Fitbit VII – Week 3

A big drop down from last week, both in steps and in temperature, as winter showed its ugly side for the first time this season.  Things got off to a decent-enough start on Sunday, as I ignored the Super Bowl and came just 26 steps shy of 3900.  Monday was not quite as prolific, finishing with only 2500 steps.  Tuesday bounced back a bit, falling 31 steps shy of 3800.  Wednesday was the low point of the week, finishing a mere 3 steps lower than Monday’s total.  Things improved slightly on Thursday, which left me with 2700 steps.  Friday saw another improvement, going up to 3200 steps.  Saturday’s snowfall led to the best day of the week, with more than 5800 steps thanks to snow removal activities.

Total steps: 24,451

Daily average: 3493

All Time Pitching Leaders – Through 2020

After a shortened season, thanks to the corona virus, that let in no fans and a failed negotiation to push back the start of the 2021 season, White Sox pitchers and catchers hold their first spring workout today with the hopes that things will be different this year.  I guess that means it is time for our annual look at the pitching leaders in the now 949 games I’ve attended, and identified, between 1984 and 2020.  No difference from last year, since I didn’t attend any games last year and only added a 1988 tilt between the White Sox and the then California Angels.  So, without further ado, let’s get things started with our first category, the always popular:

Wins

Name Total
Mark Buehrle 31
Gavin Floyd 24
Carlos Zambrano 21
Chris Sale 21
John Danks 19

Losses

Name Total
Mark Buehrle 17
Jose Quintana 17
John Danks 16
Carlos Zambrano 15
Gavin Floyd 15

ERA (>= 35 IP)

Name Total
David Robertson 2.17
DJ Carrasco 2.20
Nate Jones Continue reading →

Book 7 (of 52) – The Midnight Library

The Midnight Library – Matt Haig

What if, in the moment between life and death, you were given the chance to travel the roads not taken, examining the regrets of your life and seeing where those divergent paths took you?  In The Midnight Library, Nora Seed gets this opportunity after attempting suicide, despondent over the waste she views her life to be.  She tries on many other lives, revisiting the big decisions she’s made in life: stopping swimming competitively, leaving her band on the brink of stardom, abandoning her childhood dream of becoming a scientist.  At the end, she realizes that the only life that gives her contentment is the one she tried to end, and she returns, realizing that she has made a difference in other people’s lives and that she will continue to do so.

I had never heard of Matt Haig or his work prior to last December, when The Midnight Library won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fiction novel of 2020.  The premise sounded interesting and, thanks to a credit from Amazon, I was able to get it relatively cheaply.  While the story didn’t go quite as I expected and you could see the end coming from a mile away, this was an interesting take on a fairly regular topic.  We’ve all looked back at the big decisions in our life and wondered “what if?”.  But what if it was the smaller decisions that had the greater impact on our happiness?  That’s the interesting question that Nora gets to after trying out the obvious lives and finding that they didn’t give her what she was looking for.

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #148-154

It’s been 4 years since we last counted down the Top 200 artists in my iTunes library.  Since my iTunes stats are still intact, across multiple PCs, iPods, iPads, and iPhones, I figured it was time to take another look at the artists that have entertained me the most based on number of plays from late 2007 through January 1, 2021.

We continue today with our next batch of 10 artists, the 7 tied for 154th place, 2 tied for 152nd, and the first of 4 tied for 148th.  We only have 3 bands and/or performers that are newcomers to the list this week.

#154: The Mamas & The Papas
iTunes stats: 55 plays
Previous ranking: #159

Together for only 4 years in the mid-to-late 60s, the influential vocal group, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, rises 4 slots while adding 26 new plays for the 3 songs in my collection.

#154: The B-52’s
iTunes stats: 55 plays
Previous ranking: #179

The Georgia-based new wave band more than doubled the listens to the 3 songs they have in my collection.

#154: B.J. Thomas
iTunes stats: 55 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

A 34 play increase for the American singer gives him an impressive debut on the chart.

#154: Tag Team
iTunes stats: 55 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

Thank to their inclusion on my Cubs victory playlist, the one hit wonders increased their listens by 250% to make a strong debut.

#154: Hootie & The Blowfish
iTunes stats: 55 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

A third straight debut, thanks in part to 34 new listens for the 5 songs Hootie has placed in my collection.

#154: Belinda Carlisle
Continue reading →

By The Numbers – 67

In 1929, uniform numbers appeared on the back of baseball jerseys for the first time, thanks to the Indians and the Yankees.  By 1937, numbers finally appeared across all uniforms, both home and away, across both major leagues.  Since that time, 81 distinct numbers have been worn by members of the White Sox, while the Cubs boast 76.

Today, we continue our look at those players, picking our favorite, if not the best, player to wear each uniform number for both Chicago teams with #67.  9 players have donned #67 while playing in Chicago, 8 for the White Sox and 1 for the Cubs.

