Jaybird's Jottings

SABR39: Helpful Info and Links - Ford's Theater

(This is a continuing series that will provide info and links to those attending the convention in D.C.   Any and all opinions and observations are mine.  Be sure and also check out the Convention website for periodic updates.)

 

Finding free time at a SABR convention is not easy.  Lucky for you, the 39th Convention in the nation's capital is destination-rich, with many places within walking distance.   One of the nearby spots is Ford's Theater, which lies four blocks to the east.   The museum and historic theater is getting rave reviews after 18 months of renovations and improvements.

The Penn Quarter Living blog recently took a behind-the-scenes tour.    It's nicely done and includes photos.  

Be sure and also read the Washington Post's review (Creating a Living Theater), which the SABR Convention site has also made note of.   It includes a photo set. 

The Ford's Theater site has a virtual tour.

Some of the Lincoln Bicentennial events in Washington will have ended by the time July rolls around but some will be here for an extended period of time.    One such exhibit is at the National Museum of American History, which also had a Grand Re-Opening earlier this year.  Their website has a 32-page on-line exhibit as well as a video tour.

Potomac Eagles: Update

If you've been driving north along the George Washington Parkway the last couple of weeks, and got annoyed at a Prius that was going the speed limit (translation:  going too slow) on the approach to Old Town Alexandria, well, that's been me.  

The pair of eagles I mentioned a couple of weeks ago continue to draw attention from birders and photographers.    Searching for update info, I found a new set of photos at Flickr.   Philliefan99, using a 70-300mm lens, took some wonderful shots.   The story of the bald eagles also made the Alexandria Gazette Packet.   Birders have named them Alex and Belle.

If you want to see these eagles in person, you can no longer park at the gravel pull off.   As philliefan noted, the park service has put up a barricade.   You can park at the northern most lot near Belle Haven Marina, and walk along the Mount Vernon Trail, about a 10 minute walk.  

If you come, be forewarned.  The park police are eagle-eyed too...

Greater Greater Washington

Alpert, 31, started the blog just over a year ago as a way to better understand community planning. "I've always been interested in the forces that shape the communities we live in and what makes for good, livable neighborhoods or bad, isolating places," he says. Alpert has plenty of personal experience to draw on: In addition to Washington, he's lived in Boston, San Francisco, and New York. - Washingtonian Magazine

Congrats to blogger David Alpert for an excellent interview with Washingtonian magazine.   His blog is one of my favorite reads every day.  He covers not only quality of life issues affecting the District, but the suburbs and the whole of Washington.   His recent one year anniversary party was well-attended.

Keep up the great work David!

Baseball is Back

That's the true harbinger of spring, not crocuses or swallows returning to Capistrano, but the sound of a bat on a ball. - Bill Veeck

I caught the last few innings of the Giants-Indians game on MLBN.   Good to see them start off like this.    This contest, Cleveland's first in its new digs, had some symmetry to it.   When the Indians hosted the Giants on March 8, 1947, that game ushered in the Cactus League.  The Giants got a bit of revenge today, as the Indians beat them back then 3 to 1.

Today is one of those days when you feel like you're finally turning a corner on winter.   It's supposed to be in the low 60s tomorrow and Friday.  

Now if the Nats would just hurry up and replace Bowden with one of these guys, life will be fairly good. 

Giants at Indians

Sorry this is last minute but I just read it at Maury Brown's Biz of Baseball Site.  He has the MLB Network's televised games schedule for Spring Training and the first game, this afternoon, is the Big Fellows at the Indians in their new ballpark.

 

The Lady Terps

Sports attendance conversations and articles don't usually include women's NCAA basketball, but perhaps they should.   Here in Washington, the city and area are proud of Maryland's team, who has done well on the court as well as in the seats.  

The Washington Post covered this topic the other day.   In the last three seasons, the Lady Terps have led the ACC in attendance.   Crowds as large as 17,950 have packed the College Park campus arena, located just a few miles outside D.C.  

In Sunday's win over Duke, the game drew a crowd of 16,344, fifth-largest in ACC women's basketball history. The top 10 crowds have all been at Maryland.

Maryland's season average has been as high as 9,533 (2005-2006).   So far this year, Coach Brenda Frese's squad is averaging 7,729 at home.   That figure is more than the league's bottom five teams combined and almost double North Carolina's average as third best.  

After the game yesterday, the team stood together on mid-court as coach Frese picked up a mic and addressed those who had stuck around.  She thanked them for supporting the team.    This fan-connecting is a great thing, but so is winning and great players.   Senior stars Kristi Toliver and Marissa Coleman poured in 34 and 24 points respectively on Sunday.  Toliver now has 2,000 points and 1,035 rebounds, good enough for eighth best in ACC history.  This set of players is now 118-18, the best in school history. 

