Major League Baseball Dream Job

Last month I applied for the Major League Baseball Dream Job. One essay was about why I enjoy baseball while the other essay is about what i believe will be the biggest 2011 baseball story. Below are copies of the essays I submitted. Please read when you can. Thanks.

Hello my name is Mike Uncapher, and since April of 2008 I have resided in Charlotte, North Carolina. Before then, I lived in Marion, Ohio where my passion and love for America’s pastime was birthed and molded with the assistance of my maternal grandparents.

I can remember spending evenings at their house in Fremont Ohio splitting our time between watching the Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves on their television. Grandpa and I would always joke with Grandma that the Indians did well when she would leave the room. The odd thing was that this was usually the case, and we would hear Grandma yelling from the kitchen asking us what just happened on the television. Our usual joking response was for grandma to stay in the kitchen until the inning was complete because the Indians were in the middle of a scoring rally. Although writing this article I never recall her jinxing the Braves.

At their house I would sit on the floor with my baseball card collection scattered all over the living room searching for the player being announced in the game to see if I owned his current bubble gum card just to read his professional stats on the back. If I didn’t own the card the next day grandma and I would purse the baseball card shops in Fremont Ohio to find his card. The card that I remember us searching the most for in my youth with no avail was Joe Carter’s 1984 Donruss Rookie Card. We never found this card together but one birthday I received his card as a gift. Carter eventually became my favorite all-time baseball player, and I recall crying the day the Cleveland Indians traded him to the San Diego Padres. I believe that is the day when I learned that baseball was also a business.

The other fond memories that I have from visiting grandma and grandpa’s house was hearing their baseball tales and learning about the all-time greats. I recall hearing stories about Herb Score when he pitched and not announced games, Rocket Bob Feller, and the great Hank Aaron. These were just a few of the tales that I will cherish like a pirate lusts the gold in their treasure chest.

At home growing up as soon as school was over, I would rush home to watch the end of the Chicago Cubs game to hear Harry Caray’s baseball tales. After finishing my homework and divulging dinner if I was permitted by my parents I would watch the Indians game. If the Tribe were not on television, there were always the Braves who seem to be on television every night on TBS. Although a passionate Indians fan, this is where I believe my love for baseball blossomed because I was able to watch any team and respect the Game completely.

Today, I watch any game I can which is typically the National games, or I listen to the Indians’ broadcast streamed on the Internet.

As spring training opens for Major League Baseball there are two prime stories that will linger all season and even into the offseason. The easy big story is: “How will the St. Louis Cardinals react to Albert Pujols entering free agency at the conclusion of the baseball year?” Pujas holds all the cards because he is even able to reject any trade offers. He has also informed the Cardinals that he will not negotiate a contract extension once he arrives to Spring Training. A date that was missed by the Cardinals.

The other current big story which I’ll expand upon is: “Will the Philadelphia Phillies starting pitching staff lead their team to a World Series title and if not what went wrong?” As a reminder barring injury the Phillies are expected to unroll Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Roy Aswalt, and Joe Blanton as their starting five.

Many bloggers and analysis have compared the expectations of the 2011 Phillies staff to the accomplishments of the 1993 Atlanta Braves staff that were lead by Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Steve Avery. Some rank the 1993 Atlanta Braves staff as one of the all-time greatest starting pitching staffs. The ionic item about the 1993 Atlanta Braves was that they were defeated by the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Championship Series. I’m sure the Phillies do not want a repeat in history.

In the past couple seasons the Phillies have acquired in trades Roy Halladay from the Toronto Blue Jays and Roy Aswalt from the Houston Astros respectively. Then last winter they surprisingly won the bidding war for the services of Cliff Lee defeating the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers. By signing Lee as stated earlier on paper the Phillies could have one of the most dominant starting pitching staffs in 2011.

On offense the Phillies made no huge additions, but they did lose outfielder Jayson Werth to free agency to the Washington Nationals. Hopefully for the Phillies with a healthy season from shortstop Jimmy Rollins and second baseman Chad Utley, their offensive output can compensate for the loss of Werth. There also may be belief within the Phillies management that rookie outfielder Domonic Brown is ready for the big leagues. So by letting Werth leave, the Phillies used the philosophy of addition by subtraction by opening the clog that could have prevented Brown from receiving consistent playing time.

