Welcome to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field

By Andrew Marcus

Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow on Twitter @amarcus515

The North Side of Chicago has nothing without Wrigley Field. Waveland, Addison, Clark and Sheffield are designed to celebrate winning baseball. Unfortunately the Chicago Cubs have not been able to do that for 103 years and 2011 is not going to snap that streak.

The bars and night clubs that are a Sammy Sosa home run away from home plate more often than not full of frustrated, lovable losers. I’m sure Taco Bell and McDonalds did not exist even 50 years ago on Waveland, but they are now there too to help Cubbie supporters to turn to emotional eating.

All that negativity shuffles through the streets, but once you walk through the gates of Wrigley it’s impossible to not see bright side – a chance for Cubs wins.

Every day is a day to raise the “W” flag, sing the Cubs song and take one step closer to giving Wrigley and Chicago faithful what they do deserve. Even on the hottest day of the summer they fill up the bleachers beyond the infamous ivy wall, sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” in unison with whomever is doing their best Harry Caray impression.

There is not too much banter about today’s stiffs that take the field 82 games a year, but the stories of Hack Wilson, Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Andre Dawson, Ryne Sandberg live on - also, the “what-ifs” of Kerry Wood, Mark Prior and more.

I came decked out in Philadelphia Phillies gear, commemorating the 2008 championship, you see the bitterness and jealousy behind their eyes and through their smiles. The friendly confines of Wrigley Field keeps the stadium full and the true Cubs fan want that, even if it’s attracting more tourists than locals these days.

Wrigley Field and probably Boston’s Fenway Park are the only two stadiums that can get away with not having a big HD scoreboard blocking the beautiful Chicago Skyline, but the team has been so bad lately that changes are going to be made in the near future in hopes to rejuvenate the organization.

I’m glad I made the 11 hour drive from Philadelphia prior to owner Tom Ricketts going 21^st century on one of the most historic playing grounds in America. Chicago and Wrigley Field truly is something any baseball fan needs to see.

It brings a small, tight knit community feel to a big time booming city and there is no place in the World like it.

So enjoy the upscale scene downtown, make sure to avoid driving anywhere, hop on the Red Line to the Addison stop and take a slice of the ivy-lined walls home with you.

All-League BuxMont Legion Team

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

Tonight after the BuxMont Legion Championship game between Pennridge and Quakertown at Quakertown Blazers Stadium they will announce the all-league teams and MVP for the summer of 2011. But, before they do I thought I'd give you my feelings according to what I saw on the diamond over the last few months.

I decided to weigh play in the regular season over playoffs, though the tournament is factored into my decisions. But I just felt somebody's play over 20 games should be credited more than the final four or five games.

Hatfield's Joe Forcellini

Player of the Year: 1B/3B/P: Joe Forcellini (Hatfield) - Fresh off a Philadelphia Catholic League MVP for his successful season with LaSalle, the corner infielder/pitcher continued his torrid pace at the plate. Hitting in the middle of Post 933's lineup he carried them to a regular season title. Hatfield fell quickly in the postseason, but you cannot dismiss all that he did at the dish through the first 20 games, where his team's record was 15-5.

Doylestown's Kris Davis

P/SS: Kris Davis (Doylestown)







P/SS: Tyler Coleman (Quakertown)


P - Jamey Minnemeyer (Nor-Gwyn)

C - Jimmy Smith (Hatfield)

Pennridge's Mike Kessler

2B - Mike Kessler (Pennridge) - Right there in the player of the year mix the lead-off hitter for Post 255 kept his team afloat when their record was 3-10 and now that they have won 11 straight games does not mean he hasn't continued to get on base by any means. He's become known for his super speed and beautiful bunts, but Kessler also has his fair share of extra base hits. Pennridge would not be going for their 2nd consecutive title without Kessler kick starting their offense.

Pottstown's Kyle Dentler

3B/P - Kyle Dentler (Pottstown)



SS/C/P - Dylan Tice (Pennridge)



OF - Matt Hanson (Doylestown)

Perkiomen's Tim Mayza

OF/1B - Tim Mayza (Perkiomen) - Mayza best asset may be his overpowering fastball, but playing for another team forced him to contribute in other ways. Mayza was one of the most feared hitters in one of the strongest lineups in the BuxMont league. He deserves strong consideration for player of the year for the work he did at the dish, just hitting anything that opposing pitchers threw across the plate.

