The Cubs gagged away home field advantage last night because Ryan Dempster was left in the game two batters too long.
Mishandling the pitchers was a problem (though by no means the only one) last year as well. In game 1 last year, he took out Carlos Zambrano, who was doing great, too early to save him for a game that never came. Then, in the next two games, he failed to realize his starter had nothing and left them in too long.
Same thing yesterday. Dempster never had control. He threw 109 pitches, but only 57 strikes (I can't believe it was that many), and walked seven. Three of them scored on a grand slam in the fifth. That was one of those rare strikes.
And that's the problem. By the fifth, he had so little control, I was afraid he would throw a strike. Because if you're wild out of the strike zone, you could be wild in the zone and leave a pitch fat. That's what happened, and it was game over.
But it wasn't just the walks that was indicative of a problem, it was all the guys who didn't walk that he got behind. It was how badly he was missing the target.
Entering the fifth, the pitch count was around 80. He struggled to get the pitcher Lowe and walked Furcal on five pitches. At this point, the bullpen should be working and the pitching coach should be on the mound, but that didn't happen. He gets Martin to fly out on a 3-1 pitch, but when he walks Manny after having him 0-2, it was time to call it a night. Unfortunately, he stayed in for two more batters and threw one strike too many.
Hopefully, if Zambrano is going good tonight, Piniella lets him keep going. The Cubs have to treat this as a must win though. If it's bad Carlos tonight, he needs to have a quick hook. There is no point in making the trip to LA if they lose tonight.
The Sox, on the other hand, made the shocking decision to start Javier Vasquez today against Tampa. Vasquez is not a big-game pitcher. At all. By any measure. So, either the Sox are conceding, or they must feel they can outscore whatever he gives up.
Showing posts with label white sox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label white sox. Show all posts
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Win or stay home
The White Sox spent the last week of the regular season trying their hardest to blow the Central Division, but they failed because Minnesota couldn't do much with the lowly Kansas City Royals.
So, the Sox had to make up a game with the Detroit Tigers yesterday that had been rained out in August. Then, they had to sit through a three-hour rain delay to get it started. They did win though, thanks to a grand slam from Alexei Ramirez.
I was listening to Detroit implode in the sixth inning on the radio on my way home, and as they were pitching to Junior, one of the radio guys (I forget if it was Ed Farmer or Steve Stone) says, "if they walk him, that will bring up our Ramirez, who is our slam guy." They did walk him as I was pulling in my driveway, and by the time I got in the house, it was 6-2 Sox.
Ramirez, a rookie, now has four grand slams on the season.
That had to be one of the worst-pitched innings in the history of baseball. Four guys walked. The first one walked, stole second and scored on two wild pitches before the second batter was finished walking. Then a third guy walked. There was another wild pitch, an intentional walk, and then the grand slam. Actually, I think Thome struck out in there somewhere as well. Four walks and three wild pitches leading up to the slam.
Now, the Twins come to town for a division tiebreaker tonight. The Sox are pitching John Danks on three days rest, but you can't blame them. Gavin Floyd pitched yesterday, Mark Bueherle on Sunday, so there really isn't anybody left. Javier Vasquez probably wouldn't get out of the first inning.
Minnesota counters with Nick Blackburn. The Sox have lit him up this year, although Blackburn did better the last time he faced the Sox, holding them to two runs in five innings and getting the win last week.
The prize for the winner? A trip to Tampa to face the Rays on Thursday.
So, the Sox had to make up a game with the Detroit Tigers yesterday that had been rained out in August. Then, they had to sit through a three-hour rain delay to get it started. They did win though, thanks to a grand slam from Alexei Ramirez.
I was listening to Detroit implode in the sixth inning on the radio on my way home, and as they were pitching to Junior, one of the radio guys (I forget if it was Ed Farmer or Steve Stone) says, "if they walk him, that will bring up our Ramirez, who is our slam guy." They did walk him as I was pulling in my driveway, and by the time I got in the house, it was 6-2 Sox.
Ramirez, a rookie, now has four grand slams on the season.
That had to be one of the worst-pitched innings in the history of baseball. Four guys walked. The first one walked, stole second and scored on two wild pitches before the second batter was finished walking. Then a third guy walked. There was another wild pitch, an intentional walk, and then the grand slam. Actually, I think Thome struck out in there somewhere as well. Four walks and three wild pitches leading up to the slam.
Now, the Twins come to town for a division tiebreaker tonight. The Sox are pitching John Danks on three days rest, but you can't blame them. Gavin Floyd pitched yesterday, Mark Bueherle on Sunday, so there really isn't anybody left. Javier Vasquez probably wouldn't get out of the first inning.
Minnesota counters with Nick Blackburn. The Sox have lit him up this year, although Blackburn did better the last time he faced the Sox, holding them to two runs in five innings and getting the win last week.
The prize for the winner? A trip to Tampa to face the Rays on Thursday.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Cubs win.
Note that the headline was punctuated with a period, not an exclamation point. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited that the Cubs won the division, but I've seen that before. What I've only seen one time is the Cubs winning a playoff series. And it goes without saying that I've never seen them in a World Series.
If all that happens this season is winning the division, then it's a team that fell short again.
Now, our attention turns to the Sox, who can wrap up the division in a 3-game series with the Twins in the Humpdome. The Sox magic number is five with six to play. Both Chicago teams in the playoffs at the same time? That's something I've never seen before! I don't think my stomach could take a cross-town World Series.
If all that happens this season is winning the division, then it's a team that fell short again.
Now, our attention turns to the Sox, who can wrap up the division in a 3-game series with the Twins in the Humpdome. The Sox magic number is five with six to play. Both Chicago teams in the playoffs at the same time? That's something I've never seen before! I don't think my stomach could take a cross-town World Series.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Another Uggly loss for NL
Some thoughts and notes from the all-star game.
It took a record-tying 15 innings, but the AL finally pushed the NL off the Lidge (Brad, the losing pitcher) for a 4-3 win.
In terms of time, it was the longest game ever.
Every available player on both rosters got in the game.
Winning pitcher, Scott Kazmir of Tampa Bay, wasn't supposed to play, but manager Terry Francona ran out of arms.
JD Drew was the MVP, and he deserved it.
Dan Uggla was easily the LVP, and turned in quite possibly the worst performance ever by an all-star. He was 0-4 at the plate with three strikeouts and a double play. On the DP and one of the strikeouts, he had a chance to give the NL an extra-inning lead by driving in a runner from third with less than two outs. He also made three errors, all by failing to field a ground ball cleanly. He fumbled another grounder as well, but still managed to get the out. Two of the errors came in one inning, but none of them led to a run.
It was a rough night for some others too. The umps blew calls on at least two tag plays, one at second and one at home. Even announcer Joe Buck made three silly mistakes, like miscounting hits and confusing positions.
Honoring the Hall of Famers is nice, but MLB went overboard. It took longer to announce the starting lineups (and not even in order) than to play the first four innings of the game.
