Game 103, A’s at Mariners
Washburn vs DiNardo, 1:05 pm.
Lenny DiNardo is the poster boy for evaluating pitchers based on repeatable skills and not performance. I should put his picture in the Evaluating Pitcher Talent article. The Mets took him in the 3rd round of the 2001 draft, but despite some decent performances in the minors, they weren’t terribly impressed with what they saw and left him available for the Rule 5 draft after the 2003 season. The Red Sox saw an extreme groundball pitcher who also had shown an ability to miss bats, and though he had some command problems, finding those two skills in a young left-hander made him a no brainer to pick off for just $50,000. They used him sparingly in 2004, but pitched well enough when he was used. 2005 was a lost year due to injuries, and he was terrible last year, lacking command and giving up a ton of home runs. When Boston decided they didn’t have any more need of him and placed him waivers, the A’s saw the same thing the Red Sox had seen a few years earlier – a cheap young left-handed pitcher with extreme groundball tendancies and the ability to miss bats occassionally, so they snagged him for nothing in February when he became available.
DiNardo has pitched in 22 games, including making 10 starts, and has the lowest ERA of any pitcher with at least 75 innings pitched in the American League. Now, he’s obviously not this good – the difference between his ERA and his xFIP is over 2.00 runs, a huge margin – and regression to the mean is going to get to him sooner or later. But because of his extreme sink on his fastball, he doesn’t give up home runs, and his command has reached the point where it’s good enough for him to succeed in the rotation.
DiNardo’s a better pitcher than Jarrod Washburn. The A’s got him for $25,000 because they were willing to claim a guy who ran a 7.85 ERA last year off waivers, ignoring the results and looking at the skills. The M’s are paying Jarrod Washburn $37.5 million over 4 years because they evaluated a pitcher by his results and not his skills.
This matchup couldn’t show the point any clearer. That said, I hope DiNardo gets bombed and Washburn throws a complete game shutout, and considering the opposing offenses, that’s completely possible.
Sportsline:
One day after acquiring Ty Wigginton in a trade with Tampa Bay, the Astros designated struggling third baseman Morgan Ensberg for assignment Sunday.
OMG! I want Morgan Ensberg. Let Beltre play out the final year of his contract while Ensberg rehabs the shoulder he injured last year. Then make him the M’s starting 3B in 2009.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the law of averages!
Beltre’s signed through 2009. That doesn’t really make sense.
Dave, is there some point in a player’s development when it makes sense to start paying more attention to the results (not ERA, but other stats) and start ignoring the skillset? I’m not necessarily talking about DiNardo here. Sure, there are the rare guys like Carpenter (and perhaps Meche) who figure things out at a late stage, but for the most part when a guy hits a certain point isn’t it time to start focusing on what he’s done at the big league level?
I don’t think the A’s are smarter than the M’s, I think they just got lucky–the guy they took a flyer on did well. The M’s, for example, took a flyer on Arthur Rhodes, another guy who’s had success but had a terrible 2006.
Rhodes got injured. DiNardo’s been ok. (although much of his low ERA can be attributed to the fact that half of his innings came as a reliever).
Is that smart, or is it the A’s getting lucky? I think more of the latter.
Luck is the residue of good planning.
Bet on it—the As ARE smarter than the Ms.
Dave, I think you are exaggerating a bit by saying DiNardo is a better pitcher than Washburn right now. One factor you are missing is that Washburn is steady, which has big time value for a contending team. DiNardo, up until this year, looked like he was never going to figure it out. DiNardo needs to have at least another good season before I choose him to go out there every fifth day over Washburn. Besides, I don’t think you would’ve made such a bold claim in April.
Ensberg is 31, and has had one excellent season in his career — the only season in which he played more than 131 games. His second-best RBI total in a season is 66; his second-best runs scored total in a season is 69. He plays in an extreme hitter’s park: his career road onbase is .343, and his career road slugging average is .427. Think about those numbers, and the fact that he’s already in severe decline.
Adrian Beltre is a more productive hitter than Morgan Ensberg, a much better fielder, and is three years younger. Why in god’s name would you want Ensberg?
The As are smarter than the Ms, no question about it.
They should call Jones up before his birthday, it would be a good present for him.
8 – amen
I imagine Ensberg will get dealt before he makes it to waivers.
That said, a team in the hunt may make a claim for Ensberg. At the very least, he’s pretty good against leftys.
Watching the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. . . think it will ever be Edgar up there?
@ 5
Seems like your example actually goes towards towards proving Dave’s point.
The M’s, based on some degree of major league success, went out and got Rhodes. A guy who had pitched reasonably enough for stretches over his career.
The the Sox and then the A’s went for DiNardo *not* because of any major league success but because they felt his skill set could translate into said major league success.
These two examples are actually an excellent microcosm of the vast difference between the two organizations evaluation strategies.
As gwangung alludes to you need to make your own luck in this game.
Yeah, Ensberg has no place on this team now unless we dumped big Sexy and platooned him with Ben at 1st. And to the poster that wanted him to replace Beltre, lol.
No. 13 — So among Bavasi’s many sins is the inability to foretell whether a pitcher who has been relatively durable over his career will suffer an injury? Give me a break.
Now if you were thinking of Truinfel as AB’s replacement, that’s a different story…
On a different note, here’s hoping the M’s celebrate DMZ’s return from his workshop with some sign stealing and clever fan interference. Spitballing would be optional.
No, one of his many sins is OVERVALUING such an ability, and to continue to project that ability into a career phase that would indicate a higher likelihood of injuries…
1. What? NO.
5. That pretty much proved Dave’s point, I think, didn’t it? Going for Rhodes over DiNardo?
I think the key is “another guy who’s had success”… that says to me that you didn’t read the OP.
We’re going against a left-hander who gives up lots of ground balls and not many homeruns? Sounds like the best kind of pitcher for us to face since we have six RH batters in our typical lineup, rely mostly on bouncing grounders through the holes, and don’t hit many dingers.
But, Seth, the A’s are smarter than the M’s. They take flyers on guys who have signficant upside. The M’s take flyers on guys with significant downside. Two cases in point, HoRam vs. DiNardo, and Carl Everett vs. Frank Thomas. In both cases the M’s took guys who a) were relatively expensive in dollars, talent given up in trade, or both, b) would be slightly below average players at best if they hit the high-end of their likely performance range, and c) would be replacement-level or worse if they hit the mid-point of their likely performance range.
