Looking at the Game of Baseball from all ends of the Spectrum
You gotta wonder if Asheville Tourist manager Joe Mikulik woke up Sunday morning with his antics all scripted in his head. Watching this video of him arguing with ump Andy Russell after Koby Clemens was called safe on a attempted steal, you gotta wonder.
I’ve seen some managers lose it before but this is really something. My guess is once he knew he was “outta there”, he decided to put on a show.
Either way, it is really quite amusing to watch.
Scott Podsednik Joe Crede Tadahito Iguchi Although the Chicago White Sox actually lost ground on the first place Detroit Tigers over the weekend, it was still a three game series full of excitement as Chicago took two of three from the Houston Astros. Believe it or not I didn’t make it to the two wins. … Continue reading “WEEKEND SPECIAL ON GRAND SALAMIS”
Scott Podsednik
Joe Crede
Tadahito Iguchi
Although the Chicago White Sox actually lost ground on the first place Detroit Tigers over the weekend, it was still a three game series full of excitement as Chicago took two of three from the Houston Astros. Believe it or not I didn’t make it to the two wins. Friday was my Dad’s 72nd birthday, we celebrated with dinner at Wishbone. Saturday we hosted the 56th Lindskoog Family Reunion. Sunday went to see a play with my brother, ate some sushi, before FINALLY hopping the El to the Cell. It was quite a comeback even though the White Sox eventually lost 10-9 in (unlucky) 13 innings. Houston had a 9-1 lead heading into the bottom of the 7th, as Roy Oswalt had it, and Javier Vazquez didn’t. Astros skipper Phil Garner, feeling the game was hand, pulled Oswalt with a 9-2 lead through seven in favor of Russ Springer. After Springer allowed three hits to consecutive hitters in the 8th, Iguchi’s three run home run being the third, it was a closer 9-5 ballgame. Houston closer Brad Lidge was brought on with a four run 9th inning lead, but Tadahito Iguchi’s Grand Slam tied it up. Brandon McCarthy allowed the go ahead run in the 13th as ugly man Adam Everett hit a ball to RF off Ross Gload’s glove, then a fan grabbed it, Everett was awarded a triple, and he scored on a Willy Taveras single to left.
Friday was the first of a three game series rematch of last Fall’s World Series pitting Jose Contreras against Andy Pettitte. The Sox jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Joe Crede doubled home Jermaine Dye, and scored on Rob Mackowiak’s RBI single. But then the momentum seemed to change when Chicago left Scott Podsednik stranded after a leadoff 3rd inning three bagger. Pettitte was on the ropes in the 4th as the Pale Hose loaded the bases with nobody out, but the crafty lefty retired the next two hitters leaving the sacks drunk, and up stepped Podsednik. Scott didn’t hit a home run all last season, has one this year, but had two in the 2005 Playoffs & Series. He was Grand Slamless before this at bat, I did say was. Watching the game on TV I had a sense the Sox might not win if they allowed Andy off the hook again. They didn’t as Scotty fouled off a bunch of pitches before driving one over the RF wall. Contreras allowed two Houston home runs and three runs in the 5th, another in the 7th, but the Sox scored again in the 8th, and Bobby Jenks pitched a 1-2-3 9th to nail it down for Jose 7-4. It was Jose Contreras’ 16th consecutive regular season win without a loss, a White Sox record. Congrats Jose!
After enjoying a beautiful day for our Lindskoog Family Reunion, I came home, and flipped on TIVO to see what the White Sox had done. I must admit things didn’t look good for our heroes, in fact I was pretty much zipping through the game on TIVO. Jon Garland and our boys were behind 5-1 heading into the bottom of the 7th. Houston rookie Taylor Buchholz had it pretty much on cruise control, but when two guys got on for Jermaine Dye I slowed TIVO down to watch the action. A few moments later after a Dye single to right Joe Crede stepped to the plate versus Astro reliever Chad Qualls. Crede took Chad’s first pitch for a game tying Grand Salami, it was deja vu for Qualls as he allowed a first pitch Salami to the White Sox in last year’s Fall Classic. You knew it was over in favor of the Good Guys, but I had to catch the WGN News to see the result. My TIVO ended after nine innings, but the game didn’t. I switched over to live WGN just as they were recapping the game and I got to see the Sox win it in 10 when Alex Cintron plated the winning run, 6-5 White Sox.
