Baseball as she was meant to be

[joekicker 53]

VicVegas is REALLY going to hate this, but I just watched the best baseball game of the year - 11 innings with one run at the very end.

 

With nothing to do before the Giants-Padres game, I picked Rockies-Cardinals out of the MLB.com basket, because the Rockies have REALLY let down Ubaldo ever since he won 15 before the All-Star break. Today he was going for 20 in his last start, second last game of the year.

 

Nothing much else was at stake, both teams were eliminated recently. But the Cardinals called it Stand up for Stan Day, and I'd pay $3 to see that old man in front of his fans any time.

 

Well, it was a gahdum barn burner of a pitchers' duel. Sorry, Vic. No score, no score, almost no hits. Ubaldo gave up three hits in eight innings, and got zero runs in return. He was throwing 96 in the 8th inning but he couldn't go longer. It didn't matter anyhow. 8th inning, 9th, 10th, 11th... Rockies got zip.

 

Neither did the Cardinals until the 11th. They put a guy on, and when Holliday hit a single to left, the fielder fumbled it for half a second, and Feliz slides home with the winning, walk-off run.

 

The Padres-Giants game Friday and against Saturday (as I write) are good, exciting, September baseball, with everything at stake for both teams. Same in the east, although the Yankees and Rays aren't playing each other. But Rockies at St Louis, with nothing at stake, Stan Musial in a full-circuit tour of the field, and not a single run until half a second before the end of the game - THAT is great baseball.

 

Matt Holliday mobbed after his walk-off single.

 

 

Ubaldo Jimenez, 19-game winner.

 

 

Stan the Man. Unique, remembered and honoured.

 

 

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[midlifecrisis 4,048]

I was fortunate to see many NL legends in my youth. The A's had not moved to Oakland yet so I never got to see Mantle and Berra and so many more but I did get to see Musial once, he hit a triple to beat the Giants.

 

I am with you. A one to nothing pitchers duel is a nail biter. So many fans these days want lots of runs, lots of homeruns. I prefer the NL style where the pitcher still bats.

 

I won't be surprised if the football lovers/baseball haters razz you about this but I for one understand what you mean!

 

My Giants are getting beat again by the pads.

 

[joekicker 53]

I am with you. A one to nothing pitchers duel is a nail biter. So many fans these days want lots of runs, lots of homeruns. I prefer the NL style where the pitcher still bats.

 

Haven't heard anyone say that for a while. In fact, I said that to someone a few weeks ago, and he looked at me kind of puzzled - what do I mean, NL style?

 

Too bad about your Jernts. Good ending on the game, though, exciting to the end. I don't care how that series comes out, but the Padres have been super-weird over the past month, much weirder than the Rocks.

 

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[midlifecrisis 4,048]

Haven't heard anyone say that for a while. In fact, I said that to someone a few weeks ago, and he looked at me kind of puzzled - what do I mean, NL style?

 

Too bad about your Jernts. Good ending on the game, though, exciting to the end. I don't care how that series comes out, but the Padres have been super-weird over the past month, much weirder than the Rocks.

 

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The Rocks are out of it and San Diego has had our number all season if not longer

 

But, things are getting very strange -

 

The Giants are one ahead of the Padres for the NL western division title. The Padres are tied with Atlanta for the wild card.

 

If Atlanta wins tomorrow and San Diego wins, the Giants play San Diego on Monday for the division title but all three are tied on the last day? Who gets the wildcard berth? Whoever loses the playoff game (considered a regular season game) is now percentage points behind Atlanta.

 

My head is spinning!

 

 

The Giants have a long history of breaking my heart going back to the 1962 World Series (McCovey lines to Richardson with two out and Matty Alou on third and Willie Mays on second with two out in the bottom of the ninth and down by one run).

 

sigh

 

But I will tell ya, this team has no real established position player stars but it may be my favorite Giants "team" of all time. It is a great bunch of overachievers (and underachievers) with an excellent pitching staff. This team was 7 and 1/2 games back in August.

 

It has been a fun season.

