Off Day Fun: Ship of Fools
The Cubs are taking the day off, maybe we should, too. So, for this "Off Day Fun," I want to know about the dumbest thing you've ever seen on a baseball diamond. It could be a managerial decision, like so:
via bp3.blogger.com
That's Adam Dunn squaring to bunt with one out, two on and the Reds down by one in the bottom of the ninth. This isn't an invitation to Dusty-bash, but that move right there is d-u-m-b, dumb.
It could be Neifi "surprising" the Washington Nationals with a two-out, bottom of the ninth bunt .
It could even be steroid-fueled ineptitude:
And considering that we have a number of folks here who've played the game above a level where one shouldn't be laughed at for on-field idiocy, maybe you'd like to share a case of your own baseball blunders!
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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Jacque Jones
and his base running has to be up there somewhere.
Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08
by Fuk-U-Meter on May 22, 2008 8:13 AM CDT 0 recs
I think
Jacque’s attempted throws to the infield are more amusing than his baserunning
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
by gwood on
May 22, 2008 8:42 AM CDT
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This isn't exactly what I intended.
I don’t want us to hop on general criticisms of our favorite hobby horses (which is why I was reticent to include Dusty and Neifi), but rather a specific instance where you saw or did something on a baseball diamond and said to yourself, “That is a dumb play.”
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
by gary varsho on
May 22, 2008 8:46 AM CDT
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Here's one
The day Larry Walker caught a ball in RF, thought it was the third out and flipped it into the stands—except it wasn’t the third out and a run scored.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on May 22, 2008 8:24 AM CDT 0 recs
Didn't John Kruk do something similar?
Except, IIRC, Krukie ran into the dugout with the ball and let a run score.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
by gary varsho on
May 22, 2008 8:27 AM CDT
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Walker
I think he gave the ball to the kid and ate some of his popcorn before he realized there were only two outs.
by gocubsgo22 on
May 22, 2008 9:30 AM CDT
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Mattingly ate the popcorn
Going over for a foul ball that was out of reach
by Shanghai Badger on
May 22, 2008 9:41 AM CDT
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Was it the Walker one...
where once he realized his mistake, went back to the stands…got the ball back, and threw it back into the infield…. hoping no one noticed he threw it out of play
by MillsChC on
May 22, 2008 10:34 PM CDT
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Don't know about dumbest
But one of the funniest things I’ve seen in a ballgame was my son trying to run the bases backwards after his first hit in t-ball.
If the world didn't suck we would all fall off.
by carolinacub on May 22, 2008 8:50 AM CDT 0 recs
On one of my slow pitch softball teams . . .
The laziest, dumbest player I ever had on the team got thrown out at first on what should have been a routine single—to left field.
by Shanghai Badger on
May 22, 2008 9:17 AM CDT
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Holy. Sh*t.
That’s pretty bad.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
by gary varsho on
May 22, 2008 9:20 AM CDT
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If you knew him
You wouldn’t be surprised . . .
by Shanghai Badger on
May 22, 2008 9:42 AM CDT
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My little nephew
got his first hit and kept running to right field then the parking lot before he stopped and looked back…
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
by Bump Bailey on
May 22, 2008 11:56 AM CDT
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back in the days before t-ball...
my little brother was at the plate in a little league game and was clearly swinging a bat way too big for him. Coach tells him to “choke up”. My little brother looks at him strangely. Coach tells him again. So sure enough, my little brother starts hacking and coughing up a storm that would make any cat with a hairball proud.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on
May 22, 2008 12:40 PM CDT
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LOL!!
