Phillies 2008 World Series Championship Ring?  It’s Right here.

MLB players have a lot of reasons to show up to every game and give their best.

The money. The women. The accolades. The money. The fans. The clubhouse buffet table. The money.

But above all those things, they all say they’re in it for One Thing … The Bling.

The Ring.

So let’s take look at some of that Bling. We’ll start this series with the 21st Century …

2001 – Arizona Diamondbacks

If this ring looks cheap, it’s because it is. This is the replica of the Diamondbacks’ real ring, which was given out to fans.

I know that because World series rings don’t have corporate sponsors like “Bank One” engraved on the side … yet.

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A lot of people have accused Yankee fans as being a lot of different things. 

Loud.   Smug.   Obnoxious.   Carpetbagging Bandwagoners.   Intolerant.   Evil.   Baby-Haters. 

Wait.  What was that last one?

Two guys (Angels fans?) claim to have video proof that Yankee fans are being Baby-Haters. 

Watch as they claim a Yankee Fan is trying to shake her baby to death at a recent Yankee-Angels Game. 

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Time for another Mascot Matchup! Let’s go to the Primate Division …

#4 Rally Monkey (Anaheim Angels) vs. #5 Mr. Red (Cincinnati Reds)

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Now that Fredbird the Cardinal plucked Ace the Blue Jay by a final tally of 166 to 16, we’re set for another matchup.

We haven’t had a number one seed defend the honor for a while, so let’s head to the Mammal Division for an AL West matchup.

#1 Mariner Moose (Mariners) vs #8 Clutch and Scoop (LA Angels)

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