Category Archives: Go Sox

2025 MillersTime Baseball Contests

06 Thursday Mar 2025

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Contest #1 – Always a part of these contests, these questions give contestants the chance to use their knowledge, loyalty, concentration of a specific team.

Are you a ‘homer’ or not? (a sports fan who is so blinded by their loyalty to their favorite team that they can’t be objective about the team’s prospects for the coming year):

a. Name your team

b. What will their season record be?

c. Where will they end up in their Division at the end of the season?

d. Will they make the 12 team playoffs?

e. If so, how far will they go in those playoffs?

f. What will be the reason for well or how poorly they do this year? Be as specific as possible.

Prize: A copy of Joe Posnanski’s The Baseball 100 or of his new book, Why We Love Baseball.

Contest # 2 – Name the three teams in each league that will win their Division:

a. AL East (Yankees 2024)

b. Al Central (Guardians 2024)

c. AL West (Astros 2024)

d. NL East (Phillies 2024)

e. NL Central (Brewers in 2024)

f. NL West (Dodgers in 2024)

Prize: A copy of Joe Posnanski’s The Baseball 100 or a copy of his new book, Why We Love Baseball.

Contest #3 – True / False:

a. Neither of these two teams will make it to the World Series, despite all the money they spent this off season: LA Bums or New York Mets.

b. Some one will hit more than 60 Home Runs this year (2024 Judge 58, Otahni – 54)

c. At least five batters will strike out 200 or more times this year. (Two did in 2024)

d. There will be no 20 game winning pitchers this year. (None in 2024)

e. No team will win 100 or more games this year. (Dodgers won 98, the most in 2024)

Prize: Join me for a Nats’ game in DC, or I’ll try to join you, if possible, for any regular season game elsewhere. In either case, I’ll buy the tickets. You can buy the food and drinks.

Contest #4 – Also a recurring question:

a. Who will be the four teams making it to the League Championship series (ALCS & NLCS) in 2025?

b. What two teams will actually make it to the World Series?

c. How many games will the WS go?

d. Which team will win the WS?

e. What are the reasons that team will win?

Prize: One ticket to the 2025 All Star game or the 2025 World Series.

Contest #5 – Make a specific, detailed, and prescient prediction about the 2025 MLB season. The winner of this contest will be chosen by the 2025 MillersTime contestants.

Prize: Join me for a Nats’ game in DC, or I’ll try to join you, if possible, for any regular season game elsewhere. In either case, I’ll buy the tickets. You can buy the food and drinks.

Due Date for Submissions: March 27th

(The season will actually begin with the Toyko Series between the Dodgers and the Cubs on March 18-19 at the Tokyo Dome. The traditional Opening Day in North America will be March 27.)

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The Final 2024 Baseball Contest Winner

21 Thursday Nov 2024

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I finally got around to sorting out the winner of the fifth 2024 MillersTime Baseball Contest:

Contest #5: Make a specific, detailed, prescient prediction about the 2024 MLB season.

I had intended to have the decision of a winner voted on by the contributors to the contests this year. But there really wasn’t much to decide as most of you were not even close to be prescient.

Ed Scholl is easily the winner with his prediction: “The Rangers and Diamondbacks (AL and NL pennant winners in 2023) will either not make it to the postseason or be eliminated in the first round.

Neither of the 2023 pennant winners made it to the postseason in 2024. This marked the first time since 2007 (17 years!) when neither team from the previous year’s World Series even appeared in the playoffs.

And Dem Bums from Brooklyn (formerly) wiped out the Bronx Yunkees, four games to one. A pox on them both. Hopefully, neither will make it to the playoffs or to the World Series in 2025.

Ed, a previous winner, will join me for a Nats’ game (of our mutual choice) in 2025. I’ll buy the tickets, and Ed will by the food and drink.

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2024 MillersTime Baseball Contests

06 Wednesday Mar 2024

Posted by in Escapes and Pleasures, Go Sox

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Contest #1 – This question is always a part of these contests as most of us ‘concentrate’ on one team:

Are you a ‘homer’ or not? (a sports fan who is so blinded by their loyalty to their favorite team that they can’t be objective about the team’s prospects for the coming year):

a. Name your team

b. What will their season record be?

c. Where will they end up in their Division at the end of the season?

d. Will they make the 12 team playoffs?

e. If so, how far will they go in those playoffs?

f. What will be the reason for well or how poorly they do this year? Be as specific as possible.

Prize: A copy of Joe Posnanski’s The Baseball 100 or of his new book, Why We Love Baseball.

Contest #2 – True / False:

a. One of these two teams will NOT make it to the World Series, despite all the money they spent this off season: LA Bums or New York Yunkees.

b. Some one will hit more than 60 Home Runs this year. (2023 high was 54)

c. At least five batters will strike out 200 or more times this year. (Four did in 2023)

d. There will be no 20 game winning pitchers this year. (Only one did it in 2023)

e. Neither the Braves, Orioles, or Dodgers will (again) win 100 or more games in 2024.

Prize: Join me for a Nats’ game in DC, or I’ll try to join you, if possible, for any regular season game elsewhere. In either case, I’ll buy the tickets. You can buy the food and drinks.

