Dutch Van Duzee's Blog (27)

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Chasing down all 30 MLB ballparks

http://dutchvanduzee.blogspot.com/2014/07/chasing-down-all-30-mlb-ballparks.html

Added by Dutch Van Duzee on July 26, 2014 at 10:04am — No Comments

First ballpark trip of 2012

I'm looking forward to visiting Marlins Park in one week as the Marlins return home ro welcome my beloved Astros for the first weekend series in their ballpark on 4/13-15. 

I'm excited to get back on the road to visiting ballparks after missing out last year on my annual summer baseball trip(s).  (Settling into a new job with limited vacation time was my excuse, but I hope to make up for it this summer! And besides, there wasn't a new ballpark to visit last year.)  Also…

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Added by Dutch Van Duzee on April 5, 2012 at 7:54pm — 1 Comment

2011 MLB Predictions

Enjoyed watching some of the games today.  I like this Opening Day in March on a Thursday...getting ahead of the Final 4 games; I remember last year having baseball games opposite the NCAA Championship game on that Monday night, which kind of took the spotlight away from MLB.

 

Here's my picks:

PHI, CIN, SF, COL

BOS, CHI, LAA, NYY

 

PHI over BOS in the WS...going with the teams that look strongest "on paper"; but, I really think if Philly stays…

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Added by Dutch Van Duzee on March 31, 2011 at 7:19pm — 1 Comment

Playoff predictions

Looking back at my preseason picks, I hit on 50% of the teams to make it to the post-season (Phillies, Braves, Rays, Twins). I'll stick with my AL pick of the Rays to make it to the WS to face the Phillies in a rematch of the 2008 WS.

NLDS
Phillies over Reds in 3
Giants over Braves in 4

ALDS
Yankees over Twins in 4
Rays over Rangers in 4

LCS
Phillies over Giants in 7
Rays over Yankees in 6

WS
Phillies over Rays in 6

Added by Dutch Van Duzee on October 5, 2010 at 6:29pm — 9 Comments

Target Field

Not an empty seat in the house tonight...the Rays should take note of what a new outdoor ballpark can do for you.

Added by Dutch Van Duzee on June 11, 2010 at 5:49pm — No Comments

MLB 2010 predictions

Can't wait for baseball season to begin. I've drafted teams in 4 different fantasy leagues and looking for to the action beginning Sunday night. Time to publish my predictions:



NL: Phillies, Cards, Rockies, Braves (WC)

AL: Red Sox, Twins, Angels, Rays (WC)

Possible sleepers: Brewers, White Sox

DS:

Phillies over Cards, Rockies over Braves

Red Sox over Twins, Rays over Angels

LCS:

Rockies over Phillies

Rays over Red Sox

WS:

Rays over… Continue

Added by Dutch Van Duzee on April 1, 2010 at 1:34pm — 3 Comments

Playoff predictions

Time to go on the record with my playoff predictions. I'm kind of rooting for a Dodgers-Angels freeway series but I think we're heading for a Yankees-Cards W.S. and I'm not a fan of either of these teams.

NLDS
Cards over Dodgers in 4
Phillies over Rockies in 5

ALDS
Yankees over Twins in 4
Angels over Red Sox in 5

Cards over Phillies in 7
Yankees over Angels 7

Yankees over Cards in 6

Added by Dutch Van Duzee on October 6, 2009 at 8:34pm — 2 Comments

Let the 2nd half began

Glad the Astros finally got over .500 to begin the 2nd half on a good note. 3 more in LA, then home for the Cardinals for 3 and real shot to cut into their 3 game lead.



In the second-half of last season the Astros had the best record in the league, and here's an amazing stat -- every year since 1997, their second-half record has been better than their first-half record. They've had a losing record after the All-Star break only once in the last 12 years.



Good to see tight… Continue

Added by Dutch Van Duzee on July 17, 2009 at 10:34am — No Comments

My ranking of the 30 MLB ballparks

As you can see, I'm a little partial to the newer parks:

1. PNC Park – Pittsburgh

2. SBC/AT&T Park – San Francisco

3. Comerica Park – Detroit

4. Minute Maid Park – Houston

5. Petco Park – San Diego

6. Citizens Bank Park – Philadelphia

7. Nationals Park – Washington DC

8. Oriole Park at Camden Yards - Baltimore

9. Coors Field – Denver

10. Citi Field – New York

11. Great American Ballpark – Cincinnati

12. Safeco Field –… Continue

Added by Dutch Van Duzee on June 28, 2009 at 6:03pm — 3 Comments

NYC Baseball trip

Looking forward to visting new Yankee Stadium and Citi Field this week, 2 games at each park. Trip begins Wed night for the interleague series between Yanks and Nats. I sprung for the $90 field box ticket down the 3rd base line. For Thursday matinee I'll be sitting upstairs on the grandstand level. On Friday night another interleague series, Rays and Mets. Sprung for the $90 field box seat for the first game and will settle into the promenade level for Saturday afternoon game.

