Baseball Song of the Day

Jay-Z sues Big Papa for 40/40

2010-04-16T15:40:00.001-05:00

Rolling Stone Magazine is reporting that Jay-Z is suing the Boston Red Sox "Slumping Slugger" for unauthorized use of the name "40/40" for Big Papi's nightclub which is located in the Dominican Republic.

From Rolling Stone online...

In a lawsuit filed yesterday, Jay accuses Big Papi of naming his Santa Domingo nightclub “Forty-Forty,” a variation of Jay-Z and Juan Perez’s line of 40/40 Clubs in New York, Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

“[Jay-Z and Perez] have accused Ortiz of trading on the fame, value and goodwill of their name through his club Forty/Forty and its website, www.fortyforty.net, which they say has caused their business ‘marketplace confusion and damage,” reads the lawsuit. Jay-Z’s suit goes on to argue that the shared name isn’t accidental, as Ortiz “has been a patron [at the 40/40 Club] on several occasions long before he opened his infringing Forty/Forty Club.”

As Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” all but soundtracked the Yankees’ World Series-winning run last season, it’s no surprise that he might take offense to someone not named Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez opening a club with the “40/40″ name.

The baseball blog Big League Stew points out the “40/40″ moniker comes from when a player achieves both 40 home runs and 40 steals in one season. Only four players in history have done it — including current Yank A-Rod — but Big Papi hasn’t come close, managing only 10 steals total over the course of his entire 14-year baseball career. (To Ortiz’s credit, he has hit a Red Sox record 54 home runs in a season, but then why not the “Fifty-Ten Club”?)

No word whether Jay-Z is seeking compensation, a club name change or maybe just an apology from Ortiz for his Game Four, 12th inning, course-of-history-changing walk-off home run against the Yankees in the 2004 playoffs.

----------------------------

Today's Baseball Song of the Day comes from Warren Zevon who also wrote the terrific "Werewolves of London" (for all you kids out there...look up "All Summer Long" by Kid Rock). Today's BSOD, "Lawyers, Guns, and Money" was written in 1978 for the "Excitable Boy" album.

The song has been featured in:

- The movie "Grand Canyon"
- The movie "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson"
- TV series Justice
- TV show Farscape three part episode "Liars, Guns and Money"
- TV show "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" in a spoof called "Robots, Bears, and Lincolns"

BSOD 4/16/2010: Lawyers, Guns, and Money
Artists: Warren Zevon
Released: 1978

Lawyers, Guns, and Money Lyrics

Well, I went home with the waitress
The way I always do
How was I to know
She was with the Russians, too

I was gambling in Havana
I took a little risk
Send lawyers, guns and money
Dad, get me out of this

I'm the innocent bystander
Somehow I got stuck
Between the rock and the hard place
And I'm down on my luck
And I'm down on my luck
And I'm down on my luck

Now I'm hiding in Honduras
I'm a desperate man
Send lawyers, guns and money
The shit has hit the fan

Marlins 2010 Creed: Marlins Will Soar

2010-04-15T12:30:00.005-05:00

Last year the Florida Marlins...wait..are they the Miami Marlins yet? No, that comes with the new ballpark I believe. It's hard to keep up with the Marlins. Anyway, last year the Marlins had the Reggaetón artist Pitbull record a theme song for the team titled “Marlins Time to Represent" (see video below).

2010 brings in a new year...a new song...a new Creed. Well, a lead singer of Creed that is; Scott Stapp, who adapted one of his songs "You Will Soar" to "Marlins Will Soar" which will be used as the Marlins Official Song of 2010.

A chance meeting between Stapp, a Palm Beach Couny resident who grew up in Orlando and went to school at Florida State, and Marlins team President David Samson during an airport delay brought the two together.

Stapp who sang the National Anthem at the home opener, which also just-so-happened to have one of my all-time favorite players (and new Hall of Famer at that), Andre Dawson throwing out the first pitch.

BSOD Note: "Did I ever tell you the time that I met Andre Dawson at a 7-11 convenient store in Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood? I was living there at the time, about 5 blocks from the ballpark. A few of the players had condos nearby so a chance meeting wasn't all that out of the question. Andre was a "my guy." A soft spoken, hard worker that came to the Cubs with the offer of...I want to play for you, sign me to whatever you think I'm worth. I believe the Cubs' decided that to be $500,000, for what turned out to be a 1987 MVP year. Did I also mention that I have an Andre Dawson, game used bat, and autographed "1987 MVP" bat? I do.

You see, When I was younger, a few of my favorite players were Ryne Sandberg, Andre Dawson, and Cecil Cooper. So, a chance meeting with him was the highlight of my day. I pulled into the 7-11 on a Saturday afternoon, stepped out of my car, slammed the door shut and looked up, and there he was, my guy, Andre Dawson. I did what any true fan would do at that moment, paused, made eye contact and said, "Hi Andre" and then continued walking to go get my blue rasperry slurpee." Andre responded back with a polite nod of the head and a soft "Hello" and smile back to me, as he entered into his car and pulled away.

Ok, not a great story overall. But I respected the man, it was his day off, and really, other than watching him play, what else should I expect of him?

The point of all of this? Nothing really, other than I like to talk like the old uncle of the family and corner the younger relatives and tell them my stories.

Sometimes chance meetings lead to things, other times they don't.

In the case of the Marlins and Scott Stapp, it led to today's baseball song of the day, "Marlins Will Soar."

Note: This song is getting panned by Internet commenters at forums, blogs, and newspapers. People seem to hate it. I'm not sure if they don't like it because Stapp has been known to rub people the wrong way with his messianic overtones to his music. Or, if it's the fact that he took one of his songs and changed it, or if they think that it just plain stinks. Listen to it for yourself and let us know what you think.

I can't say that I'm that too familar with Creed other than the "Arms Wide Open" song and their latest song "Rain" which came out in 2009. Not having heard the original song "You Will Soar", and hearing this on its own merits, I somewhat like the song. Not as much as Hanson's "Mmmmm Bop" (a story for another time), but with the beating of the drum and Stapp's belting out the lyrics, it's not half bad. The best news is, even if you hated it, it clocks in at 1 min 49 secs.

BSOD 4/15/2010: Marlins Will Soar
Artist: Scott Stapp
Released: 2010

Marlins Will Soar Lyrics
(thanks to: http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/crossfade/2010/04/creeds_scott_stapp_marlins_will_soar_lyrics.php)

"Marlins Will Soar"

Let's play ball, it's game day
We watch strikeouts, base hits, double plays
Take the field, hear the roar of the crowd
Come on Marlins, make us proud
Come on Marlins, make us proud

Keep hoping and dreaming and you will soar
With a little faith and luck, you will soar

One strike, two strikes, swing away
A diving catch, a stolen base
A perfect game, a triple play
A [undistinguishable] play of praise
We're series champs, we [crack of bat?]

Keep hoping and dreaming and you will soar
With a little faith and luck, you will soar

Keep hoping and dreaming and you will soar
With a little faith and luck, you will soar

Related Links:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Creed-singer-greets-Marlins-with-arms-wide-open-?urn=mlb,234451
http://blogs.trb.com/sports/custom/business/blog/2010/04/florida_marlins_home_opening_n.html
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/crossfade/2010/04/creeds_scott_stapp_marlins_will_soar_lyrics.php

Dodgers Opening Day: Will.I.Am

2010-04-14T19:43:00.002-05:00

Whom do the Los Angeles Dodgers put on the mound for their Home Opener to get things started against the Arizona Diamondbacks?

Well, none other than Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas.

<---- photo: UPI/Phil McCarten

From an article at the La Times by Chris Erskine...

Out on the mound, Will.i.am was throwing out the first pitch, despite a name that annoys virtually everyone. Just imagine that planning meeting in the executive suites.

"So, whom do Dodgers fans want to see throw out the first pitch on opening day?"

"Hey, I wonder if Will.i.am is available."

"Could we possibly get him?"

Somehow they did. And the rest is his.to.ry.

-----------------------

Erskine continues on...with notes from the home opener...

-----------------------

Back inside the stadium, Tuesday's mostly well-behaved crowd started out tame and got rowdy over time. I catch up with one customer, the great actor Robert Wuhl ("Bull Durham," "Arli$$") as he heads to his spot in the Dugout Club.

Anyway, I ask Wuhl if he thinks the McCourt divorce has any chance of creating some sort of curse, as with the curse of the Bambino that hung over Boston, or the curse of the billy goat, which I think also involved a divorce, but that was Chicago, where they live a different and more open lifestyle.

Wuhl smiles and says "That's a strong statement," and disappears through guarded doors, into the land of Caesar salads and carved meats.

Fortunately, the Dodgers themselves don't seem to care about such controversy. The bling seems to be back in Manny's swing. Matt Kemp is taking the right routes to fly balls again -- mostly. Casey Blake and Andre Ethier provide the kind of quiet, old school leadership that winning clubs need.

BSOD 4/14/2010: Let's Get it Started
Artist: Black Eyed Peas
Released: 2003

Let's Get it Started Lyrics

Let's Get It Started, in here...

And the base keep runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and
runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and...

In this context, there's no disrespect, so, when I bust my rhyme, you break your necks.
We got five minutes for us to disconnect, from all intellect collect the rhythm effect.
Obstacles are inefficient, follow your intuition, free your inner soul and break away from tradition.
Coz when we beat out, girl it's pullin without. You wouldn't believe how we wow shit out.
Burn it till it's burned out. Turn it till it's turned out. Act up from north, west, east, south.

[Chorus:]
Everybody, everybody, let's get into it.
Get stupid.
Get it started, get it started, get it started.
Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here. Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here.
Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here. Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here.
Yeah.

Lose control, of body and soul.
Don't move too fast, people, just take it slow.
Don't get ahead, just jump into it.
Ya'll here a body, two pieces to it.
Get stutted, get stupid.
You'll want me body people will walk you through it.
Step by step, like you're into new kid.
Inch by inch with the new solution.
Trench men hits, with no delusion.
The feeling's irresistible and that's how we movin'.

[Chorus:]
Everybody, everybody, let's get into it.
Get stupid.
Get it started, get it started, get it started.
Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here. Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here.
Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here. Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here.
Yeah.

Runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and runnin runnin' and...

C'mon y'all, lets get woohoo!
Lets get woohoo! (in here)
Lets get woohoo!
Lets get woohoo! (in here)
Lets get woohoo!
Lets get woohoo! (in here) Ow, ow, ow!
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya...

Let's get ill, that's the deal.
At the gate, we'll bring the bud top drill. (Just)
Lose your mind this is the time,
Ya'll test this drill, Just and bang your spine. (Just)
Bob your head like epilepsy, up inside your club or in your Bentley.
Get messy, loud and sick.
Ya'll mount past slow mo in another head trip. (So)
Come then now do not correct it, let's get pregnant let's get hectic.

[Chorus:]
Everybody, everybody, let's get into it.
Get stupid. (Come on)
Get it started (come one) , get it started (yeah), get it started.
Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here. Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here.
Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here. Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started
(woah, woah, woah) in here.
Yeah.

Lets get woohoo!
Lets get woohoo! (in here)
Lets get woohoo!
Lets get woohoo! (in here)
Lets get woohoo!
Lets get woohoo! (in here) Ow, ow, ow!
Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya...

Runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin'
[fade]

Target Field: Holding Steady on Opening Day

2010-04-13T20:48:00.004-05:00

The Minnesota Twins christened their new 500 million plus "al fresco" ballpark, Target Field yesterday (4/12/2010) with a 5-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Having tailored their team for the past 28 years to fit the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, the twins now have the challenge of finding the right players for the right stadium once again.

The job of managing the players on the field belongs to manager Ron Gardenhire, however the job of entertaining the crowd with tunes belongs to Kevin Dutcher, the Music Man.

From foxsportsnorth.com, we learn about Dutcher's daily routine...

"The first thing I do when I get to the stadium is throw in batting practice music – the boys like to hear their tunes! We have a meeting 2 1/2 hours prior to the game to go through all of the details of the game "script", all of the between-inning segments that our department (Game Presentation) is responsible for. We talk about the various preshow elements – speakers, presentations, etc. – and I focus on the audio needs, what kind of music we need with or under each one."

When asked about entrance and rally music...Dutcher explains...

"I run the BP playlist until the doors open, when I switch to a more "family-friendly" mix. That plays until we start our pregame program, and then play songs between all of the different elements. I also underscore the PA reads and most all of presentations on the field. I play the "build-up" music as we await the team taking the field, and of course "Win Twins!" I play "rally music" when we get runs, and alternate "cheerleading" with Twins’ organist Sue Nelson (the cavalry charge, "We Will Rock You," all of those little snippets). I play music between innings, during pitching changes and any breaks in play. If you listen for it, music is constantly on in the park."

"I love all kinds of music, I have really eclectic tastes, which is helpful for the job. I like to play music from bands with area ties, from the ‘Mats to Husker Du to Prince to The Hold Steady. I’m working on getting more music from local bands into the new stadium, I think it’s an exciting possibility to incorporate more local music into the Twins experience."

Regarding input as to the music he plays, Dutcher states...

"I often get feedback about what I play, and a lot of the time it’s positive and negative about the same exact song – the great thing about music is that it’s subjective. Everybody has an opinion."

Some of those opinions have been bandied about by Twins fans and can be found recently at the Alright Hamilton Blog ... where we find some fantastic suggestions about which songs could be intergrated into the game:

Prince - Baby I'm a Star
The Hold Steady - Constructive Summer
The Hold Steady - Party Pit
Morris Day & The Time - Cool
The Screams of Passion by The Family

--------------------------------------------

Personally, BSOD likes the suggestions of music from The Hold Steady, the Springsteen-esque working man's band that hails from the land of 10,000 lakes.

There's a fantastic interview from an article at The Portland Mercury which delves deep in the band's fascination and love for the Minnesota Twins and even puts them to the test with a pop quiz of Twins history.

Some gems from the interview with front-man Craig Finn are:

Did you grow up in Minnesota and were you always a Twins fan?

Well, I moved to Minnesota from Boston as a kid, and my parents were Red Sox fans. I was kind of a Sox fan, but my dad had access to Twins tickets through his work, so I was mildly a fan. That was until 1987; the year I got my driver's license, my first girlfriend, and the Twins won the World Series. That was a magical year. Kent Hrbek, Kirby Puckett, Tom Brunansky—it was just a great team with some amazing personalities. That whole year just turned me into a major Twins fan, along with everyone I know.

Are there a lot of people in the Minnesota music scene that are Twins fans?

Definitely. Especially the older crowd, like the Jayhawks and Golden Smog. I was at Twins' spring training this year and I saw Paul Westerberg at the game.

That is crazy. Well, the whole theme of this issue is about the relationship between sports and music. Mostly how we all have that moment—that dreaded choice—where we choose between one or another. Do you know what I mean?

Yes. The band and I were recently talking about this, how it seems cooler now for musicians to be into sports. Most bands we play with have a least one or two members who are into it. My theory is, when I was growing up, no cool bands liked sports, although now I know that Westerberg loves the Twins. It just never seemed like they could actually like sports. The band that I think changed it all was Pavement. They seemed like normal dudes who made great music and happened to like sports. They might have changed it all.

Do you have a favorite baseball song?

I just heard Bob Dylan do "Take Me out to the Ball Game." That was pretty great.

You know "Catfish" (about famed pitcher Catfish Hunter), right?

Oh yeah, of course, that's a great one. I don't know if I have an all-time favorite baseball song. There's not a lot to pick from.

BSOD Editor's Note: We're proving that "There's not a lot to pick from is" is false. :)

It's easy to pick a song such as Prince's "Let's Go Crazy" which of course is a "let it all out and party until the night is done" song, however seeing as the Twins have realized their dream of making something bigger, and constructed Target Field, we agree with the folks at the Alright Hamilton Blog in choosing "Constructive Summer" as the song of the Twins. Bonus points for any song that pays homage to "St. Joe Strummer."

"we're gonna build something this summer

summer grant us all the power

to drink on top of the water towers

with love and trust and shows all summer

let this be my annual reminder

that we can all be something bigger"

BSOD 4/13/2010: Constructive Summer
Artist: The Hold Steady
Released: 2008

Constructive Summer Lyrics

Me and my friends are like
the drums on "Lust for Life"
we pound it out on four toms
our songs are sing-a-long songs

this whole town is like this
been that way our whole lives
just work at the mill until you die
work at the mill and then you die
we're gonna build something this summer
we'll put it back together
raise up a giant ladder
with love & trust and friends and hammers

we're gonna lean this ladder
up against the water tower
climb up to the top
and drink it up

me and my friends are like
double whiskey, coke no ice
we drink along in double time
might drink too much but we feel fine

we're gonna build something this summer
summer grant us all the power
to drink on top of the water towers
with love and trust and shows all summer
let this be my annual reminder
that we can all be something bigger

i went to your schools
i did my detention but the walls are so grey i couldnt pay attention
i read the gospel it moved me to tears
but I couldn't find the hate and couldn't find the fear
i met your saviour I knelt at his feet
and he took my ten bucks and went down the street
tried to believe all the things that you said
but my friends that aren't dying are already dead

raise a toast to st joe strummer
think he might've been our only decent teacher
getting older only makes it harder to remember
we are our only saviours
we're gonna build something this summer

Related Links:
http://theholdsteady.net
http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Content?oid=321198&category=321195
http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/pages/landing?Kevin-Dutcher-the-Music-Man=1&blockID=213907&feedID=4040
http://www.alright-hamilton.com/2010/04/music-at-target-field.html

The Baseball Project 2010: Cubs 2010 Song

2010-04-12T11:51:00.001-05:00

The Chicago Cubs home opener is Monday, April 12th 2010 against their Cheddarific friends from the North (who like to wear Cheesehead hats), The Milwaukee Brewers. The home opener brings a lot of things including hope, chicken wings at Yakzies, people taking pictures holding beer around the Harry Caray statue, and of course...a new song of hope and promise that this year will finally be the year to break the 102 year old Chicago Cubs curse.

The new song this year is titled "Cubs 2010" and is the 2nd release off the 2010 Baseball Project 2010 album (in the making - as they release one new song per month).

The Baseball Project consists of: Scott McCaughey (The Minus 5, R.E.M., Young Fresh Fellows), Steve Wynn (The Dream Syndicate, Gutterball, Miracle 3), Linda Pitmon (Miracle 3, Golden Smog) and Peter Buck (R.E.M.).

Ryan White of The Oregonian wrote an article about the new song on The Baseball Project titled, "Cubs 2010." (we wrote about it last month with their first release, "Broadside Ballads"), along with an interview the Baseball Project's Scott McCaughey.

>>> Download the Song for FREE here <<<

From the article...

Does McCaughey truly believe this could be the Cubs' year?

"Sure, why not? It's like the song says, if all these things happen, it could go that way," McCaughey wrote in an e-mail interview last week. "They need Zambrano to be dominant, they need to get [Ted] Lilly back soon, they need Ramirez, Lee and Soriano to be healthy, and see if Marmol really is going to be able to harness his closer stuff."

McCaughey acknowledges that's a lot of ifs, but he said he believes that offseason outfield acquisition Marlon Byrd could potentially have a huge year and that the offense "could be tremendous if Geovany Soto gets it back together."

>>> Listen to Cubs 2010 song here <<<

BSOD 4/12/2010: Cubs 2010
Artist: The Baseball Project
Released: 2010

Cubs 2010 Song Lyrics

This is the Cubs year
Two thousand and ten
One hundred and two years
This draught has to end

Everybody from 1908 is dead
Like Merkels boner it will be heaven sent
Time to win it again cuz
Time to win it again

Goodbye Milton Bradley
And all those mistakes
Looks like Carlos Marmol - has finally got what it takes
To hold down the closers job

Aramis and Derrek
Will be thirty one / hundred men (30 HR's / 100 RBI's)
Time to win it again cuz
Time to win it again

Zambrano is going to keep his head
Soriano's knees will painlessly bend
Soto will hit like a rookie again
And we'll hear all about it from Bob and Len
from Bob and Len

~~This will be the year of no *** joke~~ ~~(if anyone knows the missing lyric..please let us know)~~

This will be the year of no last-minute choke
No Will Clark, no black cat, and no billy goat
No cursing billy goat

Pinella didn't come to Chicago
Just to contend
Time to win it again cuz
Time to win it again

Ernie Banks will be there
Tears of joy in his eyes
Ron Santo will moan with ecstatic surprise
forgetting nineteen sixty-nine

Harry Caray will look down from heavenly skies
It's two thousand and ten cuz
World Champion time

Time to win it again
Two thousand and ten
Time to win it again

Vintage Song Sunday: Love is Like a Baseball Game

2010-04-11T09:01:00.010-05:00

Formed in Philadelphia in 1960, the smooth stylings of The Intruders were a part of the development known as the Philadelphia Soul movement, which included artists such as The Delfonics, Patti LaBelle, The O'Jays, The Stylistics and even Daryl Hall & John Oates.

Consisting of lush musical arrangements combined with funk, and often strings and horns, the Philly Soul movement was the perfect arrangement for any love song.

So this Sunday night, pull the curtains closed, dim the lights, put some candles around the room, order out a few hot dogs with mustard and a pickle (no ketchup please), and put on today's Baseball Song of the Day...

"Love is Like a Baseball Game" by The Intruders:

The song hit #26 on the billboard charts back in 1968.