That’s fantastic. Gotta love little kids
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
by gwood on
May 22, 2008 1:06 PM CDT
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little kids take things so literally
not a baseball story, but my when my nephew was about two years old, he was standing in front of our side by side fridge and had both doors opened looking for something to eat. He had both of his hands on the wall between the fridge and freezer while he was shopping. I finally wanted him to close the doors, so I grabbed the freezer door and starting closing it telling him to watch his hands. This led to him looking at me like I was crazy then putting both of his hands out and examining them carefully. You get what you ask for! LOL
Geovany Soto you're my Hero
by love the ivy on
May 22, 2008 4:24 PM CDT
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Slow Pitch Triple Play
I was involved in a Softball Triple Play. I still to this day dont know how it happened.
by Ga Cub on
May 22, 2008 3:57 PM CDT
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hmm
That brings up bad memories for me. My team was also involved in one and unfotunately I do remember how it happened.
by KingDave on
May 22, 2008 4:00 PM CDT
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One I attended
At Kaufmann Stadium about 12 years ago (I think 6-9-1996 was the date), Mike Macfarlane hit a ringing double to center. Despite the fact that Griffey’s throw to cutoff man Joey Cora and not to the bag, Macfarlane slid into second anyway. He got up and started dusting himself off, but forgot to ask the umpire for a time out. Cora, despite being about 40 feet away from the bag, started sprinting over to make the tag. Macfarlane, who could have just slid his foot over the the bag with no effort, remained oblivious to what was going on and was tagged out by the panting 2nd baseman to end the inning. Mike gave the umpire a quizzical look for one second, then raised his eyes to the sky when he realized how stupid he was.
That was one amazing game. Dan Wilson hit a homer that was slicing so much it hit the backside of the foul pole. Griffey later hit one over the seats and into the concourse. Later on, there was a promotion between innings sponsored by a local jeweler where a diamond ring was hidden in the outfield grass while the contestant was blindfolded. Once the blindfold came off, Griffey ran to the woman and pointed her to where the ring was hidden, ruining the contest, but making the woman very happy. I miss the old fun loving Junior.
by Qixotl on May 22, 2008 8:51 AM CDT 0 recs
That Macfarlane story is awesome.
And did you hear what Junior did last week? He owed one of his teammates $1500; he paid him in pennies. Hi-larious.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
by gary varsho on
May 22, 2008 8:54 AM CDT
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I saw a picture
of this guy’s locker when Griffey did that, it was very funny.
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
by gwood on
May 22, 2008 8:55 AM CDT
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This one?

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
by gary varsho on
May 22, 2008 9:03 AM CDT
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That's the one
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
by gwood on
May 22, 2008 9:44 AM CDT
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I read that story...
thx for the pic, hilarious!
You ARE freaking out MAN!
by crw89 on
May 22, 2008 10:32 AM CDT
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great fanpost!!!
sticking with the current times i gotta say putting edmonds in a beloved cub uniform.
It might beeeeee!! It could beeeeeee!! It issssss!! Homerun!! Holyyyyyyy Cow!!!
by cubsluver22 on May 22, 2008 8:53 AM CDT 0 recs
I've got one
Manny Ramirez . . .
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
by gwood on May 22, 2008 8:54 AM CDT 0 recs
Huh?
Manny’s not dumb. He might be the smartest hitter in the game.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
by gary varsho on
May 22, 2008 8:55 AM CDT
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Great hitter, dumb fielder, dumb baserunner...
ESPN has an entire montage of Ramirez blunders.
by SouthernCub on
May 22, 2008 9:53 AM CDT
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Sorry
forgot to add – Manny Ramirez . . . in left field
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
by gwood on May 22, 2008 8:55 AM CDT 0 recs
Good hitter
Not too bright in the outfield. They played a montage on a Sportscenter or Baseball Tonight not too long ago.
by BrownE34 on May 22, 2008 8:56 AM CDT 0 recs
Of Manny's gaffes in the outfield.
to be more specific.
by BrownE34 on
May 22, 2008 9:01 AM CDT
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My favorite
that I can remember is Manny diving to cut off a throw from the Red Sox centerfielder to the shortstop. Priceless!
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
by gwood on
May 22, 2008 9:02 AM CDT
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HAHAHAHA!!!!!
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
by gary varsho on
May 22, 2008 9:05 AM CDT
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I love him calling off Renteria on a popup...
Renteria was basically camped out under the ball. Ramirez calls him off and promptly comes up two steps short of making the catch.
by SouthernCub on
May 22, 2008 9:54 AM CDT
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I like that one too...
and he promptly sprinted past the ball…classic!
