In baseball, there are pitches that batters sometimes fail to hit. There are elite pitches, good pitches, and of course mediocre pitches. We see it all the time, hitters and pitchers making mistakes that usually result from an “unmasked bad pitch.” How could it be? That was one of my questions after Twins starter, right-hander Bailey Ober, attempted a risky magic act. At a 1-0 count, he threw his changeup all over the center of the strike zone against Yordan Álvarez. Even if you weren't watching Game 1 of the ALDS between the Twins and Astros this Saturday night at Minute Maid Park, you can probably imagine the result: a two-run bomb that was launched at an exit velocity of 99.8 mph. The ball landed 379 feet in right field.
The fact that you can write a column and this insightful and good -- and do so in the very tough conditions you are dealing with every day -- is just amazing. People, when we are reading Yirsandy Rodriguez, we are reading one of the best baseball writers of our time. I often wonder just how good he’d be if he had the access, equipment and budget that are routine for sportswriters most other places in the world.
Thank you for your words, dear Chuck. I thank God for this opportunity to share with writers, readers and passionate people who, like us, love baseball. Waking up after a few hours of rest due to other personal occupations and reading the “Legendary Iowa Boy” is a special boost for me. I feel like every day I want to write. I want to say something. I want to read, comment, debate. I want to communicate. Inform. And, above all, interacting with so many baseball fans. All these ways fulfill those dreams, even if we are physically far away. That is the main effect. And, at the end of the day, a writer is nobody without his readers; no matter how many. This is not a specific amount that anyone should have. Today you reminded me of when I didn't have access to the internet, nor had I even opened my WordPress Blog, more than a decade ago. In those years I wrote for myself. I tried to write essays about the games, stories about everything curious I saw in my job as an official scorer. About two years ago I found a File with many of those writings, and I still save several in downloaded emails that I used to send to the radio. Maybe bring some to Substack in a certain context. I know there will be readers who will enjoy it. So, initially, I can say that I wrote for myself. And for my beloved maternal grandmother, who was the one who read to me. The evolution has been beautiful from my point of view. Coincidentally, I talked about it with Ruth today. How the glass is never empty. Having something to say and share is another of the impulses that I thank God for. I can not ask for more. I didn't come here for anything other than what I'm achieving: sharing, writing, enjoying the passion and bringing it as many times as I can; without stops or brakes. Unlimited. Thanks again for the push and your appreciation, Chuck.
Thank you for your words, dear Chuck. I thank God for this opportunity to share with writers, readers and passionate people who, like us, love baseball. Waking up after a few hours of rest due to other personal occupations and reading the “Legendary Iowa Boy” is a special boost for me. I feel like every day I want to write. I want to say something. I want to read, comment, debate. I want to communicate. Inform. And, above all, interacting with so many baseball fans. All these ways fulfill those dreams, even if we are physically far away. That is the main effect. And, at the end of the day, a writer is nobody without his readers; no matter how many. This is not a specific amount that anyone should have. Today you reminded me of when I didn't have access to the internet, nor had I even opened my WordPress Blog, more than a decade ago. In those years I wrote for myself. I tried to write essays about the games, stories about everything curious I saw in my job as an official scorer. About two years ago I found a File with many of those writings, and I still save several in downloaded emails that I used to send to the radio. Maybe bring some to Substack in a certain context. I know there will be readers who will enjoy it. So, initially, I can say that I wrote for myself. And for my beloved maternal grandmother, who was the one who read to me. The evolution has been beautiful from my point of view. Coincidentally, I talked about it with Ruth today. How the glass is never empty. Having something to say and share is another of the impulses that I thank God for. I can not ask for more. I didn't come here for anything other than what I'm achieving: sharing, writing, enjoying the passion and bringing it as many times as I can; without stops or brakes. Unlimited. Thanks again for the push and your appreciation, Chuck.
The fact that you can write a column and this insightful and good -- and do so in the very tough conditions you are dealing with every day -- is just amazing. People, when we are reading Yirsandy Rodriguez, we are reading one of the best baseball writers of our time. I often wonder just how good he’d be if he had the access, equipment and budget that are routine for sportswriters most other places in the world.
Thank you for your words, dear Chuck. I thank God for this opportunity to share with writers, readers and passionate people who, like us, love baseball. Waking up after a few hours of rest due to other personal occupations and reading the “Legendary Iowa Boy” is a special boost for me. I feel like every day I want to write. I want to say something. I want to read, comment, debate. I want to communicate. Inform. And, above all, interacting with so many baseball fans. All these ways fulfill those dreams, even if we are physically far away. That is the main effect. And, at the end of the day, a writer is nobody without his readers; no matter how many. This is not a specific amount that anyone should have. Today you reminded me of when I didn't have access to the internet, nor had I even opened my WordPress Blog, more than a decade ago. In those years I wrote for myself. I tried to write essays about the games, stories about everything curious I saw in my job as an official scorer. About two years ago I found a File with many of those writings, and I still save several in downloaded emails that I used to send to the radio. Maybe bring some to Substack in a certain context. I know there will be readers who will enjoy it. So, initially, I can say that I wrote for myself. And for my beloved maternal grandmother, who was the one who read to me. The evolution has been beautiful from my point of view. Coincidentally, I talked about it with Ruth today. How the glass is never empty. Having something to say and share is another of the impulses that I thank God for. I can not ask for more. I didn't come here for anything other than what I'm achieving: sharing, writing, enjoying the passion and bringing it as many times as I can; without stops or brakes. Unlimited. Thanks again for the push and your appreciation, Chuck.
Thank you for your words, dear Chuck. I thank God for this opportunity to share with writers, readers and passionate people who, like us, love baseball. Waking up after a few hours of rest due to other personal occupations and reading the “Legendary Iowa Boy” is a special boost for me. I feel like every day I want to write. I want to say something. I want to read, comment, debate. I want to communicate. Inform. And, above all, interacting with so many baseball fans. All these ways fulfill those dreams, even if we are physically far away. That is the main effect. And, at the end of the day, a writer is nobody without his readers; no matter how many. This is not a specific amount that anyone should have. Today you reminded me of when I didn't have access to the internet, nor had I even opened my WordPress Blog, more than a decade ago. In those years I wrote for myself. I tried to write essays about the games, stories about everything curious I saw in my job as an official scorer. About two years ago I found a File with many of those writings, and I still save several in downloaded emails that I used to send to the radio. Maybe bring some to Substack in a certain context. I know there will be readers who will enjoy it. So, initially, I can say that I wrote for myself. And for my beloved maternal grandmother, who was the one who read to me. The evolution has been beautiful from my point of view. Coincidentally, I talked about it with Ruth today. How the glass is never empty. Having something to say and share is another of the impulses that I thank God for. I can not ask for more. I didn't come here for anything other than what I'm achieving: sharing, writing, enjoying the passion and bringing it as many times as I can; without stops or brakes. Unlimited. Thanks again for the push and your appreciation, Chuck.