The Baseball Zealot

NOT SINCE 1896

Jeremy Hermida hit a Grand Slam home run in his first major league at bat in the 7th inning of last night’s game for the Florida Marlins. It was the first time since April 21st, 1896 that this feat was accomplished. A pitcher by the name of William “Frosty Bill” Duggleby did it then for Philadelphia against the New York Giants. With a nickname like that you’d think he could play for DonS’ APBA team, or at least go out drinking with him, or possibly be a member of his bowling team. Barry Bonds is the only other player in the history of the game to hit a Grand Salami in his first game in the majors.

Although it’s not been nearly as long ago as 1896, on Tuesday AROD became the first righthanded hitter to hit forty home runs as a New York Yankee. Alex Rodriguez’ numbers thus far are 40 homers, 105 RBIs, & a .320 batting average. These are the numbers expected from the highest paid player in the game today. Joe Di Maggio hit 46 home runs for the Bronx Bombers in 1937.

8/31 Linescore of the Day – Randy Johnson @ Felix Hernandez

Randy Johnson, New York Yankees Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners Johnson 7 IP, 3 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks, 7 Ks Hernandez 8 IP, 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 4 walks, 7 Ks What a pitching matchup! These types of ballgames are what baseball is all about. Randy Johnson of the New York Yankees matched up … Continue reading “8/31 Linescore of the Day – Randy Johnson @ Felix Hernandez”

Randy Johnson, New York Yankees
Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners

Johnson 7 IP, 3 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks, 7 Ks
Hernandez 8 IP, 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 4 walks, 7 Ks

What a pitching matchup! These types of ballgames are what baseball is all about. Randy Johnson of the New York Yankees matched up against his old mates the Seattle Mariners and phenom Felix Hernandez. The grizzled veteran southpaw against the young gun righthander. This pitching duel played out before a packed Seattle ballpark of 47,447 fans and the game did not disappoint. The five time Cy Young Award winner limited the home team to just three hits over seven innings of work for a 2-0 win. While the 19-year-old sensation allowed the Bronx Bombers two runs in his eight innings on the hill. Rookie Robinson Cano took a Hernandez changeup over the RF wall in the 3rd. Then Gary Sheffiled (the quickest bat in the game today) turned a 98 MPH heater around in the 4th sending it far into the LF stands. The Big Unit will be 42 years old on September 10th, but he still showed a lot of emotion as he pumped his fist and yelled when getting big outs in key moments throughout the game.

WORST OUTFIELDER IN THE GAME

A friend has been touting the White Sox Timo Perez as the worst outfielder in baseball today. But I have to strongly disagree with his assessment. And no I don’t think Timo has pictures of manager Ozzie Guillen. To be fair Perez won a game for the Sox the other day when he threw out a guy at the plate and later delivered the game winning hit. My candidate for the worst outfielder in the game today has to go to the Kansas City Royals Aaron Guiel. Last season Guiel batted .156 with 42 strikeouts in only 135 at bats. This season his numbers are even worse. Aaron has only two hits in 22 at bats for a .091 average, and he’s not even a good fielder.

8/30 Linescore of the Day – Paul Maholm

Paul Maholm, Pittsburgh Pirates 8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K (Win) Add Paul Maholm to the list of young Pirate hurlers to watch. This was Maholm’s first start and like Zack Duke earlier this year he’s performing so people will pay attention.

Paul Maholm, Pittsburgh Pirates

8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K (Win)

Add Paul Maholm to the list of young Pirate hurlers to watch. This was Maholm’s first start and like Zack Duke earlier this year he’s performing so people will pay attention.

RATHER BE LUCKY & GOOD

Ever notice how good teams seem to get the breaks? Well the Chicago White Sox are a very good team and were playing a very bad Seattle Mariner team Saturday night. In the bottom of the 8th inning Bobby Jenks was firing 102 MPH pellets at Richie Sexson. There were runners on 1st & 2nd, with two outs, and the White Sox were leading 4-2. That’s when the BIG fellow sent a screamer that landed at the base of the RF wall. Jermaine Dye fired to Tadahito Iguchi, who relayed to the 1st base side of home. A J Pierzynski reached across the plate to tag Ichiro out with the potential tying run. The White Sox held on for a 4-2 winner. GO SOX GO!!!

8/29 Linescore of the Day – Jason Giambi

Jason Giambi, New York Yankees 2 for 3, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, 2 runs, 1 walk New York was trailing the Mariners 4-0 going into the top of the 5th in Seattle when Jason Giambi took things into his own hands. Giambi launched a solo shot off starter Ryan Franklin to get New York on … Continue reading “8/29 Linescore of the Day – Jason Giambi”

Jason Giambi, New York Yankees

2 for 3, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, 2 runs, 1 walk

New York was trailing the Mariners 4-0 going into the top of the 5th in Seattle when Jason Giambi took things into his own hands. Giambi launched a solo shot off starter Ryan Franklin to get New York on the board. Then he hit a three run blast off reliever Matt Thornton in the 6th to give the Bronx Bombers the lead 5-4. The Yankees never looked back winning 7-4. It was Jason’s 2nd straight game with two homers, and this one wasn’t off Greinke.

