BASEBALL TIP OF THE WEEK

Hey what's up guys? I've gotten away from my weekly baseball tip of the week, but since I've received a lot of requests about it lately I figured I would start throwing some back up here again. The ready position is really important for all you young players out there. I think it is one thing that can really be improved on because of how it is taught at the younger levels of baseball. When I was drafted and made the adjustment to using this as my ready position it really helped me with my fielding ability. Give it a shot and good luck!

Also, if you want more baseball videos you can go over to my YouTube page:

Touch 'Em All Baseball

ORIOLES FAN FEST

Hey everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend. I just got back from Baltimore yesterday afternoon after spending a little less than a week there practicing and participating in Orioles Fan Fest. It was really a great week and I was able to get a lot accomplished. After arriving last Tuesday I spent Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday practicing with a dozen or so guys. It was a great time to meet a lot of new teammates that I hadn't had the chance to meet throughout my career. The hardest part about joining a new organization is meeting so many new people. After spending five years with San Diego and building many friendships, it is really a different feeling walking into a clubhouse and not knowing a single person. After being thrown into that situation for the first time last year in Washington, it didn't seem as big of a deal doing it again this time around, but it always takes a few days to really get comfortable. That is probably the biggest benefit of having a week like this during the winter. Now when Spring Training rolls around, we are all familiar with each other and a lot more comfortable that first day of practice.

After meeting many new faces, we were able to use this time to speak with our coaching staff on the upcoming season. We were also able to get a lot of work in hitting, throwing, and strength and conditioning. On Friday night we attended an event, meeting many of the local sponsors of the Orioles, and spent a few hours taking pictures and talking with them. On Saturday the team spent about eight hours or so engaging in Fan Fest, which turned out to be a definite success. I couldn't believe the amount of people that showed up for the event. I could tell after only a few minutes of speaking with fans that Baltimore definitely loves its baseball. The overall event consisted of a bunch of different activities. I was able to sign autographs for two hours, give some young players a few hitting tips in the batting cage, beat up on some youngsters in XBOX 360, and socialize with many Orioles fanatics. I couldn't believe how many people came through the autograph line and talked to me about my blog. I thank everyone again for reading and coming out to support the team. The entire event was a huge success and it really got me excited for the upcoming season. I hope you all have a great week!

FAN FEST

Hey what's going on guys? I hope everyone is enjoying their three day weekend so far. Mine started off on the right foot last night when my New England Patriots handed a beat down to the Denver Broncos for the second time this season. My agent is a huge Broncos fan and he loves to talk crap 24-7, which is probably the reason I'm even a little more excited than usual. It also puts a slight end to the constant chatter by our local sports radio hosts who love to talk ad nauseam about how the Patriots franchise can't win a playoff game and they should fire Belichick, trade Brady, and turn Gillette Stadium into a parking lot. Also, as much as I like Tim Tebow, I'm glad we can now put "Tebow Time" to rest, at least for a few months.

As happy as I am about the win, I am still nervous about the probable upcoming game next Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens scare the shit out of me from my living room sofa whenever I see them play, so I can only imagine what it's like to take the field against them. Since joining the Orioles a few months ago I've had the chance to connect with many Baltimore fans on Twitter and Facebook. Many of you have tried to swing my allegiance to your Ravens, but just as San Diego and then Washington D.C. fans discovered, my love for the Pats will not be easily swayed. For proof of my completely unhealthy addiction with the New England Patriots, and at one time Randy Moss, you can watch the video below that I created last year when I woke up and discovered my favorite player had been traded to the Minnesota Vikings. And yes I know, I've completely lost my mind.

Moving on. This Tuesday I will be heading down to Baltimore for a three day Mini Camp followed by Fan Fest this Friday and Saturday. I'm sure it will be a great time and I know from Twitter that I will get a chance to meet many of you when I arrive there. Until then, good luck to the Ravens during this afternoon's game. As much as I would rather see the Texans coming to town next Sunday, I feel I should at least make the Ravens my second favorite team in the NFL. Enjoy your Sunday!

