The "Also-Ran" Report

As we sit here patiently awaiting the last 4-7 games of the 2009 season, let's take a look at the other teams, and what they might be doing during this offseason. We'll be politically correct and do this in alphabetical order, and we'll break it up a bit as well, so today, we'll start with the letter A.

Atlanta Braves: The Braves were contenders for the NL wild card going into the last 2 weeks of the season, then reeled off a 7 game losing streak to end the season. Big question marks surrounding the position players for 2010. Are they prepared to move forward with Martin Prado at 2B (.307 in '09)? Will they pony up and pay Adam LaRoche to solidify the 1B position? Can Jordan Schafer bounce back from season ending wrist surgery and show the promise he displayed in the first 2 weeks of '09? Approaching 38, and with nagging injuries, can Chipper Jones still contribute?
Their pitching is much more stable, with Derek Lowe, Tommy Hanson, Javier Vasquez, a returning Tim Hudson, Jarr Jurrgens, Kawakami and Moylan all quite capable, and guys like Campillo, O'Flaherty and Medlen waiting in the wings. GM Frank Wren certainly has some options available as trade bait to improve this club for 2010. Another option could be to ask Derek Lowe to go back to the bullpen as a closer, something he had great success doing with the Red Sox in the early stages of his career. The pieces are certainly there to put forth a formidable pitching staff, and Wren could pull off the right moves to make this team a serious contender for 2010.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Brandon Webb's importance to this team can now not be understated. After pitching just 4 innings before going down with season ending shoulder surgery, the D-Backs put up their 3rd worst record in their history (70-92) in 2010. While enjoying nice offensive production in '09 from Mark Reynolds and Justin Upton, both players are defensive liabilites, with 25 and 12 errors respectively, and Upton being benched at one point in the season for failure to hustle. Injuries also affected the D-Backs, with the aformentioned Webb, Chris Snyder, Eric Byrnes and Conor Jackson all missing significant time. Pitcher Dan Haren showed that he can be counted among the elite pitchers in the league, and catcher Miguel Montero showed promise as well, putting up fine numbers after the injury to Snyder. Here are the questions surrounding the D-Backs going into 2010: Can manager A.J. Hinch properly stress team defense and fundamentals (124 errors in '09, 2nd worst in NL and worst in franchise history)? Can Chris Young rebound from a poor '09 showing? Can Webb bounce back from his shoulder woes and solidify the front end of the rotation? Can Chad Qualls bounce back from season ending knee surgery and post great numbers again (30 saves through August of '09)?
General Manager Josh Byrnes has already indicated that the club will not bring back 1B Chad Tracy, LF Eric Byrnes and SP Doug Davis, so there are plenty of holes to fill. Look for the D-Backs to spend this offseason. With a $73 million payroll in '09, they certainly have no problem re-loading, so expect plenty of offseason maneuvering. They'll have to in order to contend in 2010.

In the next installment, we'll look at the letter B- Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox....

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Yankees-Phillies... How Do They Match Up?

In less than 36 hours from now, the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies will face off in the 106th World Series. This will be the first time the Yanks and Phils have faced off against each other in the Fall Classic since 1950. That year, the Phillies, known as the "Whiz Kids", won the pennant on the final day of the season, their first pennant in 35 years. The Yankees cruised to the AL pennant, and crushed the Phillies in 4 games to win their 2nd World Series in a row, 13th overall. The game has changed just a bit since then (note the subtle sarcasm), and the roles are now reversed. Philadelphia will be looking to repeat as World Series champions, while the Yankees are making their first appearance in the Fall Classic in 6 years. While this certainly looks to be an epic showdown, it will ultimately come down to who wins the battle of the matchups... So, let's break it down...

1st Base- Yankees Mark Teixeira vs. Phils Ryan Howard

While both had stellar regular seasons, Howard has been other-worldly thus far in the postseason, while Teixeira has yet to find his groove. Other than his bases clearing double in Game 6 of the ALCS, Teixeira has been largely silent, batting .205 thus far in the postseason. Howard, on the other hand, is hitting .355 with 2 HR's and 14 RBI's, and is in arguably the best shape of his career.

Advantage: Howard

2nd Base- Yankees Robinson Cano vs. Phillies Chase Utley

Cano had a HUGE rebound year in 2009, reaching the AL top 10 in 5 major offensive categories. Although having a somewhat quiet postseason offensively (.229 thus far), Cano has excelled defensively. Utley, although hitting .303 thus far, has not produced, with just 2 RBI's this postseason.

