Links on an Off Day

A video posted by Marcus Stroman (@mstrooo6) on

I'm not reading anything into this, but just seeing this little sunbeam running around, doing baseball related activity is great.

John Lott is covering more of the farm this season and our lives are richer for it.

"When you bunt, dammit, keep the bat away from your body." Advice from Tim Raines. 

I'm not really for bunting, especially not sacrifice bunting, but that's probably good advice.

“The grind of playing every day takes its toll, regardless of how young you are,” he said. “You have to prioritize your life. This is something they have to get familiar with as young players – getting your rest, owning the way you’re growing.
“There’s more to the game than just playing it. A lot of guys think they can just get out of bed and go out and play because that’s what they always did. But they didn’t play every day in high school or college. In college and high school you go to school. Now it’s a job. You play seven days a week and you’ve got to be prepared.”

Owning the way you're growing.



Also great, Lott's piece on Anthony Alford and his choice to play baseball over football and his leadership.

“And I think that’s what it’s all about. At the same time I’ve got to get better, and work on me as an individual. But at the higher levels they’re looking for people that are going to help the team win. It’s not all about you as an individual at the highest level. It’s about helping the team win, helping them get deep in the playoffs and possibly play in the World Series.”

I'm thrilled he chose baseball. Not just because Alford is such an exciting player, but after watching League of Denial , I wouldn't wish a football career on my worst enemy.

John Lott also takes great pictures (he took the one of Alford above.) I remember talking to a news photographer about the Chicago Sun-Times laying off their photographers and the paper saying that reporters should just take their own photos with their phones. We made fun of that and rolled our eyes, but I think Lott is a rare one who could actually pull it off.

In the Star, Brendan Kennedy writes about Bo Schultz, who was just called up.  His story is amazing.
“I don’t want to say it’s surreal because I don’t want to blow it out of proportion and make it something bigger than it is,” Schultz said of his return to the big leagues. “But it’s very special, it’s very unique. Hopefully I’ll have a lot of opportunities to perform here.”

He claps with attitude. And advises on fashion in major men's fashion magazine.

" Not overdoing it, but I always try to make sure that I compliment my outfit with a hat or scarf and that whatever accessory I am wearing remains manly."