As the allure of a new Miami Thrice dominated headlines, a third MLB club made an 11th hour move to nab the greatest player in baseball history off of free agency. The Los Angeles Angels, a team whose name was absent in the Albert Pujols Sweepstakes a mere 24 hours ago, shocked the baseball world to sign away St. Louis’s All-Universe slugger. Read the rest of this entry »

From April through September, baseball is considered an old, aging game. The day-in, day-out ground of a marathon 162-game season simply doesn’t contain enough highlights to hold the attention of the average American, quick to rely on bone-rattling games of football and high-flying basketball contests. Moments like Game 6 of the 2011 World Series serve as reminders that, when the stakes are at their highest, baseball’s excitement can’t be matched Read the rest of this entry »

Conceptually speaking, the World Series is the closest thing in sports to Thanksgiving dinner. The spread takes forever to prepare. So many hands are involved in the process, yet when the meal is finally prepared and laid across the table, the end result all seems worth the wait. Unless your one auntie is allowed to cook the turkey which turns out dryer than the Sahara (in this case a four game sweep) thus ruining the exhilaration which is the “Fall Classic.” Read the rest of this entry »

Contrary to popular belief, baseball is fine by me. The thing is this, it’s 1000x better when watching it in person. The second coming of Peter Gammons I am not, but I still manage to keep up with the happenings in the sport formerly known as America’s past time – the NFL has that spot now and the NBA’s popularity is skyrocketing these days, sans the lockouts, of course. Baseball’s biggest star, Albert Pujols, has been having a year tagged as everything from odd, to subpar to jinxed. Read the rest of this entry »

2009 was not a great year for the MLB. Continued steroid scandals, dropping attendance and a notable lack of September drama (unless you consider to .500 teams battling to get shellacked in the playoffs drama), mean that MLB could really use a good October. With flagship franchises like the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers and Cardinals all involved in the proceedings, the stage is set. Below are TSS resident baseball gurus — Jason H. and myself — prognostications on how it will all unfold.

ALDS — Boston Vs. LA Angels

Patrick M. – LA Angels in 5: Boston’s owned Anaheim’s finest to the tune of a 9-1 postseason ass beating this decade. But this Sox team isn’t quite to the caliber of the last five years. Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis and the Fenway crowd won’t let the Sawx go out without a fight. Look for John Lackey to finally best the Red Sox in the playoffs in Game 5. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re not a fan of baseball, this may not be for you.

This is for the real fans. Yeah, I’m talking to you.  You completely equate Spring with the crack of the bat, parking lot pre-gaming at 10 a.m. and of course justified heckling even South Park would blush to. Yes, we are the idiots who drop a bill to sit in rain for three consecutive hours. Like Phillies fans who waited two decades, regaining their full pride with their team’s championship or Tampa Bay who were content with just even being there and surpassing both super powers of the Yanks and Sox as division leaders. That’s the essence of the game and the devotion of being a fan. This devotion is why after countless seasons, the die-hard fans survive.

We recognize that same passion when we write about music as well as our other outside interests. So like an album review, we break down what shines, what falters and remind you why we even give a care in the first place. If you read this far, welcome brethren. We’re fans too. And here’s our take on the 2009 MLB season, starting with the National League first.

NL East Projected Standings — Jason Hortillas

1.Philadelphia Phillies
2.New York Mets
3.Florida Marlins
4.Atlanta Braves
5.Washington Nationals

The obvious choice is to go with defending champions, the Philadelphia Phillies. It’s hard to argue against it when the New York Mets rotation Read the rest of this entry »