Jim Kern joined the White Sox in a August 1982 trade with the Reds, becoming the first player in Chicago baseball history to wear #67.  He did not pitch particularly well for the South Siders down the stretch, putting up a 5.14 ERA in 13 games.  He was expected back in the bullpen in 1983, but he blew out his elbow in the second game of the season and missed the rest of the year.  When he was released towards the end of spring training in 1984, he accused the team of “destroying my arm and then shucking me off like last year’s shotgun shells.”  GM Roland Hemond claimed it was strictly a business decision, as the team saved nearly $300,000 by releasing Kern.

Tsuyoshi Wada, who appeared in 13 games and went 4-4 for the 2014 Cubs, is the only Cub to ever don #67.  He switched to #18 the following year, appeared in only 8 games, and never played in the big leagues again.

Jake 2.0

The Cubs are bringing Jake Arrieta back for the 2021 season, signing the right-hander to a one year, $6 million deal.  Arrieta, who will turn 35 next month, was originally acquired by the Cubs in July of 2013, coming over from the Orioles, along with Pedro Strop, in a trade for Scott Feldman and Steve Clevenger.  After 7 starts for Iowa, Arrieta joined the rebuilding Cubs and showed vast improvement over the pitcher he was with the Orioles.  He turned into an ace for the Cubs in 2015, winning the NL Cy Young Award, and was a key contributor to their World Series championship in 2016.  He threw two no-hitters for the team, one in 2015 against the Dodgers and the second in 2016 against the Reds.  But, after leaving following the 2017 season for the Phillies, he has not been the same pitcher, suffering injuries each of the past 3 years.

Hopefully Cub fans have realistic expectations for Arrieta in 2021.  If they expect Arrieta to be a leader in the team’s attempts to repeat as division champions, they are likely to be disappointed and that disappointment may tarnish their memories of Arrieta and what he accomplished from 2014-2017.  If they see this as the nostalgia-based move it likely is, and accept the neither Arrieta nor the team will see the same success that they’ve become accustomed to, then it could be a nice distraction to take away from what looks to be a rebuilding (or reloading, at best) year.

Locked Out Of The 10,000 Step Club

Things were a lot different a year ago, as I was finishing up my fifth year using a Fitbit.  I had just added 45 new 10,000 step days, my 3rd best year to date, and, with upcoming trips to Boston and California already on the docket, things were looking good to add a good number more and add some new tales to this list of my top 25 step days.  Then, the corona virus happened and the world basically shut down.  I worked from home for the remainder of the year, which gave me a lot more free time, but also significantly cut down on my daily step totals.  All told, I managed only 3 10,000 step days for the just completed sixth year of Fitbit usage, which came to an end last week.  Just for giggles, here’s a duplication of last year’s top 25 step days, since nothing has changed over the past year.

1: 4/14/2018 – 27,470 steps

My best single day total is from my April 2017 trip to New York to see Angelina.  The day’s excursions included trips to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the Museum of the City of New York, Central Park, the Guggenheim museum, and the Empire State Building.

2: 7/21/2018 – 27,278 steps

My July 2017 trip to Virginia, to hike up Catawba Mountain to McAfee Knob with Jeff and Val, fell just short of the top spot.

3: 6/6/2013 – 24,988 steps

2013’s trip to Disney World, which spent 5 years as my single day best, included excursions to both Epcot Center and the Magic Kingdom, and yes, falling 12 steps short of 25,000 still irks me.

4: 6/3/2019 – 24,665 steps

The first full day of 2019’s summer trip to Washington DC spent most of the day at the Smithsonian Zoo.

5: 8/8/2019 – 23,866 steps

Late in the summer of 2019, I spent two weeks in San Francisco for a work trip.   On my last full day, I went out after work, walking to Pier 39 and then back the other direction to Oracle Park to see the Giants take on the Phillies.  My totals would have been even higher, but I was dead tired and took an Uber back to the hotel after the game.

6: 3/18/2018 – 23,780 steps

My first day in Las Vegas for the 2017 IBM Think conference, the day’s totals include gallivanting around town, including a late night trip up to Caesar’s Palace from the MGM Grand to see Absinthe.

7: 10/24/2018 – 23,362 steps

My October 2018 trip to Boston to see Angelina for our birthday gives us our next entry.  While she was in class, I took tours of Fenway Park and Harvard, before meeting up with her for a late lunch and then heading to the airport for the trip home.

8: 3/22/2016 – 22,493 steps

My one-time second highest day took place during the ill-fated trip to Disney World in March of 2016.  The day’s excursion started at Hollywood Studios before heading over to Epcot Center with Jeff and Val.

9: 7/27/2013 – 20,592 steps

Still my highest total at home in the state of Illinois, the next entry comes thanks to the 2013 BTN 5K and a, for lack of a better word, misunderstanding about where I should be picked up after the race.

10: 12/29/2018 – 20,374 steps

We wrap up the top 10 with 2018’s trip to California and the trip to Disneyland to see Danny perform with the Lincoln-Way Marching Band.

