Thursday, October 23, 2008
The World Serious
Last night, Philadelphia got out to a 1-0 lead with a 3-2 win over the Rays in Tampa. As I write this, Tampa is trying to close out a 4-1 lead in the ninth inning which, if they can hold on to it, will obviously tie the series, 1-1.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Gaffe?
People are trying to paint this as a "Biden Gaffe".
Really? Saying that a potential Obama presidency will surely be tested? That's a gaffe?
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1230514,housing101908.article
THIS is a gaffe-GOP congressmen were paid off by a lobbying firm to help kill a bill that would have improved regulation of Freddie Mac. So much for the whole "Evil Democrats expanding government over our saintly protests" idea that McCain is selling.
Really? Saying that a potential Obama presidency will surely be tested? That's a gaffe?
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1230514,housing101908.article
THIS is a gaffe-GOP congressmen were paid off by a lobbying firm to help kill a bill that would have improved regulation of Freddie Mac. So much for the whole "Evil Democrats expanding government over our saintly protests" idea that McCain is selling.
Guilt By Association Is A Bitch
Apparently, al Queda, emerging from their rathole, have told a guy who told a guy who posted on a site that they would prefer McCain for president. Of course, McCain forces are freaking out about this, saying that, of course, it isn't true, and it's silly for anyone to think so.
Yet it was perfectly legitimate for McCain forces to trumpet the fact that Hamas did the same thing for Obama during the primaries?
Turnabout blows.
Yet it was perfectly legitimate for McCain forces to trumpet the fact that Hamas did the same thing for Obama during the primaries?
Turnabout blows.
Funny David Sedaris piece
Funny David Sedaris piece on the election.
I had an unwilling discussion with a coworker who is also working part time for our local Republican candidate for Congress. (Our current representative is retiring, so it's an open seat.) There are the usual claims and counterclaims-you're a tax and spender, you're a crook. Et Cetera, Et Cetera. I really don't have much opinion about the race. I'll probably pull the letter for the Democrat, but we'll see. They're both local politicians, so we don't have much to go on in terms of their abilities. My coworker was pretty insistent that Obama is a socialist. I tried not to get into it with him, but in 2008, that's kind of like calling someone a Whig.
The World Series is tonight. I think the Rays are deeper, and better, and will win in 6. If the Phillies don't win tonight, they are in deep trouble, because Hamels is the only pitching matchup that they win hands down. As Bill Simmons said on his podcast, I will pull for Philadelphia, if only for public safety reasons.
I had an unwilling discussion with a coworker who is also working part time for our local Republican candidate for Congress. (Our current representative is retiring, so it's an open seat.) There are the usual claims and counterclaims-you're a tax and spender, you're a crook. Et Cetera, Et Cetera. I really don't have much opinion about the race. I'll probably pull the letter for the Democrat, but we'll see. They're both local politicians, so we don't have much to go on in terms of their abilities. My coworker was pretty insistent that Obama is a socialist. I tried not to get into it with him, but in 2008, that's kind of like calling someone a Whig.
The World Series is tonight. I think the Rays are deeper, and better, and will win in 6. If the Phillies don't win tonight, they are in deep trouble, because Hamels is the only pitching matchup that they win hands down. As Bill Simmons said on his podcast, I will pull for Philadelphia, if only for public safety reasons.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Grand Theft Meme
Meme stolen from: http://sayingyes.typepad.com/saying_yes/
What is your favorite thing to wear? Red Sox t shirts
Last meal you had at a restaurant: Appetizers at TGIFriday's
Name one thing that scares you: The future
Who was the last person in your bed? My beloved
What were you doing at 7:00am? Staring at Sportscenter dreading the day
Last person you hugged? My beloved
Does anyone you know want to date you? Howls of derisive laughter, Bruce
When was your last encounter with the police? Hmmmmm....we have off duty officers who work where I work, so I guess that's it. My last adversarial one would have to be getting pulled over in Browns Mills, New Jersey because my license plate was off the system. I had changed to one of the fundraising plates, and apparently, they removed my old plate from the system before my new one had arrived in the mail.
Have you ever driven without a license? Inadvertently
What time of the day is it? Nearly midnight
Who/What made you angry today? My supervisor being unwilling or unable to answer a simple question.
Do you want anyone? How? Sexually? Yes.
Do you like birds? Not particularly
Do you download music? Yes, but I pay for it.
Do you care if your socks are dirty? Not at all. I mean, I don't care if they LOOK dirty. I care if they ARE dirty.
