The Hall of Fame Ballot

The Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot has been revealed. Who do you think should make the Hall of Fame?

Just take note of one rule. You have a maximum of ten guys you can vote for on this list. The 600+ eligible voters have until December 31 to submit their ballot.

Those who make the 75% cutoff, if there are any, will be revealed on January 9.

Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.

The list of 37 names appear after the jump.

Panda-monium in Game 1

And the legend of the Panda grows. Nice job by MLB to splice his contemporaries in the 3-HR club.



4/4 (3 HRs and a Single). 3 runs. 4 RBIs. The Panda got some Kung POW!

Blog Outsourcing - October 22, 2012 edition

Morning to all.

Nothing is safe. Not even the sanctity of a "state-of-the-art" facility, as a break-in of a locker room took place while the team was playing on the court. What was worse was that the coaching staff not only lost belongings, but also the game.

The venue and its management has had a rough week, not only having to deal with that, but also with this move by Sting.

Meanwhile, you'll never ever see Transformers the same again after watching this clip.



Here forth are the links after the jump. 

How much does baseball love Chipper?

c/o NY Times

The farewell tour for Chipper Jones is ongoing and almost coming to a close, and baseball has been grateful to have this lifer represent the game with class and grace. How much does the game love him? Let them count the ways...

Blog Outsourcing - September 17, 2012 edition

The alma mater just finished its regular season with a win and a 12-2 record, sealing the 1st spot after 14 games.

It was a solid one, too.

 

Now we wait for our Final Four opponent.

Here forth is the Storify after the jump.

Blog Outsourcing - September 10, 2012 edition

Welcome to the latest edition of The Morning After.

I am sure you had your fill of football. You missed it like heck. You love it like your significant other. May this be the beginning of something great.

Here forth is the Storify I did for this week after the jump.

Blog Outsourcing - September 3, 2012 edition

Blog Outsourcing - August 27, 2012 edition

Greetings!

Hello and I wish you all a Happy National Heroes Day in the Motherland.

In a sport that is regarded highly by its citizens, any achievement by someone or by a team garner attention in these parts. Sure, the opponent is currently composed of imports plying their trade in the continent, but we Filipinos take pride in beating the Americans in the process of winning a tournament, something we have not accomplished in 14 years. Look at the curated reaction from the Motherland.

It was a satisfying victory for a nation starving for success in a sport it dearly loves. And as such, they come home on a holiday that honors heroism, something they have in spades.

Blog Outsourcing - August 20, 2012 edition

Today is Eid'l Fitr, where we pay homage to our Islamic friends as they end their Ramadan fast. It is an occasion and celebration.

But also, something happened today. Tony Scott, the famed director, passed away. In tribute, this is an appropriate intro.


Here forth are the links after the jump.

Blog Outsourcing July 23, 2012 edition

Greetings and I hope you have had a happy Monday. Obviously, most, if not all of us, suffered some major buzzkill from the past few days, mostly from the Aurora shootings and the fallout from the Freeh report being applied onto the current and incoming batch of Penn State players.

To provide you with something positive to kickstart your morning, here is Michelle Jenneke (thank you to With Leather).




Here forth are the links after the jump.

Blog Outsourcing - July 16, 2012 edition

 

Hello and hope your Bastille Day weekend went well.

I managed to get a taste of witnessing my first-ever Mixed Martial Arts event last Saturday night. I have been always accustomed to watching them on the television, on a delayed basis, too. But, thanks to some people I know, I managed to get in and see for myself what exactly goes on in such an event, considering that this could also be ongoing in boxing, too.

The event I watched is PXC 31. Its main event featured someone named Crisanto Pitpitunge becoming the 2nd ever homegrown Filipino to become a PXC champion, issuing a knockout victory on the former titleholder Justin Cruz in the bantamweight division. Seeing what goes on behind the scenes and looking around at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig was an interesting thing to observe on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, the UAAP opened it's 75th Season this weekend. Host National University, led by former Georgia Tech recruit Bobby Ray Parks, jr., issued a 90-55 beating over the University of the East. However, my alma mater also issued a 73-57 victory in their quest for a fifth straight crown in men's basketball. We face them this weekend.

