42nd Post

Right now, I am reading Baseball Between the Numbers, which has a lot of stuff from Baseball Prospectus and such. Right now, it is talking about clutch hitting. Right now, I am looking at a graph comparing the clutch ratings of odd seasons bersus even seasons.

The graph has a 33% coorelation, or R-value. The R-squared valueis thus about .10, meaning skill can explain 10% of clutch hitting performance. That is AP Statistics stuff right there. Word.

And, yes, I am still up at 6:11 AM.

Tampa Bay's Epic Fail

The Red Sox had only seven outs left to work with.

Tampa Bay were sweeping the Red Sox. The Rays were on the edge of sweeping Boston at Fenway Park. In fact, it wasn't sweeping. It was destruction. The Rays won by eight runs in back-to-back games all the way up north in Massachusetts. If the Rays won this, they were off to the World Series.

And they should've been. They kept piling on runs. In the sixth inning, the broadcasters mentioned that Boston had not been shut out at Fenway in the postseason since 1918 in the World Series against the Cubs, which was, ironically, still the last year they won it all until 2004. It was 7-0. To score seven runs in a single inning would mean every person on the team would bat at least once. There was no way the team could pull through, 2 outs already in the bottom of the seventh and utterly demoralized.

Two men somehow get on base after this and Dustin Pedroia is up. RBI single. At least it won't be a shutout. And nobody likes running up the score.

David Ortiz comes up to bat with men on first and third. He is having a horrible slump, with only one hit in the ALCS in five games now. Where was the Big Papi we thought we knew, the one who hit game-changing home runs when the Sox were down and out against all - wait, there he is. Three run-homer to right. Maybe there is hope. It's only 7-4 now.

Tampa Bay goes down without much resistance. Bay gets walked on four straight balls, but not intentionally. J.D. Drew hits a homer to right. It's 7-6!

Two outs, and Boston still needs to at least score a run now or in the bottom of the ninth. Better now. Kotsay hits a double. Speedy. I keep saying all Coco Crisp has to do is single to right. Just single to right. Full count. Foul ball. Foul ball. Foul ball. Foul ball. Foul ball. Single to right. Kotsay scores. It is 7-7.

Rays get men on first and second with only one out in the top of the ninth. Carlos Pena, the scariest guy in their lineup, is up. They show his clip of his game-winning 14th inning home run against Boston last month over the Green Monster. And he... grounds to second. Double play!

No pressure, guys. Wait, that doesn't mean give up! Two outs, so it's all down to Youk or we will have to endure extra innings. Looks like Coco's at bat again, with a full count and several fouls. And he grounds to third. Darn. He looks like he will be just short on beating the throw to first. And, what do you know... The first baseman misses? He tips the ball into the bleachers. Youk gets to second on an error. Certainly Tampa won't let this be the reason they lose. They intentionally walk Bay. Men on second and first. J.D. Drew is back up. Three straight balls. I don't think I could handle having to deal with bases loaded at this point in the game. Then a strike. 3-1. It still favors the batter.

He hits it. It's not gone, but it's got distance. And over the rightfielder it goes, and everyone knows it's over. Just for good measure, the ball bounces in front of the notoriously short rightfield wall and goes over. Ground-rule double with a man on second means a run scores. 8-7.

Turns out they only needed six.

The Greatest Game Ever Played Box Score

GAME 5 OF NLDS (BEST OF 5) - SERIES TIED AT 2
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves
October 10, 2009

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + R H E
Cardinals (STL) 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 0
Braves (ATL) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 9 0

ST. LOUIS ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
E. Knowles (3B) 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .276
P. Hoover (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .257
D. Lambert (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333
B. Abreu (RF) 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .248
J. MacCreath (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .209
G. Laird (C) 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .349
B. Johnson (LF) 3 1 0 1 0 0 2 0 .325
C. Thomas (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .236
J. Castillo (2B) 4 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .306
C. Duncan (1B) 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .275
J. Ortiz (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273
M. Christensen (CF) 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .303
P. Dewar (SS) 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 .150
E. Fuentez (P) 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .188
J. Encarnacion (P) 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .529
B. Clontz (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
TOTALS 35 6 2 1 0 1 6 1

2B: J. Castillo 2

ST. LOUIS ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
E. Fuentez 9.0 8 3 0 1 1 1 111 2.44
B. Clontz 0.1 1 0 1 1 1 0 5 4.29
TOTALS 9.1 9 3 1 2 2 1 116

ATLANTA ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
R. Durham (2B) 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 .286
J. Lane (LF) 4 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .310
A. Beltre (1B) 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .348
A. Huff (3B) 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .316
Y. Molina (C) 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .338
A. Coley (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222
R. Cano (P) 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .391
N. Swisher (RF) 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .315
J. Pierre (CF) 4 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .326
A. Hernandez (SS) 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .255
M. Wood (P) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .130
E. Crozier (P) 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .295
M. Wolf (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250
J. Posada (P) 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 .197
TOTALS 33 9 3 2 1 2 1 0