Contest # 3 – Name the three teams in each league that will win their Division:

a. AL East (Orioles in 2023)

b. Al Central (Twins in 2023)

c. AL West (Astros in 2023)

d. NL East (Braves in 2023)

e NL Central (Brewers in 2023)

f. NL West (Dodgers in 2023)

Prize: A copy of Joe Posnanski’s The Baseball 100 or a copy of his new book, Why We Love Baseball.

Contest #4 – Also a recurring question:

a. Who will be the four teams making it to the League Championship series (ALCS & NLCS) in 2023?

b. What two teams will actually make it to the World Series?

c. How many games will the WS go?

d. Which team will win the WS?

e. What are the reasons that team will win?

Prize: One ticket to the 2024 All Star game or the 2024 World Series.

Contest #5 – Tie-Breaker: In the event that any of the above contests result in a tie, this question will determine the winner and runner up of that contest(s):

Make a specific, detailed, and prescient prediction about the 2024 MLB season. The winner of this contest will be chosen by the 2024 MillersTime contestants who will determine the winner.

Prize: Join me for a Nats’ game in DC, or I’ll try to join you, if possible, for any regular season game elsewhere. In either case, I’ll buy the tickets. You can buy the food and drinks.

Deadline for Submissions: Noon (EST) Opening Day, Thursday, March 28, 2024

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The 2023 Baseball Contest Winners

20 Monday Nov 2023

Posted by in Escapes and Pleasures, Go Sox

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Contest #1 – What effects will the new MLB rules AND the new scheduling have in 2023. The more specifics you list, assuming they are accurate, the more likely you are to make the top five submissions. Winners will be chosen by the readers of MillersTime.

Joe Higdon, Matt Wax-Krell, Nick Nyhart, and Justin Stoyer made it to the ‘finals’

While Nick Nyhart (No. 3) came in second in the voting and was also on target with his answers, Matt Wax-Krell (No. 2) was overwhelmingly voted the winner with this answer:

*New rules will work well.

*Players will adjust quickly (and already have in Spring Training), and fans will like them. It will make the game more like it was 40+ years ago when game times were short, pitchers didn’t wait 30 seconds to throw a pitch, and there4 was more action (more SBs, 2Bs, 3Bs, etc.)

*The new rules will be considered a success, but won’t address the issue of too many Ks.(True)

*Average game time gets down to 2:46 (in fact, it was 2:38 minutes in 2023).

*A player steals 50+ bases for the first time since 2017 (three in fact did).

For a good article on the effects of the rule changes, see: Whole New Ballgame: MLB’s new rules changed everything – The Athletic.

Matt has his choice of one of these two terrific books by my favorite baseball writer, Joe Posnanski – The Baseball 100 or his just published Why We Love Baseball. Plus, a MillersTime Winner T-shirt, if he doesn’t already have one. (The other three of you can get a T-shirt if you send me your size and home address)

Contest #2 – Are you a ‘homer’ or not? (a sports fan who is so blinded by their loyalty to their home team that they can’t be objective about the team’s prospects for the coming year:

a. Name your team

b. What will their season record be?

c. Where will they end up in their Division at the end of the season?

d. Will they make the 12 team playoffs?

e. If so, how far will they go in those playoffs?

f. What will be the reason for well or how poorly they do this year? Be as specific as possible.

This Contest was the closest of the three with nine fans definitely NOT HOMERS: Bill Barnwell, Jeff Friedman, Joe Higdon, Robert Higdon, Larry Longnecker, Ed Scholl, Brian Steinbach, and Dawn Wilson. The rest of you need to shape up and face reality.

Bill Barnwell and Nick Lamana tied for second. They each get copies of Joe Posnanski’s new book, Why We Love Baseball or his The Baseball 100. (Send me you home address, which book you want, and your t-shirt size.)

Jeff Friedman (Red Sox) and Joe Higdon (Nationals) are the Winners as each knew their teams were going to be hopeless and showed why. They can join me for a Nats’ game in DC, or I’ll try to join each of you for any regular season game elsewhere. In either case, I’ll pay for the tickets, and you buy the beer. (Jeff and Joe contact me about scheduling a game.)

All nine of those listed above as NOT HOMERS are welcome to a MillersTime Winners T-Shirt if you want one. (Please send me you t-shirt size and your home address.

Contest #3 –

a. Who will be the four teams playing in the League Championship series in 2023?

b What two teams will actually make it to the World Series?

c. How many games will the WS go?

d. Which team will win the WS?

e. What are the reasons that team will win?

About half of those submitting answers were only able to name ONE of the four teams in the Championship Series!

Only two of you, Ron Davis and Monica McHugh, were able to name two of the four.

And NO ONE had either of the teams in the World Series!

So I escape with not having to sponsor anyone for next year’s WS, but Ron and Monica can choose a Nats’ game to attend with me where I’ll pay for the tickets, and they can pay for peanuts and beer.

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Choose the Winner of MillersTime Baseball Contest #1

11 Saturday Nov 2023

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I know the baseball season ended several weeks ago, and for a variety of good and not so good reasons, I’m just getting to choosing the winners of the 2023 MillersTime Baseball Contests.

