An Alzheimer's Poem

Recently I wrote a poem about Alzheimer's Disease. Many caregivers out there may recognize its significance and even though it's short and simple, it hits the nail right on the head. Not bad for coming up with it while taking a shower one afternoon. Let me know what you all think in the comments section below.

She stares at me like I’m a stranger

As if her life is now in danger.

I say hello and say her name

As if her mind were still the same.

She stares at me still confused

In her company she’s not amused.

I tell her stories of our past

Knowing this moment may not last.

She stares at me with more fervor

An hour longer we go further.

We share a laugh, a hug, and a kiss

A time I did not want to miss.

She stares at me now with a smile

It has made my trip so worthwhile.

She says goodbye and says my name

As if her mind were still the same.

2012 Tri-State Preseason Writeup

The Tri-State Baseball League opens its 79^th season of play on Sunday May 20^th with all eighteen teams in action. Each team will play a 20 game regular season with the ‘Top Twelve’ teams qualifying for post-season play in August to determine a league champion. In addition, five teams will qualify for the AABC Stan Musial ‘State’ tournament to be held the last week of July to determine a state champion. One Tri-State team will also qualify for the AABC ‘Regional’ tournament in Wallingford, CT beginning on Thursday August 2nd with a chance to qualify for the AABC World Series to be held in Port St. Lucie, Florida beginning August 9th.

Tri-State has also joined the National Amateur Baseball Federation for the 2012 season and will send one team to the NABF Regional tournament held in West Haven, CT beginning Thursday August 9^th with a chance to advance to the NABF World Series in Buffalo, NY beginning on August 16^th. There is no state tournament for the NABF.

Parity is the name of the game in the Tri-State Baseball League as there have been five different league champions in the past five seasons. The Litchfield Cowboys (2011) are the defending league champions while the Bethlehem Plowboys (2010), Brass City Brew (2009), Winsted Whalers (2008), and Torrington Rebels (2007) will all be gunning for another championship. Equally impressive are the Tri-Town Trojans whom have advanced to the Tri-State World Series each of the last two years and the 2011 AABC state tournament champion Naugatuck Dogs. The Wolcott Scrappers and Watertown Blaze, who finished in the top 5 rankings in each of the last two seasons are also in the hunt for their first league title as well as the Waterbury Wild whom qualified for last year’s AABC Regional tournament.

The Ansonia Valley Vikings will be playing their inaugural season in 2012 as the eighteenth member of the league and will be coached by Mark Georgia. Rounding out the league will be the Bristol Greeners, Terryville Black Sox, Amenia Monarchs, Thomaston Threshers, Prospect Chargers, Burlington Hunters, and Lakeville Outlaws.

For the second year in a row, the Tri-State all-stars will take on the Torrington Titans in a ‘Fourth of July’ game at Fuessenich Park – game time is 7pm. The mid-summer classic will be filled with festivities including a pre-game skydiver carrying the American Flag and a Home Run Derby. A Public Home Run Derby will begin at 3pm sharp with the winner joining the Tri-State stars and Titans players in the Main Home Run Derby beginning at 4:15pm. More announcements will be forthcoming on the day-long events.

Tri-State will host a Campership Fundraiser on Saturday July 14^th with three games being played at Fuessenich Park – game times will be 10am, 1pm, and 4pm. Admission will be FREE at the door but donations will be accepted all day long to benefit the Glen E. Winn Campership Fund. The Torrington Rebels will host the Sandy Hooks Vintage Baseball team on Saturday July 28^th at Fuessenich Park. Game time is 1pm. The baseball game will be played under 1867 rules. The Easton Banjo Society Band will provide old fashioned entertainment during the game featuring music from the 1860-1880’s era. Admission will be FREE but donations will be accepted at the door for the Campership Fund.

The 2012 Old Timers Day game and Hall-Of-Fame ceremony will be held on Sunday June 3^rd at Community Field in Litchfield. Batting practice will begin for the Old-Timers at 11am sharp followed by the Hall-Of-Fame ceremony at 12noon and the start of the Old Timers game at 12:30pm. The Litchfield Cowboys will host the Amenia Monarchs in a Tri-State regular season game at 3:00pm to round out the day’s events. This year’s Hall-Of-Fame class includes Rich Blazek, Fred Bunnell, Jeff Merchant, Mark Murphy, Bob Clinch, Don Rhynhart, sportswriter Rick Wilson, and umpire Jim Shove.

Tri-State will also participate in the first annual CT Classic Showdown which will showcase 2011 league champion teams from (Tri-State, Wallingford, Housatonic, and Bridgeport) in a ‘friendship’ fundraiser for charity on Saturday June 16^th to be held in Danbury. A Breast Cancer Awareness fundraiser is also being planned in Mid-August in Wallingford, CT which would feature ‘all-star’ teams from the ‘four’ regions as well.

Photo of the Day: Blue Jay Edition

The Miguel Cabrera Experiment...Fail!!!

