The Angels win the first one, behind Paul Byrd.
No truth to the rumours that Chuck Finley is starting the second game.
If you want a good morning chuckle, there's quite a funny thread over at Primer, regarding Nomar saving two women who fell into the drink near his condo in Boston.
Haven't seen the Primer thread, but there's also a pretty good one at Fark. My favourite observation: Nomar now has more saves this year than LaTroy Hawkins. :)
According to the AP story, Victor Garciaparra dived from 20 feet into Boston Harbour. Hmm.
Continuing the Primer theme, Ozzie Smith did a 1 and 1/2 pike and still had them out of the water in 1.75 seconds. Bill Mazeroski caught 'em and passed them over to EMS in a blink. The flushed women muttered to the ambulance attendants: "Now that's what I call a double play".
Continuing the Primer theme, Ozzie Smith did a 1 and 1/2 pike and still had them out of the water in 1.75 seconds. Bill Mazeroski caught 'em and passed them over to EMS in a blink. The flushed women muttered to the ambulance attendants: "Now that's what I call a double play".
An article on our hero Nomar can be found here at the SF Gate.
For those of you far to lazy for your own good, here's a collection of my favourite entries from Primer. Feel free to keep the party going. Nothing says compliment like idea theft.
If Jeter dives into the water, the two women would skip past, just out of his reach.
Miguel Tejada would have given them B-12 injections, letting them rescue themselves.
Edgar Renteria would've reached the two women, but would've thrown one of them into traffic.
If David Eckstein had been there, then Scott Rolen would've rescued them.
If Julio Lugo had been there, he would have saved and then beaten these two.
If Russ Adams had been there, he'd show a lot of potential.
If Cristian Guzman had been there he would have jumped in to save the women and landed in some guys boat because he couldn't manage to even hit the water.
If Rich Aurillia had been there, he would've complained that the women were eating into his playing time.
A-Rod would of moved over and let a less talented player save them.
if Rafael Palmiero were there, he'd wag his finger and deny that he'd ever been there
If Curt Schilling were there he'd call a press conference to announce that he was going to rescue the women.
If Jeffrey Loria were there he'd insist that a lifeguard employed by the city save the women or he'd drown himself.
Jeter would have saved them before they fell in, diving headfirst into the pier to make the heroic catch.
Ozzie Guillen would have sacrificed one, left the other stranded, and been hailed for his use of the productive death.
If Jose Canseco were there, one of them would bounce off his head onto the shore.
If David Wells was there, he would have saved the ladies easily, but would have himself drowned after environmentalists rolled him back in the water.
If Curt Schilling were there, he would have saved one and lost the other, but reminded us that he's not really a lifeguard and it's a tougher job than it looks and that he's the GREATEST SPORTS HERO OF ALL TIME.
If Dusty Baker had been there he'd have left them in too long.
If Moises Alou were there they would've drowned after Alou tripped over Steve Bartman who was there collecting shells.
Sveum would've frantically waved them in to shore. They would have zero chance at making it.
If Jeter dives into the water, the two women would skip past, just out of his reach.
Miguel Tejada would have given them B-12 injections, letting them rescue themselves.
Edgar Renteria would've reached the two women, but would've thrown one of them into traffic.
If David Eckstein had been there, then Scott Rolen would've rescued them.
If Julio Lugo had been there, he would have saved and then beaten these two.
If Russ Adams had been there, he'd show a lot of potential.
If Cristian Guzman had been there he would have jumped in to save the women and landed in some guys boat because he couldn't manage to even hit the water.
If Rich Aurillia had been there, he would've complained that the women were eating into his playing time.
A-Rod would of moved over and let a less talented player save them.
if Rafael Palmiero were there, he'd wag his finger and deny that he'd ever been there
If Curt Schilling were there he'd call a press conference to announce that he was going to rescue the women.
If Jeffrey Loria were there he'd insist that a lifeguard employed by the city save the women or he'd drown himself.
Jeter would have saved them before they fell in, diving headfirst into the pier to make the heroic catch.