In both cases, the A’s took guys who were a) essentially free, b) potential all-stars if they delivered their top performance, and c) who cares if they stunk, they were free and thus disposable if they didn’t deliver.
Jason Jennings has just given up 9 runs in the first inning a day before the trading deadline.
Any sentence that involves the M’s acquiring him will have to be followed with several interobangs.
11 runs!
Dear Mr. Bavasi,
Please leave Jennings alone
Thanks.
Jennings is damaged goods and I would bet my neighbor’s house (to be fair we’re in a nice neighborhood)that he has surgery this off season…
How do you give up 11 runs? Doesn’t the manager walk out there after 6-7?
8 hits, 3 walks in 0.2 IP. Including 2 homers and a double. One of the outs came on a sacrifice fly.
Really sucks for the Astros that they’ve lost the game before they even saw a pitch.
20 – whilst I agree, I think that’s overstating the point a little. You can’t say going into this year that DiNardo was a potential all-star if he delivered his top performance and HoRam was at best below average. Ramirez was a good prospect before he got injured.
Except a lot of people were saying that before this season. Ramirez at his best was going to be a average-poor starter. DiNardo, with his skill set of inducing groundballs, at the top of his game was going to be pretty good.
Ramirez was a good prospect before he got injured.
At the time of acquiring him, the M’s had to know he was a no-stuff lefty. I’m sorry, but the ceiling on that kind of guy just isn’t that high.
My God what a lot of crap is being written on this blog this morning! What happened to our informed, provocative, contrarian USS Mariner Blog. Utterly dumb things some of you have written today:
“I don’t think the A’s are smarter than the M’s – they just got lucky”
Hogwash, Seth. You must be smarter than to believe that. Go and look again at the Rhodes vs DeNardo signings you used as an example, and see how it’s been picked apart already.
“I don’t think DiNardo is a better pitcher than Washburn right now”.
JeffS – it’s not in the same league of vacuity as Seth’s argument, but you’re placing a heck of premium on “steadiness”
“Ramirez was a good prospect before he got injured”.
bunk_medal, that’s just bunk. Ramirez has been either mediocre or injured or both for the past three seasons. And he’ll be 28 this year, which is kind of long in the tooth for a prospect.
For crying out loud people, think before you write.
I’m off.
I respect Dave’s views and his in-depth analysis. Lord knows it’s much higher than mine.
But shouldn’t the philosophy be results over skill – not the other way around?
I’d rather be in contention with a team that is less skilled but giving results, than be in last place with a bunch of really good skilled players that are not producing results.
Could someone enlighten me?
You can’t say going into this year that DiNardo was a potential all-star if he delivered his top performance and HoRam was at best below average. Ramirez was a good prospect before he got injured.
Ramirez was a marginal NL starter. In the AL, the best he was going to be was replacement level.
Maybe it’s stretching it a little so say DiNardo was a potential All-Star, but I did say “potential” and not “likely” for a reason. There’s a huge difference in those words. And…
Dan Haren started the All-Star game for the AL. He’s currently 12-3 with a 2.42 ERA. DiNardo is 5-6 with a 2.41 ERA and abysmal run support. (note: yes, W-L and ERA are terrible ways to evaluate pitchers, but they’re prime selection criteria for the All-Star game). If DiNardo had been in the rotation earlier and gotten a little better run support, he might have started for the AL instead of Haren. So, maybe not so much of a stretch. As Dave pointed out, DiNardo has usefull and repeatable skills. Those have the potential to translate into All-Star seasons.
It may be better to be lucky than good, but:
1. You can’t predict luck, you can predict good.
2. You’re more likely to be ‘lucky’ repeatedly, if you are actually good.
Repeatable skills are more likely to delivery desired results. A team that is less skilled is a lot less likely to give results, certainly in the long run.
A lot of people were predicting that Ramirez would have a bad year (they were correct) but that doesn’t mean he was some Joe Average who at best was always going to be mediocre. Ramirez in his early twenties was a good prospect with a relatively high ceiling until injuries took their toll. It’s great that we can retrospectively look back now and claim that Lenny DiNardo was an all-star in the making, but that’s using the benefit of hindsight in the extreme. There isn’t much basis for saying he’s an elite pitcher in the making now, far less at the start of the year.
Don’t get me wrong, I agree with the point being made, you can pick up a few guys like DiNardo for little outlay and get a better reward than expensive moves such as the trade for Ramirez, I’m just saying it’s easy to exaggerate the two examples sitting here in July and make it seem like only an idiot could have picked Horacio Ramirez over Lenny DiNardo. Most people would have predicted Ramirez to pitch better than DiNardo in 2007, it wasn’t just DiNardo’s control that was bad last year.
31- The contention is that past good results do not necessarily translate to future good results. A better indicator of future success is a good set of repeatable skills.
Obviously, we all want good results, but Dontrelle Willis having a good year in 2005 for the Marlins does not help the Mariners for 2007 or beyond.
But shouldn’t the philosophy be results over skill – not the other way around?
I’d rather be in contention with a team that is less skilled but giving results, than be in last place with a bunch of really good skilled players that are not producing results.
In other words, you’d rather be lucky than good. Sure, so would I. Luck trumps skill all the time. The problem is, you can’t predict luck. You can’t teach it, draft it, trade for it, sign it as a Free Agent, or give it a contract extension. You can’t even DFA it if it doesn’t live up to expectations. You get what you get in the luck department.
But, for a given level of luck, teams with more skill will outperform teams with less skill. So, you do the best you can to gather as much skill as possible, because skill is something you can predict, draft, teach, etc.
35 & 36 – Thanks
In 2003 Ramirez may have looked a good prospect. Then 2004, 2005 and 2006 happened and the Braves saw an increasingly expensive washout.
Very few people would have piced DiNardo to be this much better than Ramirez at the start of this season, but equally few people would have picked Ramirez to be four runs a game better than DiNardo.
Nobody but the most blinkered believer in veteran mystique could have looked at the relative cost of each pitcher ($2,650,000 per year plus Raphael Soriano for Ramirez; $390K plus nothing for DiNardo) and concluded that Ramirez was the better risk.
Skill based analysis will give you much more consistent results– Your teachers made you show your work in your high-school math class for a reason.
Wait, the A’s have been lucky this year? With all the injuries and underperforming their pythag? That’s a new one.
There isn’t much basis for saying he’s an elite pitcher in the making now, far less at the start of the year.
