((HT: BASTA/Ben Leonard))
With all the talk about the “Cardinals’ Way” leading up to the series, the Giants proved that their way is superior. In a tight series, the Giants dominated in the late innings and high-leverage situations to take themselves to the World Series for the third time in just five years. Regardless of the result of the Fall Classic against Kansas City, the Giants have become the new “Big Red Machine,” that the Reds were in the 1970’s, reaching four World Series in seven years.
Madison Bumgarner earned every bit of his World Series MVP Award, gritting through eight innings despite not having anything close to his best stuff. Jon Jay gave the Cardinals an early 1-0 lead in the third on a double that eventual hero Travis Ishikawa should have caught, and gave up two homers in the fourth inning, solo shots to Matt Adams and Tony Cruz. He settled in after the fourth, not giving up a hit for the next four innings. In a postgame interview on FS1, Bumgarner explained that he beared down after the fourth, “Making sure to make pitches with conviction.” Bumgarner’s grit and determination in Games 1 and 5 willed the Giants to win, and he hopes to do the same Tuesday night in Kansas City. With his contributions in the previous two postseasons, Bumgarner has left a legacy of excellence in October, despite just turning 25. Two Giants’ legends, Hall-of-Famers Orlando Cepeda and Gaylord Perry, could not win even one Fall Classic in their entire careers. He wasted no time celebrating his accomplishments in the locker room.
((HT: Alex Pavlovic's Vine))
The Giants had not hit a long ball since Brandon Belt’s in the 18th inning of Game Two of the NLDS, and they certainly changed that on Thursday night. The Giants launched three long balls, including a two-run shot from the light-hitting Joe Panik in the third that gave the Giants a 2-1 lead. Michael Morse added a pinch hit homer in the eighth, tying the game at three apiece and igniting AT&T Park. Morse raised his arms while running around the bases, rallying the crowd and the team in a magical moment for Giants fans. His homer was reminiscent of his game-tying shot against the Padres at Petco Park in July.
With all due respect to Morse’s homer, Travis Ishikawa blew his out of the water, a walk-off three run homer in the ninth against righty Michael Wacha. The homer was the first walk-off home run to send the Giants to the Fall Classic since Robby Thompson’s “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” in 1951, on the way to a World Series loss to the Yankees. Wacha meated a fastball, and Ishikawa did not miss, leaving the Cardinals and Giants crying, for two very different reasons.
((HT: MLB.com))
Ishikawa’s homer cemented his legacy in Giants’ history, in his second postseason. He was part of the Giants’ first championship run, earning his ring in 2010. The Giants and October baseball have become synonymous. No one can dismiss their success as pure luck now that they have done it three times. Pitching and defense have been the core of these teams, and the club followed that model once again on Thursday. Brian Sabean, the Giants’ general manager, was visibly emotional and crying, along with Pablo Sandoval and many others. Hopefully for the Giants, this postseason run will give Sandoval good reason to stay in San Francisco for a hometown discount, as he is due to become a free agent after the playoffs. Even if the Giants are swept in Kansas City, their legend will remain.
Showing posts with label St. Louis Cardinals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Louis Cardinals. Show all posts
Friday, October 17, 2014
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
BASTA: Choate’s Error Helps Giants Overcome Bochy’s Poor Managing
((HT: BASTA/Ben Leonard))
Bruce Bochy is infatuated with his veteran players, and it almost spoiled an early four-spot from the Giants’ offense. Only an egregious throwing error from Randy Choate bailed out the Giants’ skipper and the offense, which sputtered after a hot start. The Giants won in their typical playoff fashion, relying on magic and what some would call luck in a tightly contested game to take the 2-1 series lead in a 5-4 win in ten innings over the Cardinals
The Giants’ offense backed Tim Hudson early, rallying after veteran righty John Lackey got two quick outs to start the game. Buster Posey laced a single to right, and Pablo Sandoval followed with a opposite field single of his own to put runners at first and second. Hunter Pence fell into an 0-2 hole and proceeded to slap a pitch at his shoulders down the line in right, good for a double that gave San Francisco a 1-0 lead. After falling behind 3-0 to Belt and clearly pitching around him, Lackey intentionally walked Belt, loading the bases for Travis Ishikawa. Lackey was able to execute, unlike Nationals’ reliever Aaron Barrett. On the first pitch, Lackey meated a 90 MPH fastball, and Ishikawa did not miss, launching it to deep right center, bouncing at the foot of the wall for a bases-clearing double. The right fielder Grichuck appeared to lose sight of the ball, and took a strange route that left him farther away from the ball than he should have been, preventing him from making a play on it.
