History Is Not On Their Side: World Series Game 2 Preview, Phillies vs. Yankees, Thursday 10/29, 6:57 CT
by Al Yellon on Oct 29, 2009 11:00 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
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PrintChris 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.
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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…
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.
"The Cubs are due in sixty-two." - #14
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.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Here's another photo of Wrigley pre-current bleacher configuration.
This one is from 1927:
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yet another photo from 1926 that shows outfield seating.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
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?
"The Cubs are due in sixty-two." - #14
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.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
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…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Alright, I was going to let this go the first time, but I have to give you crap
The existing bleacher structure dates only to 1937.
Here’s another photo of Wrigley pre-current bleacher configuration ;-)
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 29, 2009 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions
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.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You kids play nice...
Or no treats for you Saturday night…
Now only 12,859 on the "Cubs Season Tickets Waiting List"...
Aw, man
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 29, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions
:)
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
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 29, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions
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.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
The batters-eye box (or whatever it's called)
Where the bushes used to be.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 29, 2009 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Criminy.
That’s not really “seating”, since it’s a private club.
I repeat: the basic configuration is the same.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I said it was nitpicky
Tomorrow will be better, since the press conference is coming.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 29, 2009 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 29, 2009 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions
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:
Because seven of the eight regulars in the Cubs’ batting order hit right-handed, the only exception being first baseman Charlie Grimm, Athletics manager Connie Mack decided that he would start only right-handed pitchers against the Cubs, and keep his left-handers in the bullpen, even though two of his best starters, Lefty Grove and Rube Walberg, were southpaws.
Accordingly, Game 1 featured a surprise start by aging A’s pitcher Howard Ehmke, whose record thirteen strikeouts bested Ed Walsh’s record from 1906 by one, and stood until Carl Erskine broke it by one in 1953. Ehmke would also start Game 5, but failed to get out of the fourth inning in that one.
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.
Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?
by BleedsbluinMI on Oct 29, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Clearly the 1929 Cubs needed to get more left-handed
Life is parallel to hell but I must maintain
by dr stabbingworth on Oct 29, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions
In my opinion
That guy was a hack with a capital “H”
"When you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
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.
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.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Bill Potter on Oct 29, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions
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
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
by Musicdude10 on Oct 29, 2009 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions
If he hadn't caught the ball, it would have been a force out on Matsui
Not a tag play
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 29, 2009 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes.
Because not everything is as clear-cut as that one.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
And even when it is, they don't always get it right
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Oct 29, 2009 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Cliff Lee is an absolute stud
I love Fox’s slow motion of the pitch, we’ve came a long way on baseball replay.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
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
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
by Musicdude10 on Oct 29, 2009 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes but, thankfully, in the World Series...
…we don’t have to listen to anyone yelling “Back, back, back!, back!, BACK!!!…”
Wait a minute... who am I here?
Maybe Phillips can set Berman up with his lady friend and "Goombye Berman!"
Nah….
Man is he annoying…
Now only 12,859 on the "Cubs Season Tickets Waiting List"...
I was assuming she was the inspiration for the intro Star Wars music.
if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand
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.’”
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 29, 2009 12:33 PM CDT reply actions
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.
Wait a minute... who am I here?
Geo needs to go back to working out with KW...
Now only 12,859 on the "Cubs Season Tickets Waiting List"...
Kerry is too thin
right now. He was on CTL one night this week and he said he is having trouble keeping weight on.
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
The behind the back catch
Was the play of the decade!
I would sleep with Blou if it meant the Cubs would win a WS. by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT
by cubsluver22 on Oct 29, 2009 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions
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.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 29, 2009 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions
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.
Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air...
Go Phillies!!!!
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
Go Phillies!
I’m rooting for them, but I think Pedro is going to get lit up tonight.
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.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
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.
"When you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
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
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 29, 2009 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions
I think that a closer comp for Pedro
Is Ozzie Guillen
"When you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
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.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 29, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions
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.
Now only 12,859 on the "Cubs Season Tickets Waiting List"...
Have fun!!
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
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.
Now only 12,859 on the "Cubs Season Tickets Waiting List"...
Glad you had a good time. :D
Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
If you get the chance, see him. It's well worth it.
Now only 12,859 on the "Cubs Season Tickets Waiting List"...
I am around
C’mon Pedro.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 29, 2009 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Daddy went down
1, 2, 3 in the bottom of the 1st
Very, very nice!
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
Mi padre es Pedro!
Who is YOUR daddy?
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
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
"hey
by jesus christos on Oct 29, 2009 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Steve Swisher and Hairston are ex-Cubs, no?
Therefore the Yankees will lose.
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
but stairs and stevie are on the phillies as well
its even
"hey
by jesus christos on Oct 29, 2009 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions
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.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 29, 2009 7:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Two Words :
Chad Gauden. Advantage Phillies.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 29, 2009 8:20 PM CDT up reply actions
If all these ex-Cubs are in the world series....
why isn’t the Chicago National League Ballclub in the series?
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
not sure
i guess baltimore got sick of being the cubs landfill
"hey
by jesus christos on Oct 29, 2009 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions
This is going to be night of bullpens with the pitch counts.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
Matt Stairs needs a doughnut.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Is Molina a catcher's name?
I like the name “Hundley” better.
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
The Yankees are going to burn.
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
All the Phillies have to do is win 1 of 2 at Yankee Stadium. Which they already did.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
True.
But wouldn’t it be great if the Yankees managed to blow this game in the late innings?
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
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.
"When you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
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!
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
Stevie did good. Probabl too late though.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 29, 2009 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Phillies take-the-lead thread.
BTW, I looked at the salary burdens of all the MLB teams…the Phils aren’t that cheap either.
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
Um that did not work.
Interesting game.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 29, 2009 10:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Guess not. Well let the NY team beat the Phils in Philadelphia.
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
????
Let the Philadelphia team beat the New York team in Philadelphia
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 29, 2009 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, that's what I meant. :-)
But I said it sarcastically.
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
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