By Request For Baseball Mom

Who said she checked my blog today to see if I'd put up the pictures from my trip - click on the following link to to see photos from:

Marla and New Mexico Bean's Excellent Adventure in New Orleans

More travelogue, ignoring the World Series, and whatever else I can manage to write will appear sometime soon - probably this weekend.

I know it's a cliche - be it ever so humble - there's no place like home -- Marla Hooch

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I'm Walkin' To N'awlins

“I’m walkin’ to New Orleans
I’m going to need two pair of shoes
When I get through walkin’ to you
When I get back to New Orleans”
--- Fats Domino


I’m taking Fats advice, packing my bags and heading for a few a few days of who knows what in the Big Easy.

Before I go, a few baseball and non-baseball thoughts:

Regarding the departure of hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo: I’ve always questioned, based on what I’ve read in the media, his philosophy of “aggressive in the strike zone”. However, since I’m not in the clubhouse or taken a batting lesson from him I can’t say for certain that his philosophy was the whole problem with the Rangers offense in 2009. Although I can say this with some certainty: young players in their first major league AB’s struggle – take a look at some early career stats: Michael Young (966 AB - .246 Avg) Mark Teixeira (529 AB - .259 Avg) and Torii Hunter (720 AB - .266 Avg). It seems that a majority of hitters have to learn how to hit pitching at the major league level – no matter how successful they were in the minor leagues. This past season’s lineup was full of hitters who’ve not yet had even two full season’s of AB’s: (Chris Davis, Elvis Andrus, David Murphy, Taylor Teagarden, and Josh Hamilton technically falls into this category too) – statistical and empirical evidence suggests they were going have their ups and downs – which they most certainly did. What that says to me is that whoever is hired as hitting coach next season might receive undue praise for improvements. Younger players are bound to improve as they get more experience – no matter who is the hitting coach. So during the 2010 season when I read the bloggers and media wags who will point to offensive improvements because of the coaching change – I’ll be pouring a large grain of salt on their pronouncements. By the way – the same could be probably be said about the pitching coach change this season.

The playoffs: so the Dodgers and the Angels aren’t as invincible as they appeared during the season? I have to chuckle just a bit, I haven’t seen a team look as bad against the Yankees since, well, 1996, 1998, and 1999. I take small comfort in the fact that the Rangers are not the only ones who wither under the playoff spotlight against New York. It’s apparent (barring a couple of serious baseball miracles) that the World Series will be the Phillies vs. the Yankees. I can’t tell you how disinterested I am in that match-up – except that I think Philadelphia has a reasonable chance of defeating New York (provided the Phillies bullpen doesn’t implode). Do you realize that if the World Series winds up going the full 7 games, the last 3 games will be played Nov 1st, 2nd and 3rd - on the East Coast, at night? If the temperature is above 50 degrees – that will be another baseball miracle. Ridiculous! What’s even more ridiculous is that because of the World Series there won’t be any new episodes of “House” and “Glee” (yes I’ve been suckered in by that show) until mid-November. I know that Bud Selig doesn’t read my blog – but he should. He needs be aware that he is alienating this dependable, die hard baseball fan because of this prolonged playoff schedule. Of course, all Bud cares about is the TV ratings, since New York will be in the series those ratings probably won’t suffer – but I won’t be watching.

Planning my nights by the TV Guide: Speaking of television – the best new series in my always humble opinion is “The Good Wife” on CBS. The cast is terrific, especially Josh Charles (late of “SportsNight” - sigh) and Christine Baranski (who was great in “Mama Mia”). I already mentioned “Glee” on Fox – a guilty pleasure – and I hope an early sign that musicals might be coming back into style. I’ve also been watching “Eastwick” on ABC – I’m not sure it’s really that good – but I’m a charter member of the Paul Gross fan club (“Slings & Arrows”, “Due South”) and I’m kind of surprised how good Rebbeca Romijn is (all those X men movies – really?).

CD’s aren’t obsolete yet (are they?): I head about Rosanne Cash’s new CD “The List” bought it, can’t stop listening to it. The summer after she graduated from high school Rosanne went on tour with her dad – the man in black – Johnny Cash. They were discussing music, when he asked her about more traditional songs – she told him she’d never heard of most of them. Johnny sat down and wrote up a list of 100 “essential” songs he thought she need to know. Rosanne kept the list, and recorded 12 of those songs on her latest CD – it is excellent. Most notable: “500 Miles (accompanied by her daughter Chelsea Crowell), “Heartache By The Numbers (with Elvis Costello) and one of my favorite folk songs “Bury Me Beneath The Weeping Willow”.

