What a Ride it Has Been

Well guys the school year is ending and that means it is time to reflect on my blog this year. It's crazy that I have only had this blog for one school year because it seems like it's been forever. I have had so much fun learning the ways of a blogger. I also have learned a lot about myself! I learned my style of writing. I learned that writing a blog can actually be fun. I will hopefully continue this blog during the summer. It will be hard because I will be gone a lot of the time, but I think it would be fun to keep in touch with all you guys. From my first blog to this last one, many things have changed. The only thing that hasn't changed is my passion for the sport. My writing has improved and I can really see the difference.

Thank You all So Much!!! Courtesy of Immunology for the Image

Whether my blog continues or not, there is one thing that we can all count on. That is the fact that baseball doesn't stop and it will be going on all summer and even next year, and the year after that. I know that all of you out there will be watching your favorite teams, hoping that something good happens and your team makes it into the playoffs and then even wins the World Series. Well guys, I want to let you know that won't happen unless you are an Angels fan because that is the team that is winning it all this year.

I hope that you guys have enjoyed reading my lame blog posts. I have had a ton of fun writing them and keeping up with the baseball world. Keep in touch with me! If you have any questions or want to contact me you can reach me by emailing me at ndavis18@pcstudents.us. It has been a fun year guys and I loved sharing it with you guys. Until next time!!!!!

The Angels Fall to the Astros

The Angels throw the game in the last inning with Street leading the way. Yeah so that pretty much sums up the game! The Angels didn't do the best this game but they held the hot Astros until the 9th inning. It was pretty fun to watch because my team was winning, right? Well first off the Angels pitching was fantastic! To hold off a team that is doing as well as the Astros is down right amazing. However, it all came to an end in the 9th inning. It was Houston Street coming up to pitch and boom the first batter up gets on base, then the second batter is on, then all of a sudden the Astros score three runs and the Angels are down 3-2. I mean it was pretty defeating, emotionally, to see that happen.

Houston Street Blows the Save! Thanks LA Times for the Image

What lead up to this loss? First off, even though the Angels were leading the game the whole way, they didn't produce nearly enough runs and their offense was pretty dormant. Yes, two runs seemed to be enough this game but usually this wouldn't be enough. When you are facing a team that has been doing as well as the Astros, it is mandatory that you produce many runs to keep your team out in front. The Angels scored two runs and then seemed to shut down. This ended up in the long run hurting the Angels and they lost to the Astros.

The Astros also played really well this game. It was never lopsided, there was never a point in the game where you just turned off the TV and walked away. No, actually the game was the complete opposite. I was almost analyzing the TV it seemed like. Like the Angels, the Astros put up a good fight and also had fantastic pitching. The Astros offense was nonexistent until the very end. I have no clue what it was but all of a sudden the Astros seemed to ignite and they put up some nice hits.

Astros Offense Sparks in the 9th! Courtesy of Galv News for the Pic

The Angels and Astros are well matched and so far have had great games to watch. I look forward to the many more games that these two teams will play and hope that they remain close.

The All New Astros

While everyone thinks that the Astros suck, the Astros are actually proving that they aren't that bad after all. Lately, everything has been picking up for them and every component of their game is very strong. They just snapped a 10 game winning streak. Can you believe that? The Astros actually won more than one game in a row! I know I give them a lot of crap but I have to give it to them, they are on fire.

First off, we have their offense. They are leading the American League in home runs. Everyone in the Astros lineup is capable of causing harm while up to bat. From the leadoff hitter to the number 12 hitter, each and every player can hit a home run and they have proved it. Not only that, with Jose Altuve leading the way, they are also getting tons of multiple base hits. It's insane how well the offense is doing. However, on the flip side of this, at any time the Astros can go dry from home runs and start losing again. Yes, they are destroying the ball right now, but that can change in less than a game!

Jose Altuve is Red Hot Right Now! Courtesy of CBS Sports for this Image

Next there is the pitching of the Astros. I'm not even talking about the overall defense I'm just going to talk about pitching right now. Their rotation is pretty strong with Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh. With this dynamic duo, they haven't lost a single game. The Astros defense hasn't had to do much yet because of the great pitching. The ERA of these two all star pitchers is insanely low. If you look outside of the pitching, their defense is also very strong right now. Of course Jose Altuve is leading them but they also have Springer, Carter, and Rasmus who all show off their gloves in the field. 

