Nick McSwisher - The Breakfast Giver

What's better than McDonalds breakfast in the morning? Apparently this is a mantra Nick Swisher likes to live by. Yesterday morning, before Spring Training workouts, the Braves veteran decided to spoil the fans who had come to watch. He had bought several McMuffins at McDonalds and proceeded to throw them to fans. Considering his charisma and kind heart, this did not come as a surprise to fans; but was a reminder to us all that such a small gesture really can brighten someone's day. In addition to gifting the fans McDonalds, he also signed their McMuffin wrappers. In my opinion, an autograph is way better than any Happy Meal toy McDonalds has ever offered. Fans who received a sandwich from Swisher, expressed their gratitude over twitter and Swish responded, "My pleasure! @McDonalds for everyone." Looks like Ronald McDonald has some competition. Spring Training... We're lovin it.

Photo: Twitter- @NickSwisher 

Video of Swish delivering the McDonalds to fans:
http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nflvideos/swisher-gives-out-mcdonalds/vp-BBq8mkb

Major London Baseball

Major League Baseball is in talks with London, England officials, considering a regular season series being hosted there in 2017. Baseball is the only large American sport that hasn't had a series played across the pond in the past few years; the NFL and NBA have had games played there recently. If the plan were to fall in place, the games would most likely take place at Olympic Stadium in London. This stadium was originally built to house the 2012 Summer Games and is now being converted to the home of the West Ham Football Club. While there are other cities/countries that are more immersed in the game of baseball that could host the series, I think London is a great choice for the MLB to seek out. I know that the people of London love their sports, and I think introducing them to baseball firsthand would be wonderful. If MLB and London do strike a deal, I would personally love to see the games in London live in person. London is at the top of my list of places I want to visit and adding baseball to the itinerary only makes me want to go more. Some say that playing regular season games in another country is unfair to players, because of jet lag and unfamiliarity with the venue, but I feel that the fact that another country will be introduced to baseball is important to acknowledge as well. It also helps baseball fans in the U.S. to discover other stadiums and places around the world. We don't know for sure yet if MLB and London will come to an agreement, but I truly hope they do.

I guess I better start saving up for my 2017 trip to London now...
(if I'm not living there already by then... hint hint Niall Horan)

By the way, I may be a little biased considering my favorite band performed at the Closing Ceremonies for the Summer Games at Olympic Stadium in 2012... Maybe. ;)


Photos: BBC
             The Mirror UK

600 Chris Denorfia Bobbleheads Mysteriously Left on San Diego Resident's Doorstep

If I woke up to 600 bobbleheads on my doorstep, I wouldn't question it, I would just add them to my
collection. Yet I know, this would not be the case for everyone, including Philip Jia. When he and his roommates walked outside to hundreds of mysterious boxes piled along their doorstep, they immediately contacted police. Turns out it was only 600 Chris Denorfia Padres bobbleheads. The SDPD said it was definitely the strangest call they had ever received. Nobody knows who dropped off the bobbleheads or why. Jia and his roommates had never even heard of Chris Denorfia, but they are now his biggest fans. They are now using the bobbleheads for dog toys, stacking them along their condo walls, gifting them as Halloween party favors, and giving them away to friends. They have considered selling them, but they don't go for much on eBay, considering Denorfia now plays for the Chicago Cubs.

I am curious about Chris Denorfia's thoughts on this whole debacle. Hey, maybe he was the one who dropped them off? Maybe he was cleaning out his garage and thought that perhaps having 600 of his own bobblehead was a bit excessive? Who knows... We may never know who Bobblehead Santa is... My only peeve about this whole situation--- Why do I have to wait in line for two/three hours for ONE bobblehead, yet these people who don't even like baseball get 600 DELIVERED RIGHT TO THEIR DOORSTEP?! Life can be so unfair sometimes...

News Video of Bobbleheadgate:
http://bcove.me/30x79njn

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Why-Did-600-Padres-Bobbleheads-Appear-Near-a-Residents-Doorstep-347279632.html

Photo: NBC San Diego

Mark Kotsay Returns to A's as Bench Coach

I remember Mark Kotsay being one of my favorite A's players back when I was in elementary school. Such a great player, with a great baseball mentality, and fantastic leadership skills. I always predicted that he would become a coach in the MLB someday. It was announced yesterday that he will be Bob Melvin's bench coach next season. He spent last year as the San Diego Padres hitting coach, so this will be an important promotion in Kotsay's career. He and Bob Melvin simply had lunch in Jack London Square last week, talked about their philosophies and approaches (which were similar) and decided Kotsay would be a good fit to come back to Oakland. 

