On Baseball

This is more than a slight departure from what I normally write about, so hang with me.....

Baseball is a funny sport.

It's a game that can be decided on one swing, a misstep, a bobbled ball and yes, I'm going to go there, on an umps wandering strike zone.

Last night was Detroit's last game for the 2013 season. It's been shall we say, an odd season for the Tigers. Unlike other fans and sports writers (please note, I am NOT putting myself in the same category as a sports writer--I don't know enough stats or random information for that) I refuse to call it a disappointing season.

I've been a fan of the game for as long as I can remember. I know I've talked about it before, but I don't remember a time when I wasn't a Detroit Tigers fan. And any fan will tell you there are ups and downs with your favorite team, things to cheer about and things to groan about. But I'm one of those who goes for the cheers, no matter how dismal things may be.

On paper, this morning the Tigers should be preparing for the 2013 World Series against St. Louis. On paper Justin Verlander should have had another lights out season, with one of the highest win to loss ratios, highest numbers of strikeouts and lowest ERA's. On paper, Miggy should have won the Triple Crown again, Prince (along a few of the other guys) should have had a +.300 avg season been one of the leading RBI's guys in the majors and Peralta's post-drug suspension performance in the post-season should be guaranteeing him another year with the Tigers.

Instead, Verlander had an o.k. season by his standards, Miggy was more of a liability because of his injuries/lack of speed than he was helpful down the stretch. Prince, well, I think we all know how hard it can be with personal matters even if there is a job to be done. Peralta’s future with the organization is up in the air. And instead of getting ready for the seven game set with St. Louis they are packing their bags and heading home for the winter.

But that lack of success isn't the whole picture.

Expectations are hard. Anything short of a World Series win for this team would be a disappointment. They were SUPPOSED to win it all this year. Who cares that there are 20 teams that didn't make it to the post season. Or that they won the AL Central Division for the 3rd year in a row. Or that Scherzer will likely win the CY Young this year (side note: if he doesn't win, I will lose what little faith I have left in the Universe). Sanchez led in the AL with lowest ERA and Miggy had the highest batting average, on-base plus slugging percentage, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

It would be ridiculous to say that I don’t have an “off-season wishlist” for changes I’d like to see made for this team. They need a closer. I appreciate Benoit’s attempt at filling this role (how the front office thought they could get away with NOT signing someone in the off-season last year is beyond me), but it just didn’t quite work out in the end. A left with a good, consistent bat would be great. And a new lead-off man. Jackson hitting lower in the line-up the last few games was one of the best moves Leyland could have done and it showed in Jacksons patience at the plate. I’m not sure putting him back to lead off would be a great move. There will be many who feel I have left off “a new manager” from my list but on this area I’m torn. I like Leyland. His players like/respect him. I like some of his moves. I like that he is willing to change things up (i.e. the line-up shuffle) and I like that he takes responsibility when things don’t go as planned. I’d be o.k. with him back for 2014 and yes, I am likely the only one.

Last night Justin Verlander posted the following tweet:

I want to thank all of Detroit and tigers fans for the support this year. You all are the best fans in the world! #detroitproud
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) October 20, 2013

All I can say is “Thank you” back. It’s not the season we wanted, but it was still a good one and I am counting down the days until the 2014 season begins.

Music Monday: Sailboat

Oh sweet mother of pearl this song had me in tears this week.

Sunday Confessions: I'm All Over the Place

It has been a gloriously relaxing few days. I had taken most of this past week off of work for what was originally a legitimate reason but ended up turning into a bit of a staycation. I've spent most of my time has been spent doing homework and watching baseball and The Walking Dead. Totally my version of "perfect downtime".

Running: I haven't been out for a run in MONTHS. In fact I don't even remember the last time I went for a run. But I miss it. Boy oh boy do I miss it. My hip has been fantastic that last two months (no pain!! whoop! whoop!) so we're going to give the Couch to 5k Program another try. Hopefully the stretches my physical therapist gave me will help, but I'm still terrified the pain is going to come back. So there is that.

NaNoWriMo: This is happening in 18 days. EIGHTEEN DAYS. Each year I say I'm going to do it and each year I fall well short of my goal. But, I'm a glutton for punishment and I'm going to try to do it all again his year. 30 days. 50,000 words. Conquer it I shall.

