Braves/Dodgers, Pirates/Cards, Rays/Red Sox, Tigers/A's: Who wins it all?

[InTheLight]

Again, that ignores whether or not he shouted out "Infield fly!" before the sign was made. Sixty thousand screaming fans wouldn't have heard it, but the 12 or so players on the phone field would have.

I've umpired. Umpires are trained to shout out as they make the signal. No umpire would shout out and make the signal seconds later and certainly NO major league umpire would do so. Unless it's windy the call is usually made before the fly ball reaches it's apex. This play was a hot topic among umpires and the three other umps I discussed this with plus several baseball coaches all agreed the call was muffed. Your love for the Cardinals is making you biased.

And no, the players would not have heard the ump over the crowd noise.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

I've umpired. Umpires are trained to shout out as they make the signal. No umpire would shout out and make the signal seconds later and certainly NO major league umpire would do so.

And yet it has happened. And I've umpired also, as well as played shortstop and a Division I school, though admittedly several years ago. The ruling hasn't changed since then, and I am well aware of what constitutes "ordinary effort," probably better from a player's perspective than from an umpire's. I agree that is the way it should happen every time. But just because it doesn't happen, and the call is made late, doesn't make the call a mistake.

 

[InTheLight]

And yet it has happened. And I've umpired also, as well as played shortstop and a Division I school, though admittedly several years ago.

<jealous>

I am well aware of what constitutes "ordinary effort," probably better from a player's perspective than from an umpire's

Let's look at it from a player's perspective. Take a look a base runner Uggla's positioning in the base path. He's darn near halfway to third base. That's not the base running strategy of a runner thinking the shortstop is going to make an easy play, as he would be in danger of being doubled up.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Let's look at it from a player's perspective. Take a look a base runner Uggla's positioning in the base path. He's darn near halfway to third base. That's not the base running strategy of a runner thinking the shortstop is going to make an easy play, as he would be in danger of being doubled up.

Ever see a base runner make a mistake? That's what Uggla did.

 

[InTheLight]

Ever see a base runner make a mistake? That's what Uggla did.

Ever see someone stubbornly refuse to admit they are wrong? Look in the mirror.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

The Red Sox need to stop trying to throw people out a third base.

 

[InTheLight]

Looks like John Farrell is a bit in game strategy impaired. I can only imagine the uproar in Boston since he:
1. Had a rookie pitcher, Brandon Workman, with zero career MLB at bats hit in the top of the ninth and left slugger Mike Napoli on the bench. It seems Farrell wanted Workman to pitch the bottom of the ninth. Workman struck out, then pitched to only two batters in the ninth.

What he should have done when he inserted Workman into the lineup in the eighth inning was pull a double switch, having him in the lineup in Saltalamacchia's spot. Saltalamacchia's would have been out of the game and catcher David Ross would likely not have thrown wildly to third which set up the game ending obstruction play.

Then again the obstruction play may never have happened if Farrell would have:

2. Intentionally walked John Jay to load the bases, and pitched to weak hitting Kozma instead.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Looks like John Farrell is a bit in game strategy impaired. I can only imagine the uproar in Boston since he:
1. Had a rookie pitcher, Brandon Workman, with zero career MLB at bats hit in the top of the ninth and left slugger Mike Napoli on the bench. It seems Farrell wanted Workman to pitch the bottom of the ninth. Workman struck out, then pitched to only two batters in the ninth.

What he should have done when he inserted Workman into the lineup in the eighth inning was pull a double switch, having him in the lineup in Saltalamacchia's spot. Saltalamacchia's would have been out of the game and catcher David Ross would likely not have thrown wildly to third which set up the game ending obstruction play.

Then again the obstruction play may never have happened if Farrell would have:

2. Intentionally walked John Jay to load the bases, and pitched to weak hitting Kozma instead.

Maybe he has learned the lesson the hard way, like Dick Howser had to in 1980 against the Phillies.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Great game. Rookie mistake getting thrown out to end the game, they shoulda had him on a tighter rope.

Now my biggest question, since the series will now be decided in Boston, will the ancient Fenway Park (the biggest dump in baseball, BTW, and that's MY home team) stay together if the Red Sox win it.

Love the Red Sox, always will. But I never realized what a gross, disgusting slimepit Fenway Park is, until I had a daughter, and had to bring her to use the bathrooms. There is no excuse for this. I have been to a lot of Baseball parks around America, and while they aren't all as clean as Safeco Field, Boston takes the prize. Build a new one, with modern bathrooms.

/rant

Go Sox !!!!!

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Great game. Rookie mistake getting thrown out to end the game, they shoulda had him on a tighter rope.

Now my biggest question, since the series will now be decided in Boston, will the ancient Fenway Park ...

You're not gonna let 'em play game 5 in St. Louis??? :laugh:

... (the biggest dump in baseball, BTW, and that's MY home team) stay together if the Red Sox win it.

I think the venerable old stadium can stand up to a few thousand Boston nutballs, yeah. :laugh:

Love the Red Sox, always will. But I never realized what a gross, disgusting slimepit Fenway Park is, until I had a daughter, and had to bring her to use the bathrooms. There is no excuse for this. I have been to a lot of Baseball parks around America, and while they aren't all as clean as Safeco Field, Boston takes the prize. Build a new one, with modern bathrooms.

/rant

Go Sox !!!!!

Go Cards, and yeah, cleaning up Fenway's facilities should be a priority. I was there 20 years ago, and if they haven't done anything to 'em since, ewwww!

 

[Bro. Curtis]

You're not gonna let 'em play game 5 in St. Louis??? :laugh:

They'll need at least 6 games. that's what I meant.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

They'll need at least 6 games. that's what I meant.

After last night, you may be right. Gonna be tough to win two in Boston.