90% Mental

58 Min Run (base)

2011-06-17T09:52:00.001-07:00

Hud?!?!?! I'll ask the question again!!!!

2009-10-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

WHAT SAY YOU HUD?!?!?!?!?!?!

2009-10-13T14:31:00.001-07:00

ALDS Ump'n: C.B. Bucknor in the Hizzy, "PitchZoneTracker" Ain't

2008-10-03T17:46:00.000-07:00

In that at bat I just watched in the 8th Inning of the Rays/Sox Game Two, there were several interesting pitches called strikes by home plate umpire C.B. Bucknor (54) during the Nick Swisher at-bat, which ended in a strike out after starting with a 3-0 count.

After 3-0, there was a nice pitch that caught the outside corner. Then a pitch (see picture) that appeared quite high for what usually passes for a MLB strike, but was called a strike. Now it's 3-2.

Bucknor is known for a generous strike zone and my personal assessment agrees with that. He tends to push the borderline pitches to strike calls. Eventually, he punched Swisher out on a pitch that looked outside, leading to a spirited debate between batter and ump.

The announcing team (which includes Harold Reynolds, thank goodness he's back) noted how a pitcher earns strike calls by hanging around the zone. The ump gets used to calling strikes and continues to do so as the game wears on and the pitches drift.

I would call attention to a few points. First, Swisher did himself no favors by taking a starting step toward first after he hit 3-0. It annoys the umpire (A) and (B) causes your strike zone to lengthen if you're being technical.

And this leads to calls like the 3-1 pitch, which was the one that seemed to be most startingly "up". In fact, it was a brilliant call by Bucknor, calling the zone Swisher offered.

As you can see, the pitch is notched as "high" by the "PitchZoneTracker" dealy, and from where Swisher was standing when the pitch was first thrown, it was right. But Swisher did something interesting as this high pitch crossed the plate...he stood up straight.

The zone is a moving target, the area from the hollow of the knee to something resembling half the distance from the belt to the shoulders...and the plate. As you can see, Swisher stands up and makes this pitch within that zone. A lot of umpires would have given up on the pitch (like Swisher) and make the "ball" call in their heads before it even hit the glove. But Bucknor took his time, watched it in and kept his bearings on the batter. Impressive.

This also leads to a criticism of the "PitchZoneTrackerStrikeZoneGraphic" deal that is gaining favor around the networks. First off, the strike zone is three dimensional, so this 2D square doesn't make much sense. Second, the strike zone is ever-changing based on the stance of the batter as he addresses the ball...but the box seems to be the same size for everyone. Not entirely useful product, but fun to look at.

Taking In the Field

2008-07-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

Anyone who doubts the magic of baseball should have been on the Dodger Stadium field last night to watch postgame fireworks. I can't remember the last time I've seen so many giddy people in one place.

Before and after the spectacular, thousands of grown men and women — including me, Hudson, Al Toby, and Adam Graham — ran around the outfield, played games of catch, took pictures, and did pushups (Adam, Mike, and Al). Everyone bent down to run their hands over the immaculately clipped grass and scoop up a bit of warning-track dirt (the sod under the grass is just soft enough for a game-saving, diving catch; the warning-track dirt is surprisingly rubbery). Al pointed out the foul lines were painted on the grass, while I couldn't help kick up the chalk on the dirt. While bending down to smell the grass (I did it at least twice), I noticed that someone had cut out a golf-ball-size trophy for himself. A kid who had succeeded at his gymnastics lessons did back flips and somersaults.

I pantomimed catching a fly ball and gunning down a runner at home. I also stretched into the stands for a pop-up and then quickly relayed the ball back to second to hold the runner. And — this is what I'm most proud of — I slid hard, leaving a grass stain that I hope never comes out of my jeans.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Last Place Cleveland Indians

2008-06-26T17:11:00.000-07:00

I am one pissed-off season-ticket holder. All I can say is, "One hit? One goddamn hit?!"

These guys are flailing away like a roomful of Dave Kingmans. I can't believe that they can't score; they can't hit; they can't shoot HGH anymore ... It's despicable.

I've missed more games than I've gone to this year -- mostly because I'm traveling and planning a wedding (my own). But this team is completely uninteresting.

I went to the game where Omar Vizquel returned to Cleveland, and his first at-bat -- an at-bat for a guy hitting .171 at the time -- was the highlight. Un. friggin. believeable.

I'm beside myself. Really.

Who wants some tickets to the Prog?!?!?

Dodgers draft pick probably inbred

2008-06-19T08:07:00.000-07:00

1. He's from Georgia.
2. Members of his family think they can get away with this.
3. I am pretty sure instant replay will be necessary. Here you go:

2008-06-11T16:34:00.000-07:00

Who in the hell is Jeff Larish ?

To me, they will always be DEVIL RAYS

2008-06-03T18:47:00.001-07:00

I hope they win it all. Best team in the AL. Believe It !

Ump'n Around: Now THIS is an Official Gaffe

2008-05-28T20:37:00.000-07:00

You owe me a cold one, Mr. Joyce.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- In the two-man umpiring system...the one you see in most minor-league and high school games...it often feels like baseball is the fastest game on Earth. How could a game that looks so simple, that you've spent thousands of hours watching and a few hundred playing all of a sudden look so foreign; you're like a tourist trying to score breakfast with only"Kornokova" and "EZ Russian for Dummies" to guide you through a quick-talking and impatient shopkeep while two dozen glaring eyes burn you for holding up the line.

Why? Because in two-man, your positioning is the most important thing on your mind. Whatever happens, you have a responsibility for a part of the field and the added responsibility of getting your posterior to a certain piece of real estate. And everything changes depending on the hit, a guy on first, a guy on third, a guy on first and third...at times, you're so happy you hit your spot and claimed your field that you forget to even pay attention to the call you were supposed to be making (cough, cough).

Sure, after a while it becomes natural for the pros. And in the Majors, you even get two more dudes to help out. But positioning and responsibilities remain the first priority for umpires once a ball is in play.

Tonight's Angels-Tigers game provided an example of why this is so...an example of an extremely rare occurence that the MLB umps warned us campers about to no end...don't make a call that isn't yours. If you're at third, don't call a guy safe at first. If you're at second, don't call a play at the plate.

These are obvious, but on the lines, it can get tricky. Balls down the lines are the Home Plate umps call to the base, then they transfer to the baseline ump. Several times at camp we'd get caught excitedly calling a ball fair or foul down the line when the call belonged to our partner. No big deal...so I called it fair before he did. So what?

Quothe the Instructors:

"That's great...until you're at a ballpark full of fans and you've got your arms up because you saw it foul and about 10,000 people start screaming and you look over and see your partner calling it fair. That's not a situation you want to be in."

This grounder went beyond 3rd, and the call belonged to Ump Fav Tim Tschida (4). He called it fair and Detroit's 3B easily threw the runner out. But...uh oh.

"Looks like a dammed Village People concert out there!" -- Possible Clever Comment From Leyland

Home Plate Ump Jim Joyce (66) saw it differently, much to the upset of James Leyland. To his credit, Tschida took it like a pro and managed to exhibit only a mild look of annoyance having been shown up by his partner (see top photo...classic!). Fortunately for everyone, the batter was out two pitches later and all was peaceful in baseball land. But if he had hit a dinger and started a rally. Mama Mia! Like I said, THIS is a real error of officiating and because these guys are so gulldang good, it is extremely rare to see.

POSTSCRIPT: True to form, the announcers brought up instant replay on this play, though not terribly passionately as they were the Angels team. "These kind of plays might one day be up for review," one talker said.

No it wouldn't. Once a foul signal is given, the play is dead. There would be no fair way of overturning the call. And replay is stupid anyway.

new depths

2008-05-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

while you guys debate the future of baseball, i've gotten to the bottom of a bigger story.

Fair Ball: A Fan's Case for No Replays

2008-05-27T22:28:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Craigory Schmidt, here we go...

(Executive Summary: MLB should fix the bizarre set-up of ballpark fences/foul poles instead of falling into a trend of adopting replay technology that only adds to the controversy and takes away from the game itself.)

If anyone here watched the Lakers/Spurs Game 4 on TNT just a few minutes ago, the case not only against replay but against this obsession of TV and Radio to nitpick calls speaks for itself. Long story short, the Lakers won by two...the last play involved contact between Derek Fisher (laker) and Brent Barry (Spur) that could have, but was not called a foul.

As the game ended, Doug Collins of the TNT crew spoke of nothing but the non-call. On the LAKERS broadcast, there was little discussion of much else. The post-game on TNT was about nothing but the non-call.

So you'd imagine the Spurs players and coaches would be livid given such a controversial call.

Pop: "If I were the ref, I wouldn't make that call."
Duncan: "They're not going to make that call."
Barry: "No. That isn't going to get called."

So if the OTHER TEAM doesn't even care, where exactly is the controversy? In the fan's minds, that's where...thanks to the laziness of the telecasters, who in lieu of actual analysis, look to stir up the emotions of the still-raw fans. Why? So they'll watch the post-game! Call in and talk about it! Indeed, Lakers fans had already come up with their arsenal of "bad calls" that hurt their team through the game. It's a bunch of garbage that has nothing to do with who won and why. Dissecting a professional game in any sport is hard. It requires a lot of thought, caution and professionalism. Putting a last minute call into question is much easier. (and more sexy, because any boob with an opinion can play this game.)

POINT #1 -- Replay solves nothing. Controversy will always exist because it is easy pickings for analysts.

Evidence: Are there fewer arguments over calls in College Football or NFL these days?

Unfortunately, the discussions of calls are put in dire terms by play-by-play teams, when they often have a loose if not outright incorrect understanding of the rules. The strike zone, for instance, is not a static area...it is a changing shape determined by the stance of the batter. A catch isn't a catch until the ball is successfully transfered out of the glove. Doubtful many fans or announcers could put these concepts to words or practice. That doesn't stop them from trying to make snap judgements about whether a call was right or not (I've never heard an announcer say, "You know, I don't really know that how that rule goes.") NOTE: The great announcers didn't and don't waste much time with this nonsense. They would just say, "That's a close call at first" or similar.

Which leads to point #2:

Point #2: The real issues is no one understands the rules beyond the officials.
Evidence: Did you watch ESPN's saturation coverage of all these "blown" HR calls?

ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball featuring the Mets v. Yankees was the starting point for this current rush to install replay in MLB. A deep fly ball to left tailed out near the foul pole, took a wicked turn off something and went into the crowd. At least 20 replays of this ball were shown in the next hour, with neither announcer noticing the ball actually hit the top of the wall before hitting the corner of the foul pole (which was strangely painted black at the bottom in Yankee Stadium). So the 3rd Base ump called it right as a HR, but asked for backup. The three others thought it was foul, so he changed his call. The Mets won by like 10, but that didn't stop ESPN from acting like this was the biggest mistake in the history of professional officiating.

Would replay have solved this? Maybe. But attention would then only turn to calls at first, plays at the plate, borderline catches, etc. A HR barely getting over the wall or being foul or being a double is really no more or less important than a close third strike call with two outs. So who cares? This solves nothing. ESPN will still focus on stirring up controversy and the replay will solve none of it.

The week following, each SportsCenter featured a BRAND NEW controversial HR call or non-call. The funny thing is, I watched them all and honestly couldn't call 80 percent of them. I don't know the ground rules for those stadiums. Sometimes the wall is in, sometimes not, sometimes the line is on top of the wall, sometimes three inches under, sometimes above the wall.

I know this might sound a bit, uh, logical, but if what you're really after is clear HR calls...FIX THE STUPID WALLS SO THE BOUNDARIES ARE CLEAR. Each stadium -- especially these new ones -- has some jacked up outfield boundaries to give the place personality, while at the same time compromising clarity as to what is or is not in play. Seems to me, you could pretty easily paint a line of yellow atop all walls, and push any structures that are out-of-play further back from the in-play area to prevent this. This is the Big Leagues. It's like if in the NBA you had the shot clock in a different position and a bunch of stairs perched atop the backboard in Phoenix, but then a restaurant behind the glass in NY. It's silly. Push that garbage back 5 feet and this would never come up again. Put a little netting basket along each wall if you like. And as for the foul pole...these calls get made correctly all the time. This one at Yankee Stadium is a direct result of the bizarre wall set-up, where the wall comes in three feet ahead of the foul pole, which is also strangely painted black at the bottom, unlike the rest of it.

