Game Thread: September 28, 2011
by Ryan on Sep 28, 2011 6:45 PM EDT
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PrintCleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers, Sep 28, 2011 7:05 PM EDT
In addition, there are four(!) games tonight, that will have a direct effect on teams making or missing the playoffs:
New York at Tampa, 7:05 PM (Tampa tied for AL Wild Card lead)
Boston at Baltimore, 7:05 PM (Boston tied for AL Wild Card lead)
Philadelphia at Atlanta, 7:05 PM (Atlanta tied for NL Wild Card lead)
St. Louis at Houston, 8:05 PM (St. Louis tied for NL Wild Card lead)
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Holy Strasburg
"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady
just watched the highlights—that Tommy John is nearing darn near 100% success.
"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady
Tolman managing? Hmm.
"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady
Yea, I’m fine with that. But why did he need to be ejected? Couldn’t he just assign him to manage for the day? I believe Joe Torre did this once or twice in random end of season meaningless games at the end of the year with Bernie/Jorge (help?) a few years back.
Hammy says that Sandy told him he might not be ready for a managerial job, and wants to win a championship in Cleveland.
"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady
Laporta took a walk??
Fear the Fedora.
by MooneysRebellion on Sep 28, 2011 7:44 PM EDT reply actions
legit lol at Hegan’s way of striking out less: “well, making contact would be a start”
"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady
My alternative involves more cruel toying with the emotions of New Englanders, though:
1. OMG TERRIBLE SEPTEMBER MASS SUICIDES IMMINENT!
2. Game 162 – It’s the Orioles, stupid
3. WIN THE WILD CARD ZOMG THIS MAKES THE SUFFERING OF SEPTEMBER WORTH IT!!1
4. Be swept out of the ALDS because derp derp, they have no number three starter.
Looks like the orioles will have to come through.
by Ryan on Sep 28, 2011 8:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
ideally, we’re down 1 going into the 9th and get 7 off of Valverde.
"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady
This, so incredibly, this.
Fear the Fedora.
by MooneysRebellion on Sep 28, 2011 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions
And to think that three weeks ago it looked like it was going to be a boring September
by Ryan on Sep 28, 2011 8:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
So unethical of Epstein to acquire balk on the last day of the season.
"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady
balk can’t be on their playoff roster though.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Sep 28, 2011 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions
balk is a type B free agent, though
#sandwichpickofdoom
by APV on Sep 28, 2011 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
LGT! Will miss the games. What is the deal with Heegan? Is he being asked to leave?
Len Barker Perfect Game Attendee
reply fail
Len Barker Perfect Game Attendee
by PortlandVinny on Sep 28, 2011 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I need the Rays to come back or the Sawx to lose. I need a team to root for in the AL, and I don’t want to have to root for the Tigers. I would feel dirty doing such a thing.
Feel the same. Really hoping for the Rays. Otherwise, Brewers all the way and screw the AL completely. AL East NO, Detroit NO, Texas anything NO.
Len Barker Perfect Game Attendee
by PortlandVinny on Sep 28, 2011 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions
It bothers me that the two teams I find most appealing happen to be geographically located in places I can’t root for: Texas and Arizona. I think I’ll be spending this postseason watching hockey.
Did Santana really just bunt or is Gameday ready for the off-season as well?
Fear the Fedora.
by MooneysRebellion on Sep 28, 2011 8:39 PM EDT reply actions
he did
Len Barker Perfect Game Attendee
by PortlandVinny on Sep 28, 2011 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Life of the Cleveland Indians players look in
Len Barker Perfect Game Attendee
by PortlandVinny on Sep 28, 2011 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Milton Bradley arrested: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-miltonbradley
Len Barker Perfect Game Attendee
So Jose Reyes goes 1-1 and then pulls himself to protect batting title lead? Weak.
Len Barker Perfect Game Attendee
Just trying to lower Smith’s offseason trade value so that we don’t get tempted to trade him
by APV on Sep 28, 2011 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The longer I have this game on, the more I hope the Tigers do have to face the Yankees in the playoffs and consequently, get creamed.
but then one of them is guaranteed to survive to the next round.
"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady
That just gives us a team to root against in the second round as well.
@grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff
by woodsmeister on Sep 28, 2011 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Can we get a collective ranking of players that made me feel good this year?