As you may or may not remember, Contest #1 involved what effects the new MLB rules and the new scheduling would have on the game and the fans in 2023. The winner would chosen by MillersTime readers from my selection of the five best submissions.

What actually happened in connection with the rules‘ changes and new scheduling in 2023:

  1. Attendance was up 9.6% to 70.7 million. (17 teams exceeded 2.5 million in attendance, three exceeded three million.)
  2. Length of game reduced by 24 minutes from 2022, 30 minutes from 2021. (Average length of game 2:39:49)
  3. Batting averages increased 5% to 2.48. (Left-handed hitters increased their batting average from .285 to .295.)
  4. Balls in play were up seven points to 2.97 & OBP up 8 points to .320.
  5. Increase in runs per game from 8.6 to 9.3.
  6. Stolen bases base success rate increased from 1.4 to 1.8 per game (75.4% to 80.2%. Acuna – 73, Ruiz – 67, Carroll – 54)
  7. Most players and others directly associated with the game ended up liking the changes. Pitchers adjusted best, hitters least (because of increased relief pitchers?)
  8. TV ratings of games didn’t change much despite shorter games and more action. (Possibly because some popular teams had disappointing seasons?)
  9. Advertising grew by 6%.

My selection of the five best submissions, with attention to accuracy and specifics:

  1. Faster games, more stolen bases, more balks, strikes called without a pitch, balls called without a pitch; it will be taken for granted by August; it limits pitcher strategy vis-a-vis base runners; fewer pick offs of runners, fewer runners caught stealing.
  2. New rules will work well; players will adjust quickly; fans will like them; it will make the game more like it was 40+ years ago when game times were shorter, pitchers didn’t wait 30 seconds to throw a pitch, and there was more action (more SBs, 2Bs, 3Bs, etc.) the new rules will be considered a success but won’t address the issue of too many Ks. Average game time gets down to 2:46. A player steals 50+ bases for the first time since 2017.
  3. Long time rivalries will seem less important, as will the benefits of familiarity we feel when a team from your own division comes to town. The rest will seem somewhat scattershot – fun to see a small group of superstars more often, but too many teams with players you’ve never heard of will bake the game a bit less engaging. On the other hand, the new rules will shorten the game but condensing the action will be the real benefit. Expect just a few more stolen bases, and the anti-shift rule will add a few hits, further enlivening the game, but not dramatically so. It’s the faster pace that will make the biggest difference. Most of the pitchers will adjust their timing as the season goes on. Craig Kimbrel will struggle more than most. One thing to expect in April and May is some well publicized battles with umps as players work the edges of the new timing rules.
  4. I think the biggest effects of the new rules will be the pitch clock affecting pitch counts and give control to pitchers. The bigger bases will see more left-handed batters have a bump in their batting averages. I see a jump of .010.
  5. For the fifth in this list, there were seven options in the running, but I couldn’t choose between them. I considered choosing Jere Smith’s, “Aw man, this is deep…I’ll just say people will still complain,” but I resisted. So you only have to choose from four.

Let me know your choice of which of the above you believe should be declared the Winner of Contest #1.

Send your choices to me at Samesty84@gmail.com by Nov. 20th.

Thanks.

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2023 MillersTime Baseball Contests

27 Monday Feb 2023

Posted by in Escapes and Pleasures, Go Sox

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Contest # 1:

What effects will the new MLB baseball rules AND the new scheduling have in 2023? The more specifics you list, assuming they are accurate, the more likely you are to make the top five submissions. Then, I’ll ‘crowd source’ these for all participants to vote for which one wins.

Prize: A copy of Joe Posnanski’s The Baseball 100 or a copy of his new book to be published this year, Why We Love Baseball.

Contest # 2:

Are you a ‘homer’ or not? (a sports fan who is so blinded by their loyalty to their home team that they can’t be objective about the team’s prospects for the coming year).

Choose your favorite team and answer the questions below.

  1. Name the team.
  2. What will their season record be in 2023?
  3. Where will they end up in their Division at the end of the regular season.
  4. Will they make the 12 team playoffs?
  5. If so, how far will they go in those playoffs.
  6. What will be the reasons for how well or poorly they do this year? The more specific you are the better.

Prize: Join me for a Nats’ game in DC, or I’ll try to join you, if possible, for any regular season game elsewhere. In either case, I’ll buy the tickets. You can buy the food and drinks.

Contest # 3:

  1. Who will be the four teams playing in the League Championship series in 2023?
  2. What two teams will actually make it to the World Series.
  3. How many games will the WS go?
  4. Which team will win the WS?
  5. What are the reasons that team wins?

Prize: One ticket to the 2024 All Star game or the 2024 World Series.

Additional Details:

1. In case of a tie in prdictions, the contestant with the earliest submission will win.

2. You don’t have to enter all three of the contests.

3. Send your predictions to me at Samesty84@gmail.com with as much specificity as you can as I suspect that will be important in choosing winners.

4 MillersTime Winner T-Shirts go along with the prizes mentioned above, for those who have never had the ‘pleasure’ of receiving this unique gift.

