Chris DeLuca in today's Sun-Times tells us what the Yankees are up against in trying to win the World Series:
The last six teams to win Game 1 -- and 10 of the last 11 -- all went on to win the Series.
The last team to win Game 1 and not win the Series? Dusty Baker's Giants in 2002.
More history: as you likely know from watching the game last night, Cliff Lee was on target, before Jimmy Rollins' bad throw, to throw the first CG shutout in a World Series since Josh Beckett's clinching shutout in Game 6 of the 2003 World Series. That was also the last CG of any kind in a World Series; to show you how rare such events now are, since the division series round was added to the playoffs in 1995, there have been only two other complete games thrown in a World Series: by Randy Johnson in Game 2 of the 2001 World Series and by Greg Maddux in Game 1 of the 1995 World Series, in which he gave the Indians only two singles and both runs he allowed were unearned.
So the Yankees have an uphill climb, and I think Pedro Martinez is an inspired choice to start tonight for the Phillies; a similar choice was made by Connie Mack in the 1929 World Series against the Cubs for another Philadelphia team, with excellent results (for Mack's team, not for the Cubs).
Phillies at Yankees, 6:57 pm CDT. Phillies lead series 1-0. TV: Fox. Announcers: Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Phillies site The Good Phight and Yankees site Pinstripe Alley.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 104 comments
Ok, I'll bite,
Why was Ehmke an inspired choice?
BatCubFan - October 29, 2009
ehmke was an inspired choice
in 1929, ehmke was in the next to last year of a 15 year career. he was a 3 time all-star, having pitched 316 innings one year.
averaging 30 starts a year, 1929 saw ehmke only start 8 games, yet he pitched a CG 11-strike out gem against the cubbies in the world series…
fajita - October 29, 2009
Thanks.
On another note, this opening game at Wrigley drew over 50k. Wonder how the did that. I assume CF bleachers were opened then?, but that still doesn’t account account for the difference from modern day capacity.
BatCubFan - October 29, 2009
Wrigley Field was not configured the way it is now in 1929.
The existing bleacher structure dates only to 1937. Before that they would put temporary bleachers up over Sheffield & Waveland for big events like the WS. Also, seating was more cramped in those days — seats were narrower, and when the lower deck was rebuilt in 1968-69 they actually reduced capacity by about 5,000.
This photo is from the 1932 World Series, but it gives you a general idea of how that was accomplished.
Al Yellon - October 29, 2009
Here's another photo of Wrigley pre-current bleacher configuration.
This one is from 1927:
Al Yellon - October 29, 2009
Yet another photo from 1926 that shows outfield seating.
Al Yellon - October 29, 2009
Thanks, these pics are great
although if you look at this one it seems like less bleacher seating than what would be available today. And, you can’t reduce the narrowness of a bleacher seat.
What is the all-time highest attendance at Wrigley?
BatCubFan - October 29, 2009
The 1932 World Series photo...
… shows the temporary seating covering Waveland (look closely, the back of the seating is almost flush with the building on the north side of the street).
The largest crowd in Wrigley history was 51,556 on June 27, 1930 — one of the first Ladies Days, that bygone era when women were admitted free. 30,476 of those were women admitted free.
In the current configuration, the largest crowd was 46,572 on May 18, 1947 — Jackie Robinson’s first appearance at Wrigley. Capacity, as I noted, was reduced by about 5,000 when they rebuilt the lower grandstand in 1968-69.
Al Yellon - October 30, 2009
yep, those seats came right up to the sidewalk
and let me tell you, I was damn mad about it too.
“Get off my street” I yelled at the workers and shook my glove at them, but they just laughed and kept working away. Lazzeri’s homer in Game 4 would have made it out to the street without those extra seats. And Ruth’s opposite field shot in Game 3 just might have. Damn money grubbing Wrigley family… mutter mutter snort grumble…
ballhawk - October 30, 2009
Alright, I was going to let this go the first time, but I have to give you crap
Here’s another photo of Wrigley pre-current bleacher configuration ;-)
Shanghai Badger - October 29, 2009
Note...
… I didn’t say current bleacher STRUCTURE, I said current bleacher CONFIGURATION.
The configuration of the seating is the same, only the size of the structure has changed.
Al Yellon - October 29, 2009
You kids play nice...