I’d start with
1 – Asdrubal
2 – Masterson
297. unidentified bartender who kept filling Choo’s glass.
@grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff
by woodsmeister on Sep 28, 2011 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Depends on the initial that’s put in front of that surname.
by Chief WaDrew on Sep 28, 2011 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
1. Masterson
2. Asdrubal
3. Pestano
4. Santana
5. Smith (irony knows no bounds)
6. Supermannahan
7. Kipnis
We did have that one glorious week of Healthy Sizemore.
@grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff
by woodsmeister on Sep 28, 2011 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions
1. Masterson
2. Asdrubal
3. Pestano
4. Kipnis
5. Santana
6. Hannahan
7. Smith
8. Duncan, Fukudome and Raffy
"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady
Something tells me that the Tigers will lose one game in the postseason because Delmon Young butchers a play in left field.
@grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff
They’ve had everything going their way for the past 1.5-2 months – health, hitting from guys you wouldn’t expect (Santiago, Kelly, even Inge hitting some), better-than-expected performances from erratic members of their rotation (Scherzer, Porcello, Penny) and bullpen (Schlerth, Perry, Coke).
I do not know of a team that carries that from year to year (let’s face it – the Tigers are NO .750 ballclub, and they’re not a .700 ballclub – the 1995 Indians finished the year at .694, and I think most would consider that team a more complete team 1-25 than this Tigers ballclub).
They’ve played well, but they’ve also benefited from virtually every break going their way. I expect 2012 to be different when the majority of breaks don’t go their way, unexpected health issues and dilemmas crop up, and guys they expect to deliver aren’t delivering (I think Peralta and Avila are both prime candidates for falling back next year – Peralta based on track record; Avila being in his 2nd year, not being that noted of a prospect when he was drafted and moving up through the Tigers’ system, and how he keeps getting beat up back there – some Tiger fans have already noted how he is popping more things up than he had during his hot streak).
By the same token, we must improve fundamentally – Fukudome should have gotten the run home with less than 2 outs earlier in the game (when Carrera was at 3rd after his triple), but struck out (Fukudome hasn’t looked as sharp fundamentally since we fell out of the race, as if his concentration level has waned), and Carrera should have gotten the run in from 3rd with less than 2 outs later in the game (he struck out – too many darn Ks – another area for this ballclub to improve upon) – he may be a rookie, but between needing to improve upon this and making up for his error that led to the first Tigers run (Carrera must improve defensively), it would have been nice for Carrera to come through with that 4th run.
And, did Acta really have to take McAllister out after just 5 IP? Did Smith really need to get work in? Granted, Smith has been mostly good this year (though not as good lately), but really, did Acta have to bring him in? McAllister had thrown only 74 pitches I believe – I’m sure he could gone 6-7 IP at the rate he was going – the Tigers were having enough trouble with him (one of the runs being unearned).
Never mind the fact that the loss now doesn’t do us any good in terms of better draft positioning (thanks to Chicago coughing up the lead in the 9th inning against Toronto, a common theme for their bullpen this year). Silver lining: we have 2nd place by ourselves now, regardless of what happens tonight.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Thanks – was not aware of that.
Still, the main question – why bring in Smith in the last game of the year? To showcase him for a potential offseason trade? Really don’t think it’s necessary – what’s the harm in letting McAllister go up to 90 pitches or even 100 pitches? I can’t believe that it would be that much more of a workload on him as compared to what he had throughout 2011.
Just seems puzzling to me – why mess with something when it’s going well? Granted, the win in the game isn’t that important, but still, it would be nice to finish 2011 on a winning note, and especially against Detroit (who we’re due to beat at some point after nearly beating them 2-3 times over the past month, yet they’re always escaping). Plus, there’s no real benefit to losing now, as I mentioned in my post.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
The Law Dog? Did Underwood really just refer to Matt Lawton as “The Law Dog?”
@grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff
It’s amazing their defense hasn’t cost them yet, but it bears watching. Between him and Raburn – ugh – they make Duncan and Carrera look like no-doubt Gold Glovers (no offense to either of them, but Duncan has never been known for defense, despite his great play that one day in LF, and Carrera has had his struggles out in CF, which I hope are resolved between now and 2012).
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Duncan also at .808. I love lucky number symmetry.
What if...
by Danieldelamaiz on Sep 28, 2011 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Jack!