Keuchel Looks to Keep his Streak Going! Thanks MLB for this Pic!

I know that I predicted the Astros would suck again this year but I think that I have already been proved wrong. Even though it is way early in the season, you can tell the Astros have made some changes and it's really working. Don't mistake me for a bandwagon fan because I still don't like the Astros, but I can't deny a good team when I see one and the Astros are definitely a good team right now!

Players to Watch in the American League

Hey guys, what's up? Today I am going to talk about different players who should be watched closely in the American League. Now I am not only going to talk about people who are famous and amazing at the game, but also people who are building up or have been struggling and are coming back.

First off we have Jered Weaver! Jered Weaver is a starting pitcher for the Angels who at one point was arguably one of the best pitchers in baseball. This year Weaver has been doing really poorly and he publicly admits it. The Angels Manager Mike Scioscia has also acknowledged the fact that Jered has been doing poorly. However, despite the statistics, I think Jered Weaver will come back and during the second half of the season be that unstoppable pitcher he once was. Every player in the MLB struggles at one point or another. The reason I am focusing on Weaver is because once he becomes the leader he once was, the Angels will follow and start to do well again.

Angels Pitcher Jered Weaver! Courtesy of ESPN for the Pic!

Next is Jose Altuve. While everyone knows that Jose is one of the best players in the MLB offensively and defensively, I am looking at him in a different way. So far this year the Astros have been doing really well. Many people question why. The answer to this is Jose Altuve. As long as he can continue to stay hot, I believe the Astros will also stay hot. Altuve is one of the top hitters and is easily a gold glove shortstop. Despite his height of 5' 6", he still manages to do really well. 

Jose Altuve leads the Red Hot Astros! Thanks Wiki for the Image!

Another player that you should be watching out for is Kole Calhoun. Kole is a starting outfielder for the Angels and bats leadoff. Flying under the radar, Kole is a solid hitter and fielder. So far this year, Kole has come in clutch in many different situations and continues to impress. Many argue that Mike Trout over shadows Kole Calhoun which may be true given that Mike Trout is amazing. However, Kole also is a very impressive ball player and is still young. This year and the years to come will really show what Kole Calhoun is about.

Kole Makes the Catch!!! Awesome Pic by Japan Times

Thanks for reading this guys! Let me know what you think and if you have any questions make sure to leave a comment!

San Francisco Giants Pride

Thank you Joey for asking about the Giants. I honestly was having trouble thinking about which team I should analyze. For me, this is pretty easy. The Giants as everyone knows, have had some great past history. The giants have won plenty of World Series including the most recent 2014 World Series vs the Royals. I'm not going to talk about that because I am still pissed that the Royals lost. Not only should the Royals have won, but they were such a great underdog team.

Giants win the 2014 World Series. Image courtesy of SF Fun Cheap

Anyways, there is a lot I could say about the Giants, one of which is that they are doing terrible right now in Spring Training. Right now their record is 6-19 placing last in the National League. I don't know what I have to say about this. It is shocking to see a team go from the top dog to a terrible team in such a quick amount of time. I do hesitate calling them a terrible team because don't get me wrong, they have had tremendous success. So what has happened between the 2014 World Series Championship and now? Well that is debatable.

The Giants have been active in trading ever since they became champions. One of the trades that they made was Pablo Sandoval. Now many people believe that Sandoval was the face of the Giants. The panda as many people liked to call him. Sadly, he has moved on to the Red Sox. Of all the teams in the world, the Red Sox. They didn't even need him! Anyways as you can see, this has made a major impact of the Giants causing their record to be disgusting. Of course their are other factors that come to play but man this was a big decision.

The Panda in a Sox Uniform. Thanks Chowder and Champions for this Pic

I honestly have no idea what the coachers and managers were thinking to sell the iconic panda. He came in clutch a lot of times. He didn't deserve to go. Honestly and sadly enough, I think that the Giants will do terrible this year and spring training has just proved my point. Who knows maybe they will get their crap together, but for now, so long Giants see you in 2016!

