2011 MLB Season

[Brad]

The Washington Post's Thomas Boswell, who covered 1975's Game 6, seems to think last night's game was actually more dramatic and memorable than the storied Reds-Red Sox epic:

2011 Game 6

Anthony DiComo says it ranks among the best WS games ever and points out that

Until Thursday, no team in World Series history had rallied to overcome a ninth-inning deficit and an extra-inning deficit in the same game.

I don't think there's any doubt about it. What this game had in common with game 6 of 1986 and 1975 was that the game was fairly oridnary until the last few innings, and, boy, were those some innings.

We know the Cards and the crowd will be sky high but what do they have left in the tank. How will Texas react. The closest point of comparison is game 6 of 1986. There the Red Sox, loser of game 6, in the worst way you can imagine until now, reacted well. They jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but couldn't hold it. Who knows if it will wind up the same way and if Texas lose how they will react in 2012. Probably won't know that answer for a while.

[JSngry]

I can't watch anymore.

I hear you, man. That "one strike away" thing, two innings in a row, the whole family sitting there together tearing up in happiness, then shocked dry, then going through the whole thing again, riding that roller-coaster that finally went off the rails...I went to bed numb and woke up pretty much dead...seems that the whole Metroplex, ourfamily included, was riding this "tonight's the night" wave, and it so was...twice...and then, no, it's not. My intellect told me going in that losing this game was a real possibility, but my Spider Sense said, no, not gonna happen. And nothing offered a warning about the way it would be lost.

I have a gig tonight, playing at a restaurant. Not sure if there's a TV or not. Kinda hope not. I might just DVR the game, check the final on the way home, and if we lose, just erase the thing. I don't want to get bitter, not about this team, not about this year. So many big plays, so many heroes, so much to believe in. Bitterness in the face of all that would be wholly inappropriate.

Pain would not be, but I've got enough of that right now that any more would tempt the bitterness to come, so....not gonna go there.

And if we win, hey, it will be a very dry happiness that I feel, I'm sure. All the emotions came out yesterday. All of them.

[Joe]

I can't watch anymore.

I hear you, man. That "one strike away" thing, two innings in a row, the whole family sitting there together tearing up in happiness, then shocked dry, then going through the whole thing again, riding that roller-coaster that finally went off the rails...I went to bed numb and woke up pretty much dead...seems that the whole Metroplex, ourfamily included, was riding this "tonight's the night" wave, and it so was...twice...and then, no, it's not. My intellect told me going in that losing this game was a real possibility, but my Spider Sense said, no, not gonna happen. And nothing offered a warning about the way it would be lost.

I have a gig tonight, playing at a restaurant. Not sure if there's a TV or not. Kinda hope not. I might just DVR the game, check the final on the way home, and if we lose, just erase the thing. I don't want to get bitter, not about this team, not about this year. So many big plays, so many heroes, so much to believe in. Bitterness in the face of all that would be wholly inappropriate.

Pain would not be, but I've got enough of that right now that any more would tempt the bitterness to come, so....not gonna go there.

And if we win, hey, it will be a very dry happiness that I feel, I'm sure. All the emotions came out yesterday. All of them.

That's exactly how it was.

I could probably take it, really. But my wife can't, and I sure as hockey sticks ain't putting her through anything like that again.

[JSngry]

The thing this drives home is that although for spectators, competitive sports is amusement, a vehicle for emotional projection, a means of establishing regional identity, etc., for the people who actually play, it's work. And not just any work, but work in which there is zero chance of your work being perfectly executed every time, and even when it is...good lord, when Josh hit that homer in the 10th..was that not "it"? What more could any man do? but then the bottom of the 10th..was that Rangers' pitching folding or Cardinals' hitting rallying? Darren Oliver, Scott Feldman, no hard throwers there, probably not a lot of arm fatigue going on, and they have both been superb. AND it's the freakin' bottom of the order! What happened should not, under any reasonable set of expectations, happened.

But it happened. Some other day, you have the same hitters up against the same pitchers and nothing happens. Go figure. Whatever allowed the "fail" part of their probabilities to occur happened. For us, it's maddening, but for them...I'm sure it's disappointing, but they know that it's also a part of their job for stuff like this to happen. That's how most of them are able to go home, go to bed, and come back to work the next day, quite often again performing back to expectations.

I was hoping that writing this stuff would be therapeutic, but it's not.

[Tim McG]

One word: Pitching.

[Dave James]

One word: Pitching.

And for the Rangers, finding a right fielder who doesn't play the ball like it's live ammunition.

[Quincy]

I hear you, man. That "one strike away" thing, two innings in a row, the whole family sitting there together tearing up in happiness, then shocked dry, then going through the whole thing again...

Not to compare the great game of baseball to tennis, but that reminded of overcoming match points in Wimbledon.

