Tag Archives: baseball

A Pitcher’s ‘Picture Perfect’ Point of Release

This is an upcoming post in which I will be discussing the mechanics of pitching.  Do I have experience personally in pitching? Yes, yes I do…in my backyard as well as fastpitch softball as a teenager 🙂

I will be focusing on the MLB pitcher in whom I believe has the prettiest pitch and the most magnificent motion in professional baseball (go ahead and guess if you like). And I will be revealing why I believe he has been such a success in the majors. The answer just might surprise you…

Here is a photo hint: He does NOT throw this type of pitch:

Image

More photos and my diamond dust of baseball wisdom coming soon my fellow baseball fans…

 

Yeah…I’d Tote That

Yeah...I'd Tote That

The smell of a quality, leather handbag is like a fine perfume to this baseball gal’s nose. But how much BETTER would it’s scent be and with how much MORE STYLE would I have, as I tote this BASEBALL GLOVE HANDBAG??
LOVE IT. WANT IT.
But would I take on the challenge of making one for myself? Hmmm. I have made a handful of repurposed handbags/totes/purses but I don’t know…

For now the only way for me to ‘swipe this bag’ is by cash or charge.

Later this summer, I will share the baseball style bags I have created.

Relaced Love,

Belle of Baseball

Tired Tiger Mama Just Wants A Cat Nap

The expression on this Mama Tiger's face says it all! As a Mom of not only a preteen son and two four-year-old daughters, I can definitely relate :)

The expression on this Mama Tiger’s face says it all! As a Mom of not only a preteen son but also two four-year-old daughters, I can definitely relate 🙂

Battling Bipolar Disorder One Inning At A Time

Battling Bipolar Disorder One Inning At A Time

Struggling with bipolar disorder can create solid innings in life to disastrous innings in which a person would just rather forget. Remember living with this mental illness is ongoing process and that a person is never “healed”. From medication changes, mental health professional visits and emotional mood swings, a patient needs to always remain aware of their condition.
A quote I heard recently:
“I overcome it (bipolar disorder) by never letting it out of my sight.”
In other words, you (or someone you know) constantly are aware of your moods, medications and medical professional visits.
One game at a time.

The “Bare” Facts On MLB Managers Buck Showalter And Brad Ausmus

I love the game of baseball. I love history. Hence, I love baseball history. 

Speaking of baseball in the past, the Detroit Tigers are playing in a 3 game series versus the Baltimore Orioles in Detroit presently with Tiger’s winning the series opener yesterday on a rainy afternoon. Earlier today (a sunny day), the Tiger’s held onto  the victory that nearly slipped through their paws in the ninth inning.  The opposing managers, Baltimore’s, Buck Showalter and Tiger’s, Brad Ausmus, both have baseball history in the MLB and have some major career differences.

buckshowalterpic1oriolespresentday Age: 57 (turns 58 in May)

Bats/Throws: Left

Position: 1st Baseman

Drafted by the New York Yankees in 1977

MLB Debut: NY Yankees farm system for 7 years-mainly due to Don Mattingly playing 1st for the Yanks

Managed New York Yankees (1992-1995),  Arizona Diamondbacks (1998-2000), Texas Rangers (2003-2006) & Baltimore Orioles (2010-Present)

AL Manager of the Year in 1994 and in 2004; Manager of the Year in 2012

ESPN Analyst in early 2000’s and later again in 2008 full-time

 

 

bradausmuspicdugoutleanAge: 44 (turns 45 on the 14th of this month)

Bats/Throws: Right

               Position: Catcher

Drafted by the New York Yankees in 1987

MLB Debut: 1993  

Last MLB Game: 2010

Played for San Diego Padres (1993-1996), Detroit Tigers (1996; 1999-2000),  Houston Astros (1997-1998; 2001-2008), Los Angeles Dodgers (2009-2010)

Manager of the  Detroit Tigers  2014

 

You can see some career similarities and differences between these two baseball bosses. I find the history of baseball fascinating and this includes the player’s, staff, manager’s, announcer’s etc paths to being a part of Major League Baseball.

Anyone who knows me, knows of me, likes me, doesn’t like me, follows me on any social media, has worked with me, went to school with me…knows I love the game of baseball, in particular, the Detroit Tigers. I was born into and raised by a passionate group of Tiger fans. Truth be told however, I have a passion for the game of baseball. I’m not even certain how to explain this passion but ya’ll who have the same within, you know exactly what I am referring to. We get a rush when a “6-4-3 double-play” is made, when an outfielder overextends himself and makes a ‘web gem’ worthy diving catch, etc.
As much as I love to watch the boys of Motown make these plays, I get this same rush when any team’s players make great defensive plays or has a great at bat whether he crushes the ball someplace or works the count from 0-2 to a full count and then continues to foul off pitches until he finds his pitch to hit.
The same goes for the coaches and managers of baseball. It’s pretty easy to sit back and watch or listen (I do love to listen to a game on the radio), criticizing the manager’s decisions or blaming them for a player’s poor performance. There is no doubt about Showalter’s resume when it comes to turning a team about to a solid championship team. Impressive indeed.  We have yet to see how young Ausmus will fair this season, but I’d say an undefeated record thus far 4-0 is a great start.

So the surprising similarity between these guys? Well, if you Google “Brad Ausmus” (typed Google here ladies, not oogle), you will notice the Google’s suggestions are (in this order): “Brad Ausmus stats”, “Brad Ausmus married”, “Brad Ausmus shirtless”. I find it funny that Google likes to remind you first that he’s married but then says, “go ahead, here is him shirtless”. Haha.

