DING... DONG... DING... DONG... The Pujols bell has rung

Noon on the East Coast has come and gone.
Albert Pujols has NOT resigned.

Worst mistake the Cardinals ever made was not getting this locked up.

That being said, if ONE SINGLE Cardinal fan boos Pujols, shame on you.
I wrote this a year ago and I stand by it: Albert Pujols owes the Cardinals and their fans NOTHING... not even an extension.

Should Oliver Perez be making demands?

According to the New York Times, Oliver Perez is telling the Mets he doesn't want to be a reliever.

I think the Mets agree. They don't want him to be a reliever... or a starter... or throw anything resembling a pitch in a game.

But if Perez could make demands to the Mets, I suppose the Mets could make a few demands back to Perez:

- Win infinitely more games in 2011 than he did in 2010. (His 2010 record was 0-5.)

- Try to get his ERA BELOW 6.80. (Set realistic goals.)

- Maybe use some of the $36 million that he will make since 2009 to scout and find a decent pitcher. (Or even just a lousy one would be an improvement.)

- Just throw batting practice. (Lord knows the opposing hitters all improve THEIR swings when Perez pitches.)

- Start every fifth day... for whatever team the Mets are playing that day. (That's got to be 30 wins right there!)

- Stop talking about how "This is how we did it in Pittsburgh!" after EVERY loss. (The Mets losing tradition is much more nuanced.)

- Try playing second base. (How could Perez's infield play be any worse than his pitching?)

- Stay in the headlines to distract the press from anything else that might be embarrassing about the Mets front office and financial dealings. (Not that there IS anything.)

- Use some of that $36 million to develop the technology from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. (The Mets need to erase the memory of Perez's last few years from their brain.)

- Care. (OK, maybe that is asking too much.)

One swing away from immortality - My latest for The Hardball Times

My latest article for The Hardball Times is more schadenfreude from your pal Sully. ach of these batters had the chance to clinch a post season series with one swing of the bat. And each of these teams would lose that post season series.

I can't help but think that each of these players cringe when they think of the opportunity that came and went with each of these at bats.

You can read the article HERE.

LISTEN NOW TO SEAMHEADS.COM... including The Sully Baseball Show

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Joba is out of shape? Was he ever IN shape?

The word out of Tampa is that CC Sabathia has dropped weight and looks like he is in terrific shape. That's good news for the Yankees because, when you consider how lousy Phil Hughes' second half was, Sabathia is the only starting pitcher the Yankees have that they can count on.

But evidently there is a constant combined weight for Sabathia and Joba Chamberlain. Whatever weight CC lost, Joba packed on.

And, as shown in the picture above from last season, it isn't like Joba resembled Tim Linecum's waistline last year.

This Tweet should alarm Yankee fans.








Ouch.

This is a make or break year for Joba. As I wrote before, I blame the Yankee management for the derailing of his career. But this is bonkers.

It's not like this is Joba's first year in New York. It's not like he should be surprised that he will be under the microscope (provided they find a Petrie dish big enough for him.) The Yankees are thin in pitching... but not LITERALLY.

Perhaps Joba felt that with Bartolo Colon in camp, there would be no way he would be declared the fattest pitcher.

But the team needs a starting pitcher and relief depth... not a guy who looks like someone signed up for fantasy camp.

Besides, this is his 4th spring training in a row where his role will be in question.
He should know that the New York media loves to pick on a player's weakness. And when your name is ALREADY Joba, maybe you should try to watch your weight a little better.

Be my (Ellis) Valentine

On this Valentine's Day, let's honor a REAL Valentine... namely former Expos star outfielder Ellis Valentine.

The star out of Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles, he went to Montreal to form a remarkably talented outfield with Warren Cromartie and future Hall of Famer Andre Dawson. Valentine became an All Star with 20 home run power, double digit stolen bases and a rifle for an arm that helped him win a Gold Glove.

He was a Kellogg's 3D Super Star, and his having a 3D card meant I voted for him on my very first All Star ballot.

He was hit in the face by a pitch in 1980, resulting in that bad ass face guard seen on his 1981 Topps card above.

Sadly that was when his career began to take its down turn. In 1981 he was dealt to the Mets. But soon more injuries and drug issues derailed him. He played his last big league game in 1985 and was broke not long after that.