On the bookshelf: Just finished Dan Brown’s “ The Lost Symbol” (thank you Mrs. Schmenge for loaning the book). I’m not a big Dan Brown fan – “The Da Vinci Code” was a fast read – but I didn’t think it was anything special – just good storytelling. The same thing with his new book – fast read, nice details, but not particularly impressive. On the other hand, I am impressed with mystery writer Cara Black’s Amiee LeDuc series. Each of the books is set one of the neighborhoods ("arrondissement") of Paris – the mystery usually reflects the character/history of the neighborhood.

Finally: It’s that time of year – less baseball more random odds and ends – 166 days until the home opener on April 5th. Meanwhile:

“I’ve got my suitcase in my hand
Now ain’t that a shame
I’m leavin’today…
Walkin’ to New Orleans”

Laisser les bons temps rouler! -- Marla Hooch

Thus Endeth Another Season....

I'd written a long and rambling entry (what a surprise!) on season's end. Unfortunately, I accidentally deleted it, and I don't have the energy right now to re-construct it -- I'll try to do that next week.

But I do want to say thanks to all my baseball friends who, as always, make the great game even greater - if only because of their presence in my life (and the fact that they put up with me): The Schillers, The Newbergs, The Hindmans, Ms. Berstein, The Lucases, The Massetts, The Botts Clan, Dennis the world's greatest usher, my hero Henry Chadwick and with great affection for Baseball Mom, Neil, Mrs. Schmenge and brother Rob.

I wish Hank Blalock the best wherever he may go (why I do keep thinking he'll be the starting first baseman in Seattle next year?) - I really, really, really hope that we haven't seen the last of Marlon Byrd and Pudge.

I think I've posted pictures of roller coasters several times with my blog entries this year emphasizing the nature of the Rangers 2009 season - it was an unexpected ride of highs and lows. I hope that I can safely say that there is no more "wait till next year" - that 2010 is the year for the Rangers.

The offseason is always too long -- Marla Hooch

P.S. Is there anyone else who thinks MLB needs to re-think their schedule? Do you realize that if the World Series goes a full 7 games the last 3 will be played in November, at night, possibly in Philadelphia, or New York, or maybe even Denver - ridiculous! I wish there were a grass roots movement to persuade (or if you are talking about the owners - bully them) into shortening the season to 154 games - starting a few days later in April and ending a week earlier in September. Dragging the post season out only makes MLB more of a laughing stock and certainly hasn't helped with TV ratings (which haven't been good for post season for quite a while) - or the popularity of the game overall which continues to slowly wan.

I Just Flew In From Seattle....

...and boy are my arms tired.

The Hooch Entourage made one of our semi-annual visits to the Emerald City which happened to coincide with the last three games of the Rangers 2009 season vs the Mariners at Safeco Field.

Just a few random notes, because I am really tired from the trip, I'll blog more about it and other assorted baseball thoughts in my usual end of the week entry.

Friday: Cold and rainy - not a big surprise in the Pacific Northwest in October. The game looked a bit hopeless with Brandon McCarthy making an early exit (is the last time we see him pitch in a Ranger uniform?) I hope it's not the last time we see Omar Vizquel - I think he did a very good job in the utility role and it certainly wouldn't hurt having him around with Elvis Andrus for one more year.

We did get to the see the roof close during the game - which is a pleasant distraction. Additionally, taking the lead at the top of the ninth and winning the game was a good way to end the night (although holding my breath while Frankie Francisco pitched is not something I want to do next season).

Saturday: was different story. The game started at 6:00 Pacific time. Except for Elvis Andrus, that Rangers team looked like they were counting the minutes until they could get back in the clubhouse and check out the college football scores. It was too cold to take pictures, although I did take one of the full moon....er...I...mean harvest moon over Safeco Field. However, it was not too cold for a trip to the Alki Tavern after the game. No Rangers/Mariners series can be considered complete unless there is at least one (or two) visits to this West Seattle institution - the skyline view from the seats by the window at the Alki are worth the trip.

Sunday: made a believer out of me - King Felix deserves the Cy Young award. He's going to be a problem for our hitters for the near and far future -- wish the Rangers could figure out how to draft and develop that kind of a talented pitcher. I don 't want to hear about Holland or Perez or Font or anyone else - they pale in comparison to Felix Hernandez. What I couldn't figure out was: Esteban German and Craig Gentry got to start on Sunday, but Kevin Richardson - who is from Seattle and seemed to have some folks in seats wanting to see him - didn't even get to play an inning - - it was the last game of the season - winning or losing was not even relevant - shame on Ranger management for not putting Kevin in there.

