The Bullpen Session

Off season excitement

2010-12-08T10:30:00.000-08:00

The Hot Stove has officialy heated up. The lastest domino to fall was Jayson Werth signing a 7 year deal worth $126 million dollars. Thats around $18 million a year for a sub three hundred hitter and a guy who hits .187 with runners in scoring position. GOOD FOR JAYSON WERTH! If a team is willing to overpay for your services then who can blame you for signing. Derek Jeter, as we all expected, re-signed with the Yankees but seemed unhappy that it took so long. Now we all wait for Cliff Lee and Carl Crawford to make there decisions known. The Boston Red Sox, in a trade, acquired Adrien Gonzalez and now seem poised to re take the AL East crown. If the off season excitment carries over to the 2011 regular season, I cant wait!

The Coach

Season Review 2010

2010-11-11T08:22:00.000-08:00

What can one say about the 2010 season? SURPRISE! Lets start with the teams. The Texas Rangers were a team in total chaos and turmoil. Bankrupt, up for sale and ran by MLB, no one expected much from this team. They started off hot and stole Cliff Lee Yankees en route to an AL west championship and eventually beat those same New Yorkers to earn a trip to the World Series for the first time in club history. Their opponent, of all teams, were the Giants. 10 games out of the NL west lead at one point and losing ground to the Padres, they inserted rookie catcher Buster Posey and the rest is history. The great pitching staff and meltdown of the Padres vaulted the Giants into the playoff. Once in, they sent the Braves packing and easily made the most feared team in baseball, the Phillies, look meek and meager and sent them to an early vacation. That win earned them a trip to the World Series to battle Texas for the right to be called champions of the league. San Frans pitching and Edgar Renteria were to much for the Rangers and the Giants hoisted the trophy. Other teams earning the Coaches praise were the Reds, in the playoffs for first time in 15 years, the Rays, a team that had no fan support, the Padres for their major melt down and the Rockies for making things interesting.

Stay tuned for my next blog, when I talk about the players that defined 2010.
Coach

Meltdowns

2010-09-02T08:49:00.000-07:00

This is not the time of year to slump people! If you are a legitimate playoff contender you better beat the little guys. The Padres have lost six in a row, the Cardinals are 2-8 in their last 10 games allowing the Reds to build an eight game lead in the NL central, and the Rangers have cooled off lately. When you are a contender, you have to beat the Astros and Royals. So why are people making excuses for teams that are falling apart and not giving praise to those teams who are beating the teams they should beat? Its simple, the media loves the fall of teams as opposed to the rise. Its easier to dissect a one time contenders flaws then to showcase the real contenders strengths. If you are indeed a contender, you dont want to look back at a series against Baltimore where you were swept and see that they kept you out of the playoffs. So to the teams that are doing it right, keep it up. And to those of you who are on cruise control, enjoy your early vacations and say hello to the family. The real contenders will send you postcards from the playoffs.

The Coach

Pete Rose

2010-08-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

Bud Selig is allowing the Reds to honor the anniversary of Pete Rose breaking Ty Cobbs record of career hits sometime in September. But wait! Isnt "Charlie Hustle" banned from baseball. Hes not supposed to have any contact or be involved with Major League baseball at all! He cannot be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. However, if you've ever been to Cooperstown, Petes stuff is everywhere. Spikes, jerseys, gloves you name it. His name is still on the top of the career hits list with his image. And wasnt he honored by being put on the all century team? Thats right, he was. So lets call a spade a spade and face the fact that even though Pete is "invisible" to the baseball higher powers, he can still be seen by the people that matter...his fans. So lets put it all behind us and let Pete back in. Its what the majority of people want. Except for Pete Rose of course, whos more famous for being out than in.

The Coach

Opening Day Blast Off

2010-04-09T09:48:00.000-07:00

Batter Bing Batter Boom.

The Clippers started their season with every gear in full throttle resulting in a nice 17-4 win over the Indians.