One day I'll get over to watch the Tribe play
by new zealand tribe fan on Sep 28, 2011 9:36 PM EDT reply actions
Vinnie, I’ve seen you in your underwear in the last 24 hours. I don’t know if I can watch you pitch without giggling.
I could never be a cleat chaser.
by ameliorate on Sep 28, 2011 9:41 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Really!
One day I'll get over to watch the Tribe play
by new zealand tribe fan on Sep 28, 2011 9:42 PM EDT reply actions
Break his mojo before the playoffs. Let’s GO!
What if...
by Danieldelamaiz on Sep 28, 2011 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
We owe them in 2012 – I hope we pound them to a pulp and dominate them like they did us in the last two months of 2011 when things even out and they’re not playing at this .750 level (which they won’t, not unless they’re going to emulate the 1906 Cubs, the only team that finished a season at a .750 level, and that was playing 134 or 136 games – something like that).
I do expect it to be much more even, if not us ahead of the head-to-head standings next year – they’ve had it way too easy, and they’re NO .750 ballclub or even .700 ballclub. It’s debatable if they’re even a .650 ballclub over a whole season (there’s a reason why BYB was predicting fewer than 90 wins for winning the division when the Indians and Tigers were very close to each other in early August, as they never expected the Tigers to go on this type of tear, and expecting it to last into 2012 is unrealistic in my opinion).
Plus, if track records hold, I expect Peralta will fall off some next year, as I mentioned in my earlier post.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
The Tigers made some upgrades mid-season and will have enough dry powder to make some more moves in the off-season.
The Indians can break their streak of below .500 seasons but the Tigers are going to be tough to catch even if they have more injuries.
The Indians may have a better chance next year if they move beyond Grady and Fausto.
Perhaps his final at bat as an Indian? Perhaps his final at bat, period.
@grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff
Kind of fitting that he struck out.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Sep 28, 2011 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions
“Hammered” is on Underwood’s list. It does not mean what you think it means.
@grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff
They often say a team or person ‘turns into a pumpkin’ … Kimbrel literally turned into a tomato. The guy was so flush in the face, I became worried for his health.
Literally, huh? I guess it would be hard to throw with no arms.
What if...
by Danieldelamaiz on Sep 28, 2011 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions
All the more reason why we owe them, and why I think 2012 will be different, and much more balanced (they aren’t going to keep walking all over us with wins like they did the latter part of 2011 – I don’t recall any team getting every break going their way every game for that long of a period; we were in position to win 3-4 of those games, and lost every one. That is bound to change in 2012 – keep the hope. We are bound to get them next year – the trends would suggest that, as these teams are much closer in terms of overall ability than the last 1.5-2 months have shown).
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Until next April
One day I'll get over to watch the Tribe play
by new zealand tribe fan on Sep 28, 2011 9:59 PM EDT reply actions
Farewell Mike Hegan – I always enjoyed listening to him and Jack Corrigan work the WUAB Ch. 43 telecasts, as well as Hegan’s telecasts on Fox Sports Ohio before STO was over. Personally, I prefer him and Hamilton to Manning and Underwood (they make too many mistakes, and they’re sometimes too opinionated, as compared to Hegan).
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
anyone know what’s up with the Baltimore rain?
"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady
the radar looks pretty iffy.
"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady
Radar behind that storm looks clear. Depends on how much the O’s want to fight to screw Boston.
What if...
by Danieldelamaiz on Sep 28, 2011 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Although it would help if I knew where exactly the ballpark was. I am zoomed out pretty far.
What if...
by Danieldelamaiz on Sep 28, 2011 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions
tribeinsider More bio info: Elias confirms Josh Tomlin is only MLB pitcher since 1969 w/0SB attempts against who was an ERA qualifier (usually 162.0IP)
"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady
Amazing the records you can break with an 86 MPH fastball.
What if...
by Danieldelamaiz on Sep 28, 2011 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Improbably, the Indians seem to have slouched their way down to 16th place, i.e., a protected first-round draft pick. They are a half-game behind the Nats, who won behind Strasburg today, and who won’t be making up an earlier rained-out game.
I see your point regarding the Nationals, a team I hadn’t considered because of the earlier rainout.
We still would have benefitted if Chicago hadn’t blown that lead against Toronto, but it’s fortunate that we are now in a position where our first-round draft pick is now protected – one of things that has worked for us in 2011, the year that the injury bug really bit us (let’s hope it doesn’t bite us more for quite a while – there’s still Carrasco’s injury for 2012 to deal with).