But Valentine put his pride on the shelf and built himself back up, kicked the drug habit and now counsels young players in Southern California about how to avoid his pitfalls.

He founded the A.V. Light Foundation in Lancaster, California to counsel families and is involved with B.A.D., an anti drug organization for baseball players.

Valentine's days as a baseball superstar may have been limited but his life is worth celebrating as he has become a positive figure in many people's lives. And as Jackie Robinson said, "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."

But let's not forget... he was a hell of a player.
Take a look at his throwing arm. Look, but don't try to run on him!

Mark "The Bird" Fidrych is still worth remembering

It's been nearly 2 years since Mark Fidrych died and as a baseball fan, it still makes me sad knowing he is no longer around.

We may never see another unlikely and insanely bizarre success story like The Bird ever again, but I truly hope we do.

We need more FUN stars. We need more players on the field who are awesome and cool and that we can point to and say "if I had a decent pitch, that could be me."

I am convinced that is why Fernando Valenzuela is still a God at Chavez Ravine. Every Mexican American who watched him pitch thought "Hey that looks like me!" or "that looks like my buddy!" and felt they were only a screwball away from being a World Series hero.

The Bird was a goof ball from Massachusetts who just happened to have the ability to get batters out.

Gee whiz, I wonder why he is so loved by THIS goofball from Massachusetts!

Watch this video and enjoy the Bird. And while you are at it, baseball... find a new Bird.

They are replaying the 2003 Home Run Derby on MLB Network

No matter what you think about Performance Enhancing Drugs and if you are glad to see the 'roids era fading way, you can NOT deny that it was more fun when these guys were on juice.

Jason Giambi is on now and he is launching them into the U.S. Cellular Field night.
Alex Rodriguez is the guest announcer.

Can you IMAGINE what was being shot into the player's butt back then?
In 2003, did ANYONE know what BALCO was?


So maybe they should let them juice up for the derby... FOR THE FANS!

Chris Berman JUST SAID "Does it have enough juice?" for Giambi's latest hit.

Ahh the irony.

Does Wakefield had 14 more wins in that knuckler?

Come on, Wakes... find it in you. Push that ball across and win 14 more times. With 14 more wins, Wakefield will have 207 lifetime wins and 193 wins as a Red Sox pitcher.

And 193 would be the most wins for any pitcher in Red Sox history.
Right now Roger Clemens and Cy Young are tied with 192 wins.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if this classy survivor, a guy who seemed done at least three times in his tenure with the Red Sox (this will be his 17th season with Boston) could be crowned "Winingest pitcher in Red Sox history"?

Just 14 more...

Rest in peace Chuck Tanner

The Fam-A-Lee lost one of its great figures.
Notice I couldn't say its father figure. The 1979 Pirates had only one daddy... that would be Pops Stargell.

But Chuck Tanner was the manager of those 1979 Pirates and it was his enthusiasm and positivity that gave them a steady hand as they beat a powerful Orioles squad after trailing 3 games to 1.

He managed contenders for the White Sox and the end of the 1970s A's run where he finished second. Then was traded as a manager to the Pirates for Manny Sanguillen.

Sanguillen would return to the Pirates and help with a key pinch hit single in the 1979 World Series.

Tanner would later manage the Braves where he brought Stargell along to be on his coaching staff.

The Fam-A-Lee has a new Hall of Famer this year with Bert Blyleven and last year they lost Jim Bibby. Now Tanner is gone.

Anyone who knows me knows that the 1979 World Series holds a very special place in my heart. It was the first World Series I watched every game of and the first one I got emotional about.

I love that '79 Pirates team and as I wrote before, I thought everything about that World Series was great.

So cue up Sister Sledge and tip your star covered hat.

Rest in peace Chuck Tanner... you will always be part of the Fam-A-Lee.

Agony of the Astros

The past 10 seasons or so have put an end to a lot of World Series misery for suffering franchises. The Red Sox, White Sox, Angels and Giants all won historic titles for their teams. The Cardinals and Phillies gave a new generation a title of their own. And of course those poor suffering Yankee fans got their first title in 9 seasons.

But one team that continues to torment their fans will begin their 49th season with little hope for their first World Series title.

The Astros finally won a pennant in 2005, but their team is still ringless.