Not Looking good for the Giants! Courtesy of Sfgate for this nice pic!

A Baseball Player

I'm always writing about the pros. I have decided to take a break and talk about the normal day of a baseball player. First off, everyday you get dirty. There is never a day after practice where your pants are clean and don't have grass or dirt stains. This is what is the best part! I love to get dirty and it is fun when your uniform shows that you have been working hard. Keeping things clean and straight is for losers! In this post not only am I going to take you through a normal practice, but also life at home.

While of course you have to struggle through school, after, there is always something to look forward to. Practice usually is pretty uniform. Jog and warm up and then work of the things that need improvement. Of course the coaches know what to work on. It's what we did wrong at the previous game. Usually, a practice includes hitting and fielding. First, you break off into groups and work your position. Doing out fielding work is always fun, but it's a huge bummer when you miss one and have to take the jog of shame after the ball that you just screwed up on.

Thanks Minnesota Connected for this Great Image of Mike Trout Robbing a Homer

Live Batting Practice (BP) is always fun. However, there are tons of exercises that help you out with your hitting. Usually there is hitting stations that you switch off at. Each station works a different skill that is helpful when it comes to games. Hitting is personally my favorite part. It's always fun to take out some anger on innocent baseballs. Each hitting station as I said, helps a different skill. There is tee work, live pitching, and soft toss. When you are using a tee to help yourself out, there are tons of ways to use it. For example, working on outside and inside pitches. Live pitching helps you read the balls and get better and knowing what kind of pitch is coming and where it is going.

While there is tons of work to be done on the field and with the team, at home is no different. Everyday there is something that needs improvement. A good start is to hit off a tee. This is an easy exercise that will improve your hitting skills tremendously. Not only is it a good way to improve, you don't need anyone else to do this. You can set everything up yourself. Having a tee as a baseball play is a MUST if you want to succeed. I hope you understand a little more about things that go on in a baseball players life! See ya next time!!

Thanks Baseball Tips for this Informative Image

Going to the Cactus League

As everyone reading this probably knows, spring training is currently going on and MLB Opening Day is on it's way! No matter what team that you are going for, we can all agree that Opening Day needs to come faster. Spring training is in full spring and we've seen a little bit of everything.

This year there has been a lot of Tommy Johns surgery. This is pretty sad to see such great pitchers have to go through something like that. However, there are plenty of positive things going on. This season there is a lot to look forward. Of course it is pretty early to know exactly what will go down. Spring training has been so fun to watch this season. The Angels (the best team in the MLB) have been doing well along with many other teams!

Tommy John Surgery :(  Thanks Bleacher Report for this!

The Angels in the post season haven't been doing too amazing but have been doing well which I am pretty stoked about. Of course their star players are still doing well, there have been some people peeking in and looking good! One team though, that has been outstanding in spring training is the Athletics. Last year, the Athletics put up a good fight throughout the whole season but ended up falling short. Will this be their season?

You know I can't say for sure but I think they have a good shot. As heart breaking that is for me as an Angels fan, the Athletics have a very impressive ball club. However, that is just in the American League. In the National league there is the Dodgers, who did pretty well last year. Not too surprisingly, they are continuing to do well. I don't know what it is about the Dodgers, but man their games are always fun to watch.

Thanks Daily Republic for this nice quality pic!

Some teams that I would have you pay close attention to is the Diamondbacks and the Astros. These two teams haven't done too well recently but man their records are looking pretty promising. The Diamondbacks currently are 14-10 giving them the title of second in the national league. The Astros who many think are terrible (myself included) have a nice record of 10-8 placing them in sixth in the American League. I know that isn't great, but I think these two teams will go a lot farther than last year.

Thanks MLB for this clean Logo!

I know that there are a lot of games to be played but in my opinion this is going to be one fun season. I am so stoked to watch regular season games. I'm slowly getting back into the baseball swing and I'm ready to invest some hours in watching some games! During the season I am thinking about adding highlights and doing my own highlight reels so you guys are always caught up with all the fun stuff that is going on! Until next time fellow bloggers!

