Combination Platter- Cubs and Braves

My entry from Sunday got me thinking and here is my "Cubs/Braves Team of the 1990's." Keep in mind that this isn't necessarily the best team I could make, but more of my list of favorite players from either team at each position. Here it is:

Catcher: Javy Lopez

Lopez was a power hitting catcher who played for some great Braves teams. He beat out Joe Girardi as soon as Girardi sold out and became the coach for the Evil Empire a few years ago.

First Base: Fred McGriff*

"The Crime Dog." See Sunday's post for more details on McGriff.

Second Base: Ryne Sandberg

As soon as I knew that my Dad's favorite player was Ryne Sandberg, I made a concentrated effort to attain every Ryno baseball card that I could possibly find. Here is the crown jewel of my collection:

Shortstop: Jeff Blauser*

There were not a lot of quality choices for shortstop. Blauser was never spectacular and didn't have the hype of Shawon Dunston. However, he was a solid ball player who always seemed to play hard.

Third Base: Chipper Jones

The 90's version of Chipper was durable, dependent, and powerful. He even had decent speed! He had 25 stolen bases in 1999 when he won the National League MVP award.

Left Field: Ryan Klesko

Klesko hit the ball as hard as anyone that I had ever seen play. When he came up in 1994 with the Braves, I loved how he was swinging for the fences every time he stepped to the plate. He hit some home runs that looked like bottle rockets that shot out of the ballpark in less than 3 seconds. He helped his case in the 1995 World Series when he hit a home run in three consecutive games against the Cleveland Indians.

Center Field: Otis Nixon

This was a close battle between Nixon and Marquis Grissom. I gave the edge to Nixon due to his ability to bunt for hits and his ability to look like he was 70 years old by the time he was 30. 

Right Field: Andre Dawson

"The Hawk" peaked before the 1990's, but I still had to include him on my list. Dawson did everything you could ask for from a ballplayer. He had 438 career home runs, he stole over 300 bases, was an 8 time gold glove winner, had a cannon for an arm, and always played the game hard. Ryne Sandberg had this to say about Dawson as he (Sandberg) was being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005:

"No player in baseball history worked harder, suffered more or did it better than Andre Dawson. He's the best I've ever seen. I watched him win an MVP for a last-place team in 1987 [with the Cubs], and it was the most unbelievable thing I've ever seen in baseball. He did it the right way, the natural way, and he did it in the field and on the bases and in every way, and I hope he will stand up here someday."

This Sunday Andre Dawson will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Technically he will be wearing a Montreal Expos hat, but The Hawk will always be a Cub to me. I'm pretty sure that Ryne Sandberg thinks so too.

Starting Pitcher: Greg Maddux*

Maddux is my favorite baseball player of all time. I could easily devote a whole post to his ability to play the game of baseball. Actually, I'm pretty sure that I will at some point in the future, so I will just post a picture for the time being.

Relief Pitcher: John Rocker

Before you criticize this pick, take a look at John Rocker the baseball player. He sprinted to the mound from the bullpen every time his number was called. He never gave up an earned run in the postseason (20.2 IP). In 1999 he struck out 104 batters in 72 innings. The guy could flat out bring it. It really is unfortunate for everyone that Rocker lost it and really only produced for a couple of seasons.


*These players received bonus points for playing for both the Cubs and the Braves at some point in their career.




In 1998 we took a family vacation to Wrigley Field to see the Cubs play the Braves. Kerry Wood had struck out 20 Astros in a game at Wrigley earlier in the month and Sammy Sosa was about to hit 20 home runs in the month of June, so it was a great time to see a game in Chicago.

It was my first trip to Wrigley and it couldn't have been more perfect. It was a beautiful day, I caught a ball in batting practice, and Kerry Wood struck out 13 over 7 innings. Tom Glavine had a solid outing for the Braves, but the Cubs won the game on a walk off home run in the bottom of the 11th inning. Here is the box score from the game:

Braves vs. Cubs- May 29, 1998

My sports memory isn't as sharp as I wish it was for this game. I blame it on the fact that I was 13 years old and seeing my two favorite teams play against each other was just too much for me to handle. I guess that I will just have to go see the Cubs and Braves play again sometime.