Usually the Astros aren’t mentioned as one of the long suffering teams. Perhaps because they don’t have the long history dating to black and white film the way the Red Sox and Cubs and Indians droughts did.

Maybe it is because Houston isn’t considered to be a baseball town. (I have never stepped foot in Houston, but I have interacted with a lot of passionate Astros fans on line… I bet it is a bigger baseball town than people give them credit for.)

Or maybe it is because the Astros have oddly tried to shake their cool identity as the team of the future with some faux old fashioned nostalgia. But I already wrote about that.

But either way, a close look at Houston Astros post season history shows a staggering number of close games, walk off losses and games ending with the winning run either at the plate or on base.

They participated in 3 of the greatest League Championship Series in history (2 of which were overshadowed by a Boston and New York classic but have stood the test of time as heart stopping.)

A bounce here or a catch there, the Astros could have several more pennants or a World Series title. Instead they have a litany of post season losses that makes even this hardened Red Sox fan say “Wow… these games are rough.”

Yes they have had a few victories that should always be remembered. (Jeff Kent’s walk off shot in the 2004 NLCS or the 18 inning marathon capped off by Chris Burke’s home run in 2005 come to mind.) But those are outweighed by the heart break.

Even the greatest moment in the team’s history (the 2005 NLCS) is best remembered for a 9th inning collapse.

So look away Astros fans… these are the post season games the Astros lost where either the other team won in their last at bat or Houston had the winning run at the plate.


GAME 4 - 1980 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAPIONSHIP SERIES
October 11, 1980.
PHILLIES 5, ASTROS 3 - 10 innings.
The Astros were one game from winning the National League pennant. They built a 2-0 lead and loaded the bases in the 6th inning, knocking out Phillies ace Steve Carlton. Luis Pujols hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0, but the umpire ruled that Gary Woods left third too early and was called out on the appeal.

Pete Rose led a go ahead rally with some clutch hitting and alert base running in the 8th. Terry Puhl tied the game for the Astros in the 9th and was on first base representing the 1980 pennant. Instead Enos Cabel hit a drive to right field and Phillies outfielder Bake McBride picked off Puhl going back to first.

In the 10th, the Phillies got a pair of 2 out RBI doubles to take the lead for good.


GAME 5 - 1980 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
October 12, 1980
PHILLIES 8, ASTROS 7 - 10 innings

The Astros tied the game in the 6th and took a 5-2 lead with a wild 7th inning rally and were only 6 outs from the World Series with Nolan Ryan on the mound.

The Phillies got a run and Joe Sambito came in with the bases loaded and nobody out. He got an out but let up a run. Ken Forsch got Mike Schmidt to strike out looking... 4 outs from the Series.

But Del Unser tied the game with a single and Manny Trillo gave the Phillies the lead on a triple. But in the bottom of the 8th, the Astros rallied off of Tug McGraw and had the go ahead run on third when Denny Walling grounded out.

In the bottom of the 9th, Dave Bergman, Alan Ashby and Craig Reynolds all came to the plate representing the pennant. They went down 1-2-3. Garry Maddox hit a 2 out double to give the Phillies the lead for good in the 10th and for good measure caught the pennant clinching out.

The Astros lost an NLCS where in two different innings they could have won with a single 9th inning run. The Phillies would go on to win the World Series


GAME 4 - 1981 NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES
October 10, 1981
DODGERS 2, ASTROS 1

With the player's strike forcing a Divisional Playoff in 1981, the Astros won the first two games in extra innings and needed just one win in Chavez Ravine to get back to the NLCS.

The Dodgers won Game 3 and sent ace Fernando Valenzuela to the mound for Game 4. Vern Ruhle pitched well for the Astros but let up a home run to Pedro Guerrero and an RBI hit to Bill Russell.

Valenzuela didn't let a runner get into scoring position until the 8th, but in the 9th, the Astros got on the board and had the go ahead run at the plate in the form of Jose Cruz. He popped up to catcher Mike Scioscia. The Astros would lose Game 5 and complete the collapse blowing a 2-0 series lead.

The Dodgers would go on to win the World Series.

GAME 3 - 1986 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
October 11, 1986
METS 6, ASTROS 5

The Astros had a very simple strategy for winning the 1986 pennant against the favored Mets: Have Mike Scott win his three games and steal another game somewhere else.