Funny thing is I’m a vegetarian, but I sure did enjoy these Grand Salamis!!!
Miguel Cabrera hit what was supposed to be one of four pitches outside the strike zone from reliever Todd Williams for an RBI single scoring Hanley Ramirez with what proved to be the winning run. This game was played on June 22nd between the Baltimore Orioles and the Florida Marlins. Florida was trailing 5-1 to … Continue reading “6/22/06: INTENTIONAL HIT, WIN”
Miguel Cabrera hit what was supposed to be one of four pitches outside the strike zone from reliever Todd Williams for an RBI single scoring Hanley Ramirez with what proved to be the winning run. This game was played on June 22nd between the Baltimore Orioles and the Florida Marlins. Florida was trailing 5-1 to Baltimore in the 9th before coming back against Ken Ray who was a perfect 18 for 18 in saves before allowing the Marlins back in the game. The Marlins came back to win 8-5 in ten innings.
Unusual LSOTD, today. It just seems that the leadoff guys did their job Saturday. Here are some selected stats from some of those unheralded leadoff men from yesterday: Grady Sizemore: 1 for 3, HR, run, rbi, walk James Rollins: 3 for 5, 2B, run, rbi Jose Reyes: 4 for 5, 2 runs (he also hit … Continue reading “6/24/06 Linecore(s) of the Day: Leadoff Men”
Unusual LSOTD, today. It just seems that the leadoff guys did their job Saturday. Here are some selected stats from some of those unheralded leadoff men from yesterday:
Grady Sizemore: 1 for 3, HR, run, rbi, walk
James Rollins: 3 for 5, 2B, run, rbi
Jose Reyes: 4 for 5, 2 runs (he also hit for the cycle on Wednesday)
Mark Kotsay: 2 for 5, 2B, run, 2 rbis
Randy Winn: 2 for 4, walk
Julio Lugo: 3 for 4, run, walk
David Eckstein: 2 for 4, 2 runs, walk
Curtis Granderson: 4 for 5, 3 runs, rbi, walk
Rickie Weeks: 2 for 5, 2B, run, 2 rbis
David DeJesus: 3 for 5, 2B, 2 rbis
Gary Matthews Jr.: 2 for 5, HR, run, rbi
Ichiro: 2 for 4, run, walk
Mike Cameron: 1 for 5, HR, run, rbi (but 3 Ks… maybe that wasn’t so hot all things considered)
Chone Figgins: 2 for 7, run, 2 rbis
Craig Counsell: 1 for 5, HR, run, rbi (see Mike Cameron)
There were a few that didn’t produce. Bautista went 0 for 4. Juan “you mean I can’t steal first base?” Pierre was 1 for 4 with nothing to show for it. But overall, a good showing for the #1 class.
A word about Julio Lugo… he’s really come on for TB. Through the end of May, he was hitting .260 with an OBP of .296. Not exactly leadoff material. He has really come on and has brought his average up to .279 (OBP .341). His power has increased too (slg pct .389 to .453).
He was out for a couple weeks in early May with a May with a muscle strain which most likely accounts for the early season troubles.
Just the other day, timely Teddy Ballgame brought up the exploits of Fish skipper (and former Cubs catcher) Joe Girardi who seems to be holding his own. If you’re interested, check out MLB radio’s interview with Joe. Author Rob Neyer is also interviewed on the same show. His interview focused on historically recognized uneven trades. … Continue reading “Gettin’ an earful of Joe”
Just the other day, timely Teddy Ballgame brought up the exploits of Fish skipper (and former Cubs catcher) Joe Girardi who seems to be holding his own.
If you’re interested, check out MLB radio’s interview with Joe.
Author Rob Neyer is also interviewed on the same show. His interview focused on historically recognized uneven trades.
Do you think the Brock/Broglio trade was brought up?
You betcha.
I love my wife. In 20 minutes, it will be my our 17th anniversary. Mrs. Zealot is understanding enough to indulge me the time I need to maintain this site. The least I could do is recognize that once a year on this site. Thanks, sweetie!
I love my wife. In 20 minutes, it will be my our 17th anniversary.
