That got dangerously close to disaster territory for MLB. When the All-Star Game in Milwaukee ended in a 7-7 tie after 12 innings, the outcry across MLB was palpable. I for one didn't see the big hoopla considering the game is an exhibition game anyway but fans demanded there be a winner. That lead to the reactionary move of putting home field advantage at stake in the All Star Game, an idea that defies any sort of logic. As MLB is often criticized for, they continually trip over themselves when it comes to the All-Star Game. I for one have always been a fan of the idea of going to a "Home Run-Off" similar to a shootout in hockey to decide tie All-Star Games. That apparently is to gimmicky, but placing home field advantage in the most important game of the year, not gimmicky at all.
But the plan worked. No more ties, well-played games and on we went. Until last night when Terry Francona looked down at his bullpen around the 13th inning and realized that the only pitcher he had left was Scott Kazmir. Who threw 104 pitches on Sunday. And plays for a division rival. Clint Hurdle joked afterward (or maybe half joked) that David Wright was his emergency pitcher. One thing was for sure, this game had to come to a conclusion. This point was relayed to both dugouts during the later stages of the game last night. So what's more gimmicky? David Wright pitching to win home field advantage in the All-Star Game or a Home Run-Off?
Needless to say, as a fan, the game was thrilling. Some highlights:
- NL throws 2 guys out at home in the 10th with the bases loaded and no one out. This lead to the acrobatic play of Miguel Tejada, charging a slow grounder and throwing a bullet to first while falling down.
- Nate McCloth made a TREMENDOUS throw from Center Field to throw out the potential winning run. Russell Martin's scoop of the in between hop and blocking of the plate was equally impressive.
- Adrian Gonzalez played like 7 innings!!!! Nice game for AGon as he went 1-3 with an RBI (an RBI that, at the time, appeared to be the game winner). Lost in all this is the solid first base he played. In the 10th inning with the bases loaded, Russell Martin attempted to double up the hitter and appeared to slip as he threw. The throw was in the dirt and scooped nicely by AGon. Without that play the AL wins right there.
- If you stayed up to see it, George Sherrill formally introduced himself last night. 2 and a 1/3 innings pitched. Impressive display.
- All Michael Young does is win All-Star Games.
All in all, disaster was averted and the All-Star Game was what it is suppose to be. A showcase of the greatest sport in the world, played by the greatest players in the world.
Regular season starts up tomorrow and, sadly and amazingly, the Padres at 22 games under .500 are only 10 games out. Hopefully they give up that dream and let their young players play.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Reliving the Derby
There is an old adage about baseball that fans like to throw around. "Every day you come to the park you might see something new." Baseball is that kind of sport, the kind of sport where on any given day you could see something never before seen. Perhaps its an Indian rookie hitting the very first pitch he sees deep into the left field stands for a Grand Slam. Or a pitcher save his 500th game.
Last night at the Home Run Derby, baseball fans were given such a moment. While Josh Hamilton may not have won the Home Run Derby, such details seem secondary to the show he put on. But more then the display of raw, Roy Hobbs like power, is the story behind the show. By now, Hamilton's story of overcoming his addiction, working his way back and being reinstated into baseball, is well known throughout America. Hamilton made his Major League Debut last year, 8 years after being Tampa Bay's number 1 pick. But it was last night that he formally introduced himself to America.
Peter Gammons writes a great blog entry about baseball heroes showing up at the right time. While the game continues to be entangled in the scandals of Balco (scandals that have claimed arguably this generations best hitter and best pitcher), one need only look to last night to see how bright the future of baseball is. Hamilton, Utley, Uggla, Morneau, Longoria. These are hardly household names...yet.
I like baseball for many reasons. I like that you can't hold the ball and run out the clock to win, everyone gets a fair shake at winning, that many different strategy's produce can produce a win and that there is room for many different kinds of athletes. I like the nuances of the game, the fundamentals as well as the follies. And I like stories like Josh Hamilton, or Rick Ankiel, or Jim Abbot, or Jon Lester.
