(Blair also said--and this is neither here nor there in relation to last night, just a point of interest--that Cliff Floyd's career basically ended on a similar play.)
― clemenza, Wednesday, 30 October 2019 19:30 (four years ago) link
fangraphs has camera angles and historical examples: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/a-dumb-rule-almost-ruined-the-world-series
this, from the fryman-knoblauch incident, would seem to be the wisest take
The Yankees blamed Hendry for not calling Fryman out for interference, but Jim Evans, the crew chief, explained that no matter what Fryman’s path to first was, the ball hit him as he stepped on or was about to step on the base and he was entitled to be in fair territory when he reached the base because the base was in fair territory.
― mookieproof, Wednesday, 30 October 2019 19:33 (four years ago) link
The rule even says you have latitude if you're AT the base.
― a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 30 October 2019 19:50 (four years ago) link
ILB's most beloved baseball writer, Bill James, agrees:
"Every rule, in baseball or in law, has to be read with an understanding of the intent of the rule. Basically, the umpires--and those who are unfortunately defending them today--are trying to read with the rule without acknowledging its intent."
And:
"The best way to handle it is for the umpire to make an announcement: 'I called the play incorrectly last night, and I'm very relieved that it did not change the outcome of the game.' If he just does that, then the controversy goes away, and you can quietly clarify the rule."
It's all moot. (They were, on the broadcast I was watching--Buck Martinez and the other guy--talking about the effect the delay might have on the Houston reliever; not after-the-fact, but during the delay.)
― clemenza, Wednesday, 30 October 2019 19:56 (four years ago) link
reminds me a lot of the NFL's "catch" rules which has all sorts of bizarre clauses. I remember a Lions/Bears game where Calvin Johnson made this incredible game-winning catch over a defender and maintained clear control of the ball, but set the ball down a little too quickly to go celebrate so it was ruled incomplete. struck me as one of the worst rulings I'd ever seen in professional sports even if ***technically*** it was the correct ruling
maybe the umps, just like the guys managing the teams, tend to just overthink things in the World Series
― frogbs, Wednesday, 30 October 2019 20:09 (four years ago) link
"It was not unlike watching Atlantis rise again from the sea, the bones of its kings new-covered with flesh."
George Will: "He ostentatiously carried his bat all the way to first base before discarding it. This was preening. Which is an infectious virus." https://t.co/T0MAjt9lCx— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) October 30, 2019
― mookieproof, Wednesday, 30 October 2019 20:17 (four years ago) link
when Babe Ruth called the home run that was great and very humble.
― Van Horn Street, Wednesday, 30 October 2019 20:41 (four years ago) link
he was actually pointing toward someone breaking an unwritten rule of baseball in the bleachers
― It is my great honor to post on this messageboard! (Karl Malone), Wednesday, 30 October 2019 20:42 (four years ago) link
"stop that man", he reportedly said while pointing to the offender, "his uncouth actions will destroy the foundations of our gentlemanly sport"
― It is my great honor to post on this messageboard! (Karl Malone), Wednesday, 30 October 2019 20:44 (four years ago) link
he then tried to murder that man with a home run, but failed
Just out of curiosity--and I hope this is acceptable between-game ephemera--I went through Game 7s looking for HOF starting-pitcher match-ups. It's a short list:
2019 – Scherzer/Greinke (assuming they're both headed there)2001 – Clemens/Schilling1991 – Morris/Smoltz1926 – Haines/Hoyt
Koufax and Kaat in '65 is close. Have to put Scherzer/Greinke as the second-best ever.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 30 October 2019 20:54 (four years ago) link
Easily the most likable.
― Andy K, Wednesday, 30 October 2019 21:06 (four years ago) link
Jesse Haines and Waite Hoyt were very in-demand at parties and get-togethers.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 30 October 2019 21:14 (four years ago) link
All praise to KM for the Ruth sequence above.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 30 October 2019 21:49 (four years ago) link
the veracity of the 'called shot' remains a Question
― a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 30 October 2019 22:05 (four years ago) link
Proof that I've got this HOF in my head that exists apart from the actual HOF--totally forgot that neither Clemens nor Schilling are in there. So really there have only been two such match-ups; clearly Clemens/Schilling was far and away the best regardless.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 30 October 2019 22:08 (four years ago) link
...
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Wednesday, 30 October 2019 22:11 (four years ago) link
It's amazing how many regular dudes there were that started Game 7s. Johnny Kucks won Game 7 for the Yankees in '56 with a three-hit shutout.