Advantage: Utley, but just barely

Shortstop- Yankees Derek Jeter vs. Phillies Jimmy Rollins

Jeter went to work this past offseason with the goal of keeping his 35 year old body as conditioned as possible, knowing what has happened to previous stars in their mid 30's whose bodies broke down and skills became diminished. It worked. Jeter enjoyed a phenomenal 2009 regular season campaign, and has kept it up thus far in the posteason, to the tune of a .435 OBP and 3 HR's. Rollins, the '07 NL MVP, rebounded from an uncharacteristically poor start to the '09 season, and hit the game winning two run double against the Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS, proving he can strike at any given time.

Advantage: Jeter

Third Base- Yankees Alex Rodgriguez vs. Phillies Pedro Feliz

Do we really have a need to discuss this? Advantage: Rodriguez

Left Field- Yankees Johnny Damon vs. Phillies Raul Ibanez

Damon is playing out the last year of his 4 year, $52 mil contract with the Yankees, and he is trying to go out in style. Although hitting just .238 thus far in the postseason, Damon has 2 HR's and 5 RBI's, and the short right field porches in both Yankee Stadium and Citizens Bank Ballpark will play to his advantage. Ibanez proved this season to the Phillies why he was worth the big money contract they dealt him this past offseason, with a career high 34 HR's. Although having a quiet NLCS, Ibanez has produced 9 RBI's thus far in the postseason.

Advantage: Even

Center Field- Yankees Melky Cabrera vs. Phillies Shane Victorino

This very well could be the matchup that decides the World Series. Cabrera has been uber hot at the plate, hitting .391 in the ALCS. Victorino has been hot throughout the postseason, with a .361 average, 3 HR's and 7 RBI's. Victorino has proven to be able to do it all: defense, speed, power. The combination of Rollins and Victorino at the top of the Phillies lineup will certainly create concern in the minds of Yankee pitchers.

Advantage: Victorino

Right Field- Yankees Nick Swisher vs. Phillies Jayson Werth

Werth has come up HUGE in these playoffs, posting 5 HR's and 10 RBI's, providing proven backup behind Utley and Howard. Yankees fans may be wondering why Swisher is still playing, given his horrid .125 BA with just 1 RBI thus far.

Advantage: Werth

Starting Pitching- Yankees Sabathia, Burnett & Pettitte vs. Phillies Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Pedro Martinez, Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ

Sabathia has certainly proven he can carry the Yankees on his broad shoulders, winning all 3 of his postseason starts, with a 1.19 ERA. Burnett has struggled, with no decisions and a 4.42 ERA. Pettitte has added to his illustrious postseason numbers, winning his record 16th career postseason game in the ALCS clincher on Sunday night. The Phillies counter with Cliff Lee, who has been practically unhittable thus far, with a 0.74 ERA and opponents only batting .165 against him. Hamels has been rocky, although he proved in 2008 what a big game performer he can be. Martinez may prove to be the lightning rod for this Phillies squad, witness his gem in Game 2 of the NLCS. Blanton and Happ could be factors, although Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has yet to solidify his rotation as of this writing.

Advantage: Yankees

Bullpen- This will be an interesting facet of the game to watch this coming week to ten days, as we see the types of strategies that each manager will deploy. The Yankees' Joe Girardi has shown no shyness when it comes to making changes, and going with gut feelings with regard to particular matchups. And it doesn't hurt to have the most celebrated relief pitcher in postseason history, Mariano Rivera, to turn to as well. Rivera will be called upon to register six outs, if the need arises. The Phillies will bridge the gap to their closer, Brad Lidge, with Chad Durbin and Ryan Madson. Lidge has completely turned himself around after a season in which he blew 11 saves. Thus far in the postseason, in 5 games, he is 1-0 with 3 saves and has yet to allow a run.

Advantage: Yankees, slightly

Manager- Yankees Joe Girardi vs. Phillies Charlie Manuel

Girardi, after a disastrous first season with the Yankees, turned to his people skills in 2009, and it worked. Coping with the ever present A-Rod stories and adding 3 marquee players during the offseason (Sabathia, Burnett, Teixeira), Girardi kept a level head, kept all business in house, and quietly led this team to the brink of its 27th World Championship. Charlie Manuel relies much more on instinct and gut feelings than that of his younger counterpart Girardi. Over the years (Manuel started managing in Single A ball in 1983), Manuel has learned to trust his instincts and develop a keen feel for his players' strengths and weaknesses.

