I don't believe that Fred Merkle just "forgot" to touch second base on the critical 1908 game between the Giants and Cubs. I just think it was an accepted practice at that time, just like conceding a putt in a golf match. A couple of weeks before the Cubs lost a game with Pittsburgh in the same manner. Cubs second baseman Johnnie Evers protested to the plate umpire (the only umpire) that the baserunner did not touch second on this walk off hit. The umpire said he was not aware of the runner not touching second but would be aware the next time it happened. It did in fact happen again in the Merkle game and Evers protested. The Cubs won the protest and the game was replayed at the end of the season. The Cubs beat the Giants in the replayed game 4-2 and subsequently beat the Tigers in the 1908 World Series. This was the Cubs last World Series win before 2016.
Interesting to compare Cleveland to St. Louis. Neither team produced much offense. Cleveland won its series by limiting TB to a single run in 24 innings. Cardinals pitching was not good enough.
And my oh my did Paul Goldschmidt look bad. He slumped at the end of the regular season and his at bats got worse in the wildcard. Kudos to Pujols and Molina for ending their careers with base hits.
Love the "No BS Zone", Joe. I plan on incorporating it in my life. Except for the question "Does this make me look fat?" And you are correct about being a Met fan. It tests your ability to remain loyal, and steadfast. But is very Sweet when the tumblers fall into place. Keep up the outstanding writing!
I'd add Gus Williams to the Seattle list. Gus came to the 25th Anniversary game of the Sonics sole championship and I finagled the kind of seats that got you into a VIP reception where Gus was present. Gus and I are almost exactly the same age, which I pointed out to him as I shook his hand. "Yeah," he said, "but I'm a lot prettier."
Right. And the Dodgers security was so bad they let the Astros electronically steal signs in THEIR stadium. That’s the first time I’ve heard anybody suggest that.
Re: Beloved Seattlites - Ann and Nancy Wilson? Lenny Wilkins? Jack Sikma? Kevin Durant until the city got screwed out of its NBA team; Dave Grohl... gimme a minute...
Have to show some love for my first favorite NFL player, Steve Largent. Sadly forgotten about for the most part with the bloated receiving numbers these days, but held a bunch of records when he retired.
Re the ticker: Not only what Joe said, but on two occasions yesterday there were close tag plays at the bases where, on replay, the runner's foot/hand was obscured by the ticker.
A while ago I was watching some of an old game from the 70’s or 80’s. My son came in the room and watched for a while. I asked him what he thought, figuring he’d say somethIng about how much smaller the players look or the uniforms or something. What he said first was how weird it was that the score wasn’t on the screen all the time.
Not sure if things are better or worse now, but I do think on some level things like that - and the ticker - enable (encourage?) people to pay less attention.
I remember having a similar experience myself going to a game at Wrigley when all they had was he manual scoreboard in center. No Jumbotron, so you really had to be watching if you didn’t want to miss what happened. I kind of liked that - really felt more into the game that way.
In addition to the dumb ticker, let's not forget the "Wild Card" emblem in the upper right corner. Really?
Not a big deal, but I was confused for a sec. You have Cleveland playing Toronto in the headline.
Edgar Martinez is more popular than Junior, he stayed the course......
Hate the damn ticker and how they clutter the screen, at least they are not interviewing everyone in the park and cutting my screen in half.
I don't believe that Fred Merkle just "forgot" to touch second base on the critical 1908 game between the Giants and Cubs. I just think it was an accepted practice at that time, just like conceding a putt in a golf match. A couple of weeks before the Cubs lost a game with Pittsburgh in the same manner. Cubs second baseman Johnnie Evers protested to the plate umpire (the only umpire) that the baserunner did not touch second on this walk off hit. The umpire said he was not aware of the runner not touching second but would be aware the next time it happened. It did in fact happen again in the Merkle game and Evers protested. The Cubs won the protest and the game was replayed at the end of the season. The Cubs beat the Giants in the replayed game 4-2 and subsequently beat the Tigers in the 1908 World Series. This was the Cubs last World Series win before 2016.
Great back story
Interesting to compare Cleveland to St. Louis. Neither team produced much offense. Cleveland won its series by limiting TB to a single run in 24 innings. Cardinals pitching was not good enough.
And my oh my did Paul Goldschmidt look bad. He slumped at the end of the regular season and his at bats got worse in the wildcard. Kudos to Pujols and Molina for ending their careers with base hits.
Love the "No BS Zone", Joe. I plan on incorporating it in my life. Except for the question "Does this make me look fat?" And you are correct about being a Met fan. It tests your ability to remain loyal, and steadfast. But is very Sweet when the tumblers fall into place. Keep up the outstanding writing!
I'd add Gus Williams to the Seattle list. Gus came to the 25th Anniversary game of the Sonics sole championship and I finagled the kind of seats that got you into a VIP reception where Gus was present. Gus and I are almost exactly the same age, which I pointed out to him as I shook his hand. "Yeah," he said, "but I'm a lot prettier."
Right. And the Dodgers security was so bad they let the Astros electronically steal signs in THEIR stadium. That’s the first time I’ve heard anybody suggest that.
Re: Beloved Seattlites - Ann and Nancy Wilson? Lenny Wilkins? Jack Sikma? Kevin Durant until the city got screwed out of its NBA team; Dave Grohl... gimme a minute...
Have to show some love for my first favorite NFL player, Steve Largent. Sadly forgotten about for the most part with the bloated receiving numbers these days, but held a bunch of records when he retired.
Re the ticker: Not only what Joe said, but on two occasions yesterday there were close tag plays at the bases where, on replay, the runner's foot/hand was obscured by the ticker.
A while ago I was watching some of an old game from the 70’s or 80’s. My son came in the room and watched for a while. I asked him what he thought, figuring he’d say somethIng about how much smaller the players look or the uniforms or something. What he said first was how weird it was that the score wasn’t on the screen all the time.
Not sure if things are better or worse now, but I do think on some level things like that - and the ticker - enable (encourage?) people to pay less attention.
I remember having a similar experience myself going to a game at Wrigley when all they had was he manual scoreboard in center. No Jumbotron, so you really had to be watching if you didn’t want to miss what happened. I kind of liked that - really felt more into the game that way.
Gotta love the Greg "The Hammer" Valentine nod.
I didn't watch a lot on Friday. This filled the many gaps. Thanks.
Jimi Hendrix.
I KNEW I was forgetting someone important.