The World Series, Game 1

So a couple of things are going to happen right now.  I am going to reveal another one of my favorite things, and I am going to do so by addressing a question that caused a LOT of controversy during my recent family vacation.

First of all, I love the Phillies.  If baseball was the only sport that happened during the year and all of the other sports fell off the map I would feel no remorse.  That's how much I love the Phillies - enough that it overrides the need for any other sports to exist.  My classroom is not decorated with student work - it's decorated with Phillies photos and memorabilia.  That's how much I love the Phillies - enough to warrant displaying it in my classroom INSTEAD OF anything related to the subject I teach.

So if you understand how much I love the Phillies, then you now have an idea of how much my brother loves the Braves.

Let's just say that the love we have for our respective teams has polarized my family.  Except it's really more like a Phillie massacre.  Because everyone but my wife and I loves the Braves.  So whenever we get together the topic of whose team is better comes up.

This particular vacation was no different.  It came up, but I feel like both parties handled it very well.  Until my brother and I were talking on the beach with our cousin Sumter.  I don't remember how the question came up, but we were talking about how the Braves have good pitching this year.  So someone asked - probably me - who the Braves should start in game one of the World Series.

So obviously this was hypothetical and highly imaginary.  Because there is no way they make it there this year.

But if the situation were to come to fruition, both my brother AND Sumter said they would start Derek Lowe.  No question.  Because of his experience in the playoffs.  So I immediately asked - because it is a logical question - why they wouldn't start Tim Hudson.  Or Jair Jurrjens.  Or ANYONE BETTER than Derek Lowe.

Their response - experience matters more in the playoffs.  Cut and dry.

Their argument is that in a situation where you must win a game you would start someone who has more experience in the playoffs over someone who has more talent.  So I then asked them what I thought was a great example of a counter to his argument.

You are the Giants and you have a choice between Barry Zito and Tim Lincecum.  Barry Zito is 4-3 in the playoffs with a 3.25 era.  His starts came in the same time frame as Derek Lowe's starts, so it is a fair comparison.  Tim Lincecum is 15 years old - he just started shaving - so he has no playoff experience.  Do you start Barry Zito because of his experience?

Their answer was no - as was the Giants answer last year when Tim Lincecum was amazing in the World Series.  I felt like this was a pretty solid counter argument, and I explained that I feel like you should start your best pitcher in the toughest situations - therefore I would start Hudson over Lowe and Lincecum over Zito.

To me, experience is certainly important, but when you compare Lowe's numbers to Hudson's numbers in the playoffs, I don't feel like Lowe's numbers "wow" me enough to start him over someone who has very similar numbers yet has an ERA that is 0.40 lower over his career and a win percentage that is ten points higher.  Neither has a winning record in the playoffs.  So when I look at the fact that Hudson has a winning record this season and an ERA that is almost 1.00 below Derek Lowe, I go with the person who is performing.  And that's Hudson. 

While I thought I presented a pretty good counter argument and explanation for my choice, they both still refused to acknowledge my reasoning as legitimate.  This led to a few other conversations about the topic and just a general disagreement about everything baseball for the rest of the trip.  But as we were disagreeing, I thought about who we (the Phillies) should start in Game 1 of the World Series. 

If I take the stance of experience in the playoffs the pitcher that should start is Cole Hamels.  He has more playoff experience than both Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay AND has won a World Series. 

If I take the stance of overall experience including post season, we should pitch Cliff Lee who is 7-2 in the playoffs, has pitched in the last two World Series and has much more experience pitching during the regular season than Cole Hamels.

But as I said, I put my best pitcher on the mound.  So without a doubt I start Roy Halladay - arguably the best pitcher in baseball right now.  His first time in the playoffs was last year.  He threw a no-hitter in his first game.  

A no-hitter.

Like, he only walked one person on a questionable call (in my opinion) and faced 28 batters in his first game EVER in the playoffs.

Roy Halladay starts because Roy Halladay is our best pitcher.  Call me crazy, but the Phillies (and every other team in professional sports) pay these players too much money to worry about who is going to need a tissue in tough situations.  Pitch according to your ability when I need you to or have a seat.