9 in 5 and Traded for a Washing Machine

As everybody knows by now, Will Ferrel decided to take a trip and make a debut in the Cactus League to raise money for cancer. He managed to play 9 positions in only 5 games. This is crazy! Will isn't the best player out there but who knows, maybe he is the next hall of famer. Will played with the following teams: Mariners, Angels, Reds, Cubs, White Sox, Dodgers, Padres, and the Giants. This was funny and at the same time was for a good cause. Not only did Will Ferrell play with all these teams, he didn't do too bad. I mean for not ever really playing baseball, he didn't do too shabby. I loved watching him play, I was laughing so hard watching it.

Atta Boy Will! Thank you Washing Post for this!

In my opinion, Will needs to be a center fielder or a pitcher. Have you guys seen his arm? While he was on the Angels, he replaced Mike Trout and even got a ball hit to him. Cleanly picked it up and kept it to a single. After this day, I don't even know the numbers that Will Ferrell will be going for. Also, pitching. It was outstanding! He is a ground ball pitcher for sure. First hitter he had a come backer and threw the guy out. Now of course Will Ferrell playing baseball was way more fun than competitive. In my opinion spring training should be like this. I know that the MLB players are trying to get ready for the season but come on, this was hilarious. He lightened up the mood. Sometimes people are too caught up in it all, not remembering sports are for fun. I personally would love to see other celebrities try and play baseball in live spring training games. Of course during regular season games this wouldn't work, but this was a great decision to let Will play.

Thanks to the Chicago Tribune for this Legendary Photo!

What a day it was in baseball history. I don't even know what is going to happen next. Not only did Will Ferrel play in the Cactus League, but he was traded for a washing machine. What kind of insanity is this?! This is definitely going to bring baseball to a whole new level. Trading for appliances may become a thing! How cool would that be? Instead of a 20 million dollar contract you get free plumbing and a fridge.  Haha that would be cool but some of the contracts now days, I don't even know if you could pay for with appliances. Baseball has been changed forever today, for the better. This is why baseball is such a cool sport, it is fun, competitive, and it is always interesting. To all those people who think that baseball is boring, when is the last time a random celebrity played in an NFL game? The MLB is such a great association and continues making baseball the best sport out there.

Thanks to Everyone, Where will this be Going?

This year I have started blogging. I have officially been blogging for almost a full school year. It has been a fun experience meeting others that have the same interests that I do. I would like to thank everyone that has read my posts, even if you haven't commented or followed my blog. I really do appreciate it! I know that my posts aren't the best, but I enjoy writing them for you guys. Reflecting on everything that has happened while writing and reading this blog, I have had a great time, and you guys only make it better. Writing for myself is fun, but knowing that other people are actually reading what I am writing, that is mind blowing. Honestly, I never thought that my blog would go anywhere. Hoping for maybe like 10 views or something. I am amazed at where it has gotten and I encourage you all to start your own blogs. Let me know if you do and I'll be sure to try and help you out and even follow you!

Thanks to Dinkum Interactive for this creative image

One thing that I would like to get more involved in is getting more followers. I don't have many, but if you guys like my posts, make sure to follow. I have realized that not only having a blog is fun, but it is something that I can go to when I want to get away from things for a while. I have evolved a lot from the beginning of the year. At the start of this quarter I set down a lot of goals. I have realized that the number of page views I have doesn't really matter. Creating a blog has been awesome! It is something new that I have gotten absorbed in. I get to ramble on about baseball and things that are happening and I don't have to feel bad about doing it.

I need both! Thanks to Cafe Press for this one!

I used to only write posts because I had to or because I wanted a good grade. Now, it's more than that! I hope you guys have seen that improvement. As I mentioned earlier, I will continue to analyze teams with my own spin on things if you guys like it. If not, don't be cautious about letting me know and telling me to stop because it is boring. I am writing this not only for myself, but also for you guys! Knowing what to write about can be challenging. I don't want to bore you all out there. Are you guys liking what I'm doing or not?!? I never know! If you would like me to do something make sure to leave a comment and I'll try to get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks, hope you all have a good night!

Cincinnati Reds! What's to Come?

First, let's talk about last year with this team. Last year, the Reds went 76-86 not even making to to .500. However, their division was pretty tough considering the Pirates, Cardinals, and Brewers are in their division. But this is not an excuse. The Reds didn't have it going for them last season and they ended up coming in 2nd to last in their division. The only team they beat was the Cubs, which doesn't say much. Does this mean that their future will be bad as well? I don't think so! The Reds have a good start but their roster is just not complete yet. You can feel that they are missing something.

