NLCS

[89Hen]

Like McCarver said, that was the most important foul ball in Phillies history.

That could have gone the other way VERY quickly. Panda gets his foot on the bag and it's a double play.

[93henfan]

Like McCarver said, that was the most important foul ball in Phillies history.

That could have gone the other way VERY quickly. Panda gets his foot on the bag and it's a double play.

And now that I've heard more than Buck and McCarver's take, the ball may have actually been correctly called fair. ESPN's Baseball Tonight did a really close analysis and if you drew imaginary lines connecting the base line and the edges of home plate, the ball cannot clearly be seen leaving where the stripes would be if they painted them all the way through the batters box. That was a very tough call and the ump may have gotten it right, which is a good thing after seeing how badly he was squeezing Halladay when he was trying to work the outside corner early.

[89Hen]

And now that I've heard more than Buck and McCarver's take, the ball may have actually been correctly called fair. ESPN's Baseball Tonight did a really close analysis and if you drew imaginary lines connecting the base line and the edges of home plate, the ball cannot clearly be seen leaving where the stripes would be if they painted them all the way through the batters box. That was a very tough call and the ump may have gotten it right, which is a good thing after seeing how badly he was squeezing Halladay when he was trying to work the outside corner early.

There are two things in baseball I just can't seem to grasp... one is the fair/foul/out thing right around the plate and batters box, the other is the balk. I saw one called in the other series, and after replay I could see it, but there is no way I can tell what is and isn't a balk at full speed. To me (admittedly ignorant on this subject) it looked like Lincecum committed at least two balks last night.

[93henfan]

And now that I've heard more than Buck and McCarver's take, the ball may have actually been correctly called fair. ESPN's Baseball Tonight did a really close analysis and if you drew imaginary lines connecting the base line and the edges of home plate, the ball cannot clearly be seen leaving where the stripes would be if they painted them all the way through the batters box. That was a very tough call and the ump may have gotten it right, which is a good thing after seeing how badly he was squeezing Halladay when he was trying to work the outside corner early.

There are two things in baseball I just can't seem to grasp... one is the fair/foul/out thing right around the plate and batters box, the other is the balk. I saw one called in the other series, and after replay I could see it, but there is no way I can tell what is and isn't a balk at full speed. To me (admittedly ignorant on this subject) it looked like Lincecum committed at least two balks last night.

Regarding the home plate foul issue: I can't remember how many times growing up that I heard coaches saying a ball was foul because it hit the plate. This is simply not true. The plate is fair territory.

Regarding the balk issue: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balk#Balk_actions

[89Hen]

Regarding the balk issue: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balk#Balk_actions

With a runner on base and the pitcher on or astride (with one leg on each side of) the rubber, it is a balk[2] when the pitcher:

switches his pitching position from the windup to the set (or vice versa) without properly disengaging the rubber;
while on the rubber, makes a motion associated with his pitch and does not complete the delivery;
when going from the stretch to the set position, fails to make a complete stop with his hands together before beginning to pitch;
throws from the mound to a base without stepping toward (gaining distance in the direction of) that base;
throws or feints a throw from the rubber to an unoccupied base, unless a play is imminent or feints a throw to third base;
steps or feints from the mound to first base without completing the throw;
pitches a quick return, that is, delivers with the intent to catch the batter off-guard or defenseless;
pitches or mimics a part of his pitching motion while not in contact with the rubber;
drops the ball while on the rubber, even if by accident, if the ball does not subsequently cross a foul line;
while intentionally walking a batter releases a pitch while the catcher is out of his box with one or both feet
unnecessarily delays the game;
pitches while facing away from the batter;
after bringing his hands together on the rubber, separates them except in making a pitch or a throw;
stands on or astride the rubber without the ball, or mimics a pitch without the ball; or
throws to first when the first baseman, because of his distance from the base, is unable to make a play on the runner there.

Uhhh, yeah. That really clears things up.

[93henfan]

Utley finally gets untracked.

Phils strike first in game 6.

[93henfan]

Make it 2-0 in the first.

Sanchez looking shakey as hell.

[93henfan]

As poorly as Howard is hitting, I might have considered bunting him with men on first and second and no outs.

He's just giving us 100% nothing right now.

[93henfan]

How do you sit there and watch that, Francisco? Get the friggin' runner in.


Leadoff double and nothing to show for it. Story of the Phils in this series.

[93henfan]

Methinks a homer wins this one. I hope it's from the Phils.

[93henfan]

And there it is. For the Giants.

[Willie]

And there it is. For the Giants.

If it makes you feel better...another #1 in FBS is going down.

[93henfan]

And there it is. For the Giants.

If it makes you feel better...another #1 in FBS is going down.

I don't even know who's #1 in FBS.

[93henfan]

Congrats to the Giants. Take it to the Rangers.

[HI54UNI]

Way to go Giants!

[Grizalltheway]

How long do you suppose that corksoaker Joe Buck has been waiting to yell "the Giants win the pennant!"

[93henfan]

How long do you suppose that coarksoker Joe Buck has been waiting to yell "the Giants win the pennant!"

At least since '89. I think that was the year of the earthquake series.

[grizband]

Los Gigantes!!!

[BlueHen86]

Congrats to thre Giants. They deserved to win. They looked like the better, more experienced, team. They never caved under pressure.

The Phillies could not get the big hit. Sadly, when the bottom of the 9th started, I predicted that Howard would strike out to end the game.

[93henfan]

I predicted that Howard would strike out to end the game.

Bold prediction.


Jeez did Utley and Howard ever fail to show up in this series? Gotta wonder what injuries they may be hiding.

Here's hoping the Phils can have a normal year next year. Even with 97 wins in the regular season, it never seemed like the Phils ever really settled into any consistency.

[BlueHen86]

I predicted that Howard would strike out to end the game.

Bold prediction.


Jeez did Utley and Howard ever fail to show up in this series? Gotta wonder what injuries they may be hiding.

Here's hoping the Phils can have a normal year next year. Even with 97 wins in the regular season, it never seemed like the Phils ever really settled into any consistency.

Bold in that it required the Phils to get two men on in order for Howard to have the chance. Once Howard got up to bat I felt fairly confident.

This was a very strange season; thanks to injuries the Phils didn't really look good until September and even then the offense was suspect and inconsistent. No complaints about the pitching, but San Fran was the one team that was capable of out-pitching the Phils - and they did.

[Skjellyfetti]

Classy of the Philly fans to hang around and boo the Giants while they celebrate.

[Willie]

Classy of the Philly fans to hang around and boo the Giants while they celebrate.

[93henfan]

Classy of the Philly fans to hang around and boo the Giants while they celebrate.

The Giants celebrated for several minutes before there was any booing. I'm sure the boo was probably a reaction to a Giant player taunting the fans.

[DJH]

Classy of the Philly fans to hang around and boo the Giants while they celebrate.

The Giants celebrated for several minutes before there was any booing. I'm sure the boo was probably a reaction to a Giant player taunting the fans.

Yeah, right....