Frayed Knot

Edgy DC wrote: I'm getting reports on Facebook that McCarver incorrectly contradicted Joe Buck, insisting on tonight's broadcast that Endy didn't turn his legendary catch into a double-play. Didn't really contradict him as both guys failed to remember that it was a DP. Endy came up, they showed the film, then Buck asked if it was turned into a DP or was he just confusing it with something else. McCarver then said there was no DP. * But McCarver did redeem himself by adding that Endy was ... "a winning player".

I don't recall specifically, but I'm sure he slid into first, allowing him to avoid a tag and kick up some dust to obscure the play. He did slide. Actually more like a lunge as the big controversy on that play was the Astros claiming he went out of the baseline to avoid the tag.

All in all not a great month for Sawx fans, huh? I think if one were to go through Epstein's tenure you'd find his trades, drafts & development have worked out well: Pedroia, Gozalez, Youkilis, Ellsbury, Bard, Papelbon, Buchholz, Lester, etc., but the bigger FA signings have been at best spotty and at worst terrible: Drew, Crawford, Lackey, Matsuzaka

Without looking into too deeply, I'd say that Simmons is a pretty good comp for Posada: a switch-hitting, offense-over-defense catcher who played second (or third) fiddle to some true HoF guys in his time. Simmons started younger and was a full-timer earlier. Posada got a later start and a longer apprentice period (didn't get 500 ABs until age 28) but then played longer. Both used the DH in their later years. Raw numbers alone wouldn't be a good comparison because Posada played in a much more offensive-friendly era. Both were kind of funny looking too.

Sacks loaded, no one out ... take TWO.

The might not have said Jeremy Brown in the movie, but they did say 'our 250 lb catcher who no one else wanted' (or words to that effect) and the story about the unseen HR was Brown. And, yeah, they definitely over-did the size thing for dramatic effect. He was big, but he wasn't that big.

Lays it on a bit thick perhaps but I think the gist of the article is on: a later-round pick who also got a late start at his position yet built a very nice and lengthy career out of it. I think he'll fall short of HoF but he'll get some support. It was also Posada, according to many views, whose more in-your-face personality kept that clubhouse in line many of those years even as his BFF Derek and his non-confrontational style got much of the credit for it.

HahnSolo wrote: But we couldn't replace Cliff Floyd in '06 after game 1. Yeah, I'm still bitter. Or El Duque even though those playoffs hadn't technically started yet: rosters were frozen but games had yet to be played. Obviously they altered the rules since that point.

I read a story about the Justice actor being a star in HS who went on to play some minor league ball* - although I don't find any record of it in BB-Ref, at least not under his acting name of Steven Bishop. Funny also how much different he looked than he did while singing at the frat party in 'Animal House'. The story of the blimpy catcher who didn't realize he hit the HR was from the book and it's the somewhat famous case of Jeremy Brown, the 2001 draft pick none of the scouts wanted -- 'he wears a big pair of underwear' -- but Beane made the 35th overall pick and thus the symbol of the 'Moneyball Draft'. He's listed in BB-Ref at 5' 10" - 226 (I think the movie bumped that up to 250) and was in Visalia for most of that season. He wound up getting 3 ABs in the majors before retiring at the end of the 2007 year. That was one of those points in the flick where I was wondering if the scene was shot of the movie or was actual baseball footage because I was watching that saying; 'I didn't think Jeremy Brown was THAT big'. * oe: now that I think about it, it may have been college ball and not pro ball that he played. It would also explain the absence in BB-Ref

I kinda like the little fishy symbol, I just think varying styles of M they're using leaves a lot to be desired.

Gwreck wrote: Magglio Ordonez out for the balance of the postseason with an ankle injury. Things I don't understand: why the Tigers would reveal this. He played in game one, so I don't think he can be replaced. So why tell your opponent that you're a man short? Apparently he CAN be replaced (I remember MLB loosening the restrictions on player replacement a few years ago) although the rainout bought them some time and they've yet to announce anything. Stack this on top of Delmon Young going down in Game 5 against the Yanx and it means they're out both of the corner OFers and good RH sticks against a team with three LH starters. On the other hand, their defense just got a lot better. I was thinking during the previous round how bad things are when you've got Delmon Young out there and he's NOT the guy you automatically switch out for defense in the late innings.

metirish wrote: I enjoyed his exchange with Leyland during innings when the manger talks to the booth, after the standard question from Buck it was Francona's turn, " I'm supposed to ask you a question but I idea what to ask and I know how much you hate doing these ( cue smile from Leyland) so I'll let you go back to managing". I bet most managers hate doing those things and wouldn't if it weren't for, let's just say, strong encouragement from MLB to cooperate with their TV partners (although that hasn't stopped Charlie Manual from always pawning his turn off on his pitching coach).

** Not taking any chances with tonight's forecast, Game 2 has been postponed until Monday afternoon. **

Jamie Garcia v Zack Greinke in the opener. - Braun's 2R HR in the 1st [KAH-RUSHED] gave the Brews a 2-1 lead - David Freese's (where'd this guy come from?) [u:2fdqo27l]3R[/u:2fdqo27l] shot in the 5th puts the Birds up 4-2

On the opposite side of those arguments are that their local media dollars are still low compared to most teams, and part of Fielder's money will have to go into securing a new 1Bman.

Now we know why Braun wouldn't take the often-offered bait and knock Jose for sitting out that final game ... he was buttering him up! SS has been the Brews' biggest weakness this season so thinking about him there shirley makes sense. Who knows about the finances but getting at least two rounds deep in the post-season is a nice kick in the bottom line.

McCarver was having some sort of "medical procedure" [insert joke here] and should return for Game 3 on Tuesday. Francona was pretty good, even if slightly unpolished, during his maiden voyage. Meanwhile I'm sure there's a bunch of guys who served as analysts for all the FOX backup GotWs wondering; 'how the hell did HE get to the front of the line so quickly?'

And that kind of injury can't be good on such a large body.

Geeez, it didn't rain in the D-FW area for how many months?, until now that they get the ALCS and are already into delay #2 and this may go on for a while.

Verlander against Wilson gets going tonight in Texas Leyland's gamble - if you want to call it that - at not being tempted to use Verlander in relief in game 5 of the first round pays off as the presumptive CY winner is tanned, rested and ready. Verlander faced Texas once this season back in April and lost despite giving up just 2 runs on 6 hits over 9 innings (2-0 Rangers) Wilson got a no-decision against the Tigers the very next day, going 6-2/3 while allowing 4 earned runs (Tigers beat Darren O'Day in relief)

bmfc1 wrote: Doesn't Texas have Darren O'Day? Yeah, I missed him. On the other hand he hasn't pitched much this year (16 innings) and I'm not sure if he's on the post-season roster (which can change from round to round). Hunter's rules are that he's only counting those ex-Mets who play in the WS so we're going to have to stay tuned on guys like him and Santos.

* For a guy described as "one of America's most famous pop artists" ... I never heard of Red Grooms until just now. * 74 feet !?!?

Gwreck wrote: Dykstra is listed as advancing to second base on a "K" in the 6th inning. I guess that means there was a Wild Pitch or Passed Ball on called strike three to Hernandez? BB-Ref lists it as a stolen base on the full-count strike 3 to Hernandez

So the choices this year appear to be: Texas: Darren Oliver Detroit: Omir Santos (although I don't think he's even active for the post-season) Milwaukee: Carlos Gomez, Francisco Rodriguez St Louis: Octavio Dotel

And, once again, the indifference of NY fans turned that contrived promo into a one-shot deal rather than an annoying and ongoing "tradition".