Knuckle Curve » world_series

Owners Extend Selig’s Contract Because, Hey, Drugs Aren’t That Bad

Geoff Young — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:39:34 +0000

Commissioner Bud Selig has been given a three-year contract extension. As with most of what’s going on in Major League Baseball right now, this falls into the category of “disappointing but not surprising.” Quoth Florida Representative Cliff Stearns:

The explosion in the use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs occurred under Selig’s 15-year tenure. I have found commissioner Selig’s glacial response to this growing stain on baseball unacceptable and I have called on him to step down. This three-year extension of Selig’s contract is a vote of confidence in his record, which includes taking minimal steps in ridding baseball of these drugs.

Yeah, you could add Selig’s role in a work stoppage that forced cancellation of the World Series (something not even two world wars could do) to that list. How about destroying a franchise in Montreal? Or generally not having a clue?

What a joke. Not a funny one, either…

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McHale Dies at 86

Geoff Young — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 05:10:47 +0000

Reader Brian K. informs us that John McHale has died at age 86. McHale played 64 games for the Detroit Tigers from 1943 to 1948, plus three more in the 1945 World Series, which Detroit won over the Chicago Cubs.

After his playing career, McHale continued to work in baseball. He became president of the expansion Montreal Expos in 1969 before serving as their general manager from 1978 to 1984.

My thoughts go out to the family and friends of Mr. McHale.

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Podres Dies at 75

Geoff Young — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:39:33 +0000

Left-hander Johnny Podres, who pitched from 1953 to 1969 for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, and San Diego Padres, died Sunday night at age 75. During his playing career, Podres won 148 games and was named to three All-Star teams. He also owned a sparkling 4-1 World Series record and won three championships with the Dodgers.

My thoughts go out to the family and friends of Mr. Podres.

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Staley Dies at 87

Geoff Young — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:50:46 +0000

Former big-league right-hander Gerry Staley has died at the age of 87. Staley’s career spanned from 1947 to 1961, during which he won 134 games. He reached double digits in victories for five straight seasons, from 1949 to 1953, before later moving to the bullpen. As a reliever, he made four appearances for the White Sox in the ‘59 World Series against the Dodgers, earning a save in Game 1.

My thoughts go out to Staley’s family and friends.

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Nine Holiday Wishes for Baseball

Geoff Young — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 05:43:05 +0000

For your amusement, and mine…

More great games, fewer Congressional investigations.
A commissioner who isn’t one of the owners. Yeah, I know technically he isn’t one of the owners anymore, but he’s one of the owners.
Hall of Fame enshrinement for Bert Blyleven, Goose Gossage, and Tim Raines.
Enough with the Red Sox already. It was kinda cute the first time, but now it’s just annoying.
A real owner for the Marlins, and not someone who only knows how to destroy big-league franchises.
One more season for Julio Franco.
Seventy wins for the Royals and Pirates.
No domed stadiums, designated hitters, or All-Star games that determine home-field advantage in the World Series.
Free steroids for everyone!

Well, maybe not that last one. Anyway, happy holidays!

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Red Sox Sweep Rockies, Hooray for Money

Geoff Young — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 04:06:36 +0000

Congratulations to the Boston Red Sox on beating the Colorado Rockies in four straight to win the World Series. It would have been nice to see the small-market team win, but oh well. Red Sox fans were going to be obnoxious all winter either way, so what’s the difference.

Bottom line, it’s done. Let the hot stove league begin…

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Three Haiku

Geoff Young — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 05:43:37 +0000

I
Seventeen base hits
weren’t all that doomed the Rockies –
too much Josh Beckett

II
Schilling kept things close
before bullpen sealed the deal
despite Matt’s four hits

III
No DH, no prob –
surge in the sixth and seventh
couldn’t beat Red Sox

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Remembering Buck

Geoff Young — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:18:41 +0000

This World Series isn’t engaging me in any sense of the word. I’ll be grateful when it’s over and we can commit ourselves to looking toward next season. Some people are moved by the spirit of the game even when their team isn’t playing. I wish I were one of them, but I’m not.

With that awkward admission out of the way, I’d like to turn your attention to a piece by Joe Posnanski on the late, great Buck O’Neil. If you haven’t read Joe’s stuff, you should do yourself a favor and start now — dude knows how to tell a story.

As for O’Neil, I only knew him from his occasional TV appearances. When he showed up in a broadcast booth, he transformed the place. Even the most self-important announcers would just shut up and listen.

Not a lot of people have that kind of power. Not a lot command (and deserve) that kind of respect…

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Competition or Destruction?

Geoff Young — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:06:54 +0000

So much for invincibility. Now that the Rockies can’t rely on that anymore, they’ll have to pick themselves back up and start playing good baseball.

The bad news is that Colorado got spanked in Game 1. The good news is that a 12-run loss counts exactly the same as a 1-run loss, so there’s plenty of time to regroup. Seriously, ask the 1960 Pirates.

Unfortunately, if the Rockies are going to make a stand, they’ll have to do it behind a kid making his 19th big-league start (Ubaldo Jimenez). Oh, and they’re facing a guy with 216 regular-season wins under his belt and a 9-2 career postseason record (Curt Schilling).

This could be a problem, especially given how well the Red Sox are playing. They’ve won their last four games by scores of 7-1, 12-2, 11-2, and 13-1. That’s not competition, it’s destruction…

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Red Sox Take the Opener

Geoff Young — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:52:11 +0000

Well, that certainly was exciting. Boston beat the Rockies, 13-1, in the first game of the World Series at Fenway on Wednesday night. Colorado left-hander Franklin Morales, working in relief of starter Jeff Francis, had a particularly rough outing:

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