Results tagged ‘ Spring Training ’
Deer Johnny – Surprise! Part 1
Well, it’s taken a few days to get this blog together, but I’m blaming the muscle relaxers. Yes, thanks to my mild case of whip-lash, I am even more medicated then normal these days. Oh yeah, I haven’t told you what happened yet.
Here goes, the story of my first trip to spring training — in this case I went west and to the Phoenix, AZ area. I decided to drive my GT Mustang, fresh with my new “johnnyarchive.com” logos, and enjoy the scenery.
The voyage began relatively uneventful, though I did start a few hours later than I had planned. I made it to Tucson, AZ before the cramp in my left leg got so bad that I had to stop for the night. Yeah, you know you’re in pretty bad shape — and remember I reside basically in the same city as cycling king Lance Armstrong — when you are not conditioned properly to sit in a car.
Anyway, not knowing the Tucson area, I checked out hotels near the baseball stadiums which happen to be fairly close to the airport. The first place, which was a major chain, offered “hourly rates” and the desk clerk looked as if she sold more then rooms. Uh-uh, no thanks, I’m happily married and not sure when I had my last rabies shot. I think she had Tom Bodette and the little Boddettski’s tied up in the back.
I was dead tired and shocked at the sleaziness of these supposed main-stream hotels. So, I took the one with wi-fi service and a room door that had no bullet holes. I woke up the next day, my foot still filled with pins-and-needles you that feeling when a body part “falls asleep?” I couldn’t get that feeling to go away so I just got used to it.
Apparently, it was “send the out-of-towner on a wild goose chase” day because I asked 3 different people where the one Wachovia Bank branch was and got 3 different directions. Yep, that late start meant I didn’t have a chance to do some minor banking before I left.
After spending 2 hours touring Tucson, I gave up and headed north to Phoenix area. Of course, on the way out of town I stumbled on the road that the bank was on. Least I got that chore done, though it meant I would have to check out the Rockies and Snakes ballparks on the way back to Texas.
I ended up getting in a race with this truck just outside of Tucson and unbelievably didn’t get pulled over considering I averaged 80mph (maybe a little faster, but the speed limit was 75mph) for about 40 miles.
So, I made it to Surprise and found my hotel fairly easily. Now, is when the fun starts. Come back for part 2 to see what happens next!? And I promise there will actually be baseball involved.
-JA
Road Trip!
That’s right, it’s time to hit the open road. I am very excited to be headed to Surprise, AZ and hopefully meeting some fellow fantasiers! If you see me or the Archive-mobile around please don’t hesitate to come up and introduce yourself. I really enjoy talking baseball with other fans of this great game.
Oh, you don’t know what the Archive-mobile looks like? Well, here ya’ go, some pictures.
Sorry, the last pic’ is of my little future all-star, Zachary!
Okay, well back to getting the car loaded. You can expect a full report here on the blog and on the podcast Sunday when I will be doing the show LIVE somewhere in the midst of the Cactus League area.
Btw, if you’re a member of the law enforcement community and see the Archive-mobile on the road and a smidge over the speed limit…well, yeah know…cut a brother some slack, aye? I’m going to Spring Training for Pujols’ sake!
-Johnny Archive
Johnny Archive Third Year Begins
It’s time to launch the show! That’s right, The Johnny Archive Fantasy Baseball Show makes it’s thrid year debut today at BlogTalkRadio as part of the Fantasy Sports Channel. Tune in to hear the 1-hour show live at 6PM ET or download it at iTunes — just search “Johnny Archive“.
Today’s show will get us back in the swing of baseball. hehe Get it? Anyway, we’ll also talk about my current MIPs. Don’t know what a MIP is? Well, tune in and find out. Oh alright, MIP = Most Intriguing Player. Here’s just some of players who I currently consider MIPs.
- Joe Mauer
- Miguel Cabrera
- Matt Holliday
- David price
- Chris Perez
- Derek Jeter
- Alex Rodriguez
- Scott Kazmir
- David Wright
- Roy Halladay
We’ll discuss this list and if these players are trending up or down heading into 2010.
WOW, year 3 of the show! How cool is that?!
I am very excited to announce that I will be in Surprise, AZ at the end of February (26th – 1st of March) as the teams get spring training cranked up. If you are going to be there at that time, shoot me an email and perhaps we can hook up and talk fantasy baseball.
Okay, that’s it for now. See you at the show, well not “see” but you know what I mean.
