An Open Letter to Derrick Turnbow

While watching a Brewers game last week - Monnie had some thoughts regarding baseball, the Brewers, and Derrick Turnbow. When I couldn't provide answers to all her questions - I told her she may have to write a letter if she really wanted to get to the bottom of things.

What follows is the result...

***************************

Derrick Turnbow

Pitcher, Milwaukee Brewers

Miller Park

Milwaukee, WI

Dear Derrick-

My letter is an attempt to gather answers to several questions I have regarding your role with my local baseball team, the Milwaukee Brewers.

I watched you play in the game against the Cubbies on Tuesday night and was overwhelmed by a barrage of thoughtful questions regarding aspects of your play, your appearance, and more importantly, what types of snacks are offered to players in the dugout.

From the little time I’ve spent intently observing you on my HDTV on the pitcher’s mound, I’ve realized that you’re not a very consistent pitcher. I don’t know much about pitching, or about baseball in general, by it seems like you’re not very good at what role you play on the team? Maybe you should practice some more. Additionally, you may learn a great deal from others who have been pitchers, like yourself. I wouldn’t be surprised if they gave pro bono advice, but you might have to pay them a couple bucks. Guys like Dennis Eckersley, Oral Hershiser, Rollie Fingers and Teddy Heguira could offer some advice. They know a lot about successful pitching.

I also noticed that you don’t seem to care much about your appearance. You should really get a haircut and stop hiding that mop under your baseball cap. Pushing your side hairs further towards your face only emphasizes cool sideburns that you don’t have. Help me to also understand why you avoiding shaving your chin? Maybe a makeover project is in order? 2 million can go a long way in helping you to feel AND look good.

More importantly, I wonder if there are snacks provided to players in the dugout? Maybe twinkies, beef jerky sticks, trail mix, popsicles or root beer floats? Maybe a local food product company would be willing to sponsor snacks for your team, or maybe players could take turns bringing treats for the rest of the team. This would improve team morale and give those players a chance who didn’t have dinner, a redeeming, nutritious snack.

A Belated NYC Report

Monica had some great coverage of our NYC trip a couple weekends back here. Gina had some great coverage too, although she (they) did quite a bit that Monnie and I weren't around for.

This was my fifth time in the Big Apple and, while we did see a game at Shea stadium, it was quite a bit different than my other trips.

For starters: it wasn't sports-centered. We did see a very good Mets v. Nationals game at Shea but the baseball game was just one event among many. The only other trip I have made to NYC that wasn't based on sporting events was the trip with my class in HS... which was *very* different than the rest, obviously.

Another big difference was the subway. I had ridden on the subway (in NYC) once before but this trip it was our primary mode of transportation. We actually only got in a cab a couple times the entire trip. Our hotel (the Grand Hyatt) was literally next door to Grand Central Station - making for very easy access to a major hub in the system.

And finally, probably the biggest difference: the group we were with. Aside from the large school group that I went with - my trips have been with just a couple of (guy) friends. This trip was spent largely with WI friends who were also in town for the wedding. Another day with relatives (Monnie's Aunt Debbie and Uncle Rick were there at the same time), and some time with other friends that we hadn't seen in a while.

This was a really great trip - and being there for the most rain they had received in 100 years (or something) didn't stop us from having a great time!

The Visitors vs. The Away Team

As you may already know, a huge storm has dropped (nearly?) 4 feet of snow on the UP:

thanks for the photo aunt martha!

This storm has led to a most unusual situation in the world of baseball as the Cleveland Indians - snowed out in half of their games so far this year - will be calling Miller Park home this week.




This is nearly unprecedented in baseball - I can think of only one time that this has happened before and it happens to have been Cleveland playing in Milwaukee. Remember when these guys called County Stadium home?



It remains to be seen whether the 2007 Indians, led by Grady Sizemore and CC Sabathia, will be able to match the championship brought home by the 1989 crew led by Willie Mays Hays and Ricky Vaughn.

