Sully Baseball Daily Podcast - February 1, 2013

Travis Hafner signed a contract to be the Yankees DH... because they had a shortage of aging veterans with injury issues.

The main reason he was signed? Because he once beat the Yankees in the post season.

It makes sense on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast!


 Sully Baseball Daily Podcast - February 1, 2013

Red Sox Fans Should Honor and Say Thank You to Josh Beckett...No, Really - A Bleacher Report Article

No Red Sox fan is happier to see Josh Beckett go than me.
But that being said, we Red Sox fans should tip our hats to the former #19.

As I wrote in Bleacher Report, it is easy to remember the bad times. But never forget he gave the Red Sox the single greatest post season performance in Red Sox history.

Read the entire article HERE.


 

Was Carmona or Heredia the good pitcher?

I know it is a scandal that Fausto Carmona has two identities and is actually Roberto Hernandez Heredia. But it is hardly a surprise.

He's always pitched like he was two different people.
One pitcher was a kick butt starter who made the All Star team one year and contended for a Cy Young Award the next.

The other was a disastrous "Doesn't belong in the Major Leagues" chump who four times had ERAs over 5. The Indians tried him as a closer and in 4 straight appearances lost or blew the lead every time.

And people are surprised he had an identity crisis?
I could have told you that years ago.

I'm guessing Carmona was the pitcher who struck out A-Rod and went 9 during the "Midges Game" and Heredia was the pitcher who kept getting rocked.

The key for the Indians is to only employ Carmona and they'll be in good shape.

What do I want for the playoffs? 40 GAMES!

Last night's victory by the Cardinals was the 29th playoff game played this year. Between the 4 Division Series, the ALCS and the NLCS, the tally so far has been 29 games.

And both LCS are still up in the air. The Tigers can win today and the Brewers could win tomorrow and we'd have a pair of 7th games.

Now keep this in mind. In 2007, between the 4 Division Series, ALCS, NLCS and World Series, only 28 games were played... total.

Three of the Division Series were sweeps. The NLCS and the World Series were both sweeps.
Only the Indians 4 game victory over the Yankees and the Red Sox 7 game ALCS clinching kept the post season from being the minimum. (I could be generous and say there were 29 post season games by including the Padres and Rockies one game playoff.)

The MAXIMUM number of possible post season games is 41.
That's if all Division Series, the ALCS, NLCS and World Series all go the distance.

That's impossible this year because the Rays and Rangers series went 4 and not 5 games.
But the other three Division Series went the full 5 and there is the possibility of both LCS going all 7.

The maximum number of games that can be played this post season is 40.
And THAT'S what I am rooting for.
Two LCS being decided by one game and the World Series going 7.

Now, because I wonder about things like this, I tried to see how many games each post season went since the Wild Card was introduced.

2007 was the quickest post season with 28.
The longest? That would be 2003 when 2 Division Series and both LCS went the distance.

In 1998 and 2009, not a single post season series had a winner take all deciding game.

Here are how the post seasons unfolded.

1995 31 games. 1 Division Series went the distance.
1996 32 games. NLCS went the distance.
1997 34 games. 1 Division Series and World Series went the distance.
1998 30 games. No series went the distance.
1999 31 games. 1 Division Series went the distance.
2000 31 games. 1 Division Series went the distance.
2001 35 games. 3 Division Series and the World Series went the distance.
2002 34 games. 2 Division Series and the World Series went the distance.
2003 38 games. 2 Division Series, the NLCS and ALCS went the distance.
2004 34 games. 1 Division Series, the NLCS and ALCS went the distance.
2005 30 games. 1 Division Series went the distance.
2006 30 games. NLCS went the distance.
2007 28 games. ALCS went the distance.
2008 32 games. ALCS went the distance.
2009 30 games. No series went the distance.
2010 32 games. 1 Division Series went the distance.


So unless you are from Texas or St. Louis or have a friend or family member on the Rangers or Cardinals, root for the Tigers and Brewers in Game 6. Let's have some 7 game series.

It's been 9 years since a World Series went 7 games. It's been 3 years since the ALCS went 7 and 5 years since the NLCS had 7.

Let's have 40 post season games for the first time ever.
Trust me, it will be fun.

Arizona fans... You don't know how good you have it

It's Memorial Day and yes, the Arizona Diamondbacks are in first place all by themselves. I've been looking up pre season predictions for the past few minutes. I couldn't find one expert who picked the D'Backs to win the west.

But here they are about 1/3 of the way through.

Is there a stranger franchise than Arizona?
They were an expansion team who won 100 games in their second year.
By year 4 they won the best World Series of the past 20 years.
3 years later they were a 100 loss team.
3 years later they were hosting the NLCS.
3 years later they nearly lost 100 games.

And now they are in first place again.

When they were reckless in their spending, they created their signature moment (the 2001 Championship.)

When they built the team responsibly, they tore it down almost instantly.

They've had four unique managers in Buck Showalter, Bob Brenly, Bob Melvin and Kirk Gibson.

And in 14 seasons they seem to average 3 or 4 different uniform combinations per year.

I took Diamondback fans to task in 2007 for not selling out their games and in 2008 for not supporting their team.