Or, we could just waste time and energy instituting a new replay system that will only lead to more nitpicking of calls and ultimately slow the game down to a bareknuckled crawl...all to feed the addiction of the ESPN generation, which will spend days and days arguing about whether a play was called correctly or not -- yet never actually understanding the rules they are so adamently debating. This is not a solution to anything...just ask the NFL, or watch a College Football game with the ESPN crew and honestly tell me replay has helped the game.

There's No Replay In Baseball

2008-05-22T15:01:00.000-07:00

At least...not yet. I'm sure most could guess where I come down on this story.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3408154

The Incredible Shrinking Gagne

2008-05-22T11:32:00.001-07:00

This is a photographic representation of Gagne's career...

2004

2008

Legend: One is considerably smaller, less interesting and looking to be over...

Lotsa Goodness in Tigs v. Diamondbacks -- Bunts, Rules and Jonesy

2008-05-17T20:35:00.000-07:00

If the Tigers are a legitmate contender, their performance in Phoenix might just be the first evidence we've seen. The Diamondbacks are the real deal so far this season, and the Tigs have played them very strong for two straight. Losing a squeaker yesterday and winning their first "solid" game I've seen. 3-2. Well done.

In fact, this was their first win in over 40 games when they've scored 3 or less.

Better than this, however, was a rules quirk I learned today about bunters. In the 8th Inning, the Diamondbacks got Stephen Drew on as the leadoff guy. Hudson then came up to bunt him into scoring position. On a 2-1 count, Hudson pops up the bunt. Pudge lets it drop and the Tigs ended up with a double play. (See pics below)

Pudge lets the pop drop...as Hudson stews at his mistake.

...and picks off Drew who was in a pickle at first to start the 2-4-3 DP.

Turns out, a batter attempting a bunt loses the protection of the infield fly rule. I've seen a lot of popped up bunts, but never saw this. And I certainly didn't know the rule, making my decision to leave the gray pants in the closet a wise one. So many awesome rules!

Better yet, Todd "The Cooler" Jones came in, hit the leadoff guy in the 9th and had his usual high-wire act ending up getting the final out in Maggs glove on the right field warning track. Which inspired this celebration on his part, paying homage to his teammates who have started wearing high socks as a "team" thing. Jones reports he doesn't own a pair of high socks. (Yes, those are NBA logo socks)

It's been a long journey to get here. It started poorly back in '01. Not a big fan. And it wasn't great in '06. Then at some point in the postseason, with a playoff game against the A's in the balance -- bases loaded with the Big Hurt batting -- I realized he is perhaps the most even keeled baller I've ever witnessed. Last year, after giving up two runs and loading them up with the game on the line, he got the last out and did a mock "fade-away jumper" pose. This year, he's just taking his shirt out the moment the game is over. Yes, we've had our moments. But now, so many years later, I love Todd Jones.

George Sherrill's Shelf-Like Cap Bill Demands Your Attention

2008-05-14T21:32:00.000-07:00

Not sure if any of you have seen ex-Mariner George Sherrill closing for the Orioles this year. Gaines and I caught him in action a few nights ago. He's a terrific pitcher, but that's not the subject of this post; more remarkable than any of his pitches is his lid. We've seen certain guys wear their caps flat in the past, managers especially. But Georgie takes it to a whole new level. According to his statements to the press, he simply wears it exactly as it is when they hand it to him. But honestly, it looks like he either irons it with a ton of starch or, perhaps, has replaced the standard bill with one made of plywood. It's deep! I hope the always entertaining Uni Watch tackles this hot topic soon. The above picture doesn't really do it justice, so tune in and watch Sherrill pitch.

Tiger Batters Have No Clue Which End Is Up

2008-05-13T20:01:00.001-07:00

I hope Mr. Ilitch sells a whole lotta pizzas because at this point he will need to make up for his piss poor investment that everyone under the sun thought was a sure thing.

They were slapped tonight by a triple A baseball team that should have been contracted 5 years ago. Edgar Renteria still thinks he is the World Series hero from over 10 years ago when all he needed to do was throw the ball to first instead of a flashy pitch in the middle of the diamond that allowed the winning run to score. Curtis Granderson whiffs like he's never seen an off speed pitch before. And a better than quality start by Nate Robertson was wasted.

I know it is May 13, but for the first time I am feeling a shred of doubt. I wonder if Leyland can spare any extra heaters these days.

Quartermark: Hud's List of Thinkie

2008-05-13T19:41:00.000-07:00

1. Andruw Jones is pretty much living up to my "hunch". I still wouldn't have guessed he'd be 70 pounds heavier than his rookie year.

2. Tigers being a really bad team is stunning. Lots of folks are acting as though this somehow makes sense (read Lynn Henning's case for starting pitching being the culprit and suggesting the Tigs may not be much better than a .500 team). The only reason this isn't #1 is that I've had time to digest it. I'd argue there is no explanation for this team...it just isn't reasonable for them to be losing at every chance they get -- if you just watched E. Renteria put the go-ahead run across for the Royals with an error tonight, you know what I mean. It has nothing to do with talent, tough-luck or any of that. It has to do with a lack of presence of mind in key situations (at bats, defense, pre-game prep) that stems from a failure of leadership. At this point, the Detroit Tigers are worse together than they would be apart. They are a failing team.

3. Marlins -- These guys are fun to watch! Maybe management will figure out a way to rip this team's heart out before the All-Star Break?

4. Boston is gull-dang good.

5. Even T. Hunter hasn't made me enjoy the Angels. The OC can tug a horse for all I care.

HOLY COW

2008-05-11T18:30:00.000-07:00

Rick Ankiel might have forgotten how to pitch, but he can still throw strikes. Good Lord:

Saw This One Coming: Jim Edmonds Cut Loose

2008-05-09T15:33:00.000-07:00

When not frat-boying with the bar crowd, the Padres' Jim Edmonds has been spending his 2008 muffing fly balls and striking out a whole bunch. After sitting a game, pinch-hitting into a ground out after a double-switch, apparently Bud Black & Co. had seen enough.

It was strange watching Edmonds (the bane of Edmunds.com's existence, BTW) this year. I knew he had annoyed the Cardinals to the point of being let go, if I'm remembering correctly. But I definitely remembered that unbelievable knack for catching balls hit over his head or out of reach BEHIND him in the outfield. He really was automatic on those. And his bat was pretty impressive, too, standing for a time as one of the power threats of the Pujol's Era St. Lunatics.

But, it just didn't happen this year. I chalked it up early to playing Center in such a massive ballpark, but I guess it just wasn't too be. Adios, Jim. You made some of the best catches I've ever seen.

Darn You Boys: Why DET Sucks to Watch

2008-05-06T20:28:00.000-07:00

The Year of 1,000 Excuses?

There's no beating around the bush on this one...I hate watching the Tigers play so far in 2008. In fact, you might say I haven't found this level discomfort on my couch with the Olde English "D" on the screen since the horror of 2003. There's some magic, but there's more phoned-in effort than is statistically possible. Errors are losing games. Starting pitching offers a quality start once every 9 games or so. Worst of all, the 2007 team was shut out 3 times. I'm pretty sure this team has close to 5 or 6 already...and MLB pitching has not improved quite that much in the off-season.

It is important to note that being schitzo is a Tiger tradition dating back to the Magical Season of 2006, when the same team that dominated the Majors from April to July took a gigantic flop to end the year, dropping a series against the awful KC Royals at home to eventually lose first place in their division on the very last day of the season. And last year, the Tigs played great and flubbed down the stretch and against division rivals to miss a return trip to the post-season. And despite all this, I enjoyed watching the Tigers more than ever. (I also love watching the Dodgers, despite similar underachieving fates in a few recent seasons.)

So what's different this year? That would be a payroll of $130 million, a lineup of three or more Hall of Famers, darn-near double digits of All-Stars and a preseason swagger worthy of the Bronx Bombers.

Who knows what will happen. But the scrappy, loveable Tigs are getting perilously close to turning in a pathetic, Country Club-type season of elitist moping. They're not just underachievers, they're starting to look like wimps. And that is something that just won't fly in Motown...or in Glendale, where I chose to spend my Extra Innings feed elsewhere.

A Great Day for Title Town

2008-05-01T21:30:00.001-07:00

Yes, as silly as it is for a locality to claim it is somehow better than another at professional sports...this was a great day for Detroit.

The Tigs swept the Yankees @ the Stadium for the first time since 1966
The Pistons crushed the Sixers to advance in the NBA Playoffs
Least...but not if you were around in the 90s...the Red Wings CRUSHED the Avs, 8-2, to complete a Stanley Cup Playoff sweep

This is off-topic, but it does relate. Baseball is my biggest sport...by far. The Tigers are my biggest team. However, as far as teams that I despise...none (even the University of Michigan football team) can approach the bizarre loathing I hold to this very day toward the Colorado Avalanche because of the rivalry sparked by Claude Lemieux's hit on Kris Draper that nearly killed ol' Drapes.

I don't give two rips about hockey these days (I was a modest fan even at my heights). But there's no team I like to see beaten more than the Avs. For a quick refresher course (or for those newbies, a short course) watch the following few minutes of YouTubes. For the one with the Filter song, I apologize as it is a bit overwraught...but if you were watching back from the D in the late-90s, you'll probably still get chills from the 1997 Easter Massacre footage as CL gets beaten, Darren McCarty seals his status as local hero, Patrick Roy and Mike Vernon...goalies...square off, and pints and pints of Colorado's finest are collected on the Ice of Joe Louis. (And the Wings pinched 'em later that year in the Playoffs 4-2...hee hee!)

Motown!

Why Detroit Hates the Avs (:30 to 1:25)

Lemieux, a known cheap-shot artist, nearly kills Kris Draper by blind-siding him into the sill of his bench...earning him a suspension

The Full, Uncut 7 Minutes (if you really like the nuance)

Some 300 days later, the Wings had waited until the Avs were on their home ice to exact revenge upon Lemieux & Co. Claude gets knocked nearly unconscious by Darren McCarty and requires assistance off the ice. The goalies end up fighting along with Shanny, Malts and nearly everyone else.

The "Easter Massacre" of '97...to Music (So Best! 1:38 to 2:20 stand up there with any championship moment in most Detroiters minds)

Same thing, but showing that the Red Wings fans are metal nerds. I still like watching it, tho. You get to see McCarty also take down Adam Deadmarsh...and then score the winning goal in OT on Roy. Oh baby!

More of this to come...

2008-04-28T21:31:00.001-07:00

A good-looking crowd.

"A classy guy who, one day, had just had enough."

2008-04-28T21:17:00.000-07:00

Twenty five years ago Tuesday afternoon, manager Lee Elia retreated to the clubhouse following his Cubs' fifth loss in 19 games to open the season.

He hung up his hat and jersey, sat down and leaned his chair back against the wall.

Cub (lowercase) reporter Mark Giangreco lit Elia's cigarette. The 45-year-old rookie skipper took a long drag and kicked his feet up onto his desktop.

Giangreco and fellow scribe Les Grobstein fired up their tape recorders. And Elia let.er.rip.

Pound-for-pound this has to be the best managerial meltdown on record; an unmatched mix of rage, verve, inventiveness, spontanaiety, sociology(!) and fatalism.

Local comemoration here, here and hackneyed provincial preenster here.

I'm a big fan of the Lasorda rant following Dave Kingman's three-homer performance in either 1976 or 1978, but it it has an air of calculation to it. And he actually apologizes toward the end of it - major minus points.

This one re: Kurt Bevacqua is pretty awesome too, but if the reporters are laughing at you, it just doesn't carry the same weight. It's like if Santa Claus had a meltdown or something.

Ump Talk: Check Swings...How the Pros Call it

2008-04-21T19:20:00.000-07:00

The Question: If you're like me, you've probably always been a bit confused as to why Umps call some check swings swings, and others checks. Well, that's because it's up to Umpire's discretion. (Read: there is no mechanical litmus test for a swing or no swing call.)

The Conventional Wisdom: To hear the TV folks (and most MLB players/coaches for that matter) tell it, this call comes down to a jamboree of cliches like "did he go around" and things about the batter "breaking his wrists" or "breaking the plane of the plate" with the bat. Better yet, since judging whether the batter's bat "went around" is difficult from the home plate Ump's position, we get the drama of the catcher "appealing" to the 1st or 3rd base Ump. So we get that satisfying picture in our minds of the catcher heroically appealing with his glove pointed down the basepath...and then a spirited safe or strike call if the bat swung across the plate. And then we get 2 or 3 replays from the dugout camera to see if the call was correct. Sound about right?

The Latest Example: Well, that's how I always thought it went down, but in reality...that's not the case. Indeed, these rules of thumb we've all heard can often predict the call the 1st or 3rd base Ump will make -- but not all the time.

