Man, I love having wall-to-wall baseball on today, starting at noon.

SI

Hell ya!
Go 'Stros

I think I am going to miss my classes today to catch all the games.

Well, the Padres made it look interesting late.

Matt Clement looks horrible.

That's one. :D

Peavy fractured two ribs in his start against the Cards. He is out for the season.

The Chi Sox looked very good. Contreras picked up right where he left off in the regular season.

Today was not a good day. :(

This is the first baseball game I have seen on Fox with Tim McCarver announcing all year. He is STILL terrible. In these troubled times, it is good to see that you can count on certain things

And down goes A-Rod!

Today was not a good day. :(
A real shame, too. Without Peavy, the Pads just don't seem to have the slim chance they had coming in and I was really pulling for them after meeting a couple of really nice people in their front office, one of whom hooked us up with great seats (section 100 row ~15 and section 104 row ~15) when we were there for our honeymoon in July.

SI

Can anyone tell me what happened to ARod?

Can anyone tell me what happened to ARod?
Colon went inside on a 2-0 pitch, but it slipped and hit Arod in the ribs. He trotted down to 1st so he's probably ok. Doubt it was intentional as it loaded the bases.

SI

Can anyone tell me what happened to ARod?
Got smoked by a Colon fastball in the back. He stayed in the game though

SI, I forgot to ask you about your visit to Petco. I hope to go there one of these years.

I never had any illusions about the Pads beating the Cards but in a short series with good pitching, anything can happen. If the Pads win with Pedro or Eaton (remember the Giants series), then they would be forced to go with Williams or B-Law for Game 4 and nothing good will come out of that.

Today was not a good day. :(

You're telling me

Cards win.
White Sox win.
Yankees are currently winning.

Go Andy Go!

That's one. :D
YAHOOOO!!!!

bleah. that's all I have to say about yesterday.

WTF? Why was Johnny Damon wearing an Astros hat during the Red Sox wild card celebration?

http://www.espn.go.com/media/pg2/2005/1003/photo/damon_265.jpg

Why would anyone wear an Astros hat? :P

Hey! http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/mad.gif

SI

Double hey! :mad: :mad:

Hey Pettite, screw you! :p

Hey Pettite, screw you! :p Don't you have some Chicago ballclub to go and feel inferior to (even tho you're in the playoffs and they're home)? :p

SI

Don't you have some Chicago ballclub to go and feel inferior to (even tho you're in the playoffs and they're home)? :p

SI
Considering I just came home from "baseball, what is baseball?" Kansas City. Being back is quite nice and well, we've been inferior to the Cubs for so long, the novelty has worn off some time ago.

Now leave me and my Tim Hudson home jersey alone. :)

Bags!

SI

You gotta love it! :D

You also gotta love seeing the Braves pitching staff implode... :)

Wasn't that game wonderful Jeeber? I HATE the Braves and both the Jones boys.

It was glorious. The only thing that worries me was how shaky our relief looked, but hopefully they were just too loose with that seven run lead...

Tony "Buckner" Graffanino

Yes, because this is the same as costing your team the World Series :rolleyes:

SI

Yes, because this is the same as costing your team the World Series :rolleyes:

SI


Well, if you want to get into detail, Buckner didn't cost them the series. They had a chance in Game 7.

Dola,

...and look at that..3-run homer

Wow.

Well, if you want to get into detail, Buckner didn't cost them the series. They had a chance in Game 7.
True, but we're talking about this in the same vein of crucifying one guy as the Cards incessant whining about umpire or the villification of Steve Bartman.

SI

Big hit by Graffanino

Big hit by Graffanino
yeah. slightly makes up for that shitty error by him earlier

Sox win!!! Sox win!!! Sox win!!!

Sox lose!!! Sox lose!!! Sox lose!!!

Ballgame. I still think that there will be a game 5. It would shocked the hell out of me if Boston can't hit better in Fenway

i'd like to think there'd be a game 5, but i'm really not so sure. i definately see it going to 4.

Cards fans inferior? The only team they should feel inferior to are the Yankees.

Can anyone say White Sox Sweep?

Its our turn :)

-Aes

Let's go Braves.

I wish death upon whoever thought up Scooter.

(And Steve Lyons, that moron)

Hmm, no witty posts by Astro's faithful during the game tonight? Oh yeah, they are losing.

Hmm, no witty posts by Astro's faithful during the game tonight? Oh yeah, they are losing.

I was sure I'd see them tonight seeing as how "The Rocket" was pitching. It's not over yet, though. Our bullpen has proven itself to be one of the worst in baseball.

That's true, when you win 1 postseason series in your history you should talk all the smack you can, whenever you can.

GO BRAVES!!

Hmm, no witty posts by Astro's faithful during the game tonight? Oh yeah, they are losing.

:rolleyes:

Or else I was at work. So why is it you only come out to troll at playoffs time?

Anyone else watching the Sox / Sox game? That 6th inning was amazing to watch.

El Duque is a baller.

Anyone else watching the Sox / Sox game? That 6th inning was amazing to watch.

Definitely unbelieveable. I don't think Damon actually went around but to pitch out of that situation was very impressive.

excuse me while i vomit

I'd like to see the White Sox gets past the Red Sox. I wonder if they can beat the Yankees though. I'm not sure they'll beat Anaheim (the White Sox if they had to play them) and so...that's worrysome.

Moreover, can you imagine if history had been changed and the White Sox had actually moved to Tampa like they'd threatened. It's be almost as bad as watching the Dodgers in LA, I'd imagine.

Red Sox don't deserve to win at this point. Couldn't tie it with bases loaded no outs, and now they're down 5-3. Byebye season.

Congrats to the White Sox, they kicked Red Sox Nation's asses, no more, no less.

Definitely unbelieveable. I don't think Damon actually went around but to pitch out of that situation was very impressive.
Nah, he went around pretty convincingly. It didn't look like it from the front view, but I thought the side view was pretty obvious.

SI

Why is Jon Miller such a Yankee ass-kisser?

Congrats to the White Sox, they kicked Red Sox Nation's asses, no more, no less.
Amen. Goodbye RedSux!!

Amen. Goodbye RedSux!!
Yeah, now if only we could get rid of those blasted Cardina-- I mean, hey Todd ;)

SI

Why is Jon Miller such a Yankee ass-kisser?
Screw the Fankees! C'mon Anaheim!!!!!

