Author Archives: Chris Georges

Does Christmas take up too much of our time?

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Look, let me first be very clear that I do not hate Christmas. I enjoy the family time, giving and receiving gifts, and general positive atmosphere that it creates. I’m not by any means a Grinch or Scrooge, or whoever other curmudgeon associated with Christmas hate.

That being said, every year I can’t help but think that the Christmas hoopla takes up way too much of our time. I’m writing this on November 24th, a month before Christmas, and it already seems like Christmas hype has been going on for several weeks. Why do you think this is?

I think the main reason is that we seem to be conditioned by retail stores to think this way. By mid October, all you see in grocery and retail stores is hype around Halloween. This at least makes some sense, but what happens on November 1st is pretty crazy. Stores immediately pivot to Christmas, without even the slightest buffer in between. That means that for all of November and most of December, it’s Christmas and Christmas only. You realize that this translates to 15% of the entire year right? If you lived until 80 years old, 12 years of your life would be amidst the Christmas hype train!

Call me crazy, but I don’t care about Christmas that much. I think December 15th is a good time to maybe start thinking about Christmas. 10 full days of looking forward to it seems plenty. I often wonder why people enjoy looking forward to holidays so much. Is it due to lack of other interests or hobbies? Or is there something they truly love about them?

Despite what I said above, I might be a bit more involved with Christmas this year. My girlfriend is a huge fan of the Christmas season, and we decided that it would be fun to make customized baseball card advent calendars for each other this year. I haven’t had an advent calendar since I was a kid, but this does seem like a lot of fun. On top of this, we plan on setting up a little tree in my apartment, since it will be our first together. Would I have done this stuff on my own? No, of course not. But it does seem like it could be fun to do together.

So hey, I may be warming up to Christmas fever a little bit, and perhaps that will continue when I have kids of my own. All I ask is to pump the brakes as to when we start getting excited for it, alright?

The University of Washington is on the brink of their best football season ever

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The Washington Huskies football team wraps up their regular season with a home game against their rival Washington State Cougars tomorrow at 1:00 PM. Win or lose, the Huskies will be hosting the Pac-12 Championship game next week.

This has been a season for the ages for the school, who has a chance to finish undefeated for the first time since the 1991 season (currently 11-0), a year in which they won the National Championship. Their quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has led the way for the team, as he remains one of the favourites for the Heisman Trophy.

https://twitter.com/pac12/status/1727494705867280570

The team has had some kind of magic this season, winning some dramatic games and taking care of the teams they are expected to beat. One of the craziest games in college football this season was the Huskies’ dramatic 36-33 win against rival Oregon back on October 14th. With a win against Oregon State tomorrow, Oregon would advance to the Pac-12 championship game, setting up a much anticipated rematch with the Huskies. The winner of that game would head to the College Football Playoffs, with a chance to win the National Championship.

The Huskies have been a solid team for a number of years now, routinely pumping out top prospects to the NFL year in and year out. Their most recent players that have made the jump to the pro ranks include Trent McDuffie, Vita Vea, Budda Baker, and Marcus Peters. The team has established themselves as a force, and seem to be able to convince most top high school prospects in Washington to stay in-state and play for the Huskies.

Some of the team’s top prospects this year include Penix Jr., wide receiver Rome Odunze, and defensive end Bralen Trice, who could all go in the first round of April’s draft. Two other wide receivers, Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan, are also likely to have their names called later on in the draft.

Do the Huskies have enough to go all the way this year? I think they just might. They seem to have that ‘it’ factor this year to win close games. It goes beyond just the players on the roster as well. Head coach Kalen Deboer has done a lot to change the culture since coming over from Fresno State last year. Deboer now has a 21-2 record as Huskies head coach, and is currently riding a 17 game win streak. For a team that was always pretty good, getting a coach like Deboer has put them over the edge. The sky is the limit for this team.

