mlb – Page 7 – Threeunassisted

Embracing Pennant Chase Baseball

It is sad that the Major League Baseball regular season is ending in less than two weeks. 60% of the teams in the league will not be playing in October. Our daily routine over the last six months of checking box scores and Quick Pitch highlights will conclude, leaving a void until the Spring. Fortunately, for the fans in our house, there is so much more on the line and as we continue more intense scoreboard watching over the next 12 days. All three of our teams are in playoff position yet we still check the other teams that are in direct competition with our teams to see where our playoff seeding is.

Aaron Judge leads the Yankees to another AL East title. Phot from Sports Illustrated

We have Ryan checking in on the Orioles to see if the Yankees can finally put some distance between them and win the American League East. Spoiler alert: the race is over. Matthew is making sure the Mets continue to stay ahead of the Braves while also eyeballing the second wild card spot as the Diamondbacks have entered another September swoon. Caitlyn is anxious for the Phillies to claim the best record in baseball while also rooting for the Dodgers and Braves to lose every night. Two teams are comfortably in playoff spots while the third is making life easier for their fans. It is indeed a fun time of year, even though one of us is 140 miles away. This is a far cry from last year when both the Yankees and Mets missed the playoffs and Caitlyn had playoff baseball all to herself.

Baseball is so much better when all three of our teams make the playoffs as was the case in 2022. Competitive baseball in September helps us cope with the start of school and the end of warm weather. For at least two kids, the season will have a bitter ending. Here is hoping one of them will be smiling when the last out of the 2024 season is made.

Mets Vs. Phillies: Siblings on Opposite Ends

It’s a big weekend in my house. The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies play one another in a three game set in Philadelphia. However, this won’t be the only time the two play each other this month. Next week, they will be in Queens for four games beginning Thursday. The stakes are high with the Phillies closing in on a division title while the Mets are trying to remain in a Wild Card spot. Perhaps the biggest item over these next three days is that this will affect the mood in my house. Caitlyn (Phillies) and Matthew (Mets) are sure to be honed in on every single pitch and for one of them, going to school on Monday will be quite the chore.

When Harper and Lindor meet, I play Switzerland. Photo from the Philadelphia Inquirer

But first, a quick story as to how Caitlyn became a Phillies fan.

The year was 2016 and the month was also September. The Mets were making a late push to secure a playoff spot. Matthew was already established as a (mostly) maniacal Mets fan. I could remember him watching the first Spring Training game of that year (or 2017) and getting upset that Yoenis Cespedes struck out on three pitches. Anyway, during that September push the Mets played the Phillies a number of times. Philadelphia wasn’t very good that year, finishing with a record of 71-91. The Mets beat them repeatedly, and Matthew was very vocal in his support. Caitlyn, who did not have a team at that point, finally had enough and said, “That’s it, I’m becoming a Phillies fan!” Speculation that it was a phase ended when she saw me looking at baseballreference.com and asked to see the Phillies roster for the following Spring.

Fast forward to today. I am extremely lucky that my three kids get along so well with each other. I could honestly say there has never been an occasion where there has been anger among the three of them. This weekend, Caitlyn and Matthew will not be making fun of one another whenever the Mets or Phillies make a mistake. They will be annoyed with the losing result and thrilled with the winning outcome. But they won’t take it out on each other. Between the two, I would say, Caitlyn will show more emotion and let me tell you, she comes out with some great one liners when she is annoyed. Even when the Phillies are in say, a 20-10 stretch she finds reason to be aggravated. The London series in June provided some great quotes as the Phillies melted their late lead away in the Sunday contest:

“Oh my gosh, this team stinks”.

“At least three players need to be left in London”.

“I would have a better time flushing my money down the toilet than watching Jose Alvarado pitch”.

Of course, the next time they win, all is forgiven.

Me? I remain neutral. I have one wish after this weekend: the result is not a sweep. I want to see happiness for both children. Someone is going to be disappointed at least twice. I would like this series a little bit more if the Mets had a stronger hold on a playoff position. I expect some great baseball from two these long time rivals.