Opinion of Chinese symbol tattoos? Don't care.
What are you doing tonight? This.
Do you like to cuddle? Sure.
Do you love anyone? Many people.
Whose bed did you sleep in last night? Mine
Have you ever bungee jumped? No.
Have you ever gone whitewater rafting? No. Canoeing, though.
Has anyone ten years older than you ever hit on you? More howls of derisive laughter.
How many pets do you have? None.
Have you met a real redneck? Yes.
How is the weather right now? Cold.
What are you listening to right now? This Week in Tech, a podcast.
What was the last movie you watched? On TV? JFK. In a theater? The Clone Wars.
Do you wear contacts? No.
Where was the last place you went besides your house? Work.
What are you wearing? Denim shirt, black khakis, New Balance sneakers, and a loosened tie.
What's one thing you've learned this year? John McCain is shameless.
What do you usually order from Starbucks? Frappucino of one flavor or other.
Ever had someone sing to you? My wife does that a lot.
Have you ever fired a gun: Yes, a rifle. At boy scout camp.
Are you missing someone? Yes.
Favorite TV show? Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles
What do you have an obsession with? The fiction I'm trying to write.
Has anyone ever said you looked like a celeb? Once. When I was a lot thinner, a girl told me I looked like Corey Haim, I think. Or Corey Feldman. Or Cory Snyder. Cory something.
Who? See above.
Who would you like to see right now? Billy Joel in concert.
Ever had a near death experience? No.
Are you afraid of falling in love? I already fell.
Have you ever been caught doing something you weren't supposed to? Yes!
Has anyone you were really close to passed away recently? No.
What's something that really bugs you? People who don't want to face the consequences of their policy decisions.
Taco Bell or Burger King? Burger King, only because I usually get an upset stomach from Taco Bell.
Next time you will kiss someone? Probably tomorrow morning.
Favorite baseball team? The Red Sox. Duh.
Ever call a 1-900 phone number? Yes.
Nipple or Nose rings? Neither.
What's the longest time you've gone without sleep? Close to 24 hours probably.
Last time you went bowling? Maybe 2 years ago.
Where is the weirdest place you have slept? The front seat of a friend's car, because rain was flooding our tents.
Who did you last speak with on the phone? Probably a customer.
What does your last received text message say? A tweet from Robert Scoble.
What's the closest orange object to you? The cover of WC Heinz' novel "The Professional"
What is your favorite thing to wear? Red Sox t shirts
Last meal you had at a restaurant: Appetizers at TGIFriday's
Name one thing that scares you: The future
Who was the last person in your bed? My beloved
What were you doing at 7:00am? Staring at Sportscenter dreading the day
Last person you hugged? My beloved
Does anyone you know want to date you? Howls of derisive laughter, Bruce
When was your last encounter with the police? Hmmmmm....we have off duty officers who work where I work, so I guess that's it. My last adversarial one would have to be getting pulled over in Browns Mills, New Jersey because my license plate was off the system. I had changed to one of the fundraising plates, and apparently, they removed my old plate from the system before my new one had arrived in the mail.
Have you ever driven without a license? Inadvertently
What time of the day is it? Nearly midnight
Who/What made you angry today? My supervisor being unwilling or unable to answer a simple question.
Do you want anyone? How? Sexually? Yes.
Do you like birds? Not particularly
Do you download music? Yes, but I pay for it.
Do you care if your socks are dirty? Not at all. I mean, I don't care if they LOOK dirty. I care if they ARE dirty.
Opinion of Chinese symbol tattoos? Don't care.
What are you doing tonight? This.
Do you like to cuddle? Sure.
Do you love anyone? Many people.
Whose bed did you sleep in last night? Mine
Have you ever bungee jumped? No.
Have you ever gone whitewater rafting? No. Canoeing, though.
Has anyone ten years older than you ever hit on you? More howls of derisive laughter.
How many pets do you have? None.
Have you met a real redneck? Yes.
How is the weather right now? Cold.
What are you listening to right now? This Week in Tech, a podcast.
What was the last movie you watched? On TV? JFK. In a theater? The Clone Wars.
Do you wear contacts? No.
Where was the last place you went besides your house? Work.
What are you wearing? Denim shirt, black khakis, New Balance sneakers, and a loosened tie.
What's one thing you've learned this year? John McCain is shameless.
What do you usually order from Starbucks? Frappucino of one flavor or other.
Ever had someone sing to you? My wife does that a lot.
Have you ever fired a gun: Yes, a rifle. At boy scout camp.
