Poll Results

The latest poll question was part two of the most hated teams in the MWL.  Not surprisingly, the votes for the Western Division teams weren't as strong as those for the Eastern Division rivals. 

Here are the results:

Beloit Snappers 1 (6%)
Burlington Bees 4 (25%)
Cedar Rapids Kernels 2 (12%)
Clinton LumberKings 0 (0%)
Kane County Cougars 4 (25%)
Peoria Chiefs 4 (25%)
Quad Cities River Bandits 0 (0%)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 1 (6%)

As you can see, it's a three way tie between Burlington, Kane County, and Peoria.  I'm guessing that Burlington is on the list because they beat the Hawks in the '08 MWL Finals.  The other two teams are from Illinois, and I think that's more just of a state rivalry more than anything else (although Cubs haters might not like Peoria for that reason).

There is no new poll question right now for two reasons:
1)  It's getting closer to Opening Day and I want the countdown to be featured next to each new post
2)  I have no idea what to ask right now

Hated Rivals

The results are in from the latest poll question:  Which Eastern Division rival do you like the least?

And your votes (with the winner in italics)

Bowling Green Hot Rods 0 (0%)
Dayton Dragons 2 (11%)
Fort Wayne TinCaps 3 (17%)
Great Lakes Loons 6 (35%)
Lake County Captains 4 (23%)
Lansing Lugnuts 1 (5%)
West Michigan Whitecaps 1 (5%)

I'm curious as to what the results of this poll would have been two years ago, before the Loons started beating the Silver Hawks regularly.  Hopefully, the Silver Hawks figure out a way to solve the Great Lakes mystery and beat up on the Loons in 2011.

Although I don't think there is as much hate for the Western Division, let's see what you think about them in the new poll question posted on the right side of the page.

Poll Results

I asked you a while back which of the proposed stadium renovations were the most exciting, and here's how the responses came in:

Field Turf - 5 (15%)

New Team Store - 3 (9%)

Stage/Splash Pad/Fire Pit in Outfield - 2 (6%)

360-degree concourse - 11 (34%)

Updated picnic and group areas - 1 (3%)

State-of-the-art score/video board - 8 (25%)

Other - 2 (6%)

I thought the new scoreboard/videoboard would win, but I'm pleasantly surprised that the 360-degree concourse came out on top. I think this is a huge piece to making the Cove a better place by allowing fans the opportunity to walk entirely around the stadium, and check out all the new areas of the ballpark. It just opens up the stadium so much more and gives it a better feel.

A new poll is on the right.

Poll Results

It's amazing how I am busier at work during the offseason than I am during the season. You'd be stunned by the amount of work that it takes to get ready for a 140-game season.

Anyhow, enough excuses. Here is your first and only post of the day.

Last week, I asked who you thought would make it to the World Series. Again, this is using your head, not your heart. Not surprisingly, a matchup of the two favorites was the leading result. However, I was surprised that the seond leading result was a matchup of the two underdogs.

Phillies and Yankees 8 votes (44%)

Phillies and Rangers 3 votes (16%)

Giants and Yankees 3 votes (16%)

Giants and Rangers 4 votes (22%)

Poll Results

Well, the Reds and the Twins sure didn't last long in the postseason. As most of you know, I'm a Reds fan so I'm a bit disappointed this morning. That being said, I really didn't expect them to make the playoffs in the first place, so I will take the NL Central championship and hope it is a sign of things to come.

Here's how the rooting interest broke down according to the poll question on this blog:

29 total votes

9 - Tampa Bay Rays
8 - Cincinnati Reds
6 - Minnesota Twins
2 - Texas Rangers
2 - Philadelphia Phillies
1 - New York Yankees
1 - Atlanta Braves
0 - San Francisco Giants

We'll go without a poll for a couple of days until the NLCS and ALCS begin.

I'll probably have another post later today.

Poll Results - Haley's Accomplishments

The question was: Considering the nature of Minor League Baseball, what's the more impressive milestone for Mark Haley?

Your Answers:
400 wins with one team - 15 votes (51%)
500 career wins - 4 votes (13%)
Reaching the playoffs five straight seasons - 10 votes (34%)

A new poll question is up on the right regarding Sammy Sosa's uniform number, which we discussed a couple of nights back.

Poll Results

As you can see on the right side of the page, the majority of people that voted don't think the Cubs will win a World Series in their lifetime. That's both sad and amazing all at the same time.

I'm trying to think of a new poll question, but my brain isn't working today since we had to be up early and had a long bus ride to Bowling Green. I'll likely have one tomorrow. If you have any suggestions, let me know.

Poll Results

The question was: As of July 8th, the Silver Hawks are five games over .500 against everyone in the MWL except the Great Lakes Loons. Does this change your opinion on the team?

The results are as follows:

Wow, I didn't realize that. I have renewed faith in this club. 10 votes (33%)

I knew that and I still think the team will make the playoffs. 12 votes (40%)

I knew that, but I don't think they'll make the playoffs. 4 votes (13%)

I didn't know that, but it doesn't change my view. 4 votes (13%)

So most of you still think the Silver Hawks will make the playoffs (current three game losing streak not factored into this poll of course).

A new question is on the right with a simple yes or no response today.

Poll Results

Here are the results from where the fans think the Silver Hawks will finish in the second half.

Second Half Champs - 6 (15%)

Second Half Wild Card - 23 (58%)

Miss the Playoffs - 10 (25%)

A new poll question is up on the right side of the page.

Back To It...

After 4 days off, I'm ready to get this second half started.

The last poll question was ridiculous with some vote flooding, but according to the "fan vote", Matt Davidson edges out Bobby Borchering for first half MVP. Again, there was nothing official about this poll, and unfortunately it turned into a joke instead of a legitimate "who do you think has been the most valuable player" fan vote.

