(transferred; posted Oct. 27)
The most unlikely thing happened Saturday night after Dusty Baker gave Russ Ortiz the game ball, which is probably worth more now to collectors. The Angels won. If you missed the play-by-play, or you just want to read his description, Gammons correctly elevates this classic to '75 and '86 status on ESPN.
Barry Bonds is the series MVP no matter what happens tonight, but Troy Glaus stepped up with a magnificent performance when it mattered most. Garret Anderson, "Mr. Calm" according to Joe Buck, was (of course) a key player in the Disney victory script.
I disagree with those who blame the Giants left fielder for his E7 allowing the winning run. Insignificant; GA scores from first on the Glaus double 99 times out of 100. There is a "fat Elvis" feel to watching the once-graceful Bonds stumble around the outfield. He's still OK on the bases, no longer great. As he rebuilt himself into Ruth and Williams combined, some speed and flexibility were sacrificed. But it's not steroids, or HGH, it's just hard work. Uh-huh.
Troy Percival threw lightning bolts. Robb Nen didn't. Frankie R. (actually his catcher) made a mistake in pitch selection against Bonds -- after the perfect fastball that even Bonds admired, there should have been a cutter and a slider, to get him to chase or foul one off, before using the high heat.
Rodriguez has charisma. He's a great looking kid, aware how good he is, and as long as that arm stays healthy, he'll be a star. A full year of setting up Percival is the next logical step; fantasy players are advised he could pitch 100+ innings in 2003, and may win 12 games with a few saves, tons of K's, plus a tiny ERA and WHIP in that role. Long term, he gives Stoneman the option of trading Percival for a starter (my advice) or stretching out Francisco to see if he can become Pedro. At 22, assuming he hasn't Ramon Ortiz-ed his birth certificate, he could be the game's best closer.
Speaking of Ortiz, what do you do with that arm if you're Scoscia? I applaud his decision to start the unflappable Lackey. But with the built-in excuse of a sore wrist, should Ramon even be an emergency backup? I guess you warm him up if you need a long reliever, see how he feels, and hope he doesn't ruin a bad situation. But if Lackey goes just four, Weber, Donnelly, K-Rod and Percy, with Schoenweis and even Washburn facing lefty batters, might make it unneccesary to use Ortiz at all, a better plan.
We are told that the home team has won every Game Seven since the 1979 Pirates beat Baltimore, as if that gives the Angels an edge. But it's a 50-50 split historically, so you could argue that the visitors are "due" to change an unrealistic trend. It has also been discussed that winners of Game Six are on a roll (7 of 8) in recent deciding games, but in the larger sample of baseball history, it evens out. Tidbits of data like these are irrelevant to players, and therefore to tonight's outcome. I prefer to "handicap" the likely scenarios before making my guesses, I mean predictions.
This one will not be a Morris-Smoltz duel. The starters should be considered long men; both will get quick hooks if they're in the slightest danger. The bullpens are in opposite head spaces. Anaheim has several confident guys with relatively fresh arms; San Francisco needs everyone to bounce back 24 hours after a crushing disappointment.
It will be decided by the hitters. One lineup is fearsome every other inning, the other can erupt at any moment. My head says the top-to-bottom order prevails against the tight relievers, but we all know my "logic" is distorted by my heart. It has been a great Series, no matter who wins, and especially considering the state of the Pastime in August, a terrific season. Tomorrow, "Countdown to Spring Training" begins.
The most unlikely thing happened Saturday night after Dusty Baker gave Russ Ortiz the game ball, which is probably worth more now to collectors. The Angels won. If you missed the play-by-play, or you just want to read his description, Gammons correctly elevates this classic to '75 and '86 status on ESPN.
Barry Bonds is the series MVP no matter what happens tonight, but Troy Glaus stepped up with a magnificent performance when it mattered most. Garret Anderson, "Mr. Calm" according to Joe Buck, was (of course) a key player in the Disney victory script.
I disagree with those who blame the Giants left fielder for his E7 allowing the winning run. Insignificant; GA scores from first on the Glaus double 99 times out of 100. There is a "fat Elvis" feel to watching the once-graceful Bonds stumble around the outfield. He's still OK on the bases, no longer great. As he rebuilt himself into Ruth and Williams combined, some speed and flexibility were sacrificed. But it's not steroids, or HGH, it's just hard work. Uh-huh.
Troy Percival threw lightning bolts. Robb Nen didn't. Frankie R. (actually his catcher) made a mistake in pitch selection against Bonds -- after the perfect fastball that even Bonds admired, there should have been a cutter and a slider, to get him to chase or foul one off, before using the high heat.
Rodriguez has charisma. He's a great looking kid, aware how good he is, and as long as that arm stays healthy, he'll be a star. A full year of setting up Percival is the next logical step; fantasy players are advised he could pitch 100+ innings in 2003, and may win 12 games with a few saves, tons of K's, plus a tiny ERA and WHIP in that role. Long term, he gives Stoneman the option of trading Percival for a starter (my advice) or stretching out Francisco to see if he can become Pedro. At 22, assuming he hasn't Ramon Ortiz-ed his birth certificate, he could be the game's best closer.
Speaking of Ortiz, what do you do with that arm if you're Scoscia? I applaud his decision to start the unflappable Lackey. But with the built-in excuse of a sore wrist, should Ramon even be an emergency backup? I guess you warm him up if you need a long reliever, see how he feels, and hope he doesn't ruin a bad situation. But if Lackey goes just four, Weber, Donnelly, K-Rod and Percy, with Schoenweis and even Washburn facing lefty batters, might make it unneccesary to use Ortiz at all, a better plan.
We are told that the home team has won every Game Seven since the 1979 Pirates beat Baltimore, as if that gives the Angels an edge. But it's a 50-50 split historically, so you could argue that the visitors are "due" to change an unrealistic trend. It has also been discussed that winners of Game Six are on a roll (7 of 8) in recent deciding games, but in the larger sample of baseball history, it evens out. Tidbits of data like these are irrelevant to players, and therefore to tonight's outcome. I prefer to "handicap" the likely scenarios before making my guesses, I mean predictions.
This one will not be a Morris-Smoltz duel. The starters should be considered long men; both will get quick hooks if they're in the slightest danger. The bullpens are in opposite head spaces. Anaheim has several confident guys with relatively fresh arms; San Francisco needs everyone to bounce back 24 hours after a crushing disappointment.
It will be decided by the hitters. One lineup is fearsome every other inning, the other can erupt at any moment. My head says the top-to-bottom order prevails against the tight relievers, but we all know my "logic" is distorted by my heart. It has been a great Series, no matter who wins, and especially considering the state of the Pastime in August, a terrific season. Tomorrow, "Countdown to Spring Training" begins.