We're number (thirty) one!
Congratulations to the Durham Bulls on beating the PCL champs Memphis Redbirds to win the Triple A Championship.
Anybody else notice a complete lack of Durham boosterism during the game? I saw commercials for Louisville, Utah, Toledo, Memphis, Albuquerque, Nashville, and Red Rock freakin' Texas during the game, but nothing from DCVB, the Bulls, or the city. What's up with that?
Anybody else notice a complete lack of Durham boosterism during the game? I saw commercials for Louisville, Utah, Toledo, Memphis, Albuquerque, Nashville, and Red Rock freakin' Texas during the game, but nothing from DCVB, the Bulls, or the city. What's up with that?
Labels: baseball
Since 1949, Durhamites have slept soundly, secure in the knowledge that, in our town, erection can be depended upon. Now, thanks to the power of the internets, we can spread that security all over the world.
9 Comments:
Fortunately for me, the question "how many MLB teams are there" got a result the number two Google excerpt. I was loathing the prospect of finding a Wiki list and counting. :-)
Being number 31 is pretty impressive to me. Then again, it also reminds me of a former colleague's observation about office pools and gambling -- the most painful result is to be one place out of the money, thinking "if but for this one small error, I'd be getting the cash". The Bulls are so close to "Show" money they can taste it (and some already have). And yet...
This also reminds me of something my fencing coach said to our team at the end of our junior year. "In the world of Christians and Lions, our women are now small lions. Our men are still Christians, but we're really big Christians."
By
Marsosudiro, at 8:38 AM
In European sports leagues, there are no such things as farm teams. Clubs have senior teams, reserve teams, junior teams, youth teams, etc. The success of each team determines the league level that the club participates in the following season.
Finish in last place, and you drop down a league. Finish in first place, and you move up a league. Not a perfect system, but infinitely more interesting than the permanent franchise system US sports teams operate under.
Last night's game would have been played at a different level if the players knew that the winning club would be playing in th ebigs next season.
By
Barry, at 8:44 AM
Saying the Bulls are number "thirty-one" assumes that the worst MLB team is still better than the best AAA team. I'm not so sure that's true. I say, bring 'em on!
By
David N., at 9:10 AM
Which is why a promotion/relegation scheme would make things so much more interesting.
Not to mention cup clashes, basically nationwide tournaments that any team can enter. Move up through the ranks and match your skills against the big boys.
As it is, the Bulls are the best team in AAA baseball. By definition, that puts them a notch below all the major league teams, since they didn't have to beat any MLB teams to get there.
By
Barry, at 9:28 AM
Why do they play this game in Oklahoma City? I can't imagine it's like a Bowl game where fans flock there from their home bases. If the teams can support the logistics of two best-of-five postseason series, why not at least a best-of-three played in the teams' cities? (I don't think a big-league baseball championship should be decided by just one game).
By
toastie, at 10:06 AM
Good question.
I'm pretty sure the site of the game rotates among different AAA teams, and probably alternates between PCL and IL locations. There used to be 3 AAA leagues (the American Association was in the mix) so there never used to be a unifying championship game at all. I guess they figure that a lot of teams are having players brought up to the majors this time of year, and playing a long series doesn't benefit anyone.
By
Barry, at 10:17 AM
No, it does not rotate. Since a Triple-A National Championship game was reestablished in 2006, it has always been in Oklahoma City.
More info here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bricktown_Showdown
By
David N., at 1:39 PM
Thanks. Thought I remembered watching a game from Albuquerque in the past few years. Maybe it was one of the minor league All-Star games.
By
Barry, at 1:48 PM
I remember it being Bricktown Showdown in previous years--the game name's changed. but it has always been in OKC. Or has been for some years.
Did notice the lack of Durham boosterism. Wouldn't have bothered me if Memphis didn't have a plug. And way too many plugs for Gwinnett.
By
Margaret, at 4:48 PM
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