COMPLETE GAME VICTORIES TO CLINCH DIVISION SERIES (Updated with Justin Verlander and CC Sabathia)

In 2010, I wrote a post about pitchers who threw a complete game victory to clinch the Division Series.

Since then, Chris Carpenter, Justin Verlander and CC Sabathia have been added to the list, so it was time to update this list.

In this day and age of specialized relievers, complete games have become more rare and pitchers finishing a clinching game is even less common.

But these pitchers pulled off the feat. And two were added this year.

Let's update it.

Complete Game Division Series Clinchers

John Smoltz
1997 ATLANTA BRAVES
Game 3
4-1 victory against Houston Astros




Bobby Jones
2000 NEW YORK METS
Game 4
4-0 victory against San Francisco Giants




Curt Schilling
2001 ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Game 5
2-1 victory against St. Louis Cardinals



Cole Hamels
2010 PHILADELPHIA PHLLIES
Game 3
2-0 victory against Cincinnati Reds


Cliff Lee
2010 TEXAS RANGERS
Game 5
5-1 victory against Tampa Bay Rays

Chris Carpenter

2011 ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

Game 5

1-0 victory against Philadelphia Phillies

Justin Verlander

2012 DETROIT TIGERS

Game 5

6-0 victory against Oakland Athletics

CC Sabathia
2012 NEW YORK YANKEES 
Game 5
3-1 victory against Baltimore Orioles

The 2001 Series didn’t end with Schilling on the mound getting the last out. The series ended with a walk off single by Tony Womack.

For sticklers of details, they played the Division Series in 1981 as well and two more complete games clinched series THAT year.

Steve Rogers
1981 MONTREAL EXPOS
Game 5
3-0 victory against Philadelphia Phillies


Jerry Reuss
1981 LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Game 5
4-0 victory against Houston Astros

But while relievers were being used more frequently then, the whole specialization of EVERY bullpen role (and the cheapening of the save) didn’t come around until the late 1980s.

So Verlander and Sabathia did the trick this year. If they face off in the ALCS, it should be quite a battle.

Let's see if this gets updated in 2013.

WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?

Seriously.
Did I just witness the Washington Nationals blow a 6-0 lead and then implode in the 9th inning?
Did I just witness the St. Louis Cardinals demonstrating why they are the baseball equivalent of Jason Voorhees of the Friday the 13th movies?

There are so many emotions to process.
This has to be one of the great cataclysmic disasters in the history of baseball and a potential crusher for a franchise.

Remember when the Red Sox were one strike from winning the 1986 World Series and lost the game and the Rangers were one strike from winning the 2011 World Series and lost the game, there was still a Game Seven to be played.

This was a lead lost and a bottom of the inning was all they had to turn things around.

And unlike '86 and '11 or even the Francisco Cabrera game or the final Game of the 2001 World Series, this was a collapse at home.

There was silence. Crushing silence.

I couldn't help but think of Davey Johnson. He was in the other dugout in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.

I bet he thought at one point "So THIS is what the Red Sox felt like that night."

But even the 1986 Red Sox did not blow a 6-0 lead.

Meanwhile I am guessing the Giants will be favored in the NLCS. Why?
Exactly how many times do the Cardinals have to win series that nobody gave them a chance in before someone gives them a chance?

So the city of Washington still hasn't had a post season series victory since 1924.
The Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals franchise is still without a pennant.

And those damn Cardinals are still alive.

The Sully Baseball Ballot for the BBA Awards

Every year the Baseball Bloggers Alliance announces their individual awards. And as a member, I need to fill out my ballot for each prize.

I know it is the postseason now, but let's hand out some hardware for regular season excellence.

The Connie Mack Award for Best Manager 

American League

1. Bob Melvin - Oakland Athletics
2. Buck Showalter - Baltimore Orioles
3. Joe Girardi - New York Yankees

National League
1. Bruce Bochy - San Francisco Giants
2. Davey Johnson - Washington Nationals
3. Dusty Baker - Cincinnati Reds