The Reds this year haven't been too active when it comes to trading. They have kept Johnny Cueto who had an outstanding 20 wins last season. He is their best pitcher by far and if he continues what he was doing last year, the Reds could potentially do well. I'm not a Reds fan but when it comes to Johnny, you can't deny that he is something special. The lineup for the Reds actually looks good, like it did last year. But last year it didn't show, maybe this year will be different.

Shoutout to Cbs Sports for the access to this photo of Johnny

Even though the Reds haven't done much trading this offseason, it doesn't mean they don't have good players and a good ball club. I'm not saying their roster is amazing, they just need to upgrade or change it slightly and they will be set. In the last five years they have gone to the playoffs twice. Seeing this, you know that they have potential to go somewhere. It's not like the Reds haven't seen or tasted victory before. They know what it takes to get the wins and they will go out of their way to get there. The issue is that it isn't easy to flip a ball club over night. It takes time, but I honestly do believe that the Reds will win a World Series Championship in the near future. Just not yet!

1990 World Series Ring! Thanks to Rings that Bling for this Beauty!

What it looks like, is that the Reds are going for an in depth roster for pitching. Now many people think that offense will win you a game, however, having good pitching will help out tons and can bring in wins easier than offense can. Your offense doesn't have to work as hard when you have an ace on the mound. This is why Johnny Cueto is so outstanding! He doesn't let many people on. With this, the Reds I think will do better this year but won't make it to the playoffs. They are good but not that good, yet.

Sorry Reds fans, this year isn't going to be the year that the Reds make it into the playoffs and win the World Series! Take you higher

Baseball is a True Sport

As many baseball fans know, their sport gets a lot of crap from people who think that baseball shouldn't be a sport. All you do is sit around, right? Well I'd like you all to know that that is not true and I'm going to prove you wrong in this post. Many sports come with injuries, including baseball! I hope you all realize this after reading. I don't mean to offend any of you guys but seriously, if people are considering dance to be a sport, baseball is definitely in.

Thanks to SB Nation for this gnarly picture

One of the biggest injuries that occur in baseball is when you are hit by a pitch. Especially when this comes with getting hit in the face. For example, there is Giancarlo Stanton who was hit in the face by a 90 MPH pitch. If you think that is not bad, try getting hit in the arm with a 70 MPH throw. Don't come to me apologizing because the tears will show it all. In baseball, there is always a risk to inherit an injury just like any other sport. In fact, it is rather easy to become injured. Baseball always comes with 

risks. I didn't write this post to rant about how everyone is wrong and baseball is a tough sport. I am just letting people know that all sports have injuries and baseball is no different. It is annoying when people think that a certain sport isn't hard or requires no skill. Or when people think you are playing a "safe sport."

At school, people love to make fun of you for the dumbest reasons. One of which happens to be liking baseball. Most people reading this are probably baseball fans, but if you aren't let me help you out. First off, being a pitcher. What do you think happens when a ball comes flying at your head over 100 mph and drills you. I've seen this happen and it's not pretty. J. A. Happ happened to be one of the victims and had major injuries with his head. Don't believe me? Go watch this video!

Thanks to Yahoo Sports for proving my point!

Another reason that baseball is a true sport is because of the skill required to play. There are many skills and techniques that you have to learn to play baseball well. Not to mention the fact that you need extreme mental focus or you will get thrown off your game. Hand eye coordination with batting, and fielding balls cleanly when they are smoked at you isn't exactly easy. You may think it is because the pros make is seem that way, but don't pros make everything seem easier than they are?

The mental aspect of baseball is one of the biggest things that you need to conquer. You will mentally destroy yourself if you don't have focus. Making an error will happen and you have to shake if off and be ready for the next play because if you aren't ready, guaranteed the ball will find you.