Now I am going to go enjoy the rest of our season with Hunter Pence on our team.  And when we get to the World Series I am going to giggle like a school girl when Halladay starts Game 1 and Game 2 because he is that good.  If you need to find me, that's what I will be doin' right now.

The Dominican

First of all, I feel like that would be - and has probably already been used as - a great movie title.  Secondly, I must apologize to my readers for not updating the blog sooner about one of the best experiences I have ever had.  I went down to the Dominican Republic with our church to do some missions work in the town of Hato Mayor.  Our goal was to accomplish two things: build a church in one of the communities that Shalom (my church's partner church) has been working to help and witness to the many children running around the community while we were building.

My hope with this post is to just share a little bit of what was amazing about my trip through pictures of some of the people and stories about what I experienced.  The best way I can think to do that is by talking about three things:  the people I worked with, the things that I witnessed and the lessons I learned.

The People I Worked With

I was on the trip with 19 other people.  There were people who ranged in age from 14 to 44.  At first I thought that might create some awkward cliques as the trip went on, but I could not have been more wrong.  It became clear that each one of the people on the trip had gone to the Dominican with the purpose of growing closer to God, and as He often does I feel like God displayed His glory through the relationships we formed with each other during the week.  I got the opportunity to talk with some of the high school boys about struggles they have had living a Christian life in such a secular school environment.  I had the opportunity to form friendships with people my own age, and to learn from those who have had children and have lived more life than I have.  It was amazing.

The people I spent the week with.

We also met and worked with some of the most dedicated people I have ever known.  We had two "translators", Lionel and Mario.  The reason I put translators in quotes is because when I think translator I think someone who speaks both their native language and the translated language fluently.  Let's just say communicating didn't go as smoothly this week as I would have hoped.  But aside from that, these two men were such amazing brothers in Christ.  When we met them initially they both seemed shy, but as the week went on I saw them worship and praise God so passionately both during church services and through the work they helped us do that my view of who they were was totally changed.  It filled me with such joy to know that we were spending time with brothers of the faith who worship the same God that we do even if they don't really speak the same language that we do.

Lionel on the left, Mario on the right.

We also met one of the most intimidating men I have ever seen.  Not intimidating in the usual sense, but moreso intimidating based on things he did throughout the week.  Like hammer a 3 inch nail into the structure with one swing.  His name was Woscar, and in case you are wondering that translates into English as: Woscar.  He was the right-hand man of Pastor Carlos, and pretty much didn't talk to anyone.  But if he did talk to you, you listened.  And immediately asked someone to translate in case he asked you to do something.  

Woscar guarding the bus.

We also had the opportunity to work with a couple of pastors from the churches associated with Shalom.  Pastor Cruz and Pastor Rudolfo would probably have been considered our project managers when it came to the church.  Rudolfo spoke through the work that he did, and Cruz spoke through a loud and joking demeanor.  Rudolfo would point and often speak in one word commands whereas Cruz would joke with the people around him, laugh at us and then tell us what to do.  Neither of them spoke English - but neither of them really had to.  Their work and personalities spoke for themselves.

Carlos on the left, Cruz in the middle and Rudolfo on the right.

Last but not least, pictured on the left, was the head pastor of Shalom, Pastor Carlos.  I cannot say enough about the work he is doing down in the Dominican.  He has such an outstanding relationship with the community - given what he does for a living - and has such a heart for the people of Hato Mayor and the communities surrounding it.  He took us to see so many different areas that Shalom has been able to reach out to and explained why certain things were handled the way that they were.  He is a big man - he is tall and has a very strong presence.  He was driving us home one night on the bus and someone on the street hit the bus as it went by.  He immediately stopped it, got out, and walked up to the person to see what the problem was.  He didn't lose his temper, but I am sure if he had the person would have soiled themselves.  

The Things that I Witnessed

When I wasn't helping to build the church, I spent my time with the kids who were all around us.  I got to give some of them piggyback rides.  I got to twirl some of them around and around and then just let go.  I got to play baseball in the Dominican.  

In a field.

With cows right beside me.

And their feces right beside that.

Playing baseball with people that don't speak English.  Making a catch in the outfield.  Beside a cow.  Whaaaat?

We also played a little soccer, as you can see.  Soccer and baseball - two sports the rest of the world plays.  AWESOME!

