Looking at the Game of Baseball from all ends of the Spectrum
Brad Lidge, National League 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K I’m going against conventional wisdom and not choosing Tejada. For one full inning, Lidge owned the AL.
Brad Lidge, National League
1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
I’m going against conventional wisdom and not choosing Tejada. For one full inning, Lidge owned the AL.
It was truly a lost weekend for this White Sox fan. While the White Sox were being swept by the Oakland A’s at the Cell, the Cubbies were sweeping the Marlins in South Florida. On Friday a pair of 13 game winners didn’t get the job done. Both Jon Garland of the Sox and Dontrelle … Continue reading “WHAT A DIFFERENT WEEKEND”
It was truly a lost weekend for this White Sox fan. While the White Sox were being swept by the Oakland A’s at the Cell, the Cubbies were sweeping the Marlins in South Florida. On Friday a pair of 13 game winners didn’t get the job done. Both Jon Garland of the Sox and Dontrelle Willis of the Fish were losers. Garland lost a toughy 4-2 to Kirk Saarloos. But the real story of this game was when Willie Harris failed twice to advance a runner to third with nobody out, in both instances he’d have scored. The Cubs clobbered Willis for eight runs in 4 1/3 innings of work and cruised to a 9-6 behind Carlos Zambrano who pitched around six walks, 120 pitches thrown.
Saturday wasn’t much better as Barry Zito outdueled Sox Ace Mark Buehrle. The final score of 10-1 doesn’t really tell the whole story as three minor leaguers played major roles in this one. Pablo Ozuna commited two errors at 3B which led to three unearned runs, Bobby Jenks stunk up the joint allowing three runs in 1/3 of a inning, and Kevin Walker kept his ERA at 9.00 by giving up one in the 9th. Still it’s hard to win when you only get three hits. Kerry Wood picked up win #2 of the season and seems to have figured out he doesn’t have to strike everybody out as he walked one while striking out four in 7 2/3 innings pitched. Still the Cubbies were trailing after six 2-1 before jumping all over the Marlins bullpen for seven runs, final score 8-2. Despite a 5-6 performance by Paul Konerko including a game tying homer in the bottom of the 9th the White Sox were swept losing the finale 9-8 in eleven. Neal Cotts, who’s been pitching lights out this season, just didn’t have it allowing three runs in 2/3 of an inning. Still the Sox were still right there until Ozzie Guillen decided to pitch Luis Vizcaino in the top of the 11th, the A’s scored off the beleagured reliever and the Southsiders failed to score in their half. To make matters worse the Northsiders were completing their sweep behind Greg Maddux in a battle of greybeards as he bested Al Leiter 9-2. Maddux had a shutout through eight before leaving the game.
There are a couple of observations I’d like to make. They might be completely off the wall, but here goes nothing. First off everyone was saying how much better the White Sox would be once Frank Thomas returned to the lineup. Well I don’t know what their record has been since the Big Hurt returned to regular duty, but sometimes a team can get into the habit of waiting for the big guy to carry the team rather than a team doing the little things that makes a team a team. While on the Northside Dusty Baker seems to have taken my lineup suggestions and put them into somewhat into practice. The Cubs only have one player who is a proven leadoff hitter Jerry Hairston and Todd Walker is a very effective #2 batter. Both of these guys know how to take a walk and are excellent table setters for the big boppers. I really don’t know what Baker was thinking batting Neifi Perez & Corey Patterson at the top of the order. Still the first half of the season has been enjoyable. This White Sox team is the best in my memory and has a record of 57-29 going into the break. While the Cubs have been struggling to put things together and finish the first half at 43-44. The 2nd half should be interesting. Cub fans would like to have me know that with a rotation of Prior, Wood, Zambrano, & Maddux healthy anything is possible. Yet the White Sox strengths of speed, pitching, & defense don’t go into slumps. Soon we’ll see what we’ll see.
The White Sox Interactive Website (WSI link here) is currently featuring a baseball card of Billy Pierce because he was named starting pitcher for the AL in the 1959 All Star Game. Jon Garland was named the starting pitcher for the 2005 All Star Game. The website mentions what a magical season 1959 turned out to be and how it would be cool if this year’s Sox could go all the way.What it doesn’t mention is that the winningest pitcher in White Sox history didn’t get to start a game against the Dodgers in the 1959 World Series. Al Lopez is in failing health and seems to be the only one who knows for sure. But here is an interesting article about it that appeared last month (link here).Teddy Ballgame
The White Sox Interactive Website is currently featuring a baseball card of Billy Pierce because he was named starting pitcher for the AL in the 1959 All Star Game. Jon Garland was named the starting pitcher for the 2005 All Star Game. The website mentions what a magical season 1959 turned out to be and how it would be cool if this year’s Sox could go all the way. What it doesn’t mention is that the winningest pitcher in White Sox history didn’t get to start a game against the Dodgers in the 1959 World Series. Al Lopez is in failing health and seems to be the only one who knows for sure.