― timellison, Wednesday, 30 October 2019 23:08 (four years ago) link
This must have been some game:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN196210160.shtml
― timellison, Wednesday, 30 October 2019 23:12 (four years ago) link
― a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, October 30, 2019 6:05 PM (one hour ago) bookmarkflaglink
which is crazy
one great mythical act of showmanship is willed into existence while the showmanship of a 20 year old dominican is threatening western society as we know it
― Van Horn Street, Wednesday, 30 October 2019 23:16 (four years ago) link
You're only allowed, what, two upheld appeals? That Eaton play looked close.
― clemenza, Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:14 (four years ago) link
The Nats had a plan to come out swinging against Greinke. Not bad --shock and awe is their best chance of winning this game.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:15 (four years ago) link
Man, George Will accusing someone of preening is rich.
― tobo73, Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:22 (four years ago) link
xp agreed.
Whereas Astros were a little more patient than usual vs Scherzer.
― Van Horn Street, Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:23 (four years ago) link
One can only dream, but game might actually finish before midnight at this pace. (I swear Scherzer was into his windup on one pitch--or at least that pre-windup thing where he holds the ball above his head--before Brantley was in the box.)
― clemenza, Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:24 (four years ago) link
(Mind you, I forgot that we're going to see 37 pitchers.)
― clemenza, Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:31 (four years ago) link
wonder who the last guy to throw a 68mph pitch in the WS was? Kershaw has an eephus.
― a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:33 (four years ago) link
Yikes
― Van Horn Street, Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:35 (four years ago) link
That ballpark is dumb
― Van Horn Street, Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:37 (four years ago) link
thank yew Chirinos
― a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:41 (four years ago) link
Gurriel has quietly had a good series -- on both sides of the ball.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:41 (four years ago) link
How dumb was that bunt attempt?
Glad they only scored one run.
― Van Horn Street, Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:44 (four years ago) link
HAHT ATTACK
― a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:44 (four years ago) link
At 3-0, I thought Scherzer was intentionally non-intentionally walking Springer...lucky, lucky.
― clemenza, Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:44 (four years ago) link
Springer tattooed that pitch. The Astros have had a lot of hard hit outs in the series.
Scherzer is throwing hard but hasn't had good command. He was lucky to give up only the one run.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:47 (four years ago) link
His fastball control is okay, the slider is eluding him.
― Van Horn Street, Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:51 (four years ago) link
man, you got to step out, or anything, before you let Greinke have that quick an inning.
― a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:51 (four years ago) link
Rooting interest aside, I loved when Correa poked that single through the shift; he set up what could've/should've been a big inning.
― clemenza, Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:52 (four years ago) link
That strike 2 96mph fastball on Bregman was dope.
― Van Horn Street, Thursday, 31 October 2019 01:00 (four years ago) link
Scherzer is Fistering.
― Andy K, Thursday, 31 October 2019 01:07 (four years ago) link
The Nats are lucky that the ball is dejuiced in the postseason.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Thursday, 31 October 2019 01:07 (four years ago) link
I usually don’t care about ‘left on base’, it’s a weird broadcaster obsession, but tonight i’ll take it.
― Van Horn Street, Thursday, 31 October 2019 01:07 (four years ago) link
I'm watching the Buck Martinez feed, which has very lively audio (twice as loud as the Smoltz feed for some reason)--don't remember hearing a pitcher grunt like Max. I'm watching Wimbledon.
― clemenza, Thursday, 31 October 2019 01:08 (four years ago) link
Greinke’s grunting loudly too. Enjoying this grunt-off. Greinke has good stuff tonight, too
― It is my great honor to post on this messageboard! (Karl Malone), Thursday, 31 October 2019 01:10 (four years ago) link
valiant effort by Scherzer but given the hard-hit balls and lack of swings and misses, probably time to Max out— Jay Jaffe (@jay_jaffe) October 31, 2019
― a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 31 October 2019 01:11 (four years ago) link
Zack Maddux
― Van Horn Street, Thursday, 31 October 2019 01:12 (four years ago) link
Greinke -- the one man infield.
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Thursday, 31 October 2019 01:13 (four years ago) link
Greinke catch was dope.
― a bevy of supermodels, musicians and Lena Dunham (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 31 October 2019 01:13 (four years ago) link
Just tuned in.
Let's go Nationals
― Bee OK, Thursday, 31 October 2019 01:18 (four years ago) link