Of course I am a raging hypocrite. I am a transplant who won't root for the local team, but I am asking the good people of Phoenix to do just that.

As I understand there are a ton of Cubs fans who have somehow landed in Arizona. There could be happiness for Cub fans if they root for the local team. In the last 103 years, the Cubs have won a grand total of one post season series (the 2003 Division Series.)

The Diamondbacks have won 4 post season series, including one against the Cubs.

Seriously, I understand how hard it can be to change loyalties. But in less than 15 seasons the Diamondbacks have given their fans thrills and enough valleys to weed out the bandwagon fans.

They are 1/3 of the way to ANOTHER Division winner.
That would be the team's 5th in 14 years.

That's a 35% success rate.
For the Cubs if they made the post season 35% of the time they would have 37 Octobers as opposed to 16.

I'm just saying.

The D'Backs are fun.
Just try and keep up with the correct up to date hat.

Good Luck Manny Delcarmen

Another member of a World Champion Red Sox team is gone.
And if I could salute Julio Lugo then I can damn sure salute Manny Delcarmen, who got traded to the Colorado Rockies (ironically the team he helped beat in the 2007 World Series.)

It may not have ended well in Boston, let's not forget what a wonderful Red Sox story his is.
He is a native Bostonian and "The Pride of Hyde Park" pitched at West Roxbury High School, dreaming of pitching for the Red Sox.

The Sox drafted him in the second round and in 2005 was called up to pitch for the Defending World Champs.

In 2007 he was up for good and contributing. With Papelbon and Okajima anchoring an All Star Bullpen, Delcarmen posted a 2.05 ERA over 44 relief innings. He kept the Angels off the board with 1 1/3 perfect innings in Game 2 of the Division Series that year (which ended on Manny Ramirez's walk off homer.)

He pitched in the clinching Game 4 of the World Series where he got to accomplish what so many kids in Boston had dreamed of and so few ACTUALLY have achieved:

He won a World Series ring as a player for the Red Sox.

He did it.
All of us who grew up in New England all wanted what he actually got done.

So while this year has been rocky and his season will end AS a Rockie, let me just say, from one life long Red Sox fan to another, thank you Manny Delcarmen for living out all of our dreams.

It was fun for us. I assume it was even more fun for you.

Does Kevin Cash belong in that elite group of Red Sox/Yankees champions?

The Red Sox today welcomed back old friend and knuckleball catching specialist Kevin Cash in a deal with Houston.

With Victor Martinez hurt, it is good to have someone with big league experience backing up "The Lobster" and catching Wakefield (who goes tonight in search if his 178th win in a Red Sox uniform.)

Cash was on the 2007 Division Series roster but didn't get into a game. (He played and homered in the 2008 ALCS for the Sox.)

So he earned a ring with the '07 Red Sox.

But remember, he also played for the 2009 Yankees... which as painful as it is to remember... also won the World Series.

Now he only played 10 games for the Yankees that year and was released in September... but I wonder if he got a ring from the Yankees as well.

I guess he would join Ramiro Mendoza, Johnny Damon and Eric Hinske as the only living players to get a World Series ring as a player with the Red Sox and Yankees.

But I have a hard time putting him in that list because Mendoza, Damon and Hinske were all on the active roster for the post season while Cash was cut from the team before the season was over.

It's the sort of thing that a lunatic like me thinks about at this late hour.

Either way, welcome back... and don't get hurt.

I won't boo ANY member of the 2004 and 2007 Red Sox... not even these guys

When I wrote about how I would give Manny Ramirez an ovation if I were at Fenway (and I do cheer for Manny when I go the six miles from my house to Dodger Stadium) I got some people asking me privately (and someone asked on the site) would I also cheer for Johnny Damon.

Of course.
Both Manny and Johnny were big parts of the 2004 team that all of us Red Sox fans waited our whole lives for. And the make up of the 2004 team was NOT a bunch of home grown Red Sox who all played together in Pawtucket. The 1975, 1978 and 1986 Red Sox teams were primarily home grown.

With the exception of Youk, Nixon, Varitek and Lowe, none of them spent their rookie years with the Red Sox. And even Varitek and Lowe were actually originally drafted by Seattle.

Most of the 2004 squad were picked up from other teams and assembled like a baseball answer to The Dirty Dozen, slapped together for a crazy mission to reverse the curse.

So it is disingenuous to get mad when a mercenary leaves for more money. Pedro, Damon, Manny, Foulke, Schilling et al came to the Red Sox via free agency or forced trades to make dough.

When Pedro signed with the Mets, Damon signed with the Yankees and Manny forced the deal to LA, they were doing to us what they did to the Expos, A's and Indians before coming to Fenway.

I just say "thank you" and have them on their way.
And I have my policy... if you were on the Red Sox playoff rosters for 2004 or 2007 then I can not boo you.

But there are a few guys who test that theory... and it isn't Manny nor Damon.

There are 4 guys who at first make me want to boo... then I have to stop and say "But they helped the Sox win a ring" and reluctantly say "Oh alright. I won't boo."

They are...