Here is an interesting article about it that appeared last month.
All-Star Game Summary: Well, for a while it looked like another AL blowout with the junior circuit leading 7-0 after 6 innings. The NL did make it interesting by scoring 5 unanswered runs. AL manager Terry Francona was forced to go against Joe Torre’s wishes and bring in Mariano Rivera for the final out. Miguel … Continue reading “#8 for the AL”
All-Star Game Summary:
Well, for a while it looked like another AL blowout with the junior circuit leading 7-0 after 6 innings. The NL did make it interesting by scoring 5 unanswered runs. AL manager Terry Francona was forced to go against Joe Torre’s wishes and bring in Mariano Rivera for the final out.
Miguel Tejada won the Ted Williams MVP award by virtue of his 2-run homerun in the second which broke it open for the AL.
So much for the media-fabricated story of LaRussa exacting revenge on Francona. Red Sox players were 4 for 8 in the game.
Media Matters:
Seems kind of strange to me that they would play the British national anthem but not the Canadian one.
Ok, they probably did (at least I hope they did… Toronto is still a major league team last I checked) but it wasn’t televised. The moment of silence was a classy move but I just didn’t understand the anthem thing. If they wanted to recognize the loss of human life, why not start with the Iraqi national anthem? Don’t get me started.
Ok, how many of you thought it was an awkward moment when Fox broadcaster Jeanne Zelasko was trying to (rudely?) interrupt broadcasting legend Ernie Harwell from talking too long during the pre-game interviews? And how many of you would much rather hear Harwell’s tidbits of baseball history than listen to Fox’s air-brushed video of Smokey Robinson? I know I would. Let the man talk. You might learn something, Jeanne.
Seems to me that the Fox Sports’ company line was to lighten up on Kenny Rogers. I’m not saying he should or shouldn’t have played in the game. It’s not my call. But it seemed the broadcasters were bending over backwards to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I just see a double standard when other players who have altercations with fans (usually who provoke the players) are being demonized and this guy plainly attacks two members of the press who don’t over-step their bounds and Kevin Kennedy acts all buddy-buddy with him. I’m just sayin’.
Mid-way through the game a banner with a URL on it was unfurled over a billboard at the stadium. Buck and McCarver brought attention to it but obviously didn’t know that .com meant it was probably a web address. They spent a minute or two trying to decipher what it could possibly mean. Do these guys spend any time in front of a computer?
I didn’t write down the url when watching the game. Did someone catch it? I’m curious what it was.
The Vermilion Voles who play Vintage Base Ball (according to rules and customs of 1858) had a game on Sunday. I was out of town visiting my mom but my friend Shawn and his family went. He was nice enough to pass on his photos and write something up for me. It sounds like he had … Continue reading “Good Ol’ Fashioned Base Ball”
The Vermilion Voles who play Vintage Base Ball (according to rules and customs of 1858) had a game on Sunday. I was out of town visiting my mom but my friend Shawn and his family went. He was nice enough to pass on his photos and write something up for me. It sounds like he had a really good time I almost wish I stayed in town and gone to the game instead. Haha.. just kidding, Mom.
Anyway, here’s Shawn’s report:
Wow, what a fun time that was. First of all, the setting was idyllic. I’d never been to Kennekuk County Park or heard of it for that matter. It’s an absolutely huge place, where the road just winds around for what seems like miles. There were markers along the way letting us know that we were heading in the right direction. Finally, we pull into this gorgeous, tree-lined meadow. The game was already in progress, but we found out there were three games being played that day with three teams in attendance: the host Danville Voles club, the Indianapolis Blues, and the Mackville Mudcats. There were only a couple dozen fans (or “cranks” as they were known in 1858).
These games were played according to the same rules used in 1858, or “gentlemen’s rules” as they are called. Manners, civility, and proper etiquette come first before everything else. There is no yelling or screaming or antagonizing the opposing team. Arguing with the umpire is simply not tolerated by anyone, period. Sliding and stealing is not allowed. Cheering is done by yelling “Huzzah!” Base runners are told to “Leg it!” Teammates recognize a good hit by saying “Well struck, Sir!” Even the pitcher apologizes to the striker (hitter) when a bad hurl (pitch) is made: “Poor hurl. Sorry, sir!” Most sporting events I bring my kids to, I worry about the language being thrown around. Here, the kids actually learn where sportsmanship was born.
Strikers are dead (out) when the ball is caught on the fly or “on the bound” (one bounce). Runners may advance when the striker is dead on the bound, but are asked to return to their bases by the umpire when the striker is dead on the fly. In other words, there is no penalty for leaving the base without tagging up. Fielders are asked to “play their lanes”. Play was actually delayed for a few minutes when one team noticed the center fielder was shading a little to the left of center and complained to the umpire. Infielders may not stray more than a step from the base before the ball is put in play. The shortstop played the normal shortstop position.