Okay, I started the whole “all-star” thing, so let me try to clarify things. “All-Star” and “Elite” are different things entirely. I said “potential All-Star” not “potential HOFer” or “perennial All-Star.” DiNardo has the skill set to, with a little luck, be one of the top pitchers in any given year. But with only average luck, he’ll be just a #4 starter. Guess what? That describes most of the “good” pitchers in the league. Go look at career ERAs for most of the pitchers who made an All-Star game or two, but aren’t headed for Cooperstown. They bounce around a lot, looking like Aces one year, back of the rotation guys the next. That’s why ERA is such a poor tool for talent evaluation, there’s a ton of luck involved.
The point about the A’s being smarter than the M’s is, the A’s pick guys who have the potentail to have great seasons but are struggling or injured. In other words, they buy low. The M’s pick guys based on one great season and assume that’s what they’ll deliver forever more. In other words, they buy high.
Anyone hear about that fan that ran onto the field in the 8th inning yesterday? He hopped out from CF and was wearing an M’s jersey so he talked to Ich and Raul (who were chatting in CF) for a good minute before security realized he was on the field. He even got a hug from Raul… good times
Not a bad lineup today, IMO.
I. Suzuki cf
J. Vidro dh
J. Guillen rf
A. Beltre 3b
R. Sexson 1b
R. Ibanez lf
K. Johjima c
J. Lopez 2b
W. Bloomquist ss
Ibanez low in the order vs. the lefty, Guillen and Beltre hitting 3 and 4. I like it. Doesn’t have A. Jones in it, but not bad.
Ibanez shouldn’t be in the line-up period against a lefty. Not even batting ninth… in fact he shouldn’t even be allowed in the stadium when a lefty is pitching…
41 – I’m not disputing the point about the A’s strategy being better than the M’s, I’m just disputing the extent to which we’re talking up Lenny DiNardo’s skillset. The guy had a .363 BAA last year, there was a heck of a lot more wrong with him than a lack of control which once rectified would put him in all-star territory. An xFIP over 5 doesn’t exactly cry out high skill set to me, nor does 3.6 K/G. As alluded to in Dave’s article he’s performing well above his weight at present and should slip closer to where his 4.48 xFIP for this year would predict he should be.
Any logical reason why Ho-Ram has been solid at home and garbage on the road?
I’m guessing it’s due to the big-ballpark effect.
43: Weird…I was thinking they should start giving Yuni some days off given how craptastic he’s been at the plate lately. However, this comes after his HR night…so its a bit strange. Anyway, its not going to hurt them too much defensively as Wasburn is a FB pitcher. Again, AJ in left helps Wasburn to a significant degree…but whatever.
Therein lies the rub, i think, with the above discussion. The difference in a Washburn + Stellar outfield and Washburn + mediocre outfield is significant, and it impacts his stats like ERA and WHIP. Further, I suspect that if the Ms had that stellar outfield this year, and Washburn’s performance had been significantly better, the outcry over Dave’s statement that DiNardo > Wasburn would have raised more rankles. But why? Can we not see that Washburn is who Wasburn is?
Bottom line, under either scenario, smart teams would know what they were getting. Ms saw Washburn (with a pretty good OF in Anaheim) and saw superstar. The Ms paid top dollar for middling talent.
Three of his road starts have been against Boston, Detroit and L.A., guess I answered my own question there.
I just wanted to say thanks for all the informed commentary I read here at USSM. I access the site several times a day, and have learned a lot about the M’s and baseball in general. Great work, Dave (and others).
Go Mariners!
44: too bad we don’t have a right handed LF with pop in his bat and quickness in his legs to fill in….hum..
Actually, I could see WFB in LF against lefties, and leave Yuni at short.
WFB career vs. lefties: .269/.322/.369 (yuk!)
Ibanez vs. lefties this year: .231/.243/.278 (holy awfulness)
Again…the solution is as clear as the sheen on
Bavasi’s head…
Does anyone remember the Rob Neyer article that A’s Baseball – Moneyball – is BORING to watch? Remember, that’s boring by Baseball standards. I have a suspicion that Moneyball is potentially destructive to teams in the long run.
Obviously, the job of the GM isn’t just to put together the right players on the field, but to ensure the survival and “thrival” of the team.
Billy Beane has done a great job at putting numbers in the W column. On a dollar-for-dollar basis, probably better than anyone has done in the history of american professional sports.
But he hasn’t done a good job at all of putting numbers in the seats, or in the TV ratings, or in the merchandising sales. Hasn’t done a very good job at increasing the long-term success of the Oakland franchise. The A’s of the Beane era haven’t built anything with all those W’s. Look at what the Mariners built from Jr, A-Rod, Edgar, Buhner, Randy, etc. Woody Woodward turned the team from a no-name, no-attendance loser to one of the most most popular baseball teams in the world, with good attendance, great merchandising sales, a new publicly-financed stadium, etc. Sure, he mostly sucked about putting a winning team on the field, but the owners can’t really complain about what he did.
The M’s also don’t have to compete with the LA Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres…
52. Just you wait till they move to their new stadium in Fremont. I’m utterly frightened of a jump in A’s revenue.
As regards the lineup vs. lefties I am sure Ellison can hit them just as well as Ibanez and play better defense to boot (Important when Washburn’s starting).
It’s not really Billy Beane’s job to market the team. They have had stars that get people excited throughout his run between the Three Aces and the Giambi led party like rock stars, do something like porn stars and hit like all stars years. It’s not his fault they play in a football stadium that isn’t appealing for baseball.
some of those early posts had me swearing obscenities at the screen…52 fits right in…
#53: Too true. The Mariners have had a lock on baseball up here in the PNW.
On to the game…… These jerseys are feakin’ sweet!!
Is anyone watching the game on DirecTV? I can’t find it.
Hooooeeeee, those are some fugly uniforms. Both teams. Nasty.
61: What wrong with extremely loud bright yellow? Lol.
#60. Try the CW.
Local TV in the Bay Area. Action 36 Cable 6.
#53: Clearly you don’t understand the evils of Moneyball….everytime someone quotes that book, God kills a puppy.
I love these uniforms.
52: I couldn’t agree more. I understand why Beane has had to take that route to build a competitive ball club, but the A’s may have been able to keep a core of guys together in recent years had their attendance not been so lousy.
Every other game being played is on two different channels, this game is on zero for me. It’s listed on one alternate, but says it’s blacked out… I’m in Los Angeles, do they think that is a suburb of Oakland?
