Category Archives: sports

Devil Rays at Athletics (McClung vs. Zito)

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On Friday night the A’s stranded 15 runners and only managed to scratch out one run against the improved, but still lowly, Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The offense was similarly inept on Saturday, with a sac-fly by Bobby Crosby and RBI single by Mark Kotsay accounting for the Athletics’ two runs through eight innings. Although Barry Zito ran deep counts regularly, he allowed only 6 baserunners (5 H, 1 BB) in 7 innings, three of whom were erased on double plays. His only major mistake was a HR to Russ Branyan. Justin Duchscherer pitched the eighth and made one mistake of his own, serving up a HR ball to pinch-hitter Greg Norton. Joe Kennedy recovered from near meltdown, and worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth. He earned the win as Oakland got some help from Aubrey Huff to eek out a 3-2 victory.

[Update: The A’s left another 12 runners on base today and lost to Tampa again, 3-2.]

What I would like to focus on are three weird plays involving Jay Payton: Three weird plays involving Jay Payton:

  • In the bottom of the fourth, Payton was at the plate with Adam Melhuse on second and Bobby Crosby on third and no outs, Payton lifted a fly ball to relatively shallow center field. Crosby got ready to tag up at third, and CF Joey Gathright set himself up for a throw to the plate. But after the outfielder made the catch, Crosby started and stopped toward the plate. Gathright held the ball an few seconds, and then Crosby dashed for the plate. Only then did he get the ball back to the infield, but not in time to prevent the A’s from taking a 1-0 lead. The moral of the story: get the ball back to the infield!
  • In the bottom of the second, the A’s had Jay Payton on first with Dan Johnson at the plate. The count went to 2-1, but apparently the scoreboard read 3-1. So when the next pitch was a ball, Johnson tossed his bat toward the dugout, and Payton trotted to second. After a moment, the mistake was realized, and Johnson was called back to the plate, but Payton was safely on second, credited with a stolen base. It turned out that Johnson walked on the next pitch anyway, but it was a strange scene.
  • With no outs in the bottom of the ninth, the A’s had Johnson on first, Payton on second, and Marco Scutaro at the plate. Scutaro hit a soft little liner toward short. It was definitely catchable, so the runners had to hold, but Rays SS Julio Lugo let the ball fall. Now the runners are in trouble, because they’re forced to advance. Lugo tosses to second, forcing Johnson out. 2b Ty Wigginton then threw to third ahead of Payton, who headed back toward second. Meanwhile, Scutaro is motoring around first base, trying to at least keep a runner in scoring position. 3b Aubrey Huff tried to cut off the retreating Payton by throwing to Lugo, who was between second and third, but he got by unscathed, and Lugo tossed back to Wigginton covering second as both Payton and Scutaro arrived. Payton dove in safely, but since a base can only be occupied by one runner at a time, Wigginton just turned around and tagged Scutaro. So the result of the play, scored a 6-4-5-6-4 double play, was that the A’s had a runner (Payton) on second with two outs and Jason Kendall coming to the plate. The A’s won the game as a grounder off the bat of Kendall went through Huff’s legs, scoring Payton, and sending the fans home happy.

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    Right where they belong

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    If you would have told me that at the end of April, the A’s would have one starting pitcher with a winning record, the lowest batting average in the league, and suffered injuries to Harden, Street, Crosby, Bradley, and Loaiza, I’d tell you that the A’s were in trouble.

    If you would have told me that at the end of April, Eric Chavez and Nick Swisher were on fire, Frank Thomas had played almost every game, and the bullpen was as dominating as ever, I’d tell you that they were running away with the division.

    Fitting then that at the end of April, they sit at 12-12.

    Ain’t nothing about this phony

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    [New York Metropolitans]
    Looking at the standings with 5% of the season completed, who’s the best team in baseball? This season is the most excited I’ve been for Mets baseball since the ’99 campaign, when New York sported the best defensive infield (ever?) and ended an 11 year postseason drought.

    Despite questions about personnel (Julio over Bell? Hernandez over Keppinger?) and lineup construction (couldn’t we drop LoDuca to 7?), this team will go as far as the starting pitching takes them. The offense should score runs in bunches. Beltran, Delgado, Wright, and Floyd comprise the most dangerous string of hitters in the NL, and Reyes, LoDuca, and Nady are fine complementary pieces. The bullpen is reasonably solid from back to front with Wagner, Heilman, Sanchez, and Bradford. But there are concerns at all five spots in the rotation:

  • Pedro is fragile. And without Pedro, this team is in big trouble.
  • Each of Glavine’s seasons with the Mets have been lights out one half, lit up the other. Will this be the year he puts two solid halves together?
  • Zambrano is the definition of inconsistent. Not only from game to game, but inning to inning. When he’s on, he’s as good as anyone. But there’s no way to predict when that will be.
  • Trachsel eats innings, generally effectively. But he’s coming off back surgery, and hey, it’s Steve Trachsel, not Steve Carlton.
  • Bannister was excellent in spring training and was good in his first two starts, but hitters will adjust during his second pass facing the league.