The Ohtani Sweepstakes, Part Three: Finding the Lesser of Three Evils

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The MLB offseason is well underway, with the baseball world eagerly awaiting the free agent decision of Shohei Ohtani. There’s a chance that the Japanese phenom is the biggest free agent of all time. Where do you think he will go? As discussed in previous articles, the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners remain distant dark horse options.

Realistically, the big market teams in New York and Los Angeles remain the most likely options to land the two-way star. The New York Yankees have pretty much always had the biggest payroll in the Major Leagues, but in recent years, the New York Mets have actually surpassed them. The Los Angeles Dodgers and a few other teams have spent a comparable amount of money as well. Ohtani’s personal preference will be the most important factor, of course, because many teams will be willing to match his price tag.

Let’s take a look at the three biggest market teams in the league, and determine which landing spot would be the best. By best, I mostly mean least aggravating.

Worst landing spot: Los Angeles Dodgers

Nobody wants to see this happen. The Dodgers have shelled out all kinds of coin recently, wrangling in the likes of Freddie Freeman, Trea Turner, and J.D. Martinez in recent years. Ohtani has already been playing in the Los Angeles (area) for the last 6 years, so this move would likely mean that he’s comfortable with where he’s at.

The Dodgers have probably overtaken the Yankees as that annoying team that buys whoever they want, and this move would easily take the cake. I think most Major League fans outside of Los Angeles would hate to see this move.

The worst move for Shohei: New York Mets

If Ohtani is looking for a team that is similarly disappointing as his former team, he should look no further than the Mets. The Mets have a tendency to fall flat on their face after going all in to compete. In 2023, they had the highest payroll in the Major Leagues, and then proceeded to finish 75-87. They signed free agents Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer last off-season, only to dish them off in trade deadline moves.

A perfect example of the ineptitude that this franchise exhibits is the fact that they owe over $1 million every year to Bobby Bonilla, an outfielder who hasn’t been on their team since 1999. Ohtani already dealt with a poorly run team with the Angels, who didn’t make the playoffs a single time in his tenure. It would be much better for the sport if we can all see the game’s best player on the biggest stage.

Not great, but more tolerable in 2023

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the Yankees wouldn’t be a terrible landing spot for Ohtani. The Yankees hit rock bottom in 2023, failing to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Also, as payrolls rise among other MLB teams, they aren’t as hate-able as they have been in years’ past. Now they are just one of 5 or 6 teams that spend a lot of money, instead of being the runaway biggest spender.

It would be pretty cool to see Ohtani and Aaron Judge hit back to back, wouldn’t it? Talk about a ton of power. I still don’t want this to happen, but the Yankees wouldn’t be as bad for the sport as him going to the Dodgers or Mets.

Chris’ Official Lower Mainland Brewery Reviews: Fuggles and Warlock

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Welcome to the second of three Official Lower Mainland Brewery Reviews, focusing on some of the lesser talked about establishments to grab a drink. Today we’re talking about Fuggles and Warlock in Richmond.

Nuts and Bolts

Like many breweries, Fuggles and Warlock started off as a ‘gypsy brewery’ meaning that they didn’t have a brewery for themselves; they operated out of other breweries. After establishing some success, they opened up their own brewery in 2015. The motto of this brewery is to ‘keep beer weird’. A visit into the taproom will show that they definitely live up to this moniker.

The Beers

Fuggles makes a name for themselves with their experimental beers. At any given time, they could be rocking some obscure beers that you won’t find anywhere else. When I went in recently, I tried a gnarly coffee stout with notes of vanilla cream, as well as a strawberry wit beer. Sometimes you’ll see breweries that have been around for a while become stagnant after experiencing a bit of success. It’s nice to see that this is not the case for Fuggles and Warlock. You’ll see all kinds of different beers pop up in liquor stores and in their taproom that continue to push the needle.

On top of their weirder beers, they seem to absolutely nail their more ‘typical’ beers. Their IPA, ‘Destiny IPA’ was extremely drinkable and delightful. Their Kolsch was also good for those who wanted something a bit more of an easy-drinking beer.