Last night at the Home Run Derby, baseball fans were given such a moment. While Josh Hamilton may not have won the Home Run Derby, such details seem secondary to the show he put on. But more then the display of raw, Roy Hobbs like power, is the story behind the show. By now, Hamilton's story of overcoming his addiction, working his way back and being reinstated into baseball, is well known throughout America. Hamilton made his Major League Debut last year, 8 years after being Tampa Bay's number 1 pick. But it was last night that he formally introduced himself to America.
Peter Gammons writes a great blog entry about baseball heroes showing up at the right time. While the game continues to be entangled in the scandals of Balco (scandals that have claimed arguably this generations best hitter and best pitcher), one need only look to last night to see how bright the future of baseball is. Hamilton, Utley, Uggla, Morneau, Longoria. These are hardly household names...yet.
I like baseball for many reasons. I like that you can't hold the ball and run out the clock to win, everyone gets a fair shake at winning, that many different strategy's produce can produce a win and that there is room for many different kinds of athletes. I like the nuances of the game, the fundamentals as well as the follies. And I like stories like Josh Hamilton, or Rick Ankiel, or Jim Abbot, or Jon Lester.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Padres at the Break (Brink)
So, I've been a bit of a slacker in updating post here. What can I say? Work...and play, has gotten in the way. But we are back for an All-Star post to ease us into the break. A couple thoughts from over the weekend:
- The Padres lost last night 12-3. The nice thing about 58 losses by the All Star Break is that all the losses blend together, making it hard to remember any one. I barely remember yesterday's loss already.
- The UT did an interesting "By the Numbers" piece today here. What jumps out at me is the 0-48 record in games when trailing after 8. So at no point this year has San Diego come back on another team's closer.
- The Padres are 11-16 in 1-run games which, more then anything, means that they have played 27 1 run games. They have played 26 "blowout" games (games decided by 5 or more runs).
- The 1998 National League Championship Team was honored over the weekend. I was 3 when the Padres won the '84 pennant so the '98 team was really my first experience with the Padres in the World Series. I lived in Tucson at the time but I remember how excited I was to see my team on national t.v. with all the playoff fanfare. Finally, when I had had enough, I drove out to San Diego for a game during the NLCS and it remains one of the most exciting sporting events I have been to. The 1998 season was some of the most fun I have ever had as a baseball fan and I'm glad they were honored this weekend. So thanks to Greg Vaughn, Ken Caminiti, Sterling Hitchcock, Kevin Brown, Carlos Hernandez, Tony Gwynn, Steve Finley and the rest of the squad. You gave me memories I wouldn't trade for anything.
- Only 1 Padre in the All-Star Game, Adrian Gonzalez (who should be in the Home Run Derby). As is typical, the major markets lead the way in voting and players sent to the game. Not that San Diego warranted more than 1 this year though.
- Finally, Jayson Stark wrote a scathing article about ARod not taking part in the Home Run Derby in Yankee Stadium. A good read (as most of Stark's stuff is).
- The Padres lost last night 12-3. The nice thing about 58 losses by the All Star Break is that all the losses blend together, making it hard to remember any one. I barely remember yesterday's loss already.
- The UT did an interesting "By the Numbers" piece today here. What jumps out at me is the 0-48 record in games when trailing after 8. So at no point this year has San Diego come back on another team's closer.
- The Padres are 11-16 in 1-run games which, more then anything, means that they have played 27 1 run games. They have played 26 "blowout" games (games decided by 5 or more runs).
- The 1998 National League Championship Team was honored over the weekend. I was 3 when the Padres won the '84 pennant so the '98 team was really my first experience with the Padres in the World Series. I lived in Tucson at the time but I remember how excited I was to see my team on national t.v. with all the playoff fanfare. Finally, when I had had enough, I drove out to San Diego for a game during the NLCS and it remains one of the most exciting sporting events I have been to. The 1998 season was some of the most fun I have ever had as a baseball fan and I'm glad they were honored this weekend. So thanks to Greg Vaughn, Ken Caminiti, Sterling Hitchcock, Kevin Brown, Carlos Hernandez, Tony Gwynn, Steve Finley and the rest of the squad. You gave me memories I wouldn't trade for anything.
- Only 1 Padre in the All-Star Game, Adrian Gonzalez (who should be in the Home Run Derby). As is typical, the major markets lead the way in voting and players sent to the game. Not that San Diego warranted more than 1 this year though.
