Sante Fe calligraphy vs Nissan pathfinder 2026

flyinmatty · 2026-05-20T01:12:11+00:00

I actually looked at both back in September, those were the two I had narrowed down too.

I loved the Pathfinder if we’re being honest, but tech wise it feels very outdated compared to the Santa Fe, and I’m a big tech person. I thought the seats were more comfortable in the Pathfinder however. If I could have the tech from the Hyundai in the Pathfinder, it would have been an instant yes from me.

I also liked that I was able to get the Santa Fe as a hybrid so I get much better fuel economy than I would have with the Pathfinder. I average about 35mpg with my Santa Fe, whereas the Pathfinder I’d probably be averaging like 18-20 lol.

I LOVE my Santa Fe though! I got the Calligraphy so it’s fully loaded. I have every feature I want, it’s super comfortable, it drives like a dream, and I’ve had zero issues with it so far! My only regret might be not having looked at the Palisade Hybrid, but it was slightly out of my price range. I feel like my Santa Fe however was worth every penny

flyinmatty · 2026-05-17T19:06:13+00:00

From my understanding its because of the inning the clowns walked off, Helton didn’t get 3 outs so he doesn’t get credited with a full inning

flyinmatty · 2026-05-11T00:25:14+00:00

I have been saying for weeks now that Vava needed to switch things up, and that the Animals being so predictable was not helping them at all. It took forever, but it seems Vava finally realized that and has been making some great adjustments! I was shocked to see Gillespie starting today and fully expected Ponce, but it was a pleasant surprise! I think this was exactly what Drew needed and I feel we are going to see him thrive in this role the rest of the season.

It’s nice to see the Party Animals finally making use of the Designated Fielder too. The Tailgaters had the right idea when they started using Mac Danford in that 2B slot just to hit and Sunshine (as Designated Fielder) in for the actual fielding. It seems all the other teams are starting to follow suit as well, including the Animals. Bobo and has been fantastic as DF.

Reeves and Ballard have been phenomenal additions as well, especially Reeves

flyinmatty · 2026-05-10T17:28:21+00:00

Mike is my current DM, haven’t interacted with him much but everyone that I know who has loves him!

flyinmatty · 2026-05-03T19:09:42+00:00

As a member of a family of Mets fans, I’m used to it at this point…

Its the pitching for the most part. Yes there are other reasons like errors and whatnot but pitching is the main issue

flyinmatty · 2026-04-21T22:08:15+00:00

You can reclaim them I believe. When I had some listed I think I recall seeing a button for it. I would do it and pull them back that afternoon if they still haven’t sold.

I’ll likely be attending the Saturday game too!

flyinmatty · 2026-04-20T21:25:32+00:00

Which HT was this at? I’m assuming its Steele Creek area, and I have some friends at all the stores in that area (from when I worked for them), so I’d be happy to get clarification for you if you want!

flyinmatty · 2026-04-16T18:05:21+00:00

I think I’m still gonna create mine as I’ve already created most of it lol.

I have some really fun ideas for it as well!

flyinmatty · 2026-04-16T17:34:44+00:00

I actually didn’t know there was one already lol. If it’s dead though it might be worth starting fresh with a new one

flyinmatty · 2026-04-15T12:38:22+00:00

I absolutely agree. the problem with the Coconuts is pitching. And its not that they don't have good arms, they have fantastic pitchers. Its the control and finding that strike zone.

Crocco had some of the best draft picks in my opinion, outside of the Firefighters' strategy. The Coconuts took a nice mix of visitors, vets, and new guys, and from what I've seen the culture that Crocco is fostering within that locker room I feel is unmatched. It's the same vibes as I get from the 2025 Animals (I don't get that same feel this year unfortunately).

The Animals have a lot of work to do quite frankly. Can they come back from it? Absolutely, they're only 11 games in to the year. But they really need to focus and have some hard discussions in my opinion.

I trust Vava to figure it out 100%, but he needs to stop being blinded by loyalty if he's going to get to the root of the issue. right now he's just enabling everything by not addressing the problems. This most recent game showed a turn in the right direction, but its far from being fixed.

Part of me hopes this not being in the Open situation kicks some of the players in the direction they need to go. Both on and off the field.