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Pujols is going for his 11th straight year of .300, 30 HR, 100 RBI and is on .299 and 99 RBI in the 8th inning.
He blew it … but he may have a shot in Game 163 tomorrow.
Houston announcer on Pujols’ failure to hit .300 with 100 RBI on that AB: “What a loser.”
How did Hammy get down there so fast?
What if...
by Danieldelamaiz on Sep 28, 2011 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Longoria just cost them the game. Rally killing 3R-HR
What if...
by Danieldelamaiz on Sep 28, 2011 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
They still got 99 problems, and their payroll is 1
What if...
by Danieldelamaiz on Sep 28, 2011 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
eh. I assume it was slightly important to Jhonny. So I’m happy he didn’t get it.
"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady
If I ever meet Peralta, I might punch him in the face.
by Jay on Sep 28, 2011 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
I was watching the Rays game on my computer in my room. everyone else was asleep. When that ball run hit the foul pole i jumped up and threw my arms in the air.
that’s how much i hate the red sox.
I’d prefer the Rays to get in myself, plus, they’ve been playing much better ball than Boston over the last month, on a much lighter payroll, no less.
Plus, the baseball writers who were proclaiming how great this Red Sox team was, and I think one or two even claiming they would challenge and break the record 116 wins by the Cubs (I think), I think they might have to eat some crow and think twice before putting out such statements again, regardless of who they sign and how much it’s for.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
And Aceves has now hit two Orioles here in the 7th.
@grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff
My, oh my – talk about some excitement for baseball’s last day.
One thing that didn’t go right for Detroit – Texas held onto the 2nd seed, so if Game #5 is held between the Rangers and Yankees, it will be at Yankee Stadium, not Comerica Park, so I guess Detroit doesn’t have EVERYTHING go their way, even in 2011.
Hopefully, the Indians will have a similar streak one of these years (maybe 2012?) as Detroit had this year (referring to the last 2 months), but hopefully, everything will work out for the Indians, including home field advantage (though I suspect the Tigers won’t be too deterred, and hopefully, the Indians won’t be either if/when they have a similar hot streak one day that doesn’t lead to home field advantage).
More to my first comment, though, TB comes back to tie NY 7-7, now in the 10th, while Philadelphia and Atlanta are tied 3-3 in the middle of the 12th, and Atlanta is now in must-win mode, as St. Louis shut out Houston 8-0. The best Atlanta can do now is a 1-game playoff in St. Louis tomorrow.
Boston leads Baltimore 3-2 in the 7th, but Baltimore has 2 runners on.
As Texas holds onto the #2 seed in the AL, Milwaukee does the same in the NL, as Arizona can only get the #3 seed (Arizona could have had the #2 with a win and MIL loss, as ARI won the season series with MIL 4-3).
Exciting times, to say the least – who would have thought that on the last day of the regular season, and that’s before the proposed 2 additional wild cards that will likely come into play in 2012 or 2013.
Oh, by the way, one other headline: Former Indian Milton Bradley was arrested for battery. It seems Bradley’s off-the-field track record continues.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
by indiansfan on Sep 28, 2011 11:22 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
A nice recap of the night. The end of the regular season really couldn’t get much better. Three games still hanging in the balance in extra innings or close late.
So, let’s root for Milwaukee and hopefully the Rays?
Thanks. :-)
I could go for those two; I also don’t mind the D-Backs, the Rangers, or even the Phillies, Braves, or Cardinals.
Not fond of the Yankees, not fond of the Red Sox; the Tigers – I, of course, like Martinez and Peralta; the rest of them, a couple irk me (mostly Guillen and Valverde), and probably more the thought of why we can’t get a hot streak like that (some might say our year was 2007, which was the year we should have made the WS, and quite possibly have won it, but Sabathia had to falter and Skinner had to make the putrid baserunning decision at 3B, but Sabathia has the tendency not to deliver in the big games, even with NYY – that’s why he’s never beaten Beckett, he’s lost to Price, and I think he would NOT be favored against Verlander, provided Verlander can pitch at the level he was showing earlier in the year – he faltered some down the stretch in my opinion, and his IP workload has to be a concern – the man has pitched between 715.1 IP over the last 3 years, an average of around 238.1 IP per year).