RAMIRO MENDOZA, Relief Pitcher. 2004

He always felt like a Yankee mole, didn't he? I still remember him being on the mound in 1999, clinching the ALCS. (No offense to El Duque, but Mendoza should have been the MVP of the 1999 ALCS.)

He was a big pile of "eh" in his 2 seasons in Boston, compiling a combined 5.73 over 2003 and 2004. And he was the last Red Sox pitcher to record a loss in 2004, getting the decision in the 19-8 Game 3 Fiasco... against the Yankees. It was the last game he pitched in a Red Sox uniform and the Sox went 8-0 the rest of the way. I admit it looked odd seeing his celebrate with the other Red Sox at Yankee Stadium after Game 7. When he received his ring the next season, he was a member of the Yankees again.

I never trusted him. But I can't boo him.


ERIC GAGNE, Relief Pitcher. 2007

He was supposed to be the pick up that solidified the bullpen and made the World Series a lock. Instead he became the 800 pound gorilla reliever and the very symbol of how badly someone could suck when they get off the juice.

By the time the playoffs came about, he was banished to mop up duty. The only time he pitched in a close game, it was Game 2 of the 2007 ALCS which he of course lost.

The only two positive things about Gagne's Red Sox stay were his closing out the Division Series (in a mercy move by Tito) and this song inspired by his time in Boston.

He has a ring and Yaz doesn't? It's sick. But I can't boo him.


JAVIER LOPEZ, Relief Pitcher. 2007

I watched a lot of Red Sox games in 2007. And I watched a lot of games where Javier Lopez came into the game. And I honestly have no recollection of him recording an out.

I'm not being snarky. I am sure he MUST have got a batter out. But I don't remember it. It seemed like all of his appearances were listed in the Box Score as 0 IP, faced 2 batters.

When he came into the game, you just KNEW that Tito was going to relieve him before the inning was over. You KNEW that the rally was going to continue.

He was tough to root for... and I bid him farewell last year. As poorly as he pitched, I can't boo him.

JULIO LUGO, Shortstop. 2007

Oh boy this is the ultimate litmus test. This guy was TOUGH to root for. Not only was he obscenely overpaid ($36 million for a guy who lost his starting job with the Dodgers) but was BRUTAL in the field and had an 0-33 stretch at the plate.

Someday we'll learn what Orlando Cabrera did to tick off the Red Sox front office. But until then, Sox fans will all be scratching our collective heads wondering why he couldn't stay instead of shelling out tons of money for Edgar Renteria and Julio Lugo.

But he won a ring with the Sox (and made a few nice plays in the World Series.) Swallow hard... I can't boo him.



And folks, if I refrain from booing those guys, then I think I can find it in myself to cheer some of the heroes of the '04 and '07 titles.

Sully Baseball Honors... BOB SHEPPARD

Bob Sheppard, the voice of Yankee Stadium, is retiring.

He's 99 years old... the fact that they have to announce that he is retiring and explain why he won't be able to even do one game next year says a lot about him.

Most people when they reach 99 years old have been dead for about 20 years.

But Sheppard is alive and does a job that seems to be essential... he gives class and dignity to announcing the Yankee line up.

The man first announced the lineups for the 1951 World Champion Yankees that featured Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, Billy Martin, Allie Reynolds and was managed by Casey Stengel.

The last team he called was the 2007 Wild Card team that featured Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens, Robinson Cano, Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon, Joba Chamberlain, Mike Mussina and was managed by Joe Torre.

That's stretching over some serious time.

He was featured in Seinfeld, Anger Management and was the final voice over in Billy Crystal's surprisingly good 61*.

And yes, while I am a Red Sox fan, I admit I got chills when I heard his voice.

My first memories was hearing names like "Chris Chambliss" "Reggie Jackson" and "Willie Randolph."

And let me tell you, when I was at NYU in the early 1990s and the Yankees were awful, he made some of those names sound good.

"Hensley Meullens."
"Don Slaught."
"Alvaro Espinoza."
"Mel Hall."

Any chump can say Mickey Mantle or Thurman Munson... but to make Oscar Azocar sound like a great Yankee took some talent.

So give yourself a break... and I hope Bob Sheppard reaches well beyond 100 years.

Reggie Jackson called Sheppard "The Voice of God."

God should take that as a compliment!

Sully Baseball Presents THE BEST AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES GAMES OF THE 2000s

The American League Division Series provided some of the most memorable highlights of the decade... some of the best comebacks... some of the most dramatic home runs... walk off homers and walk off bunts... a swarm of bugs... and possibly the most famous baseball image of the decade.

Now people who grumble about East Coast bias may grind their teeth reading this post.

But what am I supposed to do? The Yankees played in nine Division Series this decade and the Red Sox played in six. So there are bound to be a bunch of Yankee and Red Sox highlights here.

But there are also lots of games featuring the small market A's and Twins as well as the Angels, Mariners and White Sox.

As started in the Best of 2000s Post Season Home Page, I have picked two for each best game. Two best Game 1s, two best Game 2s etc...

And a few honorable mentions when need be.

Best Game 1s of the American League Division Series for the 2000s

2003 – A’s 5 Red Sox 4 (12 innings)

The Red Sox behind Pedro Martinez seemed ready to take a 1-0 series lead. But the A's rally off of the Boston bullpen, sending the game into extra innings.

