Baseball talk

Derek Jeter awards and stats:

All star (10)

MVP (highest finish, 3rd – 1998) 6th, 1999 and no higher than 10 after that.

ROY

Gold Glove (3) 2004, 2005, 2006

I was wrong about his postseason stats, average, and obp go down, ops went up slightly – .317>.309 .387>.377 .459<.469

Lifetime numbers (as of 08.18.09):

(Avg of 148 games a season, excluding the 1st year, or he misses 9% of every season) 119 runs, .317 average, .387 OBP, .459 SLG, .846 OPS, 17 dingers, 81 rbi, 23 stolen bases, 208 hits.

Total numbers: 1546 Runs, 2691 Hits, 221 Home Runs, 1055 RBI, 295 SB, same averages.

Silver slugger award, 06-08

Career fielding percentage, .975 or 15 errors a season if we exclude his rookie year (only 120 innings as opposed to the around 1300 he would log every season after that, he had 2 errors his rookie year in those 120 innings). This also does not include the balls that someone like Ozzie Smith or even Davey Concepcion could have gotten to, that Jeter could never dream of getting to.

Cal Ripken Jr. awards and stats:

He played in 2, 216 consecutive games, nearly all of his stats were accumulated seemingly without a day off

All star (19) (17 consecutive)

MVP (2)

SS from 1981 – 1996, 3B from 1996-2001

2 gold gloves

ROY

Was the Silver Slugger for SS 8 times, years include: 1983-1986, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994

Lifetime numbers:

.276 AVG, .340 OBP, .447 SLG, .788 OPS, 36 SB, 1695 RBI, 431 HR, 1647 Runs, 3184 Hits

.Lifetime numbers at SS:
1337 runs, 2479 hits, 345 HR, 1328 RBI, 33 SB, .277 AVG, .346 OBP, .455 SLG, .801 OPS

979 fielding percentage at SS

Barry Larkin award and stats (I hate Barry Larkin):

12 All Star Games

1 MVP Award, 1995 (A 30-30 Season)

3 Gold Glove Awards

9 Silver Slugger Awards

Larkin Total Stats (Larkin averaged 115 games a season):

2340 Hits, 198 Home Runs, 960 RBI, 379 SB, 1329 Runs, .295 BA, .371 OBP, .444 SLG, .815 OPS

Average:
99 Runs, 174 Hits, 15 home runs, 71 RBI, 28 SB, Same averages

Fielding Percentage:
.975

Larkin had a career ravaged by injuries, but in his prime – I would take him over Jeter in his prime – easily. Same with Ripken,

Alex Rodriguez awards and stats as a Shortstop (all before PED positive testing):

In 1264 Games: Runs 1005, Hits 1529, HR 344, RBI 985, SB 176, BA .308, OBP .382, SLG .581, OPS .963

7 All Star games (8 seasons at SS)

7 Silver Slugger

1 MVP

2 Gold Glove

McConn

McConn is a coffee shop here at the ‘WU. It is tres chic and offers a variety of the best caffeinated beverages avaiable. It is a student-run organization right here at IWU, and to my suprise due to its quality, is not located anywhere else in the world, much less at any other institution.

In hopes of inspiration to be able to connect to the aura that is McConn I am listening to Bach and his famous Cello Suite No. 1 in Major, however I cannot feel anything but disconnected from the theme downstairs and down the sidewalk. Perhaps something like Anathallo, or Manchester Orchestra, or Death Cab for Cutie, or some sort of hip and trendy Indie Rock Band would be most applicable.

I once heard it said that you had to have a certain level of beauty to work on staff at McConn, but in my experience here I would have to disagree. This is not to say that the people working McConn are ugly, but it is to say that I have stereotyped such physical beauty with a snobbish, snoody attitude – neither of which the staff of McConn are. I love this place and I love to jest and interact with them as they make my coffee in front of me; consider it the the subway of caffeine.

London Fog and Chai have been my duel partners of taste. I know with most certainty that as I progress through my years of education at Indiana Wesleyan I will no doubt continue to indulge in such delicious morsels of the liquid variety. This confession of an IWU college student is one of absolute admiration and appreciation of such a fine coffee house establishment. And yes, its set up meets every stereotype aligned with it.

New stuff

This will be my first post since the month of February. I know, ghastly. I have probably lost most of my readers. Upon viewing the blogroll I was receiving up to 200 feeds a day up until early March when people probably ascertained that I wasn’t writing anymore.

I changed the name of my blog from Subtle Thoughts to Confessions of an IWU College Student, this is due largely in part to the situation I am currently in; this situation being my attendance of this wonderful university.

It has been a hectic couple of days here at the ‘WU. Being a Freshman I have had to go through all the New Student Orientation jazz that all transfer students and freshman are highly encouraged to go to. It is one event after another and an attempt to keep you busy and make new friends. I think it’s pretty cool, I just wish it wasn’t so jam packed full of stuff. I have met some neat people and I enjoy my time with them, I just have a feeling that it could be a little less, I’d like to spend time with my friends in Scripture Hall (my place of residence) as well.

This whole college thing is new and exciting and envigorating. I look forward to continuing my blogs, perhaps giving you insight to college life with a splash here and there, and hopefully I will continue thoughts on political stances and views, Christianity, and anything that comes to be in the sports world.