When Houston took a 4-0 second inning lead in Game 3, it looked like they were well on their way to a win. Darryl Strawberry tied the game with a 6th inning homer but Ray Knight's error in the 7th opened up a go ahead rally for the Astros in the 7th.

In the bottom of the 9th, just 2 outs away from taking a 2-1 series lead and handing the ball to Scott for game 4, Lenny Dykstra hit a 2 run, come from behind walk off home run to give the Mets the win.


GAME 5 - 1986 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
October 14, 1986
METS 2, ASTROS 1 - 12 innings

Mike Scott did indeed give the Astros a series tying win in Game 4. Not to be outdone, Nolan Ryan threw a masterpiece in Game 5. 9 innings, 1 walk, 12 strikeouts and only 2 hits. It is a line to win 9 out of 10 times.

But one of the hits was a home run by Darryl Strawberry and the Astros could only get one run off of Dwight Gooden over 10 innings.

Houston left runners in scoring position in the 2nd, 5th, 8th and 10th. In the 12th, Wally Backman singled, moved to second on a botched pickoff play and came home on Gary Carter's walk off single.


GAME 6 - 1986 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
October 15, 1986
METS 7, ASTROS 6 - 16 innings

Without question, one of the greatest playoff games in baseball history. The Astros ran up a 3-0 lead in the first inning and with the specter of Mike Scott looming for a Game 7, looked like they were in control. Bob Knepper was nothing short of brilliant, much like Ryan was the day before.

But the Mets bullpen shut down the Astros after the first and the Mets rallied in the 9th with 3 runs. Dave Smith let up two 3-2 walks before Ray Knight tied the game with a sacrifice fly.

In the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th a single run would have won the game for the Astros. 16 batters came to the plate, each with the ability to win the game. 15 of them were retired.

The Mets scored in the 14th but Billy Hatcher tied the game with a home run with the Astros 2 outs from elimination. Then 5 more batters came to the plate with the ability to end the game between the 14th and 15th. All were retired.

The Houston bats didn't come to life until the Mets took a 3 run 16th inning lead. The Astros scored twice and had the tying run on second and the winning run on first. Jesse Orosco struck out Kevin Bass to end the marathon.

Mike Scott never did get that third start despite two games where the Astros had a 9th inning lead and another game where an ace threw a masterpiece.

The Mets went on to win the World Series.


GAME 1 - 1998 NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES
September 29, 1998
PADRES 2, ASTROS 1

The 1998 Astros won 102 games and with newly acquired ace Randy Johnson were not just happy to win the Division. They had a pennant on their mind.

Johnson pitched well, going 8 innings with 9 strikeouts and 1 walk. But the Padres were also renting an ace. Kevin Brown went 8 strong with 2 hits and an amazing 16 strikeouts.

Down 2-0 in the 9th, the Astros faced relief ace Trevor Hoffman and rallied. Moises Alou tied the game with a hit and an error by Ken Caminiti. Carl Everett represented the winning run at the plate but flew out to center field to end the threat.

The Padres would win the series and go on to win the National League pennant.



GAME 3 - 1999 NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES
October 8, 1999
BRAVES 5, ASTROS 3 - 12 innings.

The Astros had a chance to take a 2-1 series lead with a game 3 win. And with Tom Glavine looking wild in the first inning, Houston's chances looked good. But Glavine settled down and eventually the Braves took a 3-2 lead.

In the 7th, the Astros tied the game but left the bases loaded. In the 9th inning, where a single run could have won the game, the Astros went 1-2-3.

Then came the 10th... one of the most underrated innings in terms of team agony. The Astros loaded the bases with nobody out. John Rocker got one out with a force at home. Then Tony Eusebio hit a grounder up the middle that looked destined to go into centerfield for a walk off hit.

Veteran Walt Weiss dove for the ball but still had to make a play. He threw a strike home getting Ken Caminiti at the plate for out number two. Rocker got out of the inning.

In the 11th, the Astros left another runner stranded before the Braves put up a pair of 2 out runs in the 12th. Kevin Millwood, on 1 days rest after throwing a complete game in Game 2 got the save for Atlanta.

The Braves would close out the series the next day and eventually go on to win the National League Pennant.


