It's Never Easy: Phillies 3, Cardinals 2
by lizroscher on Oct 4, 2011 9:57 PM EDT
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Print"It's the Phillies. If it was easy, they wouldn't be the Phillies." My dad has said that to me a lot in the past few years. As a lifelong fan of the Phillies, he would know, having lived through some of the dark, dark days of the franchise. I heard his voice a lot tonight as the Phillies struggled and clawed against the Cardinals to make the series 2-1 in their favor with a score of 3-2. At no point was this an easy or routine victory. But they got there.
From the beginning, it was one of those games. During the regular season, the type of game played tonight would be stressful to watch, but only until you realized that it was just one game out of 162. But it's not the regular season anymore. It's the postseason. Through five innings, they had one two-ball count and one three-ball count. And they were during the same at bat (thank you, Chooch!) The Phillies being held to two hits through six innings is borderline catastrophic. (They were in fact held to two hits through six innings, and it was just as painful as you'd expect.)
Our Fightin' Phils limited their runs to just one inning, scoring three in the seventh on a three-run pinch hit home run hit by none other than Ben Francisco. Benny hit .345 in the month of September, and has been a good option off the bench lately. When he came to the plate, I was actually pretty optimistic. And considering how insanely stressed and insane I was at the time, that's saying quite a lot. The Cardinals got one in the seventh off Vance "Pants Dance Chance!" Worley (that nickname might be something only I call him), and one off Ryan Madson in the ninth. Madson induced a double play after Lidge allowed two hits to load the bases in the eighth. He'd stay on to save it in the ninth for his first five-out save of the season.
In the end, despite Jaime Garcia's dominant performance (and he was very good), the Phillies were able to push ahead and hold off the Cardinals. Cole Hamels, despite not being his sharpest, got the win after pitching six innings, giving up five hits, three walks, and striking out eight. And the Phillies, despite throwing away at-bats like they have 80 or 90 per game, laid down hits and scored runs when it counted.
I won't lie, watching the Phillies tonight wasn't an easy task. Surviving their at-bats was a herculean effort. Watching their hard-hit balls find fielders required more beer than I had on hand. Last week, I wrote about my baseball superstitions. That was my way of telling the world that I do not deal with the postseason particularly well. When every single thing means so much more, I start taking giant hunks of my lady hair in my hands and pulling at it like a crazed maniac. At no point tonight could I just sit still and enjoy the game. "Enjoy." I couldn't barely watch the game, let alone "enjoy" it, whatever that means. There is only one goal of the postseason, and watching your team try to get there, especially when the expectations are so high, can be absolutely excruciating.
I'll talk to my dad tomorrow about the game, and no doubt he'll tell me that the challenge of these games is part of the journey to the ultimate goal. And then I'll give him the address of the loony bin where I've been admitted for treatment and experimental testing.
Fangraph of Stress and Insanity:
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I have to say I can’t remember the last time I’ve been this satisfied with a win.
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
October 29, 2008 was a pretty satisfying win
I've tried 'em all, I really have, and the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball.
by Mace Chutney on Oct 4, 2011 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree the Phillies pre-6th inning at bats against Garcia were no fun to watch, but I honestly don’t get the talk about the Phillies “approach”. If memory serves, the Phillies in fact rarely swung first pitch. Maybe they should have! Since it was invariably a strike! Then they’d swing at the second or third pitch, which to my eyes usually looked like strikes. You can’t work the count if the dude is not throwing balls. (One exception that comes to mind is Howard’s first AB, when he swung at a few bad balls.)
But I seem to be unique in having seen the game this way. Any takers?
Good point
You want them to be patient, but if the other guy is pounding the zone then you are down 0-1 all the time. I think the idea is to change strategies – if he’s throwing first pitch strikes consistently, then maybe swing early and then work the count? I don’t know.
I vacillated between those two camps. I felt that in the first inning they didn’t even give Garcia a chance to throw balls. By the third inning, I thought it was clear he was pounding the strike zone and they needed to try to make him pay for it, rather than passively allowing him to go up 0-2. Not that that was easy, of course— a lot of those strikes were really tough strikes, in hard places to make contact.
This. Garcia was dealing for 6 innings, and was pitching a better game than Cole up until the 6th. The short at bats did highlight one thing that is almost as (and potentially more important than) taking pitches that are balls: being able to create long at bats by fouling pitches off. This is something the Cardinals do effectively, and it both tires the opposing pitcher (like they wore Cole out last night), and increases the chance that they will get a good pitch to hit.
"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."
by dannijd on Oct 5, 2011 9:07 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
No. I agree, at first I was upset they weren’t taking pitches but no point in taking pitches that were clearly strikes. This has been a weird series. Game one they took no pitches even though there were a lot of bad pitches. Game two taking pitches was a risky endeavor because there was no way of knowing what pitch would be called a strike or a ball. Then tonight almost all of Garcia’s pitches were in the zone.
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
by Veni Vidi Vici on Oct 4, 2011 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions
According to Pitch Fx, ump was calling everything off the left side of the plate (batter’s view) a strike, but not good strikes. Can’t blame the batters for taking these.
