I know that we are only a week into the 2007 baseball season, but what I’ve seen from the Cubs does not lead me to believe it will be any different than the 2006 baseball season. Granted my MLB.tv subscription has been nothing but a nightmare, and I haven’t seen one pitch of the Cubs season, I have followed along online.

Take today’s game for example. They faced Chris Sampson. Who? Yeah exactly. He just held the Cubs to 3 hits over 5 innings. In the final inning, which incidentally is the only inning the Cubs scored in, Aramis Ramirez struck out swinging and Michael Barrett struck out looking, then pinch hitting Matt Murton popped out to first. All with men on base. I feel like I’m in a time warp. Can we please move the runners along. I know that the team is built around the home run and big hitters, but this team isn’t good enough to just rely on that. They need to be able to score small runs, especially against division rivals.

But today, the hitting wasn’t even close to as bad as the defense. 3 errors, all by former Gold Glove winner Cesar Izturis. What pitcher would feel at ease with that behind. Hopefully we can write it off as a bad game. Let’s move one.

One thing that I’m not totally sure about though is how Lou Pinella keeps saying that the Cubs offense will come alive when it warms up. Nevermind the racial and cultural aspects of surrounding his comments about the Latin players on his team. This logic is just stupid. First of all, both teams play in the same weather, and secondly, if this team is built to win a World Series as everyone seems to claim, they better be able to hit in cold weather. Octobers in Chicago are not known for their warmth.

Yesterday I mentioned that my wife and I were heading to Safeco Field for our first Mariners game. We made it, and it was really fun. The baseball wasn’t the most brilliant (more on that later), but overall it was a great experience.

I work about 3 blocks away from Safeco, so my wife (Mollie) picked me up from work and we just walked over to the park. I have been wanting an retro Mariners hat for awhile, actually since before we even thought of moving here. So as we made our way from the office, down the street filled with food and souvenir vendors setting up their tents, we stopped into a souvenir shop that looked at least reputable. I found the cap I was looking for and we were on our way. The smell of caramel corn was too alluring for us to pass up, and since you’re allowed to bring outside food into the ballpark we pulled the trigger on some corn.

It has long been one of my favorite things to do. The walk up into a baseball stadium, first you start to see the seats filling up, people milling about. But then, then the field (btw, I just got chills writing that) opens up. The grass is so green, and tightly manicured. The basepaths laid out so meticulously. It captures me every single time. I shared the love of this moment with my wife when I brought her to her first game. It was Miller Park in Milwaukee and Greg Maddux was going for number 299. She took to the tradition, and now we share the love of coming into a park and seeing the field.

Wednesday night was no different. In fact, because it was a new place, and now our baseball home, it was even more important that we do it right. That we experience it to the fullest. Our seats were in the upper deck on the third baseline. We could have entered the stadium from the left field entrance, but that would not have done the experience justice. We were compelled to enter through the home plate entrance, and give ourselves the grand tour. I think we made the right call. Upon entering we saw the baseball bat sculpture pictured above. I think it’s cool when elements such as a baseball bat can be beautifully used to create artwork (probably a discussion for a different blog). Anyway, there were these two kids (Mollie and me) that were just giddy as they entered the stadium a full hour and half before the first pitch. We were there so early that the Mariners were just finished BP, and the A’s were just prepping for it. The stadium was pretty empty, but that was perfect for us. We wanted to explore and see what this place was all about.

We sat down about 15 rows behind home plate. Thanks to whomever those seats belonged to, we borrowed them to settle into Safeco, and chow on a little caramel corn. We looked around and saw the field, and the architecture, the players on the field taking BP, and grounders, and just goofing off.

After we snacked and settled, we decided we would take a stroll and look around. We walked along the main concourse seeing all of the vendors selling their gear. I have to say that the amount of different food smells I got was pretty amazing. There was Asian food, BBQ, pizza, and of course hot dogs. But the smell that permeated the most was that of garlic fries. I guess that is something that Safeco is known for. Before we decided on what to have for dinner we needed a beer. Another great thing about Safeco is that the beer vendors offer a better selection than your typical ballpark. The regulars are there of course, your Bud and Bud light. Actually, I’m not sure if it was a Bud or a Miller kind of place, and quite frankly I couldn’t care less. What I did care about was that they offered a bevy of regional micro brews for our drinking pleasure. Mollie and I both settled on a Manny’s Pale Ale (a Seattle original). After that we climbed up to the upper deck, found our seats and decided on some grub. We wanted to stay traditional (especially on our first visit). If you can get the standard fare down, I can trust you with the other stuff. So beer, hot dogs, and garlic fries it was for us. We sat down, watched the teams warm up, and enjoyed our meal.