Here forth are the links after the jump.

All-Star Rosters Revealed: Who wants homefield?

The rosters of the MLB All-Star Game at Kansas City have been revealed, so we know how the fans went out and voted. Of course, that includes yours truly.

The Starters (AL / NL):

Catcher - Mike Napoli / Buster Posey  
1st Baseman - Prince Fielder / Joey Votto
2nd Baseman - Robinson Cano / Dan Uggla
3rd Baseman - Adrian Beltre / Pablo Sandoval

Shortstop - Derek Jeter / Rafael Furcal
Outfielders - Josh Hamilton, Curtis Granderson and Jose Bautista / Melky Cabrera, Carlos Beltran and Matt Kemp
Designated Hitter - David Ortiz / no DH in NL

Pitchers and reserve players are selected by a combination of players, managers and coaches, with inputs from the All-Star Game managers in Ron Washington and Tony LaRussa in conjunction with MLB. Of course, all 30 teams have to be represented in this spectacle.

Here are the pitchers:

AL: Ryan Cook, Matt Harrison, Felix Hernandez, Jim Johnson, Joe Nathan, Chris Perez, David Price, Fernando Rodney, CC Sabbathia, Chris Sale, Justin Verlander, Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson

NL: Matt Cain, Aroldis Chapman, R.A. Dickey, Gio Gonzalez, Cole Hamels, Joel Hanrahan, Clayton Kershaw, Craig Kimbrel, Lance Lynn, Wade Miley, Jonathan Papelbon, Stephen Strasburg, Huston Street

And the reserves:

AL: Joe Mauer, Matt Wieters, Elvis Andrus, Asdrubal Cabrera, Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler, Paul Konerko, Adam Jones, Mike Trout, Mark Trumbo, Billy Butler, Adam Dunn

NL: Yadier Molina, Carlos Ruiz, Bryan LaHair, Jose Altuve, Starlin Castro, Ian Desmond, David Wright, Ryan Braun, Jay Bruce, Carlos Gonzalez, Andrew McCutchen, Giancarlo Stanton

Of course, lineups are fluid, due to injuries and those weird rules involving pitchers.

Lastly, the Final Vote. The mad dash as to who will complete the roster. An AL pitcher and a NL position player will make the team, thanks to the voting masses.

The AL pitcher will be between Jonathan Broxton, Yu Darvish, Ernesto Frieri, Jason Hammel and Jake Peavy, while the NL position player will be involving Michael Bourn, David Freese, Bryce Harper, Aaron Hill and Chipper Jones. Already, one player on the ballot has said to be voting for another.

Now that you know the teams, feel free to complain on it below.

Blog Outsourcing - July 2, 2012 edition

Greetings and welcome to the latest edition of The Morning After.

It's already the second half of the 2012. Hope the reader has had a productive first half of 2012. It has been an interesting stretch for everyone and hope the remainder of the year makes it even better.

Meanwhile, the NBA season may have concluded on the court, the mantra of the swoosh remains true and legitimate. Basketball Never Stops.

The NCAA already has commenced action last week. The big buzz was naturally, how 5 rookies and a sophomore beat a veteran squad. The rival league UAAP already is making preparations for its campaign, which will begin on July 14. They even have a "Call Me Maybe" meme ready.



In the pros, the quest for a semifinal seat will need a playoff. One of the teams involved has Mario West as their reinforcement. And coming soon, a Legend gets his jersey retired.

The NBA Draft just ended, and Summer League beckons. Of course, there's the drama of free agency. And the quest for Olympic Gold. Being a basketball fan in the Motherland is just blissful.

Here forth are the links after the jump.

My 2012 MLB All-Star Ballot

Today serves as the last day of voting online for the 2012 MLB All-Star Game. As sometimes with what I do, I cast in and publicize my ballot. Here are the ones I voted.