Great, I get to spend a half hour on the phone with DirectTV. Again.
Ichiro looks like he’s playing for his old japanese team the blue wave
Mariners just got some help from the Twinkies.
69: Similar, if not same, colors as Orix.
How do you not love the unis? The A’s…those are nasty.
I miss the Tridents
The A’s competed with the california teams 15 years ago, when they were one of the most popular teams. They had guys like Eckersley, Canseco, Rickey Henderson… Giambi(s), The Big-Three, Tejada… fine players, but not a lick of personality. Zero appeal to someone who isn’t a dedicated fan.
Point is, no, it’s not Beane’s job to do the marketing – but he is responsible for the marketing of the team. Do ‘moneyball’ players and teams make for boring games that fans – especially casual fans – don’t care to watch? I suspect the answer is yes… but we’ll see.
Beltre really does suit that 70′s afro.
Long overdue, Richie. Keep it up.
BIG SEXY!!!
Nice job Ibanez. See what happens when those two hit. Amazin.
RAAAAUUUUUUUUUUULLLL!!!
Regression to the Mean!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well it is “turn back the clock” day…
Ibanez get’s half a U for that one.
RAULL
Is it me or does Kenji look really worn out?
Awesome first inning from the guys.
R & R have BACK-TO-BACK productive at-bats? Gosh, that’s been a while…
haha, good post 81
I love turn-back-the-clock games, just because I love the goofy uniforms (and I love the trident, even though “it lets the luck drain out”). And I would’ve been at this game if my schedule hadn’t messed it up.
But something I don’t get: why didn’t they schedule this for a game where the M’s were playing another team that got started in ’77, like Toronto?
Man, I want to see the Astros in those crazy rainbow unis play the Padres in their “A&W” yellow-and-browns.
“Hey, trying to watch the Mariners game on channel 660, why is it blacked out… I’m not in a blackout area.”
“One moment, sir”
*three minutes*
“Sir, the only game on right now is on 745. Maybe 744.”
“What? 745 is the Marlins and 744 is the Dodgers.”
“Those are the only games on, sir.”
“No, they’re not. You have, like, ten on, most of them on two channels each. I want to know why I can’t watch the only one you’re not showing.”
“Can you verify the team you want to watch, sir?”
“Seattle Mariners.”
“Shallow Marnerts.” (swear to god)
“What? No. Seattle Mariners.”
“One second sir.”
*five minutes*
“Sir, I checked the schedules, the Mariners aren’t playing. But on the 30th, you can…”
“What do you mean they aren’t playing. They’re playing RIGHT NOW on channel 660. I just want to know why I can’t watch it.”
“One moment, sir.”
*three minutes and counting.*
72: You’re right…those A’s unis ARE nasty!
I think the late-70′s Padres unis with that chocolate brown and mustard yellow just about have to take the cake, though…Yecch!
If this is 70′s Day, how about a Funk Blast or two?
if you’re into uni’s, check out the archives of http://www.uniwatchblog.com
How do you give up 11 runs? Doesn’t the manager walk out there after 6-7?
He’s being “showcased”
You know, I’m willing to give Jason Jennings a mulligan for his start today. I don’t want to trade for him, but the Astros today may have run out the worst defense in the history of baseball.
C: Munson – bad
1B: Berkman – terrible
2B: Burke – okay
SS: Loretta – terrible
3B: Wigginton – terrible
LF: Lee – bad
CF: Lane – terrible
RF: Scott – terrible
There’s exactly one guy playing defense for the Astros today who doesn’t suck, and he’s spent most of the past two years being jerked around between second base and the outfield.
87: That’s an idea — would have loved to see the Jays with that oversized bird’s head logo!
Speaking of trade-bait pitchers destroying their chances:
But that’s not the bell-ringer, IMO. This is:
88- lol! But is it ok that I’m laughing at your pain?
I love the old school unis…I have the M’s trident as the wallpaper for my phone, so to see them actually playing in them rocks.
The game being broadcast here in central california is showing the scoreboard, with the 70s style names and the players dressed in hat/wigs/glasses of the era….Jack Cust was ‘Ko’ Jack Cust.
Pretty good that they have players from both teams doing the 77 thing.
Yeah but Dave, that Padres lineup isn’t stellar either.
Also rumors of Octavio Dotel for Wladimir Balentien flowing around.
I wasn’t alive in ’77. What is “Hand Jive,” as in Willie “Hand Jive” Bloomquist, per the scoreboard?
“They are not playing, sir. I checked the schedule.”
“YES THEY ARE.”
“In that case, sir, the game is not being broadcast.”
“YES IT IS.”
“It’s not on my schedule, sir.”
Holy Jesus.
“Turn on your tv and see what it says on that channel, will you, please?”
“One moment, sir.”
If she comes back and says she can’t find any listing for the Shallow Marnerts, I’m switching providers.
Beltre July: 333/419/622. M’s are more fun to watch when they have a legitimate XBH threat in the lineup.
A hand jive sounds like something you’d do at a party in your pants.
Congrats Ichiro!!
1500
1500 for Ichi!!!
Congrats, Ichi!
Congrats to Ich!
I need more Willie Bllomquist in my life
w00t congrats! So how does Ichiro’s games played before getting 1500 hits compare to other major leaguers throughout history? I’d imagine that it has to be close to the top…
How many more season does Ichiro need to play (say, at 80% current effectiveness over the length of that time) to get himself into the HOF?
Does he get in simply by being the first japanese position player in the majors, and being good or very good? Do you throw in Shinjo on a two-for-one?
If Jackie Robinson had had a pedestrian career, is he a Hall-of-Famer anyway?
I like this A’s pitcher. We may not see any HRs today, but sinkerball single after sinkerball single works for me.
What the crap. What’s with all this hitting? Maybe they should keep these unis
Loving the bats today
MY TURRRRBOOOO LOVVVVEEERRR!!!
3rd fastest in history
109, I think Niehaus said Ichi was the 3rd fastest to 1500 of all-time.
Dave, Jennings faced 13 batters…. 5 of them either walked or went yard. Barely 50% of his pitches were strikes. I’m all for mulligans (especially since I suck at golf) but really, having watched his outing today, the 2001 Ms defense couldn’t have helped him.
So how does the guy on first know what to do when the guy on second is going to steal? Blowers is talking about a sign, but I’ve heard that he (Ichiro) is just supposed to watch Willie and take off if he does?