Same deal as others, I still vividly recall Game 6 of '75 (and I own the '75 World Series DVD set and watched it all again a couple of years ago) and there have been other crazy games not mentioned on the list Brad provided, such as the shootout between the '93 Phils & Blue Jays, the entire '95 ALDS between the M's & Yankees, Mazerowski too, but what you went through with your deep investment this year - oh god, well I can imagine but shit...(Yeah, I'm an eloquent guy.)

I didn't fall asleep until until 1 (the benefits of Pacific time ) and got up before sunrise. It's just such an electric feeling that I wasn't sure baseball was still capable of giving me. It's kind of nice to know that that part of me isn't dead yet.

As far as the ratings nonsense I have a feeling they'll do quite nicely tonight. The Indians-Marlins series didn't do well in the ratings until it got near the end.

Man! Neither one of these teams has guys who quit, so while surely there's no way tonight's game can approach last night's I don't think either team can feel their lead is safe.

One word: Pitching.

And for the Rangers, finding a right fielder who doesn't play the ball like it's live ammunition.

I haven't read to confirm but I almost think he pulled his groin when going for the triple. Isn't there a bit of an oblique problem as well? I know the last or 2nd to last HR he hit in the ALCS he was grimacing and touching it (the oblique, not the groin.)

Edited October 28, 2011 by Quincy

[Neal Pomea]

Series mvp? If Texas wins, I vote Napoli. If St Louis wins? Maybe tonight's hero?

I was surprised Napoli stayed in the game last night. He looked really hurt.

[ghost of miles]

When oh when is karma gonna rise up and smack Lance Berkman in the mouth?

I was thinking about that when he was up in the bottom of the 10th and had two strikes on him with two outs--it certainly was an A-Rod 2010 ALCS final moment waiting to happen for you guys.

[Quincy]

Series mvp? If Texas wins, I vote Napoli. If St Louis wins? Maybe tonight's hero?

I was surprised Napoli stayed in the game last night. He looked really hurt.

That was a squeamish moment not knowing for sure what happened, then seeing the ankle go like that on the replay.

It's happened before in the Super Bowl and I wouldn't opposed to giving Napoli the MVP even if the Cardinals win tonight. Obviously though if say Mr. Freese were to be dramatic tonight that could pretty much slam dunk the choice.

Ooooo, I'm feeling giddy.

[Brad]

I was hoping that writing this stuff would be therapeutic, but it's not.

We are fans and we live and die with our teams. It's not supposed to be therapeutic. The joys of winning and the lows of losing drive that out. It's like being a manic depressive.

I'm reminded of the comment about football by the great Liverpool manager Bill Shankly: 'Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.'

Thus, forget therapy. Didn't George Allen say something like you die a little bit each time you lose?

Edited October 28, 2011 by Brad

[JSngry]

One word: Pitching.

And for the Rangers, finding a right fielder who doesn't play the ball like it's live ammunition.

I haven't read to confirm but I almost think he pulled his groin when going for the triple. Isn't there a bit of an oblique problem as well? I know the last or 2nd to last HR he hit in the ALCS he was grimacing and touching it (the oblique, not the groin.)

Groin is definitely pulled, multiple reports confirm this. Not sure when it occurred, but it might have been the at bat in the inning before the triple.

Ordinarily, Nellie gets to that ball, so I got to think it was already pulled. But the only available replacement was Esteban German, so...of all the places that ball could have gone, that was the one where it went. Freakin' game of inches...

Obliques and hamstrings have been issues all season for Cruz, but he was all healed up going into the post-season.

I expect him & Napoli both to be out there this evening. Can't see them not fighting to the finish, no matter what, not unless something is seriously jacked.

[JSngry]

I was hoping that writing this stuff would be therapeutic, but it's not.

We are fans and we live and die with our teams. It's not supposed to be therapeutic. The joys of winning and the lows of losing drive that out. It's like being a manic depressive.

I'm reminded of the comment about football by the great Liverpool manager Bill Shankly: 'Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.'

Thus, forget therapy. Didn't George Allen say something like you die a little bit each time you lose?

See, I'm not a really big "sports fan", not in the sense that I live and die with my teams (and the Rangers really are the only team I consider "mine")...I've never really considered that "healthy", so I've allowed myself a certain, at times large, amount of emotional investment, but never really rode the whole emotional roller coaster. Closest I've ever come was with the Avery Johnson era-Mavs, and these Rangers are so not like that bunch. This team...they've been so refreshing on so many levels, athletic, cultural, personal, you name it...

Ah, never mind. Game 7 has yet to be played, and it's not right to send a thank you note until after the party is over and everybody's gotten back home. But win or lose, one is definitely due.

[Dave James]

I've not seen Cruz play all that much, but there was post-game talk on several fronts last night about his Bobby Abreu-like defensive skill-set, i.e. not getting along all that well with outfield walls. If he was hurt in a manner that effected his mobility, he should have said something to Washington. I know he's a gamer, but sometimes taking one for the team is the best move a guy can make. FWIW, it looked to me like he had a pretty good angle on the ball and went hard after it, but for some reason just slowed down when he got to the warning track...right when it looked like he had things under control.

