 |
6/16/2008
Billy-Ball Daily
Bill Chuck (Billy-Ball his own self)
Billy-Ball - From the diamond to your desktop…
By Baseball Newstalgist, Bill Chuck
Subscribe to Billy-Ball - it’s free - www.billy-ball.com
The only spin here is on my screwball
Monday, June 16, 2008
Top of the 1st
REMEMBERING RUSSERT
I am an unabashed political junkie. I read two newspapers a day in print and countless others on-line everyday. I subscribe to both Newsweek and Time. I treasure the political work I get to do with my friend and colleague Brian and my daily discussions of the political tenor with my buddy Jack. During my work day, when my television is on in the background it’s either some ballgame or MSNBC. I DVR the NBC Nightly News and all three Sunday news shows. During the evenings, Mrs. Ball and Jen and I are watching Chris Mathews, Keith Olberman, the Daily Show and Colbert. Yet, with all these alternatives available to me, I simply cannot imagine what life will be like going forward without the presence of Tim Russert.
Russert had been the moderator of “Meet the Press,” the oldest continuous program on television, since 1991 and had even been before that, starting in 1984, the NBC Washington bureau chief. Under Russert, “Meet the Press” was the premier place for newsmakers and political candidates to make their case to the nation. If you couldn’t pass Tim’s muster, you could not win approval of the people because in spite of experience, his law degree, his prestige, he was one of us. He was us.
Like my mom, Tim Russert was from Buffalo, New York and was a constant cheerleader for the city. Periodically, I stick a political statement in Billy-Ball and invariably I hear from you how much you love Billy-Ball, but “please, keep my political views to myself.” I can only imagine the grief that Russert would hear when at the end of Meet the Press he would say, “Go Bills,” or “Go Sabres.” His boyish enthusiasm for the things he loved and felt so sincere about simply could not be denied.
He loved baseball as well and was deeply involved in the sport, far beyond being a Yankees fan and Washington Nationals season ticket holder. Jane Forbes Clark, the chairman of the Baseball Hall of Fame said, "We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Tim's sudden passing. He was an integral member of our Board of Directors and its executive committee, and he cared about the Hall of Fame and its mission so much. We'll miss Tim's critical thinking and his unsurpassed passion for the game tremendously."
MLB.com reported how Russert said he was thrilled when he was selected to the Hall of Fame Board, "Baseball has been central to my life, as a son and as a father," he said at the time. "I am honored to join the Board of the Hall of Fame to help preserve the history of baseball and educate a new generation about the glory of the game."
He would go to Nationals games and sit next to his friend, and Sunday morning rival, Bob Schieffer, the host of CBS’s “Face the Nation.” Several years ago, Mr. Schieffer recalled on the air on Friday, a minor league baseball team held a one-night “Bob Schieffer bobble-head doll” promotion.
“The next day on my desk was a little box with a bobble-head doll of Russert,” Mr. Schieffer remembers. “It was his way of saying, ‘Just so you know I have one, too.’ ”
Tim Russert, who worked with Brian Williams as a presidential debate host, even served in that capacity in last summer’s "debate" for President of Red Sox Nation. Red Sox CEO Larry Luchhino released a statement: "On behalf of John Henry, Tom Werner, and the entire Boston Red Sox organization, I express our deep sadness and profound grief at the news of the passing of Tim Russert. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family including his wife, Maureen, and his son, Luke, who always made him so proud. Tim was a passionate fan of baseball, a great friend of the Red Sox, and a dear and beloved personal friend to many of us. He left us far, far too soon, but he leaves a gigantic legacy of professionalism, journalistic excellence, authenticity and friendship that will inspire us and generations to follow us. Red Sox Nation mourns the loss of Tim Russert more than we can express."
In the tribute shows to Russert we would often see a picture of him with Yogi Berra taken in 2004, when his CNBC weekend interview show featured a panel including Yogi, Whitey Ford, Jim Palmer and Roger Cl*m*ns. The show was shot in front of a live audience at the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center on the campus of Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J.
