Letters to the Editor
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That Pickoff
was critical. Matt Holliday's smash "greeting" of Papelbon knocked him right on his ass AND faceplanted the 2nd baseman.
I've always thought this kind of blast right up the middle at the pitcher's feet sent clear message-- 'get out of the way' here we come. A pitcher getting knocked ass over tea kettle is usually humiliating for the pitcher, and shakes him up. But evidently not Papelbom.
A big hit (HR?) by Hilton at that point might have turned the series around completely. But Hilton never even saw one pitch. "The pickoff" simply deflated those bible thumpers for good. They're pillars of salt.
Papelbom said the signal for 'the pickoff' came from the dugout. Whoever saw it should get an extra share?
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I don't know, King
What did we actually learn from Apodaca? "Blah blah blah throw strikes blah blah blah go get 'em blah blah blah they're afraid of you, or if they're not they should be blah blah blah." I don't care who it is or what the subject is, these "insights" are never worth the opportunity cost of not panning the crowd in search of attractive young women in pink hats.
So here are my top three production pet peeves:
1. Interviews or "sneak-peeks" of any kind. They inevitably bleed over into game time, while the hitter (in a tiny box in the corner of my screen) hits a towering fly ball to the warning track.
2. Close-ups of players/coaches in the dugout, especially in the era of HD. These people are not involved in the game, they're not attractive, and they should be allowed to spit and adjust their noses in private. (Obvious exceptions for people who are actually doing something, like Curt Schilling with his notebook.)
3. Fancy, unreliable graphics. The "FOX Trax" strike zone tells us that if the pitch is in the yellow, it's a strike, and if it's not in the yellow maybe it's a strike and maybe not. But pitches clearly in the yellow don't require the box to begin with. So perhaps the only thing this strike zone does is reinforce the old National League strike zone, with anything above the belt being called a ball (if, of course, said pitch has not already left the stadium).
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Just Some Thoughts
Fox coverage of baseball is overall horrendous, but like King I thought the Apodaca bit was pretty good. Number 1, it's always nice to have Tim McCarver proven wrong and secondly, I thought it was insightful of how a coach tries to calm down his pitcher in that tight situation. I think the whole idea of pitching to contact is lost on lots of baseball fans, and framing the situation to one pitch gets you out of this was interesting.
I also get a kick out of how many sportswriters across the country are handing the title to the Sox already. Didn't they just watch the ALCS? While it's certainly better to be up 2 games than down, I wouldn't count the Rockies out just yet. I think the Notorious one pointed out yesterday that this year is so far like '96, when a well rested Yankee team got smoked by a Braves team that was probably the favorite and just came off a 1 game to 3 comeback by killing the Cards in three straight. And to boot, that Braves team was heading home after going up 2-0.
Finally, I think one of the fringe benefits of the big spending teams is that their scouting departments are usually very strong. I think Boston deserves alot of credit for having apparently scouted this Rockies team very well. There's no better example of that than the called pickoff of Holliday. He was out by a country mile.
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Back in the day...all of 15 years ago?
"Interviews or sneak-peeks of any kind."
Remember when broadcasts were so boring, with only two guys (and I mean males), no sideline reporter, and no interviews of team staff in uniform during a game?
God, I miss that.
Sure, it's one thing during a period change in hockey, or halftime, of a minor league sport (and I watch lots of Arena football and AHL hockey), but this is the World Series, and those inning breaks are short (even with the extra commercials).
Can't they just be left alone to manage their players? And does it pass the "Nuke LaLoosh" test? If they won't say anything more relevatory than "It's a simple game. Throw the ball, hit the ball, catch the ball", the interview is a waste of time.
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I Prefer
To get my second guesses in beforehand.
Francona should sit Ortiz in the first non-DH game. It could come down to a tie game late or the Sox behind but with runners on, maybe 2 out. Then you have Ortiz to insert as a pinch-hitter in the situation of your choice if a tater would really help.
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Oh and the DH thing
Is completely unfair to the National League team. Boston budgets for David Ortiz, and Colorado... well Colorado budgets for Ryan Spilborghs. What are the comparable stats by DH's in the World Series? I would love to see that kind of stat, instead of being told that a guy with 51 RBIs is somehow a significant factor in the Rockies' success. And no, the NL team has no comparable advantage in their home stadium.
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Couple of things
I agree that the sounds of the game feature was better used last night. However, to play the strategy of a pitching coach a mere thirty seconds after his meeting could be dangerous. Once the opposing team figures this out, then it could be used against their opponent. Case in point. When Apodaca basically told his pitcher to get back to where he was, which was throwing fastballs, this info could have been relayed to the Boston hitters. Message: Sit on the fastball.
Also on a lighter note. The dancing freak spoiled kid behind home plate? Lose him. Not cute .. obnoxious. Not funny ... scary!
I still have the Rockies in 7.
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Observations
1. Writers who picked the Rockies - like you King - haven't been paying attention to the teams in question over the long haul. Both teams are very good. Both teams came in hot. But the Sox play in a better league and have greater depth. Anyone who seriously questions this just isn't paying attention.
2. David Ortiz will play 2 of 3 in Colorado. Only reason he will sit is because his knee is hurt, so they'll rest him against the first left starter they see. Lowell and Youkilis will split the other two games at third.
3. Let's be clear here. The rules concerning the use of the Dh are not unfair to either team. They have been in place for almost 30 years now - failure to adjust is evidence of incompetance, not unfairness.
4. Anyone complaining about a competitive advantage gained by either team from the replaying of coaches' comments right after they're made has a point. But the fault lies not with FOX but with the Rockies for being stupid enough to agree to have a microphone put on one of their coaches. Really .. what were they thinking here?
Is the series over? Of course not. But the Sox are prohibitive favorites and to pick the Rockies now is to admit that you are thinking with your gut and not your brain. (BTW - not a criticism. All fans do it.)