[bigdelta 46]

I was fortunate to see many NL legends in my youth. The A's had not moved to Oakland yet so I never got to see Mantle and Berra and so many more but I did get to see Musial once, he hit a triple to beat the Giants.

 

I am with you. A one to nothing pitchers duel is a nail biter. So many fans these days want lots of runs, lots of homeruns. I prefer the NL style where the pitcher still bats.

 

I won't be surprised if the football lovers/baseball haters razz you about this but I for one understand what you mean!

 

My Giants are getting beat again by the pads.

 

I was fortunate to see a no hitter in person by Anibal Sanchez of the Marlins 3 years ago.Exciting stuff indeed.

joe,the Yankees are playing the Dead Sox this week,so that's always exciting,espcially with a doubleheader on Sat and playing to win the division and the need to save pitching and not screw up the rotation for the playoffs,since the rotation was set more than a week ago.Yankees used 7 in 1st game with a starter in relief pitching the 9th for a win.

September bb is great.

Edited October 3, 2010 by LTGTR

[atlas2 4,329]

Joe, I didn't understand a word of that.........But your excitement came through. I've got a sort of grip on American football and enjoy it. I think I understand basketball.........but I don't enjoy the scoring over-kill....So maybe baseball's for me. I'm inspired to endeavour to educate myself in your jazzed-up version of 'rounders'. Judging from your commentary I've a LOT to get to grips with.

Edited October 3, 2010 by atlas2

[joekicker 53]

September bb is great.

 

No truer word was spoken. I'll tell ya, at least since 1871. I expected something from the AL East this year, but this NL West finish is truly riveting. This is ALSO the weekend I dig out Russ Hodges-Bobby Thompson MP3s and YouTubes and bore the kids again about The Shot Heard Round The World. I found out a couple of months ago that "Bobby Thompson's home run" (like he only hit one, heh) was the first baseball story (1951) to appear on the front page of the Bangkok Post (established 1946).

 

Also, I picked Atlanta in May (NOT April for sure, heh) to go to the Series. We shall see about that. They haven't been trending up, but who has ferpetesake?

 

I s'pose the Phillies stroll in and take it, but I do kind of like Cincinnati, and believe I'd put 5 baht, maybe even 10 on them in the final.

 

atlas, I appreciate the kind words. Baseball is different, and part of its charm is that you keep digging and digging into its nuances and statistics and especially its trivia. It is not a goals-and-pub sport (although it certainly has its pub stories of course). Once hooked, you're really hooked. It's not for everyone, baseball, but I'll say this - Mrs Kicker watched her first baseball game in 2007, in the misty rain and at 35 degrees Fahrenheit surrounded by 47,000-odd (definitely odd, eh?) people, and she is now addicted. She's a raw beginner but she quite likes it, especially at the park, in the crowd, which is where the sport really, really shines.

 

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[brotherbuzz 3,206]

But I will tell ya, this team has no real established position player stars but it may be my favorite Giants "team" of all time. It is a great bunch of overachievers (and underachievers) with an excellent pitching staff.

Unless he falls off a cliff, Posey will be that star. Love his game and his attitude.

 

2-0 SF in the 6th......

[joekicker 53]

Unless he falls off a cliff, Posey will be that star. Love his game and his attitude.

 

Beat me to it. Superstar in the making if anyone is.

 

Great team effort as midlife says. When the Pads put two men on and Tejada was up, I figured uh-oh. Then The Kid whiffed him on NINE pitches. Who WAS that guy?, Tejada appeared to he asking, shooting daggers at him.

 

All the Gernts this year, I like that fat guy Uribe. He has produced like he never did in Chicago. I don't think San Fran can handle anything from the East, but they have really, truly provided great moments this last couple of months, and this last couple of days. Good luck to them. In the playoffs, Anything Is Possible.

 

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[midlifecrisis 4,048]

We won 3-0.

 

The broadcasters all year had a phrase:

 

"Giants baseball, torture!"

 

It sure fit this weekend.

[brotherbuzz 3,206]

We won 3-0.

 

The broadcasters all year had a phrase:

 

"Giants baseball, torture!"

 

It sure fit this weekend.