Commissioner Bud Selig issued the statement, "I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Tim Russert. He was one of the great journalists of our generation and a great fan of baseball. His untimely passing leaves a great void for our nation and Major League Baseball. All of us in Major League Baseball mourn Tim, and we send our sympathy and condolences to his family and friends."
And George Steinbrenner said, "I join millions of others in mourning Tim's passing. He loved the game of baseball and was a true friend of the Yankees and mine. Tim always batted in the cleanup spot for the media and always hit for the fences. May God bless him and his family."
It always comes back to Tim Russert’s family who he treasured above all else. His dad, Big Russ, his wife, journalist Maureen Orth, and his son Luke, who just graduated from Boston College with whom he would talk to, text, and IM daily, invariably about baseball and other sports.
He regarded Meet the Press as his second son. I understand how a labor of love can be that important.
Tim Russert was a great icon of American journalism.
He was a great icon of America.
He was a great icon.
As my daughter, Elizabeth Chuck, who works for NBC and MCNBC News, so perfectly put it, “It feels like Sunday died.”
Top of the 2nd
SCARY MOMENT
It was a very scary moment in yesterday’s Cardinals 7-6 victory over the Phillies. In the 9th inning, Cards catcher Yadier Molina was bowled over on a tag play by Philadelphia's Eric Bruntlett. Molina had his back turned, retrieving an errant throw, as Bruntlett barreled into him and still made the tage and held onto the ball.
Yet, after the tag, he lay there motionless still holding onto the ball for what seemed like an eternity for those of watching this instead of interleague play. Molina was carted from the field after being strapped to a backboard and was taken to Missouri Baptist Hospital, where he remained overnight with what the team said is a mild concussion.
Trust me, it looked much worse.
Home plate umpire Tim McClelland said, "When they collided, I thought I saw him tag (Bruntlett) and then when he hit the ground, he held the ball up to show me that he did.
"It was not a good throw — maybe I shouldn't say that — but it probably put Yadi in a precarious position."
Bruntlett said, "I didn't think I hit him all that hard, but obviously I hit him hard enough. He was hurting pretty bad there. I feel horrible." When told that Molina didn't appear to be seriously injured, Bruntlett brightened and said, "That's obviously good news then.
"The play was at first base and he had his back towards me. I don't know if he ever really got turned back around. It was kind of a strange play."
But not a dirty play.
"Absolutely not," La Russa said. "I have no problem with it. He could have crashed into the catcher and that would have been a cheap shot."
The loss was painful for the Phils as well as Rick Ankiel scored the winning run when reliever Tom Gordon, covering first base, missed second baseman Chase Utley's throw. Two batters earlier Ankiel had reached on a nearly identical play, this one a throwing error charged to Utley. The Phillies left 15 runners on base and had 16 at-bats with runners in scoring position.
The Cardinals improved to 8-0-1 in nine series since May 15. They took down the big-swinging Phillies while being outscored 28-12.
Top of the 3rd
FOUR K’S IN THIS INNING
Minnesota starter Scott Baker became the first Twins pitcher to record four strikeouts in an inning when he whiffed four in the 3rd inning of yesterday’s game with the Milwaukee Brewers. Baker struck out Ryan Braun swinging, then Prince Fielder struck out on a wild pitch enabling Fielder to easily reach first. Baker then struck out Russell Branyan and Mike Cameron looking on three pitches apiece to end the inning.
The last pitcher to accomplish the feat was Brad Penny on Sept. 23, 2006, for the Dodgers against the Diamondbacks. Baker was the first AL pitcher to do it since the Mariners Kazuhiro Sasaki on April 4, 2003 against Texas.