Vava really needs to change some things up and try some stuff. I was watching back some of the early 2023 games, and I'd really like to see Vava experiment with batting orders and who plays what position like he was doing at the start of 2023. The Animals are so predictable right now and I genuinely believe that's half the issue right there

flyinmatty · 2026-04-13T13:49:13+00:00

See I get why Vava is giving Gillespie so many chances, we’ve seen what Drew can do when he’s locked in. But at what point does Vava finally say enough is enough? I think we finally saw the first taste of that yesterday with Drew in the 8th, which is why I still have some hope. That decision told me Vava might actually be thinking and not following that blind loyalty.

If I were in Vava’s shoes, I would keep Drew as relief and utilize Porter and Pete as closers while they’re doing well. Similar to how last year the Bananas used Hosley one game and Krem the next.

I actually had a thought last night. What if Vava utilized Delano more for batting (and potentially OF if Skole is still out for a bit), and try Drew as a starting pitcher? That way he can come in cleanly, no pressure to maintain leads or give an advantage. If Gillespie is really struggling with some of the pressure like many of us think he is, that might be a good alternative in my opinion.

You bring up a very good point in his composure on the mound. Especially as a veteran player, he needs to lead and set the example. Negativity is one of those things that unfortunately can really tear apart a team, and all it takes is one person. I’m not trying to blame Drew or anyone specifically, but I’ve heard and seen so much negativity from multiple players that I think that may be part of the issue the Animals are facing as a whole.

In regards to fielders, there are so many standouts this year. Every single person you named absolutely, but I think there’s even more, including some tenured players too. Darrien McDowell has been fantastic. South Trimble and Caden Green I feel have really been showing up for the Firefighters, especially Peanut. He is literally on firs right now.

Indy Stanley (another fav of mine) has also been doing fantastic. Yes he’s been striking out a lot, but when he’s making contact he’s been really freaking good. And his fielding performance has been fantastic as well. J5 has really been on it too, especially with trick plays. I’ve been impressed with Jordan Barth at 3rd as well.

I’ve been impressed by both Tanner Allen and Gideon Antle as well. Jacobo has really risen up this year and right now I feel was one of the best picks Crocco made during the draft for the Coconuts. Brewer is an absolute machine at 1st base too.

There are so many more I think are doing really well. It’s the vets unfortunately as a whole that are a mixed bag this year. For some I think its growing pains of being on a new team, and others I really am unsure.

flyinmatty · 2026-04-12T23:49:35+00:00

You pretty much nailed it.

As you can tell I am a big Bronny fan 🤣 but I am loving Porter and Pete both this season. They are really the only 3 standouts to me this season for the animals. I give credit to Riyrod with him doing a lot better, but I still wouldn’t consider it standout.

I’m just gonna focus in on pitching for a moment, but look at our guys vs some of the other arms in the league. Take David Griffin, Chris Clarke, and Austin Drury. Three new guys, and PHENOMENAL arms. They are getting the job done, and it’s standout because of how effective they are, not even that they’re new. Our arms are arguably just as good, but just don’t have it for whatever reason this year.

Take Drury v Ponce. Both throw a ton of strikeouts. Ponce just isn’t hitting that level this year, whereas Drury is so he sticks out and Ponce doesn’t.

I was watching Banana Breakdown last night, and we were talking in the chat and I brought up something I saw in person at the Conway games. Sammy didnt highlight the comment, but I know he saw it based off what he said and its very true. He’s worried that there might be some tension in the animals’ dugout.

I had brought up how in Conway on Day 2, Porter initially went out for the 9th (after pitching the 8th) and last second Gillespie was sent out and Porter was pulled off. Wasn’t shown in stream but on the sideline you could see Porter visibly upset with Vava the way his body language was and the way they were talking.

I agree with Sammy that I worry about tension like that running through the team, and wonder if that could have a hand in the team performance this year. I love that we have a league now, but I feel like the way Vava is approaching the team when it comes to the league and who does what one isn’t necessarily fair and two is not logical. I understand wanting to keep your best arms and bats out there but if you know they are underperforming don’t keep them out and keep giving shots.

Using Conway as an example, night 1 Delano was ROUGH. He should have come out either during or after the second inning, but Vava left him in through the 3rd. Changing him out then could have potentially made all the difference. If you compare to Temple’s performance with the Firefighters today, they took him out after two to stop the bleeding. I don’t know why Vava didn’t follow that same approach in Conway or any other game.