You ARE freaking out MAN!
by crw89 on
May 22, 2008 10:33 AM CDT
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Ronnie Cedeno
Overunning 2nd last year ON A WALK with NOBODY out in the 9th. With a 3-2 count
Ronnie was off with the pitch which was ball 4. He overan 2nd and that little troll
Eckstein who was clearly waiting for a moment like this tags him out. I never knew before
that you could be out on a walk. Instead of runners on 1st & 2nd with NO outs the Cubs
had a runner on first with one out and where I believe only down by one run.
I am growing fonder of Ronnie but I will NEVER forget that play
by Doggie Stalker on May 22, 2008 9:04 AM CDT 0 recs
Wait Ronnie did that?
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
May 22, 2008 9:06 AM CDT
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"zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"
Hammer’s doing his imitation of Ryan Theriot on first base last night.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
by gary varsho on
May 22, 2008 9:09 AM CDT
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Or the Cubs 9 on the field when Berkman took 2nd
That game last night was frustrating. A game that I thought I could turn off and know theyd lose. Carlos Lee crushed that ball—-its was pretty sweet, sweeter if Cubs win that game.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
May 22, 2008 9:14 AM CDT
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Yeah.
I was out. Glad I only saw the lowlights on the news. I couldn’t have handled a game like that…
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
by gary varsho on
May 22, 2008 9:16 AM CDT
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I turned it off too about the fifth inning
Maybe I’ve been watching the Cubs too long, but, from the way they started swinging the bats after the first inning, I absolutely knew once the Astros took the lead that the game was over.
by bluekoolaide on
May 22, 2008 10:00 AM CDT
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me too
I did the same thing. Told the wife, “I’m not watching this”. Looked like the bad Cubs from a few weeks ago.
by Spydey on
May 22, 2008 10:54 AM CDT
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Ronny? Yes. 1Dec? No.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
by dat cubfan daver on
May 22, 2008 10:50 AM CDT
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He's been a much better player since that.
Maybe that play squeezed all the dumbness out of him.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
May 22, 2008 9:09 AM CDT
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Since Monday?
Actually, Cedeno made another bonehead running gaffe on Monday night in the 8th. Theriot singles up the middle to add an insurance run, Cubs go up 5-2. Cedeno’s running to 2nd, is CLEARLY watching the play in front of him with the ball not deep in CF, takes a huge turn around 2nd and proceeds to get caught in a rundown and tagged out. Instead of 2 outs and the 3-4-5 hitters coming up, the inning is over.
Now, I realize it wasn’t costly since we won that game handily…but he really is an airhead. That is EXACTLY why I’m not sold on Cedeno as an everyday player.
by bluetangerine on
May 22, 2008 9:50 AM CDT
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This has been discussed...
Getting in the rundown is a common approach to ensure the run scores. With the ball not hit deeply and a slower runner in front of him (I believe it was DeRosa), Cedeno simply tried to make sure the run scores.
It’s a split-second decision that is easy to second guess when you can see both the runner and the ball, but Cedeno is running hard and can’t look both left and right simultaneously and still run the bases. It worked out badly, but it wasn’t that dumb a play.
by SouthernCub on
May 22, 2008 9:57 AM CDT
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Correct.
That wasn’t a dumb play, and in fact, Cedeno did the rundown right—forcing, IIRC, three or four throws. The more throws made during a rundown, the better the chance that: a) the run scores, and b) maybe someone makes a bad throw and you’re safe.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
May 22, 2008 9:59 AM CDT
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Yes, Len and Bob made a comment very similiar to this soon after the play.
In other words, that was 1Dec baseball, not Cedeno.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
by dat cubfan daver on
May 22, 2008 10:52 AM CDT
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Ummmm....nope.