WHAT REALLY GRINDS MY GEARS 2012

Hey what's going on everyone? I hope you all had a great 2011 and have an even better 2012. I can't believe it is already January and the baseball season is just about a month away. This has by far been the fastest off-season for me since I was drafted in 2006. It has also been my busiest off-season of my career. As many of you know, in the last three months I have moved into a new house, got engaged, and signed with a new team. Now that 2012 is upon us, I am looking forward to warm weather and baseball. But before that, let me tell you a few things that have really been grinding my gears. If you agree, let me know in the comments below. If you think I'm over-reacting, keep your comments to yourself...Just kidding!

The first thing that has been driving me nuts (and the main reason for writing this blog post) are mass emails promoting your company but acting like we are best friends. I know you don't really give a shit about me. How could I tell? When you send me an email every week that looks like this:

Hello Friend,

Hope you had a great holiday season. My company is doing great! We sell this, and this, and this, and this, and you should really buy all of them. Have a great 2012!

Your Friend,
Who Givesashit

I literally get at least twenty of these a week through email, Linked In, Facebook, and Twitter. I'm by no means a great businessman, but I'm pretty sure receiving emails like this make me want to never buy your company's product. If you run a company out there I'm telling you, it is not a good marketing tactic.  

The second thing on my list happened to me last night after picking up a to-go order at PF Chang's. I was walking out the door with my food in my hand and noticed someone about fifteen feet behind me about to leave as well. I made sure to wait a few seconds and hold the door open for the guy. He proceeded to walk through the door without taking it from me and didn't say a damn thing. For now on, if you don't say thank you, it's an automatic kick in the nuts. I like that rule.

The last thing on my list is Facebook anytime of the year, but especially right after New Year's Eve. Status updates may be the worst thing ever invented. They are so bad that you almost have to look at them. I don't know why I waste precious minutes of my life reading some of the stupid crap that is on there. The worst is right after New Year's Eve. This is everyone's opportunity to let the world know that they have friends, are wicked cool because they drink alcohol, and are so hungover they just can't get out of bed for a week and a half. I just find it strange that 28 year olds are still trying to be the cool kid on Facebook. I guess I'm just still upset that I went through my school years receiving atomic wedgies and swirlies from these kids fifteen years ago.

Anyways, I'm sure I could go on forever about things that really grind my gears, but these are just a few of the things that I've noticed over the past few days. Give me a list of things that grind your gears in the comment section below and have a great day!

WANNA BE LIKE MIKE

If you've followed my blog over the past few years you know that I get called Mark more than I get called Matt. I still haven't been able to figure out why that is, but it happens. Matt doesn't seem like that tough of a name to remember. I don't call Peters, Paul. I don't call Bobs, Barry. But for some reason I get called Mark at least a few times a week. When I play in away stadiums I will get announced as Mark Antonelli as I walk to the plate. A good portion of my fan mail is addressed to Mark Antonelli. I've been introduced to people as Mark as well. Now that 2011 has almost concluded and the new year is upon us, I guess it's time to change things up a little. I just received some equipment in the mail for this upcoming season, and guess who it was addressed to.

Hopefully 2012 will be a better year for my name.

GAME DAY

Hey what's up guys? I've received a lot of tweets and emails lately asking why I've been M.I.A on my blog over the past few weeks. I admit, I have been slacking a little when it comes to writing, but I'd rather not say anything at all than bore you. As exciting as it is, I don't think you guys want to spend ten minutes a day reading about how much fun I had vacuuming my living room, or about my latest adventure in the backyard raking leaves. I might add that it is pretty amazing that the temperature around here is still in the high 40's and there are actually leaves, and not snow, on the ground.

Anyways, I've done a few interviews with various blogs and radio sites over the past few weeks and I get asked this question in almost every interview I do. What time do I get to the field, and what do I do while I'm there? I know most people I speak with are very surprised at the times we usually arrive at the park, and most assumed we showed up an hour before the game, changed into our uniforms, and ran onto the field for our 7:05 start. I figured I could take a few minutes today, since I really don't feel like dusting right now, and break down a normal day at the ballpark.

Home games typically start at 7:05 PM, so I will arrive at the field around 2 in the afternoon. I would say this is average for players. There is always a group of guys on each team that are avid card players, and those guys seem to arrive an hour or so earlier than that. I typically bring my lunch to the field. This past season I would eat a Chiptole burrito around four to five times a week. I know it sounds very strange, but I am one of the pickiest eaters you will ever meet, so when I find something I like I eat it, a lot. I'm still waiting for my agent to hook me up with a Chiptole sponsorship. I have a feeling I'll be waiting a while.

