Today we go back in time to October 8, 1956 and take a look at World Series Hero Don Larsen's perfect game against the Brooklyn Dodgers.(just for the record it was game 5) It still stands as the only perfect game in World Series history. What's amazing to me is the fact that when he strikes out the last batter Dale Mitchell, he just walks off the mound with hardly any emotion !? The scene of Yogi running out and jumping on him is a classic though. It was a magical day to say the least, and what a great 'World Series Heroes' moment !
Almost 43 years later on July 18, 1999, Larsen returned to Yankee Stadium to celebrate Yogi Berra Day, where he threw out the ceremonial first pitch to his former catcher. Larsen and Berra must have brought that magic with them and left some on the field that Sunday afternoon when they went to watch the game from the stands. They witnessed an unbelievable tribute, as pitcher David Cone became the third Yankee to throw a perfect game. Pretty magical stuff...
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The Boys of Summer 2
Yesterday we semi broke down the AL and gave you our pick to go to the World Series. Today we will breakdown the NL and give our nod to which team moves on to the 'Fall Classic'. Staying to form we will start in the East where there will be only two teams worth mentioning, the obvious Phillies and the always competitive Braves. As I mentioned, the Phils are the obvious as they have the best pitching with three of their starters, Halladay, Hamels, and Lee in the top 10 in ERA and wins at the midway point. They also account for 31 of the Phils 57 wins. Right there with them though are the Braves, with a pretty darn good staff themselves. Two, Jurrgens and Hanson are in the top 3 in ERA and wins. Then you have Tim Hudson and Derek Lowe who can hold their own. With that said, we still think it will be the Phillies in the East, barring any major injuries to that staff.
In the Central we see a good race unfolding with the Brewers and Cards. The Pirates are only a game back but we just don't see them there down the stretch. Forget about the Cubbies and who's that other team ? In the end it's pretty much a toss up, but we'll give the nod to the Cards who arguably have the best player in baseball with Pujols.
How the West is won once again, is with shut down pitching. And that would be your defending Champion San Francisco Giants. I know some out there would argue that they don't have the offense to keep them in the hunt, but they should have Posey back and I think their bats will be there down the stretch(going on a hunch). Here is a division that quite honestly intrigues me, as I can't figure out the Rockies(8.5 games back) or Dodgers(11 games back). I really thought the Rockies would be much better than they have been playing, especially their offense. The Dodgers are all together another issue, as they have two players in the top 10 in hitting(avg) and two pitchers, Kershaw and Kuroda in the top 10 in pitching(ERA). Probably too much turmoil and uncertainty in LA !? Oh, I almost forgot to mention the team that currently sits in second place, the DBacks. They are a scrappy team and will be right there contending, but the nod still goes to the Giants.
So, for the playoffs we are going with the Phillies, Cards, Giants, and our Wild Card will be the Braves. Our nod to represent the NL in the 'Fall Classic' will be, drum roll please...once again, the San Francisco Giants ! You now have our picks for the 2011 'Fall Classic'. We now wonder who might join that list of 'Fall Classic' legends, and become 'World Series Heroes' themselves ?!?
In the Central we see a good race unfolding with the Brewers and Cards. The Pirates are only a game back but we just don't see them there down the stretch. Forget about the Cubbies and who's that other team ? In the end it's pretty much a toss up, but we'll give the nod to the Cards who arguably have the best player in baseball with Pujols.
How the West is won once again, is with shut down pitching. And that would be your defending Champion San Francisco Giants. I know some out there would argue that they don't have the offense to keep them in the hunt, but they should have Posey back and I think their bats will be there down the stretch(going on a hunch). Here is a division that quite honestly intrigues me, as I can't figure out the Rockies(8.5 games back) or Dodgers(11 games back). I really thought the Rockies would be much better than they have been playing, especially their offense. The Dodgers are all together another issue, as they have two players in the top 10 in hitting(avg) and two pitchers, Kershaw and Kuroda in the top 10 in pitching(ERA). Probably too much turmoil and uncertainty in LA !? Oh, I almost forgot to mention the team that currently sits in second place, the DBacks. They are a scrappy team and will be right there contending, but the nod still goes to the Giants.
So, for the playoffs we are going with the Phillies, Cards, Giants, and our Wild Card will be the Braves. Our nod to represent the NL in the 'Fall Classic' will be, drum roll please...once again, the San Francisco Giants ! You now have our picks for the 2011 'Fall Classic'. We now wonder who might join that list of 'Fall Classic' legends, and become 'World Series Heroes' themselves ?!?
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Boys of Summer
Ah, the Wednesday before the start of baseball's 2nd half of an already long and grueling season. It might just be the most uninteresting day of the year as far as sports is concerned(except for the US women's soccer match) But it's only one day so tomorrow they will be right back at it. As we look back at the 1st half of the season, we want to give out our early frontrunners for the 'Fall Classic'. But before we do, congratulations go out to Derek Jeter on joining the 3,000 hit club, the only Yankee player to have done it. He is also only the 11th player in history to get to 3,000 hits all while playing for the same team, quite an accomplishment.
After starting the season like a bear still in hibernation, the RedSox have turned into a full grown Momma grizzly who just caught wind of someone trying to harm her cubs. They are kicking ass and taking names, and I don't see anyone in the East getting by them, except maybe the Yankees who can swing the lumber with the best of them. They still have the best closer in the game and you always have the Boston/NY rivalry, so I give them a nod as to maybe the one team that can make a run at the Sox. The Rays have good pitching and defense, but unless they find some miracle potion for their bats, they won't be able to hang. The Blue Jays have big bats, but too inconsistent. The Orioles, all around inconsistent.
Out of the AL Central I see the Tigers having the most to offer, with decent bats and a little better than decent pitching. The AL West should be a good fight, but I see the Rangers on top once again. The A's have very good pitching but way too inconsistent bats. The Mariners will fade. The Angels are a decent club, but I just see the Rangers having more down the stretch.
Come playoff time it's a whole new season, but as I see it the RedSox will be coming out of the AL. You now have our AL pick for the 'Fall Classic'. Tomorrow we will break down the NL.
After starting the season like a bear still in hibernation, the RedSox have turned into a full grown Momma grizzly who just caught wind of someone trying to harm her cubs. They are kicking ass and taking names, and I don't see anyone in the East getting by them, except maybe the Yankees who can swing the lumber with the best of them. They still have the best closer in the game and you always have the Boston/NY rivalry, so I give them a nod as to maybe the one team that can make a run at the Sox. The Rays have good pitching and defense, but unless they find some miracle potion for their bats, they won't be able to hang. The Blue Jays have big bats, but too inconsistent. The Orioles, all around inconsistent.
Out of the AL Central I see the Tigers having the most to offer, with decent bats and a little better than decent pitching. The AL West should be a good fight, but I see the Rangers on top once again. The A's have very good pitching but way too inconsistent bats. The Mariners will fade. The Angels are a decent club, but I just see the Rangers having more down the stretch.
Come playoff time it's a whole new season, but as I see it the RedSox will be coming out of the AL. You now have our AL pick for the 'Fall Classic'. Tomorrow we will break down the NL.
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