Tim Lincecum of the Giants missed the game because he had been hospitalized that morning with flu-like symptoms. Still, I thought they should have "introduced" him with the rest of the NL reserves, and announced why he wasn't there. Instead, they just skipped him entirely, like he wasn't even named to the team.
The locals had kind of hit-and-miss games. Kosuke Fukudome, Geovany Soto, Carlos Quentin and Joe Crede were a combined 0-9. Aramis Ramirez batted once and walked. He immediately came out of the game for a pinch runner (who was caught stealing). The pitchers fared better though. Carlos Zambrano faced six hitters in two innings. He got a double play after giving up a hit in the third, and picked off a runner in the fourth. He was in line to pick up the win for the NL before Drew's HR tied the game. Ryan Dempster struck out the side in the 9th and Carlos Marmol struck out two of the four hitters he faced in the 13th. The only runner against Marmol reached on an Uggla error.
Washington SS Cristian Guzman played 3B for the rest of the game after pinch running for Ramirez, even though he has never played the position in the big leagues.
Colorado pitcher Aaron Cook pitched three adventurous innings, but didn't get scored on. In the 11th, he faced five hitters, the first four of which reached base. One was wiped out on a caught stealing and another was thrown out at home. Both of those calls were questionable.
Pretty bold of Budweiser to go on with the ad campaign referring to Bud as the Great American Lager, don't you think?
I could go the rest of my life and never hear another word about Yankee Stadium. And I like the place.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Team charter gets no break
The Cubs added a NL record-tying eighth all-star to the roster today when recent whipping boy Carlos Marmol was selected to replace Kerry Wood, who will miss the game with a blister.
Marmol was selected because he had the highest vote total among relief pitchers on the players' ballot. He is the only pitcher on either roster who is not a starter or a closer.
The last team with eight all-stars was the 1960 Pirates. The 1958 Yankees had nine. Of course, two Cubs will not play because of injury (Wood and Alfonso Soriano) and a third, Ryan Dempster, may not be available because he pitched today.
The Cubs go into the break with a 4.5-game lead over St. Louis in the division and are tied with the Angels for the best record in baseball.
Oh, and let's not neglect the White Sox, which are also in first. They have a 1.5-game lead over the Twins at the break after both teams lost today.
It's the first time since 1977 that both teams were in first at the all-star break. Neither team made the playoffs that year. Here's hoping both teams get it right this time.
Marmol was selected because he had the highest vote total among relief pitchers on the players' ballot. He is the only pitcher on either roster who is not a starter or a closer.
The last team with eight all-stars was the 1960 Pirates. The 1958 Yankees had nine. Of course, two Cubs will not play because of injury (Wood and Alfonso Soriano) and a third, Ryan Dempster, may not be available because he pitched today.
The Cubs go into the break with a 4.5-game lead over St. Louis in the division and are tied with the Angels for the best record in baseball.
Oh, and let's not neglect the White Sox, which are also in first. They have a 1.5-game lead over the Twins at the break after both teams lost today.
It's the first time since 1977 that both teams were in first at the all-star break. Neither team made the playoffs that year. Here's hoping both teams get it right this time.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Real All star rosters
The all-star rosters have been announced, and there were a couple of surprises.
The AL starters held form. David Ortiz was voted as the starting DH, but because of injury, was replaced in the starting lineup by Milton Bradley of Texas, who was elected to the roster by the players.
Other AL reserves elected by the players include:
C: Jason Varitek, Bos (.218, 7 HR, easily the worst player elected by either fans or players - quite possibly the worst player ever selected as a reserve)
1B: Justin Morneau, Min
2B: Ian Kinsler, Tex
SS: Michael Young, Tex
3B: Joe Crede, Chi
OF: Carlos Quentin, Chi
Grady Sizemore, Cle
The players also selected pitchers Roy Halliday (Tor), Scott Kazmir (Tam), Cliff Lee (Cle), Jonathan Papelbon (Bos), Mariano Rivera (NY), Joakim Soria (KC), Frankie Rodriguez, Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders (Ana).
Francona had five choices, but had to pick players from Baltimore, Detroit and Oakland, who were not represented among the players chosen by the fans and other players.
He picked Orioles' P George Sherrill, P Justin Duchscherer of the A's and Tigers' OF Carlos Guillen. He also picked Tampa's C Dioner Navarro and Twins' closer Joe Nathan.
So, five of the 24 players I would have chosen as pitchers/reserves were not among the 23 chosen on the AL squad today. I had AJ Pierzynski, who isn't terribly popular among players, Placido Polanco as the Detroit rep, Dice-K, Sox OF Jermaine Dye and Tampa 3B and desperate housewife Evan Longoria.
Longoria and Dye still have a chance. They are among the five "final vote" candidates. Fans can vote at mlb.com for one last player. The other candidates are Jason Giambi of NY, who will win, Baltimore 2B Brian Roberts, and KC OF Jose Guillen. I would vote for Dye.
In the NL, a last minute race between Kosuke Fukudome of the Cubs and Milwaukee's Ryan Braun for the final starting spot in the outfield ended up securing both of them spots and knocking out Cincinnati's Ken Griffey, Jr. In fact, Braun ended up the leading vote-getter at the position. So instead of Fukudome getting left off for the Cardinals' Ryan Ludwick, it was Junior who didn't make it.
The other NL starters were the same as the week before.
The player-elected reserves are:
C: Russell Martin, LA
1B: Adrian Gonzalez, SD
2B: Dan Uggla, Fla
SS: Miguel Tejada, Hou
3B: Aramis Ramirez, Chi
OF: Matt Holliday, Col
Nate McLouth, Pit
Ryan Ludwick, Stl
They also elected pitchers Aaron Cook (Col), Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood (Chi), Brad Lidge (Phi), Tim Lincecum and Brian Wilson (SF), Ben Sheets (Mil), Edison Volquez (Cin), Brandon Webb (Ari).
Clint Hurdle's picks were SS Cristian Guzman, Washington's only representative, Atlanta C Brian McCann, pitchers Dan Haren (Ari) and Billy Wagner, the lone Met so far, and two guys that I cannot believe were not elected otherwise, Albert Pujols of St. Louis and Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs.
I missed on six reserves for the NL (counting that I mentioned I would take Ludwick if a spot opened for him). Two of the guys I missed, OF Carlos Lee (Hou), who gets my vote, and Pat Burrell (Phi) are among the five last chance finalists. The others are NY 3B David Wright, who will win, OF Aaron Rowand (SF) and OF Corey Hart (Mil).
One of those guys may get added when it is finally determined that Alfonso Soriano can't play. That's not official yet.
A couple of Cubs all-star notes. Soto is the first rookie to be elected to start as the NL catcher ever. He is also the first Cub catcher to get the honor since 1937 (Gabby Hartnett). Ryan Dempster's last all-star appearance was as a starter in 2002. He's a starter again, but last year, he was the Cubs closer. Kerry Wood's last all-star appearance in 2003 was also as a starter, but now he's the Cubs closer.