    • It would be a huge advantage if Julio or Bell developed into a reliable option in relief, so that Heilman could be moved into the rotation, if necessary, with no ill-effects on the ‘pen. However, even with these potential problems, the Mets are a serious playoff contender. The NL is quite weak outside of St. Louis, and their offense should provide enough run support to get through a rough patch here and there by the rotation.

    Before the season started, I said the Mets were the best team in the league on paper, and they’re backing it up on the field. If Cliff Floyd is right that “Ain’t nothing about this phony,” then it’s going to be a great summer.

    Yankees at Athletics (Mussina vs. Harden)

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    Marco!

    For the first time in four years, I did not attend Opening Day at the Coliseum this year. It was probably for the best, as Athletics’ fans aspirations for a championship run was tempered by the Yankees 15-run pummeling of the green and gold, sending our “ace” Barry Zito after recording only four outs. Of course, I was more interested in Game 2’s matchup, pitting New York veteran Mike Mussina against our true frontman, Rich Harden. Before the game, we were dealt a blow bigger than the previous day’s loss: SS Bobby Crosby was out with a gashed finger, forcing into the lineup Marco Scutaro, who has to fight for a roster every spring but seems to come up with key hits throughout the season.

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    Kirby Puckett, 1960-2006

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    To say that Kirby Puckett was my favorite baseball player when I was growing up would be an understatement. Ten years of my life were spent on a quest to acquire every baseball card of his and fill my room with other extraneous memorabilia (e.g. the Kirby Puckett candy bar, pancake mix, and Christmas card from the Pucketts). He was supposed be one of those rare players that are good role models on and off the field. Basically, nobody had anything bad to say about him through his career and induction into the Hall of Fame.

    Then we learned that away from the game Kirby was far from perfect. It’s not clear to what extent it was deserved, but nobody has had much good to say about the man for the past few years. I disowned my hero. Perhaps I should have payed attention to that ABC After School Special or very special episodes of Blossom and Saved By the Bell.

    Since Kirby passed away earlier this week, people have been sending me condolences like he was a family member. It’s quite a strange phenomenon, and I’ve had mixed feelings about my former idol.

    This is what I’ve worked out so far. Kirby Puckett was one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Despite the disadvantages of a poor upbringing and suboptimal physique, he became one of the 15,000+ professionals in the sport’s history, led his team to two championships, and became the most recognizable figure in an entire state. He played with joy, passion, and respect for the game. He chose to stay with one team for his entire career despite the opportunity for a higher salary. Puckett gave back to his native and adopted communities. He was grateful to have the chance to play the game, and not bitter that his career ended early. These are to be admired regardless of whatever else Puckett has done.

    Whether it was the result of his meager youth, abrupt end to his playing career, or the hubris of celebrity, Puckett’s life was certainly not as pristine as we believed. Here’s hoping that his wish to have his organs donated are a closer representation of the man than what we’ve heard over his last few years.

    (Twins blogger extraordinaire Aaron Gleeman is having the similar mixed emotions.)

    Giants baseball! Catch the fever! How about for $100?

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    In their new radio advertising campaign, the Giants offer to pay a guy on the street $100 to paint his face black and orange. The guy is about to accept, when he realizes that the painters are going to put the interlocking SF logo on his face. He then changes his mind, declares his allegeance to the Cubs, and leaves. The Giants people then make some derogatory comment about the Cubs fan.

    I’m not sure who’s in charge of advertising over there in ‘Frisco, but a career change might be in order. First, no real fan of any team other than the Giants would allow an orange SF on his/her face, $100 or not. Secondly, is this really how the Giants want to build a fan base? By paying people?

    Why don’t they just cut to the chase: Come see Barry,* eat garlic fries, and surf the net between Barry’s at-bats!

    *Not applicable on Sundays or during steroid investigations.

    ND at Stanford: Nailbiter at the Farm

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    Despite putting up 663 yd offense and holding Stanford to a negative rushing total, ND made several costly mistakes and was actually losing this game with 1:46 to go. Almost all of these miscues were on special teams (basically 14 points given away), but Quinn threw two interceptions and the DBs got beat on a few deep balls. Nevertheless, when ND needed a score, the offense stormed down the field and put up 8 points to reclaim the lead, and the defense stood tough after giving up an 80 yard scoring drive on the previous series.