BSOD 4/11/2010: Love is Like a Baseball Game
Artist: The Intruders
Released: 1968

Love is Like a Baseball Game Lyrics

Love is just like a baseball game
Three strikes you’re out

Up to bat
I thought I hit a love run
But to my surprise
I found I didn’t hit none

Threw her love so fast
She put me in a daze
Never knew that love
Could come so many ways

Strike one -- She took me by surprise
Strike two -- Right in front of my eyes
Strike three -- Oh, I was out without a doubt
Oh, I was out

Love is just like a baseball game
Three strikes you’re out
Whether you win or lose
Love is just like a baseball game
Three strikes you’re out
Everybody’s got to pay some due

Oh, I’m up to bat
I’m gonna try love one more time

I really love this girl
And I’m gonna make her mine

I ain’t never won
When I played a baseball game
Now it seems that love
And baseball are just the same

Strike one -- Oh, she did it again
Strike two -- Looks like I’m never gonna win
Strike three -- Oh, I was out without a doubt
I was out

Love is just like a baseball game
Three strikes you’re out
Whether you win or lose
Love is just like a baseball game
Three strikes you’re out
Everybody’s got to pay some due
-- You got to pay some due

Love is just like a baseball game
Three strikes you’re out
-- Three strikes you’re out whether you win or lose
Love is just like a baseball game
Three strikes you’re out
Everybody’s got to pay some due
-- Got to say it again

Love is just like a baseball game
Three strikes you’re out
-- Three strikes you’re out whether you win or lose

Related Links:
http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Intruders.html

*not to be confused with the Vancouver, Canada Rock and Roll band "The Intruders"

The Garfoose on the Loose

2010-04-10T21:50:00.000-05:00

There's been a bird (Mark Fidyrich), a few mooses (Moose Haas, Moose Skowron), a penguin (Ron Cey), an antelope (Emil Verban), a cobra (Dave Parker), a rhino (Ryne Sandberg), and even a kangaroo (Davy Jones). But baseball has never had or seen anything like The Garfoose.

The Garfoose, a fire breathing, magically empowered, indestructible, wifi enabled, half giraffe half moose is the protector of the sacred Baseball Grove where the world’s most perfect baseballs are found, hanging in bunches upon baseball trees.

Some say like a Cubs World Series Championship, he doesn't actually exist. Some say he's an imaginary friend, second cousin to Harvey the Rabbit. Some say he's a creation of the mind of pitcher Dirk Hayhurst.

BSOD says, "Phoooey", he does exist, and we have the interview to prove it. Our original plan was to sneak into the Baseball Grove where he lives and protects the sacred baseballs (or Garfooseberries as they know them), and to capture him by blaring music by umpire Country Joe West until he just couldn't take it anymore.

However as we moved in closer, and finally caught a glimpse of the Garfoose via telescopic camera, one sight of those teeth and glare (see picture above), we thought better of it. So, we took the next best approach. We decided to Angus MacGyver (yes, Angus was MacGyver's first name) the scope with a coat hanger that we carry around, and send electronic messages directly to the Garfoose via it's wifi enabled antlers.

In this Baseball Song of the Day elusive exclusive (we were only able to capture and hold his attention for a few minutes before he escaped), we were able to find out the following information:

Hello Mr. Garfoose. Thank you for taking time out of foraging for baseballs to answer a few questions.

Q: Do you have a first name?

Garfoose! (Garfoose)

Q: I've heard that you are wifi enabled. If so, do you download or stream music? Are you a Pandora, or last.fm kinda Garfoose, or do you prefer to download?

Garfooooooooooose! (Pandora)

Q: What are some songs that you have been listening to lately?

GARFoooooooSE (White Knuckles by OK GO, Jumping Jack Flash by the Rolling Stones, and the entire In Rainbows album from Radiohead)

Q: What's your favorite baseball related song?

GARFOOOOOSE!!!!!!! (I hate baseball songs, I hear then every freaking day and I can't take them anymore!)

Q: If you were manager and had to select from the following to pitch the 7th game of a World Series, whom would you choose: Dick Drago, Bob Moose, Joe Berry, Steve Fireovid, or "Moose" Skowran?

GarfOOOse? (None of the Above. I would take Snake Plissken, though I know he's not a baseball player per say, I think he could get it done)

Thank you Mr. Garfoose. Looking forward to writing about you and reading and promoting your friend Mr. Hayhurst's book.

Garfoose =) ( No, THANK YOU, and if I was to eat you or any of your friends, don't take it personally).

Majestically yours,

The Garfoose

BSOD 4/10/2010: White Knuckles
Artist: OK Go
Released: 2010

White Knuckles Lyrics

You'll never get that taste, out of your mouth
You'll never get the paw prints, out of the hen house now
And you can't go back, same way you came
Round all the pieces up, but they just dont fit the same

White knuckles
Maybe it's not so bad
So let your hair down now

White knuckles
Yeah maybe it's not so bad
Aww go ahead and let it down

So come and let it all out, let it bleed
Did you get what you want? Did you get what you need?
Behind the lines, behind the walls
Tell me what's the bet you made, was it that bad after all?

White knuckles
Yeah maybe it's not so bad
So let your hair down now

White knuckles
Aww maybe it's not so bad
Just let it all come down now

So just have fun, it's far enough
Everybody needs to sleep at night, everybody needs a crutch
But couldn't good, be good enough?
Cause nothin' ever doesn't change but nothin' changes much

Yeah, maybe it's not so bad
So let your hair down now
White knuckles

Aww maybe it's not so bad
Just let it all come down now

Yeah maybe it's not so bad
Just let your hair come down now

Oh maybe it's not so bad
Just let it all come down

Related Links:
http://www.dirkhayhurst.com
http://www.dirkhayhurst.com/Dirkhayhurst.com/Garfoose.html

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The Garfoose is a good friend of Dirk Hayhurst; pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays who recently underwent shoulder surgery and will be rehabbing in 2010 on his way back into the game.

Dirk has chronicled his way through the minor leagues and into "the bigs" and has just released a book titled, "The Bullpen Gospels" which is receiving massive praise from the baseball pundits and fans alike. Here's some reviews:

Bullpen Gospels is a rollicking good bus ride of a book. Hayhurst illuminates a baseball life not only with wit and humor, but also with thought-provoking introspection.

--Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated.

“Bull Durham meets Ball Four in Dirk Hayhurst's hilarious and moving account of life in baseball's glamor-free bush leagues.”

--Rob Neyer, ESPN.com

“Yes, Virginia, there is a big-league ballplayer who can write a memoir all by himself that is not a whistle-blowing, naming-of-names diatribe, but rather an intelligent, articulate, profound, brutally honest, self-effacing, funny, touching book about the painful but rewarding relationship between baseball and life. Dirk Hayhurst’s The Bullpen Gospels is a from-the-heart, refreshingly stereotype-busting account of a year in his minor league pitching career that reveals him not as a number on a uniform or a bunch of stats or a grinning face on a baseball card, but a vulnerable, humble, flesh-and-blood real person with real feelings. Gospels is a funny bone-tickling, tear duct-stimulating, feel-good story that will leave die-hard baseball fans—and die-hard human beings, for that matter—well, feeling good.”

--Bob Mitchell, Author of Once Upon a Fastball, and Match Made in Heaven

So, what are you waiting for? Go buy the book already.

The Voice of Summer: Ernie Harwell Tribute

2010-04-09T05:16:00.034-05:00

The radio. For me, it's more than just background noise, and during baseball season, it's a constant companion who's always there for me seven months out of every year (eight if you include spring training games). In the days before the Internet and cell phones, listening to baseball on the radio was the only way to keep up with your team.

Whether you were at home, in the car, with a hidden earpiece connected to a transistor radio during school, at work, or in bed late at night listening to West coast games, the crackling of distant lightning strikes making it only that much more authentic and real, baseball on the radio was always by my side.

I recently read about a Detroit Tigers fan who had the same appreciation for radio and baseball and his team's announcer.

Twenty years ago, Lansing, Michigan native Ben Hassenger put his musical talents to use in writing a terrific song about the legendary and Hall of Fame announcer of the Detroit Tigers; Ernie Harwell.

The song "The Voice of Summer" by Ben Hassenger is a sweet sounding tune which instantly warms one's heart and tells about the singer's best friend who was always with him through all the important moments in his life.

Hassenger sings.."The voice of Summer, is calling on my radio, what I'd ever do without him, I don't want to know."

Sounding to me like it would fit snugly into any Subdudes album, "The Voice of Summer" frolicks along like its dancing through a lifetime of memories and steps together lightly with harmonica stylings and sweet guitar strumming. A perfect song for a warm Summer night on the back porch highlighted by some tea lights.

>> Download the song, "The Voice of Summer" for free <<

Hassenger states in a recent column at The StateNews.com ...

Growing up a Tigers fan and listening to Harwell call Tigers games his whole life, Hassenger said he always saw Harwell as a special person.

“He’s one of those guys that seems like your favorite uncle or grandfather,” Hassenger said. “And he’s like that when you meet him. He’s genuine and he won’t let you down.”

After originally writing “Voice of Summer” during his summer off in the ’80s, Hassenger and his band Mystic Shake redid the song in 2002 — the year Harwell retired.

Toward the end of the 2002 baseball season, Hassenger tried to gain exposure for the song by sending it to radio stations and other media outlets in Detroit. He also dropped a CD off at the broadcast booth in Comerica Park for Harwell, not thinking anything would come of it, until one day he received a call from the Tigers legend.

“He said, ‘I just wanted to tell you that I really appreciate you writing that song about me. I’m honored,’” Hassenger said. “I’m going ‘Geez, I listened to you my whole life, I’m honored that you called.’ Obviously it made my day.”

BSOD 4/9/2010: The Voice Of Summer
Artist: Ben Hassenger
Released: 1980?? (to be determined)

Voice of Summer Lyrics
Words and music by Ben Hassenger

The first voices I remember
Were those of my mom & dad
The second voice turned out to be
The best friend I ever had
Everywhere I'd go
And everything I'd do
I was never far from my radio
Listening to the orange & blue

And the voice of summer
He’s calling on my radio
What I'd ever do without him
I don't want to know
I guess that I'd be left there standing like a house by the side of the road
Without the voice of summer on my radio

He followed me through high school
And on to college too
And that night I cried when my grandfather died
He was there to fill his shoes
I learned so much about the game
From the stories he would share
When I couldn't make it to the park
He'd make me feel like I was there

He's the voice of summer
Calling on my radio
What I'd ever do without him
I don't want to know
I guess that I'd be left there standing
Like a house by the side of the road
Without the voice of summer on my radio

Staying up past my bedtime
Praying for some instant runs
Wondering how he ever knew
Where all the people in the park were from

The time's they are a'changin
Nothing seems to be the same
No more crowds at Michigan and Trumbull
And only millionaires play the game
But some things should last forever
At least that how I'd like them to stay
I'll hear Ernie inside my head
Every time I watch the Tigers play

He's the voice of summer
Calling on my radio
What I'd ever do without him
I don't want to know
I guess that I'd be left there standing like a house by the side of the road
Without the voice of summer on my radio

Related Links:
http://www.reverbnation.com/benhassenger (FREE Downloads)
http://www.youtube.com/bquietmusic (FREE videos)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ben-Hassenger-Music/173192460879?ref=nf (FREE fun)
http://benhassenger.blogspot.com (FREE thoughts)
http://www.myspace.com/bquietmusic (FREE space)

--------------------------------

Note: BSOD got in contact with Ben about his wonderful songs and he was kind enough to send the lyrics along right before heading out for Opening Day at Comerica Park. (Tigers won 5-2). Ben has also written another "Tiger tune" called "The Corner", which is a tribute to old Tiger Stadium. I'm sure we'll catch up with Ben again to find out more about that song, ~~and to answer a few baseball related questions that we had for him.~~ As they say in baseball, it's a marathon, not a sprint, so the season is still young.

---------------------------------------

As Mel Allen used to say, "How 'bout that?" Ben quickly responded to us not long after the Tiger's Opening Day victory with answers to our questions:

1. What's your favorite baseball song (besides your own of course)?

The first one that comes to mind is Chuck Brodsky's "Letters in the Dirt" ; he grew up a Phillies fan and wrote this amazing song about Ritchie Allen and the prejudice he faced (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q8CHJ3i1Aw). He's written a bunch of great baseball tunes, but this is probably my favorite of his. Of course "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" (check out my uke version at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSV2C5gR9sM) and "Centerfield", but there are a whole bunch more great baseball tunes. Jeff Campbell and his "Hungry for Music" organization has put together some nice collections called "Diamond Cuts": http://hungryformusic.com/cds/diamond-cuts/

2. Would the 1984 Tigers have won if they played the 1984 Cubs instead of the Padres? (Yes, as a cub fan the '84 season still hurts).

I love the Cubbies too and wanted to see an I-94 World Series, but the Tigers would have killed them. The Cubs lost to the Padres, who were then swept by Detroit. The World Series title was their destiny in '84. that 35-5 start was amazing.

3. Trammel and Whitaker, should either be in the Hall of Fame?

Maybe Trammell. Jack Morris should probably be in there too, both have statistics that are better than some of the players enshrined. I'll see if I can use my newfound clout to get them in :)

4. Since you wrote another song about Old Tiger's Stadium, what do you miss most about it?

Tiger Stadium (there's only one, not an old or new) was a special place for me and many other fans. Things I'll remember most include:

* Walking up that long dark tunnel to the bleacher entrance where the bright blue sky and emerald green field greeted you

* The many friends I met there in the bleachers

* The 1-0 win over the Blue Jays in the last game of the regular season in 1987 that clinched the pennant for Detroit

* The walk through the old neighborhood of Corktown on my way to the park

* The final game in 1999, I sat in the stands with many other fans long after the game was over, we didn't want to say goodbye

BSOD Editor's Note: "I went to a game at Detroit in the early 1990's and a memory I have of the game is Rickey Henderson of the Oakland A's politely giving the fans the middle finger. I state politely because first of all, the Tigers' fans were heckling him to no end, and this included many curse words. Rickey didn't respond for the first few innings, and then at one point, bent over with his glove and throwing hand on each knee, and looked intently towards home plate, and then put his hand behind his back and flipped the bird to the left field hecklers."

Talking Yogi Talk

2010-04-08T11:17:00.049-05:00

"This may be the greatest music that's never been heard."

Ok, so that may not be quite up to Yogi Berra's standards, but I took a shot.

Today's Baseball Song of the Day comes from six time grammy award winner, John McCutcheon.

Born in Wisconsin (and a Milwaukee Braves fan), McCutcheon has produced over 30 albums during his career and has received some high praise from such artists as Johnny Cash who called him, "The most impressive instrumentalist I’ve ever heard.” Mainly a folk singer, McCutcheon plays a variety of instruments including a 12-String Guitar, Fancy Banjo, Fiddle, Hammered Dulcimer, Nyckelharpa, and something called a Piano too.

(photo by Gary Harrison, May 6, 2001 at the Baseball Hall of Fame)

From his biography on his web site: http://www.folkmusic.com/bio, one of McCutcheon's greatest gifts are to bring all types of people together through his music, which ranges from political, to the everyday (a child's haircut) to one of my favorite subjects, Baseball.

“Some of them know me through my albums for children,” he explains. “Some know me as a hammered dulcimer player. Some know me for writing topical songs. Yet all of these people find themselves sitting next to one another at my shows. They laugh and cry. They get nostalgic and they think about the future. They think about their kids and their ancestors. They get inspired and energized. And this inspires and energizes me too."

In 2008 McCutcheon recorded an album dedicated to the subject of baseball called "Sermon On the Mound" in which he honored a few of the games heroes (Cal Ripken Jr., Roberto Clemente, Jackie Robinson), discusses the dark side of the game (John Rocker and the steroids issue) and catches many bittersweet moments.

From an article by Mike Tierney on the Atlanta Journal Constitution web site, McCutcheon explains about a few of the songs meanings...

"Doin' My Job" recognizes Cal Ripken's consecutive games streak while equating it to common people going to work every day.

"One More Mountaintop" relives Mark McGwire's record-breaking home run from the perspective of the groundskeeper who retrieved the ball and honorably gave it to McGwire rather than sell it to a collector.

"Cross That Line" revisits pioneer Jackie Robinson's integration of the major leagues made easier with a simple but profound gesture by teammate Pee Wee Reese. Its message: Seize the moment when one arises for a positive impact.

Not every McCutcheon number is wrapped in warm nostalgia. He bemoans the infiltration of steroids in "Big." He tosses melodious beanballs at the former Braves pitcher/sociopolitical observer in "John Rocker." ("You want him in the bullpen, you want him in the zone, but you want him far away from a microphone.")

---------------

Another song on the album; "Sermon on the Mound" is today's Baseball Song of the Day, "Talking Yogi Talk" which highlights many of the New York Yankee and Hall of Famer Yogi Berra's famous sayings.

BSOD 4/8/2010: Talking Yogi Talk
Artist: John McCutcheon
Released: 2008

A sampling of the lyrics from Talking Yogi Talk by John McCutcheon

"I wanna tell you a little story
about a hero of mine
I was six or seven
at the time
learned to catch behind the plate
when up steps the yankees number 8

one of the best to ever play the game
enshrined in baseball's hall of fame
Yogi Berra could hit, he could throw
but when he opened his mouth
(laughs) well...you just never know

he hits from both sides of the plate
heeee's ammmmmmmmphibious

the future ain't what it used to be
i won't buy encylodpedia for my kids
let them walk to school like i did

sometimes he said things that actually sounded profound
like..in theory there is no difference between theory and practice
in practice, there is

Related Links:
http://www.folkmusic.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xwfFc-42k4
http://www.ajc.com/lifestyle/folksinger-happy-to-be-440043.html?cxtype=rss_news_128746

Drilling in a Pitch in Tulsa

2010-04-07T06:55:00.009-05:00

Tim McGraw to throw out first pitch at the Tulsa Driller's Opening Game. It's the first professional game in Tulsa in 80 years.

From: TulsaWorld.com ...

Country music singer and actor Tim McGraw will throw the ceremonial first pitch at ONEOK Field for the Tulsa Drillers' sold-out opening game Thursday.

"We are very fortunate to have Tim McGraw agree to do this. He's a busy man," Drillers owner Chuck Lamson said Monday.

McGraw is scheduled to play a concert at the BOK Center on Thursday.

Lamson said it is fitting that McGraw throw the pitch because he has a baseball connection — his father, Tug McGraw.

Tug McGraw was a premier relief pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets. He died in 2004.

In the 1980 World Series, Tug McGraw earned the final out against Kansas City with a strikeout, giving the Phillies their first world championship.

He was twice selected to play in the MLB All-Star game, and he is in the New York Mets Hall of Fame and on the Philadelphia Phillies Wall of Fame.

Tim McGraw attended Northeast Louisiana University on a baseball scholarship.

When Lamson and others realized that Tim McGraw would be in Tulsa the same night as the Drillers' opening game and debut of the new downtown ballpark, officials began efforts to see if McGraw would throw the pitch.

"When it was all said and done, it was some Louisiana connections that made this happen," Lamson said, pointing to Mike Neal, CEO and president of the Tulsa Metro Chamber, and Paul Wilkening, former chief deputy for the Tulsa County commissioners.

Neal's wife went to college with Tim McGraw at Northeast Louisiana, and later the children of Neal and Tim McGraw competed in sports against each other. Wilkening was a fraternity brother of McGraw's in college.

Neal said it's a huge plus to have the superstar in town.

"Albeit, we would prefer to not have the opening night of the Drillers in competition with a Tim McGraw concert, but everything worked out ideally with Tim's willingness to participate in the ceremonial first pitch," he said.

"I'm sure there will be a lot of us start out at the ballgame and move over to Tim's concert later," Neal said. "That just shows how our two venues can complement one another. Downtown Tulsa is certainly going to be hopping Thursday night."

Lamson said he is excited to have such "a great guy bring a blend of country music and baseball to really kick off this new era of Drillers baseball."

Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=408&articleid=20100406_11_B1_Countr962831

---------------------------------------

Watch Tim McGraw talk about how he discreetly spread his father's ashes on the mound at the World Series in 2008.

Watch today's Baseball Song of the Day, "Live Like You're Dying" by Tim McGraw

BSOD 4/7/2010: Live Like You're Dying
Artist: Tim McGraw
Released: 2004

Live Like You're Dying Lyrics

He said: "I was in my early forties,
"With a lot of life before me,
"An' a moment came that stopped me on a dime.
"I spent most of the next days,
"Looking at the x-rays,
"An' talking 'bout the options an' talkin’ ‘bout sweet time."
I asked him when it sank in,
That this might really be the real end?
How’s it hit you when you get that kind of news?
Man whatcha do?

An' he said: "I went sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,
"I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.
"And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
"And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying."
An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,
"To live like you were dyin'."

He said "I was finally the husband,
"That most the time I wasn’t.
"An' I became a friend a friend would like to have.
"And all of a sudden goin' fishin’,
"Wasn’t such an imposition,
"And I went three times that year I lost my Dad.
"Well, I finally read the Good Book,
"And I took a good long hard look,
"At what I'd do if I could do it all again,
"And then:

"I went sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,
"I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.
"And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
"And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying."
An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,
"To live like you were dyin'."

Like tomorrow was a gift,
And you got eternity,
To think about what you’d do with it.
An' what did you do with it?
An' what can I do with it?
An' what would I do with it?

"Sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,
"I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.
"And then I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
"And I watched Blue Eagle as it was flyin'."
An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,
"To live like you were dyin'."

"To live like you were dyin'."
"To live like you were dyin'."
"To live like you were dyin'."
"To live like you were dyin'."

Related Links:
http://www.tugmcgraw.org
http://www.tulsadrillers.com

Toledo Mud Hens Hip-Hop Heavy Hitters

2010-04-06T15:54:00.033-05:00

Writer "lilD" of The Toledo Free Press writes about the psyche of baseball and how important confidence at the plate can be for one's success, and suggests some of Toledo, Ohio's hottest hip-hop artists and songs for swinging for hip-hop hits at one of minor league baseball's historic teams; The Toledo Mud Hens.

