New Cub A Friend Of Matt January 27, 2011 8:34 AM Subscribe
"If your article was well written, and/or funny, I’d simply have had a laugh about it and went back to metafilter.com where I belong when I’m on the net when it was forwarded to me." A shoutout by new Cub... Metafilter's own.... Fernando Perez.
So, as a throw-in for Matt Garza in a trade between the Tampa Bay (nee Devil) Rays and the Chicago Cubs, a light-hitting outfielder Fernando Perez gets thrown in. A Cubs humor writer posts a light, lazy piece making fun of him. Perez responds. Columnist apologizes. Perez gracefully accepts the apology, and in doing so gives us a shout-out.
I'm still a Twins fan, but that's pretty cool.
So, as a throw-in for Matt Garza in a trade between the Tampa Bay (nee Devil) Rays and the Chicago Cubs, a light-hitting outfielder Fernando Perez gets thrown in. A Cubs humor writer posts a light, lazy piece making fun of him. Perez responds. Columnist apologizes. Perez gracefully accepts the apology, and in doing so gives us a shout-out.
I'm still a Twins fan, but that's pretty cool.
As a Cardinals fan, is this something I'd need a billy goat to understand?
posted by mysterpigg at 8:49 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by mysterpigg at 8:49 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
He's a public figure all right, so I hope this is cool and not too stalkery.
Fernando Perez's wikapedia page.
The goofy magazine photo, I presume.
posted by bonehead at 8:51 AM on January 27, 2011
Fernando Perez's wikapedia page.
The goofy magazine photo, I presume.
posted by bonehead at 8:51 AM on January 27, 2011
I wish I'd known how awesome this guy was when he was still a Ray. Godspeed to blustery Chicago, Fernando Perez. Love this video.
posted by penduluum at 8:52 AM on January 27, 2011
posted by penduluum at 8:52 AM on January 27, 2011
(also: I'm definitely naming my fantasy team next year The Ironic Hipster Baseball Pretenders.)
posted by penduluum at 8:56 AM on January 27, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by penduluum at 8:56 AM on January 27, 2011 [5 favorites]
Yeah, real baseball players. Still not beating out Doug Glanville (link I'm referring to in that comment is dead, now available here) on my personal list of awesome baseball nerds, but quickly skyrocketing up the chart. Mr. Perez, I think I have a spot for you on my fantasy baseball team in 2012.
posted by norm at 8:58 AM on January 27, 2011
posted by norm at 8:58 AM on January 27, 2011
Oh man, he should come to one of our monthly Billy Goat meetups! How cool would that be? Hey Fernando - 1st Wednesday of every month. Pencil it in.
posted by misskaz at 9:06 AM on January 27, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by misskaz at 9:06 AM on January 27, 2011 [4 favorites]
Thanks, bonehead -- I'm not a baseball follower, but I really enjoyed reading his NYTimes article. It's really nice, and I liked the ending. I like him.
posted by amtho at 9:14 AM on January 27, 2011
posted by amtho at 9:14 AM on January 27, 2011
I was trying to parse this and figure out whether you were talking about real professional baseball players or some sort of ironic hipster baseball pretenders.
He was a real professional baseball player, but then he got traded to the Cubs.
posted by burnmp3s at 9:20 AM on January 27, 2011 [20 favorites]
He was a real professional baseball player, but then he got traded to the Cubs.
posted by burnmp3s at 9:20 AM on January 27, 2011 [20 favorites]
And that's a joke about baseball, am I picking this all up correctly?
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:21 AM on January 27, 2011 [20 favorites]
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:21 AM on January 27, 2011 [20 favorites]
Fuck do I love it when baseball players are smart and write well. That's like my two main loves combined together into a sloppy ice cream sandwich of nerdy, athletic beauty.
posted by ORthey at 9:21 AM on January 27, 2011 [9 favorites]
posted by ORthey at 9:21 AM on January 27, 2011 [9 favorites]
Also, it gives me tremendous and irrational joy to know that a professional baseball player calls MetaFilter "where I belong when I'm on the net."
posted by ORthey at 9:23 AM on January 27, 2011 [9 favorites]
posted by ORthey at 9:23 AM on January 27, 2011 [9 favorites]
As a fifth generation Cubs fan, I'd say the best way to get back at this dopey columnist is by rubbing a fresh 2011 World Series pennant in his smug little face!!
Please? We've been at it for five, going on six, generations for god's sake! Pretty please?
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 9:31 AM on January 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
Please? We've been at it for five, going on six, generations for god's sake! Pretty please?