If you were watching the Cubs v. Mets game on ESPN tonight, Mark DeRosa (2B, Cubs) got hot and bothered about a call like this. He checked his swing as the pitch crossed the plate, but was punched out by home plate Ump Angel Hernandez (55). DeRosa said some choice phrases on his way back to the bench, asking for a second opinion from down the 1st Base line. Hernandez waived him off and reiterated his call.

The TV booth guys all wondered:

1. DeRosa didn't appear to go around, so why was it a strike?
2. Why didn't Hernandez allow the appeal on such a close call?

The Explanation: The answer is that Hernandez had no reason to get the second opinion for the call he made. The test as to "swing or no swing" is whether the batter made any attempt to strike the ball. So listen up, batters...holding up after the fact won't necessarily save you.

Bat is back as the pitch reaches the plate. (click to enlarge)

Hips open, bat checked as ball is in the glove.

1. As you can see from the pics, DeRosa checks his swing pretty much WHILE the ball is crossing the plate. From this angle, it appears DeRosa was pretty well fooled on the pitch and made the decision to hold up when he realized he wouldn't be able to make contact...and he indeed held up the swing and perhaps didn't go around.

Can't get in his head, but it seems the Home Plate Umpire saw a well-timed attempt at the pitch (see how DeRosa is still moving his bat forward as the ball crosses the plate). It doesn't matter whether his bat "goes around" in this case. It really doesn't matter if he's within a nautical mile of hitting the ball. All that matters is if the Umpire believes the batter made an attempt to strike the ball. The rule is made this way to protect a pitcher who makes a good pitch against a batter who is only checking his swing because he misjudged the pitch so badly.

2. Why no appeal? Because it is the Home Plate Ump's call to make. Despite the oft-mentioned catcher "appealing" a call up the line, only the Plate Ump can pass the call to the 1st Base or 3rd Base Ump. The appeal is available TO HIM because the Home Plate Ump is tasked with the all-important ball-or-strike judgement call. He often doesn't have the bandwidth to be fooling around with judging an attempted swing and needs help from time to time. (Don't forget, if the pitch is a strike, the swing or no swing doesn't matter...which is, of course, the reason the Home Plate Ump focuses on that call.)

In this case, the pitch was likely an EASY ball call, allowing Hernandez to get a look at the swing. And with a good look, it's pretty easy to tell DeRosa made an attempt to strike the ball...a ball he realized he wouldn't be able to get around on a split second too late.

Trend watch: Reds booth crammed with asses

2008-04-18T07:26:00.000-07:00

This time it's Jeff Brantley's turn to play straight man while Marty Brenneman aurally implodes.

This video is too meta for me to comment. Except to wonder how a cranky butthead like this gets into the Hall of Fame (my feelings re: The Cub fans go without saying):

A Fat Man Pitched Batting Practice

2008-04-17T16:12:00.000-07:00

Detroit fans, rejoice!

Your hometown Tigers will face C.C. Sabathia at least three more times, and given the fat man's performance last night, your team might meet its bonus clauses in those three games alone.

I watched in person last night as a very fat man tossed meatballs across the dish -- each one fatter and juicier than the last -- and each one traveling faster and farther into the mild Cleveland night.

It was a horrendous sight.

And while I wish last night's game was an abberration, each game I've watched this year (in person or on the TV), the Tribe has looked lost, disinterested, tired and unprofessional -- kind of like the Cleveland Browns of the late 1990s and early 2000s ... and mid-2000s, come to think. I digress.

The Indians are now tied with the Tigers for last place in the Central -- each winning a paltry one-third of its games.

No doubt there is time for the Tribe to reverse its disasterous course, but I fear last night I watched two teams going in opposite directions.

And that means I'm stuck with a crapload of worthless tickets, and I might have to (again) adopt the Tigers as a team to watch and root for (as I did in 2006).

And that just sucks because I hate Detroit.

What my High School Means to Me

2008-04-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

An essay by the pride of Thornton Fractional-South.

The Pudge that Roared 'n' More

2008-04-14T23:10:00.000-07:00

"Mortgage the Stadium and sign Pudge Rodriguez." M. Hud, November 2003

Few things get the blood going for a fan like seeing their team stink up the field against all expectation, going 2 and 10 to begin what was supposed to be a magical season. But those few things include seeing that team start Lucky 13 just as stinky, commit three errors, go down by a lot of runs through 7...AND then blast the cover off the ball for the first time this season!

1. Fire and I. Rod: Pudger. I was just saying to Gaines over some sweeeeeeet Intelligentsia shots how surprised I was that Pudge hadn't lost his temper during this losing streak. But after he drilled a triple to tie up the score in the 8th inning today, he showed that same fire we've come to expect with a fist pump, point to the sky and high five with hyper-cool 3rd Base Coach Gene Lamont. He then executed a Kobe-esque slide into home plate with the go ahead run, popping up seamlessly into a clench fist pose. Well played.

2. Saito: On a micro-level, watching T. Saito of the Dodgers blow his save opp tonight was in the same league of shocking that the Tigers start has been. Saito was throwing BBs at the Pirates and had some sick looking stuff. Then some hump batting 4 for 38 took his first offering about five rows into the right-field bleachers with two on and two out. Yipe.

3. Tippy Canoe: Robinson Cano, or "Canoe" as DJ once called him in an interview, came off the bench and shot an OT HR to RF. That's a good way to jump start his season, I think.

4. The Royals! They're good, brother. And when they're not playing the Tigs, I find myself pulling for them ala Tampa Bay's DEVIL Rays.

5. Great Moments in Plate Etiquette: Two things I haven't seen before. First, some guy in some game (I forget where) honestly took a full second to admire his SINGLE he roped to RF. Second, Manny Ramirez crushed a double in the Tigers first win a few day ago. The moment it left his bat, he could be seen visibly chewing his gum before taking off down the base path. Now THAT is dialed in. (UPDATE: I dug it up for the single admiration. It was OAK v. CLE on Saturday, and I think this is Emil Brown pinch-hitting an RBI. From another game with Brown hitting an RBI against the Chi Sox, he kind of did the same thing. Look how far that ball has traveled in the pitcher's eyes without any movement from Brown.)

The guy on the left is the best pitcher in MLB the last 20 years, the guy on the right is the second best in Spartan basketball history

2008-04-13T11:13:00.001-07:00

The Tigers drafted Johnny Smoltz very late in the 1985 draft, just as the steroid era was beginning. A couple years later he was involved in that infamous Doyle Alexander trade that helped Detroit win the AL East in 1987, and in the longer term helped Atlanta win over a dozen division titles and a world title.

He has won over 200 games, and if it weren't for the four years he was saving almost 40 a year as the best closer in the game during that stretch, he would be easily on pace to win 300. He has proven to be one of best postseason hurlers in the history of MLB.

Can you imagine had he not been traded? Sure the Tigs would've been spared the '87 division title, but instead of one title in the '80s, with Jack Morris and John Smoltz at the top of the rotation in that era they would've had at least one more.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

...I'm watching Javier Vazquez throw 90-91 mph fastballs past Tiger hitters ! They are missing these pitches by a foot. They have 6 hits and no runs in last 14 innings with umpires getting in the way of the Tiger defense as they try to field the baseball, but I still think they will win 92 more games.

Come back Voodoo Child

2008-04-12T06:43:00.001-07:00

The pen pitched 9 innings and allowed 1 run last night. Gas Can Grilli helped put out the fire quite nicely this time. Denny Bautista has been a pleasant surprise in the 8th. When Zumaya returns, why not start him out as a 7th inning reliever to ease him back ? Point to consider.

Verlander goes today against Gavin Floyd. The Tigers owe him about 10 runs in 4 innings, however it'll be cold and damp in Chicago and runs will be at a premium. We'll see.

The Tigers are only 4 games out after a horrid beginning, and that's behind Kansas City. If you think about it in those terms, we're in a good position. Game on !

The Fat Man

2008-04-12T05:47:00.000-07:00

Check out this line:

Year Ag Tm  Lg  W   L   G   GS  CG SHO  GF SV   IP     H    R   ER   HR  BB   SO  HBP  WP  BFP  IBB  BK  ERA *lgERA *ERA+ WHIP

2008 27 CLE AL   0   2   3   3   0   0   0  0   14.0   24   18   18   3    9   13   1   0    74   1   0 11.57  4.23   37 2.357

This pathetic excuse for a pitching line is the biggest reason the Tribe is two games below .500. Who'd a thunk last year's CY Young trophy winner would lay not one, not two but THREE NEal Heaton-like starts on his team?

This guy's supposed to be the next hundred-million-dollar pitcher, and he's throwng meatballs.

I tell you right now: Forge the Tigers; the Indians are in real trouble.

White Sox v. Umps 2008

2008-04-11T19:55:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: Thome suspended 1 game. He musta said something untoward...

Wish I was a little bit taller...

I'm biased in two places on this one...first, the W. Sox are playing the Tigs. Second, I tend to side with umpires/referees on most things (despite a seething problem with authority, just ask those three cops I got fired in Jackson, Mich...booyah.)

The issue has long been Ozzie Guillen running his mouth about pretty much anything. Add to this, the official "correct" call percentage in MLB hovers at around 95 percent as judged by the video monitoring system the league installed several years back, according to what the MLB veep said at the camp.

So that leaves you with 1 out of 20 pitches being called either a ball or a strike when "by-the-book" it is actually the opposite. (for an amateur, this climbs to well around 6 out of 20) The point is, every game sees more than 10 pitches that are technically called improperly. The best you can do as an Ump is to make sure you're calling the same zone no matter which team is batting. And that's usually what the league, the managers and -- to a lesser extent -- the players hold the Umpires to.

The White Sox are off to a very poor start with Umpires this year with Ozzie loudly getting into a tiff with Phil Cuzzi (10) the other day, saying he calls strikes against the Sox because Cuzzi doesn't like him. Ehh.

But the attitude pervades the organization. Today, Jim Thome was tossed by Home Plate Ump James Hoye (a rookie-ish fellow) for arguing balls and strikes. It happened after Thome sat on a strike out pitch that ate full plate and fronted at the tips of his generously tall knees (the southern border of the strike zone is defined the hollow of the knee, or the top of your shin really). He lost it. The announcers (the hot-and-cold combo of “Hawk” Harrelson and former OF Darrin Jackson) spent the rest of the game complaining about the call, the zone and how the Sox "had the bat taken out of their hands." By the end, the Sox gabbers suggested the Tigers had a different zone (Magglio and Inge both suffered borderline calls late) and that "a strike for us is pretty much anything that hits the glove of Pudge Rodriguez." On and on it went.

The point is...one pitch at one at-bat is not worth this amount of anger. For 100+ years, the league has accepted this -- hence, the reason you get tossed for arguing balls and strikes. If this was allowed, the games would never end. And worrying about it these days with the Umps under video grading is tantamount to giving yourself a complex -- always a no-no for a hitter, pitcher or team.

But it's not just baseball. Those that complain usually only serve to get inside their own heads (Kobe, Mark Cuban, Guillen) and truly lose any sympathy from the Umpire/Referee crews. It seems the Sox are being consumed by this attitude from the top already. I know this much, the Tigers liked seeing Thome leave the game more than any of the Umpires did.

Huddy Extra: If you got to see it, you can really see the difference in an experienced salt like Cuzzi taking flak and a young ump like Hoye. With the old guys, the eyes are bored, the bodies are firm, posture perfect...great body language. With Hoye, his eyes were bright and he had slightly nervous body language. It's subtle, but it's there. When Ted Barrett (65) -- who happened to by on 3rd in this game -- was screaming in my face, playing an irate manager after I blew a call, I had the benefit of sunglasses to hide my nonverbal expression...which was certainly screaming "help" thanks to Barrett's generous height of at least 6' 4" with a build and bark to match. Hoye had no such protection, but fortunately had the full support of his crew in case he was getting nervous.

I saw a clip of the other Umpires in the crew before the game giving Hoye a fist bump on the chest to pump him up before the game. So he must be a real newbie, though I saw he had been behind the plate before from some box scores. He handled himself well, I thought. And he kept his zone the same after the dust up from the normally staid Thome.

Why the douche are kids going to school today?

2008-04-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

Isn't the first Yankees/Red Sox tilt of the year, like, a Federal holiday?

I admit it, I'm interested. But only because I have the Wang-meister on my fantasy team.

Hit up this link for more lame self-mytologizing.

1 Little Win

2008-04-10T07:59:00.000-07:00

Thames and Inge watch the shot that — finally — launches the Tigers’ season.

