There are days when Cliff Lee looks like the best pitcher in baseball, when you know with certainty that no one can touch him. Yesterday, Game 1 of the World Series in New York, was one of those days. He pitches with such authority and enthusiasm that the stage he was on– Yankee Stadium with its fans believing a championship is a New York entitlement– didn’t matter. Nine innings, ten strikeouts, no walks. Wow.
Most other teams simply find a way to defer to the Yankees, by playing below their level of competence even though they don’t need to because these Yankees don’t need much help to win. The Phillies don’t defer to anyone. When Chase Utley’s first home run cleared the right field porch – a cheap Yankee Stadium home run to be sure—he set the tone for what was to come.
Tonight Pedro Martinez takes the mound for the Phillies, center stage at the center of the universe. Just where he wants to be. The Yankees go with A.J. Burnett who has showed signs of being a bit of a head case this year and can’t seem to pitch to the best catcher the Yankees have. Stay tuned.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The World Series
So it’s the Yankees and the Phillies, at night, in November, just like we all thought it would be. Too bad the games will start when East Coast kids should be getting to bed and the fans can dress in winter white.
The cool kids from both California teams underperformed and went back home to the palm trees and birds of paradise. For the Dodgers it was the collapse of their pitchers, who gave away more than their hitters could get back. Hard to explain why the team with the best record in the N.L. , the team with what was generally regarded as the best pitching staff, and certainly a far superior bullpen, looked tentative and overmatched. But it did and the final NLCS game featured Vicente Padilla, a cast off from the Texas Rangers earlier this season, struggling and failing to keep the Dodgers alive. Not the way it was supposed to happen.
And how to account for the Angels, a smart, savvy bunch with their wise manager, playing like they were supposed to lose because, after all, it was the Yankees out there. More bad base running and bad fielding than we expected from them – and that deer-in-the-headlight look. Oh my.
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The cool kids from both California teams underperformed and went back home to the palm trees and birds of paradise. For the Dodgers it was the collapse of their pitchers, who gave away more than their hitters could get back. Hard to explain why the team with the best record in the N.L. , the team with what was generally regarded as the best pitching staff, and certainly a far superior bullpen, looked tentative and overmatched. But it did and the final NLCS game featured Vicente Padilla, a cast off from the Texas Rangers earlier this season, struggling and failing to keep the Dodgers alive. Not the way it was supposed to happen.
And how to account for the Angels, a smart, savvy bunch with their wise manager, playing like they were supposed to lose because, after all, it was the Yankees out there. More bad base running and bad fielding than we expected from them – and that deer-in-the-headlight look. Oh my.
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Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Two Good Games
In between Viagra commercials, the Anaheim Angels finally beat the Yankees in game 3 of the ALCS. It took 11 innings, an inexplicable pitching move by Yankees manager Joe Girardi and a timely hit by the Angels back-up catcher but they got it done. This does not appear to be a formula for success and The Best Team that Money Can Buy is playing extremely well but it was fun for one afternoon.
Jeff Mathis, the game hero, is one of those players that most of us identify as some guy who plays in the American League. Jeff Mathis, the Fox broadcasters assured us, should have been pulled for a pinch runner earlier in the game, because he runs too slowly. But Jeff Mathis, stayed in the game, was stranded on third base because none of the Angels big guns could drive him in, and won the game himself a little later.
Meanwhile, on the West Coast, the Phillies may have dealt the Dodgers a knock-out punch with a come from behind win against their best reliever. See, the thing about relief pitchers who throw 100 mph and look like the incredible hulk is, that if they walk batters and hit batters, they’re gonna lose. Because while the rest of us are awed by the triple digits on the radar gun, the batter who is going to win the game is fouling off the pitches he can’t hit and waiting for one he can drive for a double to the gap.
Jeff Mathis, the game hero, is one of those players that most of us identify as some guy who plays in the American League. Jeff Mathis, the Fox broadcasters assured us, should have been pulled for a pinch runner earlier in the game, because he runs too slowly. But Jeff Mathis, stayed in the game, was stranded on third base because none of the Angels big guns could drive him in, and won the game himself a little later.
Meanwhile, on the West Coast, the Phillies may have dealt the Dodgers a knock-out punch with a come from behind win against their best reliever. See, the thing about relief pitchers who throw 100 mph and look like the incredible hulk is, that if they walk batters and hit batters, they’re gonna lose. Because while the rest of us are awed by the triple digits on the radar gun, the batter who is going to win the game is fouling off the pitches he can’t hit and waiting for one he can drive for a double to the gap.
