WARNING!! Annual OT Baseball Thread 2011!! Open at Your Own Risk!

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by ChuckElias

Jacoby Ellsbury never had a walk-off hit before last night. And now, he's got 2 in 24 hours!! Bottom of the 9th HR to straight-away center field last night. Not an easy spot to get one out in Fenway!

And Joe Smith (his real name) hadn't given up a home run all season. Go figure.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by ChuckElias

Jacoby Ellsbury never had a walk-off hit before last night. And now, he's got 2 in 24 hours!! Bottom of the 9th HR to straight-away center field last night. Not an easy spot to get one out in Fenway!

He was two for ten in those two games (0.200). He certainly knew how to make those two hits count.

[ChuckElias]

Justin Masterson (former Red Sox pitcher) just struck out 4 Red Sox in one inning (bottom of the 2nd). It's technically not that hard to do, you just don't hear about it very often.

[Rich]

Cliff Lee looked outstanding last night (7-hit shutout). And Hunter Pence (a moonshot HR and an RBI single in the top of the ninth) drove in 2 of the Phillies' three runs. I've got a man crush on Hunter Pence.

72-39, first place by 8.5 games. Is it October yet?

[26 Year Gap]

Well, in the Rays-Athletics game, BJ Upton was picked off (again, but that is another story) and caught in the rundown and called out at 2nd base. Then, another member of the crew announces that he had a balk call, and advances both Rays runners, which prompted Melvin to emerge from the Oakland dugout for an explanation. I wouldn't know a balk from a political truth, so I cannot say whether or not the balk call was legit. The Rays announcers saw nothing wrong.

[ChuckElias]

Rivera gives up more runs for the Yanks last night, taking the loss (but technically not a blown save). Sox rally late, thanks to the Angels reliever tripping over his own feet. Rays turn in the quickest game in the majors this season, and get the win as a bonus.

Counting down the days to Dodger Stadium. . .

[Mark Padgett]

There was a story on the local news last night about a guy who went into a local Goodwill store and saw a softball with some autographs on it. He paid a couple of bucks and took it home. It just so happens the autographs are by Stan Musial and Brooks Robinson! Apparently, they originally gave the ball to some army veteran at an exhibition game honoring veterans a long time ago.

The guy thinks the ball is worth about $400 on the open market now.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

There was a story on the local news last night about a guy who went into a local Goodwill store and saw a softball with some autographs on it. He paid a couple of bucks and took it home. It just so happens the autographs are by Stan Musial and Brooks Robinson! Apparently, they originally gave the ball to some army veteran at an exhibition game honoring veterans a long time ago.

The guy thinks the ball is worth about $400 on the open market now.

It would be cool if he could find the guy who first received the ball and gave it to him. Cool, but unlikely.

[ChuckElias]

On this date in 1971, Cardinal great Bob Gibson throws his only no-hitter.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by ChuckElias

On this date in 1971, Cardinal great Bob Gibson throws his only no-hitter.

1967 World Series against the "Impossible Dream" Red Sox team: 3 starts; 27 innings pitched; 3 wins; 0 losses; 1 shutout; ERA 1.000; 26 strikeouts.

"Bob Gibson is the luckiest pitcher I ever saw. He always pitches when the other team doesn't score any runs." (Former Cardinal Catcher Tim McCarver)

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

1967 World Series against the "Impossible Dream" Red Sox team: 3 starts; 27 innings pitched; 3 wins; 0 losses; 1 shutout; ERA 1.000; 26 strikeouts.

"Bob Gibson is the luckiest pitcher I ever saw. He always pitches when the other team doesn't score any runs." (Former Cardinal Catcher Tim McCarver)

You'd've thunk* that the year he had the 1.12 ERA would have yielded such a gem. (1968)
*-tribute to former Cardinal great, Dizzy Dean.

[26 Year Gap]

2 CGs from the Rays today in a split with Boston.

[grunewar]

Attended the Phils vs Nats game today in our Nation's Capital. 41K+ in attendance (many of them Philly Phans who came down I-95 for the day). Many a long ball, a one-hr rain delay, a homer in the bottom of the ninth to send it to extra innings, and the game is won in the bottom of the 10th by the Nats on a bases loaded walk-off, hit batter! Amazing* and good fun!

*A few years ago we were at the Brewers vs Nats game and the Nats won on a game ending walk-off, wild pitch! Guess it's me.......

[ChuckElias]

Well, there's certainly no interesting baseball news coming out of Boston lately , but tonight is Game 1 of the World Series!! I was hoping for a Texas/Milwaukee series, but I'll be happy enough if the Rangers beat up the Cards. Seems like a looooooooooooong time ago when the Sox swept them in '04; they need another beatdown. Might be good for LaRussa's humility

Will the chat room be open tonight!?!?

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by ChuckElias

Will the chat room be open tonight!?!?

With two small-market teams involved in the series, you may have as many people in the chat room as are watching on the tv.......

I'm hoping for a lot of high scoring games!