What to watch for in the series:
* Veteran David Delluchi putting a red tag in youngster Jeremy Sowers locker to convince him that he has been cut from the team - leading to an angry tirade.

* The recently injured Victor Martinez being replaced by the experienced (but, as noted by owner Lawrence Dolan, not dead) Jake Taylor.

* Josh Barfield popping a ball straight up and dropping to do 20 pushups instead of running it out.

* Manager Eric Wedge "destroying" the contract of veteran infielder Casey Blake after Blake points out that he doesn't have to do any calisthenics he deems unnecessary.

* Slugger Travis Hafner's pagan pregame ritual setting off the clubhouse sprinkler system interrupting Paul Byrds pregame prayer. Later, Hafner will give a quizzical look as he is presented with a bucket of fried chicken instead of the live chicken he requested for the sacrifice.

Should be a good series... make sure to tune in but don't forget where your loyalties are.

Andy

Monnie and I have been fostering Andy, a golden retriever, for about a month. He's been really great to have around - puts up with Howie's insistence to wrestle 10 hours a day, barks very little, sheds very little. He's affectionate, not food aggressive, 0 accidents, and 1 year old.
So, basically... he's exactly what most people write as their "ideal dog" on their application for a WAAGR dog.

-- quick side note on WAAGR. It's a great group that helps dogs that and there's currently a 50/50 raffle going on. If you want in, it's $5 a ticket or $20 for 5. Let me know if you're interested (and you definitely don't have to live around Madison to do it).

Anyway, back to Andy. Monnie and I gave quite a bit of thought to just bringing him on board as our second dog ourselves, but in the end decided that we wanted to people able to foster more (we both agreed that we couldn't have more than 2 dogs around here). A very nice couple (Michael and Diane) stopped by last week with their Golden-Doodle Oliver to see what Andy was all about. The next day they decided that he's they'd like to adopt him! They'll be a great match with him and they'll definitely be happy to have him around.

The one fault Andy has is he really likes to help out with your paperwork. A big fan of getting into your mail and any other papers you may have within his reach. He and Howie were downstairs last week and I came down to this:




This time we were lucky, it was just one of Monnie's giant books of ads (aka "In Style" magazine) - next time it could be something important.... like my Sports Weekly!

They got their obligatory scolding but it's hard not to smile when you see the guilty looks on their faces when they know they've done wrong:




We're definitely going to miss Andy around here but it's great to know that he's going to a great new home and will never be a stray again.

Deuces Wild

If you don't remember the "Deuces Wild" league from last year (here and here): The idea is that there's 15 guys - each get 2 baseball teams. Whoever ends up with the most wins when those two teams are combined - wins.

Very simple and low maintenance.

I'm not as crazy about my teams as I was last year but I think I turned out pretty well. I had the WhiteSox listed at #5 on my list so getting them at #9 was great. I also had Detroit listed at #6... so I did debate taking them when they were still on the board as well.

For my second pick: I had the Marlins #22 on my list and sure enough my top 21 teams were all taken. Not a disappointment though - the Marlins are always a team that's ready to surprise people which is exactly what you're hoping for that late in a draft like this.

Here's the whole list (mine in red).

1. New York Mets
2. New York Yankees
3. Boston Red Sox
4. St. Louis Cardinals
5. Cleveland Indians
6. Minnesota Twins
7. Los Angeles Dodgers
8. Los Angeles Angels
9. Chicago White Sox
10. Detroit Tigers
11. Philadelphia Phillies
12. Milwaukee Brewers
13. Chicago Cubs
14. Toronto Blue Jays
15. Oakland Athletics
16. San Diego Padres
17. Arizona Diamondbacks
18. Atlanta Braves
19. Texas Rangers
20. San Francisco Giants
21. Houston Astros
22. Florida Marlins
23. Cincinnati Reds
24. Seattle Mariners
25. Colorado Rockies
26. Pittsburgh Pirates
27. Baltimore Orioles
28. Kansas City Royals
29. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
30. Washington Nationals