Ozzie Guillen would have sacrificed one, left the other stranded, and been hailed for his use of the productive death.
If Jose Canseco were there, one of them would bounce off his head onto the shore.
If David Wells was there, he would have saved the ladies easily, but would have himself drowned after environmentalists rolled him back in the water.
If Curt Schilling were there, he would have saved one and lost the other, but reminded us that he's not really a lifeguard and it's a tougher job than it looks and that he's the GREATEST SPORTS HERO OF ALL TIME.
If Dusty Baker had been there he'd have left them in too long.
If Moises Alou were there they would've drowned after Alou tripped over Steve Bartman who was there collecting shells.
Sveum would've frantically waved them in to shore. They would have zero chance at making it.
My favourite entry so far, from a "Moe Jorgan":
Billy Beane never should have thrown those women into the water.
Billy Beane never should have thrown those women into the water.
Manny was ready to jump in but Admiral Ackbar warned him it was a trap.
That one slays me.
That one slays me.
I encountered a somewhat interesting rumour about our GM from a somewhat unreliable ex-TSN reporter Here . Scroll to the very bottom. Has anyone else heard this about JP?
A comment from Marty York that JP Ricciardi might possibly be going to San Diego gets filed under "unfounded speculation" until I hear more. That file is unfortunately filled to the brim.
It's Marty York (BBRRS = dry ice) so it's clearly nothing. However, as early as September 30, the rumour was reported at CBS Sportsline: "Second-hottest rumor of the week has San Diego GM Kevin Towers as a possible candidate to become Arizona's new GM after the season, with Toronto's J.P. Ricciardi replacing Towers in San Diego under former Oakland executive Sandy Alderson."
But still...I don't think there's anything to it. It's not only Marty York, it's Marty York in that useless GO Train paper.
Based on my comment and Mike's comment, it is proven that baseball fans will, on average, point out every five minutes that Marty York is unreliable.
... but oh, so clever. I can't believe it took 10 years for someone to come up with a nickname as clever as "Craptors". Wow. Cutting edge humor, there.
Marty York is unreliable.
Hey! You sure? York, after all, is the guy who revealed that Roger Clemens would be the next big name busted for steroids...
Oh.
Keeping with the Primer thread, if Marty York had been there, he'd first write a story claiming that one of the drowning women was the Virgin Mary and the other was the new coach of the Ti-Cats, he'd then quit his current writing gig and join the Taber Times, call up Chris Schultz and use his 6'8" girth as a flotation device to save the poor lasses.
Marty York only has two sources anyways. A guy called Jack Daniels and FanHome.
Yea, yea...I know it's an old joke.
Yea, yea...I know it's an old joke.
If George Steinbrenner had been there, he'd have bought a shiny Rolls-Royce to rescue them. Then he'd blame the driver for the fact that Rolls-Royces aren't any good in the water.
If Leo Mazzone had been there, the two women would learn to be excellent swimmers by the time they reached safety.
If Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus had been there, he'd watch Nomar rescue the women and then criticize him for not being more patient.
If a Rogers Centre security guard were there, he'd have prevented Nomar from rescuing them. After all, it might bother any pro-drowning people who were watching.
If Leo Mazzone had been there, the two women would learn to be excellent swimmers by the time they reached safety.
If Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus had been there, he'd watch Nomar rescue the women and then criticize him for not being more patient.
If a Rogers Centre security guard were there, he'd have prevented Nomar from rescuing them. After all, it might bother any pro-drowning people who were watching.
If Magpie had been there he would have saved the women with a data table.
If Named For Hank had been there he would have saved the women and taken 37 pictures in the process.
If Rob was there he would have came on MSN at 2am to ask me what I thought of the girls.
If I was there I would have spelled their names incorrectly to the investigator.
If I was there I would have spelled their names incorrectly to the investigator.
Corey Koskie would have been there, but he was on the disabled list.
I particularly enjoyed that one, it seems to have Bauxite written all over it ,( that and the one regarding a lying Tim Johnson).
