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I'm Fascinated by Sacrifice Flies
I'm Fascinated by Sacrifice Flies: Inside the Game We All Love | Tim Kurkjian
34 posts | 4 read | 2 to read
The New York Times Bestseller! In the aftermath of the Steroid Era that stained the game of baseball, at a time when so many players are so rich and therefore have a sense of entitlement that they haven't earned, ESPN baseball commentator Tim Kurkjian shows readers how to love the game more than ever, with incredible insight and stories that are hilarious, heartbreaking, and revealing. From what Pete Rose was doing in the batting cage a few minutes after getting out of prison, to why everyone strikes out these days and why no one seems to care, I'm Fascinated By Sacrifice Flies will surprise even longtime baseball fans. Tim explains the fear factor in the game, and what it feels like to get hit by a pitch; Adam LaRoche wanted to throw up in the batter's box. He examines the game's superstitions: Eliot Johnson's choice of bubble gum, a poker chip in Sean Burnett's back pocket. He unearths the unwritten rules of the game, takes readers inside ESPN, and reveals how Tony Gwynn made baseball so much more fun to watch. And, of course, Tim will explain to readers why he is fascinated by sacrifice flies.
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MeganMarieWrites
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Yes, I‘ve read this one already, but spring training is just around the corner! I was running errands today and it seemed like every place I went had LONG checkout lines....I almost always have my kindle in my purse so I read. And I read. And I read! (Picture from Detroit Tiger fan fest a few weeks ago)

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MeganMarieWrites
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10/10 would recommend to baseball fans and non-fans alike. It's hysterically funny, and full of heart; you can tell that Tim Kurkjian loves his job and more importantly loves the game. He offers an insider's view of the game - it's more than just balls and strike, hits and runs...it's about the people...it's about heart. #isitbaseballseasonyet #baseballiscoming

Reecaspieces It is also a game of smarts!! Listening now to the cards spring game!! Whoop!! #baseballisback! 7y
MeganMarieWrites I'm listening to my Tigers!! I LOVE this time of year!! 7y
15 likes2 comments
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MeganMarieWrites
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MeganMarieWrites
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"They have to be passionate about the game...have a thick skin..." what a job! #isitbaseballseasonyet #baseballiscoming

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MeganMarieWrites
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I love keeping score at games but you couldn't pay me all the money in the world to be an official scorer, as Tim says, "it's a thankless job, the most thankless in baseball." It's an art form, and one mistake could mean the difference between and perfect game and a one-hitter. That's too much pressure for me. #isitbaseballseasonyet #baseballiscoming

Reecaspieces My boys of summer!!! Aahhhhhh!! 7y
17 likes1 comment
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MeganMarieWrites
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My dream job would be to work for ESPN or MLB Network as a baseball analyst, or a local station as a commentator...I want to be Suzyn Waldman when I grow up (but I'd die before working for the Yankees!) #isitbaseballseasonyet #baseballiscoming #sorryYankeefans #goTigers

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MeganMarieWrites
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"...scissors as dull as an NFL preseason game." ??? I feel like Tim and I could be good friends ??? #isitbaseballseasonyet #baseballiscoming

Reecaspieces Cardinals first spring training game is Saturday!! THANK GOODNESS!!! 7y
Amandajoy @Reecaspieces Here's hoping for a good season! 7y
MeganMarieWrites @Reecaspieces the Tigers have their first game today and I'm SO READY!! 7y
15 likes3 comments
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MeganMarieWrites
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I love box scores too, but not quite to this degree! #isitbaseballseasonyet #baseballiscoming

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MeganMarieWrites
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If I had to choose between one run allowed or four...I'd walk 'em too! There's NO WAY I'd pitch to these guys and risk clearing the bases! #isitbaseballseasonyet #baseballiscoming

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MeganMarieWrites
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If you know who Prince Fielder is, you know he can hit, he's a home run hitter through and through....but inside the park?! Fielder?! #isitbaseballseasonyet #baseballiscoming

brendanmleonard Oh noooo this means I will probably wind up watching Ken Burns' Baseball special. 😂 7y
MeganMarieWrites @brendanmleonard I 💙 Ken Burns! I love his baseball series, but my absolute favorite is his Civil War series! 7y
brendanmleonard @MeganMarieWrites me too! He's such a hero of mine. Love his jazz series. 7y
Reecaspieces That's like Yadier Molina hitting one inside the park! 7y
17 likes5 comments
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MeganMarieWrites
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Reason #4,582,321 why I love the game of baseball. #isitbaseballseasonyet #baseballiscoming

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MeganMarieWrites
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I don't know why, but this passage made me laugh out loud! #isitbaseballseasonyet #baseballiscoming

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MeganMarieWrites
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And if anybody ever wonders why I love Tim Kurkjian...here's why! #isitbaseballseasonyet #baseballiscoming

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MeganMarieWrites
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Sac flies are strategic, they are necessary, and they are, yes, fascinating. The batter doesn't get ANY CREDIT for having batted but the RBI is recorded. This guy may have just driven in a go ahead or tying run....on an OUT! If anybody ever wonders why I love this game...this is a reason why. #isitbaseballseasonyet #baseballiscoming