The Game

Then the game started. Ugh. As, I think, we all know, the Mariners are not a good baseball team. Of course they won their first two games against a team that they struggled against last year. Good for them. On Wednesday, they got their asses handed to them. I don’t know if it was Rich Harden just dealing it or if the Mariners just can’t hit a round ball with a round stick? They managed to get 3 hits all game. They did grab 4 walks (hey I’m looking for the good stuff too) for a total of 7 baserunners… all game. Even if all of them scored they couldn’t have matched the run production that Miguel Batista allowed. He got pounded early and often. I know he’s a number 3 starter, but he’s not a good number 3 starter. I watched the game last Friday he pitched against the Cubs, and he looked just as lost then.

I think the most disappointing thing about the team was their plate discipline. Trust me when I talk about bad plate discipline, I’m a Cubs fan. They weren’t taking the first pitch, they were swinging from their heels, and over their heads. They looked silly. Adrian Beltre in particular. It looked like he had no business being in an MLB batters box. I’m not sure if anyone remembers how Aramis Ramirez started off last year after Derrek Lee broke his wrist. Well, it was bad. And that is what Beltre looked like.

3 games does not a season make, but the Mariners definitely need to get it together with their bats.

Tonight, my wife and I will be heading to our first Mariners game at Safeco field. We now live about a 15 minute bus ride away from the ballpark so we have tickets for 5 games this summer, and hopefully will be able to make it to even more games than that. I’ll post pictures of the game when I get back, but would love to hear if anyone has any good Safeco stories, or recommendations.

The dust has settled on this years Bracket Challenge and my sister Mara was victorious. She picked a total of 51 games correctly, bettering James by just one game. Congratulations Mara, and thanks to all who played this year.

As for the actual game, Florida took control early and didn’t let up. Corey Brewer and Lee Humphrey were shooting the lights out in the first half, and Ohio State couldn’t buy a bucket (although I’m sure their boosters tried). Of course Greg Oden played like a superstar. One can only hope we have the chance to see him and his game continue to evolve. The college life seems to suit him and frankly college basketball could use another superstar who will stay for more than 1 or 2 years. Asking for more than that is probably just silly, but I for one hope Oden stays. Along those same lines, I hope that the kids from Florida stick around to try and do something truly exceptional, win 3 in a row. Obviously a lot to ask, but they really seem to enjoy themselves, and we can only guess what Joakim Noah has the Gator Boys doing, that we don’t know about, but they do.

Here we are folks, on the eve of the 2007 baseball season. Later this evening the World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals will take the field against the New York Mets. I have to say that the only reason that I’ll be watching the game is that it’s the first regular season game of the year. I have no interest in the Cardinals. In fact, they’re my least favorite team. And the Mets, well, the Mets are ok, but they’re still a New York team. Below you’ll find my predictions of how all the teams will finish this year. I’d love to hear where you think the teams will finish.

American League

East

1. Boston Red Sox - Dice K is overrated in my mind, but his addition and their lineup puts them at the top of the list.
2. Toronto Blue Jays - They overtake the Yankees with a strong lineup and dominant top of rotation pitchers.
3. New York Yankees - Their offense will not be able to make up for sub-par pitching.
4. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Youth movement takes them out of the cellar.
5. Baltimore Orioles - They look like they have all the pieces in place, but I just have a bad feeling about them.

Central

1. Detroit Tigers - They will comeback from their World Series collapse with something to prove. Gary Sheffield will help their offense have a consistent power threat.
2. Minnesota Twins - A band of young studs on offense with Johan Santana helps the Twins take the wild card. The loss of Liriano keeps them out of the division crown.
3. Chicago White Sox - Too many holes in their pitching staff. Innings are catching up with these guys. GM Kenny Williams has made the wrong moves lately.
4. Cleveland Indians - A battle of attrition in the deepest division in baseball puts the Indians in fourth.
5. Kansas City Royals - Gil Meche and his inflated salary can’t propel the Royals out of last place.