This last season for the A's was disappointing to say the least, especially after the past few years they have had, winning the AL West and Wild Card. The only way they are going to improve is if some positive changes are made. The World Series just finished recently, so the hot stove is just getting warm, but I think bringing back Kotsay to improve the coaching staff is the first step in the right direction for the A's. 

I am personally very excited to see Kotsay in the bench coach role for the A's. The changes to the coaching staff were kind of a shock when Mike Gallego and Tye Waller were fired, but at least the front office and Bob Melvin are trying to get the team back to their winning ways. I feel confident with the decision to move Mike Aldrete from bench coach to first, and love Ron Washington at third, like I always have. Between Wash on third, Curt Young as pitching coach, and Kotsay back in the dugout, the 2016 season is going to feel like I'm watching my beloved 2006 A's team all over again.... That means 2016 is 10 years since the 2006 A's won the division and made it to the ALCS... I am getting old. 

My hope is that Kotsay's fun spirit, baseball knowledge, and leadership skills can lead the A's to be just as good, if not better than that 2006 team. 

Photos: SF Gate

P.S. Quick shameless plug... One Direction's new album "Made In The AM" came out today! (Which I listened to the entire time I wrote this). Highly recommend that you check it out. If you don't think you like One Direction's music, listen to this album & I guarantee you will change your mind. Their vocals on this album are the best out of the 5, & the songs the boys wrote are absolutely phenomenal.

https://open.spotify.com/album/1gMxiQQSg5zeu4htBosASY

https://itun.es/us/S-7_9

A Big Threeunion

Today was a important and memorable day for Bay Area baseball fans. September 26, 2015 was marked as the first and only time pitchers, Barry Zito and Tim Hudson would start against each other. The Battle of the Bay is always exciting, but the fact that Zito and Hudson have both played for the A's and the Giants gave this game an even more memorable storyline. Both Zito and Hudson were a part of the A's "Big Three" back in the early 2000s with their former teammate, Mark Mulder. My most early memories of A's baseball included these three and their amazing pitching capabilities. (That Zito curveball still makes me as giddy as it did back in the day). Considering they were in their prime several years ago, it is understandable why today was an important goodbye for fans as well as Zito and Hudson.

Zito and Hudson both walked out to the bullpen mounds for their warm up pitches to standing ovations from A's and Giants fans alike. The A's (thanks to a mass text by Jesse Chavez) made a sweet gesture by having all players wear high socks in honor of Barry Zito's favored uniform look. I was disappointed that the Giants didn't shave their heads bald and grow soul patches in honor of Huddy, though.

Klay Thompson of the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors threw out the ceremonial first pitch, then Zito took the Coliseum mound for his (most likely) last start in the Majors. Mulder watched from his suite in the outfield. He, along with Zito and Hudson will throw out the ceremonial first pitches prior to tomorrow's contest. Seeing Mulder watch his former teammates and the emotions he had that came with that made me feel for him. His attempted comeback with the Angels last season fell short due to a torn achilles. Even though he will be remembered by A's and baseball fans for years to come, I know his love for the game makes him wish he could have gotten back on the mound last year.

When the first half inning was over, Tim Hudson took the mound, accompanied by his walk-out song, Sweet Home Alabama. It is very abnormal for an opposing pitcher to get walk-out music on the road, but this gesture shows how much respect the A's still have for Huddy and his accomplishments with them years ago.

#ZitovsHudson did not end up being the storybook matchup we were all hoping for. Hudson was lifted in the second inning with 1.1 IP and 2 ER. Zito was lifted by Bob Melvin in high socks in the third inning with 2.0 IP and 4 ER. Both left to standing ovations and came out inbetween innings to tip their caps to the Bay Area crowd.

Seeing Zito start for the A's for the first time since Game 1 of the 2006 ALCS gave me serious nostalgia. Back then, I was in middle school and had the biggest crush on Eric Chavez. A lot has changed in those 9 years, for example, I'm now in college and have the biggest crush on a boyband member. Well, I guess not that much has changed, I mean Chavy is still pretty darn cute.