Are you missing someone? Yes.
Favorite TV show? Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles
What do you have an obsession with? The fiction I'm trying to write.
Has anyone ever said you looked like a celeb? Once. When I was a lot thinner, a girl told me I looked like Corey Haim, I think. Or Corey Feldman. Or Cory Snyder. Cory something.
Who? See above.
Who would you like to see right now? Billy Joel in concert.
Ever had a near death experience? No.
Are you afraid of falling in love? I already fell.
Have you ever been caught doing something you weren't supposed to? Yes!
Has anyone you were really close to passed away recently? No.
What's something that really bugs you? People who don't want to face the consequences of their policy decisions.
Taco Bell or Burger King? Burger King, only because I usually get an upset stomach from Taco Bell.
Next time you will kiss someone? Probably tomorrow morning.
Favorite baseball team? The Red Sox. Duh.
Ever call a 1-900 phone number? Yes.
Nipple or Nose rings? Neither.
What's the longest time you've gone without sleep? Close to 24 hours probably.
Last time you went bowling? Maybe 2 years ago.
Where is the weirdest place you have slept? The front seat of a friend's car, because rain was flooding our tents.
Who did you last speak with on the phone? Probably a customer.
What does your last received text message say? A tweet from Robert Scoble.
What's the closest orange object to you? The cover of WC Heinz' novel "The Professional"
Monday, October 20, 2008
So that's it.
As the great A. Bartlett Giamatti once put it, we are left to face the fall alone. Of course, the World Series is coming up, Tampa Bay against Philadelphia, but Boston's offseason has begun. Effectively, we're in the same boat with all the other teams in baseball-we're not going to win the Series, either.
I guess the offseason has to focus on another big bat, maybe two-either we need a full lineup of strong hitters, more like Tampa, or we need another big bat to pair with Ortiz. Of course, Ortiz being Ortiz would help, too.
The World Series starts Wednesday.
Interesting articles in the New Yorker last week-a long piece on a French bond trader who helped bring the markets down, and a piece on Joe Biden, and a long piece by Malcolm Gladwell on the nature of creativity-late bloomers versus prodigies.
I love the New Yorker-it reminds me that there are other intelligences out there somewhere.
Blogging does that, too.
I guess the offseason has to focus on another big bat, maybe two-either we need a full lineup of strong hitters, more like Tampa, or we need another big bat to pair with Ortiz. Of course, Ortiz being Ortiz would help, too.
The World Series starts Wednesday.
Interesting articles in the New Yorker last week-a long piece on a French bond trader who helped bring the markets down, and a piece on Joe Biden, and a long piece by Malcolm Gladwell on the nature of creativity-late bloomers versus prodigies.
I love the New Yorker-it reminds me that there are other intelligences out there somewhere.
Blogging does that, too.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
When the music's over...
....turn out the lights.
Young David Price pitched a scoreless ninth, and Tampa wins, 3-1, and takes the series, 4 games to 3.
The Tampa Bay Rays are American League champions.
Nothing to be ashamed of for Boston. We gave it all we had, just fell a litle short.
Disappointing, but not horribly so.
They were just a little tiny bit better.
Sigh.
The journey is over-the journey that started in March is over.
Sigh.
Congratulations, Rays.
Young David Price pitched a scoreless ninth, and Tampa wins, 3-1, and takes the series, 4 games to 3.
The Tampa Bay Rays are American League champions.
Nothing to be ashamed of for Boston. We gave it all we had, just fell a litle short.
Disappointing, but not horribly so.
They were just a little tiny bit better.
Sigh.
The journey is over-the journey that started in March is over.
Sigh.
Congratulations, Rays.
ALCS LB III: G7: The Final Countdown
Top Seven
Youkilis pops up.
8 outs left.
Drew gets a walk
Jason Bay singles sharply to left.
Mark Kotsay, who is a beautiful human being, flies out deep enough to right to get Drew to third.
7 outs left.
Jason Varitek, who is number 25 on the list of Hitters I Most Want Up Right Now, whiffs on a ball in the dirt.
6 outs left.
Bottom Seven
The Other Aybar sends a long, looping homer into the left field stands. Sigh. 3-1.
Navarro flies out softly to right.
Baldelli strikes out swinging
Bartlett flies out to center.
Top Eight. Gross now in right field.
Cora singles on a bad hop grounder to short.
Maddon takes Garza out for Dan "Nautical" Wheeler.
TBS plays Billy Joel's "Pressure".
Crisp singles to right.
