Author Archives: RJ Hamster

I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis. I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God. I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree. Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons. I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA. While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon.. In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God. We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987). From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting. Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982. I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects. In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston. In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018. Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia. In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey. As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova. Love and God Bless, Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi

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Ohtani’s unreal 2-way show returns tonight

Tuesday, March 31

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Welcome to The Pregame Lineup, a weekday newsletter that gets you up to speed on everything you need to know for today’s games, while catching you up on fun and interesting stories you might have missed. Today’s edition is brought to you by David Adler.

There’s nothing like a Two-Way Shohei Day. Literally. So get ready for the first one of the year.

Shohei Ohtani makes his 2026 pitching debutfor the Dodgers tonight against the Guardians (10:10 p.m. ET/7:10 p.m. PT), which means we get to see baseball’s one and only two-way superstar pitch and hit in the same game for the first time this season. And with Ohtani, that’s when the real magic happens.

But let’s focus on the pitcher half of Ohtani for today.

Ohtani was electric at Spring Training, with an 11-strikeout performance in his final tuneupbefore the regular season. Will he be just as nasty tonight? And what new wrinkles will the always-evolving Ohtani have in store for 2026?

Here are three things to watch for when Ohtani takes the mound:

1) Will we see the unhittable Ohtani splitter?

Shohei’s splitter used to be his signature pitch. It was maybe the most unhittable pitch in the big leagues when he first arrived in 2018. But his command of it wavered over the years, and by last season, he had all but stopped throwing it. Until the playoffs, that is, when Ohtani brought back his splitter out of nowhere and used it to dominate both the Phillies and the Brewers. He was throwing it pretty regularly this Spring Training (about 15% of the time). If Ohtani can throw the splitter where he wants it during the season, on top of all the other ridiculously nasty pitches he throws, good luck hitting him.

2) Are we going to get more sinkers this season?

Ohtani has toyed with a sinker before, and it’s looked ridiculous at times, reaching upwards of 100 mph and moving up to 20 inches horizontally. But he’s never really leaned into it, usually letting his normal four-seam fastball do most of the work. There’s room for Ohtani to throw the sinker more — especially as a weapon to attack right-handed hitters inside. And he was finally throwing those sinkers regularly this spring (16% usage), which might be a sign he’s ready to let them rip.

3) How will Shohei deploy his breaking balls?

Ohtani’s sweeper has been his Old Reliable for the last several years. It’s been his No. 1 out pitch by far since the 2022 season, which is when he started to cut down on splitters. But last season, Ohtani introduced a traditional slider alongside his sweeper, and that new slider was one of his best pitches all year. And then on top of all that, as the season went on, he brought his curveball back into the mix — and that curveball, which Ohtani was throwing harder and with sharper movement than before, quickly became a key weapon against left-handed hitters. So if you’re counting, that’s now three breaking balls in Ohtani’s arsenal. It will be very interesting to watch how he uses all three together in 2026.

OKAMOTO CAN SLUG WITH THE BIG BOYS

Speaking of Japanese stars … Kazuma Okamoto’s transition to MLB is going just fine. More than fine, really.

The longtime leader of the Yomiuri Giants — they’re the Yankees of Japan — has now homered in back-to-back games for the Blue Jays as he starts his Major League career. And those home runs have been pretty darn impressive.

On Sunday, Okamoto crushed a 110.4 mph, 420-foot homer to the opposite field for his first MLB homer. His swing speed reached 78.4 mph — Statcast’s threshold for a “fast swing” is a bat speed of 75-plus mph.

And yesterday, he sent a 107.7 mph moonshot 399 feet to left-center off a 99.2 mph fastball from the Rockies’ Chase Dollander. Okamoto had a 78.2 mph bat speed to turn around that high-velocity heater.

An animated GIF of Kazuma Okamoto's 2nd MLB home run with Statcast bat tracking data

The Blue Jays have hit 15 home runs off 99-plus mph fastballs in the Statcast era, which goes back to 2015. Okamoto’s 107.7 mph blast is the second-hardest-hit of those homers, behind only a 110.6 mph home run by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. off Seranthony Domínguez on Sept. 21, 2022.

Those bat speeds and all-fields power from Okamoto will absolutely play in the Major Leagues.

IT’S FINALLY PAINTER’S TIME TO SHINE

Andrew Painter — the Phillies’ star pitching prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 26 prospect overall — is finally making his long-awaited Major League debut.

The 22-year-old righty will face the Nationalstonight at 6:40 p.m. ET (MLB Network, subject to local blackout).

When Painter takes the mound for his debut, look for a fastball in the upper 90s — but the real stars of the show are his secondary pitches, namely a slider, sweeper and changeup that all generate big-time swing-and-miss and strikeout rates.

Painter is the Phillies’ most highly touted pitching prospect since Cole Hamels. But it’s been a long road to the Majors. If you want to learn more about it, Todd Zolecki has a really nice feature on Painter’s journey to the big leagues.