((HT: MLB.com))
After the explosion in the first inning, the Giants got absolutely nothing for the next eight innings. Their only two base runners were on a single from starter Tim Hudson, and Pablo Sandoval, who reached after being hit by a pitch. In an interview on FS1 after the game, Hunter Pence explained that Lackey “beared down” and started “work[ing] it in on us,” when the Giants expected him to “work away.” The Giants should have been able to make this adjustment, but clearly didn’t, as Lackey went on to throw six innings in total, not allowing any runs after the first.
As Lackey settled in, Hudson fatigued, starting out well but slowly fading. He allowed just one hit in the first three innings, but started to run out of steam in the fourth. After giving up back to back singles to lead off the frame, Hudson gave up hard contact but got Holliday to line out, and struck out Jhonny Peralta. With runners on first and second for Kolten Wong, Hudson hung a curve that Wong launched, just a few feet short of leaving the yard in right center, cutting the Giants’ lead to 4-2. The Cardinals continued to chip away in the sixth, when Peralta drove in a run with two outs on an RBI single to left, just beyond the reach of Sandoval at third.
That should have been it for the 39-year old Hudson, who has struggled with hip problems as of late and hasn’t been able to go deep into games. With 86 pitches under his belt going into the seventh, Bochy should have recognized that going to his bullpen was the right option. Instead, he left Hudson in, even after giving up a scorcher to A.J. Pierzynski that Ishikawa was able to glove. With one out, Hudson hung a changeup to Randal Grichuck, and he launched it off the foul pole in left for a homer, tying the game and chasing Hudson from the game. Luckily for the Giants, they escaped with a win, largely due to 3 and 2/3 innings of dominant pitching from their bullpen.
Randy Choate was dominant against lefties in the regular season, yielding a stingy .171 wOBA in the regular season, but that didn’t matter against Brandon Crawford, who battled to lead off the tenth with a walk. Juan Perez failed to get the bunt down twice, leaving the count at 0-2. Perez worked the count to 2-2, and drove a pitch to left center, over the head of Peralta for a single, putting runners at first and second.
Gregor Blanco also failed to put down his first bunt attempt, but got the second one down. As Blanco put it on an FS1 interview, “the first one was a little rushed, then I told myself to just put it down.” Blanco’s bunt was not perfect in execution, a little too far away from the line, but it was perfect in effect. Randy Choate picked it up and rushed the throw, letting the ball sail into the Cardinals’ bullpen and the game sail away from St. Louis. Brandon Crawford came around to score easily from second, and the Giants took Game Three.
((HT: MLB.com))
Choate’s miscue may mask Bochy’s questionable managing, but it may still come back to haunt San Francisco later in the postseason. It cost the Giants a victory on Sunday, and could very well do so again. Veterans are not better at battling fatigue than younger players, despite what Bochy may think; it is actually the opposite. Experience may calm nerves, but it certainly isn’t a panacea.