Nor-Gwyn's Ryan King

OF/P - Kurtis Roberts (Quakertown)

3B - Brian Happ (Warrington)

3B/OF - Ryan King (Nor-Gwyn)

3B/P - Scott Giuliano (Souderton)

MLB Halfway Awards

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter

If 2010 was the deemed "The Year of the Pitcher" what's the proper way to describe the first half of 2011? "The Year of Small Ball". I've got nothing that sums up how this post-steroid era of baseball is being played out in a few words.

All I know is it's fun to watch the near no-hitters day in and day out. It seems to me the elite hitters have been able to put a stellar years, but an average player has seen his share of 0-for-4s thanks to dominant pitching and the new way to use a bullpen.

Believe it not it has not been that many years when a 7th inning guy or a lefty specialist has been THIS valuable. We witnessed it in last year's playoffs when San Francisco Giants' Javier Lopez made some of the best left handed hitters in the game look foolish. We also now elect middle relievers like the Nationals' Tyler Clippard and the Royals' Aaron Crow into the All-Star Game.

It may be the "Year of Small Ball" where bunts and hit and sac flis are the way offenses have produced, but it's still a big bopper that will bring home the big hardware.

NL MVP: Matt Kemp (Dodgers) - Hidden by all the turmoil in the front offices in Hollywood is the official coming out party for Mr. Kemp. He is no longer Rhianna's ex or the talented center fielder that took plays off, he is the biggest force in the NL right now and maybe the MLB. He not only is on pace for a 40-40 season, but he has a batting average well over .300 and he's playing gold glove defense. The Dodgers may sell at the deadline because they just filed for bankruptcy or because they are falling back in the NL West, but a first half like this needs to be recognized.
Others receiving consideration: Prince Fielder (MIL), Jose Reyes (NYM), Ryan Braun (MIL), Justin Upton (ARI), Brian McCann (ATL)

NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay (PHI) - When you are first in Innings Pitched, second in Wins, second in Strikeouts, second in ERA and second in WHIP you have to give the nod to the Docter. Sure, others can make a case, but nobody takes the ball every fifth day like the Phillies' clear ace.
Others receiving consideration: Jair Jurrjens (ATL), Cole Hamels (PHI), Clayton Kershaw (LAD), Kevin Correia (PIT)

NL Manager of the Year: Kirk Gibson (Diamondbacks)
Others receiving consideration: Clint Hurdle (PIT), Tony LaRussa (STL)

NL Rookie of the Year: Craig Kimbrel (Braves)
Others receiving consideration: Danny Espinosa (WAS), Freddie Freeman (ATL)

NL All-Pros
C - Brian McCann (ATL)
1B - Prince Fielder (MIL)
2B - Brandon Phillips (CIN)
3B - Aramis Ramirez (CHC)
SS - Jose Reyes (NYM)
OF - Matt Kemp (LAD)
OF - Lance Berkman (STL)
OF - Ryan Braun (MIL)
SP - Roy Halladay (PHI)
SP - Jair Jurrjens (ATL)
RP - Jonny Venters (ATL)
CL - Joel Hanrahan (PIT)

AL MVP: Adrian Gonzalez (Red Sox) - The off season acquisition has been even more than expected in Boston and expectations were pretty high to begin with. I'm surprised any hitter wants to play in San Diego after seeing what A-Gonz has done. Gonzalez has gone from an quality all-star first basemen to some consider the premiere hitter in the game today. His smooth swing has him on pace to hit .350 with 31 homers and 142 RBIs. With Gonzalez signed through 2018 he could end up with some monster career numbers thanks to the left field Monster.
Others receiving consideration: Miguel Cabrera (DET), Jose Bautista (TOR), Asdrubal Cabrera (CLE), Curtis Granderson (NYY)

AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander (Tigers): We knew Justin Verlander can strike out hitters with the best of them, but figure in his 2.26 ERA with the 138 strikeouts and you are looking at your hardware winner in a very competitve race. His 11-4 record and 143 innings may be the biggest reason the Tigers are hanging around in the AL Central. He may even deserve some MVP votes because of how important he has been.
Others receiving consideration: James Shields (TB), CC Sabathia (NYY), Jered Weaver (LAA)

AL Manager of the Year: Manny Acta (Indians)
Others receiving consideration: Jim Leyland (DET), Joe Maddon (TB), Eric Wedge (SEA)

