Walk Off

There’s a special tie to Baseball history that continues to thrill fans of the game, especially in October.

This year I’m torn. Cubs, Dodgers, Yankees, or Astros? If you’ve been watching the 2017 MLB playoffs it’s been a treat so far. Readers of this blog know by now I’m a dedicated Cubs fan, however . . .

First of all, there’s Jose Altuve, the Astros 5′ 6″, 165 lb. sensation, what a joy to watch. He plays the game with reckless abandonment. Will he hit a home run, steal a base to manufacture a run, or simply fly around the bases from first to score the winning run? He’s currently batting .466 in the playoffs and has captured the hearts of baseball fans everywhere. Don’t believe me, just tune into any ALCS game this season and listen to the broadcasters revel in his accomplishments.

In complete contrast is the Yankee Rookie sensation Aaron Judge, 6′ 7″, 282 lbs., built for power and speed. With an unassuming smile, and calm demeanor he goes about his business professionally. Criticized by the press for batting .172 in the first two ALCS games against the Astros. His attitude is best summed up with this quote, ”To a certain extent," Judge said, "I enjoy failure. It's part of the game. There's always room to grow, there's room to improve. So it's been a fun ride. And it's my first year, still pretty crazy.”

Judge, an All Star in his rookie year, the Home Run Derby Champion for 2017, and American League Home run leader, with a record 56 (eclipsing Mark McGuire’s record of 50 in 1987). Star credentials for the historic Yankee franchise already being compared to Babe Ruth with gargantuan blasts.

And how about the Dodgers? Exactly 29 years to the day from Kirk Gibson’s memorable walk-off, fist pumping home run, Justin Turner launches his first walk-off home run to seal a Dodger victory over my Cubs in Dodger Stadium! What a season for the Dodgers: 104 Wins and just 58 losses. The previous record setting, World Champion 1955 Dodgers had 95 wins and 55 losses. Are the Dodgers destined to win another World Series this year? We’ll see.

And what about my Cubs? Well, with last nights loss to the Dodgers they are currently 3-0 in the NLCS. But there’s still hope. Lets’ get Ben Zobrist, the 2016 MVP of the World Series, on base in the lead-off spot. Then have Bryant and Rizzo drive in the runs the Cubs need to win the next three games this Post Season. Remember, it’s the best of seven. If the Cubs win we could be in for another exciting game seven!

As you can probably tell by now, being a Cubs fan all these years, it’s not really about who wins the World Series (Go Cubs). It’s the thrill of victory for the team that provides the most suspense and entertainment for the fans and proves once again that Baseball is the greatest game of all.

Cubs, Dodgers, Yankees, or Astros? Who are you rooting for this year?

Comments

Practiced Hands: The 50-Year Warranty

What Doc Burch Taught Me About Staying Active. We talk a lot about "life hacks" these days, but most of them don’t have a very long shelf life. Usually, they’re forgotten by the next app update. But back in 1972, I received a piece of advice that came with a 50-year warranty. It’s the reason I’m still on my bike today, still chasing a golf ball around Carlsbad, and still—mostly—in one piece. The Kick That Changed Everything It started with a literal kick in the pants. A kid at school in Cuba, Illinois, was joking around and caught me just right. By the next morning, my lower back was screaming. My mom didn’t reach for the Tylenol; she reached for her car keys. "Let’s go see Doc Burch," she said. "He’ll fix you right up." Harry E. Burch, D.C., was a fixture in Lewistown. He’d graduated from Palmer College in ’59 and had been our family’s go-to for years. He was a man of practiced hands and steady eyes. After a quick exam and an X-ray, the mood in the room s...

The Art of the Annoying Question

In this episode, why "Cool" is the Enemy of Growth Last night, Lori and I joined our friends (team #1) in a professional kitchen at Sur La Table in Carlsbad, CA., for a "Date Night in Southern Italy." On the menu: Steak Tagliata, Sautéed Shrimp with Fried Capers, and handmade Garganelli. The experience was amazing, delectable food and an exceptional highlight: the Amalfi Lemon Gelato, complemented by the barrage of questions. When I’m with someone like Chef Gaetano, who’s incredibly patient, I tend to ask a lot of questions quickly. “Why use a fork to whisk the eggs and not a whisker?” “What exactly is the chemical transformation of a fried caper?” “If I roll this Garganelli a half-inch wider, does the sauce-to-pasta ratio collapse?” I could see the look on a few other students' faces: Is this guy for real? Just eat the shrimp, Patrick. But here’s the wisdom I’ve gathered after nearly six decades of being the annoying guy in the front row: The quality of your l...

The Miller Effect

In this episode - The Miller Effect . . . The sun hung high in the sky, casting shadows across the desolate landscape of Huron, California. Dr. Vo, a brilliant yet witty electrical engineer, stood before the main breaker box of a massive 1.4 MW-DC solar array that had confounded everyone who had dared to diagnose its persistent issue. It had been six long months of head-scratching and ten failed attempts by others before the desperate call came into Dr. Vo's office. As the sun's rays bathed the vast array in an orange glow, Dr. Vo stepped up to the Main breaker box, his sharp eyes shaded by his green Cenergy cap. He wore his North Face jacket that billowed in the light breeze, and his presence exuded an air of mystery and intrigue that was as pervasive as the problem at hand. The solar array was a colossal assemblage of panels, wires, and inverters, but the main breaker kept tripping, sending the entire operation into chaos. The workers at the site were on edge, muttering, “We’...

In Solar Time

In this episode - In Solar Time . . . We are thrilled to present a unique surprise for this week's podcast. We have composed a special tribute to Cenergy's V-Team in the form of original lyrics to the iconic Beatles song "When I'm 64". One of Cenergy’s engineering team members is Vietnam’s Doan Vo (Dr. Vo). Dr. Vo - as we call him - is the team lead for Cenergy’s Electrical Engineering Operations. We want to thank the V-Team for their unwavering commitment and assistance to the US team. Your diligent efforts are truly appreciated. In Solar Time When I get older, losing my mind many years from now. Will you still be estimating power lines? Calculating modules in Solar time. If I'd been shocked at quarter to four would you close the door (circuit)? Will you still teach me? Will you still reach me? When I'm eighty-four. You'll be older too. And if you say the word I could just phone you. I could be handy, changing the fuse. When your power’s gone. Cal...

On The Fly

Search This Blog