DON’T WORRY, DEGROM IS READY TO GO

Jacob deGrom was scratched from his first start of the season on Saturday because of neck stiffness. But have no fear, deGrom is here. It just took a few extra days.

The Rangers ace will make his 2026 debut tonight against the Orioles (6:35 p.m. ET/5:35 p.m. CT).

The 37-year-old is coming off a vintage deGrom season in 2025. deGrom went 12-8 with a 2.97 ERA and 185 strikeouts in 172 2/3 innings, making his fifth All-Star team and finishing eighth in AL Cy Young voting.

IT’S EXTENSION SEASON … FOR PROSPECTS?

There’s this relatively new phenomenon in baseball of teams locking up their top prospects with long-term contracts even before they’ve made their MLB debuts.

It still doesn’t happen all that often … but now it’s happened twice in the last two days.

First news broke yesterday that the Brewers — who had already done the same thing with Jackson Chourio — were on the cusp of an eight-year deal with 21-year-old shortstop prospect Cooper Pratt. Pratt had never even played above Double-A until the start of this season, but Milwaukee is banking on the potential of MLB Pipeline’s No. 62 overall prospect.

Then today came an even bigger one. Actually, it’s the biggest one. The Mariners and their top prospect, 20-year-old shortstop Colt Emerson (MLB Pipeline’s No. 7 overall), are reportedly in agreement on an eight-year, $95 million deal. That contract would be the largest ever for a player who has yet to make his Major League debut, ahead of Chourio’s $82 million deal in 2023. Emerson is one of the best pure hitters in the Minor Leagues today and has started the 2026 season at Triple-A.

Curious about what other prospects have gotten similar deals? Read more about the earliest long-term contract extensions in MLB history right here.

CORBIN CARROLL TRIPLES ARE BACK

They say the triple is the most exciting play in baseball. And Corbin Carroll is the most exciting tripler in baseball.

The D-backs All-Star has led the league in triples three years in a row. His 41 triples over the past three seasons are 12 more than the next-closest player, Boston’s Jarren Duran. And Carroll just got his first three-bagger of 2026yesterday.

Carroll also teed off on Justin Verlander for a three-run homer in the same game — but let’s face it, there’s nothing better than watching Carroll fly around the bases.

On his triple (which was also off Verlander), Carroll went home to third in just 11.12 seconds and reached a sprint speed of 30 feet per second — anything 30 ft/sec or faster is elite MLB speed.

His home-to-third time was the speediest of the 2026 season so far. And the only player last season to have any triples that fast — besides Carroll himself, of course — was Bobby Witt Jr. Witt had two of those triples in 11.12 seconds or less. Carroll had nine.

SOROKA, IMMACULATE

Everyone wants to make a strong first impression at their new job, even veteran big leaguers. With that in mind, Michael Soroka’s first start with the D-backs in their home opener on Monday couldn’t have gone much better.

You could even say it was immaculate.

Soroka, who broke into the big leagues in 2018 and was an All-Star as a rookie a year later, had 10 strikeouts over five scoreless innings in a 9-6 win against the Tigers, and he went out in style. The 28-year-old right-hander fanned the final three batters he faced on nine straight strikes to notch the first immaculate inning of his career and just the fourth in franchise history, joining Wade Miley (2012), Byung-Hyun Kim (2002) and Randy Johnson (2001).

Here’s every pitch of that immaculate inning, which is the first in the big leagues in 2026:

An animated GIF of Michael Soroka's immaculate inning

Soroka’s 10 strikeouts were also the most by any pitcher in his D-backs debut, surpassing the Big Unit’s nine vs. the Dodgers on April 5, 1999.

— Ed Eagle

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Experience A Science Documentary That Points To the Brilliance Of The Creator

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The Story of Everything: The Science That Reveals a Mind Behind the Universe. In theaters April 30.

From the precise laws that govern the stars to the intricate patterns found in every living cell, the film traces evidence of intentional design throughout nature. Whether examining distant star-forming clouds or the spiral structure of DNA, we discover a consistent signature woven into the fabric of existence.

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Dr. John Lennox, Dr. James Tour, Dr. Timothy McGrew, Dr. Michael Behe, Dr. Jay W. Richards, Dr. William A. Dembski, Dr. Sarah Salviander, Dr. Douglas Axe, Dr. Brian Keating, Dr. Frank J. Tipler, Dr. David Berlinski, Dr. Brian Miller.

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The Hot Corner: March 2026

View this message on our website.Welcome to The Hot Corner: your inside scoop on all things baseball and Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) related. Look for The Hot Corner every month for exclusive player interviews, featured member benefits and more!

Opening Day 2026We hope you had a fantastic Opening Day and enjoyed kicking off another great season of baseball. We can’t wait to see what this season has in store!

