August, 2006 | The Baseball Zealot

TRIBE OVERCOMES 10 RUN 1ST INNING

Rafael Betancourt Rafael Betancourt pitched a scoreless 8th & 9th innings for the Cleveland Indians and his efforts were good enough to pickup the win. Starter Paul Byrd didn’t make it out of the first inning as the Royals got to him for nine runs (only three earned) in 2/3 of an inning, it was … Continue reading “TRIBE OVERCOMES 10 RUN 1ST INNING”

Rafael Betancourt

Rafael Betancourt pitched a scoreless 8th & 9th innings for the Cleveland Indians and his efforts were good enough to pickup the win. Starter Paul Byrd didn’t make it out of the first inning as the Royals got to him for nine runs (only three earned) in 2/3 of an inning, it was 10-1 KC after one. But the Tribe came all the way back scoring four in the 9th and two more in the 10th off Joe Nelson & Andrew Sisco for the 15-13 victory. KC had 19 hits, Mike Sweeney & Mark Teahen each had four, but it wasn’t enough. Tom Mastny pitched the bottom of the 10th for the Indians to gain his 2nd save.

GREEN GOES TO BIG APPLE

Shawn Green was dealt to the NY Mets to fill a big hole in rightfield. Although his best years may be behind him, his power has been down since injuring his shoulder several years ago. The Jewish star outfielder, born in Des Plaines, IL, is a consumate professional, and very solid in RF. Several years ago I got both Shawn Green & Carlos Delgado to autograph a baseball in Dunedin, FL at spring training when both were with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Arizona Diamondbacks appear to be dumping salary, even though they’re in a playoff race, as they only got a marginal minor league pitcher in Evan MacLane. Carlos Quentin should see the lion’s share replacing Green in RF for the D*Backs. The best team in the NL, the Mets, just got better. Still there are at least five AL teams better than the Mets. As CLuke said, maybe the NL should start with small goals, like winning ONE World Series game this year.

8/12-14/06: LINESCORE OF THE DAY – MATT DIAZ

The 28 year old reserve Atlanta Braves outfielder Matt Diaz had a streak of 10 straight hits in 10 straight at bats. I’ve been wanting to say something about this kid’s streak and am finally getting around to it. Oma broke her hip just before this accomplishment, sometimes life gets in the way. Matt Diaz … Continue reading “8/12-14/06: LINESCORE OF THE DAY – MATT DIAZ”

Matt Diaz August 12th: 2 for 2, 1 RBI, 1 run
Matt Diaz August 13th: 4 for 4, 1 run
Matt Diaz August 14th: 4 for 5, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 1 run

EYE OF THE TIGER

I had my tickets to all four games, my airline tickets on SWA, and hotel accomodations at the Hotel Milner (one block from the ballpark). I even had my trip to see Claliglia at the Toy Chest all mapped out in my mind. But the best made plans are subject to change and change they did, cancelled might be a better description of what happened. Three weeks ago Oma fell, broke her hip, and is recovering from surgery. This past Sunday a man with a black cape & sickle was following her around, so I decided to cancel my Detroit trip to support the Good Guys. I’m happy to report we were able to chase away the grim reaper from Oma. Maybe he’s found a more vulnerable target in my White Sox in Detroit.

In game #1 of this important four game series Jose Contreras & the Southsiders were beaten 7-1, Jermaine Dye’s homer opened the scoring, but that’s all we got. Justin Verlander’s once 100 MPH fastball only reaches the mid 90s now, but that was all he needed. How could I expect Contreras to fare better against the Tigers than he did against the Royals? KC bombed Contreras in his last outing (I game I had to leave early). It was no gamble in the 2nd game as Kenny Rogers dominated Pale Hose hitters 4-0 as Mark Buehrle took the loss. Ozzie Guillen got his money’s worth after being ejected for arguing balls & strikes when Buehrle walked in a run on a low pitch that Rogers got the benefit of a called strike three on Paul Konerko in the top of the inning.

Two down, two to go. Clearly Detroit has the Eye of the Tiger, something the White Sox need to get. It should be noted that Aaron Rowand might be out for the season after running into Phillies secondbaseman Chase Utley, earlier in the season Rowand ran nose first into Philadelphia’s centerfield wall. I still like the Sox acquiring Jim Thome, but there’s no questioning Aaron’s desire to win. I was a little concerned about my safety in Detroit and staying at the Hotel Milner, but I wasn’t worried about my heroes, maybe I should have been.

At this point it looks like the Tigers have answered the White Sox challenge. The Wild Card might be the best way for the defending World Series Chamions to make the playoffs. Currently Chicago holds a nose hair lead over the Twins. Minnesota brings its act to the Cell this weekend, but first we have to show there was at least some reason for making the trip to Detroit. At least the White Sox can’t do as bad as the Red Sox who recently dropped a five game series against the Yankees.

8/22/06: LINESCORE OF THE DAY – NICK MARKAKIS

At the start of the season Markakis struggled for the O’s. It looked like he was overmatched. NickyV even suggested the only reason he was in the lineup was due to his Greek heritage, Orioles owner Peter Angelos is also Greek. But now it seems Baltimore might have known what they were doing. Nick is … Continue reading “8/22/06: LINESCORE OF THE DAY – NICK MARKAKIS”

At the start of the season Markakis struggled for the O’s. It looked like he was overmatched. NickyV even suggested the only reason he was in the lineup was due to his Greek heritage, Orioles owner Peter Angelos is also Greek. But now it seems Baltimore might have known what they were doing. Nick is now hitting in the #2 slot in the batting order and in this game single handedly defeated the hard charging Minnesota Twins 6-3, with his homers being the difference.