The Willie Mays Award for Top Rookie

American League

1. Mike Trout - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

2. Yoenis Cespedes - Oakland Athletics

3. Yu Darvish - Texas Rangers

National League

1. Bryce Harper - Washington Nationals

2. Wade Miley - Arizona Diamondbacks

3. Todd Frazier - Cincinnati Reds

The Rich Gossage Award for Top Reliever

American League

1. Fernando Rodney - Tampa Bay Rays

2. Jim Johnson - Baltimore Orioles

3. Rafael Soriano - New York Yankees

National League

1. Craig Kimbrel - Atlanta Braves

2. Aroldis Chapman - Cincinnati Reds

3. Jason Motte - St. Louis Cardinals

The Walter Johnson Award for Top Pitcher

American League
1. Justin Verlander - Detroit Tigers
2. David Price - Tampa Bay Rays
3. Chris Sale - Chicago White Sox
4. Felix Hernandez - Seattle Mariners
5. Jered Weaver - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

National League
1. R. A. Dickey - New York Mets
2. Johnny Cueto - Cincinnati Reds
3. Clayton Kershaw - Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Gio Gonzalez - Washington Nationals
5. Craig Kimbrel - Atlanta Braves

The Stan Musial Award for Top Player

American League
1. Miguel Cabrera - Detroit Tigers
2. Mike Trout - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
3. Robinson Cano - New York Yankees
4. Adrian Beltre - Texas Rangers
5. Josh Hamilton - Texas Rangers
6. Joe Mauer - Minnesota Twins
7. Alex Gordon - Kansas City Royals
8 Edwin Encarnacion - Toronto Blue Jays
9. Prince Fielder - Detroit Tigers
10. Yoenis Cespedes - Oakland Athletics

National League

1. Buster Posey - San Francisco Giants

2. Andrew McCutchen - Pittsburgh Pirates

3. Ryan Braun - Milwaukee Brewers

4. Yadier Molina - St. Louis Cardinals

5. David Wright - New York Mets

6. Matt Holliday - St. Louis Cardinals

7. Aramis Ramirez - Milwaukee Brewers

8. Chase Headley - San Diego Padres

9. Carlos Gonzalez - Colorado Rockies

10. Ryan Zimmerman - Washington Nationals

So there is my complete ballot. And no doubt I have ticked SOMEONE off.

I am sure my putting Cabrera on top of the AL Stan Musial Award will be fine with everyone.

Now back to the post season.

These Reds and Yankee hitters were a swing away from being heroes

The Reds shockingly blew a 2-0 series lead where the Giants were on the ropes.
The Yankees almost as shockingly are playing for their lives in a Game Five this afternoon against Baltimore.

Both teams not only were in control but there were several moments where a single swing of the bat could have made an instant legend out of a player and send their team to the LCS.

A walk off home run would have clinched it. In a few cases, a home run would not have been necessary.

The Reds are going to be stewing over a very long winter wondering what could have been.
If the Yankees lose today, they will be tormented by missed opportunity after missed opportunity.

But we here at Sully Baseball don't just think about things like the players who could have clinched a playoff series with one swing.

We list them in alphabetical order (because some hitters had more than one shot!)

Reds hitters who could have clinched the Division Series with one swing

Jay Bruce

Game 5 Giants leading 6-4, one out, bottom 9 against Sergio Romo. Runners on first and second. Home run would have clinched the series.

Hit a fly ball to left field.

Ryan Hanigan.

Game 3 tied 1-1, one out, bottom 9 against Sergio Romo. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.

Hit a deep fly ball to center field that was caught.

Scott Rolen 

Game 3 tied 1-1, nobody out, bottom 9 against Sergio Romo. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.

Hit a deep foul ball that was caught in left field.

Game 5 Giants leading 6-4, two outs, bottom 9 against Sergio Romo. Runners on first and second. Home run would have clinched the series.

Struckout swinging.

Drew Stubbs

Game 3 tied 1-1, two outs, bottom 9 against Sergio Romo. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.

Hit a pop up to the second baseman.

Yankees hitters who could have clinched the Division Series with one swing

Robinson Cano

Game 4 tied 1-1, two outs, bottom 10 against Darren O'Day. Runner on first. Extra base hit would have clinched the series.

Popped up to shortstop.

Curtis Granderson
Game 4 tied 1-1, one out, bottom 9 against Darren O'Day. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.
Flew out to deep center field.

Game 4 tied 1-1, no outs, bottom 12 against Pedro Strop. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.

Struck out swinging, catcher to first after dropped ball.

Raul Ibanez
Game 4 tied 1-1, two outs, bottom 9 against Darren O'Day. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.
Grounded to first base.