Taproom

As mentioned earlier, this brewery has a well-defined theme that they have stuck to well. ‘Keeping beer weird’ is an idea that is shown throughout this taproom. You’ll see arcade games, comic book merchandise, and other sciencey, outer space-like things that really set a mood. They even sometimes have video game tournaments. This kind of ambience is something you don’t really see in breweries, as most tend to roll with a typical set up. The themed brewery doesn’t always work, but in this case, it’s cool to see.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw3IvkDP7dM/

The taproom itself is pretty small, and definitely represents more of a neighborhood brewery. On a busy night, you may find it hard to find a seat. Unlike a lot of the Vancouver breweries, you won’t see as many people coming in specifically to try flights. There were a lot of people that were sitting up at the bar, giving the impression that they were likely regulars.

Final Word

This brewery has been well regarded in the craft beer industry for years, and continues to pump out quality brews. They get points from me for their unique taproom and theme, as well as their experimental beers.

The final verdict?

I’m giving Fuggles and Warlock 8.5 fermented sodas out of 10.

 

 

 

The Ohtani Sweepstakes, Part Two: Will Legacy Impact the Big Decision?

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Earlier this past summer, I went to a game between the Seattle Mariners and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Shohei Ohtani was hurt and not playing, but that didn’t stop fans from showing up in full force. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many jerseys and signs for a visiting player. Mariners fans were dong their part to convince the Japanese superstar to join their squad. Throughout the game, I heard all kinds of pleas from the home town crowd for Ohtani to come to Seattle in 2024.

Seattle is tied with Sacramento for the highest Japanese population proportion density in the continental United States. The Mariners have also made a point to target Japanese players over the years, like Ichiro, Kenji Johjima, and Yusei Kikuchi. Ichiro established himself as an absolute legend in Seattle, as he became the only player in Major League history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season.

Ichiro’s impact on Seattle was enormous, serving as a role model for a generation of young players, especially those with Asian roots. Taiwanese-American Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll modeled his game and swing after the Mariners legend while growing up in Seattle. He even started his career in a similar way, winning 2023 Rookie of the Year.

Due to the Japanese population as well as the impact that Ichiro made on the city, it’s fair to wonder if Ohtani may decide to follow in his footsteps to Seattle. This may be a bit of a loaded question though. In Japanese culture, importance is given to respecting one’s elders; and in this case, star players that came before. Ohtani may be thinking that it may be disrespectful to Ichiro’s legacy to go to Seattle and possible overshadow his achievements. Of course, this could become a non-issue if Ichiro gave him his blessing. This is the kind of wrinkle that you probably wouldn’t really see with most free agents.

I mean who’s kidding who, Seattle would likely not have the cash to afford a player like Ohtani anyways. However, unlike most free agents, this seems like one where he has all the control. Where does he want to go? Nobody really knows at this point. If he wants to go to Seattle or wherever else, you can bet that he’ll end up there.

One thing is for sure: If Ohtani decides on the Pacific Northwest, he’ll be welcomed with open arms.

 

The Ohtani Sweepstakes, Part One: An Exciting Dark Horse Candidate

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Shohei Ohtani may just be the biggest free agent in Major League history. The two-way star just capped off another season with his 2nd MVP award in the last three seasons (He finished 2nd in 2022). Elbow surgery means that we won’t see him pitch in 2024, but that doesn’t mean that he will come at a discount in free agency.

Ohtani is an MVP favourite every year based on his elite hitting and pitching numbers, but its important to note that Ohtani likely could have won the award based on his hitting stats alone in 2023. He led the league in home runs, on base percentage, as well as slugging percentage last season.

Usually there’s only a couple of teams that could afford a player like Ohtani. This year, it seems like more teams are rationalizing their interest based on the amount of potential money that he could bring in by way of merchandise and fan interest.

The dark horse team that would be the most exciting would arguably be the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays are undoubtedly a long shot to land Ohtani. They simply don’t have the money that other teams like the Yankees or Dodgers could offer, but they haven’t been shy with their interest so far.

