Edgy MD

Utility guy throwing absolute slop as emergency pitcher.

Homeruns in a Season by a Mets Shortstop 1) Asdrubal Cabrera (2016): 22 2) José Reyes (2006): 19 Amed Rosario Projected to End of Season: 17.05 3) José Reyes (2008): 16 t-4) Wilmer Flores (2015): 12 t-4) José Reyes (2007): 12 6) José Reyes (2010): 11 t-7) José Reyes (2017): 10 =#0040FF]t-7) Amed Rosario (2019): 10 t-7) Kevin Elster (1989): 10 t-9) Kevin Elster (1988): 9 t-9) Kevin Elster (1990): 9

Lagares should be out there.

"Man, he hit that one pretty damn far." — Dave Kingman

I like this inning. I knew we could get to Bess Lindstrom. She'd been overused of late.

Twinkie defense may have just put this game into the range where the bullpen has some heat off. It may keep them from going back to Lugo.

And Hetchie turns a DP I don't see Canó pulling off.

Interesting that Smith stays in the game in left rather than them bringing in Lagares. They're hoping on getting him another trip to the plate. Familia is throwing hard.

Smith did a big roundhouse swing on a slider low and away and his follow-through conked the catcher on the back of the head. He seemed fine, but concussion protocols probably mandate the trainer doing a cursory exam.

Apparently, the key to hitting an 0-2 homer is to club the catcher in the head first.

. [bIGPURPLE]SMITHEREENS!![/bIGPURPLE]

Second and third with no out. I'd've sent Alonso home, nobody out though it may be.

Darling was close to correct while describing https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN199107140.shtmlhis last start. McGriff beat him with a solo homer when the game was tied, not a three-run homer to put them ahead from behind. Darling pitched really well, but the Mets were one-hit.

HEY, CHUBBIE METS FAN! Good for you for catching a Twins homerun ball. I don't ask you to throw it back, but the victory dance isn't really representing well.

Chuckles the Clown is also a scratch. So, are we going to get anything like their first halves out of McNeil, Alonso, and Smitty?

Target Field plays some funky 70s jams as walkup music.

The Jays saw the Schaefer Award press release and moved fast.