-JA
2010 Baseball State of the Union
2010 Baseball State of the Union
by Johnny Archive
1) Intentional Walks will now be instant, just like College and High School. Watching a major league pitcher go through the motions of throwing 4 wide-ones is a complete waste of time.
2) All new stadiums must have a roof, at least a retractable roof. Rain-outs are so 20th century. Yes, I’ll miss doubleheaders, but I won’t miss sitting at a ballpark for 4 hours only to have the game called.
3) We need to bring back well-endowed women (Morgana anyone?) randomly running onto the field to kiss ballplayers. I know I just lost the lady readers (wait ladies, it gets better for you later, I promise!) with this one, but I just got the guys attention!
4) Molina rule: We must have at least one group, of at least 3 family members, playing in the big-leagues at all times. You just don’t see that in other sports.
5) Fantasy writers (FSWA members only) need to have a vote for the Hall of Fame. Well, at least one…okay, me!
6) All players must be made available to the draft before they can sign with a MLB team. No more big payroll teams buying international talent.
7) Spring Training needs to be shortened by 1-2 weeks. This will allow the season to start sooner and avoid those lame final games of spring training that are yawn-fests.
8) Phones in clubhouses need to be made cordless so the manager can talk to the bullpen on the way to and from the mound. Heck, the manager can even talk to the bullpen while he’s at the mound!
9) Hire/promote more female umpires! I bet even Earl Weaver would treat Ump’s better, well maybe not.
10) Allow Saves to be awarded to a pitcher who pitches in the 8th inning. Many times a game is “saved” before the 9th inning.
There you go, my suggestions to make our beloved game even better. Agree or disagree, you have to admit most of these make sense.
Anyway, feel free to comment on or add to this list!
1/28/10
Naughty Or Nice?
o/ Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…. o/
Forgive me, I’m all caught up in the season. It’s that time of the year, again. Yep, every family has their own unique style and traditions they replay this time of year. But the fact remains, we all celebrate one way or another.
Will we get what we want, what we asked Saint Selig for? A winning record? A playoff spot? A division title? A drug-free sport? Perhaps even the whole salami, the World Series Crown!? *crosses fingers*
Unfortunately, some of us didn’t do right and we’ll have to answer for it. Maybe it was not returning that cart to the “holding bin”, instead just squeezing it inbetween the two cars next to us. It could’ve been we didn’t do such a good job acting like we didn’t see our neighbor walking to their to car the same time we were headed out in the morning? There’s no way that “anonymous” negative post we put on that community or company website somehow became public, is there?! Oh gawd, say it isn’t so!
Anyway, whatever it was, some us are destined to to be disgruntled.
I’m guessing some of you are asking yourselves,”uhmmm, Johnny, what in the name of chunky egg nog are you talking about?” OK, OK, OK. It’s the night before the first official spring training baseball games of the new year are played. It’s an exciting, yet nervous, time.
All kinds of questions are rushing through our brains. Do we have enough mashed potatoes? Will our 2nd Catcher stay healthy? Is that brother-in-law going to bring all that beer again this year? Is the young pitching staff going to improve enough to keep us in games? Does Rudolph’s nose get hot when it lights up? How is it possible for a product with such a tasty sounding name be so disgusting? Yes, I speak of the brick-like fruit cake granny makes every year! When did she join the Free Masons anyway?
Well, we may not have all the answers, but part of the giddy-ness is the unknown. We have so many hopes. We let our dreams run wild without any regard to reality. Even if deep within our hearts our beloved Pirates have almost no shot at NOT breaking the consecutive losing seasons streak. Sweet 17 here we come!
But the scoreboard and the standings don’t lie. We are in contention! Even if it is only spring training, and even if we lose our first game by 12 runs, we’re still only 1 game back! And if we win?! Oh Nellie! If we win, we might be able to build up some confidence and take the Spring Training title! Don’t remind me that no human being alive can actually remember who won the most games last year in spring training. Party-pooper!
It’s just a fun time, and sure the real holiday season is probably more popular and recognized for a celebration of goodwill. But ya know, at least we don’t all get in debt — unless you consider buying the MLB.TV package, splurging on baseball preview magazines and opening our wallets for fantasy league entry fees as “expenses?” I prefer the term “investment.”
Don’t forget to watch out for the Grinch…Bobby, that is. Hitters with big swings who miss alot can be a real downer for baseball managers.
Well, I got to go, I still have to decorate the bat rack – we are experimenting with a plastic one this year. Merry First Games of Spring Training to You! And hey, look, there’s none of that confusing religious terminology to trip on. After all, Baseball is for everyone!
Good day!
-Johnny “Salvation Army” Archive
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