11: 8/5/2017 – 20,218 steps

The next entry came in August of 2017 on the first day of my trip to Boston with Danny and Michael.  After landing in town, we traipsed to the Science Museum, a breakfast joint, our hotel, and, finally, Fenway Park.

12: 7/14/2017 – 20,208 steps

Down to #12 is my 2017 trip to Disney World, a one day journey with Angelina to celebrate her high school graduation. Continue reading →

The Game Remains The Same… Wait

As baseball looks to start its second pandemic-impacted season, a number of rule changes were announced yesterday as part of the updated health and safety protocols.  These rules cover spring training, the regular season, and the postseason.

Each team is required to submit a list of up to 75 players eligible for spring training by February 12.  For spring training games that occur between February 27 and March 13, the “retiring the side” concept will be relaxed, allowing managers to end an inning prior to three outs following any completed plate appearance, as long as the pitcher has thrown at least 20 pitches.  In addition, substitution rules for all of spring training shall be relaxed, allowing pitchers to be eligible for re-entry.

A 26 player Opening Day roster as well as a list of up to 28 players that will be assigned either to the Class AAA affiliate or Alternate Training Site, must be submitted by noon on Opening Day.  Any player on the Injured List who does not remain with the big league club will be assigned to the Alternate Training Site, but will not count against the 28-player maximum.  Teams will also be permitted to have a five player taxi squad, which includes at least one catcher, on all road trips.

In the regular season, doubleheaders will continue to be comprised of two seven-inning games. The extra-inning rule introduced last season also will continue to be in effect.  Also, each extra-inning will continue to begin with a runner on second base.  All on-field personnel, including players, must wear face coverings over both the mouth and nose at all times in the dugout and bullpen, except for pitchers and catchers warming up in the bullpen.  Players who violate this requirement are subject to discipline by MLB.  Limitations on the number of pitchers on the active roster and the restriction on position players pitching will not be applicable.  The roster size will expand to 28 on September 1.

MLB has the right to relocate teams to neutral sites, spring training sites, or other clubs’ home ballparks, and/or reschedule games during the 2021 season for health/safety reasons, to comply with governmental restrictions, or to complete the schedule.  With the consent of the MLBPA, MLB also has the right to conduct some or all of the postseason at neutral sites or to delay the start of the postseason in order to reschedule regular season games following the planned completion of the season.  MLB shall also have the right to reschedule any game postponed due to COVID-19 as a seven-inning split or straight doubleheader.  The first four doubleheaders scheduled per team due to COVID-19 shall not count against the limitation on split doubleheaders in the CBA.

Fitbit VII – Week 2

My highest weekly total in a month brings about some milestones and some low points.  Things got off to a good start on Sunday, as the last day of January brought me my first day over goal in 2021, thanks to a major snowstorm that required multiple snowblowing sessions, leaving me with 8300 steps.  Monday was not quite as prolific, coming in 22 steps shy of 3800.  Tuesday was even worse, falling 19 steps shy of 2800.  Wednesday was the low point of the week, as I barely managed to surpass 2000 steps.  Things improved on Thursday, thanks to another snowstorm and another two snowblowing sessions which left me with 6300 steps.  Friday fell back down, as the weather plummeted, and I finished 5 steps shy of 3500.  Saturday improved a bit, all the way back up to 4500 steps.

Total steps: 31,348

Daily average: 4478.3

iTunes Top 200 Artists: #161-169

It’s been 4 years since we last counted down the Top 200 artists in my iTunes library.  Since my iTunes stats are still intact, across multiple PCs, iPods, iPads, and iPhones, I figured it was time to take another look at the artists that have entertained me the most based on number of plays from late 2007 through January 1, 2021.

We continue today with our next batch of 10 artists, the 2 tied for 169th place, 5 tied for 164th, and the 3 tied for 161st.  We only have 2 bands and/or performers that are newcomers to the list this week.

#169: Jason Segel
iTunes stats: 52 plays
Previous ranking: #111

A big 58 spot drop for the human star of The Muppets, who picked up only 12 additional plays for his 4 songs in my collection.

#169: Schoolhouse Rock!
iTunes stats: 52 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

A big debut for the staple of ABC Saturday mornings, after more than doubling its play total.

#164: Matthew Sweet
iTunes stats: 53 plays
Previous ranking: #185

After seeing him in concert back in 2017, I added 2 new tracks to my collection, which contributed to the 21 spot jump for the 90s star.

#164: Bloodhound Gang
iTunes stats: 53 plays
Previous ranking: #117

The band known for humorous and off-beat, satirical lyrics picked up only 16 new listens, which ended up in a 47 spot fall in the charts.

#164: Janet Jackson
iTunes stats: 53 plays
Previous ranking: N/A

A nice debut for the icon star of the late 80s and early 90s, who added 30 new plays over the last 4 years.

#164: Letters To Cleo
Continue reading →