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Remove “between” – Verlander has pitched 715.1 IP over the last 3 years, an average of about 238.1 IP per year – that is a lot of IP, and while that’s no guarantee of an injury, that is still a heavy workload for any pitcher, especially in this day and age.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
I trust Verlander so much more than any single AL pitcher. CC, Beckett and Price have all proven to be up and down in big games. But, that in itself places more pressure on Detroit because they really do need to win his starts or it is a real let down. They’ve got a giant psychological advantage when he’s on the bump so if they somehow slip up in his games it really will give a boost to their opponent.
My, that is going to be a monumental collapse in Atlanta, and Braves fans have been ridiculed in the past for not selling out postseason games; many of them may be even more apothetic attending Braves games if they don’t reach the postseason.
In fact, they were chanting, “Let’s Go Houston” when the Astros had the early lead in Tuesday’s game, though the Cardinals came storming back after Westbrook had a rough outing (something like 5 ER in 2.1 IP).
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
I can’t remember the last time I saw even 10% of the outfield seats in Atlanta filled in the regular season. Same goes for Tampa.
Tampa’ problem is that ballpark; that’s why I’ll be interested to see what the turnout is for the Marlins’ new ballpark next year. Though, part of it might be the population – there are a lot of retirees down in Florida, and many don’t have the money to be spending on numerous ballgames, especially in this economy. Plus, the fact that Tampa is made up of fans from many different ballclubs (Yankees, mostly, but I think there are some Red Sox fans, as well as fans of teams who train near there in Spring Training).
All of that combined would explain Tampa’s situation.
As for the Braves, I’m not sure – even when we were battling them in the mid-90s, their fans didn’t seem as enthused as many; I know they came close many times, and finally won one at our expense (darn!), but they just didn’t seem to be as eager as other fans. Even Cleveland fans, though many seem to follow football more passionately, still come out and support the Indians when they are in the postseason (wish they did it more in the regular season, though the poor economy and high unemployment rate probably has something to do with that, to some extent at least).
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Proctor is in for the Yankees – he faltered the other night against the Red Sox, giving up Ellsbury’s 14th Inning 3-run HR (how the heck did Ellsbury start hitting for power? He never was a power hitter, even in the Minors).
That is a major collapse by Atlanta; it would have been challenging enough to go to St. Louis for a 1-game playoff, but to not even make it to that point when they were in the Driver’s Seat in early September, well, as hard as the end of our season was (especially since we couldn’t beat Detroit despite coming close 4 times, at least), Atlanta’s has really got to be hard to swallow, along with the loyal Braves fans (not the bandwagon fans).
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
That’s not going to help their cause against Detroit, and like I said above, I favor Verlander over Sabathia, as Sabathia always seems to underperform when it comes crunch time in a pressure situation – why he has 0 wins against Beckett, has faltered against Price, and really didn’t fare that well in any of his 3 2007 postseason starts.
He was “okay” against the Yankees (Carmona was considerably better), was poor in Game 1 against the Red Sox, and his line looked good in Game 5 (though Beckett’s was better, but I recall a few nice defensive plays from the defense, including a Sizemore catch, that made Sabathia’s line look better than his pitching really was – the Red Sox hit several shots hard off of him, whereas the Indians’ offense hit very few hard-hit balls against Beckett the whole game).
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Lately, Papelbon hasn’t been that good; not as bad as Bard (who was torched quite a bit in 2011; I think the Indians gave him 2-3 losses themselves), but Papelbon has hardly been stellar, which makes his opening his mouth up wide after managing to save the game last night against Baltimore (after giving up a run) is even more humorous and outrageous – he’s another of those annoying players, and adds to the reason why I’m not fond of the Red Sox.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Tonight, Papelbon strikes out the first 2, while TB has trouble in the top of the 12th – first and third for the Yankees with 0 outs, and young LHP Jake McGee in (he was good last night for TB).
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Got the runner at home, runners on first and second for the Yankees, one man out, still tied 7-7 in the top of the 12th. Come on Tampa!
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
As APV mentioned before, lots of crazy things happening tonight – who would have thought it; I don’t recall things being this crazy – I recall the Indians narrowly missing in 2000 (after the injury bug hit us that year too), and needing either Seattle or Oakland to lose that day after we beat David Wells (Manny hit his final Indians HR that day), but both Seattle and Oakland won.