And I hope come Monday morning, Caitlyn and Matthew go off to school without a frown.

Tommy Pham is Driving My Kids Crazy

I would jump for joy like Tommy Pham if he called New York home. Photo from the Post Register

I have been a big Tommy Pham guy over the last year or so. I wrote an article about him in March, lamenting the fact that he had not found a team so late in Spring Training. I wanted the New York Yankees to sign him and as I sit here it pains me to know that Brian Cashman and company decided on three separate occasions to not pursue the veteran outfielder with a .313 batting average in 120 playoff plate appearances. I’ve spent most of the Summer pleading with Cashman (at least privately) to go after Pham because of his proven clutch performance. I’m sure some of you are tired of my dissertations on this topic.

Oh wait, you don’t live with me.

But my kids do. And I’m pretty sure they have had it with me on this subject.

Pham clutch for the Royals. Photo from my TV

At least Ryan has gone back to school and has received some refuge. However, even he is not safe 140 miles away. See the picture directly above this paragraph? One morning while watching Quick Pitch, I snapped it as a reminder (and to possibly email Brian Cashman) what the Yankees are missing by not signing Tommy Pham. I happened to send this picture to a group chat with my kids and other members of my family. No sooner did I hit the green arrow to grace everyone with my genius, Matthew sent the following reply:

“The moment I saw you take that picture I immediately knew what was happening and my prediction was correct”.

So not only have I become insufferable but I’ve become predictable.

Here it goes, hopefully for the last time.

Pham has been picked up by the Kansas City Royals after starting 2024 with the Chicago White Sox and then dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals. Cashman blew it by not grabbing him when he was available. The Yankees are a championship caliber team. However, they need someone that plays with an edge. This team gives off a no urgency vibe. Pham would change that………..hold on:

Tommy Pham just hit a home run against the Yankees.

I am a freaking genius.

Back to what I was saying. Pham would have been perfect in left field down the stretch. Alex Verdugo has been better lately but I’m sorry, Pham is a much better player with the money on the table. Verdugo would still be a valuable member of the team. He is a good defender with an excellent arm. He could play defense late. But the starter would be Pham.

Now I have to wait until next year to see if the folks running the Yankees smarten up and sign him. I’m not holding my breath. But next year, I won’t be as insistent on him landing in New York.

I promise.

My kids will make sure of that.

My San Diego Padres Mea Culpa

Trade deadline, trade deadline went. Too much to analyze even for me. The results won’t be fully known for a couple of years, given the number of prospects that were moved and the final pitch of the 2024 season over three months away. One team that made a flurry of moves in an attempt to finally get to the World Series was the San Diego Padres. As I glanced at my phone to see the update that the Padres acquired Tanner Scott, I thought, “Wow, way to go for it”. And then, it hit me.

I have been so wrong about A.J. Preller. He’s done a good job. Photo from San Diego Magazine

I need to give A.J. Preller, the chief baseball guy in San Diego, a lot of credit.

My kids and friends will tell you that for years, I have always thought Preller’s decisions were overrated. Year after year, we would hear how the Padres won the offseason and that they were poised for bigger things. Year after year they would disappoint experts and more importantly, their fans. Then, in 2022, after acquiring Juan Soto and Josh Bell, they finally broke through and made the National League Championship Series. In the following offseason, they added Xander Bogarts and got Fernando Tatis, Jr back from suspension. Yet, the Padres flopped and missed the playoffs in 2023. Before the 2024 campaign started, they traded Soto and lost Cy Young winner Blake Snell to free agency. Despite the misfortune, San Diego has been in prime playoff position all season. I’ve come to the realization that Preller has done an excellent job keeping his team relevant and consistently drafting well, allowing him to make bold trades like the ones orchestrated at this year’s trading deadline. For a good portion of my baseball life the Padres have been a below average franchise. With Preller at the helm, San Diego (with ownership’s commitment to higher payrolls), is becoming a more desirable place to play.