I've tried 'em all, I really have, and the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball.
by Mace Chutney on Oct 4, 2011 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Garcia faced 22 batters in the first 6 innings. 14 of them took the first pitch. It was a strike 8 times, and he didn’t throw a first pitch ball until the 4th inning.
They took the first two pitches 6 times. Utley did it twice.
Take away Pence’s two hack away AB’s, and hamels bunt attempt, you have a total of 5 AB in 6 innings where they swung at the first pitch.
They were being pretty patient. Just making contact.
25.8/106 "Winter is coming" -Eddard Stark
but, that aside, awesome win… I could barely watch the last few innings (I stood off at an angle), and was rather happy to have missed the Bastardo/Lidge/Madson heart attack in the 8th
That game cost me a year at the end of my life....
….I’d make that deal.
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Oct 4, 2011 10:09 PM EDT reply actions
Man I don't know how Phils won this game
but I don’t need to understand…they won with a huge hit, tenacious pitching and solid defense. That will work
"I have had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it." Groucho Marx
I still don’t know how the Phillies lost the Cliff Lee game.
I've tried 'em all, I really have, and the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball.
by Mace Chutney on Oct 4, 2011 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Colemite Blaxploitation Mitch-o-meter reading: Black Belt Jones
by DirtyWaters on Oct 4, 2011 10:12 PM EDT reply actions 11 recs
I love it.
One suggestion – the top score should be this guy:
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Oct 4, 2011 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions
how in the world is Blacula the lowest rated movie on this list? I cry foul.
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
by Veni Vidi Vici on Oct 4, 2011 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Sweet!
I've tried 'em all, I really have, and the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball.
by Mace Chutney on Oct 4, 2011 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Great recap, Liz. And great game. All things considered, this game is why baseball is great.
Sure, we’re all gonna be diagnosed with ulcers and liver cancer and such like, but this, in the long run, is one of those games that you remember.
by Phrozen on Oct 4, 2011 10:12 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Oh, incidentally - WHOLE CAMELS----
I was rereading the game thread….
SWEET F-ing timing on that overflow thread, Boss.
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Oct 4, 2011 10:12 PM EDT reply actions
Schoenfield’s column, saying to praise Francisco rather than take issue with TLR decision:
http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/17169/rip-la-russa-but-give-credit-to-francisco
fun fact buried in there: Phillies tied with D’backs in issuing only 16 IBBs all year, fewest in league
MLB Network pointed something out about LaRussa’s decision to leave Garcia in. Francisco was 1 for 9 career off of Garcia. Had he went to the ’pen for Dotel, Manuel would likely have countered with Ross Gload, who is 1 for 4 career off of him. He played the numbers (a bad idea per FamGraphs), and it backfired.
"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."
by dannijd on Oct 5, 2011 9:45 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Their competition is a team playing at their season’s peak, which can be particularly unsettling in a short series. I think the Phils are doing great.
by flyersfaninchicago on Oct 4, 2011 10:17 PM EDT reply actions
So happy for Francisco. He’s had a really difficult year and probably won’t be back with the team after the season, but we’ll always remember him for this.
by taco pal on Oct 4, 2011 10:18 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
yeah, if anyone was due, it was him…
I guess he is probably gone, though, right? with the emergence of Mayberry, and hopefully Brown coming on
Still am Arb 2 in 2012, so a cheap RHB next year, right?
Fact that I am interested in Ben now feels weird and good.
I've tried 'em all, I really have, and the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball.
by Mace Chutney on Oct 4, 2011 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Not that cheap. He’s at 1.18 million this year, and as I understand it, you can’t get a pay cut in arbitration.
I also think it would be kind of unfair to him to keep him around if they don’t plan to give him any playing time. He’s good enough to at least be a part-time starter somewhere in MLB. Not that this should be the #1 consideration or anything, but still.
Yeah, as much as I’d like to keep him, I also want to see him succeed. I kinda hope Rubes offers him a minor-league deal, but he’s certainly better than that.
Can’t offer him a minor league deal because he’s arb eligible. You either have to offer him arbitration or let him go.
By the way, how about that Craig Sager postgame interview with Francisco? I paraphrase: “Ben how surprised were you to be the hero tonight consider how much you suck?”
I mean, the guy is a backup, sure, but he has hit 15 homers twice in his MLB career. It’s not like it was that shocking.
Well, Craig Sager can go suck a bag of dick.
by Phrozen on Oct 4, 2011 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
dick(s).
Throw style points out the window.
Is very bad to steal Jobu's rum. Is very bad.
CHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCH!!!!1!111!!
Again?
Wouldn’t be Craig’s first bag, I bet
"I have had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it." Groucho Marx
to know that saiger would have to do ya know, research, and not dress like a …
by Sept.28.Oct.27.Dec.28.2008 on Oct 4, 2011 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Finally that 2009 Lee trade paid off.
I've tried 'em all, I really have, and the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball.
by Mace Chutney on Oct 4, 2011 10:18 PM EDT reply actions 8 recs
Don’t you mean the Ben Francisco Trade? Cliff Lee was just the throwaway, remember?
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
by Justin F. on Oct 4, 2011 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
CODE RED EVERYBODY!
ALERT. ALTER!