Derek Jeter
Game 4 tied 1-1, no outs, bottom 10 against Darren O'Day. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.
Grounded to third base.

Game 4 tied 1-1, two outs, bottom 12 against Pedro Strop. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.

Groundout to third.

Russell Martin
Game 4 tied 1-1, no outs, bottom 9 against Darren O'Day. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.
Grounded to third base.

Game 4 tied 1-1, two out, bottom 11 against Pedro Strop. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.
Struck out swinging, catcher to first after dropped ball.

Eduardo Nunez

Game 4 tied 1-1, one outs, bottom 12 against Pedro Strop. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.

Groundout to third.

Alex Rodriguez
Game 4 tied 1-1, no outs, bottom 11 against Pedro Strop. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.
Grounded out to shortstop.

Ichiro Suzuki
Game 4 tied 1-1, one out, bottom 10 against Darren O'Day. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.
Grounded out to first base.

Game 4 tied 1-1, two outs, bottom 12 against Pedro Strop. Runner on first. Extra base hit would have clinched the series.
Grounded out to first base.

Nick Swisher
Game 4 tied 1-1, one out, bottom 11 against Pedro Strop. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.
Flyball out to deep left field.

Mark Teixeira
Game 4 tied 1-1, two outs, bottom 10 against Darren O'Day. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.
Walked.



So four Reds hitters went a combined 0-5 in potential series clinching at bats.
Ten Yankee hitters went a combined 1-13 with a walk in potential series clinching at bats.

If the Yankees join the Reds on the golf course, then they will be wondering what could have been if their at bats went a little differently.

If a drive out of the ballpark would have turned them into instant legends instead of post season footnotes.

Nats... want to shut up all of the Strasburg talk? Win tonight

You know if Edwin Jackson and Jordan Zimmermann pitched as well as Ross Detwiler did yesterday, nobody would be complaining about Stephen Strasburg being shut down.

So it is up to Gio Gonzalez. He needs to shut down the Cardinals, end their reign as World Champions and move the Nationals to the NLCS.

Once there, Strasburg complains are off. This team making it to the NLCS would be quite an accomplishment no matter what.

Win today and the complaints will at least die down.
Lose today and be prepared for the what ifs all winter through the next fall.

A's... wear the yellow unis today

The A's have worn their green tops, gray tops and white tops.
It's time for the yellow tops.

I love the yellow tops. It harkens back to the Reggie Jackson/Vida Blue/Catfish Hunter/Rollie Fingers years.

And it doesn't say "Athletics", which I always found to be a lame name.
They are the A's, and the uniform says so.

And besides, the A's clinched the AL West in those threads.

Break them out. Beat Verlander in bright yellow shirts.

Let's go A's.

Joe Girardi should NOT start Raul Ibanez

It would be irresponsible for Joe Girardi to start Raul Ibanez in Game 4 of the Division Series or any future playoff game for that matter.

And I am not saying this as a Yankee hater who posted the following Tweet last night.

No, if you are rooting for the Yankees, you need to have Ibanez on the bench.
Why? Because he has shown he is valuable coming off the bench as a threat. Lingering, waiting and having the ability to enter the game, tie it and win it.

He did it against the A's on September 22. Game off the bench, homered twice including the 13th inning game tying shot.

He did it against the Red Sox on October 2. He pinch hit in the 9th and homered to tie the game. Then in the 12th he won the game with a single.

Last night he came off the bench, homered to tie the game and then homered to win it.

This is what he does. He's like Dave Roberts with the 2004 Red Sox. Roberts was the looming threat of a stolen base when then needed it.

The Yankees can turn to the bench for a game tying homer.
You know he will do it when he pinch hits today.

Girardi might not be sure when he needs that homer.
Will he need to pinch hit for Chavez? Nunez?

Thinking he can do it for the whole game might be a fallacy.
But you know when Ibanez walks into the on deck circle, the crowd would go berzerk.

That's Ibanez's job.
Don't start him.

Wait... I'm supposed to get WORK done today?

Seriously?

After a day and night filled with shocking homers, debates over benched pitchers, Cy Young award winners coming out of the bullpen, a three time MVP benched and his pinch hitter supplying a game tying and game winning homer, and the lowest paid team in the American League scoring three runs in the bottom of the 9th to stay alive... I'm supposed to concentrate on something other than baseball?