Advantage: Manuel

Prediction: Yankees in 6 games. My gut tells me that the Yankees pitching will rule the day, so to speak. Sabathia and A-Rod are hungry for their first taste of World Series glory, Jeter remains ever vigilant of the overall goal, and Rivera is pitching like the Rivera of the late 90's. Either way, this matchup has the makings of being one of all time great Fall Classic matchups...

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The Yankees- Back to the Future

Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira celebrating their pennant clinching victory over the
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.


One sign hanging in Yankee Stadium said it all: "The Andy Man Can". And do it he did. Andy Pettitte, pitching 6 1/3 strong innings, wins his sixth series clinching victory in postseason, the most in baseball history, leading the New York Yankees to their 40th American League pennant, with a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles of Anaheim. Pettitte, with his 16th record postseason victory, will be headed to the World Series for the seventh time as a Yankee, along with Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera, who earned his record 36th postseason save. Alex Rodriguez will be making his first appearance in the Fall Classic in his 16th season. A-Rod, who reached base all 5 times tonight, walked with the bases loaded in the fourth inning after Johnny Damon ripped a single to drive in two runs, to wipe out the early Angels lead. Joe Saunders, the Angels starter, was soon gone, and Angels' reliever Darren Oliver was able to keep the Yankees at bay. That is, until the eighth inning, when the Angels miscues caught up to them. Two straight errors on Yankee sacrifices led to two unearned runs, and the Yankees put the ball in the hands of their legendary closer, Mariano Rivera.

The Yankees, who are back to the World Series for the first time since 2003, will face off on Wednesday night against a rested Philadelphia Phillies squad, who will be itching to become the first team to repeat as World Series champions since the '99/'00 Yankees. Opening night on Wednesday will be a classic battle of great southpaws: The Phillies' Cliff Lee against the Yankees' C.C. Sabathia.

The Angels will go back to Anaheim with several questions to answer during their offseason: Will they pony up to re-sign their #1 starter, John Lackey? Will they re-sign Vladimir Guerrero? What about potential free agents Chone Figgins and Bobby Abreu? It will certainly be an interesting offseason for Angels GM Tony Reagins.

Meanwhile, the Yankees will be celebrating deep into this night, and then tomorrow they will get to the business at hand: Winning their record 27th World Series championship, while the Phillies will be looking for their 3rd.

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Baseball's Postseason Dilemna-Made for TV

A tarp covers a soaked Yankee Stadium infield. Game 6 of the ALCS was postponed until Sunday,
October 25th at 8:20 PM.


The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have played 8 games in 20 days this postseason. Sounds more like an NBA schedule than an MLB schedule, doesn't it? Well, it will continue to be that way for the forseeable future, as long as television executives are involved in the scheduling process. We are now subjected to watching baseball well into November, with as many as 4 World Series games, should the WS go that far, scheduled for November. Sound ridiculous? Blame both MLB and Fox equally, folks. MLB has long kowtowed to the major television networks with regard to postseason scheduling, dating back to 1971, when NBC televised the first nationally televised night game in World Series history. Then commissioner Bowie Kuhn fell in love with the prospect of MLB being broadcast in primetime, and the idea took flight. In fact, there has not been a World Series game played during the daytime since Game 6 of the 1987 World Series. One could argue that the idea helped to bring the World Series to the forefront when the NFL started its own Monday Night Football idea, however there were a great number of the younger generation of baseball fans who were shut out because of the time factor. Ultimately, the MLB really doesn't care about that, because they are heaping in boatloads of cash to justify their decision.

The networks of today, Fox and TBS, are paying $3 billion through 2013 for the right to broadcast baseball's postseason games, and as long as the MLB lusts after this pot of gold, we will continue to see baseball played in blustery conditions, see players with hoodies and earmuffs, and umpires waiving the "blowing on hands" rule. Just recently, Fox insisted that the World Series start on a Wednesday night, rather than the traditional Saturday night, so that the game wouldn't be broadcast on a night that was a ratings nightmare. This of course means that the Philadelphia Phillies will wait a full week before playing their next game, which has arguments on both sides. While they will be able to rest their players and set their rotation properly, others will theorize that the long layoff causes rustiness, and, at this time of the year in areas like Philly and New York, takes pitchers longer to warm up. Witness Detroit. In 2006, Detroit swept the ALCS, waited seven days, and got blown out by St. Louis. On the other hand, it didn't affect Atlanta in 1995, or the Yankees in '96, who both waited a week and went on to win the Series. Either way, it's completely driven by the networks, and money, and as long as MLB continues to bow to the pressures and demands of network television, we will continue to see baseball in November.

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7th Heaven !!