A's and Giants fans rarely come together for something, but both fanbases can agree that Zito and Hudson both meant something to the team they care about most. Although A's fans weren't happy with the outcome, it was a great game to help us look back on the past. Remembering those great A's teams from the early 2000s helps gives me hope for the future after an extremely rough season.

Congrats to Barry Zito, Tim Hudson, and Mark Mulder. Thank you for showcasing your talents in the Bay.
Happy Retirement, Big Three... Thanks for making me feel so old. <3

Images:
Oakland Athletics

Baseball Games are a Family Affair

Last night at Petco Park, Alexi Amarista led the Padres to a big 9th inning walk-off win over the Giants, but the biggest feat of the night happened near the team store in the 3rd inning.

The Padres newest little fan, Levi, was born near the Gaslamp Gate entrance of the ballpark. His mother went into labor, and Petco Park nurse, Donna Borowy knew that there was no time to make it to a hospital.
Talk about acquiring young talent....

I assume that having a baby in a baseball stadium is not every woman's dream, but it is now one of mine. I mean, it would honestly be just like a relaxing at home birth, in my opinion.

I suspect that the name Levi was already previously chosen for him (would've really fit if he was born at Levi's Stadium), but I think having a baby under a special circumstance like this calls for a name change. Perhaps Gwynn, or Kemp, or Rzepczynski would have been a better fit.
No matter his name, he and his family will have this story to tell for years to come. He can tell all the kids in his classes at school, "I was born at Petco Park, before a Padres no-hitter was even born there."

Last night was a also a promotional "College Night" at Petco Park. As a future SDSU student, I am a fan of discounted games for San Diego college students, but perhaps next year's promotion on September 24th should be a Padres Baby Onesie giveaway, with Levi throwing out the first pitch as a one year old. Just saying...

Images:
KZMets MLBlogs
BabyShower4u

One Direction On the Road Again Tour Santa Clara- Levi's Stadium

I know it has now been over a week since OTRA Santa Clara, but I literally could not bring myself to write about it until now. Post Concert Depression is very real and has been taking over my life for the past week. When I went to the Rose Bowl on Niall's Birthday during the Where We Are Tour, I told myself that I would never experience that amazing of a concert again... I was wrong.




We headed down to Santa Clara on Friday, the night before the concert. We stayed at a nearby hotel, not wanting to park on a golf course again and sit in traffic afterwards for three hours like we did in Pasadena last September. Before dinner that night we took a walk over to Levi's and saw the stage being set up and tested as well as took a walk around outside the beautiful stadium. The setup of Levi's Stadium is small, simple, but very sophisticated as well. Even their trash cans were awesome.



The next morning I reluctantly ate breakfast with a nervous stomach & got ready. We walked over and purchased our merch and got in line. We talked with others, passed out some 1DFansGive stickers, and got massive sunburns/windburns that were well worth it. One girl behind us in line "bragged" and said she "saw Paul earlier today" and I was dying inside with want to tell her. That was the only carroty encounter of the day, thankfully except for the 12 year olds in I Heart 1D shirts going from floor to floor in our hotel trying to find the boys (they weren't there). If they were old enough to have a twitter, they would have known that the boys flew in and out of NorCal the same day. Once it was time to go in, we were just thankful that our bags were accepted through security. One thing that sucks about Levi's is their HORRENDOUS bag policy. Thank God I am a Niners fan and had a acceptable clear bag.

Getting to go on the field was amazing. I knew I was going to be able to see the boys much clearer than in Pasadena, and as a huge 49ers fan, it was awesome to be able to sit where my boys play.

One Direction's opening act, Icona Pop came on at 7. They were fine, I wasn't a huge fan though. I was dying with anticipation for the boys to come out. I had seen them in person before, but never this close. I was freaking out knowing that this time it would hit me that they are actually REAL PEOPLE.

The boys came out at around 9pm. They were absolutely fantastic, as per usual. I love sports and the feelings a game can give me, but no game can ever compare to the feelings a One Direction concert gives me. Seeing their beautiful faces right before my eyes, hearing their gorgeous voices live without lip syncing like most artists today, and seeing them interact with the crowd always makes me feel so proud to call them my role models and idols. They truly are genuine, normal guys living out their dreams. They are so talented, it's ridiculous.



