OK, so in celebration of Opening Day, I’m writing about all 13 games that happened yesterday—not so much the games themselves, but one or maybe two things from each game that interests me.
As an Orioles fan, I've been saying Adley is our Buster Posey since the day we drafted him. Still struggling to process our good fortune as of late after a lifelong of anything but that when it came to the Orioles, but man, what a great time to be an O's fan.
No mention at all of how the Rangers should have won it in the 9th due to the terrible call by the umpire in the top of the inning ruling an obvious foul ball a wild pitch?
“The Rangers scored their game-winning run on a groundout, two walks to load the bases, another groundout and a single. That’s… not really all that fun.“
And neither is watching teams grind through 15,16,17 innings, putting pitchers at risk for injury and position players on the mound. The ghost runner is not perfect but better than the alternative. In my view.
What I like most about your format is that you chose to write about a day where the Mets didn't lose (they were rained out). Please keep that up. Home run derbys and potato-sack races are much better ideas than ghost runners. But going back to traditional extra innings is the worst idea of all
In re the whole Cubs/Cubbies arguments, it could have been worse. Chicago's NL team began play in 1876 as the Chicago White Stockings. From 1890-1897 they became the Colts. At the end of the 1897 then fired/released 22 year player and 19 year manager Adrian Constantine (Cap) Anson. From 1898-1901 they were the Chicago Orphans. Why? Anson's other nickname was "Pop" so plays had lost their baseball Dad. 1901 was also the year an AL team debuted and took the name White Stockings. Chicago (NL) were called the Cubs unofficially and adopted the name formally five years later. Back to Cubs/Cubbies. Lilliput and Blefuscu are two fictional island nations that appear in the first part of the 1726 novel Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift. They fought wars based on religion. The key point was whether eggs should be broken at the big end or the little end. Whether you prefer Cubs or Cubbies, both groups love the team and want the best for them. Can't we all just get along?
The 2003 Red Sox scored 14 runs in the first inning of a game against the Marlins. Johnny Damon went 3 for 3 in the first inning and it ended on a runner being thrown out at home.
Gene Stephens is the other MLB player with 3 hits in an inning - he did it for the Red Sox in their 29-4 beat down of the Browns in 1953. The Browns were so embarrassed they moved to Baltimore and changed their name.
Absolutely love this "shotgun" approach. Whatever or whomever comes to the forefront of the game is grounds for a Jopa ramble, which is SO much more interesting than an AP summary of the game!
I like this style of game-by-game mini-essay - and I think it's significantly different from Calcaterra's "And That Happened" to where it's not redundant. Once or twice a week? Yeah, that sounds about right.
As an Orioles fan, I've been saying Adley is our Buster Posey since the day we drafted him. Still struggling to process our good fortune as of late after a lifelong of anything but that when it came to the Orioles, but man, what a great time to be an O's fan.
“Triolo to Cruz to Joe”
Bravo!
No mention at all of how the Rangers should have won it in the 9th due to the terrible call by the umpire in the top of the inning ruling an obvious foul ball a wild pitch?
That’s the whelp of a beaten cur.
Joe if you start writing your shopping list i might complain. I'll still read it though.
“The Rangers scored their game-winning run on a groundout, two walks to load the bases, another groundout and a single. That’s… not really all that fun.“
And neither is watching teams grind through 15,16,17 innings, putting pitchers at risk for injury and position players on the mound. The ghost runner is not perfect but better than the alternative. In my view.
Nicely done, AGAIN Joe! Do The Colorado Rockies have to ALL be sent down to play Games in AAA??
What I like most about your format is that you chose to write about a day where the Mets didn't lose (they were rained out). Please keep that up. Home run derbys and potato-sack races are much better ideas than ghost runners. But going back to traditional extra innings is the worst idea of all
No, don't so this. It's dull.
More Triolo to Cruz to Joe stanzas please
Are you coming to Birmingham for the game between the Giants and Cardinals?
In re the whole Cubs/Cubbies arguments, it could have been worse. Chicago's NL team began play in 1876 as the Chicago White Stockings. From 1890-1897 they became the Colts. At the end of the 1897 then fired/released 22 year player and 19 year manager Adrian Constantine (Cap) Anson. From 1898-1901 they were the Chicago Orphans. Why? Anson's other nickname was "Pop" so plays had lost their baseball Dad. 1901 was also the year an AL team debuted and took the name White Stockings. Chicago (NL) were called the Cubs unofficially and adopted the name formally five years later. Back to Cubs/Cubbies. Lilliput and Blefuscu are two fictional island nations that appear in the first part of the 1726 novel Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift. They fought wars based on religion. The key point was whether eggs should be broken at the big end or the little end. Whether you prefer Cubs or Cubbies, both groups love the team and want the best for them. Can't we all just get along?
The 2003 Red Sox scored 14 runs in the first inning of a game against the Marlins. Johnny Damon went 3 for 3 in the first inning and it ended on a runner being thrown out at home.
Gene Stephens is the other MLB player with 3 hits in an inning - he did it for the Red Sox in their 29-4 beat down of the Browns in 1953. The Browns were so embarrassed they moved to Baltimore and changed their name.
3 for 3 in one inning? That is too awesome.
Loved this piece. Was at the Cinci game and immediately had the same nick martini thoughts.
Cincinnati is best opening day. The Findlay market parade is kitschy and absolutely rules
I didn't know Martini played at Kansas State (my alma mater). Guess I'll be rooting for him from now on.
Absolutely love this "shotgun" approach. Whatever or whomever comes to the forefront of the game is grounds for a Jopa ramble, which is SO much more interesting than an AP summary of the game!
I like this style of game-by-game mini-essay - and I think it's significantly different from Calcaterra's "And That Happened" to where it's not redundant. Once or twice a week? Yeah, that sounds about right.
I immediately thought of how this is like, "and that happened" and how I never cared for that feature.
You missed the silliest detail in that 1996, Rangers 26 - Orioles 7 game -- Ed Vosberg got a save.
Also, Manny Alexander was the final O's pitcher, and served up Elster's slam after walking the bases loaded.