I 'watched' a few innings on http://mlb.mlb.com. Actually kinda cool as you get the inside scoop on the pitches, live.

 

Anyway, Gooooooooooo Giants!!!!

[VicVegas 70]

VicVegas is REALLY going to hate this, but I just watched the best baseball game of the year - 11 innings with one run at the very end.

 

Just because I find pretty much every soccer match boring, even when they score a couple of goals, does not mean I feel the same about baseball. On the contrary, I agree that some of the best games I have watched have been 0-0 pitcher's duels. Nothing better than two pitchers who are in a groove taking turns on the mound confounding hitters. I am no fan of 15-10 baseball games. I appreciate good pitching and good defense. Hell, I grew up a Royals fan, and that's how we won in the 70's with Whitey Herzog as manager.

 

Guess I'll have to tear myself away from the week 4 NFL highlights and get ready for some October baseball.

[atlas2 4,329]

Watched the Red Socks and the New York 'somethings' this morning.

 

I'm a fan!!

 

Haven't the foggiest what's going on..(Quite normal for me)......One guy just stiff-bats the ball into space...........jogs to the first base and then doesn't go all the way round like I would have thought......but goes back to his mates who all hi 5 him and call him, 'a jolly good fellow'

 

 

At the moment I'm only really 'getting' the 'Americana' which is always a fun lead in to US sports. And being impressed by some very slick fielding.

 

This completes my contribution to this thread. In another 3 or 4 years of intensive study I may be able to make a worthwhile and suitable comment.

[bigdelta 46]

My Yankees stumbled to a 9-17 or so finish to end 1 game back but will beat the Twinkies again.At least they avoid the Rangers and 2 Cliff Lee starts.The rangers play them tough.

Edited October 4, 2010 by LTGTR

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

Watched the Red Socks and the New York 'somethings' this morning.

 

I'm a fan!!

 

Haven't the foggiest what's going on..(Quite normal for me)......One guy just stiff-bats the ball into space...........jogs to the first base and then doesn't go all the way round like I would have thought......but goes back to his mates who all hi 5 him and call him, 'a jolly good fellow'

 

 

At the moment I'm only really 'getting' the 'Americana' which is always a fun lead in to US sports. And being impressed by some very slick fielding.

 

This completes my contribution to this thread. In another 3 or 4 years of intensive study I may be able to make a worthwhile and suitable comment.

The New York "somethings' is hilarious.

 

The Yankees are the greatest franchise in American sports history and I hate them! Well, except for Yogi.

 

Welcome to the sport!

[MM 6,562]

I removed the beginnings of a threadfuck and follow on posts.

 

Let's try to keep these sports topics on topic without bringing in silly nationalism.

[bigdelta 46]

MM=closet Yankees fan!

Excellent.

Edited October 5, 2010 by LTGTR

[MM 6,562]

MM=closet Yankees fan!

Excellent.

Not at all. I don't much care for baseball personally.

[joekicker 53]

I removed the beginnings of a threadfuck and follow on posts.

 

Let's try to keep these sports topics on topic without bringing in silly nationalism.

 

Thank you.

 

.

[bigdelta 46]

Not at all. I don't much care for baseball personally.

Jeebus MM,I thought since you were around since the beginnings (or baseball,not time) you would have been a fan

Edited October 5, 2010 by LTGTR

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

Thank you.

 

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yes thank you, mm!

[nkped 1,208]

I removed the beginnings of a threadfuck and follow on posts.

 

Let's try to keep these sports topics on topic without bringing in silly nationalism.

Thanks

Edited October 6, 2010 by nkped

[Samsonite 181]

" Baseball as she was meant to be...."

It is a game, not a ship or an airplane!

It should be "Baseball as IT was meant to be..."

[joekicker 53]

It should be "Baseball as IT was meant to be..."

 

The weirdest part of the post is that you actually seem serious.

 

But c'mon! You mean I don't get credit for spelling all the words correctly?

 

.

Edited October 6, 2010 by joekicker

[bigdelta 46]

The weirdest part of the post is that you actually seem serious.

 

But c'mon! You mean I don't get credit for spelling all the words correctly?

 

.

Yes,of corse you do.