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 9:31 AM on January 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
Wow, what a neat person. I hadn't run across him before because my head is so far up Red Sox...Nation. Glad to make the acquaintance and I do hope he already posts here, or will start...
posted by Miko at 9:31 AM on January 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Miko at 9:31 AM on January 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
a professional baseball player calls MetaFilter "where I belong when I'm on the net."
Yeah, ORthey, that is too cool.
posted by Rock Steady at 9:31 AM on January 27, 2011
Yeah, ORthey, that is too cool.
posted by Rock Steady at 9:31 AM on January 27, 2011
Dang it, kaz beat me to it. But seriously, dude, meetups 1st Wednesday of the montgh and/or the auxiliary mid-month pizza meet-up -- first tiny beer/regular-sized beer on me.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:36 AM on January 27, 2011
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:36 AM on January 27, 2011
I'm familiar with asavage, cstross, stevewoz and the other "famous" MeFites that are members ... is there a list of known famous readers or lurkers who are not members?
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:36 AM on January 27, 2011
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:36 AM on January 27, 2011
I hadn't run across him before because my head is so far up Red Sox...Nation.
Hmm. It appears -- based on his Wikipedia page -- that he scored the winning run for the Rays against the Sox in the 2008 ALCS, so, swings and roundabouts, I guess. Glad I won't have to root against him now that he is no longer in the AL East.
posted by Rock Steady at 9:36 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Hmm. It appears -- based on his Wikipedia page -- that he scored the winning run for the Rays against the Sox in the 2008 ALCS, so, swings and roundabouts, I guess. Glad I won't have to root against him now that he is no longer in the AL East.
posted by Rock Steady at 9:36 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Hmm. It appears -- based on his Wikipedia page -- that he scored the winning run for the Rays against the Sox in the 2008 ALCS, so, swings and roundabouts, I guess.
I'm not a detailed type of fan, just the light and fruity kind we have around here.
posted by Miko at 9:40 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm not a detailed type of fan, just the light and fruity kind we have around here.
posted by Miko at 9:40 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
The Ironic Hipster Baseball Pretenders
Their best song is "Back On The Ironic Hipster Baseball Chain Gang."
posted by mintcake! at 9:49 AM on January 27, 2011 [12 favorites]
Their best song is "Back On The Ironic Hipster Baseball Chain Gang."
posted by mintcake! at 9:49 AM on January 27, 2011 [12 favorites]
Metafilter: I’d simply have had a laugh about it and went back to metafilter.com where I belong when I’m on the net when it was forwarded to me.
Sorry. I'll see myself out and go back to metafilter.com where I belong when I'm on the net when I see myself out of metafilter.com.
posted by iconomy at 9:53 AM on January 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
Sorry. I'll see myself out and go back to metafilter.com where I belong when I'm on the net when I see myself out of metafilter.com.
posted by iconomy at 9:53 AM on January 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
Sweet! Also, him and Roger Mason are pulling off that hairstyle I can just never quite get right. Damnit.
posted by cashman at 9:59 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by cashman at 9:59 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
This is one of those things that I need to something to understand it.
posted by crunchland at 10:02 AM on January 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by crunchland at 10:02 AM on January 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
is there a list of known famous readers or lurkers who are not members?
Well, I don't know how to put this, but I'm kind of a big deal.
posted by jbickers at 10:19 AM on January 27, 2011 [8 favorites]
Well, I don't know how to put this, but I'm kind of a big deal.
posted by jbickers at 10:19 AM on January 27, 2011 [8 favorites]
amro, you ain't kidding. That was awesome. I'd pony up the $5 to make this guy a Mefite any day.
posted by Aizkolari at 10:24 AM on January 27, 2011
posted by Aizkolari at 10:24 AM on January 27, 2011
Wow, now we can both hate the White Sox together!
posted by klangklangston at 10:32 AM on January 27, 2011
posted by klangklangston at 10:32 AM on January 27, 2011
I thought everyone knew that 'The Whelk' was a pro ball player.
Brass in ironic hipster baseball pocket
posted by jtron at 10:33 AM on January 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
Brass in ironic hipster baseball pocket
posted by jtron at 10:33 AM on January 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
Dammit, someone already sponsors his Baseball Reference page
posted by jtron at 10:37 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by jtron at 10:37 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Well, I don't know how to put this, but I'm kind of a big deal.
Next time I'm in Louisville and your radio station is handing out keychains and beer coozies at the new Chevy dealership's grand opening, I'll look you up.
Ouch! Zing. Wow, that was offsides. I don't know what came over me there. Seriously, I kid, I kid... I suggest a dose of good-natured retaliation. Have I mentioned that I'm balding and overweight? Start there.