AL Rookie of the Year: Michael Pineda (Mariners)
Others receiving consideration: Jeremy Hellickson (TB), Zach Britton (BAL)

AL All-Pros
C - Alex Avila (DET)
1B - Adrian Gonzalez (BOS)
2B - Robinson Cano (NYY)
3B - Jose Bautista (TOR)
SS - Asdrubal Cabrera (CLE)
OF - Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS)
OF - Melky Cabrera (KC)
OF - Curtis Granderson (NYY)
SP - Justin Verlander (DET)
SP - Jered Weaver (LAA)
RP - Aaron Crow (KC)
CL - Mariano Rivera (NYY)

Second Half  Turnarounds (The first name will cool off and the second name will heat up)

C - Alex Avila (DET) C - Mike Napoli (TEX)

1B - Mike Morse (WAS) 1B - Billy Butler (KC)

2B - Ben Zobrist (TB) 2B - Dan Uggla (ATL)

3B - Jhonny Peralta (DET) 3B - Evan Longoria (TB)

SS - Asdrubal Cabrera (CLE) SS - Hanley Ramirez (FLA)

OF - Carlos Beltran (NYM) OF - Carlos Gonzalez (COL)

OF - Lance Berkman (STL) OF - Mike Stanton (FLA)

OF - Matt Joyce (TB) OF - Ichiro (SEA)

SP - James Shields (TB) - SP - Ubaldo Jimenez (COL)

SP - Dan Haren (LAA) SP - Chris Carpenter (STL)

CL - Sergio Santos (CHW) CL - Mike Adams (SD)

Previewing the BuxMont Legion Playoffs

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

Graduation was months ago, vacation has come and gone, and for the next two weeks all the focus for eight hopeful American Legion baseball teams is winning a BuxMont Championship.

In the last month the standings were shaken up and Hatfield won the regular season with a 15-5 record. Now they will go for Post 933's fourth tournament title in five years.

But seven other teams have something to say about that - and all of them believe they can leave Quakertown Memorial Field on Monday with the trophy - and rightfully so.

All eight franchises are well aware of the parody throughout the league and the seeding is irrelevant. All it denotes is where the first round game will be held and who will get last bats.

There are no favorites. Here is a breakdown of the first four games.

Hatfield's Joe Forcellini 

Nor-Gwyn Hawks (8) @ Hatfield Post 933 (1) - While Hatfield has pounded its way to a league title they aren't afraid to mix it up in a pitcher's duel. One thing the Hawks have going for them every year is a deep pitching staff and an excellent pitching mind in coach Kevin Manero. The Hawks, who threw three shutouts on the season, will need to cool off Hatfield's Joe Forcellini and Jimmy Smith - the tandem has been nearly impossible outs this summer.
PREDICTION:  Hatfield 8, Nor-Gwyn 2

Pennridge's Oscar Mikols

Pennridge Post 255 (7) @ Doylestown Tigers (2) - The defending tournament champs from Perkasie may be the hottest team going. After a slow start they have won seven straight games, though none have come against the Tigers. The experience may favor Pennridge, but the Tigers may have been the most consistent team over the last two months. The Tigers deep lineup will need to bury Pennridge early because Pennridge is known to string 10 hits together if they get going, but also can get shutout by a pitcher that is in the strike zone. Throwing strikes is what Tigers' Kris Davis, Jason Goldberg, and Marty Martens do best.
PREDICTION: Pennridge 9, Doylestown 6

Quakertown's Kurt Roberts

Quakertown Blue Jays (6) @ Perkiomen Post 184 (3) - A few days ago it looked like the Blue Jays were going to win the regular season crown, but untimely funk has them fallen all the way to the six seed. Perkiomen, who is under a first year head coach has play with optimism all season and should be riding high after beating the Blue Jays 11-7 two days ago. If the Blue Jays get out of Upper Perk with a win the experience and home field advantage they will have could make them a threat to win it all, but they need to turn their luck around quickly.
PREDICTION: Quakertown 4, Perkiomen 2

Pottstown Steelers

Pottstown Steelers (5) @ Warrington A's (4) - Two very evenly matched teams makes it very hard to predict who will walk away a winner from this one. You have to like Warrington having home field advantage becuase Pottstown has to make an hour long trek. Warrington has also outscored its last two opponents 25-6, thought they have lost to a struggling Lansdale team 10 days ago. Pottstown has won four of the last six games.
PREDICTION: Warrington 12, Pottstown 11

What the MLB All-Star teams should look like...