We've come to bury Caesar, not praise him.
by VanceinmyPants on Oct 4, 2011 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha!
I've tried 'em all, I really have, and the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball.
by Mace Chutney on Oct 4, 2011 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I wish I could put Ruben in that Sean Michaels gif
"Francisco...that's fun to say! Francisco...Francisco" - Buddy
I’ve been working on it for months, now. The only video footage of him with an even remotely comparable smile is either too short, or at an improper angle. Plus there’s the whole “slowly turn away while still glancing out” bit… It’s progressing slowly, but the further they make it in the postseason, the more video footage of Rube there will be (and I’m recording it whenever I see it), so hopefully it’ll turn out…
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Oct 4, 2011 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions
If I ever come across something I think you can use, I’ll be sure to post here for you
"Francisco...that's fun to say! Francisco...Francisco" - Buddy
Much obliged, brother!
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Oct 5, 2011 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I really hope the D-Backs pull it off tonight, don’t want the Brewers getting extra days rest if the Phillies finish off the Cardinals
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
Listening to a little radio in the car just now. Lots and lots and lots of talk about the Hero’s Quest narrative. Very annoying.
If I understand the current permutation of the story correctly, Cole always (always! going all the way back to 2006!) had a reputation for being California soft, but now he’s turned into a “Philly guy” because “we’ve” rubbed off on him with our toughness. Barf.
*cough*cough*2008WorldSeriesMVP*cough*cough
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
shoulda hear dude today callin for his head based on 2009 comments about wanting season over
by Sept.28.Oct.27.Dec.28.2008 on Oct 4, 2011 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah that rather inconvenient fact is acknowledged in the narrative but somehow brushed aside. I don’t understand it either.
Somehow the reputation for softness time traveled from 2009 into the past. Nobody ever said that in 2008 and before. People thought Cole was weird before ’09, but nobody ever paid much attention to his mental strength until ’09.
Cole Hamels’s current narrative absolutely started in 2009.
While one can look at MVP as a subjective honor like all-star that may not mean a ton in the long run, he was pitching well in those 2008 playoffs and racking up those key wins the WIP crowd seems to love so much. But when 2009 happened and he got unlucky and he “wanted the season to be over” he became a Pussy™ with No Grit™ and he is only now starting to become a True Phillie™.
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Yeah. I can almost live with that stuff, dumb as it is, just because it’s not like I haven’t seen it done before to a lot of other athletes in this town. What really pisses me off is when people say “we always felt that way” when they didn’t. I mean, dumb subjective feelings are one thing, but making up fake facts that fit your dumb subjective feelings are a whole ’nother level.
Sam Donnellon’s questions to Charlie and Cole about being gritty at the post-game press conferences were especially annoying
all this rubbing off and grit makes me actually want to take a shower before the next game
by flyersfaninchicago on Oct 4, 2011 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
so does this mean that Hamels has bluecollarPhillytection?
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
by Veni Vidi Vici on Oct 4, 2011 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Absolutely.
I've tried 'em all, I really have, and the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball.
by Mace Chutney on Oct 4, 2011 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it’s that squirrel that appeared in the game tonight
"They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds." - Wilt Chamberlain
it was the hard-working, high integrity midwestern cousin
by flyersfaninchicago on Oct 4, 2011 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I like the cut of your jib.
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Oct 4, 2011 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions
it’s a jibe with a silent “e” that is also missing.
actually it’s a sail, i believe the front sail on a boat, used for tacking. in this context i believe it’s meant to indicate a clever linguistic/heuristic maneuver.
by flyersfaninchicago on Oct 5, 2011 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Cole is an enigma
Very cutesy and unmanly in many ways yet, incredibly gritty and heroic, having balls of steel harder than most men I’ve ever known in my life.
He’s sort of like a Japanese RPG main character, when you think about it.
by magnumforce2006 on Oct 4, 2011 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I bet she did at some point
I’m off to scour the internet in order to maintain my comparison.
by magnumforce2006 on Oct 4, 2011 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Found it
I've tried 'em all, I really have, and the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball.
by Mace Chutney on Oct 4, 2011 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Tidus would be more appropriate, I think. At least he was an athlete.
Bob.
by The Dark on Oct 5, 2011 12:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Couldn’t stand watching every weakly hit Cards ball find a hole in the defense.
"Descartes commanded the future from his study more than Napoleon did from his throne."
by Euler.is.a.Pimp on Oct 4, 2011 10:21 PM EDT reply actions
Man, this morning in the comments I was totally going to post as a trivia question “Without looking it up, name the last Phillie to hit a pinch homer in the postseason?” But then I forgot.
Jayson Stark asked the same trivia question in Twitter. The answer (before Ben Francisco tonight) was Eric Bruntlett.
Anyone remember when he hit it?
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
espn???
The Phillies have five pinch-hit homers in the postseason, the last by Matt Stairs on Oct. 13, 2008, in the NLCS at Los Angeles.
Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press
by Sept.28.Oct.27.Dec.28.2008 on Oct 4, 2011 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh wow, that is wrong. Eric Bruntlett definitely hit a pinch-hit home run in Game 2 of the 2008 World Series.
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Thankfully, the outcome of tonight’s game was different than the outcome of that one.