Monday, October 19, 2009
A Blow-out in Philadelphia
It was one of those games that was over almost before it began. The Phillies overwhelmed the Dodgers, with every Philly in the starting lineup scoring, even the pitcher. The Dodgers started Hiroki Kuroda, a decision Joe Torre agonized over, weighing Kuroda’s injury versus his prior success against the Phils. The Phillies feasted on him. In the first inning Ryan Howard tripled, scoring two; a moment later Jayson Werth homered, a towering shot, scoring another two. Kuroda never got out of the second inning.
Cliff Lee, the trading deadline pick-up that keeps on giving, was terrific for the Phils. He pitches the way the rest of us wish we could write: quickly, economically and with purpose. Eight shutout innings.
A word about the weather and the length of the season. I’m sure it’s lovely in southern California these days, warm and sunny. But in Philadelphia and New York it’s miserable to watch baseball in a cold rain and we’re not even half way through the league championship series. The TV gods dictate that there is no flexibility in the schedule and the games are scheduled at night, starting past 8pm in the East. Even I, who go into baseball mourning when the World Series is over, think the season is too damn long.
Cliff Lee, the trading deadline pick-up that keeps on giving, was terrific for the Phils. He pitches the way the rest of us wish we could write: quickly, economically and with purpose. Eight shutout innings.
A word about the weather and the length of the season. I’m sure it’s lovely in southern California these days, warm and sunny. But in Philadelphia and New York it’s miserable to watch baseball in a cold rain and we’re not even half way through the league championship series. The TV gods dictate that there is no flexibility in the schedule and the games are scheduled at night, starting past 8pm in the East. Even I, who go into baseball mourning when the World Series is over, think the season is too damn long.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Game On
Pedro Martinez and Vicente Padilla, masters of the mound, experience and guile. Even Chip Caray , robo announcer, seemed to appreciate these remarkable performances. Padilla made Raul Ibanez and Jayson Werth look foolish at the plate, lunging after pitches they had no chance to hit. Pedro did the same to Manny Ramirez who struck out weakly. Pedro pitched seven scoreless innings giving up two hits, no walks, three strikeouts. Pretty good for a pitcher the NY Mets didn’t want.
Padilla started the eighth, gave up a walk to the first batter and was taken out by Joe Torre. He walked off the mound, dark hair dripping with sweat, and as he neared the dugout, he tipped his cap to the fans in a way young pitchers never do. His bullpen did the job.
The Phils turned to their bullpen in the eighth. It was painful to watch. Chan Ho Park, who will be remembered more for kicking another pitcher in a brawl than for any actual pitching accomplishments, couldn’t stay out of trouble. To be fair, he had help from Chase Utley who has been playing second base in the post season like he wants to be a designated hitter. Four pitchers later, the inning was over and so was the game. Dodgers’ Bullpen: 1 Phillies Bullpen: 0.
Padilla started the eighth, gave up a walk to the first batter and was taken out by Joe Torre. He walked off the mound, dark hair dripping with sweat, and as he neared the dugout, he tipped his cap to the fans in a way young pitchers never do. His bullpen did the job.
The Phils turned to their bullpen in the eighth. It was painful to watch. Chan Ho Park, who will be remembered more for kicking another pitcher in a brawl than for any actual pitching accomplishments, couldn’t stay out of trouble. To be fair, he had help from Chase Utley who has been playing second base in the post season like he wants to be a designated hitter. Four pitchers later, the inning was over and so was the game. Dodgers’ Bullpen: 1 Phillies Bullpen: 0.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Bright Lights
Yesterday’s NLCS opener featured pitching meltdowns on both sides. These are not your parents’ Phillies or Dodgers where the pitchers keep bringing it inning after inning. This was a very talented kid in blue who tried to strike everyone out and ending up walking most of them and giving up five runs in five innings. He is 21 years old and Joe Torre thought he was Bob Feller. Perhaps some day he will be, but it wasn’t last night.
On the Phillies side, there was Cole Hamels. Hamels did his best impression of a spoiled brat when his infielders didn’t make the double play he thought he was entitled to and then gave a post-game interview explaining why. Meantime, he fell apart and gave the Dodgers a chance to get back into the game.