For instance, the defeat of the University of Michigan was a great spectacle to view, albeit highlights, it was still Joyful. Who knew that the Appalachion (spelling?) University was so good at what they did, or maybe that Michigan was so bad at field goal protection?

I’ll give you the scoop as it goes. And of course, we always aim to please, so therefore we (being I and my public I guess) hope and pray that it is always interesting and hardly ever boring.

Aufwiedersehen.

Wildcat basketball

Something is going on in Houston town. Something tragic. The ‘Cats are victims of 2 losses in a row and 4 of their last 5 have also been losses. Schwable has not been the same since his battle with flu. Estes has not been getting the ball enough, and turnovers are a plenty, free throw shooting lax, and defense non existent. It is a pergatory for the ‘Cats now, and I am sad. However I still love the games, I still cheer my buttocks off, and my friends and I still have a great time. Hughes is blocking shots left and right, but his free throw shooting has gone south. There has been 1 bright spot though.

Brad Ivanowicz is back. Holy cow is he back. Direction and leadership are evident on the floor now, and his passing is brilliant. I love watching him pass the ball, it is a thing of beauty. He hits people in places that I didn’t think were possible. Thank Jesus for Brad Ivanowicz.

The next 2 games are against Botkins and Jackson, that should be 2 wins. Giving us an 11-9 record. Sixth seed for sectional, play Fairlawn in the first round at Piqua. Russia in the sectional final. We got this.

A response

   Dear Matt,

In response to the letter you sent me a month ago (see below) I have delivered your such requests for snow. I must mention however, it had nothing to do with your pleading a muling. The snow came merely when I wanted it to, and that is that. The timing is right, wouldn’t you say? People in your neck of the woods complain that they don’t get enough days off from school in the 3rd quarter. Well, I have given you a week of brutal cold and fervent snow from Monday on, giving you an extension of the weekend and essentially a 2nd Winter Break. I expect flowers, chocolates, forts, snowmen, sledding, skiing, love letters, and a holiday commemorating the great Joy I have brought you and your region.

Adamently,

Jack Frost.

Dear Winter,

Hello winter, you may have heard of me, my name is Matt Casey. I know you may be harboring some cold feelings for me still after all these years. I’m sorry that I denounced you as my favorite season 7 years ago, but it was time to move on to better seasons. I’m sorry I chose Autumn. However, Winter, you have so many great qualities to offer, none of which you are putting on the table as of now.

Where is the snow? How can I make forts, shovel, and go sledding without the snow. These are awesome past times in your time of year, and yet still you keep them away from us. I do not care for your maniacal laughter, Mr. Frost, I choose instead your chilly warmth of hot cocoa, and frozen hands. Why won’t you come to us?

You gave us a glimpse on Christmas evening, but not enough of you to make your friend Parson Brown come to life. You tease us, torment us, and give us inspiration here and there, but ultimatel crush our dreams. You’re like the captain of the cheerleading squad who gives you a smile and a wink, but never anymore. Please give in and come to us., give us a chance to embrace you.

I wanna make it right Winter. I don’t want you to feel lead on, because I’m sticking with my guns, and my guns are, well in singular sense, Autumn (Autumns?) but I nevertheless miss your presence with your bountiful and beautiful snow powdering the ground, cascading off trees, and creating an aura of happiness everywhere.

I miss you,

Matt Casey

What is Jesus to you? It’s a question I answered in my journal today, something I can’t help but share..

Jesus is…

the truth, the light and the way. The Prince of Peace. The bringer of good news. Friend to the whore, blindman, and thief. Sweet Illuminator, light of the world, guide for the long and narrow path, crown of thorns, the resurrection, compassion, committed, strong, kind, one who does not envy and does not boast and does not take pride. selfless, conqueror on sin, bearer of burden, father to all, mediator or prayer, intercessor of lives, savior to many, persecuted, beloved, brilliant, beautiful, alpha and omega, first and last, beginning and end, the ultimate sacrifice, healer, rabbi, abba, grace, gentle, stern, transcendant, wise, incredulous, my everything.

Haha, ohhhh animals

The otter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otter

Nature’s most fierce protectorate of all that is right and well… the platypus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platypus

milk folds sam, milk folds.

Howdy!

Howdy is an informal greeting, originating as a shortened form of the greeting “How do you do?” It is typically associated with a southern accent in southern United states especially Texas and Tennesee.

Apology

My writings lately have been slim and I apologize. For the past 2 months I have endured a broken foot, a cold, and most recently, stomach flu.

After being so excited and thankful for keeping good health for such a long time, I seem to have jinxed myself into this continuous episode of chronically poor health.

Hopefully my postings will be a tad more frequent in the days to come.

Obama

As most of you can probably imagine I have been giddy to say the least this past week with the candidacy of Junior Senator Barack Obama, a Democrat from Illinois. The man that will bring bipartison politics back out unto the horizon, a man with decency, and a good heart, a smart man, uncorrupted by political officienados and bribes. The man is a rockstar. His #1 selling book “The Audacity of Hope” offers the very thing the title implies. A new brand of politics that is intertwined between Democrat and Republican, man and woman, poor and rich. It sure sounds feasable in the book, and Obama holds the keys while sitting in the driver’s seat.