Regardless of how this postseason ends up (please, not the Yankees winning, please), we have already had more than our share of exciting, close games, with controversial umpiring calls, clutch hitting by various players, and misplays at the worst possible time.
There's absolutely no doubt that Maicer Izturis made the wrong decision late last night (if you missed it, it was shortly after midnight Chicago time) in trying to turn a double play with Yankees on first and second and one out in the 13th inning. It had been raining for a while, conditions were poor, and the ball was likely wet when Izturis, trying for a throw to 2B, flung the ball in the general direction of short left field, where Chone Figgins picked it up with no chance to get Jerry Hairston Jr., who scored the winning run.
Jerry Hairston. Winning run. In a league championship series game. Yes, the same Jerry Hairston who, as one of Dusty Baker's "horses" in 2006, hit an Aaron-Miles-like .207/.253/.244 in 82 at-bats before being exiled to Texas (for Phil Nevin), where he hit a not-much-better .206/.270/.253 in 88 AB. And now, he's two wins from being in the World Series.
Anyway, had Izturis made the proper choice and thrown to first for an easy out, the Yankees would have had runners on second and third with two out and Jorge Posada at bat -- the game had a chance, at least, to go to the 14th inning. Nevertheless, even with the crushing loss, the Angels will have a shot at evening up the series at home starting tomorrow. Many teams have come back from 0-2 deficits to win a seven-game series.
Meanwhile, if you liked watching baseball with players wearing hats with earflaps and rain pouring down, you'll love tonight's forecast for the Philadelphia area. I'm guessing many people here won't be watching the game tonight, instead tuned to some other game in some other sport on some other channel.
Dodgers at Phillies, 7:07 pm CDT. Series tied 1-1. TV: TBS. Announcers: Chip Caray, Buck Martinez and Ron Darling.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Dodgers site True Blue LA and Phillies site The Good Phight.
0 recs | 58 comments
Poor Angels. These two games haven’t been very representative of how good they have been all year.
dtpollitt - October 18, 2009 via mobile
A couple points:
Earlier this postseason, we discussed the ex-Cubs factor on teams still playing. I boldly proclaimed the Yankees were destined to lose on the Hairston/Gaudin factor alone. I’m not bitter or anything, but it’s really annoying how they’re on the verge or going to a World Series.
When I saw the Angles 2B (I thought it was Aybar all along), I immediately thought, “this dingbat is gonna want the DP. Throw to 1B, dumbass.” And in a fraction of a second, he pooped his pants. There are poor fundamentals all over MLB, which makes me feel a bit better about the Cubs’ season of comedy.
chilango2 - October 18, 2009
The Yankees have one other ex-Cub.
Jose Molina. Yep. Look here.
Al Yellon - October 18, 2009
Well, what do you know?
Thank you for that nugget. I really don’t remember him being here at all.
chilango2 - October 18, 2009
I remember being surprised when he was simply released.
Because for the next four years, the Cubs could have used a backup catcher like him.
Al Yellon - October 18, 2009
Actually
Lately (mostly, since 2003 – yes, that’s lately for me), I mostly think that the Cubs are so much better than the Cubs standard of (1969-2009) that I am used to. It has gotten better — really, trust me.
vonde6 - October 18, 2009
its amazing how scrubs like hairston gaudin and gathright managed to get on contending teams
jesus christos - October 18, 2009
Very Scott Eyre-ish
calicubfan - October 19, 2009
Closers
It has not been a great playoff for closers, either.
dmlichte - October 18, 2009
Not sure why we should hate the Yankees.
As far as I’m concerned, I’d be very happy to see the Cubs become the Yankees of the NL, with the assets that the Cubs have access to. What the Yankees accomplish should be the high-water mark for big market teams to aspire to.
Since it has been a long time since the Yankees beat the Cubs in the 1935 World Series, I’m OK with it.
I can do nothing about small markets v. big markets. That’s the way the game is structured.
I have no problems with the Yankees winning. I envy their accomplishments, I do not dislike them. That, I save for the Cardinals. And, with their early exit, I’ve seen all I need to this post-season.
Now, on to saving Cristobel Huet’s career.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - October 18, 2009
I'd love for the Cubs to enjoy success like the Yankees
It’s just, to me, I’d rather see the Cubs develop and use talent that they have drafted, not plugged numerous holes with expensive free-agent signings.
If we’re going to ask the Cubs to use the Red Sox Model or the Yankees Model when it comes to franchise-building, I’d rather go with the Red Sox Model that they’ve employed over the last 7 seasons or so. Plus, it’s a remarkably similar plan to the one used by Gene Michael when he got run the Yankees 15 years ago.
Bill Potter - October 18, 2009
Didn't the Red Sox get swept
By a team in a 2-0 hole in the LCS?
Just sayin’…
Clutch16 - October 18, 2009
C'mon
The key players in the breakthrough 2004 team were bought and paid for.
vonde6 - October 18, 2009
But the 2007 team was developed from within.
And some of the other players on that team were traded for, using developed prospects. That’s what I want – the flexibility to sign and trade players while simultaneously developing a strong Minor League system.
Bill Potter - October 19, 2009
I have no reason to hate the Yankees either
I’m not a Red Sox or Mets fan so I could care less what they do.
A Yankees/Cubs World Series one day would be an amazing series!
ak123 - October 18, 2009
I was hoping for this in 2003.
It would have been fitting for the Cubs to win their first Championship in 95 years by beating the winningest franchise in baseball on the 100th Anniversary of the World Series.
