I watched the Cubs-Cardinals game today. Scoreless through 7.5 innings, brilliant pitching and defensive performances. Bottom of the 8th, the Cubs sent out a lefty reliever, a rookie. He gets a groundout, then gives up a double. Then the Cardinals send out Albert Pujols. The poor rookie, desperately hoping he was not going to give up #695 . . . but of course he did. Cardinals win.
Really I'm a Cubs fan, but you can't help but admire that.
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Man, I'd love to see him reach 700. What's really cool, though, is he doesn't seem to be hung up on it at all. He's comfortable in his retirement decision one way or the other. Class. All sports need more guys like him.
cabbagedad:
I think back to our 1998 Area Code games. My game rosters are ready for the printer and I receive a phone cal from Joe, a trusted player agent. He said, I need to place a specific player in the AC games.He listed reasons why.
This player has NO pro scout recommendation and is from Fort Osage HS, Missouri. I did place Albert and the rest is history.
Bob
@Consultant posted:cabbagedad:
I think back to our 1998 Area Code games. My game rosters are ready for the printer and I receive a phone cal from Joe, a trusted player agent. He said, I need to place a specific player in the AC games.He listed reasons why.
This player has NO pro scout recommendation and is from Fort Osage HS, Missouri. I did place Albert and the rest is history.
Bob
Bob, wow... didn't know that one about you! And then, about 13 years later, you hooked up one of my sons in a tourney. Not quite the same outcome but greatly appreciated none the less 
cabbagedad;
yes I remember. When my son visited the Cardinal locker room, Albert says "tell your father, thank you, he found me"
Bob
@cabbagedad posted:Bob, wow... didn't know that one about you! And then, about 13 years later, you hooked up one of my sons in a tourney. Not quite the same outcome but greatly appreciated none the less
Bob is the founder of Area Code Games.
As well as other good stuff!
TPM;
THANK YOU. Another player Robert Woodard, Head Coach at UN Charlotte was one of our Area Code and Japan Series alumni,
Bob
@Consultant posted:TPM;
THANK YOU. Another player Robert Woodard, Head Coach at UN Charlotte was one of our Area Code and Japan Series alumni,
Bob
Woodard's Dad posts here as Prepster.
Do you remember Dave DeNatali?
TPM
the name is familiar but cannot place the time. Give me a hint.
Bob
@Consultant posted:TPM
the name is familiar but cannot place the time. Give me a hint.
Bob
Dave DiNatale (correct spelling) from Parkland, Fl went to Stoneman Douglas. Class of 2005, went to U of Miami. You can look him up. Played in Australia Good Will games. Pretty sure.
TPM;
You are correct. That year we had 4 teams traveling to Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide.
Our Coaches, Pro Scouts three from Florida.
Bob
Just watched #698. The pitcher struck him out the first time; he didn't miss in the next at-bat. Just amazing. Nearly hit the next one out, too.
One of my favorite commercials:
If you are the pirates manager on the last day of the season and your team is down 5 to 1 in the 8th and pujols is at 699 are you pitching a position player and tell him to throw down the pipe and try make albert hit 700?
Eno sarris from the athletic said if he was a pitcher on Alberts last AB and the game is over either way he absolutely would try to make albert hit 700 off him but of course there also is an argument for playing the game the right way.
He seems to hit a HR every time I watch, so I'm going to try to watch Cards games so that he gets to 700 before the last game (not that I'm superstitious or anything).
Last night was pretty funny. After he struck out, the announcers said he was acknowledging the pitcher, they showed him kind of nodding, as if to say, "o.k., I see what you're doing". And obviously he did.
What might even be more impressive is the fact that it is widely believed he is older than 42.
He's having a very good season all things considered. .260 and 20 HRs is above average, especially considering he hasn't played in 1/3 of their games.
Having his best year in 10 seasons is a bit strange, but maybe not playing every day has something to do with that
@Dominik85 posted:If you are the pirates manager on the last day of the season and your team is down 5 to 1 in the 8th and pujols is at 699 are you pitching a position player and tell him to throw down the pipe and try make albert hit 700?
Eno sarris from the athletic said if he was a pitcher on Alberts last AB and the game is over either way he absolutely would try to make albert hit 700 off him but of course there also is an argument for playing the game the right way.
Yes I would pitch to him, but I'd try to get him out. I think (hope) this is the way it will play out.
No need. 699 and 700. Wow.
They pulled the lefty that gave up the first dinger for a righty, it didn't matter. Just amazing...
This is so great.
@Smitty28 posted:This is so great.
It really is.
Son was in the clubhouse one spring training with Albert, Yadi, Wainwright and Chris Carpenter. They were all so awesome.
Some folks really resented Albert for leaving STL, but it was never about the money. This man sent food daily to feed the milb players from the DR during spring training, no spring training paychecks back then.
You just knew he would be greater than he already was. I hope he comes back in some capacity to work with the young players.
I am so happy that he could put aside what happened and retire as a Cardinal.
