UTK1012 - No Sweeping Allowed!

[OrieGirl]

Happy Saturday Evening UTK Fans! I’d like to welcome everyone to another Saturday Showcase edition. I am, as always, not Will Carroll. So, sit back. Grab a twinkie and enjoy the ride!

As many of you know, I seem to have this odd connection going between baseball and food. It may have to do with the fact that I’m considering attending culinary school. I was actually just researching them earlier this evening. So, I started wondering if there are particular foods that people eat while watching baseball at home. I know we all have our favorite concession stand foods when at the actual game, but what about when you’re at home? Or how about when you’re out at a bar/restaurant watching the game with friends? Do you have any food/baseball traditions? If you’ve got any thoughts on the subject or just want to tell me that I’m odd, drop me an email.

Let’s do some trivia! I just loved last week’s question. I didn’t think it was going to stump so many people though. The question was who is the greatest Yankee Killer of all time? Best lifetime winning percentage against the Yanks, minimum 15 decisions? The popular guess was Frank Lary who was nicknamed Yankee Killer. There was someone better then him though. The correct answer was in fact Babe Ruth. I’d like to congratulate reader, Rod Nelson, for answering it correctly first. Well done!

I’ve got another good question this week. This one was submitted to me from reader, William Burgess. Who is the only person to pitch hit for Ted Williams? Let the games begin! Email me if you think you know the answer. Good Luck!

I’ve been asked several times this week about which teams I’d like to see in the World Series this season. Since I get looked at as if I need to be put on medication when I say the Cubs, I’ll try to be more realistic. I find myself having a hard time choosing between the Cardinals and the Giants. I’ve never been a fan of either team. I think being the sappy person that I am I’d probably favor the Cardinals. (Will don’t kill me!) They’ve had such an emotional season and I can see them be the sentimental favorite. This is not to say that I want to see them win the actual World Series.

As for the American League choices, I’m in favor of the Angels. There’s just something about that team. They are indeed “scrappy” and I like it! I can relate to them. It’s a tough choice between the two though because people would like to see the Twins win it for the sake of torturing Bud. I can’t fault them for that.

So, I guess to answer the question. I’d like to see the Cardinals vs. Angels with the Angels winning. Please don’t throw stones at me for my choices. I could stick by my original answer and say Cubs! I love that readers enjoy asking me questions though. I’m always open to discussions and compliments.

What happened in the injury world you ask? I don’t really have all that much to report, but I’ll give you a few notes. Will has been doing such a great job with keeping everyone up to date this week on playoff players. I don’t really have much to add tonight. So, I’ll give you some playoff highlights and news around the leagues.

There was no sweep for the Giants today. The Cardinals managed to pull off a win when they needed it most. Their defense seemed to be lacking though. Vina & Drew almost had a collision that could have resulted in some injury news. Barry Bonds hit an amazing homerun that landed in the San Francisco Bay. In other odd Bonds news, the fight for his 73rd homerun ball of last season is being taken to court. The two men are refusing to settle out of court. I personally think that neither of them should have the ball. I believe either Barry should have it or it should be in Cooperstown. We better not see it on E-bay!

We don’t need no stinkin’ rally monkey! The Twins might need something though. They’re heading into game five down 3-1 in the series. Angels rookie pitcher, John Lackey was simply smokin’ with seven shutout innings. They’ve always had the slogan that “Heaven Can Wait”, but the Angels may not have to wait much longer.

In other news, the Mariners have in fact recommended surgery for closer, Kazuhiro Sasaki . He has at least one bone chip in his right elbow, but he wishes to get other opinions from doctors and surgeons in Japan. Sasaki underwent surgery in Japan back in 1999 on the same elbow. I would think he wouldn’t want to wait to long before making a decision. Spring training is not as far off as it seems.

Mike Lieberthal will undergo knee surgery this coming Tuesday. Did he get injured towards the end of the season you might ask. Oh No. Lieberthal apparently has a small tear of the meniscus after falling out of a golf cart. His shoe got caught as he was attempting to step out of the cart. I’m not going to comment because I’ve done dumber things then that.

Shane Reynolds of the Houston Astros is now a free agent. The Astros decided not to pick up the 8 million-dollar option for the 2003 season. Reynolds was sidelined quite a bit this season with back problems. Isn’t that what every team wants? I’m thinking he may need to drop his price a bit.

Alrighty, that’s it for me tonight folks! As always, I hope you have enjoyed this edition of UTK. If not, Will returns tomorrow. If you have comments, concerns, compliments, I’m just an email away. If you’ve got complaints, Will is available.

Have a great Sunday!

-Rachael A. Reid, UTK Foodie