109 – Supposedly Ichiro is the third fastest to 1500, quite impressive given the players he’s up against and the fact it was a completely different game back then.
In theory, Ichiro’s career in Japan has no effect on his qualifications for the HOF. But he’s got an MVP, two batting titles, a Rookie of the Year, holds the all time record for hits in a season, and has a stack of Gold Gloves. I don’t think there is any particular “number” he has to reach to make the HOF. After all, Koufax basically strung together six phenomenal seasons and that was enough.
Al Simmons (1,040) and George Sisler (1,048) are the fastest to 1,500 hits. This is Ichiro’s 1059th game.
Bye-Bye Beltre!
BELTREMENDOUS
Man Beltre continue his tear. Woooo!!!
B-B-B-BELTRE!!!
After all the talking up of DiNardo, it was really inevitable.
I love it when the M’s face lefties.
NOW THAT’S A FUNK BLAST!!!!
Beltre!!!
Oh, never mind. We will see some HRs today.
Damn, Beltre is on an XBH tear the past week.
Funk Blast from Boogie Down Beltre…ahaha
Betre!!! That was KILLED!
Unreal.
I’m sorry to be the one to tell you guys this, but the Mariners are not playing today. Directv checked MLB’s schedule and I am lying to them.
She’s sorry, she’d like to believe me, but it turns out… the people at the help center for DirecTV… can’t WATCH DIRECTV.
And she assures me that the Mariners aren’t playing.
So go mow the lawn or something.
I guess Ichiro is not popular in India.
Her supervisor just told me I was lying or mistaken, the Mariners don’t play today.
%^*^%$*(*^!!
Haha, way to call it, Dave. Me finks his ERA is no longer the lowest in the american league =)
What did it say in the line up along with that great 70s look? Boom Boom, or somethin? That was hammered.
Boy, it’s nice to get a rout once in awhile (fingers crossed).
Wow, Beltre is on fire right now. I’m starting to think this is the start of some second half tear like he had in 2004. He’s already got his OPS up into the mid .800′s.
Wowsers….
Long way to go today but I’m setting my stop watch to countdown until the trade dealine at 3pm on Tuesday…..
AB just loves to tear up the A’s, doesn’t he?!
I love watching Beltre.
132: Sorry to hear that, John. Guess that’s the irony of talking to an off-shore call center.
Dinardo can take his repeatable skills to the showers.
Sorry, John. Maybe try calling back and talking to someone else?
Extra Funky Funk Blast…and yes thats is the A’s season
you know, I’m pretty proud of Adrian Beltre and the leadership role that is he *starting* to assume on this ballclub. Defensively, those stops he made two days ago literally saved the game and got the team back on track, and his bat over the past week speaks for itself. I’ve never really liked the guy until this season, but now I’m beginning to be really glad to have him around.
135. His July has been unreal. OPS over 1.000 before today’s game
If you werne’t sure that announcers don’t know what they’re talking about, Ray Fosse calling Jason Kendall the best player he’s ever seen should just about end that argument.
For as bad as the M’s have been lately ..a win today puts us 2 back of the WC
I wish Jason Kendall was the best A’s player of all time, we’d certainly never finish in last place again.
John, I’ve done that dance with DirecTV before… they claim that they show everything that MLB gives them, so if they don’t have the game on, it’s MLB’s fault. I notice that the website says it’s on CW, and not FSN: maybe that has something to do with it.
Anyway, I’m irritated about it, too. Listening to it on MLB radio right now, it sounds like that Beltre’s dinger was something.
Ahem, that’s Two (2) E-5′s. After the bobble I was still pretty sure Adrian would get the guy at first base.
Payback for AB…
Poor AB…hero-to-goat in 6.2 seconds…
A rare bad throw in by Ichi
Just checked in over at Athletics Nation. You remember how bad it got around here the last couple of years? Over there, it’s worse. They’re downright suicidal. They’re beyond suicidal — they’re starting to watch (and post about) the Giants game.
There was this gem, though (from a youngster, I presume):
Are those pitchforks on the Seattle unis?
Yes, son, they are, and they’re taking you straight to hell! You, and your little doggy too. And your team, and their awful stadium, and their annoying GM, and their second half runs, and all those seasons they were the source of torment for the M’s. It’s payback time. Enjoy the tines.
speaking of hero-to-goat, does anybody remember Buhner’s infamous Hero-Goat-Hero night? I remember watching the game, and the Seattle Times article the next morning has a huge picture of Buhner with the headline HERO-GOAT-HERO! But I can’t remember what it was all about. Anyone remember? No idea why this has stuck with me..
#153
So Billy Beane as Faustus?
“See Christ’s blood dripping across the firmament / One drop would save me … Now then must Beane be doubly damned.
He committed an error and then hit a game winning homer I believe.
153: Funny to think that as sucky as we were back in ’77, the mighty “swingin’” (and apparently, MISSIN’!) A’s actually finished BELOW us that year!
This series with the A’s may be just what the doctor ordered prior to the coming crucial series with the Angels.
BTW, somebody figured out the source of that losing streak:
RAUUUUUUUUUL!!!!
We shoulda allow Raul to where the old school unis everyday
So Billy Beane as Faustus?
Didn’t somebody already do that, but added music and called it “Damn Yankees”?
158: If that’s the case, we might as well kiss all of our playoff hopes goodbye when Madden 2008 comes out.
From Sept 14 2000:
The Mariners had a golden opportunity in the ninth. Alex Rodriguez opened by working a walk off Royal starter Blake Stein. Edgar Martinez singled to left and both runners advanced on Cameron’s sacrifice bunt. But both Buhner and Guillen flied out to center.
“Hero, goat, hero,” Buhner added, “that’s the way it is in this game.”
Two-for-two for Rauuul…is he finally coming off the proverbial “schnide”?
Dang Washburn. The club gives him a good lead and he pees half it down his leg. Walking the 9th place hitter! Pathetic!
[nope]
Does anybody notice that whenever the Mariner’s score runs when Washburn pitches he ALWAYS goes right back out and gives them up? I realize Beltre’s error didn’t help matters but it seems to always happen, more so then with other pitchers.
Turb-OOOO
167 actually the worst at doing it is Felix. Washburn hasn’t done it really that bad all season
Raul’s isn’t just getting lucky — he looks comfortable at the plate for once.
Nah, the guy is ultimately not damned in Damn Yankees. Being willing to sell your soul to beat the Yankees turns out to be forgiveable. Sound theology, I believe.