GAME 2 - 2001 NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES
October 10, 2001
BRAVES 1, ASTROS 0

The Astros had homefield advantage throughout the postseason for the first time since 1980 and looked to overturn the Braves in the Division Series.

After blowing a 3-2 8th inning lead to lose Game 1, they looked to even the series in Game 2. Dave Mlicki went up against Tom Glavine and held his own with 5 innings and no earned runs.

Unfortunately for the Astros there was an unearned run thanks to Julio Lugo's error on a Julio Franco grounder.

Nothing went right for the Astros as Brad Ausmus missed a home run by less than a foot in the 5th inning and in the 8th, Marcus Giles made a diving play to stop an Astros rally. In the 9th with a runner on base, Lance Berkman faced John Smoltz as the winning run. He hit a line drive that Julio Franco turned into a back breaking double play.

The Braves would go on to win the game and sweep the series.

GAME 2 - 2004 NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES
October 7, 2004
BRAVES 4, ASTROS 2 - 11 innings


It was Braves vs. Astros for the fourth time in the Division Series in 2004. The Braves won the previous three match ups. The Astros took game 1 of the 2004 series and looked to bring a 2-0 advantage back to Texas.

Jeff Bagwell and Raul Chavez homered to put Houston up 2-0 with Roy Oswalt on the mound.

But Braves infielder Rafael Furcal had ulterior motives for a Braves comeback. He was arrested for DUI and was sentenced to a short stint in prison. The one catch was his time would start when the Braves were eliminated. So facing the clink, Furcal singled home the first Braves run in the 7th. The Braves tied it off of Brad Lidge (and after there was some controversy over whether or not the bullpen phones at Turner Field worked.)

The Astros blew a scoring chance in the 10th and in the bottom of the 11th, Furcal hit a walk off homer against Dan Miceli to give the Braves life and prolong his own freedom.


GAME 4 - 2004 NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES
October 10, 2004
BRAVES 6, ASTROS 5

After a Game 3 win, the Astros seemed poised to win their first ever playoff series and finally beat their tormentors, the Braves. With a 5-2 lead in the 3rd and Roger Clemens on the mound, the clinching seemed inevitable.

But manager Phil Garner inexplicably lifted Clemens after only 5 innings. Reliever Chad Qualls coughed up a game tying homer to Adam LaRoche in the 6th inning and suddenly it turned into a battle of the bullpens.

In the 8th inning, Garner did not double switch when he brought in relief ace Brad Lidge into the game. As a result in the bottom of the 8th in a crucial situation with the go ahead run on third, Garner had to replace Lidge after only 2/3 of an inning with pinch hitter Orlando Palmeiro. He grounded out on a close play at first base that prevented the go ahead runner to score.

Reliever Russ Springer was scored upon giving the Braves the lead. In the bottom of the 9th, the Astros rallied and the tying run on third and the run that could clinch the series at first with only one out and Jeff Kent on the mound. But Smoltz got him to hit into a game ending double play and send the series back to Atlanta.

There the Astros won Game 5 handily for their first ever post season series win. The next year the Astros beat the Braves again, highlighted by the 18 inning marathon and Chris Burke's homer. Houston had finally gotten past Atlanta. But there would be other dragons to slay.


GAME 6 - 2004 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
October 20, 2004
CARDINALS 6, ASTROS 4, 12 innings

For the third time in their history, the Astros were in the NLCS. And, as was the 1980 and 1986 series, it was a classic series for the ages.

The home team won each of the first 5 games, including a 3-0 thriller in Game 5 when Jeff Kent ended a scoreless tie with a walk off 3 run jack.

The Astros were one win from the World Series when starter Pete Munro was knocked out of the game in the third inning. Phil Garner had to go to his bullpen much earlier than he wanted and that would come back to haunt the Astros.

The Cardinals took a 4-3 lead into the 9th inning and closer Jason Isringhausen was one out away from sending the series to a 7th game. But Astros slugger Jeff Bagwell got a 2 out RBI single to tie the game at 4.

A double steal by Carlos Beltran and Bagwell put two runners in scoring position for Lance Berkman and a chance to put the Astros ahead going into the bottom of the 9th was 90 feet away. But Lance Berkman struck out.