While the pitchers were struggling, the hitters were treating their fans to a good time. Manny Ramirez whacked one for the Dodgers in dramatic fashion, as Manny often does. But it was the Phils who prevailed after homers by Carlos Ruiz and Raul Ibanez and a big hit by Ryan Howard. Carlos Ruiz is one of those players who work in relative obscurity and then, bang, come up huge in the post season. How to explain it? “He likes the bright lights,” said Ryan Howard. Bright lights indeed.
On the Phillies side, there was Cole Hamels. Hamels did his best impression of a spoiled brat when his infielders didn’t make the double play he thought he was entitled to and then gave a post-game interview explaining why. Meantime, he fell apart and gave the Dodgers a chance to get back into the game.
While the pitchers were struggling, the hitters were treating their fans to a good time. Manny Ramirez whacked one for the Dodgers in dramatic fashion, as Manny often does. But it was the Phils who prevailed after homers by Carlos Ruiz and Raul Ibanez and a big hit by Ryan Howard. Carlos Ruiz is one of those players who work in relative obscurity and then, bang, come up huge in the post season. How to explain it? “He likes the bright lights,” said Ryan Howard. Bright lights indeed.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
"Why Time Begins on Opening Day"
About twenty years ago I read a book of essays by Tom Boswell called “Why Time Begins on Opening Day.” What a great title. In fact, I remember almost nothing about the collection except that title and the concept it embodies. The thing that is so appealing about opening day is that every team has a chance to win it all, everyone’s record is perfect.
Today we are at the opposite end of the spectrum: almost every team has been eliminated. The Kansas City Royals did not have a miracle year despite the efforts of Zack Greinke. The Colorado Rockies and Minnesota Twins sprinted into the playoffs and collapsed. The Tampa Bay Rays could not repeat. The Mets were awful.
So what do we have? The New York Yankees who try to spend their way to a world championship year after year and may have hit on the right combination of talent and ego to do it. The Los Angeles Dodgers, brimming with young talent and a wise old manager. The Philadelphia Phillies, last year’s champs, who play with what Mark Twain described as the calm confidence of a Christian with four aces. And the Anaheim Angels or whatever they have chosen to call themselves this year, who are playing for the memory of Nick Adenhart, the young pitcher killed by a drunk driver early in the season.
I have no idea how this story ends but I can’t wait to find out.
Today we are at the opposite end of the spectrum: almost every team has been eliminated. The Kansas City Royals did not have a miracle year despite the efforts of Zack Greinke. The Colorado Rockies and Minnesota Twins sprinted into the playoffs and collapsed. The Tampa Bay Rays could not repeat. The Mets were awful.
So what do we have? The New York Yankees who try to spend their way to a world championship year after year and may have hit on the right combination of talent and ego to do it. The Los Angeles Dodgers, brimming with young talent and a wise old manager. The Philadelphia Phillies, last year’s champs, who play with what Mark Twain described as the calm confidence of a Christian with four aces. And the Anaheim Angels or whatever they have chosen to call themselves this year, who are playing for the memory of Nick Adenhart, the young pitcher killed by a drunk driver early in the season.
I have no idea how this story ends but I can’t wait to find out.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Phillies Win
I’m not sure what was more impressive in last night’s Phillies win over Colorado to clinch the Division Series: their three run ninth inning comeback or the fact that Brad Lidge closed out the game without any drama.
After another terrific effort by starter Cliff Lee, we saw why Charlie Manuel is sticking with Lidge as his closer. Ryan Madsen came in to close out the eighth, and promptly gave up the lead, and pretty nearly the game.
The atmosphere at Coors Field reminded me more of a college football game than a baseball game. It’s hard to take a team seriously when the fans are wrapped up in blankets, waving little towels and making up cheers for their favorite player (“Tulo, Tulo”).
And lest you think you’ve seen it all, someone named Dexter Fowler actually hurdled over Chase Utley to avoid being tagged out on a force play. Utley was so disconcerted that he threw poorly to second and was charged with an error. It’s not clear what sport Mr. Fowler thought he was playing. But the Phillies play baseball and play it very well.
After another terrific effort by starter Cliff Lee, we saw why Charlie Manuel is sticking with Lidge as his closer. Ryan Madsen came in to close out the eighth, and promptly gave up the lead, and pretty nearly the game.
The atmosphere at Coors Field reminded me more of a college football game than a baseball game. It’s hard to take a team seriously when the fans are wrapped up in blankets, waving little towels and making up cheers for their favorite player (“Tulo, Tulo”).