Or no treats for you Saturday night…
Zeke - October 29, 2009
Aw, man
Shanghai Badger - October 29, 2009
:)
Yes, but I am being nitpicky.
The configuration is a bit different – there are seats in CF now, and the sections down the line are different
Shanghai Badger - October 29, 2009
There are seats in CF?
What do you mean? There have been seats in CF since 1937.
The LF and RF corners are different, but the basic configuration — bleachers behind the ivy-covered brick wall — is the same.
Al Yellon - October 29, 2009
The batters-eye box (or whatever it's called)
Where the bushes used to be.
Shanghai Badger - October 29, 2009
Criminy.
That’s not really “seating”, since it’s a private club.
I repeat: the basic configuration is the same.
Al Yellon - October 29, 2009
I said it was nitpicky
Tomorrow will be better, since the press conference is coming.
Shanghai Badger - October 29, 2009
Shanghai Badger - October 29, 2009
And one that looks nice.
Al Yellon - October 29, 2009
A little more info on Ehmke's start, very interesting for more than one reason to Cubs fans:
From the Wikipedia page on 1929 WS:
So, we have a mostly right handed Cubs lineup, and, in Game four, the Cubs blew an 8-run lead by giving up 10 in the seventh inning. This included future HOFer Hack Wilson losing a ball in the sun leading to an inside the park homer. Just all too familiar.
BleedsbluinMI - October 29, 2009
Clearly the 1929 Cubs needed to get more left-handed
dr stabbingworth - October 29, 2009
and clearly it was the curse of the goat
IllinoisCubs - October 29, 2009
steve bartmans great grandfather was there as well
jesus christos - October 29, 2009
Merkle's curse!
Fraggin Judge - October 30, 2009
In my opinion
That guy was a hack with a capital “H”
vonde6 - October 29, 2009
Also, what's the deal with the call the Umpires got right?
This is the second article I’ve seen like this where the issue was prominent enough to be a photo caption, but no one explained (or linked to an explanation) of what actually happened.
Orval Overall - October 29, 2009
Basically
With Matsui on 1st on 0 out in an inning, Cano hit a soft flair towards Rollins’ left. He bluffed as if he was going to let the ball drop, then touch second base and try and turn a double play. Instead of letting the ball drop, he caught it just before it hit the dirt and then threw to Howard at first, but wide. The 2B umpire immediately signaled that Rollins had caught the ball, but the 1B umpire indicated that Cano was safe at first. Howard then tagged Matsui, who had never returned to first base after the catch.
So for a while, Cano was standing at first even though Rollins had caught his popup. The umpires huddled and ruled – correctly – that Rollins had caught the ball for the first out and that the Phillies had double-up Matsui.
Bill Potter - October 29, 2009
thanks.
Orval Overall - October 29, 2009
That replay showed that even if Rollins hadn't caught the ball
The double play throw beat Cano and Howard’s foot was on the bag. Since Matsui didn’t return to first, he was out. It was an odd way of picking a guy off (stepping on second base before throwing to first) but hey, whatever works
Musicdude10 - October 29, 2009
If he hadn't caught the ball, it would have been a force out on Matsui
Not a tag play
Shanghai Badger - October 29, 2009
Yet we still need replay?
IowaCubs- - October 29, 2009
Yes.
Because not everything is as clear-cut as that one.
Al Yellon - October 29, 2009
And even when it is, they don't always get it right
Shanghai Badger - October 29, 2009
Cliff Lee is an absolute stud
I love Fox’s slow motion of the pitch, we’ve came a long way on baseball replay.
mrcubsfan - October 29, 2009
I do like that slow motion
But what they do for the HR Derby, getting to see the bat bend just a tad, is really really cool
Musicdude10 - October 29, 2009
Yes but, thankfully, in the World Series...
…we don’t have to listen to anyone yelling “Back, back, back!, back!, BACK!!!…”
malicedoom - October 29, 2009
Agreed!
StevenABQ - October 29, 2009
Maybe Phillips can set Berman up with his lady friend and "Goombye Berman!"
Nah….
Man is he annoying…
Zeke - October 29, 2009
I was assuming she was the inspiration for the intro Star Wars music.