2B: J. Pierre, Y. Molina
HR: J. Posada

ATLANTA ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
M. Wood 8.0 5 0 0 1 1 4 103 3.24
A. Coley 2.0 1 2 0 0 0 2 34 4.20
TOTALS 10.0 6 2 0 1 1 6 137

WP: A. Coley
LP: B. Clontz

Temperature: 50F
Wind: None (Roof Closed)
Attendance: 9,726
Time: 2:34

The Greatest Game Ever Played Recap

GAME 5 OF NLDS (BEST OF 5) - SERIES TIED AT 2
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves
October 10, 2009

TOP OF THE FIRST
Mike Wood takes the mound for the Braves.
Evan Knowles reached first on a fielding error by the shortstop. <--1>
Evan Knowles was caught stealing second. <--->
Bobby Abreu flied out to center. <--->
Gerald Laird struck out. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the first, the game is tied at 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST
Efrain Fuentez takes the mound for the Cardinals.
Ray Durham grounded to first. <--->
Jason Lane singled to left. <--1>
Adrian Beltre flied out to left. <--1>
Aubrey Huff grounded to third. <--->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the first, the game is tied at 0.

TOP OF THE SECOND
Ben Johnson struck out. <--->
Jose Castillo grounded to the pitcher. <--->
Chris Duncan flied out to center. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the second, the game is tied at 0.

BOTTOM OF THE SECOND
Yadier Molina doubled in the right field gap. <-2->
Nick Swisher lined out to second. <-2->
Juan Pierre grounded to the pitcher. <3-->
Anderson Hernandez grounded to the pitcher. <3-->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the second, the game is tied at 0.

TOP OF THE THIRD
McKay Christensen grounded to the second baseman. <--->
Patrick Dewar singled back through the middle. <--1>
Patrick Dewar stole second. <-2->
Efrain Fuentez flied out to center. <-2->
Patrick Dewar tagged up and reached third. <3-->
Evan Knowles grounded to first. <3-->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the third, the game is tied at 0.

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD
Mike Wood grounded to short. <--->
Ray Durham walked. <--1>
Jason Lane popped up to second. <--1>
Adrian Beltre grounded to third. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the third, the game is tied at 0.

TOP OF THE FOURTH
Bobby Abreu grounded to second. <--->
Gerald Laird flied out to left field. <--->
Ben Johnson singled through the right side. <--1>
Jose Castillo doubled into the left field corner, scoring a run. <-2->
Jose Castillo went for an extra base and was thrown out at third. <--->
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the fourth, St. Louis leads 1 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH
Aubrey Huff grounded to short. <--->
Yadier Molina grounded to short. <--->
Nick Swisher grounded to first. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the fourth, Atlanta trails 1 to 0.

TOP OF THE FIFTH
Chris Duncan singled to right. <--1>
McKay Christensen struck out. <--1>
Patrick Dewar grounded to the third baseman, forcing the runner at second. <--1>
Efrain Fuentez singled back through the middle. <-21>
Patrick Dewar went for an extra base and reached third. <3-1>
Evan Knowles grounded to short. <3-1>
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the fifth, St. Louis leads 1 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH
Juan Pierre singled through the left side. <--1>
Juan Pierre went for an extra base and reached second. <-2->
Anderson Hernandez flied out to right. <-2->
Juan Pierre tagged up and reached third. <3-->
The Cardinals brought the infield in.
Mike Wood dribbled weakly in front of home plate. The lead runner was tagged out at home. <--1>
Ray Durham singled to center, advancing the runner to third. <3-1>
Jason Lane struck out. <3-1>
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the fifth, Atlanta trails 1 to 0.

TOP OF THE SIXTH
Bobby Abreu grounded to first. <--->
Gerald Laird grounded to the shortstop. <--->
Ben Johnson struck out. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the sixth, St. Louis leads 1 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE SIXTH
Adrian Beltre grounded to short. <--->
Aubrey Huff walked. <--1>
Yadier Molina grounded to short for a double play (6-4-3). <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the sixth, Atlanta trails 1 to 0.

TOP OF THE SEVENTH
Jose Castillo grounded to the second baseman. <--->
Chris Duncan grounded to first. <--->
McKay Christensen popped up to the shortstop. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the seventh, St. Louis leads 1 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
Jose Ortiz came in to play First Base. <--->
Charles Thomas came in to play Left Field. <--->
Jim MacCreath came in to play Right Field. <--->
Nick Swisher grounded to short. <--->
Juan Pierre grounded to second. <--->
Anderson Hernandez popped up to second. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the seventh, Atlanta trails 1 to 0.

TOP OF THE EIGHTH
Patrick Dewar grounded to the shortstop. <--->
Efrain Fuentez grounded to third. <--->
Evan Knowles grounded to third. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the eighth, St. Louis leads 1 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE EIGHTH
Eric Crozier pinch hit for Mike Wood. <--->
Eric Crozier singled to center. <--1>
Mike Wolf pinch ran for Eric Crozier. <--1>
Mike Wolf was caught stealing second. <--->
Ray Durham singled down the third base line. <--1>
Jason Lane grounded to second for a double play (4-6-1). <--->
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the eighth, Atlanta trails 1 to 0.