It is not easy to admit you are wrong. Once in a while, I was guilty of rooting against the San Diego Padres just to show people I was right. That was foolish of me. I should have respected the work A.J. Preller put in to making the Padres a good baseball organization. I won’t let that happen again. Hats off to A.J. Preller and I hope he sticks around to lead San Diego for another ten years.

Don’t Look Now, But Here Comes Rich Hill?

If it’s the end of July, then it’s time for us to be bombarded with around the clock rumors regarding the trading deadline. Actual transactions will be plentiful, as some names (AJ Puk, Randy Arozarena and Zach Eflin) havw already been moved. It’s July 26 and we are just getting warmed up. Among all the names that have been tossed about, the most fascinating one is a guy that is pushing my age: Rich Hill.

Rich Hill is waiting for a call in 2024. Photo from the Boston Globe

According to the great site for all things news, mlbtradrumors.com, the 44-year old Hill is drawing interest from the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers. In an interview conducted in August 2022, Hill had considered only playing in the second half of the 2023 season and try to hook on with a playoff contender. He ended pitched the entire season, first with the Pittsburgh Pirates and then the San Diego Padres. Hill is sticking with the plan this season, working out and waiting by the phone. This schedule allows him to spend quality time with his family and not have to endure the grind of a full season.

Pitching always sought after at this time of year. Given his tough 2023, I wouldn’t be surprised if Hill doesn’t get a call. However, if you are an American League team, why would you not reach out to him? After all, virtually any left hander will shut down the Yankees. Personally, I hope Rich Hill goes to the Atlanta Braves. Who doesn’t want to see a guy with 14 different organizations?

Immaculate Grid Superstar: Goose Gossage

Generally, when you think of a Hall of Fame player, you think of someone that spent his entire career with one or two teams, three at the most. However, that’s not really the case with pitchers, especially those hurlers who played in the 1970’s and later. Dennis Eckersley pitched for five teams, Fergie Jenkins, four. Gaylord Perry was a frequent traveler, as he was a member of eight teams. The King of the well traveled Hall of Famers is the subject of this week’s Immaculate Grid Superstar, Rich “Goose” Gossage”.

Goose Gossage, charter member of the Immaculate Grid Hall of Fame. Photo from CBS Sports.

Goose’s career spanned three decades for a total of 22 seasons. He started with the Chicago White Sox where in 1976, the year after he led the American League in saves with 26, he became a starter, going a less than stellar 9-17 with a 3.94 ERA. He did finish with 15 complete games. That was the last year the Goose started a game as he returned to his All Star reliver form in 1977 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He then became much more recognized nationally beginning in 1978 when he joined the New York Yankees. Gossage registered the final out of the one game playoff, the American League Championship Series and the World Series as the Yankees repeated as champions. He then flew to San Diego and helped the Padres to their first World Series appearance in 1984.

It was after his time with the Padres that Gossage really moved around. He went to five more organizations (including a second Yankee stint) before finally calling it a career after the 1994 season. He finished with 310 saves and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2008. If there was a Hall of Fame for Immaculate Grid, Rich Gossage would be a charter member.

The Week Ahead in Major League Baseball July 22-July 28

I’ve been behind on my writing but I’m right on schedule with the happenings in Major League Baseball. The Atlanta Braves, at one time the clear #1 Wild Card team in the National League, has seen their lead shrink a little bit. The Houston Astros, thought to be dead at the beginning of May, are back on top of the American League West. The All Star Game, while not a truly memorable contest, still reminded everyone why it is far and away the best All Star Game in professional sports. The trade deadline arrives next week so the games coming up represent the final evaluation of teams considering to buy a playoff push or sell for the future.

Bryce Harper and the Phillies host the Guardians this weekend. Photo from the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Series to Watch: Cleveland Guardians at Philadelphia Phillies

It’s a tasty interleague matchup as the teams with the first (Phillies) and third (Guardians) best records in baseball meet for a weekend clash at the Bank. Both teams have lost two of their first three games coming out the break. Despite the stumbles early, each team enjoys a relatively comfortable lead at the tip of their respective divisions. The Phillies can actually do Cleveland a favor to start the week as they travel to Minnesota to take on the second place Twins. This is the Terry Francona mini classic as two of the legendary manager’s teams square off in a potential Fall Classic preview.