Women's basketball has come a long way.  I can remember attending their ACC tournament in Fayetteville, North Carolina in the 80s.  I just walked up to the Coliseum box office, bought the tickets and had fairly good seats.

Don't try that with the Lady Terps.

The First Tosser

It's been rumored for some time now, but the Nationals have officially invited President Obama to throw out the first pitch for their home opener.   (His beloved White Sox have also invited him to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, which would be the week before).

A writer for Chicago has an interesting take on this.

It would be a slight break from tradition -- the President usually throws out the first pitch of his presidency in Baltimore or Washington. (Speaking of which, how furious must you be if you're Baltimore. The new Nationals are totally bogarting Opening Day presidential attention. Not cool.)

Uh?  Is this another example of only recent history counts? 

Apologies if he's kidding but that's a weird take on things.  Baltimore pinch-hit for Washington during "The Absence" but the tradition began in the nation's capital in 1910 and continued almost every year until 1971.

The Nationals are not doing a lot of great things right now, but they got the "presidential attention" thing down pretty good.

Lay it in there lefty…
  

Yaz Better than Ted?

Welcome to MLB Network Survivor.  This is the show where you'll see a group of sabermetric baseball analysts try to survive a week of watching nothing but our own Harold Reynolds, Dan Plesac and John Hart talk baseball.  

Ok, so you might say I count myself among those who are not pleased when it comes to the MLB Network's choice of talking heads.   I am, however, willing to say I think overall they're doing a good job. 

But you should have seen me rolling my eyes this morning as I watched the debut segment of their 30 Clubs in 30 Days Spring Training special.    Some baseball fans are no doubt disappointed they began with the Red Sox, but I just chalked that up to the fact that their trip through the Sunshine State had to begin somewhere, and the further south, the further the chance of toasty temps.

No, I'm annoyed at what came on about 50 minutes past the hour.  As part of their look at the team, they are covering the best moments in franchise history, as well as the All-Time Team.   I thought they would list the best moments, but instead we got a video montage heavy on the past few seasons.

Can't really beef about that either but check out what they had to say about the BoSox greatest left fielder.   We all agree the no doubt pick is Ted Williams, he of not much leather, but a career OPS+ of 191, right?

Well Dan Plesac vehemently objected to that selection and insisted it should be Yaz.  

Here Dan, a free copy of Bill James Historical Abstract.

You know how my mind works, right?   I've begun to think about how they will handle the Giants.   If you're in the company of those of us who proudly own a copy of Turkin and Thompson's Official Encyclopedia of Baseball, the moldy one where the World Series begins in 1882, you'll hope they will include the 19th Century greats.  

Sorry guys, that boat left a long time ago. 

For some team look backs, beginning in 1903 may not be a big deal.  But for the big fellows, you could make the case that Buck Ewing is their best catcher, George Davis best shortstop and Amos Rusie and Tim Keefe belong in the discussion for starting five.  

Jettisoning that era, it does make the discussion a bit easier.  I think the obvious picks are McCovey at first, Kent at second, Bonds in left, Mays in center and Ott in right.  

Catcher is really tough.  Chief Meyer and Roger Bresnahan have better numbers, but I think it will come down to Wes Westrum, Dick Dietz and Tom Haller. 

Shortstop is the same sort of thing with Travis Jackson and Art Fletcher having better numbers but they might go with someone they've seen.  

Art Devlin also has a strong case at third but I would have no problem with Matt Williams. 

Sometimes it isn't easy making these picks, but Yaz over the Splendid Splinter? 

Any odds on who blows the first fuse?

Stan Kasten Keynote Speaker at SABR Convention

The SABR Convention site announces three speakers for the Convention here in Washington.  Nationals President Stan Kasten will be the keynote speaker.   Also appearing will be Christina Kahrl and Paul White, Senior Editor of USA Today.

Kasten is the type of speaker who you want after the banquet meal.  He's a fast talker and animated.   But he's also the type who can take 100 words to say what should just take 50.   

Great to see Kahlr will be here, she brings her wealth of Baseball Prospectus knowledge and became a member of BWAA last year. 

Speaking of Baseball Prospectus, they're about to begin their speaking tour for their Annual Guide.   Washingtonians mark your calendars for March 17 at Politics and Prose and March 18 at Georgetown University.  

 

Elton John and Billy Joel Concert at Nationals Park

According to the Washington Post's blog DC Wire, Elton John and Billy Joel will bring their Face 2 Face Tour to Nationals Park in July.  (hat tip JD)

So what's your favorite EJ album?  That's a toughie but I was always fond of Rock of the Westies.

My favorite BJ album is also tough but I'll go with River of Dreams.