AL

1st Base - Paul Konerko
2nd Base - Robinson Cano
3rd Base - Miguel Cabrera
Shortstop - Derek Jeter
Catcher - Mike Napoli
Designated Hitter - Edwin Encarnacion
Outfielders - Jose Bautista, Josh Hamilton, Adam Jones


NL

1st Base - Joey Votto
2nd Base - Jose Altuve
3rd Base - David Wright
Shortstop - Rafael Furcal
Catcher - Yadier Molina
Outfielders - Andrew McCutchen, Matt Holliday, Ryan Braun

They also have a write-in system, but you put a name there and you will slot someone out from the position you voted. If not for that aspect, would have gone for David Ortiz (AL) and Bryce Harper (NL).

Remember that the winner here gets to secure homefield advantage in the World Series, arguably one of the most preposterous things I have heard.

Blog Outsourcing - June 4, 2012

Good morning and Happy Monday!

It has been a long day, especially when you know you will be covering a FIFA international friendly tomorrow, especially when it featured back-to-back press conferences. (The other one involves Puma being the kit sponsor of the Philippine Senior National Football team, its first in the Asia-Pacific region)

I enjoy watching and covering football. I feel more pressure with it now, especially when you have committed yourself to writing more about it. At least you get the enjoyment of magic such like this at Jerryworld.

Here forth are the links to keep you busy after the jump.

Blog Outsourcing - May 28, 2012 edition

Good Morning and Happy Memorial Day!

It is a special day for all my friends in the United States. A time to celebrate, remember and respect those who have worn the uniform with pride, dignity and honor. A day to express your admiration, love and devotion. Remember that when you enjoy the weekend.

Here forth are the links to keep you busy this holiday.

Blog Outsourcing - 5/14/12 edition

Trey Wingo tweeted that Sports is truly the greatest reality show of them all. That can truly be said about what had transpired on Mother's Day.

If one thought the drama about the last day of the 2011 baseball regular season was sensational, then Mother's Day could provide even more intensity and drama like nothing else. The Premiership and La Liga had something to play for, whether to stay in top flight football, which Rayo Vallecano pulled off and Villareal could not, to securing their place in Europe, like Levante in Europa League, Malaga and Arsenal in the Champions League. There was a lavish coronation in the Santiago Bernabeu. And then, there is Manchester City.

I really would like to commend the guys at Awful Announcing for putting this post up. It is such a gem. From the Law of Gus, now we have the Law of Darke, et al...

And by the way, I hope all of you had a great Mother's Day yesterday.

Here forth are the links after the jump.

Blog Outsourcing - April 30, 2012 edition

Welcome to The Morning After.

2 Days of the NBA postseason and already big things are going on. From the injury woes and choke jobs and comebacks. It's an amazing thing to watch over and check out. That and with local basketball in the apex of the finals already (and controversy to boot), it is good times being a basketball fan in these parts.

Meanwhile, out of the ashes of New Jersey, a new era in basketball rises in Brooklyn. Remains to be seen if they can cash it on the court, but the image is neat. You can thank H.O.V.A. for that.

Here forth are the links after the jump.

Blog Outsourcing 4/23 edition

The weekend for me was pretty much dictated by this football match. A match between two titans, not just in Spain, but in the world. Even if it took place at 2 in the morning here in the Motherland, these kind of things are must-watch stuff, if you could do so, you must.

The Catalans have dominated this match-up the past few years, especially at the Nou Camp. So to see this victory (as deconstructed here) is really awesome and sweet. Now with four matches remaining, all the current La Liga leaders need are two wins and they secure the title.


HalaMadrid!

Here forth are the links after the jump.

Blog Outsourcing - April 2, 2012 edition

Greetings and Welcome to Holy Monday.

Yesterday, was Palm Sunday, and thus marks the beginning of Holy Week. For most Christian nations, it is an opportunity to think and reflect on things. In the Motherland, usually, people retreat to the provinces and take advantage and schedule vacations. Especially on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, where the country virtually shuts down on its own.

Just one game left in men's college basketball's main course, the NCAA Tournament. It has a palindromic feel, as it is UK vs KU. Yours truly finished an embarrassing last place. Shame on me. But look who is currently on top. 5 players finished with over 1000 points. There is currently a tie as of the moment with Mikey and Billybawl at the lead, but the former has the Wildcats and the latter has the Jayhawks. In fact, he is the only one of the pool who has Bill Self's team winning the tournament.

Here forth are the links after the jump: