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2008 World Series Game 1 Observations
Due to temporary work schedule changes, I won't be watching Games one and two live, so my intent was to avoid everything and everyone so as not to spoil my watching on DVR when I got home. Well, thanks to a couple work buddies and my wife, I knew the final score before tuning in, and other than Carl Crawford's big fly, I didn't get any game info, so watching wasn't so anticlimatic.
After reading through the Live Blog thread, and having seen the game in its entirety, here's my thoughts, just in case one or two of you might give half a loaf.
How cool was it to see Michael Jack read the lineups? I could have turned the TV off right then and been happy.
Seriously, the biggest crowd in Tropicana Field history was for a New Kids on the Block concert? Anyone wanting to defend the area's fan base now has no argument.
In 18 of the last 20 Series, the winner of Game One has won the Championship. Of the last six teams entering the series with more than five days rest, only the 2005 White Sox won Game 1.
Shane Victorino was safe at second on the pickoff attempt in the second inning. By rule, any part of a defensive players body in contact with the base becomes part of the base. So, even though Victorino's hand intially made contact with Jason Bartlett's foot before the bag, he was correctly ruled safe.
If Scott Kazmir is so good, how come the bench calls his pitches?
Speaking of Kazmir, anyone who thinks he's better than Cole Hamels really needs to wake up.
The Phils aren't known for their baserunning abilities, yet they ran twice on 3-0 counts in the second inning. Now you know the benefits of advance scouting.
B.J. Upton may indeed become a great all-round player, but he'll never be the best all-round player in his own family.
Barring injury, Evan Longoria will be a first ballot Hall of Famer. No other player on either roster will get in without a ticket.
When a player earns himself the reputation as being a good hitter, his strikezone shrinks from 17 inches wide to about 10. When you have the reputation of being clueless, impatient hitter, it becomes 20-21 inches wide. Ryan Howard's is two feet.
BJ Upton strands four runners his first three AB's on two double plays and a foul popout. Good thing clutch doesn't exist.
Speaking of Upton, what's with the "ole'" move on Victorino's bloop in the fourth inning? I don't think Victorino's necessarily a better defensive outfielder than Upton, but to say Upton's a top 10 centerfielder is wishful thinking.
I'll bet ten bucks where Pat Burrell's foul fly ended up in the fifth inning was the first ball ever in that section. What that says is a) Scott Kazmir had nothing, and hopefully it didn't take you five innings to figure that out, and, b) he knew what was coming. So, again, advanced scouting.
A 96 mph fastball and an 89 mph slider over a long period of time equals the Hall of Fame. Based on what I've seen so far, David Price is more Vida Blue than Steve Carlton.
A good hitting coach would fix Upton's hitting style by now, too much lower body movement to be consistent despite the no stride approach.
Out of all the guys on both rosters, is it possible to be happier for anyone more than Chris Coste?
Seventh inning, Chase Utley singles to center. On the first pitch to Ryan Howard, he's running. Clearly on a sign, Howard takes an 81 mph changeup right in his happy zone. Told you he is clueless.
On the Hamels balk thing. First, the fake throw to third then to first thing pitchers have been doing the last few years is a balk. If umpires don't call that, how do you expect them to call anything else? Umpires go off pitcher's patterns, like with Andy Pettitte. He has the best move in baseball, and is really close to being a balk. On occasion, he does cross the line, but because his move repeats, it's never called. A balk could have been called because Hamels short-stepped to first, but because Pena was running, there was no deception, therefore, no balk.
While it's a bit too early for people holding tickets for Games Six and Seven to worry, I'd still be calling the Rays front office to inquire on their refund policy.
On to Game 2!!
| This user is a Kansas City Royals fan. |