5. If you get a friend or foe to enter the Contests, if they win, and if they mention your name, you’ll get a (to-be-determined) prize also.

Deadline for Submissions: Noon (EST) Opening Day, March 30, 2023

*** *** ***

PS – I have a Nats’ half season plan this year (Plan B) with two seats. If you want to join me for a game, let me know. Or, if you have interest in using the two tickets for games I cannot attend., let me know that too.

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I Changed My Mind

12 Saturday Nov 2022

Posted by in Escapes and Pleasures, Go Sox

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On August 30th, I unequivocally, but sadly, wrote that after 18 years as a full season ticket holder of the Washington Nationals, I had terminated my annual contract with the team and its owners.

Primarily, I was fed up with the Nats’ model of getting good young players and then abandoning them when they reached free agency, which, among other things, is unfair to the fans. Getting attached to players only to have them go elsewhere maybe understandable (players have every right to determine their value, and the owners have their right to their business model). But as I came of age in a time when a fan could count on their favorite player being with their favorite team year after year, I found it hard to adjust to this new reality. And so I decided I wanted to withdraw my financial support of both the owners and players.

There were also other reasons I gave up the tickets. All my season ticket partners for the 81 home games had, for a variety of reasons, gradually dropped out of the partnership, and the tickets and parking therefore had become extremely expensive. Watching the Nats go 55-107 was another reason I was unhappy with the Nats and their ownership, even for this Red Sox fan who has endured many, many years of disappointment. While I still cared about baseball, it seemed I could choose to go to a few games a year and continue to ‘register’ my protest as a fan about being part of a system that rewarded the owners and the players to care more about the money than the game.

Then, over the last month or so of the season, I attended five or six games and found that despite all the reasons listed above, I still loved being at the ballpark, watching baseball, and always looking for something I had never previously witnessed (e.g., one umpire being overridden on three consecutive missed calls at first). Above all, I enjoyed being with family and friends for an afternoon or evening of baseball and companionship.

So, while I had terminated my full season three seats and parking, and with some encouragement from Cassie Bullis, my young Nats’ account executive, I decided to return as a partial season ticket holder (two seats, 41 games, and parking). I won’t have total choice of every game I want to see, but I can swap tickets for a particular game(s). The Red Sox, for instance, are here for three games in August and only one of those is on my 2023 Plan B.

If any of you have interest in being a partner for at least five games, let me know, and we can discuss which games, costs, etc.

And I will continue to invite various family and friends to join me and so urge you to let me know if you want to attend a game together. (Added Note: if you don’t live in DC but will find yourself coming to our ‘swamp’ sometime in the next year, consider checking with me about seeing a game, either together or with a friend.)

I will also continue to pass on some tickets to various charities and friends at no cost.

Baseball will remain a part of my life even while I disapprove of many aspects of what it has become.

As the Duke of Brooklyn (Sean McLaughlin) has said, “with all its faults, it is still THE best sport.”

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Baseball Contests: Winners & Losers

11 Friday Nov 2022

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There were only two contests this year, and the questions required contestants to answer six questions in the first contest and five in the second. In both contests, it was difficult to declare an outright winner, but here’s what yours truly has decided:

Contest #1: Are you a ‘homer’ or do you really know your team?

If your name is NOT in the following list, consider yourself a ‘homer’:

Ed Scholl, Jesse Maniff, Matt Galati, Larry Longenecker, Brent Schultz, Nicholas Lamanna, Bill Bronwell, Zack Haile, Jim Kilby, Chris Ballard, Dawn Wilson, John Carlson.

Of these 12 who all avoided the ‘homer’ label, it was difficult to choose between the two best submissions.

Matt Galati said the Pirate’s record would be 60-102 (they were 62-100), would be last in their Division (they were), and wouldn’t make the playoffs (they obviously didn’t), and he attributed that to mismanagement, lack of offense, and a weak defense (all true).

Chris Ballard said the Astro’s record would be 97-65 (they were 106-56), said they’d win the AL West (they did), have a first round bye (true), would go to the World Series and win it (true). His eight reasons were detailed and amazingly on target.

And so Matt and Chris share the Winner title for Contest #1, and each will receive a copy of Joe Posnanski’s superb The Baseball 100.

Contest #2: Name the four teams in the LCS, what two teams will make it to the WS, how many games will the WS go, which team will win, and why.

No one shined in this Contest. Brent Schultz did pick the Phillies to make it to the LCS and the WS (where they would lose to the Twins). Pretty good.

Joe Higdon and Chris Ballard (the same guy from Contest #1) had the best overall answers, each getting one of four teams in the LCS, one of two teams in the WS, who would win it all, and pitching being the reason for the victory.

Joe wins as he picked the Astros in six, and his submission was early. Chris loses to Joe as he picked the Astros in seven and, as usual, was late in making his picks.

So Joe gets one ticket to the 2023 World Series.

*** *** ***

See you all again next year when MLB will have instituted some new rules in the hopes of making beisbol more fan friendly.

Plus, look for my upcoming post, Mea Culpa.