BAD CALL!
John in LA… your serious? They really told you that you were wrong and that the Mariners were NOT playing today? How is that possible?
LOL, did you guys see Guillen in the afro wig? I’m shocked he has a sense of humor
So much for the Great Dinardo…
174 – I’d be careful poking fun at Jose, we don’t know how much of a sense a humor he has, and you’ll have to remember he is a little “unstable”…
166, you are clearly a longtime Simpsons fan. Thanks for the joke–I LOLed in my empty apartment. That and an Ms win will make my day–I’m easy to please, I guess.
PS to everyone: The movie is hilarious and worth the 9 bucks.
Now back to your regularly scheduled griping and stats-fest
174: Guillen’s wig was great! From a distance, that ‘fro looked like Rickey Henderson’s circa about 1980.
“*I did not, however tempting it was, offer her god a peanut.”
I’m glad, I always feel a little annoyed that the individuals in these call centres have to put up with the abuse. They’re just doing a job, it’s those who run the company and decide that this level of customer service is acceptable who should be blamed.
I wonder if Estrada had to buy that jersey…..
Sunday baseball is a nice thing but this game can’t end quick enough for me…. at least the next two innings can’t go quickly enough…
I think Erik Estrada could probably throw a ball further than Arthur Rhodes at the moment.
How many power hitters do they have?
Wasn’t Stewart hitting that a bad thing? You’d never know it from the call….
The Ms need a doubleplay….how quickly can Mateo get here?
I wish we were already past the trade deadline…Piazza probably wouldn’t be hitting us like a sieve right now.
Adam Jones would’ve caught it. Just saying.
Dammit Washbum!
Get Washburn out of there
AdamJonesAdamJonesAdamJonesAdamJonesAdamJonesAdamJonesAdamJonesAdamJonesAdamJonesAdamJonesAdamJonesAdamJonesAdamJonesAdamJones
Um, it’s a two run game
Terrible attempt there by Ibanez.
Check out Reggie Jackson in a Mariners uniform from the 1979 All-Star Game AL photo…
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a80/SteveJRogers/scan3.jpg
Oh boy Reitsma…that is a huge improvement over sucky Washburn.
There is the Sexson we know and love.
Too bad Gorman Thomas didn’t play for the M’s yet in ’77…Richie could’ve worn one of HIS old jerseys just for old time sake!
Oh lord no, please NOT another Reitsma sighting…
Sorry if my reference offended, it was a genius Simpson’s joke, meant as an indictment of Americans, not the other way around at all.
179 – Of course I wouldn’t, just quoting the Simpsons. I was polite. Frustrated, but polite. There wasn’t any kind of language or cultural barrier, anyway. There was only a customer who knew what he was talking about and customer service representative to didn’t barrier.
My only complaint about the location of the call center was that they couldn’t check DirecTV at the DirecTV customer service center.
Well, that and insisting I had the wrong day, that the Mariners didn’t play until tomorrow.
see 190
no! not Reitsma!
Good god is he being showcased or something? For who, AAA Portland?
Did they just say it was a “nice throw by Willie”?
For some definition of “ten feet away from first base” perhaps
Maybe the Red Sox will look at him as a better, cheaper alternative to Pineiro.
200: The Nats, perhaps.
Hey! Richie found a way to help the team! Get himself tossed!
What was THAT all about (“watching” via GameDay)?
wow that Ump went after him
Sims did just say that was a “great” throw by Willie.
It was a great STOP, yes…however, Richie was lucky to have even gotten to that throw, it was so off-line.
That umpire needs to get fired for that bush league shit though.
That is a UMP with a big head
205: Willie made a great play to get to a ball up the middle. Throw was up the line towards the outfield. Sexson, being a giant, stretched out and caught the ball while falling off the bag. Called safe. Replays showed he was on, but it was extremely close. Sexson argue. Bye bye.
Bad Washburn + Reitsma combine to scare the shit out of Mariner fans
Richie was walking back until the ump got in HIS face… weird
Blow is right. That ump looked like he WANTED to get into. He instigated it?? What, did he get some bad news? Have a bad night last? An umpire should never make himself a factor in the game just by his attitude. That was bush league. Umps walk away–that’s the first rule.
Richie had turned his back when the ump tossed him.
This irritates me.
177 – I’m glad you got it. Also glad the movie is worthwhile. Will be seeing it soon.
So since I am blind for the game, was the call they got tossed for good or bad or close enough?
Looks like Reitsma is poised to take over Mateo’s old spot in the bullpen!
205 thing is that Sexson didn’t even argue until AFTER he got tossed
Maybe it was the same ump who did that wacky “Beltre is safe! No, he’s out!” routine a few weeks ago.
Good god, Reitsma has no business being in a close game.
Gah, Reitsma’s so bad he could make Kurt look like Ichi!
1B ump Mark Carlson. Ted Barrett, who’s gotten calls wrong both at 1B and HP the last couple of days, is now over at 3B. Where’ve they been getting these guys? Angel Hernandez is the only name I recognize on this crew…
214: replays showed the ump was wrong, but it was very, very close
Why do I feel like the M’s thought the game was over after the 2nd inning. When JWash was struggling, there were no visits. When it was time to replace him, we throw out our worst guy to eat the innings.
How did Richie get tossed for walking away, while McLaren goes off for three minutes and walks back to the dugout?
Who is worse? Reitsma or Brian Stokes……the guy who walked 4 Red SOx in the 12th last night for TB?
The weird thing to me is that Carlson’s a full-time ump — you might think that a summer sub could be a lot more twitchy, but Carlson… that’s weird.
[this is not a board]
the ump didnt have a good angle to see the play, and he instigated the whole argument with Richie… the play was close enough though
Meanwhile Reistma’s about to sink this game for us…again. :/
God, how can Mangement be so damn blind to what a suckfest Reistma is?!?
My God Reitsma is terrible.
Gee, guess you don’t want three out of four, huh Johnny Mac?!
Got news for ya Chaves: Talkin to Rietsma won’t make him pitch better.
I rest my case, now we get to chew off the finger nails while someone has to come in and pick up the pieces.
Why do they keep running Sucksma out to pitch?
This management team is freaking BLIND. Why is Reitsma still on this squad?
great job, Ms. That’s the way to blow a 6-0 lead at home.
yuck.
Maybe Carlson fell off the glue-smoking wagon?
Fuck
Kiss. My. Ass.