Mrs. Zealot is understanding enough to indulge me the time I need to maintain this site. The least I could do is recognize that once a year on this site. Thanks, sweetie!
Sorry, that headline just wrote itself. I thought I’ve seen it all but for those fans who lived and died with their team (there I go again), Eternal Image Inc. is coming out with a line of caskets with MLB team names and logos on them. Eternal Image has reached an agreement with Major League … Continue reading “For those “Die”-hard fans”
Sorry, that headline just wrote itself.
I thought I’ve seen it all but for those fans who lived and died with their team (there I go again), Eternal Image Inc. is coming out with a line of caskets with MLB team names and logos on them.
Eternal Image has reached an agreement with Major League Baseball to legally allow the reproduction of logos on the caskets. They do urns, too apparently.
Costs of the caskets and urns range from $600-3500.
“Fans incorporate baseball in nearly every aspect of life,” Eternal Image Chief Executive Clint Mytych said, adding that the caskets could appeal to “a market that is just waiting for a way to make team loyalty a final statement of a great passion in their lives.”
Wouldn’t you just die for one? (Okay, I’ll stop now)
Clemens debut “spoiled” by Lirano.
Twins put a “damper” on Clemens’ return.
No “welcome wagon” for Clemens.
and so goes the sports media with their metaphors. Something about them that doesn’t ring right. I bet even Clemens, ego and all, would think they’re missing the point. He’s here to do a job and while he or his team didn’t get the win, he didn’t pitch half bad considering he hasn’t thrown a pitch in the majors since 2005.
But I suppose it’s more clever to spin the obvious story of the future HOFer/prodigal son who didn’t get the win against the hot young prospect.
And while we’re on the topic of Lirano and the Twins, Batgirl has not just one but two rather humorous articles on the Clemens/Lirano matchup.
At the beginning of the Sox-Cardinals game tonight, the big story was the return of the Heir Apparent. Albert Pujols was making his debut after rehabbing from his strained right oblique. Out since June 3, that has been just enough time for the rest of the league to catch up with him. Pujols still leads … Continue reading “Pujols returns and one bad pitch for Rookie Reyes”
At the beginning of the Sox-Cardinals game tonight, the big story was the return of the Heir Apparent. Albert Pujols was making his debut after rehabbing from his strained right oblique. Out since June 3, that has been just enough time for the rest of the league to catch up with him. Pujols still leads the league with 25 homeruns but he now has company. Ryan Howard is tied with him. In the rbi department, Howard is one up on him 66-65.
Against the Sox, Pujols had an uneventful 0 for 4 day.
By the end of the day, the story was Anthony Reyes’ one hitter. Unfortunately, that one hit was a homerun by Peoria native Jim Thome. Even more unfortunate, that was the only run of the 1-0 Sox win and Reyes had to settle for a loss.
This was Reyes’ fourth major league start and first complete complete game. White Sox hurler Freddie Garcia was on the other end of the pitchers’ duel. He combined with Bobby Jenks in a 4-hit shutout.
Here’s Viva El Birdos’ take on Reyes aptly named reyes our hopes
4 for 5, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 runs, rbi Jose Reyes was good for the cycle on Wednesday against the Reds. It wasn’t enough though as Billy Wagner gave way with 2 outs in the ninth to a Reds’ rally. Two quick walks and two base hits was all the Reds needed to turn it … Continue reading “6/21/06 Linescore of the Day: Jose Reyes”
4 for 5, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 runs, rbi
Jose Reyes was good for the cycle on Wednesday against the Reds. It wasn’t enough though as Billy Wagner gave way with 2 outs in the ninth to a Reds’ rally. Two quick walks and two base hits was all the Reds needed to turn it into their favor.
I watched this game last night on MLB.TV. While we’re on the topic of the Mets, I have to say they have to be one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NL. Traditionally, they have not been one of my favorite teams but lately, when I scroll through Mosaic deciding which game I should watch, my mouse will end up clicking on a Mets game because I know it will be a good game.
Last night was no exception.
I caught up with the action when the Mets were down by two. Before I knew it, the Mets had scored three capped by Jose Valentin’s homerun (hit left-handed against a lefty, by the way. Something he should more often, in my opinion but that’s fodder for another article). The Reds did come back to win but point is there seems to be excitement brewing with the Mets.