Take me out to the ballgame!

Post by **Old_Tom_Bombadil** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 10:46 pm

Alatar wrote:I'm with John Cleese on this one.

If I recall correctly, he was asked the difference between the British and Americans.

He said there were three basic differences.

1. We speak English
2. When you meet our head of state you only have to kiss here hand
3. When we have a World Series we invite other countries...

(Not that I consider myself British you understand, but for the purpose of this post I can pretend)

I'd like to offer a rebuttal to Mr. Cleese.

1. Americans speak English. We just speak a different dialect.
2. I avoid politics like the plague, so I'll pass on #2.
3. As far as inviting other countries to the World Series, Canada is another country, isn't it?

(Personally, I think calling the championship series of Major League Baseball the World Series is a bit pretentious, too. I blame it on baseball's marketing department. Anyone remember: "Baseball Fever- Catch It!" ?

)

Consider this:

The English use the metric system as a standard for volume, length, mass,etc.

Americans use the English system of measurement!

Post by **Sassafras** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 2:49 am

Watching baseball all day long.

DR vs Venezuela. Exciting game. I hate David Ortiz (red sux) ... but he's a hell of a power hitter. Two solo home runs from Big Papi.

Erm, Faramond ... DR scored 11 runs off of Venezuelan pitchers ...

Just sayin'

USA beats Mexico (yawn)

And now, in Griffy's honour I'm about to watch South Africa vs. Canada.

Are you awake Griff?

I'm rooting for your boys!

Post by **Faramond** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:41 am

I don't care about Venezuela ...

because ...

South Africa just tied the game against Canada with a three run double off of Paul Quantrill!

All these people talking about RSA losing to the mercy rule in all their games, and here they are toe to toe with Canada!

And now South Africa leads!

*faints*

Post by **Sassafras** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:45 am

Do we need to peel you off of the ceiling yet, Griff?

Smelling salts. STAT!

South Africa leads Canada 4-3!!!

Post by **Griffon64** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 5:02 am

Sass - my cats had to peel me off the ceiling once they got over their "What are you doing up there and what WAS that noise??????" moment

Post by **Griffon64** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 5:12 am

Eeep, there the flood gates open

7-4 Canada and counting

Well, it was enormous fun to wake up to a game tied, and then see RSA score one more run!

Post by **Faramond** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 5:57 am

RSA leads 8-7 with one inning left.

This is unbelievable.

Post by **Griffon64** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 5:57 am

*needs to be peeled off the ceiling AGAIN*

Wed Mar 08, 2006 6:03 am

Alas, Canada has scored two in the top of the ninth to take the lead again.

Post by **Griffon64** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 6:09 am

Still, like Faramond told me, this at least shows those sports writers who really got me angry making South Africa the butt of all their lame obligatory "bash the unknown country we probably can't even find on a map"

jokes, why RSA is in the tournament. Canada has some major-league guys in there, at least

Wed Mar 08, 2006 6:20 am

I agree, Griffy. The great thing about baseball is, anything can happen. Who knows, maybe your homeboys will score 4 runs in the bottom of the ninth and pull it out. Even if not, this is probably more runs then the so-called experts expected them to score in the whole tournament. Its gotta be pretty satisfying.

Post by **Faramond** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 6:21 am

Well, RSA has to score 3 in the bottom of the ninth to keep the game going.

But man, what a fun game it was no matter what happens!

Post by **Faramond** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 6:29 am

And it ends, 11-8 in favor of Canada. What a game that was, though!

Wed Mar 08, 2006 6:29 am

Not to be. But I agree it was a great game, Faramond. I'm sure the folks at MLB are thrilled

Post by **Sassafras** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 7:10 pm

Your boys showed guts and determination, Griff

... I know you couldn't see the game but there were lots of mlb talent scouts paying close attention to RSA players.

I was impressed with your starting pitching. Close up a few of the defensive gaps and you have yourself a competitive team.

Maybe, just maybe, they can pull it off against Mexico today.
It's a baseball maxim that any team can beat any other team on any given day.

Meanwhile, First I'm gonna watch Cuba take on Panama, then USA vs Canada and finally RSA (yay! Griffy's team!!!) vs Mexico.

Post by **Old_Tom_Bombadil** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 10:18 pm

Sassafras wrote:It's a baseball maxim that any team can beat any other team on any given day.

Unless that team is the Cubs and that day is the deciding game of the NLCS.

(Sorry to add to your pain, Cubs fans. Just think, 3 more years and it'll be 100 years since the Cubs last won the World Series. Whoops! I did it again!

)

Do they still play the blues in Chicago
When baseball season rolls around?
When the snow melts away,
Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy covered burial ground?
When I was a boy they were my pride and joy
But now they only bring fatigue
To the home of the brave
The land of the free
And the doormat of the National League

Post by **TheTennisBallKid** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 12:59 am

Pffft. This is the year of the Cubs. The gods demand it. Red Sox, White Sox...Cubs.

Okay, I'm dreaming....but it is a good dream.

ttbk

Post by **Sassafras** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 1:34 am

Canada beats USA 8-6.

Bad pitching, sloppy defense, mediocre hitting.

Maybe the American team will wake up and realize this is not gonna be a walk in the park.
.
.
.
.
.
Hi ttbk! Still dreaming, I see. No, not the Cubbies year. Yankees will take the series, you know.

You have my word on it.

Thu Mar 09, 2006 3:23 am

Nope. The Giants. Barry's revenge.

Post by **Sassafras** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 3:33 am

Care to make a friendly wager?

Loser takes winner to lunch. In winner's home city? Which means either you drive to L.A. (likely) or I drive up to Santa Cruz (less likely).