The reason I like this fit so much? Toronto is a multicultural melting pot that has a tendency to treat their sports stars like gods. From Joe Carter to Jose Bautista to Auston Matthews, Toronto sports fans seem to get very attached to their players. To a point where they take it personally when they want out, like Vince Carter did back in 2004. Toronto also has a budding Asian community that would surely welcome Ohtani with open arms.

If money is an obstacle, Blue Jays ownership (Rogers Communications) should realize the kind of impact that he could have. Ohtani would have a chance to be the biggest Toronto sports star of all time. This would have a ripple effect on the culture of baseball in Toronto. Having arguably the most talented player in league history in town means that kids everywhere would be looking up to him. There’s a good chance that Canadian baseball would subsequently take off.

Would Ohtani sign with Toronto? Yeah, I think he would. It seems like he’s the kind of guy that realizes his impact and is concerned with more than simply making the most money possible. Playing and living in an internationally renowned city like Toronto may be more his speed than the west coast has been for the last 6 seasons.

We’ll see if Rogers can at least come close to the amount of money that Ohtani rightfully deserves.

 

 

The Atlanta Braves bullpen is shaping up to a be a force in 2024

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The Atlanta Braves have been one of the most active teams in the early portion of free agency so far, making several key moves to bolster their bullpen.

To start off, they locked up two of their relievers from last season. Joe Jimenez returns on a 3 year deal ($26 million total), and Pierce Johnson will return on a 2 year pact ($14.25 million). Jimenez was acquired last offseason from the Tigers, while Johnson arrived via midseason trade with the Rockies. There must have been something in the water in Atlanta for Johnson, as he managed a microscopic 0.76 ERA in Atlanta after recording a 6.00 ERA in Colorado before the trade.

The team also made two trades this offseason to add to their bullpen. Their first move was to send a package of players to the White Sox for Aaron Bummer, a lefthanded pitcher with electric stuff. In a separate move, the team also acquired Jackson Kowar from the Royals, a pitcher who struggled the last couple of years but may have some potential going forward.

Finally, the Braves added one more reliever to the mix by way of a free agency signing of pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (3 years, $30 million). Lopez is a former starting pitcher who became a dominant reliever over the last few seasons. The Braves are apparently not ruling out the possibility that he could start for them; but smart money would have him as a multi-inning specialist out of the bullpen.

These players are joined by closer Raisiel Iglesius, elite set-up man A.J. Minter, as well as lefthander Tyler Matzek, who will be returning from injury.

General Manager Alex Anthopoulos is likely trying to repeat the success that his 2021 World Series team had. That Braves team rode a fantastic bullpen to a surprising championship, a blueprint that many teams have also followed over the years. Look no further than the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks this past season. Both were Wild Card teams that got hot at the right time, including some shutdown performances by their bullpens.

It sure seems like the Braves are done with spending on the bullpen for this offseason. They have also shown interest in some of the top starting pitchers on the market, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they add one to their rotation. With an offense that broke records last season, the fate of the 2024 Braves will likely come down to how well they pitch.

Is the Braves bullpen good enough to engineer another deep playoff run? Sure, on paper at least. It of course remains to be seen which teams are the hottest and healthiest by the time next October comes around.

 

 

Chris’ Official Lower Mainland Brewery Reviews: Wildeye Brewing

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Welcome to the first of three Official Lower Mainland Brewery Reviews, focusing on some of the lesser talked about establishments to grab a drink. I’m going to start with Wildeye Brewing, a North Vancouver brewery that has become more and more popular over the last year.

Nuts and Bolts

Established in 2019, Wildeye joined the long list of breweries that call North Vancouver home. Located away from Lower Lonsdale’s brewers row, Wildeye has a unique location on Main Street close to the highway. This can also lead to quite a bit of traffic in front of the brewery, making it sometimes difficult to pop in.

Shortly after opening, Covid-19 led to some immediate changes. The parking lot, previously parallel to Main Street, was changed to a patio so that the brewery could operate during the lockdown.