Player to Watch: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

The future Hall of Fame pitcher is set to make his season debut on Thursday against the San Francisco Giants. Kershaw isn’t the only Dodgers pitcher making a return this week as Tyler Glasnow will return on Wednesday against those same Giants. All eyes in baseball will be on Kershaw as the last time we saw him in a Major League game, he didn’t make it out of the first inning in Game One of the 2023 National League Division Series. His final rehab start was Friday night in Oklahoma City where he pitched four innings and gave up three runs on six hits. A patchwork LA rotation will certainly get a boost with both Kershaw and Glasnow coming back this week.

The White Sox are solid in the rotation.

The Chicago White Sox are heading for a historically bad season. They are 27-74 and are currently on a seven game losing streak. Their run differential is an unsightly 191. What is utterly confounding is that their starting rotation is actually pretty darn solid 1-3. Garrett Crochet was the Sox’s All Star representative and leads the American League in strikeouts with 150. Eric Fedde sports a 2.99 ERA in 19 starts. Rookie Drew Thorpe has a 3.02 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP through his first seven starts. Crochet is one of the hot names in trade talk and Fedde could be gone as well. It’s a shame that the efforts by these pitchers is being wasted by an offense that has scored 30 runs fewer than the next lowest team.

A star under the radar

Much has been made of Oakland A’s rookie closer Mason Miller. The big right-hander routinely hits 100 MPH and was the club’s lone All Star. However, the player you should watch is outfielder and designated hitter Brent Rooker. The 35th overall pick in the 2017 draft, Rooker is hitting .462 over his last 15 games. Oakland is his fourth stop in his career that started with the Minnesota Twins. He was given regular playing time last year and responded in a big way by clubbing 30 home runs and going to the All Star Game. Rooker has been even better this year, hitting .294 with 22 home runs and an OPS of .951. You don’t hear Rooker’s name much as a tradable part but any team looking for a right handed power bat should be looking in the A’s direction.

Life in the Citi

Man, it feels like forever since I last posted. That’s what happens when other things in life pull you in multiple directions. Work, Lake George, Saratoga and kids’ sports occupy much of my time. However, we did take time out to head to Citi Field for our (potential) last game of the year. On July 11th, the New York Mets went for the sweep against the division rival Washington Nationals. The Mets were rolling at this point, kick started by Grimace and Jose Iglesias’s, “OMG” becoming their vibe for 2024. Would the good times continue?

Section 109 is a great view at Citi Field. Photo from my collection.

The Mets’ David Peterson and the Nats’ MacKenzie Gore matched zeros for the first four innings. After Washington was held scoreless in the top of the fifth, the Mets erupted for five runs, highlighted by Brandon Nimo’s three run double. J.D. Martinez and Pete Alonso produced RBI singles to give New York their fourth and fifth runs. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Mark Vientos and Harrison Bader drove in Martinez and Alonso to give the Mets a 7-0 lead. Adam Ottavino came on to get the final three outs but this being Ottavino, it came with a lot of drama. He managed to load the bases but preserved the shutout by striking out James Wood and Jesse Winker to end the game. The Mets would then close out the schedule leading up the All Star Break by winning the first two games against the Colorado Rockies before losing the finale on Sunday.

It was a day that saw the excessive humidity finally break in the New York City area. However, we sat in the sun all day and by the end of the game, we were fried. Still, if you head to Citi Field one day, section 109, row 22 is a pretty good area to watch the game. After visiting Citi Field, Citizens Bank Park and Yankee Stadium, the kids still agree: the Bank is the best.