And lest you think you’ve seen it all, someone named Dexter Fowler actually hurdled over Chase Utley to avoid being tagged out on a force play. Utley was so disconcerted that he threw poorly to second and was charged with an error. It’s not clear what sport Mr. Fowler thought he was playing. But the Phillies play baseball and play it very well.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Bye, bye Redbirds
Who were those guys dressed in Cardinals uniforms and what did they do to the real Cardinals, the ones who can hit and field? These Cardinals made Dodger pitcher Vicente Padilla look like Cy Young while playing the field like they’d taken Prozac. The pitchers, who rarely failed during the season, looked pedestrian throughout the series.
Meanwhile, in the other dugout, the Dodgers, who had done their best blow their lead in the N.L. West, looked strong in every department. Vicente Padilla, a Ranger castoff, really did pitch the game of his life while the Dodger hitters had their way with whoever the Cardinals put out there. Even John Smoltz couldn’t stop the bleeding. The Dodgers were comfortable and had fun; the Cardinals didn’t.
It’s funny how some teams flourish in the post-season and seem to grow into better, more confident teams while some tense up, overthink, and try too hard. Players who ordinarily look fearsome at the plate, look tentative and overmatched. Matt Holliday, who came to the Cards at the trading deadline and flourished in St. Louis, who seemed never to make an out, tried to catch a ball with his stomach. There were two out in the ninth inning with the Cardinals leading. The floodgates opened, the Cardinals lost the game and never recovered. You never know
Meanwhile, in the other dugout, the Dodgers, who had done their best blow their lead in the N.L. West, looked strong in every department. Vicente Padilla, a Ranger castoff, really did pitch the game of his life while the Dodger hitters had their way with whoever the Cardinals put out there. Even John Smoltz couldn’t stop the bleeding. The Dodgers were comfortable and had fun; the Cardinals didn’t.
It’s funny how some teams flourish in the post-season and seem to grow into better, more confident teams while some tense up, overthink, and try too hard. Players who ordinarily look fearsome at the plate, look tentative and overmatched. Matt Holliday, who came to the Cards at the trading deadline and flourished in St. Louis, who seemed never to make an out, tried to catch a ball with his stomach. There were two out in the ninth inning with the Cardinals leading. The floodgates opened, the Cardinals lost the game and never recovered. You never know
Friday, October 9, 2009
A mixed bag
Watching the post season on TBS is like biting into a big, shiny apple and tasting mush. On the one hand, this is it. The best teams, the finest pitchers, the smartest managers. On the other hand, three games stacked one after the other, with announcers who have studied up but don’t really know the teams and a guy in a lilac sport coat, trying to drum up some phony human interest story. Oy vey.
From my perspective, the drama is already there. TBS has the easiest job in the world: just let it play out. Why hire all these former players and second rate broadcasters who frankly don’t seem to be enjoying the games all that much? Let Vin Scully do the Dodgers games. He’s a national treasure that we won’t have around much longer. Let the home team broadcasters do all the games like they used to do in the early days. Now that would be a treat.
From my perspective, the drama is already there. TBS has the easiest job in the world: just let it play out. Why hire all these former players and second rate broadcasters who frankly don’t seem to be enjoying the games all that much? Let Vin Scully do the Dodgers games. He’s a national treasure that we won’t have around much longer. Let the home team broadcasters do all the games like they used to do in the early days. Now that would be a treat.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Tiebreaker
It was one of those games that felt like a ride on a roller coaster, and it was a fantastic, marathon ride. Rick Porcello, the Tigers rookie pitcher brought not only his A-game but his composure to the Metrodome and turned in 5+ innings. The Tigers jumped out to an early lead but you knew it wouldn’t hold and the lead seesawed back and forth through 12 excruciating innings. It was fabulous; just the kind of game I had hoped for. And if the ending wasn’t quite what I wished for, it really didn’t matter because it was really all about the game. As the TV announcers kept reminding us, “the winner gets to go to New York and play the Yankees.” Yeah, and the loser has to go and play them twice.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Decisions, decisions...
You know how when you were a kid you thought that the things that you did (or didn’t do) influenced the outcome of events? I still think that. Thus it is with great seriousness that I picked out my tee shirt this morning and am deliberating on whether to sit on the sofa or the recliner when I watch the Tigers take on the Twins later today. There will likely be several other decisions with momentous consequences which I will make during the game. After all, as a little girl I was responsible for the Dodgers finally beating the Yankees in the 1955 World Series. Or so I thought.
Monday, October 5, 2009
It's a Tie!