Yeah, now if only we could get rid of those blasted Cardina-- I mean, hey Todd ;)

SI
You'll get to see us in the World Series baby!!

Congrats to the White Sox, they kicked Red Sox Nation's asses, no more, no less.
No way to dispute that. Somewhat embarassing exit for the Red Sox, really.

Nice to see the Red Sox of my youth are back on the map.

:rolleyes:

Or else I was at work. So why is it you only come out to troll at playoffs time?

I see, all the Astros fans were working last night, gotcha.

PS-I'm like Moss, I post when I want to post.

Congrats to the White Sox. Completely outplayed the Red Sox. Red Sox weaknesses were exposed and Chicago pitching did a great job with the Red Sox lineup.

It's funny, but before last year, Red Sox playoff losses hurt. This time it was relatively painless. I think it's because I've still got plenty of happy left over from last year. I'm guessing the Red Sox could lose in the playoffs for the next five years and I'd still be fine with it all. Whenever the buzz starts to wear off I think I'll be able to watch my 2004 Red Sox DVD and it'll be all good again.

5 year grace period for the Sox, right? :D

I was looking forward to watching the Yanks get booted from the playoffs today. Stupid mother nature.

Yes I was working like Jeeber, but I don't get on FOFC every hour of every day like most people here. I find a very interesting article on espn, I dont know if it has been brought up here yet...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2005/news/story?id=2179945

According to that 6 out of the 16 'experts' think the Astros are going to win the World Series and only two picked the Cardinals. I have to say that I agree with the 6 that voted for Houston. What do you think Jeeber?

Yes I was working like Jeeber, but I don't get on FOFC every hour of every day like most people here. I find a very interesting article on espn, I dont know if it has been brought up here yet...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2005/news/story?id=2179945

According to that 6 out of the 16 'experts' think the Astros are going to win the World Series and only two picked the Cardinals. I have to say that I agree with the 6 that voted for Houston. What do you think Jeeber?

Wow, I'm shocked, you are picking the Astros.

Wow, I'm shocked, you are picking the Astros.

http://www.mikelief.com/archives/CasablancaRenaultRick.jpg

I'm shocked - shocked! - to find gambling going on in here!

Yes I was working like Jeeber, but I don't get on FOFC every hour of every day like most people here. I find a very interesting article on espn, I dont know if it has been brought up here yet...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2005/news/story?id=2179945

According to that 6 out of the 16 'experts' think the Astros are going to win the World Series and only two picked the Cardinals. I have to say that I agree with the 6 that voted for Houston. What do you think Jeeber?
*Yawn* I guess ESPN reporters are the "holy grail" in sports. How hard is it to pick a team who has three excellent starters and a closer who is lights out?

One thing you need to remember, they have to get by Atlanta first.

I love you Adam LaRoche.

Oof

SI

AHHHHHHHHHH asfdhasfhasjd

GRAND FUCKING SLAM!!!!

That was a bomb... I liked his reaction when he hit it too, very professional.

Laaaaaaaaaaaance!

SI

Fuck the NFL. WOW!

SI

To the 12th Inning we go!

Is there any way the Astros lose this game? I don't think so....

This extra innings stuff is nonsense. They should just settle this thing with a home run derby.

Man, this has been one heck of a game. Well, actually, only since about the 7th has it been one heck of a game (as it was one of those "great pitching performance on one side, other guy sucked" games until then). I really do feel sorry for anyone who's been watching football.

SI

This extra innings stuff is nonsense. They should just settle this thing with a home run derby.
Be nice. Hockey still has OT in the playoffs :p :) :D

SI

Bottom of the 13th! Man, this is great stuff :D.

I really do feel sorry for anyone who's been watching football.

SIThe NE - ATL game was better than this ;).

The NE - ATL game was better than this ;).
It's ok to be wrong ;)

At the end of this half inning, we get another "stretch"

SI

And again I say "wow"

SI

Roger's in.

hehe...this is craz that it's going on.

Clemens making Braves hitters looking foolish.

god, between this and watching my Paladins yesterday, I think I may collapse.

Time to finish off the Braves... would like to have all the games in the Championship Series sold out ;).

It seemed to me that Game 1 of the Divisional Series was far from a sell out. At least that is what it looked like on TV.

Wow

Nice seeing the umpires calling it fair :rolleyes:

17th Inning... longest postseason game ever... in terms of innings.

I know you all could care less with this game still going on, but the Angels announced Washburn won't be starting against the Yanks tonight because of a throat infection. Lackey will go on three days rest.

What a game... what a game.

Nice seeing the umpires calling it fair :rolleyes:
Yeah, I hate Clemens and his "ace" treatment

SI

I know you all could care less with this game still going on, but the Angels announced Washburn won't be starting against the Yanks tonight because of a throat infection. Lackey will go on three days rest.Screw that... Washburn doesn't need to talk ;).

2 out, Jordan on 3rd

Screw that... Washburn doesn't need to talk ;).
Yeah, it's not like he has to go up and lick the Yankees or something. Pansy ;)

SI

Wait, the Braves are putting Devine on the mound? Why?

All right, bobby puts in Home Run Devine!!!

I'm shocked Devine is doing this good.

I'm shocked Devine is doing this good.

I'm just shocked Bobby didn't bring him in with 2 or 3 inherited runners. That's usually when Devine is sent to the mound.

It took 17 1/3 innings for an error... amazing.

And Brian McCann has left 10 men on base.

This just feels like one of those Stanley Cup playoff games once it hits 3 OTs or longer- you just don't want it to end.

SI

Francouer swings and misses... bottom of 18th.

This just feels like one of those Stanley Cup playoff games once it hits 3 OTs or longer- you just don't want it to end.

SI

I know what you mean. There are few things better than good baseball when it gets late in the game. A true test of endurance and everything.

I was going to make some sort of joke about how they need to just end baseball games with a homerun derby after 15 innings. How absurd is the shootouts in regular season hockey? I mean, seriously. Even football still has ties. Americans don't care about ties that much, that they won't watch hockey.

Longest postseason game in history.

GONEEE!!!!! Astros WIN!

*applauds*

Burke wins it for the Stroes. Braves choke in the playoffs again.

Home Run Devine lives up to his nickname.

Great game... off to St. Louis!