The Toledo Mud Hens are the "AAA" affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and are one of several clubs that have existed in Toledo since 1883. The team name of "Mud Hens" was first used in 1896 and comes from the name of a duck-like bird which lived in the nearby marsh fields.

------------------------------------------
Toledo Free Press
April 6, 2010
Writer: lilD

The Mud Hens are getting ready to kick off another season, and while there are several components to success, one of the most important factors is confidence. So listed below is a list of Toledo Hip-Hop artists’ hottest singles to simultaneously boost the male ego and get the blood pumping. Play ball!

1. Chief “Change the Beat”

The title describes the ever-changing instrumental behind the smooth flows of Chief’s complicated flow. With production by Midwest Tone, a premier Toledo producer and a cocky set of verses, this song will not only wake up a player, it will get his swagger up to a sufficient level. That is, very high.

2. Dre P. “Rockin’ Off My Rocker” (Dre P. photo at right)

If the strong guitar riffs don’t wake up the Mud Hens, Dre P.’s intensity will. With its catchy lyrics and intense melody, this song is sure to get the blood flowing before a game and have all the players “rockin’.”

3. Big P.I. “Dat Boy”

From the moment this song starts, the music catches your attention. But that’s typical of any song produced by Mally Speaks. A perfect complement to Mally’s unique instrumentation is popular Toledo rapper Big P.I., who boasts of his ability to steal the spotlight, leaving everyone asking “What’s that boy’s name?”

And what professional athlete doesn’t want everyone to know who he is?

4. Spade “I Go Dumb”

Arguably the best Hip-Hop artist in the city, Spade dedicated an entire song to informing people of his level of talent. “Going dumb” is a term meant to describe being the best at one’s craft; the Mud Hens will be the best this season, right? Well, here’s its theme music!

5. Johnnie Mae “I’m Paid”

One of the few female hip-hop artists in Toledo with a real buzz and high expectations, Johnnie Mae’s anthem for getting money and handling business always moves a crowd. And after all those endorsements come rolling in, all the Mud Hens could sing this song, yelling “I’m paid.”

6. Young Chuck “Can’t See Me”

This Toledo up-and-comer has a potential hit on his hands, and it kills boredom immediately.

All about acknowledging your creative superiority, this song will give every member of the Mud Hens a confidence boost.

7. Ray Stone “I’m So Fly”

This song is legendary in Toledo. Who doesn’t want to feel like they’re at the top of their game? Ray Stone encompasses every emotion, and accompanying adjective, that describes greatness.

This will definitely get the Mud Hens pumped up and ready to do great things on the field.

8. 419ers “Stuntin’ Habit”

Stunting is the act of physically displaying achievements, be it economically, academically or athletically.

So being in the habit of stunting is a good thing for a professional baseball team, and being supplied with an auditory reminder is perfect.

9. B Wills “Everybody Wanna Be Me”

The first line of this song

says, “I’m looking like a million bucks.” Confidence is a great ego booster, and when you look good, you feel good.

And when you feel good, you pitch no-hitters and hit homeruns.

10. Cuntry “Look At Me”

This song is performed by the most popular Hip-Hop artist in the city, and had everyone looking in the mirror, daring someone to challenge his or her authority.

And listening to a song like this before a game will help give the Mud Hens the authority needed to laugh off the competition.

BSOD 4/6/2010: Look At Me
Artist: Cuntry
Released: n/a

Related Links:
www.mudhens.com

Opening Day: Dre to Tyler to Diamond

2010-04-05T10:20:00.002-05:00

They're no Tinker to Evers to Chance, but in the world of music they're a very solid trio.

Sunday April 4th kicked off the 2010 baseball season with the 2009 World Series Champions; the New York Yankees meeting their rivals the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Over the last few years Fenway has seen a revival in their stadium's appearance and popularity and combine that with the appeal of Opening Day and you have a fantastic venue for some top name acts.

Appearing first on the day was hip-hop's very own Dr. Dre. Dre as he took batting practice sporting a Red Sox jersey and hawking his new "Beats by Dr. Dre" Red Sox headphones. With him was Interscope chairman Jimmy Iovine who stated that he's from Brooklyn and was originally a Mets fan, but today is rooting for Boston.

Up next was fresh out of rehab - Steven Tyler, the lead singer of Aerosmith performing "God Bless America" at the bottom of the 7th inning. I have an open mind when it comes to music and differing versions of songs, but in all honesty, even though I enjoyed his effort, I found the version off putting and would have enjoyed a more traditional sound for one of our country's respected songs. Performing acapella, with his daughter Chelsea joining in at the very end (I rather liked that part), Tyler's voice is just too raw and screeching for the song. A hit, and a miss.

Finishing up the trio was Neil Diamond sporting a Red Sox hat, and a dark black blazer with the words, "Keep the Dodgers in Brooklyn" in white lettering on the back.

Diamond was definitely showing his age, and the song was definitely "schlocky" and that's alright with me. This man has been around for years and years and having his song being adopted at the park for the 8th inning in which everyone (I'm sure there's some holdouts) joins in and sings "So good, so good, so good" back to him is nothing but silly fun. Racing sausages (in Milwaukee) are ok but singing "Sweet Caroline" isn't?

BSOD 4/5/2010: Sweet Caroline - 8th Inning Stylee
Artist: Neil Diamond and the Boston Red Sox Fans
Released: 4/4/2010

"So good, so good, so good!!!"

Note: The Red Sox beat the Yankees 9-7

Vintage Song Sunday: A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request

2010-04-04T21:59:00.036-05:00

Many great things in life can be bought with a beer. Need help in moving your furniture from one apartment to the next? Get some beer for your friends. Need the cable guy to add a lil sump'n sump'n, offer up a beer.

For folk singer Steve Goodman, in the early 1970's, he was able to buy the attention of a young Arlo Guthrie with a beer. Guthrie like many artists had people coming up to him and wanting to play a song for him to listen. Guthrie agreed to listen to Goodman's song as long as Steve bought him a beer, and for as long as it took him to drink the beer. The song was "The City of New Orleans", the terrific rambling tune of a train that garnered Guthrie a top 20 hit in '72, and that was later covered by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson amongst many others and earned Goodman a posthumous Grammy in 1985.

A true Chicagoan, Goodman was born in 1948 on Chicago's North Side. His love of music led him to start writing songs and he often performed during his teenage years while at Maine East High School, after his parents moved to the North Suburbs. Staying close to home, he went to the University of Illinois and then staying closer to his dream, he left college to pursue a career in music.

Growing up on the North Side of Chicago, Goodman also had another love besides music and that was baseball and The Chicago Cubs. He wrote three songs about the Cubs: "A Dying Cubs Fan's Last Request", "When the Cubs Go Marching In", and "Go Cubs Go."

Well known for his die hard fan loyalty to the Cubs and popular for playing around town, the Cubs were to have Goodman perform the "Star Spangled Banner" before their first playoff game in 39 years in 1984, however Goodman was battling Leukemia since the late 60's and unfortunately he passed away four days before the Cubs clinched the playoff spot. Jimmy Buffet filled in for Goodman and dedicated the song to him. The Cubs would win the first two games of the playoffs vs the San Diego Padres, and then go on to lose the next three in heartbreaking fashion.

In 1988, Goodman's wishes from his song were realized when his ashes were spread at Wrigley Field. This is one of the most accurate songs about the Chicago Cubs and what they can do to your heartstrings, time and time again. Today's Old Time, Famous, Vintage, Heartfelt, Sad Yet Beautiful Baseball Song of the Day; "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" by Steve Goodman. All Cub fans, raise an Old Style beer to you every time this song is heard.

It's been 101 years since the Cubs won the World Series. I think there's been a lot of requests. If you think about it, nobody is alive that last saw them win the World Series.

BSOD 4/4/2010: A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request
Artist: Steve Goodman
Released: 1979

By the shore's of old Lake Michigan
Where the "hawk wind" blows so cold
An old Cub fan lay dying
In his midnight hour that tolled
Round his bed, his friends had all gathered
They knew his time was short
And on his head they put this bright blue cap
From his all-time favorite sport
He told them, "Its late and its getting dark in here"
And I know its time to go
But before I leave the line-up
Boys, there's just one thing I'd like to know

Do they still play the blues in Chicago
When baseball season rolls around
When the snow melts away,
Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy-covered burial ground
When I was a boy they were my pride and joy
But now they only bring fatigue
To the home of the brave
The land of the free
And the doormat of the National League

Told his friends "You know the law of averages says:
Anything will happen that can"
That's what it says
"But the last time the Cubs won a National League pennant
Was the year we dropped the bomb on Japan"
The Cubs made me a criminal
Sent me down a wayward path
They stole my youth from me
(that's the truth)
I'd forsake my teachers
To go sit in the bleachers
In flagrant truancy

and then one thing led to another
and soon I'd discovered alcohol, gambling, dope
football, hockey, lacrosse, tennis
But what do you expect,
When you raise up a young boy's hopes
And then just crush 'em like so many paper beer cups
Year after year after year
after year, after year, after year, after year, after year
'Til those hopes are just so much popcorn
for the pigeons beneath the 'L' tracks to eat
He said, "You know I'll never see Wrigley Field,
anymore before my eternal rest
So if you have your pencils and your score cards ready,
and I'll read you my last request

He said, "Give me a double header funeral in Wrigley Field
On some sunny weekend day (no lights)
Have the organ play the "National Anthem"
and then a little 'na, na, na, na, hey hey, hey, Goodbye'
Make six bullpen pitchers, carry my coffin
and six ground keepers clear my path
Have the umpires bark me out at every base
In all their holy wrath

Its a beautiful day for a funeral, Hey Ernie lets play two!
Somebody go get Jack Brickhouse to come back,
and conduct just one more interview
Have the Cubbies run right out into the middle of the field,
Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly
Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt
And I'll be ready to die

Build a big fire on home plate out of your Louisville Sluggers baseball bats
And toss my coffin in
Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow
From the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind
When my last remains go flying over the left-field wall
Will bid the bleacher bums ad eu
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue

The dying man's friends told him to cut it out
They said stop it that's an awful shame
He whispered, "Don't Cry, we'll meet by and by near the Heavenly Hall of Fame
He said, "I've got season's tickets to watch the Angels now,
So its just what I'm going to do
He said, "but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs,
So its me that feels sorry for you!"

And he said, "Ahh Play, play that lonesome losers tune,
That's the one I like the best"
And he closed his eyes, and slipped away
What we got is the Dying Cub Fan's Last Request
And here it is

Do they still play the blues in Chicago
When baseball season rolls around
When the snow melts away,
Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy-covered burial ground
When I was a boy they were my pride and joy
But now they only bring fatigue
To the home of the brave
The land of the free
And the doormat of the National League

---------------------------------

Oh, and if you're from Chicago and never heard, "The Lincoln Park Pirates" about the Lincoln Towing Service, it's a must listen for anyone who's been plundered and pilfered by them.

Sources:
http://www.stevegoodman.net
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Goodman

Saturday Night at the Movies: The Slugger's Wife

2010-04-03T21:26:00.001-05:00

It's Saturday Night at the Movies, tonight's feature is the 1985 film; "The Slugger's Wife", starring Michael O'Keefe (Caddyshack's Danny Noonan..."Noonan...Nooooonan...Nooonan") and Rebecca DeMornay ("Risky Business", "And God Created Woman", "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle").

Written by famous playright Neil Simon, the story centers around a power hitting ballplayer for the Atlanta Braves; Darryl Palmer, who falls for a gorgeous rock singer, Debbie Huston. After interspersed scenes of persistant courting by Palmer (which includes scenes of DeMornay actually singing "Little Red Corvette") the film cuts to scenes of Palmer striking out at the plate during a game. Get it, he's striking out in courting her and at the plate too. Wow, that's coincidental.

At the bar one night, when Debbie is performing, the music stops and the spotlight moves to Darryl. While smoking a cigar and being cocky, he promises to hit two home runs the next day. If he accomplishes the feat, then she agrees to go out with him. If not, then he'll donate $1,000 to her favorite charity. Randy Quaid's character, (one of the co-stars on his team) then utters, "two homers..you can't even drive a truck that far!" Palmer then states that the reason he hasn't done well that year is that he hadn't had any inspiration, then he points to Huston and states, "that - is my inspiraton."

At the game the next day, while stepping towards the plate, his manager asks, "When was the god-damn last time that you hit two home runs in a game?" Palmer answers, "High school, it was a 24 inning game..I batted twelve times."

But even against a filthy Mark Fidryich pitching for the Astros, Palmer knocks one out in his first two at bats of the game and the film abruptly cuts to the dinner scene. His two HR's finished, who cares about the rest of the game.

After time, their romance hits the big leagues and they eventually marry. While his career flourishes and he's knocking homers all over when they're together (trying to break the HR record of 61 (pre-steroid era)), her career falls apart and she gives up singing to be with him. After time, she realizes what she misses and her mistake, and thus leading to their separation. Darryl stops hitting homers and his manager tricks him by having another girl pretend to be Huston. In the end, Darryl breaks the record (against Al Hrabosky), and there's a meeting at the ballpark between the two (Huston and Palmer..not Hrabosky), but its unsure if their relationship will ever be back to the way it was.

A review of this movie in one word: "Schlocky." I'm not really sure what that means but it sounds appropriate. If pressed for another word, "Chintzy" comes to mind.

The music is lounge lizard bad. The songs and stylings are those you'd here in a bar on the outskirts of town, because they'd never make it in town. There's some really bad cover versions of famous songs such as "Love the One You're With" (Stills), "Hungry Heart" (Springsteen), and "Hey Hey My My" (Young).

It should be noted that the director of the film; Hal Ashby, did however make some outstanding movies earlier in his career, including "Harold and Maude", "Bound for Glory", "Coming Home", and one of my all time favorites, "Being There."

Turner Classic Movies online states that the film was loosely based on Mike Marshall (Dodgers and Mets 1B and OF) and Belinda Carlisle (Go-Go's).

Fun Note: About Mike Marshall. The legendary announcer, Harry Caray, once said during a Cubs telecast that, "Mike Marshall is going back to LA to get some cocaine for his foot." His partner in the booth, color commentator Steve Stone, quickly interjected, "Uh, Harry, that's novacaine."

Watch the trailor here: http://www.starz.com/titles/TheSluggersWife

Watch and listen to a weird clip of someone recording a speaker playing Rebecca DeMornay singing "Oh Jimmy" (youtube below) from the movie:

BSOD 4/3/2010: "OH Jimmy"
Artist: Rebecca DeMornay
Released: 1985

"OH JIMMY"
Written by Sarah M. Taylor
Produced by Tom Bähler
Performed by Rebecca De Mornay

Other Notable Songs from the Soundtrack. Not notable because they're good, but notable, because they're popular songs.

"HUNGRY HEART"
Written by Bruce Springsteen
Produced by Tom Bähler, Brock Walsh and John Van Tongeren

"LITTLE RED CORVETTE"
Written by Prince
Produced by Tom Bähler, Brock Walsh and John Van Tongeren
Performed by Rebecca De Mornay

"SINGIN' IN THE RAIN"
Written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown

"HEY HEY MY MY"
Written by Neil Young
Produced by Tom Bähler, Brock Walsh and John Van Tongeren
Performed by Rebecca De Mornay and Loudon Wainwright III

"LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH"
Written by Stephen Stills
Produced by Tom Bähler, Brock Walsh and John Van Tongeren

"WHEN I NEED YOU"
Written by Carole Bayer Sager and Albert Hammond
Produced by Tom Bähler, Brock Walsh and John Van Tongeren

"STRAY CAT STRUT"
Written by Brian Setzer
Produced by Tom Bähler, Brock Walsh and John Van Tongeren

"SUMMER IN THE CITY"
Written by John Sebastian
Produced by Tom Bähler, Brock Walsh and John Van Tongeren

"LOVE POTION NUMBER NINE"
Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Produced by Tom Bähler, Brock Walsh and John Van Tongeren

Opening Day Song: Life's Good Again

2010-04-02T17:52:00.060-05:00

I'm not sure what its like for those of you that live in warm weather climates. But for those of us who experience a full Winter where the only green we see comes from the Christmas tree, the warm winds of Spring can never come soon enough. The daffodils peeking out in front of the leftover snowmobile trail signs, the rippling of the water from once frozen over streams, all remind us, that Spring has sprung, and life begins its cycle once again.

It's this anticipation, for what is to come, that inspires us, and gives us hope in our lives. To enjoy life's outdoor activities once again, not encumbered by three layers of clothing. To ride a bicycle, plant vegetable seeds, watch a movie at a drive in, eat roasted-dipped in a vat of butter-salted corn on the cob, and the most wondrous of all, catch a game at the ole' ballpark.

To this we salute the most righteous of Spring's offerings; Baseball Opening Day, with a look at a homegrown "Baseball Opening Day" song from "Regular Rob" Crawford; Vice President of Red Sox Nation.

Opening Day 2010 begins on April 4th with the World Series Champs of 2009, the much loved and hated New York Yankees appearing at Fenway Park. Our pick for this year's Opening Day song, goes to "Regular Rob" Crawford.

"Crawdaddy" Crawford as he was known before trying for presidency of the Red Sox Nation (Boston maniacal fans who live and die for their team), is a father of five who, by his own accord is dominated in his life by parenthood and baseball. On his blog, "Regular Rob" writes about why he loves baseball, "The leathery-dirt smell of a Rawlings baseball glove. The feel of a high-seamed baseball under my fingertips. Kids imitating their heroes’ batting stances. Defensive replacements in the 9th inning. The allure of an expansive green lawn."

His list of reasons why he loves baseball continues on a very looooooooong page, and it contains one of my favorites, "Old men and women who keep score, every game." It is just this passion that he is referring to, when he wasn't able to find an adequate song about his feeling for baseball and Opening Day. So, what's a man to do but... write an Opening Day song of his own.

The weekend before the 2008 opening day game for the Boston Red Sox, "Regular Rob" Crawford snuk on down to the basement (aka the "daddy bunker") when the kids were asleep and put together a terrific song about what baseball's opening day means to him, and in essence, like any good song, to all of us too.

There's only one thing left to say..."Play Ball!"

>>> Listen to the Song (right click to save it) or go to Rob's Blog and hear it there

BSOD 4/2/2010: Opening Day! (song)
Artist: Rob Crawford
Released: 2008
www.crawdaddycove.com

Opening Day! Lyrics
by Rob Crawford (ASCAP)

Well it’s Opening Day
Winter’s gone, let’s celebrate
Skipping school for the game
Got no choice, it’s in my D.N.A.
Baseball everyday ’til fall
Sing Spangled Stars, then let’s play ball
Yes it’s Opening Day
Life’s good again

Opening Day!
Opening Day!

Well it’s Opening Day
Winter’s gone, spring starts today
Skipping work for the game
Guess I’ll update my resume
From Japan to Canada
U.S.A. to Latin America
Yes it’s Opening Day
Life’s good again

Opening Day!
Opening Day!
This year our team’s going all the way
It all starts on Opening Day

Well it’s Opening Day
Winter ended yesterday
Skipping school for the game
It’s baseball’s own religious holiday
And the rockets’ red glare
The bombs bursting in air
Yes it’s Opening Day
Life’s good again

Baseball everyday ’til fall
No more hot stove, let’s play ball
Yes it’s Opening Day
Life’s good again

Opening Day!

---------------------------------------------------

Note: What's a great opening day performance???
How about this: Karl "Tuffy" Rhodes hit three home runs on Opening Day in 1994 for the Chicago Cubs. Acquired in the off season from the KC Royals, Tuffy had only played in less than 100 games in the major leagues before the Cubs gave him the nod. What's more, Karl hit the home runs off of....Dwight Gooden. Tuffy then went on to Japan where in the 2001 season, he hit his 55th homer to tie Sadaharu Oh's Japanese League single season home run record, set in 1964. View other great Opening Day Bests at: http://baseballhistorian.com/html/opening_day.htm

The Miracle League

2010-04-01T04:43:00.005-05:00

From The Auburn Plainsman (4/1/2010):

http://www.theplainsman.com/view/full_story/6904961/article-People-Of-The-Plains--Cox-Shares-Miracle-of-Baseball?instance=home_news_lead_story

Every spring while his boys were growing up, Rob Cox took his place in the stadium to proudly watch them play baseball. Now his work with the Miracle League brings him the pride of watching other people’s children play baseball. Children who, because of special health needs, play the game a little differently than his sons Trent and Chase did. The Miracle League is a league of baseball teams made up of players with disabilities that prevent them from playing on regular baseball teams.

Cox is the chairman of the league’s board. “The reason that I do it is because of the smiles that I see on these children’s faces when they play baseball,” Cox said. One of his favorite gameday duties is turning on the music in the stadium. Cox said he likes to play country, rock and oldies tunes. “I think one of the most important things you can do at a baseball game is play good music,” Cox said.

Cox hopes the Miracle League will eliminate stereotypes about people with special needs. “They can do anything that we do, they may do it a little differently,” Cox said. “But they have the same abilities.” Cox said it is the players and their families who make gameday on Billy Hitchcock Field so special. “You can build all the baseball fields you want to,” Cox said, “but if there aren’t people on the bases, it doesn’t matter. And especially these people. They just mean a lot to us.”

