Jack's Flash - Our Baseball President

[Jackstraw]

Courtesy of sportsbettingman:



"I loved Joe Morgans clear rip on the MLB starting in Japan..."THIS is the REAL opening day game"...and Benjamin Franklin agreed!"



I agree completely, but those games in Japan were very important to Bud Selig. And, I'll be danged, Jon Miller does look like Ben Franklin.



"I noticed the rude "booooing" of President Bush...low class...not the time nor place for that crap...no comment."



Agree again. Everyone that booed should have been invited to listen to Bush when he was in ESPN's press box. I'm a Yankee-Hater, anti-Bush Clinton Dem. But, I give the president many, many kudos for being a baseball president and understanding the mechanics of the game.



I don't just mean the mechanics of the game on the field.



"I noticed a tear well up during the national anthem that was well done by that talented opera singer."



In football, the ball is shaped funny and it could bounce anywhere. That's luck. In baseball, it is round and it could bounce anywhere. That's magic.



Baseball is a magical, mystery tour waiting to take you away...



"I told my friend Brett (who's gambling in Tahoe, and called for my advice)...and I told him "Unless there is a political fix...ATL should win, and it should go under 8.5...but being a new ballpark...and in Washington D.C...and with Bush there throwing out the first pitch...you never know")"



You had that one nailed. There were way too many unknowns. The experienced baseball bettor had to let that one pass and save his money for today. Today, everyone should watch out for power-house teams with high expectations playing at home. These guys will be strong today.



"I noticed Chipper is a stud. (Shawn Childs hates him...Dan Kenyon loves him)...Kenyon 1, Childs 0."



Chipper is a stud, but he's a 34 year old stud. He can get you the stats, but he's a lot of risk. I don't think you can give the debate to Dan yet until Chipper puts up around 20 HR's. Chipper could get a sore foot again. And, don't forget the new "Old Man on the Mound" had to call him out publicly last year to get him to perform.



Which gives me a chance to talk about Smoltz... Smoltz has the heart and soul of Jack Morris. Morris is his idol and Morris was old school. With Clemens out of the picture for now Smoltz is the last of the old school pitchers. Listen to him talk. Watch how he plays. If Smoltz DOESN'T get seriously hurt, he will put up strong numbers. What you can count on for sure is that Smoltz only has it in his mind to win. DiMaggio's quote portrays the magic of Smoltz and Morris' desire to win. When Smoltz steps on the mound, he will give you more of himself than most any other player in baseball.



Or, to borrow from Dibble on Beckett and Smoltz: "If he's throwin' a ball, he's okay."



"I noticed Zimmerman was worth every dollar the guy who out-bid me payed...young and good = nice."



That shot was like a knife in my heart... Never, ever, under any circumstances, ever, and I mean, never-ever, bet with your fan strings.



Last night was about Baseball Magic. The president sitting in ESPN's pressbox and being interviewed provided lots of juicy nuggets. I prayed that he would stay on there the whole game. There was a lot to be learned. Here are some of my notes that I wanted to add to Lance's:



"Yeah, I talked to Nolan the other day about Texas. I had to call and discuss some other matters with him, and we talked about it." - Breaking JNN news: Rumors of Nolan Ryan meeting today with John McCain for possible VP slot.



"That's a homerun." - Bush's color commentary, while Ben Franklin was trying to work his way to an invite to the Oval Office.



"Chipper hit a rope." - On first take, I say no it wasn't; it was a high-drive. On replay, the president was right on.



"I'll probably just be a fan." - Yeah, right... Ladies and Gentlemen, meet your next Baseball Commissioner.



"I remember that perfectly." - After Joe Morgan reminded the president about the offer that Bush made to Morgan years ago, when Bush was thinking of buying the Rangers, which Morgan rejected. Two years later, Bush buys the Rangers but Morgan doesn't get a call. Joe, the president holds grudges, didn't you know that by now?!



Thanks Joe, for showing us just how connected the White House and baseball are, but don't be on television begging for a job in the commissioner's office.



Anyway, I gotta go bet some power-house teams opening at home with high expectations, and this is getting too long. I will be back later today to talk about Bill James on "60 Minutes" last night (did anyone see that?).



[ March 31, 2008, 02:34 PM: Message edited by: Jackstraw ]