But seriously, I'm in the video game business, and I'm reminded of the time I met Coolio, and he said he was in a Tribes2 clan, only no one believed it was him. "Here comes that guy that thinks he's Coolio..." Just wondering if anyone had heard of any other readers. The site is big enough; it'd be a kick to hear about other readers.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 10:39 AM on January 27, 2011 [5 favorites]
Next time I'm in Louisville and your radio station is handing out keychains and beer coozies at the new Chevy dealership's grand opening, I'll look you up.
Ouch! Zing. Wow, that was offsides. I don't know what came over me there. Seriously, I kid, I kid... I suggest a dose of good-natured retaliation. Have I mentioned that I'm balding and overweight? Start there.
But seriously, I'm in the video game business, and I'm reminded of the time I met Coolio, and he said he was in a Tribes2 clan, only no one believed it was him. "Here comes that guy that thinks he's Coolio..." Just wondering if anyone had heard of any other readers. The site is big enough; it'd be a kick to hear about other readers.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 10:39 AM on January 27, 2011 [5 favorites]
Damn, that little Poetry essay is good. The guy can write.
posted by neroli at 10:39 AM on January 27, 2011
posted by neroli at 10:39 AM on January 27, 2011
mintcake!: "Their best song is "Back On The Ironic Hipster Baseball Chain Gang.""
I preferred "Ironic Hipster Baseball Tattooed Love Boys" myself.
posted by namewithoutwords at 10:40 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
I preferred "Ironic Hipster Baseball Tattooed Love Boys" myself.
posted by namewithoutwords at 10:40 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Now the reason we're here, as Ironic hipster baseball man and woman......
posted by Malla at 10:56 AM on January 27, 2011
posted by Malla at 10:56 AM on January 27, 2011
Next year is here!
For values of nerdy baseball fangirling.
posted by sugarfish at 11:17 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
For values of nerdy baseball fangirling.
posted by sugarfish at 11:17 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Next time I'm in Louisville and your radio station is handing out keychains and beer coozies at the new Chevy dealership's grand opening, I'll look you up.
Dude, we're public radio. We can't afford those things.
(And I wasn't actually suggesting that I'm a big deal. I just wanted to make an "Anchorman" reference.)
posted by jbickers at 11:19 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Dude, we're public radio. We can't afford those things.
(And I wasn't actually suggesting that I'm a big deal. I just wanted to make an "Anchorman" reference.)
posted by jbickers at 11:19 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
And I wasn't actually suggesting that I'm a big deal.
I was just being a snarky dick and should be ashamed. ;-)
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 11:37 AM on January 27, 2011
I was just being a snarky dick and should be ashamed. ;-)
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 11:37 AM on January 27, 2011
I wish New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady were a member here so I could make jokes about him TO HIS SMUG PLAYOFF-GAME-LOSING FACE.
His handsome, supermodel-marrying, Maybach-driving, Hall-of-Fame-bound, best-quarterback-of-his-era face. I loathe you, Tom Brady, with all the loathing an ugly, unathletic, unaccomplished man can muster.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 11:38 AM on January 27, 2011 [4 favorites]
His handsome, supermodel-marrying, Maybach-driving, Hall-of-Fame-bound, best-quarterback-of-his-era face. I loathe you, Tom Brady, with all the loathing an ugly, unathletic, unaccomplished man can muster.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 11:38 AM on January 27, 2011 [4 favorites]
And I wasn't actually suggesting that I'm a big deal.
I was just being a snarky dick and should be ashamed. ;-)
This is really getting meta now.
posted by norm at 11:43 AM on January 27, 2011
I was just being a snarky dick and should be ashamed. ;-)
This is really getting meta now.
posted by norm at 11:43 AM on January 27, 2011
I imagine that if I were some sort of famous person (spoiler: I am not), I would attempt to keep that unknown from fellow MeFites. Just so I could contribute like anyone else and not have everything I say be all special because I'm some ball player.
I really, really agree with you on that one (spoiler: I am a superhero--librarian, don'tcha know?--but not famous). I think of that recent thread where Carol Mosley Braun's son commented and all of a sudden it was awkward for people who wanted to comment about his mother in a not so positive way.
After all, you can't criticize X when Famous Representative of X is present; not to mention, Famous Representative of X must get awfully tired when an FPP on X shows up and they are expected to pass Famous Representative of X Judgment on it.
posted by librarylis at 11:51 AM on January 27, 2011 [4 favorites]
I really, really agree with you on that one (spoiler: I am a superhero--librarian, don'tcha know?--but not famous). I think of that recent thread where Carol Mosley Braun's son commented and all of a sudden it was awkward for people who wanted to comment about his mother in a not so positive way.