Bruce Bochy is infatuated with his veteran players, and it almost spoiled an early four-spot from the Giants’ offense. Only an egregious throwing error from Randy Choate bailed out the Giants’ skipper and the offense, which sputtered after a hot start. The Giants won in their typical playoff fashion, relying on magic and what some would call luck in a tightly contested game to take the 2-1 series lead in a 5-4 win in ten innings over the Cardinals
The Giants’ offense backed Tim Hudson early, rallying after veteran righty John Lackey got two quick outs to start the game. Buster Posey laced a single to right, and Pablo Sandoval followed with a opposite field single of his own to put runners at first and second. Hunter Pence fell into an 0-2 hole and proceeded to slap a pitch at his shoulders down the line in right, good for a double that gave San Francisco a 1-0 lead. After falling behind 3-0 to Belt and clearly pitching around him, Lackey intentionally walked Belt, loading the bases for Travis Ishikawa. Lackey was able to execute, unlike Nationals’ reliever Aaron Barrett. On the first pitch, Lackey meated a 90 MPH fastball, and Ishikawa did not miss, launching it to deep right center, bouncing at the foot of the wall for a bases-clearing double. The right fielder Grichuck appeared to lose sight of the ball, and took a strange route that left him farther away from the ball than he should have been, preventing him from making a play on it.
((HT: MLB.com))
After the explosion in the first inning, the Giants got absolutely nothing for the next eight innings. Their only two base runners were on a single from starter Tim Hudson, and Pablo Sandoval, who reached after being hit by a pitch. In an interview on FS1 after the game, Hunter Pence explained that Lackey “beared down” and started “work[ing] it in on us,” when the Giants expected him to “work away.” The Giants should have been able to make this adjustment, but clearly didn’t, as Lackey went on to throw six innings in total, not allowing any runs after the first.
As Lackey settled in, Hudson fatigued, starting out well but slowly fading. He allowed just one hit in the first three innings, but started to run out of steam in the fourth. After giving up back to back singles to lead off the frame, Hudson gave up hard contact but got Holliday to line out, and struck out Jhonny Peralta. With runners on first and second for Kolten Wong, Hudson hung a curve that Wong launched, just a few feet short of leaving the yard in right center, cutting the Giants’ lead to 4-2. The Cardinals continued to chip away in the sixth, when Peralta drove in a run with two outs on an RBI single to left, just beyond the reach of Sandoval at third.
That should have been it for the 39-year old Hudson, who has struggled with hip problems as of late and hasn’t been able to go deep into games. With 86 pitches under his belt going into the seventh, Bochy should have recognized that going to his bullpen was the right option. Instead, he left Hudson in, even after giving up a scorcher to A.J. Pierzynski that Ishikawa was able to glove. With one out, Hudson hung a changeup to Randal Grichuck, and he launched it off the foul pole in left for a homer, tying the game and chasing Hudson from the game. Luckily for the Giants, they escaped with a win, largely due to 3 and 2/3 innings of dominant pitching from their bullpen.
Randy Choate was dominant against lefties in the regular season, yielding a stingy .171 wOBA in the regular season, but that didn’t matter against Brandon Crawford, who battled to lead off the tenth with a walk. Juan Perez failed to get the bunt down twice, leaving the count at 0-2. Perez worked the count to 2-2, and drove a pitch to left center, over the head of Peralta for a single, putting runners at first and second.
Gregor Blanco also failed to put down his first bunt attempt, but got the second one down. As Blanco put it on an FS1 interview, “the first one was a little rushed, then I told myself to just put it down.” Blanco’s bunt was not perfect in execution, a little too far away from the line, but it was perfect in effect. Randy Choate picked it up and rushed the throw, letting the ball sail into the Cardinals’ bullpen and the game sail away from St. Louis. Brandon Crawford came around to score easily from second, and the Giants took Game Three.
((HT: MLB.com))
Choate’s miscue may mask Bochy’s questionable managing, but it may still come back to haunt San Francisco later in the postseason. It cost the Giants a victory on Sunday, and could very well do so again. Veterans are not better at battling fatigue than younger players, despite what Bochy may think; it is actually the opposite. Experience may calm nerves, but it certainly isn’t a panacea.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
BASTA: Bumgarner Propels Giants to Take NLCS Game One
((HT: BASTA Bay Area/Ben Leonard))
The baseball world had become infatuated with the Cardinals’ ability to hit left handed pitching after they rocked Clayton Kershaw not once, but twice in the NLDS, eliminating Los Angeles. Madison Bumgarner begs to differ after an utterly dominant performance against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night, carrying the Giants to a 3-0 victory. The Cardinals never had a chance against the lanky lefty, scattering only four hits in 7 and 2/3 masterful innings, his fourth postseason start going seven or more scoreless innings. He established the strike zone early and often, getting ahead of Cardinal hitters and putting himself in advantageous counts. The Giants’ shutout win was their seventh straight road playoff victory, the longest in National League history. They have won ten of their last eleven in October overall, and their 27 playoff wins since 2010 are second only to the Cardinals’ 30. The Giants and playoff baseball have become synonymous.