West

1. Oakland Athletics - The loss of DH Frank Thomas will hurt their offense. A hole that new DH Mike Piazza should be able to fill very well.
2. Los Angeles Angels - A popular pick for this division. I don’t have confidence in their offense. Too many off-season distractions with Gary Matthews Jr. and his alleged steriod use.
3. Texas Rangers - I’d love to place Sammy Sosa and his new team in the basement, but Texiera, Young, and Blalock are too tough. Their pitching staff is a patchwork, but there is some talent there.
4. Seattle Mariners - My new local team just doesn’t have the guns to get it done.

National League

East

1. New York Mets - Quite possibly the most balanced team in the Major Leagues on paper.
2. Atlanta Braves - Strong starting rotation and solid bullpen are the only reason they’re so high.
3. Florida Marlins - Can rookie manager Fredi Gonzalez pick up where Joe Girardi left off?
4. Philadelphia Phillies - A lot of potential but not their year.
5. Washington Nationals - It will be hard when All Star time comes around this year to find a representative from this team. The Nationals are talent poor.

Central

1. Chicago Cubs - It’s not just a homer pick. Seriously. If the rotation behind Zambrano can be good (not great), they will win it all.
2. Houston Astros - Berkman and Lee in the same lineup will cause trouble for opposing pitchers.
3. Milwaukee Brewers - The youth of their batting order will derail a tough pitching staff.
4. St. Louis Cardinals - World Series letdown. Let’s be honest, they overachieved last year.
5. Pittsburgh Pirates - The additions of Adam LaRoche and Xavier Nady don’t bail out the young and underarmed pitching staff.
6. Cincinnati Reds - Can Griffey stay off the DL and can Adam Dunn layoff any pitch?

West

1. Los Angeles Dodgers - The best staff of the pitching rich NL West will have to protect a lineup without a masher.
2. San Diego Padres - Another top staff in a pitcher friendly park will help the Padres land the NL wild card.
3. Colorado Rockies - Speed and power at every position except on the mound. Coors Field is a bad place to have a pitching deficiency.
4. Arizona Diamondbacks - A very young team that has a decent staff to hold them afloat.
5. San Francisco Giants - They’re bad. Barry Zito won’t help.

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a two horse race. Not only for the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship, but also for the Second Annual Vigilante Sports NCAA Bracket Challenge. Through 4 rounds of up and down and back and forth, James and Mara emerge as the possible champions of the this years Bracket Challenge. Last year I took top honors (no applause please), but I was knocked out of this years contest when Memphis was bounced by Ohio State.

Now Ohio State will take on Florida Monday night to see who takes home all the marbles. Mara is hoping that the Gators will go back-to-back with their National Championships and therefore keep the Vigilante Sports NCAA Bracket Challenge Trophy in the family (Mara is my sister). On the other hand James has picked the Buckeyes.

Personally I’d like to see Florida win (and not just to keep it in the fam). It would be great to see a team that stayed in school and returned all 5 starters make good on that commitment to each other. They have had a target on their backs all season and they’ve now made it. All that’s left is to win the game. Greg Oden is standing in their way. Of course the Buckeyes are not a one-dimensional team. They have Mike Conley Jr, Daequan Cook, and Ron Lewis. Conley and Lewis were named to the South Regional All-Tournament team along with Greg Oden.

Congratulations to Ohio State, Florida, James, and Mara. It’s been a fun tournament. Best of luck Monday night.

Michael Phelps just wrapped up the most successful international swim meet since Mark Spitz’s historic 1972 Munich Olympic Games. Phelps won 7 gold medals and broke 5 world records. After the meet he said “This is probably one of the best meets I’ve ever had.” I think that might be the understatement of the year. Not only did Phelps win 7 gold medals, but he was poised to win a eight, but teammate Ian Crocker was DQ’d in the preliminaries of the 400 medley relay.

One of the most impressive things about this kid is his poise. He handled the disqualification with grace and class. He spoke about team, and learning from mistakes. It would have been easy for Phelps to bigtime his butterfly rival and make a media spectacle of how Crocker took that opportunity away from him, but he showed that he is not only a great swimmer, but a great teammate.