Is this a joke?

I live in California. It is 10:45AM as I am typing this. And guess what? The games have already started!

A potential 12 hours of baseball, two deciding games and the other two potential elimination games.


Baseball is the greatest sport there is. Last night and today is proof. Why?

 Because the Giants played their guts out to stay alive, the Yankees stormed back to take control, the Cardinals broke the Nationals heart and the A's had one of the great 9th innings EVER. When do they all play next? In less than 12 hours.

Take your Bye Weeks and and days in between games. Baseball playoffs are just better.

Nationals win! I can't deal with another Cardinals title

Going to the bottom of the second inning in Washington and the Cardinals are up 4-0.
The Cardinals would be up 2-0 in the series if not for the Nationals 8th inning rally in game one.

But the wonderful Nats seasons would probably go up in smoke if they lose today. Their great season would be torpedoed by yet another OK Cardinals team that caught fire in the post season.

And I can't deal with that!
I have nothing against the Cardinals, although I confess I tended to root against them in the playoffs because I was never a Tony LaRussa fan.

And sure, a great franchise with a dedicated fan base deserves a World Series title, even with a not so great team like the 2006 Cardinals.

But they had another "Good but not elite" team win the title last year.

Now here they are looking to wipe out the Nationals. If they do who would they face? A Reds team who could be without Johnny Cueto or a Giants team who forgot how to hit.

If the Nationals don't win this series, we might be looking at ANOTHER St. Louis World Championship.

And people would look at 2004 to 20012 and say "Man, they won four pennants and three World Series titles. They must have been a dynasty."

And I guess they would be. A dynasty that coasts on a B- report card until October.

I don't want a champion like that.
I wouldn't mind seeing a team like the Nationals, great all season, win. Or the Giants who struggled against the Dodgers before turning it on or the Reds who were underrated all year represent the National League.

Remember the 2006 Padres and Mets? They had great regular seasons but they were clotheslined by that odd 2006 Cardinals team.

Remember last year's Phillies team that had visions of being the greatest sports team in Philadelphia history?

Remember the 2011 Brewers who looked to finally get back to the World Series?

History won't.
They'll remember a Cardinals team that got hot.

So now here we go. A Cardinals team that was the second Wild Card team is lining everything up for another World Series.

The Dodgers couldn't stop them.
The Braves couldn't stop them.
The Nationals are putting up a feeble defense.

Someone please stop them.

Smiling Oriole hat video on TBS sounded familiar

Did anyone else catch on TBS's post game after the A's beat the Tigers a video they ran?

I did.
The great Hank Azaria was playing a blustery sports guy and he was trying to come up with why the Orioles were having a great season.

None of the normal things made sense.
So he came to the conclusion that it was because of the smiling bird caps.

He made the point that when they wore the hats before, they won a lot of titles.
Then they switched to a boring sideways bird that was biologically correct but dull.

And now they switched back to the cool smiling bird and they are winning again.

Sound familiar?

It sure sounded a Sully Baseball video made back in December of 2011.

Like almost exactly, beat for beat.






 Now I am not saying anyone at TBS were one of the few thousands of people who say the video and decided to swipe some of the ideas. Maybe someone saw it, forgot where they got the idea from.

I'm not mad.

But let me make you a suggestion, good folks at TBS.
If that's the kind of humor you are seeking, just hire me.

Seriously, I'd be happy to make the videos, write the blogposts etc under the TBS umbrella.

Even if you did base tonight's sketch on the video, let's work together.

Trust me, I have even better ideas up my sleeve.

I wonder if Wily Mo Pena watched the Reds-Giants game last night

My beloved Red Sox are at home this post season, watching the games and pounding beers.

One of the big problems for the Sox the last few years, especially 2011 when they fell just short, was a lack of starting pitching and someone at the back of the rotation who could go deep into games.

Meanwhile the Cincinnati Reds, who unlike Boston made it to the 2010 and 2012 post season, are getting good mileage out of Bronson Arroyo.

In his seven seasons with the Reds, Arroyo has given Cincy 200 or more innings six times.
The one time he came short? 2011, he went 199 innings.

Not every year has been great, but he has won 12 or more games in five of those years and can reach back and have a great performance from time to time.