After all, you can't criticize X when Famous Representative of X is present; not to mention, Famous Representative of X must get awfully tired when an FPP on X shows up and they are expected to pass Famous Representative of X Judgment on it.
posted by librarylis at 11:51 AM on January 27, 2011 [4 favorites]
This is great, thanks for posting it here.
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:51 AM on January 27, 2011
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:51 AM on January 27, 2011
I imagine that if I were some sort of famous person (spoiler: I am not), I would attempt to keep that unknown from fellow MeFites.
Yeah, he should resist the temptation to out himself or risk having people fawn embarrassingly over every comment he makes a la asavage.
posted by amro at 11:52 AM on January 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
Yeah, he should resist the temptation to out himself or risk having people fawn embarrassingly over every comment he makes a la asavage.
posted by amro at 11:52 AM on January 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
I would attempt to keep that unknown from fellow MeFites.
Yeah, cuz the Woz comment elicited a Meta, any author that chimes in on something....Meta. I imagine when asavage utters something here.......Meta.
"Dude...I made a snarky joke and ADAM SAVAGE called me a snarky douche!!! I'll never wash my snarky douche machine again."
posted by nevercalm at 12:07 PM on January 27, 2011 [4 favorites]
Yeah, cuz the Woz comment elicited a Meta, any author that chimes in on something....Meta. I imagine when asavage utters something here.......Meta.
"Dude...I made a snarky joke and ADAM SAVAGE called me a snarky douche!!! I'll never wash my snarky douche machine again."
posted by nevercalm at 12:07 PM on January 27, 2011 [4 favorites]
Wow, teach me to read most of a thread, go make a fire and put on pasta, then comment without previewing.
(aka...damnit amro!)
posted by nevercalm at 12:08 PM on January 27, 2011
(aka...damnit amro!)
posted by nevercalm at 12:08 PM on January 27, 2011
mefi baseball players! fuck yeah!
(now I'm thinking about putting together a post about baseball stats nerds and sabr or something in prep for the start of the season.)
posted by rmd1023 at 12:17 PM on January 27, 2011
(now I'm thinking about putting together a post about baseball stats nerds and sabr or something in prep for the start of the season.)
posted by rmd1023 at 12:17 PM on January 27, 2011
MetaFilter: Where you go to hear some inside baseball.
posted by ignignokt at 12:26 PM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by ignignokt at 12:26 PM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
speaking of baseball, are we ever gonna get Metafilter long-sleeve baseball tshirts with our user ID numbers on the back or what?
posted by xbonesgt at 12:29 PM on January 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by xbonesgt at 12:29 PM on January 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
when I am famous I'll have a team working out of bangalore to comment so it will be like I never left. Maybe others teams in portland and new york just to make sure you guys get 24x7 support.
posted by Ad hominem at 12:50 PM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Ad hominem at 12:50 PM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
"Dude...I made a snarky joke and ADAM SAVAGE called me a snarky douche!!! I'll never wash my snarky douche machine again."
Wouldn't a snarky douche machine be, by definition, self-washing?
posted by MCMikeNamara at 12:51 PM on January 27, 2011 [6 favorites]
Wouldn't a snarky douche machine be, by definition, self-washing?
posted by MCMikeNamara at 12:51 PM on January 27, 2011 [6 favorites]
Doesn't quantum mechanics suggest that there is a parallel universe in which each of us ended up being the most famous person in the world (as well as also being a contributor to Metafilter)? I mean, I am sort of counting on that taking the pressure off me, since I have no interest in being famous in this timeline.
posted by aught at 1:21 PM on January 27, 2011
posted by aught at 1:21 PM on January 27, 2011
Matthowie's getting kinda famousy by now, isn't he?
And honestly as far as asavage is concerned, he just seems like another Mefite here. Just one we get to watch blow things up if we have cable, is all. ;-)
I confess to having a small fuzzy feeling of joy whenever I see a mefi shoutout on mythbusters. I feel like I'm in a secret club or something.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 1:36 PM on January 27, 2011
And honestly as far as asavage is concerned, he just seems like another Mefite here. Just one we get to watch blow things up if we have cable, is all. ;-)
I confess to having a small fuzzy feeling of joy whenever I see a mefi shoutout on mythbusters. I feel like I'm in a secret club or something.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 1:36 PM on January 27, 2011
Doesn't quantum mechanics suggest that there is a parallel universe in which each of us ended up being the most famous person in the world (as well as also being a contributor to Metafilter)
Yes, but sometimes the dimensions collide.
posted by cashman at 1:37 PM on January 27, 2011
Yes, but sometimes the dimensions collide.
posted by cashman at 1:37 PM on January 27, 2011
Matthowie's getting kinda famousy by now, isn't he?