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MeganMarieWrites

"...character is important in this game." #isitbaseballseasonyet #baseballiscoming

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MeganMarieWrites
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There's nothing like a brawl that clears both benches and both bullpens...except maybe the really animated managers. Jim Leyland was a sight to behold when he got heated! #isitbaseballseasonyet #baseballiscoming

ScrappyMags Leyland... one of the best!! 7y
MeganMarieWrites @ScrappyMags right?! I miss him! There was a great special that MLB Network did on him a few weeks ago...it made me wish more than ever that we had him back in Detroit. 7y
ScrappyMags @MeganMarieWrites oh yeah I even remember the Sparky Anderson days. Both great coaches! 💗💗💗 my Tigers! 7y
13 likes3 comments
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MeganMarieWrites
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And ya'll, these are just a few of them! #isitbaseballseasonyet #baseballiscoming

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MeganMarieWrites
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Ah yes, the unwritten rules of baseball! We all know them, we discuss them....but we never wrote them down ❤⚾️ #isitbaseballseason yet (I'm gonna need a new #hashtag #pitchersandcatchershavereported #Baseballiscoming

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MeganMarieWrites
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I've never noticed this but you can bet I'll be looking for it from now on!! As a fan, I have my own superstitions too: 1.) never say the words "no hitter" or "perfect game" during a no-hit/PG scenario, I wear the same thing to every home game I attend and have a different outfit for games when I see them on the road, and if I'm watching a game at home (or not watching) I will stay in the same place until the game is over! #isitbaseballseasonyet

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MeganMarieWrites
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Another reason I love baseball players...they're weird and they know it! #isitbaseballseasonyet

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MeganMarieWrites
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Please refer to my previous post re: relief pitchers 😂 side note: my great grandma HATED Valverde; she would get up and walk out of the room when he started warming up and she wouldn't come back in until the game was over...unless he screwed up (which was frequent) then she'd come back in and talk about all the closers that we should trade him for 😂#isitbaseballseasonyet

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MeganMarieWrites
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Relievers are weird...we had one in Detroit who was so meticulous in his pre-throw routine that the ninth inning alone could take an hour just waiting for him to get ready! 😂😂 #isitbaseballseasonyet

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MeganMarieWrites
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I've been to Philly...their fans are a force to be reckoned with!! #isitbaseballseasonyet

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MeganMarieWrites
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I love baseball players and this is just one example why; they love their fans (and their hecklers!), they are so down to earth and it shows ON and OFF the field!! #isitbaseballseasonyet

11 likes1 stack add
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MeganMarieWrites
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Verlander is the Tiger's ace for a reason ❤#isitbaseballseasonyet

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MeganMarieWrites
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Prince Fielder is a beast #isitbaseballseasonyet

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MeganMarieWrites
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This applies to so much more than baseball...
#isitbaseballseasonyet

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MeganMarieWrites
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"It was like my face was crushed by a bowling ball, a bowling ball going 95 mph." I can't even imagine the feeling of being hit by a pitch, let alone a 95 mph fastball! YIKES!! #isitbaseballseasonyet

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MeganMarieWrites
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"...there is so much to be gained from listening to both sides." This applies to just about everything, but we are so quick to assume our side is right...that we don't even want to hear what the other side has to say. #isitbaseballseasonyet

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MeganMarieWrites
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"Sabermetrics cant measure heart" #isitbaseballseasonyet

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MeganMarieWrites

"Sabermetrics cant measure what's going on in a players head..." ain't that the truth! I love stats just as much as the next girl, but sabermetrics cant predict EVERYTHING. So much of baseball is mental...and there's no stat for that. #isitbaseballseasonyet

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MeganMarieWrites
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I can't dispute that, he really is! #isitbaseballseasonyet

Reecaspieces Pitchers and catchers report soon!!! THANK GOODNESS!!! So ready for baseball pants....uh....season!! Who wants to watch football....a bunch of men running around in capris!!! 7y
MeganMarieWrites @Reecaspieces I know!! The Tigers have packed up already to head down!!! I'm so ready for baseball pants....Baseball SEASON! 😂I love the Super Bowl simply because it means we are only WEEKS from Spring Training!! 7y
11 likes1 stack add2 comments
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MeganMarieWrites
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Baseball is a hard game, and Kurkjian does a great job outlining just HOW hard it is. It's my opinion however, that Al Kaline is the g.o.a.t of the Detroit Tigers. Yes, I'm sure there have been/will be guys that produce better numbers....but no one was like Kaline...on OR off the field. #isitbaseballseasonyet

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MeganMarieWrites
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So excited to start this one! Only twelve days until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training and I'm hoping this book puts me in a baseball mood!!

BkClubCare I would guess you caught the mood? You've inspired me to buy this for my dot for her birthday. Timing is perfect. 7y
MeganMarieWrites @BkClubCare oh my word, I'm totally in the mood now! This is a must read for baseball lovers! 7y
17 likes2 comments