8/28 Linescores of the Day – Jason Giambi & Jeff Weaver

Jason Giambi, New York Yankees Jeff Weaver, Los Angeles Dodgers 3 for 3, 2 HR’s, 7 RBIs, 2 runs, 1 walk 8 IP, 0 runs, 7 hits, 10 K’s, 0 walks Both of these players deserved Linescore of the Day with asterisks. Jason Giambi’s came against the Kansas City Royals Zack Greinke. Jeff Weaver was … Continue reading “8/28 Linescores of the Day – Jason Giambi & Jeff Weaver”

Jason Giambi, New York Yankees
Jeff Weaver, Los Angeles Dodgers

3 for 3, 2 HR’s, 7 RBIs, 2 runs, 1 walk
8 IP, 0 runs, 7 hits, 10 K’s, 0 walks

Both of these players deserved Linescore of the Day with asterisks. Jason Giambi’s came against the Kansas City Royals Zack Greinke. Jeff Weaver was matched up against Roger Clemens and beat the Houston Astros 1-0. The reason for the asterisks is obvious. EVERYBODY hits Greinke and NOBODY allows Astro runs when the Rocket starts.

MetroDome in Minneapolis

“I woke up Sunday morning with no way to hold my head that didn’t hurt.” — The Pride of Nashville, Tennessee.

Actually, for me, it was Saturday morning after a Friday night at The Cell in Chicago. In the company of half of our fantasy league and other serious degenerates.

Having nothing to do the rest of the weekend, I drove up to Minneapolis to see the Mariners and the Twins. Almost exactly 400 miles. Games were Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. This was my first trip to the MetroDome, and my first “inside baseball,” other than when the roof is closed at Miller Park. I have now been to 20 major league parks. Only 10 of them are still open.

Saturday night’s game featured young Felix Hernandez. This kid is going to be pretty good. He hit 97 on the gun, and his change-up was a consistent 82. The Twins had 5 singles in 8 innings. Two were infield hits. One walk.

The Handsome Man hit two LONG home runs, one a Grand Slam in the 10th inning, as the Mariners posted an 8-3 win.

The Twins came alive to take the Sunday game.

Saturday night, they honored the 1965 Twins, who lost to the Dodgers in the World Series. The only living Twin who was a “no-show” was Jimmie Hall. I think I remember reading years ago that he never forgave the Twins for trading him to the Angels for Dean Chance. Mudcat Grant and Jim Kaat said a few words. Earl Battey, Bob Allison and Zoilo Versalles are no longer with us; I think everyone else was there. Some on crutches, one in a wheel chair, but they all looked GREAT to me. At my age, I get emotional at settings like that. I was in high school in 1965; what an avalanche of memories for me. Worth the trip.

Quick Trivia Question: Who is the only man in Twins history who was a Twins PLAYER, a Twins MANAGER and a Twins RADIO COLOR MAN? Answer later.

8/27 Linescore of the Day – Jermaine Dye

Jermaine Dye, Chicago White Sox 4 for 4, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 2 runs, 2 RBI, 1 BIG assist Jermaine Dye drove in two, scored twice, and his throw to relay man Tadahito Iguchi cutdown the potential tying run in the bottom of the 8th inning. Ichiro was nailed at the plate when he tried … Continue reading “8/27 Linescore of the Day – Jermaine Dye”

Jermaine Dye, Chicago White Sox

4 for 4, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 2 runs, 2 RBI, 1 BIG assist

Jermaine Dye drove in two, scored twice, and his throw to relay man Tadahito Iguchi cutdown the potential tying run in the bottom of the 8th inning. Ichiro was nailed at the plate when he tried to tie things up for the Mariners on a two out double by Richie Sexson. Final result White Sox 4, Seattle 3. GO SOX GO!!!

8/26 Linescore of the Day – Steve Trachsel

Steve Trachsel, New York Mets 8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, (Win) Steve Trachsel pitching his first game of the season, did an all right job. Trach allowed only 2 hits in 8 innings and got the win. He gets a bad rap sometimes but he’s won over 10 … Continue reading “8/26 Linescore of the Day – Steve Trachsel”

Steve Trachsel, New York Mets

8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, (Win)

Steve Trachsel pitching his first game of the season, did an all right job. Trach allowed only 2 hits in 8 innings and got the win.

He gets a bad rap sometimes but he’s won over 10 games in the last 4 seasons and has had an ERA at or below 4.00 in the last three.