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Oct 4, 2011 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes he did.
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
What a great win. You have to be happy for Francisco. I’ve been one of his biggest haters but he came through huge. That’s a career defining moment right there.
you did good
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
by Veni Vidi Vici on Oct 4, 2011 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I have a lot of friends who are Cubs fans so they had to all get rid of their “you can’t quiet the riot” shirts in a hurry a couple years ago.
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
by Veni Vidi Vici on Oct 4, 2011 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Hamels is so friggin tough. It’s almost a shame he’s pretty and talented, because it obscures the simple fact the guy has elephant testes.
The Cardinals had great ABs against him for the bulk of those six innings, and he simply never broke. Close calls gping against him, bleeders finding grass, Ryan F. Theriot… he just shrugged it all and kept firing.
Also, that LaRussa’s dumbf*ckery—the IBB to Chooch—ultimately cost his team the game, could not have been sweeter.
What a great win.
by dajafi on Oct 4, 2011 10:27 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Watching Cole pitch tonight was really amazing. It felt better watching him succeed tonight than Halladay in game one.
If I didn’t dislike AJ Burnett so much I’d be admiring his performance tonight.
by flyersfaninchicago on Oct 4, 2011 10:27 PM EDT reply actions
Also on the radio tonight, a lot of overreacting about the middle relief in the 8th inning, particularly about Lidge. Now, I agree that Charlie should have let Bastardo stay in to pitch to Holliday because Bastardo is better than Lidge is. That being said, Lidge did not pitch all that badly tonight. 1. He threw strikes. 2. He gave up a ground ball single, which was reasonably hard hit, but not that hard hit, and easily could have been a double play if placed a few feet away. 3. He gave up a bloop opposite-field single. This was just your standard BABIP stuff, but these people seem to think this means Charlie can’t ever use Lidge again this postseason.
same people probably think stutues should take lidges job….
I hate new york.
by XxActionJacksonxX on Oct 4, 2011 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Herndon should take Stutes’ job
I've tried 'em all, I really have, and the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball.
by Mace Chutney on Oct 4, 2011 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, but what cute nickname can the girls give Herndon? I mean, Cutesy Stutesy sets a pretty high bar.
It’s one of the rare names that has zero rhymes. Now if his first name was Vernon and he was from London he could be called Vernon Herndon from Lerndon. Not as catchy as Cutesy Stutesy though.
by phillyinportland on Oct 5, 2011 4:47 AM EDT up reply actions
if IIRC
Lidge Game 2
6 pitches, four of them intentional balls.
One force-out at home on a grounder back to Lidge.
One double play.
by flyersfaninchicago on Oct 4, 2011 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I wanted Bastardo to pitch to Holliday because of his hurt hand. I think you do him a favor when you bring in someone who throws mainly mid 80s sliders as opposed to Bastardo’s fastball. Holliday looked like he could not get around on Madson’s fastball the other day.
"Francisco...that's fun to say! Francisco...Francisco" - Buddy
Lidge scares the shit out of me. The fact that he only has one pitch makes it seem highly unlikely that he’s going to be successful. For a spot moment in the seventh is one thing, but Bastardo should definitely be pitching the 8th. He’s the only real option we have. Its time to see if he can do it
I wonder if it’s occurred to LA how similar he and Lidge have become.
Speaking of LA, I heard him on the radio during the early part of the game and man was he annoying. Soooo much grousing about fundamentals and execution and “get off my lawn” and blah blah blah.
I didn’t think he was that bad. I like hearing him talk—when he and Franzke banter, it fills in the air, but it’s not pointless stupid banter like those TBS jackwagons. It’s [generally] fun and interesting banter.
Yeah, he can delve into grumpyoldman territory from time to time, but I don’t think it’s that frequent.
Good point though, about he and Lidge.
in my opinion that’s what separates good bullpen pitchers from good starters.
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
by Veni Vidi Vici on Oct 4, 2011 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m concerned that Charlie seems to have lost faith in Bastardo as anything other than a LOOGY. He had a bad stretch in September, but he was dominant for five whole months. Still— Charlie loves veterans, etc.
To be fair, Holliday isn’t just your average right handed hitter. Maybe he would have let Bastardo stay in if it had been, say, David Freese. I understand that Holliday is hurt and I agree with what DW said above, but Charlie might have thought to himself, “it still says Holliday on his jersey so I should be extra careful with the L/R stuff.”
I don’t think that was right, but it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll do the same thing if the situation is slightly different in the future.
You may be right. I hope you’re right. In most cases, I"d rather see Bastardo out there— all things being equal— than LIdge.
Chooch loves him some Ben Francisco ass
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
And it seems that Yadi loves him some Chooch ass.
…or at the very least is fascinated by Chooch ass.
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Oct 4, 2011 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Given the number of comments around here about Tony Bastard’s posterior (including from me), do we really have any room to talk?
Bob.
by The Dark on Oct 5, 2011 12:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The Tigers should do a laundry detergent commercial. Their home uniforms seem whiter than anyone else’s.
by flyersfaninchicago on Oct 4, 2011 10:42 PM EDT reply actions
I really enjoy the Tigers’ uniform. The olde English D is just awesome. Something I’ve never understood though is how they ever got the name the Tigers. Them and the Pirates are really the only two of the “original 16” teams that don’t have a wimpy nickname.