Words fail me.
And yet he stays in there again?
223
Home plate ump obviously knew his counterpart deserved it. THAT is why Mac got away with it. Terrible umpiring…
and… Reitsma gives up the lead…
Unless someone produces an audio feed, though, we really don’t know if Sexson said something to get himself immediately tossed. It certainly seems unlikely, but it’s hard to assign motives without better information.
I am so sick of Swisher
This took a nasty turn.
Mac, you’re an idiot. Way to make the move about 4 batters too late.
What would it take to get Carlson to toss Reitsma out of the game?
Wow. So they leave in Reitsma when he has the bases loaded and is struggling, which is bad enough. Then he had a bases clearing double hit against him, and is still left in just to give up another run?
I can’t think of any manager with half a brain that would make that kind of risk given the playoff race they’re in. Pathetic.
I’ll tell you why Reitsma is still on the team: His damn Salary. Bavasi is as bad as George W. Bush in admitting that he made a mistake.
As for why McLaren still puts him in there, I have no clue. Maybe he’s gutless and this team is now being managed by the FO. If so, that’s just a joke.
Wow, the fans are really letting them have it today. Hopefully that’s the last we see of Reitsma.
Nice of the ump to drag McLaren, kicking and screaming, towards a better lineup.
Umm, Chris…I understand the Calgary Flames are looking for a fifth-line winger. You might want to check into that job opportunity. >:(
221 – Thanks.
Wow. On the radio, Dave says something really good about Reitsma, talking about how he’s trying to get back into form, blah, blah…
Then he says “You have to wonder, though, how long you can keep going to him when he keep getting hit.”
Then he kind of backpedaled when he realized he said something negative and went on to excuse it, bloop hit, etc.
“Well, it’s not like he’s getting shelled.”
Two batters later:
“…now he is getting shelled.”
241- For what it’s worth, that’s what the radio guys said immediately. “Sexson said the magic word.”
Whether they were just speculating, I have no idea. I have a hard time believing that Dave can read lips but can’t tell a pop-up from a home run, but that’s what they said.
Well, considering the M’s management style, it had to take something like this to get rid of Reitsma, so consider it a net gain.
McLaren deserves to be fired on the spot.
250: But, did he specify WHAT kind of form he was getting back into?
Maybe it was was the form that Ayala or Slocumb had back in the late ’90′s.
252: Yeah, but it took a beaten wife for them to finally get rid of Mateo (sorta), so I’m not too optimistic about that.
don’t we always lose on turn back the clock night? Just sayin’
There can’t be more than two people in all or Marinerdom who think Chris Reitsma is capable of getting major league hitters out at this point. Unfortunately, the holdouts are named McLaren and Bavasi
It’s so hard to get behind an organization for which winning is the #3 priority, right behind saving face and keeping veterans happy.
I don’t know the consensus from the rest of the managers of the league, but is a pennant race really the time to be getting a crap pitcher back on track?? I would have to think its not a popular opinion.
I would have to think that that’s the game.
Wow…Kurt only has about 1,450 hits to go to catch Ichiro in MLB.
The offense already packed it in mentally… they thought they were going to win.
It seems that Mateo is doing extremely well in Tacoma, why not bring him back to the team?
Definitely an upgrade over Reitsma.
What is going on today???????
258 some have argued that money factors into their priorities too.
Raffy Chaves is an upgrade over Reitsma.
I honestly don’t understand why it takes a crisis for Mac to figure out that he can actually get an entire inning out of one of his left-handed set-up guys.
The Raiders lead the Seahawks 10-7…
When is the first preseason game btw?
263. Mickolio would be a better option than Mateo for several reasons.
10 consecutive M’s retired. Since the second inning, 2 hits, 1 run, no walks. A’s;
This team really shuts down from time to time, doesn’t it?
I accuse the team of ‘letting up’. Let up early in this game, letting up too early in the season.
Heck, Erik Estrada would be an improvement over freakin’ Reitsma!
Making money and increasing market share is the #1 priority.
Not taking risks is the #2 priority.
Winning is the the #3 priority.
Does the M’s broadcast team REALLY have to show all the damage Swisher has done to us this series?
Why would Mickolio be better?
Mateo has already proven that he can succeed at this level as long as he watches out for falling weights…and other distractions…
Winning is still below making funny commercials, and the dancing grounds crew.
266 – it’s not an issue of working it out, it’s about adhering to the big book of arbitrary baseball rules, the book that was once written with the idea that such rules improved your chances of winning and now manifests itself as the rationale for doing the exact opposite of what helps you to win.
There I was, walking into the house 30 minutes ago, listening to the game when Niehaus announce that Rietsma was coming into the game. “Well,” I thought, “We have a 2 run lead. This isn’t a terrible time to use him”. How wrong I was.
Rietsma should be flirting with a DFA. And someone should be having a stern word with McLaren about using him in close games.
Wow! What a cool chip shot
272: Yes, since as Sims put it, he’s one of the “funnest guys” in MLB.
I wish Simms would quit saying the “bullpen” gave it up. It was Chris Rietsma, and he should not be associated with Mariner’s Bullpen
Such a nice feeling to not have Ra_l waiting in the #3 spot to kill any momentum here.
One way to keep out of the Turbo DP.
Are we in a pennant race? Does winning games really matter? Does momentum and team psyche mean ANYTHING to Johnny Mac?
Seriously. What is that guy thinking bringing Rietsma into the game with only a two run lead? Is Mac just stubborn or is he mentally challenged? I don’t get it!!
Rietsma SUCKS for gawds sake. WTF, over?
If we lose this game I’m gonna be pissed!!!
273:
I don’t know which Mateo you’ve been watching, but can I borrow your TV set?
I would have given anything to been able to go to todays game. The same routine same song dancing grounds crew would have lifted me to a state of eternal bliss.
273. He strikes out more guys. He doesn’t hit women. He is younger and has a future with the team.
Ichiro should just steal home.
282 – Not as mad as you’ll be when Bavasi trades Wlad for Dotel because he needs an extra arm due to his Set-up man (Rietsma) struggling
276: Unfortunately, it would be questionable even with a lead of 10-12 runs to use Reitsma.
Ichiro should just go home, im sure he would feel better being with his wife and dog. Wouldn’t have to watch this garbage.
JoeyCora
Mateo has established a pretty low level of ‘success’ in his major league career. He’s several declining seasons from his best. He is extrememly flyball prone. He no longer strikes out many guys. At this point, he’s probably a replacement level pitcher. And he brings a tonne of unwanted baggage.