N Oakley - October 29, 2009
Cliff Lee is AWESOME
I swear it was like watching a taller left handed Maddux. He was not only totally in control pitching, he fielded like a Gold Glover. I loved how he did NOT leave the mount to let an infielder catch the pop up. Here is a terrific article from today’s Times with links to other cool articles about Lee last night. It also includes links to Lee’s two fielding gems.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/30/sports/30leading.html?_r=1
For your Cub connection this is from Jayson Stark’s article on Lee
“When we first traded for him,” Eyre said, “I got a text message from Kerry Wood. I said, ’What’s this guy like?’ And I got a text back that said: ‘Just wait.’ Then he went out in his first start and threw a complete-game four-hitter in San Francisco. And I got another text from Kerry Wood: ‘Told you.’”
Doggie Stalker - October 29, 2009
Saw that earlier - Kerry Wood is so cool
He was on the radio the other day and was just as cool. It’s too bad he didn’t have a better year in Cleveland.
malicedoom - October 29, 2009
Kerry Wood
continues to get skinnier, the guy needs to eat.
slocs55 - October 29, 2009
Geo needs to go back to working out with KW...
Zeke - October 29, 2009
Kerry is too thin
right now. He was on CTL one night this week and he said he is having trouble keeping weight on.
sue369 - October 29, 2009
The behind the back catch
Was the play of the decade!
cubsluver22 - October 29, 2009
It was a nice catch
but Maddux ( and others) have done better. The pop up was more interesting to me for the way he handled it.
Doggie Stalker - October 29, 2009
I picked Philly in 6.
It is one of things where if the Yankees won I would have thought, “I picked the Phillies based on my hope”. But the Phillies looked like the team that has been there, a little cocky, Yanks fans should be very worried.
slocs55 - October 29, 2009
Go Phillies!!!!
sue369 - October 29, 2009
Go Phillies!
I’m rooting for them, but I think Pedro is going to get lit up tonight.
salparadise23 - October 29, 2009
I'm down on Pedro starting tonight, too.
I know Hamels has struggled, but I just don’t see Pedro being able to make it through an AL lineup. If Pedro was pitching any of the games in Philadelphia, I’d like his chances much better.
Bill Potter - October 29, 2009
I have the same feeling
Could certainly be wrong, but if the Yankees were his Daddy before, they should still beat him like a drum.
vonde6 - October 29, 2009
That was just one of Pedro's many silly comments.
The Yankees don’t own him. Tonight should be VERY interesting. Pedro is the Anti-Lee in terms of personality. He will show a lot of emotion.
VOTE FOR PEDRO
Doggie Stalker - October 29, 2009
I think that a closer comp for Pedro
Is Ozzie Guillen
vonde6 - October 29, 2009
Only partly
Both are emotional loose lipped and can be funny but I don’t see Pedro nearly as mean spirited as Ozzie. I have seen some long interviews with him and Pedro is one of the most articulate and intelligent players out there. Sometimes his public personal makes him seem like a goofball but he isn’t ( and neither is Ozzie). He is one of the greatest pitchers of all time and while he no longer has his great stuff I look forward to seeing him tonight.
Doggie Stalker - October 29, 2009
These guys will:
chilango2 - October 29, 2009
I'd LOVE to be watching tonight's game but I have to go to a Robin Williams' show instead :)
Oh, well. I’ll just have to “suffer” through his performance and check the game score when I get home.
Frankly, I’m geeked. I’ve been waiting for this show since he had to cancel the show last March due to heart surgery. Man, some people will use ANY excuse to get out of work. ;)
Hope he’s gonna be OK. The last comic I saw in concert was George Carlin. And he was dead less than a month later…
Beware Robin.
Seriously, I can’t wait.
Zeke - October 29, 2009
Have fun!!
sue369 - October 29, 2009
I've never laughed so much in one sitting in my life.
I’ve seen comedians Steve Martin, Martin Mull, and George Carlin in concert. Robin Williams was better than all three combined. 90 minutes of full frontal comedy. I still have a side stitch this morning from laughing so much last night.
Zeke - October 30, 2009
Glad you had a good time. :D
sue369 - October 30, 2009
If you get the chance, see him. It's well worth it.
Zeke - October 30, 2009
Game's started.