Our Man DP flies out to left, just missing it, for the first out.
5 to go.
JP (Thurston) Howell (what is WITH this team and initials?) on to face Ortiz.
Ortiz grounds into a force, first and third with two out
4 to go
Chad Bradford, the Human Groundball Machine, on to face Youk.
Our Man Youk works a walk.
Bases loaded. Young David Price, last year's number one pick, on now. Nasty pitcher.
JD Drew, Certified Postseason Hero(TM), takes called strike three on a pitch a foot outside. SIgh.
3 outs to go. I really think this is it.
Youkilis pops up.
8 outs left.
Drew gets a walk
Jason Bay singles sharply to left.
Mark Kotsay, who is a beautiful human being, flies out deep enough to right to get Drew to third.
7 outs left.
Jason Varitek, who is number 25 on the list of Hitters I Most Want Up Right Now, whiffs on a ball in the dirt.
6 outs left.
Bottom Seven
The Other Aybar sends a long, looping homer into the left field stands. Sigh. 3-1.
Navarro flies out softly to right.
Baldelli strikes out swinging
Bartlett flies out to center.
Top Eight. Gross now in right field.
Cora singles on a bad hop grounder to short.
Maddon takes Garza out for Dan "Nautical" Wheeler.
TBS plays Billy Joel's "Pressure".
Crisp singles to right.
Our Man DP flies out to left, just missing it, for the first out.
5 to go.
JP (Thurston) Howell (what is WITH this team and initials?) on to face Ortiz.
Ortiz grounds into a force, first and third with two out
4 to go
Chad Bradford, the Human Groundball Machine, on to face Youk.
Our Man Youk works a walk.
Bases loaded. Young David Price, last year's number one pick, on now. Nasty pitcher.
JD Drew, Certified Postseason Hero(TM), takes called strike three on a pitch a foot outside. SIgh.
3 outs to go. I really think this is it.
ALCS G7 LB II: All I ask of you...
...is one more win
TOP FOUR
Our Man Youk grounds out to third.
Drew pops out.
The Bay State whiffs. Garza is looking as sharp as Lester.
I'm not sure if I can take a 1-0 game.
Bottom Four
Iwamura knocks a clean single to left, Tampa's first hit.
BJ (Coming) Upton whiffs.
Northeastern's own Carlos Pena grounds into a fielder's choice, and then the Desperate Third Baseman hits it the other way for a double that scores Pena.
1-1. Tampa fans have some life now.
Carl Crawford whiffs on a high hard one.
Top Five.
This game is movin'!
Both pitchers are very sharp. Hopefully Boston has made Garza throw more pitches than Lester.
MK Ultra pops out.
Tek grounds out.
Cora is frozen for called strike three.
Bottom Five
The Lesser Aybar hits a flare into the left field corner, just missing a pop fly homer, and cruises in with a double.
Navarro works a 3-0 count. Trouble.
He grounds a slow ball to short, and Cora cannot make a play.
Two on, none out.
Baldelli singles to left, scoring Aybar. 2-1.
Jason Bartlett, who hits about as well as Jeb Bartlett, is up now.
Bartlett whiffs on a low curve. One down.
Iwamura grounds out to the mound on a jam shot, advancing the runners.
BJ Upton, a bad mamma jamma, hits a soft liner to short for the third out.
Phew. Not good, could have been worse.
Top Six
Coco hits a little dribbler, but is thrown out at first.
Boston only has one bleedin' hit in this game. They're working some deep counts, but so far only the one safe blow.
Our Man DP battles Garza to a 3-2 count, then works an 11 pitch walk.
Big Papi now.
Misses the first pitch by a mile, an outside fastball. Then another one, which he takes for a ball. Then a hard one, inside and up, that he misses by a foot. Then another fastball, way down and away, for a ball. Then a fouled off slider, in. Then a very close fastball, outside, for a 3-2 count. 99 pitches for Garza. Big pitch here. Navarro comes to the mound. Papi whiffs on a high hard one, up and in, and Pedroia is thrown out stealing by a mile for the third out.
Damn. That seems like a turning point.
Bottom Six
This might be the end, beautiful friend, the end....
Pena pops out.
Longoria flies out.
Crawford flies out to deep center.
So, Seventh Inning, Red Sox Nation turns its lonely eyes to you...woo woo woo....
TOP FOUR
Our Man Youk grounds out to third.
Drew pops out.
The Bay State whiffs. Garza is looking as sharp as Lester.
I'm not sure if I can take a 1-0 game.
