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Fitbit Week 42

Week42_FB

The week got off to a decent start thanks to some above-average weather on Sunday, leading to a nice outdoor walk around the neighborhood.  The workweek was pretty normal, with an outsized total on Wednesday thanks to after-work drinks.  My Thanksgiving vacation began on Friday, and I managed to surpass the 5500 step mark despite watching both parts of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay.  Saturday also managed to sneak past the 5500 step mark, giving me my first week where every day was above goal in about a month.

Total steps: 46,215

Daily average: 6602.1

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Phillies All Time Leaders – Through 2015

Philadelphia_PhilliesWith 5 months until baseball in Chicago returns, I thought it would be interesting to look at the all time leaders in both offensive and defensive categories for all 30 teams. We continue today with the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Phillies began life in 1883, and are the oldest continuous franchise that hasn’t moved cities or changed names.  I’ve seen them play 16 times, including twice in the city of San Francisco.

Home Runs

Name Total
Jimmy Rollins 4
Mike Lieberthal 2
Bobby Abreu 2
Aaron Rowand 2

Hits

Name Total
Jimmy Rollins 20
Ryan Howard 11
Pat Burrell 8
Shane Victorino 8

Runs

Name Total
Jimmy Rollins 6
Ryan Howard 5
Pat Burrell 5
Carlos Ruiz 5

RBI

Name Total
Jimmy Rollins 15
Ryan Howard 5
Aaron Rowand 4

Doubles

Name Total
Jimmy Rollins 6
Ryan Howard 4
Pat Burrell 3
Jayson Werth 3

Triples Continue reading →

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Braves All Time Leaders – Through 2015

bravesWith 5 months until baseball in Chicago returns, I thought it would be interesting to look at the all time leaders in both offensive and defensive categories for all 30 teams. We continue today with the Atlanta Braves.

The Braves began life in Boston, moving to Milwaukee in 1953 and landing in Atlanta in 1966.  I’ve seen them play 16 times, including games 3 and 4 of the 2003 NLDS against the Cubs.

Home Runs

Name Total
Chipper Jones 3
Brian McCann 2
9 tied with 1

Hits

Name Total
Chipper Jones 10
Vinny Castilla 9
Brian McCann 8

Runs

Name Total
Chipper Jones 6
Andruw Jones 6
3 tied with 3

RBI

Name Total
Chipper Jones 7
Brian McCann 7
Rafael Furcal 5

Doubles

Name Total
Brooks Conrad 2
Gary Sheffield 2
15 tied with 1

Triples Continue reading →

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#126 – Brook Fordyce

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Name: Brook Fordyce

Rank: 126

Position: C

Years With White Sox: 1999-2000

Brook Fordyce came to the White Sox via trade from the Reds towards the end of spring training in 1999.  The defensively challenged catcher became the team’s starter, and put up the best offensive numbers of his career, finishing with a .297 average, 9 home runs and 49 RBIs.

A broken foot during spring training delayed the start of his 2000 season.  When he returned in mid-May, he wound up splitting the catching duties with Mark Johnson.  He had raised his average to .272, though with only 21 RBIs, when, on July 29th, he, along with a triplet of minor league pitchers, was traded to the Orioles for catcher Charles Johnson and familiar White Sox target Harold Baines.

Fordyce’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were:

Continue reading →

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Fitbit Week 41

Week41_FBA disappointing week, with 2 days falling under my 5500 step goal, and ending with my lowest total since late April.  The week got off to a slow start on Sunday, where I lounged around the house all day and finished under 5000 steps.  Monday bounced back with nearly 7000 steps, but Tuesday fell below 5000 once again, thanks to missing an afternoon coffee run.  The rest of the work week went back to normal, all finishing well above the 5500 step goal.  Saturday also managed to hit the goal, thanks to a trip to the grocery store and some gallivanting around the house.

Total steps: 41,690

Daily average: 5955.7

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2016 Hall Of Fame Ballot – The Newcomers

baseballhof

The BBWAA released their ballot for the Hall of Fame class of 2016 last Monday.  The results of the vote are due to be revealed on January 6th, with induction taking place next July. After Craig Biggio, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, and John Smoltz were elected in last year’s voting, the new ballot contains 17 holdovers along with 15 newcomers, which may start to cause a bit of a problem.  The current BBWAA rules continue to limit the number of votes on one ballot to 10, and there may be more than 10 deserving candidates, so there will be too many qualified candidates fighting for limited spots in a shorter amount of time.  Once again, the BBWAA and the Hall may find themselves with a mess on their hands.

Last Thursday, we looked at the returning candidates.  Today, it’s time to look at the newcomers and who will be thankful come January.

Garret Anderson

The long-time Angel had a proud career, but has no chance to stay on the ballot for another year, let alone earn election at some point.

Brad Ausmus

It should be a quick one and out for the current Tigers manager.