BSOD 4/1/2010: “The Miracle League”
Artist: Eddie Kilgallon – Montgomery Gentry Group
Released: Unknown

The History of The Miracle League
www.miracleleague.com

In 1997 Rockdale Youth Baseball Association’s coach Eddie Bagwell invited the first disabled child Michael to play baseball on his team; Michael a 7 year old child in a wheel chair attended every game and practice, while cheering on his 5 year old brother play America’s favorite pass-time.

And in 1998, the Rockdale Youth Baseball Association (RYBA) formed the Miracle League to further its mission of providing opportunities for all children to play baseball regardless of their ability. The disabled children in the community had expressed the desire to dress in uniforms, make plays in the field, and round the bases just like their healthy peers. The league began with 35 players on four teams.

There were no programs for the Miracle League to copy. It was decided that:

Every player bats once each inning
All players are safe on the bases
Every player scores a run before the inning is over (last one up gets a home run)
Community children and volunteers serve as ‘buddies’ to assist the players
Each team and each player wins every game

to read more about The Miracle League and how you can help, please browse to www.miracleleague.com

He Wants to Make Her Happy: Matt Kemp

2010-03-31T14:22:00.007-05:00

From Indyhiphop.com: http://indyhiphop.com/national/news-gossip/britneyb/rumor-are-rihanna-matt-moving-in-together/

Rihanna has reportedly asked her boyfriend Matt Kemp to move into her LA home.

The singer was linked with Kemp, who plays baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers, back in January when they went on vacation to Mexico together. However the pair have always said they were just friends.

A source told Star magazine,

“Matt is very happy to be moving in with Rihanna. He knew it was only a matter of time before Rihanna moved him in. He wants to make her happy. He had boxes of his things brought over in mid-March. He’s training in Arizona now, but when he’s back he’ll be at her place. He’s keeping his house, to see how things go, but they are so in love.”

BSOD: 3/31/10: Rude Boy
Artist: Rihanna
Released: 2009

Gave Him the Bat: No Hay Nadie Como Tú

2010-03-30T02:22:00.002-05:00

Yahoo! Sports writes...About Baseball & Music & Passion in Cuba...while their island's baseball finals are going on between the Havana Blue Lions and the Villa Clara Orangemen

-----------------------------------------------

More than the national sport, baseball is a passion here, to the point that it has become part of the lexicon of daily life.

A lover discovered in an infidelity is said to have been "caught off base" and if the relationship breaks up, they "gave him the bat." To be "between second and third," is to be trapped in a dilemma, and a "number four batter" is someone of great power and strength.

To get in the spirit of the finals, the Puerto Rican hip hop group Calle 13 donned the shirts of the Cuban national baseball team at a huge free concert Tuesday at Havana's Jose Marti Anti-Imperialist Plaza.

Kelvis Ochoa and other Cuban musicians returned the compliment by wearing the colors of the Puerto Rican team.

Calle 13 won a Latin Grammy for record of the year in 2009 for "No Hay Nadie Como Tú (Featuring Café Tacuba)"

BSOD 3/30/2010: No Hay Nadie Como Tú (Featuring Café Tacuba)

Artist: Calle 13

Released: 2009

Baseball Mistress: A Girl's Gotta Do (What a Girl's Gotta Do)

2010-03-29T11:46:00.003-05:00

On the heels of releasing her new album,"I'm Still Here" country singer Mindy McCready is back in the news and again, its not for the musical reasons. Vivid Entertainment has announced that a "sex tape" video of McCready titled "Baseball Mistress" will be released in April 2010.

The sex tape will have Mindy discussing her relationship with once future, but now in doubt Hall of Famer; Roger Clemens. The album itself is getting mixed reviews, but let's turn the clock back to 1996 (I'm sure Roger wishes he could too), for today's Baseball Song of the Day, A Girl's Gotta Do (What a Girl's Gotta Do).

Note: the sex tape will not be video of her and Roger Clemens but of Mindy and an ex-boyfriend named "Peter."

BSOD 3/29/2010: A Girl's Gotta Do (What a Girl's Gotta Do)
Artist: Mindy McCready
Released 1996

A Girl's Gotta Do (What a Girl's Gotta Do) Lyrics

The first thing I did when you said goodbye
Was sit myself down and have a real good cry
The next thing I did was put my red dress on
And go downtown dancing till the break of dawn

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do
And now I've gotta get to getting' over you
Too bad I gotta do it with someone new
But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do

Fancy meeting you out stomping ground
Sorry if you caught me painting the town
Guess I shoulda stayed home with your memory
Baby don't take it personally

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do
And now I've gotta get to gettin' over you
Too bad I gotta do it with someone new
But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do

Give me a call sometime real soon
And remind me to remember
To forget about you, hoah yeah

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do
And now I've gotta get to gettin' over you
Too bad I gotta do it with someone new
But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do

A girl's gotta do it
Yeah a girl's gotta do it
To bad I gotta do it (with someone new)
To bad I gotta do it with someone new
But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do

Vintage Song Sunday: Let's Go, Go-Go White Sox

2010-03-28T21:47:00.003-05:00

The year was 1959 and they enthralled the city of Chicago with their hustling and bustling scrappy play, fantastic defense, and their speed. The Chicago White Sox were battling the Cleveland Indians for the division and were finally making amends for the "Black Sox Scandal" of 1919.

Venezuelan shortstop Luis Aparicio (who's uniform number 11 was just un-retired in 2010 for slick fielding Omar Vizquel), his partner in action Nellie Fox at second base, power at first base with Ted "Big Klu" Kluszewsk and the workhorse in starting pitcher Early Wynn.

The peppy play of the White Sox that year inspired a song to be written by one of their very own; former White Sox minor leaguer Al Trace as well as his friend Walter "Li'l Wally" Jagiello. Trace and Jagiello brought the song to the attention of Captain Stubby (Tom C. Fouts who also voiced "Little Sprout" in the Green Giant commercials) and the Buccaneers, who were known to be a popular country band playing in and around Chicagoland, and the song was recorded and released on Jagiello's record label; Drum Boy Records.

Both the song (which didn't sell very well in 1959) and the season, didn't turn out exactly as planned as the White Sox didn't fare too well in the World Series as the Sox lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers 4 games to 2.

However fast forward 46 years later, and in 2005 the vintage / retro feel inspired a whole new generation when it was played at U.S. Cellar Field on the jumbotron, as well as was played during FOX tv's playoff broadcasts of the White Sox in their historic playoff run, in which the White Sox dominated the playoffs winning 11 of 12 games against the Red Sox, Angels, and Astros.

BSOD: 3/28/2010: Let's Go, Go-Go White Sox
Artist: Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers
Released: 1959

Video Montage to : Let's Go, Go-Go White Sox

Let's Go, Go-Go White Sox lyrics

White Sox! White Sox!
Go-Go White Sox!

Let's go, Go-Go White Sox
We're with you all the way!
You're always in there fighting,
And you do your best.
We're glad to have you out there in the Middle West.

We're gonna root-root-root-root White Sox
And cheer you on to victory
When we're in the stands,
We'll make those rafters ring;
All through the season,
You will hear us sing.
Let's go, Go-Go White Sox,
Chicago's proud of you!

White Sox! White Sox!
Go-Go White Sox!

Root-Root-Root for the White Sox
We'll cheer you on to victory
When we're in the stands,
We'll make those rafters ring;
All through the season,
You will hear us sing

Let's go, Go-Go White Sox,
Chicago's proud of you! (Play ball!)
White Sox! White Sox!
Go-Go White Sox!
Let's go, Go-Go White Sox!
Chicago is proud of you!

Saturday Night at the Movies: Bull Durham - She May Get Wooly

2010-03-27T21:55:00.001-05:00

It's Saturday Night at the Movies, today's feature is the 1988 film "Bull Durham" starring Kevin Coster as the aging veteran (Crash Davis) of the minor leagues, Susan Sarandon (Annie Savoy) as the Baseball Muse, and Tim Robbins (Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh) as the "all talent - no brains" flame thrower making his way up the minors. The song that we'll be mentioning today comes initially from Nuke whilst he's picking away at the geetar in the back of the bus, totally oblivious (as he is to many things in life) to the history of the song and the words contained therein.

And.....ACTION!

------------------------------------------------

And then from the back of the bus, some soft, gentle, but slightly dissonant guitar chords.

THE BACK OF THE BUS -- Nuke sits across the aisle from Crash, who's re-reading Thomas Pynchon. Nuke has a guitar and is struggling with some chords to "Try a Little Tenderness".
He butchers the chords and the words.

NUKE

(singing softly)

Oh she may get wooly, women do get wooly, because of all the stress...

CRASH

(in disgust) Gimme that.

CRASH STRONGARMS THE GUITAR from Nuke.

CRASH

I hate people who get the words wrong. It ain't "woolly" it's "weary"

and it nobody's got stress, they're wearing a dress.

(beat)

Listen.

CRASH WHIPS THROUGH THE FIRST FEW BARS of the song.

CRASH

(sings softly)

Oh she may be weary, Young girls do get weary, Wearing the same old dress...

HE SHOVES THE GUITAR back at Nuke.

NUKE

How come you don't like me?

CRASH

'Cause you don't respect yourself, which is your problem,

but you don't respect the game--and that's my problem.

(beat)

You got a gift.

NUKE

What do I got?

CRASH

A gift. When you were a baby the gods reached down and turned your right arm into a thunderbolt.

Nuke looks at his right arm, rubs his shoulder curiously.

CRASH

You got a Hall of Fame arm but you're pissing it away.

NUKE

I ain't pissing nothing away. I got a Porsche already. A 944 with A.C. and a quadraphonic Blaupunkt.

CRASH

You don't need a quadraphonic Blaupunkt--you need a curve ball.

(beat)

In the Show, everybody can hit the fastball.

NUKE

You been in the Majors?

Today's BSOD is Otis Reddings' "Try a little Tenderness"

Artist: Otis Redding

Released: 1966

Oh, Come All ye Baseball Fans

2010-03-26T15:59:00.091-05:00

Oh, Come All ye Baseball Fans, its time to Sound The Trumpet!

Back in the early 1970's, the Chicago Cubs had a mustached second baseman/middle infielder by the name of Carmen Fanzone. Carmen wasn't a world beater at the plate, with a lifetime .224 avg (although he did hit 8HR and 42 RBI's in only 222 AB's in 1972) but he was well known for his trumpet playing, which he later turned into a jazz career. Not only did Carmen play the national anthem before a game at Wrigley, but he also performed in "The Tonight Show" band for Doc Severinsen and Johnny Carson.

Move the clock forward to the mid-nineties and you'll find a classical FM radio station of WCLV in Cleveland, Ohio commissioning the Case Western Reserve University Music Department to create a baseball song in keeping with its classical format to celebrate the Cleveland Indians return to the World Series in 1995.

What Professor Ross Dufflin and the music department came up with was "Oh, Come All ye Baseball Fans," based on "Sound the Trumpet" by the Henry Purcell (17th Century English composer), with adjusted lyrics by Professor Ross.

Sound the Trumpet

Baseball Song of the Day: Oh, Come All ye Baseball Fans
Artist: Case Western Reserve University - Department of Music
Released: 1995

Oh, Come All ye Baseball Fans lyrics
(original lyrics)

Belle, Baerga, Visquel, Ramierz,
Lofton, Alomar.
Cleveland's heroes you'll be crowned.
You make Lake Erie's shores resound.

Nagy, Martinez, Clark, Tavarez,
Orel, Ogea,
Mesa: Masters of the mound.
You make Lake Erie's shores resound.

You're exciting baseball,
Exciting baseball play.
Oh, if you could win it all:
Playoffs, American League, yes, win it all --
World Series -- we'd be standing tall.
We'd celebrate the glories of the day.
The glories, the glories of the day!

Come all ye baseball fans.
Wahoo! Hooray!

Top Jacobs Field we'll go
to see the Indians play.

Lift all your voices
Their labors repay.
Let's celebrate!
Let's celebrate their triumphant day!

Buy me some peanuts
Forever we'll stay.
Let's celebrate!
Let's celebrate their triumphant day!

----------------------------------------

Move the clock forward to 2010 and you'll find a talented baseball and trumpet player named De’Marcus Price at Albany State University in Albany, Georgia. The Albany State Golden Rams baseball team are part of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and their baseball team has been doing well this year being 7-1 in conference play and 16-10 overall.

In an interview with the Scott Chancey of the Albany Herald, Price explains his dedication to both baseball and trumpet playing and how its a great idea to have both realistic and lofty goals.

Price began playing the trumpet in 6th grade and quickly learned many similarities between working hard on the baseball diamond as well as working hard toward his musical craft.

Being in the band, you have to keep practicing,” Price said. “You have to go over things in every detail, and you have to pretty much do the same thing in baseball.”

Once Price entered college, he found a calling for both music and baseball. He gets plenty of exercise from both passions as well.

“We go up and down the field, 100 yards, repetitively over and over,” Price said. “We all have to pick up our legs at a 90-degree angle because we’re a traditional showband, marching with the high-leg kick"

“Music is always going to be there for me,” Price said. “Baseball is not guaranteed that I will make it to the next level, so I have to take music more importantly because that’s my major. It will be staying with me. But in baseball, I’m also trying to finish my career with a championship. That has been my approach.”

Milton Bradley: A Bad Bad Man

2010-03-25T18:53:00.004-05:00

It's official. He's a bad, bad man. Baseball's poster child for controversy finally got something right and announces what he feels is the obvious this time in an interview with AP Sportswriter Gregg Bell. Milton states his case for being the premier bad guy in baseball and seemingly enjoys being so.

"If I was a musician, I'd be Kanye West. If I was in the NBA, I'd be Ron Artest," the 31-year-old former Expo, Indian, Dodger, Athletic, Padre, Ranger and Cub said this week. "In baseball, they've got Milton Bradley. I'm that guy. You need people like me, so you can point your finger and go, 'There goes the bad guy.'"

I'm always willing to give a guy a chance and don't believe a lot of hearsay, so when the Cubs signed Milton Bradley to a 3 year $30M contract before the 2009 season my first reaction wasn't, "Ohh man, he's a bad dude", because truth be told, I don't know any baseball players personally. I have no idea on a day to day basis whom is a good guy and whom is a bad guy, and I'd rather let performance do the talking. Sure he's had run ins with umpires and managers and players, but maybe he's just someone who tries too hard and is misunderstood. What made no sense to me was why the Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry would hand over a pile of cash to someone for a 3 year deal for that much money for someone whom in 10 seasons prior, had only two years of 60 RBI's or more, and only four of those years with 350 or more at bats.

Due to injuries and other reasons, Milton just doesn't play a full season, so why a 3 year deal for a volatile player who by his own admission, isn't a big hitter. The Cubs already had long term contracts for players who are under-performing in Soriano and Zambrano, and were in the process of being sold, why add Milton to the roster when someone like Bobby Abreau was available at the time and signed for a one year deal for $5M with the Los Angeles Angels? A one year deal with Milton I could understand. A three year deal was unthinkable. I know that GM Hendry wanted a left handed bat, which is why he traded Cubbie favorite Mark Derosa, however it needed to be noted that the multi-position DeRosa, who's not known as a "pure hitter" the way that Milton is, had his 3rd consecutive 70+ RBI season (besting Milton) and 21 HR and 86 RBI's in 2008. (photo by Jauerback, edited by BSOD)

By Milton's own account, he's not a big HR or RBI producer. In an interview with the NY Times, Milton states:

“Two years ago, I played, and I was good,” Bradley said. “I go to Chicago, not good. I’ve been good my whole career. So, obviously, it was something with Chicago, not me.”

He added: “Just no communication. I never hit more than 22 homers in my career, and all of a sudden I get to Chicago and they expect me to hit 30. It doesn’t make sense. History tells you I’m not going to hit that many. Just a lot of things that try to make me a player I’m not.”

Milton says he's happy now that he's out of Chicago and with a team and city that wants him and that Chicago was the problem and not him. I wish him well, I hope he succeeds in Seattle, but history tells me that he won't change, nor does he want too. In the interview with Gregg Bell of the AP, Milton continues on...

"I had a teammate last year who said if I ever change, he'd kick my (rear)," Bradley said. "So I'm not changing. Everybody is not going to love you, no matter how you treat other people, no matter what you say. (I) never say anything bad about anybody. Somebody is always going to have something bad to say about you."

For the record, he's already been tossed from two spring training games for showing up / arguing with the umpire over the calls at the plate.

Forget Kanye West, Milton should set his sights on the MLB record of most franchises played of 12, set by both Mike Morgan and RonVillone. Morgan and Villone were pitchers though, perhaps Milton could try for the now svelte Matt Stairs' record of 11. Which could be 12, if Stairs makes the San Diego Padres 2010 opening day roster. Assuming he stays healthy, Milton's stay with the Mariners will run out at the end of the 2011 season, so add another team then as his pattern doesn't seem to show him re-signing with his current team.

Today's BSOD comes from the World Wrestling Entertainment's very own John Cena. John is a hip-hop musician and actor who has appeared in the movies "The Marine" and "12 Rounds."

Baseball Song of the Day: 3/25/2010: Bad Bad Man
Artist: WWE John Cena and Tha Trademarc f/Bumpy Knuckles
Released: 2005

Bad Bad Man lyrics

Aww, you done did it now
Chaos you shoulda put this one in the vault man!
They not ready - they don't know what's comin man!
Oh we gonna drop this on 'em right here
Y'all ain't ready for this, Y'ALL AIN'T READY FOR NONE OF THIS!

Your boy's a bad man, and we invadin the streets
Make unclever rappers scurred, they be droppin the heat
Shocked the world, now I'm standin alone
I flip fools like them clamshell cellular phones
You can't help but nod your head to the track
Fuck the watered down rap, we be takin it back
Give it to me straight - ain't no chasin it
Check yourself in the mirror - ain't no facin it
Cause you, playin the role and you plannin to fold
This the masterplan, we got the planet on hold
We all over the streets like your favorite sneaker
Breakin up your sound like a drive-through speaker
Everything that I be spittin is strong
After I rock, fast forward through the rest of the song
We the monkeywrench, that's gonna ruin your plan
And don't fuck with John Cena - I'm a BAD, BAD MAN

[Chorus 2X: Bumpy Knuckles]
With the mic in my hands I'm a bad man
Even in a fight with the hands I'm a bad man
Livin in the streets all my life I'm a bad man
I'm a bad man, I'm a bad man

[Tha Trademarc]
We devils - rockin ambient levels
We set loose among hot tunes to instrumentals
And cats got one-liners, I drop several
And I think it's funny you choose, losin progress
or runnin in place; we makin moves, and y'all settle
I rip rappers and take responsibility
for makin future hall-of-famers look third rate
Y'all are lost for words like conversation on your worst first date
and ride beats, creep through side streets
Looseleaf notepads that's where rhymes leak
Punchlines - man, don't even beg
I got knee-slappin tracks, y'all brusin your leg
You a rhyme writer - funny man, that's a joke
You ain't worthy of bein my secretary man that's a quote
I flood tracks like cracks in boats
And pussy rappers choked up with they own lines in they throat

[Chorus]

[Bumpy Knuckles a.k.a. Freddie Foxxx]
TURN UP THE MICROPHONE and feed me I'm a beast
MC's and they beats is what I eat, 16 I'll leave you in the street
My rhymes are sicker than gangrene in both feet
It's spreadin up the leg, and headed for the head
Your rhymes are whack your style is proof that the brain corrosion
is fuckin with your chosen flows, I'm nice with mics
My hands'll break your nose like Mikey Tyson
Fightin in his prime, one rhyme
And I shake up the room one time, BOOM! To the jaw
Your face is a coat type raw
And the blood and snot they mix, jelly on the floor
My love is cop them bricks, belly on the floor
I rob you, you soft and you really ain't a problem
I solve you, 357 long nose revolve you
Acid in your face, bad look, dissolve you
I'm a bad, bad man

Yeah, check it out
It's Bumpy Knuckles baby
And I want you to say hello to the BAD, BAD, MAN - C'MON!

Gosh(en) Doesn't Everyone Do It?

2010-03-24T23:29:00.001-05:00

There was an historic event that occurred Wednesday in Goshen, Indiana. For the first time since 1957, the national anthem was played before two sporting events at Goshen College. After the playing of the anthem, the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi was read. The anthem was played before a baseball doubleheader against Siena Heights University and a softball doubleheader against St. Joseph's College at 3 p.m.

Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. There are approximately 1.5 million Mennonites in the world, and their faith is rooted in the mission and ministry of the Jesus Christ and as such, Mennonites are a peaceful church committed to living their lives in non violence.

The school's President; Jim Brenneman spoke to reporters at the event:

"At Goshen College, our entire learning process is framed by a commitment to address complex problems, no matter the discipline, and to do so with academic rigor and civility. Playing the national anthem or not before our games is one such complex issue for us.

"The crux of the matter has to do with our relationship with God and with our country. We are asking ourselves such questions as: how should faithful Christians order their allegiances? How do we celebrate the freedoms and opportunities of this country and still challenge injustices that also exist in our midst? And how does a church college retain its historic peace heritage while welcoming an increasingly diverse student body from other traditions?

"On our campus, we have students from many backgrounds. Among them, we have students committed to pacifism whose parents or grandparents were conscientious objectors and who grew up with a deep suspicion of patriotic observances. We have students raised as pacifists who have no objection to flying the flag or playing the anthem, particularly as part of a pre-game sports ritual. We have students whose relatives served in the military and who are proud to fly the U.S. flag in honor of their service. We have students who are children of new immigrants who love this country for the freedom it has given their families. And we have international students for whom the Star-Spangled Banner has no personal meaning.

"All of these students are a vital part of this community, and I had them in mind when I led in the decision to play the national anthem before games. I am committed to retaining the best of what it means to be a Mennonite college, while opening the doors wider to all who share our core values. And I invite others to join us at Goshen College as we make peace in all of its forms, even with the national anthem."