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Caveat Emptor

30 Tuesday Aug 2022

Posted by in Escapes and Pleasures, Go Sox

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Today, after 18 years as a full season ticket holder of the Washington Nationals, I informed the Nats that I am terminating my annual contract with the team and its owners.

Let me explain.

I love baseball.

Ever since my wonderful grandfather took me to Fenway Park and introduced me to the game, it’s been an important part of my life, including playing it in the street in front of our house and then moving on to Little League, listening to games on the radio, then watching on TV, and of course attending as many games as I could. (I use to gather baseballs hit over the fence at Tinker Field in Orlando, FL so I could turn them in for free entrance to Minnesota Twins Spring Training games.)

I’ll spare the reader any of the many baseball related stories with which I’ve burdened my children, my wife, and my friends over the years. Suffice it to say, as my favorite T-Shirt proclaims, “Any Team Can Have a Bad Century.”

In 2005 when the Montreal Expos were relocated to DC and became the Washington Nationals, I quickly teamed up with some friends to get season tickets to RFK Stadium (where they played until moving to their new stadium in 2008). So it’s been 18 years that I’ve been attending Nats’ games – and enriching its owners – largely because I simply love what baseball offers, even if it’s not watching the Red Sox. (In fact, attending Nats’ games is sometimes more relaxing than watching the Red Sox, where I am on edge on every pitch, etc.)

So why my decision to abandon my season ticket status?

Primarily, I do not want to continue to support a franchise that consistently refuses to keep players like Bryce Harper (not my favorite guy), Anthony Rendon, Trey Turner, Max Scherzer, and Juan Soto. The ownership’s model of largely acquiring outstanding players when they are young and relatively inexpensive and getting rid of them when they are reaching free agency and have become expensive may be financially smart for the owner, but is terrible for the fans. (My Bosox did that with Mookie Betts, and while I have still not forgiven them for that, at least they have not made it a way of continually ‘doing business’ as have the Nats.)

Try explaining to my perfect three eldest grandchildren**, one who ‘loved’ Bryce Harper, one who ‘loved’ Trey Turner, and one who ‘loved’ Juan Soto, why none of these players are still playing for the Nats. Although it’s not the only reason, none of these grandchildren have kept up interest in baseball, while they continue to be fans of other sports, particularly football.

The Lerner family paid $450 million to purchase the Nats. They are now in the process of considering offers to sell them, likely for perhaps as much $2,000,000,000 or more. Yes. two billion dollars.

The team has been decimated and is “rebuilding” for the future. But not with the help of my three ticket, full season income.

I will no doubt attend a few games next year, largely because I still love baseball. I enjoy going with others for an afternoon or evening at the park, and with the new schedule of every team playing every other team starting in 2023, there is the opportunity to see any team or player in either the American or National League.

I don’t think I’m the only baseball fan that is choosing to terminate their season plan or to reduce the number of games they will attend.

Caveat Emptor – Let the Buyer (of the Nats) Beware.

**My two youngest perfect granddaughters, six and five, perhaps wisely have chosen to live 1,055 miles away from DC, and so I have only just begun to work on their full baseball indoctrination. Unfortunately, on a recent trip to Kansas City where we attended a game together, the lowly Royals creamed the Sox 13-7. But then, as I learned from experience with my own daughters, it’s probably better not to instill too high expectations concerning my Bosox heroes.

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Nats’ Baseball Tickets…for the asking

02 Tuesday Aug 2022

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I’m going to be away for many Nats’ games in August and would be glad to pass on some tickets to those of you who (still) want to see a Nats’ game.

Here are the dates that are available, on a first come, first serve basis, with no cost to you, The seats are quite good, Section 127, Row Z, Seats 1, 2, & 3., about 20 rows off the field between the catcher and first base.

Friday, Aug. 12, 7:05 vs Padres, 7:05, three tickets

Saturday, Aug. 13, 7:05 vs Padres, 7:05, three tickets

Sunday, August, 14, 1:05 vs Padres,t hree tickets

Monday, August 15, 7:05 vs Cubs, three tickets

Wednesday, August. 17, 1:05 vs Cubs, three tickets

Friday, August 26, 7:05 vs Reds, three tickets

Saturday, August 27, 7:05 vs Reds, one ticket

Sunday, August 28, 1:05 vs Reds, three tickets

Tuesday, August 30, 7:05 vs Athletics, three tickets

Wednesday, August 31 vs Athletics, three tickets

If you are connected with an organization that could use tickets to give to staff and or students, you’re welcome to these games also.

You do need to have the MLB Ball Park App on your phone as the ‘only’ way I can forward tickets are through this AP. No more printed tickets. (In an ‘extreme situation,’ I could go to the Box Office and get a set printed out, tho I would have to do that soon as I’ll be away for most of the days above.)

Let me know if you’re interested in any of the games above. And if you only want one or two to a particular game, that’s OK as I can try to sell the remaining ones…

Contact – Samesty84@gmail.com or 202-320-9501.