Anyhow, a new poll is up on the right.

Poll Results - New Question

Here are the results from the last poll question, asking how important it would for the Silver Hawks to get back to .500 in the first half (total votes and percentages bolded).

Doesn't mean anything...records reset at 0-0 anyhow 5 (17%)

Somewhat important 2 (7%)

It would be huge for this team's confidence 19 (67%)

.500? I'm not giving up on a first half playoff spot yet! 2 (7%)

A new question is up asking about first half offensive MVP (With all due respect to all the players, I've only included the regular starters on the list, and even some of them probably could have been left off in a true MVP race. To be completely honest, this is really a two or three horse race).

Poll Results

Most of you were somewhere between a little concerned and very concerned about the team's trouble in scoring runs.

Of 34 responses...

9 (26%) said that it's still early, and they weren't concerned.
17 (50%) said they were a little concerned but confident it would get better.
6 (17%) said they were starting to really worry.
2 (5%) said they were reaching for the panic button.

A new poll question is up on the right. Vote now.

Poll Results

The question was where you thought the Silver Hawks would finish in the Midwest League Standings in the first half. Here are the results out of 30 votes:

First Half Champs - 3 votes (10%)

First Half Wild Cards - 15 votes (50%)

Finish 3rd or 4th place - 8 votes (26%)

Finish in the bottom half of standings - 4 votes (13%)

A new question is posted on the right side of the page.

Poll Results and a New Question

Of the former South Bend infielders/catchers in the pros already, most of you think that Mark Reynolds will end up having the best MLB career. He got 10 votes to lead the way, followed by Dan Uggla with six votes. Nobody else got more than two.

A new question is up on the right asking you to predict what happens over the next 50 games leading up to the all-star break. Basically, where do you think this team will finish the first half.

Poll Results -- Biggest Mistake in Sports (Plus New Question)

I must have struck a nerve with my last poll question, because a ton of people voted on it.

As it turns out, the readers of this blog are basically split:
38% said adding 96 teams to the NCAA tournament would be the biggest mistake
35% think realignment in baseball would be a more costly error
12% think the BCS is a disaster
12% think not allowing NHL players into the Olympics would be horrible

Now, you do have to realize that this blog is a baseball blog (most times, ha!), so the results are skewed a bit. If I were to post this same question on a hockey blog, I'd imagine the NHL question would get more votes. Even still, amongst the baseball fans that read this blog, they still feel that expanding the NCAA tournament would be the most egregious mistake.

I have a new poll question up on the right, asking you to project which former South Bend outfielder will end up having the best MLB career. Obviously we know what Mike Cameron has done, but you have to project what you think for the other three.

Spring Training Poll Results

I'm actually a little bit surprised by the latest poll results about Spring Training. The vast majority of you said that it is perfect the way it is. I was honestly expecting most people to say they liked it, but it was too long.

Anyhow, a new question is up to the right concerning proposed changes in various sports. Baseball has lately been talking about realignment, college hoops is talking about adding teams, there is always a debate about the BCS (one way or another), and with the success of Olympic hockey, we still don't have a commitment that NHL players will participate in four years. What is the bigger mistake?

Daily Promotions Poll Results

Based on the latest poll, it seems as if most of you are excited about the Souvenir Saturdays this season. To be honest, I can't blame you. Fleece Blankets, Hats, Cups, Team Pictures, and Bobbleheads are just some of the items that will be given away this season at Coveleski Stadium.

We had a tie for second, with Dollar Mondays, Thirsty Thursdays, and Friday Fireworks each generating a lot of interest.

A new poll is up on the right with your thoughts on Spring Training and the month of March.

Catching Up With Ryan Babineau

My interview with Ryan Babineau is now up on the main page of www.silverhawks.com. Ryan only played 10 games with South Bend in 2009 because of an injury, but we could see him again to start 2010 and he would be an excellent guy to have around (not only for his baseball ability, but for his passion and leadership ability).

Also, most people that voted in the poll question think the Colts will win the Super Bowl (by a 2-to-1 margin over the Saints), and this was conducted before we even knew who the final two teams would be. I have a new Super Bowl related question up on the right, and then I promise I'll get back to baseball polls as we near the start of spring training.

Your Favorite Offseason Sport

The poll results are in, here are your favorite sports in the offseason:

College Football (40%)
Pro Football (20%)
NHL (20%)
NCAA Basketball (16%)
Other (4%) -- I'm curious as to what this would be.
NBA and Local High School Sports did not receive any votes.

My favorite is NCAA Basketball, followed by the NFL and College Football, for what it's worth.

Pitching MVP

The voting is over for the Silver Hawks pitching MVP award, as determined by you, the readers of this blog. Since this is a completely unofficial poll, there is no prize awarded other than the pride of knowing the fans selected you (and yes, it's unofficial because this basically just turns into a "who can stuff the ballot box?" campaign).

Here are the results
1) T.J. Hose - 8 votes
2) Wade Miley - 6 votes
T-3) Justin Mace - 5 votes
T-3) Taylor Sinclair - 5 votes
5) Ryan Cook - 4 votes
T-6) Trevor Harden - 1 vote
T-6) Keny Sosa - 1 vote
T-6) Bryan Woodall - 1 vote
T-9) Victor Capellan - 0 votes
T-9) Sean Morgan - 0 votes

I don't have a tremendous problem with these rankings, although I'd shuffle a few positions around.

Again, I didn't include everyone in the voting because certain players didn't have enough innings or a good enough ERA to qualify. I set the standards at 35.0 innings and an ERA lower than 4.50.

There's a new poll on the right.