Predict the Degree of Futility, Win a Prize!
Completely unrelated to my newfound interest in Insurance is that the Mockingbird now has a $50 mlb.com gift certificate to give away. Keeping with the theme of home runs, but altering it more suitably for the Jays to the total @#$@#$!! lack thereof, (49 in three months = 27th in the league) here’s what we’re going to do:
Guess the longest home run drought, in innings, for the next three series. Starting on Tuesday, the Jays face Cincinnati (2nd in the majors with 98 HR allowed), Atlanta, and Seattle. Whoever comes the closest to predicting the longest powerless stretch between then and their Thursday day off wins the fifty. You can send me an email if you don’t want to get scooped/squeezed, or just drop your guess in the comments.
Come to think of it, I could use a new hat. My guess is a cool 81 innings…
The Mockingbird 
51 innings
eyebleaf
June 20, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I’m going with 72 innings.
Lindsay
June 20, 2008 at 10:20 pm
62 (hundred)
johnny was
June 20, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Is it closest without going over, or just closest?
Torgen
June 20, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Just closest. I had to think about it because I’m a sucker for the Price is Right, but I think it’s more fun to encourage high guesses and then you don’t get the stupid +1 thing happening.
halejon
June 20, 2008 at 11:24 pm
I’ll guess 27 innings, with Alex Rios breaking the drought.
Ice Cream Jonsey
June 21, 2008 at 3:25 am
Dear Ice Cream Jonsey: Alex Rios doesn’t hit home runs.
eyebleaf
June 21, 2008 at 3:30 am
I say 7. My reason is 5% optimism (probable opposing pitcher is struggling lately) and 95% just because no one else is gambling down there.
I really enjoy your blog, by the way. Cheers.
LJ
June 21, 2008 at 8:37 am
18 innings!
This is based on the rumour that Joe Carter is going to return to bat cleanup and will surely provide a bit of a power spark! :p
Chris
June 21, 2008 at 9:44 am
46 innings no prob
Dougie B
June 21, 2008 at 9:55 am
You’ll still get the +1 thing, but it will only cut off one direction.
Torgen
June 21, 2008 at 12:41 pm
I’m going to say 110 innings. I don’t see a home run in the foreseeable future for these Birds. 😀
By the way, I’ll half-introduce myself. I recently started a blog on the Twins for SportsBlogNet. Good to meet a fellow blogger! Keep up the great work!
Andrew Kneeland
June 21, 2008 at 11:05 pm
16 innings. Cincy’s got to help things a little, right?
Beethoven
June 21, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Hi Andrew, thanks for stopping by. While I understand your pessimism for the Jays’ offensive prowess, you do realize that would require about 30 extra innings in the 9 games, right??? 🙂
halejon
June 21, 2008 at 11:16 pm
I’m going with 38.
Stephen
June 21, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Um…anything can happen…?
Wow. I’m sorry, I guess I skimmed over the length part. I guess it’s important. 😀
If I can change it, I’ll say 32 innings.
Andrew Kneeland
June 21, 2008 at 11:55 pm
I’ll say twelve innings
Brendan Gawlowski
June 22, 2008 at 4:06 am
Heh… I envy those of you who are considerably less bitter and angry than I am.
Lindsay
June 22, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I’m going with 33-1/3 innings, a number chosen for its alliterative allusion. A “long-playing record”, git it?
Roomie
June 23, 2008 at 12:22 am
I’ll take 20 innings, which I think is pretty hopeful at this point.
adam w
June 23, 2008 at 3:05 pm
I am guessing a power surge is in the making…9 innings
Pat
June 23, 2008 at 4:26 pm
6 – Arroyo gets taken deep.
Frost King
June 23, 2008 at 10:38 pm
17 innings!
Roddy
June 24, 2008 at 9:40 am
I’ll go with 26.
Dan W
June 24, 2008 at 11:26 am
18 innings
Shawn
June 24, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Do Shawn and Chris split the prize if they do it in 18 innings?
Lets see…..51 homers, 71 games. 0.7 per 9 innings. So they’re due every 12 2/3 innings.
And with an angry Lind in the mix, anything’s possible.
5 Innings!
mulliniks
June 24, 2008 at 3:15 pm
22 Innings.
Cito
June 24, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Well, I just realized the real advantage that the price is right way works, because there’s a pretty decent chance there’s going to be a tie. I think the most optimistic guess should get it in that case.
5, oh you magnificent tool…;) I’m throwing in three kegs of beer and half one of Coffee Porter if that comes to pass – but you have to huff them all through a Adam Lind Jersey.
halejon
June 24, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Haha. Well, bitches, even with my rediculous guess I’m very nearly still in the running after that magni-fucking-awesome offensive explosion! Even Rios hit his first big fly since May. Gary Denbo, bite my ass.
Now just prepare yourselves for the inevitable flood of “Jay’s offence saved by amazing CITO-God!” (after one game) articles that will be published by all Canadian media outlets today. Cringe.
Heck, before yesterday’s game, Griffin was ready to make Cito GM!?! I bet his next article suggests he should be next in line for Pope.
mulliniks
June 25, 2008 at 9:34 am
What is the longest so far…? I am a tad too lazy to research it.
The way there are hitting the ball though all of you pessimists out there are going to be wayyy off
That is all
Pat
June 27, 2008 at 1:10 pm
I think it’s something like 8 innings.
halejon
June 27, 2008 at 1:18 pm
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