The Midsummer Classic

The Midsummer Classic has always been my favorite "All-Star" showcase to look forward to in any sport. There is something about baseball in the middle of summer that is just right. I don't know how to describe it, but it just feels right. I've always pulled for the National League since my two favorite teams reside there. A little background information:

My Dad is a Cubs fan and I have therefore inherited the same team and the same "curse" that some people consider being a Cubs fan to be. However, I also grew up in the Southeastern United States. In the Southeast there was only one baseball team; the Atlanta Braves. Therefore, the Braves quickly became my #1B team to the Cubs #1A. It seemed like each year the Cubs would be eliminated from playoff contention and I would become a 100% Braves fan. Some people may call this unfair, but I call it a necessary coping mechanism to being a Cubs fan. It allowed me to continue watching baseball with a vested interest even after the Cubs were eliminated. To this day, I still follow the Braves and cheer for them anytime they aren't playing the Cubs.

Back to the Midsummer Classic. The first All-Star game memory that sticks out in my mind is the 1994 game that took place at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. The National League trailed 7-5 entering the bottom of the ninth inning and things were looking pretty bleak. Someone got on base and that brought the tying run to the plate in the form of Fred McGriff. I loved "The Crime Dog" from the moment he set the press box on fire at Fulton County Stadium in the Summer of 1993 and then carried the Braves through one of the great hot streaks in baseball history. I even loved his swing and often tried (unsuccessfully) to emulate his helicopter like finish in the back yard.

Check out this clip from the game to see the Crime Dog in action:





McGriff's home run tied the game at 7-7 and the NL went on to win the game 8-7 in 10 innings. McGriff was named MVP.

Now, lets skip forward 16 years to this years All Star game. As you may have already guessed, this one was particularly sweet for me. It was pointed out about 102 times during the broadcast that the National League had not won an All Star Game since 1996. Each loss seemed to feed the misconception that the AL is the "superior league."

I loved seeing an Atlanta Brave, Brian McCann, deliver the clutch hit in the 7th inning that scored all three NL runs and earned himself the MVP. It was icing on the cake that a Chicago Cub scored one of the runs on the play (Marlon Byrd) and then sprinkles on the icing of the cake when Byrd made a great defensive play to force out David Ortiz from RF in the 9th inning. I was thrilled.

When you are a Cubs fan, you learn to count even these small feats as victories. But hey, those Braves sure are looking good this year aren't they?

Cool Soccer Terms

The 2010 World Cup came to an end on Sunday with Spain taking home the ultimate prize. The game wasn't particularly fun to watch so I decided to bypass a game summary and go in a different direction.

I was telling my wife the other day that one of the reasons I was loving the World Cup was because of all the cool soccer terms. She responded with a skeptical, "like what?" Of course I could only come up with 1 or 2 under pressure. So here is my list after having some time to think about it.

Diving Header- A good combination of excitement. Scoring with a goal with your head is enough to amaze me, but diving at the same time is extraordinary.

Crackling shot- You here this one occasionally when a ball is well struck.

Counter Attack- An exciting play when the advantage suddenly shifts from the attacking team to the team that was defending but now has an opportunity to score.

First Touch- The critical ability of a player to control the ball in a variety of different ways the moment it reaches their foot.

Golden Boot- Awarded to the top scorer in the World Cup.

The Pitch- I like when words have completely different meanings when used in different sports.

A smashing drive- Similar to a "crackling shot."

Offside (not offsides)- This is the first critical rule to understand when beginning to watch soccer.

What a lovely ball- Usually reserved for a cross in front of the goal or a pass that otherwise sets up an opportunity to get a good shot on goal.

Bicycle Kick- It is rarely successful or practical, but cool none the less.

Put it in the upper 90- When a striker puts the ball in one of the top corners of the goal.

The Wall- Fun to look at and fun to say. The Wall.

Onion Bag- You gotta love when someone puts the ball in the back of the onion bag.

Stoppage Time- "The one thing in soccer that makes sense" according to my wife.

Cards- This is more of a cool concept than a cool term. I recently suggested to my co-workers that we start bringing red and yellow cards to our weekly meetings. They could be used when someone says something ridiculous or out of line (since that happens somewhat frequently). Two yellow cards and you have to sit out the next meeting. One red card and you are immediately required to leave the meeting.

Here are a few other things that I have loved about the World Cup:

-I love the start of the game. When both teams come out together and stand side by side as each team sings along with their National Anthem. I love that moment.

-I like that players go crazy when they score a goal. If the celebration is among team mates and they aren't showing up the other team, I think it is great.

-I also love the end of the game. The exchange of jerseys as a sign of respect is a tradition that I would love to see carried over to other sports.

-Speaking of cool traditions; I've been following Everton FC, so I'm not a Liverpool fan, but I have to admit that they have a pretty awesome tradition. The singing of "You'll Never Walk Alone" gives me chills. Enjoy.