If Craig was there he would only save them if they knew of The Dead Milkmen and were covered in aluminum foil.
Hey everyone, just an FYI. I renewed my 10 game flex pack today since today was the last day to renew at 2005 prices. They are not telling anyone about this because this is the first year in a couple years they are doing price increases. So call now if you plan on renewing or try begging tomorrow for 2005 prices. It's pretty funny they aren't letting anyone know. Even though it might be too late I thought i'd try and let you know.
Incase you are wondering what the price increases are going to besides a much increased payroll, the 100 and 200 level concourses are being completely redone and there will be a new resturant on the 200 level with a full menu. Also the bobblehead you get with the 10 game is unforunatly Corey Koskie. I bought tickets to the 2nd game hopeing to see either AJ or a new #2 starter :)
Incase you are wondering what the price increases are going to besides a much increased payroll, the 100 and 200 level concourses are being completely redone and there will be a new resturant on the 200 level with a full menu. Also the bobblehead you get with the 10 game is unforunatly Corey Koskie. I bought tickets to the 2nd game hopeing to see either AJ or a new #2 starter :)
Speaking of flexpacks, how stingy are they about the games you select? I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow let alone which days I'll be free next year. If I just picked some days and then something came up on one of them would they let me exchange my tickets for another day? I think I'll actually explore the world of flexpacks this season as I doubt the starpass will return.
Marty York knows nothing. Did anyone read the stuff he was saying about the Raptors?? The guy is an idiot.
as far as choosing the games, this year I didn't change any of my games. I asked about it for next year since i wanted to be sure i get tickets to cito bobblehead day (although i assumed it was the 27th of aug since alumi week is usually the end of august). They told me that if I wasn't sure about the games now I could change it later, and you can really change anytime but you would have to mail the tickets back after you got them. They also don't encourage this but he said it could be done. I'm really looking forward to seeing the improvements both on the field next year and in the stadium! Oh and another flex pack benifit is you are invited to a blue jays meet and greet.
Jobu, the starpass is returning. As well, regular ticket prices are increasing by about 2 dollars in the 100 level sections. There will be a new VIP Zone on the 200 level in which seats will be $70. The Dome will get getting a Wendy's outside of the stadium and a new Jayshop will be built where the bar "Fan-atics" once was.
I'm not a posterboy for buying flexpacks, but I would highly urge everyone interested to get 4 friends and buy one flex pack amongst the four of you. It's not about the regular seaoson tickets, but you do get the opportunity to purchase post-seaoson tickets before the general public. Something you don't get when you buy a StarPass.
hey vbf is this new vip zone where the "full menu resturant" will be?
No. I've been told that Windows restaurant will be totally renovated and since there's a new restaurant, I can only assume that that's where it will be. Before fans at the game could not access Windows, but now it will be completely and totally accessible. I also heard that the windows will be removed, or something to that effect.
Actually I really don't see a need to renovate the club level unless it architectural. The Club level is quite nice. It also appears that the lady I spoke with who told me about that weird walkway earlier must've been under the influence as that is not the case, at least this year. :)
Actually I really don't see a need to renovate the club level unless it architectural. The Club level is quite nice. It also appears that the lady I spoke with who told me about that weird walkway earlier must've been under the influence as that is not the case, at least this year. :)
VBF, you'll want to check out the ussmariner site. They figure its Jojima time. Good and fair analyses.
That's interesting to read. If my park was Safeco though, I'd definitely re-consider the pursuit of Jojima though. His OBP has definitely not been a strongpoint in his career, but I at least hope the Jays are exploring this opportunity more in depth. The payoff could be significant.
It's not about the regular seaoson tickets, but you do get the opportunity to purchase post-seaoson tickets before the general public. Something you don't get when you buy a StarPass.
Ha ha: That's a good one, VBF!