A case in point? Last night's 9-0 massacre of the Giants in Game 2 of the Division Series. The Reds took control of the series with Arroyo on the mound.

He threw 7 innings of shutout ball, letting up one hit, walking one and striking out four, preventing any Giants rallies.

Man the Red Sox could have used a pitcher like that.
Oh wait.

They HAD him. And right before the 2006 season after he signed a sweet heart extension, the Red Sox traded him to the Reds for Wily Mo Pena.


I called up XM Radio to complain about the trade when it happened, I always hated the trade and I hate it more now.

The Reds got a good innings eating pitcher who gives them flashes of brilliance for seven years and two division titles and the Red Sox got a crappy fourth outfielder for a year and a half.

FYI, while the Reds are probably on their way to the NLCS, Pena has played 39 games in the majors since 2008 and spent last year with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks of the Japan Pacific League.

I bet the Red Sox can resign him at a good price.

I hope he watched the game last night.

 

Rangers' Epic Collapse Could Signal the Decline of the Team - A Bleacher Report Article

Less than 2 weeks ago, the two time defending American League Champion Texas Rangers had the best record in the American League and were the favorite to win the pennant again.

Today they are playing golf.

As I wrote in my latest for Bleacher Report, this is a collapse that is not only heart breaking in the short term, but could very well be the shutting of the window of opportunity of a Rangers World Series title.

You can read the article HERE.


 

Isn't the infield fly rule used for fly balls in the infield?

What is it about fly balls to Matt Holliday in the post season?

They are always an adventure.



And today the very first Wild Card Game (we need a better name) will be forever marred by a bizarre and nonsensical call.



Fly ball to shallow left field. Notice it was not a fly ball in the infield.

Look at the screen grab there. There is no infield in sight.



The ball was actually Holliday's, but no doubt Cardinals shortstop Pete Kozma remembers Hollday dropping the ball in Los Angeles in 2009. He calls off Holliday, leaning back, awkward position. By no means a given that it is the shortstop's play.



Confusion ensues. The ball drops.

Braves have the bases loaded with one out in a 3 run game.



Sam "Don't call me Hal" Holbrook says it was an infield fly.



Why?

We will never know for sure. He also called it basically as the ball hit the ground.



He blew the call.

According to the rule book the Infield Fly is "An INFIELD FLY is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an
attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary
effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are
occupied, before two are out. "



He went out to left field and was awkwardly positioned.



Not ordinary effort.



The call was blown. And it could have been easily fixed.

A quick look at the video. In less than one minute it would be clear that it wasn't.

Holbrook says "My bad." Everyone else says "Don't worry about it."



Bases loaded, 1 out in a playoff game.

The Cardinals would probably win the game, but the discussion would be their excellent play and not the mysterious Infield Fly call.

You wouldn't have the fans throwing crap on the field. No games played under protest.



This game's legacy and the Cardinals continued participation will be overshadowed by a call that could have been overturned in shorter time that you are spending reading my blog right now.



Is that the human element every opponent of instant replay loves so much?



When people who hate instant replay so much talk about how bad calls are good for the game, were they beaming with happiness when the game was put under protest?



You can't use the "Replay slows down the game" nonsense. And you can't talk about the integrity of the game.



Chipper Jones' last game will be remembered not for him or any play on the field but for an umpire's call.



Check it. Realize it was a mistake. Correct the mistake. Keep playing.



Not too hard.



Opponents of instant replay... you are wrong.








 

CARL Ripken Jr?

Did you notice this subtitle on the Orioles/Rangers broadcast?

Who is the guy between John Smoltz and Ernie Johnson?

CARL Ripken Jr.?

Really TBS? Is CAL Ripken too obscure a player for you guys?
Nobody there checking the spelling of the name of the most beloved Orioles player ever during the Orioles first post season game since 1997 when CAL Ripken was playing?


Watch them spell Marc Rzepczynski correctly.

 

OFFICIAL SULLY BASEBALL POSTSEASON PICKS

 I have to make my post season picks before the games begin.

My preseason picks turned out to be crap. So much for my Angels/Marlins World Series match up.

I made two "Out on a Limb" picks with the Dodgers and Pirates and for about 3/4 of the season I looked like a bloody genius.

Well, here we go.

I am going to pick each round including the Wild Card match ups.