Bumgarner did struggle a bit in the first inning, giving up a hard leadoff single to playoff hero Matt Carpenter and hard contact to several other Cardinals, but St. Louis got nothing to show for it, retired in order after Carpenter. It was smooth sailing for Bumgarner the rest of the way, as he settled in, leaving the Cardinals absolutely no chance. In a cold night at Busch Stadium, Bumgarner froze several hitters with his cutter, at times breaking from the inside corner all the way to the outside corner. He has not allowed a homer to a left-handed hitter since April 11th, when Carlos Gonzalez launched one at AT&T Park.
((HT: MLB.com))
The Cardinals only real chance at scoring came in the seventh, when Yadier Molina and Jon Jay hit back-to-back singles with one out. Rookie Kolten Wong moved the runners over to second and third on a groundout to first, but Tony Cruz struck out on a high 93 MPH fastball to end the inning. St. Louis has been strangely reliant on the seventh inning this postseason, scoring 15 of their 18 runs in the frame. This number isn’t just a product of pure coincidence; the seventh is usually when starters begin to feel fatigue. The Giants’ offense silenced the crowd at Busch Stadium early, giving Bumgarner a cushion. Adam Wainwright, who dealt with shoulder problems after his early exit from Game One of the NLDS, was not his usual dominant self. He was roughed up once again, giving up three runs (two earned) in 4 and 2/3 shaky innings, laboring to limit the damage. Saturday marked the first time he failed to pitch five innings in consecutive starts. He has given up 21 base runners in 9 postseason innings this season.
The Cardinals’ ace has pitched a major league high 512 and 2/3 innings in the past two seasons; perhaps this immense amount of innings has taken a toll on the righty. San Francisco employed some of their trademark “Magic Wandu” in the second inning, scoring two runs without making much hard contact. Pablo Sandoval led off the inning with a double to right, a ball that appeared to be caught by right fielder Randal Grichuk, but it came out after crashing hard into the wall. Sandoval finished the game with three hits, marking the third career postseason game with three hits for the plodding third baseman. After his double, Hunter Pence worked the count against Wainwright, drawing a walk. After Brandon Crawford struck out, Travis Ishikawa hit a flare single to the opposite field, falling just over the head of a diving Matt Carpenter, scoring Sandoval and giving the Giants a 1-0 lead. With two outs and the bases loaded, Gregor Blanco hit a sharp grounder to Matt Carpenter at third, but Carpenter booted it, letting it carom off of his glove, scoring Pence from third.
Had Carpenter stayed in front of the ball, he would have been able to field it cleanly. Instead, he backpedaled and dropped his left foot, making it harder on himself. The Giants struck again in the third, after another strange series of events. Buster Posey and Sandoval led off the inning with back-to-back singles, both on curveballs from Wainwright, his signature out pitch. Pence followed with a line shot that was slowed after hitting Wainwright’s glove, allowing the second baseman Wong to field it, except he didn’t. He bobbled the ball and wasn’t able to tag the bag, but shortstop Jhonny Peralta recovered it and was able to get the out at second. Instead of a sure double play, the Giants had runners on first and third with one out. Brandon Belt followed by putting up a tenacious at-bat, working the count and eventually hitting a deep sacrifice fly to center, extending the Giants’ lead to 3-0.
Santiago Casilla pitched a perfect ninth inning, sealing the game.
After taking Game One of the NLCS, the Giants will try to take a two game lead into San Francisco on Sunday, sending Jake Peavy (6-4, 2.17) to the hill against Lance Lynn (15-10, 2.74). Lynn has struggled in six career playoff starts, posting a 4.57 ERA, but was good in one start this year, going six innings and giving up two runs against the Dodgers. Michael Morse was added to the NLCS roster, sending Gary Brown home, but was not used on Saturday. His defense is a liability, especially when he does not have his timing back at the plate yet. Travis Ishikawa filled the void in left, and clearly didn’t miss a beat.