Bottom Four
Iwamura knocks a clean single to left, Tampa's first hit.
BJ (Coming) Upton whiffs.
Northeastern's own Carlos Pena grounds into a fielder's choice, and then the Desperate Third Baseman hits it the other way for a double that scores Pena.
1-1. Tampa fans have some life now.
Carl Crawford whiffs on a high hard one.
Top Five.
This game is movin'!
Both pitchers are very sharp. Hopefully Boston has made Garza throw more pitches than Lester.
MK Ultra pops out.
Tek grounds out.
Cora is frozen for called strike three.
Bottom Five
The Lesser Aybar hits a flare into the left field corner, just missing a pop fly homer, and cruises in with a double.
Navarro works a 3-0 count. Trouble.
He grounds a slow ball to short, and Cora cannot make a play.
Two on, none out.
Baldelli singles to left, scoring Aybar. 2-1.
Jason Bartlett, who hits about as well as Jeb Bartlett, is up now.
Bartlett whiffs on a low curve. One down.
Iwamura grounds out to the mound on a jam shot, advancing the runners.
BJ Upton, a bad mamma jamma, hits a soft liner to short for the third out.
Phew. Not good, could have been worse.
Top Six
Coco hits a little dribbler, but is thrown out at first.
Boston only has one bleedin' hit in this game. They're working some deep counts, but so far only the one safe blow.
Our Man DP battles Garza to a 3-2 count, then works an 11 pitch walk.
Big Papi now.
Misses the first pitch by a mile, an outside fastball. Then another one, which he takes for a ball. Then a hard one, inside and up, that he misses by a foot. Then another fastball, way down and away, for a ball. Then a fouled off slider, in. Then a very close fastball, outside, for a 3-2 count. 99 pitches for Garza. Big pitch here. Navarro comes to the mound. Papi whiffs on a high hard one, up and in, and Pedroia is thrown out stealing by a mile for the third out.
Damn. That seems like a turning point.
Bottom Six
This might be the end, beautiful friend, the end....
Pena pops out.
Longoria flies out.
Crawford flies out to deep center.
So, Seventh Inning, Red Sox Nation turns its lonely eyes to you...woo woo woo....
ALCS LB G7: So this is it...
Game Seven, American League Championship Series
Boston @ Tampa
Jon Lester vs. Matt Garza
As Ian Astbury once put it, "This is where it all ends..."
Top One
Coco tries to bunt his way on, and Matt Garza throws about 800 miles an hour to first to get him easily.
Garza tries to sneak a ball past Our Man DP inside, and like trying to sneak sunrise past a rooster, he lines it into the left field seats for a quick 1-0 lead.
Big Papi walks.
Our Man Youk flies into the right field corner, and Papi has to hustle back to avoid being doubled off.
JD Drew, Minister of Clutchiness, strikes out swinging.
Bottom One
Makes one wonder which Lester we're going to see-the tired one or the brilliant one.
Hopefully the latter.
Willy Aybar is the DH for Tampa? Seriously? That's the best you can do?
Iwamura grounds out.
Upton hits an artillery shell to the base of the wall in right, but Drew catches it.
Lester seems to have his velocity back. He's hitting 95 with location.
Pena strikes out.
Top Two
Interesting commercial for JG Wentworth-not usually the kind of commercials you get during baseball. There was an article in the New Yorker about those companies-the kind who get people who won lotteries or lawsuits to agree to
Sittin on the Dock of the Bay whiffs.
Mark "Line Drives are my business, and business is good" Kotsay hits the ball hard up the middle, but Jason Bartlett at short throws him out.
Jason Varitek, Oh Captain My Captain, takes a gorgeous curve for strike three.
Bottom Two
Evan Longoria, the Desperate Third Baseman, grounds out to short.
Carl Crawford, who is a Man Among Boys, whiffs.
The Other Aybar grounds to third.
Top Three
Alex (not Joey) Cora flies out to left.
Coco whiffs.
Our Man DP takes one off the forearm.
DP steals on a ball in the dirt-no throw.
Then Papi strikes out, ending the inning.
Bottom Tree
Dioner (Dont Call me Jaime) Navarro whiffs, swinging wildly and late at an outside pitch.
Rhode Island's own Rocco Baldelli takes called strike three. A lazer on the outside corner.
Jason Bartlett pops out.
Jon Lester is a machine.
Boston @ Tampa
Jon Lester vs. Matt Garza
As Ian Astbury once put it, "This is where it all ends..."