When a runner scores, the umpire reminds him to “tally his ace”. The runner reports to the tally keeper and asks to record his ace. The tally keeper obliges, the player thanks them and then rings a bell to signal to the cranks that an ace was just scored. Runs do not count unless this procedure is followed. At this game, the tally keeper was a woman dressed in clothing appropriate for the period. I spoke with her for quite awhile as she schooled me on the rules and customs of vintage baseball. The players were all friendly as well. One player on the Voles had a cast on his arm, an injury suffered during a previous game. Injuries are common since the fielders have no gloves. The vintage baseball has a slightly softer cover than today’s baseball, and it’s slightly larger. Otherwise, it’s just as hard as a modern baseball.
The neatest rule: fans can help their team make outs. If a ball is hit into the crowd and a crank catches it on the fly or on the bound and gives it to a player, the umpire can call the batter dead. Foul balls don’t happen that frequently since pitching is underhand, but the kids in the crowd are always alert to help catch foul balls for their team.
Tom, you gotta check it out sometime! Feel free to excerpt any of the above for your blog. Pictures are attached.
–Shawn
Thanks to Shawn for the pictures and report. I wish I could’ve been there. For those who want to attend a Vermilion Vole game, here is their schedule. Also, the Vintage Base Ball Association web site has lots of info on vintage base ball.
Mark Teixeira, Texas Rangers 4 for 5, 2 HR, 3 runs, 6 rbis The more I see this guy, the more I’m convinced he is the the firstbaseman of the future. The only reason you don’t hear more about him is that folks can’t pronounce his name. I was in the Embassy, my favorite hangout, … Continue reading “7/9 Linescore of the Day”
Mark Teixeira, Texas Rangers
4 for 5, 2 HR, 3 runs, 6 rbis
The more I see this guy, the more I’m convinced he is the the firstbaseman of the future. The only reason you don’t hear more about him is that folks can’t pronounce his name. I was in the Embassy, my favorite hangout, watching a game the Rangers were playing. Of course the sound was down and the closed captioning was on. This guy was saying, “Check it out, here’s this guy Mark Tex-eera, he’s s’posed to be pretty good”. I rest my case.
The International Olympic Committee voted to eliminate both softball and baseball as sports for the 2012 London Summer Olympics. They will have one more chance in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and there is a chance for appeal for reinstatement in 2016. This is a bit of a surprise for all concerned at least according to the … Continue reading “Baseball, Softball called out for 2012 Olympics”
The International Olympic Committee voted to eliminate both softball and baseball as sports for the 2012 London Summer Olympics. They will have one more chance in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and there is a chance for appeal for reinstatement in 2016.
This is a bit of a surprise for all concerned at least according to the media. It’s the first time a sport has been eliminated since 1936 when polo was kicked out.
Those in American softball circles are feeling a bit miffed feeling that their dominance in the 2004 Olympics may have something to do with it. The USA team outscored their opponents 51-1 in 2004.
Crystl Bustos, who hit a record five homers during the 2004 Olympics, said the one-sidedness of the softball tournament should not have been used as a factor. The Americans outscored opponents 51-1.
“If that did play a role in the decision, then that’s pretty pathetic,” she said. “I don’t mean to cut anybody down, but it’s supposed to be the best of the best, and if you get knocked for your excellence, then that’s just not right.”
Each of the sports were put to secret vote and softball and baseball were the only two that didn’t get a majority vote.
Craig Monroe, Detroit Tigers 2 for 3, HR, run, 5 rbis Monroe’s 5 ribbies came from a homer, single and a sac fly. Detroit starting pitcher pitcher pitched 0 innings as a result of being ejected in the first inning for throwing at Carl Crawford.
Craig Monroe, Detroit Tigers
2 for 3, HR, run, 5 rbis
Monroe’s 5 ribbies came from a homer, single and a sac fly.
Detroit starting pitcher pitcher pitched 0 innings as a result of being ejected in the first inning for throwing at Carl Crawford.
Earlier I got on my soapbox and ranted about how Morgan Ensberg deserved a spot on the NL All-Star team. Well, as it turns out, Scott Rolen has pulled out of the Game to rest his shoulder leaving a spot for Ensberg to fill.
It’s too bad USA Today couldn’t spell Ensberg’s name right.
Jason Repko, Los Angeles Dodgers 4 for 5, SB This is a kind of a back-handed LSOTD. Repko had 4 hits in 5 at-bats but scored no runs nor did he drive in any.
Jason Repko, Los Angeles Dodgers
4 for 5, SB
This is a kind of a back-handed LSOTD. Repko had 4 hits in 5 at-bats but scored no runs nor did he drive in any.