(AP)

Wasn’t it fun to watch: home runs, manufactured runs, pinch bunting, Pudge throwing out runners, a starting pitcher getting out of a jam, relief pitching protecting a lead, enthusiasm in the dugout? It was only one little win, and the Tigs are still 1-7, but that glimpse of successful, competent baseball suddenly opens up a season of possibility, don’t it?

90 Percent Polls: '07 Yanks or '08 Tigs?

2008-04-07T21:04:00.000-07:00

Get of my (BRAND NEW!) face

The question is simple...which is worse:

21-29 after 50 games for the 2007 Yanks (read previous link for what the fans were saying and here and the NYT here.)

or

0-6 for the wildly-hyped 2008 Tigs?

Vote over to the right and discuss!

White Sox Winner!!!

2008-04-07T17:36:00.000-07:00

No matter where the White Sox finish in the standings this season, all of us fans are winners, because we have been blessed with the presence of the best radio analyst ever. Period. AMEN.
*
Steve Stone is the only thing I ever begrudged Cub fans. And ever since the fascists at Tribune Co. ran him out of town in 2004 for being two steps ahead of the manager I have prayed for this eventuality.

I don't know how satellite radio or any of that shit works. But if you like your broadcasts dense and delightful, dial up Stoney and Farmio some time this season. And who knows? It looks like maybe the Sox will be worthy of his attentions.

Here's some vintage video of two geniuses at work. And then - if you haven't seen it yet - some video of Jeff Brantley sticking his head up his own butt, in real time:

SCENE: Studio Apartment, Los Angeles, Calif.

2008-04-07T08:39:00.000-07:00

An unshaven, unshowered bookish type crouches at his desk, peering intently into his computer screen. THE GUY is searching for something, for an answer. In the background, morning traffic hums and birds twitter. But inside the apartment, it's silent as a library at midnight. Suddenly, THE GUY erupts:

THE GUY: Five! Five! Jesus [bleeping-bleep].

THE GUY puts his head in his hands, sighs heavily, and continues reading. We pan over to view his screen. The cursor lingers over a single sentence, brutal in its clarity: "They grounded into five double plays."

Last night, at dinner, THE GUY bemoaned the fact that the Tigers hit into four DPs against the White Sox. But he was off by one. And, now, even more lost than before.

Wake Me When 2008 Starts

2008-04-06T19:03:00.000-07:00

...and don't forget to tell the Tigers.

When The AL Central Smack Will Cease ...

2008-04-06T17:38:00.001-07:00

... When talk turns to AL Central World Champions:

Detroit - 4
Chicago - 3
Cleveland - 2
Minnesota - 2
Kansas City - 1

_________________________________________

The recent slide out of the gate here by the Tigers just gives frivolous fodder to the divisional rivals that do not have as many World Trophies. We'll see where Detroit is on June 1. The rest will have to "earn their stripes" so to speak after October 1.

JuanP for 2B

2008-04-06T10:01:00.000-07:00

The time has come to find Juan Pierre a permanent spot in the Dodgers lineup while making sure that Andre Ethier AND Matt Kemp get their everyday at bats. Pierre, never known for his arm, won’t be missed in the Dodger outfield. Furthermore (and least importantly) the little speedster just looks like a second baseman.

Now the Dodgers currently have MLB veteran and clubhouse curmudgeon Jeff Kent manning the territory between first and second, but at what point do we move on from the 40-year old who is batting .188 on the season? Much of last year’s clubhouse tension seemed to begin with Kent who couldn’t get along with the young Dodgers. Well, with Russell Martin, Andre Ethier, James Loney and Matt Kemp the future of the Dodgers, why alienate them in any way for a guy that hasn’t gotten along with a single teammate since he went hunting in Houston?

Kent aside, Pierre’s ability to play everyday, steal bases and generally distract an opposing pitcher from his game plan is an invaluable asset to have in your lineup. Now these types of defensive switches are best made in Spring Training to work out the kinks before it counts, but it’s never too late to get a guy you gave $44 million to last Spring back into the everyday lineup. Especially a guy who scored 96 times last year, into an anemic offense.

So the question becomes, what to do with Kent? As I see it, there are three options:

1. Wait for inevitable DL stint and make the transaction
2. Trade him to a veteran team that needs a solid bat in the 7 or 8 hole (if Jeff Kent is your cleanup hitter, you have problems.
3. Move him to third until Andy LaRoche or Nomar can play, and keep him around as a solid bat off the bench.

The current situation with Pierre is disgraceful and reminiscent of a few years back when Dodgers GM Ned Coletti ruined Gold Glove Shortstop Cezar Izturis’ career by rendering him obsolete. Izturis deserved better (and I was happy to see him traded so that he could play every day again) and so does Pierre.

Beware the Snows of April

2008-04-06T08:52:00.000-07:00

The link I've provided here underscroes why the Tribe shouldn't play a home game before April 15.

Check out the giveway on April 12: Tribe stocking cap.

Baseball is meant to be played in the summer, when the weather's warm and the beer is refreshing. Not in temperatures that usher in freezing fog.

Further proof -- if you need it -- is last year's opening weekend debacle. The Tribe was snowed out three straight days as it began its home schedule against the Mariners. Downtown Cleveland got a foot of snow that weekend.

So what do the schedulers -- in their infinite wisdom -- do to the Tribe this year? They put a larger percentage of their home games (relatively speaking) in April and May, including an opening series against Chicago that, may I remind you, the two teams played in weather more suited for rugby than baseball.

Cleveland certainly isn't the only city whose team suffers this fate, but there are enough warm-weather cities in the league to mitigate the risk.

I hope that the schedule makers can put on their Tribe stocking caps and do some serious thinking about this problem.

And yes. I'm complaining because I'm a season-ticket holder and I absolutely hate the friggin' cold.

Calls: Saturday Offers Dugout Rule Insights, Fox "Wired" Umps

2008-04-05T17:01:00.000-07:00

Jim Joyce has a wonderful mustache. (Photo: Boston.com)

As the seaon progresses, I'd like 90 Percent to not only offer up some thoughts on players/teams, but also on the rules and the umpiring. Here's a couple-three (as we'd say in Greenville) items from Saturday.

1. Fox Listens In: I remember something about Umps starting to wear microphones, but I guess I forgot in all the excitement. Today, we listened in to Jim Joyce (66) explaining (to a fan, no less) the call discussed in item two. The cool thing with this is you got to hear the authority in the Umpire voice, they kind of remind you of cops the way they talk. It's startling to hear such a firm voice from these guys you've never heard speak, usually only see while a player is cursing at them and/or an announcer is assuring you they blew a call.

2. The Call that Torre Built: With the Dodgers @ Petco Park taking on the Padres, "parents" catcher Josh Bard -- chased a fly ball into foul territory toward his own dugout. Rafael Furcal was perched on 3rd base, with no outs, if I recall. Padres catcher dives/slides into the dugout and makes the catch as a few coaches give him a hand making sure he doesn't fall asunder on the steps. Furcal tags up, but the catcher is able to compose himself and hold the runner. The Umps called the batter out. Dodgers skip Joe Torre requested an explanation...after a quick consult that apparently included the rule book, the Home Plate Ump Joyce called the out and awarded the runner home plate. Normally, this is where the announcers and all your friends take turns butchering the rules of the game.

But thanks to the in-game talk with Torre and the wired conversation with the fan we heard later, this involved two rules, neither of which involving the helping hands of the coaches. On one hand, a catcher CAN make a legal catch in the dugout IF he maintains his footing. Otherwise, he is out-of-play. In this case he caught the ball legally IN play, but then slid OUT of play. As such, he was under normal rules with the catch and then subject to the special dugout footing rule after the catch. The ball is out-of-play (as if he had thrown it or dropped it in the stands) and the baserunner is awarded a base. Because the catcher was out-of-play and the ball was dead, the assistance of the coaches never affected the play.

Credit to Torre for knowing this rule about the catcher's footing from some corner of his mind. Not sure if the Umps were discussing giving the runner the plate or not before he brought it up.

3. Remember the Name of Timmons: Porsche aficiando and dude who was good enough to say I had an eye for calling the corners, Tim Timmons (95) is a professional official you should PAY to watch call a game, no matter who's playing. And despite this, they called him "Tim Thomas" on SportCenter when one of those crafty Indians tried to insinuate a problem with a particular call. It was like when Steven Cohen had to hear ABC/ESPN's Dave O'Brien announce "Michael Beckham" take the field during the World Cup. That was pretty funny, actually. We eventually just had to turn the volume off for the poor Brit to finish watching the England match in peace.

"Opening Weak": The 2008 Detroit Tigers

2008-04-05T16:28:00.000-07:00

Click the title for a great and sober round-up from our former Deacon -- Lynn Henning of the Detroit News -- on the damage the Detroit Tigers are doing to themselves by losing their first four -- now make that -- first five games.

Huddy's Amateurish Thoughts Here:

1. Magg's et al...Please Don't Swing @ Pitch #1: In 2006, the namesake of my daughter (partially kidding) spent the first half hacking away and finding little success. He's looking very much the same way this year, killing rallies with no-out double plays in the 1st inning yesterday and in the 8th today...both off weak slaps at 1st pitches. Clete Thomas hacked at #1 in the 9th with two men on, Guillen and M. Cab did it in other innings...all to similar fates just upon a quick review. There's plenty more in there.

2. Bullpen: Why take Willis out with a 2 run lead after he's thrown a 1-hitter (with like 8 walks, of course) on 80ish pitches? For Zach Miner? Let Dontrelle either fight it out or lose it. He earned that right. Leyland yanked him for our sad-sack bullpen help after Thome crushed a double that was the first hit and the first run.

3. Leyland: A team this good mathematically shouldn't start 0-5 @ home against losing teams more than maybe 2 or 3 times out of 100. So chances are fairly high that something is "wrong." And that goes to preparation and that goes to my hero James "Awesome" Leyland. But he's on the ball so he'll get it fixed...still, this stretch isn't making his job any easier. But I'd still bar fight anyone who speaks ill of him...if I could bar fight. Maybe I'd just insult you under my breath once I was safely in the car.

4. Detroit Fans (an unfair, lashing-out from Hud): Maybe it's the LA Dodger mentality that has seeped into me, but I boo the 2nd Highest Paid Team in MLB when they stink up the field. It's not impolite to boo your team when they are bad. As an athlete, wouldn't you rather hear your fans venting than sitting on their hands? If this were Yankee Stadium, that team would know they better show up to play when they don the home jersey and trot out. AND QUIT SELLING OUT LIONS GAMES!!!

5. Baseball: What kind of cruel game is this?

Frank Thomas Tossed -- Here's Why

2008-04-03T22:28:00.000-07:00

Big Hurt Takes a Big Shower -- Pic = NYT.com

In the NYY/TOR game today, Frank Thomas got tossed in record time right after (the very topic we broached in the previous post) a Strike Three call from Home Plate Ump...UCLA Alum Bill Miller (26) that the Big Hurt thought was an obvious Ball Four.

While I personally TiVo'd the pitch several times and still don't understand how a veteran like FT could both take this pitch on a full count and then dart down the line the moment the ball hit Jose Molina's glove...the larger point for moi is this...

Q: How Could FT Get Tossed So Quick?

A: The Golden Rule of Tossin' as I know it has two main parts...(1) if the word "You" is included in the tirade from the player/manager (2) if a player/manager argues balls and strikes. It's automatic, baby!

Thomas was still angry after the game, saying the call was terrible. Again...that's a tough argument considering it ate a good part of the plate at FT's belt, but more importantly...Thomas has been around long enough to know he needed to just swallow it, especially with his total salary this year dependent on his total AB count. I don't have access to his contract, but I'm pretty sure Miller gets the same salary either way.

Two ejections so far! What a season.

2008 is Grrrrrreat!

2008-04-02T16:04:00.000-07:00

Whatever, dude.

Here's a few things on my mind.

1. Shutout? If it weren't for Edgar Renteria (aka "the other guy we got" in Detroit) the Tigers would have been NO HIT by the combined pitching power of the Kansas City Royals. Three hits and no runs? I hate to care this much about Game #2 (Game #1 was awesome, despite the loss...) but the 2008 Detroit Tigers should be able to put up at least one against Koufax on his finest day. Land!

2. Reyes of Confusion: Those ads for MLB 2K8 with Jose Reyes and the disembodied voice of Denis Leary just don't make any sense. I get a guy smashing a cheap little boom box with a bat that he'd just been stroking with a towel (should be funny, but I don't get it.) And we even get Mr. Met with his head in an ice bucket (this should be better even than the WKU red lump). But I don't get it. I miss the Baseball Tonight guys playing out classic scenes from baseball movies.