Now Garner had to bring in his closer Brad Lidge to keep the Cardinals at bay. He responded with a perfect 9th, 10th and 11th. But the Astros, looking to win the pennant with a run and a scoreless bottom of the inning, couldn't get on base. Finally an exhausted Lidge was liften and Dan Miceli came in to pitch the 10th. Pujols walked and with 1 out, Jim Edmonds launched a walk off shot to tie the series up.

The Cardinals would come from behind the next game and clinch the National League Pennant.


GAME 5 - 2005 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
October 17, 2005
CARDINALS 5, ASTROS 4

The Cardinals were heavily favored in the rematch LCS in 2005. The Astros were coming off another hard fought Division Series against Atlanta highlighted by the 18 inning marathon. St. Louis was barely challenged by the Padres.

But Houston surprised all the experts by taking a 3-1 lead including a pair of thrillers in Games 3 and 4.

Houston was ready for a clinching party in Game 5. Andy Pettitte and Chris Carpenter both pitched well as St. Louis took a slim 2-1 lead into the 7th. Lance Berkman hit a three run homer in the 7th inning to give the Astros a 4-2 lead.

In the 9th, Brad Lidge got the first two batters out and Minute Maid Park was going nuts as the pennant clincher was now inevitable. But a single by Eckstein and a walk to Edmonds brought Albert Pujols to the plate.

On an 0-1 count Pujols hit one of the biggest, no doubt about it homers ever seen. Minute Maid Park became a morgue. The Cardinals were now ahead and Lidge was shellshocked as the Cardinals went on to win.

Two days later, the Astros managed to clinch the pennant in St. Louis with Roy Oswalt earning playoff MVP honors. Dan Wheeler, not Brad Lidge, closed out the series.

In many ways, Pujols' home run was like Carlton Fisk's homer in the 1975 World Series. His team wound up losing but the dramatic blast became the single most iconic moment of the 2005 post season.


GAME 2 - 2005 WORLD SERIES
October 23, 2005
WHITE SOX 7, ASTROS 6

Finally in the World Series, the Astros lost the opener in Chicago. In Game 2, Lance Berkman doubled home a pair of runs in the 5th to give the Astros a 4-2 lead over the White Sox.

The score remained the same until the 7th when Dan Wheeler got two quick outs but then got into trouble. A full count to Jermaine Dye led to a hit by pitch that looked like it missed him to just about everyone who saw the play.

With the bases loaded, Chad Qualls came into the game in relief. His first pitch to Paul Konerko was deposited into the seats for a go ahead grand slam.

In the 9th inning with 2 outs, the Astros rallied highlighted by Jose Vizcaino's pinch hit 2 run single that tied the game with Division Series hero Chris Burke sliding under A. J. Pierzynski's tag.

Brad Lidge made his first appearance since the Albert Pujols homer in the 9th, getting Juan Uribe to fly out in the rain. Then he faced Scott Podsednik, who hit a grand total of 1 home run in 2005. (His lone homer was in the Division Series against the Red Sox. He had no regular season homers.)

It's one thing to let up a homer to a Hall of Fame slugger like Pujols. But Podsednik, whose regular season home run total I matched, is a different story. He launched one into center field and everyone on the planet Earth thought "Maybe it is a triple." Somehow he made it over the wall.

Lidge's woes continued and the White Sox were up 2-0.


GAME 3 - 2005 WORLD SERIES
October 25, 2005
WHITE SOX 7, ASTROS 5 - 14 innings

For a team with a single pennant in their history, the Astros sure have had their share of extra inning post season games. And Game 3 of the 2005 World Series was as heart breaking as any game in their history.

For the first time ever, Houston hosted a World Series game and it looked like it was going to be a momentum shifter when they gave NLCS MVP Roy Oswalt a 4-0 lead. But the White Sox erupted for 5 runs in the 5th, highlighted by A. J. Pierzynski's 2 out 2 run double.

But the Astros responded with 2 outs and nobody on in the 8th and Jason Lane doubled off of Dustin Hermanson to tie the game. The go ahead run was on third when Brad Ausmus struck out to end the threat.

In the bottom of the 9th against ancient Orlando Hernandez, the Astros had the winning run on third base with one out. Eventually they loaded the bases and Morgan Ensberg came up with a chance to win it. He struck out, sending it to extra innings.