How does this relate to Buck Showalter? When I Google him these are the searches that come up: “Buck Showalter gif”, “Buck Showalter salary”, “Buck Showalter family”. Yeah, nothing about him being shirtless.  However, I did come across a nickname. In fact, his given name is actually William Nathaniel Showalter III. Ever ponder where he got the name Buck? Yep, you guessed it…he was allegedly given the nickname “Buck” due to his tendency to hang around the clubhouse “buck” naked during his days as a minor league ballplayer in the New York Yankees organization. When he played baseball in college he went by the name “Nat”. No one truly knows for certain about the origin of the nickname, except for Buck. I found it interesting that these men were both drafted by the Yankees organization 10 years apart and found it amusing  that both of these managers were at times without a shirt…or more though.

Good luck to both managers this year. Detroit and Baltimore have excellent teams this season.

Brad Ausmus, Quite A Catch As Detroit Tiger’s New Manager In 2014

Brad Ausmus, Quite A Catch As Detroit Tiger’s New Manager In 2014.

Brad Ausmus, Quite A Catch As Detroit Tiger’s New Manager In 2014

 

ausmusbacknamefield

As the lights of the stadium begin to dim, the ball park staff and boys in uniform wrap up their last-minute Opening Day preparations. Most likely the Motown Boy’s pitching ace, Justin Verlander, has ‘ran for the border’ to order his traditional Taco Bell meal the day prior to taking the mound. Somewhere, two-time MVP and 2012 Triple Crown Winner, Miguel Cabrera, is joking around with a teammate.

One by one they retire for the evening, leaving with high hopes for a game one victory in the series opener the following afternoon. Lighting from the concourse surrounding the ball field and the soft glow of stadium lights greet the reflective thoughts of Detroit Tiger’s new manager, Brad Ausmus, as he steps just inside where thousands of fans will be seated tomorrow. He slips his hands under his untucked, recent wardrobe addition, an official MLB #7 jersey, sighs and puts both hands in his pants pockets. Looking across the field into the fan’s seating behind the bullpen, he sees one of his boys, Torii Hunter, veteran outfielder, a family man and a man of faith, taking the time to send up prayers for his ball club as they begin their 2014 season.

This is how I imagine the photo above, as I sit here awake about 10 hours before game time.  Admittedly, this past season of life has been a tough one. Furthermore, today has been a trying day for this gal who has a passion and love for America’s favorite past time that we call baseball. I let out a few sighs myself as I similarly look out onto my own field of life and wonder what this next season will bring. I am blessed with a support system which is made up of encouraging and supportive family and friends who play different roles in my life.  Putting myself into Ausmus’ shoes (or cleats if you are Tiger’s former manager, Jim Leyland, who always chose to wear them), I can only imagine what this former MLB catcher’s thoughts might be the evening before Opening Day.  By this point with spring training finished, the team should have mostly adapted to how their new skipper plans to guide them to success.

Ausmus, 44, is not much older than some of his veteran players he is managing for Detroit. He brings a fresh perspective on how to play the game and in particular, aggressive base running. Tiger’s have not been known for much speed in years past but smart base running does not have a need for speed. One of the sharpest baseball minds actively playing, undoubtedly belongs to the aforementioned joker of the team, Miguel Cabrera. Yes, Miggy. This Venezuelan-born phenomenon (yeah I said it), has incredible base running instincts. If you get to actually watch him play at the ball park, keep your eye on him (he’s also comical on and off the field, kid at heart) I don’t think I can fully appreciate his wisdom and natural instincts for baseball without actually being out on the field playing along side of him. His teammates, Torii Hunter, specifically speaks about this in an article about a year ago. I will repost it soon for all of your benefit. Hunter is amazed at how Cabrera adjusts when hitting off a pitcher, each pitch, he calculates and adjust his own arms, legs, stance…he is in awe. And remember, Torii, has played with some of MLB’s greatest. He has never witnessed anything like Miguel. And I am betting that neither has Brad Ausmus.

Brad was drafted by the New York Yankees in 1987 and his major league debut came in 1993 with the San Diego Padres. Detroit not only welcomes him presently as manager but he also played for the Tiger’s in 1996 and from 1999-2000. A significant part of his MLB career he played for the Houston Astros in 1997-1998 and then once again for his longest duration for the same team from 2001-2008. He finished up his playing days in 2009-2010 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The long-standing assumption is that catchers make good managers because they are involved in both the offensive and pitching facets of the game. Whether for their handling of a pitching staff, or their captain-on-the-field duties, or their ability to see the entire baseball diamond from their position, or their knowing the intricacies and strategies of the game.

A canvas of 30 big league dugouts found 32 men who managed in 2012. A dozen were catchers at some points in their careers: Sandy Alomar Jr., Bruce Bochy, Tony DeFrancesco, Joe Girardi, Clint Hurdle, Jim Leyland, Joe Maddon, Mike Matheny, Bob Melvin, Mike Scioscia, Eric Wedge and Ned Yost. The Marlins appointed Mike Redmond as manager in early November 2012 and he was given a 3-year deal. I researched and researched until I believe I got these facts correct for you folks regarding former catchers that are now managers. Since 2012 season to present, three more can be added to this list: John Gibbons, Fredi Gonzalez and of course, Brad Ausmus.

newausmustryonjersey

The ladies who follow baseball (for whatever reason), will definitely be keeping their eyes on Detroit’s handsome manager. It is my humble prediction to you fellow baseball fans, that we will see many females wearing AUSMUS jerseys. Just FYI ladies: Brad is a (seemingly happy) married man with two adorable little girls-look but do not touch 🙂

Whether you’re watching Detroit Tiger’s baseball to see what the young manager can do this season for the team or to check out the men in uniforms, I think we can all agree that Brad Ausmus is quite a catch.