Even with two weeks to go in the first half of the Derby and only a six-Homer lead … I’m going to officially call the 2008 Home Run Derby 1st Half Championship for Belichoke (248 HR).
Why? Because The Joba Rules (242 HR) just lost Magglio Ordonez and Chipper Jones (not official yet) to the DL. In fact, I’d say that Joba’s in trouble over the next two weeks as Suck It (239 HR) looks to poised to move out of third place.
This week, Strutter (217 HR, T-24th) led all teams with 21 HR thanks to 3-HR weeks by David Wright, Mark Teixeria, and Rick Ankiel.
We’re done with Interleague play - so the designated hitters get to play all the time again (more on that later) which could be a boost for some teams.
While out at a party tonight I saw Kerry Wood flipping somebody off at U.S. Cellular Field …
When I got back from dinner … damn if Hugging Harold Reynolds hadn’t lassoed the video already …
Anyone that tells you that Wood was flipping off White Sox fans is just trying to stir up some crap. Wood wasn’t looking (or flipping) anywhere near the stands.
And really … what is up with all the Cubs posts at this site lately?
And here we go … a new feature here at Home Run Derby.
Baseball Jersey of the Week. We’re going to highlight the most creative personalized baseball jerseys/shirts we can find. And we’ll start with a good one …
In honor of the continuation of the White Sox vs Cubs Interleague Series (The Black and Blue Series) … here’s a Chicago Baseball fan who apparently has two favorite players in the Windy City. The Cubs’ Kosuke Fukudome and the White Sox’ Jim Thome.
FUKUTHOME !!
I love it. It’s a Frankenstein-like creation. Mind you, the name looks a little off center … but it’s pretty sharp and self explanatory to most knowledgeable baseball fans (which will exclude most of the overserved patrons in the Wrigley Bleachers during a Night Game.)
Jon Lieber’s not getting a lot of playing time this season with the Cubs … he’s only pitched 37.1 innings in 21 appearances (20 out of the bullpen for a 1.78 ERA and a 2-2 record - don’t ask about that one start).
But that doesn’t mean he’s not getting some pitching in at Wrigley Field. Check out this video of Lieber pitching to one of his sons (5-year old Justin Lieber) after a recent game.
Yep. Even five-year old lefthanded hitters can hit Lieber (for his career … lefties hit .310 against him while righties only hit .244). Kid hit four balls out of twelve pitches that I counted - .333 average.
To Lieber’s credit, he’s putting balls right in Justin’s wheelhouse. I think 7-year old Jared Lieber is shagging flies.
Jon might have a future as a Little League coach when his MLB career is over. Because his kids might have a future in baseball.
If you didn’t know it, it’s the 20th anniversary of the movie masterpiece that is Coming to America … the film that let loose “Soul Glo” on America. You know, the homage to Jheri Curl - that awesome, dripping wet looking ‘do from the seventies and eighties that would stain anything it came in contact with.
Baseball is often a great place to see some fashionable hairstyles and facial hair trends and it was no stranger to Jheri Curl. So let your Soul Glow and enjoy the best curls in baseball.
Sammy Sosa
When Sosa came up with the Texas Rangers, teammate Rafael Palmeiro described him as a skinny Dominican with Jheri Curls. Seriously … check out Sammy protecting the ‘do by barely wearing an oversized hat. A 1-year old could knock that thing off with a sneeze.
Sammy kept the ‘do after being traded to the White Sox. After he trimmed his long drippy locks … his power stats eventually exploded. Call it the “Reverse Samson” effect.
So Sunday night, during the final game of the Cubs’ sweep of the White Sox at Wrigley Field, ESPN focused a little bit on Ernie Banks - also known as “Mr. Cub.”
They showed the new statue of Ernie outside Wrigley Field, showed Banks’ 500th Home Run at Wrigley Field, and Jon Miller ran down his stats and career accomplishments.
But later in the ballgame, when Eric Patterson hit a Home Run for the Cubs into the right field basket … Joe Morgan said something that wasn’t true. Morgan said that the basket was installed to keep fans from interfering with Home Run balls and that the fence became known as “Banks Boulevard because he hit a lot of balls into that basket” - implying (to me anyway) that Banks’ Home Run totals were cheapened by the basket that shortens the field at Wrigley.
So last night, I got to watch some baseball for the first time in nearly a week … and it happened to be the White Sox vs the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Awesome.
Oh wait … ESPN is broadcasting it. Joe Morgan. Crap.
My first thought was “how long does it take for Joe Morgan’s first blunder of the night?”
Two batters. Seven pitches. That’s all.
Here’s White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski at the plate in the top of the first inning. AJP’s a bit of a polarizing figure in Chicago, thanks to the scuffle he had with then-Cubs cather Michael Barrett in 2007 during a game at US Cellular Field …
Wait … he updated the standings? Made an update post? What the hell? Quarterly Financial Outlooks and Family Vacations come first, people.
Anyway … There are a mere three weeks to go until the All-Star Break and that means there’s only a mere three weeks to go until three fortunate players in our little Home Run Derby secure some payouts …
Belichoke is your Home Run Derby pacesetter with 236 Home Runs. That’s six straight weeks Belichoke has led the Derby … which means it’s been six straight weeks that The Joba Rules has been in second place. Joba keeps hanging around with 227 HR. Third place is currently held by Suck It (225 HR).
I wouldn’t call Belichoke’s 1st Half lead insurmountable … but he’s averaged a seven-HR lead the past six weeks and no one seems to be able to post a sufficent charge to threaten the lead. Second and third place are another story as there are eight teams within 9 HR of second place.
One of those is the hottest team in the Derby (literally and figuratively) - Annimals. She led all teams this week with 26 HR and becomes the first team to win two weeks this season. She’s also led all teams the past three weeks (59 HR), averaging just under 20 HR a week.
The Cubs don’t have a mascot. That’s the official word.
They’ve had some unofficial ones though … namely Harry Caray, Ronnie Woo-Woo, and the Goat.
Add another one to the list.
One who’s not above a cheap feel of a Mets fan …
I don’t think his actions are sanctioned by the Chicago National League Baseball Club.
You’ve got to wonder what the Cubs’ official position is about some guy in a cuddly bear suit wearing a Cub Jersey (with no pants) walking around outside Wrigley Field.
Standings have been updated …
While out at a party tonight I saw Kerry Wood flipping somebody off at U.S. Cellular Field …
If you didn’t know it, it’s the 20th anniversary of the movie masterpiece that is Coming to America … the film that let loose “Soul Glo” on America. You know, the homage to Jheri Curl - that awesome, dripping wet looking ‘do from the seventies and eighties that would stain anything it came in contact with.
Belichoke is your Home Run Derby pacesetter with 236 Home Runs. That’s six straight weeks Belichoke has led the Derby … which means it’s been six straight weeks that The Joba Rules has been in second place. Joba keeps hanging around with 227 HR. Third place is currently held by Suck It (225 HR).
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