You know what? The White Sox deserved to win. You tag the runner if it's anywhere close to the dirt and the batter hasn't yet made 4 steps to the dugout. Why not tag? Just tag him! Tim McCarver is an idiot "he didn't tag the runner because he knew he caught the ball cleanly". That's like "I didn't use my turn signal because I knew there was no car there."
Just do it! Why think about it?
Interesting AJ's comments after the game, that he was catching in a similar situation and that same thing happened against him. The inexperience of a 3rd string catcher?
PS - I'm enjoy Lou Piniella on these broadcasts.
Oh, and wasn't Kelvim Escobar's meltdown after the bad call eerily reminiscent?
(or "Kelveem Escoban" if you're Tim McCarver)
(or "Kelveem Escoban" if you're Tim McCarver)
Ha ha: That's a good one, VBF!
Heh, there's alot of Ifs with that idea, but if you buy one flex pack for $70 and divide it up among 4 people, the cost is low and if they do make the playoffs, you're basically guaranteed to be able to buy 4 seats. :)
...or be left out peering through a bar window on a dark cold night like a certain Canadian Third basemen did on a cold Fall night in 1992.
I was curious, so I looked up the last time a pitcher tossed a complete game in a post-season game decided in the final at-bat.
I thought it would be Jack Morris in '91, but I was wrong; Curt Schilling went the distance in Game 5 of the 2001 NLDS against St. Louis, which was won in the bottom of the ninth.
I thought it would be Jack Morris in '91, but I was wrong; Curt Schilling went the distance in Game 5 of the 2001 NLDS against St. Louis, which was won in the bottom of the ninth.
Before fans at the game could not access Windows, but now it will be completely and totally accessible. I also heard that the windows will be removed, or something to that effect.
The new restaurant is to be called "Windowframes".
Oh, and wasn't Kelvim Escobar's meltdown after the bad call eerily reminiscent?
No way. He had 2 strikes on the guy and threw one bad pitch...a splitter that hung up. Guy admitted that the splitter hung in the post game-interview, and if it did not hang that would have been strike 3. Then he would have done something not many pitchers can say they did...struck out FOUR batters in one inning. :)
I thought that call was ridiculous myself. The ball was caught cleanly, and you can clearly see the home plate umpire signal "out" while Pierzynski is running to first base. Can't get much cheaper than that.
No way. He had 2 strikes on the guy and threw one bad pitch...a splitter that hung up. Guy admitted that the splitter hung in the post game-interview, and if it did not hang that would have been strike 3. Then he would have done something not many pitchers can say they did...struck out FOUR batters in one inning. :)
I thought that call was ridiculous myself. The ball was caught cleanly, and you can clearly see the home plate umpire signal "out" while Pierzynski is running to first base. Can't get much cheaper than that.
Not that I disagree, but the "signal" doesn't determine anything - only the verbal call.
Not that I disagree, but the "signal" doesn't determine anything - only the verbal call.
Did the umpire claim that he didn't make the verbal call? A.J. said he didn't hear it, so he assumed the ball was in the dirt, but he also said that he saw the replay and that it was "clear" that the ball hit the ground.
Maybe the Angels ought to stay on every base tomorrow night regardless of umpire signals and force consultations and explanations of every out. Petty, sure, but I really can't get my head around how this call was reversed.
Did the umpire claim that he didn't make the verbal call? A.J. said he didn't hear it, so he assumed the ball was in the dirt, but he also said that he saw the replay and that it was "clear" that the ball hit the ground.
Maybe the Angels ought to stay on every base tomorrow night regardless of umpire signals and force consultations and explanations of every out. Petty, sure, but I really can't get my head around how this call was reversed.
The situation clearly wasn't handled well, but that AJP turned and started to run to first after taking a step or two towards the dugout tells me that he knew what the umpire's ruling was.
I'll have an article up at THT shortly explaining some of this.
The situation clearly wasn't handled well, but that AJP turned and started to run to first after taking a step or two towards the dugout tells me that he knew what the umpire's ruling was.
