{"id":165,"date":"2010-05-08T23:14:21","date_gmt":"2010-05-09T04:14:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/?page_id=165"},"modified":"2012-01-14T03:56:33","modified_gmt":"2012-01-14T09:56:33","slug":"brett-phelps","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/about\/brett-phelps","title":{"rendered":"Brett Phelps"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Known in other circles as Slo-Mo and Captain Buck Nasty, I am a wandering gypsy who splits most of my time between the Land of Enchantment and the Biggest Little City in the World.\u00a0 My academic career has been a juxtaposition of sheer genius and utter apathy.\u00a0 Somewhere along the way I managed to weasel my way into being a Farmington High School Honor Graduate (thanks senior year Algebra I!)\u00a0 and pumped out a cumulative GPA of 3.01 at the University of Nevada, Reno, where I have finished my studies yet am still pending graduation due to clerical negligence. I haven\u2019t played baseball since my balls dropped and the only other Golden Sombrero staffer I\u2019d consider taking my baseball skills up against is the lone female, Julia.\u00a0 Apparently my brother got those genes, but just because I can\u2019t play doesn\u2019t mean I don\u2019t love the game and I have spent my fair share of time on the diamond as an umpire and rioter.\u00a0 I think being named after George Brett lends me some automatic credibility and hope the fact that I suck at baseball will provide me a unique perspective to share with all of you.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve never played fantasy baseball but was co-owner of 2010 NBA Fantasy League Champions O\u2019Doyle Rules.\u00a0 When I\u2019m not getting kicked out of sporting events or harassed by the Man, I work as a part time delivery boy for bigsausagepizza.com<\/a> (NSFW).\u00a0 Please feel free to challenge anything I say or cheer me on at brettsta04@yahoo.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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\n Spaceman Time Warp: A stoned baseball fan\u2019s look at Bill Lee\u2019s High Times cover story<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"Spaceman\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

Back in the day Griff and I collected a lot of sports memorabilia: all kinds of baseball and basketball cards, also various framed, autographed and otherwise notable balls, mini-balls, gloves, mini-gloves, pictures, plaques, and jerseys.\u00a0 Some were bought with saved up allowance, others were gifts, and some we got waiting in long lines at public […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n Hank<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"Hank\"\n\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

Hank Molina was my first, and best, boss.\u00a0 Hank had been the Farmington Amateur Baseball Congress Umpire in Chief since before I was born, and he turned eighty years old the year I started working for him as an ump.\u00a0 Never a large man, Hank\u2019s body had shriveled considerably by the time I met him, […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n Baseball\u2019s Best Losers in 2010<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"Baseball\u2019s\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

As the Rangers, Yankees, Giants, and Phillies start the American and National league Championships and take one step closer towards their goal of a World Series title, a slew of dominating pitchers and devastating bats are set to face off. The first round of the playoffs was amazing and we can only hope that we […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n Great Pitching Dominates the Start of the MLB Playoffs<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"Great\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

After six long months and 162 grueling games (not including spring training) the Major League Baseball playoffs are finally once again upon us. The competition has been whittled away to the cream of the crop and now only the guys who have strung together enough consistency, heart, and luck over the last half year are […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n Longo\u2019s Little Guys Battle Jeter\u2019s Bronx Bullies<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"Longo\u2019s\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

The first time the Rays and Yankees played this season was April 9th at Tropicana Field. Both had taken two of three in their first series and were eager to keep the early season momentum rolling. This game was significant for two reasons. First, I was watching it from the right field bleachers and it […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n National League\u2019s Wild West Wrap-Up<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"National\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

Only a few weeks remain in Major League Baseball\u2019s regular season and there\u2019s no reason for fans not to be thrilled; we\u2019ve got fantastic finishes shaping up all around the league. In the National League West, the collapsing San Diego Padres, steady San Francisco Giants, and surging Colorado Rockies are battling for the division crown […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n Don\u2019t Mess with Nyjer Morgan<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"Don\u2019t\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

Fighting in organized sports is generally frowned upon. When football turns to blows the players are described as barbarians, out of control monsters with little or no self control. When basketball teams slug it out they\u2019re deemed thugs and hoodlums. But Wednesday night\u2019s Nationals-Marlins game included one of baseball\u2019s most time-honored traditions, the bench clearing […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n The Case of Roger Clemens vs. the Little League World Series<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"The\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

This time of year most kids are trudging back to school, reluctantly returning to once again counting down the days until vacation. Baseball season is long over and the biggest drama they\u2019re facing is upcoming homework, projects and book reports. But one lucky group of kids gets to hold onto summer holiday a bit longer […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n Saying Goodbye to Bobby Thomson, the Man Who Hit the \u201cShot Heard \u2018Round the World\u201d<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"Saying\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