Birthday: Not that I'm ever really excited about it, but this year feels weird. It's not a "monumental" birthday but it's a number I don't really want to admit to. But on the flip side of that, I did have a security person tell me that I "really, really don't look as old as my actual age" so that is all kinds of awesome.

Babies: I spent much of this weekend with friends and their kids. I've written about it before, but each year that passes, I feel like I'm losing a bit of my hope that someday I'll be a mom. I know that should that time every really come it would be an extremely difficult road, but I'd really rather have to deal with it than not getting the chance to deal with it at all.

A to Z Book Survey

I saw this survey on Unabashedly Me via Nerdy Katie, and immediately decided to fill it out. Despite my apparent inability to read ANYTHING right now, I still love books and reading. Who knows, maybe this will result in an end to my current quest to find something, anything, to hold my wandering attention.

Author you’ve read the most books from:
That would be a toss up between JK Rowling (Harry Potter, obviously) and Deborah Geary (A Modern Witch series). I think they are about even in the number of books I've read.

Best Sequel Ever:
I'd have to go with Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich. I'm slowly making my way through the Stephanie Plum series and absolutely adore Plum's character.

Currently Reading:
I am bouncing between Eight Girls Taking Pictures by Whitney Otto and Rock Island Rock by Eyre Price.

Drink of Choice While Reading:
I guess whatever is handy. I don't typically seek out a certain drink while reading.

E-reader or Physical Book?

As much as I love my Kindle for traveling, I definitely prefer reading a physical book.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:
Either Mark Darcy from Bridget Jones's Diary or Jamie from the Witch Central books. I don't tend to read many "romance" or "fun loving" books so having a crush on a character isn't likely to happen.

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. This book is packed full of triggers but was such a well written book, I'm glad I stuck with it.

Hidden Gem Book:
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia. I was anticipating on this being a pretty bad rewrite of Twilight (there are SO many of those out there) but was pleasantly surprised by how well the story flowed.

Important Moment in your Reading Life:
I'd have to say reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I must have been a freshman when we were assigned it as our required reading for English class. I've always written and loved books, but always struggled to get through them "in a timely manner", but I remember not being able to put this one down. This was the first book I remember that actually made me feel something. Finishing that book was the moment I fell in love with writing and in love with how an amazing book could change you.

Just Finished:
My Summer of Southern Discomfort by Stephanie Gayle. It was a quick read. Nothing too memorable about it.

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:
I'll read just about anything unless it is heavy on religion (unless it is non-fiction, then I'll read it).

Longest Book You’ve Read:
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. 944 pages.
** easy way to find this out. Go to your Goodreads “read” list, don’t scroll down but where you are on the screen there will be this little tab on the bottom that lets you choose how you want to scroll or how many books you want display. There is also a sort option with a drop down and you can sort by page.

Major book hangover because of:
She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb. I was a wreck after reading it the first time.

Number of Bookcases You Own:
Five, but I need more.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:American Psycho by Brett Easton Ellis. I adore this book. So dark. So creepy. So good.

Preferred Place To Read:
Either in bed or curled up on my super comfy couch.

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:
“There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book.
Books are well written, or badly written. That is all.” 
― Oscar Wilde

Reading Regret:
Fifty Shades of Grey. This was such a crap book. If anyone EVER takes me advice on anything it would be to avoid this series like the plague. It reads like it was written by a bored housewife who did a shit job Googling BDSM. Ladies, we deserve so much more when it coms to "lady porn".

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):
The Beautiful Creatures series. I really enjoyed the first book. I just haven't been able to bring myself to start the second one.

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:
To Kill a Mocking Bird, American Psycho and She's Come Undone.

Unapologetic Fangirl For:
Ummm......I've really got nothing for this one. Dresden Files maybe.

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:
Again. Nothing.

Worst Bookish Habit:
I tend to go on massive reading binges and then won't read anything for months.

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:
Run with the Hunted: A Charles Bukowski Reader

Your latest book purchase:
The Cuckoo's Calling by JK Rowling.

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):
Ummm.....even though it was WAY back in March, I'm going to go with Shantaram. 

Today...