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
by Veni Vidi Vici on Oct 4, 2011 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m calling them the “Motor City Kitties” from now on
by The Gang Wins the Cup on Oct 5, 2011 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
you have a problem with Cincinnati Red Stockings?
it was a more sentimental time
by flyersfaninchicago on Oct 4, 2011 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions
The Pirates name makes less sense than the Tigers. How the hell would a landlocked city be associated with sea-faring criminals?
also, according to our friends at Wikipedia, it dates from some pre-1900 player poaching controversies between different leagues… the name Pirates was adopted to mock the accusation that the franchise had been “piratical”
Yeah, that’s correct. The franchise that got robbed, and then accused Pittsburgh of being piratical? Why, the Phillies, of course. The whole story’s in the book “Crazy ’08” by Cait Murphy.
by ThinMountainAir on Oct 5, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
It only appears whiter when set against the background of a depressing, deteriorating Detroit.
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Oct 4, 2011 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I wonder when they’re going to finish the Robocop statue
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/internet-robocop-statue-detroit/story?id=12943449
Whatever the actual ETA, the answer to your question is “Not Soon Enough.”
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Oct 4, 2011 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ll still never forgive him for deciding not to suck in the momentum-killing game 2 of the ’09 series.
And that it was the Cliff Lee’s sage philosophy on pitching – which he overheard while walking to the kitchen to get a sandwich or some shit – that put him in the right mindset! ARGH! Hoisted on our own awesome petard!
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Oct 4, 2011 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Great recap. Really enjoyed reading it. I also weirdly felt optimistic when Ben came up. (Actually I was like "wouldn’t it be amazing if somehow he was the one who won this game for it?) So it wasn’t exactly like I predicted it. Also I had a weird feeling that Madson was going to get a hit. Why the hell does he bat lefty? Anyway, great recap & great game!
Brewers 39-42 on road.
I've tried 'em all, I really have, and the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball.
by Mace Chutney on Oct 4, 2011 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions
if the Diamondbacks-Brewers series goes to five games I’d be happy.
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
by Veni Vidi Vici on Oct 4, 2011 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Porcello has given up a couple of hard hit balls at rather inopportune times, though.
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
by Veni Vidi Vici on Oct 4, 2011 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions
That game had my BP at 300/150. I thought my heart was gonna asplode.
What kind of plane is it? Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big ol' Tylenol.
Yeah, the 8th and 9th innings were pretty tense.
Tensest game I’ve ever watched was 1993 NLCS Game 4. Tonight was up there though.
I’ve blocked out 1993. Luckily I was 21 at the time.
What kind of plane is it? Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big ol' Tylenol.
I was 11 and I still remember Schilling’s shutout like it was yesterday. My first playoff game.
Also the reason why I try to have some cognitive dissonance and pretend that the Schilling from ’94 – Present is a completely different human being than Mr. Awesome Phillie Pitcher 1993.
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Oct 4, 2011 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Al Albuquerque coming in with the bases loaded and nobody out. He’s probably wishing he did take that wrong turn right about now.
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
Ironically, he did take a wrong turn.
I've tried 'em all, I really have, and the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball.
by Mace Chutney on Oct 4, 2011 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I heard on the internet his real name is Santa Santa Fe
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
by Veni Vidi Vici on Oct 4, 2011 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve never been there, but I kind of have the same feelings about that that I do about Yankee Stadium: why replace what you already have?
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
by Veni Vidi Vici on Oct 4, 2011 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions
From what I understand, Tiger Stadium was basically crumbling around them the last several years they played there. They would have had to spend hundreds of millions to refurbish it and still would have had a crappy old stadium that might look good on TV but wouldn’t necessarily be a great place to see a game.
yeah true…I just like the old ballparks to be preserved. I know some people who live in michigan who say they can’t go to games without being reminded of Tiger Stadium.
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
by Veni Vidi Vici on Oct 4, 2011 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I was at Tiger Stadium
in 1984 and it was glorious ruin already back then. Much like other sections of the city itself. Also, sight lines in Tiger Stadium were pretty bad in some areas. Stiil a shame they couldn’t have found a way to preserve more of the look of the park when they built the new one.
I have. Nice park but the lower seats are slanted in the opposite direction, so you pretty much have to sit and naturally face the OF and then turn your body to face home plate.
Ed Snider is a crotchety old fuck.
That is all.
I was there last summer. It is really nice — they have a cool Tigers history thing in the stands and a merry-go-round (!) of tigers. Plus, beer and food were cheap for a baseball stadium.
by The Gang Wins the Cup on Oct 5, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Tigers’ bullpen is having a full-fledged meltdown in this 8th inning.
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Fister vs. Nova
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
No need to ask, what time does the game start? Same time it always starts when the Yankees play.
by phillyinportland on Oct 5, 2011 4:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh wow… I don’t think in all of my years of watching baseball, I’ve ever seen that before…
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A wild pitch bounced over the wall/next to the backstop and scored a run
www.southpawcurve.tumblr.com - check out my baseball blog!!
the ball ricocheted into Gorge Posada’s ear and was never recovered.
