Pitchers and Catchers redux

[gnome de blog]

Yes, well, the National League still lost the All-Star game- again. Boo, hiss.

Yes, but all is not lost. The Phillies are on a tear, the Cardinals remain in First Place, and Albert (not Luis) is contending for the first Triple Crown in 42 years (and first in the National League since the '30s, I think).

[gnome de blog]

Even a day late I'm compelled to note Greg Evans' belated acknowledgement the existence of Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Aaron Hill. Jeez, where you been Greg? Aaron's been a Major Leaguer since about the time you wrote him out of the strip.

[gnome de blog]

ATTENTION, ZORBA THE GEEK: DO NOT READ!!

It's been a bad month for perennial Curmudgeon favorite Merkin 'With a Name Like Merkin, Who Needs a Nickname?" Valdez. He got lit up three or four times, culminating in giving up a 14th inning grand slam in Colorado last night. He looks like he's in line for a well-deserved ticket to the bush leagues. There's still hope the could be covering the (Beaverton) Beavers' mound some time next season!

[gnome de blog]

The season clunks to a conclusion (almost), with mixed results. Former Luann heartthrob Aaron Hill enjoyed an all-star season and finished among the league leaders in home runs and RBIs, and even received a belated shout-out from Greg Evans. Not bad for a high school prettyboy. The St. Louis Cardinals are back in the playoffs, giving the College of Comics Curmudgeons a natural rooting interest - especially if you wish to avoid the evil eye from Cardinal Zorba the Geek. Personally, as fond as I am of St. Louis, I retain a soft spot for the Defending World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, home-town team of the late great Cardinal J.Po.

Also on the plus side - but just barely - Minnesota Twins pitcher Boof "Foob Spelled Sideways" Bonser spent the season on nursing arm trouble, thereby keeping his major-league status for one more year. You can't relegate somebody to the minor leagues if they're on the injured list.

The ever-popular Merkin "With A Name Like Merkin, Who Needs A Nickname" Valdez pitched like Anthony Caine the last half of the season, indicating that he's better suited to the "bush" leagues as well.

And finally, LA Dodger Chin Lung Hu made it to First Base, though only as a pinch runner. But the stars, however briefly, were in alignment.

[gnome de blog]

This just in: Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Aaron Hill was name the American League Comeback Player of the Year for having the best season of his life in 2009 after missing most of 2008 with a concussion. Not to mention escaping the train wreck that is Pitts High School.

Maybe there's hope for Merkin and Boof after all.

[gnome de blog]

Alas, the St. Louis Cardinals were unceremoniously bounced from the playoffs by the Hollywood Dodgers. In the American League, the New York Yanquis and Disneyland Angels are set to meet in the the next round. The Philadelphia Flyers lead the Colorado Avalanche 2 games to 1 in the final first-round series.

[Zorba the Geek]

Alas, the St. Louis Cardinals were unceremoniously bounced from the playoffs by the Hollywood Dodgers.

Yes, and I am desolate. Chris Carpenter didn't pitch as well as he should have. Adam Wainwright did a good job pitching, but had absolutely no help from his team-mates. The third game just totally all-around sucked. If it winds up being the Dodgers versus the Yankees, I'll be hard-pressed to even watch the World Series, much less root for anyone.

[gnome de blog]

If it winds up being the Dodgers versus the Yankees, I'll be hard-pressed to even watch the World Series, much less root for anyone.

That does it. It is incumbent on all of us to put our Cardinal mojo behind the Philadelphia Phillies and the late, great Cardinal J.Po.

[Zorba the Geek]

Well, I'm certainly rooting for the Phillies over the Dodgers.

[gnome de blog]

Well, the deed is done. Settle back and enjoy the hot-stove league. Pitchers and catchers report in a little over three months.