Forty-nine pitchers have struck out four batters in one inning. Here is the list as compiled by MLB.com:
American League
Pitcher Team Date Inning
Scott Baker Twins 06-15-2008 Third
Kazuhiro Sasaki Mariners 04-04-2003 Ninth
Erik Hiljus A's 06-30-2001 Seventh
Chuck Finley Indians 04-16-2000 Third
Chuck Finley Angels 08-15-1999 First
Tim Wakefield Red Sox 08-10-1999 Ninth
Chuck Finley Angels 05-15-1999 Third
Blake Stein A's 07-27-1998 Fourth
Wilson Alvarez White Sox 07-21-1997 Seventh
Kevin Appier Royals 09-03-1996 Fourth
Paul Shuey Indians 05-14-1994 Ninth
Matt Young Mariners 09-09-1990 First
Charlie Hough Rangers 07-04-1988 First
Bobby Witt Rangers 08-02-1987 Second
Mike Paxton Indians 07-21-1978 Fifth
Mike Cuellar Orioles 05-29-1970 Fourth
Lee Strange Indians 09-02-1964 Seventh
Ryne Duren Angels 05-18-1961 Seventh
Guy Morton Indians 06-11-1916 Seventh
Walter Johnson Senators 04-15-1911 Fifth
National League
Pitcher Team Date Inning
Brad Penny Dodgers 09-22-2006 Second
Jon Rauch Nationals 04-26-2006 Eighth
Mike Stanton Mets 08-03-2004 Eighth
Brad Lidge Astros 06-13-2004 Seventh
Octavio Dotel Astros 06-11-2003 Eighth
Darren Dreifort Dodgers 05-22-2003 Second
Kerry Wood Cubs 09-02-2002 Fourth
A.J. Burnett Marlins 07-05-2002 First
Frankie Rodriguez Reds 07-22-2001 Seventh
Steve Kline Expos 08-17-1999 Seventh
Jerry Spradlin Giants 07-22-1999 Seventh
Archie Corbin Marlins 04-28-1999 Seventh
Kirt Ojala Marlins 09-16-1998 Fourth
Derek Wallace Mets 09-13-1996 Ninth
Bruce Ruffin Rockies 07-25-1996 Ninth
Mark Wohlers Braves 06-07-1995 Ninth
Tim Birstas Reds 06-04-1990 Seventh
Paul Assenmacher Braves 08-22-1989 Fifth
Mike Scott Astros 09-03-1986 Fifth
Mario Soto Reds 05-17-1984 Third
Phil Niekro Braves 07-29-1977 Sixth
Bill Bonham Cubs 07-31-1974 Second
Bob Gibson Cardinals 06-07-1966 Fourth
Don Drysdale Dodgers 04-17-1965 Second
Pete Richert Dodgers 04-12-1962 Third
Joe Nuxhall Reds 08-11-1959 Sixth
Jim Davis Cubs 05-27-1956 Sixth
Orval Overall* Cubs 10-14-1908 First
Hooks Wiltse Giants 05-15-1906 Fifth
Ed Crane Giants 10-04-1888 Fifth
*-Game 5, 1908 World Series
Top of the 4th
SWEEPS
The Tigers swept the Dodgers this weekend. Detroit has now won six straight to pull within six games of first-place Chicago while the Los Angeles is now a season-worst seven games below .500.
The Oakland Athletics completed their second consecutive sweep of the San Francisco Giants. The Giants are winless in six interleague games this season. The A's have swept six series this year, doubling last year's total. The Giants fell to a major league-worst 13-22 at home.
The Yankees swept the Houston Astros. New York has won four straight and nine of its last 12 games. The Yankees have a 116-81 record in interleague play, the best winning percentage of any team (.588). Of greater concern to the Yanks is an injury to starter Chien-Ming Wang who left the Yankees' clubhouse on crutches yesterday after spraining his right foot running the bases following the Yanks 13-0 victory. Wang told teammates that he felt a popping sensation in his foot. That could indicate a fracture or torn ligament. The New York Times reports that the injury is to the top of Wang’s foot, the same general area that reliever Brian Bruney injured when he tripped while covering first base in April. Bruney was found to have a Lisfranc injury (http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00162 ) and is expected to miss a minimum of three months.