I got to see people worshipping the same God that I do in a completely different language and in a very different way than I normally would.  We went to church on Sunday and heard Pastor Carlos preach, and on Tuesday I went to a church in Guayabal.  I also got to share my testimony on Tuesday.

Me with my ridiculous beard sharing my testimony.

The church we went to on Sunday.

Something else I witnessed: some of the best fried chicken I have ever had.  From a place that also sold Chinese food.  In the Dominican Republic.  You serious Clark?

Chinese in the Dominican.

I saw kids chasing our bus.  Like in a movie.  Because they genuinely enjoyed us.  So cool.

Seriously the coolest thing ever.

The Lessons I Learned

1. Kids are kids everywhere.  Just look at some of these pictures.  I loved getting to know some of them even in the short time we spent together.  These kids were so excited to see us everyday.  It made me so much MORE excited to be having a daughter.  It's gonna be awesome.

2. My beard was so ridiculous that I could fit 78 toothpicks into it without any of them falling out.  And look tribal while doing it.  Weird.

78 toothpicks. Say whaaat?

3. When you get people together and they get on a plane to the Dominican Republic with the intention of doing God's work, His work is done quickly and beautifully.  Look at this church!!  

4. People all over the world worship the same God that we do.  It was so amazing to SEE that - to spend time with those people and worship Him at the same time.  What a glorious God! 

I know I have been long winded and have included a ridiculous amount of pictures, but this trip was amazing and I feel like you need to see what I saw in order to appreciate what I say all the more.  There is still work to be done though, so you should go too.  I would go with you!  Seriously, what else are you doin' right now?

Movies, The Final Installment: Amazing Cinema

As these posts come to a close, I find myself having less to say about the movies I am recommending to the general public.  It would seem logical that this post would be the most involved as it will reference some of the most amazing cinema I have ever witnessed, but I am at a loss for words.  I feel like these movies speak for themselves.

So technically they should have already told you about themselves? 

Anyway, I have cited in other posts that I don't expose myself to that which will make me feel the need to take a shower later.  If taken too far, that argument could be used to justify forgoing movies like Finding Nemo or The Lion King because of the topics those movies touch on.  People have different levels of tolerance for movies and what they will and won't expose themselves to.  I feel with some cinema there comes a point when there is not enough positive take away to overcome the negativity being sprayed in my grill.  But I acknowledge that I am a conservative dude, so to each their own.

So as I reveal these amazing movies, I will split them into three lists:  movies that don't cross the line and are amazing, movies that are too much for me but are really freakin' good, and movies that I love but are probably not that good.

Amazing Movies That Don't Cross the Line:

1.  The Dark Knight - I saw this movie FOUR TIMES in theatres.  FOUR TIMES!!  I probably gave a solid $80 to $100 dollars to the benefit of this film via ticket and concession expenses.  Someone had to help pay Heath Ledger's child support...

2.  Invincible - I love Philadelphia, but I know that not everyone else does.  I can't for the life of me figure out why, but I promise after watching this movie it will be a struggle to continue hating on the best city in the state of PA.

3.  Inception - Two reasons to watch this movie:  Leonardo DiCaprio.  Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

4.  The Prestige - This is the third movie I have mentioned that is directed by Christopher Nolan.  Perhaps he is the reason they are so phenomenal.  Either way, bring your thinking caps and your David Bowie wigs to this one.

5.  The Bourne Ultimatum - The Bourne series is amazing, so watch the first two movies and then watch this one.  And marvel at the amazing things Matt Damon does time and time again.

Amazing Movies That Fly Over the Line Like a Bat Out of Hell:

1.  The Departed - I distinctly remember being so shocked by what I was witnessing that I crawled up the back of my seat in the theatre hollering in disbelief.

2.  V for Vendetta - Who knew someone could make wearing a mask so cool...

3.  Gladiator - Russell Crowe beats people up off set.  Probably why he was so successful in this role.

4.  Good Will Hunting - Matt Damon and Ben Affleck WROTE it. 

Amazing Movies That Probably Aren't Actually That Good:

1.  Blue Streak

2.  You Got Served

3.  Fool's Gold

4.  Angels in the Outfield

Yeah right...they are freakin' amazing.

Watch these movies!  What ELSE are you doin' right now?