3. Fukudome Me? Fukudome You, Pal! What a debut for everyone's (read: my) favorite rookie...3 for 3, with a bunch of RBIs, 8 total bases and an entire stadium of drunks still thinking they won that game.

4. Larry Bowa v. Ed Montague: I've gotta say...seeing a guy get his stir-ups in a bunch on April 1 is kind of a new thing for me. But Larry Bowa was born angry and the sun never sets on his temper, I'm gathering. As reported on this blog earlier this spring, MLB wants base coaches in their designated boxes in addition to wearing their hard hats. With a runner on 2nd, that puts 3rd Base coaches like Bowa in a tough spot because of the angle required to judge balls to the outfield. Long story short, Montague (11) wanted Bowa in the box, Bowa wanted Montague to clam up. I love every part of this and I'm sure both gents would agree over a brew in a month or two...each did their jobs. But beyond the greatness of seeing a base coach care enough to hoot and holler and get tossed this early over a minor issue...appreciate the professional job done by Montague...having a tough nut like Bowa screaming at you like a crazy person is more rattling than I care to imagine. But with 31 years under his belt, Montague doesn't break character, wince or even afford Bowa the satisfaction of even a decent frown. He just tosses the old salt and walks right back to his position without batting an eye. BAD ASS!

5. Wait For It: The big leaguers like to tell young Umps to take their time making a call. You build the anticipation of the call (my theory) and then deliver it. Either way, they consider it good form to pause a moment after the ball hits the glove -- lest you risk calling what you were anticipating the pitch to be. Tim Welke (3) took his sweet time making the ball or strike call in Detroit on Opening Day and caught a number of batters ushering themselves to 1st thinking they'd earned a walk only to be punched out or otherwise detained by a "late" right-hand strike call. This starting off to first whenever a ball on the corners passes by on a 3 ball count seems new to me...did guys always do this? It really honks Umps off. So why are more guys doing it?

What a Weekend -- Dodgers, Dodgers and Opening Day

2008-03-30T22:40:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES -- There's not much more you can add to make the Dodgers/Red Sox series mo' betta' than people already think it was, but I can add a few thoughts from Friday's game at Dodger Stadium -- a.k.a. the first day of Canter's Deli @ the old ballyard.

Top 5 --

1. The Most Sensual of the Salted-Cured Meats: I had a dream you could buy your way to heaven, I woke up and spent it on a sandwich. $11. A pastrami sandwich at the ballpark? And it's a good one? Holy moly. Holy flippin' moly. I mean it was great. Quick service in the new widened aisles on the field level concourse only make this sam-itch all the more shmobviously obvs as top eatins at the ballpark. It's wrapped in foil, it's fresh, it's great.

2. Blake DeWitt: This guy was the absolute worst-case scenerio at 3rd for the Dodgies this spring and will likely start (I think that's still the case.) The good news is, he looks like he can seriously play. On Friday, he started a couple double-plays and made a sweet toss to 1st on another fielder's choice. He got solid contact each time up. On Saturday, he got an error that would have ended the inning only to lead to two runs scoring. Ah well. Still, a great look for a guy who has no business playing in the bigs at this stage of his career. Good luck, Blake.

3. Fonzie and the Cuz: Another top notch performance for the umps, with three alums of Ump Camp 2006 in the Friday game including Alfonso Marquez (72) and Derryl Cousins (13). "Fonzie" was in the crew of the 2006 WS and is an absolute clubhouse favorite among the Ump fraternity. And Cousins is a veteran who (literally) can call plays at first with his back turned. "It's all sounds you'll find. It's all about the sound and that's how close plays get called."

4. New Parking Deal: I got in and out of the Dodger Stadium parking mangle in record time. Parked in 10 minutes and was out in less than 5. Great new set up in my opinion. Holla.

5. Vin Scully on a Transistor Radio: Guy behind us had a little radio, just like I used to remember with Ernie Harwell at Tiger Stadium. Listenting to him on Friday and then on Saturday doing the 115K game from the Coliseum was just another reminder of how much a great announcer can add to this rockingly beautiful game.

Mind Your Ps and Qs

2008-03-25T18:33:00.000-07:00

I have little patience for the haste with which major league sports teams sell their stadia naming rights, but I must say that the developments on the corner of Ontario St. and Carnegie Ave. in Cleveland move me in the way only delicious puns can.

The Cleveland Cavaliers -- who, by the way, are the employer of a man named LeBron James; anyone heard of him? No? Ok. -- play basketball at Quicken Loans Arena. It's known as the "Q". In fact, the team sent out a press release to major media outlets encouraging -- nay, demanding -- that fans, media types and mothers-in-law-who-care-nothing-for-basketball call it the "Q". (I guess it's better than the previous name, which sounded too much like a social disease for my liking -- Gund Arena [say it really fast to yourself. yeah, that's right].)

Now, the heretofore-named Jacobs Field is now dubbed "Progressive Field." It is painfully apparent that the Tribe's new home will adopt the nickname "The Prog." No one would dare call it "The Pee." Maybe the "Tee Pee" -- but that comes with its own social-consciousness problems (Damn protestors.).

I, however, would love all of Tribe nation to adopt "The Pee" as the name of record. It would produce one of the great juxapositions of sports stadia history (take that, Circus Maximus!), and maybe, just maybe, bring a little karma to our championship-starved burg.

Now Batting: Chocolate Phosphate ... Phosphate

2008-03-24T12:18:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking 4 million fans will be a lock this year for the Dodgers: Canter's Deli will have a stand on the third-base side at the stadium this year. Other well-known L.A. eating holes will be repped as well. While I'd probably pass on matzo ball soup during a midsummer day game (but would be interested to see what marketing does with matzo balls and baseballs), corned beef and cans-of-corn seem to be a match made for Blue Heaven.

No word on where Rodney's dedicated box seat will be ...

Dodger Stadium concession shot by this guy.

Cold Cab?

2008-03-19T11:18:00.000-07:00

Interesting tidbit in the Freep a few days ago regarding the Tigers' efforts to sign Miggy Cabrera to a long-term deal:

If the Tigers sign third baseman Miguel Cabrera to a multiyear contract by Opening Day, one benefit will be that Cabrera can't get turned off by the cold early-season weather in Detroit. If the unsigned Cabrera found Detroit too chilly, he could seek a warm-weather home when he's due for free agency in the fall of 2009. Until this year, Cabrera had played his entire big-league career with the Florida Marlins in Miami. ...

I don't get it: What about all the other Latin players who the Tigs have signed to long-term deals? Did they grow up in a colder part of Venezuela or something?

|||||

90 Percent Bonus: As talk of performance-enhancing drugs will no doubt be with us all season long, let's take a moment to consider Dock Ellis, the former Pirates pitcher who -- among many, many other things -- threw a no-hitter while he was tripping on LSD in 1970. If you don't know your Dock Ellis, reading up on his Wikipedia entry is time well spent.

The 7 Train, She Is A Seductive Lady . . .

2008-03-18T23:18:00.000-07:00

Say 90%ers, our own Mike Hudson is doing a brief spell in Brooklyn right now. Mightn't he be just a bit vulnerable to the Mets Fever? It'll get you when you least expect it . . .

Brawl'n: Some Great Ump'n

2008-03-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

GLENDALE, Calif. -- I'm sure most 90 Percenters have seen the Yanks/Rays brawl three or four times by now, but what Shelley Duncan's studs-up slide into the crotch of the Rays SS may have distracted everyone from was the tremendous efforts off the Umpire Crew that day.

2B Umpire Charlie Reliford calls Duncan out. He looks the runner in the face and tosses him a split second later. This look is key. Even when it's fairly obvious what's happening, the Umps want to give players the benefit of the doubt. But Duncan was very composed after that ridiculous slide. He didn't go in awkward. He knew what he was doing.

I also saw an angle shot from what must have been team camera right behind first base. In that shot, you can see Jerry Crawford, the 1st Base Ump, taking a keen interest in what Duncan is doing making the turn to 2nd on what was little more than routine single. Not surprisingly, when things got ugly a few seconds later, Crawford was already near the 2nd Base cutout to keep players apart (very impressive for a Spring Training game where tempers are rarely seen much less felt.) And he tossed his share in the melee. Here's the full Ump'n recap below...that's a lot of paperwork to the league office. (Left out in all this was 3B Ump Wally Bell who apparently didn't get to throw anyone out...I'll bet he was looking around for anyone he could find for the rest of the game.)

EjectionsNew York Yankees pitcher Heath Phillips ejected by HP umpire Chad Fairchild. (1st); New York Yankees first baseman Shelley Duncan ejected by 2B umpire Charlie Reliford. (2nd); New York Yankees Third Base Coach Bobby Meacham ejected by 1B umpire Jerry Crawford. (2nd); Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Jonny Gomes ejected by 1B umpire Jerry Crawford. (2nd); New York Yankees Batting Coach Kevin Long ejected by 1B umpire Jerry Crawford. (2nd).

Already Looking Forward to the Offseason

2008-03-10T20:04:00.000-07:00

Let me start this off by saying I love baseball, I have no children of my own (that I’m aware of) and I’m not a pedophile. With that out of the way, I watched a Little League game today to really get into the groove of Spring.
For me, the game’s highlight had to be the home plate Umpire yelling to both the Braves’ and A’s’ dugouts: “Does anybody on either team have any balls?”
My first instinct was to giggle, because in many ways, I’m still a Little Leaguer myself. Neither team had any balls – although this was no softball game. A number of fouls had depleted the Umpire’s stash.
After a delay, play was resumed, but not before the parents gave it to the Umpire.
“Stay on top of the game Blue!”
An agitated Umpire motioned to the Pitcher to play ball.
The Braves, sensing a rally, turned a boombox in their dugout on full blast belting out “We Will Rock you.” Their players, showing a bit more heart than Chipper Jones, began singing along. After hearing their cracking voices, I thought I might need to reconsider the Umpire’s initial balls question…
The A’s cocky pitcher was unaffected by the enthusiasm spewing from the opposing dugout. Armed with a full arsenal, including a fastball, curve, knuckball and even a submarine gyro pitch, this flamethrower had all the tools to dominate Little League (although he was also on the fast track to Tommy John surgery by the age of 11 – never a good sign). His team was up 3-0, runner on third.
The windup and the pitch – it gets behind the cather!
The player on third rushes in to score as the Catcher heaves the ball to the oncoming Pitcher. And wouldn’t you know it, after the fender-bender, the runner lay on the plate. Safe. Crying. Maybe that was Chipper Jones out there after all.
Again, the parents let the Umpire have it for the teary heap, although, as far as I could tell, he had absolutely nothing to do with the play.
“He didn’t do it on purpose,” the Umpire finally shouted to the parents while clearly imagining the tall jug of moonshine he would purchase following the game.
This whole inning got me thinking – while parents seem to let any rational thought leave their head when it comes to kids and tears, it was fun to watch a game where the fans lived and died with each pitch AND so did the players.
My beloved Dodgers have played .500 ball this Spring. The players seem to be going through the motions already. Hopefully, they’re dusting off the Winter cobwebs rather than planning their next fishing trip already. Gone are the days when Jose Lima skipped off the mound and Cezar Izturis and Alex Cora made defense their offense. Our lone playoff victory since 1988 is a long way away.
This year’s team gets to look forward to Mr. April-June, Brad Penny, Rafael Furcal’s insufferable slow starts and Jeff Kent’s mustache and its continuing effects on clubhouse chemistry.
I can’t quite put my finger on it – but they just don’t seem to have “it.” That Little League fire is gone. It’s just business out there. And that doesn’t bode well for 2008.

Friday Flexin': Indians, Mets, Kruk 'n' More

2008-03-07T18:29:00.000-08:00

"Yeah, but it's my plate, A.J."

GLENDALE, Calif. -- There's no reason for me to say this, but I really like Angel Pagan, utility OF for the NY Mets (came over from the Cubs). His stats are fairly sterling and his numbers this spring (hitting around .400+) bolster my thinking. But even before I looked it up, he's one of these guys that seems to be everywhere when the Mets are on TV. Plus that name is kind of enjoyable, like a character in an hour-long drama about a biker with sci-fi religious undertones.