As I sat there on the second floor bar stool made of classic oak, the sun perched over Huntington Park, with images of fable Roman Coliseum glory, a 1940's Clipper fan asked me to do the wave. It was successful to say the least. Despite the temperatures being somewhere in the 30's, fans showed up enthused and exhausted trying to find little warm hot spots to soften the numbness of their texting hands. The build up was intoxicating while the breeze of winters chill lingered as the new November nine trotted out to play ball.

If shaking off rust is one thing, than polishing your skills is overwhelming. Foul balls literally almost hit the Clippers fan girls. Potential supporters arrived later with hot cappachino-in-hand politely asking those in the wrong seats to move and disturb team mascots. The 3rd floor patio was buzzing with excitement familiarly similar to Ohio State game day, with expectations not seen by many, but realized through the competitive nature that is baseball.

Even after two innings, fans got a sense, of how high this team can soar.

Ahh, The Smell of Baseball

2010-04-01T13:36:00.001-07:00

Ahh, The Smell of Baseball

With Spring comes new beginnings. A chance to rejuvenate old memories of playing catch, working in the yard, and getting rid of the ghostly shadow from dreary winter months.

Baseball, America's pastime, brings new life to a season with high hopes and expectations. It allows us to remember the sweet smell of spring air at the ball park, and the stomach aches of poorly cooked hot dogs. While Huntington Park is only in its second year, the Columbus Clipper's are ready to continue a season of great aspirations-well it can't be worse than last season right?

Familiar faces will be shown as its time to "take me out to the ball game", but having a beautiful stadium in the midst of let downs from a season ago may not take away from the crack of a slugger bat or organ music filling the stadium. It's time to play ball.

The Columbus Clippers will throw out the first pitch against the Indianapolis Indians a week from today, and expectations of the team couldn't be bleaker. After sufferrinng one of the worst seasons in team history, the air of possiblity remains outgoing. Manny Acta's first year with the Indians only indicates a thin line of this teams potential.

Now on the mound Mike Sarbaugh.

Manny Acta

2009-10-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

So the Indians decided to hire a manager with barely any experience, who managed a team with back to back 100 loss season's, and was not hired by the Dodgers or the Diamondback's in 06. What a franchise.

What do you think?

Who will be Clevelands next manager?

2009-10-20T10:09:00.000-07:00

The Indians are searching for a new manager. Who do you think should get the job?

A) Torey Lovullo

B) Robby Thompson

C) Manny Acta

D) Lebron James

Would you buy the Cubs?

2009-10-12T11:51:00.000-07:00

Really. Who the hell would by a franchise this bad?

AH, the postseason has arrived!

2009-10-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

Who do you like in the first round of the postseason. Here's the first round picks

AL
Yankees over Twins/Tigers (4-1)

Angles over Red Sox (4-2)

NL
Cardinals over Dodgers (4-2)

Phillies over Rockies (4-3)

Exciting stuff...

More baseball scandal

2009-09-29T09:19:00.000-07:00

Recently a youth baseball trainer form the Dominican Republic was caught caring 293 kilos of cocaine and weapons across country borders. The trainer was well-known for getting his players signed to MLB contracts and using signing bonus's to launder his drug money.

My question to you is, are you even surprised anymore of this kinda thing. With so many scandals, I'm not at all surprised...

Cy Young Race

2009-09-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

The AL Cy Young is heating up........it's a clear choice, ZACK GREINKE! Come'on. He's rockin a 2.06 ERA, he has 15 wins as a starter, and by the way has had no run support this season. And one more thing, he's rollin with a 0.63 ERA in his last 4 starts.

Every other pithcer up for the award is on a divsion first place team. If you put Greinke on the Yankees?!?!?! Forget bout it.

God Bless America

2009-09-15T10:41:00.000-07:00

Recently, two kids were kicked out of a minor league ball park for sitting during the singing of "God Bless America" during the seventh inning stretch.

They are allegedly suing the ballpark. Really? Is a violation of there constitutional right?

It's not, but sitting during a tribute patriotic song while everyone is standing is pretty childish, unless of course your 85, or have no legs.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

2009-09-08T19:04:00.000-07:00

The Good, Hunigton received 2009 ballpark of the year, and broke an attendance record.