From what I’ve heard on this blog, Mickolio generates more grounders and strike outs and has a much higher ceiling than Mateo.
And you ought to change your handle to comply with the rules of posting on USSM.
Touche.
Just checked his stats on the Rainiers website, and he’s posted a decent line.
Better than trading Balentien for Dave Weathers
Ichiro may HAVE to steal home for us to have a chance at scoring this inning.
287 – we don’t even need Rietsma. They should just cut him loose and eat his salary.
I wonder what will be running through Ichiros head after he sits on third waiting for his centerfield glove after stealing two bases with no one out.
Are you kidding me guys? You can’t even get wood on the ball? Jesus.
No wonder the A’s weren’t worried about Ichiro stealing – they knew Casilla could strike out the side anyway.
better?
Way to swing in a ball that bounced in front of homeplate Guillen. How craptastic to have a guy on third with nobody out and the next two guys can’t even put the ball in play.
GOD BLESS ADRIAN!
291. true.
Thank God for Adrian…I was about to jump out my window if we couldn’t get a guy in w/ 0 outs and a man on 3rd.
I want Beltre to steal.
Thank you, Adrian!!!
I demand a 2-run dinger.
BENNIE!
Richie who?
BROUSARDDDDDDDDDDDD
Go BIG BEN!
BROUUUU!!!
Holy crap, what a crazy game.
UNREAL
Broussard is the MAN!!
Dear ump,
Thank you for kicking Richie out of the game.
Your pal.
PS: BROUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSSARD!
terry,
your wish is granted.
thank you crazy ump at 1st
Our heartfelt thanks to the first base umpire.
Wow Terry, you want to demand anything else today?
Why isn’t he our everyday first baseman? Anyone?
303 – He didn’t let you down…TIE GAME!!!!
BEN BROUSSARD! Maybe John will learn from that
Run things!!!
Thanks for getting booted, Richie!
BIG BEN!!!! ON A HIT AND RUN NO LESS!!! HOLY SHIT!!!!!
303- can you demand I win the lottery next please?
Terry
Demand them (2-run dinger) more often.
Hope this gets Broussard more playing time.
Thanks Richie!
Well beware of regression to the mean…..I just demanded my wife get me a beer and was rebuffed…..
Wow! I just saw a pig fly!
Am I the only one that would be ecstatic to have Jon Garland in a M’s uniform?
Gee. Sean Green sure seemed to cruise through that inning………………………………….Reitsma???????????
BROUUUUUUUUSAR!
GREEEEEENIEEEEE!
No cool nicknames for Reitsma, DFA please, thank you, come again.
328, I would be as well. Of course, that’s depending on a reasonable price
Speechless. This is great!!
KENJI! Nice to see him show some emotion
OK, just to be safe, let’s get four or five runs this inning.
YEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!
Now JJ can extend his new streak
The baseball God’s are giving us a second chance. McLaren played with fire by using Rietsma in anything other then the company softball game, and he was taught a lesson. Let’s hope he learned (oh and please tell me he learned that Ben needs more PT… PLEASE)
So isn’t JJ’s arm going to fall off after two days of more than three out appearances?
“He said he was going to do some things differently,” says Dave Sims of John McLaren.
Yeah, such as mismanage the bullpen.
Way to bail him out, offense!
If they can pull this out, this may be a defining moment for the year. Maybe management will DFA Reitsma and give Broussard more playing time (I’ve given up all hope of seeing Adam Jones this year). Or the management will think that Reitsma’s performance wasn’t that bad, and the M’s won anyway, and stick with Reitsma for the rest of the year.
Wow, what an AB by Willie!
Maybe if Street keeps trying that move, we’ll get lucky and he’ll accidentally balk us in an insurance run.
C’mon Jose
Make em pay
Well, this thing sure didn’t turn out to be a complete game shutout ;-P
Ouch. Looks like the server gave out about 4:19. It’s just not prepared for the outpouring of ecstasy when the M’s fight back against really craptastic pitching and fans get excited about the possibility that the M’s can win.
Fun game. It was hard for me to believe that they had a chance and that they could actually make up for Reitsma’s appalling contribution. Hooray!
Yeah M’s! Continue to mask your inefficiencies with unrealistic performances!
That was quite an emotional ride. Don’t blame the server for a collapse.
Now hope the Angels are exhausted from fighting the Tigers and Mariners win the series.
so, the general consensus seems to be that Sexson had already ticked off Carlson on the check-swing call earlier, and when the runner was called safe on the lay-out play, Sexson said the wrong thing “I said ‘You blew it,’ ” Sexson said. “I should never have said ‘you.’”
can we get the umps to start picking on him more often?
To: John McLaren
From: A Fan
RE: Chris Reitsma, proper usage of
Dear Mac,
I really want you to succeed in your debut as a Big League manager, and thought you could use a little advice. I know it’s been an abrubt transition, so perhaps you haven’t had time to fully develop a usage strategy for Chris Reitsma. As my way of saying “Good Luck” I’ve taken the liberty to put together the following.
Chris Reitsma should be used in the following situations:
1) When the team is trailing by ten or more runs in the eighth inning or later
2) When every other reliever in the bullpen pitched four innings in last night’s 28 inning marathon, and Willie Bloomquist already pinch ran and so is unavailable.
In any other situation, it is vital not to use Reitsma so that he is fresh and ready to come in if one of the above situations occurs.
Thanks, and Good Luck.
M’s team 2-out RBI, last three games:
Today – 9 of 14
Saturday – 2 of 4
Friday – 7 of 7
That ability was apparently all that was lacking through their recent losing streak.
broussard ’08.
raul rally killer.
328 – I would be too.
The same Jon Garland who’s got 61Ks and 44BB in 139.2 innings?
Ecstatic?!
Only if we aquired him one-for-one for Chris Reitsma.
Or Julio Mateo.
That was an awesome game to be at today. Great fun and cheesy music was had all around.
Asked how debilitating a loss Sunday might have been, Ichiro Suzuki said, ”I don’t know, but who cares. We won.”
349: Great post!
Despite the presence of Reitsma, we find a way to win that game because Street also temporarily forgets how to pitch.
Honorable mention, of course, goes to 1B ump Carlson — if Richie doesn’t get tossed, Brou doesn’t get a chance to come up for that clutch hit.
Sign from the baseball gods, Johnny Mac!