<MEDIUMhttps://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/1*mLF52NYHFkocr20_HP7zpQ.pnghttps://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/1*mLF52NYHFkocr20_HP7zpQ.png> While the big league Mets were in Minnesota, squeaking past the juggernaut Twinkies, the Syracuse Mets were also on the road in the Midwest, taking one from The Indianapolis Indians, 5-2. Drew Gagnon, was typically effective, yielding two runs in five innings, while Paul Sewald, Daniel Zamora, and Tyler Bashlor each took an inning to drive the game home, allowing only one baserunner among them. The torrid hitting of Ruben Tejada (3-3, 4 RBI) continued and is becoming harder for the organization to ignore. The loss lifted the fourth-place Mets within one game of .500 at 47-48, within a game of third place, and eight games off the pace in the International League North Division. But it was the sixth win in the last ten for the Orangemets as they try to scratch back into the picture. Doing a big part of the scratching has been that same Drew Gagnon. Dr. Drew has allowed exactly two runs in each of his five games since returning from New York Mets. Those starts get longer each time out. He's now sitting on a 2.28 ERA through 43 1/3 innings, allowing only three homers in that time, despite it being, like, the homerest year ever. Dr. Dre's ERA is about five and a half runs higher in the majors, so the next time he's called up, make sure he gets his rest and vitamins. You know who has been getting his vitamins? Ryan O'Rourke has. The Merrimac Menace has been graduating from LOOGy into longer, full-inning or longer appearances and has thrived. Going 10 2/3 innings in his last 10 appearances, he's thrown shutout ball in nine of them, putting up a 1.69 ERA over that period. He's also stranded more people than JetBlue. But like Gotham, Syracuse needs bats. And holy smokes, has super-utility player Arismendy Alcantara responded to the bat signal. The Double A Battery has played six different positions since being called up from Binghamton, and done so while hitting at an all-star pace of .305 / .377 / .546 // .923. Did you know that he has stolen seven bases and not been caught once? Well it's true!! Add in AA's AA numbers and he's successfully stolen 13 of 14. Efficient!! He's passed several more established players on the depth chart, and even knocked former Met and former first-rounder Gavin Cecchini down to AA. As you read, right now, The Indians and The Mets are getting back at it, as Anthony Kay continues his climb toward the bigs. As you watch the Mets and Twins this afternoon, keep one eye on their little brothers. Transactions, 7/4 [td90]Direction[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]Transaction[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90]http://www.milb.com/images/488786/generic/180x270/488786.jpghttp://www.milb.com/images/488786/generic/180x270/488786.jpg[/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Casey Coleman[/td90][td90]Louis Coleman[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]7/3/87[/td90][td90]4/4/86[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]L/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90] Transactions, 7/5 [td90]Direction[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]=#00BF40]COMING[/td90][td90]Transaction[/td90][td90]Placed On Temporarily Inactive List[/td90][td90]Demoted To Binghamton[/td90][td90]Re-Signed & Assigned To Syracuse[/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][td90][/td90][td90]http://www.milb.com/images/641743/t3705/180x270/641743.jpghttp://www.milb.com/images/641743/t3705/180x270/641743.jpg[/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Anthony Kay[/td90][td90]Gavin Cecchini[/td90][td90]Dilson Herrera[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]3/21/95[/td90][td90]12/22/93[/td90][td90]3/3/94[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]L/L[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90] Transactions, 7/7 [td90]Direction[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]Transaction[/td90][td90]Demoted To Binghamton[/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][td90][/td90][td90]http://www.milb.com/images/545346/generic/180x270/545346.jpghttp://www.milb.com/images/545346/generic/180x270/545346.jpg[/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Zach Lee[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]9/13/91[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90] Transactions, 7/8 [td90]Direction[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]=#00BF40]COMING[/td90][td90]Transaction[/td90][td90] Sent To GCL For Rehab[/td90][td90]Activated From Temporary Inactive List[/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][td90][/td90][td90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/664869.jpghttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/664869.jpg[/td90][td90]http://www.milb.com/images/641743/t3705/180x270/641743.jpghttp://www.milb.com/images/641743/t3705/180x270/641743.jpg[/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]P.J. Conlon[/td90][td90]Anthony Kay[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]11/11/93[/td90][td90]3/21/95[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]L/L[/td90][td90]L/L[/td90] Transactions, 7/12 [td90]Direction[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]Transaction[/td90][td90] Released[/td90][td90] Placed On 7-Day IL[/td90][td90] Promoted To New York[/td90][td90] Demoted To Binghamton[/td90][td90] Released[/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][th]=#4080FF] Outfielder[/th][td90][/td90][td90]http://www.milb.com/images/491708/generic/180x270/491708.jpghttp://www.milb.com/images/491708/generic/180x270/491708.jpg[/td90][td90]http://www.milb.com/images/663894/t453/180x270/663894.jpghttp://www.milb.com/images/663894/t453/180x270/663894.jpg[/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Arquimedes