With all this said, I have the greatest sympathy for the Philadelphia Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel. He is handed the keys to a potential great pitching staff, a reliable bullpen, and the past history of a great offence featuring first baseman Ryan Howard, Rollins, and Utley. All three of these gentlemen are past MVP winners. If the Phillies falter this year Manuel could quickly become the fall guy.

I’m confident that I’ll be hearing about the highs and lows of the Phillies all season including the offseason if there is not a World Series title in Philadelphia.

From a Pup to a Senior Citizen.

(written by Oliver Austin Simpson Uncapher)

First let me introduced myself. My name in Ollie and I have lived with Mike Uncapher for the past eleven years. We stared in Toledo, went to Marion and are now residing in Charlotte. Over the time I have spent many nights in Marysville and Fremont. Not sure where any of these cities are located. Do you?

Also, I am a yellow lab or that’s what I’m told after visiting the mean lady who likes to stick a needle in my nose. Ouch!!

Over the course of my life I have watched my ‘pets’ evolve and I have aged as well. Here are 25 things that have changed throughout my life.

1. As a puppy if I pooped in the house, I would be disciplined, but as a Senior Citizen my mess would be cleaned up and my ‘pets’ would feel guilty about leaving me home alone so long.

2. As a puppy, I could chase the ball for hours, but as a Senior Citizen after 3 tosses I take my ball to my bed to hide the ball and take a four nap.

3. As a puppy if could walk for hours, but as a Senior Citizen I can sleep for hours.

4. As a puppy I think I was awake for 16 hours. Now I think I sleep at least 16 hours.

5. As a puppy I played on the steps. Now I hate steps.

6. As a puppy I barked at everyone I would see riding in the car. Now, I still bark at everyone I see riding in the car. Guess some things don’t change.

7. As a puppy if I fell asleep in their bed, my pets would kick me out of the bed. Now, my pets will sleep in another bed.

8. As a puppy when my ‘pets’ came home I could hold my bladder for some time. Today, I have to go as soon as they get home.

9. As a puppy I was never allowed to clean the dirty dishes. Now, I lick the dishes spotless.

10. As a puppy I had to do stupid tricks to receive a treat. Now I just look pitiful at Teri, and I can have a treat.

11. As a puppy I could outrun my master forever. Now, I’m tired after 30 minutes.

12. As a puppy if I ate chocolate, I received a free ride to the vet. Today, nothing happens because every time I hate chocolate before I was fine.

13. As a puppy I would be so excited to greet guest at the front door I may pee on them. Currently, I wait for them to come saw ‘Hi” to me as I rest in my bed.

14. As a puppy I hated the doorbell. Now I don’t hear the doorbell.

15. As a puppy I obeyed obedience commands, but as a Senior Citizen I pretend I don’t hear my ‘pets’ talking.

16. As a puppy if everyone got excited I got excited too. Now, I continue to sleep.

17. As a puppy I spent a lot of time in the crate. Now, I can escape from the crate.

18. As a puppy I ate many unorthodox things (like a golf cart seat, garden hose, cordless phone, and pillows among a few). Currently, I have few teeth.

19. As a puppy I hated the vacuum sucker. In my life I have forced my ‘pets’ to purchase 4 new vacuum cleaners.

20. As a puppy I was a chick magnet. Now I’m adorable.

21. As a puppy I hated cats. Still do.

22. As a puppy I flunk obedience school. Now I don’t remember a thing.

23. As a puppy if I wanted up in the middle of the night I would jump on my ‘pets’, but as a Senior Citizen I stick my tongue in their mouth.

24.

25. As a puppy I loved my ‘pets’ and today I still do.

Is the fullback a dying position in the NFL?

Is the fullback a dying position in the NFL?

Watching the semi-final games today on television, I chuckled to myself when the teams introduced their starting line-ups? Each team announces their starters in an I-formation; quarterback, two receivers, tight end and a FULLBACK. Yes a fullback.

Although watching the games today; the teams rarely utilized the fullback consistently on offense. Many teams typically use formations that include three to four wide receiver sets on offense. The Stealers even announced David Johnson as their starting fullback which was later shared by Jim Nantz that Johnson is listed as the Steelers’ third string tight end on their depth chart. No true fullback, Steelers?

Then, thinking about this topic before writing my blog; not many teams employ the fullback in their offence. I know the Cleveland Browns utilize the fullback often in their offense because that is the team I follow, and on many occasions I have watched Lawrence Vickers create holes for the Browns’ running backs. (Don’t chuckle the Browns did have a 1000 yard rusher in 2010) However, I can’t think of another team that consistently plays a fullback? Can you?