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Roger Angell: Thank You

21 Saturday May 2022

Posted by in Escapes and Pleasures, Go Sox

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Angell has helped us appreciate baseball by reaching deep into our chests and saying what we feel but cannot quite convey why we care so much about this odd and wonderful game. Joe Posnanski (Joe Blogs Baseball)

Over the past several days, many, many baseball writers have written about Roger Angell, one of baseballs best chroniclers, who died at Friday at the age of 101.

I’ve chosen to link to Posnanski’s post today as it captures why Angell stands in the very top tier of baseball’s best writers.

See: Roger Angell, and Succeeding Utterly.

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Baseball Is Back: Now & What’s Ahead

11 Monday Apr 2022

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As I sat at Nat’s Park on Thursday, April 7th awaiting the start of the 2022 baseball season, I kept hearing the same comment all around me: “It’s so good to be back.”

And indeed it was.

No matter the rain which had delayed the game from 4:05 PM until the first pitch was finally thrown about 8:30 PM.

No matter the cold. I was wearing three layers and had a fourth, a knitted hat, and warm gloves close by.

No matter that Trea Turner, Anthony Rendon, Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer, Ryan Zimmerman, Steven Strasburg, etc., etc. were nowhere in sight.

No matter that the Nats were simply awful, except for a 425 foot ‘useless’ home run from Juan Soto.

It was simply delightful to be back at the park with the green outfield, the freshly swept infield, and enough fans to cheer for either the Nats or the Mets.

And I went again two days later.

The weather was still cold.

There were fewer fans. Probably more Mets fans than Nats’.

The Nats were even worse..

But It was baseball again.

Plus, this was not my beloved Red Sox, who were soon to lose their first two games against those thugs from NY.

Watching the Nats is more relaxing. I want them to win, but if they don’t, it’s not a big deal.

It’s still baseball.

And I think there are some changes coming that will make things better. Wunderkid Theo Epstein (Red Sox and then Cubs GM) is heading an MLB effort to collaboratively evaluate the State of the Game, to look at the rules and institute some changes. His effort is how to make the game better for fans, to restore some action, some drama by putting more balls in play and speed up the game.

*Already there’s no Designated Hitter in the National League.

*Some teams are already using the electronic system between the pitcher and catcher to signal what pitch is to be thrown.

*And there’s a lot of experimenting going on in the minor leagues to evaluate a variety of changes, and some of those will likely make it to the majors during this season.

If you have the time, I high recommend you listen to the interview with Theo where he discusses what is being considered and why:

Theo Epstein Discusses How Rule Change Process Could Impact the Future of Baseball

Whether you believe that nothing should change in baseball, that somethings need to change, or you’re somewhere in the middle, I think you’ll find Theo’s thoughtful approach could just be the best thing to happen to baseball in the foreseeable future. (You can skip the first part of the link above and go to the 13 minute portion of the broadcast. The most important part begins about 23 minutes into it.)

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MillersTime Baseball Contest Update:

It appears that more than 30 MLB sportswriters as well as those from The Athletic have been looking at what the brilliant (?) MillersTime Baseball Contest contributors have predicted for the 2022 season.

Everyone, it seems thinks the Dodgers and the Blue Jays will face each other in the World Series, with the Dodgers the more likely winner. There were a few scattered votes for the Rays and Yankees making it and possibly winning.

But I suspect that both the professionals and the MillersTime contestants will once again be surprised come October/November.

Like last year. Who predicted the Braves would win it all?

As for the first question on the MillersTime contests, there many thoughtful and informed submissions and only a few ‘Homers’. It seems many of you know your team and follow them without blinders (not so Chris E).

But I don’t think anyone will match the brilliance/luck of what Chris Ballard was able to ‘foresee’ last year (see 2021 Contest #2 results).

No matter.

Baseball is back

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If you’re interested in joining me for a Nats’ game this year, email me and indicate if you have a particular game that interests you and/or a particular say or time that works best for you.

Also, if you’re interested in purchasing seats for a game, I have a full season plan in Section 127, Row Z, Seats 1, 2, & 3. They are terrific seats, just about 20 rows off the field, between the catcher and first base. I also have parking next to the stadium. We can negotiate a good price, especially if it is not a game that I already plan to attend (e.g., Dodgers, Orioles).

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How Well Do You Know Baseball?

11 Friday Mar 2022

Posted by in Escapes and Pleasures, Go Sox

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Photo by Ellen Miller

Now that we will have a full baseball season for 2022, I am announcing a slimmed down MillersTime Baseball Contest.

Since there was virtually no Hot Stove League this year, it is hard to know what team rosters will look like on Opening Day. Still, we have a bit of time to try to get a sense of what we might expect from our favorite teams, from our hated opponents, and for this frustratingly delayed season.

So, only two contests, and everyone has about three and a half weeks to sort out their own teams and the overall outlook for 2022.

The date for your submission is noon on Opening Day (likely to be April 7th.)

I suspect you will all need that time to make ‘informed’ predictions.

Contest #1:

Choose your favorite team or a team you know well enough to prove you are not a ‘homer’ and answer the questions below. (My definition of “a homer” – a sports fan who is (so) loyal to their home team that it may be difficult to be objective about the team’s prospects for the coming year. Other definitions and synonyms: “a simple-minded person; moron; unintelligent person; idiot; someone who has a (too) close devotion to a sports team; not cognizant of the world around them.”

