The Maturation of Young Hitters

David, from Alaska, sent me a PWE the other week.   It was a small haul, but it packed a punch.

These two young hitters are just learning how to make everyday adjustments against proven MLB arms.  It's a little frustrating knowing that Soler is capable of hitting 0.290 in the majors, but instead he leads the league in strikeouts.  And who would have thought we'd have to wait twenty games before Bryant would launch his first big league home run?  These guys are better than they've shown

I can't wait for them to mature into solid hitters who are comfortable with their game, like Anthony Rizzo is now.  But, there were a couple years in which would all too frequently get himself out.  As a Cubs fan I sometimes wish I could fast forward to the summer of 2017.  Bryant, Soler, and Rizzo should be one of the more formidable trios in baseball by then!  (knock on wood)

Patience, young grasshopper.  Patience.

Thanks for the cards, David!  These will go straight into my Cubs binder!

I'm Done.

No more Cubs games for me in 2015.  I went to Kris Bryant's MLB debut back in April a Wrigley Field and more recently I witnessed the Cubs lose two at Miller Park in Milwaukee.

In total, the Cubs are 0 and 3 when I'm in attendance.  Otherwise, as of this writing, they are one game over 0.500 and in 2nd place in the NL Central.  (No thanks to me.)

My trip wasn't all sour grapes though.  Miller Park has the best smelling exterior of any baseball stadium that I'm aware of.  Those Milwaukee fans sure do know how to tailgate!

There were plenty of photo opportunities to take advantage of on the inside of Miller Park.

Me and the Bernie the Brewer statue.

 Me and the racing sausages!

Here's a shot of me and the Bob Uecker statue!

Yes, I did partake in the food and I highly recommend the bratwurst, but I hear the chorizo is pretty good, too.  In fact, I was able to meet Mr. Chorizo! 

My travel companion was my sister, Jane, and we had a pretty good time all-in-all.  Thanks for taking the picture, Jane!

Brewery Selfie!

Before Saturday's 12-4 embarrassment at the hands of the Brew Crew we went on a tour of the Sprecher Brewery and I did two quick laps at what was probably the worst card show I've ever attended.  Can you call it a card show if there are only four dealers, no dime box in sight, and not one pack of new product for sale?

 I think my sister and I were both mystified Saturday night when a fight broke out in the section over from us, and then how the same section had a marriage proposal two innings later.  You never know what you'll see at the ole ballpark! (Except me.  You won't see me at a Cubs game again this year.)

Kittens Are Cuter Than Cardboard

There hasn't been much time lately to post and cards as of late, but I think I'm okay with that. A week ago Laura and I adopted two kittens and it's been whirlwind around the house ever since. 

I'd like to introduce them to the blogosphere.  Everyone, meet Hugo and Holiday.

Hugo

Holiday

Hugo and Holiday, this is everyone!

They are experts are climbing things and proving to me, time after time, that I did not appropriately kitten-proof the house. Each of them are tipping the scales at just over two pounds of cuteness.

Gus, our fourteen year old tuxedo cat, is less than amused by there presence.  Thankfully, everyone has been keeping there distance and the tension in the air after a week is starting to lessen.

Gus, after a bender.

I hope you enjoyed the update on the expansion of our family.  I'll leave you with a thirty second video which pretty much summarizes the recent activity in the house.  Have a great weekend!

Ode to the Vogelmonster

Dan Vogelbach is a first baseman for the Double A Tennessee Smokies in the Southern League.  He was drafted in the second round in the 2011 June Amateur Draft out of high school by the Chicago Cubs and he immediately was touted as having one of the best "hit tools" in the Cubs' minor league system.


Vogelbach was drafted five months before Theo Epstein started preaching plate discipline.  He entered the Cubs' system with a mature approach at the plate, but from what I've read he spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons working on driving the ball to the opposite field and being more selective at the plate.  The Midwest and Florida State Leagues aren't known as hitters' leagues, but he put up some decent power numbers and about a 13% walk rate during those seasons. Pretty good for a guy

He played in the Arizona Fall League in 2014 and nearly registered an OBP of 0.400.  Yet, he doesn't get the notoriety by major Cubs' pundits for three reasons:
1. Everyone wants to talk elite talent, e.g. - Jorge Soler, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell
2. He's a big man at 250 pounds and 6' tall and he only plays first base
3. First base at Wrigley Field is occupied by Anthony Rizzo through 2021

I don't think those factors are on Vogelbach's radar.  At least his performance at the plate doesn't show any signs of it.

This year he is mashing at a whole different level.  Vogelbach has already been awarded with "Hitter of the Week" honors by the Southern League and he has yet to cool off.  Check out these statistics through the first couple weeks of the season:

Those numbers are gaudy!

The Quad City River Bandits in 2013 posted a picture of Mike Wazokski, from Monsters Inc, on the score board when Dan Vogelmonster came to bat.  I was in attendance at the game and I have referred to Dan Vogelbach as The Vogelmonster ever since.  At the time it may have been a good-natured jab by the River Bandits at an opposing player, but I think it fits because he's a big man who can terrorize opposing pitchers.  Baseball needs more nicknames and I jumped in on the ground floor with this one.

If you're a frequent reader of my dribble, then you probably recall my affinity for The Vogelmonster.  Heck, this is my second post dedicated to Dan Vogelbach in my blog's humble history.

He may not be a former #1 draft pick and he's not going to win many foot races, but he is fun-loving ballplayer who has his head screwed on straight.  Oh . . . and yeah, he can punish a baseball.  Yep, he's my favorite player in baseball (including MLB) and I wanted to share his early success with you and honor him with my first poetry writing attempt since my high school days.

I give you...

Ode to the Vogelmonster

Vogelmonster carries a big stick

He mashes homers with merely a flick

All the pitchers cower with fear

While The Smokies’ fans loudly cheer

For favorite player he’s my pick

 

I've seen The Vogelmonster play in person in Peoria, Kane County, and the Quad Cities.  He was even nice enough to sign a card for me before a Cougars home game in 2013.  Now that he's back in the midwest, after a season in Daytona, I may have to make a special trip to Kodak, Tennessee.

Keep on raking, Dan!

A Quick PWE from 2 by 3

A received a nice PWE from 2 by 3 Heroes recently and I thought I would show off how its contents.  Jeff's surprise PWEs always seem to fit perfectly in my collection.

For instance, everyone needs a card picturing a trout talking to a penguin.  How cool is that?

I didn't own a Billy McKinney card until now.  I'm not sure how Billy fits into the Cubs' plans, but it's nice to have so much talent down on the farm.

Speaking of talent . . .  a shiny CJ Edwards and a sparkly Junior Lake!  Junior had his window of opportunity, but unfortunately he didn't jump through it. And now he's probably trade fodder.

CJ Edwards?  I'm predicting he'll be in the bullpen in early August and CJ will find himself in some high leverage innings during September.  He has FILTHY stuff.

Lastly, two of the big dogs.  Arrieta is the de facto ace of the staff (until Lester gets his head out of his butt).

 Rizzo has taken that Kris Bryant kid under his wing.  Look at that . . . Rizzo, at 25, is becoming a young veteran leader.

Thanks for the nice surprise, Jeff.  I'm got a few things I've been saving for you and I'll drop them in the mail here before too long.