Monday, May 18, 2009

5/18, Obscure Ex-Tiger of the day

Cameron Maybin

Scouts routinely called Maybin a Griffey Junior clone but with a better arm. So, I think we all felt it was reasonably safe to assume that Maybin would rack up 600+ Hr’s, win MVP’s, headline multiple kick ass video games and eventually cure swine flu. For this, I anointed him “megajesus.” This might seem somewhat offensive, but it would not be if you had read multiple Baseball America pre-draft scouting reports. 

Maybin was called up late in 2007. In his 2nd game he faced all around gentleman Roger Clemens. Maybin took the chode deep on a line drive to center field. Next time up, Clemens beaned Maybin on the first pitch. So, Maybin stole 2nd base on him. This game will not be anything that I ever “misremember.” Unfortunately, Maybin did not have any more highlights that year. He hit .143 that year which was appropriate because Detroit still had man love for him. That year he struck out as often as you did when you first started playing baseball video games with the “hit stick” instead of the “A” button. 

In one of the most lopsided trades in the history of the barter system, Maybin was traded to the baseball capitol of the world, Miami. Detroit acquired Miguel Cabrera, “megarer jesus,” and Willis in this trade. Maybin was recently sent back down to the minors. I am sure he’ll be fine eventually, and like all Marlins win the world series every 6 years. 

Feel free to share your favorite memories of the third cousin of CFL running back John Avery.

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Neat Play, CF #28

Curtis Grandeson records the 2nd out in the 9th inning

Dontrelle Willis returns next week. This saves Jim Leyland from the impending Miner/Robertson decision. A decision so monumentally difficult, that it would be on par with Ray J’s heart wrenching final decision between ho #1 and ho #2 on his hit show on VH1. Willis, who is attempting to come back from an anxiety disorder, hopefully can be somewhat near what Zach Greinke has become. Greinke was on the verge of quitting baseball because of his condition. Now Greinke has an ERA of .40. This .40 ERA is to the surprise of no one who played MVP baseball 2005.

A couple good Greinke quotes:

1. I cried in bed, moaning ‘why, why did this have to happen?’” — when asked how he reacted to the news of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston breaking up.

 -This reaction seems completely rational. But, I did watch an episode of saved by the bell this afternoon. Jessie Spanno held Slater’s hand causing the studio audience to break out in hysterics.

2. There definitely will be flying cars, but whether there’ll be flying cars for most people to use, it’ll probably take a long time to straighten everything out, all the rules and hassles. It’ll take a while to figure out how to keep people from crashing into each other.” — when asked if he thought there would be flying cars in the future

-Once again, completely rational. There will definitely be a transition period in the era of flying cars. 

3. “Me. I’m a better hitter.” — when Greinke was asked by a National League scout, “Should we draft you or Scott Kazmir?” 

More Greinke quotes here. Some are pretty tremendous. http://www.shan.biz/sports/zack-greinke-the-next-emmitt-smith

While writing this, Starship Troopers has been on mute in the background.  No idea why, but somehow this has to result in good karma.