  1. Name the team.
  2. What will their season record be in 2022?
  3. Where will they end up in their Division at the end of the regular season.
  4. Will they make the 12 team playoffs?
  5. If so, how far will they go in those playoffs.
  6. What will be the reasons for how well or poorly they do this year? The more specific you are the better.

Prize: Two tickets to the 2023 All Star Game (Seattle Mariners, T-Mobile Park) or one ticket to the 2023 World Series.

Contest #2:

  1. Who will be the four teams to be playing in the League Championship series in 2022? (Name the two from the AL and the two from the NL).
  2. What two teams will actually make it to the World Series.
  3. How many games will the WS go?
  4. Which team will win the WS?
  5. What are the reasons that team wins?

Prize: Joe Posnanski’s new, fantastic book, The Baseball 10

Additional Details:

  1. There is no advantage this year as to when you send in your predictions. Take as much time as you want to gather whatever info you need, as long as you send in your answers by noon on Opening Day.
  2. You don’t have to enter both Contests.
  3. Send your predictions to me at Samesty84@gmail.com with as much specificity as you can as I suspect that will be important in choosing winners.
  4. MillersTime Winner T-Shirts go along with the prizes mentioned above.
  5. If you get another baseball obsessive to join the Contests and he/she mentions your name and wins, you’ll get a copy of Posnanski’s book too.

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2021 MillersTime Baseball Contest Winners

05 Friday Nov 2021

Posted by in Go Sox

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The winners of two of the 2021 MillersTime Contests have been decided. Two remain to be chosen.

CONTEST #1: How will the COVID-19 virus affect the 2021 MLB season? Include some Overall Predictions as well as some Specific Ones. Creativity is encouraged. I’ll choose the five best submissions and have MillersTime baseball contestants vote on the winner:

No decision until I hear from you all. Choose which of these you think deserves to win. Put your choice in the Comment section of this post or email me (Samesty@gmail.com) your choice by Nov. 15th.

1. Minimal impact. A game postponed here and there, and those will be early in the season. Every team will complete their schedule in full barring a late season rainout.

2. Very little overall. There will be some hand-wringing about vaccinations, but the season will happen and a champion will be crowned.  Attendance will increase throughout the season, and the World Series will have a completely full stadium.

3. As the summer comes along and people get vaccinated, increasing attendance at baseball games will be one of the ways that the country starts to measure the return to normalcy. This will help to restore MLB as a major fixture in American public life.

4. Teams will have full stadiums by July 4th because of herd immunity and availability of the vaccine. The Blue Jays will finish the season in Canada but still have to start the season in the US.

5. All 162 games will be played and there will be over 75 doubleheaders because of COVID cancellations. I think last year was around 44. (2021 Actual Results: It was a full season with only one team playing 161 games. Last year there were 45 doubleheaders; this year there were 59.)

And on the ‘creative; side, this:

6. Pete Rose will contact COVID and pass away and will ultimately get elected to the Hall of Fame posthumously. AND – Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, and Sammy Sosa all get their Covid vaccinations and issue a joint statement, “We got our injections to make ourselves better. How ’bout that Hall of Fame?”

CONTEST #2: Pick your favorite MLB team (or the team you know the best) and outline how they will do in the 2021 season compared to last year. Include both general and specific predictions and the reason for those predictions.

Seven of you basically nailed your teams and showed you knew them well: Ben Senturia on the Cards, David Price on the Yankees, Brandt/Samantha Tilis on the Red Sox, Larry Longenecker on the Rays, Justin Stoyer on the Orioles, Zack Haile on the Reds, Jere Smith on the Red Sox, and Chris Ballard on the Astros.

CHRIS BALLARD is the winner. Here is why:

He predicted the Houston Astros would do the following:

Record 95-67, 1st place in the division, and 4th best record in baseball. (Actual record – 95-67, first in their division, and tied for the fourth best record in baseball.)

Lance McCullers Jr. will break out with an ERA below 3.30 and win over 15 games. (McCullers’s ERA was 3.16, and he won 13 games.)

MVP of the team – Kyle Tucker will hit .290 + and have over 30 home runs. (Tucker hit .294 and hit 30 home runs.)

Altuve, Alvarez, Bregman, Correa, Tucker will all hit over 25 home runs. (Altuve hit -30, Alvarez – 35, Correa – 26, Tucker – 30, Bregman – 12)

Prize: Chris can join me for a Nats game of his choice next year in my seats, 20 rows off the field between home and first, or I’ll get tickets and join him for a regular season game of his choice, wherever he chooses. (Note: Chris still owes Ellen, Brandt, Elizabeth, and me a steak dinner for a bet from two years ago.)