Caminero[/td90][td90]Ryley Gilliam[/td90][td90]Chris Mazza[/td90][td90]Gavin Cecchini[/td90][td90]Matt Kemp[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]6/16/87[/td90][td90]8/11/96[/td90][td90]1/17/89[/td90][td90]12/22/93[/td90][td90]9/23/84[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]Direction[/td90][td90]NEUTRAL[/td90][td90]=#00BF40]COMING[/td90][td90]=#00BF40]COMING[/td90][td90]Transaction[/td90][td90]Transferred In Rehab Assignment To Brooklyn[/td90][td90]Activated From Temporarily Inactive List[/td90][td90] Re-Signed[/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][td90][/td90][td90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/664869.jpghttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/664869.jpg[/td90][td90]http://www.milb.com/images/594951/generic/180x270/594951.jpghttp://www.milb.com/images/594951/generic/180x270/594951.jpg[/td90][td90][/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]P.J. Conlon[/td90][td90]Ryan O'Rourke[/td90][td90]Dilson Herrera[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]11/11/93[/td90][td90]4/30/88[/td90][td90]3/3/94[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]L/L[/td90][td90]R/L[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90] Transactions, 7/16 [td90]Direction[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]=#00BF40]COMING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]Transaction[/td90][td90]Promoted To New York[/td90][td90]Activated From 7- Day IL[/td90][td90] Placed On 7-Day IL[/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#4080FF] Outfielder[/th][th]=#4080FF] Outfielder[/th][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Jacob Rhame[/td90][td90]Aaron Altherr[/td90][td90]Rajai Davis[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]3/16/93[/td90][td90]1/14/91[/td90][td90]1/19/80[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90] YOUR Syracuse Mets Coaching Staff [th]Position Group[/th][th]=#BF0000] Manager[/th][th]=#BF0000]Pitching Coach[/th][th]=#BF0000]Hitting Coach[/th][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90]http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Joel+Chimelis+Houston+Astros+Photo+Day+q3VMQBd9ky7l.jpghttp://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Joel+Chimelis+Houston+Astros+Photo+Day+q3VMQBd9ky7l.jpg[/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Tony DeFrancesco[/td90][td90]Glenn Abbott[/td90][td90]Joel Chimelis[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]4/24/63[/td90][td90]2/16/51[/td90][td90]7/1/67[/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]=#BF0000]Bench Coach[/th][th]=#BF0000]Athletic Trainer[/th][th]=#BF0000]Performance Coach[/th][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Benny Distefano[/td90][td90]Grant Hufford[/td90][td90]Josh Fields[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]1/23/62[/td90][td90]7/1/67[/td90][td90]7/1/67[/td90] YOUR Syracuse Mets [th]Position Group[/th][th]=#FF40BF]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF40BF]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF40BF]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF40BF]Starting Pitcher[/th][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90]http://www.milb.com/images/641743/t3705/180x270/641743.jpghttp://www.milb.com/images/641743/t3705/180x270/641743.jpg[/td90][td90][/td90][td90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/621261.jpghttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/621261.jpg[/td90][td90][/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Drew Gagnon[/td90][td90]Anthony Kay[/td90][td90]Walker Lockett[/td90][td90]Corey Oswalt[/td90][td90]Ervin Santana[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]6/26/90[/td90][td90]3/21/95[/td90][td90]5/3/94[/td90][td90]9/3/93[/td90][td90]12/12/82[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]L/L[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]Primary Position[/td90][td90]=#FF40BF]Starting Pitcher[/td90][td90]Starting Pitcher[/td90][td90]=#FF40BF]Starting Pitcher[/td90][td90]Starting Pitcher[/td90][td90]Starting Pitcher[/td90][td90]Other Positions[/td90][td90]rp[/td90][td90]rp[/td90][td90]rp[/td90][td90]rp[/td90][td90]rp[/td90][td90]Status Notes[/td90][td90]On 40- Man Roster[/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][td90][/td90][td90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/641341.jpghttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/641341.jpg[/td90][td90][/td90][td90]http://www.milb.com/images/668665/generic/180x270/668665.jpghttp://www.milb.com/images/668665/generic/180x270/668665.jpg[/td90][td90]http://www.milb.com/images/594951/generic/180x270/594951.jpghttp://www.milb.com/images/594951/generic/180x270/594951.jpg[/td90][td90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/623402.jpghttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/623402.jpg[/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Tyler Bashlor[/td90][td90]Chris Flexen[/td90][td90]Stephen Nogosek[/td90][td90]Ryan O'Rourke[/td90][td90]Tim Peterson[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]4/16/93[/td90][td90]7/1/94[/td90][td90]1/11/95[/td90][td90]4/30/88[/td90][td90]2/22/91[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/L[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]Primary Position[/td90][td90]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/td90][td90]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/td90][td90]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/td90][td90]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/td90][td90]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/td90][td90]Other