Yesterday while the Twins breezed to a win over K.C., the Tigers eked out a victory over the White Sox for the privilege of playing one more game. Here’s the problem. The Tigers have to play that game in the Metrodome, the giant baggie in Minnesota where 50,000 screaming Twins fans will wave little towels and make them miserable. The Tigers pitcher will be 20 year old Rick Porcello, who had a terrific rookie season, except when he pitched in the Metrodome, where his E.R.A. rivaled what mine would be if I tried to pitch there.
They have no one to blame but themselves, blowing a seven game lead in the Central Division over the last three weeks. Even Tigers Manager Jim Leyland sounded pessimistic when asked about his team’s chances. So this game could get ugly early. But wouldn’t it be something if the Tigers won?
They have no one to blame but themselves, blowing a seven game lead in the Central Division over the last three weeks. Even Tigers Manager Jim Leyland sounded pessimistic when asked about his team’s chances. So this game could get ugly early. But wouldn’t it be something if the Tigers won?
Sunday, October 4, 2009
The Detroit Tigers
I can only imagine what it feels like to be in Detroit during the last couple of weeks with the whole season slipping away as the Minnesota Twins keep on coming. Detroit: a solid team with a comfortable lead that couldn’t close the deal. And the Twins, opportunistic, determined, finding a way to win, if just barely, and keep the pressure on Detroit.
I feel for Jim Leyland, my favorite major league manager since his days with the Pirates when you could catch him sneaking a drag on his cigarette in the dugout as the young Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla kept the Pirates competitive. Now, his offense has collapsed, his pitching rotation is screwed up and his team is tied with the Twins on the last day of the season.
If both teams win or if they both lose and nothing is decided, they will meet in a playoff game sometime next week, apparently at the convenience of the NFL, in Minneapolis. If that were to happen, the Tigers’ season would hinge on the outcome of a game played in a rather large hefty bag, amid a crowd of screaming Minnesotans, no doubt waving little towels. I’d rather they lose today.
I feel for Jim Leyland, my favorite major league manager since his days with the Pirates when you could catch him sneaking a drag on his cigarette in the dugout as the young Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla kept the Pirates competitive. Now, his offense has collapsed, his pitching rotation is screwed up and his team is tied with the Twins on the last day of the season.
If both teams win or if they both lose and nothing is decided, they will meet in a playoff game sometime next week, apparently at the convenience of the NFL, in Minneapolis. If that were to happen, the Tigers’ season would hinge on the outcome of a game played in a rather large hefty bag, amid a crowd of screaming Minnesotans, no doubt waving little towels. I’d rather they lose today.
Friday, October 2, 2009
The National League Post Season
I wouldn’t want to be Charlie Manuel these days. Well, except for the part about being the manager of the world champion, Philadelphia Phillies and repeating this year in the N.L. East. But I wouldn’t want to have to figure out how to win ballgames with my closer setting all sorts of very bad records (an E.R.A. of a remarkable 7.38, 11 blown saves in 41 tries) and no one else to step in. How did the Phillies let their bullpen get so thin?
It will be interesting to watch Tony La Russa micromanage the Cardinals through the post season and perhaps through the World Series. No one wrings so much from so little. Except this year, it’s no so little. With two fabulous starters and a lineup filled both with stars and surprises, the Cards would be a safe bet to advance.
And lest you think that the manager has only marginal impact on a team’s performance, I give you exhibit A, Jim Tracy, who, at the end of May, took the last place Rockies and managed them from ten games below .500 to 23 games above. How is that even possible?
Last, there are the talent-laden Dodgers with Joe Torre at the helm. He’s got six starting pitchers, none of them quite as good as the Cards or the Phillies and tough decisions about who to include on his post-season roster, especially the pitchers. Will anyone be the hero?
It will be interesting to watch Tony La Russa micromanage the Cardinals through the post season and perhaps through the World Series. No one wrings so much from so little. Except this year, it’s no so little. With two fabulous starters and a lineup filled both with stars and surprises, the Cards would be a safe bet to advance.
And lest you think that the manager has only marginal impact on a team’s performance, I give you exhibit A, Jim Tracy, who, at the end of May, took the last place Rockies and managed them from ten games below .500 to 23 games above. How is that even possible?
Last, there are the talent-laden Dodgers with Joe Torre at the helm. He’s got six starting pitchers, none of them quite as good as the Cards or the Phillies and tough decisions about who to include on his post-season roster, especially the pitchers. Will anyone be the hero?
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