Finally, the Nationals swept their first three-game series since last September and handed the Mariners their seventh consecutive home loss. It is the longest home losing streak for the Mariners since they lost eight straight in 1996 at the Kingdome. The two teams…NO, NO, NO! I cannot write about this series – shoot me now!
Top of the 5th
TWO TEAMS, TWO GAMES, TWO STADIUMS
The makeup of the Yankees and Mets game that was rained out May 16 will be made up as a two-stadium doubleheader on Friday, June 27. The Mets are at Yankee Stadium at 2 p.m. And then the Yankees are at Shea Stadium at 8 p.m.
By that time, Joe Girardi will be facing Jerry Manuel.
Top of the 6th
BILLY-BALL-YOUTUBE-VIDEO-OF-THE-DAY
Baseball....the greatest moments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWFCUwHpqOY&feature=related
Really nice piece.
Top of the 7th
PROBABLE PITCHERS
IL
Boston Red Sox at Philadelphia Phillies, 7:05 pm
(R) Bartolo Colon (4-1) vs. (L) Cole Hamels (6-4)
New York Mets at LA Angels of Anaheim, 10:05 pm
(R) Mike Pelfrey (2-6) vs. (R) Jered Weaver (6-6)
Florida Marlins at Seattle Mariners, 10:10 pm
(L) Andrew Miller (4-5) vs. (R) Carlos Silva (3-7)
Detroit Tigers at San Francisco Giants, 10:15 pm
(R) Justin Verlander (3-9) vs. (R) Tim Lincecum (8-1)
NL
Atlanta Braves at Colorado Rockies, 8:05 pm
(R) Jair Jurrjens (6-3) vs. (R) Ubaldo Jimenez (1-6)
Top of the 8th
DID YOU KNOW?
The managers with the longest tenure:
Bobby Cox, Atlanta Braves – 19 years
Tony La Russa, St. Louis Cardinals - 13 years
Mike Scioscia, Los Angeles Angels – 9 years
Ron Gardenhire, Minnesota Twins – 7 years
Clint Hurdle, Colorado Rockies – 7 years
Ned Yost, Milwaukee Brewers – 6 years
The manager with the bleakest future:
Willie Randolph, New York Mets – tick, tick, tick
Top of the 9th
ON THE RADIO
Writing partner Jim Kaplan and I will be on the air today talking about our book and baseball (and not singing the best of Donna Summer).
You can hear today:
10:10a-10:20a ET—WZUS-FM (Decatur, IL). Live interview on “The Scott & Scott in the Morning Show”, hosted by Scott Busboom and Scott Lithgow.
11:20a-11:35a ET—WNPV-AM (Philadelphia, PA). Live interview on the “Comment Please” show, hosted by Darryl Berger.
12:15p-12:25p ET—KPAM-AM (Portland, OR). Taped interview on the “KPAM Morning Show”, hosted by Ron Callan.
Bottom of the 9th
BUY THE BOOK
Bill Chuck is the creator of Billy-Ball.com and, with Jim Kaplan, is the author of the book, “Walk-Offs, Last Licks, and Final Outs – Baseball’s Grand (and not so Grand) Finales,” with a Foreword by Jon Miller available now from ACTA Sports.
Autographed first editions are available by contacting, Bill@billy-ball.com or order directly from Acta Sports, http://www.actasports.com/detail.html?&id=3427 or from your favorite bookstore worldwide.
• Support Billy-Ball via PayPal (WWW.BILLY-BALL.COM) or Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/paypage/PBANN9XCMMFSH.
Do you want to snail mail?
Billy-Ball
258 Harvard Street, #145
Brookline, MA 02446
Information provided in Billy-Ball has been gathered from A.P. reports, espn.com, sportsline.com, mlb.com and numerous other e-sources. Opinions expressed in Billy-Ball are obviously solely the opinions of the author of Billy-Ball and do not reflect those of source material no matter how off the wall they may be.
|
| |
|
|
Billy-Ball is a baseball column by