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Oct 4, 2011 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m actively rooting for/against no one in any playoff series not involving the Phils…
Partially because: the Phillies haven’t locked up anything yet so it’s premature…
Partially because: the Phillies are good enough that their opponent shouldn’t matter….
Mostly because: Quando dio, ole castigarci ci manda, quello che desideriamo….
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Oct 4, 2011 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes… I would really like to beat the Yankees… possibly with Cliff pitching a shutout as an extra special FU to them… but the one problem with this plan is that the smugness from RAJ would kill us all.
by Cole_Hamels_Can on Oct 5, 2011 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Me no el speako el… Italian? Spanish?
Taking a stab…
When God… something… commands… we desire? Help me out here.
“When the gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers.”
Basically… Careful what you wish for.
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Oct 4, 2011 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Gotcha. What language was that in? It wasn’t Latin, but close enough. Spanish or Italian are my guesses.
Good call. Italian.
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Oct 4, 2011 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I always thought it was be careful what you wish for. But I was going based off of context.
Luxury rap, the Hermes of verses. Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses in cursive
by Eaglesadvocate on Oct 5, 2011 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Bases loaded for the D’Backs in the 5th with 2 out…
www.southpawcurve.tumblr.com - check out my baseball blog!!
by the way, from how I understand it if the Diamondbacks win it tonight then the Phillies will start at 6 tomorrow. If the Brewers win then the start time will be 8
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
One reason for me to root for the Diamondbacks.
Math Problems? Call 1-800-[(10x)(13i)2]-[sin(xy)/2.362x].
by dees ees en drama on Oct 4, 2011 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions
6 PM is a real pain in the ass for me. That’s dinner time, which is followed at 7 PM by bath time and bed time for my kids. I already dumped bed time on my wife once this series, don’t think that’ll fly again.
Crap. I have class from 5 to 8 tomorrow. I wanted Milwaukee to win. :’(
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
are you allowed to have your laptop in class?
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
by Veni Vidi Vici on Oct 4, 2011 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions
See I need you in MY class. I’d tell you to sit on the other side of the room and give updates while I’m teaching.
Hunter Pence will not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither does Carlos Beltran.
by Bud in TN on Oct 4, 2011 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Still possible! But you’d probably have to leave Alaska.
Hunter Pence will not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither does Carlos Beltran.
Business strategy and entrepreneurship.
Hunter Pence will not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither does Carlos Beltran.
Huh. At what school?
I’ve thought about going back to school, working on an MSc / MEng or maybe even an MBA, but never did anything more than think about it.
I won’t say the exact school, as I would like to keep a small amount of privacy (or what I have left, which probably isn’t much on the ’interwebs). But it is a university.
Hunter Pence will not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither does Carlos Beltran.
Alaska is very far. Would like to visit. However, TN is the farthest north I plan to be (spent many years in Calif and Georgia).
Hunter Pence will not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither does Carlos Beltran.
In all seriousness, though, I’ve considered Penn State as one of the two schools I’d go to, if i did go back. The other would be UAF, which has serious financial advantages.
Do visit, though. Such a unique place compared to the rest of the country. But do it in the summer.
It does seem like an awesome place to visit in the summer.
FYI, Penn State is strong in both strategy and entrepreneurship (but probably stronger in strategy). Good place for an MBA.
Hunter Pence will not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither does Carlos Beltran.
Thanks. I’ve thought about trying to start my own engineering firm, but either way having an MBA could certainly help..
UAF not really known for strategy/entrepreneurship per se. (*)
You want to go to a place that excels in your interest areas, in any case.
() Don’t think many folks like me like cold. Worst example is University of North Dakota. They *constantly have job openings for strategy profs, my guess is that they leave in a hurry after they get there.
Hunter Pence will not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither does Carlos Beltran.
UAF not really known for strategy/entrepreneurship per se.
No, but it is for several areas of engineering, which is my other first choice. Plus, given that I live here, a) wouldn’t have housing costs and b) could pay in-State fees. Either way, it’s a couple years out at best.
And the cold, well, you just have to get used to it. And invest in jackets.
Based on what you said, the MSc or MEng would be more useful if you want to stay know the technical side, the MBA if you want to go management or independent. I came from an Economics background, and picked up an MBA at the Crummer School at Rollins College. Hasn’t done much for me yet, but it’s only been a year in a bad economy.
Bob.
by The Dark on Oct 5, 2011 12:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I actually had to do that for game 1 of the 2009 WS. I had a night class and had to give updates to everyone who didn’t have a laptop in class. We even had a whole hand signal code worked out. The professor didn’t care he actually asked me for updates during breaks.
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
by Veni Vidi Vici on Oct 4, 2011 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Man, I missed Doc’s no hitter because of class. I heard from an excited text from my wife — which was nice, since it meant she’d been enjoying baseball for real. Obviously bittersweet though.
yeah me too actually, although once again I had to give everyone in the class updates, at break time I announced that the Doc had the no hitter, the professor (who was from new zealand) goes “ok can we stop talking about the American Civil Religion and get back to work” I went to a Lutheran College for grad school so that made it fun.