Top One
Coco tries to bunt his way on, and Matt Garza throws about 800 miles an hour to first to get him easily.
Garza tries to sneak a ball past Our Man DP inside, and like trying to sneak sunrise past a rooster, he lines it into the left field seats for a quick 1-0 lead.
Big Papi walks.
Our Man Youk flies into the right field corner, and Papi has to hustle back to avoid being doubled off.
JD Drew, Minister of Clutchiness, strikes out swinging.
Bottom One
Makes one wonder which Lester we're going to see-the tired one or the brilliant one.
Hopefully the latter.
Willy Aybar is the DH for Tampa? Seriously? That's the best you can do?
Iwamura grounds out.
Upton hits an artillery shell to the base of the wall in right, but Drew catches it.
Lester seems to have his velocity back. He's hitting 95 with location.
Pena strikes out.
Top Two
Interesting commercial for JG Wentworth-not usually the kind of commercials you get during baseball. There was an article in the New Yorker about those companies-the kind who get people who won lotteries or lawsuits to agree to
Sittin on the Dock of the Bay whiffs.
Mark "Line Drives are my business, and business is good" Kotsay hits the ball hard up the middle, but Jason Bartlett at short throws him out.
Jason Varitek, Oh Captain My Captain, takes a gorgeous curve for strike three.
Bottom Two
Evan Longoria, the Desperate Third Baseman, grounds out to short.
Carl Crawford, who is a Man Among Boys, whiffs.
The Other Aybar grounds to third.
Top Three
Alex (not Joey) Cora flies out to left.
Coco whiffs.
Our Man DP takes one off the forearm.
DP steals on a ball in the dirt-no throw.
Then Papi strikes out, ending the inning.
Bottom Tree
Dioner (Dont Call me Jaime) Navarro whiffs, swinging wildly and late at an outside pitch.
Rhode Island's own Rocco Baldelli takes called strike three. A lazer on the outside corner.
Jason Bartlett pops out.
Jon Lester is a machine.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
ALCS G6 LB VI: The Return Of The Ninth
Top Nine
Cue Heath Ledger: "And Here.....We.....Go!"
Drew up against Bradford. He hits a bullet to left field, but it's caught for an out.
Jason Bay now. He grounds out gently to short.
Maddon out again, and Trever Miller is on to face Mark Kotsay.
Mark Kotsay, Hitter Without Portfolio, Pops Out to Third.
Bottom Nine
Here comes the Lord of the Dance, Jonathan Papelbon.
He had to face The Desperate Third Baseman, Carl Crawford, and Erick's Brother.
The DTB grounds out to short.
CC Hit Factory strikes out swinging.
Papelbon is not throwing as hard as he usually does.
Aybar hits it hard, but it's snagged by Youkilis, and it's over.
Wow.
From the brink of disaster, all the way back to win Game Five, and now winning Game Six in gutty, demanding fashion, and now onto a Game Seven.
The Tampa Bay Rays have got to be swallowing their gum right about now.
Cue Heath Ledger: "And Here.....We.....Go!"
Drew up against Bradford. He hits a bullet to left field, but it's caught for an out.
Jason Bay now. He grounds out gently to short.
Maddon out again, and Trever Miller is on to face Mark Kotsay.
Mark Kotsay, Hitter Without Portfolio, Pops Out to Third.
Bottom Nine
Here comes the Lord of the Dance, Jonathan Papelbon.
He had to face The Desperate Third Baseman, Carl Crawford, and Erick's Brother.
The DTB grounds out to short.
CC Hit Factory strikes out swinging.
Papelbon is not throwing as hard as he usually does.
Aybar hits it hard, but it's snagged by Youkilis, and it's over.
Wow.
From the brink of disaster, all the way back to win Game Five, and now winning Game Six in gutty, demanding fashion, and now onto a Game Seven.
The Tampa Bay Rays have got to be swallowing their gum right about now.
ALCS G6 LB V: The Eighth Strikes Back
Top Eight
Crisp up against the aptly named Balfour, who is struggling with control.
Coco takes a walk, and it wasn't even close.
Maddon comes out again, getting Chad Bradford, Professional Righty Killer, to face Pedroia.
Bradford gets Pedroia to line one back through the box off his leg, but Bradford keeps his wits about him, throws out Pedroia, allowing Crisp to advance.
Bradford walks Ortiz intentionally to face Youkilis.
Youk hits into a 5-4-3 DP to end it, just the kind of luck the Rays needed so badly.
