Yardbarker: David Eckstein

The Leadoff guy…

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500

Aybar left and Figgins (if re-signed) right are prime candidates to lead off in 2010By Brent Hubbard - AngelsWin.com ColumnistAnd tonight, the leading off for your Los Angeles Angels will be…Third baseman Chone Figgins? Left Fielder Chone Figgins? Designated Hitter Bobby Abreu? Shortstop Erick Aybar? Second baseman Howie Kendrick? Infielder Macier Izturis?Someone else?Throughout the last decade, there have primarily been two leadoff batters for the Angels, Shortstop David Eckstein and the pla...

Meet our newest halos fan!

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:39:17 -0500

Hey Everyone. Here's a quick update. Melody Ann was born November 1st, at 2:59 pm! Check her out! She's almost 3 months premature. She's a little smaller than David Eckstein at 14 inches, 2 lb. 4 oz. She seems pretty healthy so far. Thanks to everyone who has been praying and wishing us well. Keep it up! It is slightly unfortunate that she had to be born into a world where the Yankees are in the World Series instead of our Angels. Let's hope our boys are there for her firs...

The Utterance Of This Word Should Be Punishable By Death

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:45:08 -0500

Let's get one thing straight: I'm not going to break any new ground here. I'm not going to teach you anything new about baseball. I'm not going to cause you to reassess how you think about sports journalism. Nope. None of that is going to happen. What is going to happen is: some guy wrote an article called "10 Scrappiest Players" and I am going to make fun of him. As we all know by now, "scrappy" is a meaningless, arbitrary, clichéd adjective that sportswri...

A series with stature for Ecksteins

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:45:00 -0500

SAN DIEGO | At an early age, Rick and David Eckstein were aware of their current - or future - limitations. Their father, Whitey, saw to that. He was only 5-foot-9 and his wife, Pat, was 5-3, so Whitey Eckstein didn't sit around pining for the growth spurt that would change his two boys' athletic fortunes. He let them know that if they wanted to succeed in baseball, they would have to find a niche. So the brothers went to work on every element of their games, piling up the hours in ...

David Eckstein is a Shapeshifter

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:45:00 -0500

Or the Norse God Loki, because I'm confused.Okay, here's the thing about moneyball. It's about hitting them where they a'int, to borrow a phrase. Nobody holds OPS on regard? Get the guy who walks. People too protective of the stat guy? Load up on the toolsy prospects. It's all about zigging where the other guy zags. And it makes perfect sense.Not to say you can't old school your way into contention. The Brewers and Twins have been interesting teams based on old school ...

Padres Extend David Eckstein

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 14:05:14 -0500

by Tom FornelliFiled under: Padres, NL West, MLB TransactionsThe San Diego Padres have made no secret of the fact that they're going with a youth movement to try and rebuild their franchise. They've traded Jake Peavy for four young pitchers, and reportedly came close to moving first baseman Adrian Gonzalez at the trade deadline as well.So, with that youth movement in mind, the Padres went out and announced on Saturday that they'd signed second baseman David Eckstein to a contract ...

San Diego Padres' David Eckstein still resentful of departure from St. Louis Cardinals

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:19:21 -0500

Padres' second baseman David Eckstein wants to have a chat with Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak to clear the air about soured negotiations following the 2007 season.

Hampton's return stymied by Eckstein: Astros 3 Padres 4

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:01:50 -0500

More photos » by Lenny Ignelzi - AP Two words: Footsie Pajamas Browse more photos » Sorry to have this up so late. I couldn't bring myself to write it last night because tiredness won out. Alright, the title is a little non sensical, but David Eckstein was responsible for driving in the fourth run, which put the proverbial nail in our proverbial coffin, did have a 3/4 night at the plate, and was...

Top 10 Sports Movie Quotes...To Use While Watching Sports

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:59:45 -0500

There are a handful of quality sports movies. From those, dozens and dozens of memorable quotes and one-liners have arisen. However, the true magic of a sports movie quote is being able to seamlessly drop said nugget in casual conversation. One reaches the pinnacle when you can perfectly drop a sports movie quote in the context of a sporting event.

When this all makes sense, it's magic. I think you know what I'm talking about, but just in case...here's the top 10 that I find myself (and/or fellow fans) dropping while checking out sports spectacles in-person or on TV. And they never seem to get old...

10. "I must break you." (Ivan Drago, Rocky)
Admittedly, it's rare that this one comes completely in the flow. But, once in awhile, you hear a quote from a player or coach that solicits an "I must break you" reference. And when it works, it's money.

9. "You're five-foot-nothin', a hundred and nothin" (Steele, Rudy)
Yes, call it a bias, but it seems this one usually comes directly following a ridiculous and unexpected play -- unexpected because the player making said play is, well, tiny. David Eckstein immediately comes to mind.