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
by Veni Vidi Vici on Oct 4, 2011 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions
It sucks that you have to skip class…
by taco pal on Oct 4, 2011 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It’s a once a week night class and we have already missed 3 classes this semester for varying reasons. I do not know what I am going to do yet.
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Also it is an important class. I am going to be a social studies teacher and the class is methods course on teaching social studies. Yeah.
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
What I might do is go for the first hour and find an excuse to leave at 6, that way I can be there for an hour find out what the class is about and still see the game.
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Hey I know!
We could discuss possible teaching methods for you right here in the thread. There are plenty of teachers in the thread. I’m sure WM would help out, too.
/knows that this is absurd and your professor will yell at you, but worth a shot
Hunter Pence will not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither does Carlos Beltran.
Eh, he is a professor that really does not care. The problem is his content is really important for me.
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
I’m joking about getting the content here instead of in class.
However, I’m not really joking that for that field I’m guessing you’d get some good advice from many in TGP.
Hunter Pence will not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither does Carlos Beltran.
Probably what I will go for the first part of the class and when he lets us go for a 10-minute break, if I do not think we will be doing anything important for the rest of class, I’ll tell him I am not feeling well and ask if I can go back to my apartment.
I think that is a fair “best of both worlds” situation if we are not doing anything absolutely vital in the 2nd half of class.
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Yeahh… I had a Wednesday night class last semester that I wanted to skip so many times, but I couldn’t cause it was editing our documentaries.
That’s awesome that you are going to be a social studies teacher!! What grade do you want to teach?
www.southpawcurve.tumblr.com - check out my baseball blog!!
Middle school to high school.
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
I feel your pain. I just had my Methods course tonight and had to miss the last 3 innings of the game.
I have class tomorrow evening as well with Foundations of Teaching (I am looking to be a History/SS teacher too), unfortunately I am scheduled to make a group presentation so theres no way really to skip out on that….
Wow, they have reserved seats in honor of Ernie Harwell and Sparky Anderson.
/chills
www.southpawcurve.tumblr.com - check out my baseball blog!!
It must be a Michigan thing. At Michigan Stadium they have a reserved seat for Fritz Crisler. The Stadium’s capacity (which goes up every year) always ends in one for Crisler’s seat.
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
by Veni Vidi Vici on Oct 4, 2011 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Just for clification (and assuming the blowouts remain)
The Phillies play at 6pm tomorrow, correct?
by magnumforce2006 on Oct 4, 2011 11:43 PM EDT reply actions
WHOA. DBacks
WHOA. Hamels
NO WHOA. Phillies Line-up.
WHOA. FRANCISCO in that Antiques Roadshow my granddad bought this Winslow Homer watercolor at a yard sale for 5 dollars and it been in my family ever since and no one knew who Winsolw Homer was kinda way.
HELL NO WHOA. Chuckles.
Whoa!
Giving St. Louis the bird since 1982
by Veni Vidi Vici on Oct 4, 2011 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions
you know, you do have to give the pitcher credit sometimes… taking pitches only got the hitters behind in the count today, until he tired
....
First, I don’t believe an aggressive plate approach is categorically wrong esp. given the success it has had against Lee and Halladay. However, when taken as gospel, which one two- ball counts and one three ball count thru five innings exemplifies, there are some drawbacks. For one, it’s harder to gauge and adjust for the umps strike zone if without taking pitches. In an 0-2 count you have a 49% chance of being throw a strike which is the lowest in any count. While a 1-2 count isn’t exactly a consolation prize, there is still some strategic value – the batter in getting to a 1-2 might not only see the pitcher’s off speed, out pitch, but just how well he’s throwing it or if he can paint the corners with his fastball. Seemed to work for the Cards against Hamels. Also if you look at the Hits per Strikes in different counts and not hitting statistics which include strikeouts by count, the data (at least in this study) paints a more positive picture of the batter’s chance in a 2 strike count.
Further failure was evident in the utter lack of strategic awareness the line-up demonstrated by not vaying their patterns enough. Derp. And why not work 0-2 counts ? Can’t they adjust their swings and protect the plate, it’s basic fundemental, situational baseball. Situational baseball may not have alot value over 162 games, but in a best of 5 against a quality opponent it might and yet might not bear any fruit as outcomes in baseball are that chance affected. The issue is more about an attempt to redefine the odds when the strategies best suited for a 162 game season may not be so for a 5 game series. I’m not advocating to throw the percentages out of the window and play match-ups like LaRussa nor am I suggesting you ride the hot hand as we can assume players are at least capable of playing to their average ability in things in the parts of the game they control , however let’s not lose sight of the fact that they are by no means playing in the average conditons that defined the parameters of said percentages in the first place – you can’t assume that in a 5 game series those more volatile aspects of game that players have little or no control over will average out. More adaptive approaches may be in order. Case in point. You have a groundball pitcher that your team is clearly struggling with and is backed by one of the slowest, error prone defenses and yet no one tried to drag bunt for a single. Not only did the Phillies squander a good chance to put a man on base but they missed an opportunity to shift the defense forward some which against a groundball pitcher that might help with BABIP. In this game context, you might want to play for a run and manufacture one instead of playing maximizing your runs. Besides LaRussa maximizes the Phillies runs for them. While any player has a chance to shine in the post season and Garica certainly has the above average talent to do so, I will not tip my cap to him because the the best team in baseball, in a play-off game no less, let themselves be played like fiddles. I swear it was like watching the Eagles. Fortunately, LaRussa happens.