Post game, he said that he didn't hear the umpire call him out, so he assumed it was in the dirt and ran. Does the umpire say anything besides "out" or nothing at all in this situation? And why would the umpire make the hand-signal for the out without calling AJP out unless he was trying to mislead the Anaheim fielders?
Post game, he said that he didn't hear the umpire call him out, so he assumed it was in the dirt and ran. Does the umpire say anything besides "out" or nothing at all in this situation? And why would the umpire make the hand-signal for the out without calling AJP out unless he was trying to mislead the Anaheim fielders?
It's also the hand signal for "strike", Aaron. The umpire has to call strike three.
My article is up at http://www.hardballtimes.com for those who are interested.
My article is up at http://www.hardballtimes.com for those who are interested.
It's also the hand signal for "strike", Aaron. The umpire has to call strike three.
What was the signal before? A karate-like slash across, followed by the umpire standing upright and raising his fist and walking off to the side, like he's leaving the field.
I'm off to read the THT article.
What was the signal before? A karate-like slash across, followed by the umpire standing upright and raising his fist and walking off to the side, like he's leaving the field.
I'm off to read the THT article.
See, that's where I think he screws up. He'd been using the slash-and-knock for his third-strike-and-out call.
At any rate, it's not like Josh Paul can see what the signals are. He's gotta play to the verbal.
At any rate, it's not like Josh Paul can see what the signals are. He's gotta play to the verbal.
You're certainly right -- how often did we see Zaunie tagging guys who were returning to their dugouts this year? It's easy to blame the umpire, but Paul should be erring on the side of caution on simple plays in the playoffs.
What's funny is that I'm so annoyed about this while I'm rooting for the White Sox -- go figure.
What's funny is that I'm so annoyed about this while I'm rooting for the White Sox -- go figure.
I just watched the MLB.com replay -- go here, click on "Pierzynski's K in ninth" -- and I am extremely confident in stating that the ball bounced off the dirt. It clearly changes directions at the 58 second mark of the online highlight.
I'm not really all that confused over this. The umpire signalled a swing with the chop, strike three with the pump-and-knock, but he did not say Pierzynski was out. As far as I'm concerned, Josh Paul is at fault here. Maybe I have it wrong, but I really don't see the issue here.
It clearly changes directions at the 58 second mark of the online highlight.
It does change directions, but I think it was because it hit the webbing of Paul's glove. There wasn't any dirt kicked up, nor was there any noticeable mark on the dirt that would indicate that the ball made contact with the ground. But it certainly is debatable.
It would have been more interesting if Pierzynski had made an additional step or two towards the dugout. He might have been immediately called out at that stage for giving up his right to attempt to advance to first, in accordance with Rule 6.09(b)(2). The rule states that the batter/runner is not out in that situation until he actually reaches the dugout or dugout steps, but is often interpreted to mean that once a few steps have been taken in the direction of the dugout, he cannot reverse course (this probably derives from little league play, where there are no dugouts, per se). The rule is pretty clear on its face, though - I think that would have been a more embarassing situation since it would have involved a misapplication of the rules, as opposed to just a (potentially) blown judgement call and confused behaviour on the part of the home plate umpire.
A few points to consider;
-The best person to determine if the ball was caught was Paul. He clearly believed that it was a clean catch by not instinctivley as trained make the easy tag or lob throw to first. A good umpire would have erred on the side of this consistency.
- Eddings claims he did not make a verbal out call, we'll have to believe him, he did however make an out gesture, Paul did not see this, but the Angels fielders did see this and naturally stopped playing. Extremely poor umpiring mechanics.
I'd remove Eddings and Crawford from further post season action due to poor judgement,mechanics and communication. This was clearly sub-standard umpiring and a bad call.
-The best person to determine if the ball was caught was Paul. He clearly believed that it was a clean catch by not instinctivley as trained make the easy tag or lob throw to first. A good umpire would have erred on the side of this consistency.
- Eddings claims he did not make a verbal out call, we'll have to believe him, he did however make an out gesture, Paul did not see this, but the Angels fielders did see this and naturally stopped playing. Extremely poor umpiring mechanics.
