MLB Playoffs: ALCS Game Two & NLCS Game One Previews, Saturday 10/16
by Al Yellon on Oct 16, 2010 8:01 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
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The strangest part of last night's game, for a Cubs fan at least, was watching the endless parade of Rangers relievers during their disastrous eighth inning and hearing the name "Clay Rapada".
Clay Rapada? Surely they meant Clay Zavada. Right? No, Zavada was with the Diamondbacks organization in 2010 and missed most of the year with injuries.
Clay Rapada was originally signed by the Cubs in 2002 -- as an undrafted free agent. After working his way up through the organization without really distinguishing himself, he had a decent year in 2006, combining for a 1.60 ERA and 1.22 WHIP combined between West Tenn (then the Double-A affiliate) and Iowa. That led to his being invited to spring training in 2007, where he was terrible, making five bad appearances covering four innings. He allowed nine hits, six runs and three home runs -- the three homers all in one game on March 2, 2007.
Nevertheless, he was sent to Iowa again, instead of just being released. And on June 13, he was recalled from Triple-A and Matt Murton sent down. I can't say I remember this, and you probably don't either, but on June 14 he was brought into an interleague game vs. the Mariners at Wrigley Field to face Raul Ibanez, who he retired on a line drive to right. He was then taken out of the game and on June 17 sent back to Iowa.
That was his entire Cubs career -- facing one batter. At the end of August he was sent to the Tigers as the PTBNL in the Craig Monroe deal. (Remember him?)
Three years later he resurfaced with the Rangers, pitching in 13 games this September and somehow getting onto the playoff roster, where he allowed a hit last night that let the tying run score. He's got to be one of the most obscure ex-Cubs ever to play in the postseason.
And the Texas Rangers still have never won a home playoff game. They'll try again this afternoon.
3 pm CDT, TBS: Yankees at Rangers. Yankees lead series 1-0. Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling and John Smoltz.
SB Nation game preview for ALCS Game Two
7 pm CDT, Fox: Giants at Phillies. Announcers: Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.
SB Nation game preview for NLCS Game One
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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GOSH, Mute button time for Fox.
At least we’ll be spared listening to Dick Stockton.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Possibly hiking up Mount Marcy during the weekend of October 23-24. State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Oct 16, 2010 8:03 AM CDT reply actions
Great NLCS matchup
Gotta favor Phil as their LH hitters may have chance to get to Tim L. Looks like great matchup on paper but sometimes these things don’t pan out. Not much of an ex-Cub factor unless Fontenot plays. Part of me is still rooting for K. Wood. Why is sked so much behind what it was in 03? We’ve already passed anniv. of Bartman game and NLCS is just starting; need to eliminate all these off days in between series, agree with Al on that one!!
They make me ill.
I wanted to turn it off after the 8th because although a five-run Texas lead wasn’t big enough, a one-run Yankee lead would be, I knew, insurmountable. My wife, however, insisted we watch it to its bitter ending, but then she vowed not to watch any more Yankee playoff baseball this year.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Oct 16, 2010 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions
So do I
but enjoyed watching Wood put down the Rangers in the 8th with his 94 mph fastballs.
"I knew there had to be a place where the game could be fun again. I found that place. It's called Wrigley Field. It reminded that if you love the game, it will love you back." - Andre Dawson, HOF speech 7/25/10
This reminds me
And on June 13, he was recalled from Triple-A and Matt Murton sent down
We were discussing this terminology in a Game Thread a couple of months ago – why is it that when someone is called up to the majors for the first time, he is still referred to as “being recalled”? Is it because when he signs his contract, he does so with the big club and is then assigned to a place in the minors, so they are technically recalling the guy, or is it something even more obscure than that?
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Yes, that's correct, but not all of it.
Players on the 40-man roster are “recalled”, because technically they are part of the major league team and are on “optional assignment” to the minors — that’s the long version of “being optioned” or why we talk about being “out of options”.
If a player is NOT on the 40-man roster and a team wants to bring him to the ML roster, he first has to be placed on the 40-man. That’s when you hear about a player’s “contract being purchased” or “selected”. It’s a difference of terminology, not much more than that.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That kinda makes sense
In a weird baseball-after-unions way. But “being called up” just seems so much more intuitive, probably from years of listening to baseball-before-unions announcers say it.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
As I said last night in the game daily2b thread… ;-)
Everything’s bigger in Texas – even the chokes.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Bad Day at Black Rock
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Oct 16, 2010 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions
god
when I went to bed I thought they had it for sure – damn Yankees…is that W next to Nolan?
by hansman1982 on Oct 16, 2010 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
No pressure there.. :)
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Oct 16, 2010 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Sad Nolan Ryan shall be...