Two Houston runners were left on base in the 10th and 11th. A lead off walk was squandered in the 13th. 23 batters came to the plate, all with the ability to end the game with one swing of the bat.

With 2 outs in the 14th, Ezequiel Astacio let up a solo homer to White Sox reserve infielder Geoff Blum. The homer rattled Astacio who lost all control, loading the bases and walking seldom used reserve catcher Chris Widger to force in an insurance run.

In the bottom of the 14th, a walk and an error brought the winning run to the plate for the Astros. But Mark Buehrle came out of the bullpen for a rare save and the White Sox were up 3-0.


GAME 4 - 2005 WORLD SERIES
October 26, 2005
WHITE SOX 1, ASTROS 0
A day after the 14 inning marathon, the Astros hoped to do what the Red Sox did just a year before and come back from an 0-3 hole. And it would be Brandon Backe being the unlikely leader of a come back (e).

He pitched 7 brilliant shutout innings, letting up 5 hits, striking out 7 and walking none. Freddy Garcia of the White Sox matched him inning for inning. The Astros had runners in scoring position in the 1st and 2nd and loaded the bases in the 6th.

They couldn't score.

Brad Lidge came into the scoreless game in the 8th and allowed reserve infielder Willie Harris to single. With two outs, Series MVP Jermaine Dye singled home Harris.

The Astros got two runners on against Cliff Politte in the 8th, but Neal Cotts got out of the jam. In the 9th inning, Bobby Jenks let up a lead off hit to Jason Lane. With one out and Lane on second Chris Burke hit a foul ball that Juan Uribe leaped into the stands to catch. Orlando Palmeiro came up representing the winning run but grounded out on a bang bang play at first.

The White Sox won the World Series, holding the Astros to 1 run in their final 19 innings.




Wow... that's a lot of heart break. Walk off homers from unlikely sources. Great pitching chances squandered. The winning run stranded on base. Runners being picked off. Odd bullpen decisions. 8 extra inning losses.

A bounce here in 1980, a carom there in 1986, an extra hop in 1999, a pop up in 2004 or a run driven in in 2005 and who knows? The Astros might have a few World Series banners flying.

A team like the Marlins have two World Series titles where they seemed to get every single break.

But the Astros?
They have the most underrated angst in all of baseball.

It might not be as LONG as Cubs or Indians suffering... but there is a lot of pain in those orange unis!

Ross Ohlendorf's arbitration arguments

Some people are surprised that Ross Ohlendorf was able to win his arbitration hearing despite a 1-11 record for the Pirates.

But if you look at his arguments, you will see it was a no brainer that he was going to win.


- Hey, I'm a Pirate! We're SUPPOSED to lose. And who did it better than me?

- Haven't you heard? We're not supposed to pay attention to a win-loss record anymore.

- Felix Hernandez lost 12 games and was given the Cy Young Award. I only lost 11. Ergo Felix Hernandez is a bigger loser than I am!

- By having the worst record in baseball, we get the #1 pick in the draft. You are welcome.

- Did you SEE my only win? It was on July 2nd against the Phillies. I threw 7 innings of shutout ball against the 2 time defending NL Champs. Let's see YOU do that, Mr. Arbitrator!

- You know, I actually had a decent ERA in each of the last two seasons. And fans don't pay money to see a pitcher win or lose. They just want to see a decent ERA.

- It is important to show Pirate fans that you are committed to putting the same crappy product on the field year in and year out.

- You have to factor in that I had an OPS of .220 as well.

- I played with the Yankees for two seasons, so I actually know players like Jeter and A-Rod. I can get them to sign some memorabilia for you. But that access doesn't come cheap!

- I can't imagine how I only went 1-11 with such a great lineup and a lock down bullpen around me!

Plan D for the Yankees... destroy Joba's career some more

Plan A for the Yankees this off season evidently was "Sign Cliff Lee."
Their plan to do that was to assume he would buckle to the amount of money thrown at him. Evidently nobody in the Yankees front office ever spelled "Assume."

Plan B was to alienate as many beloved Yankees as possible. Derek Jeter was told to find a better deal. Jorge Posada was told to turn in his catchers gear. Mariano Rivera was compelled to call the Red Sox. Andy Pettitte said "to hell with THIS!"

Plan C was to pretend it was still 2005. Andruw Jones, Mark Prior, Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon et al have all signed on. Now to build that Time Machine.