Not what I wanted… I don’t wany any AL East teams in the ALCS
www.southpawcurve.tumblr.com - check out my baseball blog!!
thats my world series prediction
Phils vs Tigers
Doubtful
They are -14 so far for the series. They’ve had four leaf clovers and horseshoes just to force game 5.
Ah, the beauty of playoff baseball. I look forward to the wailing and gnashing of teeth that will spew forth from Yankeeland if the Tigers somehow manage a win.
by ThinMountainAir on Oct 5, 2011 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Another problem with this TBS song.
“Written in the stars. A million miles away.”
The closest star is 93 million miles away. The second-closest is something like 24.64 trillion miles away. Even with poetic license that’s very sloppy song-writing.
by flyersfaninchicago on Oct 4, 2011 11:59 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Don't sneeze.
Ibanez .286/.444/.429
Polanco .000/.143/.000
Pence .167/.167/.333
Gload .200/.200/.200
Francisco .500/.500/.500
Howard .000/.500/.000
Ruiz .500/.500/.750
Halladay .500/.500/.500
And, of course:
Blanton 1.000/1.000/4.000
Everyone else is 0-fer.
How about this lineup?
CF Francisco
LF Ibanez
1B Blanton
C Ruiz
3B Halladay
RF Gload
SS Polanco
2B Pence
P Oswalt
same he bro
"Who's Been Eatin' Hummus" DJAX
Im not JIBTA.
by howard is better than pujols on Oct 5, 2011 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Ideally tomorrow would be a nice 9-1 laugher. But more than likely it will be a 2-1 horror show.
The Good Phight, NotGraphs, Twitter, fun!
I'd love for Edwin to do this
"Francisco...that's fun to say! Francisco...Francisco" - Buddy
by DirtyWaters on Oct 5, 2011 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
i wish pitchers gave this reaction more often
I eat sentimentality for breakfast, but stats stop me dead in my tracks
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Oct 5, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
"/>
Okay, am I the only one just a little creeped out by this?
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
wow
Reminds me of the Abe Lincoln JFK connection.
We've come to bury Caesar, not praise him.
by VanceinmyPants on Oct 5, 2011 1:54 AM EDT up reply actions
this game just further proves the playoffs are a crapshoot theory:
- game starts at 4pm (in StL), a time neither team probably started at all season creating shadows that could have turned an easy play into a very difficult one.
- Cardinals hit bloop hit after bloop it.
- Cardinals hit into huge double play on one of the hardest balls they hit all day
- Ben F hr
- IMO Worley was pinched when he was on the mound, and there was a bad strike call on Chase. Hamels got a few favorable calls on the mound.
It’s exactly like rolling the dice every game or even every pitch
I can't think of a better caption to that picture
He is no longer known as “Ben Francisco”. He has a new name: HERO.
No. Question.
I’m not a big Thomas Boswell fan, but his column today on the game was pretty good:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/phillies-vs-cardinals-philadelphia-escapes-the-game-of-death-and-lives-to-see-more-days/2011/10/04/gIQAVl6LML_story.html
the maniacal capriciousness of their 3-2 win over the Cardinals in a pivotal Game 3 of their Division Series, was Exhibit A to explain why only three of the last 21 teams in the Phils’ shoes — owning the game’s best regular season record — have actually won the World Series.
thanks for the link. a nice story. This is a fun paragraph.
La Russa’s opposite number, Manuel, is his opposite in every way. Charlie’s postgame analysis sounds like he attended a different game in another city. Until you parse it some more, then translate to Manuelese. Then it usually turns out he was ahead of you. And the guy in the other dugout, sometimes, too.
And how the ump told Francisco he could slow down, that it was actually a home run.
by flyersfaninchicago on Oct 5, 2011 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
"sounds like he attended a different game in another city"
hahaha, that’s the best explanation of manuelese i think i’ve heard.
What was with Pujols whining about the shadows in the stadium at the start of the game? He does realize the Phillies had to deal with it, as well, right?
Tough win, so that’s pretty standard. No game five. Win it tonight.
I’m listening to St Louis sports radio today and the host, referencing the whining about the shadows, is saying that Brandon Phillips is right, the Cardinals are a bunch of bitches and that he never heard them complaining about the shadows after they won a game…hillarious!
"Francisco...that's fun to say! Francisco...Francisco" - Buddy
Clydesdales, really?
"How about the horses?" a giddy Victorino said in the clubhouse after the Phillies’ 3-2 win. "They went around a second time and crapped all by our dugout. It smelled awful. I think they did it on purpose. There was poo everywhere."
Yeah, that’s disgusting.
What kind of plane is it? Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big ol' Tylenol.
if the Phillies end up winning game 5 and lee pitches relief in game 4, you can go with either Lee or Hamels as your starter in the NLCS.
In other words, it’s not a big deal if Doc can’t go in game 1
I eat sentimentality for breakfast, but stats stop me dead in my tracks
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Oct 5, 2011 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
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