ALDS: New York Yankees vs Minnesota Twins

[bench]

Don't think for a second that I'm enjoying any of this, but tonight you basically had the Lonnie Smith gaffe and the Kent Hrbek horseshit in the same game. Worth noting

the baserunning gaffe... is what it is... gomez is a fuckup...

comparing blowing the call down the line - that was a foot fair to Ron Gant failing to slide and falling off first base is another thing entirely. (watch the play... really watch it... don't watch the feet, watch Gant's shoulders... he's falling off the base, Hrbek just gets out of his way and holds the tag on him) apples to oranges my friend - one is an arguably subjective call based upon whether or not Gant's momentum was carrying him off the bag... this was a clear call fair or foul... and ol' Phil Cuzzi fucked it up

I'm not about to argue ancient history with you, but Hrbek picked Ron Gant up off the bag, and he admitted as much. You can come clean about it now — statute of limitations expired a long time ago, bro. Besides, Wikipedia agrees with me, and we both know Wiki is a totally unimpeachable source

[UNHWildCats]

Crew chief Tschida on LF ump Cuzzi "We went in and looked at (replays) and it's a clear indication that an incorrect decision was rendered."

[Willie]

All I'm gonna say is that even with the bad call, the Twins still had bases loaded with 1 out and couldn't cash in. In the playoffs if you cannot get a run in that situation you don't deserve to win.

[BlueHen86]

All I'm gonna say is that even with the bad call, the Twins still had bases loaded with 1 out and couldn't cash in. In the playoffs if you cannot get a run in that situation you don't deserve to win.

It was bases loaded, 0 out. But you are correct, you have to score in that situation.

[spelunker]

Yeah, crappy call, but it's like leaving it up to the kicker to win it for ya. Never let that happen...

[JoltinJoe]

Crew chief Tschida on LF ump Cuzzi "We went in and looked at (replays) and it's a clear indication that an incorrect decision was rendered."

IMO, the foul line umps, as the play is about to happen, need to stop running, position themselves, and let their eyes focus. It is better to be farther away from the play, but stationary, than continue to run, with you eyes bobbing up and down with the rest of you.

Try running at a decent clip and actually pay attention to how your eyes are working.

[JoltinJoe]

Don't think for a second that I'm enjoying any of this, but tonight you basically had the Lonnie Smith gaffe and the Kent Hrbek horseshit in the same game. Worth noting

the baserunning gaffe... is what it is... gomez is a ****...

comparing blowing the call down the line - that was a foot fair to Ron Gant failing to slide and falling off first base is another thing entirely. (watch the play... really watch it... don't watch the feet, watch Gant's shoulders... he's falling off the base, Hrbek just gets out of his way and holds the tag on him) apples to oranges my friend - one is an arguably subjective call based upon whether or not Gant's momentum was carrying him off the bag... this was a clear call fair or foul... and ol' Phil Cuzzi **** it up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWoD2sQ9LiU

[BlueHen86]

Crew chief Tschida on LF ump Cuzzi "We went in and looked at (replays) and it's a clear indication that an incorrect decision was rendered."

IMO, the foul line umps, as the play is about to happen, need to stop running, position themselves, and let their eyes focus. It is better to be farther away from the play, but stationary, than continue to run, with you eyes bobbing up and down with the rest of you.

Try running at a decent clip and actually pay attention to how your eyes are working.

Instead of outfield UMPs I think MLB would be better off with cameras located at the foul poles.
Three cameras at each pole:
aim one down the foul line for fair/foul balls
aim one up to detemine if a homer run was fair/foul
aim one towards centerfield to determine a homer run versus a ball still in play

MLB adds extra umpires for the playoffs and they screw up the calls that they are specifically expected to make. MLB would be better of with just the regular 4 umpires, I could understand it if the third base umpire had missed that call last night, but not a guy who was put there just for that occurance.

[BlueHen86]

Crew chief Tschida on LF ump Cuzzi "We went in and looked at (replays) and it's a clear indication that an incorrect decision was rendered."

Friggin brilliant, use replay after the game. Great idea. Maybe we can show him the Zapruder film.
"I looked at it and it's a clar indication that President Kennedy was shot."

[TwinTownBisonFan]

could be worse JJ, most Twins fans seem to think the series is fixed... i won't go that far

as for replay - despite the Twins just getting the ol screwgy last night... i still oppose it... once i've calmed down from this, it will become part of the lore of the game, much like Jeffrey Maier is part of the lore of the game... the fallability of people is an integral part of the game, berating the umpires is part of the charm of baseball and they should resist the temptation to turn their game in to football just because the class of fan who barely care and get "bored" at baseball games want it...

[JoltinJoe]

could be worse JJ, most Twins fans seem to think the series is fixed... i won't go that far

Is Joe Nathan in on the fix?

Let's face it, we're not having this discussion except your closer blew a two-run lead in the 9th. And then, even after the blown call, the Twinkies had the bases jammed with no outs, and couldn't get even a single run.

I could blame Joe West for his bad Robinson Cano inteference call in Game 5 of the 2005 of the ALDS; but that doesn't change the fact that the Yankees played a lousy game that night and deserved to lose.