The Beers

The brewery has gone through quite a change in their beers in recent years. Brewmaster Michael Friesen has evolved in the beers he’s come up with, relying on his experience with Belgian style beers and experimenting with different flavours.

The brewery is typically a bit light on IPA’s, but their Neon Nector Hazy IPA is absolutely lethal. This is a beer that’s a perfect blend of hops and fruit flavours. The Neon Nector was the final product of an experimental IPA series that involved over 10 different variations.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cy9WsgOvVe2/?hl=en

Wildeye makes their name for their, well, wild concoctions of beers. They currently have a blood orange sour on tap, with hints of almond. Its the kind of beer that you may never see anywhere else.

If you’re not a craft beer nerd and just want something that’s easy to drink, they’ve got a couple of great options. Wildeye’s Czech Pilsner won the best international pale lager award at the 2022 BC Beer Awards, and is a smooth and easy drinking option. If you’re looking for something with a bit more of a flavour profile, the Kolsch is another favourite.

The Taproom

Wildeye’s venue lends itself well to bigger groups and even some buy-outs. Over the summer, they even had a wedding in the taproom. They also run a trivia night, open-mic night, and random other events like drag brunches. The space is pretty big, with a sizable patio if you want to bring your dogs. Unlike most breweries where you order at the bar, Wildeye operates with table service. This gives it a bit more of a restaurant feel compared to a brewery.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cyn_YHnOwJ_/?hl=en&img_index=1

This brewery has quite a bit of food, and the selection may surprise you a little bit. They don’t have anything fried, but still have a pretty huge menu. They’re most known for their signature nachos, pulled pork sandwiches, and Sheppard’s pie. Their tacos were just okay, especially considering they’re charging $6 a pop for a singular taco.

Final Word

I was pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere, quality and range of beers, and food that was offered here. Seems like the perfect place for a party or to stop in for trivia. The location has some pros and cons, but luckily traffic wasn’t so bad when I got there.

The final verdict?

I’m giving Wildeye 9 fermented sodas out of 10.

MLB Hall of Fame First Timers: Who Has a Shot to Make It

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The Baseball Writers’ Association of America just revealed the candidates that will appear on this year’s Hall of Fame ballot. One way for me to feel really old is to check out this list every year. All 11 names mentioned were guys that I watched growing up throughout the entirety of their careers. Some will be removed from the ballot going forward (those who receive less than 5% of the vote). Let’s take a look who has the best chance at making it, possibly even on their first ballot.

Possible First Ballot Hall of Famers

Adrian Beltre, 3rd Base, Joe Mauer, Catcher

Beltre is by far the biggest name on this list. Beltre put together an impressive body of work during his 21-year career, tallying 5 Gold Glove awards, 4 Silver Sluggers, and 4 All-Star appearances. Beltre’s wins above replacement (WAR) of 93.5 puts him 27th all-time among position players. There’s no doubt that Beltre will make the Hall of Fame one day, and he’s got a shot to make it on his first ballot.

Mauer was Minnesota’s golden boy, as he grew up in Minnesota and was drafted #1 overall by his hometown team. His MVP award in 2009, to go along with 5 silver sluggers, 3 batting titles, and 3 gold gloves, practically guarantees his eventual induction. He also has a chance to go in this year, with his main selling point focusing on him potentially being one of the best offensive catchers of all time.

Probable Hall of Famers, eventually

Chase Utley, 2nd Base, David Wright, Third Base

I believe that Utley and Wright have the next best chances to make it in. Utley’s main argument was that between 2005-2010, he had the second best WAR in the league. If he had played a few more years, he would likely be a first ballot Hall of Famer.

Like Mauer, Wright spent his entire career with one team. The longtime Met made 7 All-Star games, but injuries derailed his career before he could accumulate the counting stats that are typical for entry. Give him a few years and we may see him get the nod.