As I wrote this, he crushed a double off the left field wall (followed up by a sweet, run scoring double by the Sexy Killer Tomato.) Howdy! So keep your eyes open. (Ugh, Charlie Weiss is apparently a Yankee fan, too...barely squeezing his ample carriage into a luxury box seat at Legends Field. And he had the nerve to ask the Yankees staff why ND, NYY and the Patriots are so "hated for doing things the right way." I'm surprised Steinbrenner didn't turn the hounds on him for that crack.)

Today we had:

Cleveland Tribe v. NY Mets (ESPN-HD, Lee v. Perez)
NY Yanks v. Houston Astros (YES-HD, Pettitte v. Chacon)

Top 5

1. The Kruker: When John Kruk joined the Baseball Tonight crew, he seemed more a sweaty, nervous and, well, portly gent than a well-spoken hairdo suited for a seat under the bright glare of set lights and sticky-coating of pancake makeup. Within the year, he'd become a decent commentator, IMHO. I'm happy to say that in 2008, Kruk has clearly become the value-added talent ESPN hired him to become. I really liked his insights on the Mets/Indians game, doing play-by-play with Karl Ravech. (KR For his part was steady as Daysailer, as usual) He pointed out how nervous Killer Tomato should have been standing on third with a right-handed batter and a pitcher throwing cut fastballs on the inside (fat guys get other fat guys). And he deftly handled a "rough" balls-n-strikes call by home plate ump #47 Mark Wegner. With Cliff Lee cruising in the first before the Pagan/Saenz doubles, he got two strikes on Raul Casanova. The next pitch caught a portion of the outside often called a strike, but it was called a ball. The crowd groaned a bit. Instead of "that's a bad call" as we too often hear these days, Krukster went with "that's a tough pitch to take with two strikes." Good insight, doesn't get picky with the ump (who was consistently tight on the corners all day). Casanova ended up walking, and the two-out rally continued. Lee eventually got run after 2/3rds. But Kruk focused on the two doubles as the reason Lee got shaken up and lost his compsure. Kruk/Ravech brought up the tight strike zone later in the game, too, but rightly pointed out the Wegner was consistent -- fi very tight for Spring ball. Real pro moves there. Imagine any call like this during an ESPN College Football game, where you'd swear the entire game hangs on a borderline fumble call replayed 15 times with grunts of disgust from the broadcast team. To me, this always takes away from the enjoyment of the game. And I deeply appreciate those that chose to handle such situations with professionalism and class.

2. Closing Time: Cleveland's favorite dog to kick seems to be closer Joe Borowski. And the Big Burner did himself no favors today by giving up 2 hits, including a HR in 1.0 innings of work...but I still respect his talents, so we'll see. The hometown fans are hardly chanting his name, though.

3. Dodgers Hot Corner: I didn't see this. I haven't read anything but the headline. But the injury to Andy LaRouche seems to improve the chances Brandon Inge will be brought on from the Tigers to backup Nomar. He's a decent pinch hitter (offers some power, but poor average), can play pretty much anywhere and has a lot to offer defensively for the Dodgers. So here's hoping. I think they could use the overall depth and Inge is a truly gifted natural athlete.

4. Slide Step: Andy Pettitte has apparently been working on a new delivery with runners on. Pettitte, who picked off 5 runners last year to lead the league, has one of the best moves to first there is. So good, in fact, Yankees describer Michael Kay postulated that it had been overstudied by opposing players, making it easier for basestealers to crack the code (that kind of makes sense, but kind of doesn't). As such, Pettitte has developed a slide step. After hitting a batter in the 2nd Inning, the NYY talkers eagerly anticipated seeing the new step. And honestly, I was pretty interested at that point, too. Unfortch for everyone, he stuck with his usual high knee action and gave up a dinger on the second pitch to HOU left-fielder Victor Diaz.

5. Sideways Shawny: I don't really mind the sideways-ish cap. Dontrelle Willis (a founding member of this club?) once showed on camera how his cap just simply wouldn't sit straight. He'd put it on and magically with a pitch or two, it would be ever-so-subtleeeeee off kilter. And frankly, C.C. Sabathia (who's mug shows his cap going to the right, not left, BTW) can do whatever he wants if he keeps sitting 'em down faster than a Shoney's on Easter Sunday (more regional/local humor, there). But Shawn Chacon? After a great 2005 with NYY, his ERA was 2.85. Then he dialed a 7 in the front half of '06 with the Yanks and a 5.48 after being sent down in the second half to Four-A PIT. He came back the next year and notched a very respectable 3.94 in '07 in 90+ innings with a dismal Pirates squad. But I think his cap twist should have been temporarily revoked about 18 months ago. Tiger reliever Fernando Rodney had his cap cocked very, very sideways through the Magical Summer of 2006, but it came as little surprise to me that the cap started finding it's way back toward to the plate when 2007 bit him in the keister with a string of rough outings. Once he calmed down (his ERA settled in to a 4.26 in '07, up from 3.52 in '06 and 2.86 in '05), the crunked hat found its way back to his bandana'd head. Who knows where the Crooked Hat Club will draw the line. But I think Chacon should still be on probation. And I think Marino Rivera, saw three up and three down in his first action of the Spring, should consider pushing his hat a half inch the the left. He'd be pretty bad looking with that going.

FUKUDOME WATCH:

The buzz is building around our hero, with MLB.com (a site with so many freakin' scripts running that its crashing my Mac at the moment) doing a feature on how he is outperforming Ichiro...so far this Spring, anyway. Even we shudder at the comparison so early. Anywho, the Fukster was 1 for 3, with a double, a walk and a run scored. That earns a happy :P sign.

Thursday Wrap: Draining the TiVo

2008-03-06T17:30:00.000-08:00

"You know...I'm starting to hate baseball."

GLENDALE, Calif. -- Good land-o-goshin!

I've got Mariners Report Daily, Royals Weekly and enough Red Sox Spring segments to make Roger Angell start longing for the NFL on Fox crew. But I press ahead...winning the benefit of tidbits like Riverdance-ing closer Jonathan Papelbon dressed in a see-thru shirt at a charity dance contest in Bumbledip, Fla.

On tap:

Dodgers v. Red Sox (ESPN-HD, Penny v. Wakefield)
White Sox v. Rangers (ComcastSportsChi. Haeger v.Padilla)
Yankees v. Twins (ESPN-HD, Kennedy v. Slowey)

Top 5:

1. Dodger Power/Seven-Run 9th: Game-winning Grand Slam from Dodger Jason Repko in garbage time against the Saux. This after a three-run shot from Lucas May in the same frame. Earlier, we saw an impressive Matt Kemp blast on an outside corner pitch from Mike Timlin.

2. At 41 and still in his prime? Tim Wakefield is proving that the knuckleball is truly the fountain of youth. He tied up more than a few big-league bats with that wicked googly. Kinda makes me wonder why we don't see more of this nasty pitch -- where has Steve Sparks gone? Want your kid in the NFL...teach 'em to long snap. Want 'em in MLB for 30 years? Have 'em pitch with no spin. (Although White Sox AAA knuckler Charlie Haeger got a bit touched up, watching three score on 5 hits in 3 innings of work today...but got a few "He gone"s for his efforts.)

3. The Cheetah! As we mentioned before, it's Spring for the umps, too. One thing that the 90 Percent baseball blog will offer you is top-flight umpire discussion. And I was lucky enough to have umpiring legend #4 Tim Tschida manning first to start the Dodgers game today. Not much more to say than he did swimmingly. Did you know...umps must rotate in Spring games, as Chester Cheetah was seen at 2nd base...executing that patented high-knee fist-pump to call the top end of a double-play.

4. Plus Free Use of the Clubhouse: Speaking of Papelbon, he's going to make $755K this year instead of the $450K range he made last year, thanks to the generosity of the Red Sox ownership. For the record, Mssr. Gagne signed a contract for $10 million with the Brewers in December, three days before the Mitchell Report was released. Sorry, Game Over. We'll always have 2004...

5. The New Hunter? Delmon Young, the Twins new hope in the outfield after Torii left for the Big A, c-r-u-s-h-e-d an Ian Kennedy hanger over the 408 foot center field fence against the Yanks in the top of the 2nd. They're crazy for him in St. Paul. (Local reference!) No bats where thrown at umps in his three ABs.

Honorable Mention: CWS big dude Jermaine Dye crashed into the right field wall of Tuscon Electric Park on a wind-driven fly ball. He appears to be fine, but took an awkward bump and fall. Left Fielder Brian Anderson made up for it by gunning down Babe-Ruth-of-the-Month Winner and former-Tiger Chris Shelton at home plate. "He gone" apparently also applies to such plays.

Wednesday: Nationals = Fitness! and more...

2008-03-05T19:26:00.000-08:00

Better than last time: Santana showed some serious change-up Wednesday versus the Dodgers.

Just catching up on all things baseball and cleaning out the TiVo.

--Dodgers/Nationals - Tues (split squad - Nomar/Andruw/Ethier headlining)
--Dodgers/Mets - Today (Santana starts after his dismal debut/Penny starts for dem Blues)

Don't forget!! Dodgers v. Red Sox on ESPN at 1p EST/10a PST on Thursday!

Top 5:

1. Andre Ethier, competing for a spot in the Dodger outfield with Kemp/Pierre, smokes what would have been a 400+ foot dinger to right into a 20 mph gale against the Nats. Impressive power off of a left-hander, no?

2. The Nationals boasted some meat last year. So, I was intrigued to hear the MASN broadcasters saying the team was "in better shape than last year". They bolstered their case by pointing to Nick Johnson and Dmitri Young, pictured here in a photo taken days ago. Eh.

3. We all know base coaches are being prodded into wearing hard hats this year for their safety -- this in the wake of a liner killing a base coach in AA last year. Seemingly counter to this, MLB will also force base coaches to stay within the coach boxes this year, putting them 10 or so feet closer to the plate than they often stand. Chances this will actually be enforced seem low.

4. J. Santana punches out Andruw Jones with a wicked change-up on the outside corner, putting the slugger out in front and awk-ward...on March 5?!? I can't flippin' wait for the season to start. (He followed that up by doing the same exact thing to Andy LaRoche, the guy fighting for a job at 3rd who might end up getting the bump for...2003 Tiger Alum Brandon Inge??)

5. Diving attempt by Brady Clark, bubble left fielder for the New York Metropolitans, on a double to left-center by Dodger backup catcher Gary Bennett. As the SNY announcing team said:

"If that was a veteran, you're not getting a dive in March. If you're wearing #93 in camp, you're going flat out."

FUKUDOME WATCH:

Our hero breaks out on Tuesday with three hits and his first !SLAM-A-LAM-A-DING-DONG! (home run) in the MLB ranks. Booyah!

But then he didn't play today. :(

Everybody Hold A Good Thought . . .

2008-03-04T14:28:00.000-08:00

. . . for Dodger favorite Davey Lopes.

Come Spring, Some Guys Experiment With Their Batting Stance, Other Guys Go Further

2008-03-03T18:07:00.000-08:00

If The Prince wins a triple crown, can we give the credit to his anger over his contract or, perhaps, to his radical new diet?

It's Always Sunny in Tampa: Yankees/Phillies from Fla.

2008-03-02T21:22:00.000-08:00

The Good Life: A Yankee Fan shows off two rings unrelated to baseball. To his left, another fan's shirt suggests that the "Mets Suck".

Bonus to the the YES Network for HD coverage on a perfect sunny afternoon from the HQ of NYY operations. (Fun fact: every spring game has sold out since the 1996 opening of Legends "Soon-to-Be George Steinbrenner III" Field. C'mon Devil Ray fans...you'll always have a special place in 90 Percent's heart for scouting Scottie, but you've gotta go to a couple games for YOUR team each year.)

Jeter appears to be a bit leaner than last year, maybe trying to one-up fitness-freak skipper Joe Girardi? J. Giambi is clearly not leaner than last year, perhaps trying to one-up Joba Chamberlain -- the pleasantly plump reliever hoping to make the leap to the starting rotation.

For the Yanks, we had Honest Andy Pettitte, fresh off apologizing to every human being he could find for using HGH (c'mon now...he even apologized to the broadcast team in the hallway). For the Phils, we had Cole Hamels (who is publicly aiming for the Cy Young this year). Awesome!

Top 5

1. Our new, lean Jeets goes deep in the hole on a Pedro Feliz grounder, lifts-off in patented Jeets fashion and torches a throw across his body to pinch the fleet-footed Philly at first (though called safe on the play, Huddy replay showed it was an out. Hey, it's Spring for the Umps as well.)