…the next great Internet meme.
On the bright side, his ceremonial first pitch was awesome.
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
by daver on Oct 16, 2010 12:13 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
After that showed up on TV
Bill Simmons immediately went to Twitter deeming it the Nolan Ryan Face, which is now in company with the Wade Phillips Face, the Peyton Manning Face, etc.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Oct 16, 2010 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions
...the Bobby Knight Face, the Jim Mora Face...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
...the Brett Favre Face, the Jerry Jones Face...
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Possibly hiking up Mount Marcy during the weekend of October 23-24. State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Oct 16, 2010 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions
I must be the only one here rooting for the Yankees
I’d like to see Woody get a ring and I’m not ashamed to admit it. I knew the game was over when the Yankees took the lead. Rather than hate the Yankees, I watch a couple of future Hall of Famers (Jeter and Rivera) frequently coming up big for their team when they need it most. All that said, it’s still all on Texas for this choke job. Joe Girardi outmanaged Ron Washington out there. You can’t teach stuff like that.
I honestly don’t know what Washington was thinking with his bullpen strategy. The Yankees aren’t a lineup you throw everything but the kitchen sink at them in the playoffs. I would have had Feliz ready to go rather than just try to set up for him. If there was a time that he should have been there for the six out save, it was last night. I can understand the logic of not doing it. You don’t want to overuse a young closer. However, it ignores a crucial aspect of the postseason. Momentum is crucial in postseason series and winning Game 1 is very critical. You can never count the Yankees out until the final out. Figuratively speaking, you have to keep your foot on the gas and don’t stop until you cross the finish line.
Meanwhile, the experienced Yankee lineup hung around like they’d been there before. They actually have. They played hard to come back from that deficit, showed lots of hustle, and took crucial momentum in this series. I smell a sweep coming.
RIP Ronnie James Dio (July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010).
Free BLou
I'm not really emotionally invested...
…in either team, but I was pulling more for the underdog Rangers. That said, I did switch sides when Woody came in. His pickoff of Kinsler was devastating.
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
by daver on Oct 16, 2010 12:21 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Even more,
Wilson was at 104 pitches, but that means nothing in Texas, so why did he pull him. The Gardner hit was pure hustle, and Jeter is a clutch playoff hitter, but he was owning everyone else. should have let him go at least one more batter. Of course, its easy to second guess from my living room.
I dont know if I smell a sweep, but I’d be foolish to think the Yanks dont have a big advantage. Im still rooting for them though.
"Baseball is ninety percent mental. The other half is physical." -Yogi Berra
No, you are not
As I have said elsewhere, I admire the Yankees. I have many other teams I dislike. I have no reason to dislike the Yankees. They have never done anything to rain on my parade.
The Rangers, on the other hand seem to be very Cub-esque. No reason to root for them. One Cubs team is enough for me.
Besides, I’m watching hockey. Basically, I’m through with baseball but to tune in and out.
The Blackhawks and Hockey Night In Canada for me….
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Oct 16, 2010 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions
About the only time
I could root for the Yankees would be if they were playing Satan’s Minions, and then it would be close to a toss up.
Last nights game made me sick to my stomach because I could smell it coming after Wilson allowed the first two hitters to reach in the 8th. The crucial thing last night was the fact that the Rangers had opportunities early to put a lot more runs on the board and they didn’t do it. The ball bounces right back to the catcher on that wild pitch and they just get the runner at the plate, classic Yankee luck. Got a guy to third later with one out and couldn’t score him.
I think the Yankees are the better team and I also think the series is pretty much over. That was a devastating loss for the Rangers.
Can't say enough
about the way Girardi managed this game. The Cubs would be fools not to make him an offer.
You mean Ron Washington?
He seems to be the guy taking most of the guff today – and deservedly so. What were Girardi’s mistakes?
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
by daver on Oct 16, 2010 12:24 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
How about Ron Darling?
….I think he has been excellent doing the color his postseason. Smoltz is good too, just needs to speak up more.
by JB 23 on Oct 16, 2010 12:36 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Clay Rapada? LUGNUT!!!!
There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?
Kinda sorry we don't play each other this year bh.
Maybe in the national championship game, eh?
Yeah, I know. But I can dream, can’t I?
There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?
You can send me a thank-you postcard from Pasadena...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Big ten road wins are hard to come by.
We’ll find out how rare they are in these next two weeks. I’m hoping for at least a split.
There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?
LBR will be starting for the Giants
GO FONTY
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
Jim Hendry
At 3B?
