Friday, July 17, 2009

Baseball Honeymoon 12

It's finally here...the podcast that YOU thought was done and over with, has Phoenix-like risen from the ashes of burnt out, overworked Wayne and Lisa. Our schedules finally take a breather, and we reacquaint ourselves with the recording equipment.
So; with this momentous moment, this happy happenstance, what do we choose to do? We begin by flogging ourselves publicly. Not for our delinquency in podcasting. No, no, no. We excoriate ourselves by reviewing how our pre-season predictions have fared against the harsh light of reality. Oh yes, we also look at fellow prognosticator Paul White, who fares only slightly better than we. Just for starters, 4 out of our 6 predictions for Rookies of The Year have been demoted. OK, technically it's only 2 players, but 4 predictions, nonetheless.

Sadly, the bloodletting must end, and Lisa brings more smiles to the faces of our listeners by interviewing the 10th overall pick in this year's draft, Drew Storen. The newest National shows just how engaging and garrulous a Stanford education can make you, although I am sure he was always that way.

Music: Lorek and Williams, "Home".

Next comes trivia, wherein we answer the long ago question of what player was the 1st overall pick in the baseball draft TWICE. Then Wayne poses a trivia question based on this year's All Star rosters.

We follow that with an interview that would have worked for a Father's Day show if we'd only had one. Instead it works just as well to have Eric Young Jr. talk about his career and his Dad, right in between appearances at the Futures Game and the AAA All-Star Game. At the former, he hit a big homer, and at the latter, he had the good fortune of having his father be in the broadcast booth!

Music: Lorek and Williams, "The Comedown".

Top 5 returns with our list of 2009 All-Star snubs. Lisa lists players, Wayne pitchers.

We also reiterate that we are looking for YOU guys to become part of the podcast. Bill Heid has retired, so we'd like to fill his slot with musings from our audience. Get on your soapbox, record yourself and send it to us, or if that is too challenging technologically, write it down and we shall read it for you. We want our audience to have a voice!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Baseball Honeymoon on hold

We are sorry, you loyal listeners, but work schedules being what they are, Baseball Honeymoon will be delayed a couple of weeks. We have some great stuff in the can (Lisa interviewing Drew Storren, the newest National), and more to come as Lisa will be covering the Red Sox next week. So stay tuned and keep hitting us back here at the blog. I promise we will have a great show for you once we get the time to make one.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Baseball Honeymoon #11

Back to fresh content for the Honeymooners in episode 11. It's our draft preview show, and we get into exactly how much a crapshoot this thing known as the Rule 4 Draft is.

For "Bagels and Boxscores" we discuss the upcoming 1st ever "Primetime" baseball draft. No, that doesn't mean that Deion Sanders is hosting, it means that they are televising the draft just like the other big sports. Lisa explains why the baseball draft has never been a media event, and why it has suddenly become one. It's a no-brainer for the 1st pick, as San Diego State fireballer Stephen Strasburg is sure to be negotiating with the Nationals by next week. Lisa gives us a few insights into other potential 1st rounders, and tells why caveat emptor applies to those taking pitchers with the 1st overall pick.

For an in-depth view into what goes on behind the scenes with scouts and personnel execs before the draft, listen to Lisa's interview with Cubs Director of Scouting Tim Wilken (17:45), who goes into great detail on just how busy, exhaustive and exhausting this period is for the teams. Tim tells how he delegates authority, and how in these last weeks he has generated enough frequent flyer points to travel to Alpha Centauri.

At 31:52, we hand out another BH mug for our winner of last episode's Trivia contest. Lisa tells us where indeed there are no MLB affiliated teams. Then she posits a draft oriented question that is really a great piece of trivia.

To see the other side of the coin, the draft from the draftee's perspective, at 36:22 we talk to ex-closer and member of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox Dustin Hermanson. Dustin was the 3rd overall pick in the 1994 amateur draft, and he reminisces for us about that experience. He also tells us about the great people he surrounded himself with as far as coaches and agents, and how it helped him through this process.

Music 45:34- Freddie Cole, "Why Did I Choose You?"

At 46:03 we list our Top 5 Baseball Busts (of recent memory). Lisa concentrates on draft miscues, and Wayne stretches to discuss the overhyped players who didn't pan out; particularly those from foreign countries. You know Lisa's picks are big time busts, since you have probably never heard their names. Some of her picks are still trying to get careers on track*, and some are just plain done. A couple pf Wayne's picks are actually in the big leagues now, and remain disappointments. Yes we are a bit negative, but the world isn't all balloons and puppies. It's also puppies being suffocated by balloons, and nasty crawling things all over your......

Sorry, I was flashing back to the plot of my freshman year roommate's 1st short movie.

Out Music: "Take Me or Leave Me", Original Cast Recording of "Rent".

Next episode will be our Father's Day show. Anyone for a nice game of "catch"?

* PET PEEVE: The term "On Track" as in "He's getting his career on track" is correct...a metaphor for a train that has come off the tracks that is now back on them. The use of the word "untracked" as a substitute for "on track" is wrong. And it's stupid. If someone is getting his career "untracked", that is a BAD thing, people.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Baseball Honeymoon 10

It's our 1st "Best of" show. Remember how in the Brady Bunch, they needed a new show but didn't have any writers available, or one or two of the show's actors were not on set? Well, they used to have the available actors sit on the couch and reminisce about all the kooky stuff that had happened to them.