2. Disappointing day for current Philly/former Dodger rising-star...your attention please (pregnant pause) now starting (pause) in center field (with deep bass, one word) Jaysonwerth. He dropped a toughie in the sun on the run, missed the cutoff man on a throw from the warning track and did next to nothing at the plate in four tries, going 0 for 3, BB. Adding insult, his replacement in center was 1 for 1... and made a diving grab that made SportCenter.

3. Hamels hangs a breaking ball for Giambi that went about halfway to St. Pete! (A little local humor there.)

4. Skipper J. Girardi crossed the dugout to congratulate Melky Cabrera for a run-scoring sacrifice fly...in Spring Training. I think I remember J. Torre blinking once in 2001.

5. Tall Boy Kyle Farnsworth giving up a Home Run to Pat Burrell on his second pitch...a.k.a.: the moment Yanks gabber Michael Kay predicted that a great Farnsie spring would allow the Yanks to move Joba up from the bullpen.

FUKUDOME WATCH

0 for 3 today. What's Japanese for frownie?

Saturday of Spring Baseball

2008-03-01T19:11:00.000-08:00

A Rough Day for Zito: 8 Runs on 7 Hits

Thanks to CSTV (Chicago Sports net), cw11/SNY (Mets net) and TiVo, Huddy was able to enjoy a Cubs/Angels and Mets/Dodgers doubleheader, care for a sick child, finish my 2007 taxes -- Federal and Cali, mind you -- all in one tremendous afternoon.

This season, I hope to do a little report on any and all baseball-related viewing...in person, on TV, via radio or Web. Presentation will always be clever and compelling, but may vary in format. For today, I'll go with the Top 5 of the day.

1. Ryan Church (loss of memory)/Marlon Anderson (bruised sternum) collison on an Andruw Jones pop-up to right
2. Met's rookie-hopeful Jonathan Niese pitches 2 scoreless innings, 3Ks
3. Cubs catcher Geovany Soto picks off speedy Angel Chone Figgins attempting a steal
4. Deep disappointment in Fukudome's not playing today
5. Cubs fans slurring in the fields of Arizona, instead of Chicago (related video below)

Honorable Mention: Olmado Saenz sighting in Mets' dugout!

Spring Training 2008: It's Morning in America...

2008-02-29T19:20:00.000-08:00

In lieu of Ernie Harwell reading his wonderful recitation of Song of Solomon (For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle(dove) is heard in our land.) to open the season, I thought I'd express my feelings with some pictures and some haiku. 5-7-5.

My Wife Has a Statement

Inject Her With It
You Can Keep Your Hall of Fame
Misremembered

Here's Another Hit

Magg-lo and Miguel
Thinking About 1,000
At Comerica

Flavor Country

Ready for the plane
Lets an easy one get away
That won't happen here

Parking Lot

Complaints Are Many
Jeff Kent Is Older than dirt
It's Dodger Baseball!

Churchy

Honesty Don't Cover
A huge payroll for Stein
Better Call B. Mac

Sushi plus HGH

90 miles per hour
65 miles per hour next
Game Over for good

Opening Day

Best Super Bowl, Yes
Best NBA Season, Yes
Will Trade for Tickets

DirecTV

No haiku needed
It's easy enough to say
Extra Innings, please

Renewal

No offense to you
Chant Torre, Torre, Torre
Joe will win like Jim

One More

Thanks Bradley Lidge
For Pujols moonrocket shot
Now, get your shinebox

"It's an embarrassment for me to be wearing this (f'ing)uniform 'cause of the way I'm playing," Bonds exclaimed. "There, that's it. Now go away."

2007-07-16T15:59:00.000-07:00

From now on when Barry is being talked about, Bud shouldn't be to too far behind. They are in this together, forever. Bud looked away at what players in his league were taking and Barry unknowingly took. Bud and Barry. Barry and Bud. Bad altogether baseball.

Bud could've nipped all this bairoid talk in the bud before it started. When his people came to him and said, "Bud, we have a problem here..." -- the used car dealer looked at baseball's balance sheet. Times were good. Fans flooded the gates. No need to look at 10 years down the road .... until it is 10 years down the road as it is now.

Barry is a whole different story. We will never really know if he knowingly took steroids unless he tells us. He was a Hall Of Famer already, so that part of his legacy is intact. Best thing he can do is hit 800 dingers and say f'you to everybody as he has for the last 20 years.

I put most of this on Allan Selig. And when the day comes as Barry is rounding the bases after he hit his 756th, Bud better be at home plate extending his hand and looking Barry in the eye and offering his congratulations. Anything less would be cowardly intentions. Bud better not let Barry stand alone. They are in this together and should stand together and face up.

The Battle of Lake Erie

2007-07-07T09:48:00.000-07:00

Detroit and Cleveland are separated by 170 miles, a large body of water, and 2 World Series Championships. The Tigers have won 4, last being in 1984. The Indians have won 2, last being in 1948. This summer is the first in a long, long time these two teams have been good at the same time. Both are relatively young, have powerful lineups, and are making a mockery of the rest of the division.

I am very interested to see how the second half turns out. The Tigers look as good as they have all year, and that's with a shaky at best bullpen. Right now I am not as convinced about the Indians. They do rank in the bottom half in the AL in pitching, but I think their record away from the bandbox they play in is even more telling.

Regardless of what the current trend looks like, if either team goes on a skid, the Mariners will be there. The Tigers go to Seattle for four right after the break. Lose that series, and not only does the race for the AL Central tighten, but playoff aspirations do as well.

2007-07-03T06:05:00.000-07:00

This Is My Niece

Her name is Maggie and I am very proud.

Now on to the season. We're at the half way point and we still have a few weeks before the real season starts (August 1). And of course this is the critical time when teams decide if they are playoff contenders or not by July 31. My travels navigate me through the Chicago market and I get to tune in to the creative exploits of Chicagoland sports radio. The city is fortunate enough to have 2 big league teams and unfortunately my attention is drawn to the White Sox because they are two spots behind the Tigers in the AL Central. Much yak over the last week has been what to do with Mark Buehrle. The left -hander wants a no-trade clause added to a possible 4 year 56M contract. The Sox refuse to grant the clause because the GM believes he wouldn't be able to build a contending team to fill other areas. I disagree because Buehrle is a coveted asset in that he is a left handed starting pitcher who pitches 200 innings, wins 14 games, doesn't go on the DL, and is in his prime at 28. This is what you build around. Not settling a deal and trading him would start a fire sale and send the Sox back at least 5 years. As a Tiger fan, I would say to Buehrle don't let the door hit you on the way out of Chicago. As a fan of the game, I would say letting this pitcher go would be a drastically huge mistake. Give the guy the clause.

2007-06-26T21:32:00.000-07:00

when is the last time Ice Cube did something even the least bit righteous? Does Friday even count?

Cube Still Manages to Offend

2007-04-07T09:07:00.000-07:00

Jokes aside, my interest in the Dodgers doesn't nearly match that of Mike and Ben. That said, I'm still deeply offended at the above image. How could one of South-Central's finest allow himself to be seen in a Giants jersey? I don't give a damn what any triflin' director says: Cube shouldn't be in an S.F. jersey.

Not That Any Of You Asked Or Anything

2007-04-02T05:47:00.000-07:00

Here are my picks for this year's baseball season. Let the derision begin!!!

AL EAST
Boston
NY Yankees
Toronto
Baltimore
Tampa

AL CENTRAL
Cleveland
Detroit - Wild Card
Minnesota
Chicago
Kansas City

AL WEST (Who cares?!?)
Los Angelheim
Tejas
Oakland
Seattle

NL EAST
Atlanta
NY Metropolitans - Wild Card
Philadelphia
Florida
Washington

NL CENTRAL
St. Louis (I hate to say it)
Milwaukee
Chicago
Houston
Cincinnati
Pittsburgh

NL WEST
San Diego
Arizona
Colorado
San Francisco
Los Angeles

World Series: New York Mets over Boston Red Sox

Crap

2007-03-30T08:24:00.001-07:00

Crap, crap, crap.

Crap.

The 2007 Baseball Season Is Almost Upon Us . . .

2007-03-27T15:42:00.000-07:00

. . . so let's get our 90% Mentality started with this totally apropos quote . . .

"There's one word that describes baseball: 'You never know.'"

-Joaquin Andujar, former major league pitcher

He Should Stay "Gone"

2007-02-05T08:59:00.001-08:00

No, no, no.

2007-02-02T12:03:00.000-08:00

Nick Punto just crossed my mind for the first time since November.

Tell Your Statistics To Shut Up

2007-01-03T17:32:00.000-08:00

My favorite part about the McGwire-in-the-hall debate is that few baseball writers are willing to do a little bit of statistical analysis -- or at least talk to someone who can do it for them. Check out McGwire's stats here: http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mcgwima01.shtml . Through age 30, he's most like ... Cecil Fielder. A wonderful competitor -- for a hot dog-eating contest, but certainly no baseball HOFer.

Through age 30 (1994 season), McGwire hit exactly 236 more HRs than I have. Nothing to sneeze at, to be sure, but then again I haven't taken a swing in an MLB game (I did hit two in high school, though).

In the first full season of the "juiced era" (thanks to Baseball Prospectus here http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=4845), however, something magical happened. All over baseball homeruns began flying out of the park at the ridiculous clip of 30 percent more per game (25 % in the AL and 35 % in the NL see that same Baseball Prospectus article)!

Never before in baseball had that kind of jump occurred.

McGwire hit 345 HRs in his age 31 season through retirement. If we're fair about it, we should discount those HRs relative to the other eras in baseball by -- I'll even give you the conservative measure: 25 %. That's 86 (and some change) fewer HRs for Big Mac, leaving him with an "adjusted" total of 497 HRs.

Couple that stat with 1626 hits and a .263 lifetime average and who do you get? Somebody between Dave Kingman and Juan Gonzalez.

Would you put either of those guys in the Baseball HOF? I thought not.

(All these stats assume that the Baseball Prospectus is the unquestioned lord and master of baseball statistics.)

My Season of Discontent

2006-12-23T14:46:00.000-08:00

Ridiculous.

I've upgraded my Indians season ticket package from 20 games (of which I actually saw 15) to 27 this year, splitting a full season three ways with a couple of friends.

Sure, we upgraded our seats -- we're sitting on the left field foul line in the angled-seat section.

Sure, we have more games.

Sure, the Tribe's got to better than last year (don't EVEN get me started).

But there is a distinct possibility that if the Indians make a run deep into the 2007 playoffs, I'll be sipping the High Life out in Kauai.

Yes. That's right. I'm going to Hawaii for two weeks in October. The very same two weeks the American League Championship Series and World Series take place.

Of course, if the Tribe makes it that far, I'll be more than happy to drink myself into a stupor at 3 in the afternoon on a beach somewhere on southern Kauai. But damnit! I missed the last two World Series because of stupid college. And if those jackasses decide to get their acts together this year, I could very well miss this one.

I hate the Indians.

Get To Know Your Newest Dodger

2006-12-07T12:40:00.000-08:00

Sure, we think we know all about Jason Schmidt from watching him pitch for the Giants, but I think this penetrating cartoon provides a unique insight.

Cubs sign Soriano; a 'Nation' yawns

2006-11-19T15:10:00.000-08:00

CHICAGO - You know a fan base is jaded when its team signs the top free agent on the market and people are angry. And I can see why. Soriano is a magnificent player when motivated, but he's 31 and the terms (8 years, a trillion dollars) make him virtually untradeable.

Health permitting, their lineup actually kind of borders on awesome. But until their pitching improves, I can't be bothered.

Tigers trade for Sheffield

2006-11-10T14:47:00.000-08:00

My take: They get 5 percent better, 100 percent less likable. In the end they will regret this trade I feel. Although if anybody can tame Barry Bonds-lite, I suppose it's Leyland.

2006-11-05T23:00:00.000-08:00

Umm are we going to hug this out. . . or just move on to hot stove league?

Flashback to Game 1: A PictoPhoto Tour

2006-10-25T13:43:00.000-07:00

ROYAL OAK, Mich. -- Sure we're losing. Sure we look unprepared. Sure we're blowing it. But dammmmmm. We're having fun.

@ the airport.

With the Bro-in-law @ 10a @ the park

Down Brush Street toward RenCen

Pregame Skip

Game time from seat location #2
The town is smiling...smiling for the Magical Season to continue...

Back! Back to the '80s!

2006-10-23T17:31:00.000-07:00

The Detroit News (interns, probably) put together a 33-image retrospective on the 1984 World Series. There's surprisingly little action in these photos. And I love the fact that the away game is in black and white.

http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

Ughh

2006-10-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

CHICAGO - Out of respect for what's happening in the D, I've been waiting to comment on the patently bizarre offseason the Chicago baseball clubs have thus far endured.