There are seven Cubs on the squad (even without Derrek Lee), and no other NL team has more than two. The Red Sox also have seven all-stars.
The AL starters held form. David Ortiz was voted as the starting DH, but because of injury, was replaced in the starting lineup by Milton Bradley of Texas, who was elected to the roster by the players.
Other AL reserves elected by the players include:
C: Jason Varitek, Bos (.218, 7 HR, easily the worst player elected by either fans or players - quite possibly the worst player ever selected as a reserve)
1B: Justin Morneau, Min
2B: Ian Kinsler, Tex
SS: Michael Young, Tex
3B: Joe Crede, Chi
OF: Carlos Quentin, Chi
Grady Sizemore, Cle
The players also selected pitchers Roy Halliday (Tor), Scott Kazmir (Tam), Cliff Lee (Cle), Jonathan Papelbon (Bos), Mariano Rivera (NY), Joakim Soria (KC), Frankie Rodriguez, Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders (Ana).
Francona had five choices, but had to pick players from Baltimore, Detroit and Oakland, who were not represented among the players chosen by the fans and other players.
He picked Orioles' P George Sherrill, P Justin Duchscherer of the A's and Tigers' OF Carlos Guillen. He also picked Tampa's C Dioner Navarro and Twins' closer Joe Nathan.
So, five of the 24 players I would have chosen as pitchers/reserves were not among the 23 chosen on the AL squad today. I had AJ Pierzynski, who isn't terribly popular among players, Placido Polanco as the Detroit rep, Dice-K, Sox OF Jermaine Dye and Tampa 3B and desperate housewife Evan Longoria.
Longoria and Dye still have a chance. They are among the five "final vote" candidates. Fans can vote at mlb.com for one last player. The other candidates are Jason Giambi of NY, who will win, Baltimore 2B Brian Roberts, and KC OF Jose Guillen. I would vote for Dye.
In the NL, a last minute race between Kosuke Fukudome of the Cubs and Milwaukee's Ryan Braun for the final starting spot in the outfield ended up securing both of them spots and knocking out Cincinnati's Ken Griffey, Jr. In fact, Braun ended up the leading vote-getter at the position. So instead of Fukudome getting left off for the Cardinals' Ryan Ludwick, it was Junior who didn't make it.
The other NL starters were the same as the week before.
The player-elected reserves are:
C: Russell Martin, LA
1B: Adrian Gonzalez, SD
2B: Dan Uggla, Fla
SS: Miguel Tejada, Hou
3B: Aramis Ramirez, Chi
OF: Matt Holliday, Col
Nate McLouth, Pit
Ryan Ludwick, Stl
They also elected pitchers Aaron Cook (Col), Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood (Chi), Brad Lidge (Phi), Tim Lincecum and Brian Wilson (SF), Ben Sheets (Mil), Edison Volquez (Cin), Brandon Webb (Ari).
Clint Hurdle's picks were SS Cristian Guzman, Washington's only representative, Atlanta C Brian McCann, pitchers Dan Haren (Ari) and Billy Wagner, the lone Met so far, and two guys that I cannot believe were not elected otherwise, Albert Pujols of St. Louis and Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs.
I missed on six reserves for the NL (counting that I mentioned I would take Ludwick if a spot opened for him). Two of the guys I missed, OF Carlos Lee (Hou), who gets my vote, and Pat Burrell (Phi) are among the five last chance finalists. The others are NY 3B David Wright, who will win, OF Aaron Rowand (SF) and OF Corey Hart (Mil).
One of those guys may get added when it is finally determined that Alfonso Soriano can't play. That's not official yet.
A couple of Cubs all-star notes. Soto is the first rookie to be elected to start as the NL catcher ever. He is also the first Cub catcher to get the honor since 1937 (Gabby Hartnett). Ryan Dempster's last all-star appearance was as a starter in 2002. He's a starter again, but last year, he was the Cubs closer. Kerry Wood's last all-star appearance in 2003 was also as a starter, but now he's the Cubs closer.
There are seven Cubs on the squad (even without Derrek Lee), and no other NL team has more than two. The Red Sox also have seven all-stars.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
All-Star Rosters
Not that Clint Hurdle and Terry Francona asked, but here's who should make the MLB All-Star teams, which will be announced tomorrow.
Note that I am listing 32-man teams, but only 31 get picked tomorrow. The fans then vote on each league's 32nd player, and that winner is announced July 10th. Also, each team has to be represented. Actually, I'm listing 33 because each team has a player who will be voted as a starter that will miss the game with an injury.
Kosuke Fukudome may not make the team if he doesn't get voted on. He's the only player among the likely starters in that position. If he doesn't make it, I would expect Ryan Ludwick (Stl) to take his place.
*- Likely starter
AL
C: *-Joe Mauer, Min
AJ Pierzynski, Chi
1B: *-Kevin Youkilis, Bos
Justin Morneau, Min
2B: *-Dustin Pedroia, Bos
Ian Kinsler, Tex
Placido Polanco, Det
SS: *-Derek Jeter, NY
Michael Young, Tex
3B: *-Alex Rodriguez, NY
Evan Longoria, Tam
Mike Lowell, Bos
OF: *-Manny Ramirez, Bos
*-Josh Hamilton, Tex
*-Ichiro Suzuki, Sea
JD Drew, Bos
Jermaine Dye, Chi
Carlos Quentin, Chi
Grady Sizemore, Cle
DH: *-David Ortiz, Bos (Inj)
Milton Bradley, Tex
SP: *-Justin Duchscherer, Oak
Roy Halladay, Tor
Scott Kazmir, Tam (L)
Cliff Lee, Cle (L)
Daisuke Matsuzaka, Bos
Ervin Santana, Ana
Joe Saunders, Ana (L)
RP: Joe Nathan, Min
Mariano Rivera, NY
Francisco Rodriguez, Ana
George Sherrill, Bal (L)
Joakim Soria, KC
By team (starters): 7-Bos(4), 4-Tex (1), 3-Ana, Chi, Min (1), NY (2), 2-Cle, Tam, 1-Bal, Det, KC, Oak (1), Sea (1), Tor
NL
C: *-Geovany Soto, Chi
Russell Martin, LA
Brian McCann, Atl
1B: *-Lance Berkman, Hou
Albert Pujols, Stl (DH)
Derrek Lee, Chi
Adrian Gonzalez, SD
2B: *-Chase Utley, Phl
Dan Uggla, Fla
SS: *-Hanley Ramirez, Fla
Jose Reyes, NY
3B: *-Chipper Jones, Atl
Aramis Ramirez, Chi
OF: *-Alfonso Soriano, Chi (Inj)
*-Ken Griffey, Cin
*-Kosuke Fukudome, Chi
Xavier Nady, Pit
Carlos Lee, Hou
Pat Burrell, Phi
Ryan Braun, Mil
Matt Holliday, Col
SP: *-Brandon Webb, Ari
Tim Lincecum, SF
Ben Sheets, Mil
Dan Haren, Ari
Edison Volquez, Cin
Carlos Zambrano, Chi
Johan Santana, NY (L)
Aaron Cook, Col
RP: Kerry Wood, Chi
Brad Lidge, Phi
Billy Wagner, NY (L)
Jon Rauch, Was
By team (starters): 7-Chi (3), 3-NY, Phl (1), 2-Ari (1), Atl (1), Cin (1), Col, Fla (1), Hou (1), Mil, 1-LA, Pit, SD, SF, Stl (1), Was
Note that I am listing 32-man teams, but only 31 get picked tomorrow. The fans then vote on each league's 32nd player, and that winner is announced July 10th. Also, each team has to be represented. Actually, I'm listing 33 because each team has a player who will be voted as a starter that will miss the game with an injury.