Sorry to say that Lisa has been swamped with work this year (she is now a backup beat writer for MLB.com, plus still doing her columns and other articles) so we had to put the new content on hold for a bit.

Wayne decided he would get the old BH cutting block out, and digi-splice together a compilation of some of his favorite moments in BH history. We've got Frish on Malcolm X, Bouton on his Shea debut after "Ball Four" got published, Grady Little on Tim Robbins' pitching delivery, lots of prospects on their idols, Lisa Swan on Citifield/Yankee Stadium, Fernando Perez on scoring the biggest run in Rays' history, Bill Heid doing a broadcasters bit, Lisa and Wayne acting like little kids and also a little audio listener feedback from Mark Novak.

Our next show will be about the draft, and Lisa has got some great ideas. We will also do trivia then...so contestants please be patient till BH11. Coming soon to an Ipod near you!

Friday, May 1, 2009

Baseball Honeymoon #9

Heyyyyyy, get ya Bud Light, heeeah. Get your Natty Bo! HOT dawwwwgs. PeaNUUUTS, peanuts.

That’s right people. We are going out to the old ballpark on Baseball Honeymoon this time. The good news is there are no bad seats on a podcast. We start out in the car on the way to the park, talking about the standings after the 1st month of Major League play, and Lisa and Wayne marvel at the some of the topsy-turvy numbers. The Yankees team era is near the bottom despite having paid all those millions out for CC and AJ. On the other hand, the bargain basement Buccos are missing bats very well, thank you. Other shockers discussed are the Mariners, the Royals and the Marlins.

At 14:46 we arrive at the gate and meet Houston Astros personnel executive Paul Ricciarini, widely respected as one of baseball’s top scouts. Like Johnny Cash, Paul’s been everywhere, man! He has seen almost all of the big and small league parks, and Lisa gets his take on what’s really good and interesting at contemporary ballparks.

As we get to our seats, it’s pre-game trivia time at 26:35, and Wayne lets you know exactly how it was that the 1969 Mets stole WS MVP Donn Clendenon away from the expansion Expos. Lisa then gives us a poser for which you will probably need your pocket USA maps.

At 1st pitch (33:00), we realize we are sitting next to Lisa Swan, who co-writes the fabulously successful and side-achingly funny blog “Subway Squawkers”. Lisa Swan has visited two parks Paul hasn’t made it to yet, Citifield and the new Yankee Stadium. We get the lowdown from Ms. Swan about the good, bad and ugly of the pricey new stadia. And yes, she is just as funny in voice as she is on paper/monitor.

49:29 The PA system blares “There Used to Be a Ballpark Here”, the C.O.B.

During the 7th inning stretch (50:15), we see that Bill Heid has flown back from China for a game, adding to his Herculean attendance numbers. Bill reminisces about his favorite memories at the ballpark.

The closer takes the mound at 54:52, and we finish our day at the park with our Top 5 ballpark memories. Wayne describes a Crime Dog blast, Lisa describes a hot dog bomb. Wayne dodges a missile from Rock, Lisa describes a Hawaiian giving a rock to his bride. Confused? Well, that’s why they play the games!

As we leave the ballpark, the PA plays “I’ll Be Seeing You”, by Trio Balança. Much better than “New York, New York”!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Baseball Honeymoon # 8

Baseball Honeymoon #8

Happy Anniversary! In celebrating 25 years of wedded bliss, Lisa and Wayne talk about some big baseball anniversaries we are marking this season.

We start out giving a little too much personal info, but those of you still listening afterwards will hear us wax rhapsodic about some important, happy and sad events in baseball history that are in their 5 or 0 year cycle. Wayne’s orange and blue blood spills all over the virtual pavement as he recalls the 1969 Amazin’ Mets, the team that hooked him as a baseball fan. Lisa discusses a few important events, including the ruling that allows women in the locker room, something that has allowed her to make a living as a sportswriter. She also reminisces about her 1st year covering baseball fulltime, as a beat writer covering the 1989 Carolina League champs the Prince William Cannons.

One event being actively commemorated this year is the 150th anniversary of the very first college baseball game, coincidentally played by Lisa’s alma mater, Amherst College against their long-time rival Williams. Our guest at 19:48 is Amherst alumnus Dan Duquette, who was also a GM in MLB for the Expos and the Red Sox. Dan is helping to plan a “vintage game” reenacting the look and rules of that initial game, which will take place on the same day as the scheduled 2009 Amherst/Williams game. Dan also gets into a discussion about his sports academy, and the shameful fact that his daughter has rejected her legacy, and is soon to graduate from the hated Williams College. Of course he is very proud of her, but at gametime, they will be on opposite sides of the field. Finally, the extended interview ends with a discussion of the greatest Expo team ever, the team that 15 years ago was robbed of their 1st and only chance to go to the World Series by the work stoppage of 1994. Dan was a major architect of that team, and tells a little of his pride and frustration.