8. "The sun even shines on a dog's ass some days." (Sidney Deane, White Men Can't Jump)
Often used when something happens that is so atypical that you're not even pissed off. I've used this on occasion when watching the Mets and begging one of our (always reliable) closers to just throw it 95 down the plate and let (fill in career .200 hitter with no home runs) hit it over the fence. "If he does, I'll tip my cap." Seconds later, while tipping my cap, I've mused: "The sun even shines on a dog's ass some days."

7. "Starting defense, place at the table!" (Steve Lattimer, The Program)
OK, I've likely only used this a handful of times. When reading about one of the new Jets draft picks cracking the starting lineup, I've been know to drop it. And it's definitely found its way into an email exchange or two...also used it when watching Chris Hovan or other face-painted defenders have a mild psycho fit on the field following a sack or big tackle for loss.

6. "Noonan! Miss it, Noonan" (Everyone, Caddyshack)
Perhaps the most widespread use and applicability across sports. Easy to inject into any pressure-packed sports moment particularly clutch putts and free throws. Miss it Noonan was made for free-throws.

5. "Sweep the leg/Put him in a body bag, Johnny!" (Karate Kid)
I like to reserve this for when Frankie Rodriguez enters the game nowadays. Unfortunately, yelling any such quotes when prior Mets closers emerged from the pen was just plain silliness (see: Looper, Benitez). Now...much fun.

4. "It's in the hole!" (Carl Spackler, Caddyshack)
In theory, perfect for golf and very little else. However, Carl Spackler quotes make themselves flexible enough for any situation.

3. "Don't think this one has the distance..." (Jake Taylor, Major League)
Used in exactly the same manner as the movie...on a pop up to the catcher. Nothing more, nothing less. Yet, every time a backstop turns toward the stands behind home plate and puts his glove in the air I find myself muttering...

2. "It's too high..." (Wahoo Drum Crew, Major League)
The fact that I can't find a clip of this is the biggest Internet travesty in recent memory. Let's just say every ball that's a no-doubter off the bat from the opponents at CitiField, my buddy and I turn to each other and say: "Too high." Then we proceed with the rest of the classic exchange as if quoting it for the first time. Like grade-schoolers..."at first, I thought the trajectory..." Quite amusing always...

1. "Juuuust a bit outside." (Harry Doyle, Major League)
Perfect for any pitcher who can't come near the plate. Oliver Perez usually solicits a few of these per at-bat. Call me evil, but I immediately think back to a certain playoff series and pitcher every time (still big fan) I ponder real-life usage of this legendary Doyle drop. What's underrated? The next part of the quote..."Juuuust a bit outside...tried the corner and missed."

That's what we got, folks. Sure, there are a half dozen more from Major League alone, but I'll leave that to y'all. Hit us with others in the comments. Made-for-game quotes from sports movies. Holla.

Dodgers-Padres Lines Preview

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:35:20 -0500

The Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at PETCO Park. Clayton Kershaw will be the starting pitcher for the Dodgers on this day. Lefthander Kershaw is 0-0 this season with a 0.00 ERA. The Padres will counter Kershaw with Kevin Correia. Righthander Correia has a 0.00 ERA to go along with a 0-0 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Dodgers listed as 145-moneyline favorites versus the Padres, while the game's ...

Tracy Ringolsby Is Confusing

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:36:07 -0500

In an article for Fox Sports, he goes off on people who make a "fuss" about the incompetent voting for the MVP award. "For some reason there is a faction that doesn't grasp the meaning of the word 'valuable.' Let me spell it for you: v-a-l-u-a-b-l-e, as in Most Valuable Player. It is not a synonym ...

‘Raising’ Arizona: Ashley Eckstein (and Husband) Traded to Diamondbacks

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:58:58 -0500

The Toronto Blue Jays have traded shortstop David Eckstein to the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league pitcher Chad Beck. In more important news? Actress and 2008 Hot Baseball Wife Finalist Ashley Eckstein is on her way to the Grand Canyon State! The actress, who's voice recently starred in Star Wars:

Solve Everyone's Problems: Trade Favre For Manny

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:21:33 -0500

Manny wouldn't know the difference. Ship him to Green Bay, have 'new' manager Mike McCarthy hold a morning meeting explaining to Manny that the rules and strategy of baseball have been completely modified. He'll be excited as if he were in gym class and it was a new school week and was time to move on and play a different sport. And playing in Wisconsin, he's certainly guaranteed to lead the league in snow angel production, definitely this kind maybe even of this sort. ...

David Eckstein Free Agent Anaylsis

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:56:28 -0500

The Jays signed up SS David Eckstein. Was it worth it and where does this leave the team's other middle infielders?

David Eckstein Meets With Mets

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 14:38:53 -0500

The New York Daily News reports that David Eckstein, Omar Minaya, Willie Randolph and other team executives dined in chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon's neighborhood in Connecticut Friday night.