TOP OF THE NINTH
Andy Coley came in to pitch for the Braves. <--->
Jim MacCreath struck out. <--->
Gerald Laird grounded to the shortstop. <--->
Charles Thomas struck out. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the ninth, St. Louis leads 1 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE NINTH
Adrian Beltre lined out to left. <--->
Aubrey Huff grounded to short. <--->
Yadier Molina singled through the right side. <--1>
Robinson Cano pinch ran for Yadier Molina. <--1>
Nick Swisher walked. <-21>
Juan Pierre singled to right field, scoring a run. <3-1>
Juan Pierre was caught stealing second. <3-->
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the ninth, the game is tied at 1.

TOP OF THE TENTH
Jose Castillo doubled into the right field corner. <-2->
Jorge Posada came in to play Catcher. <--->
Jose Ortiz dribbled weakly to the catcher. The runner was tagged out at third. <--1>
McKay Christensen grounded back to the pitcher. <-2->
Patrick Dewar was intentionally walked. <-21>
Juan Encarnacion pinch hit for Efrain Fuentez. <-21>
Juan Encarnacion walked. <321>
Paul Hoover pinch hit for Evan Knowles. <321>
Paul Hoover grounded to the pitcher. <321>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 3 left on base.
In the middle of the tenth, the game is tied at 1.

BOTTOM OF THE TENTH
Brad Clontz came in to pitch for the Cardinals. <--->
Deron Lambert came in to play Third Base. <--->
Anderson Hernandez flied out to right. <--->
Jorge Posada homered over the center field fence. <--->

BRAVES WIN: 2-1

More Sports

3. Chipper Jones
2. Bobby Bowden
1. Jeff Gordon

I don't really feel like explaining those since I hate writing on a set topic but I feel the need to finish my list. Chipper's a veteran for the Braves, drafted by them before I was even born. Bobby is the most noble guy in the history of ever, and I love listening to him speak on his philosophical views, which don't seem to be helping the 'Noles win games anymore. And Jeff Gordon has always been my number one athlete since I was two, and, yes, NASCAR drivers are athletes.

I noticed today what my leadership style was, if ever placed in such a situation. Some people control everything and some people control almost nothing, and I'm more towards the latter. I would make casual Fridays everyday and would give a lot of leeway to people beneath me. On my team, Johnny Damon could keep his beard and long hair. In fact, so could I (once I get the beard). The people that report to me would be in charge of most things. Most certainly this would fail, but that's just me.

Lastly, happy first day of fall. The weather is already pleasant again, one of the reasons it's probably my favorite season. There's also football every weekend. I've never followed high school football, though, and I saw it was for good reason when Chiles played Rickards on the 12th. Ouch.

My Top Five Sports Idols

In Lang, on the first page there is already an example for rhetoric, and it is none other Lou Gehrig's farewell address on July 4, 1939. If you don't know, Lou began having physical problems in 1938 that grew worse over the next year. After an atrocious April, Lou asked Yankees manager Joe McCarthy to take him off of the team's lineup, somone he wouldn't do without Lou forcing him. You see, he had played in 2,130 consecutive games up to that point, but after that he will never play the game again. That's over thirteen seasons of toughing it out every day, or about the length of time we attend public school (heck, our school year of 180 days is close to that of baseball's 162 games). So far in my education, I've had to have accrued over a year's worth of absences. The most amazing thing about the end to his streak, though, is that he initiated it on his own will. He knew he could not compete at an appropriate level, which would was even tougher to him since his tendencies were all right, just his physical abilities were rapidly deteriorated. Lou did not fade away into retirement. In his mid-30s, he had the same approach that he had used his whole career; he just couldn't perform it. ALS, now known as Lou Gehrig's disease, was the cause. What an interesting intro, because I've decided to put the Iron Horse fifth on my list. The fact that he wore pinstripes his entire career really hurts me to do this, but Lou was a far better man than just about everyone ever in the game.

I was only six when John Elway retired, but by then I had already become a Denver Broncos fan because of him. He went to college at Stanford, where I remember him most as the losing quarterback against Cal in 1982 ("The Stanford band is on the field!"). John was set to go down as a quarterback who never won big, having missed out on the Heisman and a bowl game appearance in college, as well as three losses in the Super Bowl. His final two seasons were memorable, though, as he led the Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowl wins and cemented his name in connection with "clutch performance" (over his career, he led the team to 47 of his 148 victories by scoring in the fourth quarter). He is our day's Johnny Unitas or Bart Starr. So that's number four.

I'm going to finish the other three tomorrow. It's 12:35AM right now, and I'm really tired. I didn't take a nap, so I won't have gotten any sleep out of the way, so sorry if I was asleep when you were talking to me or something this morning (since no one has time to read this before school). Good night.