Music 35:38: “No One Else”, the Wayne Wilentz Trio f/Pam Bricker

It’s trivia time at 36:38, and Lisa probably came up with the hardest question ever last episode. Amazingly, someone did get the answer. Wayne’s question for this show revolves around his Miracle Mets, and will be eminently easier to solve. Listener Feedback comes next, and our listeners chime in on the most unbreakable records out there. Lots of great offerings, all debatable, get read and receive the usual BH raspberry. Just kidding, friends!

The 40th anniversary of division play comes under scrutiny at 52:37 by Bill Heid on this show’s “Curly W” segment. Bill painstakingly reviewed all the teams that got screwed by lesser teams in the post-season. Afterwards, Wayne plays devil’s advocate, and rebuts the arguments by the district attorney. In defending his client, Wayne states that Divisional Play was at home playing Xbox with the DH and Infield Fly rules at the time of the alleged infraction. You, the jury, get to decide.

Music 58:19: “And We Talked”- Wayne Wilentz f/Steve Washington

At 59:11 it’s time for our top 5 most unbreakable records. Lisa and Wayne had similar guidelines, but all of Wayne’s list are actual records. Lisa’s are modern day records, ruling out stats that were set before the live-ball era. Wayne simply ruled out those records.
Understand? Nope? Well, maybe it’s clearer when you listen. Doubtful, but what’s a few minutes between baseball nuts? The game has no clock, and neither should you! You didn’t file your taxes yet? BFD. Don’t worry about the government, they’ll just print more money! It’s easy, and sure makes paying A Rod’s salary less painful!

Out Music: “Doin’ It With You”- Wayne Wilentz f/ Pam Bricker.

Next week’s show will be out ballparks and ballpark memories. What’s that falling out of the sky? It’s a bird…it’s a plane…it’s hot dog rolls? Lisa…..duck!!

Friday, April 3, 2009

Baseball Honeymoon #7

It’s our opening day blowout on Baseball Honeymoon. You get an extra 25% of talk for the same low, low price of….of ..ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! FREE! GRATIS, BABY!

Episode 7 diverges from our usual format to include lengthy chats with two of the most informed and informative journalists in the game, Paul White of USA Today, and Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com. We all do our best Kreskin/Nostradamus/Geithner and see a clear vision of the future.

At 2:09 Paul and the Honeymooners (sounds like a terrible name for a band in the ‘60’s) give their prognostications for the 2009 Major League season. All 3 agree that the east is best in both leagues and will provide the wild cards along with the pennant winners. However, all 3 pick different winners! Fun moments include the audible shudders caused by the mention of Kris Benson’s comeback, Lisa’s usual shocker pick for the World Series (think alligators) and Paul yelling “Homer Bailey’s throwin’ strikes!” He also defines the new verb in Doubleday’s Dictionary, to “Longoria”. I guess the infinitive would be “longorar”, no? Yo longoro, usted longoras, Nos longoramos….

35:02: Music- “Take Me Out To The Ballgame”- Bob Bruno

We read some listener’s predictions at 35:37, and there are some interesting and off-the-wall offerings. Ex-pitcher Brandon Kolb chips in, along with some of other new contributors. Then it’s time for Trivia, wherein Lisa anoints a new trivia champ who got our “1st ex-player in the Broadcaster’s wing of the HOF” question. Then she posits the toughest question so far. Good luck with this one, experts!

44:51: Music- “Take Me Out To The Ballgame”- Max Murray

MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo joins us at 44:51 for a reunion of the great internet radio show “Around The Minors”. Jonathan was calling us from an apparent rare spring hurricane, so please excuse the annoying wind noise. Lisa and Jonathan select their top 3 or so minor league players and pitchers of the year, and you are going to hear about a lot of great young talent. You don’t get more knowledgeable about prospects than Lisa and Jonathan, so if you are scouting for your roto team, make a point of checking this out before your draft.

Music-63:37- “Take Me Out To The Ballgame”, William Hung

It’s time for Top 5’s at 63:48. Instead of looking forward, Wayne and Lisa look back, and list the most one-sided deals in recent memory. The only requirement to make this list is that the teams and/or players involved are still being affected by the deal. I think we uncovered a few that might be Brock for Broglio bad. It’s not all second-guessing, Wayne still remembers the cry of anguish that escaped his mouth upon reading about his number 1 choice. Let’s just say that every time Steve Phillips appears on his TV screen, Wayne “goes Cujo”. Lisa gives The O’s (and Wayne’s high school classmate Andy MacPhail) extreme props for a deal that their fans were upset about at the time, but are now grinning happily to themselves when they see the result.

Music 79:39: “Take Me Out To The Ballgame”, Dana Wilentz (at age 3).

This show ran so long, that again we had to bump Bill Heid’s segment. But fear not, Bill will be back next show .

Our next episode will celebrate our 25th Anniversary! You read it right, kids….and they said it wouldn’t last!.
It also is the 20th anniversary of Lisa covering the minors, so we hope to have some guests that represent that era.
Don’t forget to surf over to our Facebook Group, and suggest themes, Top 5’s and guests you would like us to have on future shows.