I don't really have anything to say about this either. Other then, 'sheeeeeit.'

World Series Blockbuster!

2006-10-22T23:42:00.000-07:00

If Todd Jones blows a save . . .

. . . we'll know he's been secretly replaced by Morgan Spurlock, taping an episode of "30 Days" in which he finds out what it's like to spend one full baseball postseason hanging out with Fernando Rodney.

A World Series Gift For My Detroit Homies

2006-10-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

I hope this resonates for you all on this Game One Day. Only one more week of baseball; enjoy every minute . . .

And Some More History

2006-10-20T18:28:00.000-07:00

Check the documents over at Rocket Fever.

Manager Watch: In With the Old!

2006-10-20T12:34:00.000-07:00

Meet your new hero. But now that Jimmy Ley-best is at the helm, what's the famous starting point for our 1984 6-4-3 doing? Turns out, Tram is throwing out the first pitch tomorrow...USA Today gets the skinny on the guy we all knew shouldn't have taken the job in 2003.

The View From Rexrode's Seat

2006-10-19T10:03:00.000-07:00

My ALCS Game 3, by Joe Rexrode (Gaines asked for some “color,” but I mostly just spent the day staring at the mound, convinced that Kenny Rogers had been snatched and replaced by a higher life form, sipping a beer. Or buying food or beer. Or in the bathroom.)

* We got to Comerica as soon as we could fast-walk there in the blustery weather. It was just shy of 2 p.m., when the gates would open for a 4:30 game. The streets were filled with orange-navy-and-white-clad citizens, including many face painters. A large line was forming at our gate. My brother-in-law, Freddie “Five Fingers” Matvias, and I had standing room tickets. I had never had them before, but a kindly woman in the Tigers ticket office told me earlier in the week that we would have two possible standing locations – way out in left center, or in the primo spots at the top of the lower bowl, around the infield. She also mentioned that standing-room people started lining up at noon for the previous Friday’s 8 p.m. ALDS Yankees game.

Needless to say, Freddie and I were concerned. As the gates opened and the line started moving forward, we hatched a plan. Once inside, he would break left and stake out a front-row position in the outfield area. I would go right and try – against all odds, we figured – to secure a tiny area around the infield. We got in, grabbed our white Tiger towels and took off.

Racing through the concourse, I noticed I was the only person in any kind of hurry. I passed by a pair of officers, one of whom looked at me and did a double take, perhaps wondering for a split second if I had just ripped off a couple pretzels from a vendor and if he should chase me. He didn’t. I zipped and darted, narrowly missing an elderly gentleman at one point. Finally, I got to the home plate area, blew past a pair of ushers before they could look up and took two stairs at a time to the walkway.

“Where’s the standing room?” I barked on the run to the nearest usher, too cold and desperate to care how frantic I sounded.

“All along this wall, from here to there,” he said, pointing to a far-away spot well down the first-base line. “Looks like you’ve got your pick of spots.”

I was the only one there.

At first I felt kind of stupid. Then I called Fred to tell him of our good fortune. He came down and we eagerly staked out a spot on the first base side of home plate, with a fantastic view of everything. Then we looked at the scoreboard.

2:10 p.m. 38 degrees.

Two hours and 20 minutes until the first pitch. I tightened my Tigers hooded sweatshirt and Fred went on the first beer run. Our area filled up, oh, about an hour-and-a-half later.

* A pair of beers and five-buck kosher dogs (Gaines insisted I try one at a Tigers-A’s game we attended in July, and I’ll never go back to the three-buck regulars) later, we were ready. It was fun, through the shivering, to watch batting practice, although the players on both teams were clothed so heavily we couldn’t identify anyone. Except Frank Thomas. He’s as big as a rhinoceros.

* Kenny Rogers couldn’t possibly match his last outing, right? You know, the chest-pumping, F-bombs-flying, curveball-exploding, A-Rod humiliating masterpiece to beat the Yankees in Game 3? (Possibly the single-best individual performance by a Detroit athlete in a postseason game, by the way. Think about it. I say it’s right there with Zeke’s 25-point third quarter/43-point game on a gimpy ankle in Game 6 of the ’88 Finals). Anyway, we were just hoping Kenny could be 70 percent as good. That ought to be plenty to hold down the A’s.

* Jason Kendall led off with a hard shot to short that Ramon Santiago dove to grab, but that was it. Infield single. My stomach dropped. It’s amazing how magnified everything gets in the postseason. Every pitch is its own can’t-miss moment. Every run counts for 10. Kenny got a couple outs, but then he hit Frank Thomas on an 0-2 pitch. Oh God. Certain doom was here. Until Jay Payton grounded meekly to third. That got the white towels waving.

* It took me a while to master the towel, to get it rotating with speed and without wrapping around my hand. But once I got the hang of it I waved it ferociously. The towels are a nice touch, except for the endless white floaties that find their way into your beverage.

* The Tigers got it going in the bottom of the first. Rich Harden has been hurt all season and obviously still needed some time to adjust. He bounced four pitches to Granderson for a lead-off walk. The fourth hit about halfway between the mound and the plate, seriously. (It was the first of three four-walk pitches for Granderson, by the way. Are you kidding? This is a guy who would flail at pitch-outs for about two months this season. That’s how locked in these guys are. And I’ve been saying since May that Granderson is this team’s offensive key). Then Monroe and Polanco ripped singles for a run, and Magglio grounded out for another. That would be plenty.

* I saw Kenny Rogers pitch a gem this season at Comerica, a taut 2-1 win over the White Sox just after the All-Star break to take that series and give the Tigers a major confidence boost. Then I saw him give up three runs in the first inning to the Indians a couple weeks later, in the midst of his “bad stretch,” when a lot of people were saying he should be put down, like he was an aging horse or something. He looked really bad in that first inning, but he settled down, controlled the rest of the game and the Tigers ended up winning on a Pudge walk-off HR.

Those outings were impressive. They were nothing like this. By the fourth inning, I was pretty much able to sit back and enjoy the artistry, because I knew – and everyone else knew, in the stands and dugouts – that Oakland had no chance. He was mixing speeds, hitting corners, throwing that curveball again, the one that was just bottoming out against the Yankees. Wave those towels, baby.

* If you’re at Comerica and you really have to go, but you run into a huge line, you can always barge in through the exit door, find an open stall and slip out inconspicuously. It’s a dirty trick but, hey, sometimes they’re necessary. Unfortunately, Comerica’s postseason enhancements include guards at the exit doors to prevent such chicanery. Ouch.

* A Monroe blast to left made it 3-0 in the fifth. Rogers cruised through the seventh. Then he gave up a walk in the eighth and left with one on, one out and the skies fully dark. I let the vocal cords rip for that guy, we all did. If his Yankees game wasn’t the best individual Detroit performance, these have to be the best two back-to-back. Ridiculous. Freddie and I would have screamed more, but we quickly realized Fernando Rodney was coming in. Gulp.

* To be fair, Rodney has been fantastic in this series. But you still never know what you’re going to get from him. What we got was a tidy 4-6-3 double play off the bat of Bobby Kielty. Everything is working. Comerica is shaking. Which brings me to something we discussed at some point: How incredible would this be at Tiger Stadium? For those of us who loved that place … Comerica doesn’t and never will compare. But I’m liking it more and more.

* Todd Jones faced three batters and got three easy groundouts in the ninth. What, no tease? The towels waved furiously. The roar built and held, then held some more, 35 degrees be damned. The World Series loomed. Then we went to Greektown Casino, I played blackjack for an hour and made $12.50. Can this actually get better?

Worst. Game. Ever

2006-10-19T09:36:00.000-07:00

I love Rob Neyer's column on ESPN. He's always posting something statistical about baseball that proves "gut feelings" about the grand old sport belong somewhere between hearsay and conjecture in the "admissible evidence" pantheon.

Today's column is about the worst-ever game-seven pitcher. It's Oliver Perez for the Mets.

Perez boasts the fewest number of wins in a season in which he's pitching a game seven, lowest winning percentage in a season, lowest career winning percentage and second-worst career ERA. Guess who's got the worst career ERA for a game-seven starter?

Jeff Suppan. Tonight's starter for the Cards.

Ugh. We're in for a real pitcher's duel tonight.

Eekgads! It's Fernandomania, Jr.!

2006-10-19T05:41:00.001-07:00

Check this link from sportsline. Fernando Valenzuela Jr. joins pop in Mexican League.

What's next? The return of Jerry Hairston Sr.?

Breaking News: Jeff Weaver Smiled (Years Ago)

2006-10-18T16:49:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES -- At some point during his time as a Dodger, Jeff Weaver smiled.

It wasn't on the field, of course, where he exuded a pure, focused sense of self-loathing or hatred for "this sh*t" as he no doubt has said thousands of times in his life. This smile was instead captured during a visit to Children's Hospital -- just south of a particularly famous Los Feliz home.

He didn't even smile when contacted via shout from an old party buddy when pitching for the Dodgers in San Diego. The dumpy looking fellow who contacted him through the fence near the sandbox and Weaver shared mutual smirks of understood camaraderie -- the kind that comes from sharing bushels of illicit drugs while skipping class.

"Is he smiling now?" asked Mike Hudson, a fan from Weaver's early stint with the Detroit Tigers. "He's the hottest pitcher in the National League. But I bet he's still just staring off into space more often than not in his hotel, picking out patterns in the carpet."

Developing...

Breaking News: Detroit Goes Towel-less

2006-10-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers will not hand out rally towels for at least the first two games of the World Series at Comerica Park, team officials said.

The hanky-sized towels are a popular playoff accessory that fans whirl in the air to cheer on their team. Fans attending the opening games in Detroit will get some sort of World Series souvenir, but officials haven't said what it will be.

"The in-park giveaway for the World Series is determined by Major League Baseball," said Joel Scott, a Tigers spokesman. "They (league officials) have items that were going to be distributed no matter where the World Series was at."

Plus...this wiki on Jay Mariotti is funny.

This Is Sharp

2006-10-16T23:01:00.000-07:00

Comment from a post about the Tigers on Deadspin:

Wow, that's almost a brilliant way of making the Lions look like a winning franchise. I heard that if the Tigers win the WS, Jon Kitna will be the first thing torched.

A Few Notes on Losing My Mind

2006-10-15T09:07:00.000-07:00

It seems like Maggs' shot took minutes to reach the outfield. Mike and I didn't want to lose it until we had empirical evidence that it was a homer. There was jumping and hugging and running around the apartment. The pets scattered to avoid being trampled. I got down on the ground and slapped the floor with my hand. I was shaking and sweating and my voice was wavering. I had three sticks of gum in my mouth -- Gum Time to end all Gum Times! -- and I nearly choked on the chew, not to mention spitting up everywhere. Mike reinjured his heel from jumping up and down. I pulled something in my ribcage from shouting so loudly.

We instantly started calling or got calls from everyone in the Michigan Diaspora -- our dads, Steve Davis, Jon Brunt, Pat Muir, Jake Cooley, Scott W. Baird, Eric Lacey, Brian Shiels, Chris Solari ...

For the rest of the night (as I will for the rest of my life), I replayed the shot in my head and shook my head and laughed.

That feeling, friends, is why we watch.

A Clevelander's Account

2006-10-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

My Cleveland friend Joe Frey was at the Greatest Game in Michigan Sports History. Here's his telling.

Tigers Move On To The World Series . . .

2006-10-15T00:04:00.000-07:00

. . . and guess what they have . . .

2006: A New Hope

2006-10-14T19:48:00.000-07:00

THE TIGERS WIN THE PENNANT!

Tigs/A's 2-0, Mets/Cards ?-?

2006-10-11T22:08:00.000-07:00

More History

2006-10-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

From the Freep.

A's-Tigs History

2006-10-09T19:51:00.000-07:00

Seems the 1972 ALCS got pretty nasty between these two. Let's hope we can leave out the extracurriculars this time, boys. We want a nice, clean fight.

On the plus side . . .

2006-10-08T00:45:00.000-07:00

The Dodger team might have proved itself an inconsistent mediocrity, but, having attended NLDS games in the mid '90s that felt like June games against Milwaukee, it was exciting to see the Stadium packed with intense, excited, dedicated Dodger fans, dressed in blue and hanging on every pitch. Biggest Dodger crowd I've ever been a part of. The weather was gorgeous and the stadium looked as beautiful as it ever has.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world...

2006-10-08T00:33:00.000-07:00

Live...from Detroit...

2006-10-07T23:12:00.000-07:00

It's a Saturday Night for the ages...