The Angels Are The Best

A couple people have asked me about who my favorite team is. And to that I honestly have to say it's the Angels. My whole childhood has been about them. Ever since I was 8 me and my dad would go to almost every home game and enjoy the games. The Angels have been through rough patches and some high points. For me, it's always fun to watch the Angels. Their offense is hot with Mike Trout leading the way, and their defense is on point. One thing I have to say, is that I am very sad that Howie Kendrick was traded. This was devastating because Erick and Howie were the best combination for middle infielders. What was the Angels manager thinking, I have no idea!

Thanks to Bloguin for this sweet picture of Erick Aybar

This isn't to say that I don't like any other team because that isn't true either. I know I give loads of crap to the Cubs but I don't truly mean any of it or most of it at least. The Angels stadium was 10-20 minutes from my house. What are your guys' favorite teams? If you would like me to talk about them I could! I will let you know what I think about them and why. The first time I ever went to an Angels game I loved it. I wanted to go everyday so watch Vladimir Guerro jog the bases because he nailed a homer. Or when fireworks went off when a terrible singer was singing the national anthem. Every part of the baseball game was fun and interesting to me.

Thanks to Cedar Rapids for this nice pic

One of my goals is to really connect with you guys (the readers). I know it takes time for people to actually start reading my posts, but I'm happy with a couple of local viewers. You all should leave a comment and let me know what you want me to post about. I know I started analyzing each team, but that gets too repetitive. I will still continue it here and there but I won't be posting daily about it! I hope you all enjoyed learning a little more about my life!

Once again thanks for asking me this question! Guys don't be afraid to ask me something or leave me a comment, it would be much appreciated! I enjoy getting to know you guys. This was so much fun to write because not only is it the first time someone has asked me to post about something. It is so cool that I get to interact with you guys. Until next time, GO ANGELS!

The Cubs, What's Next?

So I know the first thing you guys are thinking is that I am retarded and there are plenty of teams that start with a "B" and I screwed up. Well I have decided that I am going to go through the National League alphabetically, then go to the American League. Today, we are discussing the team called the Cubs.

When's the last time anyone saw them win the World Series? Trick question because no one alive today was alive when the Cubs won the World Series. They have been on the longest dry streak ever! It's crazy how bad they have been doing. I don't want to be mean but come on, they need to figure something out.

It you haven't figured it out yet, I am not counting on the Cubs winning the World Series but surprisingly I think they will do better than last year. The Cubs this offseason have acquired LHP Jon Lester who is potentially a very good pitcher. However, I don't think this one player will change the outcome of the Cubs season. They will not win their division!

Jon Lester signs deal with the cubs! Thanks EyeWitness News!

The As previously had Jon Lester! Courtesy of Ballerstatus for the pic!

Im not saying they are completely terrible at this time. I mean they could be good next season but not good enough. It takes time, and if it were me managing the Cubs, not only would I feel bad about myself, I would completely start a new team up because obviously something isn't working for them.

I could be optimistic about this one but I'm not going to be. Lester will help them win more games for sure but one guy can't change a whole ball club. Maybe in a couple of years this team will do something special and end up winning. But for now, sorry Cub fans another year of disappointment.

On a side note, if anyone has any questions or wants me to address something in my blogpost just leave me a comment!

Happy New Years, Braves?

Happy New Years guys! Hope everyone had a wonderful time! I sure didn't. One of my resolutions is to start posting more often for you people out there that aren't actually there. Today, I am starting up the prediction series. I have already reviewed the Diamondbacks and today we get to look at the Atlanta Braves.

First off, the Atlanta Braves finished 3rd in their division going under .500. However, they did start off strong and did well for the first part of the season. This season the Braves traded Jayson Heyward who was arguably their best player. He had lots of power when on offense and an outstanding outfielder. Did this one decision ruin their team?

I think it did not, but it will be tough for them to go anywhere in their division. However, the Braves have made positive trades this year. They have acquired Alberto Callapso for one year. With Alberto I think this year they can use him to their advantage and do well. Also, the Braves have good pitching and if they can continue to have good defense and pitching they have a chance.

Thanks to Calltothepen for the Image

I think in the 2015 season, the Braves will either win their division or come in second. I think they will make it close and be a competitive team. Will they win the World Series? I don't think so, but you never know. The Braves continue to surprise and they may do well in the post season.

But for me, I think that they will make the playoffs but lose in the first round. Sorry Braves fans, 2015 is not the year!