I'd remove Eddings and Crawford from further post season action due to poor judgement,mechanics and communication. This was clearly sub-standard umpiring and a bad call.
It does change directions, but I think it was because it hit the webbing of Paul's glove. There wasn't any dirt kicked up, nor was there any noticeable mark on the dirt that would indicate that the ball made contact with the ground. But it certainly is debatable.
That was my impression too, watching the replay like a thousand times this morning on the highlights on a 52" TV -- no dirt kicked up.
That was my impression too, watching the replay like a thousand times this morning on the highlights on a 52" TV -- no dirt kicked up.
Definitely no dirt. The ball was caught. The fact that the umpire made a gesture that indicated strike three, and did not clearly indicate 'no catch' either verbally or physically, led the entire Angles team to start walking off the field. Escobar walked past the ball thrown by Paul and if there had been any doubt in anyone's mind, he could have easily picked it up and tossed it to first.
To me, it seems obvious that Eddings was a bit out of it, that essentially he stopped working after his strike three call, and then had to scramble and react to the actions of Pierzynski and wound up arguing a case in order to cover his failure to stay on top of the play.
To me, it seems obvious that Eddings was a bit out of it, that essentially he stopped working after his strike three call, and then had to scramble and react to the actions of Pierzynski and wound up arguing a case in order to cover his failure to stay on top of the play.
Just heard on the FAN, some roster moves:
Arnold, Tablado outrighted to Syracuse
Huckaby, Menechino refused assignment to Syracuse, elected to become free agents.
Off season roster management moves begin...
Arnold, Tablado outrighted to Syracuse
Huckaby, Menechino refused assignment to Syracuse, elected to become free agents.
Off season roster management moves begin...
From a performance point of view, Huckaby won't be missed (at least, I can only HOPE they don't miss his performance).
Mighty Mouse, on the other hand, was a useful player. What are the chances he'll end up on his hometown team? (NYY).
I think what this does is, if (heaven forbid) we continue to have a 'statis quo' situation in the infield, Aaron Hill will take up the 'super-sub' role in 2006 (unless he REALLY forces the issue in Spring Training).
Mighty Mouse, on the other hand, was a useful player. What are the chances he'll end up on his hometown team? (NYY).
I think what this does is, if (heaven forbid) we continue to have a 'statis quo' situation in the infield, Aaron Hill will take up the 'super-sub' role in 2006 (unless he REALLY forces the issue in Spring Training).
I think what this does is, if (heaven forbid) we continue to have a 'statis quo' situation in the infield, Aaron Hill will take up the 'super-sub' role in 2006 (unless he REALLY forces the issue in Spring Training).
Or, more likely, that the Jays will acquire the services of another utility infielder at some point between now and Opening Day. This is about the getting the 40-man roster in shape. On the basis of this move alone, I wouldn't read too much into the Jays' plans regarding Hill.
It does change directions, but I think it was because it hit the webbing of Paul's glove. There wasn't any dirt kicked up, nor was there any noticeable mark on the dirt that would indicate that the ball made contact with the ground.
That's what I was thinking. I didn't see any dirt kicked up, but I noticed that the ball went down-down-down-down-up-down. The first four downs were just due to gravity. But the down after the up confused me. I thought it was more likely that the ball bounced up off the ground, then down off part of the catcher's mitt. (I actually had to get out my ball and glove and simulate the scenario wherein Paul caught the ball right above the ground to see that it was quite possible. And yes, I have no life.)
I looked at the replay again; this time I was looking for what Paul's glove did after catching the ball. All the angles I saw made me doubt my initial reaction to the play, as I can't see where his glove might have "muffled" the kicked-up-dirt by hiding it from sight or by rubbing out any marks left by the ball. In other words, I can't see how that ball could have hit the dirt.
It also appears to me from what I saw that Paul was moving his glove down to the dirt, and caught the ball before it hit the dirt. So it looks to be going up in the glove but only because the glove was moving down.