I know Clemens is Clemens, but why the hell is she asking The Rocket a question before she asks the guy who hit the game-winning homerun? Hell, even Roger found it odd--he pointed out Burke after answering her question.

That made me cry for joy.

Now if the Angels can win, my joy will be complete today.

I know Clemens is Clemens, but why the hell is she asking The Rocket a question before she asks the guy who hit the game-winning homerun? Hell, even Roger found it odd--he pointed out Burke after answering her question.
That's sports now. Hell, it would have been worse if this were on Fox- they wouldn't have left him alone and they'd still be interviewing him.

SI

Classy move by Clemens there, making sure the kid got the TV time. Okay, that said ...

WTF was Cox thinking putting Devine out there?

WTF was Cox thinking putting Devine out there?It ain't like he distinguished himself during the season. He had one really good inning. Cox should have cut his losses there and gone to the next guy.

Not much left in the pen at that point

SI

Atleast another team won't be celebrating on Turner Field this year.

Whoever advanced to play St. Louis was gonna get beat, anyways. I'm just glad I won't have to watch this Braves team in another round of the playoffs. Absolutely disgusting.

Devine, Foster, McBride, or Powell. Foster had a decent year so maybe him. Powell has pitched in these situations before but didn't pitch much this year. McBride- well, he's junk.

SI

SI - McBride was still out there IIRC, as was Foster (although I wouldn't exactly have been chomping at the bit to see him).

But hell, I've been scratching my head as to how Devine even ended up on the post-season roster in the first place - (I'd have probably gone with Davies instead, or maybe even Anthony Lerew).

edit to add-- Powell wasn't available since he broke his arm back in August.

I still think that Baseball needs to change it's playoff system, the best team should get the Wildcard and it should be 2-1-2. Game 1 should be interesting, the Cards have trouble against lefties and the Stro's have trouble on the road.

Devine, Foster, McBride, or Powell. Foster had a decent year so maybe him. Powell has pitched in these situations before but didn't pitch much this year. McBride- well, he's junk.

Granted, McBride ain't exactly stellar but his 7.71 ERA over the last 10 games was still better than Devine's. For the love of Pete, Devine had exactly FIVE freakin' innings in the majors all season AND he'd walked more guys than he struck out ... meanwhile McBride had a 3:1 K/BB ratio for the season & 5:1 over the last 10 outings.

(see my note in the other post about Powell being on the DL)

All this really doesn't screw up the Astros rotation like I thought it would. The Astros don't play again until Wednesday(Pettite)/Thurs(Oswalt)/Sat (Clemens) and Pettite pitched Thursday, Oswalt- Saturday, and Clemens- Sunday so they all get good rest.

SI

I will spend most of my time watching the football game but Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim PLEASE beat the shit out of the Yankees. Thanks

I know Clemens is Clemens, but why the hell is she asking The Rocket a question before she asks the guy who hit the game-winning homerun? Hell, even Roger found it odd--he pointed out Burke after answering her question.

I need "her" name. She looked like spanking material.

I need "her" name. She looked like spanking material.

Erin Andrews, and, yes, stupid interview or no, she's quite the hottie.

What brain child scheduled the playoffs as they were. First, they don't want to put the ALDS up against football (but who cares about the NLDS) so they force the teams to play in New York yesterday night and Anaheim tonight rather than have an afternoon getaway day. Rather than have the NLCS start tomorrow with teams having a day rest, one of these teams then gets to go to Chicago tomorrow night and start the next series.

SI

Take your $200M team back to NY George.

Theeee Yankees Lose! Theeeee Yankees Lose!

:D

As much as I like to see the Yankees lose, this doesn't seem like the day to do that. I know that feeling of having my team lose in the playoffs and the season over all too well and that's just no fun at all. Celebrate the Angels moving on but no need to rub salt in the wound today- that's what the other 364 days are for.

SI

Theeee Yankees Lose! Theeeee Yankees Lose!
:D

Damn, you beat me to it.

If you've dealt with Yankee fans after your season has ended, then you wouldn't say such things ;). I think a good deal of Yankee hate comes also from those fans who think its owed to them, who, after winning the World Series think it's cool to call random numbers in the Boston phone book to gloat, no matter the time of night when it happens (yes, I've known people who did that).

Not all Yankee fans are bad. I'm one, and I am not one of those who think that a World Series title is owed. Be careful not to associate such behavior to all fans. I mean, calling random people in the Boston phone book. Come on, at least pick one letter so you can maximize coverage. ;)

Seriously, I think we are in store for two good league championship series. And, at least I will have former Yankees to cheer on, especially Andy Pettite, since the Yankees cheated him. (BTW, most Yankee fans hate George Steinbrenner).

Picks anyone:

Astros in 6.

White Sox in 5.

As much as I like to see the Yankees lose, this doesn't seem like the day to do that. I know that feeling of having my team lose in the playoffs and the season over all too well and that's just no fun at all. Celebrate the Angels moving on but no need to rub salt in the wound today- that's what the other 364 days are for.

SI
Screw that. This isn't about Yankees fans for me, this is simply about the Yankees organization and the city in which they play. I hope they fail at every sports-related event they undertake.

Be careful not to associate such behavior to all fans.As I said, "those fans". Though I notice there are more Yankee fans that tend to do it, mostly, because I believe they've been spoiled. The 80s gave them some humility, and that was reflected in the late 90s team (which was VERY hard to dislike). After the Subway Series though, it's been very easy to root for this team to lose and for their fans to cry in their beer... sorry ;).

Not all Yankee fans are bad. I'm one, and I am not one of those who think that a World Series title is owed. Be careful not to associate such behavior to all fans. I mean, calling random people in the Boston phone book. Come on, at least pick one letter so you can maximize coverage. ;)

Seriously, I think we are in store for two good league championship series. And, at least I will have former Yankees to cheer on, especially Andy Pettite, since the Yankees cheated him. (BTW, most Yankee fans hate George Steinbrenner).

Picks anyone:

Astros in 6.

White Sox in 5.

Cardinals in 5.

White Sox in 7.

I would pick my Angels, but I think this long series, and Colon's iffy status makes our rotation at lot more hit-and-miss early on, as we will probably have to go with Byrd on short rest and maybe a still sick Washburn in our first series. If Colon is healthy he can then go, followed by Lackey. But having those two pitch in the middle instead of the beginning and end of the series is not good for us.