I usually finish eating and digesting around 2:45 and will get changed into a pair of shorts and a tee shirt and go through a quick stretching routine in the indoor batting cage. Once I am ready to go I will go through my routine of tee work and soft toss. Baseball is a game of repetition and every guy has a routine that they will go through everyday to make sure they are prepared for that nights game. My routine is the exact same every single day, kind of like my lunch menu.

I finish up in the cage around 3:30 and head back to the clubhouse to change into my batting practice attire, usually a pair of practice pants and a BP top. Position players will stretch together around 4 o'clock for around ten minutes and then throw for another five to ten. 4:15 is time for batting practice. We are usually split up into three groups. One group with hit, one group will field ground balls or fly balls depending on your position, and the last group will shag. Each group usually lasts around fifteen minutes. Batting practice usually ends around 5 PM and players will retreat back to the clubhouse.

I spend the next 30 to 45 minutes relaxing, going on my computer, checking emails, playing video games, and eating a pre-game snack, usually a protein shake and some fruit. A group of guys is usually playing a game of cards, while others might be playing each other on their IPad. There were some pretty epic battles in Stick Man Golf this past season in Syracuse. If you haven't played I suggest you do. It's addicting.

Once 5:45 hits I like to jump in the hot tub. It's a good place to start mentally getting ready for the game and get my body loose. I'll take ten minutes in the tub thinking about that days starting pitcher and how I feel he might attack me during the game. In Triple-A it's sometimes difficult because the scouting reports are no where close to what they are in the big leagues. In an MLB game, you can spend all day in front of the computer watching every single pitch the guy threw in a 2-2 count during his 12 year old Little League season. In the minors you will get a single page print out with a brief description of his pitches and mechanics.

Now it's 6 PM and game time is about an hour away. Now that my body is warmed up I like to go through a quick stretching routine and if anything is really bothering me I may have our trainer either stretch me out or stem an area that hurts. I'm not smart enough to explain what stem is or what the hell it does, but it usually helps loosen up any area that may be bothering you.

At 6:15 I jump in the shower. I know, I know. Who the hell jumps in the shower before they go dive around on dirt for three hours? You may be surprised, but I'd say a very high percentage of players shower before game time.

It's now usually around 6:25 when I will throw on my uniform and grab anything I may be using that night. I will get out to the dugout around 6:40 and head to left field to go through another stretching routine and do some sprints. I again take a few minutes to throw and loosen up my arm and then take it back to the dugout. It's now around 6:55. I like to sit down, take a cup of Gatorade, and relax for a few minutes. Then its a few pre-game handshakes and good luck wishes and off to the field at 7:00 PM for the National Anthem. It's 7:05 and the first pitch is made.

A typical game lasts around three hours. When the game ends, and hopefully we've won, I like to sit and relax for a few minutes after the game. Post game routine changes somewhat depending on what day it is and what's served for dinner. I like to get a post game lift in around 2 to 3 times a week, so if its a lift day I will spend around 30 to 45 minutes in the weight room. I will then get a quick stretch in and if I have any bumps or bruises I will spend twenty minutes icing down or just jump into an ice bath. Ice baths are pretty good for your body, but they are complete torture. I will always try to go the ice bag route, unless my whole body is a complete mess and I need a full body ice down.

If the food is something I like, which is usually isn't, I will sit down and have a meal. Sometimes I'm not in a good mood or just feel like getting back to the house, so I will take some food to go and eat it back at the apartment. If it is something I hate, like Chicken Cordon Bleu, I will usually go out to eat. Typically I'm done with dinner and back at my apartment around midnight. I like to sit and relax for a while, watch some TV, and check out some stuff on my computer. I will talk on the phone with Laura for a little bit, and then usually jump in bed around 1 or 2 AM.

Tomorrow will be the same thing all over again.

FRICKIN' LASER BEAMS

Hey guys, how are you all doing?  The last week has been pretty busy for me. I've mostly been on the road, as I had a chance to travel down to Baltimore for my physical and also to meet members of the front office and coaching staff. I've received a lot of emails lately asking what types of things go on in the physical and how I spent my time in Baltimore, so let me take a few minutes to explain.  