With the bases loaded and 2 outs in the 12th, Ramon Hernandez, not exactly a speed demon, lay down a bunt scoring Eric Chavez with the winning run.

2006 – A’s 3 Twins 2

The Twins were favored to win Game 1 with ace Johan Santana on the mound. But Barry Zito out pitched the eventual Cy Young winner, not allowing a hit until the 5th inning.

Frank Thomas returned to his MVP form with a pair of homers and the A's were on their way to a surprising sweep.

Honorable mentions for Game 1 of the American League Division Series

2000 – Mariners 7 White Sox 4 (10 innings)

The White Sox leave the winning run in scoring position in the 9th inning. The Mariners take the lead in the 10th as Edgar Martinez and John Olerud smacked back to back homers off of Keith Foulke.

2002 – Twins 7 A’s 5

The heavily favored A's take a 5-1 lead in the second and the game looked like Men versus Boys. Then the Twins came back in the 6th, highlighted by Doug Mientkiewicz's homer and Jacques Jones' double. The Twins stunned the A's in the game and eventually the series.

Best Game 2s of the American League Division Series for the 2000s

2007 – Indians 2 Yankees 1 (11 innings)

The Midges game! A swarm of bugs descend onto Jacobs Field (or whatever they are calling it now) and gets Joba Chamberlain off sync, eventually allowing the tying run to score on a wild pitch.

Fausto Carmona wasn't as affected as he struck out Alex Rodriguez to send the game into extra innings.

Eventually Ryan Garko singled home the winning run in the 11th, giving the Indians a 2-0 series lead.

2009 – Yankees 4 Twins 3 (11 innings)

The Twins took a 2 run lead into the 9th with All Star closer Joe Nathan on the mound and seemed poised to tie the series at 1 going back to Minnesota. But Alex Rodriguez slammed a 2 run game tying shot in the 9th to send it to extra innings.

The Twins blew a bases loaded no out opportunity in the 11th (the same inning a Joe Mauer double was called foul by the left field line umpire.) In the bottom of the 11th Mark Teixeira homered to end the game.

Honorable mentions for Game 2 of the American League Division Series

2004 – Yankees 7 Twins 6 (12 innings)

The Twins rally off of Mariano Rivera to send the game into extra innings and Torii Hunter homered in the 12th. But the Yankees rally against an exhausted Joe Nathan with an RBI double by Alex Rodriguez and a game ending sacrifice fly by Hideki Matsui.

2006 – Tigers 4 Yankees 3

The seemingly over matched Tigers rally off of Mike Mussina, highlighted by an RBI triple by Curtis Granderson. Joel Zumaya overwhelmed the Yankees bats and closer Todd Jones gets Posada, Cano and Damon out with the tying run on base in the 9th.

2007 – Red Sox 6 Angels 3

Manny Ramirez hit a 3 run, 2 out walk off homer in the bottom of the 9th against Francisco Rodriguez that probably hasn't landed yet. Manny's pose at home was the most memorable image of the Red Sox' 2007 World Championship run.

Best Game 3s of the American League Division Series for the 2000s

2001 – Yankees 1 A’s 0

The 3 time defending Champion Yankees were on the verge of being swept by the younger A's. And Barry Zito did his job, holding the Yankees to 2 hits, including a solo shot by Jorge Posada.

The A's rallied off of Mussina in the 7th when Terrence Long doubled to right sending Jeremy Giambi home. The relay throw home was wild but somehow Derek Jeter intercepted it and flipped to Posada where he tagged out Giambi standing.

The A's had a chance to win the series in the 9th but Mariano Rivera pitched around a Jermaine Dye double. The Jeter flip has become one of the most famous sports images of the decade. The Yankees went on to win the next three games.

2004 – Red Sox 8 Angels 6 (10 innings)

The Red Sox seemed ready to complete a three game sweep of the Angels when they took a 6-1 lead late into the game. But the Angels tied the game, thanks in large part to a grand slam by Vladimir Guerrero that silenced Fenway Park.

Derek Lowe got out of a 10th inning jam and David Ortiz hit a walk off, series winning homer off of Jarrod Washburn that sent Fenway into delirium.

Honorable mentions for Game 3 of the American League Division Series

2000 - Mariners 2 White Sox 1

The White Sox, looking to avoid a sweep, cling to life with a 1-1 tie going into the 9th. But Olerud got on base and Piniella brought in Rickey Henderson to pinch run for him. Not a bad option off of the bench.

With runners on the corners, Carlos Guillen pushed a bunt past Keith Foulke, scoring Henderson and clinching the series for Seattle.

2003 – Red Sox 3 A’s 1 (11 innings)

The game played during my wedding. The A's, looking to sweep the Red Sox, made a pair of base running blunders rounding third base that helped send the game into extra innings. Trot Nixon homered off of Rich Harden to win the game and I had my first dance with my wife.

2005 - White Sox 5 Red Sox 3

In the 6th inning, with the White Sox up by only a run, Boston loaded the bases with nobody out. Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen called in Boston nemesis (and 1999 ALCS MVP) El Duque Hernandez to put out the fire. He got Jason Varitek to pop up. Then Tony Graffanino had a 10 pitch at bat that ended with a pop up. Then Johnny Damon had his full count check swing called strike three, to end the inning.