The Bad, The Clippers finished dead last in there division, and went 57-85 ( a franchise worst)

The Ugly, The Clippers major league affiliate Cleveland Indians were just as terrible.

There you go. The Clippers season in a nutshell.

Last week for the Columbus Clippers

2009-09-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe, but the Clippers season is coming to a close. There has been a lot of ups and down with this team, most notably from first to last in about 6 weeks. I still think it was a good first year for the stadium. Hunigton Park received the best new stadium for 2009, and it broke a 19 year old attendance record.

Next season should be interesting with all the shake ups the Indians did this season, and hopefully we will see a better team next year.

Give me your thoughts.

The Little Leage World Series

2009-08-24T09:03:00.001-07:00

Is there anyone out there who really follows the world series......Don't get me wrong its great for those kids to get some national exposure, but I would rather watch the National Spelling Bee. Give us your thoughts

Cry Babies

2009-08-18T17:36:00.000-07:00

Anyone else sick of all these stupid apologies that athletes do? They usually are never sincere, and it's just something they have to do because there attorney and publisist tell them to.

Baseball movies

2009-08-11T10:52:00.001-07:00

Whats your favorite baseball movie......Field of Dreams, The Sandlot, Major League?
What do you think is the worst baseball movie?????????? The Sandlot sequels?, Fever Pitch?, Let us know what you think!

How many hot dogs can you eat at one baseball game..

2009-08-03T11:23:00.001-07:00

The clippers always have dime-a-dog night four times a year, and some people try to shove as many hot dogs as the can to get there money's worth. How many have you ever ate? I think if you eat more than two your a pig.

Pete Rose

2009-07-27T14:22:00.000-07:00

Pete Rose has a real chance of getting into the hall of fame now that there are some many other players who have cheeted by using steriods. Should he get in? Give me your thoughts...

Lack Luster Home Run Derby

2009-07-21T08:03:00.001-07:00

Maybe its just me, but this years home run derby was a complete snooze fest. I honestly was watching the 2008 World Series of Poker for most of the night. I give MLB credit for tweeking the runs scored in the first and second round, but it was painfully boring to watch.....let me know what you think

All-Star Snubs

2009-07-14T20:17:00.001-07:00

Give me your thoughts on which MLB players got the snub for this years All-Star Game.....

Heads Up!

2009-07-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

Should fans complain if they get hit with a line drive foul ball to the face. I think most people are aware if they sit along 1st or 3rd base they take the risk of getting hit.

Should there be a screen along the foul lines?

Home Run!

2009-06-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

If you caught a Ken Griffy Jr Home run ball and there was a kid sitting next to you looking at you with "puppy dog" eyes would you give the little kid the ball or keep it for yourself....

Reasons for the Clippers Slump...

2009-06-23T11:10:00.000-07:00

The Clippers are slumping because there hitting has been lacking. They've kept it close in competitive games and have not produced wins. Travis Hafner was the main reason why the Clippers were winning.

The only chance the Clippers have of winning the division is if the Indians players get hurt and get sent down to Columbus.

The Clippers and the International leage West

2009-06-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

The Columbus Clippers are still in first place, but they are 29-28 in a very poor division. At one point this season all 4 teams in the division were below .500.

Could this leauge possibly be the worst division/leauge in sports or baseball history?

How many days will the Clippers stay in first.

2009-06-02T11:32:00.001-07:00

A) 1-5 days

B) 6-10 days

C) 11-15 days

D) 16-20 days

E) They will stay in first throughout July

Will the clippers get first place in the INT West by the end of the week? They need to get by Scranton first and win the Buffalo series.

2009-05-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

Will the Clippers get better and make a run for first place in the INT leage? This team has the talent and guys are stepping up.

2009-05-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

How will the Clippers do without LaPorta, Valbuena, and Barfield?

2009-05-04T11:32:00.000-07:00

How long will Matt LaPoarta be in Columbus?

2009-04-29T11:27:00.000-07:00

Will the Clippers get in to the post season

2009-04-21T17:54:00.000-07:00