Angels fans showing their enthusiasm and support for another Angels' comeback...


After six innings of the ALCS Game 5 contest between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Angels fans were clearly excited about extending these playoffs and heading back to the Bronx. John Lackey, the Angels Game 5 starter, had scattered 5 hits in six innings, working out of jams in the first and sixth. In the top of the seventh, after retiring Nick Swisher, Lackey gave up a double to Melky Cabrera and then walked both Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter to load the bases. He then retired Johnny Damon on a shallow fly ball for the second out. Angels skipper Mike Scioscia had apparently seen enough, opting to bring in Darren Oliver to face the ever dangerous Mark Teixeira. Texeira promptly doubled, driving in all three baserunners. After intentionally walking Alex Rodriguez, Oliver gave up a single to Hideki Matsui, driving in Teixeira with the tying run. Oliver gave way to Kevin Jepsen, who promptly gave up a triple to Robinson Cano, driving in both Rodriguez and Cano. After the carnage, the Angels found themselves down, 6-4.

In previous years, Angels teams would have folded like a cheap tent under similar circumstances. But this is a different year, a different team. Jeff Mathis started off the bottom of the seventh by singling to shallow left, his sixth straight hit in these playoffs, and the Angels were off and running. After all was said and done, the Angels had rallied for three runs and retook the lead 7-6. After a drama filled top of the ninth, the Angels fly into the Bronx hoping to rekindle memories of 2004 for the Yankees. They will certainly have their hands full, going up against Yankees Game 6 starter Andy Pettitte, who has four series-clinching wins among his fifteen overall playoff victories, both tied for the most in baseball history. The Angels will counter with lefty Joe Saunders, who is eager to play the role of spoiler.

Tonight's Game 6 is in jeopardy, as the forecast for the New York metropolitan area is not promising: a 90% chance of rain and wind. If this game is in fact postponed, Angels skipper Mike Scioscia has intimated that John Lackey could come back on three days' rest to face Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia. With Lackey approaching free agency, and his agent suggesting a 5 year, 75-100 million dollar contract, this could certainly be the last time Lackey will be seen in an Angels uniform. Whatever the case may be, the Angels are not looking to go quietly into the night.

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The State of Pennsylvania... Dominating the Professional Sports Scene?

Brad Lidge and Carlos Ruiz start the celebration on the field after the Philadelphia Phillies clinch the National League pennant with a 10-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. (photo courtesy AP)

The state of Pennsylvania currently lays claim to the best teams in both hockey and football (Pittsburgh Penguins and Steelers). Now, they will try to lay claim to the best team in baseball, courtesy of the Philadelphia Phillies, all in the same year. The Phillies, reigning World Series champions, are headed back to the Fall Classic after a convincing 10-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night. The Phillies, once considered the laughingstock of the National League, were the first team in professional sports to log 10,000 losses back in 2007. Now, they will be seeking their third World Series title, and their second in a row. Riding the bats of Jayson Werth (2 HR's, 4 RBI's) and Shane Victorino (1 HR, 3 RBI's) hit the ground running and never looked back. Werth connected with a 3 run homer off Edgar Padilla in the first inning, and Padilla's night was done after pitching to two batters in the fourth. By then, the Phillies had taken a 6-2 lead, and the nail was in the proverbial coffin for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers, who put together two impressive seasons that landed them in the NLCS both times, just didn't have the horses they needed in the rotation to deal with a powerful Phillies lineup. General Manger Ned Colletti, who agreed to a long term contract extension with the Dodgers on Tuesday, will have the tough task of re-tooling his starting rotation this offseason. The fact that they had to start castoff Vicente Padilla in the critical fifth game speaks volumes as to the nature of the current staff. In this series, Dodgers starters were 0-3 with a 12.59 ERA, and even the best bullpen in baseball cannot overcome that.

The up and coming Dodgers stars such as Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier will be unable to carry their team unless the Dodgers do what Philadelphia did: acquire veteran leaders like Cliff Lee and Pedro Martinez, and the Dodgers will certainly look to do just that this offseason. Meanwhile, the Phillies can now rest as they await the fate of the ALCS, which continues today with the Yankees looking to close it out with a 3-1 lead over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Should the Yankees win, the World Series will be a rematch of the 1950 Fall Classic, in which the Philly "Whizz Kids" succombed to the mighty Yanks. Give the Phillies a lot of credit here. They are the oldest continuous one name franchise in all of professional sports (since 1883), endured decades of absolutely terrible teams, and now, under the tutelage of GM Ruben Amaro Jr. (a Phillies batboy for the likes of Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton) and manager Charlie Manuel, will be looking to do something that hasn't been since 2000: repeat as World Series champions.