The White Sox would tack on an insurance run, eliminate the champs and win their first post season series since 1917.

2009 – Angels 7 Red Sox 6

The Red Sox saw an early 5-1 lead dwindle down to 5-4... but they were up 6-4 in the 9th with Papelbon on the mound, 2 outs, nobody on and the bottom of the Angels order coming up. They were in good shape.

But the Angels rallied highlighted by a full count walk to Chone Figgins, a 2 strike RBI single by Bobby Abreu and a 2 run go ahead single by Vlad Guerrero. The Angels shut down the Red Sox 1-2-3 in the 9th and finally vanquished their tormentors.

Best Game 4s of the American League Division Series for the 2000s

2003 – Red Sox 5 A’s 4

The day after the Trot Nixon homer (and my wedding), the A's looked to close out the Red Sox. Jermaine Dye's 2 run homer gave the A's the lead, which they carried into the 8th inning.

With 2 outs and 2 on in the 8th, David Ortiz hit a 2 run double off of A's closer Keith Foulke to give Boston the lead.

Scott Williamson got the A's 1-2-3 to send the series to a Game 5 showdown.

2004 – Yankees 6 Twins 5 (11 innings)

With Johan Santana starting Game 4, the Twins were in good shape to force a deciding Game 5. And they seemed even more ready to when they took a 5-1 lead into the 8th inning.

But the Yankees rallied, highlighted by a 3 run homer by Ruben Sierra.

In the 11th, Alex Rodriguez doubled, stole third and scored on a wild pitch. Rivera would shut the Twins down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 11th, clinching the series and setting up a Red Sox/Yankees showdown.

Honorable mentions for Game 4s of the American League Division Series

2001 – Mariners 6 Indians 2

The Indians were looking to stun the 116 win Mariners and win the series in 4. Bartolo Colon, who had shut down the Mariners in Game 1, took a 1-0 lead into the 7th, thanks to a Juan Gonzalez homer.

But the Mariners rallied for 3 runs in the 7th to take the lead and put it away with a 2 run homer by Edgar Martinez in the 9th to send the series back to Seattle, where the Mariners clinched.

2008 – Red Sox 3 Angels 2

The Angels avoided being swept with a 12 inning victory in Game 3. In Game 4, Torii Hunter hit a 2 out, 2 strike 2 run game tying single in the 8th, giving the Angels life. A botched squeeze play by the Angels helped kill a 9th inning rally. In the bottom of the 9th, Jason Bay dropped a ground rule double over the head of right fielder Reggie Willits. He would score the series ending run on Jew Lowrie's 2 out single.

Best Game 5s American League Division Series for the 2000s

2003 -Red Sox 4 A’s 3

One of the most thrilling games I have ever seen... granted I am partial as a Red Sox fan.

Barry Zito took a 1-0 lead against Pedro Martinez into the 6th. But Varitek homered to tie the game and Manny Ramirez hit a 3 run shot (and styled at home plate) to give the Red Sox the lead.

The A's crept back and put the tying and series winning runs on base with one out in the bottom of the 9th. Derek Lowe was pressed into closing duties and got pinch hitter Adam Melhuse out looking. Then with the bases loaded caught Terrence Long looking, gave an interesting gesture to the A's dugout and celebrated with his teammates.

2005 – Angels 5 Yankees 3

A classic winner take all series finale. Eventual Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon couldn't pitch past the 1st inning and the Yankees scored 2 off of reliever Ervin Santana.

But Santana settled down and the Angels rallied off of Mike Mussina. The high light of the Angels come back was the collision in right field between Yankee center fielder Bubba Crosby and right fielder Gary Sheffield that turned Adam Kennedy's fly ball into a come from behind triple.

In the 9th A-Rod hit into a critical double play and Francisco Rodriguez got Hideki Matsui to ground out and end the series.

Honorable mentions for Game 5 of the American League Division Series

2000 – Yankees 7 A’s 5

Game 5 looked like a laugher for the Yankees as they scored 6 runs before the A's even came to bat. But Kevin Appier and two other relievers held the Yankees to 1 run the rest of the way as the A's mounted a come back.

They cut the lead to 2 and many times had the tying run at the plate, but the Yankee bullpen would not let the tying runs score.

2002 – Twins 5 A’s 4

With the Yankees eliminated, the A's seemed to have a clear path to the World Series, provided they could eliminate the upstart Twins. In Game 5, the Twins jumped off to an early 2-0 lead that Oakland's Ray Durham cut to 2-1 with a homer.

The score stayed 2-1 into the 9th when A. J. Pierzynski homered and David Ortiz doubled to make the score 5-1. But the A's fought back when Mark Ellis hit a three run homer in the 9th to make it a 1 run game. However the comeback fell a run short as Ray Durham popped up to end the game and the A's best shot as a pennant.

TO RETURN TO BEST OF 2000s POST SEASON HOME...
CLICK HERE.

Sully Baseball Presents THE BEST NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES GAMES OF THE 2000s

The National League may not have had a marquee franchise like the Yankees or Red Sox this decade, but they certainly had their share of drama in the post season.