Positions[/td90][td90][/td90][td90]sp[/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90]Status Notes[/td90][td90]On 40- Man Roster[/td90][td90]On 40- Man Roster[/td90][td90]On 40- Man Roster[/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#008000] Catcher[/th][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90]http://www.milb.com/images/623279/t505/180x270/623279.jpghttp://www.milb.com/images/623279/t505/180x270/623279.jpg[/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Brooks Pounders[/td90][td90]Jacob Rhame[/td90][td90]Paul Sewald[/td90][td90]Daniel Zamora[/td90][td90]Colton Plaia[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]9/26/90[/td90][td90]3/16/93[/td90][td90]5/26/90[/td90][td90]4/15/93[/td90][td90]9/25/90[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]L/L[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]Primary Position[/td90][td90]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/td90][td90]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/td90][td90]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/td90][td90]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/td90][td90]=#008000]Catcher[/td90][td90]Other Positions[/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90]Status Notes[/td90][td90]On 40- Man Roster[/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90]On 40-Man Roster[/td90][td90][/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]=#00BF00] Catcher[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90]http://www.milb.com/images/570489/generic/180x270/570489.jpghttp://www.milb.com/images/570489/generic/180x270/570489.jpg[/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90]http://www.milb.com/images/607369/t238/180x270/607369.jpghttp://www.milb.com/images/607369/t238/180x270/607369.jpg[/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]René Rivera[/td90][td90]Arismeny Alcantara[/td90][td90]Danny Espinosa[/td90][td90]Dilson Herrera[/td90][td90]Travis Taijeron[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]7/31/83[/td90][td90]10/29/91[/td90][td90]4/25/87[/td90][td90]3/3/94[/td90][td90]1/20/89[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]S/R[/td90][td90]S/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]Primary Position[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]Catcher[/td90][td90]=#BF80FF]Second Base[/td90][td90]=#0000FF]Second Base[/td90][td90]=#BF80FF]Second Base[/td90][td90]=#BF80FF]First Base[/td90][td90]Other Positions[/td90][td90]1b[/td90][td90]rf, ss, cf, lf, 3b[/td90][td90]ss, 3b, 1b, lf[/td90][td90][/td90][td90]cf, lf, 2b, rp[/td90][td90]Status Notes[/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][th]=#4080FF] Outfielder[/th][th]=#4080FF] Outfielder[/th][th]=#4080FF] Outfielder[/th][th]=#4080FF] Outfielder[/th][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90]http://www.milb.com/images/542642/generic/180x270/542642.jpghttp://www.milb.com/images/542642/generic/180x270/542642.jpg[/td90][td90]http://www.milb.com/images/628297/t552/180x270/628297.jpghttp://www.milb.com/images/628297/t552/180x270/628297.jpg[/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]Rubén Tejada[/td90][td90]Aaron Altherr[/td90][td90]Gregor Blanco[/td90][td90]Rymer Liriano[/td90][td90]Tim Tebow[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]10/27/89[/td90][td90]1/14/91[/td90][td90]12/24/83[/td90][td90]6/20/91[/td90][td90]8/14/87[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]L/L[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]L/L[/td90][td90]Primary Position[/td90][td90]=#BF80FF]Shortstop[/td90][td90]=#4080FF]Center Field[/td90][td90]=#4080FF]Left Field[/td90][td90]=#4080FF]Left Field[/td90][td90]=#4080FF]Left Field[/td90][td90]Other Positions[/td90][td90]rf, lf[/td90][td90]rf, lf[/td90][td90]2b, 3b[/td90][td90]cf, rf[/td90][td90]cf[/td90][td90]Status Notes[/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90][/td90][td90]On 7-Day DL[/td90][td90][/td90] Inactive Syracuse Mets [th]Position Group[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#00BF00]Catcher[/th][th]=#4080FF] Outfielder[/th][td90][/td90][td90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/664869.jpghttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/664869.jpg[/td90][td90]http://www.milb.com/images/663894/t453/180x270/663894.jpghttp://www.milb.com/images/663894/t453/180x270/663894.jpg[/td90][td90]http://www.milb.com/images/664219/t505/180x270/664219.jpghttp://www.milb.com/images/664219/t505/180x270/664219.jpg[/td90][td90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/519023.jpghttp://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/519023.jpg[/td90][td90][/td90][td90]Name[/td90][td90]P.J. Conlon[/td90][td90]Ryley Gilliam[/td90][td90]Corey Taylor[/td90][td90]Devin Mesoraco[/td90][td90]Rajai Davis[/td90][td90]DoB[/td90][td90]11/11/93[/td90][td90]8/11/96[/td90][td90]1/8/93[/td90][td90]6/19/88[/td90][td90]1/19/80[/td90][td90]B/T[/td90][td90]L/L[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]Primary Position[/td90][td90]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/td90][td90]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/td90][td90]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/td90][td90]=#00BF00]Catcher[/td90][td90]=#4080FF]Center Field[/td90][td90]Other Positions[/td90][td90]sp[/td90][td90]sp[/td90][td90][/td90][td90]1b[/td90][td90]cf, rf[/td90][td90]Status Notes[/td90][td90]On Rehab w/Broolyn[/td90][td90]On 7-Day DL[/td90][td90]On 7-Day DL[/td90][td90]On Restricted List[/td90][td90]On 7-Day DL[/td90]