Check this out before ESPN squashes the video....

Miguel Cabrera Hit in Face - Watch more amazing videos here

R.I.P. Gary Carter (1954-2012)

 
Yesterday Gary Carter passed away at the age of 57 from brain cancer. Carter will always be remembered for his never say die 2 out base hit in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series which thanks to Bill Buckner helped the Mets win one of the most memorable World Series in history. Carter was a fan favorite throughout his career spending a majority of his time with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Gary's family and fans during this extremely tough time. Cancer has once again claimed another life way too early.

R.I.P. Whitney Houston (1963-2012)

Here's a simple sports related tribute to the late Whitney Houston. This will probably be known as one of the greatest renditions of our nations anthem in history, appropriately by one of the greatest pop singers in our history.

The Real Reason We'll Miss Jorge.....Laura Posada

I have to admit that I really will miss Jorge Posada who officially announced his retirement this past Tuesday. It makes me feel real old to say that I witnessed his entire 17 year career from his 1 game appearance as a September call up back in 1995 all the way to his last game in the 2011 postseason. As Yankee fans we were also blessed by being able to stare at admire his wife Laura. Laura is certainly a hot baseball wife who has developed a love of being in the spotlight over the years and has not been afraid to flaunt what she's got. Hopefully Jorge will return to the Yankees in some capacity so we don't miss out on the rest of Laura's prime years. Let's take a look now at some of Laura's hotness over the years. Enjoy! (you can all follow Laura Posada on twitter by clicking HERE)

Never afraid to show off the cleavage

2 reasons for Regis to be smiling

Laura's finer years came as her hair began to straighten out

¡Ay Mami!

Wow....I think I need a cold shower now. Got any more favorite Laura Posada pics?? Let me know in the comments section below.

Music Monday: Grace Potter & The Nocturnals - Low Road

Voter Ignorance Creates Potential For Something "Killer" in 2013

*Before I start this I just want to congratulate Barry Larkin on his induction into Baseball's Hall of Fame. His election is definitely warranted and it is because of guys like him and Cal Ripken Jr. that have led to the resurgence of great power hitting and great fielding shortstops like Derek Jeter and Jose Reyes. Congratulations Barry!

Unfortunately the voters did not elect the best player to be featured on this year's ballot, Jeff Bagwell. Bagwell's case is unfortunate because he happened to play during baseball's infamous "steroid era." Although never linked to any form of cheating, he was a big muscular guy and is something that may haunt his chances at ever getting into the Hall. Known users such as Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro haven't even garnered over 20% of the vote in the years they have been on the ballot. Luckily for Bagwell he earned a jump in votes this year and although it's painfully obvious that he is collateral damage from all of baseball's bad boys, he should eventually earn enshrinement. A leap from 56% to the necessary 75% may seem unlikely but if he does manage to earn enough votes there is the potential for him to be inducted with his former teammate Craig Biggio.

Bagwell's cumulative WAR begs for Hall of Fame consideration (Fangraphs)

Bagwell's numbers speak Hall of Fame volumes. A career .297/.408/.540 guy with 449 HRs, 1529 RBIs, not to mention winning the 1991 NL Rookie of the Year and 1994 NL Most Valuable Player. Most of Bagwell's prime production occurred in Houston's Astrodome, which was a notorious pitcher's park. For fans of sabremetrics, his career WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of 79.9 is certainly higher than a majority of Cooperstown's elite.

Craig Biggio without a doubt in my mind should be a first ballot Hall of Famer, especially with the prospects of having to vote for the likes of steroid beasts Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens in the backs of voter's minds. Biggio has always been one of those stand up guys and put up the numbers to easily garner election. As you can see above in the cumulative WAR graph, Biggio's career lines up nicely with Barry Larkin's. Another lifetime Houston Astro, Biggio has put up Hall worthy numbers including 3060 career hits, 1175 RBIs, and 414 SBs. His 668 doubles gives him the record for most all-time as a right-handed hitter. Biggio did all this primarily as a leadoff hitter, who started his career as a catcher and earned an all-star selection as such. He has moved to second base for which he played most of his career and even played several outfield positions when the Astros acquired the likes of Jeff Kent and later Carlos Beltran. Add the fact that he is a 7-time all-star, 4-time gold glove winner, and 5-time silver slugger, and Biggio would certainly have my vote.

These two will should be inducted next year

If the "Killer B's" happen to be elected next year it would mark the first time that teammates were elected to the Hall since Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford were elected back in 1974. These two were the good guys during their respective careers and represented MLB and the city of Houston extremely well. The numbers that they both put up should alone earn them enshrinement into Baseball's hallowed hall and until anyone can prove that Bagwell ever came within an inch of a needle or any form of steroids, he should not be dragged into the torture chamber that current and future Hall of Fame candidates will be placed in.

Let's hope that the voters get it right in 2013, but if history serves as any indication, I won't be holding my breath on this one. Best of luck to Biggio and Bagwell, they certainly deserve it.