From walk off homers to outrageous plays at the plate... from memorable pitchers duels to dropped fly balls and the first post season celebration for the Cubs since 1908... the National League Division Series had its share of memorable moments in the 2000s.

But a note to my dad: There are quite a few games listed here that were heart breakers for Giants fans. You've been warned.

As started in the Best of 2000s Post Season Home Page, I have picked two for each best game. Two best Game 1s, two best Game 2s etc...

And a few honorable mentions when need be.

Best Game 1s of the National League Division Series for the 2000s

2001 - Diamondbacks 1 Cardinals 0

Matt Morris and Curt Schilling locked horns in a classic pitchers duel.

Morris was terrific, holding the Diamondbacks to 6 hits and 1 run over 7 innings. His only blemish was a 2 out RBI single in the 5th inning.

This night, that was all Schilling needed. He went the distance, letting up only 3 hits and one walk while striking out 9. Schilling gave Arizona the early lead and a glimpse of the great pitching to come the rest of the post season.

2006 – Mets 6 Dodgers 5

The underdog Dodgers wanted to be aggressive early to make a stand against the heavily favored Mets. They showed their fearlessness on the bases when Jeff Kent tried to score from second on a Russell Martin single.

He was thrown out at home.

But then the aggressiveness got surreal when J. D. Drew tried to score on the same play. Mets catcher Paul LoDuca already had the ball and he got them both in one of the strangest double plays in history.

The game was a back and forth affair with the Dodgers scoring first, the Mets taking the lead, the Dodgers tying it late until the Mets took the lead for good on Carlos Delgado's RBI single.

When the Dodgers lost by one, you had to wonder how the game could have unfolded differently had Kent AND Drew hadn't tried to score early in the game.

Honorable mentions for
Game 1 of the National League Division Series

2001 – Braves 7 Astros 4

The Astros took a lead into the 8th inning but Marcus Giles tied the game with a single off of Mike Jackson. Two batters later, Chipper Jones launched a three run homer to give Atlanta the lead for good.

2007 – Diamondbacks 3 Cubs 1

Brandon Webb and Carlos Zambrano were locked in a tense 1-1 pitchers duel through 6 innings. Then Lou Piniella made one of the strangest managerial moves in recent memory. He pulled Zambrano after 6 innings and only 85 pitches, supposedly to make sure he was fresh for Game 4.

The plan blew up in Sweet Lou's face as reliever Carlos Marmol let up a lead off homer to Mark Reynolds and let up an insurance run later in the inning.

The Diamondbacks swept the Cubs and Zambrano was well rested for spring training.

Best Game 2s National League Division Series for the 2000s

2009 – Dodgers 3 Cardinals 2

The Cardinals were picked by many to go all the way to the World Series on the strength of their two aces, Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. The Dodgers won game 1 but Wainwright dominated Game 2, with a little help from a home run by Matt Holliday.

In the 9th with 2 outs, closer Ryan Franklin got James Loney to fly out to Matt Holliday to end the game... except of course Holliday dropped the ball.

Now if Franklin got either of the next two batters (Casey Blake and Ronnie Belliard) out, then Holliday's dropped fly ball would have been laughed off.

Instead the Dodgers rallied with Belliard tying the game with a single and pincher hitter Mark Loretta delivered the walk off hit.

The demoralized Cardnals were swept a few days later.

2000 - Mets 5 Giants 4 (10 innings)

Down 0-1 in the series, the Mets handed Armando Benitez a three run 9th inning lead in Game 2. You would think that would be a big enough lead.

Bonds and Kent got on and with one out J. T. Snow hit a three run game tying homer that sent Pac Bell Park into delirium.

The joy was short lived as the Mets came right back in the 10th with Jay Payton's 2 out RBI single.

When Benitez again let the lead off man on, John Franco was called in. With two outs and a runner on, Franco got Bonds on a questionable called third strike to end the game.

Honorable mentions for Game 2 National League Division Series

2002 – Cardinals 2 Diamondbacks 1

Curt Schilling was terrific against the Cardinals but Arizona trailed 1-0 into the 8th inning. Quinton McCracken doubled home the tying run with 2 outs in the 8th to get Schilling off the hook. But Miguel Cairo hit an RBI single in the 9th to give the Cardinals the win and a 2-0 series lead.

2004 – Braves 4 Astros 2 (11 innings)

Roy Oswalt had the lead over former teammate Mike Hampton but Brad Lidge let up a game tying RBI double to Adam LaRoche in the 8th inning. John Smoltz worked around a pair of walks in the 10th and Rafael Furcal ended the game with a 2 out 2 run walk off homer in the 11th.

Best Game 3 National League Division Series for the 2000s

2003 – Marlins 4 Giants 3 (11 innings)

The Giants and the Marlins both blew several scoring chances throughout Game 3, allowing the game to go into extra innings.

Marquis Grissom was caught trying to steal third base.

Lenny Harris of the Marlins popped up to end the 10th with the bases loaded.

The Giants broke the tie with a run in the 11th but left the bases loaded.