Hanging Out at the Bank

This past Saturday, June 29th saw our family attend the second of our three game “road trip” this baseball season. In May, we went to Yankee Stadium to watch the New York Yankees hand the Chicago White Sox yet another loss. Saturday had us head south to Philadelphia as the Phillies hosted the Miami Marlins. Once again, the weather cooperated almost fully. A little bit of humidity couldn’t stop us from enjoying ourselves as we had some great seats down the left field line. It’s too bad the home team could not taste victory.

Our seats down the left field line. From my photos.

The Marlins walked away with a 3-2 win on the strength of two Nick Gordon RBI’s. Aaron Nola pitched reasonably well, allowing two runs over 6 2/3 innings but could not get the one big out. With two outs in the top of the 7th and the Phils leading 2-1, Nola gave up the tying hit to Miami backup catcher Nick Fortes, who was hitting .158 at the time. It was the right decision by manager Rob Thomson to leave Nola in the game. Trust the veteran pitcher to get out the #9 hitter and go into the home half of the inning with the lead. It didn’t work out and then the next batter, Jazz Chisholm, Jr. ripped a single to close out the scoring. On the bright side, we saw Garett Stubbs hit his first home run of the season. My daughter says Stubbs is the best backup catcher in baseball and would start for a lot of other teams. Who am I to disagree?

My family has been to three ballparks: Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, and Citizens Bank Park. They all say the same thing: the Bank is the nicest of the three. I’m not sure if I agree 100% with that assessment but there are some things about Citizens that are solid. It is so easy to get in and out of the place compared to the New York parks. There were no escalators and ramps like the other two places. We literally walked into the stadium and entered on the same level as our seats. There is also a little bit more of a retro feel at Citizens. The overall experience at the stadium also seemed to be less of a hassle than at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field. All of them are unique in their own special own.

Up next is Mets-Nationals on July 11 at Citi Field. Maybe next season we can expand our horizons but going to either Baltimore or Boston. It would be great if one day, we can say we have seen all 30 Major League stadiums.

The Phanatic staring down the Marlins. Photo by me.

Dave Winfield and Ron Kittle Gave Me a Great Birthday Present

It’s very hard to remember Major League Baseball games in the regular season. Sure, no hitters, perfect games and heroic individual offensive displays (think three or four home runs by the same player) are certainly memorable. There are literally thousands of games that I have born witness to either by viewing them or reading about them over the past 44 years. However, there are a handful of contests that stick out to me for extraordinary circumstances. One such game took place on my 14th birthday, June 29, 1987.

Thank you, Dave Winfield. Photo from Sports Illustrated

I had just graduated 8th grade. The New York Yankees got off to a wonderful start to begin the season but in typical 1980’s Yankee fashion, they faltered in the second half. Dare I say that this game on the night of June 29th was the high point of their season? The Yanks beat the Toronto Blue Jays by a score of 15-14 but it was how they did it that made it such a classic. Two Yankees in particular gave me a 14th birthday to remember: Ron Kittle and Dave Winfield.

In the top of the first inning, Kittle, the 1983 American League Rookie of the Year for the Chicago White Sox, lifted a fly ball to right field that confounded the Blue Jay outfield. By the time the ball was retrieved and thrown in, Kittle, not exactly a burner, raced around the bases for a two run, inside the park home run. I’m telling you, that play felt like it took five minutes from beginning to end. That gave the Yankees an early 4-0 lead. It was the beginning of a slugfest for the ages as New York tacked on four more runs for an 8-3 lead after two innings. After the Blue Jays scored a run in the fourth inning, the Yanks scored three more times in the top of the sixth for an 11-4 lead. It was then Toronto’s turn to pile on the offense, scoring four runs in their half in the sixth and then pouring on six more to take a 14-11 lead going into the eighth inning. It was then that Winfield delivered the biggest blow, a grand slam that was the difference in the game, ending it at 15-14.

To show you that memories can be fuzzy, I thought this was the game that Yankee closer Dave Righetti, after giving up a late home run, threw the ball over the fence in frustration before being taken out of the game. Alas, that happened in June 1986. Nevertheless, on the day of birthday number 14, Dave Winfield, Ron Kittle and the Yankees gave me a night and a present to remember.