Bottom Eight
Six Outs To Go
Justin Masterson, Ruff Ruffman's favorite player, is on for Boston.
Masterson hits Bartlett with a 3-2 pitch. Ouch, figuratively and literally.
Iwamura now, who is showing maddening self control.
2-0 count.
Called strike.
Breathe, Justin.
Swinging strike on a vicious slider.
Easy, big fella.
Iwamura swings and misses at ball three. Phew.
One out.
Five to go.
Upton now.
He fouls off the first two pitches.
Come on, big guy.
Upton fouls off another one.
And another one.
Upton reaches for an outside slider and pops it way up. Our Man DP tracks it down. Two out.
Pena pops out to second to end the inning.
Kid showed something there-he could have cracked, but we're on to the ninth.
Crisp up against the aptly named Balfour, who is struggling with control.
Coco takes a walk, and it wasn't even close.
Maddon comes out again, getting Chad Bradford, Professional Righty Killer, to face Pedroia.
Bradford gets Pedroia to line one back through the box off his leg, but Bradford keeps his wits about him, throws out Pedroia, allowing Crisp to advance.
Bradford walks Ortiz intentionally to face Youkilis.
Youk hits into a 5-4-3 DP to end it, just the kind of luck the Rays needed so badly.
Bottom Eight
Six Outs To Go
Justin Masterson, Ruff Ruffman's favorite player, is on for Boston.
Masterson hits Bartlett with a 3-2 pitch. Ouch, figuratively and literally.
Iwamura now, who is showing maddening self control.
2-0 count.
Called strike.
Breathe, Justin.
Swinging strike on a vicious slider.
Easy, big fella.
Iwamura swings and misses at ball three. Phew.
One out.
Five to go.
Upton now.
He fouls off the first two pitches.
Come on, big guy.
Upton fouls off another one.
And another one.
Upton reaches for an outside slider and pops it way up. Our Man DP tracks it down. Two out.
Pena pops out to second to end the inning.
Kid showed something there-he could have cracked, but we're on to the ninth.
ALCS G6 LB IV: A New Hope (Seventh Inning)
Top Seven:
Howell still on to face Drew.
JD Drew, The Ballad of a Well Known Line Drive Hitter, flies out to center.
Jason Bay, Canada's Gift To The World, is hit by a pitch.
It seems like Tampa's manager Joe Maddon, who has been so right about so many things all year, seems to be coming apart at the seams. Baseball luck is getting him-the same things that worked in June aren't working now.
Mark Kotsay, Door To Door Bat Salesman, dribbles one in front of the mound and is retired at first, Bay to second.
Maddon comes to the mound to get Howell, as Farmer Jed is up next.
Grant Balfour, Australia's gift to the Red Sox, is on now. He's been sharp all year, but Boston tap danced all over his head in Game Five.
Balfour goes 3-0 on Lowrie, then walks him.
Varitek now. First a swinging strike, then a foul strike. Then a ball, and another foul, and a passed ball to advance the runners to second and third. Then ball three.
Then Varitek sends a very high fly to short right for the third out.
Bottom Seven
The Okeydoke still on. Willy Aybar, whose brother Erick played such a key role in Boston's win over the Angels in Game Four of the DS, fouls out to Our Man Youk.
Dioner (Maker) Navarro is up. He fouls out to Bay. Seven outs to go.
Zobrist is up now. Zobrist flies out to deep left center for the third out.
Phew.
On to the eighth.....
Howell still on to face Drew.
JD Drew, The Ballad of a Well Known Line Drive Hitter, flies out to center.
Jason Bay, Canada's Gift To The World, is hit by a pitch.
It seems like Tampa's manager Joe Maddon, who has been so right about so many things all year, seems to be coming apart at the seams. Baseball luck is getting him-the same things that worked in June aren't working now.
Mark Kotsay, Door To Door Bat Salesman, dribbles one in front of the mound and is retired at first, Bay to second.
Maddon comes to the mound to get Howell, as Farmer Jed is up next.
Grant Balfour, Australia's gift to the Red Sox, is on now. He's been sharp all year, but Boston tap danced all over his head in Game Five.
Balfour goes 3-0 on Lowrie, then walks him.
Varitek now. First a swinging strike, then a foul strike. Then a ball, and another foul, and a passed ball to advance the runners to second and third. Then ball three.
Then Varitek sends a very high fly to short right for the third out.
Bottom Seven
The Okeydoke still on. Willy Aybar, whose brother Erick played such a key role in Boston's win over the Angels in Game Four of the DS, fouls out to Our Man Youk.