Yet, I think that was the only real drama on that final day. That’s the only one I recall being comparable to this, though I’m probably forgetting a moment or two from another season or two, but still, this ranks right up there, if not at the top.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Papelbon gives up, I presume, a double – runner on 2nd, 2 outs for Baltimore. Come on Baltimore!
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Meanwhile, Rays go to bottom 12 with Longoria due.
@grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff
Going to the bottom of the 12th – TB and NY still tied 7-7.
Yes – come on Baltimore – win it!
What would happen if Papelbon blows it entirely, including possibly Boston’s postseason hopes? Think he’ll still open his mouth or do his jig? I doubt it – even Boston fans won’t be too thrilled with it.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
I was being rhetorical, obviously. After his antics last night after he really wasn’t that good (leaving his mouth wide open after giving up a run and barely managing the save), you’d think he’d learn to tone down his antics a bit, especially after he hasn’t been that good of late in converting saves.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Orioles win on a catch that high priced ex-Ray Carl Crawford failed to make.
@grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff
Wow. Please check on any red sox fans you know.
by Ryan on Sep 29, 2011 12:04 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Anyone seen E5 around lately?
@grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff
by woodsmeister on Sep 29, 2011 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions
I was just saying, “It doesn’t have to be a HR Longoria.”
I was thinking, “Come on, Longoria – you hit your 30th HR before; you can hit #31 now.”
I guess the power of the mind is stronger than the power of the word (at least at times), huh? Maybe that’s that “Mind over Matter” lesson. :-)
Way to go TB – congrats!
Just imagine being an Atlanta or Boston fan right now.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Rays win! Longoria walkoff! Boston staying home! Mwaahhhhaahhhaaahhhhaaahhh!
@grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff
And in 3 glorious minutes, RED SOX NATION BURNS DOWN
What if...
by Danieldelamaiz on Sep 29, 2011 12:06 AM EDT reply actions 4 recs
+1 – this has to go down as the most exciting last regular season night in baseball (better than those Game 163s that have been played in the past few seasons), at least if you’re not an Atlanta or Boston fan.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
+2
As Jack Buck once said: “I can’t believe what I just saw.”
"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge..." C. Darwin
by Spidey on Sep 29, 2011 12:11 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I kind of wanted to see who Boston was going to attempt to start in Game 163, but now I realize this is much better. Props to Longoria.
Nah – I’ll take this any day. Can you imagine if this was the Indians?
I’m excited, and it’s not even the Indians. I don’t know what I’d do if the Indians were on the positive end of this like TB is right now. Holy moly! :-)
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Longoria should win MVP. Look at that second half.
"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady
All of those Boston fans claiming Ellsbury should win it (I ask again, how is Ellsbury hitting for that much power when he never did in the Minors; there was a reason why he and Crowe were compared to each other at one time, and neither ever hit for much power; heck, I think Crowe hit for more power, and he was never a HR hitter either).
I wonder, what do Boston fans think now? I think Ellsbury was a long-shot anyway. While it’s not really Ellsbury’s thought that they didn’t make it, how can you give it to him (assuming there’s not East-Coast bias) when Longoria (and Upton, as well) helped lead TB to the postseason?
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
i haven’t gone that crazy since 07.
"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady
This. Same campus living too, so I couldn’t start screaming. So I throw about 153 air punches.
What if...
by Danieldelamaiz on Sep 29, 2011 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions
I got the write up in 2007. Not getting one for a non-Indians win.
What if...
by Danieldelamaiz on Sep 29, 2011 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions
I remember the 1996-1999 seasons doing that, including watching those cold WS games with the Marlins. I think the RAs would have allowed us to scream for a little bit if the Indians had won the WS that year, but unfortunately, we never got to find out for sure.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
I remember my parents allowing me to stay up, which was rare.
Matt LaPorta is the bane of my existence.
I remember that I was up past 2 A.M. during the 1995 season when Tony Pena hit that 3-run HR off of the Boston pitcher (can’t remember his name off of the top of my head – Ken something?); I had to wake up about 6:15 to 6:30 A.M. EDT later that morning – this was during senior year of HS for me, but I was still pumped to carry on my day, even with only about 4 hours of sleep (as was virtually everyone in my HS – the hallways were literally buzzing with Indians talk throughout the whole day, and even talk in the classrooms before and even during class – even the teachers mentioned it on more than one occasion).
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
6 years with a terrible cable package. But only 2 left.
