Posts tagged BCB 2011

Hey folks, Harry Doyle, here…

Y’know, over these last few years, we’ve seen some interesting developments in the Ballcap Bet’s short history: a riveting first-year head-to-head between hometown rivals; Cale Drange’s perfect 35 re-pick points in last year’s contest; a pair of last-second Pitman comebacks to dodge coronation that I would argue might rival even my Tribe’s amazing ‘89 and ‘94 performances.

This year, we’ve got newcomers Joe Klueh and William Riley, and the two have seen their share of Bet success: Klueh took an early lead only to see his chances fade when his bracket evaporated seemingly overnight. Meanwhile, Riley has staked himself to a respectable 91 points, enough for first place, and a thirteen-point lead over last year’s champion Heydinger.

It’s a bet where trash-talk has become the de facto currency; where one’s ecstatic high is another’s complete unravelling; mothers are made fun of, and manhoods called into question.

It’s a bet of astonishing highs and devastating lows—and an entire off-season of woe and regret, manifest in ballcap form.

And with the World Series looming on the horizon, well—you’ll forgive this old stick-and-ball-guy’s sentimentality. The long season is almost over and, soon enough, the winter winds will fly. Yes, a bittersweet off-season awaits one man; a new Ballcap Bet loser will soon be crowned.

And if that loser happens to be Todd Pitman—well—we will all know exactly who to blame.

Read More ➔

I have absolutely nothing left in the tank after last night’s stunner.

What an astounding display of simultaneously horrible and blissfully great baseball.

Just as Heydinger’s post so eloquently put it, I was left grasping at superlatives to describe the ridiculous and incredible spectacle of last night’s 11 innings. I think we all were.

So now, then… Ballcap Bet II comes down to this.

Who shall wear the crown?
And whither the team whose logo shall adorn it?

Were I to pick the Rangers with Benson picking the Cards, and were I to somehow get all four game pick points with Benson scoring five re-pick points—a big enough gamble in and of itself—the two of us would end this thing in a tie. With the tiebreaker in that (admittedly very specific) scenario going to Benson—60 runs have been scored already this World Series (Benson guessed 52, I guessed 44)—I truly have no option but to attempt to pad my automatic five re-pick points with a Cardinals victory.

Cardinals 6 - Rangers 4 - W: Carpenter

So really, the only cap Benson can end up wearing is the Cardinals’, and the only cap I can end up wearing is the Rangers’. Here are the scenarios (UPDATE: actual scenario in bold):

Pitman must wear the cap if:

• we both pick Cardinals and they lose.
• we both pick Rangers and they win.
• Benson picks Rangers/Pitman picks Cards, Rangers win.
• Benson picks Cards/Pitman picks Rangers, Rangers win.

Benson must wear the cap if:

• we both pick Rangers and they lose.
• we both pick Cardinals and they win.
• Benson picks Rangers/Pitman picks Cards, Cards win.
• Benson picks Cards/Pitman picks Rangers, Cards win.

I have zero desire to wear any form of Rangers cap—let alone one of Heydinger’s choosing.

It’s on.

Rangers 4 - Cardinals 3 - W: Harrison

It’s funny because I kinda want the Cards to win.

But it wouldn’t be that bad to rep a Cards hat.

Yankees really would have been the worst.

I really do not like anything from Texas—except barbeque.

I guess I have never been there.

Cardinals 5 - Rangers 3 - W: Carpenter

Baseball never makes me think of this.

And this is just funny.

But I’m thinking Heydinger probably feels a lot like this.

And this is what I think of that.