Kosuke Fukudome may not make the team if he doesn't get voted on. He's the only player among the likely starters in that position. If he doesn't make it, I would expect Ryan Ludwick (Stl) to take his place.
*- Likely starter
AL
C: *-Joe Mauer, Min
AJ Pierzynski, Chi
1B: *-Kevin Youkilis, Bos
Justin Morneau, Min
2B: *-Dustin Pedroia, Bos
Ian Kinsler, Tex
Placido Polanco, Det
SS: *-Derek Jeter, NY
Michael Young, Tex
3B: *-Alex Rodriguez, NY
Evan Longoria, Tam
Mike Lowell, Bos
OF: *-Manny Ramirez, Bos
*-Josh Hamilton, Tex
*-Ichiro Suzuki, Sea
JD Drew, Bos
Jermaine Dye, Chi
Carlos Quentin, Chi
Grady Sizemore, Cle
DH: *-David Ortiz, Bos (Inj)
Milton Bradley, Tex
SP: *-Justin Duchscherer, Oak
Roy Halladay, Tor
Scott Kazmir, Tam (L)
Cliff Lee, Cle (L)
Daisuke Matsuzaka, Bos
Ervin Santana, Ana
Joe Saunders, Ana (L)
RP: Joe Nathan, Min
Mariano Rivera, NY
Francisco Rodriguez, Ana
George Sherrill, Bal (L)
Joakim Soria, KC
By team (starters): 7-Bos(4), 4-Tex (1), 3-Ana, Chi, Min (1), NY (2), 2-Cle, Tam, 1-Bal, Det, KC, Oak (1), Sea (1), Tor
NL
C: *-Geovany Soto, Chi
Russell Martin, LA
Brian McCann, Atl
1B: *-Lance Berkman, Hou
Albert Pujols, Stl (DH)
Derrek Lee, Chi
Adrian Gonzalez, SD
2B: *-Chase Utley, Phl
Dan Uggla, Fla
SS: *-Hanley Ramirez, Fla
Jose Reyes, NY
3B: *-Chipper Jones, Atl
Aramis Ramirez, Chi
OF: *-Alfonso Soriano, Chi (Inj)
*-Ken Griffey, Cin
*-Kosuke Fukudome, Chi
Xavier Nady, Pit
Carlos Lee, Hou
Pat Burrell, Phi
Ryan Braun, Mil
Matt Holliday, Col
SP: *-Brandon Webb, Ari
Tim Lincecum, SF
Ben Sheets, Mil
Dan Haren, Ari
Edison Volquez, Cin
Carlos Zambrano, Chi
Johan Santana, NY (L)
Aaron Cook, Col
RP: Kerry Wood, Chi
Brad Lidge, Phi
Billy Wagner, NY (L)
Jon Rauch, Was
By team (starters): 7-Chi (3), 3-NY, Phl (1), 2-Ari (1), Atl (1), Cin (1), Col, Fla (1), Hou (1), Mil, 1-LA, Pit, SD, SF, Stl (1), Was
Monday, June 30, 2008
Minor league umps who belong there
I was gone camping last weekend with my son's Cub Scout den, so I missed most of the Cubs-Sox rematch, which ended up a Sox sweep (payback's a pitch). However, I did get to watch some of the Sunday night game, during which two minor league fill-in umps showed why they are still in the minors.
The trouble started pretty quickly. In the bottom of the second, Joe Crede tried, but failed, to check his swing on what would have been strike three, except that home plate ump Rob Drake didn't call it a swing. On the appeal, first base ump Chad Fairchild also blew the call.
That set Lou Piniella off. He came out of the first base dugout and took a few steps toward Fairchild, and yelling at him about the call. Fairchild held up his hand and told him not to come out. Piniella stopped, and slowly headed back toward the dugout, still yelling at Fairchild.
Meanwhile, Drake moseyed over from home plate and threw Piniella out of the game - while Piniella had his back turned to him. In fact, Piniella never said a word to Drake, and didn't even know he had been ejected. Drake had to give him the thumb at least twice because Piniella didn't see it the first time. That really set Piniella off. He got right in Drake's face and gave him the business, following him all the way back to the plate. The third base ump finally came in to intervene and break things up.
Not a whole lot went right in this situation. Both umps blew the call. You're not allowed to argue balls and strikes (something the announcers overplayed), but debating whether someone swung the bat is different that arguing pitch location. It's more like arguing whether a ball is foul or fair. Piniella should get some leeway to debate that, and Fairchild - correctly - seemed ready to give him a smidgen.
Drake was way out of line ejecting Piniella. If anyone was going to do that, it should have been Fairchild. Drake wasn't even part of the discussion. It's one thing to have your partner's back, but at least wait for him to need the help. Fairchild isn't a baby. I'm sure he can take care of himself. In fact, he seemed to have the situation quite under control. Not five seconds had elapsed between the time Piniella came out of the dugout and Drake's ejection.
Later in the game, Fairchild blew another call on a play at first. Ronny Cedeno beat a throw, but Fairchild called him out. Manager pro tempore Alan Trammel came out to argue, and once again Drake moved into position to interfere, but Trammel finished before Drake could scratch that itchy trigger thumb.
Rough night for both guys (and I haven't even talked about Drake's strike zone yet). It was the kind of performance that gets you optioned back to AAA.
The trouble started pretty quickly. In the bottom of the second, Joe Crede tried, but failed, to check his swing on what would have been strike three, except that home plate ump Rob Drake didn't call it a swing. On the appeal, first base ump Chad Fairchild also blew the call.
That set Lou Piniella off. He came out of the first base dugout and took a few steps toward Fairchild, and yelling at him about the call. Fairchild held up his hand and told him not to come out. Piniella stopped, and slowly headed back toward the dugout, still yelling at Fairchild.
Meanwhile, Drake moseyed over from home plate and threw Piniella out of the game - while Piniella had his back turned to him. In fact, Piniella never said a word to Drake, and didn't even know he had been ejected. Drake had to give him the thumb at least twice because Piniella didn't see it the first time. That really set Piniella off. He got right in Drake's face and gave him the business, following him all the way back to the plate. The third base ump finally came in to intervene and break things up.