The baseball world had become infatuated with the Cardinals’ ability to hit left handed pitching after they rocked Clayton Kershaw not once, but twice in the NLDS, eliminating Los Angeles. Madison Bumgarner begs to differ after an utterly dominant performance against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night, carrying the Giants to a 3-0 victory. The Cardinals never had a chance against the lanky lefty, scattering only four hits in 7 and 2/3 masterful innings, his fourth postseason start going seven or more scoreless innings. He established the strike zone early and often, getting ahead of Cardinal hitters and putting himself in advantageous counts. The Giants’ shutout win was their seventh straight road playoff victory, the longest in National League history. They have won ten of their last eleven in October overall, and their 27 playoff wins since 2010 are second only to the Cardinals’ 30. The Giants and playoff baseball have become synonymous.
Bumgarner did struggle a bit in the first inning, giving up a hard leadoff single to playoff hero Matt Carpenter and hard contact to several other Cardinals, but St. Louis got nothing to show for it, retired in order after Carpenter. It was smooth sailing for Bumgarner the rest of the way, as he settled in, leaving the Cardinals absolutely no chance. In a cold night at Busch Stadium, Bumgarner froze several hitters with his cutter, at times breaking from the inside corner all the way to the outside corner. He has not allowed a homer to a left-handed hitter since April 11th, when Carlos Gonzalez launched one at AT&T Park.
((HT: MLB.com))
The Cardinals only real chance at scoring came in the seventh, when Yadier Molina and Jon Jay hit back-to-back singles with one out. Rookie Kolten Wong moved the runners over to second and third on a groundout to first, but Tony Cruz struck out on a high 93 MPH fastball to end the inning. St. Louis has been strangely reliant on the seventh inning this postseason, scoring 15 of their 18 runs in the frame. This number isn’t just a product of pure coincidence; the seventh is usually when starters begin to feel fatigue. The Giants’ offense silenced the crowd at Busch Stadium early, giving Bumgarner a cushion. Adam Wainwright, who dealt with shoulder problems after his early exit from Game One of the NLDS, was not his usual dominant self. He was roughed up once again, giving up three runs (two earned) in 4 and 2/3 shaky innings, laboring to limit the damage. Saturday marked the first time he failed to pitch five innings in consecutive starts. He has given up 21 base runners in 9 postseason innings this season.
The Cardinals’ ace has pitched a major league high 512 and 2/3 innings in the past two seasons; perhaps this immense amount of innings has taken a toll on the righty. San Francisco employed some of their trademark “Magic Wandu” in the second inning, scoring two runs without making much hard contact. Pablo Sandoval led off the inning with a double to right, a ball that appeared to be caught by right fielder Randal Grichuk, but it came out after crashing hard into the wall. Sandoval finished the game with three hits, marking the third career postseason game with three hits for the plodding third baseman. After his double, Hunter Pence worked the count against Wainwright, drawing a walk. After Brandon Crawford struck out, Travis Ishikawa hit a flare single to the opposite field, falling just over the head of a diving Matt Carpenter, scoring Sandoval and giving the Giants a 1-0 lead. With two outs and the bases loaded, Gregor Blanco hit a sharp grounder to Matt Carpenter at third, but Carpenter booted it, letting it carom off of his glove, scoring Pence from third.
Had Carpenter stayed in front of the ball, he would have been able to field it cleanly. Instead, he backpedaled and dropped his left foot, making it harder on himself. The Giants struck again in the third, after another strange series of events. Buster Posey and Sandoval led off the inning with back-to-back singles, both on curveballs from Wainwright, his signature out pitch. Pence followed with a line shot that was slowed after hitting Wainwright’s glove, allowing the second baseman Wong to field it, except he didn’t. He bobbled the ball and wasn’t able to tag the bag, but shortstop Jhonny Peralta recovered it and was able to get the out at second. Instead of a sure double play, the Giants had runners on first and third with one out. Brandon Belt followed by putting up a tenacious at-bat, working the count and eventually hitting a deep sacrifice fly to center, extending the Giants’ lead to 3-0.