Pennsylvania sports fans are certainly rejoicing this morning, and they will be hoping that Philadelphia can win four more games to lay claim to three sports championships in one calendar year within the same state.

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Yankees On The Brink

Alex Rodriguez' blast over the left field wall in the 5th gives the Yanks a 5 run cushion...

The New York Yankees are now one win away from their 40th trip to the World Series (26-13 overall). CC Sabathia, pitching on three days rest, silenced the Angels bats, allowing 5 hits and one run over 8 masterful innings. The most you have to know about Sabathia on this night is that he struck out Bobby Abreu with a 95 MPH fastball in the eighth inning. Sabathia, who carried a postseason 7.92 ERA into this year's playoffs, is now 3-0 with a 1.19 ERA during this postseason.
"You know, we've still got a ways to go, but I've been feeling good," Sabathia said. "I never had any doubt about me being able to perform on this stage and to pitch well late in October. But it seems like people did...Hopefully I can keep it going" There would seem to be little doubt that Sabathia has proven his critics wrong.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim must now face the daunting task of coming back from a 3-1, and they'll start that trek against A.J. Burnett on Thursday. The Angels were once victimized by some shoddy umpire work, and this offseason could certainly a revitalization of the replay discussion during winter meetings. "I haven't seen it as bad as it was tonight," said Yankees Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, now a senior adviser with the team. In his postgame interview, umpire Tim McLelland actually admitted his multiple screw-ups. The Yankees were actually victimized by bad calls as well, witness the non-pickoff of Nick Swisher at second base, where replay clearly showed that Angels SS Erick Aybar tagged him out. Later in that inning, Swisher was ruled out for leaving 3rd base early on a sacrifice fly, when replay once again clearly showed that not to be the case.

The umpiring situation is an argument for another day. This was undoubtedly Sabathia's night. Keeping the Angels' hitters off balance with an array of fastballs and change-ups, Sabathia showed why the Yankees spent 161 million to sign him. And can we now say that A-Rod is no longer Mr. Choke? Rodriguez drilled his 3rd homer in as many games, and now has 5 this postseason, good for 2nd best all time (tied with Reggie Jackson, 1977). Johnny Damon, who may be enjoying his last season with the Yankees, also drilled his 2nd homer of the ALCS.

Both teams will now enjoy an off day, as the Angels try to regroup and turn their World Series hopes around. Daunting task, considering they'll have to face Burnett and Andy Pettitte back to back.

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LA Dodgers Ownership Issues- The McCourts' Separation

OK, so how do you think this is going to play out in LA-LA land? Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt announced last week that he and his wife of 30 years, Jamie, have separated. This news could prove earth shattering to one of the loftiest professional franchises in all of sport. Jamie McCourt was named by her husband as vice chairman in 2004, team president in 2005, and, just last March, was named the team's chief executive officer. At the time, Frank McCourt cited his wife’s “outstanding job of building a first-class business operation”in justifying his decision. Now, just 7 short months later, we are witness to the dog and pony show that the McCourts have been subjecting all of Dodgertown to. The McCourts were named “Power Couple of the Year” in 2008 by the Los Angeles Business Journal. You think the Journal might want to rethink that decision?

What this essentially means now is that the Dodgers as an entity will be thrown into the debacle that these divorce proceedings will ultimately produce. Walter O'Malley himself is turning in his grave at the thought of that. Do you honestly think Joe Torre will consider one more year after hearing of this news? At this point in his career, being one of the successful managers in history, especially in postseason, this is the LAST thing Torre wants to be involved with.

I'm a Bostonian, born and bred. I was witness to the sale of the Boston Red Sox in 2002, where Frank McCourt was a major player. He ultimately lost the bid to the John Henry ownership group, but there was no question that McCourt wanted a franchise, and wanted one badly. When news of the Dodger sale went through a short time later, McCourt was all over it like a cheap dress on a streetwalker, and now, Dodger fans will have to pay the price. Ticket prices have risen every year since 2004, a 50% increase in parking was widely panned in 2007, and other plans to improve the overall Dodger experience have also been heavily criticized. What will happen now with this news? Stay tuned, Dodgertown, this could get really ugly !!