Not a whole lot went right in this situation. Both umps blew the call. You're not allowed to argue balls and strikes (something the announcers overplayed), but debating whether someone swung the bat is different that arguing pitch location. It's more like arguing whether a ball is foul or fair. Piniella should get some leeway to debate that, and Fairchild - correctly - seemed ready to give him a smidgen.
Drake was way out of line ejecting Piniella. If anyone was going to do that, it should have been Fairchild. Drake wasn't even part of the discussion. It's one thing to have your partner's back, but at least wait for him to need the help. Fairchild isn't a baby. I'm sure he can take care of himself. In fact, he seemed to have the situation quite under control. Not five seconds had elapsed between the time Piniella came out of the dugout and Drake's ejection.
Later in the game, Fairchild blew another call on a play at first. Ronny Cedeno beat a throw, but Fairchild called him out. Manager pro tempore Alan Trammel came out to argue, and once again Drake moved into position to interfere, but Trammel finished before Drake could scratch that itchy trigger thumb.
Rough night for both guys (and I haven't even talked about Drake's strike zone yet). It was the kind of performance that gets you optioned back to AAA.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Ozzie managing like Goldilocks
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has handled his pitching staff like Goldilocks this weekend, and that has helped cost the Sox the first two games against the Cubs.
In the first game, he took out starter John Danks toooo soon. He'd only thrown 85 pitches over six innings and had the Cubs bats looking weak. Still, he took him out and brought in Octavio Dotel. Dotel only needed six pitches to blow the lead, and the Cubs went on to win in the ninth.
You can make a case that this wasn't really a bad decision, but just bad execution. The Sox bullpen has been pretty reliable this season.
Yesterday, Ozzie took out starter Jose Contreras toooo late. Contreras gave up eight runs in the decisive fourth inning, including four home runs. Two of those were hit by Jim Edmonds, and a third was a three-run bomb by Aramis Ramirez. Mike Fontenot hit the other homer, right after Edmonds first one. Ramirez was the ninth batter in the inning, and eight of those nine hitters had scored before Contreras finally got the hook.
Edmonds greeted the new pitcher Boone Logan with his second blast of the inning, but by then, it was all gravy.
Sox fans are hoping today, Ozzie handles things just right. Of course, tonight, it might not matter. The Cubs are starting Ryan Dempster, who has been unbeatable at Wrigley so far this season. Also, there's a chance of rain, so it might not even get played.
Edmonds, by the way, became just the third Cub to homer twice in one inning. The first was Sammy Sosa in 1996. Mark Bellhorn also did it in 2002, and the switch-hitter hit one from each side of the plate.
It's also the third time the Cubs hit four home runs in one inning. They did it in 1930 and in 2000.
It wasn't all roses for the Cubs though. They put Carlos Zambrano on the DL with a mild shoulder strain. The good news is that he is expected to just miss the two weeks and not longer.
In the first game, he took out starter John Danks toooo soon. He'd only thrown 85 pitches over six innings and had the Cubs bats looking weak. Still, he took him out and brought in Octavio Dotel. Dotel only needed six pitches to blow the lead, and the Cubs went on to win in the ninth.
You can make a case that this wasn't really a bad decision, but just bad execution. The Sox bullpen has been pretty reliable this season.
Yesterday, Ozzie took out starter Jose Contreras toooo late. Contreras gave up eight runs in the decisive fourth inning, including four home runs. Two of those were hit by Jim Edmonds, and a third was a three-run bomb by Aramis Ramirez. Mike Fontenot hit the other homer, right after Edmonds first one. Ramirez was the ninth batter in the inning, and eight of those nine hitters had scored before Contreras finally got the hook.
Edmonds greeted the new pitcher Boone Logan with his second blast of the inning, but by then, it was all gravy.
Sox fans are hoping today, Ozzie handles things just right. Of course, tonight, it might not matter. The Cubs are starting Ryan Dempster, who has been unbeatable at Wrigley so far this season. Also, there's a chance of rain, so it might not even get played.
Edmonds, by the way, became just the third Cub to homer twice in one inning. The first was Sammy Sosa in 1996. Mark Bellhorn also did it in 2002, and the switch-hitter hit one from each side of the plate.
It's also the third time the Cubs hit four home runs in one inning. They did it in 1930 and in 2000.
It wasn't all roses for the Cubs though. They put Carlos Zambrano on the DL with a mild shoulder strain. The good news is that he is expected to just miss the two weeks and not longer.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Balls leaving (and entering) the yard
I watched most of two games yesterday with no shortage of dramatic home runs.
First, the opener of the Cubs-Sox series at Wrigley. The Cubs were coming off a sweep at the hands of the Devil Rays (I know, they dropped "Devil," but once you get a little of the devil in you, you can't get it out). That was the Cubs' first three-game losing streak of the season. Still, they had the best record in baseball, percentage points ahead of the Red Sox.
The Sox, on the other hand, appeared to have bounced back from a skid where they lost six of seven by sweeping Pittsburgh earlier this week.
Things looked good for the Sox early yesterday also. Jermaine Dye blasted a shot that still hasn't landed to tie the game in the second. Cub-killer AJ Pierzynski hit a two-run homer in the third to make it 3-1 and there they sat until the seventh.
Octavio Dotel came in to pitch for the Sox and Derrek Lee smacked his first pitch into the right field bleachers to make it 3-2. Just as the crowd was settling down from that shot, Aramis Ramirez made it back-to-back shots to tie it up. Those also cost WGN radio $10,000. They give a lucky listener 10Gs whenever the Cubs go back-to-back in the 7th inning.
The Sox started the 9th with a double against Kerry Wood, but couldn't do anything with it.
Scott Linebrink then came on to pitch the bottom of the ninth, but he didn't last long. Ramirez hit his second pitch into the center field shrubbery for the game-winner.
My nightcap was the College World Series elimination game between LSU and North Carolina.
They actually started the game the night before. Carolina had two runs in and the bases loaded with one out in the top of the first before the rains came and postponed the game to last night. LSU changed pitchers overnight and got a double play to get out of that jam.
It was 3-1 Heels in the sixth when Matt Clark, the nation's leading home run hitter, came up with a man on for the Tigers. Instead of pitching around him, UNC's Brian Moran went right after him. Big mistake. Clark bombs one out and the game is tied.
LSU was threatening again in the eighth with Clark at the plate, two on and one out, looking to duplicate Ramirez, when a streaker ran onto the field. The little delay seemed to suck the pressure out of the situation. Clark walked (NC pitched very carefully to him this time) and then ACC pitcher of the year Alex White got out of it.
On to the top of the ninth, where a single and two intentional walks (the first after a stolen base and the second after a sacrifice) loaded the bases. UNC catcher Tim Federowicz then hit the first grand slam in a CWS in eight years. White made that stand up and the Tar Heels save some face for the ACC.