Now evidently there is Plan D... keep screwing around with Joba Chamberlain's already shaky psyche.

He's no longer a rookie. This is going to be his fifth season. You'd think 4 seasons would be enough to figure out his role. And according to reports he has shown up to camp looking heavy. Never a good sign.

So we enter the 4th annual "What will Joba's Role Be?" Spring Training extravaganza.
I've never understood this debate. He was a dominant reliever who the Yankees turned into a mediocre starter, an ineffective mop up man and in the 2010 postseason, an afterthought.

Good job!

I've been saying this for years. I've compared him the Matthew McConaughey... very good at one specific thing but out of his element when you try to expand him.

I said last spring that the Yankees out of mercy should trade him.

But now the Yankees bizarre off season has thrown his role back into the spotlight. They had a thin rotation last October and now it is even thinner. (Although it is hard to describe anything that added Bartolo Colon as "thinner!")

And because Joba was not allowed to develop into a reliable reliever, the Yankees had to spend for Rafael Soriano.

There are three (and possibly four) holes in the Yankees rotation and the richest and most glamorous franchise in baseball couldn't fill the 4 or 5 spots with a major leaguer.

Of course Brian Cashman said that Joba's role is secure and he is a reliever. Then again he ALSO said that they weren't going to lose their draft pick on any deal other than Cliff Lee... so we all see how much leverage HE has these days.

Don't put MORE weight on Joba. Don't punish him because the Yankees wet the bed this off season.

With Rivera and Soriano in the bullpen, the Yankees have to make a trade. Even if it is for a prospect or a role player. Joba is still young enough to have a decent career but not if he stays in New York.

Either that or just go all the way and never tell Joba what his role is.
Don't even tell him which days he is going to start.

How could that be any worse than how they've handled his career so far?

Who said Roger Clemens isn't clean?

Here's the video proof! That guy is ZESTfully clean!

(I have a feeling that isn't Clemens singing. I know I know... another scandal.)

Thanks to my friend Eli for sending me this clip.
I think I pulled an Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and erased this ad from my mind.

Sully Baseball honors... Pepe Mantilla's call of Albert Pujols Home Run off Brad Lidge, October 18 ,2005

Versatile broadcaster Pepe Mantilla calls Spanish language broadcasts for soccer games and Laker games here in Los Angeles.

Fox Sports also has employed him to call Spanish broadcasts for baseball playoff games.

He's damn good at his job, and I can say that as someone who doesn't speak a word of Spanish.

How do I know that? Because so much of baseball is conveying emotion and the drama simply in HOW you call the game, not just WHAT you call.

A case in point... listen to his call of Albert Pujols shot off of Brad Lidge in 2005.
Without knowing Spanish, see if you can tell when Pujols connects.

It's subtle.

The 2005 party continues in the Bronx

Brian Cashman brought in Luis Ayala today... he didn't pitch in the majors last year.
Once again the most resourceful team in baseball can't bring in a major leaguer.

But hey! He was very effective once. Guess when his last very good year was?

2005!

I am serious... this 2005 fetish is getting bizarre.
Bartolo Colon...
Mark Prior...
Andruw Jones...
Eric Chavez...
Ronnie Belliard...
Freddy Garcia...
Now Ayala.

To paraphrase one of the big movies of that year, Brian Cashman doesn't know how to quit 2005.

The Sully Baseball Show... part of the Seamheads Podcasting Network

Hey Sully Baseball fans... every Monday night I will be recording a new podcast as part of The Seamheads Podcasting Network.

I am part of their two hour block of baseball talk. The first hour is The What's On Second Show which features some terrific baseball talk courtesy of Steve Lenox and Jess Coleman.


Then I come on to host The Sully Baseball Show where each week I bring on people from the world of TV and comedy to talk baseball.

This past show featured Chris DeLuca talking Yankees, Wes Hoffmann talking A's and Clayton Fletcher loving his Orioles (someone has to.)


Listen to the show on the player below or check out the link I have on the bottom of the page.

And be sure the catch the show each week.

It's all part of the Sully Baseball empire.





Whats on Second The Seamheads.com Radio Hour/The Sully Baseball Show 2/7/2011 - Seamheads.com | Internet Radio | Blog Talk Radio

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