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Monday's ALCS/NLCS Action

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim certainly earned their wings yesterday. Riding the hot bats of both Jeff Mathis and Howie Kendrick, the Halos pulled it out in the bottom of the 11th to keep their playoff hopes alive and kicking, with a 5-4 victory. Mathis, who has proven to be an unsung hero in these playoffs, drove a line drive over the head of Yankee outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr., allowing Kendrick to race home all the way from 1st base with the winning run. It was Mathis’ 2nd straight double, not bad for a weak hitting backup catcher !! The Angels will have their hands full tonight as they face CC Sabathia, coming back on 3 days rest for the Yankees. While many may question this decision, Sabathia has proven to be a workhouse, pitching on 3 days rest last season successfully while with the Milwaukee Brewers, and with this season’s postseason schedule, should be well rested.

I was certainly puzzled by the decision made by Yankees manager Joe Girardi to replace reliever David Robertson with Alfredo Aceves, considering both are right handed. Robertson, who quickly got the first 2 outs of the 11th, gave way to Aceves, who promptly gave up the single to Kendrick and the game winning hit to Mathis. When asked why he made the switch, Girardi responded that he liked Aceves’ “stuff” better in the matchup with Kendrick. Seems Aceves left his “stuff” in the bullpen.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies, already winners of several postseason games in their final at bat, got another one Monday evening, this time off the bat of Jimmy Rollins. Rollins hit a gapper, driving in the tying and winning runs to give the Phils a 3-1 advantage over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers were only 2 strikes away from tying the series, however closer Jonathan Broxton was unable to close it out, walking Matt Stairs (was Broxton thinking about the homer that Stairs hit off him in last year’s NLCS?), and ultimately the game winning hit to Rollins. The Dodgers will have to regroup before trying to rally from a 3-1 deficit. Shades of last season, with the Phillies winning in 5, the Dodgers will be looking not to see history repeat itself.

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Marathon Performance

Angels throw it all away.. SS Erick Aybar can't get to 2B Maicer Izturis' errant throw, allowing Jerry Hairston Jr. to score from second with the winning run.


13 innings, 5 hours and 10 minutes. A classic? Well, maybe for the first 9 innings. However, time, weather and human error turned Game 2 of the ALCS into a marathon rather than a classic. Derek Jeter commits a rare postseason error, the Angels can't capitalize. Erick Aybar is called for the infamous "neighborhood" tag at second base, negating a double play. The Yankees don't capitalize. Robinson Cano commits 2 errors, including one in the top of the 13th. The Angels don't capitalize. Finally, the game mercifully ends when Jerry Hairston Jr., reaching base on a line single to center and moving to second on Brett Gardner's sacrifice, is able to score when Maicer Izturis commits a throwing error. Was weather a factor? While the Angels may not publicly admit that, it certainly didn't help. The rain, which earlier in the day had threatened to postpone this contest, didn't arrive until the ninth inning. With the temperatures plummeting (47F at game time, 41F in the 13th inning), both teams were looking to end this marathon affair. The Angels had their chance in the top of the 13th, when, with runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs, Vladimir Guerrero, hitting .182 with no RBI's in the series, grounded meekly back to the pitcher to end the threat.

All season long, the Yankees relied on their vaunted hitting attack, and especially on the backs of their 3 prized free agents, CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett & Mark Teixeira (combined total 423.5 million). However, last night, it ultimately proved to be the one who blinked first...

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Pedro: A Classic Performance Wasted

Credit due: Pedro Matinez gestures skyward after being taken out after going seven innings and with a 1-0 lead over the Dodgers.


One only has to wonder after watching the masterful performance turned in by Pedro Martinez on Friday afternoon: Could it have been any better? Well, yes, it would have been nice if Pedro's teammates hadn't fully imploded in the eighth inning! And, there are some who will call into question manager Charlie Manuel's decision to pull Pedro after seven innings, after he had clearly kept the Los Angeles Dodgers' hitters off balance and looking befuddled. However, what we witnessed was a complete rejuvenation of the career of Pedro Martinez. No longer able to blow a 96 MPH fastball by opposing hitters, Pedro used his guile, knowledge of the strike zone, and vast experience to completely shut down the Dodgers. When asked of the decision by Manuel not to bring Pedro back for the 8th, he simply said, "Putting the team in a position to win was the main goal. I was able to make pitches at key moments," Martinez said. "The temptation is to push it, but after not pitching for 17 days, seven innings was enough. I would have loved to go one more or maybe finish the game if I knew I was going to stay healthy, but I want to be able to still help the team."