Santiago Casilla pitched a perfect ninth inning, sealing the game.
After taking Game One of the NLCS, the Giants will try to take a two game lead into San Francisco on Sunday, sending Jake Peavy (6-4, 2.17) to the hill against Lance Lynn (15-10, 2.74). Lynn has struggled in six career playoff starts, posting a 4.57 ERA, but was good in one start this year, going six innings and giving up two runs against the Dodgers. Michael Morse was added to the NLCS roster, sending Gary Brown home, but was not used on Saturday. His defense is a liability, especially when he does not have his timing back at the plate yet. Travis Ishikawa filled the void in left, and clearly didn’t miss a beat.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Bryce Harper Benched For "Lack of Hustle"
((HT: MASN Nationals/MLB))
Matt Williams, when he played in the majors, didn't take any crap from anybody and played all-out all the time.
He expects the same as manager of the Washington Nationals...
Slugger Bryce Harper didn't run out a ground ball in the bottom of the 6th inning in, what would amount to, a 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Williams benched him for the dogging out...
Here's Williams discussing it after the game...
And Harper who, publicly, gets what happened...
Apparently, this is a one-and-done with Williams saying that Harper will be back in the line-up tomorrow...
Matt Williams, when he played in the majors, didn't take any crap from anybody and played all-out all the time.
He expects the same as manager of the Washington Nationals...
Slugger Bryce Harper didn't run out a ground ball in the bottom of the 6th inning in, what would amount to, a 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Williams benched him for the dogging out...
Here's Williams discussing it after the game...
And Harper who, publicly, gets what happened...
Apparently, this is a one-and-done with Williams saying that Harper will be back in the line-up tomorrow...
Sunday, October 27, 2013
ICYMI: Cards Win Game 3 Of World Series on Obstruction Call
Okay, we kind of wish we stayed up or at least had the World Series on the television last night after reading about this.
Game 3 of the World Series ended Saturday night in a way unlike any other---ever.
The St. Louis Cardinals walked away with a 5-4, bottom of the 9th victory, when Allen Craig was awarded home plate after 3rd base umpire Jim Joyce ruled he was obstructed.
Ironically, he may very well have scored when Jarrod Saltalamacchia's throw sailed over 3rd baseman Will Middlebrooks head, but Craig and Middlebrooks got tangled up as Craig slid to beat the throw.
That's when the chaos ensued. Craig (who's fighting a foot injury), limped towards home plate as fast as he could, but didn't beat the throw home.
It didn't matter. Joyce had made his call, and according to the MLB Rule Book as long as he made a concerted effort to advance, he would be ruled safte.
That's what happened.
We'd show you the highlights, but really, this was the only highlight that mattered:
Game 3 of the World Series ended Saturday night in a way unlike any other---ever.
The St. Louis Cardinals walked away with a 5-4, bottom of the 9th victory, when Allen Craig was awarded home plate after 3rd base umpire Jim Joyce ruled he was obstructed.
Ironically, he may very well have scored when Jarrod Saltalamacchia's throw sailed over 3rd baseman Will Middlebrooks head, but Craig and Middlebrooks got tangled up as Craig slid to beat the throw.
That's when the chaos ensued. Craig (who's fighting a foot injury), limped towards home plate as fast as he could, but didn't beat the throw home.
It didn't matter. Joyce had made his call, and according to the MLB Rule Book as long as he made a concerted effort to advance, he would be ruled safte.
That's what happened.
We'd show you the highlights, but really, this was the only highlight that mattered:
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Will Ferrell Does NLCS Player Intros Because Will Ferrell is Everywhere
For those of you not watching game 5 of the National League Championship Series, which started at 4pm eastern (1pm pacific) on TV.
Yes, Will Ferrell, the Ron Burgundy of well, movie fame and funny guy who shows up everywhere, introduced the Los Angeles Dodgers for the game. No, we don't think he intro'd the St. Louis Cardinals...