Ronny got in the rundown to allow Derosa to score. Now, there’s a debate as to whether or not that was necessary, but this wasn’t dumb baserunning. A strategical error, maybe, but not dumb baserunning. Even Len and Bob were quick to point this out.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
by gary varsho on
May 22, 2008 9:59 AM CDT
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OK
I can understand that. I was watching on ESPN and they didn’t discuss it at all (they were talking about the Lester no-hitter, or something). I was under the impression that the run had scored pretty easily, but I get the logic.
by bluetangerine on
May 22, 2008 10:03 AM CDT
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ESPN was talking about the Lester no-hitter?
Really? I’m stunned. Can’t believe it. ESPN never talks about the Red Sox.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
May 22, 2008 1:10 PM CDT
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I remember that play
I believe that is one of the reasons CEDANO became on the top of Sue’s? list
by Madison Cub Fan on
May 22, 2008 6:45 PM CDT
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How about this one from August 7, 2001
CUBS 5, ROCKIES 4: Ricky Gutierrez scored the winning run on a botched rundown by Colorado to lead Chicago over the visiting Rockies.
With runners on first and second and one out, pinch-hitter Joe Girardi singled to left field. Gutierrez fell coming around third base and quickly retreated.
But Girardi was caught between first and second. Catcher Sal Fasano threw to shortstop Juan Uribe, who got Girardi in a rundown. Uribe threw to first baseman Todd Helton, who took a few steps toward home to make sure Gutierrez did not try to score.
Helton threw to pitcher Gabe White, who was covering first, to get Girardi for the second out. Gutierrez then sprinted home and slid in safely ahead of White’s throw.
by Shanghai Badger on May 22, 2008 9:25 AM CDT 0 recs
I remember that one! Good memory.
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
by northsider on
May 22, 2008 3:02 PM CDT
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Well, I have to admit
That I had to do a Google search to get the description right. This came from a website.
IIRC, this was also the game where Angel Hernandez ejected Steve McMichael.
by Shanghai Badger on
May 22, 2008 3:12 PM CDT
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Angel
Made a questionable call going into the 7th inning stretch. After singing Mongo said something directly to the ump as if hed see him after the game and gestured to the ump with a kinda “what whatta ya gonna do” Angel tossed him. I never really liked Angel but I loved him for that. Thing is, I sure Mongo had to leave.
Ive tossed parents before and when they refuse to leave I would let them know that their kids team would forfit, or call the police, worked everytime.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
May 22, 2008 3:20 PM CDT
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What age were the kids?
I’ll bet that’s the worst part about the umpiring - or coaching - at that level. Obnoxious parents.
by Shanghai Badger on
May 22, 2008 3:52 PM CDT
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13-21
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
May 22, 2008 4:07 PM CDT
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youre right
parents that dont know the guy are the worst and hilarious idiotic.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
May 22, 2008 4:08 PM CDT
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Old Cubs management
I saved this story from the 4/11/01 Tribune because it frustrated me so much.
Cubs Management
1. Once the Cubs place Farnsworth on the disabled list, they are likely to promote one of their relievers from Triple-A Iowa. They have several choices, including Carlos Zambrano, Scott Chiasson, Courtney Duncan and Alan Benes.
One source within the organization said Zambrano is the Cubs’ first choice but that Iowa officials were having trouble locating him. They apparently were unsure where Zambrano lives and didn’t have a phone number for him.
by gocubsgo22 on May 22, 2008 9:35 AM CDT 0 recs
I know this is a dumbest thing on the field post
but, I thought a dumb thing that prevented someone from getting on the field sort of applied
by gocubsgo22 on
May 22, 2008 9:37 AM CDT
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That's a pretty good one, even so.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
by gary varsho on
May 22, 2008 9:43 AM CDT
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The choice was Duncan, IIRC.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
May 22, 2008 9:44 AM CDT
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Fan/Player Fighting
The Ligues on the southside or lunkhead Chad Krueter on the northside have to make the list.
by N Oakley on May 22, 2008 9:42 AM CDT 0 recs
It happened a LONG time ago, but
I remember Tommy John racking up three errors on the same play…if I remember this correctly: there were runners on 1st and 2nd, the hitter bunted, John flubbed fielding it cleanly, then overthrew first base, then somehow got in the catcher’s way of the throw home to get the runner trying to score…
"It's a pier 9 brawl!..."
by rrobinson on May 22, 2008 10:07 AM CDT 0 recs
Not that i want to start Dusty-bashing either...
but on the list of dumb managerial moves, I’ll never forget his decision to pitch to Mike Lowell over Lenny Harris in the ‘03 playoffs because he liked the “match-up” better.