Dioner (Maker) Navarro is up. He fouls out to Bay. Seven outs to go.
Zobrist is up now. Zobrist flies out to deep left center for the third out.
Phew.
On to the eighth.....
ALCS G6 LB III: Time is growing short, o cursed spite!
Top Six
Zobrist is in the game to play right field. There is speculation by Rob Neyer on his chat that they might go for Fernando Perez , but I think they are keeping that bullet in the gun for later-Perez is blindingly fast.
Mark Kotsay, professional hitter, hits the ball hard , but Iwamura leaps and spears it for the first out.
Farmer Jed Lowrie takes called strike three.
The Captain-THE CAPTAIN-who hasn't had a hit since Seinfeld went off the air, it seems, HOMERS to right center to give Boston a 3-2 lead.
TEK!!!!!!
Coco singles off of the pitcher's foot, and that is all for Big Game James Shields.
Lefty JP Howell now.
Our Man DP is up now. He hasn't had the most thrilling postseason of them all, either, but clearly, anything can happen in this game.
I think Bartlett's home run, followed by Varitek's, are two of the less likely events in recent memory.
DP grounds to short, and Bartlett throws the ball in the general vicinity of The Gulf of Mexico for an error.
First and third, two out
Ortiz up.
ORTIZ RIPS A SINGLE TO RIGHT CENTER, scoring Coco. 4-2 Boston.
His Majesty The Ortizzle Indeed.
Rays fans are looking like Boston fans, circa 2003.
Our Man Youk is up now, battling JP Howell to a 2-2 count.
Youk whiffs on a curve in the dirt to end the inning.
Bottom Six
After finishing off two Nabokov novels this week, I just started reading Sean Lahman's "Pro Football Historical Abstract", and it is quite fascinating. One thing that stuns me right away is 75% of all quarterbacks drafted have little or no impact in the league. That stuns me.
Lahman ranks Donovan McNabb as one of the top 25 quarterbacks of all time, which I think is about right. He has the second lowest rate of interceptions per pass in league history, which stunned me as well.
The Okeydoke, Hideki Okajima, is on now.
Upton lines out to third-one down.
Pena gets rung up on a high inside pitch-two down. Close pitch.
The DTB works a walk.
There's talk about how McClelland calls "his own strike zone". The strike zone is in the flippin' rule book.
Crawford grounds into a fielder's choice, and the inning is over.
Phew.
Zobrist is in the game to play right field. There is speculation by Rob Neyer on his chat that they might go for Fernando Perez , but I think they are keeping that bullet in the gun for later-Perez is blindingly fast.
Mark Kotsay, professional hitter, hits the ball hard , but Iwamura leaps and spears it for the first out.
Farmer Jed Lowrie takes called strike three.
The Captain-THE CAPTAIN-who hasn't had a hit since Seinfeld went off the air, it seems, HOMERS to right center to give Boston a 3-2 lead.
TEK!!!!!!
Coco singles off of the pitcher's foot, and that is all for Big Game James Shields.
Lefty JP Howell now.
Our Man DP is up now. He hasn't had the most thrilling postseason of them all, either, but clearly, anything can happen in this game.
I think Bartlett's home run, followed by Varitek's, are two of the less likely events in recent memory.
DP grounds to short, and Bartlett throws the ball in the general vicinity of The Gulf of Mexico for an error.
First and third, two out
Ortiz up.
ORTIZ RIPS A SINGLE TO RIGHT CENTER, scoring Coco. 4-2 Boston.
His Majesty The Ortizzle Indeed.
Rays fans are looking like Boston fans, circa 2003.
Our Man Youk is up now, battling JP Howell to a 2-2 count.
Youk whiffs on a curve in the dirt to end the inning.
Bottom Six
After finishing off two Nabokov novels this week, I just started reading Sean Lahman's "Pro Football Historical Abstract", and it is quite fascinating. One thing that stuns me right away is 75% of all quarterbacks drafted have little or no impact in the league. That stuns me.
Lahman ranks Donovan McNabb as one of the top 25 quarterbacks of all time, which I think is about right. He has the second lowest rate of interceptions per pass in league history, which stunned me as well.
The Okeydoke, Hideki Okajima, is on now.
Upton lines out to third-one down.
Pena gets rung up on a high inside pitch-two down. Close pitch.
The DTB works a walk.
There's talk about how McClelland calls "his own strike zone". The strike zone is in the flippin' rule book.
Crawford grounds into a fielder's choice, and the inning is over.
Phew.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)