Guard Dog

This is funny. Fan ar Astros camp wearing a Nolan Ryan jersey is sitting right next to the real Nolan Ryan... and doesn't realize it: http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/fan-wearing-nolan-ryan-jersey-has-no-idea-hes-two-feet-from-nolan-ryan/ar-BByB8I0?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp

I almost went with another of my all-time favorites here, Andre Dawson. But he only wore #10 for two seasons with the Expos. So we're going back to the glory days of the game with #10 Robert "Lefty" Grove. One of the beauties of this game is the stars of old could probably still compete with the stars of today. You can't say that in any other sport. Jim Thorpe was probably the greatest athlete of his day but could not make an NFL roster right now. But if Babe Ruth line up for the Yankees in Tampa today he could still hit. "Lefty" Grove was the greatest left handed pitcher of his day (not the most creative nickname though). Grove had a career record of 300-111. The first pitcher to ever win 300 he is still tied for third all time in career wins behind Tom Glavine and Randy Johnson. He won the World Series twice with the Philadelphia Athletics and was a 6X All Star, 9X ERA leader and 7x SO leader. 10 days to go with #10 Robert Grove

11 days to go with #11 Barry Larkin. This one is a no-brainier for me. Not just because he's the best player to wear #11. That is debatable (said Paul Warner & Vernon Gomez) but because I sort of met him once. On a muggy May night in 1996 I'm at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami with a friend and his young son for a Marlins/Reds game. After the game we went around to the south entrance where the players come out. Sometimes they would interact with the fans there, particularly the kids. The biggest star on either team Larkin spent almost a half an hour just talking to the kids and signing autographs. I was always so impressed by that. He signed my friend's son's baseball glove. As far as I know he still has it today. The story of his Hall of Fame career is well known but he always seemed to me to be such a down to earth guy. As an interesting aside is brother also played in the Majors, both daughters played lacrosse in college and his son is in the NBA. He has played for the Mavericks, Nicks, & Nets. Good genes in that family! 11 days left with Barry Larkin.

Unless you moved to Boston and chanced your name to Zach that's unlikely but you definitely beat him to the punch.

Dave Kaval has been making the right moves as far as the fan base is concerned after being appointed team president: holding office hours open to the public; greater transparency; regular engagement with the media; promoting team history and former greats; actively embracing Oakland; upgrading food options and bringing in the excellent local food truck scene; and lowering beer prices. I'm actually optimistic about the future prospects of the A's. This is exactly what you were talking about: http://ballparkdigest.com/2017/03/20/oakland-as-increasing-fan-outreach/

Well, look who decided to visit and class the place up a bit. Hello Lady C. Been too long away.

Louisville out, Villanova out, Xavier in the Sweet 16. What a bust.

Or grew up!

Have to agree there. The D&D logo was once a big deal. Now it's crap.

A moment of clarity here. People are foaming-at-the-mouth rabid (well, not most but some people are) over the Trump budget with cuts grants to Meals on Wheels. The total dollar amount cut is a little over $248,000 to an organization that brings in $7.5M a year http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/03/17/despite-outrage-over-cuts-federal-funds-are-fraction-meals-on-wheels-budget.html But, Time Magazine (never one to shy away from yellow journalism) and Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (who should know better) insist Trump is killing the program. Even the Chicago Tribune (no fan of Trump there) called them out over it: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/schmich/ct-mary-schmich-meals-on-wheels-20170317-column.html I'd just like to point out that people donated over $248,000 to make a Bernie Sanders action figure that you can now buy on Amazon for $15: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fctry/bernie-sanders-action-figure. Perhaps they should have donated to one of the groups under the Meals on Wheels umbrella instead. Then not only would MoW not be short all those non-biodegradable, environmentally harmful plastic action figures would not end up in a land fill one day. Just sayin'

Brilliant analysis on the economics of health care and how the government, which has already completely screwed it up, is is only going to screw it up further: http://reason.com/archives/2017/03/19/health-insurance-and-rights