Anyone who was just watching Sportsnet will have seen an excellent sequence of tape showing the same umpire making the karate chop but not making the pumped fist until the hitter was tagged on four different balls in the dirt from earlier in the game. In the press conference, when asked about the fist the umpire says "that's my strike three mechanic" but does not signify "out". Judging from this tape sequence, he was very obviously lying: he used it to signify "out" in all four of those at-bats.
I still agree that Paul should have tagged the runner to be safe if he didn't hear the umpire call out, but this tape leads me to believe that Paul is not lying when he says he heard the out call.
MLB needs to discipline this umpire, not for the blown call -- umpires are human beings and will blow calls -- but for lying about it to the media and shifting the blame to Paul.
It's strong language to call an MLB umpire a liar, but he clearly is lying: the fist pumped is not merely his "strike three mechanic", but his "out" mechanic, as shown by the tape of the game. The fabric of the universe will not unravel if he admits to making a mistake.
I still agree that Paul should have tagged the runner to be safe if he didn't hear the umpire call out, but this tape leads me to believe that Paul is not lying when he says he heard the out call.
MLB needs to discipline this umpire, not for the blown call -- umpires are human beings and will blow calls -- but for lying about it to the media and shifting the blame to Paul.
It's strong language to call an MLB umpire a liar, but he clearly is lying: the fist pumped is not merely his "strike three mechanic", but his "out" mechanic, as shown by the tape of the game. The fabric of the universe will not unravel if he admits to making a mistake.
It's strong language to call an MLB umpire a liar, but he clearly is lying: the fist pumped is not merely his "strike three mechanic", but his "out" mechanic, as shown by the tape of the game. The fabric of the universe will not unravel if he admits to making a mistake.
I saw that too. I agree, the ump supervisor shouldn't have stood by him on that one. If it is only the verbal call that matters, maybe umpires should not be allowed to make hand gestures at all.
I saw that too. I agree, the ump supervisor shouldn't have stood by him on that one. If it is only the verbal call that matters, maybe umpires should not be allowed to make hand gestures at all.
I think discipline is fair, but it would be a a punch in the stomach to Angel fans if the umpire admitted he made a mistake. IMO, an umpire should never admit a mistake (maybe part of my own stubborness) and the only way to ensure this is to make sure that the media cannot communicate to them.
There would be far less controversy had the umpire just said nothing after the game.
There would be far less controversy had the umpire just said nothing after the game.
I still agree that Paul should have tagged the runner to be safe if he didn't hear the umpire call out
Catchers are taught that whenever their glove hits the dirt on a third strike, you tag the runner or wait from a clear signal from the umpire.
At any rate, if you watched Cards-Astros last night (damn we're seeing some good pitching in the playoffs) you will have seen Yadier Molina (who has over the course of thios season moved up to being one of my fifteen or so favorite players in baseball) do it EXACTLY right... I think it was in the sixth or seventh inning. Molina caught a swinging strike three from Mulder cleanly (I think it was on Jason Lane) but his glove was down on or near the dirt. Molina *immediately* turned to plate umpire Greg Gibson with the ball still clutched in his glove, and looked right into Gibson's eyes from about three feet away looking for the signal. THAT is how a good catcher handles an ambiguous third strike situation.
Damn I love Yadier Molina's game.
Incidentally, a White Sox fan (take it for what it's worth) told me that their local station, Comcast, showed a MUCH better replay of the infamous third strike, a much closer shot, and he said he thought he could see the ball hit the ground inside the mitt. Given the shape of a catcher's mitt, and the angle of the pitch, that wouldn't surprise me. Of course, Eddings would have not been in a position to see that and to be sure of the call he'd have needed help from Rapuano.
Damn I love Yadier Molina's game.
While I'm rooting for both the Astros and the White Sox, I'd love to see a Cards - Angels World Series, just for the Molina Overload.
While I'm rooting for both the Astros and the White Sox, I'd love to see a Cards - Angels World Series, just for the Molina Overload.