This could quite possibly be the last time Martinez pitches this season. With the series headed back to Philly, the Phillies will start Cliff Lee in Game 3, followed by Joe Blanton and Cole Hamels, with a rested Cliff Lee ready for Game 6, if necessary. There is the possibility that Pedro would be used for Game 7, however there are no guarantees. Phillies' management is clearly looking out for the health of Martinez at this point, with an eye toward his usefulness for 2010. Given his performance yesterday, I personally would have no problem at all putting Pedro on the hill for the deciding 7th game. I have always preferrred a great pitcher's duel over a hitfest, and Friday's NCLS Game 2 certainly gave us that, with the combined performances of Martinez and the Dodgers' Vicente Padilla, who gave up one run in 7 1/3 innings. Just goes to show what good pitching and defense can do for a team in the postseason, and the Phillies must now master the latter, with their shoddy play in the 8th inning being the difference.

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Previewing the NLCS/ALCS

Well now, considering that the NLCS actually starts tomorrow, we should take some time and preview both upcoming series, break down the matchups, pore over the statistical anomalies, analyze the strategic theorems.. Oh hell, who am I kidding, it's a complete crapshoot !! Anyway, here we go !!

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (Game 1, Thurs. 8:07 PM EDT, TBS):
This rematch of last year's NLCS, in which the Phillies dispatched the Dodgers in 5 games, figures to be a much closer matchup this time around. The Dodgers, while not boasting a top-line rotation, may just have the deepest staff in either league. With Clayton Kershaw, Vincente Padilla, Randy Wolf & Hiroki Kuroda figuring to start in the series, Chad Billingsley, who was the strength of the staff last season, will fill in in long relief. George Sherrill will also be available in the bullpen as well, which does not bode well for Philly. The trio of Kershaw, Wolf & Sherrill could very well prove deadly to the Phillies, as they will be counted upon to stifle the big left-handed bats of Chase Utley, Ryan Howard & Raul Ibanez, who combined for 110 home runs and 327 RBI's during the regular season. However, against left-handed pitching, the trio hit a collective .254, with 30 HR's and 106 RBI's.. Facing left-handers in a short series could be the difference in this one...For the Dodgers, Hiroki Kuroda absolutely OWNS the Phillies over the last 2 seasons, including the lone win of the 2008 NLCS. Both Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp continue to grow in leaps and bounds right before our eyes, and should be the rock of the Dodger's franchise for years to come. Manny Ramirez, while having a disappointing performance in the NLDS against the Cardinals, doesn't figure to stay dormant for long. My pick for this one? Dodgers in 6....

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. New York Yankees (Game 1, Fri. 7:57 EDT, FOX): This could very easily be an epic showdown. Both the Yankees and Angels boast a strong starting rotation and equally deep bullpens. The Yankees trio of C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte have already proven their mettle in October, while the Angels trio of John Lackey, Jered Weaver and Scott Kazmir are certainly no slouches. While Angels' skipper Mike Scioscia is an absolute genius at getting the most from his players, his pitching staff will certainly be called upon to perform a mighty task: shut down one of the most potent lineups in decades. Top to bottom, the Yankees will keep coming, and coming strong. Robinson Cano, the Yankees #7 hitter, had a career best 25 HR's and 85 RBI's along with 204 hits, and their #9 hitter, Melky Cabrera, enjoyed a rejuvenation of sorts in the 2nd half of '09, hitting .287 in September and .333 in the ALDS. Can Scioscia continue to work his magic? I'm saying no here.. Yanks in 6....

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Now We Can Start to Follow the Rumors !!

Don't you love the offseason? Well, if you're a fan of the Yankees, Angels, Dodgers or Phillies, you have a while to wait yet. But for all of us who have seen our respective teams bow out early, we're already anticipating or speculating on the moves our favorite teams may be making during this offseason. I always loved the term "hot stove baseball" for that very reason: it gives all us fans something to ponder over through a very long winter. So, let's start the rumors !!

The Boston Globe is reporting that the Boston Red Sox are seriously considering re-signing Alex Gonzalez as their answer at shortstop, which makes sense considering the failed combination of Julio Lugo and Jed Lowrie...

The New York Post is reporting that Billy Wagner will retire. Wagner, 38, returned after an 11 month hiatus from Tommy John surgery, and enjoyed a rejuvenation of sorts as a setup man with the Red Sox.

Will Bay go to the Bay Area? Word is that the San Francisco Giants, searching for a big bat to add to their lineup, will be making a serious run at Jason Bay. Bay, who has a home in the Seattle area, is coming off a year in which he set personal highs for home runs and RBI's.

Will Bob Brenly be the next manager for the Washington Nationals? Brenly, who was the first manager in 40 years to lead a team to a World Series championship in his first season managing (2001, Diamondbacks), has apparently had discussions with the Nats, according to the Chicago Tribune.