There were so many amazing moments. I have to highlight a few.....

Liam- Changing the lyrics in Steal My Girl to "Every jaw drop when she's in Levi Jeans"
Breakdancing to Rock Your Body by JT
Pretending to eat Niall's Hamburger Hat
Laying with Niall when Harry told us to give the person next to us a hug
Being Daddy AF constantly

Harry- Gold Boots
Making the crowd moan with him
Freaking out cause the 9 months pregnant lady left early
Cardboard Cutout of himself during SOML
Packers Cheese Head
Having no chill, whatsoever

Niall- The "Where We Going Today Mark?" he posted on Instagram before the show
Square Dancing with Liam during Act My Age
Saying "Hella" in a California accent like 100 times throughout the entire concert
NO CONTROL SOLOS
Talking about Levi's Stadium and how it's "brand spankin new"
Getting huffy cause a fan was throwing water at him when he had his electric guitar "Electricity."
"It's the Niall Tour"
Dancing like a leprechaun during Act My Age
Wearing a hamburger hat
Suggestive facial expressions while singing
BETTER THAN WORDS CROTCH GRAB
"Harry, I need to do a wee, wait for me"
Being the hottest little Irish noodle I've ever seen











Louis- Pinching Liam's nipple during Little Things
Playing Rock Paper Scissors with Liam
"I'm gonna go for a piss"
Thanking us for the 'No Control Project'
Saying "Santa Clara" in his amazingly precious English accent
Slaying No Control
Being the perfect hedgehog/English Muffin that he is

After the concert, I took a minute to try to figure out if I was still alive. I collected some Levi's Stadium field grass for my sports collection, took the Levi's floor seat signs, collected some Stockholm Syndrome Streamers and we began our trek back to the hotel, after taking a picture with the field/stage behind us.

I also saw this on the camera stand as we left. How much ya wanna bet it was Louis?------------>


When we got back to the hotel, we could see the traffic for getting out of the parking lot and were immediately thankful we chose to stay overnight. I sat at the desk in the hotel room and just stared at the wall for awhile trying to comprehend what I had just witnessed. I know that sounds ridiculous, but when you see their perfect faces maybe 10 feet from you and hear their voices live, you can't help but question the meaning of life. The post concert depression began the second the concert ended, and I still haven't recovered. Hell, I still have Rose Bowl PCD. All in all, it was the most amazing night of my life.



My sister took AMAZING video of the concert. I will link the Youtube playlist here. She recorded all songs except Don't Forget Where You Belong, Alive, and Diana. I took videos of the boys talking and Story of My Life with my iPhone if you wanna watch:



P.S. One annoying story from the night: This old lady was sat next to me in my row. She had a couple kids with her, YOUNG kids. When the concert started, they couldn't see (even though they could've cared less), so she took them closer. Naturally, I moved down the row so I could get an even better view (along with the other people in my row). The security finally made her go back to her seat during Little Things. Right as Niall's part came on she comes up to me rudely and barks that we are all in her seats all while pushing on me. If you know me, you know that the two things you do not do to me are interrupt me watching a sporting event or interrupt me during a Niall solo. I ignored her and sang along while staring at the perfection that is Niall James Horan until he had finished. I then told my mom to scoot over cause the lady had come back. I may not have said it nicely and I know the lady heard me, but I was so annoyed with her. They left after Story of My Life, apparently not realizing that there were still 4 songs to be sung during the encore.... Here's a PSA: ONE DIRECTION ARE NOT FOR CHILDREN. Several crotch grabs, suggestive lyrics, Harry moaning, Liam being Liam, Harry during the "You can get, get anything that you want" part in Kiss You, Niall thrusting during Diana, and just No Control in general are a few examples of why not to bring your 4 year old to a concert. I mean her one boy just stared up at me the entire time (not that it stopped me from acting 1DAF). And ladies, let's think next time before we interrupt a teenaged girl from watching her favorite band, especially when her favorite member is singing. Simply ask me to scoot down so you can fit back in, AFTER THE SONG HAS FINISHED. Stay in your assigned seats, and stay in your lane.