Ever since he was in the new Star Trek movie.
posted by Rock Steady at 1:39 PM on January 27, 2011
Ever since he was in the new Star Trek movie.
posted by Rock Steady at 1:39 PM on January 27, 2011
"Friend of Matt"? Is that like "friend of Bill" or "friend of Dorothy"?
posted by scalefree at 1:52 PM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by scalefree at 1:52 PM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
My boy's wicked smart.
posted by tigrefacile at 1:58 PM on January 27, 2011
posted by tigrefacile at 1:58 PM on January 27, 2011
"Friend of Matt"? Is that like "friend of Bill" or "friend of Dorothy"?
Yeah, it's pretty old. I did a cursory search for the first time it popped up, and I found a reference in 2006, although I remember saying it to mrbula at the first Minneapolis meetup that I went to (the one with the picture of Oolong the bunny with a pancake on his head in the middle of the table) back in about '04.
posted by norm at 2:56 PM on January 27, 2011
Yeah, it's pretty old. I did a cursory search for the first time it popped up, and I found a reference in 2006, although I remember saying it to mrbula at the first Minneapolis meetup that I went to (the one with the picture of Oolong the bunny with a pancake on his head in the middle of the table) back in about '04.
posted by norm at 2:56 PM on January 27, 2011
Doesn't quantum mechanics suggest that there is a parallel universe in which each of us ended up being the most famous person in the world (as well as also being a contributor to Metafilter)
Yes, but there is no parallel universe in which the Cubs do not suck.
Parallel universes can only do so much.
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 3:09 PM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yes, but there is no parallel universe in which the Cubs do not suck.
Parallel universes can only do so much.
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 3:09 PM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Rock Steady: finally! Someone else who saw the resemblance!
posted by epersonae at 3:11 PM on January 27, 2011
posted by epersonae at 3:11 PM on January 27, 2011
Sufjan Stevens should write a set of albums, one for each pro baseball team in the US.
The songs could have titles like Concerning the Dubious Double-Play in the Third World Series Playoff, or I'm Just Here for the Hotdogs and Beer but I must Admit Those Uniforms Would Make a Good Gift for my Pa.
posted by UbuRoivas at 3:15 PM on January 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
The songs could have titles like Concerning the Dubious Double-Play in the Third World Series Playoff, or I'm Just Here for the Hotdogs and Beer but I must Admit Those Uniforms Would Make a Good Gift for my Pa.
posted by UbuRoivas at 3:15 PM on January 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
THIS IS THE YEAR, Mr. Perez. THIS IS THE YEAR. I've got a little sixth-generation Cubs fan right here waiting to see it and I'm popping out another in July; my grandfather has been waiting NINETY YEARS for this. GIT R DONE.
Just in case you're reading.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 3:35 PM on January 27, 2011
Just in case you're reading.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 3:35 PM on January 27, 2011
Fuck do I love it when baseball players are smart and write well. That's like my two main loves combined together into a sloppy ice cream sandwich of nerdy, athletic beauty.
Hee, yes, this.
"I was trying to forge a dialectic that was personal, even climactic — there was experimental electronica (Prefuse 73’s “With Dirt and Two Texts — Afternoon Version), which I used in the throes of heat exhaustion to feel less human, more machine-like at the plate. There were desolate rock ballads to put pitchers to sleep like Wings’ “Band on the Run.” It was a little too decadent, though I was just about the only one listening to really judge. I continued this indulgence through AAA and began dismissing songs as if the gimmick lost its poignancy or when I suspected that the tunes were not raising my on-base percentage...
When a player uses the same song over a long period of time, the song disappears to the player (which is likely advantageous) and really becomes property of the fans. When Evan Longoria comes up in a big spot and the first few seconds of “Down and Out” by Tantric plays, it cues the crowd to follow in a chorus of excitement and irrational expectations that thrillingly thwart out the announcing of his name...
When I got to the major leagues, I went Motown. My friend asked why, and I said it was a diplomatic selection, that Motown, like Chinese food, is one of the few things people of all sorts can agree upon. Ideally, I’d come out to solo Monk or trance-inducing traditional Indian music, but the more I get to be around here, the more I realize it’s all about the fans. This is a circus, and we are the clowns."-- What's in a Song?
Oh man, I hope he writes a book about his life in baseball someday. Or two. Or five. I am pretty sure I would devour them. This is awesome.
posted by EmilyClimbs at 3:35 PM on January 27, 2011 [5 favorites]
Hee, yes, this.