The ACC entered the NCAA tournament with three of the top four seeds. #1 Miami and #4 Florida St joined the #2 Tar Heels. They all advanced to the CWS and were the top three seeds in Omaha. But Miami and FSU both laid eggs. The Seminoles went 0-2 and were the first ones gone. Miami managed to go 1-2, but their only win came over FSU. Carolina is now 2-1, with both wins over LSU. They will face the other FSU, Fresno St, next.
To see Eric Sorenson's take on the game yesterday, including exclusive photos of the streaker, check out his Extra Innings blog on the former cstv.com.
First, the opener of the Cubs-Sox series at Wrigley. The Cubs were coming off a sweep at the hands of the Devil Rays (I know, they dropped "Devil," but once you get a little of the devil in you, you can't get it out). That was the Cubs' first three-game losing streak of the season. Still, they had the best record in baseball, percentage points ahead of the Red Sox.
The Sox, on the other hand, appeared to have bounced back from a skid where they lost six of seven by sweeping Pittsburgh earlier this week.
Things looked good for the Sox early yesterday also. Jermaine Dye blasted a shot that still hasn't landed to tie the game in the second. Cub-killer AJ Pierzynski hit a two-run homer in the third to make it 3-1 and there they sat until the seventh.
Octavio Dotel came in to pitch for the Sox and Derrek Lee smacked his first pitch into the right field bleachers to make it 3-2. Just as the crowd was settling down from that shot, Aramis Ramirez made it back-to-back shots to tie it up. Those also cost WGN radio $10,000. They give a lucky listener 10Gs whenever the Cubs go back-to-back in the 7th inning.
The Sox started the 9th with a double against Kerry Wood, but couldn't do anything with it.
Scott Linebrink then came on to pitch the bottom of the ninth, but he didn't last long. Ramirez hit his second pitch into the center field shrubbery for the game-winner.
My nightcap was the College World Series elimination game between LSU and North Carolina.
They actually started the game the night before. Carolina had two runs in and the bases loaded with one out in the top of the first before the rains came and postponed the game to last night. LSU changed pitchers overnight and got a double play to get out of that jam.
It was 3-1 Heels in the sixth when Matt Clark, the nation's leading home run hitter, came up with a man on for the Tigers. Instead of pitching around him, UNC's Brian Moran went right after him. Big mistake. Clark bombs one out and the game is tied.
LSU was threatening again in the eighth with Clark at the plate, two on and one out, looking to duplicate Ramirez, when a streaker ran onto the field. The little delay seemed to suck the pressure out of the situation. Clark walked (NC pitched very carefully to him this time) and then ACC pitcher of the year Alex White got out of it.
On to the top of the ninth, where a single and two intentional walks (the first after a stolen base and the second after a sacrifice) loaded the bases. UNC catcher Tim Federowicz then hit the first grand slam in a CWS in eight years. White made that stand up and the Tar Heels save some face for the ACC.
The ACC entered the NCAA tournament with three of the top four seeds. #1 Miami and #4 Florida St joined the #2 Tar Heels. They all advanced to the CWS and were the top three seeds in Omaha. But Miami and FSU both laid eggs. The Seminoles went 0-2 and were the first ones gone. Miami managed to go 1-2, but their only win came over FSU. Carolina is now 2-1, with both wins over LSU. They will face the other FSU, Fresno St, next.
To see Eric Sorenson's take on the game yesterday, including exclusive photos of the streaker, check out his Extra Innings blog on the former cstv.com.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Sox-Cubs more meaningless than usual
I've never gotten all wrapped up in the Cubs-Sox rivalry, perhaps because I'm one of those rare Cub fans that also roots for the Sox, but this year's six-game series is even more meaningless than usual because no matter what happens, the Sox can't lose. If the Cubs win all six games by football scores (say, 35-3), it's not going to take the rings off the fingers of the White Sox and it's not going to change the fact that the Cubs are Waiting For Next Year for the 98th year in a row.
Friday, November 25, 2005
Long time, no write
Gosh, it's been so long since I've written, I've forgotten just about anything I might have wanted to say. With both football and basketball seasons going on, it's hard to find time to write. Here's a few things rambling around in my head.
* The Sox made a pretty risky deal yesterday, sending CF Aaron Rowand to the Phillies for 1B Jim Thome. I love Thome, but he's on the downside of his career and coming off an injury-marred season. I hate to see the Sox give up their best defensive player and team leader - and a relatively young guy - for Thome at this point in his career. It makes me wonder if the Sox think they can't sign Konerko.
* Kyle Orton is doing a nice job at starting QB for the Bears, who are now 7-3. Like most rookies, he's had some ups and downs, but they are not relying on him to win the games. The Bears have a great defense and a good running game, which takes some pressure off of Orton.
Orton's QB rating of 62.5 won't get him a lot of all-star votes. He's 30th in the NFL in that category. If you throw out that one 5 INT game against the Bengals, his rating is 73.2, which isn't too far off of average. Hard to believe one game could make that much difference.
The one thing that has puzzled me about Orton so far as a Bear is that he seems to be missing guys deep. When he was at Purdue, he was the most accurate deep-ball thrower I had seen in college. It seemed like he was more accurate the farther he threw the ball, but in the pros so far, he's had trouble hooking up on the long ball. Maybe it's just a matter of still learning his receivers. When he starts clicking on the deep ball again, he's really going to take off.
Rex Grossman, whose injury gave Orton the chance to start, is going to be back in uniform this week as the third QB when the Bears play Tampa. Some fans are thinking he should go back in whenever he's ready, but they forget that Grossman has six games experience - total. Orton already has seven WINS. Grossman's career QB rating is 71.1, so it's not like he's the second coming of John Elway.
* Further evidence that there are too many channels: the Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship was on ESPNU yesterday.
* We went to see the Harry Potter movie last night. It was pretty good, although they obviously had to cut a LOT out to make a two-and-a-half hour movie. No house-elves, no Dursleys, and don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-it coverage of the Quidditch World Cup. Even Snape is an afterthought. Still, it's a good movie and the special effects are great.
* My two older boys have just joined Cub Scouts. They're both pretty excited about it and they'll probably do OK, but I remember my efforts at scouting and I wasn't particularly good at it. Hopefully, I can stay out of their way. :)
* The Sox made a pretty risky deal yesterday, sending CF Aaron Rowand to the Phillies for 1B Jim Thome. I love Thome, but he's on the downside of his career and coming off an injury-marred season. I hate to see the Sox give up their best defensive player and team leader - and a relatively young guy - for Thome at this point in his career. It makes me wonder if the Sox think they can't sign Konerko.
* Kyle Orton is doing a nice job at starting QB for the Bears, who are now 7-3. Like most rookies, he's had some ups and downs, but they are not relying on him to win the games. The Bears have a great defense and a good running game, which takes some pressure off of Orton.
Orton's QB rating of 62.5 won't get him a lot of all-star votes. He's 30th in the NFL in that category. If you throw out that one 5 INT game against the Bengals, his rating is 73.2, which isn't too far off of average. Hard to believe one game could make that much difference.