Source: http://www.goshen.edu/news/pressarchive/03-23-10-game-day440.html

Baseball Song of the Day 3/24/2010: The National Anthem of the United States of America

To watch the President Jim Brenneman speak about the decision of whether or not to play the National Anthem before sporting events, click the videos below. There are 3 parts in total.

Wingstock: Free Beer, Hot Wings, & Snoop Dogg

2010-03-23T22:40:00.061-05:00

Minor league baseball events have come a long way from the days of just cheering on costumed mascots racing each other. This Summer, on June 12th at the class "A" affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, the West Michigan Whitecaps are throwing one heckuva party at Fifth Third Ballpark. Everything from Free Beer & Hot Wings to the hip-hop daddy of them all; Snoop Dogg, will be in attendance at the ballpark located about 7 miles North of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

After hearing the terms "Free Beer and Hot Wings" ones eyes tend to glaze over and mouth starts to drool (not a pretty sight - but journalistic integrity compels me to inform). However, delving into the details a bit, I've learned that the beer and hot wings aren't actually free, but instead much like yesterday's posting about the band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, in this case, the moniker of "Free Beer and Hot Wings" is actually the name of a morning radio show which is syndicated across fifteen states.

The morning show and one of the stations that its syndicated at, WGRD in Grand Rapids, Michigan are hosting the inaugural "Wingstock" (not Woodjock), on June 12th at Fifth Third Ballpark. The event will feature live music from four bands, with the highlight of the show coming from 12 time Grammy nominated hip-hop rapper, producer and actor; Snoop Dogg. Appearing also will be the heavy meal Southern rock band Jackyl, and the local favorite artists of Pop Evil and Richy Nix.

The event will of course have a wide assortment of spicy wings in their "Wing Alley", which will offer a variety of outside vendors presenting their own unique wing flavors and tastings.

The Details: Wingstock 2010, June 12th, Fifth Third Ballpark, gates open at 4pm, tickets are $25/$35/$45 and can be purchased online at www.whitecapsbaseball.com, by calling the Whitecaps ticket office at 616-784-4131 or at the Fifth Third Ballpark Box Office.

Today's Baseball Song of the Day: 3/23/2010: G Funk (intro)
Artist: Snoop Dogg feat. Dr. Dre, George Clinton and Lady of Rage
Album: Doggystyle
Released: 1993

Yeah....
This is another story about dogs
For the dog that don't pee on trees, is a bitch
So says Snoop Dogg,so get your pooper scooper
Cuz the nigga's talkin shit
Aroof! *echoes*

Verse One: Rage

I'm sippin on Tanqueray
with my my mind on my money and my mouth in the ganjahy
R-A-G to the motherfuckin E
Back with my nigga S-N double O-P
[Dre] Yeah, and ya don't stop
Rage in effect I just begun to rock
[Dre] I said yeah, and you don't quit
[Snoop] Hey yo Rage would you please drop some gangsta shit
I rock ruff and stuff with my Afro Puffs
Handcuffed as I bust bout to tear shit up
Oh what did ya think I, didn't ever think I
Would be the one to make you blink eye, I catch you like pink-eye
Never will there ever be another like me
Um you can play the left, cuz it ain't no right in me
Out the picture out the frame out the box I knock em all
Smack em out the park, like A Friendly Game of Baseball
Grand, slam, yes I am
Kickin up dust and I don't give a god DAMN
Cuz I'm that lyrical murderer
Pleading guilty, you know for my skills I'm about to be
Filthy large, Rage in charge
You know what's happenin don't try to play large
this ain't no Rerun, see hun, don't ya wanna be one
A cover, word to wreck ya, cause I never get my vocals
I'm loco, close to Constatanople, uhhh!
I'll make 'em go coo-coo for my Cocoa
puffin stuff, aiyyo Snoop, you're up
Let these niggaz know that niggaz don't give a fuck!

Verse Two: Snoop Doggy Dogg

This is just a small introduction to the G Funk Era
Everyday of my life I take a glimpse in the mirror
And I see motherfuckers tryin to be like me
Every since I put it down with the D-R-E

Outro:

Foamin at the mouth and waggin his tail
Searchin through the yards with a keen sense of smell
Lookin for the business in heat
And when he find it he'll be sniffin her seat
We travel in packs and we do it from the back
How else can you get to the booty?
We do it Doggystyle, all the while we do it Doggystyle
Yo motherfuckin hoes!!!
He fucked the fleas off a bitch
He shaked the ticks off his dick
And in the booty, he buries his motherfuckin bone
And if there's any left over
He'll roll over and take a doggy bag home

Damn, that Tanqueray is talkin to a nigga
I ain't bullshittin, one of y'all niggaz gotta get it
Man I got ta piss
Breath test?

Boris Yeltsin Loves The Cardinals

2010-03-22T11:11:00.011-05:00

An Elvis sighting at a baseball game in Springfield Missouri? That's sooooo passé. Springfield has their own style and haven't you heard? Boris is the new Elvis, and he's a fan of the Cardinals.

Ok, if you want to get technical, he's not a "he", "he's" a band, and they are Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, but they do love their "Redbirds", which in this case is the AA minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, the Springfield Cardinals. (no not Homer Simpson's Springfield - that was never determined to be a real place).

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin is an indie band out of Springfield, Missouri, started by high school friends; Will Knauer and Philip Dickey. After meeting up and playing together, they needed to decide upon a name, and according to the website www.iamwarmandpowerful.com, inspiration struck:

... needed a new band name, so we chose something really dumb, because we were only practicing in Will's attic. There were 2 girls who would watch us practice and I wanted to make them laugh...and I wanted the guys in Wharf to laugh...so that's when I came up with Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. Boris Yeltsin recently resigned and I was 17.

In 2005 the band released their album "Broom" to favorable reviews from popular indie/alt sites such as Pitchfork and Spin Magazine and in 2006 their song "Oregon Girl" was heard on an episode of "The OC." In 2009 they signed with Polyvinyl Record Co., and their latest album (due in mid 2010) was produced by Chris Walla of Indie fav Death Cab for Cutie.

Today's Baseball Song of the Day is "Cardinal Rules", a peppy Weezeresque tune about listening to your team on the radio, and getting up for that night's game. This is what the minor leagues and baseball are all about. Enjoy folks, it doesn't get any better than this.

Baseball Song of the Day: 3/22/2010
Song: Cardinal Rules
Artist: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
Released: 2009
Band Site: www.sslyby.com
Socialites: myspace.com/boris & facebook.com/sslyby

Phillip Dickey - vocals/drums/guitar
John Robert Cardwell - vocals/guitar/bass
Will Knauer - guitar
Jonathan James - bass/ drums

PS: Make sure to take a listen to a few of their songs from their Daytrotter session in 2006.

Cardinal Rules Lyrics

I was driving down 44
Got my red on the radio
We were coming back, rally cap
Made it time for one more bat
My Cardinal rules are all I got
We can't lose we got one more shot, tonight
I'm going downtown
Springfield, alright!
Oh, tonight

I got Jackie on my mind
And Payne in my heart
Hey Melody, we need 3
Hey Ned (it's the place to be!)
This could be our night
My cards are playing right

Many thanks to Phil Dickey for being kind enough for the lyrics to the song, and to let us know a little bit more about the second verse's inspiration. Via email with Phil, who informed BSOD that he used to work for the Springfield Cardinals and that he's a "huge (Cincinnati) Reds fan":

"The second verse is about Springfield sport figures: Jackie Stiles and Melody Howard of the MSU Lady Bears, Payne Stewart, and TV sports reporter Ned Reynolds."

------------------------------------------------------------------

BSOD's Pepper Questions: (Answered by Phil Dickey)

1. What's your favorite baseball song?

That's a tie. I love the theme song to This Week in Baseball with all those classic sound bites. Also, the 1990 Cincinnati Reds recorded a song that sounds like the "The Super Bowl Shuffle." I think it's called Reds Hot. Here's a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bwIPRUnQkU&hl=en&gl=CA&client=mv-google

** Editor's Note: I sense a future article about the "Reds Hot" song. **

2. What do you put on your hot dog?

I like chetzels. The Springfield Cardinals just got them last year. It's a hot dog in a pretzel bun with nacho cheese poured over it. It's really gross and overpriced. But it's worth it for the pretzel bun.

3. What's the best performance that you've seen live or on tv that was at a baseball game (major, minor, little league, or wiffleball back yard)?

We were on tour with the Cinematics from Scotland in 2007 and they got asked to play a tailgate show before opening day at Miller Park and I tagged along. The pitchers of Miller were plentiful and I think Ben Sheets pitched a brilliant two-hitter. Also, the Cinematics didn't know anything about the rules of baseball and that made the game even better.

4. Which of your bandmates is the best wiffleball player?

Probably John Robert. I didn't think he was that great at baseball but I saw him hit one out of the park at a softball game.

5. If you were manager, who of the following would you have start the 7th game of a world series: Jerry Garcia (he's dead), Jenny Finch (softball heroine), Paul Sprangers (Free Energy), Antony Hegarty (Antony & The Johnson's), or Steve Earle?

Sprangers! He's built like Eckersly.

Thanks for the insight, now anything that you wish to shamelessly plug?

Free Energy and the Mommyheads reissue I just found out about yesterday: http://www.dromedary-records.com/news/dromedary-to-reissue-the-mommyheads-flying-suit-cd

Vintage Song Sunday: Say Hey (The Willie Mays Song)

2010-03-21T21:09:00.003-05:00

When one thinks of Willie Mays, instantly his famous over-the-shoulder catch in Game 3 of the 1954 World Series comes to mind (view it in old fashioned flip-book style here). Almost the equal to that catch, when one hears Willie's name, the ever popular song "Say Hey (The Willie Mays Song)" comes to mind. Back in 1954, three songs were released about the "Say Hey Kid" (rumored to have been given that name because he didn't know or remember his teammates names during his rookie season, and he often just said, "hey man, say hey man."). Only one of those three songs released about Willie that year, captured the emotions and joy that Willie inspired in all those that watched him, and that song was by the Alabama swing, rhythm and blues band; The Treniers.

The Treniers were one of the pioners in swing and rock and roll music dating back to the 1940's and consisted of identical twin brothers; Claude & Cliff Trenier, studio musicians, and in later years additional Trenier brothers. They had a Top 10 hit in 1951 with "Go Go Go" and also appeared in film ("Don't Knock the Rock", "The Girl Can't Help It", and "Calypso Heat Wave").

The 1954 song...in which the audio of "Say Hey! Say Who? Say Willie!" that is now immortalized in just about any film or tv clip was also conducted by the now legendary producer Quincy Jones. The Treniers often added humor to their songs, and this was evident by Willie joining in the recording and discussing his whom should catch the ball when it is hit into left field ("..that's Monte Irvin's ball").

Baseball Song of the Day: Say Hey (The Willie Mays Song)
Artist: The Treniers & Willie Mays
Released: 1954

Saturday Night at the Movies: Twilight - Supermassive Black Hole

2010-03-20T09:24:00.005-05:00

It's Saturday Night at the Movies, our time to take a look at baseball and music in film.

Baseball has always been at the forefront of new marketing gimmicks and promotions. Disco Demolition Night, Bobblehead Giveaways, and Thunder Sticks are a few that come to mind. With the popularity of the Twilight book and movie series, I think some team needs to seriously think about having a "Vampire Night" at the ballpark.

"Since when do Vampires like baseball?" - Bella

"Well, it's the American Past-time, and there's a thunderstorm coming. It's the only time we can play, you'll see why." - Edward

Watch the video below to see the Thunderous explanation.

How cool would it be to walk through the turnstiles and receive a pair of wax fangs? Muahahahahah. Or the aforementioned Thundersticks emblazoned with Team Jacob or Team Edward and allow fans to chose their side and show their pride throughout the game. Biting into a hot dog would take on a whole new meaning. It would have to be a night game of course and one wouldn't have to worry about rainouts either.

Usually when I speak of vampires on a Saturday, it would be from me and my cousins talking about the fantastic new release "Contra" from the band "Vampire Weekend." However in this case, we're referring to the song from the baseball scene in the Twilight movie which comes from the English alternative band; Muse.

Baseball Song of the Day (3/20/2010): Supermassive Black Hole
Artist: Muse
Album: Black Holes & Revelations
Released: 2006

What's is the song in the baseball scene of twilight?
What song is playing in the Twilight baseball scene?
What was the name of the song during the Twilight baseball scene?

Dedicated to the One I Love, Me

2010-03-19T19:52:00.051-05:00

I was reading an article from the CourierPostOnline.com about Jay Z & Alicia Key's song "Empire State of Mind" and how performing it before game two of the World Series at Yankee Stadium influenced the team to victory and eventually becoming World Series champs in 2009. I was a bit taken aback by the comments of Keys when she recently said...

"I don't know if (the Yankees) directly thanked Jay or me in any way, but I know that's what they meant, and when they got that ring they were, like, "Yes!' and we dedicate this to Alicia and Jay," said Keys in a recent conference call. "We actually should have an honorary ring, I think."

To quote another popular NY institution (Saturday Night Live), "Honorary ring? Really? Really? Really?"

Was the song inspirational? Yes. Was it a good performance? Yes. Was it then used as a theme for Yankees fans throughout the series? Yes. Did the song steal third base when nobody was covering? No. Johnny Damon did. Did the song knock in six runs in the final game? No, Hideki Matsui (MVP) did. Did the song have the best closer in post-season history (Rivera) finishing out the series? No, the Yankees did.

I enjoyed the performance, as musical performances taking place at a live sporting event goes. I thought the song, the stage, and the sound were surprisingly good. It was thematic of the city. It was gritty and yet heartfelt and driving. However, lets leave the credit where the credit is due, and that stays with CC Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, Joe Girardi and the whole Yankees team.

Baseball Song of the Day: Empire State of Mind
Artist: Jay Z featuring Alicia Keys
Released: 2009

Hall of Fame Old Time Baseball Show

2010-03-18T07:52:00.003-05:00

Head Up!!! A quick FYI on what sounds like a fun show put on by the famous Trosky baseball family. Within the family heritage there are a total of 4 major leaguers and 4 minor leaguers. Wow! Look at this family...Bios from their web site: http://troskybaseball.com/NateTFamilyHistory.htm

Grandpa Hal Trosky, one of the greatest Cleveland Indians of all time. Grandpa Hal is recognized today as the best rookie to ever play the game, driving in 137 runs, 35 home runs and a .333 batting average. In 1936, he was on the box of Wheaties Cereal hitting 162 RBI’S, batting 343, with 42 Home Runs. The Trosky bloodline has done something few families have ever done - claim 3 generations of major leaguers in the Chicago White Sox’s Organization. Grandpa Hal finished his 11 th season with The Sox’s; Uncle Hal Trosky Jr. pitched for the Sox’s in 1958; and Cousin Collin Mattiace, was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 39 th round draft pick and is presently the Sox’s physical therapists. Then there is the former major league pitcher, cousin Mike Boddiker, once a 20 game winner for the Baltimore Orioles, and led the American league with wins and ERA in 1994. Cousin Nate Freeze is presently the AAA Chicago Cubs shorts stop, occasionally spending time with the major league club in spring training. Cousin Ian Mattiace, was one of the greatest high school players ever, hitting 23 homeruns and driving in 69 RBI’s his senior season. At the University of Iowa he was an All American, and was offered a Single-A- contract in 2001. Uncle Mick Mattiace pitched with 3 major league organizations, reaching the level of AAA, one of the few players in history to throw a back to back no hitter in the minor leagues. And last but not least there is Nathan Trosky, the co-founder and head trainer at the Trosky Baseball School. Nathan spent 4 years as a player coach in Europe’s professional leagues and 2 years in the states in the minor leagues. Seasonally, when he goes back to Europe to coach with the Croatian Olympic team, he scouts for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

---------------------------

The Hall of Fame Old Time Baseball Show is for all generations, a show filled with baseball songs and stories, bringing today’s generation back to the golden era of baseball; honoring legends such as Yogi Berra, Lefty O'Doul, Hal Trosky, Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige, Joe DiMaggio, Hank Greenberg, Walter Johnson and many more.

STARRING: Nate "Dirt" Trosky, Taelen "Lefty" Thomas, & Steve "Crash" Mortensen

WHEN: Friday, March 19th, 6:30pm - 8:00pm

WHERE: Carmel Music Live (in the Barnyard above Carmel Music Studio, next to Bahama Billy’s). The Barnyard Shopping Village off Highway 1, Carmel

WHO: All ages are welcome and will enjoy the show

TICKETS: Purchase tickets at Carmel Music Studio or at the door - tickets are $15.00. 25% discount for kids wearing their little league team jersey and cap to the show

NOTE: We recommend advanced ticket purchase as past shows have sold out

INFORMATION: For more information call Carmel Music Studio @ 831-624-2217

Source: http://www.troskybaseball.com/hosted%20items/hall%20of%20fame%2003-19-10.htm

Put Me In Coach...I'm ready to play...Left-Field

2010-03-17T20:52:00.028-05:00

Any baseball fan knows the words to the song "Centerfield" by heart...

"Oh, put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today

Put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today

Look at me, I can be Centerfield"

Would we all know the song the same if John Fogerty had written it about the position he played when he was younger? On Tuesday Fogerty participated in a conference call with the Tampa Bay Rays and informed listeners that when younger, he grew up a fan of the Oakland A's and he played left field.

On April 24 at Tropicana Field, Fogerty will be kicking off the 2010 Rays Summer Concert Series after Tampa Bay’s game with Toronto.

From the Bradenton.com web site:

"I played left out," he said Tuesday when asked what position he played. "I must say, I wasn't real good. I was probably a legend in my own mind."

In 1985, Fogerty released his comeback solo effort after years with the legendary Creedence Clearwater Revival. Fogerty states that the song, was influenced by his life at the time...

“I looked at it is a comeback of sorts,” he said. “I just sort of poured all of the things I could relate to into the song — spring time and spring training is the most hopeful time, it’s a metaphor for life...

It's no surprise Fogerty fell back on baseball. He remembers reading "Lou Gehrig: Boy of the Sandlot" when he was a young child and spent most of his childhood outdoors, playing the game with four brothers.

...............................................................

I wonder if the song would sound the same if these lyrics about left-fielders were used instead:

So say hey Ted (Williams), tell Stan "The Man" (Musial) and Carl Yastrzemksi-o

Don't say it ain't so, you know the time is now

Today's Baseball Song of the Day: Centerfield

Artist: John Fogerty

Released 1985

Drumming Up Some Excitement

2010-03-16T12:22:00.000-05:00

Last year the Tampa Bay rays saw a 3% increase in attendance coming off of their visit to the World Series in 2008 against the Philadelphia Phillies. Although that number may not seem like much, in these new economic times, in which almost 75% of teams saw their attendance drop last season, the Rays are working hard to keep that momentum going into 2010 with the introduction of the "Baseball Nightclub" and they're drumming up some excitement with a variety of musical offerings, including the introduction of a drumline corp and Summer Concert Series.

In 2010, the Tampa Bay Rays are promoting a nightclub atmosphere with special effects such as after the game fireworks, as well as local bands and dj's, teenage specific hangouts, and will allow fans to walk on the field after certain games. In addition to local talent, the Rays are offering a "Summer Concert Series" with a lineup consisting of performers such as John Fogerty, ZZ Top, Nelly, Hall & Oates, The Go-Go's and more to be announced later. Browse here for a listing of dates.

Starting Tuesday March 16th, the Rays are introducing new high energy ads with a drumline beat (see video above), the Rays are also sponsoring a contest in which high school bands can enter their talents to be used in tv and radio ads and if selected they may have the opportunity to play atop of the dugouts during the game.

The Atlanta Braves have been hugely successful in incorporating their own drumline entertainment program called, The Heavy Hitters. The Braves' Heavy Hitters have been dazzling the crowds before, during, and after the games. The Braves are also currently auditioning performers for the 2010 season.

Today's Baseball Song of the Day comes from the rhythm and beats of the 15 member Atlanta Braves' Heavy Hitters Drumline. Many of the performers in the drumline are also paid members of The Atlanta Drumline.

From an article on the Georgia State University web site, junior Ahmad Worthy details his passion for the music and the excitement that it brings...

“It’s really exciting to be able to play with the Atlanta Braves and entertain the fans,” Worthy said. “It’s the sounds of the drums that bring a lot of movement and excitement towards the game. The fans enjoy it and sometimes they even come on the stage and dance with us.”

“When I’m working here with the children there are xylophones, a piano and drums. You are teaching them sounds, teaching them to dance and how to express themselves emotionally,” Worthy said. “I believe that music defines life. Everything is run by music because everything has some type of sound.”

Ahmad is majoring in Early Childhood Education and I'm sure that interacting with children and fans of all ages helps to give him perspective.

Watch the Heavy Hitters in action at Turner Field in Atlanta

Related Links:
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/mar/15/rays-want-fridays-trop-be-baseball-nightclub/sports-rays/
http://www.tampabay.com/news/article1080099.ece
http://raysbaseball.com/drumline
http://www.gsu.edu/39092.html

Just Between You and Me: This is a Happiness Thing

2010-03-15T22:52:00.027-05:00

Given the chance to vacation anywhere in the world, where would you spend your time? Country music superstar Charley Pride answers that question each Spring when he attends camp and participates in the same ritual that he has been partaking in since 1972 with the Texas Rangers, and long before that, since childhood.

From an article on the Fort Worth Star-Telegram web site on March 10, 2010, Charley beams about his love for baseball.