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Yes
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 16, 2010 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Go Phillies!
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
eths, how are you getting the games over there? ESPN America or something else?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Overseas MLB.TV subscribers get the playoffs
Domestic MLB.TV subscribers are boned.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
That is correct.
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
GO GIANTS
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 16, 2010 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions
GOGIANTSPHILLIES
I fixed it for you… ;-)
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
I will wait for stringy haired Tim to fix it back.
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 16, 2010 6:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Are old friend Mitre now in for Yanks
Walks first battter he faces.
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
Jim Hendry
MLB debut: July 22, 2003 in Atlanta vs. Maddux
I bought a block of 20 $5 tickets for that game and just handed them out to friends, and then took a girl I met a few days earlier. We hung out in the Chop House and did a lot of people-watching – the game itself wasn’t all that pretty.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Just saw Fonty in the second row of the boys choir.
He looks so cute in that red blazer…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Yankee loss = eths happy
If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.
Something we can happily agree on.
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 16, 2010 7:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Wow - that was one helluva optical illusion on strike 2
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I'm guessing curveball
Not watching the game – I’ve got Wisconsin-Ohio St. on instead.
OSU 3-WIS 21, 2nd quarter
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Yep, one wicked curveball. Batter was frozen almost as soon as it left his hand.
Got the football game going on the computer. Pretty ugly so far…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
For you, maybe
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Giants starting lineup is about 100 lbs lighter with Fonty in there instead of Kung Fu Panda
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Blackhawks just got screwed over on a no-goal call.
All Q did was bark a little from the bench – I was hoping he’d hop over the boards and go nose-to-nose with the referee, kick some ice on his skates, throw some pucks on the ice, go dislodge the net, etc.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
They have replay review in the NHL
No need for coaching histrionics, right?
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Didn't use replay - not sure why.
Maybe cause it was a judgment call? It was clearly a goal, no doubt about that. Ref called it off though because of “incidental contact”. Their defenseman pushes our guy into net, our guy gets up and skates away, defenseman’s momentum carries him into his own goalie, they get tangled up, five seconds later puck goes in and ref calls it against us.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
That does sound like a judgment call
Not much that can be done about something like that – if the ref calls off the play, that’s it.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
OT: So when's the last time that Ohio St. spent more than a week at #1?
It seems like every time they make it there, they get knocked off the next week.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Probably have to go back to 2003, when they held the top spot for an amazing 35 straightt weeks...
…give or take a week.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Buckeyes got whupped.
Oregon – Boise St. in the BCS Championship game? I like it!!!!
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
My sister lives in Boise and she is obsessed with them.
She is visiting me in NYC and went to the Opera tonight and I texted her score updates. She in convinced the powers that be will never let BSU in the BCS
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 16, 2010 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions
You'll turn it around next week...
You’ve got Purdue in Columbus next week.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Possibly hiking up Mount Marcy during the weekend of October 23-24. State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Oct 16, 2010 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions
God Bless Bud is playing, time to switch to hockey...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
OT: YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WISCONSIN 31, OHIO STATE 18
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Possibly hiking up Mount Marcy during the weekend of October 23-24. State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Oct 16, 2010 9:05 PM CDT reply actions
How about those Hawks!
Buckeyes and Wolverines lose in the same weekend in B10 play. Life is good.
by salparadise23 on Oct 17, 2010 5:20 AM CDT up reply actions
ESPN's going to hate that.
Too bad for them. :)
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Possibly hiking up Mount Marcy during the weekend of October 23-24. State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Oct 17, 2010 6:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Amen. (sorry bh)
And lookie at who’s #1 in the BT today…
well, for the next week anyway…
There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?
Man, that is one black beard Wilson is sporting. Too bad he's not on the Pirates - arrrrh!
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
You forgot the graybar. ;-)
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Possibly hiking up Mount Marcy during the weekend of October 23-24. State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Oct 16, 2010 9:31 PM CDT up reply actions
YEA for LBR
Hit and an SB.
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
Jim Hendry
VITTERS DEEP TO LEFT.....GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vitters hit a HR
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
"My favorite food is Macaroni and Cheese, from the blue box." Geovany Soto
Clay Rapada Cubs Debut
I can’t say I remember this, and you probably don’t either, but on June 14 he was brought into an interleague game vs. the Mariners at Wrigley Field to face Raul Ibanez, who he retired on a line drive to right.
I don’t remember him coming into the game, but the game itself I remember…after 15 years of my grandfather taking me to Cubs games, I was able to return the favor. A spectacular game….
Glad you were able to do that.
Sounds like you and your grandfather had a great time. And the Cubs won.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
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