Luis Castillo

Again, a perfectly acceptable career, but will be lucky to get a sympathy vote from a hometown writer.

David Eckstein

Wow, this batch of newcomers is starting to look a little weak.

Jim Edmonds

The defensive whiz will likely get some support, but not enough to get elected in this, or any other, year.

Troy Glaus

Another long time Angel who has no chance of being elected.

griffeyKen Griffey Jr.

The former Mariner, Red, and White Sox outfielder is likely to be the only newcomer elected in his first year of eligibility.  630 career home runs, without a hint of PED suspicion, will let him easily surpass the 75% threshold.

Mark Grudzielanek

Yeah, that’s not going to happen.

Mike Hampton

The one-time poster child for bad long term contracts is unlikely to get much support in what should be his one HOF election.

Trevor Hoffman Continue reading →

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Giants All Time Leaders – Through 2015

giantsWith 5 months until baseball in Chicago returns, I thought it would be interesting to look at the all time leaders in both offensive and defensive categories for all 30 teams. We continue today with the San Francisco Giants.

The Giants began life in 1883 in New York, before moving west to San Francisco in 1957. I’ve seen them play 15 times, first at their old home at Candlestick Park in 1999 and most recently last year at Dodger Stadium during my time in LA.

Home Runs

Name Total
Pedro Feliz 2
8 tied with 1

Hits

Name Total
Pedro Feliz 8
Rich Aurilia 6
Bengie Molina 6

Runs

Name Total
Pedro Feliz 4
Rich Aurilia 4
5 tied with 3

RBI

Name Total
Pedro Feliz 4
Ray Durham 4
Bengie Molina 4
Pablo Sandoval 4

Doubles

Name Total
6 tied with 2

Triples Continue reading →

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Book 24 (of 52) – The Grownup

The Grownup - Gillian Flynn

The Grownup – Gillian Flynn

A few weeks back, I got an email telling me that a new book from Gillian Flynn was about to be released.  After initial confusion and excitement, I learned the truth: a reprinting of a short story she wrote last year for an anthology edited by George R. R. Martin was being released.  Still, a small amount of Gillian Flynn is better than no Gillian Flynn, so I put in the order and, last weekend, sat down to enjoy the 62-page tome.

The tale concerns a scam artist, who goes from providing hand manipulation to reading auras in order to make a living.  She meets a woman seemingly haunted, but things may not be all that they seem.  Flynn sets up an interesting premise in very little time, but the limitations of the short story forum means that the story ends just as it is getting interesting.

It’s been 3 years since the release of Gone Girl and I’m ready for the next work from Flynn.  This is a nice little holdover, but I hope we get something more substantial sooner rather than later.

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Diamondbacks All Time Leaders – Through 2015

dbacksWith 5 months until baseball in Chicago returns, I thought it would be interesting to look at the all time leaders in both offensive and defensive categories for all 30 teams. We continue today with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Diamondbacks began life in 1998, joining the league along with the Devil Rays. I’ve seen them play 15 times, starting in their inaugural season and most recently in 2014, including the final game of their 2007 sweep of the Cubs in the NLDS.

Home Runs

Name Total
Luis Gonzalez 3
Steve Finley 3
Stephen Drew 3

Hits

Name Total
Luis Gonzalez 10
Stephen Drew 7
Alex Cintron 7
Conor Jackson 7

Runs

Name Total
Luis Gonzalez 11
Steve Finley 6
Troy Glaus 5

RBI

Name Total
Orlando Hudson 7
Steve Finley 6
Eric Byrnes 6

Doubles

Name Total
Luis Gonzalez 4
Chad Tracy 3
5 tied with 2

Triples Continue reading →

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#127 – Chad Kreuter

Chad Kreuter (1998 White Sox)

Name: Chad Kreuter

Rank: 127

Position: C

Years With White Sox: 1996-1997, 1998

Following the 1995 season, the White Sox signed Chad Kreuter to back up incumbent starter Ron Karkovice.  He appeared in only 46 games before his season came to a premature end on July 19 due to a home plate collision with the Royals’ Johnny Damon.  Kreuter suffered a shattered shoulder socket and a lacerated stomach, which nearly claimed his life.  Surgery tried to repair the shoulder, but Kreuter was told he would likely never play baseball again.

When Kreuter started to regain strength in his arm in mid-October, he dedicated himself to making it back to the big leagues.  General Manager Ron Schueler offered him a minor league deal for 1997, with a chance to earn a roster spot in spring training.  He not only earned his way onto the roster, but had supplanted Karkovice as the everyday catcher by mid-May, when he was traded, along with Tony Phillips, to the Angels for Jorge Fabergas and Chuck McElroy.

Following the 1997 season, Kreuter re-signed with the White Sox and once again became the primary catcher.  In September, for the second consecutive year, he was traded to the Angels, ending his White Sox career.

Kreuter’s numbers in a White Sox uniform, both for games I attended and overall, were:

Continue reading →