Basically, the physical part is not as complicated as many may think. The first thing they do is check and make sure you're alive with a heartbeat and a pulse. After a few grueling hours of analyzing my charts, they gave me the thumbs up and told me I had passed. The next part of the physical, and probably the most extensive of all the tests, was the eye exam. They put you through about fifteen different test, not only to check your vision, but also to check the health of your eyes in general and make sure you won't have any problems a few years down the road. You might assume that the blood work and "cough test" would be the shitty parts of my day, but spending thirty minutes with laser beams and bright lights shining directly in your eyes definitely takes the cake.


As the day continued I took visits to a few different doctors where we talked about any past medical problems throughout my life and any surgeries I may have had over the years. They then yank on your arms and legs, check your knees and shoulders to make sure they're fully healthy, and do some basic strength and mobility tests. After passing those I gave some blood and was asked to pee in a cup for probably the 400th time in the past five years.  The process started around 9 AM and finally finished right around 3 PM. 


Once I was told I had completed everything, I made sure to spend the afternoon eating lunch at Ra Sushi, one of my favorite sushi places in the country.  The closest franchise to my home in Boston is in Baltimore, so I couldn't pass up a chance to get some Tootsie Maki.  If you haven't tried it I suggest you check it out. 


After lunch I took a ride over to the ballpark to check it out for the first time. I've heard from literally thousands of people over the years about how beautiful of a place Camden Yards is, and they weren't lying. It seems like a great place to call home during the season. I was able to spend some time speaking with our GM and Manager and also with other members of the front office and staff and then took a little time to do some interviews with the media. I can already get a sense for how excited everyone is for Spring Training and the start of the 2012 season. Now that the physical is in the rear view mirror and my contract is signed there isn't much standing between now and the beginning of baseball, except for maybe a few feet of snow. Either way, I'm sure it will be here before we know it and I'm really excited to get going! I hope everyone had a great holiday and I will talk with you later.

IT'S BEEN A LONG WEEK

One thing's for sure. It's been a LONG week!

Over the last few days I've been pretty busy talking with teams and trying to decide which organization I believe is the best fit. Basically, I've spent a few hours speaking with each team, allowing them to explain the opportunity I have with them and how they see me fitting into the organization. It also gives me a chance to ask any questions I may have. A few days ago I narrowed my list of teams down to three and then narrowed it once again down to two.  I must say, this process was much harder than it was last year. When I think back, the Nationals clearly presented the best situation during our talks in December. This year, it is much tougher to predict exactly which team presents the best opportunity, but after thinking about it for hours on end I made the most educated guess possible. I'm very happy to announce I've decided to sign with the Baltimore Orioles and will be heading down to Baltimore tomorrow for my physical. I am extremely excited to be joining the Orioles and can't wait to get to Sarasota in February.

In non-baseball related news, I spent this weekend in New York City. I came to realize that I wouldn't last long in NYC. Don't get me wrong, the city is exciting, beautiful, and full of things to do, but I just don't think I could live there permanently. A few days is fine, but any longer and I couldn't handle it.  The place is a natural stress inducer. People drive like complete morons, and that's coming from someone that has lived his entire life in Boston. If I heard one more taxi beep obnoxiously at me or cut me off I was going to lose it. Also, the price of everything is astronomical.  On our second night there we decided to try a small Italian restaurant. It wasn't bad, but nothing to write home about. My Chicken Parmesan cost $40.00! I've eaten at about a thousand different Italian restaurants all over the country and I don't think I've ever spent much more than $20.00 for Chicken Parm. Laura ordered a simple salad that ended up costing $30.00. How do they sleep at night?!?! Speaking of sleeping at night, it cost me $7.00 for the toll to enter Manhattan! Apparently that's how they pay for their starting pitching.

Anyways, enough about how much I felt ripped off. The real reason we traveled down to the city was that I surprised Laura with an engagement ring and asked her to marry me. I know, I know, very romantic right? I'm not exactly the romantic type, but I think I did a pretty damn good job with this one. Laura thought so too. More importantly, she said yes, which was a good thing!  I should also take a minute to apologize to Mila Kunis, now that I'm off the market.

Before I head out I wanted to thank everyone that has congratulated me and wished me luck. I really appreciate it! Have a great weekend!