"I could be in Hawaii or Europe or wherever and I'm here," said Pride, a Grammy Award winner. "This is a happiness thing. I can still play and throw. If I went out and got in really top, top shape I could get it up to about 75. When I played, I could throw in the 90s. I had all three pitches, the hummer, the hook and the change."

Born in 1938 in Sledge Mississippi, Charley was one of eleven children (enough to field a team and then some) and grew up listening to country music on the radio. According to the Mississippi Writers and Musicians web site, Charley's training regimen for both careers took hold early as Charley was given the nickname "Mocking Bird" by a neighbor who says Charley's daily chores were to sing each morning and to play baseball.

At the age of 14 he bought his first guitar and taught himself to play by listening to the radio and at the age of seventeen he ventured out to become a star. Finding his way through both careers, Charley found work unloading lumber and working at a smelting plant, all the while - he was playing for the American Negro League and semi pro baseball. Charley's career in music finally took off after a meeting with legendary producer Chet Atkins who had a baseball scout's eye for talent and signed him to a contract with RCA. Over the course of his music career, Charley has had 36 number one country singles, and was inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000.

On June 5, 2008, Charley, and 28 other living former Negro League players were "drafted" by each of the 30 Major League Baseball teams in a recognition of their skills and historical relevance of the Negro League stars.

One of Charley's most popular songs was the Grammy winning, "Just Between You and Me" which is today's Baseball Song of the Day.

Just Between You And Me

So I feel so blue sometimes I wanna die
And so I've got a broken heart so what
They say that time will heal all wounds in mice and men
And I know that someday I'll forget and love again

But just between you and me
I've got my doubts about it
But just between you and me
You're too much to forget

So I've lost the only girl I ever loved
And so I've never felt so low so what
I'll just tell myself each time I wanna cry
That someday time will dry the teardrops from my eyes

But just between you and me
I'm not so sure about it
Cause just between you and me
You're too much to forget
You're too much to forget

Vintage Song Sunday: Van Lingle Mungo

2010-03-14T19:05:00.002-05:00

Sundays are a day of reflection and relaxation (if they're not - they should be), so let's take a look back into the archives and check out some classic old school vintage retro baseball songs. Let's start with a song by Dave Frishberg titled "Van Lingle Mungo", which some say was a precursor to Billy Joel's rambling "We didn't start the Fire".

Van Mungo was a four time All Star pitcher who took the mound for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1931-1941 and then finished his career with the New York Giants, playing for them in 1942-1943 and in 1945. He won a total of 120 games during his career, with most of those wins coming with the Dodgers and before injuring his arm in 1937. During his time with the Dodgers, he led the NL in strikeouts in 1936 (238 K's).

Dave Frishberg, born in 1933, is a four time Grammy Nominated Jazz pianist, vocalist and composer, who's songs have been ingrained into the pop culture psyche. He has spent his historic career playing music with the likes of Manhattan Transfer, Gene Krupa, and Zoot Sims, as well as having his songs covered by vocal legends such as Rosemary Clooney, Diana Krall, and Mel Tormé. Even if some of those names are unknown to you, you more than likely still know one of his most popular creations, the Saturday morning Schoolhouse Rock sensation, "I'm Just a Bill" in which Mr. Frishberg penned the music and lyrics.

Reading through a copy of the Baseball Encyclopedia, Mr. Frishberg found inspiration in the sound of the name Van Lingle Mungo and included them into a lounge style bossa nova song that he was writing at the time. It's unique sound and uses of the names therein, has turned this song into a cult classic.

Vintage Song Sunday: Van Lingle Mungo

By Dave Frishberg

Released: 1970

Van Lingle Mungo Lyrics

HEENEY MAJESKI

JOHNNY GEE

EDDIE JOOST

JOHNNY PESKY

THORNTON LEE

DANNY GARDELLA

VAN LINGLE MUNGO

WHITEY KUROWSKI

MAX LANIER

EDDIE WAITKUS

JOHNNY VANDER MEER

BOB ESTALELLA

VAN LINGLE MUNGO

AUGIE BERGAMO

SIGMUND JAKUCKI

BIG JOHNNY MIZE

and

BARNEY MCCOSKY

HAL TROSKY

AUGIE GALAN

and

PINKY MAY

STAN HACK

and

FRENCHY BORDAGARAY

PHIL CAVARRETTA

GEORGE MCQUINN

HOWARD POLLET

and

EARLY WYNN

ROY CAMPANELLA

VAN LINGLE MUNGO

AUGIE BERGAMO

SIGMUND JAKUCKI

BIG JOHNNY MIZE

and

BARNEY MCCOSKY

HAL TROSKY

JOHN ANTONELLI

FERRIS FAIN

FRANKIE CROSETTI

JOHNNY SAIN

HARRY BRECHEEN

and

LOU BOUDREAU

FRANKIE GUSTINE

and

CLAUDE PASSEAU

EDDIE BASINSKI

ERNIE LOMBARDI

HUEY MULCAHY

VAN LINGLE

Related Links:
http://www.davefrishberg.net
http://www.schoolhouserock.tv

When Will Castro Be an Astro?

2010-03-13T13:03:00.001-06:00

Baseball is a pensive game. We all know someone who is not a die hard fan of the sport and when you mention that you love it, they respond with something akin to, "It's so slow", or "There's not a lot of action" or "What does 'no pepper games' mean?" It's true, there's a lot of downtime during a game and the mind does tend to wander. But it's after the season's over, and you realize that you're going to have to wait another few months before spring training starts that you really start to go stir-crazy, especially for those of us in the Northern climates.

It's a timeline of events that you wait for: free agency filing, winter meetings, hot stove league, pitchers and catchers reporting, spring training opens, pre-season games begin, etc. that you mark off on your calendar. Once the pre-season games begin, you're able to finally get to follow your team in action and wonder about who will make the final roster. If your team didn't perform as well as you'd hope last year, there's always hope that you'll find a future star in the minors who will be able to provide salvation.

Today's Baseball Song of the Day comes from the musings of a Houston Astros fan and proprietor of the Farmstros blog; Mike Tauser. Mike penned this clever little tune about minor league catcher Jason Castro and the hope that he will soon make the team.

When Will Castro Be an Astro?

When Will Castro Be an Astro

I'd have thought Mike would have snuk Fidel's name into the song

When Will Castro Be an Astro
Is a question on my mind
will it be April 5th or maybe August 29
When Will Castro Be an Astro
I often ponder in my heart
it can't be true the rumor that Quintero's gonna start

When Will Castro Be an Astro
when will Jason don a star
when he's at Minute Maid
I'll surely drive there in my car
when Will Castro Be an Astro
I sure hope it won't be long
perhaps it will be quicker if old Drayton hears this song

When Will Castro Be an Astro
Starford Cardinal in brick red
Jason Castro as an Astro
The thought jumps around my head
Jason Castro as an Astro
its true that would make me smile
especially when I think that he'll soon be joined by Jordan Lyles

Jason Castro as an Astro

its true that would make me smile

especially when I think that he'll soon be joined by Jordan Lyles

Take a look at his Famstros blog and let him know you enjoyed the song.

Woodjock 2010 : A Big League Jam Fest

2010-03-12T16:07:00.007-06:00

We tend to look at baseball players sometimes as just that. One dimensional athletes who excel in one particular facet of life. Perhaps its because we always see them in uniform, and that image of the ballplayer is then ingrained in our minds. So, when an event takes place like yesterday's "Woodjock 2010", with such a wide lineup of baseball musicians, it sure gets our attention.

Woodjock 2010 was the idea of current Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jake Peavy. The 2007 NL Cy Young Award Winner is a country music fan and has performed on stage with Kenny Chesney, Texas country music singer-songwriter Pat Green and baseball player/coach-turned-musician, Tim Flannery.

SF Giants Reliever Brandon Medders
playing "Sweet Child Of Mine"

According to an article at Yahoo! Sports, ballplayers turned musicians captivated the stage at The Venue Scottsdale on March 11 with performances by:

Bernie Williams (ex New York Yankee) : "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"
(view our previous article about Bernie's Latin nominated Grammy album)
Gordon Beckham (Chicago White Sox) : "Take it Easy" by The Eagles
Aubry Huff (SF Giants ) : "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash
Brandon Medders (SF Giants) : "Sweet Child of Mine" by Guns N' Roses
Jake Peavy (Chicago White Sox) : two original songs, titles not known
Bronson Arroyo (Cincinnati Reds) : "If You Could Only See (The Way She Loves Me)" by Tonic
Tim Flannery (ex-SF Giant and SD Padre) : played with his band Lunatic Fringe as well as on stage with Scott Linebrink (Chicago White Sox) and Barry Zito (SF Giants)

Woodjock benefited the Jake Peavy Foundation which raises funds for Team Focus, Strikeouts For Troops™, Autism Speaks, and White Sox Charities.

Related Links:

http://www.woodjock.com

http://www.teamfocususa.org

http://www.strikeoutsfortroops.org

http://www.autismspeaks.org

What's in a Name? Rocket 88

2010-03-11T06:30:00.002-06:00

What's in a name? That's a hard one to decipher sometimes. Hearing about a band from the East Coast who enjoys playing and watching baseball, who pays homage to history, and who named themselves Rocket 88, my first instincts were that perhaps they named the band after "The Rocket" Roger Clemens. Back in 1988, the Rocket was still revered and in the midst of a seven year span in which he won 17 or more games and his worst ERA in any of those seven years was 3.13, and his best was an amazing 1.93 in 1990. However finding out further that the band is from Pennsylvania, odds are against Clemens (just like his odds are now for getting into the Hall of Fame).

So.....

Pop Quiz: Where did the Band Rocket 88 get its name?

A: "The Rocket" Roger Clemens
B: The Seinfeld episode when Costanza's dad shouts, "He's got a rocket for an arm"
C: A 1951 Ike Turner song that is often credited as the first rock and roll song
D: None of the Above

Hmmmmm, they're all decent options and now that I'm thinking about it, "None of the Above" would be a great band name, but back to the quiz. When taking multiple choice tests in school, I always heard the line, "If you're unsure, go with your first instinct." But since this is Rock n' Roll we're talking about here, one should always rebel against the system. So, I'll say "C", and of course, I'll be right, because I cheated and looked at their MySpace site: www.myspace.com/r88band.

Rocket 88 consists of four high school friends (Dan Lawrence 16, and his brother, Teddy Lawrence, 17, and Andy Ellison, 18, and his brother, Gary Ellison, 15) who have a passion for rock standards from groups such as The Beatles, The Who, CCR, The Allman Brothers Band, and the Grateful Dead. In February of this year, the band self-released 9 of their own tracks. Check out (via MySpace) the rollicking geetars and sweet sounds of "All You Have to Say", "Trends" and the fun "Goomba Luige".

I originally found the band via the Montgomery News site and in between playing in their band (have had over 90 gigs), keeping up with school, and starting Spring baseball practice, I was able to get a few minutes of their time.

Andy Ellison was kind enough to respond to a Pop Quiz of my very own:

Q: Which baseball players did you idolize growing up?

Well we're all Phillies fans so we like the guys on the current Phillies roster (Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, Ryan Howard, Carlos Ruiz etc.) as well as past Phillies legends (Steve Carlton & Mike Schmidt) And we can't go without mentioning some of the old greats (Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner).

(editor's note: Rocket 88 sounds better than Schmidt 88, so good choice in band name)

Q: What is your favorite baseball song?

Our favorite baseball song would have to be "Centerfield" by John Fogerty. Coincidentally, it was the first real song we learned as a band and we performed it at an event for our little league.

Q: What stadium would you like to play in one day?

We once played outside of Citizen's Bank Park for an American Heart Association event, but it would be nice to play inside one day. Any stadium would be an amazing experience.

Q: If you were the manager, who of the following would you choose to pitch the 7th game of a world series: Mick Jagger (Stones), Caleb Followill (Kings of Leon), Eugene Hutz (Gogol Bordello), Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes), Jerry Garcia (Dead)?

That is a tough choice, haha. I can't speak on behalf of the whole band on this one, but I would have to pick Jerry Garcia, because he is a laid-back guy who would be able to stay cool under pressure.

So, in answer to the original question, "What's in a Name?" In this case, its simple, its a lot of talent, desire, and good old fashioned rock and roll fun.

Rocket 88 Links:
www.myspace.com/r88band
www.facebook.com/r88band
www.twitter.com/r88band
http://www.youtube.com/r88band

The Baseball Project 2010

2010-03-10T13:49:00.002-06:00

Returning again after their first release in 2008 and a tour last year, "The Baseball Project" has released their first single of 2010, titled "Broadside Ballads". If you're not familar with The Baseball Project, the group's lineup consists of: Scott McCaughey (The Minus 5, R.E.M., Young Fresh Fellows), Steve Wynn (The Dream Syndicate, Gutterball, Miracle 3), Linda Pitmon (Miracle 3, Golden Smog) and Peter Buck (R.E.M.). The group plans on releasing one song per month in 2010. Here's to hoping that they're average of hits will be at least 4/12 for .333.

From: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/thelife/news/story?id=4969191, we learn...

"I think it will be a lot of fun just to kind of see what's going on and get fired up about something. And instead of just writing bemused e-mails to each other, we'll put chords behind it and call it a song," Wynn said last week by phone from New York.

------------------------------

The idea from the first song of the 2010 series (Broadside Ballads) came about after Wynn heard a quote from Hall of Famer Lou Boudreau. Boudreau said, "On Opening Day, the world is all future and no past", and that sentiment echoes throughout the song...with lyrics such as:

Spring is here and the time is right for
Unrealistic goals
Last summer some hit the bottom rung
But the new year brings high hopes

The Baseball Project

Jump on over to the Yep Roc Records Web site, and add your name to the mailing list for The Baseball Project.

Click here to read more and DOWNLOAD THE FREE MP3 of Broadside Ballads.

Playing Right Field

2010-03-09T11:02:00.001-06:00

Often times, when playing pick up baseball and choosing teams, one picks the player with the least amount of skills and tries to hide him in right field. The thinking is, that the right-fielder will get the least amount of action as most batters are right handed and pull the ball to left field or center, and being in right field, the fielder won't be involved in most plays. Out of sight, out of mind.

I remember the Baseball episode of WKRP in Cincinnati, when ace hog reporter Les Nessman was being bounced around the softball team from position to position when he kept failing at every spot, and then Dr. Johnny Fever would say to Les..."Ya know Les, Pete Rose played third base... Pete Rose played first base... Pete Rose played...right field." There are occasions when a right fielder can be involved with an assist on what should be a single to right. Yes, it's true. Newly Hall of Famer Andre Dawson playing for the Cubs and playing shallow, and the runner was dogging it, and Andre fired a strike to first and threw him out.

BSOD 3/9/2010: Right Field
Artist: Peter, Paul, & Mary
Year: 1998

Right Field Lyrics

Saturday summers, when I was a kid
We'd run to the schoolyard and here's what we did
We'd pick out the captains and we'd choose up the teams
It was always a measure of my self esteem
Cuz the fastest, the strongest, played shortstop and first
The last ones they picked were the worst
I never needed to ask, it was sealed,
I just took up my place in right field.
Playing...

Chorus:
Right field, it's easy, you know.
You can be awkward and you can be slow
That's why I'm here in right field
Just watching the dandelions grow

Playing right field can be lonely and dull
Little Leagues never have lefties that pull
I'd dream of the day they'd hit one my way
They never did, but still I would pray
That I'd make a fantastic catch on the run
And not lose the ball in the sun
And then I'd awake from this long reverie
And pray that the ball never came out to me
Here in...

(chorus)

Off in the distance, the game's dragging on,
There's strikes on the batter, some runners are on.
I don't know the inning, I've forgotten the score.
The whole team is yelling and I don't know what for.
Then suddenly everyone's looking at me
My mind has been wandering; what could it be?
They point at the sky and I look up above
And a baseball falls into my glove!

Here in right field, it's important you know.
You gotta know how to catch, you gotta know how to throw,
That's why I'm here in right field, just watching the dandelions grow!

Off the Disabled List: Go For It

2010-03-08T12:50:00.009-06:00

Being on the disabled list is no fun. You have to watch the world go by, while thinking, "Hey I could be doing that!" But such is life, and since we all know that "There's no crying in baseball" its time to get back into the batter's box and find my swing. I've always heard that all pitchers pitch with pain, so I'll apply that here and say, "all posters post with pain" too.

So, I may be a bit hesitant out of the batter's box, and may swing at a few sliders low and out of the zone, but hopefully once my timing is back, we'll find a few hits along the way.

------------------------

Today's baseball song of the day is from the ex New York Yankee center-fielder Bernie Williams. Bernie is an accomplished jazz guitarist who's second album; "Moving Forward" has been nominated for a Latin Grammy. Perhaps years from now, people will say, "Hey, didn't Bernie play baseball once?" Also, I don't think he's officially retired from baseball yet. Which is ok with me. Bernie's always been a class act, and as you can hear from his music, he still is.

BSOD 3/8/2010: Go For It

Artist: Bernie Williams (ex ballplayer - New York Yankees)

Album: Moving Forward
Released: 2009

From one of the funniest shows on late night, Craig Ferguson, here's Bernie Willams playing live:

Day 30: Negro League Baseball

2008-02-04T15:52:00.020-06:00

In reflection of Black History Month, today's BSOD looks upon why according to The Institute for Diversity and Ethics and Sport (TIDES), that the percentage of black major league players (from the 2006 rosters) is now 8.4 percent (this number does not include those who are foreign born). By comparison, in 1997 the percentage was double that - at 17 percent.

A recent article from MLB.com, sheds some light on the subject of baseball, black youths, hip hop and the perception of the game. From the article titled, "Hunter on a mission to revive interest" (Angels outfielder leading peers in targeting black community)...

Torii Hunter is passionate about bringing young African-Americans back to baseball, and he's leading a movement of peers to reinvest the black community in a game once deeply ingrained in its culture.

A seven-time Gold Glove-winning center fielder with the Twins, about to embark on a new journey with the Angels, Hunter devotes time, energy and money to the task, spreading his gospel: Baseball is a wonderful life, if you give it a chance.

"I talk to kids in the neighborhood," Hunter said, "and they'll say, 'Baseball's a white sport. I'm into the NBA.' I ask them if they know about Jackie Robinson, and they say, 'Yeah, heard of him.' 'What about Hank Aaron?' They'll get this look and say, 'Who's he?'

"Man, that kills me. Our kids have lost touch with our history, our heritage. They don't know we had our own league, the Negro League, with all those great players. Something's got to be done. You have to start somewhere -- reach one kid, two kids. All you can do is your part. That's something I would love for the players to do. This is definitely a big issue."

...the article continues...

"When you look at basketball, you see LeBron James, you see how they are living and all the things that basketball does for them," he (current Twin Craig Monroe) said. "They are promoting them and showing them the 'good life.'

"That's what we are -- we are visual people. And when you see them on TV, you want to be like them."

Adding a modern beat to the game wouldn't hurt, Monroe added.

"When people talk about hip-hop music, it's like it's ghetto," he said. "But it's universal. Blacks, whites, everybody likes the music. If you watch football, like when I went to the Cowboys-Bears game in Chicago, before they kick the ball, they are playing Soulja Boy. If you try to do that in baseball, it's looked down upon.

"We've got to change the perception that because it's hip-hop music, it's not right for baseball."

Sabathia expressed the proactive theme resonating among players when he said, "We can all do more. Talking about the problem isn't going to solve it. It's time to do something."

...........................................................

Today's Baseball Song of the Day is the hip-hop song titled, "Negro League Baseball" by Natural Resource from Brooklyn, NY.

Natural Resource's talent consisted of turntablist James Hassan Barrett (DJ Aggie), and rappers Tsidi Ibrahim (What? What? aka Jean Grae) and Kobie Jawara Dixon (Ocean).

BSOD 30: Negro League Baseball
Artist: Natural Resource
Album: n/a
Released: 1996

Negro League Baseball Lyrics

Check it, check it
"First batter up, first-first batter up"

Now, entering the batter's box
is a guy who wears champion socks and likes rings with rocks
throw up my middle finger to the umpire
cause niggaz just choosin the new talent just, need to retire
Check the signals from my manager, the first base coach
He's throwin signs, tellin me the label's just playing cutthroat
Yo, I hit em with a tape or should I say I take a check swing
I hear the crowd sing, go meet plug and the telephone ring
He says I need more beats, wait a minute, no doubt
My temper runs out, three pitches later, I strike the fuck out
Yo shit like this happens to the real mc's
Because the labels wanna sign up the commercial wannabes
and if, it ain't that, it's just a little bit more, sayin
"Umm, can you put on a screwface and scream lyrics that's hardcore?"
I adore, this whole rap persona, but some of you A&R's
must be mixin coke witcha marijuana, talkin
*sniff* "Oooh, he got the new shit
I'm on his dick but that's an MC that come out with one baby hit"
I split atoms, blow up as if I was atomic
Labels talk so much shit yo I laugh at them like they was comics
Check the scoreboard, we're up by one
Two more hitters to go, and the song ain't even done, Baseball..