In the bottom of the 11th, supposed Gold Glove right fielder Jose Cruz Jr dropped an easy fly ball by Jeff Conine to lead off the inning. Eventually the Marlins loaded the bases with two outs. With 2 strikes, Pudge Rodriguez singled home the tying and winning runs.

2000 - Mets 3 Giants 2 (13 innings)

The Giants were 4 outs away from taking a 2-1 series lead. But Edgardo Alfonzo doubled home the tying run in the 8th inning off of Robb Nen, sending the second straight game into extra innings.

The Giants blew scoring opportunities in the 10th, the 12th and the 13th while the Mets blew a bases loaded chance in the 11th.

Finally Benny Agbayani homered in the 13th inning to give the Mets the win. They would win the series the next day on Bobby Jones' 1 hitter.

Honorable mentions for Game 3 National League Division Series

2007 – Rockies 2 Phillies 1

An unlikely pitchers duel unfolded at Coors Field between Ubaldo Jimenez of the Rockies and Jamie Moyer of the Phillies. The Rockies took a 1-0 lead into the 7th before Shane Victorino homered to tie the game and keep the Phillies hope alive. But Jeff Baker hit a 2 out RBI single in the bottom of the 8th to give Colorado the lead.

The Rockies would shut Philadelphia down in the 9th and keep their unlikely winning streak going into the NLCS.

2009 – Phillies 6 Rockies 5

A wild back and forth game saw the two teams tied going into the 9th. A controversial non call helped put Phillies on first and third with only 1 out, setting up Ryan Howard's go ahead sacrifice fly.

Charlie Manuel brought in struggling closer Brad Lidge who proceeded to put the tying and winning runs on base before getting Troy Tulowitski to pop up and end the game.

Best Game 4 of the National League Division Series for the 2000s

2005 – Astros 7 Braves 6 (18 innings)

One of the great Division Series games of all time.

Early on it looked like the Braves were going to cruise to an easy win and force a Game 5 in Atlanta. Adam LaRoche hit a grand slam and the Braves took a 6-1 lead into the 8th inning.

But Lance Berkman hit a grand slam off of Kyle Farnsworth to bring Houston to within 1.

Then Brad Ausmus hit a 2 out game tying homer in the bottom of the 9th to send the game into extra innings.

Actually, it would take the equivalent of another GAME to decide this one.

Luke Scott missed a series ending homer by a few feet.

The Braves had men in scoring position in the 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th and 17th.

The Astros ran out of pinch hitters and Roger Clemens had to come in as a pinch hitter AND a reliever.

Finally Chris Burke homered off of Joey Devine, sending Minute Maid Park into a frenzy.

It also ended the Braves magnificent playoff run.

2003 – Marlins 7 Giants 6

The Giants seemed demoralized after their shocking Game 3 loss and quickly fell behind 5-1 in Game 4. Dontrelle Willis was dominating with his arm and with a 3 for 3 performance at the plate.

But the Giants tied the game with a 4 run 6th inning.

Pudge Rodriguez scored the go ahead run when he scored on a collision at the plate in the 8th. In the 9th with 2 outs, Jeffrey Hammonds singled to left sending J. T. Snow home trying to tie the game. But Snow was thrown out as Rodriguez held onto the ball after another collision at the plate.

After listening to that game, I drove to my wedding.

Honorable mentions for Game 4 National League Division Series

2004 – Braves 6 Astros 5

The Astros scored 5 in the second inning and looked like they were going to cruise to their first ever post season series win.

But Adam LaRoche hit a three run homer in the 6th to tie the game. Astros manager Phil Garner made a pair of strange managerial decisions including lifting Roger Clemens after only 5 innings and pulling Brad Lidge after only 2 batters. The Braves rallied with 2 outs in the 9th to take the lead on J. D. Drew's single.

With the series winning runs on board for Houston, Smoltz got Jeff Kent to hit into a game ending double play.

2009 – Phillies 5 Rockies 4

Cliff Lee, who threw a devastating complete game victory in Game 1, had the Rockies on the ropes going into the 8th inning. But a walk and an error in the 8th knocked him out and Ryan Madson allowed the Rockies to take the lead.

With 2 outs in the 9th and the Rockies in line to tie the series, Ryan Howard hit a game tying double and Jayson Werth singled him home.

Reliever Scott Eyre put the tying and winning runs aboard for the Rockies, but Brad Lidge got Troy Tulowitski out again to clinch the series.

Best Game 5 National League Division Series for the 2000s

2001 – Diamondbacks 2 Cardinals 1

Possibly the most underrated game of the decade.

The Schilling vs. Morris rematch looked like it was going to be a repeat of Game 1 as Schilling took a 1-0 lead into the 8th inning. But J. D. Drew homered to deadlock the game and send the decisive game tied into the 9th.

Schilling worked around an Edmonds single in the 9th and the D'Backs looked to end the series in the bottom of the 9th.

With 1 out and pinch runner Midre Cummings at third, manager Bob Brenly called for a squeeze play to end the series. But Tony Womack couldn't put the bat on the ball and Cummings was out at home.

Womack made up for it by getting an RBI single scoring Danny Bautista and winning the series.

2002 – Giants 3 Braves 1

The Giants avoided elimination in Game 4 and took a lead in the decisive Game 5 thanks in part to a Barry Bonds home run.