The one thing that has puzzled me about Orton so far as a Bear is that he seems to be missing guys deep. When he was at Purdue, he was the most accurate deep-ball thrower I had seen in college. It seemed like he was more accurate the farther he threw the ball, but in the pros so far, he's had trouble hooking up on the long ball. Maybe it's just a matter of still learning his receivers. When he starts clicking on the deep ball again, he's really going to take off.
Rex Grossman, whose injury gave Orton the chance to start, is going to be back in uniform this week as the third QB when the Bears play Tampa. Some fans are thinking he should go back in whenever he's ready, but they forget that Grossman has six games experience - total. Orton already has seven WINS. Grossman's career QB rating is 71.1, so it's not like he's the second coming of John Elway.
* Further evidence that there are too many channels: the Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship was on ESPNU yesterday.
* We went to see the Harry Potter movie last night. It was pretty good, although they obviously had to cut a LOT out to make a two-and-a-half hour movie. No house-elves, no Dursleys, and don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-it coverage of the Quidditch World Cup. Even Snape is an afterthought. Still, it's a good movie and the special effects are great.
* My two older boys have just joined Cub Scouts. They're both pretty excited about it and they'll probably do OK, but I remember my efforts at scouting and I wasn't particularly good at it. Hopefully, I can stay out of their way. :)
Friday, November 04, 2005
I'm in USA Today
Sorry it's been so long since I've written. This is the time of year when hoops and football collide, leaving me little time to blog. I still have the White Sox on my mind, and I'll get to that eventually. Meantime, I was featured in USA Today today.
Friday, October 21, 2005
World Series pick
This should be a series where runs are tough to come by. Both teams have great starting pitching, although I would give the Sox a slight edge because they have four reliable starters, while the Astros have three. I think the Astros have the edge in the bullpen though with Brad Lidge and some competent setup guys. The Sox bullpen is a concern just because nobody's thrown a pitch in anger in two weeks.
On offense, I think the Sox have an edge, but once again, it's slight. Both teams rely more on small ball than they do the three-run homer, but I think the Sox are better able to generate the long ball at any spot in the lineup.
The National League team always has an edge in its park because AL pitchers aren't used to hitting. On the other hand, NL teams always have someone who can be a decent DH. The Astros have Jeff Bagwell on their bench and he figures to see some time at DH in Chicago.
Both teams are solid in the field, capable of making the spectacular play without sacrificing the routine.
My sincere hope is that we have our first postseason series in 2005 where we don't spend two days micro-analyzing some lousy call by an ump.
Sox in 7.
On offense, I think the Sox have an edge, but once again, it's slight. Both teams rely more on small ball than they do the three-run homer, but I think the Sox are better able to generate the long ball at any spot in the lineup.
The National League team always has an edge in its park because AL pitchers aren't used to hitting. On the other hand, NL teams always have someone who can be a decent DH. The Astros have Jeff Bagwell on their bench and he figures to see some time at DH in Chicago.
Both teams are solid in the field, capable of making the spectacular play without sacrificing the routine.
My sincere hope is that we have our first postseason series in 2005 where we don't spend two days micro-analyzing some lousy call by an ump.
Sox in 7.
Dumbest thing ever written
In Thursday's Sun-Times, Jay Mariotti wrote what is quite possibly the dumbest thing ever printed in a newspaper. Just having it be the dumbest thing he has ever written is quite an accomplishment, but this was at the magic level of stupidity.
He said that if the White Sox don't win the World Series, they will quickly be forgotten in this town.
This is a town that remembers fondly not only its champions (there is a big celebration going on all fall long to commemorate the 1985 Super Bowl champion Bears), but even its losers. The 1969 Cubs are practically revered, and they finished 8 games back of the Mets. The 84 and 2003 Cubs are also legendary teams that came up just short. The White Sox don't get the same play as the Cubs, but the 1959 team didn't win the World Series, and they are still fondly remembered around here.
I'm looking forward to the day when Mariotti leaves town so we can try to quickly forget him.
He said that if the White Sox don't win the World Series, they will quickly be forgotten in this town.
This is a town that remembers fondly not only its champions (there is a big celebration going on all fall long to commemorate the 1985 Super Bowl champion Bears), but even its losers. The 1969 Cubs are practically revered, and they finished 8 games back of the Mets. The 84 and 2003 Cubs are also legendary teams that came up just short. The White Sox don't get the same play as the Cubs, but the 1959 team didn't win the World Series, and they are still fondly remembered around here.
I'm looking forward to the day when Mariotti leaves town so we can try to quickly forget him.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Snow in Hell?
The White Sox are going to the World Series. I'm nearly 42 years old and I've never seen a World Series game played in Chicago. It hasn't happened since 1959. I'm not sure if Hell is actually freezing over, but I bet the overcoats are being broken out (it's been a long time for the Sox, but even longer for the Cubs).
Once again, the Sox have to sit and wait a week for an opponent. It looked like Houston had it won last night, but a 2-out, 3-run homer by Albert Pujols in the 9th keeps the NLCS going. I don't think the ball has landed yet. That's why he's the best player in baseball. But, I digress.
In the ALCS, the week of waiting hurt the Sox because they were off their rhythm for game 1. Obviously, things got a lot better after that.
The White Sox pitching in the ALCS was beyond remarkable. Throwing four straight complete games is unheard of in these days of relief specialization. The Sox hadn't done that in the regular season since 1974 and it hadn't been done in the playoffs since the mid-50s. I wonder how the bullpen will do early in the WS considering it will be 2 weeks since most of those guys have pitched in a game. But that's a problem for another day.
A couple more notes:
The two newspapers I get (Chicago Tribune and NW Indiana Times) both had the same headline on the front page: "Party Like It's 1959". That's a reference to the last time the Sox were in the WS.
When the Sox won the AL in 1959, the city set off air raid sirens to celebrate. Some people were frightened by those since they didn't warn anyone they might do that. Last week, an alderman suggested they set them off again if the Sox win, but in this post-9/11 era, that idea got shot down pretty quickly.
Once again, the Sox have to sit and wait a week for an opponent. It looked like Houston had it won last night, but a 2-out, 3-run homer by Albert Pujols in the 9th keeps the NLCS going. I don't think the ball has landed yet. That's why he's the best player in baseball. But, I digress.
In the ALCS, the week of waiting hurt the Sox because they were off their rhythm for game 1. Obviously, things got a lot better after that.
The White Sox pitching in the ALCS was beyond remarkable. Throwing four straight complete games is unheard of in these days of relief specialization. The Sox hadn't done that in the regular season since 1974 and it hadn't been done in the playoffs since the mid-50s. I wonder how the bullpen will do early in the WS considering it will be 2 weeks since most of those guys have pitched in a game. But that's a problem for another day.
A couple more notes:
The two newspapers I get (Chicago Tribune and NW Indiana Times) both had the same headline on the front page: "Party Like It's 1959". That's a reference to the last time the Sox were in the WS.