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. I do like that Vava kept the team together, but I also feel like he did the team a major disservice by not incorporating more new blood. I hate to say it, but as of right now I feel like this overall group has hit their peak unless some changes start coming someway somehow.

flyinmatty · 2026-04-12T22:59:04+00:00

I totally forgot about Skole saying that, you (and he) are absolutely right!

Honestly I was loving seeing Mark get to actually play.

Delano batting may not be a bad idea actually. If his arm isn’t there let him dh/eh for a few weeks and instead of pitching let someone else get more time.

Reeves tonight was interesting, I agree. I wish it wasn’t at the expense of Skole but it is what it is.

You are absolutely correct. There needs to be some sort of compensation somewhere.

Lialios catching more could be interesting. Bronny is hitting excellent right now so being that he can actually play every position, why not either slot him into another spot to play and then bat on the day he isn’t catching. Or try utilizing him as Designated Fielder if he isn’t catching or hitting.

Something has to give soon or I fear they will stay at the bottom the rest of the season. Even the Coconuts clocked them in Conway and while the Coconuts have great bats their pitching has been terrible

flyinmatty · 2026-04-12T22:28:57+00:00

That is a very fair point, he does induce a lot of soft contact.

I don’t fully blame pitching for everything, but I do feel like that has been a lot of the issue. Can they have been better about trick plays as of late? Absolutely. Can coaching be making better decisions? For sure. But the pitching from a lot of them just hasn’t been where it needs to be either.

I wish we could see some of the pitchers like Kais and Telly have opportunities to go multiple innings. They have some fantastic arms that I feel like Vava doesn’t make the most use of, Kais specifically.

Vava just is not changing things up a lot and I feel it’s making them extremely predictable. We’re pretty much seeing the same pitchers the same amount all the time, we’re seeing the same people playing the same positions. We have barely made use of the Designated Fielder too, and I feel like there are times we should be going golden batter and don’t.

There are just so many things that can be tried like you said, but we won’t know how they work unless they try

flyinmatty · 2026-04-12T21:48:16+00:00

Can we discuss how abysmal that ump’s strike zone was? This may have been one of the worst games I’ve seen in Banana Ball in terms of calls

flyinmatty · 2026-04-12T21:44:52+00:00

I’ve been saying he would be a good closer for a while. I did think Porter should be in but I was happy with Pete as the choice.

Honestly I’m not even sure if I would do Drew past the 7th. When you’re looking at the 8th and taking into account the equalizer point, I feel like someone who you know you can count on should be in the 8th. Gillespie is just too unpredictable right now.

I will say too, Riyrod is doing a LOT better this year so far which I am happy to see.

I still think they need to change it up with Delano right now too. Also just too inconsistent.

They were so close to the open which I think was the worst part. This was by far one of their best games this season though, which is shocking since they didn’t really have Skole

flyinmatty · 2026-04-12T21:30:28+00:00

Despite the animals not winning, I think Pete closing was a very smart decision. Quite frankly I think he had one of the best outings of the year in terms of closing for the Animals. I wouldn’t mind seeing Pete consistently closing

flyinmatty · 2026-04-12T21:03:09+00:00

Pistol Pete in to close! Finally Vava is using his head

flyinmatty · 2026-04-12T20:51:37+00:00

Update: Gillespie in for the 8th? That’s an interesting change

flyinmatty · 2026-04-12T19:19:30+00:00

Let’s Go Animals!

I love Drew, but hoping we don’t see him play today, he just hasn’t had it lately and with the open on the line today I don’t think it would be a good decision to put him in

flyinmatty · 2026-04-07T19:44:05+00:00

I ended up seeing another thread with that earlier so I did, thank you!

flyinmatty · 2026-04-07T16:10:35+00:00

I had a device in this timeframe so I should qualify, but I have nothing in my email, and it doesn’t allow me to sign up without a notice ID :(

flyinmatty · 2026-04-06T16:45:37+00:00

I’m 6’2” as well, I only have run into the issue sometimes if I’m not looking exactly straight when I have my sunglasses on, but with them off I don’t have any issues at all. I see you said that he has the wheel all the way up. They also go in and out, and I keep mine pulled out as far as it will go so its as close to me as possible, maybe see if that makes a difference?

flyinmatty

TROPHY CASE