"First batter up well here's the pitch that's a curve
Second batter up because the first got served"

From the kids in the batting cages to the pro players (what-what)
to the labels and the mob and the beaches making waves (what-what)
Looking at the pitcher like, "Man what gives?"
They got one-arm fugitives throwin with prosthetic limbs ("eeewww")
look from the team to the umpire means that the
man got demoted from stadiums to refereein gyms
Synonyms from big cheese to the independent label couldn't
pay up they debt so they got cut like unpaid cable
B.. E.. I.. S..
B-O-L, accent on the (o goallll)
Feel the sweat trickling down the back of my neck
Tighten my grip on the bat, take a swing
and it's a technical foul (wait a minute)
Nah that's basketball whatever, good call
How come when black men hit the field, they were throwin bottles
now they throwin million dollar deals
When I steal bases I do it with pride
for Jackie Robinson certified, forerunner for us
Homeruns we must, hit em straight out the ballpark
I'm not patriotic, so I won't sing the National
Underlying stipulations playing underhanded ways
It pays to have your representative stay
or you'll have, top executives gettin all possesive
of your money, and it's not funny
But when uhh loot is involved all problems get solved
Umm, maybe because you supply they cocaine fetish?
To finish this, this business ain't nothin but corrupt
Forget all this garbage, I'd rather play tennis

"First batter up well here's the pitch that's a curve
Second batter up because the first got served"

Baseball was never for blacks
It used to be a pasttime for whites
Now it has mad Puerto Ricans
but that's not the point of the song
The point of the song and I make it mad simple
when I be flipping this script
is that the industry is all over the mound
pitching but nobody's makin any hits, hmm
Baseball is not just a sport
It's the verbal, mental, physical, spiritual
emotional level that we are on
It's about time that all you devils was gone
like charm, I said it and meant it
If you can not handle it then for your ears it's not intended
You can play the documented, all athletes quoted
Cause when you speak to be exploited then your spot will get exploded
Bases are loaded, but there is no RBI's in the stadium
where players try, to be hard as titanium
I got your cranium movin, when I be showin and provin
Now you fear, that your career, is goin down the tubes
and it'll be, along industry, that's withering
and was left oceans, about to blow to smithereens
I bring, lyrical formats that you'll admire
And to the Hall of Fame I'm going when I retire
They'll set your world afire, there is nobody to fear
when every umpire and A&R is screamin that you are outta here
And to your amazement, a tax writeoff is your replacement
You gotta face it, there is no other crew adjacent
With sounds from the basement, we rise
We energize, to take up the whole enterprise
By now you realize, that when we're in the place
That we will come fat, over piano and the bass
If you're looking for security then you can end your chase
Come home, to Negro League, and you'll be safe.. Baseball

No doubt, Negro League is in the house
No doubt, no doubt, knockin runs outs
Cause we do it like this, we do it like that
I was rockin stage just like to a bat
Sent to home back when umm, be doing my thing
Hit a homerun, with the Negro League theme
Do it like this, do it like that
I was rockin stage just like to a bat
Sent to home back when umm, be doing my thing
Hit the homerun with the Negro League swing

Day 29: Gasolina

2008-02-03T11:52:00.017-06:00

Starting pitchers have a routine all their own. The only players to be listed in the lineup up to four days before they are scheduled to pitch. Pitch on Monday, golf on tuesday, study the charts, the videos, talk with the scouts on Wednesday, more golf on Thursday, then pitch again on Friday. On the day they toe the rubber, most are left to themselves. Left to be quiet, left to simmer their emotions, bottle them up and take them to the mound. Their teammates knowing better then to disturb them on such a day. A watched pot never boils, unless the flames are fanned with Gasoline, and it's the day for Johan Santana to pitch.

Today's Baseball Song of the Day is "Gasolina" by Daddy Yankee hailing from Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. Gasolina was the song that was played in the locker-room and over the loudspeakers in Minnesota when two-time Cy Young award winner Johan Santana took the mound during his 2004 - 2005 seasons in Minnesota. It's Latin/hip-hop Reggaeton with dancehall riddims and rough riding rapping makes it a very popular genre in Central America, the Carribean, and Puerto Rico.

While translations of slang may vary, the loose translation of some of the lyrics are:

so my babes turn on the engines... ready to catch what's coming, Hard!....She likes gasoline...She likes gasoline (give me more gasoline!)

From the May 23, 2005 issue of Sports Illustrated...

Sunday, 11:45 a.m. The place should be as quiet as a church, no? A massive winning streak is on the line today, a man will be knocking on history's door, a man will take the ball and walk out to perform before thousands. He must have silence. He must be left alone. That's baseball's way: No one bothers the starting pitcher. No one talks to him, no one touches him; superstitious teammates don't even look his way.

He's supposed to use this time before a game like a monk, mulling weaknesses and strengths, communing with his arm, staring daggers into his locker until his passion rises and adrenaline builds and he's primed to spring toward the mound like a bucking bronc Wait. Who dialed up the volume?... A ella le gusta la gasolina Dame mas gasolina! Como le encanta la gasolina Dame mas gasolina!

This can't be good. Those players back there, rapping along with Daddy Yankee near the trainer's room, don't they know better? No: Three of them giggle now as music fills the Minnesota Twins' clubhouse, then lean forward to gather in their throats a pitch-perfect imitation of an enraged baseball lifer and shout in English, "Shut the f--- up!"

Message: No shutting up around here. But won't the starter Never mind. The three straighten up, laughing louder as the beat pounds the walls and the singer brags, and you can see. One of them is the starter. Johan Santana steps back to his locker, huge grin on his face. He grabs a clear bottle the size of a rummy's fifth, no label, filled halfway with liquid the color of tobacco juice. He sits down, uncorks it, swishes it once under his nose. He pours a bit into his right palm, then rubs the locally produced liniment into his stomach, calves, upper thighs; once he breaks a sweat, it will give his muscles a nice, tight burn. He stands up, and the music nudges him--Duro! (Hard!)--and he dances a few quick steps. Soon he will try to win his 18th straight game, two shy of Roger Clemens's American League record. His teammates jabber at him, and he gives it right back. He sits, and with his right hand massages that precious left arm, shoulder to triceps to elbow. It's the only giveaway: He's pitching soon.

.......................................................................................

BSOD 29: Gasolina
Artist: Daddy Yankee
Album: Barrio Fina
Released: July 2004

Gasolina Lyrics

Subele el mambo pa' que mis gatas prendan los motores,
Subele el mambo pa' que mis gatas prendan los motores,
Subele el mambo pa' que mis gatas prendan los motores,
Que se preparen que lo que viene es pa q le den, Duro!

Mamita yo se que tu no te me va' a quitar (duro!)
Lo que me gusta es que tu te dejas llevar (duro!!)
to los weekenes ella sale a vacilar (duro!!)
mi gata no para de janguiar porque

A ella le gusta la gasolina (dame mas gasolina)
Como le encanta la gasolina (dame mas gasolina)

Ella prende las turbinas,
No discrimina,
No se pierde ni un party de marquesina,
Se acicala hasta pa la esquina,
Luce tan bien q hasta la sombra le combina,
Asesina, me domina,
Anda en carro, motoras y limosinas,
Llena su tanque de adrenalina,
Cuando escucha el reggaeton en la cocina.

A ella le gusta la gasolina (dame mas gasolina!!)
Como le encanta la gasolina (dame mas gasolina!!)

Aqui nosotros somos los mejores,
No te me ajores,
En la pista nos llaman los matadores,
Haces que cualquiera se enamore,
Cuando bailas al ritmo de los tambores,
Esto va pa las gatas de to colores,
Pa las mayores, pa las menores,
Pa las que son mas zorras que los cazadores,
Pa las mujeres que no apagan sus motores.

Tenemo' tu y yo algo pendiente,
Tu me debes algo y lo sabes,
Conmigo ella se pierde,
No le rinde cuentas a nadie

Subele el mambo pa' que mis gatas prendan los motores,
Subele el mambo pa' que mis gatas prendan los motores,
Subele el mambo pa' que mis gatas prendan los motores,
Que se preparen que lo que viene es pa que le den, Duro!

Mamita yo se que tu no te me va' a quitar (duro!)
Lo que me gusta es que tu te dejas llevar (duro!!)
to los weekenes ella sale a vacilar (duro!!)
mi gata no para de janguiar porq

A ella le gusta la gasolina (dame mas gasolina!!)
Como le encanta la gasolina (dame mas gasolina!!)

...

Day 28: I Can Change

2008-02-02T07:52:00.000-06:00

As a child, Derek Jeter grew up watching and admiring Dave Winfield. The Hall of Famer Winfield was a legendary athlete who not only performed at a high level in many sports (Winfield won a Big-Ten Basketball Championship as a member of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in 1972), but also performed where it counts most, off the field. Winfield was one of the first athletes to form his own charitable foundation, The Winfield Foundation.

Following in Winfield's footsteps, Jeter has created his own charitable organization named, Turn 2 Foundation. The Turn 2 Foundation was started in 1996. The goal of the mission is:

To create and support signature programs and activities that motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and "TURN 2" healthy lifestyles. Through these ventures, the Foundation strives to create outlets that promote and reward academic excellence, leadership development and positive behavior. Turn 2's goal is to see the children of these programs grow safely and successfully into adulthood and become the leaders of tomorrow.

Recently, Jeter held a celebrity golf tournament in Tampa, Florida. From an article on the mlb.com web site, Jeter is interviewed by ex-big leaguer, Harold Reynolds who was a terrific shortstop himself.

Artists like John Legend provided the entertainment for Derek Jeter's Turn 2 Foundation event. (MLB.com)

"And my dad is a drug-and-alcohol-abuse counselor, and this is something that I think hits every family, regardless of your race (or) how much money your family makes -- it's an issue that everyone has to deal with. And we thought it was fitting to start the foundation after my first year, and here we are 12 years later."

Jeter's charity weekend included a launch party on a big yacht with music from John Legend, a silent auction and the golf tournament. Oscar winner Freeman showed up along with some baseball stars and even Jeter's former bench coach and buddy for life, the irrepressible Don Zimmer.

In fact, when asked by Reynolds how he gets all these big names to continue to turn up at Turn 2 events, Jeter smiled. "It's been fairly easy, with the exception of Zimmer," Jeter quipped. "Everyone else, I just call them and they come. (With) Zim, you gotta send cars, you gotta pay him a little appearance fee and things like that."

.................................................................................

From DerekJeter.com... On Saturday night, guests were treated to a soundtrack courtesy of Jeter family friend DJ Premier and, of course, a short set by Legend, whom Jeter was very proud to have in attendance.

"It's kind of amazing all the support we've gotten throughout the years, and now we have arguably one of the most talented musicians in the world out here to help out the foundation and give his time for a few days," Jeter said.

Legend said he wouldn't have missed such a special and important event.

"I'm happy to participate," he said. "I think Derek's doing a great thing working with the kids in the city, giving them something constructive to do, and I'm proud to be a part of this."

.................................................................................

Today's Baseball Song of the Day is from the artist who performed at Jeter's celebrity charity event, John Legend. After appearing on countless other artists works (Lauryn Hill, Kanye West, Jay-Z et all), Legend released his first album "Get Lifted" in 2004. Growing up in family surrounded by music and performing in his local church, Legend's music is a mix of gospel, Philly hip-hop, and old school soul.

Today's BSOD is in honor of Jeter's foundation, and the idea that it's never too late to be able to change and make your life better. The song is titled, "I Can Change." Tying into the idea of the baseball term of "turning two" to get the double play, joining in with Legend to complete the second half of the song is Snoop Dogg.

BSOD 28: I Can Change
Artist: John Legend
Album: Get Lifted
Released: September 2004

I Can Change Lyrics

Snoop talking
Hey yo nephew check this out man
Now I know you got that bad chick right there
You aint even tripping off of her
But she doing all of that for you
She got this, she got that
She’s off the hizzle
I mean when you find one like that
You got to make that change man
Cuz they don’t come too often
And when they do come
You gotta be smart enough to know when to change
Like Sam Cooke say change gon’ come nephew
And you better believe that

As I look back on all that I've done to you
My biggest regrets
The things that I never could do
I see the light now baby it's shining through
Gotta give up the game
Yeah I got some changin’ to do

I won’t get high if you want it
Get that straight
9 to 5 if you want it
Keep my ass home at night if you want it
Whatever you need me to do

When you talk I’ma listen
Give you all that attention you missing
Girl I swear I’ma handle my business
Just like a real man should do

I can change
I can change (you know I can change baby)
I can change
For you (you know I can stop baby)
I can change (you know I change baby)
I can change
I can change
For you (you know I can stop baby)

I’ll give up all the places I used to go
Stay out the club
Stay home because I’m with you
I’ll give up all those girls that I used to know
They don’t compare
Baby I swear it’s the truth (you know it’s the truth baby)

So I’m through with the women
Yeah that’s right
I give up on the pimpin’
Girl I’m gonna repent from my sinnin’
If that’s what you want me to do

I’ll get right if you want it
Go to church
Get baptized if you want it
Girl you opened my eyes and I’m gonna
Be much better for you

Baby believe me
Baby believe me

I can change (you know I can change baby)
I can change (know I can change baby)
I can change
For you
I can change
I can change
I can change
For you

Snoop’s Rap
Take me to the river
And baptize my soul
I’m so outta control
Needing someone to hold
Man it’s cold
I aint been clubbin’, drinkin’, or smokin’
I’m focused
Bowin’ down every night prayin’ and hopin’

I’m trying to figure out a way
But I just don’t know how to say
But I’m rearrangin’
Hopefully I’m changin’
And you can see that
Baby cuz it’s hard for me
Kinda sorta odd for me
But aint nothing to it
If you need me to do it
I guess…

I can change
I can change
I can change
For you (I’ll give up on the pimpin’ for you)
I can change
I can change
I can change
For you (sing it again y’all)

I can change
I can change
I can change
For you
I can change
I can change
I can change
For you

You know I can stop baby

Gotta believe me (you gotta belive me baby)
Gotta believe me (mmm yeah)
I telling the truth

You know I can stop baby

Gotta believe me (believe me)
Gotta believe me (believe me yeah)
I’m telling the truth

Get baptized if you want it
This time I mean it

Gotta believe me (this time I mean it)
Gotta believe me
I'm telling the truth

Related Links:
www.derekjeter.com
www.johnlegend.com

Day 27: Keeping Score

2008-02-01T14:52:00.000-06:00

"Baseball and music together. That's how it should be."

Wow! How about that? And we here at BSOD didn't even state that quote, or have to pay for it (this time at least). Instead it was from retired Snohomish High School Choir Teacher Pat Castro who is holding a concert to raise money for a scholarship award in his name.

In an uplifting article from the HeraldNet web site, Mr. Castro, who taught for 22 years at Snohomish High in the State of Washington, has established the Patrick Castro Excellence in Vocal Music Award. The award will bestow a college scholarship for vocal music students.

"I was blessed as a teacher. I was pretty good, and sometimes I thought I was (famed conductor) Arturo Toscanini, but I didn't deserve it. I was just blessed."

Over the years Castro also has performed, often as a tenor soloist, with such organizations as the Walla Walla and Port Angeles symphony orchestras, the Everett Chorale and the Seattle Chorale Company.

Castro, who now lives in Marysville, has kept busy since retiring in 2005. He works as a courier for Compass Health as well as a football spotter and basketball statistician for KRKO (1380 AM) radio in Everett.

A sports fan, he also is the official scorekeeper for the Everett AquaSox and was instrumental in getting the baseball club to audition community members to sing the U.S. and Canadian national anthems at games.

"Baseball and music together. That's how it should be," he said.

..............................................................................................................

As a salute to Mr. Castro, we here at BSOD dedicate today's song, titled "Keeping Score" by Michelle Malone to you. It seems that if you add up your scorecard, it's been a life well led so far. Keep up the good work!

click the link to amazon.com to hear a sample of the song; Keeping Score

BSOD 27: Keeping Score
Artitst: Michelle Malone
Album: Home Grown
Released: August 1999

Snippet of the lyrics:

Life isn't worth living
if you're not giving your heart

....

Live like no-one's keeping score

Day 26: Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors

2008-01-31T14:52:00.000-06:00

Today's Baseball Song of the Day comes from an interview of the Indie British Alt-Punk Band called the Editors. It turns out that watching late night tv is actually good for something. In this case, for getting a new fan of baseball.

The Editors got their very first single to sell out in only 24 hours. The song, "Bullets," flew off the shelf faster than botox at a Beverly Hills pharmacy. It was an incredible selling until you find out that they only made 500 singles of the song. They followed that up with the song, "Munich" which they later performed on the Conan O'Brien show. It seems their fond of late night telly. In January of 2008, they were nominated for a Brit Award for...get this...of all things, Best British Group.

The following is an excerpt from an interview in the Seattle Times,

Q: Do you have any plans for Detroit?

A: I've already been to my favorite place, which is the Magic Stick. I don't know. I'd quite like to go to the Detroit Tigers. I'd quite like to go and watch them play. I'm a bit of a baseball guy. They've got that new field.

Q: How did you become a baseball fan? Seems a little odd for a guy who grew up in Ipswich.

A: When I had a [crappy] job, I was trying to break the monotony by staying up really late and going out with my friends and stuff, and whenever I would get back home, they would have late-night sports on this TV channel. And it was invariably American sports because of the time delay. So I'd get in at midnight and there's a game just starting, so I used to watch all sorts. Ice hockey was pretty good, but it's very difficult to see. I had very bad reception on my telly so you could never see the puck. So I settled for baseball because it's boring enough to send you off to sleep and you don't really miss anything if you do fall asleep for a bit and then wake up. It's still going on and not much happened. Great boredom sport.

Q: What's your favorite team?

A: For some reason, I was quite into the Arizona Diamondbacks. I don't really understand why. All my different favorite teams are in different cities. My favorite football team is the Chicago Bears because I used to have a Chicago Bears top; it was a picture of a teddy bear holding a football running along on my Chicago Bears jersey. So I followed them. Then I have the Toronto Maple Leafs because I don't really understand why they're called the Maple Leafs and not the Maple Leaves. So I dig them.

..................................................................................

There best showing to date in the UK Charts is today's BSOD. SOtHD reached #7 on the UK singles chart.

To view the video for the song, click here.

BSOD 26: Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors
Artist: Editors
Album: An End Has a Start
Released: June 2007

Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors Lyrics

Pull the blindfold down
So your eyes can't see
Now run as fast as you can
Through this field of trees

Say goodbye to everyone
You have ever known
You are not gonna see them ever again

I can't shake this feeling I've got
My dirty hands, have I been in the wars?
The saddest thing that I'd ever seen
Were smokers outside the hospital doors

Someone turn me around
Can I start this again?

How can we wear our smiles
With our mouths wide shut
'Cause you stopped us from singin'

I can't shake this feeling I've got
My dirty hands, have I been in the wars?
The saddest thing that I'd ever seen
Were smokers outside the hospital doors

Someone turn me around
Can I start this again?
Now someone turn us around
Can we start this again?

We've all been changed
From what we were
Our broken parts
Left smashed off the floor

I can't believe you
If I can't hear you
I can't believe you
If I can't hear you

We've all been changed
From what we were
Our broken parts
Smashed off the floor

We've all been changed
From what we were
Our broken parts
Smashed off the floor

Someone turn me around
(We've all been changed from what we were)
Can I start this again?
(Our broken parts smashed off the floor)
Now someone turn us around
(We've all been changed from what we were)
Can we start this again?
(Our broken parts smashed off the floor)

Day 25: Danza de Los Gigantes

2008-01-30T10:52:00.000-06:00

Nature or nurture? Hard work or luck? Your god given destiny or your ability to choose your own way? For most people, from the day you are born, you amble your way through life finding something that suits you. For a select few, it seems that perhaps their path was chosen for them. However agreeing to take it, is a whole 'nother thing.

Take the case of the Bonds' Family. The elder Bonds, Bobby; was a terrific player who played mostly for the SF Giants during the early part of his career which lasted from '68-74 and then for seven different teams in seven years thereafter. Known as the "30/30 guy" (30 Home Runs & 30 Stolen bases in one season), Bobby was an all around talent who went on to hit 30/30 a record five times and in both leagues as well. He was named the NL Player of the Year in 1973 by the Sporting News. He finished his career with a .268 avg, 332 HR's, and 1,024 RBI's.

After retiring Bobby turned to a career as hitting coach, bench coach and working in the front office mostly for the Giants. He was with the Giants in 1993, when his son Barry joined the team, and went on to legendary status becoming baseball's single season HR Champ (73) as well as the All-Time HR Champ (762). Together, they are baseball's most prodigious team as far as a a father-son combination in the statistics of HR, RBI, & SB's.

There are others famous bloodlines in baseball. The Griffeys (Ken Sr. and Ken Jr.), the Boone Family - who had three generations of ball players (Ray, Bob, and Bret), and the Bell Family (Gus, Buddy, and David) with three generations as well.

However, sometimes, the son (and grandson) of a famous player decides to take another path. In the baseball loving country of Cuba, a third generation of players found himself at the crossroads at a young age, and eventually stayed true to his family's roots. Only this time, the path chosen was to stay with playing music and not to stay playing baseball.

Born in Havana, Cuba, Jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, Chuchito Valdés, Jr. is a member of one of the most prolific Cuban jazz piano dynasties in history. With his grandfather, Bebo Valdés, and his father Chucho Valdés, Chuchito has helped to carry on their family's legendary musical name.

Growing up listening to Jazz music, and studying classical music, Chuchito abandoned music when he was in his early teens to go after another passion of his; baseball. He played for the Cuban National Team (in his age bracket), before he decided to return to music. In an article/interview on Jazz.com, he stated, "My mother was the person who encouraged me to pursue a career as a musician. She told me that I had a gift for music, that I was a “natural.” Believe it or not, I started as a baseball player. . . but my mother always encouraged me to believe that I had options and that I didn’t have to stick to one thing."

From an article on the Jazz Police web site...

In the late 90s, Chuchito led the famed Cuban band Irakare, the band that heavily influenced him as a teenager. "I have to say that the first Irakere band is my favorite. I would go with my father every day to rehearsals and see how Arturo Sandoval and Paquito D'Rivera would practice their passages. I experienced a great innovation in Cuban music, and it's one of the best things that's happened to me,” says Chuchito.

