Wednesday, April 09, 2003
I should start writing something on this baseball season even though it’s been tough to get going. I’m still working on finding time to get this web log rolling, and also waiting for interesting topics and stories of the season to present themselves.
The Royals are kicking around the pathetic Tigers this afternoon at Comerica in front of a couple dozen people. Kansas City is about to start the season 6-0. Not to get too crazy, but this is the first big story of the season considering the Royals seemed like a sure bet to lose 100 games this year. As Rob Neyer wrote in his column yesterday, instead of 100, they’re probably on track now for 95 losses. But right now, if you’re a Royals fan, who gives a hoot about July and August. You ride this little streak and enjoy it for all it’s worth.
Random: The American League has four win streaks going of four or more games; there are three streaks alive with four or more losses. In the National League no team has any streak of four games going.
Barry Zito is staking his claim to the title of “Best Pitcher in Baseball.” Won again last night, running his win streak to 10. I still would take Pedro, Randy Johnson and Schilling before him, but that’s about it.
The weather across the eastern half of the country has put a severe damper on the early season. Snow in Chicago. Twenty-five degree wind chill at Yankee Stadium. Rain outs in Pittsburgh and Detroit. Hard to feel in a baseball mood when you’re still blasting the heat in your car and wearing sweaters.
From an inside source: parking at Yankee Stadium, $10; one cup of Miller Lite, $6.75. Continuing with the theme of abuse, a kick in the shins and a punch in the nose are complimentary.
Important start for Greg Maddux tonight. I know it's early but ... 0-2, 9 IP, 11.00 ERA. Goes against Vicente Padilla in Philadelphia. Padilla, when on, has some of the nastiest stuff in the NL.
Things that are good about baseball right now: Hideki Matsui's on-field demeanor; the Royals; Lou Pinella, proving that good leadership in the dugout and in the clubhouse does make a difference; Xavier Nady
Things that are not good: F-f-f-f-fa-fa-fa-freezing weather at a ballpark near you; the Tigers line-up; knowing that in reality the Royals can't contend; Coors Field; a whole smattering of bullpens; and the irony-laden tragedy that is Ken Griffey Jr.'s career in Cincinnati.
The jury is still out: Bobby Valentine on Baseball Tonight. I don't know what to think of this one. I was watching the midnight edition on ESPN2 last night, and I swear Peter Gammons didn't say two words until a good ten minutes into the show. He just doesn't seem thrilled up on that set.
This is how Dennis Tankersly's 2003 season has begun:
San Francisco
-Bottom of the 1st inning
-R Durham walked.
-R Durham stole second.
-P Feliz singled to left, R Durham to third.
-R Aurilia singled to left center, R Durham scored, P Feliz to second.
-B Bonds walked, P Feliz to third, R Aurilia to second.
-J Cruz walked, P Feliz scored, R Aurilia to third, B Bonds to second.
-J Snow walked, R Aurilia scored, B Bonds to third, J Cruz to second.
-Y Torrealba doubled to right, B Bonds and J Cruz scored, J Snow to third.
He had been given a 4-0 lead in the top of the first. He's just gotten relieved after this barrage, so his ERA stands at that mysterious number: infinity.
Contributions, comments and complaints are welcome in that order. You can e-mail me at baseballwriting@hotmail.com.
Enjoy the season.
The Royals are kicking around the pathetic Tigers this afternoon at Comerica in front of a couple dozen people. Kansas City is about to start the season 6-0. Not to get too crazy, but this is the first big story of the season considering the Royals seemed like a sure bet to lose 100 games this year. As Rob Neyer wrote in his column yesterday, instead of 100, they’re probably on track now for 95 losses. But right now, if you’re a Royals fan, who gives a hoot about July and August. You ride this little streak and enjoy it for all it’s worth.
Random: The American League has four win streaks going of four or more games; there are three streaks alive with four or more losses. In the National League no team has any streak of four games going.
Barry Zito is staking his claim to the title of “Best Pitcher in Baseball.” Won again last night, running his win streak to 10. I still would take Pedro, Randy Johnson and Schilling before him, but that’s about it.
The weather across the eastern half of the country has put a severe damper on the early season. Snow in Chicago. Twenty-five degree wind chill at Yankee Stadium. Rain outs in Pittsburgh and Detroit. Hard to feel in a baseball mood when you’re still blasting the heat in your car and wearing sweaters.
From an inside source: parking at Yankee Stadium, $10; one cup of Miller Lite, $6.75. Continuing with the theme of abuse, a kick in the shins and a punch in the nose are complimentary.
Important start for Greg Maddux tonight. I know it's early but ... 0-2, 9 IP, 11.00 ERA. Goes against Vicente Padilla in Philadelphia. Padilla, when on, has some of the nastiest stuff in the NL.
Things that are good about baseball right now: Hideki Matsui's on-field demeanor; the Royals; Lou Pinella, proving that good leadership in the dugout and in the clubhouse does make a difference; Xavier Nady
Things that are not good: F-f-f-f-fa-fa-fa-freezing weather at a ballpark near you; the Tigers line-up; knowing that in reality the Royals can't contend; Coors Field; a whole smattering of bullpens; and the irony-laden tragedy that is Ken Griffey Jr.'s career in Cincinnati.
The jury is still out: Bobby Valentine on Baseball Tonight. I don't know what to think of this one. I was watching the midnight edition on ESPN2 last night, and I swear Peter Gammons didn't say two words until a good ten minutes into the show. He just doesn't seem thrilled up on that set.
This is how Dennis Tankersly's 2003 season has begun:
San Francisco
-Bottom of the 1st inning
-R Durham walked.
-R Durham stole second.
-P Feliz singled to left, R Durham to third.
-R Aurilia singled to left center, R Durham scored, P Feliz to second.
-B Bonds walked, P Feliz to third, R Aurilia to second.
-J Cruz walked, P Feliz scored, R Aurilia to third, B Bonds to second.
-J Snow walked, R Aurilia scored, B Bonds to third, J Cruz to second.
-Y Torrealba doubled to right, B Bonds and J Cruz scored, J Snow to third.
He had been given a 4-0 lead in the top of the first. He's just gotten relieved after this barrage, so his ERA stands at that mysterious number: infinity.
Contributions, comments and complaints are welcome in that order. You can e-mail me at baseballwriting@hotmail.com.
Enjoy the season.
