Author: Teddy Ballgame

Rafael Betancourt

Rafael Betancourt pitched a scoreless 8th & 9th innings for the Cleveland Indians and his efforts were good enough to pickup the win. Starter Paul Byrd didn’t make it out of the first inning as the Royals got to him for nine runs (only three earned) in 2/3 of an inning, it was 10-1 KC after one. But the Tribe came all the way back scoring four in the 9th and two more in the 10th off Joe Nelson & Andrew Sisco for the 15-13 victory. KC had 19 hits, Mike Sweeney & Mark Teahen each had four, but it wasn’t enough. Tom Mastny pitched the bottom of the 10th for the Indians to gain his 2nd save.

Shawn Green was dealt to the NY Mets to fill a big hole in rightfield. Although his best years may be behind him, his power has been down since injuring his shoulder several years ago. The Jewish star outfielder, born in Des Plaines, IL, is a consumate professional, and very solid in RF. Several years ago I got both Shawn Green & Carlos Delgado to autograph a baseball in Dunedin, FL at spring training when both were with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Arizona Diamondbacks appear to be dumping salary, even though they’re in a playoff race, as they only got a marginal minor league pitcher in Evan MacLane. Carlos Quentin should see the lion’s share replacing Green in RF for the D*Backs. The best team in the NL, the Mets, just got better. Still there are at least five AL teams better than the Mets. As CLuke said, maybe the NL should start with small goals, like winning ONE World Series game this year.

I had my tickets to all four games, my airline tickets on SWA, and hotel accomodations at the Hotel Milner (one block from the ballpark). I even had my trip to see Claliglia at the Toy Chest all mapped out in my mind. But the best made plans are subject to change and change they did, cancelled might be a better description of what happened. Three weeks ago Oma fell, broke her hip, and is recovering from surgery. This past Sunday a man with a black cape & sickle was following her around, so I decided to cancel my Detroit trip to support the Good Guys. I’m happy to report we were able to chase away the grim reaper from Oma. Maybe he’s found a more vulnerable target in my White Sox in Detroit.

In game #1 of this important four game series Jose Contreras & the Southsiders were beaten 7-1, Jermaine Dye’s homer opened the scoring, but that’s all we got. Justin Verlander’s once 100 MPH fastball only reaches the mid 90s now, but that was all he needed. How could I expect Contreras to fare better against the Tigers than he did against the Royals? KC bombed Contreras in his last outing (I game I had to leave early). It was no gamble in the 2nd game as Kenny Rogers dominated Pale Hose hitters 4-0 as Mark Buehrle took the loss. Ozzie Guillen got his money’s worth after being ejected for arguing balls & strikes when Buehrle walked in a run on a low pitch that Rogers got the benefit of a called strike three on Paul Konerko in the top of the inning.

Two down, two to go. Clearly Detroit has the Eye of the Tiger, something the White Sox need to get. It should be noted that Aaron Rowand might be out for the season after running into Phillies secondbaseman Chase Utley, earlier in the season Rowand ran nose first into Philadelphia’s centerfield wall. I still like the Sox acquiring Jim Thome, but there’s no questioning Aaron’s desire to win. I was a little concerned about my safety in Detroit and staying at the Hotel Milner, but I wasn’t worried about my heroes, maybe I should have been.

At this point it looks like the Tigers have answered the White Sox challenge. The Wild Card might be the best way for the defending World Series Chamions to make the playoffs. Currently Chicago holds a nose hair lead over the Twins. Minnesota brings its act to the Cell this weekend, but first we have to show there was at least some reason for making the trip to Detroit. At least the White Sox can’t do as bad as the Red Sox who recently dropped a five game series against the Yankees.

Mike Scioscia

Vicente Padilla drilled Vladimir Guerrero with a pitch, Guerrero hit a homer in his next at bat, Juan Rivera was hit by a pitch, and Padilla was ejected from the game. This all happened in a game won by the Angels over the Rangers 9-7 on August 15th. The next night all hell broke loose when Texas pitcher Scott Feldman hit Halos secondbaseman Adam Kennedy with a pitch, Kennedy charged the mound, both benches emptied, and Feldman punched Kennedy in the armpit. The Rangers went on to win this contest 9-3.

Earlier this season White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen was ordered to attend sensitivity training after he ordered a reliever Sean Tracey to nail a Texas hitter with a pitch after Vicente Padilla hit A.J. Pierzynski twice with pitches in a game. Tracey didn’t hit the Ranger batter, took a tongue lashing from Guillen, and was demoted to the minor leagues.

It looks like major league baseball would rather see a bench clearing brawl rather than see the players settle things on the field. It’ll be interesting to see whether sensitivity training will be in the offing for managers Mike Scioscia of the Angels and Buck Showalter of the Rangers.