Most players who demonstrate excellence over time tend to do it playing for very few teams. It's not just that players like stability, teams don't let the really good ones get away if they can help it. Look at the guys in the HoF and you'll see four teams or less in a career is the norm. But #12 Roberto Alomar is the exception. He played for eight teams over sixteen seasons and did it with a level of excellence that is anything but journeyman. 12X All Star, 10 Gold Gloves, 4 Silver Slugger, and 2 World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays. He spent the most time with the Orioles but he's best known for scoring the game tying HR off Dennis Eckersely in the '92 ALCS and the series winning run in the '93 WS Game Six for the Blue Jays. No disrespect to Jon Snow but here is the REAL King in the North! 12 days to go with #12 Roberto Alomar

This is getting printed and hung in my office

Gods and Generals the Extended Director's Cut. Outstanding! and very, very long. I had to take a break in the middle and watch a little college hoops.

Were you guys aware of this? http://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/gaming/dungeons-and-dragons-app-enters-open-beta-next-week/ar-BByi25G?li=AAfq3b1&ocid=spartandhp

The solution to the high cost of highway maintenance? Get rid of the highway. No... seriously: http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/03/18/governments-switch-to-dirt-roads-to-save-cash-tear-up-existing-paved-streets/ I have to tell you... I'm so much happier since I stopped caring. Anyone know where I can get a good deal on a horse?

Happy belated birthday Tale. I've loaded up a new Skyrim character. Archery only. No enchanted items of any kind, no magic, no melee, and no armor. This one relies on stealth, strategy and agility. Let's see how this plays.

13 days to go with.... No. You know what, I never liked this f-----g guy. No doubting his ability but he was a cheater. And a more brazen cheater than the others. After getting caught, cleaned up and forgiven he went back for more. He had to know they were watching him. Plus his attitude towards his teammates, the game and the fans stands in sharp contrast to his teammate (and the man in whose shadow he will forever stand) Derek Jeter. So, screw A-Rod, Lets go with: Dave Concepción. He played 19 years for the Cincinnati Reds. He was a 9X Al Star, 5 Gold Gloves at short stop 2X Silver Slugger and the defensive cornerstone of the Big Red Machine championship teams in '75 & '76. For most of his career he was overshadowed on a team that featured Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Ken Griffey Sr, César Gerónimo, and George Foster. But his defense and solid hitting became the foundation on which great teams like that depend. The Reds retires his number in 2007. 13 days to go with Dave Concepción

Chuck Berry passed away: http://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/legendary-musician-chuck-berry-has-died-at-90/ar-BBylpKT?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp

Wisconson has eliminated Villanova. Well, my bracket is busted.

Good luck Calax!

14 days to go with a man who never lost his childlike joy at playing a game for a living. Mr. Cub #14 Ernie Banks

The dream has died Leferd.

After day 1 I'm still in good shape. Not perfect but still OK. What did I tell you guys about Middle Tennessee State. My other upset, FGCU over Florida State didn't work so well though.

Going with another Yankee for the 15 day mark. Thurman Munson would probably not fit in well in one of today's clubhouses. Even in the '70's he was a throwback to an earlier time. He was known as much for cigars and whiskey in the clubhouse after the game as he was for prodigious hitting and aggressive defense add willingness the trow a punch during it. He had small patience for reporters and not much more for fans, even flipping the bird to the fans at Yankee Stadium who heckled him after an error. He was an All Star in seven of his eleven seasons, the first Yankee to win MVP and Rookie of the year and a consistent +.300 hitter. His defensive efficiency ratings rSB and RPP (a much bigger deal these days than then) make him the second best catcher in the AL history with a career BA over .250. Munson went a long way to inflame the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry with his longstanding feud with Red Sox catcher and future HoF'er Carlton Fisk including a few bench clearing brawls that they started. Sadly Munson's career was cut short when he died in a plane crash in 1979. 15 days to go with "The Captain" Thurman Munson