CONTEST #3: Fill in the Blank and True/False Questions:

a. Which team till have the most wins in the AL and NL? Correct Answer – RAYS (100) and GIANTS (107).

b. Which team will be King of NY? Question submitted by Tim M. Correct Answer is the YANKEES whose record was 92-60. Mets were 77-85. (Though the Mets did win three out of four games played between the two teams).

c. Number of hitters who will strike out more than 200 times? Question by Zack H. Correct Answer is TWO (Joey Gallo (213) and Matt Chapman (202)

d. Who will be Manager of the Year in either the AL or NL (name one). Correct Answer: NOT DECIDED YET as we will have to wait for which, if any of the following wins Manager of the Year: Counsell (Brewers), Alex Cora (Red Sox), Kevin Cash (Rays), Dusty Baker (Astros), Brian Snitker (Braves), Gabe Kapler (Giants), Tony LaRussa (White Sox), Carlos Montoyo (Blue Jays), David Ross (Cubs), or Jayce Tingler (Padres).

e. Which AL & NL teams will have the most improved record from 2020. Correct Answer: RED SOX (from .400 to .568) & BREWERS (from .483-.586)

True/False:

6. Every team below the league average in payroll (currently $118,485,369) will miss the play offs. Question by Zach H. Correct Answer: FALSE as the Brewers and Rays were under and made the playoffs.

7. Dodgers & Padres will combine to win 200 or more games. Question by Dawn W. Correct Answer: FALSE. Dodgers held up their end winning 106, but the Padres only won 79. Their combined wins totaled 185.

8. There will be more HRs in 2021 on a per game basis than in 2019 (1.39) and in 2018 (1.15). Question by Steve K. Correct Answer: FALSE. 1.19 HRS per game in 2021, a few more than 2018 but far behind 2019.

9. No MLB team will play all 162 games. Correct Answer: FALSE. All teams but the Braves played 162 games. Braves played 161.

10. No MLB pitcher will have an ERA below 2.00. Correct Answer: TRUE. The closest weren’t even close – Corbin Burnes (Brewers)- 2.42 and Max Scherzer (Nats/Dodgers) – 2.46.

We have to await before we know who is chosen as Manager of the Year to determine. The following are in the running for this contest: Ed Scholl, Daniel Fischberg, Matt-Wax-Krell, Larry Longenecker, and Jeff Friedman.

CONTEST #4: What two teams will make it to the World Series, which one will win, and in how many games? (And a few other questions in case of a tie).

There was no need to go to a tie breaker. Most of you were wildly off, as were many of the baseball writers and supposed experts. MillersTime contestants didn’t do well either as you overwhelmingly predicted the World Series would be between the Dodgers and the Yankees, though a few of you expected the Astros to get to the WS.

Only three submissions got anywhere close:

Bill Barnwell had the Astros losing to the Dodgers in six games, and Rob Higdon had the Astros losing to the Padres in six.

NICHOLAS LAMANNA is the winner because he predicted the Braves would win the World Series in six games (though he had the White Sox and not the Astros as their opponent).

Prize: Nick gets one ticket to the 2022 World Series or two tickets to the 2022 All Star Game in Los Angeles.

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Please remember to vote for your choice for the winner of Contest #1. You can put your choice in the Comment section of this post or send it to me by email – Samesty84@gmail.com.

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What Happens Next Doesn’t Matter

06 Wednesday Oct 2021

Posted by in Go Sox

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Whatever happens in the MLB playoffs from this morning forward is OK with me. The Sox don’t have to win the ALDS, the ALCS, or the World Series.

I kid you not.

That my beloved Sox came from last place in the 2020-shortened 24-46 (.400) season to this year’s 92-70 (.568) and a decisive Wild Card win last night is satisfying enough.

Of course, I’d be delighted if they go further into the 2021 playoffs and (unlikely) get to the World Series and even win it for the fifth time in the last 17 years.

But I’m not expecting it. Nor do I hunger for it.

In 2018 I wrote a post on MillersTime entitled For Me, The Sox Don’t HAVE to Win the World Series. A number of you took exception to that article, but much like this year, the fact that the Sox made it to the WS then was satisfying. After all, the long nightmare (86 years) had ended with their WS win in 2004. No longer did I have to hear or think about “Wait ‘Til Next Year.”

So whatever happens against the Rays and any further playoff games would be a langiappe, the Cajun-French noun that means “a little extra.”

And as for last night’s victory over the Yankees, that came in the best way possible.

It was a total team victory: good pitching (Eovaldi was at his best and the bullpen was equally lights out; good hitting (starting with Bogaert’s two run HR in the first); good defense (led by Hernandez, Bogaert, and Plawecki’s throwing Judge out at home to squash a Yankee comeback); good coaching and managing (Cora made all the right moves in this one), and a fan base that kept Fenway Park loud and in support of the Sox.

PS – Although I doubt it made a significant difference, on Sunday, the Yankees had to choose whether they would want to play in Boston or Toronto. They chose Boston. The Sox knew of that decision.

PSS – I have to admit that for most of the time last night, I did not enjoy the game. Given my long obsession (70+ years) with the Sox and how that had left me with “if something bad can happen to the Sox, it will”, I kept a rein on my emotions and only after the final out was I able to breathe normally.

That’s kinda sad, I know.

But it’s all part of being a Sox fan.

2021 was a much better year for my heroes than anyone, anyone, anyone had predicted or expected.

And the fact that they won the Wild Card game over the Yankees was also a langiappe.

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