Tagged: Prince Fielder

Looking forward to the second half

Well, we are here at the halfway point and obviously not where we want to be. We have suffered through some tough losses in the first half. Any time a team loses in the ninth with a chance to win, it’s very hard to watch and can be a huge hit to a team. It’s something we have dealt with this year and something we have continued to bounce back from.

On the bright side, we have a lot of games left in the division. It starts with four games against the Nationals starting Friday, and it’s important we come out with a sense of urgency. We have enough to be a playoff team, and we need a good start to the second half.

I’m spending my break in Chicago. I still love this town and my house here, but Miami is home until October – hopefully late October. I saw Prince Fielder won the Home Run Derby, so congrats to him. I thought those royal blue jerseys were pretty awesome. I didn’t watch the game, but my kids kept me posted as to what was going on. Of course I’m glad the NL won.

I was there in 2006 managing when we won it in Pittsburgh. It’s not an easy thing. You have to win the game, make sure nobody gets hurt and try to play everyone at the same time — a lot of things going on in a manager’s mind.

I want to congratulate all the first time All-Stars on an experience I’m sure they won’t forget. As for us, I just hope we come out of the gates clicking and make a run at this thing.

It’s almost time for baseball!

I’m back! Yes, it’s good to be back in Chicago. I love my house here in the Bucktown area, and even though it’s cold, at least it isn’t as cold as it was a week ago, from what I have heard. I will be hanging around Chicago for a couple more weeks before I head down to Florida for Spring Training. Tonight I am going to head over to the United Center for the Bulls game, my first one of the year. I think they play the Bucks, who just beat Miami, so it should be a good game. On Saturday I might head over to the UFC event. I have never been to one of those so it might be a cool experience.

Now, on to some baseball stuff. Wow! Congratulations to Prince Fielder and his family. He deserves it and the Tigers definitely got better. I know Miguel Cabrera is happy. It seems like all the big-name hitters are going to the American League, thank God (haha)!

I have some things planned here in Chicago before I head out that I’m sure you are going to be interested in. We literally just set this up a few minutes before I wrote this, but on Feb. 10 I will be on ESPN 1000 “Lunch with a Legend” on the “Waddle & Silvy Show.” I’m very excited about it and it will be a good way to say goodbye to Chicago before the season starts. Hope to see as many of you out for the event as possible.

I think I am leaving town right after Valentine’s Day and I’m pumped up about it. I never thought I would say this, but I’m looking forward to seeing Joey Cora again, a lot (haha). That means only one thing: baseball is here!