I'll be rooting for Houston and I'll be enjoying the CHI/ANA series.

The White Sox are hungry, it's their series.

I'd like to see Astros and White Sox in the World Series.

Cardinals in 5.

White Sox in 7.

I would pick my Angels, but I think this long series, and Colon's iffy status makes our rotation at lot more hit-and-miss early on, as we will probably have to go with Byrd on short rest and maybe a still sick Washburn in our first series. If Colon is healthy he can then go, followed by Lackey. But having those two pitch in the middle instead of the beginning and end of the series is not good for us.
I like that first prediction. ;)

Although I am a Yankee fan, I have to admit that a "White Sox-Cardinals" World Series has a nice sound to it. You have two teams with a long history, a streak to be broken, and redemption by the Cardinals.
It just sounds good (much better than Angels-Cardinals, Angels-Astros, or Astros-Angels).

White Sox in 6, Cardinals in 6.

But honestly, even though I'm a White Sox fan and my wife is a Cardinals fan, any combination of the teams remaining should make for a fun World Series.

EDIT: So I guess Jon and I disagree, then. :) And Jon, how come the White Sox don't get to play the Astros? :eek: ;)

http://users4.ev1.net/~yarrum/gostros.gif

http://users4.ev1.net/~yarrum/gostros.gif
BLAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.prizes1.com/St%20Louis%20Cardinals%20Vinyl%20Baseball%20No%201%20Hand.jpg

Funny, that's a different finger than I see raised by most Cardinals fans when they're in KC

SI

:)



http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20051009/capt.hta13110092337.braves_astros_hta131.jpg

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20051009/capt.hta12810092332.braves_astros_hta128.jpg

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20051009/capt.hta12710092317.braves_astros_hta127.jpg

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20051009/capt.hta13010092335.braves_astros_hta130.jpg

Funny, that's a different finger than I see raised by most Cardinals fans when they're in KC

SI
What are Cardinal fans doing in a city that has no baseball team?

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/slideshow/cards2004.nsf/show/78261A7B3ED5803D86256F3400211F04/$FILE/photo12.jpg

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/slideshow/cards2004.nsf/show/C769888CE5FF2B0286256F340021652C/$FILE/photo13.jpg

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/slideshow/cards2004.nsf/show/6D56A891D1E0C80186256F340021925E/$FILE/photo14.jpg

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/slideshow/cards2004.nsf/show/5EF11B27C8DC393786256F350019F52E/$FILE/photo4.jpg

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/slideshow/cards2004.nsf/show/07C2864DA071679F86256F35001BD4D2/$FILE/photo11.jpg

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/slideshow/cards2004.nsf/show/6EDD9F81C4D40B6386256F35001C08C3/$FILE/photo12.jpg

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/slideshow/cards2004.nsf/show/971A6463A6237CCC86256F35001C31F2/$FILE/photo13.jpg

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/slideshow/cards2004.nsf/show/6049E9213EF4EF5786256F35001C946C/$FILE/photo15.jpg

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/slideshow/cards2004.nsf/show/8D6AEB39C247AAB786256F35001CB21F/$FILE/photo16.jpg

What are Cardinal fans doing in a city that has no baseball team?
Well, last time they left here, losing ;)

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</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left"> St. Louis (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/stl) </td> <td class="yspscores">0</td> <td class="yspscores">0</td> <td class="yspscores">2</td> <td class="yspscores">0</td> <td class="yspscores">0</td> <td class="yspscores">0</td> <td class="yspscores">0</td> <td class="yspscores">0</td> <td class="yspscores">0</td> <td class="ysptblclbg6">2</td> <td class="ysptblclbg6">4</td> <td class="ysptblclbg6">4</td> </tr> <tr class="yspwhitebg"> <td colspan="2">
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</td> </tr> <tr class="ysptblclbg5" align="center"> <td height="23" width="10">http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/gr/or_arrow.gif</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left"> Kansas City (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/kan) </td> <td class="yspscores">6</td> <td class="yspscores">0</td> <td class="yspscores">0</td> <td class="yspscores">0</td> <td class="yspscores">1</td> <td class="yspscores">2</td> <td class="yspscores">0</td> <td class="yspscores">0</td> <td class="yspscores">X</td> <td class="ysptblclbg6">9</td> <td class="ysptblclbg6">12</td> <td class="ysptblclbg6">1</td> </tr> <tr class="ysptblbdr2"> <td colspan="28" height="1">
</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="28" class="yspscores" height="5">
</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="28" class="yspscores"> WP: R. Jensen (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6722) (1-0)
LP: J. Suppan (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/5454) (3-5)</td></tr></tbody> </table>

SI

Well, last time they left here, losing ;)

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=ysptblbdr2><TD colSpan=28 height=1>


</TD></TR><TR align=middle bgColor=#dedec6><TD class=ysptblbdr2 noWrap width=1 rowSpan=5>


</TD><TD width=10 height=18></TD><TD width=144></TD><TD class=yspwhitebg noWrap width=1 rowSpan=5>


</TD><TD class=yspscores noWrap width=18>1</TD><TD class=yspwhitebg noWrap width=1 rowSpan=5>


</TD><TD class=yspscores noWrap width=18>2</TD><TD class=yspwhitebg noWrap width=1 rowSpan=5>


</TD><TD class=yspscores noWrap width=18>3</TD><TD class=yspwhitebg noWrap width=1 rowSpan=5>


</TD><TD class=yspscores noWrap width=18>4</TD><TD class=yspwhitebg noWrap width=1 rowSpan=5>


</TD><TD class=yspscores noWrap width=18>5</TD><TD class=yspwhitebg noWrap width=1 rowSpan=5>


</TD><TD class=yspscores noWrap width=18>6</TD><TD class=yspwhitebg noWrap width=1 rowSpan=5>


</TD><TD class=yspscores noWrap width=18>7</TD><TD class=yspwhitebg noWrap width=1 rowSpan=5>


</TD><TD class=yspscores noWrap width=18>8</TD><TD class=yspwhitebg noWrap width=1 rowSpan=5>


</TD><TD class=yspscores noWrap width=18>9</TD><TD class=yspwhitebg noWrap width=1 rowSpan=5>


</TD><TD class=yspscores noWrap width=18>R</TD><TD class=yspwhitebg noWrap width=1 rowSpan=5>


