Yes indeed (I love me some alliteration). Last night, Colorado Rockie (Rocky?) Troy Tulowitzki hit his National League record-breaking 20th home run as a shortstop. You might have heard of the man he replaced in the record books: Ernie Banks, who hit 19 bombs for the Cubbies in 1954.BP fastball machine Kyle Lohse gave up Troy's historic homer in the 5th inning last night. Only 3 other SS have played at least 100 games in their rookie season and hit more HRs (and, obviously, they're all American leaguers):
Nomar Garciaparra, Red Sox- 30 in 1997
Bobby Crosby, Oakland A's - 22 in 2004
Ron Hansen, Baltimore Orioles - 22 in 1960
Given this impressive feat, G:TB would like to remind people that Tulowitzki is a viable 2007 National League Rookie of the Year candidate. I realize Milwaukee's Ryan Braun has received most of (if not all) the press this year as the NL's ROY lock (deservedly so), but TTT (Troy Trevor Tulowitzki) deserves to have his name considered as well:
Ryan Braun, 3B
95 games, 30 HR, 79 RBI, 74 Runs, .325/.369/.641 (BA/OBP/SLG)
[How ridiculous is the pool of young 3B in the NL?]
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
135 games, 20 HR, 81 RBI, 83 Runs, .291/.359/.470 (BA/OBP/SLG)
[32 RBI in his past 32 games for a team clinging to NL Wild Card hopes]
In the end, I'm pretty certain Braun is going to win the award, but I think baseball writers (even if they can't spell his last name right), should think twice before dismissing a rookie SS who has been a key contributor all season long for a playoff contender (wow, what kind of mess is the NL Wild Card that I can even write that about the Rockies?). In brief, Gheorghe says "Vote Troy in '07".
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Ryan Zimmerman is Super, Scintillating, Sensational...
The Nationals were greeted by a familiar face in an unusual setting yesterday: Dick Vitale on a baseball field during batting practice. The hyper ESPN college basketball analyst attended this game for reasons unknown (perhaps years of watching the Devil Rays in person have conditioned him for bad baseball). Several Washington pitchers couldn't wait to meet Dicky V, including resident basketball expert Mike Bacsik and rookie Ross Detwiler, who talked some Missouri State hoops with him. Perhaps Vitale now will dub Detwiler a "Diaper Dandy."
do you think that there will ever be a post by TJ where TJ doesn't post the first comment?
Yes...in fact, the OJ post a week ago...thanks for playing.
A little something for Michael - the key to the Cubs playoff push:
Is this the start of a kinder, gentler Big Z? Carlos Zambrano said yes, and he revealed Monday at Wrigley Field that he has changed his pregame approach in order to keep his focus on the field. "I've been listening to Latin soft music, more relaxing music," he said. "It's a guy that is very well known, Marcos Witt. Plus, he's my friend." Witt sings contemporary Christian music, and Zambrano credits the music for helping him throw six innings of two-hit ball against the Pirates.
Don't underestimate the power of Jesus.
Carlos Zambrano and the 2007 Chicago Cubs, brought to you by Seventh Day Slumber and dc Talk
Big round of applause for the Texas Rangers, who are beating the piss out of the Tigers 10-0 right now in Game 1 of a day-night twinbill...
Enjoy:
http://www.whitewhine.tumblr.com/
USA Rugby Update:
We came out a bit flat against a fresh Tongan team, and they posted a try in the first minute and a half. Trailing 13-0 after 15:00, the Americans surged late in the half but missed a kick and went into halftime down 13-3.
We seemed to come out energized in the 2nd half, scoring a seriously hard-fought try in the corner in the early going. Alas, "in the corner" meant that Hercus missed a second kick. Those five points hurt, as the US was down 13-8.
Tonga just scored on a nice series of breakaways. Missed the conversion, up 18-8. US suddenly looking tired.
Dang. We cut it to 18-15 on another inspired try, but soon thereafter the Tongans broke through once again. The match ended with the US five meters out and a dollar short, 25-15. Not too bad a loss by our diminished standards, which is what the World Cup is to us -- hoping for a win, settling for "not bad" losses.
As opposed to the quality sides -- the Irish beat Namibia 32-17 and everyone is crushing the coach harded than Lloyd Carr is getting it. The Rugby World Cup, like life, is all about how you set your expectations.
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