What if...
by Danieldelamaiz on Sep 29, 2011 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Boy, you’re not kidding – when they were down 7-0, I thought, shoot! And behind their ace, no less. Let’s hope Price is better in the playoffs (would like to think that he can’t be much worse, which might be a little scary, at least, for Texas).
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
My girlfriend accused me of crying I was so happy a minute ago. I don’t know what will happen next year when we clinch the playoffs.
Matt LaPorta is the bane of my existence.
I add a third vote – why not? The Indians’ season is over now, so now, you can focus on a little postseason baseball, especially with the exciting night from last night. You would think virtually every SBN blog would cover it, except for maybe Atlanta and Boston’s blogs, which will probably only mention it in passing, and want to get it over with, for obvious reasons.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
And MLB Network was absolutely fantastic the whole evening. Just think if they didn’t exist tonight.
Wish I was home for today. MLB Network over ESPN would have been awesome.
What if...
by Danieldelamaiz on Sep 29, 2011 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know when ESPN came up with the online rights to the Tampa game, but it wasn’t there in the early innings. Once I realized it was on espn3, I began watching it, Bos-Bal and Phi-Atl in the mosaic view.
"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady
I didn’t have it on (away from my Dish Network TV right now), but am glad that Dish did add it – I’m sure their highlights will trump ESPN’s (they’ll probably still be lamenting about the Red Sox’s loss, and the fact that the Yankees got beat in a game that was virtually meaningless for them).
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Boston had an insurance run cut down at home in the 8th.
Then, simultaneously, Boston got no runs out of 1 and 3 no outs and bases loaded 1 out and the Yankees got nothing out of 1 and 3 no outs.
Then, the final innings. Papelbomb Ks 2, then gives up a line shot down the 1st base line, a RC gapshot double, and a laser to left for the winning run. 3 minutes later, Longoria hits one out to the shortest part of the ballpark over the shortest wall in MLB.
The Rays get booze, Boston flames out, and Baltimore celebrates on the field like they just made the playoffs. Glorious.
What if...
by Danieldelamaiz on Sep 29, 2011 12:32 AM EDT reply actions
As bad as Atlanta’s collapse was (and it was bad too, being that they had essentially the same lead as Boston), Boston’s was arguably even worse:
- Boston had a much higher payroll than Atlanta’s
- Boston was a more experienced team than Atlanta (look at the rotation and the bullpen, especially)
- Boston essentially had two chances of making the postseason (they led both the East and the WC for large portions of the season; Atlanta really only had the WC after Philly took control of the East around the midpoint of the season)
- There are two teams coming out of the AL East (as compared to only one from the NL East), but that 2nd team is Tampa Bay, not Boston
- The biggest blow: So many writers were proclaiming how great this Red Sox team was at the beginning of the season, with some writers even claiming that they would break the 116-win all-time high; now, they don’t even make the playoffs or reach 90 wins (3/4 of the 120-win total a writer or two predicted).
I remember how some talked about our bad last week in 2005 that cost us the Wild Card. Well, the Red Sox (and the Braves too) had a bad last month with a larger lead, nevermind a much bigger payroll. Talk about an even bigger collapse and even more heartache. Oof for both of them (and especially Boston for the reasons mentioned above).
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
Slight correction – Boston did reach 90 wins, but like us in 2000, it wasn’t enough to make the postseason. So, for the record, they did make the 3/4 mark of the 120 a writer or two predicted.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
I should look it up, but I believe since the 1995 advent of the Wild Card, the most wins for a team missing the playoffs is 95. Having said that, a 91-win team is highly likely to make the playoffs in any season.
But a 91 win team is pretty unlikely to become the best team of all time.
It’s science.
Il faut d'abord durer.
If/when a 91-win Indians club wins the World Series, will you no to a great extent consider that team to be the greatest of all time?
by Jay on Oct 2, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Man, can’t believe I missed tonight. Had to work on a hearing set for tomorrow, I was keeping a very loose eye on the games on GameCast and on the Twitter. Looked like a ton of fun.
Go Brewers. Don’t know home much of the postseason I’ll watch, it’s always tough for me to do when the Tribe doesn’t make it. Thanks for another great season, LGT, hard to believe its been 6 years (I think) of watching baseball with the people on this site. It’s made me a better fan, and more importantly, it’s a lot of fun. Thanks.
Il faut d'abord durer.
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