</TD><TD class=yspscores noWrap width=18>H</TD><TD class=yspwhitebg noWrap width=1 rowSpan=5>


</TD><TD class=yspscores noWrap width=18>E</TD><TD class=ysptblbdr2 noWrap width=1 rowSpan=5>


</TD></TR><TR class=yspwhitebg><TD colSpan=26 height=1>


</TD></TR><TR class=ysptblclbg5 align=middle><TD width=10 height=23>


</TD><TD class=yspscores align=left>St. Louis (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/stl) </TD><TD class=yspscores>0</TD><TD class=yspscores>0</TD><TD class=yspscores>2</TD><TD class=yspscores>0</TD><TD class=yspscores>0</TD><TD class=yspscores>0</TD><TD class=yspscores>0</TD><TD class=yspscores>0</TD><TD class=yspscores>0</TD><TD class=ysptblclbg6>2</TD><TD class=ysptblclbg6>4</TD><TD class=ysptblclbg6>4</TD></TR><TR class=yspwhitebg><TD colSpan=2>


</TD><TD colSpan=18 height=1>


</TD><TD class=ysptblclbg6 colSpan=5>


</TD></TR><TR class=ysptblclbg5 align=middle><TD width=10 height=23>http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/gr/or_arrow.gif</TD><TD class=yspscores align=left>Kansas City (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/kan) </TD><TD class=yspscores>6</TD><TD class=yspscores>0</TD><TD class=yspscores>0</TD><TD class=yspscores>0</TD><TD class=yspscores>1</TD><TD class=yspscores>2</TD><TD class=yspscores>0</TD><TD class=yspscores>0</TD><TD class=yspscores>X</TD><TD class=ysptblclbg6>9</TD><TD class=ysptblclbg6>12</TD><TD class=ysptblclbg6>1</TD></TR><TR class=ysptblbdr2><TD colSpan=28 height=1>


</TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspscores colSpan=28 height=5>


</TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspscores colSpan=28>WP: R. Jensen (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6722) (1-0)

LP: J. Suppan (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/5454) (3-5)
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

SI
Oh I see, taking one game out of a three game series vs the Cardinals is a bright spot for the Royals this year? ;) :p

Oh I see, taking one game out of a three game series vs the Cardinals is a bright spot for the Royals this year? ;) :p
Hey, it's all the ammo I've got

SI

I love this little bit from BP because it's what I thought last night when McCarver and Buck were just gushing:

Derek Jeter (http://www.baseballprospectus.com/dt/jeterde01.shtml) hit a home run Friday with the Yankees down four runs. He hit one last night with the team down three. The one last night was pointed to, by the game broadcasters as well as the ones on "SportsCenter," as evidence of his "clutchness." Not for nothing, but why is it if Alex Rodriguez (http://www.baseballprospectus.com/dt/rodrial01.shtml) hits a solo homer with the Yankees down by a bunch, it's evidence that he's a stat-padding loser, but when Jeter does it, it's clutch?

It's just another example of the double standard in place for the two players. Neither covered themsleves in glory in the series--the statistical difference between the two is those two Jeter home runs, whose value seems to be entirely in who hit them--yet Jeter comes out as Captain Intangible while Rodriguez, whose back is still a bit sore from carrying the team in the '04 Division Series, for which he got no credit, is the choke artist.

It ain't right.

SI

Hey, it's all the ammo I've got

SI
You've still got 1985.

You've still got 1985.
Yeah but that invariably leads to the fingernails-on-chalkboard sounds of bitching about how officiating cost someone a title that no one wants to hear and simply isn't true. I swear- 4 years running and I can't go to a damn interleague game without hearing Denkinger's name at least once, if not repeatedly.

SI

Scoreboard. That's your response.

Wow, the same dude caught both Berk's eighth inning grand slam and Burke's 18th inning homer! Talk about being a lucky SOB...

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3389349

Lucky fan is twice in the right spot
By LEE CEARNAL
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle


Chris Burke's homer might not have been the only history-maker in Sunday's 18-inning victory over the Atlanta Braves. The fan who caught it — Shaun Dean of Porter — also caught Lance Berkman's grand slam shot in the eighth.

Dean, 25, was sitting in the second row of the Crawford boxes. A client had given tickets to Joslin Construction, where he is comptroller.

"I never caught one in a game before," he said.

But with one out in the eighth, with the bases loaded and the Astros down 6-1, Berkman hit his line drive. Fortunately, Dean was wearing a glove.

"It came right at me," he said, "I just reached over and caught it."

Later — about three hours — Burke came to the plate with two out in the 18th. When he connected, the drive was not on as direct a line as Berkman's but Dean said "it was all just a blur ... (it) came more toward my father-in-law, and he just leaned over and I reached down and caught it."

Soon afterward, "an usher came down and talked to me." He told Dean that the Astros normally offer cash and other considerations to fans who return special home-run balls to the players who hit them.

He said he probably would give the ball to Burke, since the homer made history, for the club and for Major League Baseball, since it ended the longest playoff game ever.

On the way out of the park, Dean was an instant celebrity.

"Everyone was congratulating me, patting me on the back," he said. "I had several people say I should buy a lottery ticket or go to Vegas."

Saw that on the Chronicle's website and just thought "lucky bastard"

SI

Yeah but that invariably leads to the fingernails-on-chalkboard sounds of bitching about how officiating cost someone a title that no one wants to hear and simply isn't true. I swear- 4 years running and I can't go to a damn interleague game without hearing Denkinger's name at least once, if not repeatedly.

SI


Who cares about 1985, it's water under the bridge. Instead of bringing him up in this thread, why not say yep, we have 1985!

I sincerely hope that the Royals can right their ship, great ballpark there and I really wish they had gone to the NL instead of the Brewers. That would have been a great rivalry.

I know I grab tickets to one of the interleague games every year. Easily tops the "If I can only go to one game this year" list. Thankfully, I don't have that list and can go to ~10 games a year.

SI

Time to hit the store for some beer and dinner. Just an hour and a half till game time! :D

Come on Andy, settle down bud...

Wait a minute. MLB juggled the 4 matchups of the divisional series so that there were little overlaps (if I recall). Now with only 2 games on tap, they scheduled them at the same time?!?!? WTF.

He better settle down, or they better start learning how to hit Carpenter

Dammit, Berk... :(

That makes me want to scream

Stay out of that other thread, LSG. It's CURSED!

