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Apparently, Nick Markakis just needed that big swing on Tuesday night to snap out of his offensive doldrums. He has singled in each of his first three at-bats tonight and just stole second base. He has five hits in his last six plate appearances, raising his average from .283 to .296.
Peter Schmuck wants you to know that, contrary to popular belief, he is more than just a bon vivant, raconteur and collector of blousy flowered shirts. He is a semi-respected journalist who has covered virtually every sport -- except luge, of course – and tackled issues that transcend the mere games people play. If that isn’t enough to qualify him to provide witty, wide-ranging commentary on the sports world ... and the rest of the world, for that matter ... he is an avid reader of history, biography and the classics, as well as a charming blowhard who pops off on both sports and politics on WBAL Radio. That means you can expect a little of everything in The Schmuck Stops Here, but the major focus will be keeping you up to the minute on Baltimore’s major sports teams and themes, whether it’s throwing up the Orioles lineup the minute it’s announced or updating you on the latest sprained ankle in Owings Mills. Oh, and by the way, that’s Mr. Schmuck to you. 
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Comments
Nick has tremendous talent. Whether he takes advantage of it and blossoms into the player he is capable of becoming remains to be seen and depends on his level of determination and mental toughness. Like Pete Rose, he needs to truly believe every time he steps to the plate that there's no way the pitcher can get him out, despite failing 2/3 of the time. That takes real mental toughness!
Nick may never equal Ted Williams as a hitter (nobody else is likely too, either), but he at least has Carl Yastrzemski potential, and that's a tremendous complement. Yaz hit for average and power, and was a first-rate defensive player. Nick could develop into all that.
Posted by: Jim | June 18, 2009 11:27 AM