Go Phillies.
chilango2 - October 29, 2009
I'm
here…
chilango2 - October 29, 2009
I am around
C’mon Pedro.
Doggie Stalker - October 29, 2009
Good evening Jessica.
Pleasure to read you tonight.
chilango2 - October 29, 2009
Daddy went down
1, 2, 3 in the bottom of the 1st
PhillyCub - October 29, 2009
And the Phillies lead 1-0
Very nice.
chilango2 - October 29, 2009
Very, very nice!
zevkalman - October 29, 2009
Mi padre es Pedro!
Who is YOUR daddy?
zevkalman - October 29, 2009
Indeed.
He’s kicking ass.
chilango2 - October 29, 2009
RAAUULLLL
jesus christos - October 29, 2009
How nice was that?
Hendry didn’t want this guy… right?
AussieCub - October 29, 2009
money wasnt set aside for him by the time the phillies signed him
and i dont know if anyone except for nostradamus would have seen the season RAUUULLL had coming
jesus christos - October 29, 2009
Fair enough, I had read somewhere Lou was gunning for him
He has been fantastic
AussieCub - October 29, 2009
Steve Swisher and Hairston are ex-Cubs, no?
Therefore the Yankees will lose.
zevkalman - October 29, 2009
but stairs and stevie are on the phillies as well
its even
jesus christos - October 29, 2009
and Bako and Moyer ( ok he is on the DL but he is there)
Cairo was on the roster but was left off for the WS.
Doggie Stalker - October 29, 2009
boy the phillies are screwed
jesus christos - October 29, 2009
Jerry Hairston Jr. trumps them all.
It’s the Yankees who are screwed.
chilango2 - October 29, 2009
fair enough!
jesus christos - October 29, 2009
Two Words :
Chad Gauden. Advantage Phillies.
Doggie Stalker - October 29, 2009
If all these ex-Cubs are in the world series....
why isn’t the Chicago National League Ballclub in the series?
zevkalman - October 29, 2009
not sure
i guess baltimore got sick of being the cubs landfill
jesus christos - October 29, 2009
Steve, yes. Nick, no.
chilango2 - October 29, 2009
This is going to be night of bullpens with the pitch counts.
Doggie Stalker - October 29, 2009
Matt Stairs needs a doughnut.
dtpollitt - October 29, 2009
Is Molina a catcher's name?
I like the name “Hundley” better.
zevkalman - October 29, 2009
The Yankees are going to burn.
zevkalman - October 29, 2009
that was a very cub esque inning
jesus christos - October 29, 2009
All the Phillies have to do is win 1 of 2 at Yankee Stadium. Which they already did.
dtpollitt - October 29, 2009
True.
But wouldn’t it be great if the Yankees managed to blow this game in the late innings?
zevkalman - October 29, 2009
hairston drops a routine fly ball with the bases loaded
ohh yeah
jesus christos - October 29, 2009
well good game phillies
game over
jesus christos - October 29, 2009
Pedro did good
I was skeptical, but he had a good game. The Matsui home run did him in, but he threw a pitch that was fairly unhittable — credit to Matsui for hitting that very low curve ball. However, credit the Yankee tradition of the “short porch” in right field for making it a home run. A 320-foot fly ball should be an out.
vonde6 - October 29, 2009
The ex-Cub Jerry Hairston, Jr. came to the Yankees in the trade that sent
Chase Wheems to the Reds. Just sayin’ ….
Here comes Stevie to help the Phillies. Go Stevie!
zevkalman - October 29, 2009
Stevie did good. Probabl too late though.
Doggie Stalker - October 29, 2009
someone better wake up manuel
jesus christos - October 29, 2009
wow that blew that call too
jesus christos - October 29, 2009
they not that
jesus christos - October 29, 2009
Phillies take-the-lead thread.
BTW, I looked at the salary burdens of all the MLB teams…the Phils aren’t that cheap either.
zevkalman - October 29, 2009
Um that did not work.
Interesting game.
Doggie Stalker - October 29, 2009
Guess not. Well let the NY team beat the Phils in Philadelphia.
zevkalman - October 29, 2009
????
Let the Philadelphia team beat the New York team in Philadelphia
Doggie Stalker - October 29, 2009
Yeah, that's what I meant. :-)
But I said it sarcastically.
zevkalman - October 30, 2009
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