Whatever helps the Astros Jeebs

Nice dig, Mo!

Wait a minute. MLB juggled the 4 matchups of the divisional series so that there were little overlaps (if I recall). Now with only 2 games on tap, they scheduled them at the same time?!?!? WTF.

Isn't that great planning?! They are afraid of losing advertising $, so they fool with fans that would find a way to watch both games.

*sigh*

I came in late, who is the third commentator in the ANA-CHI game?

Oh good GOD!

This is so frusterating! I dont want to even watch anymore.

I came in late, who is the third commentator in the ANA-CHI game?
If it is the same as yesterday , that would be Pinella

Ah, I missed the game yesterday. Thanks.

This is a great game in Chicago.

At what point does "aggressive" baserunning turn into just plain bad running?

When you don't win?

I guess you're talking about Crede's play in Chicago; I don't think it was *that* bad a play. It took a perfect catch 'n' throw from Anderson to get him, and late in a low scoring game it makes sense to take a few chances on the bases.

Cards win. 1-0 in that series.

If the Angels lose it here that is some f'd up shit.

Good game, Cards. Carpenter was on and you managed to hit Petitte.

However, we lost that game with our crappy batting with men in scoring position

BULLSHIT!!!!!!!

Wow....

Angels got hosed, man.

WOW did the Angels get HOSED. The Umps stole that one for the White Sox.

Totally fucking bullshit. It's unfortunate they just didn't get the last out and settle the game fairly in extra innings.

I miss the call, but saw the replay...What exactly happen?

If the Angels lose it here that is some f'd up shit.
That ball was not caught but the umpire called him out twice.

If I was an Angels fan, I would be going ballistic right now.

That ball was caught and the umpire called him out twice.
Fixed that for ya.

That ball was not caught but the umpire called him out twice.

Gotcha...

I miss the call, but saw the replay...What exactly happen?

Prznski swung and missed, ran to first even though Paul had cleanly caught the ball and rolled it towards the mound and the Angels jogged off the field. Umpires stood around confused, eventually called him safe on first. I don't say this often, but that crew chief should be fired.

That's wacky. The ump didn't stick to his conviction there. But wow....

The worst part about it is that the 3rd base ump should have been consulted earlier. By the time they did, it was so long after the call, he couldn't reverse it and make the guy look like an idiot.

Angel's manager is speaking on ESPN

He's doing a good job. Scioscia with actually just flat out saying they didn't lose on the one play. That's stand up.

The worst part about it is that the 3rd base ump should have been consulted earlier. By the time they did, it was so long after the call, he couldn't reverse it and make the guy look like an idiot.

agreed.

The ball hit the dirt. There is no doubt about that. McCarver was drunk and could not see it and went raving on about it. He had his mitt angeled down and not even a major league catcher can catch that cleanly. Remeber the ball just to hit the dirt. It does not matter if he catches it cleanly.

I agree that the ball did hit the dirt. Paul tried to totally play it so that he had caught up and well, they almost got that. But AJ was smart, said that he'd seen that happen last year and that was heads up, whether or not it was "fair"

What?! I'm sorry but I could care less what McCarver says, that ball did not hit the ground.

I don't think it hit the dirt. But think about it - Paul cleanly had the ball and AJ was right there to be tagged, so if he knew he didn't catch it, his first instinct would be to tag the guy. Instinctual actions are a good indication of what happened.

Here's a question, though - does the ump call the hitter out even on a clear wild pitch/swinging strike, or is he just calling a strike?

If you see the one angle over AJ's shoulder you see Paul's glove hit the dirt. When he lifts the glove up the ball is squarely in the middle of his glove. No way it could of hit the dirt with him catching it like that. Now if from the same angle he caught the ball like a sno-cone you would be able to see the ball hitting the dirt when he turns his glove hand around.

the ump called strike and then he made the fist for the out call

terrible

It looked to me like Paul caught it cleanly. It also looked to me like the ump didn't even consider whether it was caught cleanly until Prznski ran to first, then figured it MUST have been in the dirt, or else why would he run?

Either way, just a totally lame performance by the umps.

I agree that the umpires messed this up. They fell asleep on the call. There is no doubt about that. I just think it would have been very had for the catcher to have caught that ball cleanly. Ksyrup does bring up a good point and in my experience as an umpire catchers always tag if there is any doubt in their mind.

Haha! "Doug ruled the ball was trapped".

Scioscia handled that with total class, good job on his part.

The ball hit the dirt. There is no doubt about that. McCarver was drunk and could not see it and went raving on about it. He had his mitt angeled down and not even a major league catcher can catch that cleanly. Remeber the ball just to hit the dirt. It does not matter if he catches it cleanly.

What the hell replay were you watching?

Good game, Cards. Carpenter was on and you managed to hit Petitte.

However, we lost that game with our crappy batting with men in scoring position

I was surprised that the Cards were able to score that many runs on Pettitte.

However, the Cards won the game plain and simple, no excuses.

can the Angels protest the game?

can the Angels protest the game?

Nope, its a judgment call. Not an interpretation of rule.

Scioscia said they couldn't.

damn the Angels got rob.

but the angel catcher should of tag player out or threw to first just in case, when he saw batter take off.

damn the Angels got rob.

but the angel catcher should of tag player out or threw to first just in case, when he saw batter take off.

No he shouldn't have, because he caught it. If you throw it, it looks like you didn't catch it. Imagine he threw it into the dirt or past the 1B?

Yes, it was a terrible call.

However, listening to John Kruk on baseball tonight he said the umpire says out if the player is out after the strikeout. It seems the umpire didn't do that in this case. He just called the strike signal.

The play wasn't over. Its like in football where a play isn't dead until the whistle was blown. Josh Paul should not have assumed the play was over.

Was it still a terrible call? You bet.

Yes, it was a terrible call.

However, listening to John Kruk on baseball tonight he said the umpire says out if the player is out after the strikeout. It seems the umpire didn't do that in this case. He just called the strike signal.

The play wasn't over. Its like in football where a play isn't dead until the whistle was blown. Josh Paul should not have assumed the play was over.

Was it still a terrible call? You bet.

I assume from your name you were watching the game? The replay clearly shows th ump calling a strike and making an out signal. So maybe Kruk didn't see it, but I did. And I am pretty sure you did also.