=G-Fafif post_id=16153 time=1563384046 user_id=55]WJM is tough.

Is that writstband saying, "This guy has been carded and is OK to drink" or "This guy was admitted to the emergency room at St. Luke's, treated for dehydration, and released"?

The Mets beat a helluva good team, but how many times did the bounces go the Mets' way in this one? The Conforto dribbler for the go-ahead RBI, Canó not getting called for the drop at second (probably the right call, but it could have gone either way), the Mach-2 screamer into Alonso's glove, the Mach-2 screamer into Frazier's glov, etc. Lugo was the best I've seen him in a while, but to a large extent, the bullpen was just getting the breaks. Matz' was, too, come to think of it. The play of the game might have been Frazier fielding that infield hit in the ninth, and not making a throw. Also, that double off the wall where the throw went to second and Rosario wasn't there covering? What the hell?

He played a lot more games in the sun, I imagine, and between growing up in Alabama and serving in the Army, probably spent a lot more outdoor time off the field. You look at a picture of a baseball team from the 1920s or thirties, and they all look like fifty-year-olds. A good portion of the players were either coming out of the mines in the north or off the sharecroppers' fields in south. And every game they were allowed to stay in baseball was a day they didn't have to go back to that lifestyle. Hard-living times.

It's again a question of composition here. Putting aside the much-talked-about-and-deeply-controversial issues with the horizon on the LIFE cover, the 30% of the shot between Koosman's head and the masthead offer almost nothing but blurs and glare. Combine that with the 20% covered with the deep blue gel behind the masthead and pretty much 50% of the cover is doing nothing more than half-heartedly trying to sell me on astrology. Compare that with SI layout, where all but about 12% of the shot's sectors have meaningful information, and they use that 12% to put a callout box with an effectively contrasting color, giving the title and author of the article the cover photo subject is referring to. If I didn't know Koosman or Grote, and I was walking past a news stand knowing I had time to kill, I'd buy the Sports Illustrated over the LIFE on impulse every time. In fact the glare of the over-exposed whites-in-the-daytime would make me instinctively turn away from the LIFE. And considering LIFE's historically high standard with photography and photo-editing, that's saying something. Koos deserved better.

Player-manager Grant really wants this one. He's sending his A lineup out there. Slaughter, ss Baxter, G., cf Howard, rf Morgenstern, 3b Grant, 1b Lindstrom, c Baxter, T., lf Nivens, 2b Richards, p

And we still have Mazza and Rhame with fresh arms for tomorrow!