Even when NFL teams are searching to draft a fullback their scouts have to scour the college campuses because many college teams are currently showcasing spread-open offenses which don’t often incorporate a fullback. This is actually another blog topic because many colleges use spread-open offenses while NFL teams utilize pro-style offenses but that’s another day.

That’s why I believe some teams are incorporating the halfback into their offensive formations. The halfback is a morph of the tight end and fullback positions. A player who can periodically run with the pig skin, catch a few passes but most importantly block for his teammates from different positions. Also, saves the team a valuable roster spot which can be reserved for another valuable need. This was the spot that some experts believe would be Tim Tebow’s best position; as well as, Terrelle Pryor's whenever he goes pro. So far Tebrow may have proven some wrong, can Pryor?

I know every year a fullback is elected to the Pro Bowl, but is the NFL trying to keep a dying dinosaur from extinction? From the football Hall of Fame web page the last time a fullback was elected was 1987 and that was Larry Csonka and John Henry Johnson. Who will be the next fullback elected into the Hall of Fame; Lorenzo Neal from the San Diego Charger or Daryl “Moose” Johnson from the Dallas Cowboys? Or do you recommend someone else? But needless to say not many kinds want to grow up and play fullback.

(For a complete list of members in the Hall of Fame please select this link, http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/positions.aspx)

Is Urban Meyer a coach or just an Urban legend?

At the conclusion of the University of Florida Gators’ Outback bowl game in Tampa Bay, Florida at Raymond James Stadium against Penn State University, Urban Meyer will conclude his tenure at University of Florida as head coach for health reasons. This will be the third collegian university Meyer has vacated even though the first two were for job promotions.

Although I was never a die-hard fan of any colleges Urban Meyer has coached, for some odd reason I have taken an peculiar interest on how his teams have performed and how long Meyer stays at one institution. I am completely clueless as to why. While I know he has been victorious no matter where he has landed, there is something about his coaching style that has stirred my belly in a bad swirl.

Before the Gator lovers start ordering a hit squad against me, I understand the honors that Mr. Meyer has received over the years; National Championships in 2006 and 2008, national coach of the year in 2004, as well as numerous conference titles along the way.

However, where I see the urban legend is the fact the man has never stayed a head coach at one place very long. He coached two seasons at University of Bowling Green and University of Utah respectively before spending the last six seasons at the University of Florida although he considered leaving Florida after five years.

I even vocally question the move to Utah because I thought the job change was a lateral move instead of a job promotion. Apparently, I was wrong there because the football voters respect teams from the Mountain West Conference over the Mid-American Conference. My bad!!

Although I will not apologies for the following statement: I have always wondered when Meyer was seeking new employment the decision that his starting quarterbacks at BGSU and Utah were leaving for the NFL draft factored into his decision, Alex Smith from Utah (#1 overall pick in 2005 draft) and Josh Harris at BGSU. I really doubt Meyer will honestly answer my question. Meyer even considered leaving Florida after Tim Tebow graduated. Does he not trust his choice for the next quarterback or was he always looking for the next big thing?

Hardly anyone can successfully build a college program after two years and six seasons at one institution, although extremely victorious, begins the formation of a strong concrete base. The next step is to build on that base, and next season would be a great season to strengthen the Florida mold after a mediocre year. Don’t get me wrong some fans would enjoy a 7 win year with 5 loses and a bowl victory against Penn State. However, are those Florida standards after his first 5 years?

I rarely doubt there is another coach like Joe Paterno at Penn State or Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech who stays at one university for their entire coaching career. Even though I believe the President or Athletic Director who ever fires Mr. Joe Paterno is afraid of circumstances from alumni. But, I do believe a coach needs to establish a longer tenure then six years to earn the status as a legend.

In my opinion the ONE item lacking from Urban Meyers resume is longevity. He can build a program but how long can he carry a program? Can he survive adversity? How does be respond to a losing season or even an average year like Florida’s 2010 season. Can Meyer be as successful with all the rewards and recognition with his team’s second generation quarterback for three to four college football seasons? As of today we don’t know those answers. These are questions as to why I believe Meyers coaching career is more of an urban legend instead of a legend like Joe Paterno.

I will never insult anyone for leaving a job for medical matters or to spend more time with their family, but I will always wonder if Urban Meyer’s short time in Florida will end up as an Urban Legend instead of a Legend.