Yes, Becky is getting married tomorrow, but there are still many important world events taking place that deserve to be blogged about. Of course, by "important world events" I mean the baseball playoffs and if you were watching, then you know that Game #4 of the ALCS deserves special commentary.
The highlight of the game was seeing Umpire Tim McClelland's version of "Who's On Third?" In yet another example of atrocious baserunning, the Yankees Jorge Posada was being chased back to third as teammate Robinson Cano made his way there from second on a comebacker. Posada had broken for home on contact, which was fine, and it was fine that he allowed himself to be put out while Cano advanced a base. However, it was definitely NOT fine when Posada overran third base and Cano pulled up short, so that no one was occupying third. Angel catcher Mike Napoli, who had been chasing Posada, alertly tagged them both. McClelland, who was all of 5 feet from the play called Posada out, but Cano safe, saying later that he essentially just figured that Cano was on the bag.
Of course, earlier in the game, McClelland ruled that Nick Swisher had left third too soon on a fly ball, when the replays showed that 1) he in fact, did not and 2) that McClelland wasn't even looking at Swisher during the play! For his part, Swisher shouldn't have even been on the bases because a couple batters before, he had been picked off second by a wide margin, but was ruled safe by second base umpire Dale Scott.
Major League Baseball issued a statement yesterday, saying that McClelland would not be allowed to yell, "Hey Abbott!!!" rather than "Play ball!" to start the game. Neither McClelland, nor his seeing-eye dog, Polyphemus had any comment.
The umpiring errors which have occurred throughout the playoffs demonstrates the need for instant replay in baseball--to evaluate umpires at the end of the season.
And speaking of umpires, why was it up to Napoli to adjust his crouch behind the plate to allow home plate umpire Jerry Layne to see the pitches? Hey, Jerry, how about standing up straighter so that you can see over the catcher? How about losing 60 pounds so you can see your feet?
Posada wasn't really with it during the whole game either, as later in the contest, he headed for the dugout after the Yankees turned a double-play. The only trouble was that those were the first two outs of the innning and there was still a runner on third.
While nauseating to see the Yankees win, it was refreshing to watch C. C. Sabathia throw 8 excellent innings on only three days rest. Attention MLB owners and general managers: Everyone used to do it this way. That's one of the reasons pitching was better 40 years ago.
It was also nauseating to watch Scott Kazmir pitch. Requiring 80-some pitches to record 10 outs, Kazmir kept launching balls into the dirt and running up full counts while taking forever between pitches. Napoli had to make so many trips to the mound, and block so many balls with his body, that it's a wonder he didn't collapse from exhaustion by the 5th.
Did anyone else spot Pat Sajak and Kurt Russell in those dugout seats behind home plate? Those have to be the worst seats in the house because the only view those folks have of the plate is the southern end of a north-facing umpire.
Finally, I do have acknowledge Tim McCarver for providing insight in a way that gave credit to his audience for being both observant and knowledgable. Glad you dropped that, "I'm the only person in the stadium who knows what's going on!!!" approach, Tim. Keep it up.
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