2023 World Series: Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers

Bouton...remembered Mickey Mantle, hungover on the bench, asked to pinch hit. Somehow, Mantle hit a homerun and dragged himself around the bases. “They’ll never know how hard that was,” Mantle said back in the dugout.

https://www.theattic.space/home-page-blogs/2020/5/8/the-book-that-befouled-baseball#:~:text=Enter%20Ball%20Four.,season%2C%20he%20told%20no%20one.

No sarcasm here, genuinely wondering what older players would have done better.

Modern players are better in general, but other skills have evolved, such as the small ball strategies you mentioned. Players today aren't asked to do those things, so they're not good at doing them.

For SP's, pacing oneself to be able to pitch into the late innings used to be important, but it's not anymore. It's not that older pitchers were better or tougher or more durable, it's just a different game now. In the 70's and 80's, most teams had 2-3 banjo hitters in the lineup and the SP didn't need to use his best stuff. That helps a lot for pitching late into games. It's obviously not like that anymore.

It's the same with hitters. Hardly anyone hits .300 anymore, why not? It's all about making hard contact now and there isn't a stigma around K's like there used to be. But it's also true (up until the 1990's and perhaps beyond) that if you knocked out the SP, you could feast on the bullpen. Now even the 12th pitcher on the staff throws 95. There are no banjo hitters or junkballing pitchers in the game. Hitting for average isn't a lost skill.

Maybe I got off topic here, but it's an interesting discussion.

The World Series meets Immaculate Grid:

https://www.mlb.com/news/all-30-teams-represented-in-2023-world-series

(I wonder if that's common or rare.)

just me or does every picture of chris young look computer generated?

https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2023/10/29223557/GettyImages-1762110225-1024x683.jpg

Chris Young is 6-10. This afternoon, MLB has had both Aaron Judge (6-7, Clemente winner) and Randy Johnson (6-10, throwing out the first pitch tonight) on their pre-game panel. No one asked either guy about Frank Howard (6-7), who died earlier today.

I have two or three of that Max rookie card they just flashed on the screen, bought pretty cheaply online just before he took off for the stratosphere in Washington.

2011 World Series: Rangers vs Cardinals

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I know--that's a board-wide thing.

JUNG

really felt like sherzer was on the ropes - quite a turnaround

I've probably encountered a better arm for a third baseman, but I don't remember who it was. (Is Arenado so great because of his arm? I hardly ever see him.)

(xpost) He doesn't seem long for this game.

That sure looked like strike three.

Probably tautological, but Texas has a great offense when they lay off low breaking balls (G1) and a terrible offense when they swing at them (G2).

wow this game changed in a hurry

smoltz saying as soon as semien took a ball the other way he’d get on track

semien pulls a ball into the gap, drives in the first run of the game

texas can really wreck shop

So much for Max.

at least the cut on his thumb has healed

If we get to game 7 and continue posting on rate, we might hit those 2011 numbers Clem!

Just tuning in now. Scherzer gave up no runs?!!!! How’s Pfaadt been? Smoltz not missing again? The man is on.

Mathematically, you might be right. Just felt like there was so much posting going on 12 years ago--maybe it was just more people doing the posting.

Man, that arm on Jung. No nickname yet; have to put a psychology-related nickname aside and go with something about his arm.

5.1 with 3 runs on this Texas team? Quality start in my books

xp It's hard to make a word play with "synchronicity" or "collective unconscious."

this ump is all over the place - can’t wait to see the scorecard tomorrow

Synchronicity--there's your nickname right there.

Balls and strikes have been poor tonight, to my eyes (for both teams).

love castro’s snakeskin belt - at least i think its snakeskin - what else could it be?

Great "sweeper" (new cliché) by Castro for the second out.

Texas needs Jon Gray not to remember he's a mediocre roster-filler for one more inning.

gray’s got a nice mizuno glove, i like that. league seems to be rawlings/wilson mainly, so good to see some variety

maybe semien should switch to a mizuno - might have actually caught that then

Seemed like a generous hit, or at least in slow motion it did...I guess it was hit pretty hard.

PFAADT and SBORZ in the same game, finally

Pham-tastic

Tommy Pham to do absolutely nothing

Currently a possible MVP--on the field, and he's even got some narrative going for him.

The moment I've so not been looking forward to: Aroldis warming up.

This has the feel of a looming Arizona comeback unless Texas adds a run or two...which they won't do in the 8th now. They were really lucky to get out of that second inning. Seager hit the home run, and they haven't done anything since.

Seriously, get Chapman out of there after Carroll. I know Bochy has to manage the bullpen with an eye on Tuesday and Wednesday, but winning tonight gets you a game 6 at least, and that's more important.

ooh its gettin good now

well must be nice to get all 3 outs in the span of like 45 seconds

Jesus...an absolutely brilliant pitch for a strikeout, and then an incredible DP. Living on borrowed time, but Texas might hold on.

Okay finally got a work break. Dbacks come back let’s go!!!!!!

Ooooh base touching controversy, love these

Tommy Pham is that man. Slapping Joc? Definite dick move, besides that event, I don’t really care about the morality of the bloke. He’s got that Madbum “I take everything deathly seriously” temperament, but it doesn’t annoy me as much on him (probably because he’s not a Gont)

Giant*

Nice story him giving the AB to the young buck last night

Gont

Something I know won’t win me any friends in this thread: I like all these fellas in silly costumes sitting behind home plate this series. If you’re gonna spend the big buck, make the most of it and have some fun. Hope to see the banana boys again in game 6

They Might Be Gonts.

Works for me

https://i.postimg.cc/B6P7sXsn/IMG-4117.png

My welsh heritage speaking through the unconscious mind