- Finally, Jayson Stark wrote a scathing article about ARod not taking part in the Home Run Derby in Yankee Stadium. A good read (as most of Stark's stuff is).
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Aimless Tuesday Ramblings
I was out of town this past weekend so that would be the reason for the limited updates. Hope every one's 4th was fun. Here are some random thoughts on the Padres I had:
- Adrian Gonzalez was named to the All-Star team to the surprise of no one. He will be travelling alone however (also to the surprise of no one) as he is the lone Padres representative. Adrian is also a bit open about his desire to take part in the Home Run Derby. With 22 homeruns (4th highest in the NL) and an open NL spot, it would seem to make perfect sense. It would seem...
- Edgar will not be making the trip to New York because the All-Star Break is "wife time."
- To meet Adrian's 8-4 goal before the All-Star break, the Padres have to win 5 straight after last night's 3-1 loss. That loss moved the Padres to 3-4 in their last 7.
- Greg Maddux will NEVER WIN AGAIN!!!!
- Greg Maddux can still pitch though and last night was a great example.
- Interesting move by the Brewers this weekend landing C.C. Sabathia. A new high water mark for mid-market/small market teams.
- I've been a fan since he got here but I am over Khalil Greene. Look, we had some fun, some laughs, but its over. Time to move on.
- In things I know little to nothing about, the Padres scored big in the Amateur signing day last week, landing 5 of ESPN.com's 10 best prospects. Check Paul Depodesta's blog for far better information on that at It Might Be Dangerous.
- And speaking of Depodesta, he put a call out to fans for suggestions on what to do with this team. Essentially, play GM. My answer, sell. Forget this season, get rid of Wolf, Giles, Greene, load up on prospects and look toward next year. It doesn't take a Herculean effort to win this division, but speed might help.
- $1 days at Petco! $1 hot dogs, $1 drinks, $1 off beer. Only 8 home games left in July.
- Luke Carlin has a cannon for a right arm. If only he could hit.
- Chase Headley may strike out a lot but he already has 5 home runs since joining the Padres a few weeks ago.
- The Padres can't score more than 3 runs at home! Last night was no different.
- I'm now openly rooting for a team below .500 to win the NL West
- Adrian Gonzalez was named to the All-Star team to the surprise of no one. He will be travelling alone however (also to the surprise of no one) as he is the lone Padres representative. Adrian is also a bit open about his desire to take part in the Home Run Derby. With 22 homeruns (4th highest in the NL) and an open NL spot, it would seem to make perfect sense. It would seem...
- Edgar will not be making the trip to New York because the All-Star Break is "wife time."
- To meet Adrian's 8-4 goal before the All-Star break, the Padres have to win 5 straight after last night's 3-1 loss. That loss moved the Padres to 3-4 in their last 7.
- Greg Maddux will NEVER WIN AGAIN!!!!
- Greg Maddux can still pitch though and last night was a great example.
- Interesting move by the Brewers this weekend landing C.C. Sabathia. A new high water mark for mid-market/small market teams.
- I've been a fan since he got here but I am over Khalil Greene. Look, we had some fun, some laughs, but its over. Time to move on.
- In things I know little to nothing about, the Padres scored big in the Amateur signing day last week, landing 5 of ESPN.com's 10 best prospects. Check Paul Depodesta's blog for far better information on that at It Might Be Dangerous.
- And speaking of Depodesta, he put a call out to fans for suggestions on what to do with this team. Essentially, play GM. My answer, sell. Forget this season, get rid of Wolf, Giles, Greene, load up on prospects and look toward next year. It doesn't take a Herculean effort to win this division, but speed might help.
- $1 days at Petco! $1 hot dogs, $1 drinks, $1 off beer. Only 8 home games left in July.
- Luke Carlin has a cannon for a right arm. If only he could hit.
- Chase Headley may strike out a lot but he already has 5 home runs since joining the Padres a few weeks ago.
- The Padres can't score more than 3 runs at home! Last night was no different.
- I'm now openly rooting for a team below .500 to win the NL West
Friday, July 4, 2008
And Rocky Mountain Lows
I'm no math major but here's something I find interesting (and by interesting I mean depressing).
Game 1 Runs = 15
Game 2 Runs = 0
Game 3 Runs = 1
What a fun trip to Coors Field!!!!!