I assume from your name you were watching the game? The replay clearly shows th ump calling a strike and making an out signal. So maybe Kruk didn't see it, but I did. And I am pretty sure you did also.

Let me repeat: IT WAS A TERRIBLE CALL.

Also Let me repeat. There is a tradition according to baseball players who play in the major leagues that a play is not considered dead until the umpire verbalizes it.

Apparently, he didn't verbalize it.

I assume from your name you were watching the game? The replay clearly shows th ump calling a strike and making an out signal. So maybe Kruk didn't see it, but I did. And I am pretty sure you did also.

maybe it would have been helpful if the ump had held up a donut while making the call. Kruk SURELY would have seen THAT!

Let me repeat: IT WAS A TERRIBLE CALL.

Also Let me repeat. There is a tradition according to baseball players who play in the major leagues that a play is not considered dead until the umpire verbalizes it.

Apparently, he didn't verbalize it.

My question is how would Kruk know any better than you or me if he verbalized it? Forget it, at least you admit it was a terrible call. Unfortunatly you are implying the there is a chance that the ump didn't call the guy out when the replay clearly shows him calling the guy out. Kruk can play devil's advocate and defend a unfathamable lapse of reason all he wants but there is a 0% chance that Kruk is right. Sorry.

Well, technically its a strikeout whether the catcher makes the catch or not. What is the signal from the umpire in that situation (While I've seen the play probably hundreds of times, I don't remember what is considered the "correct" signal for the ump to make). Should he punch a guy out (as if to say "it wasn't tipped")? Should he not make a signal at all (like a play at the plate where the catcher misses the tag, but once he sees the ump hasn't made any signal, realizes that it means the batter didn't touch the plate and can then tag him)?

We know one thing: The call itself was bad. Really bad.

The umpire should not verablize on a swinging strike three. My signal for a swing is the same as his. I do it everytime. However, when I know it was a drop third strike, I do not do anything. But it was the ninth inning of the game and the umpire probably got in the habit of doing that. He did do it after every strike. That is his signal for strike.

We know one thing: The call itself was bad. Really bad.
I disagree. It was a call that could have gone either away. I have alreeady stated I did not think he caught it. I have not seen anything rule that it was a catch or not. Even if it was the wrong call, it was not that bad of a call.

even if it was a wrong call it didn't result in the Yankees winning anything, which means that overall it was an alright call.

The umpire blew it and then he lied about it in his press conference. He said he didnt signal an out, that was his strike three call. But the batter BEFORE was a passed ball and the umpire didn't make the same motion as what the umpire made for AJ.

Nope, its a judgment call. Not an interpretation of rule.

Whether the ball touched the ground is a clearly judgment call - but what about calling someone out, and then allowing actions that happened after that third out call to stand? Doesn't calling a third out result in a "dead ball"? That sounds more like a mistake in the intrepretation of the rules to me.

The umpire made the signal for the AJ Pierz to be out. When an umpire signals a ball has not been caught in such a situation, it is apaprently standard for the umpire to say "no catch". He did not say this (he said so in the press conference that he did not). He made the strike call and made the out motion and did not say "no catch". After all of which, Paul tossed the ball onto the field and started walking off of the field with all of the other Angels (having been given plenty of indications from the umpire that the play was dead).

Pierz, being crafty, decides (after two steps toward the dugout, mind you) that he's going to run to first because he knew the ball was really close to the ground. This is after the Angels are already walking off of the field. The umpire makes no call until he reaches first, and then "decides" to call him safe.

Basically, Pierz fooled the umpire into thinking the ball had hit the ground and ruled him safe. Basically, the umpire reversed his decision when he called him safe, and with his actions, essentially eliminated any but the most remote possibility that the Angels could have gotten Pierz out (the ball by then several feet from any Angels player).

Somebody on another forum said he reviewed a game on mlbtv Eddings called behind the plate early this season. There was a dropped third strike. He did not signal out.

I agree that Paul sprinted for the dugout too soon. But the other players on the field reacted to the out call. At that point, it should be a dead ball.

This wasn't a judgment call on the umpire's part. It doesn't matter whether the ball hit the ground or not. He called him out.

They need to replay this one from the 10th inning on. I'm sure Selig doesn't have the balls to do it, though.

The umpire made the signal for the AJ Pierz to be out. When an umpire signals a ball has not been caught in such a situation, it is apaprently standard for the umpire to say "no catch". He did not say this (he said so in the press conference that he did not). He made the strike call and made the out motion and did not say "no catch". After all of which, Paul tossed the ball onto the field and started walking off of the field with all of the other Angels (having been given plenty of indications from the umpire that the play was dead).
I don't disagree with any of this, except for one thing: Paul was in no position to have the same excuse the rest of his teammates, coaches, and the fans do, which is that we all saw the ump do the "pump fist" out call. Paul's back was to the ump the entire time, so he didn't see the out call being made, and he didn't hear it being made. BBTN showed several swinging third strikes from earlier in the game, and the ump called them the exact same way - arm out, then fist pump. If this was different, and AJ was not out, then the ump should have signalled the call differently. But that doesn't excuse Paul for not getting some indication of what the call is.

I still don't see how it wasn't a catch. I saw the blowup of it and the changed trajectory, but to me, that happened at the precise moment he caught it, so I believe the movement of the ball was because it was hitting mitt and being caught. The real problem here is that this particular type of call is almost completely guess work on the ump's part. I still have not heard Eddings say that he heard the ball hit the ground, or a "bump-bump" double thud which would suggest dirt then mitt. All he said was, "I had the ball hitting the ground." That tells me he was just guessing. So failing his hearing the ball hit the ground, he made a completely blind call. That's what I find to be inexcusable on his part.

This is pretty funny...another message board I frequent that just happens to be based on a Chicago community of music listeners pointed out that Josh Paul played for both the White Sox and Cubs and is obviously cursed. And then someone pointed out that Matt Clement, Tony Graffinino, and Kyle Farnsworth are all ex-Chicago players who seriously fucked up their teams' chances of winning in the post-season already.

The curse - some kind of curse - lives!

Discussing this with some folks in the office, we're trying to figure out what the rule is in football in a similar situation. Under the assumption that Edding's fist pump was his clear "out" call - and based on the way he called previous swinging 3rd strikes in the game, it was - but there was no verbal indication given, let's compare what happened last night to a hypothetical football scenario.

