As you may well know, the BULLPEN IDOL finals suffered a vote-tampering scandal not seen since Erik Feinberg beat out Batgirl for student council in eighth grade. When Batgirl went to sleep the final night of voting, Joe Nathan was ahead by about 60 votes. When she woke up, Juan Rincon was ahead by nearly 60. Clearly, some shenanigans had occurred.
Batgirl did not know what to do. BULLPEN IDOL is a storied competition and it is essential for the integrity of Batgirl and the BULLPEN itself that everyone has faith in the results. So, Batgirl immersed herself in both election law and hanging chads—until she found this passage in The Official BULLPEN IDOL Handbook.
Should the administrator find clear evidence of shenanigans on the closing eve of voting, the administrator shall declare voting stopped at the point before the shenanigans occurred.
That seems pretty clear. And Batgirl has no doubt, given the margin with which Mr. Nathan was winning, and given that he has won just about every single round before this, that the majority of Batgirl's beloved readership intended to proclaim THE NATHANEST OF JOES the BULLPEN IDOL victor.
Congratulations to Joe Nathan, 2004's BULLPEN IDOL. Look for his self-titled album of singles, including, "I Believed in a Moment Like This," written by 2003 IDOL contestant Mike Fetters, in stores near you.
Posted by Batgirl at July 20, 2004 01:21 PMA big congrats to Smokin' Joe Nathan! Not my personal fave, but probably the more deserving candidate!
As for Boo...well, at least he has his new commercial!
ˇUsted siempre será mi Idol de Bullpen!
Posted by: She-Ra, P.O.P at July 20, 2004 02:20 PMOh well you win some you lose some and rules are rules - and congrats to Joe - not my personal favourite either but a worthy opponent.
I see many good things for Boo - so no need to hang my head low or his either ;-)
She-Ra -muy bueno mi amiga -su espanol es perfecto!
Posted by: Wonder Woman at July 20, 2004 02:36 PMDear Batgirl,
Thank heavens for "The Official BULLPEN IDOL Handbook."
Good to see the Nathanator, aka The Nathanest of Joes, aka Smokin' Joe, and now also to be known as our very own Bullpen Idol get the recognition he so richly deserves.
Querido Boo -
Usted sera siempre mi Idol del Bullpen
Debe usted siempre tenet un album fuera de las baladas espanolas de Romantico - que sere el primer en la linea en Best Buy!
Con Mucho Respecto -
Wonder Woman
How come Fox Sports Espanol is reporting that Rincon is the Bullpen Idol? Is this like having different covers of the same magazine?
Dear Mr. Davis,
Oh dear. I wonder if there were some translation problems in the press release.
Concerned,
Batgirl
My, my, my. I'm incredibly disappointed in the direction the Batgirl Dictatorship is taking in first 100 hours. I can only hope for a coup.
(Preferably not a coup d'etat! Blood, blood!)
Posted by: Mimiru at July 20, 2004 05:47 PMGARDY, DO SOMETHING ABOUT KYLE LOHSE RIGHT NOW! SEND HIM AWAY...TO LONG RELIEF, TO ROCHESTER, TO ABU GHALIB, ANYWHERE. JUST DON'T MAKE ME WATCH THIS ANYMORE! THERE ARE EIGHT MORE INNINGS TONIGHT -- 7 1/2 THE WAY HE'S PITCHING -- AND I MAY HAFTA GO WATCH THE DAMN SOCCER GAME AT THE METRODOME IF THIS KEEPS UP. STOP THE MADNESS. MAKE THE BAD PITCHER GO AWAY. PLEASE RELEASE HIM LET HIM GO. THANKS, RD
Posted by: RonDavis at July 20, 2004 06:32 PMGARDY, DO NOT REMOVE JUSTIN MORNEAU FROM THE LINEUP, EVEN WHEN DOUGIE DEFENCE (CANADIAN SPELLING) IS READY TO PLAY AGAIN. I HAVE CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT GOING TO THE SOCCER GAME AFTER WATCHING HIS HOME RUN LEAVE COMERICA NATIONAL IN ABOUT .89 SECONDS. PLEASE, GARDY, JUST SAY NO TO DOUG. THANKS, RD
GARDY, NE PAS ENLEVER JUSTIN MORNEAU DE LA FILE, MEME QUAND "LA DEFENSE DE DOUGIE" (CANADIAN ECRIVANT) EST PRET A JOUER ENCORE. J'AI CHANGE D'AVIS D'ALLER AU JEU DE FOOTBALL APRES AVOIR REGARDE SON COMERICA DE FEUILLE DE COURSE DE MAISON NATIONAL DANS ENVIRON DE 0.89 SECONDE. S'IL VOUS PLAIT, GARDY, JUSTE DIRE NON A DOUG. MERCI, RD
Posted by: RonDavis at July 20, 2004 06:56 PMDear RD,
Just wanted to take a break from the rigors of managing to let you know that I feel your pain. It's the sixth inning now and if you look at your TV, you'll see that I've brought J.C. Romero to the hill. I've gotta get back to the dugout now. Let's hope the rest of the night goes better.
Best, Gardy
PS: Are those new meds working for you better than Chairman Mauer's?
Posted by: Ron Gardenhire at July 20, 2004 07:54 PMDearest Mr. Davis,
Please take a few deep breaths. Do not blow a gasket. You are a valued part of Batgirl's community, and we do not want you to explode. We will get through this all together.
Sincerely,
Batgirl
Watched 10th inning, ate pizza, feel better.
How does second place feel, SJ?
Posted by: RonDavis at July 20, 2004 11:00 PMI guess this is proof that the presidential election isn't the only place where you can get more votes and lose.
Posted by: Boo at July 21, 2004 11:45 AMDearest Boo,
Please do not feel bad. If you won, you would want to win honestly, yes? Your second place finish is admirable, and please remember in Idol competitions the second place winner ofter fares very well--see Clay Aitkin. Batgirl herself adores you, especially in that cute new commerical, and is very proud of you for all you have done this year.
Your fan,
Batgirl
CONGRATS NATE THE GREAT!!! Personally, I think YOU are the rightful deserver of this wonderful award. Considering you were never named "The Closer" before this year, I believe you did a superb job. Don't get me wrong, your bullpen buddy The Alien, as my family and I tend to call him, did a tremendous job. I know he's the other half to your pitching and he means a lot to you. You both are doing a GREAT job, and both deserve awards, keep it up. Love having you guys on the team.
your friend,
Megan
Dear Ron Davis and Batgirl
I was simply stating that Boo would always my personal Bullpen Idol - I have no idea what Fox Sports in Espanol is thinking.
Also I was letting Boo - know if/when he decided to release an album of Romatic Spanish ballads that I would be first in line at Best Buy.
You know since Joe has an album out, I naturally assumed that Boo would also have one on the shelves shortly.
Have a fabulous day -
Wonder Woman;-)
Dear Ms. Woman (and Boo!)
Batgirl would be second in line.
Sincerely,
Batgirl
Yup still my Idol - despite horrible half inninng today - I know it wont happen again
I still love ya Boo!!!
Yours -
Wonder Woman ;-)