The Dugout - July 24
Jack White Is Not Impressed
Maybe it’s because he’s a Detroit lad at a Chicago Cubs game. Maybe his new record isn’t selling like he’d hoped (it should be – it’s awesome). Maybe the general malaise of the Cubs organisation is just that contagious. Obviously this screen grab is taken out of context, but dammit it makes for a good meme. Here's the source material.
Perhaps he's just bored with nothing much to watch. With the NBA Free Agency squabbling cooling down with most of the big names having left the marketplace, and the NFL still in its initial pre-season workouts, baseball is about all we have these days, and it's mid-season grind baseball too. She’s slim pickings.
What a Top Bloke
Here’s LeBron James’ apology to neighbours after the media storm swarmed outside his Ohio home amidst his re-signing with the Cleveland Cavs. Cupcakes and a nice note.
Best Selling NFL Jerseys:
- Johnny Manziel
- Russell Wilson
- Colin Kaepernick
- Peyton Manning
- Richard Sherman
- Michael Sam
- Tom Brady
- Drew Brees
- Aaron Rodgers
- Seahawks "12th Fan"
(Since April 2014)
Weird Al Gets Sporty
Quote of the Week:
Good Week:
Sydney Rice (Seattle Seahawks) – The Superbowl winning Seahawks receiver (and former Viking) announced his retirement from the NFL this week, aged just 27. He played 7 years in the league, but only twice did he manage to stay fit for all 16 games. Having had concussion issues in the past, he made an undoubtedly tough but undeniably respectable call and walked away. 243 career receptions for 3,592 yards and 30 TDs.
Bryce Harper (Washington Nationals) – The Phenom struggled at first coming back from injury, but this past week he went wild. 7 hits in 13 at bats, with a homer to boot. He was 5-37 before that. And his resurgence has sparked a team wide one, with the Nats still holding off the always dangerous Atlanta Braves for first place in the NL East. Man, that swing though!
Bad Week:
Rashard Lewis (Free Agent) – Lewis’ deal with the Mavericks was torn up this week after he failed a medical. He’ll need a procedure on his knee, and given that he’s turning 35 this month, we may even have seen the last of the 2 time All Star. A shame.
Cincinnati Reds – No Votto, no Phillips, no offence. Only 12 runs in their past 6 games has seen them drop each one of them, and the Reds’ playoff hopes are starting to dwindle. It ain’t pretty, and Joey Votto is still a solid month away from returning.
Player of the Week:
Anthony Rizzo (Chicago Cubs) – See, it isn’t all bad for the Cubbies. Their big first base prospect is finally coming into his own in the majors. He was the NL Player of the Week, with 5 homers in 4 games, and he leads the NL in home runs. Rizzo is the Cubs leader in basically every batting category and is fast on his way to superstardom.
Upcoming Dates (NZ Time):
August 4 - NFL Preseason Begins
September 5 - NFL Regular Season Begins
September 30 - MLB Postseason Begins