Added by Dutch Van Duzee on June 16, 2009 at 7:05am — 9 Comments

Greinke and Atlanta trip

Zack Greinke is my new favorite non-Astro. Glad I drafted him in 3 fantasy teams. 6-0 with 3 CG and 2 SHO, 0.40 ERA with 54 K's in 45 IP. Dominant. So much for the SI cover jinx.



Just returned from a trip to Atlanta to catch the Astros weekend series at Turner Field. My second visit to Turner Field; the first time was in '99 for a playoff game between the Mets and Braves. Endured 2 rain delays on Friday night and Sat afternoon. On Sunday, I caught up with Joey, Travis and Pedro, the… Continue

Added by Dutch Van Duzee on May 5, 2009 at 6:26am — No Comments

Gearing up for Opening Day and fantasy baseball.

Counting down the days until Opening Day, and 4 weeks from today I'll be heading up to St. Louis for the Astros-Cards series.

The first of 4 fantasy drafts for me was this week, and the next one is scheduled for tomorrow night. That 10 team league is still looking to fill some spots.

Added by Dutch Van Duzee on March 13, 2009 at 1:54pm — No Comments

Baseball and the Baby Boomer: A History, Commentary, and Memoir

I'm reading a great new book I received for Christmas.

http://brightskypress.com/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BSPOS&Product_Code=BBOOMER&Category_Code=new

Added by Dutch Van Duzee on December 31, 2008 at 2:20pm — 1 Comment

World Series prediction

I'm taking the Rays in 6. Here's how I see it shaking out:

Rays take the opener behind Kazmir who is able to shut down Utley and Howard. Rays go on to win 3 of the first 4 games with David Price picking up a couple of saves. Hamels wins game 5 at home but the Rays take game 6 back at home.

Series MVP: BJ Upton

Added by Dutch Van Duzee on October 21, 2008 at 7:16am — 4 Comments

Thoughts on game 7

Wow, what a game last night. The Rays go through 5 pitchers in the 8th holding off the Red Sox as they strand the bases loaded. When Barltett made the error to begin the inning, you just knew this was the little opening the Red Sox needed to break through. And they nearly did it...had Coco slid to the base, instead of to the SS, he surely would have been safe, saving them another out.



David Price emerges as the new closer heading into the WS after pitching a strong ninth even after… Continue

Added by Dutch Van Duzee on October 20, 2008 at 6:53am — No Comments

NLCS and ALCS predictions

I'll stick with the Phillies as my pick to make it to the World Series. I think they have an advantage over the Dodgers in their bullpen and hit with more power. I'll say Phillies in 6.

In the AL, I'm taking the Rays in 7. Home field advantage will be key for the Rays.

Added by Dutch Van Duzee on October 9, 2008 at 3:04am — No Comments

Playoff predictions

With the White Sox capturing the final playoff spot, time for some playoff predictions:



Phillies over Brewers in 3. Great offense, great bullpen for the Phillies. Lidge has a chance to shine with no Pujols to face this year in the postseason.



Cubs over Dodgers in 5. This will be a very competitive series and it wouldn't surprise me if the Dodgers win. Lowe, Billingsley and Kuroda were solid down the stretch and there are some question marks with Zambrano and… Continue

Added by Dutch Van Duzee on September 30, 2008 at 7:35pm — 8 Comments

Final weekend of the season

You gotta love these races for the final playoff spots. Last night (Thurs) I enjoyed watching the Twins come back with 2 in the 8th to tie it, and then flip over to the Brewers game (thanks to Directv's Extra Innings package) to catch Braun's walk-off slam. The Twins needed to sweep the Sox in order to stay in the chase, and now they have a half-game lead. The AL Central may come down to a make-up game on Monday for Chicago, followed by a one game playoff for division on Tue..



After… Continue

Added by Dutch Van Duzee on September 26, 2008 at 8:25pm — No Comments

Wild card still up for grabs

yes, the hurricane seemed to kill the Astros momentum (only 2 runs in past 3 games), but the Brewers continue to free fall (losers of 5 in a row), and the Mets (3 straight loses falling out of 1st place) haven't figured out their bullpen issues...there's still hope!

Added by Dutch Van Duzee on September 17, 2008 at 2:40pm — No Comments

Miller Park to host Astros, Cubs

2 and 1/2 back. off to MIlwaukee for 2

Added by Dutch Van Duzee on September 13, 2008 at 7:57pm — 5 Comments

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