Seeing as Chuchito followed in the steps of the Giants in the Latin / Jazz / Cuban Music genre, today's Baseball Song of the Day is: Danza de Los Gigantes (Dance of the Giants).

BSOD 25: Danza de Los Gigantes
Artist: Chuchito Valdés, Jr.
Album: Encantado
Released: February 2002

Links of interest:

http://www.jazz.com/features-and-interviews/2008/1/28/in-conversation-with-chuchito-valdes-jr

http://www.brosociety.org/acts/chuchito/ChuchitoBios.htm

http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/7141/116/

Day 24: La La La La La La La

2008-01-29T20:52:00.002-06:00

Some things just aren't explainable, such as putting ketchup on a hot dog, putting a stamp on a pre-paid postage envelope, or putting yourself in the Aqua Teen Hunger Force tv show.

Recently, ex-baller and Baseball Tonight analyst John Kruk appeared as a siren along with Neko Case and Kelly Hogan on the Adult Swim Aqua Teen Hunger Force tv show on Cartoon Network. In the episode, Kruk performs his song, "La La La La La."

Watch the Kruk-er sing via the video below, then immediately go take a shower. As he once said, "I ain't an athlete, lady, I'm a baseball player." He ain't no singer either.

Cartoon Network

We apologize for today's Baseball Song of the Day, "La La La La La La La." by John Kruk and the Sirens.

BSOD 24: La La La La La La
Artist: John Kruk
Released: not really..just performed on the show
Album: we hope that it doesn't come to that - ever

La La La La La La lryics

la la la la la la lah
la la la la la la lah
la la la la la la lah
lahh lahh lahhhhhh lahhhh (...fades)

Day 23: Straight to the Bank

2008-01-28T13:52:00.000-06:00

As a fan of both baseball and music, sometimes in reading and researching material for articles for each Baseball Song of the Day, I'll find an article that reflects perfectly the premise behind the issues of today, how it affects the participants involved, the industry involved, and eventually in the end, the enjoyment (and pocketbook) of those who fund the participants; the common fan.

Today's find is such a day.

The following is a portion of an article titled, "Steroid scandal reaching beyond high-profile sports figures" published in the Appleton Post-Crescent (WI) by Reg Wydeven. Mr. Wydeven is a partner with the Appleton-based law firm of McCarty Law LLP.

..............................................

Former Sen. George Mitchell's 20-month investigation into performance enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball resulted in a voluminous report that named names. The biggest name listed was that of Roger Clemens, the seven-time Cy Young award-winning pitcher.

Clemens was one of 20 New York Yankees named in the report after his former trainer, Brian McNamee, informed Mitchell that he injected Clemens with steroids and HGH about 16 to 21 times during 1998, 2000 and 2001 before MLB banned performance-enhancing substances.

As a result of the Mitchell report, Matthew Mitchell (no relation) is now suing Clemens' New York Yankees. He's suing the team for $221, the amount he paid for tickets to five Yankee games he attended between 2002 and 2007. His claim is filed under "failure to provide goods paid for," as the players were "artificially enhanced."

If Mitchell gets the money back for his tickets, he may seek refunds for CDs he purchased, too. Several performers, including R&B music star Mary J. Blige, and rap musicians 50 Cent, Timbaland and Wyclef Jean were identified in an Albany investigation as possibly having received or used performance-enhancing drugs.

(read the entire article by clicking here)

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Today's BSOD is "Straight to the Bank" by popular rapper 50 Cent. "Fitty's" lyrics point right to the core of the main reason why all these athletes and performers are doing anything and everything that they can to stay in the game, and at the top of the game. Money, and lots of it. We should also mention that one of 50 Cent's album's is titled, "Get Rich or Die Trying." 'Nuff said.

BSOD 23: Straight to the Bank
Artist: 50 Cent
Album: Curtis
Released: September 2007

Straight to the Bank lyrics (warning: explicit)

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

yeah...

when im out in NY
boys, blunts and phillies
when im out in LA
boys, wraps and switches
now bloods walk to this
now crips walk to this
now throw it up, raise it up
for that gangsta shit
now bloodwalk to this
now cripwalk to this
now throw it up, raise it up
for that gangsta shit

im in my lambo maggot, my 4 4 faggot
doors lift up im like go go gadget
see the shit i got on homie i'd hate to
my teflon on but my government issue
i hit your vertabrate bullets rip through tissues
yo wife on the futon hugging the shitzu
homie you a bitch u got feminine ways
heard you got 4 lips and bleed for 7 days
i got 4 fifths and bananas on the k's
i got mo' whips than a runaway slave
me and yayo go back like some hot top favs
when i made 50 mil, Em got paid
when i made 60 mil, Dre got paid
when i made 80 mil, jimmy got paid
i aint even got to rap now life is made
said i aint even got to rap, im filthy maan

I'm laughing straight to the bank with this
ha ha,ha ha ha ha, ha ha, ha ha ha ha
im laughing straight to the bank with this
ha ha,ha ha ha ha, ha ha, ha ha ha ha
im laughing straight to the bank with this
ha ha,ha ha ha ha, ha ha, ha ha ha ha
im laughing straight to the bank with this
ha ha,ha ha ha ha, ha ha, ha ha ha ha
im laughing

i pay nothin but hundred dollar bills in the bank roll
i got the kind of money that the bank cant hold
got it off the street movin bundles and oh
'73 caprice old skool when i roll
breeze pass with the E-Z pass fuck the toll
no more platinum im wearing gold
im internationally known as the kid with the flow
that brings enough dough
it's never enough dough, shit i need more
nigga shit out the store baby blue its all
fresh off the flow dash box by the dash box
in case they want war make the purple bring the green even
fuck the law im also raw im hot im sure
im like the coolest mothafucka round the globe boy
set the club on fire i told ya
im the general salute me soldier

I'm laughing straight to the bank with this
ha ha,ha ha ha ha, ha ha, ha ha ha ha
im laughing straight to the bank with this
ha ha,ha ha ha ha, ha ha, ha ha ha ha
im laughing straight to the bank with this
ha ha,ha ha ha ha, ha ha, ha ha ha ha
im laughing straight to the bank with this
ha ha,ha ha ha ha, ha ha, ha ha ha ha
im laughing

now break it up now
shorty work it out
i wanna see you break it down
now back it up now
you know what im about
its like a bank job
i'm in and im out
now work it out now
work it out, work it out
now work it out now
work it out, work it out

words

Day 22: Blackmail

2008-01-27T17:52:00.000-06:00

Things just seem to get stranger and stranger by the day with the rumors and stories concerning The Mitchell Report and performance enhancing drugs within baseball. The person to inject life into the story a few years ago by writing his book "Juiced", Jose Canseco is back in the limelight with the latest twist.

According to the NY Times, Canseco who is in the process of writing a second book concerning players and their steroid/hgh consuming ways, titled "Vindicated", was said to have offered to keep Detroit Tigers Outfielder Magglio Ordonez' name out of the new book if he invested into a film project of Canseco's. Ordonez was not one of the persons named in The Mitchell Report.

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From the NY Times article on 1/24/08, "Canseco Is Said to Seek Favor to Omit Name"...

Four people in baseball confirmed that referrals were made from Major League Baseball to the F.B.I. regarding Canseco’s actions relating to the six-time All-Star outfielder Magglio Ordóñez, who was not mentioned in Canseco’s earlier book or in any other report on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. All four insisted on anonymity because they said they didn’t have authority to speak about the events...

...Canseco denied that he — or any associate of his — ever asked Ordóñez for money to keep his name out of a book titled “Vindicated.”...

Canseco said he tried to contact Ordóñez several months ago to talk about his books but did not hear back from him. Canseco refused to say whether Ordóñez would be named in connection with performance-enhancing drugs in his second book. “You are going to have to buy the book to see that,” he said.

Reached at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Wednesday, Ordóñez said he did not want to talk in detail about Canseco. Although he criticized him for writing his tell-all book, he said he did not want to get involved with any formal investigation.

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Today's Baseball Song of the Day is from a hard-rocking punk band called "The Runaways" that was fronted by Joan Jett of "I Love Rock and Roll" fame. The all-girl teenage band was best known for songs such as "Cherry Bomb" and "Born to Be Bad."

Our BSOD is aptly named, "Blackmail." The Runaways also spawned metal rocker / and 80's hair queen Lita Ford and the 1989 hit "Kiss Me Deadly" that reached #6 in the Billboard charts.

BSOD 22: Blackmail
Artist: The Runaways
Album: Best of the Runaways
Released: 1987

Blackmail Lyrics

You didnt care you went and broke my heart
Ill get ya back you know its gonna start
You gave me pain thats whatcha done to me
When I get through youll be sorry you met me

Youll wish you were never born
Blackmail, blackmail
Ill make you pay
For the life that you tore
Blackmail
Black
Mail

You put it to me and now well play my game
Ill wrap you up and youll go insane
It took so long and I waited my turn
You pay your debt Im gonna make you burn you know

Youll wish you were never born
Blackmail, blackmail
Ill make you pay
For the life that you tore
Blackmail
Black
Mail

I know about you and Im gonna tell
The way I planned youre gonna go through hell
Now you listen to what Im about to say
Or you wont live to see the light of day, you know

And what article written that mentions blackmail could be complete without a mention of Monty Python and their terrific blackmail sketch. Enjoy!!!

Day 21: Nolan Ryan, He's a Hero To Us All

2008-01-26T20:52:00.000-06:00

Ok, you're picking your team. You can have anyone that you want, whom do you pick first? How about a 60 year old ex-flame throwing right hander? The Texas Rangers are looking to do just that. Now, before you start writing the screenplay about an old timer looking to break into the big leagues nearing his AARP years, and make millions in Hollywood, it's important to remember that this is no "sleeper pick." This is Nolan Ryan, and this is a report about him possibly becoming the next President of the Texas Rangers Baseball Club.

Since retiring from his playing days, he's been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, worked with the Rangers and Astros in "personal services contracts", and is the owner of two minor-league clubs, the Triple-A Round Rock Express and the Double-A team, the Corpus Christi Hooks.

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According to an article written by Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram titled, "Ryan getting Rangers' vote for presidency?"

Rangers owner Tom Hicks met with Nolan Ryan over lunch in Georgetown on Friday and might be trying to lure him away from the Houston Astros and back to the Rangers.

The bait might be the club presidency.

Ryan confirmed the 90-minute meeting with Hicks, son Tommy Jr. and Rangers vice president Jim Sundberg, and said that the team’s search for a president did come up in the conversation.

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With over 5,000 strikeouts, 7 no hitters, a member of the HOF, the Nolan Ryan Express just may be making another pitch. Today's Baseball Song of the Day is "Nolan Ryan, He's a Hero to Us All" written and performed by the outlaw country musician, Jerry Jeff Walker.

Mr. Walker's most well known song, was the hit "Mr. BoJangles" which he first wrote and recorded in 1968, but reached #9 on the billboart chart in 1971 when it was sung by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

BSOD 21: Nolan Ryan, He's A Hero To Us All
Artist: Jerry Jeff Walker
Album: Navajo Rug
Released: August 1991

To hear a sample of the song, click on the album, and on the page that appears, there are links to listen to the song.

Nolan Ryan, He's a Hero to Us All lyrics

Well, our story starts in Texas, where he's tempered by the heat
That skinny Alvin boy believes his fastball can't be heat
So he brings it and he brings it and it passes every test
They're talkin' he's a wild man might be the fastest in the West

Well, he's drafted by New York, he's gonna pitch up there in Shea
With those amazing Mets, he'll help them take it all the way
He gets a World Series ring, he stays modest, he don't boast
Now it's off to California, where he'll make history on the coast

Chorus:
Nolan Ryan, he's a hero to us all
Nolan Ryan, he stands straight, he stands tall
He don't mess around boys
He just throws a mean fast ball

Tom Morgan is the angel, gets Nolan in second gear
Then he pitches four no-hitters in about as many years
He's working for Gene Autry, they're calling him the Ryan Express
He throws one ball a hundred, now he's the fastest in the West

But after eight years on the left coast,
He says he wants to come home
So he signs on with the Astros,
He'll bring magic to the dome
As he throws his fifth no-hitter,
They're talkin' about he might be the best

In Texas people know, he's the fastest in the West

Chorus

Now he's a Texas Ranger, but he don't tote no gun
He'll mow you down with the heater, you smell leather, hear it hum
He throws a sixth no-hitter, the Oakland A's just met Big Tex

Now they're gonna judge all the rest,
Boys, against the fastest in the West

Now let's count up some numbers, he's forty-three years of age
He's got 5200 strike-outs, six no-hitters to date
There's 57 shut-outs, right up against 300 wins
And on the very first ballot, the Hall of Fame's gotta take him in

Day 20: Joe DiMaggio Done it Again

2008-01-25T11:52:00.000-06:00

The great American songwriter and observer of the common folks' way of life, Woody Guthrie penned today's Baseball Song of the Day; "Joe Dimaggio Done it Again." After World War II, Guthrie and his wife moved to Mermaid Avenue in Coney Island where they started their family and had four children, one of which; Cathy who died in a fire at only fours old. It is this period, that many think he produced some of his best work.

In 1995, one of Woody's other three children, daughter Nora, contacted Englishman Billy Bragg about putting music to many of Woody's unfinished words and lyrics. He accepted her offer and in turn, contacted the American band Wilco about contributing to the project which eventually was titled, Mermaid Avenue. It was such a well received recording (they received a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album), that both Bragg and Wilco reunited in the effort to produce a second go-around in Mermaid Avenue, Vol. 2.

It was Nora's hope that the songs would help to introduce Woody's historic talent to a new generation. With their free hollarin', yip yapping, banjo-picking, and wonderful harmonies, this one is a pure delight that instantly puts you in a good mood reminiscing about a baseball legend doing what only legends can do, which is producing results over and over again, and lifting the spirits of all who are lucky enough to witness his tremendous feats.

BSOD 20: Joe DiMaggio Done it Again
Artist: Billy Bragg & Wilco (lyrics by Woody Guthrie)
Album: Mermaid Avenue Vol. 2
Released: 2000

To hear a sample of the song, click on the album, and on the page that appears, there are links to listen to the song.

Joe DiMaggio Done it Again lyrics

Joe DiMaggio's done it again
Clackin' that bat, gone with the wind
Joe DiMaggio's done it again

Some folks thought Big Joe was done
Some just figured Joe was gone
Steps to the platter with a great big grin
Joe DiMaggio's done it again

I'm gonna tell you just the way I feel
Man can't run without his heel
Watch that raggy pill split the wind
Joe DiMaggio's done it again

All three fielders jumped their best
Trying to climb that high board fence
They all growed whiskers on their chins
Joe DiMaggio's done it again

Up along the clouds where the eagles roam
Joe cracked that ball to whine and moan
His buddies all laugh as they trot on in
Joe DiMaggio's done it again

Grandma's home by the radio
On the television watching Joe
She jerks the beard off of Grandpa's chin
Joe DiMaggio's done it again

The puppy dog barked at the pussycat
How does it look from where you sat?
Looks like a cyclone slidin' in
Joe DiMaggio's done it again

Day 19: China Blue

2008-01-24T17:52:00.000-06:00

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre (left) and vice president of the San Diego Padres Dave Winfi eld (right) pose for photos with young Chinese baseball players during a press conference in Beijing. (Photo: AP) read story at China Daily

Major League Baseball announced on 1/24/08 that the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres will be the first MLB teams to play the sport in China. Hosted by the China Baseball Association, the games will be held on March 15 & 16 in Beijing at the Wukesong Baseball Field, which will be the venue for the 2008 Olympic Games.

From MLB.com...

"Major League Baseball's international growth has been nothing short of remarkable, and we are thrilled that the Padres and the Dodgers will showcase our sport to the people of China by playing in MLB China Series 2008," Commissioner Bud Selig said. "I would like to thank the Dodgers and the Padres, the Major League Baseball Players Association, the China Baseball Association, Wukesong Group and all the parties who have made this momentous trip possible. We are greatly anticipating this wonderful opportunity."

...International ventures are nothing new for the two franchises. Most recently, the Dodgers played the Mets in a Mexico City exhibition series in 2003, and established relations in China in 1980 by building the first practice field in Beijing and funding construction of a baseball stadium, named Dodger Stadium, in Tianjin, 75 miles southeast of the capital.

"The Dodgers' ties to Asia date back more than half a century, so it's only fitting that as we celebrate 50 years in Los Angeles, we are fortunate enough to take part in this historic series," said Dodgers owner and chairman Frank McCourt. "The opportunities to expand this great game into China are limitless, and we hope this trip will solidify the Dodgers' role at the forefront of the globalization of baseball."

View a Joe Torre video concerning the games in China

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Today's Baseball Song of the Day is "China Blue" (30 second listen) in honor of the Dodgers traveling and playing two exhibitions games in China. The track is from ex-Free and Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers, who in 2000 put out a terrific solo album titled "Electric." China Blue opens with an asia-styled guitar riff and reminds one of the long trip over the oceans and around the world to a land foreign and yet wonderfully new to us all. With the ever-expanding roster of International players into the major leagues, one can only assume that in a matter of a few short years, MLB will follow in the footsteps of the NBA and will soon see players arising out of the blue from China.

BSOD 19: China Blue
Artist: Paul Rodgers
Album: Electric
Released: 2000

To hear a sample of the song, click on the album, and on the page that appears, there are links to listen to the song.

And will you wait for me
as I cross the raging sea
and i wait for you
China Blue

And will the stars looking down
remember the sound
of your tears and the wind
China Blue

Oh the seasons may change
from the green to the gold
but my heart will remain
true to you

Save your smile for the sun
and your sighs for the moon
I'll save my love for you
China Blue

Oh the seasons may change
from the green to the gold
but my heart will remain
true to you

Day 18: Paradise Valley

2008-01-23T16:52:00.001-06:00

Arizona Diamondbacks head groundskeeper Grant Trenbeath (right) paints the Paradise Valley logo behind home plate on Monday. (Christie Cowles/MLB.com)

With all the talk of baseball and steroids and negative information floating around, its great to read a recent story about what positive effects baseball can bring about to a community. Recently at Paradise Valley High School in Arizona, nearly 50 groundskeepers from 25 of the Major League Baseball Clubs spent their time and many talents in completely upgrading the field.

The groundskeepers were there as part of their annual three-day conference, in which the final day is practiced as "community day" as they graciously use their talents to smooth and rake the dirt, put in new bases, paint logos, baselines, and bring their major league talents to some high school hope for future stars.

To view a slideshow of images at MLB.com, click here.

Today's Baseball Song of the Day is titled, "Paradise Valley" from the artist known as Kostas. You may not be familiar with his name, but the number of hits this man has written for others, puts him in the major league of song writers.

Paradise Valley is a sweet song about longing for a place that remains close to your heart. A wonderfully simple, stripped down acoustical journey through Paradise Valley, Kostas strums his guitar and melodically tells of the beauty of nature and the surroundings of Paradise Valley.

The song actually refers to Paradise Valley, Montana, however with lyrics such as such as, "up over the mountains across the sky, the stars are falling over paradise valley, a lot of wishes, are coming true tonight", and the work that the MLB groundskeepers generously gave, its easy to believe that this season, the Paradise Valley Trojans will be on their own field of dreams.

View the Paradise Press Paradise Valley web site

Kostas Biography from MySpace:

Kostas and his family immigrated to Montana from Greece when he was seven years old. He now has homes in Montana and Nashville, and aside from songwriting and performing, he enjoys hunting, fishing and raising vintage guitars on his "guitar ranch." Kostas received his first No. 1 Country hit with his first single release. The single entitled, "Timber I'm Falling In Love," was recorded by Patty Loveless. He also penned the songs "The Lonely Side Of Love," and "On Down The Line" for her follow-up albums which also reached Top 10.

Kostas went on to write many more Top 10 singles including: "Heart Full Of Love," by Holly Dunn, "Turn It On, Turn It Up, Turn Me Loose," and "Nothing's Changed Here," by Dwight Yoakam, "Lord Have Mercy On The Working Man," by Travis Tritt, "Going Out Of My Mind" and "Love On The Loose, Heart On The Run,” by McBride and The Ride and "Life ..9" by Martina McBride. He also scored two more No. 1 country hits with Dwight Yoakam's "Ain't That Lonely Yet" and Patty Loveless' first Epic release, "Blame It On Your Heart," which was BMI's most performed country song of 1994.

BSOD 18: Paradise Valley
Artist: Kostas
Album: Paradise Valley
Released: January 2006

To hear a sample of the song, click on the album, and on the page that appears, there are links to listen to the song.

I'm going down to Paradise Valley
Spend a little time there
to see an old friend
She's a little bit South
of a town called Bed****
where the wind blows round in circles
and the river never ends

sitting on a rock in yankee jim canyon
looking down the river below
ohhh yankee jim he's looking up at me
telling me stories
from the long ago

cowboys and injuns and wild horses prancin
pretty girls dancing to and fro
the sun wakes up, the young romancers
and lays them down in the soft moon glow

i'm going down to Paradise Valley
to spend a little time there, seeing old friends
just a little bit south of a place called bedrock
where the wind blows in circles
where the river never ends

first time i saw her, she was dressed in August
beautiful as creation, looking so divine
i stayed with her, until the snow fell
and she said it's alright if you leave me behind
if you look out the window, you can see the moonrise

up over the mountains across the sky
the stars are falling over paradise valley
a lot of wishes, are coming true tonight

i'm going down to Paradise Valley
to spend a little time there to see an old friend