    The Good:

  • 1000 yd rusher: 35 rush for 186 yd, TD, 2-pt conversion, 5 rec for 55 yd.
  • 1000 yd receiver #1: 8 rec for 191 yd, 2 TD.
  • 1000 yd receiver #2: 7 rec for 136 yd, TD.
  • 3000 yd passer, second half edition: 16/19 for 257, TD.
  • Defense: -11 yd rushing allowed, 7 sacks.

    • The Bad:

  • Special teams: Missed extra point, 2 Missed FG, allowed kickoff return for TD.
  • Quinn, first half edition: 9/19 for 175 yd, 2 TD, but 2 INT.

    • The Ugly:

  • Did I mention special teams?

    • Now begins the whining by Oregon and others about how they (10-1 record) deserve to go to the BCS over ND (finish 9-2). The common argument for ND is that our fans travel well and the TV broadcast will get good ratings. While that is true, I would prefer that our team went to a big game because we deserve it, not because we’re popular. In terms of comparison to Oregon, I certainly feel that we’re worthy. ND had four games decided by 7 points or less (7 point wins at Michigan and Stanford, 3 point losses vs Mich. St. and USC) and demolished the others by an average of three touchdowns. Oregon was destroyed by USC (45-13), and squeeked by Arizona, Cal, Fresno St., and Washington St. They did take care of business against the rest of their cupcake schedule, but it’s not a convincing argument that they are a better team than ND. If Oregon wants to complain about a team that doesn’t belong in the BCS, talk to West Virginia.

    One other note about Saturday’s contest: Stanford began destruction of the Stadium immediately after the game, and not a moment too soon. The only thing that separates that place from Waldwick High School’s field is the number of people it can hold.

    ND vs. Syracuse: Senior Day

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    Yes, Syracuse is a terrible football team, but they do have a good defense. So while we were supposed to win handily, it is meaningful that the offense put up 27 points on those guys. There was a bit of a slow start, and Quinn again didn’t seem to be as crisp as usual, but I think maybe we’re getting spoiled with this team, expecting them to score on every possession. Most importantly however, we got a win for those seniors that had to endure the roller coaster O’Davieham era.

    The Good:

  • Defense, top to bottom.
  • Emptying the sidelines on Senior Day.
  • Stovall: 3 rec for 91 yd and another circus TD catch.
  • Quinn: 21/37 for 270, 2 TD.

    • The Bad:

  • Missed FG, then blocked FG.
  • Not getting to watch the Navy game.

    • The Ugly:

  • No flag on a play where a Syracuse defender ripped Walker’s helmet off by the facemask.

    • Next week, we welcome ND back to the Bay Area for the season finale with Stanford.

    In other news, the axe is still baxe in Berkeley, St. John’s rolls in the DIII tourney (62-3 over Monmouth), and Michigan can’t ever help us out.

    ND vs. Tennessee: Travelling in opposite directions

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    It really felt like Quinn was having an off day, yet he threw for nearly 300 yd and 3 TD against a defense that had only allowed 3 TD through the air in all of its previous games combined. We’re getting spoiled with this guy.

    The Good:

  • Zbikowski: 78 yd punt return for TD and 33 yd interception return for TD.
  • Samardzija: 7 rec for 127 yd, extends consecutive games with a TD to 7.
  • Stovall: 2 rec for 41 yd, TD, and some key downfield blocks, springing big gains for others.
  • Scoring 20 unanswered points after UT tied it at 21. This team has character.

    • The Bad:

  • Tackling was hideous at times.
  • 3 fumbles (2 lost).

    • The Ugly:

  • That Volunteer orange.

    • Here’s another win that before the season, we’d be ecstatic to get, but with all of UT’s problems, it was a game we were supposed to win. I find those games worrisome, because you know that a team ranked #3 preseason is talented, and they just might put it all together at the worst possible time for us.

    The Fighting Spirit (Lou Holtz)

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    [The Fighting Spirit (Lou Holtz)]In the buildup to the ND/USC game this year, I picked up this one at Odie’s place to satiate my school spirit. I happened to be reading the chapter on the Miami game as ND prepared for this year’s contest against USC. That certainly fed my excitement about the epic clash. Maybe the comparison can be made with other coaches as well, but there seemed to be quite a few similarities between the way Holtz and Weis talk about their teams. Both are very focused on taking the season one game at a time. There is very little time to celebrate a victory, because in seven days, that victory is meaningless. Both are perfectionists; they look for flaws in the performance and seek to improve, even after blowout victories. However, the criticism is usually placed on a team as a whole and all facets of the game are evaluated with equal rigor. That said, both are quick to praise their players publicly, usually by name. In terms of strategy, they’ll beat you with what’s working. For example, Holtz had games where ND rarely threw the ball. This year, we’ve had games where we hardly ever ran. Balance is overrated if you’re winning. Anyway, it’s not the most well written book ever, but I sure got fired up for that USC game because of it.