Okay, I’m going to stop thinking about that year now…
Goodie1969 - October 18, 2009
I wanted Red Sox/Cubs
This was obviously before Red Sox won in 2004…that World Series would have been extremely historical.
ak123 - October 18, 2009
Just as long as no one points their bat at the Cubs' bench...
Clutch16 - October 18, 2009
or just past their bullpen.
Zy Toro Young - October 18, 2009 via mobile
Epic game last night.....
Bear Down!
JB 23 - October 18, 2009
Jerry Hairston, Jr. (along with some guy whose name is too holy to be mentioned on such a profane site)
might be the greatest evidence Cubs fans will ever see that Rudy Jaramillo is a great teacher of the mechanics of hitting. JHJ has become a very serviceable utilityman since his sojourn in Tejas.
One question: will Rudy come to the Cubs with a manager who is a former hitting coach who likes to stick his nose into the hitting coach’s business — then fire him to create a scapegoat?
DeRoMyHero - October 18, 2009
So you're predicting failure?
Or what? It’s Sunday and hypothetical questions are just not clicking for me today.
Good to see you around here.
chilango2 - October 18, 2009
I'm just speculating
as to why Rudy would come to the Cubs when other teams’ managers will gladly stay out of his way.
Remember what happened when Gerald Perry was working with Felix Pie and Lou stepped in and made some changes? When Felix decided that he wasn’t comfortable with Lou’s changes, he went back to what he had been working on with GP. Lou responded by benching him four games into the 2008 season and burying him forever.
DeRoMyHero - October 18, 2009
Why does anyone who has a choice want to come to Chicago?
They want to be here when the Cubs finally do win it all so they can eat and drink for free for the rest of their life!
ballhawk - October 18, 2009
I hadn't thought about the free drinks...
I thought that they came to the Cubs because of Jim Hendry’s remarkable personality and extreme willingness to overpay…
DeRoMyHero - October 18, 2009
I'm glad CBS switched away from the Patriots-Titans game
That game is just plain ugly. Bellichick called a time out with 17 seconds remaining so Brady could make another TD pass before the end of the half to make the game 45-0. Freakin yikes. Say what you want about Bellichick, but the Titans obviously suck.
Ace Venom - October 18, 2009
OK, how about this?
Belichick is a jerk, AND the Titans suck.
Al Yellon - October 18, 2009
No doubt about that
Ace Venom - October 18, 2009
I personally think it was a low with the time out call
And then the call that was made after that. Then again, every Pats fan in the nation would disagree with me.
Ace Venom - October 18, 2009
Agree, big-time.
Especially about Belichick.
Vermont Cubs Fan - October 18, 2009
Yeah, because I was dying to see fellow cholo Marco Antonio Sanchez!
Why does the AFC irritate me so?
And Belichick is a jerkwad.
Sorry for the hatefest.
chilango2 - October 18, 2009
With Belichick, it is justified.
Trust me, Patriots fans are getting to be nearly as bad as Cardinals fans.
Vermont Cubs Fan - October 18, 2009
What happened to the Dodgers?
I was distracted by a phone call. Didn’t see the shellacking…
chilango2 - October 18, 2009
The Philly offense happened.
Zy Toro Young - October 18, 2009 via mobile
is it just me or does billingsley look like a midget
jesus christos - October 18, 2009
I think it's you.
It’s the ill-fitted uni.
chilango2 - October 18, 2009
He's getting it done though.
Too late though. Can’t give Lee six runs.
Zy Toro Young - October 18, 2009 via mobile
spoke too soon
jesus christos - October 18, 2009
Of course.
And in that case, no way Lee let’s the Dodgers back in the game. Lol
Zy Toro Young - October 18, 2009 via mobile
i remember thinking that in june against cliffy
good thing clevelands bullpen sucks
jesus christos - October 18, 2009
Out by an eyelash at 2nd.
Zy Toro Young - October 18, 2009 via mobile
LMAO at the Raiders beating the Eagles
Zy Toro Young - October 18, 2009 via mobile
The high society of Philadelphia heckling Craig...
good times.
chilango2 - October 18, 2009
Pretty conservative outfit tonight...
…for Craig’s taste anyway.
calicubfan - October 19, 2009
Score of baseball game?
Vermont Cubs Fan - October 18, 2009
8-0 in 7th
Zy Toro Young - October 18, 2009 via mobile
8-0, Philadelphia?
Vermont Cubs Fan - October 18, 2009
yep - they went for two.
ballhawk - October 18, 2009
4 safeties
Zy Toro Young - October 18, 2009 via mobile
And a field goal.
Vermont Cubs Fan - October 18, 2009
Jay Cutler! Our best running back!
dtpollitt - October 18, 2009
not the best form
Holding the ball with two hands, but effective.
Zy Toro Young - October 18, 2009 via mobile
Johnny Knox > Percy Harvin
dtpollitt - October 18, 2009
Johnny is exciting to watch.
sue369 - October 18, 2009
Victorino with a long home run - now 11-0 Philly.
Every time I hear Vin Scully say his name, it sounds like he’s saying “Beef-arino” and I think of Kramer and “Rusty” and a certain hansom cab ride…
ballhawk - October 18, 2009
What on earth happened? Wow! Go Phillies....
As a European, I hate the 2 A.M.play-offf starting times.
eths - October 18, 2009
Angels/Yankees game winning play
Hey Al,
You said that Figgins picked it up with no chance to get JHJ at the plate. It looked to me like Figgins dropped the ball when picking it up…if he had, from replays it looked like there might have been a play at the plate.
Canadian Cubs Fan - October 19, 2009
I looked at the replay again...
… Figgins was pretty far into short LF and Hairston was already halfway home. I doubt they’d have had a chance to get him.
Al Yellon - October 19, 2009
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