Monday: The harvest moon shone over Lake Union early in the morning as we were getting ready to leave, and the view of Mount Ranier was spectacular on the flight home. During that flight I had plenty of time to think about the Rangers 2009, and came to this conclusion: stat heads and whining sports talk host and bloggers be damned, the Rangers DID have a successful season. They finished with a record better than 20 out of the 30 MLB teams, they had the 8th best record in MLB (tied with the Marlins) and keep in mind if they played in the AL Central (which was a possiblity at one time) they'd be in the playoffs because they have a better record than both the Tigers and Twins.

Finally: Thanks to Mrs. Schmenge, Baseball Mom, Annette and Brian and our friend in the press box for making this another memorable baseball trip - the last one of 2009 - sigh.

If you'd like to see all the pictures from my Seattle trip - click here!

Only 182 more days until Opening Day April 5, 2010 -- Marla Hooch

Respice Stella, Voca Mariam

At one point in the movie "The Big Chill” Michael the writer (played by Jeff Goldblum) is asked what he’s going to write about, he says “this weekend” and then what will he write about after that ?“ last weekend” is his response. The spirit of The Big Chill and Jeff’s dialogue are exactly what I’m writing about tonight. Baseball can wait, I’m going to Seattle to watch the Rangers final three games this weekend and I’ll have plenty to write about next week. Today I’m writing about “last weekend”

Change is inevitable. As John Lennon wrote “There are places I remember all my life, but some have changed. Some forever not for better, some have gone and some remain.” I don’t go back to Cleveland as much as I’d like – no make that as much as a I should. Driving around the old stomping grounds was bittersweet – there’s Subway now where we used to walk up to Lo Paro’s Pizza on Cedar, the I-Hop on Mayfield has been replaced by a Mr. Tire and down the street Spotty’s is now a Phoenix Coffee Shop. The apple orchard next to the college driveway is gone, there’s a Starbuck’s in the library and Harks Hall is a men’s dorm.

But then again, not all changes are for the worse. I’ve heard that some of the NDC alum have stopped donating and attending events because the college went co-ed. All I have to say to these women is – shame on you.

Everyone knew NDC couldn’t survive as an all women’s college. There’s no reason to go into detail about that now – the change was made. I’m happy to report that even though there are very few Sisters of Notre Dame teaching on campus, and yes there are men, computers and athletics – the spirit of NDC remains intact, here’s how I found out. During the Friday night Clambake for the Student and Alumni: Fran, Maui, Schos and I (aka Mrs. B) wandered over to our old dorm - which we will always call Alumnae Hall no matter what the sign says now. We met up with some freshmen living on the first floor who were happy to show us their room. We talked about old times and about the new times too with these lovely girls – during the course of the conversations, I heard one of them say to her roommate “I hope that’s us in 30 years”. Then I knew that whatever else had changed on the campus on College Road - the spirit of the college we love is still the same.

When I was at NDC we used to have a saying that we couldn’t wait to graduate and go to a real college. Well, guess what – NDC is a real college now – it is more vibrant and alive than I’ve ever seen it. The young women and the young men who are enrolled there now are in the best tradition of Notre Dame College and all of its alumni. As the one of the sages of my era, Pete Townshend said “the kids are all right” and so is my beloved college.

It was so great to see everyone again – here’s a link to the pictures I took during the weekend -- that means you click on the word link Maureen and it will take you to the pictures (just kidding – sort of)

Sons and daughters of Our Lady,
’Neath your banner, Notre Dame,
We will pledge devout allegiance
To the College of your name.
We will strive for what you stand for,
We will prove our filial love,
Alma Mater, hear our voices,Which we raise to you above,
Alma Mater, hear our voices,Which we raise to you above

-- Marla Hooch (aka Mr. B aka Eleanor Czajka '79)

30 Years Of Friends.....

Sentiments courtesy of Elton John and Bernie Taupin

"I hope the day will be a lighter highway
For friends are found on every road.
Can you ever think of any better way
For the lost and weary travelers to go?


Making friends for all the world to see,
Let the people know you got what you need.
With a friend at hand you will see the light,
If your friends are there then everything's all right.



It seems to me a crime that we should age,
These fragile times should never slip us by.
A time you never can or shall erase,
As friends together watch their [lifetimes] fly





Making friends for the world to see,
Let the people know you got what you need.
With a friend at hand you will see the light,
If your friends are there then everything’s all right."



I love y'all and I miss you -- Eleanor "Mrs. B" Czajka - NDC Class of 1979

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