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

There's no popularity vote here. I have no soft-spot for struggling superstars. You won't see Derek Jeter or Chipper Jones on these teams. I will abide by the rule to take on player from each team. Here is what the 30-man rosters should look like come next July 12th in Arizona.

NATIONAL LEAGUE STARTERS

SS - Jose Reyes (Mets) .352 BA, 65 R, 3 HR, 32 RBI, 30 SB

CF - Matt Kemp (Dodgers) .330 BA, 52 R, 22 HR, 64 RBI, 22 SB
LF - Ryan Braun (Brewers) .321 BA, 57 R, 16 HR, 61 RBI, 61 RBI, 19 SB
1B - Joey Votto (Reds) .315 BA, 54 R, 11 HR, 50 RBI, 6 SB
RF - Justin Upton (D'Backs) .300 BA, 47 R, 13 HR, 43 RBI, 14 SB
C - Brian McCann (Braves) .311 29 R, 14 HR, 47 RBI, 2  SB
2B - Rickie Weeks (Brewers) .280 BA, 58 R, 14 HR, 33 RBI, 7 SB
3B - Placido Polanco (Phillies) .284 BA, 34 R, 4 HR, 39 RBI, 3 SB
SP - Roy Halladay (Phillies) 10-3 123 K, 2.40 ERA, 1.03 WHIP

N.L. Reserves
C - Miguel Montero (D'Backs)  SP - Cole Hamels (Phillies)         RP - Craig Kimbrel (Braves)
1B - Albert Pujols (Cardinals)    SP - Cliff Lee (Phillies)              RP - Drew Storen (Nats)
1B - Prince Fielder (Brewers)    SP - Jair Jurrjens (Braves)         RP - Joel Hanrahan (Pirates)
2B - Brandon Phillips (Reds)      SP - Anibal Sanchez (Marlins)   RP - Heath Bell (Padres)
3B - Aramis Ramirez (Cubs)      SP - Ian Kennedy (D'Backs)     RP - Brian Wilson (Giants)
SS - Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies)  SP - Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers)
OF - Matt Holliday (Cardinals)  SP - Tim Lincecum (Giants)
OF - Hunter Pence (Astros)
OF - Andrew McCutchen (Pirates)

AMERICAN LEAGUE STARTERS
LF - Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox) .300 BA. 55 R, 9 HR, 40 RBI, 25 SB
CF - Curtis Granderson (Yankees) .275 BA, 72 R, 21 HR, 56 RBI, 14 SB
1B - Adrian Gonzalez (Red Sox) .349 BA, 56 R, 16 HR, 73 RBI, 1 SB
3B - Jose Bautista (Blue Jays) .330 BA, 63 R, 25 HR, 54 RBI, 5 SB
2B - Robinson Cano (Yankees) .292 BA, 50 R, 14 HR, 52 RBI, 6 SB
SS - Asdrubal Cabrera (Indians) .295 BA, 53 R, 14 HR, 49 RBI, 12 SB
RF - Adam Jones (Orioles) .286 BA, 38 R, 13 HR, 46 RBI, 6 SB
C - Carlos Santana (Indians) .230 BA, 38 R, 12 HR, 38 RBI, 3 SB
P - Justin Verlander (Tigers) 11-3, 130 K, 2.32 ERA, 0.86 WHIP

A.L. Reserves
DH - David Ortiz (Red Sox)      SP - C.C. Sabathia (Yanks)  RP - Mariano Rivera (Yanks)
DH - Victor Martinez (Tigers)     SP - Josh Beckett (Red Sox)RP - Chris Perez (Indians)
1B - Mark Teixeira (Yankees)    SP - Jered Weaver (Angels) RP - Brandon League (M's)
1B - Miguel Cabrera (Tigers)      SP - Felix Hernandez (M's)  RP- Jose Valverde (Tigers)
DH - Michael Young (Rangers)   SP - James Shields (Rays)          
SS - Alexei Ramirez (White Sox) SP - David Price (Rays)
2B - Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox)    SP - Gio Gonzalez (A's)
OF - Alex Gordon (Royals)         SP - Scott Baker (Twins)
OF - Josh Hamilton (Rangers)
OF - Ichiro (M's)