By Richard Schortemeyer III
After six months of longballs, diving catches, great stories, and crackerjacks, we are now in the final weekend of MLB’s 2008 regular season. As a fan, this is always a fun time of the year, but when you’re a fan of one of the teams that’s in the middle of all this … it’s more stressful than anything.
Five teams can, at least, breathe a little easier knowing that they are already in the “dance”, while six teams are playing an intense game of musical chairs … with only three chairs remaining. With two wild card spots and three divisions still left to be clinched, we still don’t know what the matchups will be in the divisional round in either league.
So, in this edition of “On the Record,” I’ll give you some predictions and answers regarding this final and highly dramatic regular season weekend.
By Richard Schortemeyer III
My brother is the outcast of my family. My dad raised me to be a New York Mets fan, through the good, the bad, and the ugly (unfortunately, I’ve seen too much bad and ugly). My brother is a rebel, though, and for as long as I can remember he has been a ‘Pinstriper’. And, wow, how happier he has been as a member of the Bronx Faithful.
By Richard Schortemeyer III
On April 17, 1964, the first game was played at Shea Stadium. Yes, the New York Mets will always play second fiddle to the more historic and successful Yankees. However, that doesn’t mean that, after 44 years, the Mets organization hasn’t had its share of unforgettable moments and Hall of Famers.
I’ll admit it for the first time in this column. I’m finally “On the Record” to say that I have been, and always will be, a New York Mets fan. I’ve had more upset stomachs and near heart attacks than I would like, especially these last couple of Shea seasons. That doesn’t mean that I’ll leave this crazy train that is the current New York Mets, nor does it mean that I won’t miss Shea Stadium.
In honor of the end of Shea Stadium, below are my top 3 Shea Stadium moments.
By Richard Schortemeyer III
Wow! The summer has passed, and we are less than a month away from MLB’s second season. Heading into playoff mode, there are some interesting and surprising developments.
Do you think the Twins forgot where to find the Metrodome? At the beginning of their 14-game road trip, due to the Republican National Convention, the team was a game back of the AL-Central leading Chicago White Sox. After a disappointing 5-9 road trip, Minnesota still remains within striking distance as they finally, and happily, come back home.
Who is currently the NL’s best cleanup hitter?
By Richard Schortemeyer III
In April 1923, Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees opened up Yankee Stadium with a four-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox. In the following 85 years, the stadium has seen numerous spectacular moments of baseball history.
Roger Maris’ record-breaking HR, Dave Righetti’s no-hitter, Aaron Boone’s walk-off series-clinching HR, and the greatest playoff comeback in MLB history only scratch the surface of the lifetime of instant classic moments this rivalry has provided.
By Richard Schortemeyer III
As I’ve said numerous times before, there have been some great stories, this season, in MLB.
There’s the resurrection of former 1st pick and current Texas Rangers OF Josh Hamilton. There’s Arizona Diamondbacks SP Doug Davis and Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester, pitchers who have won the battle against cancer and are in the midst of trying to help their teams win playoff spots.
Then, there’s the St. Louis Cardinals and Minnesota Twins, two teams who lost key players in the off-season but have somehow managed to be within reach of MLB’s second season.
But, many can argue that the best story is …
By Richard Schortemeyer III
We’re back for the second half of this week’s double-dose of “On the Record”. In this edition, we’ll chat about a solid in-house arm in the Steel City and Detroit striking gold with a former reliever now starter. Let’s jump into it …
By Richard Schortemeyer III
The last two NL MVPs reside in the City of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia. The last two NL MVPs were key parts in Philadelphia’s magical run to the NL East title and Playoffs last season. The last two NL MVPs were two of the biggest reasons why the Phillies got four-game swept by the LA Dodgers and fell out of first in their division.
By Richard Schortemeyer III
It looks as though the major trade of the 2008 season has worked out for all parties involved.
It is going to take awhile for people, especially myself, to get use to Manny Ramirez in a non-Boston Red Sox uniform. Manny seems to be really comfortable in his new ‘digs’, and the LA faithful seem to be eating out of his hand. In the latest chapter of the book, “Manny Being Manny,” Ramirez is batting nearly .600, with four HRs, and 10 RBIs.
Manny’s replacement, Jason Bay, seems to be adjusting nicely, as well, to the bigger and brighter spotlights of Fenway Park. Bay is batting nearly .430, with close to double-digit RBIs, and has already reached double-digits in runs. However, one who has been negatively affected by this is ‘Big Papi’ David Ortiz. He has dropped nearly 20 BA points since Manny’s departure.
By Richard Schortemeyer III
Manny Ramirez has finally had his dreams come true. For 7+ seasons, he has, arguably, been the most vital hitter for the Boston Red Sox - part of one of the best 3-4 combos in baseball. With David Ortiz, he has played a key role in Boston’s two World Series titles.
Despite his impressive stat lines, year after year, and for countless years, his “Manny Being Manny” act has created controversy in and outside of the Red Sox clubhouse. This past week, after announcing that he would love to be traded again, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Well, Manny’s wish has finally been granted as he has moved on to Hollywood (a lethal combo on paper), where he will bolster an average offense a couple of notches. Seemingly, this should be enough to help LA reach MLB’s second season.