What will the Mets do this offseason? According to the New York Post, Mets' team exec Jeff Wilpon has said that his father will not be afraid to spend money in improving the Mets' chances next season, despite Fred Wilpon's association with Bernie Madoff and the failed Ponzi scheme. Wait a minute.. haven't the Mets been down this road before? How have their free agent signings worked out the past 3 years?

Hoffman to re-sign with Brewers? That's what Sports Illustrated is speculating. Hoffman, 41, spent last season with the Brewers and racked up 37 saves with an ERA of 1.70. Hmmm, I'm thinking some of the teams who recently bowed out of the playoffs could have used a guy like him...

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The Nomadic Life of the Closer...

Houston Street... the latest in a line of closers to implode during this short postseason... When was the last time you actually saw 4 different top of the line closers cost their teams victories in the closing innings ? First, Ryan Franklin.. On Thursday, with the Cardinals holding a 2-1 lead, largely behind the phenomenal effort turned in by starter Adam Wainright... With 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth, Matt Holliday misplays a ball hit by James Loney for an error.. Franklin implodes, the Dodgers go on to win 3-2 and sweep the series.

Next? Joe Nathan... On Friday, Nathan gives up 2 runs in the bottom of the ninth, allowing the Yankees to tie the game.. Yanks go on to win in the 11th, and sweep the series...

Next? Jonathan Papelbon..Papelbon, unscored upon in 26 previous postseason innings, on Sunday allowed 3 runs in the top of the ninth to send the Angels onto a sweep, and a date in the ALCS...

And finally... Houston Street... Tonight, Street finishes off this improbable quartet by giving up 3 runs in the top of the ninth to send the Phillies to their 2nd straight matchup with the Dodgers in the NLCS...

Closing.. exact science? I think not... A nomadic existence? Absolutely... Let's harken back to Donnie Moore, the enigmatic closer of the Angels. In 1986, only one strike away from heading to the World Series, Moore gave up the fateful home run to the Red Sox' Dave Henderson. While many may blame Moore for the loss of that game, and the Championship series, both Doug DeCinces and Bobby Grich failed to come through at the plate during the bottom half of the inning with the tying and winning runs on base.. However, Moore was never the same pitcher, taking his own life and critically injuring his wife, in 1989..

Closers in baseball are much like field goal kickers in football... Always the hero when kicking the game winning field goal, forever the bum for missing wide right to tie the game, closers will be the hometown heroes until that one mistake that loses a crucial game... Mitch Williams giving up the Series winning home run to Joe Carter in 1993, Mariano Rivera imploding against the Diamondbacks in 2001. Many fans will remember those events quicker then they will remember the career achievments. Sad, but true...

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Baseball.. The Great Passion in Life

If you're anything like me, and I'm guessing you're not that fanatical, then you may appreciate why I chose to start this blog. Baseball has, and always will be, the great passion in my life (aside from my wife, of course...). I grew up in Boston, and the first year I was introduced to baseball was 1967, which happened to coincide with the Boston Red Sox "Impossible Dream" season, in which they won their first pennant in 21 years, coming from 9th place the year before, and narrowly losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in 7 games in the '67 series. That season rekindled baseball passion in Beantown, and started me on a lifelong journey of studying all that baseball is: the game within the game, the subtle nuances that each particular strategy holds, the statistical breakdowns, and the personalities. From Carl Yastrzemski to Manny Ramirez, I have watched with great passion the many stars who have graced the greenery of Fenway Park, and, by extension, the many stars of other teams as well. I have come to appreciate the improvements that technology has brought to the sport, while at the same time holding on to the older philosophies that have made this great game stand the test of time. I listen with great interest to the debates about the designated hitter (introduced in the American League in 1973), about the "juiced ball" theory, about the significant decrease in pitchers throwing complete games, and the subsequent discussions about the role of the bullpen.. And of course, because these are modern times, the steroids scandal of recent years...

If you are reading this blog, then you may already have developed an idea as to my passion for this game. It is my fondest hope that with this blog I can inspire thoughtful discourse on the true nature of the sport of baseball, and not on the discussions that permeate the radio airwaves these days. Did A-Rod do this or that, was David Ortiz lying, should we put players in the Hall of Fame with asterisks? None of that matters to me.. What does matter is the purity of the sport itself, and the fact that no matter what modern media chooses to focus on, I will forever embrace the sport of baseball for its main purpose: to always fill me with passion every time I watch a single game...

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