"I was trying to forge a dialectic that was personal, even climactic — there was experimental electronica (Prefuse 73’s “With Dirt and Two Texts — Afternoon Version), which I used in the throes of heat exhaustion to feel less human, more machine-like at the plate. There were desolate rock ballads to put pitchers to sleep like Wings’ “Band on the Run.” It was a little too decadent, though I was just about the only one listening to really judge. I continued this indulgence through AAA and began dismissing songs as if the gimmick lost its poignancy or when I suspected that the tunes were not raising my on-base percentage...
When a player uses the same song over a long period of time, the song disappears to the player (which is likely advantageous) and really becomes property of the fans. When Evan Longoria comes up in a big spot and the first few seconds of “Down and Out” by Tantric plays, it cues the crowd to follow in a chorus of excitement and irrational expectations that thrillingly thwart out the announcing of his name...
When I got to the major leagues, I went Motown. My friend asked why, and I said it was a diplomatic selection, that Motown, like Chinese food, is one of the few things people of all sorts can agree upon. Ideally, I’d come out to solo Monk or trance-inducing traditional Indian music, but the more I get to be around here, the more I realize it’s all about the fans. This is a circus, and we are the clowns."-- What's in a Song?
Oh man, I hope he writes a book about his life in baseball someday. Or two. Or five. I am pretty sure I would devour them. This is awesome.
posted by EmilyClimbs at 3:35 PM on January 27, 2011 [5 favorites]
He looks all dashing and handsome with his croquet mallet on his shoulder and such, but can he measure up to the likes of Lt. Col. David Matthew Caradoc Prichard, a man who "appeared to be a little intimidating partly due to his stooped posture from his spondylitis, he had a extremely good sense of humour. He stood up for the rights of the individual and hated any sort of undercover plots. As a 'backbench' member of council on more than one occasion he discovered and nipped in the bud certain underhand or unwise dealings."
posted by unliteral at 3:48 PM on January 27, 2011
posted by unliteral at 3:48 PM on January 27, 2011
I am a recovering Cubs fan. I'd been one of the faithful until the Cubs' collapse to end 2008. I just couldn't take it anymore, and ever since I couldn't even tell you who was on the roster or how they did. But I just might take a little bit more interest now, thanks to Mr. Perez. You might even see me at Citifield this year when the Cubs play the Mets. Any other NYC MeFites want to organize a meetup to cheer on one of our own?
posted by Fuego at 4:39 PM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Fuego at 4:39 PM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
I grew up a Cubs fan which is why I don't like baseball now.
But this. This changes everything.
posted by Sailormom at 6:21 PM on January 27, 2011
But this. This changes everything.
posted by Sailormom at 6:21 PM on January 27, 2011
What I like are the Mefites who aren't famous, but are more interesting than famous people - there was a scientist who studies Australian spiders who popped up in an AskMe not too long ago. You just can't quantify that level of awesome. Plus, there's the hard-as-nails, don't-fuck-with-our-turf Linguist contingent who comes out to slap down all the fools who don't know their Finno-Ugric from their Frito-Lay. Then there's the guy who runs the clock tower and likes french cars...
posted by Slap*Happy at 6:30 PM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Slap*Happy at 6:30 PM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Actually, two scientists who study Australian spiders - although I think dhruva is now studying Mexican spiders, but he was based in Sydney a few years ago.
posted by UbuRoivas at 7:18 PM on January 27, 2011
posted by UbuRoivas at 7:18 PM on January 27, 2011
I sidebarred the other Australian spiderperson.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:20 PM on January 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:20 PM on January 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
The Ironic Hipster Baseball Pretenders
Their best song is "Back On The Ironic Hipster Baseball Chain Gang."
As opposed to The Ironic Hipster Baseball Proclaimers, best known for I Would Walk 500 Batters.
posted by axiom at 7:57 PM on January 27, 2011 [10 favorites]
Their best song is "Back On The Ironic Hipster Baseball Chain Gang."
As opposed to The Ironic Hipster Baseball Proclaimers, best known for I Would Walk 500 Batters.
posted by axiom at 7:57 PM on January 27, 2011 [10 favorites]
UbuRoivas: Sufjan Stevens should write a set of albums, one for each pro baseball team in the US.
You know he'd get through "Some of My Favorite Romans are Cardinals" and "Rimes of the Modern Mariners" and then get bored and give up on that, too.
And, yes, I do plan to remain bitter about this until I am hand-delivered a copy of "What Did Della Wear?" featuring odes to Dover, Wilmington, Blue Hens, Caesar Rodney, and corporate formation.
posted by Copronymus at 9:59 PM on January 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
You know he'd get through "Some of My Favorite Romans are Cardinals" and "Rimes of the Modern Mariners" and then get bored and give up on that, too.