If the QB throws a borderline forward pass/lateral, and the ref signals the play as incomplete but for some reason no whistle is blown, and at least some of the players see the "incomplete pass" hand signal and let up, thinking the play is dead, but one guy picks up the ball and runs with it (as usually happens, regardless of how obviously dead the play is) and scores a TD, and the ref gives him a TD because no whistle was blown, how is that resolved? I know that normally, the play is whistled dead even if there is a significant delay between the play ending and the whistles blowing, but assume no whistle is blown. Does the TD stand, or is the ref required to retroactively blow the play dead because of his hand signals?

It seems that this is basically what happened last night. I know there is some controversy over whether Eddings' hand signal was "out" versus "strike 3," but he used the same "arm out, fist pump" action on 2 or 3 swinging strikes earlier in the game where there was no question that the ball was cleanly caught by the catcher, so in my mind, he signalled AJ out, regardless of whether he thought he was just calling a 3rd strike. In an analogous football play, does the ref's hand signals trump the fact that no verbal indication of the play being dead was given?

I went to high school with Josh Paul. We were both class of 1993.

Josh Paul is a lifelong die-hard White Sox fan. He was thrilled beyond belief when the Sox drafted him. He was pissed beyond belief when the Sox cut him in 2003 and the Cubs, of all teams, picked him up. I've heard that he called one of the sports talk radio shows around here to bitch about the Cubs picking him up.

None of this is really relevant, other than I feel for the guy, just like I felt for Graffanino in the Boston series. But, while the ump obviously screwed up by not being demonstrative (or being demonstrative without meaning to), Josh screwed up, too, by not applying the tag, which is a standard move by a catcher on any ball even remotely close to the ground on strike 3.

But, honestly, all of this misses the most important point--the real goat is Escobar. He had Joe Crede down 0-2. Joe Crede! That 0-2 pitch to a very limited (to be polite) hitter was perhaps the worst pitch I've seen thrown all year. I think I could have hit it to the wall. Luckily, like the Cubs' A-Gon in '03, apparently no one will remember Escobar, and he's lucky for it.

This wasn't a judgment call on the umpire's part. It doesn't matter whether the ball hit the ground or not. He called him out.

They need to replay this one from the 10th inning on. I'm sure Selig doesn't have the balls to do it, though.

Agreed on all counts.

Some people on talk radio are trying to put the blame on the catcher. "You should always tag the runner out on a close call" WTF? So let's deflect the blame from where it belongs, the umpire.

Some people on talk radio are trying to put the blame on the catcher. "You should always tag the runner out on a close call" WTF? So let's deflect the blame from where it belongs, the umpire.
Since I posted this above, let me clarify what I'm saying, just in case I get lumped into this. Yes, it's the ump's fault. But it is also Josh Paul's fault. He places the tag on AJ, which is SOP for any catcher on a strike 3 anywhere near the dirt, and it's the 10th inning. And it's also Kelvim Escobar's fault because he had Joe Crede down 0-2 and hung him a cookie.

It's everybody's fault. The ump should take much of the blame, but not 100% of the blame.

Discussing this with some folks in the office, we're trying to figure out what the rule is in football in a similar situation. Under the assumption that Edding's fist pump was his clear "out" call - and based on the way he called previous swinging 3rd strikes in the game, it was - but there was no verbal indication given, let's compare what happened last night to a hypothetical football scenario.

If the QB throws a borderline forward pass/lateral, and the ref signals the play as incomplete but for some reason no whistle is blown, and at least some of the players see the "incomplete pass" hand signal and let up, thinking the play is dead, but one guy picks up the ball and runs with it (as usually happens, regardless of how obviously dead the play is) and scores a TD, and the ref gives him a TD because no whistle was blown, how is that resolved? I know that normally, the play is whistled dead even if there is a significant delay between the play ending and the whistles blowing, but assume no whistle is blown. Does the TD stand, or is the ref required to retroactively blow the play dead because of his hand signals?

It seems that this is basically what happened last night. I know there is some controversy over whether Eddings' hand signal was "out" versus "strike 3," but he used the same "arm out, fist pump" action on 2 or 3 swinging strikes earlier in the game where there was no question that the ball was cleanly caught by the catcher, so in my mind, he signalled AJ out, regardless of whether he thought he was just calling a 3rd strike. In an analogous football play, does the ref's hand signals trump the fact that no verbal indication of the play being dead was given?
How about a similar situation in baseball? This is the same thing as a first base umpire throwing up his hands for a foul ball call and pointing to foul territory but not screaming foul, then the runner runs to second base anyway, then they let him stay there. They let him stay on second despite the fact that the right fielder gave up on the play because of the foul signal and tossed the ball to a fan in the stands.

What an atmostphere, what a game!! GO CARDS!!!!

Oh, and Reggie, I take back anything bad I've said about you this year and last. C'mon man, that's water under the bridge. :)

What's wrong with Reggie Sanders? Despite the 1995 NLCS, I mean.

*angry Reds fan*

Okay, here's my gripe about the whole thing. Why the hell is there a Drop 3rd Strike rule in baseball? What does it add to the game? If somebody swings at a piece of crap pitch, don't they deserve to be out? This has always seemed to me like a House rule that has never served a purpose. Could somebody please explain to me what the purpose of the rule is?

Okay, here's my gripe about the whole thing. Why the hell is there a Drop 3rd Strike rule in baseball? What does it add to the game? If somebody swings at a piece of crap pitch, don't they deserve to be out? This has always seemed to me like a House rule that has never served a purpose. Could somebody please explain to me what the purpose of the rule is?

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also[/i] Josh Paul's fault. He places the tag on AJ, which is SOP for any catcher on a strike 3 anywhere near the dirt


I don't think this is true. I don't see catchers routinely tagging batters on third strikes.

I agree the rule is silly, and needs changing. It's a very strange rule.

Jeeber, how are you liking this game?

Much better than the last :)

(And, geez, Lidge just looks sick sometimes even more than Wagner did and I loved watching Billy pitch)

SI

Isn't he awesome? Instead of a 9 inning game we only have 7 inning games when you put Lidge out there because you know he's shutting it down.

Reggie Sanders has an injured back? That doesn't look to promising for the Cardinal fans.

...defensive interference? What the hell was that?