It would be pretty cliché as a die hard Yankees fan to say, “the MLB star I most want to meet is Derek Jeter.” Cliché and true; because the honest truth is I would wash Jeter’s car(s) to spend time with the greatest player of my generation. To meet the man who is the symbol of the team and game I love so much, and to have the opportunity to tell him what he means to the game of baseball and to all the fans out there; would be the chance of lifetime. However, I would bet the spring training bat that was given to me by a grounds keeper at Steinbrenner Field, that every Yankees fan will submit any one of the following 500 word video idea. Jeter and said fan taking batting practice, playing catch, or trying to be the second man in the classic 6-4-3 double play which Jeter, Cano and Teixeira have perfected over the last few years.
Not me.
I’m going to be the rookie looking to make myself a household name. The rookie who’s sitting on a 3-2 count, 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th and I’m going to swing for the fences. With that one swing the hopes of ending up on the front page and not on the bus back to Scranton go with it.
The MLB star I would most like to meet…the Phillies Phanatic.
I know, I should probably turn in my pinstripes now. But hear me out. Green is king. Kermit, the Grinch, Oscar the Grouch…ok, not the best examples. The Phillies brought in Lee at the start of 2011. They grabbed Pence mid season from the Texas heat. But the Phantaic, he’s the star and the face of the team. I understand the confusion. Here is fan of one of the greatest teams in all of sports, and she wants to meet a mascot? But with all due respect to Derek Jeter, The Phanatic has already made it to Cooperstown; Jeter will be there soon. But credit where credit is due…so to spend the day with the Phanatic at Citizen’s Bank, learning the ins and outs of shooting hot dogs into the stands and getting to sit in the best seats (on top of the dugout!), how can you go wrong? Don’t forget the chance to hear what really happened between the Phanatic and Lasorda during that fateful 1988 game…. priceless.
I admit my choice in MLB star I’d like to meet may seem questionable. But three major storylines of the 2012 season are not; the Chicago Cubs, the newly minted Miami Marlins, and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim looking to win the AL West.
After failing to hold on to the lightning in a bottle of 2004 and 2008 seasons and some big money trades at the start of the 2011 season. Theo Epstein and the Boston Red Sox ended their nine-year relationship. From Bean Town to the Windy City, Epstein went. The same way Lee headed north in 2010 to bring home a ring, so too does Epstein look to bring a ring to the long-suffering Cubbies. Epstein’s arrival means one thing and one thing alone the Cubs want a ring and they want it soon. 2012 will not being their year, but if MLB’s wonder kid was able to break the Bambino’s curse he’s the only one with any chance of doing the same for the Cubs. Chicago’s best bet to make the play-offs wears loafers, not cleats.
Bienvenido Miami! A city known for its beaches, nightlife and humidity, just got a little hotter. The Miami Marlins signed everyone short of LeBron James during the offseason. New stadium, new name, new uniforms, new manager, and new a image. The Marlins in 2012 mean business. Lucky for them and their new manager Ozzie Guillen their business isn’t communication, its baseball. Thanks to a busy and productive off-season that brought in Jose Reyes and Heath Bell. The Marlins are going to be counting on their bats to be muy caliente’. With a line up featuring Reyes, LoMo, Superman Stranton, Raimerz, and Sanchez. Followers of Ozzie on twitter can look forward to more positive rants then they’re used to. The Miami Marlins look to bring the heat, without the help of King James.
Refusing to bet the farm on a monkey, the Angels swooped in and added not one big name, but one big name and one BIG name this winter; C.J. and Al. Mr. Race Car has one job alone, and that is to be the lead car of the Angles pitching staff. The lead car sets the pace at the start of every race, and is the car the others follow when there is a caution on the track. C.J.’s job couldn’t be easier, with one the best pitching staffs in the AL West and one of the greatest hitters to ever play. The Angels should fly right into the postseason; there is no team that can stand toe to toe with them; except the Texas Rangers. The Rangers like the Mounties always get their man. That man is Yu. The road to a ring for LAA will go through Arlington, but if any team has a chance to it’s the Angels with Wilson leading the pack all the way.