Now, according to Adrian's prediction the Padres have to go 7-1 to be "in" it. Although at this point it might be more embarrassing to be in this "pennant race" then to be out of it.
FYI, in the AL West we would be 18 GB, the NL East 14, the NL Central 24 GB. Good times.
But hey, it's the Fourth of July, so eat, drink, celebrate and forget your Padres worries (wait, they play today! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Luckily we have Baek going so there's no worries about bringing in unrealistically high expectations into this game).
How about some pictures from the NY trip? OK then:
Game 1 Runs = 15
Game 2 Runs = 0
Game 3 Runs = 1
What a fun trip to Coors Field!!!!!
Now, according to Adrian's prediction the Padres have to go 7-1 to be "in" it. Although at this point it might be more embarrassing to be in this "pennant race" then to be out of it.
FYI, in the AL West we would be 18 GB, the NL East 14, the NL Central 24 GB. Good times.
But hey, it's the Fourth of July, so eat, drink, celebrate and forget your Padres worries (wait, they play today! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Luckily we have Baek going so there's no worries about bringing in unrealistically high expectations into this game).
How about some pictures from the NY trip? OK then:
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Rocky Mountain Highs
The Padres salvaged what has been a miserable June by exacting, if only for a day, some revenge on the Colorado Rockies.
Last night, the Padres recorded season highs in hits (22) and runs (15). The runs total last night was more than the Padres have had in the past week. And while 1 game does not erase an 8 game losing streak or a 3-15 interleague schedule, it underscores the odd situation the Padres and the rest of the NL West find themselves in. It will only take one team, getting hot for 10 days, to take over the NL West. As Adrian Gonzalez put it last night:
"I've got a good feeling," Adrian Gonzalez said. "Giles and I were talking about this tonight. Counting tonight, we have 12 games going into the All-Star break.
"We're here and at Arizona on this trip, then return home to play the Marlins and Braves.
"If we go 8-4 to the break and get to within six out on Arizona ... we're not too far out. It doesn't sound great, but it's been done before. I think everything rides on these next 12 games.
"Six-and-six, we're done. Seven-and-five, though. But 8-4. It's something to shoot for. We've created the start."
8-4 in this stretch. Possible, certainly considering the struggles that Colorado and Arizona have been going through. But one thing is certain. This week is THE week to get back in the race. If the Padres are double digit games back by the All-Star Break, let the selling begin. For now, a 7-run 9th inning seems to have given the Padres a small reprieve.
As you know, LCB is a fan of Edgar Gonzalez. Last night, big brother had a big night, hitting two homeruns and ending the night with 4 hits. It does raise the question: what do the Padres do when Iguchi gets back? More on that later. For now, let's enjoy a rare offensive outburst by the Padres.
Last night, the Padres recorded season highs in hits (22) and runs (15). The runs total last night was more than the Padres have had in the past week. And while 1 game does not erase an 8 game losing streak or a 3-15 interleague schedule, it underscores the odd situation the Padres and the rest of the NL West find themselves in. It will only take one team, getting hot for 10 days, to take over the NL West. As Adrian Gonzalez put it last night:
"I've got a good feeling," Adrian Gonzalez said. "Giles and I were talking about this tonight. Counting tonight, we have 12 games going into the All-Star break.
"We're here and at Arizona on this trip, then return home to play the Marlins and Braves.
"If we go 8-4 to the break and get to within six out on Arizona ... we're not too far out. It doesn't sound great, but it's been done before. I think everything rides on these next 12 games.
"Six-and-six, we're done. Seven-and-five, though. But 8-4. It's something to shoot for. We've created the start."
8-4 in this stretch. Possible, certainly considering the struggles that Colorado and Arizona have been going through. But one thing is certain. This week is THE week to get back in the race. If the Padres are double digit games back by the All-Star Break, let the selling begin. For now, a 7-run 9th inning seems to have given the Padres a small reprieve.
As you know, LCB is a fan of Edgar Gonzalez. Last night, big brother had a big night, hitting two homeruns and ending the night with 4 hits. It does raise the question: what do the Padres do when Iguchi gets back? More on that later. For now, let's enjoy a rare offensive outburst by the Padres.
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