Former Major Leaguer Bobby Thomson passed away Monday at the age of 86, but his 1951 \u201cShot Heard \u2018Round the World\u201d will undoubtedly live on as long as the game of baseball is played. Thomson\u2019s walk-off homerun, which sent the New York Giants to the World Series over their bitter cross-town rival Brooklyn Dodgers, capped […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n Batter Chatter Gives The Golden Sombrero a Shout-Out!<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

The baseball blog Batter Chatter is a wonderful website where, as they put it, \u201cbaseball and language intersect.\u201d\u00a0 Each day Batter Chatter gives a break down on some unique baseball terminology, in the form of a definition and references to its historical usage.\u00a0 As one who has always been as interested in the history and […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n

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\n The Ryan Express Keeps the Rangers Rolling at Auction<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"The\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

There is much more to professional baseball, along with every other pro sport, than just the action taking place on the field. While it is the accomplishments and exploits between the foul lines that fans want to see, it is the out of site front office operations that are actually driving the billion dollar industry […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n Connie Mack World Series: The Best Baseball Tournament You\u2019ve Never Heard Of<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"Connie\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

It seems every small town holds its own annual festival of some sort, a social happening to bring the community together and give the few people there a reason to get out and celebrate collectively. For many places this event is the local fair, a chance for folks to show off their best quilting and […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n 10 Baseball Quotes for People Who Don\u2019t Necessarily Love the Game<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"10\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

I\u2019ll be the first person to tell you, I\u2019m really not that big of a baseball fan.\u00a0 I do enjoy watching the game live and I appreciate the talent it takes to play, but I don\u2019t necessarily follow the everyday happenings or even watch matchups regularly.\u00a0 What I enjoy most about baseball is its unique […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n Bill \u201cSpaceman\u201d Lee: One Out of This World Ballplayer<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"Bill\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

One of my favorite things about baseball is the array of characters that have played the game over time.\u00a0 In a sport where refined technique is as valued as raw athleticism, there is much more opportunity for people outside of the typical \u201cjock\u201d to excel. \u00a0Anyone with an oversized pituitary gland can dunk a basketball […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n 2010 MLB Trade Deadline Recap<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"2010\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

The 2010 Major League Baseball trade deadline has come and gone and once again ended with GMs shouting out deals back and forth as frenetically as Wall Street floor traders. The two biggest names dealt before today\u2019s deadline were pitchers Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt. Lee has turned into quite the vagabond as of late, […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n The Quest to Be King: Four Players in the Running for Baseball\u2019s Triple Crown<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"The\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

Winning Major League Baseball\u2019s Triple Crown is arguably the noblest distinction an offensive player can receive. To hit dominantly for both power and average is a tremendous feat and even if someone manages that, a good bit of luck is still necessary to provide the base runners necessary to bat runs in. As prevalent as […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n Curt Schilling Is an Uber-Dork<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"Curt\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

Few people would argue that former MLB pitcher Curt Schilling was a gamer. The guy\u2019s fierce and sometimes angry competitiveness was well documented throughout his career; for many the most indelible memory of Schilling will always be his \u201cbloody sock\u201d performance in Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS. But what many people don\u2019t know is […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n Fantasy Baseball Breeds Real Life Drama<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"Fantasy\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

Fantasy sports provide average fans a way to feel connected with their favorite pastimes in an above average way.\u00a0 Previously relegated to rooting on our home teams and beloved players in voiceless anonymity, we now have the pleasure of \u201cowning\u201d our own teams and \u201cmanaging\u201d them the way we see fit.\u00a0 While fans in some […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n Evan Longoria and the Rays Battle Baseball\u2019s Evil Empire<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"Evan\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

At first glance, there wouldn\u2019t appear to be many similarities between the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees. The Yankees regularly top the league\u2019s payroll, shelling out $206 million in player salaries to lead the way once again in 2010. This year the Rays have climbed to number 21 on the list and […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n C\u2019mon Bud, Let\u2019s Bring the Fun Back to the All-Star Game<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"C\u2019mon\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

The first Major League Baseball All-Star Game was played at Chicago\u2019s Comiskey Park in 1933; organized in conjunction with the city\u2019s World\u2019s Fair by Chicago Tribune sports editor Arch Ward. The American League won 4-2 behind the stellar play of Babe Ruth, who not only hit the first home run in an All-Star Game history […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n High Definition a Huge Disaster?<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