Nick Markakis 3 for 4, 3 HR’s, 3 RBI’s, 3 runs, .306

8/21/06: LINESCORE OF THE DAY – NOAH LOWRY

Had to give a shout out to my ole buddy Noah Lowry. I selected the lefty changeup artist in last year’s rookie draft for my Chicago Champions of the Illowa APBA League. Then I included him in a deal along with a couple of high draft choices to acquire Mark Buehrle. Lowry seems to have … Continue reading “8/21/06: LINESCORE OF THE DAY – NOAH LOWRY”

Had to give a shout out to my ole buddy Noah Lowry. I selected the lefty changeup artist in last year’s rookie draft for my Chicago Champions of the Illowa APBA League. Then I included him in a deal along with a couple of high draft choices to acquire Mark Buehrle. Lowry seems to have his game altogether, while Buehrle has struggled to say the least. Although Noah was facing the offensively challenged Arizona Diamondbacks, a shutout is a shutout. Nice job by a pitcher I affectionately refer to as Whisper.

Noah Lowry W, 9 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO

Co-writer of Go Go White Sox fight song passes away

Walter E. Jagiello, otherwise known as “Lil’ Wally the Polka King.” died last Thursday of heart failure. Jagiello co-wrote Let’s Go Go Go White Sox in 1959. The song was made popular by Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers and the fight song is still played at all Sox home games. Lil’ Wally had quite a … Continue reading “Co-writer of Go Go White Sox fight song passes away”

Walter E. Jagiello, otherwise known as “Lil’ Wally the Polka King.” died last Thursday of heart failure.

Jagiello co-wrote Let’s Go Go Go White Sox in 1959. The song was made popular by Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers and the fight song is still played at all Sox home games.

Lil’ Wally had quite a career as a polka musician in Chicago’s Polish Broadway. He said his finest moment was when he was asked to play for the Pope in 1984.

Lyrics to the Go Go White Sox fight song:

GO-GO WHITE SOX!

White Sox! White Sox!
Go-Go White Sox!
Let’s go, Go-Go White Sox
We’re with you all the way!
You’re always in there fighting,
And you do your best.
We’re glad to have you out here in the Middle West.

We’re gonna root-root-root-root White Sox.
And cheer you on to victory.
When we’re in the stands,
We’ll make those rafters ring;
All through the season,
You will hear us sing.
Let’s go, Go-Go White Sox,
Chicago’s proud of you!

White Sox! White Sox!
Go-Go White Sox!

Root-Root-Root for the White Sox. We’ll cheer you on to victory.
When we’re in the stands,
We’ll make those rafters ring;
All through the season,
You will hear us sing.
Let’s go, Go-Go White Sox,
Chicago’s proud of you!

White Sox! White Sox!
Go-Go White Sox!
Let’s go, Go-Go White Sox!
Chicago is proud of you!

8/21/06 Linescore of the Day: Dan Haren

5 2/3 IP, 11 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 2 BB, 4 K (Win) Not very often will you see a pitcher put up this kind of line AND get the win. Haren can thank Jason Kendall and Bobby Kielty. Batting 1-2, these guys went 7 for 10 and drove in 6. With their help, … Continue reading “8/21/06 Linescore of the Day: Dan Haren”

5 2/3 IP, 11 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 2 BB, 4 K (Win)

Not very often will you see a pitcher put up this kind of line AND get the win.

Haren can thank Jason Kendall and Bobby Kielty. Batting 1-2, these guys went 7 for 10 and drove in 6. With their help, Oakland came back from 8 runs behind to beat Toronto 12-10.

Can’t blame Dusty for this one

Cub starter and Springfield, IL native Ryan O’Malley left the fifth inning with a strained elbow in his second MLB start and his Wrigley Field debut today. O’Malley looked good in his first start pitching 8 shutout innings against Houston. The game is still in progress but there isn’t much hope as the Phils have … Continue reading “Can’t blame Dusty for this one”

Cub starter and Springfield, IL native Ryan O’Malley left the fifth inning with a strained elbow in his second MLB start and his Wrigley Field debut today.

O’Malley looked good in his first start pitching 8 shutout innings against Houston.

The game is still in progress but there isn’t much hope as the Phils have a 6-3 in the 9th.

Things are looking up for Glavine

The news was good for Tom Glavine today. What was thought to be a possible blood clot in his left shoulder turned out to be, after extensive testing, a less threatening buildup in an artery due to the long-term damage that can be created by pitching professionally for two decades. He will be treated with … Continue reading “Things are looking up for Glavine”

The news was good for Tom Glavine today.

What was thought to be a possible blood clot in his left shoulder turned out to be, after extensive testing, a less threatening buildup in an artery due to the long-term damage that can be created by pitching professionally for two decades.

He will be treated with medication instead of surgery.

Glavine is relieved, of course. A blood clot is serious business. Now he can continue pitching (after a short rest, he is tentatively scheduled to return September 1) and focus on the Mets pennant race and beyond. The potential loss of Glavine would have been a blow to the Mets’ chances in the playoffs. Now that he’s back, they have a greater chance especially considering Glavine’s post-season experience.

Another consideration is Glavine’s quest for 300 wins. He his 13 short right now. Though I’m sure it was furthest from his mind at the time, now that things are looking better, I would love to see him reach that milestone.

Glad to have you back, Tommy.