MLBPAA News + Announcements

We’re excited to keep bringing fun, positive baseball experiences to communities everywhere through our free Legends for Youth Clinic series. With alumni stepping up around the globe, these clinics continue to grow and reach more young athletes each year.

We’ve got plenty of clinics on the horizon, and we’d love to see you at one. Check out our event calendar below to find out when a clinic will be in your area next!Event Calendar

This Day in Baseball History

March 31st, 2018: Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts becomes the first American Leaguer to have multiple extra-base hits in the first three games of the season. In 2015, Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez also accomplished the feat, collecting at least two hits in each of LA’s first three contests when he compiled ten hits in his first 14 at-bats of the season.

Member Benefit Spotlight

Baseball BBQ: Use promo code MLBPAA for 30% off grill tools and accessories at their website below.Baseball BBQ

Baseballism: Receive 20% all online orders by using promo code mlbpaa24 at checkout. Visit the link below to shop. Note: discount code is deactivated temporarily during sales.Baseballism

Club Glove: offers 40% off MSRP. To place an order, contact Mickey Miller at mickey@clubglove.com. Shipping fees apply.Club Glove

Selah Wines: offers a 10% discount on all wines with code MLBPAA. Founded by Joe Blanton, learn more at their website below.Selah Wines

JACK Winery & Two Old Dogs Winery: Receive a 10% discount on all wines purchased from JACK Winery as well as Two Old Dogs Winery (founded by teammates Chris Ianetta and Vernon Wells) with promo code MLBPAA at their websites below.JACK Winery Two Old Dogs Winery

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on’t Miss It: Phoenix Film Festival Starts April 9! 🎬

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FILM SCHEDULE LEARN MORE MORE PROMOTIONSStep into the energy of the Phoenix Film Festival, where each spring brings a surge of bold films, fresh voices, and conversations that linger long after the credits roll. The lineup blends indie discoveries, thoughtful features, and films before they’re released in theatres, with opportunities to hear directly from the filmmakers behind them. It’s an easygoing way to catch something new, connect with fellow movie lovers, and enjoy eleven days at the movies.

Along the way, you’ll find special events, panel discussions, and some fun parties. Stay for a single screening, make a weekend of it, or turn it into a full movie getaway—it’s a simple, memorable way to experience storytelling at its finest.

Find out all about the films, the events, and so much more at PhoenixFilmFestival.com

Don't Miss It: Phoenix Film Festival Starts April 9! 🎬

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Your Night Prayer

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A Night Prayer

Jesus Christ, my God, I adore You and thank You for all the graces You have given me this day. I offer You my sleep and all the moments of this night. I place myself and all my loved ones, wherever they may be, in Your sacred side and under the mantle of Our Blessed Mother. Let Your holy angels stand watch and keep us in peace. Amen.

Quote of the Day

“Jesus and Mary themselves obey and offer their homage to Joseph, for the reverence what the hand of God has established in him, namely, the authority of spouse and the authority of father.” -Pope Pius XI

Today’s Meditation

Throughout the silent suffering of the God-Man, it was not His agony, scourging, crowning with thorns, and Crucifixion that rendered His sacrifice acceptable to the Father. It was His internal, voluntary self-oblation that gave all, even life itself, restoring to God whole-souled devotion and perfect love. Obedience was the grand characteristic of Christ’s labor, patience, anguish, and desolation, which ascended like incense to the Father from the sacrificial altar of the Lamb of God. —John Kane, pg. 72

An excerpt from How To Make A Good Confession

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Examination of Conscience

The daily examination of conscience is an ancient Catholic practice. It’s very simple, and it’s designed to help us identify our sins and weaknesses so that we can improve and grow stronger in the spiritual life, while providing an excellent ongoing preparation for regular Confession. It consists of taking a few minutes at the end of the day to prayerfully review our actions in the light of God’s commandments, followed by the Act of Contrition.

Reflect on the victories and losses

Actively reflecting on the high and low points of the day can help you live more intentionally and bring a renewed sense of resolve into the following day.

Review your actions, words, and thoughts today. Did you actively guard yourself against temptation? Where did sin creep in?
In what moments did you practice virtue and moral courage?
Were you attuned to the Holy Spirit’s promptings today? Where did you feel His inspiration?
Ask Him for the graces necessary to follow His Will more purposefully tomorrow.

Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.

Practice gratitude

It is God’s love that has brought you into existence and to this exact moment. Practice looking for His hand in your day.

Where did you feel His loving gaze upon you today?
What people or moments helped you see God in your life?
Thank God for all these moments!
Ask Him to help you recognize His blessings and providence tomorrow.

Renew your commitment to Christ

Remember: our Faith is founded upon a Person—Christ! Renew your personal love and devotion to Him.

Thank God for the gift of His Son Jesus and our call to be His disciples.
Tell the Lord of your desire to know Christ more personally.
If possible, set an intention for your day tomorrow. Ask Our Lord to guide you in this act.
Pray a Hail Mary, Our Father, or another beloved prayer.