And, yes, I do plan to remain bitter about this until I am hand-delivered a copy of "What Did Della Wear?" featuring odes to Dover, Wilmington, Blue Hens, Caesar Rodney, and corporate formation.
posted by Copronymus at 9:59 PM on January 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
"Friend of Matt"? Is that like "friend of Bill" or "friend of Dorothy"?
Yeah, it's pretty old. I did a cursory search for the first time it popped up, and I found a reference in 2006
I like this explanation from 2007.
posted by mlis at 11:10 PM on January 27, 2011
Yeah, it's pretty old. I did a cursory search for the first time it popped up, and I found a reference in 2006
I like this explanation from 2007.
posted by mlis at 11:10 PM on January 27, 2011
Sufjan Stevens should write a set of albums, one for each pro baseball team in the US.
And then stop after the fifth one.
posted by arcticseal at 1:32 AM on January 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
And then stop after the fifth one.
posted by arcticseal at 1:32 AM on January 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
As long as he gets to Delaware's Major League team in those first five.
posted by UbuRoivas at 3:20 AM on January 28, 2011
posted by UbuRoivas at 3:20 AM on January 28, 2011
He is adorable.
Baseball breaks my heart all the time but I got caught back up in it last year, and it's always nice to have someone to watch
posted by padraigin at 4:43 AM on January 28, 2011
Baseball breaks my heart all the time but I got caught back up in it last year, and it's always nice to have someone to watch
posted by padraigin at 4:43 AM on January 28, 2011
Oh man, I hope he writes a book about his life in baseball someday. Or two. Or five. I am pretty sure I would devour them. This is awesome.
That was great. One of my daydreams of being a professional sportsman (or a New Zealand cricketer, whatever) includes consideration of the most incongruous music I could walk out to. (I'd been thinking along the lines of Krautrock or Sister Ray or Chasin' the Trane or something). Nice to see an actual professional athlete thinking along the same lines.
Good luck for the forthcoming season Mr Perez.
posted by Infinite Jest at 4:44 AM on January 28, 2011
That was great. One of my daydreams of being a professional sportsman (or a New Zealand cricketer, whatever) includes consideration of the most incongruous music I could walk out to. (I'd been thinking along the lines of Krautrock or Sister Ray or Chasin' the Trane or something). Nice to see an actual professional athlete thinking along the same lines.
Good luck for the forthcoming season Mr Perez.
posted by Infinite Jest at 4:44 AM on January 28, 2011
As long as he gets to Delaware's Major League team in those first five.
I feel like this is a joke I'm not getting. I hate that.
posted by amro at 6:07 AM on January 28, 2011
I feel like this is a joke I'm not getting. I hate that.
posted by amro at 6:07 AM on January 28, 2011
Delaware is the Duke Nukem Forever of Sufjan Stevens state-based-album states, except for the part where DNF is actually coming out ever. So Sufjan Stevens making albums about baseball would by implication lead to Sufjan Stevens forever not getting around to making the next album, which would be about Delaware's baseball team.
But yes so, Delaware has no MLB team. So the idea that it's Delaware's baseball team that he'd predictably not get around to making the album for is absurd as a hypothesis. By swaddling this absurdity within the outer layer of referential Sufjan humor, UbuRoivas is heightening its impact for those who successfully decode the joke.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:06 AM on January 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
But yes so, Delaware has no MLB team.
Sure they do... on Earth-1
posted by jtron at 7:16 AM on January 28, 2011
Sure they do... on Earth-1
posted by jtron at 7:16 AM on January 28, 2011
I absolutely love the opening sentence of his piece for Poetry magazine that lalex linked to above:
I write from Caracas, the murder capital of the world, where I’ve been employed by the Leones to score runs and prevent balls from falling in the outfield.
I'd love to see him strip down other sports to one little sentence like that.
posted by ORthey at 9:01 AM on January 28, 2011
I write from Caracas, the murder capital of the world, where I’ve been employed by the Leones to score runs and prevent balls from falling in the outfield.
I'd love to see him strip down other sports to one little sentence like that.
posted by ORthey at 9:01 AM on January 28, 2011
Baseball's all-time greatest nerd.
The story of Moe Berg definitely deserves an FPP from somebody that's actually good at writing them, i.e. not me.
My favorite story about Berg is how he was supposed to kill Heisenberg at a lecture if he thought Heisenberg was close to making the Germans an atomic bomb, but then he was too uncertain.
posted by kmz at 9:27 AM on January 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
The story of Moe Berg definitely deserves an FPP from somebody that's actually good at writing them, i.e. not me.
