2013

I have made a resolution to actually post to this blog....yeah right.  I am counting the days till we head to Lakeland for Baseball, BBQ, strawberry Shortcake and motorcycle riding.  Hitch up the trailer and let's get out of here! 

Can the Tigers win in all in 2013?  We can only hope so.  Should be interesting.

Hotel Reservations - Check
Trailer ready to go - Check
Tickets ordered - not yet, they aren't on sale yet!

Can't wait for Joker Marchant, Parksdale Farms, Sonny's Real Pit BBQ and Jimbo's BBQ and home made pickles!

The Countdown has begun......

Almost June....

Can you believe next Tuesday is June 1? Where is the time going. In my second job, farming, we are finally planting soybeans after a 5 week break in the action. The weather has been crazy and now we will 'work' the whole holiday weekend. Momma ain't real happy about that one....no motorcycling for her. Speaking of motorcycling....where to go, where to go?? Out west, down south??? Smokies or Rockies? Give me an answer!

Tigers are back home after a devasting game yesterday. Up 4-1 in the 8th only to give up a 4 spot in the bottom of 8 and lose the game 5-4....glad they are coming home to Comerica. Not sure if they can, but when Carlos Guillen comes back Danny Worth will probably get shipped to Toledo. It is a shame. I think they release Adam Everett, slip Danny Worth to SS and play on. the Rookies are doing great, Jackson and Bosech are 2 of the best rookies in either league. Worth is hitting .400 since his call up and he can just plain pick it.

Bondo pitched a great game and has been money the last few starts. He is learning to pitch and not try to throw 95 pmh when he just can't anymore. But he is learning to fool them at the plate and deception is what pitching is all about. Ever notice the Verlanders best games are usually 4-5 k's instead of 10-12?

Go Tigers

Back from Lakeland

Well, what a time we had in Lakeland.  Made new friends and seen old friends.  What a great time was had down there.

Tigers look like they will be really good this year.  Good pitching and great hitting.  They should win the Central no problem.  But that is why they play the games.  Prince is a good guy.  Signing autographs for everyone down there if you wait in line.  There was a lot more people in Lakeland this year.  Stands were always full.  Hotels full.  Restaurants full.  Good for the city of Lakeland and their businesses.  Thanks Prince fielder.

Cabby looks okay at 3rd and Raburn is killing the ball.  Is this the year Ryan lives up to his potential for the whole year?  Time will tell.  Who is the last man on the roster?  Clete Thomas or Andy Dirks?  Both looked good down here and Thomas is out of options.  We will see what the Tigers think.  Looks to me like Duane Below could be the 5th starter. 

Rose and I also rode about 850 miles on the motorcycle while we were in Lakeland.  Hmmm....Baseball, motorcycles, and BBQ.....what more could you ask for.  Can't wait for the season to begin.....Go Tigers.

PS:  if you are in Lakeland, stop by the field north of the stadium before the game and say hello to my buddy Patrick shagging balls behind the Right Field fence.  He is the one with the first basemen's glove....

138 days till pitchers and catchers

The Tiger's season is over. 81-81. 3rd place in the Central Division. We will see what the off season brings. Damon, Laird and Bondo will not be back. Inge appears to be ready to sign on for a couple of more years and Jhonny Peralta appears to be coming back. Phil Coke will be a starter and Schlerth looked unhittable the last few times out. Time will tell what all this will bring. About 148 days from now Rose and I will get back to Lakeland to start all over again in the quest for a World Series win....yeah right...more for the BBQ!

Almost Ocotober

Can you believe the calender is about to switch to October? Man oh man that seems impossible. Last week of the baseball season. Starting to get cold in the morning and and evenings and makes for less motorcycle miles. I love fall, but it needs to stop there! No Winter!

People Ask me What I do in the winter when there is no baseball......I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.....in Lakeland that is....PLAY BALL!

Getting colder in Wauseon, OH

Better than Baseball

Well it has been about 10 days since Grandson #3 arrived in the world. Tyge Bradley Klopfenstein joins brother Jacob on Co Rd F. Seems crazy that the baby got home about 24 hours after being born. Jacob is a great big brother. He reads to Tyge...well he thinks he is...since he is only 2.. He weighed in at 7 lb 5 oz and 21" long. All grandpa and grandmas are happy.

New baby means new ballglove. Nice rawlings glove. Just something grandpa has to do. You knew I would get some baseball in here. How awesome to see how God works. 10 fingers and 10 toes and so perfect. Jacob got to stay at our house 1 night and then down to the hospital. It was great...well grandma thought so. Glad I had to go to work on Friday!

Well, the Tigers are out of it and there are only 2 weeks left in the season.....what will I do? Oh yeah, Shell corn and harvest soybeans....well haul them...dad won't get out of the combine.

Long Time

Man, has it really been that long since I last posted? Busy summer, just the way I like it. Hot Just the way I like it! My Tigers do stink! Since the All-Star game they have went from 1/2 game back to 12 games back and out of contention. Who would have known the injury to Maggs would have done this?

Now, do we trade Inge? Damon? Do we bring them back? Does Maggs come back? It will be an interesting off season. With so many contracts coming off the books. Think about it...Robertson, Willis, Bondo, Inge, Maggs, Damon, who am I forgetting. Cabrera is just an awesome player. He needs to stay here long term. Have heard people saying he is the best player in Detroit since Al Kaline. If not he is really close. Sorry, Alan, Sweet Lou, etc.....

Thinking of a 2nd Bike trip....where do we go? Grandchild #3 is almost here and that is holding us close to home for now. Corn is ripening fast...could be an early fall. Time will tell....before we can blink an eye it will be time to start thinking of heading to Lakeland....