Home Run Derby

I know the Twins are a good team, but anyone who thinks they have a shot at the AL Central is insane, and it has nothing to do with four of their starting pitchers never pitching 200 innings in a season (Blackburn, Baker, Perkins, Slowey - Hell, Baker is the only one with 100 IP in the Bigs prior to this season). 

Nope, like most things in this country, you can blame the Republicans.

Check out the Twins’ Schedule from August 21st - September 21st.  It is a nut buster. 

Starting August 21st, they go on the road for 15 straight in 16 days (LA, Oak, Sea, Tor) because of the GOP convention (Sept 1-4), then get to come home for 6 games (Det, KC) before heading out for another 10 games on the road in 10 days (Bal, Cle, TB).  That is 25 road games in a span of 33 days with only two days off with six days at home.

So blame the Republicans, Twins fans. 

Unless you are up 5-6 games by August 21st, chances of holding the division will be poor.  This team (like most) is below .500 on the road.

We’ve mentioned it before … but I’ll say it again.  Home Run Derby’s favorite employees at a Major League Baseball Stadium have always been …

Beer Vendors. 

You know - the Unsung Heroes of Baseball.  The guy that lets you stay in your seat during that crucial half-inning even though you’re dying of thirst.  Or because you have to buy because you just lost a round of “pass the cup.”  Or if you’re like me - you want someone to BRING you your $7.50 cup of watered-down beer.

So here’s to you … Beer Vendor Guy.  You’re like a US Postal Worker … except you always deliver something we want.

You know … sometimes you’re not sure which vendor is coming up the aisle.  You’ll never have that problem with this beer vendor from Jacobs Field (oh - wait … Progressive Field) in Cleveland. 

He might be a little full of himself, though.

You won’t go broke pandering to the fans.  Watch as this vendor from old Busch Stadium in St. Louis does just that … while ripping on the visiting arch-rival Cub fans.

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A while back, Home Run Derby told you the favorite MLB teams of the 2008 Presidential Candidates. 

Ever wonder who Major League Baseball wants to win in the political arena? 

Simple answer:  Democrats.

How do we know?  Well … since 2001, Major League Baseball has a Political Action Committee (PAC).   So far as I can tell, MLB is the only Professional Sports League to have a PAC - why am I not surprised? 

Considering how often MLB gets dragged into Congressional hearings lately, it makes perfect sense that MLB would want to have lined the pockets and greased the palms of some Senators and Representatives.  Baseball has given to a number of Candidates over the 21st Century.  Some notables …

• $1,000 to Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY)
• $6,500 to Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
• $13,000 to Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-IL)
• $22,500 to Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT)
• $7,500 to Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)
• $9,500 to Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)
• $10,000 to Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD)
• $25,000 to Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI)

Let’s see how MLB has doled out that PAC money by Party over the past four Federal Election Cycles.

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So Mitt Romney bowed out of the Presidential race yesterday.

The Wall Street Journal had its own analysis as to why Romney couldn’t win the votes of Republicans …

He looked the part … He sounded the part … And he acted the part … But in the end, Mr. Romney didn’t fit the part.

He looked presidential, but ran a beginner’s campaign and never managed to ignite passion among voters.

That’s pretty spot on from the point of view of a credible news source. 

But this is a baseball blog … who cares about that?  The real reason (in my overly-baseball-tainted mind) that Mitt Romney lost is that he couldn’t tell the difference between a Baseball Mitt and a Baseball Glove.

Here’s a sample of some of Romney’s campaign merchandise …

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Yesterday was Super Sunday … which means there’s 9 days until pitchers and catchers report.  But before that happens … don’t forget that tomorrow is Super Tuesday …  

Twenty-Four States will hold a Caucus or Primary Election tomorrow to help determine the Democratic and Republican candidates for President of the United States.

Before you head to the polls tomorrow (you WILL head to the polls tomorrow if you’re registered to vote) … keep in mind the cheering interests of the remaining candidates …

THE DEMOCRATS

HILLARY CLINTON - Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees 

New York Senator Hillary Clinton grew up in Northwest suburban Chicago, which would justify her claims that she was a Cub fan as a youth (there are many pics of her wearing a Cub hat).But in 1999, when there was talk of her as a candidate for New York Senator in the 2000 elections, Hillary claimed “I’ve always been a Yankee fan.” Her justification was that she needed an American League team to cheer for as well. And the Yankees were the best in the AL.

Mind you, she had never mentioned it before prepping for her Senate run.

Here’s Hillary signing a baseball …

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SUPER TUESDAY UPDATE - CLICK HERE

The 2008 Presidential Primary elections are less than a month away. And everybody needs a guide to the candidates.

Before I get started, I want to say that Home Run Derby will not endorse a candidate for President of the United States. We are a shoddy little baseball website and will not pretend to be a political one.

With that in mind, we’re not above giving you the facts about some of the candidates … when it comes to their baseball allegiances.

We profiled the Democrats yesterday, so here come the Republicans.

Rudy Giuliani - New York Yankees

The former Mayor of New York City is a diehard Yankee fan through and through and was often labelled the Bronx Bombers’ “First Fan.”

Even his recent comments about cheering for the Red Sox in the 2007 World Series really don’t even scratch his pinstripes.

Giuliani owns a bunch of Yankees World Series Championship rings. There’s some debate as to whether he should have them at all.

He maintains he paid for them.

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SUPER TUESDAY UPDATE - CLICK HERE

The 2008 Presidential Primary elections are less than a month away. And everybody needs a guide to the candidates.

Before I get started, I want to say that Home Run Derby will not endorse a candidate for President of the United States. We are a shoddy little baseball website and will not pretend to be a political one.

With that in mind, we’re not above giving you the facts about some of the candidates … when it comes to their baseball allegiances.

First up … The Democrats.  The Republicans are over here.

Hillary Clinton - Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees

New York Senator Hillary Clinton grew up in Northwest suburban Chicago, which would justify her claims that she was a Cub fan as a youth (there are many pics of her wearing a Cub hat).

But in 1999, when there was talk of her as a candidate for New York Senator in the 2000 elections, Hillary claimed “I’ve always been a Yankee fan.” Her justification was that she needed an American League team to cheer for as well. And the Yankees were the best in the AL.

Mind you, she had never mentioned it before prepping for her Senate run.

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