Watching the World Cup has been a real treat for me this year because I have been blessed enough to take in matches the way God righteously intended when he gave us television: on a 50-something inch flatscreen in 1080p High-Definition picture. Being a broke college student most of the last half-decade, HDTV was nothing […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n

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\n I’m No Dope, I’ve Got Adderall<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

While professional athletes ditching gold digging trophy wives is no novel concept, the recent divorce proceedings of Kansas City Royals catcher Jason Kendall and his estranged wife Chantel have remained frequent fodder for internet gossip sites like TMZ and RadarOnline and even recently made the jump to websites not concerned with the latest atrocious parenting […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n

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\n Exploring Scott Boras\u2019s statistical projections that helped score A-Rod $252 million<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

Be sure to check out Brett Phelps’s latest article over at youbeenblinded.com Exploring Scott Boras\u2019s statistical projections that helped score A-Rod $252 million<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n

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\n Dom DiMaggio: Baseball\u2019s Biggest Little Brother<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"Dom\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

“Who hits the ball and makes it go? Dominic DiMaggio.\/ Who runs the bases fast, not slow? Dominic DiMaggio.\/ Who’s better than his brother Joe? Dominic DiMaggio.\/ But when it comes to gettin’ dough, they give it all to brother Joe.” Growing up, my older brother Griff was always the baseball player of the family.\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n The Brett Phelps Haiku Spot<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"The\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

Grips seams tight in glove Lets loose a blazing fastball Circle K \u2013 sit down<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n The Brett Phelps Haiku Spot<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"The\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

Hat trick plus uno Awful day for fantasy Golden sombrero<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n Casey on the Juice<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"Casey\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

“Love has its sonnets galore. War has its epics in heroic verse. Tragedy its sombre story in measured lines. Baseball has Casey at the Bat.” – Albert Spalding This is my modern take (my remix, if you will) on Ernest L. Thayer\u2019s classic 1888 poem, Casey at the Bat. Anyone that takes the time to […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n John Wooden: Confucius of the Court<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

Legendary college hoops coach John Wooden passed away last Friday, June 4.\u00a0 The renowned strategist and mentor, best known for his 10 titles in 12 seasons at UCLA, was ninety nine years young.\u00a0 Wooden was revered by those who played under his tutelage, remembered fondly as a strict disciplinarian and master motivator.\u00a0 He accumulated a […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n

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\n I’m So Cool Wit’ It In My Baseball Hat<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"I’m\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

May 31, 2010 I was certainly more raised on baseball than I was on hip hop.\u00a0 I was whiffing at balls on a tee for my preschool squad and Baltimore choppin\u2019 in the batting cages before Biggie and Pac ever started beefin\u2019.\u00a0 I knew California Love and was vaguely familiar with some other more popular […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n Heads Up!<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"Heads\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

May 26, 2010 Of all the projectiles used in today\u2019s four most popular professional sports, no air-borne apparatus is more deadly more than the baseball.\u00a0 The worst damage a football or basketball will usually ever do is jam a finger or break a nose (sorry, Stuart Scott).\u00a0 A hokey puck is comparable to a baseball […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n Steppin’ Up To The Plate<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

May 24, 2010 I was talking to Dee the other day about something that I find to be one of the coolest parts of the game of baseball and its inherently individualistic nature, walk-up intro music.\u00a0 There is no other team sport in which every player on the field gets so many exclusive moments.\u00a0 A […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n

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\n Wee Willie Who?<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"Wee\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

May 23, 2010 As nothing more than a casual baseball fan that doesn\u2019t play fantasy, I have always been more fascinated with all-time records and idiosyncrasies than the statistical minutiae most of you pore over regularly.\u00a0 I would rather find Babe Ruth\u2019s highest combined total of home runs hit and hot dogs consumed in a […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

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\n Just Tase Me, Bro! The Evolution of Electrocution in the Land of Idiocracy<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \"Just\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n

May 9, 2010 Starting things off I have to give a huge shout out to Golden Sombrero Nation.\u00a0 Lil\u2019 Arlo has the site looking fresh and everyone has been throwing in nicely.\u00a0 Two quick hollas: one to Dee, the fantasy guru of the dental world, and the other to Griff, America\u2019s most dangerous high school […]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n

<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Known in other circles as Slo-Mo and Captain Buck Nasty, I am a wandering gypsy who splits most of my time between the Land of Enchantment and the Biggest Little City in the World.\u00a0 My academic career has been a juxtaposition of sheer genius and utter apathy.\u00a0 Somewhere along the way I managed to weasel […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":2,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/165"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=165"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/165\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":290,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/165\/revisions\/290"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegoldensombrero.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}