Would be fun if they make it, but unlikely

Bartolo Colon, Pitcher | Jose Bautista, Outfielder

Bartolo Colon probably doesn’t have the numbers to make it in, but man, would people be thrilled if he made it. Revered for his hilarious at bats when pitchers still hit in the National League, Colon became a fan favourite in his later years. His use of steroids also likely makes it difficult for him to get in.

Jose Bautista famous bat-flip will live in Toronto Blue Jays lore forever. Beyond that, he had an elite stretch between 2010-2015, earning top 10 MVP votes in 4 of those seasons. The body of work probably isn’t there, but at the very least, he’ll likely have his jersey retired by the team one day.

Not going to make it, but fun to reminisce on their careers

Matt Holliday, Outfielder | Adrian Gonzalez, 1st Base | Jose Reyes, Shortstop

Victor Martinez, Catcher | James Shields, Pitcher | Brandon Phillips, 2nd Base

I’ll always remember these players for playing at an All-Star level during my formative years as a baseball fan. Matt Holliday will always be remembered for his epic slide home while playing for the Rockies in 2007. Jose Reyes was one of the most dynamic shortstops of the era, and a guy who helped the Blue Jays go on a run in the mid 2010’s. Brandon Phillips might be my favourite Reds players ever. It’s always cool to review the careers of these players, even if they are one and done on the ballot.

The Chiefs’ Wide Receivers Continue to Cost Them Games

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The Kansas City Chiefs lost a heartbreaker 21-17 to the Philadelphia Eagles last night, as their Achilles heal once again reared its ugly head. I’m talking about their receiving core.

The Chiefs dropped five passes on the night, including a brutal drop by receiver Marques Valdez-Scantling that would have put the Chiefs ahead with less than two minutes left in the game. The team remains one of the elite few squads in the NFL, but it remains to be seen if their receiving core will cost them in the playoffs.

Once upon a time they had Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins, and were viewed as one of the top units in the league. Even last year, they were more of a middle of the pack team with Juju Smith Schuster leading the charge. The team’s top receiving target is always going to be tight end Travis Kelce, but the wide receiver core typically adds a speedier element to the offense. The Chiefs now lead the NFL in dropped passes, as well as averaging the least amount of 2nd half points.

It’s not like the team hasn’t been trying to improve the position. They spent 2nd round picks in back to back drafts on wide receivers, taking Skyy Moore and Rashee Rice (more on him later). They also made trades for Richie James and Kadarius Toney, who was the scapegoat in week 1 after dropping 3 passes against Detroit. They even reunited with former Chief Mecole Hardman in a trade a few weeks ago. Surprisingly, it was actually unsung receiver Justin Watson who led the team in snaps last night against Philadelphia. None of these receivers have really moved the needle this year, but the answer to the team’s problems could possibly be found within.

The biggest bright spot for the Chiefs’ wide receivers has to be Rashee Rice. Despite hovering around a 50% snap share all year, he leads the position group in catches (36) yards (420) and touchdowns (4). For whatever reason, the team seems to be handling the rookie with caution, using him as if they don’t want him to get hurt or something. It’s time to take the training wheels off of the youngster from Southern Methodist University.

Rice excels with the ball in his hands, as he looks like a running back galloping down the field and breaking tackles. He’s actually been an ideal replacement for Smith-Schuster, who similarly thrives as a possession receiver who can run well after the catch. Instead of relying so much on some of these veteran receivers, the team would be wise to lean heavily on Rice as the season winds down. Perhaps this has been the plan all along.

It’s easy to get upset about regular season losses and point fingers, but in reality, the Chiefs are always gong to be good enough to make it to the final few rounds of the playoffs. They’ve hosted 5 straight AFC championship games, so they deserve the benefit of the doubt that they will figure out any problems that come up. Chances are, once the playoffs come around, the team will figure out a way to neutralize their receiving woes.

With the way their defense is playing (2nd in scoring defense in the NFL), they have every shot to return to the Super Bowl and become the first back to back winners since the New England Patriots did it in 2003-2004.