When the Sox won the AL in 1959, the city set off air raid sirens to celebrate. Some people were frightened by those since they didn't warn anyone they might do that. Last week, an alderman suggested they set them off again if the Sox win, but in this post-9/11 era, that idea got shot down pretty quickly.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Sox get a gift
The White Sox got a gift from the Angels and the umpires last night it its 2-1 win. The first give came in the form of an unearned run in the first, when Jared Washburn's throwing error put Scott Posednik on second. Two outs later, he scored.
The second came from home plate umpire Doug Eddings ruled that the third strike against AJ Pierzynski hit the dirt. Angels C Josh Paul (a former Sox player, BTW) thought he caught it clean and rolled the ball back to the mound as he and his teammates walked off. After swinging and missing, AJ took a step toward the dugout, looking back at Paul. He saw that Paul's glove was coming up from the dirt, so he reacted and ran to first. Home plate ump Doug Eddings ruled him safe, after which a long argument ensued. Eddings asked 3B ump Ed Rapuano for help and Rapuano didn't overrule him, so the call stood. Pablo Ozuna ran for AJ, stole second and scored on Joe Crede's 0-2 shot into the left field corner to win.
Replay showed clearly that Paul caught the ball clean, but the tip of his glove was on the ground when he did. That's why AJ ran. He saw the glove in the dirt and ran just to be sure. The home plate ump, as close as he is, has the worst angle on that play because the catcher blocks his view. AJ is a lefty, so the third base ump is the appeal ump on that play, although the second base ump has a view as well.
The Angels complained that Eddings signaled that he was out. AJ said he never heard him say he was out. He wouldn't hear him say out because on an obvious swing-and-miss strike, no verbal signal is given. You just extend the arm as a visual signal. Some umps have a different signal for strike three, but it's still non-verbal and not very demonstrative in an obvious swing-and-miss situation. That's what Eddings did.
There is no question that the umps blew the call - Paul caught the ball clean and they didn't see it - but the Angels have nobody to blame for the loss but themselves. Catchers are taught to tag the batter if there's any doubt. Paul didn't do that. By the time AJ ran, nobody had the ball anymore, so it was too late to throw him out. Even still, that just opened the door for the Sox. They still had a chance to get Crede out and the Angels didn't do that either.
I'm probably one of the few guys who feels bad for the ump who blew the call, but I used to be an ump too (not at that level, of course). He probably didn't sleep well last night after seeing the replays and probably isn't real excited about spending the next several days in Anaheim.
The second came from home plate umpire Doug Eddings ruled that the third strike against AJ Pierzynski hit the dirt. Angels C Josh Paul (a former Sox player, BTW) thought he caught it clean and rolled the ball back to the mound as he and his teammates walked off. After swinging and missing, AJ took a step toward the dugout, looking back at Paul. He saw that Paul's glove was coming up from the dirt, so he reacted and ran to first. Home plate ump Doug Eddings ruled him safe, after which a long argument ensued. Eddings asked 3B ump Ed Rapuano for help and Rapuano didn't overrule him, so the call stood. Pablo Ozuna ran for AJ, stole second and scored on Joe Crede's 0-2 shot into the left field corner to win.
Replay showed clearly that Paul caught the ball clean, but the tip of his glove was on the ground when he did. That's why AJ ran. He saw the glove in the dirt and ran just to be sure. The home plate ump, as close as he is, has the worst angle on that play because the catcher blocks his view. AJ is a lefty, so the third base ump is the appeal ump on that play, although the second base ump has a view as well.
The Angels complained that Eddings signaled that he was out. AJ said he never heard him say he was out. He wouldn't hear him say out because on an obvious swing-and-miss strike, no verbal signal is given. You just extend the arm as a visual signal. Some umps have a different signal for strike three, but it's still non-verbal and not very demonstrative in an obvious swing-and-miss situation. That's what Eddings did.
There is no question that the umps blew the call - Paul caught the ball clean and they didn't see it - but the Angels have nobody to blame for the loss but themselves. Catchers are taught to tag the batter if there's any doubt. Paul didn't do that. By the time AJ ran, nobody had the ball anymore, so it was too late to throw him out. Even still, that just opened the door for the Sox. They still had a chance to get Crede out and the Angels didn't do that either.
I'm probably one of the few guys who feels bad for the ump who blew the call, but I used to be an ump too (not at that level, of course). He probably didn't sleep well last night after seeing the replays and probably isn't real excited about spending the next several days in Anaheim.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Quick MLCS pix
Sox and Cards in 7 each. Houston has the pitching to hang with the Cards and Anaheim has played the Sox well this year. Even though the Angels have had back-to-back cross country flights, I wouldn't be shocked if they won game 1.
And let me add how pleasant it is that not only don't we have to stomach another Yankees-Red Sox series, but we don't have to put up with either one. Nobody was more surprised than the folks at ESPN that in spite of this tragedy, baseball will continue with its postseason as scheduled.
And let me add how pleasant it is that not only don't we have to stomach another Yankees-Red Sox series, but we don't have to put up with either one. Nobody was more surprised than the folks at ESPN that in spite of this tragedy, baseball will continue with its postseason as scheduled.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
White Sox move on
What a mismatch that turned out to be. The White Sox played nearly perfect baseball in their sweep of the Red Sox. You like small ball? How about that suicide squeeze last night for an insurance run? You like the long ball? Five HRs in Game 1, seven overall. That, along with the Sox usual pitching and defense. Total domination. It will be very difficult to beat the Sox if they keep playing at that level.
The bad news for the Sox is that they have a long time to wait before the next series starts. You hate to sit around when you have that much momentum going.
The bad news for the Sox is that they have a long time to wait before the next series starts. You hate to sit around when you have that much momentum going.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
MLDS Picks
AL - Sox vs Sox - Chicago's pitching hasn't been as dependable since the All-Star break and Scott Posednik, the man who makes the offense go, has slumped since an injury. Not good news when facing the defending champs. Boston in 4.
Angels vs Yankees - The Yankees starting pitching hasn't been special, but they can really hit. But pitching wins in the postseason - supposedly - so I'll take the Angels in 5.
I just hope we don't have to suffer through another Yankees-Red Sox series.
NL - Braves vs Astros. Wasn't this supposed to be the year the Braves finally faltered? Houston came back from the dead to win the wild card. For the Braves to win, its starters will have to carry the load. Altanta in 4.
Padres vs Cards - The Pads barely made it to .500 and the Cards are the best team in baseball. St. Louis in 3, unless they can find a way to win in 2.
Angels vs Yankees - The Yankees starting pitching hasn't been special, but they can really hit. But pitching wins in the postseason - supposedly - so I'll take the Angels in 5.
I just hope we don't have to suffer through another Yankees-Red Sox series.
NL - Braves vs Astros. Wasn't this supposed to be the year the Braves finally faltered? Houston came back from the dead to win the wild card. For the Braves to win, its starters will have to carry the load. Altanta in 4.
Padres vs Cards - The Pads barely made it to .500 and the Cards are the best team in baseball. St. Louis in 3, unless they can find a way to win in 2.
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