(But the HQ wouldn't know that for sure because TBS only showed less than a minute of it..)
He put his usual spin on it....
Yes, Will Ferrell, the Ron Burgundy of well, movie fame and funny guy who shows up everywhere, introduced the Los Angeles Dodgers for the game. No, we don't think he intro'd the St. Louis Cardinals...
(But the HQ wouldn't know that for sure because TBS only showed less than a minute of it..)
He put his usual spin on it....
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Michael Wacha Earns A Starting Spot...???
((HT: MLB))
If, by going 8-and-2-thirds innings of no hit ball against the Nationals, he solidified his space... then, he solidified his space...
Here's Ryan Zimmerman causing all the fans in St. Louis to sit down...
Gotta love Mike Shannon's call- as always...
Adams WAS pulled off the bag, so it could have gone either way...
If, by going 8-and-2-thirds innings of no hit ball against the Nationals, he solidified his space... then, he solidified his space...
Here's Ryan Zimmerman causing all the fans in St. Louis to sit down...
Gotta love Mike Shannon's call- as always...
Adams WAS pulled off the bag, so it could have gone either way...
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Braves Lose On "Short Left Field Fly Rule" Vs. Cards (Among Other Things)
((HT: MLB on TBS))
The HQ figures that Brother Phil will wax a little more poetic on the rather ignominious (my, what a big word that means "ugly") end of the Atlanta Braves season (on a few different levels) last night against the St. Louis Cardinals...
But, we'll hit the high points...
1) Larry Wayne Jones, Junior admitted in his last post-game press conference that his throwing error on a double play ball into right field was responsible for the loss more than anything else...
2) You knew that, sooner or later, the ridiculous streak that starter Kris Medlin had would come to an end- at the worst time possible...
3) But, more than anything, the evidence below is what will stick with folks for quite some time... flying projectiles included on what one writer called the "short left field fly rule."
Executive VP for MLB, Joe Torre, said that he turned down the Braves protest because of the idea that the umpires made the call on the field and all agreed on it.
No matter how completely bogus it was... and that's the conventional wisdom on why Fredi Gonzalez didn't get tossed when he came out for his rant of the ages...
The HQ figures that Brother Phil will wax a little more poetic on the rather ignominious (my, what a big word that means "ugly") end of the Atlanta Braves season (on a few different levels) last night against the St. Louis Cardinals...
But, we'll hit the high points...
1) Larry Wayne Jones, Junior admitted in his last post-game press conference that his throwing error on a double play ball into right field was responsible for the loss more than anything else...
2) You knew that, sooner or later, the ridiculous streak that starter Kris Medlin had would come to an end- at the worst time possible...
3) But, more than anything, the evidence below is what will stick with folks for quite some time... flying projectiles included on what one writer called the "short left field fly rule."
Executive VP for MLB, Joe Torre, said that he turned down the Braves protest because of the idea that the umpires made the call on the field and all agreed on it.
No matter how completely bogus it was... and that's the conventional wisdom on why Fredi Gonzalez didn't get tossed when he came out for his rant of the ages...
Sunday, September 30, 2012
The New Morse Code: Swinging An Imaginary Bat
((HT: MASN/The Score/MLB))
Michael Morse of the Washington Nationals thought he hit a grand slam the other night against the St. Louis Cardinals. So did his manager Davey Johnson...
But it took video review for it to actually get figured out that Kyle Lohse served the ball up in that manner...
Instead of being out, or having fellow runners out for passing each other in the confusion... the umps thought of something completely different...
We'll let Bob Carpenter tell you what happened next...
How cool was that...???
Just like when we all grew older...
An imaginary swing for a real home run...
The HQ will take that trade...
Michael Morse of the Washington Nationals thought he hit a grand slam the other night against the St. Louis Cardinals. So did his manager Davey Johnson...
But it took video review for it to actually get figured out that Kyle Lohse served the ball up in that manner...
Instead of being out, or having fellow runners out for passing each other in the confusion... the umps thought of something completely different...
We'll let Bob Carpenter tell you what happened next...
How cool was that...???