And i’m not sure if this qualifies, but on the list of dumb administrative moves, I’d nominate William Wrigley’s refusing to agree to the contract Bob Kennedy was about to sign Bruce Sutter to in 1980 because Wrigley didn’t want to defer any money. Wrigley apparently didn’t get that deferring money was beneficial to him because he could collect interest before it was paid out.
by bluekoolaide on May 22, 2008 10:09 AM CDT 0 recs
US Cellular Field....
... I was sitting maybe 20 rows from third base, looked across the diamond towards 1st base and see two guys jump onto the field and attack KC Royals first base coach Tom Gamboa.
DmL
by dmlichte on May 22, 2008 10:11 AM CDT 0 recs
Blanco's bunt attempt a few weeks ago.
Okay, "Wendy: hot and juicy redhead." Give this a try.
by neverAcquiesce on May 22, 2008 10:51 AM CDT 0 recs
I'll humble myself...
and tell of a bonehead/dumbass move I did in college.
Between my junior and senior year, my team (Mississippi State) took a team to play in an international tournament in Holland. We played against teams from Japan, Holland, Italy and 2 other teams from the USA. One of them was a USA allstar team, and that was the team we were playing on this particular day.
Besides our regular team, we got to bring 3 other players with us that were recruited from other teams. One was Mike Yastrzemski (Carl’s kid) and another guy was the University of Miami’s closer – Danny Smith. Danny (was a lefty), had the absolute best pickoff move I have ever seen in my entire life. You had no clue whether he was going to home or first at any given time.
We were in a tight game agaiinst the USA team and I was playing 1B. Chris Szabo was on first base and Wally Joyner was at bat. In his last AB, Joyner had hit a one hop shot that I had to backhand, so I was very concerned about getting off the bag as quickly as possible, so I could cover the hole. As I was holding Szabo on first, Danny Smith pulls one of his patented moves, and comes to first when it looked like he already was on his way home. Not only did he pick off Szabo with his move, he also picked me off because I was already off the bag getting ready for another one of Joyners rockets. Trying to react quickly, I had to dive back towards the bag to try and stop the ball from going down the right field line, and I was able to snatch it while laying out on the dirt. While I was tumbling to recover my mistake, Szabo was cruising towards 2nd base, and I made another dumb move by trying to make up for my mistake, and I through the ball into LF trying to nail Szabo and allowing him to go to third.
Talk about wanting to crawl into a hole, that was one time I wanted to dissappear.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
by MPH73 on May 22, 2008 10:59 AM CDT 0 recs
This sort of thing would never happen at NIU
/injoke
Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"
by zambranofan on
May 22, 2008 12:01 PM CDT
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Curious..
How did Yazs’ kid turn out?
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
by Bump Bailey on
May 22, 2008 12:08 PM CDT
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Mike...
...was a nice college player, but just didn’t have his dad’s overall talent.
There was only one speed with Mike – full blast. He played hard and lived hard. I can’t recall how it happened, but I believe he died a few years ago.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
by MPH73 on
May 22, 2008 12:16 PM CDT
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Awwww..
That’s too bad. Never realized he died.
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
by Bump Bailey on
May 22, 2008 12:21 PM CDT
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See..
... this thread on redsoxnation.net for some details. The “story” link there no longer works, but Mike Yastrzemski died in September 2004.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
May 22, 2008 1:14 PM CDT
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What a shame
his father is such an icon and I have many fond memories watching Yaz in Fenway.
It's fun to be a Cub right now. -- Mark DeRosa
by Emelie on
May 22, 2008 4:56 PM CDT
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D-Rays
I was at a D-Rays game about 8 years ago and the pitcher had just struck out the hitter. The catcher rolled the ball back to the mound and both he and the pitcher started walking




