60 days until opening day.

hooray!

All you need to know

Happy 90th Birthday to Ernie Harwell

Legendary Announcer Ernie Harwell just turned 90. He retired 2 years ago, but I have fond memories of listening to him while I was growing up.

Then one day they fired him. Imagine that happening to Vin Scully.

This is how much the Tigers used to suck:

Via 1990:
I'm told it was a business decision," he said, when asked why the Detroit Tigers, had suddenly, after 31 years of the finest baseball broadcasting in America, told him he was out of a job after the 1991 season.

"The Tigers said they wanted to go in a new direction. . . . I would have liked to continue broadcasting, but . . . this is what they decided. I have to accept that."

--

This day, this sunny Wednesday in the middle of December, will forever be a black mark on the history of this franchise. Ernie Harwell, who gave and gave, deserved to pick his own exit, to take his bows when he felt he was finished. The Tigers and WJR have denied him this. They have killed the voice of baseball. Even worse, they have robbed a gentleman of his dignity. And in doing so, they have lost all of theirs.

Shame on them.

Ernie was rehired a year later.

Praise be to God for the restoration he brought to the Tigers.

I suggest putting this in the sidebar

or this:

66 Days until Opening Day?

I was trying to find the date for opening day. The MLB website has a lot of Opening Days apparently. First there's Boston v. Oakland in Tokyo on the 25th, which is the first official game. MLB is calling it 'Opening Day.'

Then there is the Civil Rights Game on the 29th, but somehow that is still a Spring Training game according to the Mets website. "Here you go, all you minorities. Sorry for being racist and marginalizing you. Here's a game for you. It doesn't count, but what the hell. The Japanese one counts though, because they have more money. Enjoy."

Then after playing in Japan, according to the A's website, Oakland then returns home to play a 3 game set against the Giants, which are all Spring Training games.

And Boston goes to LA for 3 games, including the one in the coluseum. They are also ST games.

How can you play Spring Training games after playing an offical game. Has they happened before? Nevermind. Teams play exhibition against minor league clubs and there's the HOF game which is an exhibition (unfortunately), but its still weird.

Then there is 'Opening Night' on the 30th, Braves v. Nats. This game does not appear to be nationally televised which is the only reason I can think of for this game to exist. Things could change though.

Then there is another "Opening Day" on the 31st. This is they day to celebrate because both the Tigers and the Cubs first play for real on this day.

EDIT: I just found this. Ok, the nats braves game is on ESPN and it will be the first game in the new Nat stadium. Makes sense.

20 more days until Pitchers and Catchers

Via mlb:

February 14, 2008
First date injured players, pitchers and catchers may report to Spring Training

February 19, 2008
First date all players may report to Spring Training

February 26, 2008
Mandatory Spring Training reporting date for all players