But the Braves kept threatening and in the bottom of the ninth had the tying runs aboard, nobody out and Gary Sheffield and Chipper Jones coming up.

One swing of the bat and the Braves would win the series.

But Robb Nen struck out Sheffield and got Jones to ground into an awkward but effective double play that ended the game and won the series for the Giants.

(I needed to have ONE good Giants game in here!)

Honorable mentions for Game 5 National League Division Series

2003 – Cubs 5 Braves 1

After a pair of back and forth games at Wrigley, the Braves and Cubs played a winner take all Game 5 in Atlanta.

Behind Kerry Wood, the Cubs shut the Braves offense down to a single run over 8 innings. The Cubs sent Atlanta down 1-2-3 in the 9th.

It is, as of this writing, the only post season series victory of any kind for the Cubs since 1908.

2004 – Astros 12 Braves 3

The Braves and Astros went into the 7th inning of the deciding Game 5 with the score a tight 4-2 in Houston's favor. Then the Braves bullpen collapsed as the Astros scored 5 in the 7th and 3 in the 8th to cruise to a 12-3 victory. This was the first playoff series win in Houston's history.

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Joba Chamberlain = Matthew McConaughey

Bear with me, the analogy is sound.

Matthew McConaughey is great at what he does. He’s a super handsome very likable good old boy who is smoking the best weed that anyone in the history of man kind has ever smoked.

And when he plays to his strengths, he is a good solid likable leading man and a funny interview.

He gave one of the great stoner performances of all time as Wooderson in Dazed and Confused.

And then he appeared in that dreadful Time to Kill movie… you know the one where evidently it is OK to kill someone with an AK 47 in broad daylight provided you know you are right!

Well it was supposedly a Sandra Bullock/Kevin Spacey/Samuel L. Jackson movie… but they cleaned up McConaughey, put him in a suit and the tongue of every single woman (and quite a few men) started wagging.

He became a big movie star and suddenly some big name directors thought he could act in big high profile dramas.

So Robert Zemeckis put him in Contact as a new age thinking religious guru opposite heavyweights like Jodie Foster, James Woods and Angela Bassett.

Then no less than Steven Spielberg cast him as a lawyer in Amistad and put him in scenes with the likes of Morgan Freeman and Anthony Hopkins.

And in those movies he clearly was a toddler thrown into the deep end. Not only couldn’t he carry the scenes but had more people whispering “What is he doing with this group?” since Dan Aykroyd sang in We Are The World.

Well the dramatic roles dried up… but then he started playing the lovable lug card… and he turned out to be good at it.

There’s no shame in playing to your strengths. Not every guy who made his name playing stoners turns out to be a great actor.

Maybe he isn’t a young Pacino, but he is good at what he does.

Which brings us to Joba.

Joba came up as a dominating reliever.

The kind of reliever that makes a difference in the game. The kind of reliever that shortens games.

And he had a bad ass demeanor that a stud closer needs…
He even had the great name that conjures up images of Return of the Jedi.

Heck, they could play the Cantina music from Star Wars when he comes in to pitch!

He could set up for Rivera and then be his heir apparent.

That was 2007.

And then the thought was to turn him into a starter. People kept saying he was an ace in the making. People kept saying “You don’t have a potential Cy Young winner in the bullpen!”

And in 2008 the Yankees engaged in the most moronic pitching program known to mankind when they made sure that Joba could not pitch in either the rotation or the bullpen.

Now in his third big league season, Joba has been only a starter… and the results have been overwhelmingly underwhelming.

He has an 8-6 record in 29 starts with the best lineup in baseball behind him. His ERA is not exactly earth shattering at 4.72.

And since August he is 1-4 with a 7.75 ERA over 36 innings.
And he is winless since August 6th.

With the playoffs looming for the Yankees, the thought of Joba starting a playoff game is not a pleasant one as he isn’t meriting being called a #4 starter, let alone a #3.

Cy Young?
Try ANTHONY Young!

And all the while they continue to limit his innings and monitor him as if he was Castro on his death bed.

Meanwhile the Lincecums, the Lesters, the Buchholz’s and the Porcello’s of the world can all pitch and throw complete games if necessary… but not Joba!

And because of this brilliant strategy the Yankees have turned a reliever with a 1.53 ERA who struck out 78 batters in 59 innings and has nearly a 4 K to BB ratio and a 1.00 WHIP… and transformed him into a starter with an ERA over 4, lets up more than a hit an inning and less than a strikeout an inning… whose K to BB ratio is nearly cut in half…

And most importantly can’t be counted on in the playoffs.


GREAT JOB!

The Yankees had something great and they made him mediocre.

They had a player who was special at his job and made him do something where he is nothing special.

And no doubt this craziness will continue into next year as he turns 24… all because the Yankees wanted him to be something that he wasn’t.

But when someone is great at one thing and eh at something else… shouldn’t he continue doing the GREAT thing?

Sure there are good relievers to transform into good starters. Adam Wainwright is the latest example of that.

But back to McConaughey, there are also some great actors who started off playing lovable stoners.

Sean Penn started as Spicoli… but let’s face it… he’s the exeception.