All the more fun when you can play a bit of a spoiler role. Giants fans were probably looking forward to this stretch of games against us.
lol... Oswalt never went out of his way to say controversial things and piss people off for the majority of his career. He was largely a private, quiet type who did his job exceedingly well every 5 days. He was a straight shooter when asked questions... didn't sugar coat things... but he was overridingly the quiet type who wasn't known for talking much and acting out, which was my intial point and not even my main point that you plucked out while lurking and looking to get into it. Whatever though... I see exactly where you're going and what you're doing here... you win if that helps diffuse you for the moment.
Really, 'cause I don't, maybe you can help me? Dude b****ed. Dude threw the offense under the bus on more than a few occasions. Just thought it was a silly revisionist statement to say otherwise. Doesn't mean I didn't like the guy or have some sort of agenda, what a weird thing to imply. I don't like players talking **** to the media about things that should stay in the clubhouse, whether they're right or wrong. Maybe that's just me. I don't remember Bagwell/Berkman/Biggo/etc... saying much when he came unglued and gave up a lead after cruising for a few innings (see 2005 WS as the most glaring of examples).
Just finished watching today's game, it was a heck of a game. The atmosphere, pitching, timely hitting and baserunning were outstanding, throw in some drama and you have a playoff time ballgame for the young Stros. Didn't get to watch the game last night but it reads very similar just with a different result. These games a crucial for development, makes boys into men REALLY quick. Listening to the radio while driving today and Norm Miller made such a good point, watching a team grow and eventually turning the corner is such a great feeling for a fan...he was talking about the Texans but we're watching the early stages on that process with the Stros. This road trip the Stros played 3 games won in the final AB, 2 two run games and a one run game.
If they keep up this sort of competitive play, Mills may have enough to save his job. Of course, we may not have a new owner anymore...
agree completely and i knew that i'd feel like this once they started rebuilding. maybe it's because my expectations are so low that they can't disappoint me, only surprise and please. looking forward to next season already. everything about it: castros return, the #1 pick, even caballo at first.
I am worried if Crane gets rejected, we maybe stuck with the trio of Drayton/Wade/Mills for another year. Not that I don't like Mills but not for this team and Wade is okay but I don't trust he won't go get a washed up FAgent with all that salary freed up. While this happens, Friedman takes over the Cubbies and my worst nightmare takes over. That said, Crane's issues are starter to worry me that all these delays are because there is another level of crap we don't know about...basically same fear Justice wrote in his blog today. Hoepfully, Drayton has already a backup plan in Friedman Sr.
From the AP recap: "DeRosa singled with one out in the 10th off Melancon, but was thrown out trying to stretch it to a double. He slid past the bag and reached back with his left hand, and replays showed he appeared to be safe." I thought the replays clearly showed he was out--maybe twice!--but that was just from the online video; am I wrong?
Honestly, it looked like a tie which means it goes to the runner....either way it was VERY close. Edit - One camera angle showed that Sanchez MIGHT have tagged him on the initial slide but it was hard to tell if the swipe got the jersey or not.
Really? I've ALWAYS known that tie goes to the runner at every level I've played. Heard it on broadcast time after time and seen it in writing...is it just understood and not actually a rule?
No, I'm guessing that is something a runner made up one time and it kind of took off. It is not even really an unwritten rule. Close plays generally come down to the umpire's judgement. If he thinks the runner was out then he calls him out, if he thinks safe then that is the call. My brother umpired collegiately for a long time. He would tell you that on close plays a lot of times it goes to the person that made the better play. If the runner legs out an IF single and it is close, he will get the benefit of the doubt a lot. If the 3B makes a diving stop, and throws from his knees and makes it close he'll get it. He'll also tell you that if the ball beats the runner, unless it is obvious the runner is safe, he will usually be out.
The rule does not exist and any announcer who quotes that as a rule is wrong. I believe it was Dierker who mused that in a "tie" situation, the umpires may tend to make the call in favor of the player who made the better play. The actual rules are a bit confusing. It can be inferred that if the runner was a 'batter' (i.e. the one that hit the ball), a tie would go to the batter because the rule states something like the ball must reach the base before the runner. On the other hand, the rule that refers to a 'runner' (e.g. someone who is already on base), indicates that the runner must reach the base before he is tagged, which infers the tie goes to the fielder. To further complicate the 'batter' rule, the rules state that a 'batter' becomes a 'runner' once the ball is in play.
Interesting stuff, thanks to both of you for clearing it up...learn something new everyday. The "runner" rule makes the call correct on DeRosa since he appeared to have not beaten the tag but at best made it really close.
Of all the things that will ultimately affect how good the Stros are in the future, this is a big one. If Crane gets rejected, it could be longer than a year, maybe several, before another buyer comes along. I just have to believe that mentally, Drayton has distanced himself from the club, and with good reason (thinking it was sold). But if suddenly he has to run it again for another 2-3 years, im very afraid he is going to have a very distant and detached approach to the club. Meaning, the big decisions that need making wont be, and it will turn into a status quo (lets leave the changes to the next owner) philosophy. Crane could be a disaster. But there is a potential for good to come of it also. A lame duck owner would be very bad at this point imo.