Just like when we all grew older...
An imaginary swing for a real home run...
The HQ will take that trade...
Friday, May 25, 2012
Oh yes they call him the Streak (video)
Really, you should not emulate the man in this story. Seriously....you should not get drunk and try to streak across the field at a Major League Baseball stadium.But...if it were something that someone...DID decide to do, then it might turn out like this.
Collin Gundstrum apparently decided sometime Thursday that he was going to make his statement and run naked across the field at Busch Stadium in St. Louis during the Cardinals/Phillies game.
He was successful...at least until security caught up with him
Honestly, this was kind of funny. But it isn't something that's normally reported on anymore. Mostly the TV cameras are ordered to ignore it as are the announcers. But Gundstrum's streak was so stark and blatant and essentially harmless, that they didn't.
And yes, there is video (though not network quality):
Oh...it harkens back to an old school classic:
Monday, October 31, 2011
BREAKING: Tony La Russa retires
 |
| Tony La Russa |
The 67-year old La Russa won 2 titles with the Cardinals and is generally regarded as one of the greatest managers in Major League Baseball history.
He spent time managing the Oakland A's in the late '80's and early '90' after beginning his career in 1979, managing the Chicago White Sox.
As most of you know, the Cardinals won their 2nd title just this past Friday, beating the Texas Rangers for the 2011 World series championship.
He spent 33 years as a baseball manager, the past 16 of them in St. Louis. La Russa has won 1,408 games and will, in 5-years, find himself in the Baseball Hall-of Fame.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
That's A World Series Winner For The Cardinals
Sorry I had to steal Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack Buck's call when the St. Louis Cardinals won the 1982 World Series.
Riding the momentum from Game 6 the Cardinals took Game 7 6-2.
Until it gets pulled here's the final out of Game 7. (Thanks Fox Sports)
Here's the celebration on the field. (Thanks KSDK-TV)
World Series MVP David Freese stops by to chat with KSDK's Rene Knott.
Friday, October 28, 2011
How Can Game 7 Top That!!!!
How many are you are dragging to work because you couldn't break away from Game 6 of the 2011 World Series.
The St. Louis Cardinals were down by two runs twice, down to their last strike twice and cameback to tie and extend the game.
Then in the bottom of the 11th St. Louis native David Freese launched a shot to center field winning it for the Cardinals and if the Redbirds win etching his moment into Cardinal lore.
Here's the game winning home run (Thanks Fox Sports.)
Love Joe Buck using his father Jack's famous call when Kirby Puckett hit the walk-off home-run in Game 6 of the World Series 20 years ago.
Here's Tony LaRussa's post game presser. (Thanks KSDK-TV St. Louis)
Game 6 Cardinal heros Lance Berkman and David Freese talk to the media after the game.
The St. Louis Cardinals were down by two runs twice, down to their last strike twice and cameback to tie and extend the game.
Then in the bottom of the 11th St. Louis native David Freese launched a shot to center field winning it for the Cardinals and if the Redbirds win etching his moment into Cardinal lore.
Here's the game winning home run (Thanks Fox Sports.)
Love Joe Buck using his father Jack's famous call when Kirby Puckett hit the walk-off home-run in Game 6 of the World Series 20 years ago.
Here's Tony LaRussa's post game presser. (Thanks KSDK-TV St. Louis)
Game 6 Cardinal heros Lance Berkman and David Freese talk to the media after the game.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Molina Gets Five Games For Meltdown
((HT: FSBrewers/MLB/youtube))
Now, we officially have an after...
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina has been suspended for five games after bumping an umpire and, what looks like, spraying him with his own spit during his outburst.
The MLB also fined Molina. He decided against appealing, and the suspension begins Thursday night...
Here's the before with ump Rob Drake calling a third strike on Yadi Tuesday...
Now, we officially have an after...
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina has been suspended for five games after bumping an umpire and, what looks like, spraying him with his own spit during his outburst.
The MLB also fined Molina. He decided against appealing, and the suspension begins Thursday night...
Here's the before with ump Rob Drake calling a third strike on Yadi Tuesday...
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