My favorite story about Berg is how he was supposed to kill Heisenberg at a lecture if he thought Heisenberg was close to making the Germans an atomic bomb, but then he was too uncertain.
posted by kmz at 9:27 AM on January 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
Y'know, I'm a Sox fan and I remember the 2008 ALCS, but the piece EmilyClimbs quoted has brought me back into the Cubs fold (I left due to Sammy Sosa's increasing ability to creep me the hell out). Thanks, Fernando.
Atlanta folks, Cubs/Braves at Turner in August. Maybe meetup time?
posted by catlet at 9:29 AM on January 28, 2011
Atlanta folks, Cubs/Braves at Turner in August. Maybe meetup time?
posted by catlet at 9:29 AM on January 28, 2011
cortex - a near perfect exegesis of the intention of the joke. The only part not made explicit was the nod to Copronymous who had said earlier that they were still awaiting their copy of "What Did Della Wear?", but the inclusion of the Duke Nukem Forever metaphor was a deft touch, implying with understated obliqueness that stating the obvious about the Copronymous reference would have been gilding the lily. Overall, A+
posted by UbuRoivas at 9:31 AM on January 28, 2011
posted by UbuRoivas at 9:31 AM on January 28, 2011
The story of Moe Berg definitely deserves an FPP
My expertise pertains mainly to the other Moe Berg.
posted by mintcake! at 10:54 AM on January 28, 2011
My expertise pertains mainly to the other Moe Berg.
posted by mintcake! at 10:54 AM on January 28, 2011
Great. Now I had to go look up Sufjan Stevens' discography and saw that he released a new album just before Thanksgiving, which sent me over to iTunes to pick it up. MetaFilter costs me way more than $5, I'll tell you what...
posted by slogger at 11:27 AM on January 28, 2011
posted by slogger at 11:27 AM on January 28, 2011
I still don't really get it, but I feel a lot better about that now.
posted by amro at 12:24 PM on January 28, 2011
posted by amro at 12:24 PM on January 28, 2011
Too bad Dirk Hayhurst (aka The Garfoose) only signed with the Rays a few days ago and he and Perez won't be teammates.
There's probably a really fun FPP to be made about player/writers, but I can't think of a good angle right now.
posted by that's candlepin at 1:23 PM on January 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
There's probably a really fun FPP to be made about player/writers, but I can't think of a good angle right now.
posted by that's candlepin at 1:23 PM on January 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
MetaFilter costs me way more than $5, I'll tell you what...
Worth it for the title track alone, IMHO.
posted by UbuRoivas at 2:04 PM on January 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
Worth it for the title track alone, IMHO.
posted by UbuRoivas at 2:04 PM on January 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
MetaFilter costs me way more than $5, I'll tell you what...
that album didn't make sense to me until I saw it live, which incidentally was when I came around on the 25-minute-four-movement-and-a-coda closer to the album which somehow manages to sound like everything and nothing he'd ever put out, in parts. That cost way more than $5, but I do not regret it.
posted by heeeraldo at 8:31 PM on January 28, 2011
that album didn't make sense to me until I saw it live, which incidentally was when I came around on the 25-minute-four-movement-and-a-coda closer to the album which somehow manages to sound like everything and nothing he'd ever put out, in parts. That cost way more than $5, but I do not regret it.
posted by heeeraldo at 8:31 PM on January 28, 2011
Thanks re: Moe Berg ("Yeah, I know, and he can't hit in any of them."— Dave Harris, Senators' outfielder, when told that Berg spoke seven languages) and Dirk Hayhurst.
The Cubs don't come to Washington until July but I'm totally in for a meet-up at a game then. Great excuse to see a ballgame, and it makes me smile to think of Perez traveling the country on roadtrips and, wherever he goes, finding groups of us gathered to cheer on a fellow MeFite.
(Now trying to think of suitably awesome MeFi-referential signs to hold up...)
posted by EmilyClimbs at 5:51 PM on January 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
The Cubs don't come to Washington until July but I'm totally in for a meet-up at a game then. Great excuse to see a ballgame, and it makes me smile to think of Perez traveling the country on roadtrips and, wherever he goes, finding groups of us gathered to cheer on a fellow MeFite.
(Now trying to think of suitably awesome MeFi-referential signs to hold up...)
posted by EmilyClimbs at 5:51 PM on January 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
The Cubs are coming to Boston for inter-league play (I still have a "what the FUCK is that about" reaction to inter-league play), too!
posted by rmd1023 at 6:45 PM on January 29, 2011
posted by rmd1023 at 6:45 PM on January 29, 2011
... and it looks like the games are already sold out. Yow!
posted by rmd1023 at 6:55 PM on January 29, 2011
posted by rmd1023 at 6:55 PM on January 29, 2011
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posted by jessamyn (staff) at 8:44 AM on January 27, 2011 [2 favorites]