Edited October 28, 2011 by Dave James

[Brad]

I agree that if you get wrapped up in it too much it's not healthy. Back in 1988, I thought the Mets were the best team that year. They should have gone all the way. Anyway, they're up 2-1 against the Dodgers and blow game 4 in the ninth inning. I went to that game and when I got home I couldn't sleep for the next two days. I was that upset. After it was all over and they lost (still a bitter pill to this day), I came to the realization that I had been too wrapped up in it and took a step back. I still yell at the TV and all that and get excited when they win but not like I was back in 1988. It's only a game

[Joe]

When oh when is karma gonna rise up and smack Lance Berkman in the mouth?

I was thinking about that when he was up in the bottom of the 10th and had two strikes on him with two outs--it certainly was an A-Rod 2010 ALCS final moment waiting to happen for you guys.

If St. Louis pulls this out, I have to believe Berkman walks away with the MVP. His average over the course of this series is Teddy Ballgame-esque (see, I'm trying to hit him with a little of that pre-'04 Red Sox mojo).

Seriously, the minute Fox put up that bottom of the 9th inning graphic showing the Cubs, Indians and then (gulp) Rangers as the baseball franchises that have gone the longest without a championship, I had a feeling bad things were about to happen.

[Neal Pomea]

Seriously, the minute Fox put up that bottom of the 9th inning graphic showing the Cubs, Indians and then (gulp) Rangers as the baseball franchises that have gone the longest without a championship, I had a feeling bad things were about to happen.

I believe the Colt 45s/Astros are only one year "younger" than the expansion Senators/Rangers and they have never won a World Series.

[JSngry]

Seriously, the minute Fox put up that bottom of the 9th inning graphic showing the Cubs, Indians and then (gulp) Rangers as the baseball franchises that have gone the longest without a championship, I had a feeling bad things were about to happen.

...and the Rangers and the Astros as the only two without any...

[Patrick]

Brewers and Padres have existed about as long as the Texas version of Senators/Rangers, and they are also in the no titles category.

[Neal Pomea]

I may have some expansion teams missing but I think it goes like this. Corrections welcome.

1961

Washington Senators (now Texas Rangers -- never won a Series)

Los Angeles Angels

1962

New York Mets

Houston Colt 45s/Astros (never won a Series)

1969

Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals (never even been to a Series)

San Diego Padres (never won a Series)

Seattle Pilots/Milwaukee Brewers (never won a Series)

Kansas City Royals

1977

Toronto Blue Jays

Seattle Mariners (never won a Series)

1993

Florida Marlins

Colorado Rockies (never won a Series)

1998

Arizona Diamondbacks

Tampa Devil Rays (never won a Series)

Edited October 28, 2011 by Neal Pomea

[JSngry]

Really, the Rangers organization as it has finally fallen into place (centered around Nolan Ryan & Jon Daniels) has been less than a decade in coming together. I mean, I consider the Tom Hicks years The Lost Years...they never really happened. Or something... And before that...good lord...Bob Short? Eddie Chiles? They always cared enough to offer a fun product, not never enough to offer a truly serious baseball team. Even the ownership group that W. was a part of...they meant well, but they really didn't have a clue.

I know that's not how it works in the record books, 50 years is 50 years, but the legacy of poor ownership and bad (or at least not-thorough-enough) baseball decisions has been this franchise's legacy since Day One, interrupted only by the Tom Schieffer-Doug Melvin-Johnny Oates days of the late 1990's. And Hicks pretty much did a Sherman through Atlanta on that.

So on the one hand, it's been 50 years. But in terms of current culture, it's not really been that long, and back-to-back World Series appearances is a damn impressive feat. The team and organization are finally getting some recognition and respect.

But in terms of turning the page once and for all on the travesties, the cynicisms, the self-inflicted indignities of the past, nothing would say "it's ok, we're home now" than a win tonight. In so many ways, that would be a turning of so many pages, like none other. The final confirmation that a new legacy was underway.

But if not, at least we now where home is now. And good lord willing, we ain't never going back to where from whence we came.

Edited October 28, 2011 by JSngry

[Tim McG]

One word: Pitching.

And for the Rangers, finding a right fielder who doesn't play the ball like it's live ammunition.

True dat.

But I'll tell you this: Texas had that game won three times, but that shakey bullpen couldn't put it away.

[Dave James]

Mobile phone alert sent out at 11:33 last night by Dallas TV station KDFW. Sort of like the digital equivalent of "Dewey Defeats Truman". Between this and the squirrel, it's no wonder we're looking at a 7th game.

[JSngry]

You think that's bad...you should see their local pre- & post-game coverage...I'm not sure that they even know what baseball is...

[Neal Pomea]

My local news station this morning showed Freese swinging his home run swing then cut it off to go to a story on "What's trending on Twitter?", not even showing the ball crossing the fence or Freese running home.