OFFICIAL SULLY BASEBALL POST SEASON PICKS

National League Wild Card

St. Louis Cardinals def. Atlanta Braves

American League Wild Card

Texas Rangers def. Baltimore Orioles

National League Division Series

Washington Nationals def. St. Louis Cardinals in 3

San Francisco Giants def. Cincinnati Reds in 4

American League Division Series

New York Yankees def. Texas Rangers in 5

Detroit Tigers def. Oakland Athletics in 5

National League Championship Series

San Francisco Giants def. Washington Nationals in 6

American League Championship Series

Detroit Tigers def. New York Yankees in 5

World Series

Detroit Tigers def. San Francisco Giants in 7

So there you have it. I have the Tigers, the worst of the American League teams in terms of record, winning it all.

Which means it will probably be Braves vs. the A's.

Let's play ball.

 

Post Season Managers and Their Hall of Fame Chances - A Bleacher Report Slideshow

A s the 2012 post season starts, the focus will be on the players and who will take home the World Series title. But for the managers, a ring not only is a crowning achievement for a season, but it could be a building block for a Hall of Fame career.

In my latest for Bleacher Report, I take a look at the skippers and imagine what the 2012 championship would mean to their reputation.

You can read the whole article HERE.



 

Ten-Year Veterans Playing for First World Series Ring - A Bleacher Report Slideshow

Every year there is a respected veteran looking for their first World Series ring.
It could be a superstar or it could be a journeyman.

A few years ago Alex Rodriguez and CC Sabathia finally got their rings.
Last year Lance Berkman, Arthur Rhodes and Octavio Dotel got theirs.

In my latest for Bleacher Report, I run down the players who have logged in a decade of big league service who are in the post season and looking for championship #1.

At least one person on the list will get their dreams fulfilled.

Read the whole story HERE.


 

BOBBY VALENTINE FIRED - A Bleacher Report Artice

Well that didn't take long.
Less than 12 hours after the Red Sox feebly limped out of the season, dropping their last 8 games and 12 of 13, Bobby Valentine was shown the door. He will not be the Red Sox manager for 2013.

In my latest for Bleacher Report, I ask the question. Why did it take this long?

You can read the whole article HERE.

 

Sully Baseball Salutes Daisuke Matsuzaka

There will be a lot written about the Red Sox over the next bunch of days. And chances are Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched his last game as a member of the Boston Red Sox.

His final game was last night's disastrous outing at Yankee Stadium that finished the season.

His six years as a member of the Red Sox ended with a whimper.
He has become a millionaire many times over but never lived up to the hype of being the best pitcher in the world when he arrived from Japan.

But Dice-K's departure means yet another member of a World Champion Red Sox team is now gone.

There are fewer and fewer Red Sox with World Series rings in their clubhouse. The link the the recent glory is becoming more and more faint.

We never saw the gyroball. He never was the dominant pitcher we were promised.

But his first season was a decent 15 win campaign. And his second year, 2008, he finished fourth in the Cy Young vote, going 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA.

And lest we forget in 2007 he won two games besides his 15 regular season victories. He got the victory in the Game 7 ALCS victory over the Cleveland Indians. Then he got the win and drove in a pair of runs in Game 3 of the 2007 World Series.

His final four seasons were worthless, each seemingly worse than the last.

But he has a World Series ring as a member of the Red Sox. A decade ago we would have lost our minds if we knew that the 2000's would bring about a pair of titles for the team.

So Red Sox fans salure Daisuke Matsuzaka. There are not many champion Red Sox left to salute.



 

Good bye regular season

The playoffs are about to start and it is my favorite part of the baseball season.
But man, I will miss the regular season.

I love checking on each team, seeing who played and who did well.
Which winning team stubbed their toe. Which bad team had a surprising good night.

It is the companion that I always have between April and the end of September and beginning of October.

Driving home, there is a game on. Thursday afternoon, there is a day game, sometimes at 10 AM Pacific time.

There can be 14 or 15 box scores to read a day.

Baseball is like no other sport like that. There is no over analyzing a game because once one is played, they are suiting up for the next one.

I will always love the regular season. It is like a friend. Each day some new drama, frustration, exhilaration and comedy can be shared.

Now only the best teams remain and frankly this is what people remember and take from the year.

But my dear friend is going away for the winter.

I will see you in the spring.
Thanks for being there for me every day.