[BisonBacker]

the baserunning gaffe... is what it is... gomez is a ****...

comparing blowing the call down the line - that was a foot fair to Ron Gant failing to slide and falling off first base is another thing entirely. (watch the play... really watch it... don't watch the feet, watch Gant's shoulders... he's falling off the base, Hrbek just gets out of his way and holds the tag on him) apples to oranges my friend - one is an arguably subjective call based upon whether or not Gant's momentum was carrying him off the bag... this was a clear call fair or foul... and ol' Phil Cuzzi **** it up

I'm not about to argue ancient history with you, but Hrbek picked Ron Gant up off the bag, and he admitted as much. You can come clean about it now — statute of limitations expired a long time ago, bro. Besides, Wikipedia agrees with me, and we both know Wiki is a totally unimpeachable source

Can you please provide us with this link to the news source? I just watched Hrbeck comment on this last week and he still maintains that is not the case but that Gant was falling into him. Either way it is old news but you seem to be coming up with some questionable comments. Regarding last nights game. The Twins got shafted not only from the Umps but also from their own closer who Ive said all year long is over rated. I hope they get rid of him and bring in someone else. Gomez well that was just bad luck but still a stupid play.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

I'm not about to argue ancient history with you, but Hrbek picked Ron Gant up off the bag, and he admitted as much. You can come clean about it now — statute of limitations expired a long time ago, bro. Besides, Wikipedia agrees with me, and we both know Wiki is a totally unimpeachable source

watching fans turn on Nathan has been just sad... the guy is an elite closer with a New York problem... while that's annoying - you name me 4 better closers in MLB... you can't.

as for Hrbie... no, he's NEVER said that... I read the guys book - where he let a lot of things out... like that he and Puckett were never close (which any real Twins fan knew) if he was going to change his take on the most infamous play of his career, that's where he would have done it...

Can you please provide us with this link to the news source? I just watched Hrbeck comment on this last week and he still maintains that is not the case but that Gant was falling into him. Either way it is old news but you seem to be coming up with some questionable comments. Regarding last nights game. The Twins got shafted not only from the Umps but also from their own closer who Ive said all year long is over rated. I hope they get rid of him and bring in someone else. Gomez well that was just bad luck but still a stupid play.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

I'm not about to argue ancient history with you, but Hrbek picked Ron Gant up off the bag, and he admitted as much. You can come clean about it now — statute of limitations expired a long time ago, bro. Besides, Wikipedia agrees with me, and we both know Wiki is a totally unimpeachable source

Can you please provide us with this link to the news source? I just watched Hrbeck comment on this last week and he still maintains that is not the case but that Gant was falling into him. Either way it is old news but you seem to be coming up with some questionable comments. Regarding last nights game. The Twins got shafted not only from the Umps but also from their own closer who Ive said all year long is over rated. I hope they get rid of him and bring in someone else. Gomez well that was just bad luck but still a stupid play.

watching fans turn on Nathan has been just sad... the guy is an elite closer with a New York problem... while that's annoying - you name me 4 better closers in MLB... you can't.

as for Hrbie... no, he's NEVER said that... I read the guys book - where he let a lot of things out... like that he and Puckett were never close (which any real Twins fan knew) if he was going to change his take on the most infamous play of his career, that's where he would have done it...

[bench]

Can you please provide us with this link to the news source? I just watched Hrbeck comment on this last week and he still maintains that is not the case but that Gant was falling into him. Either way it is old news but you seem to be coming up with some questionable comments. Regarding last nights game. The Twins got shafted not only from the Umps but also from their own closer who Ive said all year long is over rated. I hope they get rid of him and bring in someone else. Gomez well that was just bad luck but still a stupid play.

watching fans turn on Nathan has been just sad... the guy is an elite closer with a New York problem... while that's annoying - you name me 4 better closers in MLB... you can't.

as for Hrbie... no, he's NEVER said that... I read the guys book - where he let a lot of things out... like that he and Puckett were never close (which any real Twins fan knew) if he was going to change his take on the most infamous play of his career, that's where he would have done it...

I always kinda figured it was a tacit admission when in the context of that play the dude joked about the "T-Rex Tag" and becoming a pro wrestler. I could be wrong, tho

[BlueHen86]

could be worse JJ, most Twins fans seem to think the series is fixed... i won't go that far

as for replay - despite the Twins just getting the ol screwgy last night... i still oppose it... once i've calmed down from this, it will become part of the lore of the game, much like Jeffrey Maier is part of the lore of the game... the fallability of people is an integral part of the game, berating the umpires is part of the charm of baseball and they should resist the temptation to turn their game in to football just because the class of fan who barely care and get "bored" at baseball games want it...

If you don't want replay I have another suggestion. Have the extra umps stand at the foul pole. That way every play is in front of them. I think they would have gotten the call correct last night (either the outfield ump or the 3rd base ump would have seen the play. It's also possible that they would have gotten the Maier call right way back when.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

could be worse JJ, most Twins fans seem to think the series is fixed... i won't go that far

as for replay - despite the Twins just getting the ol screwgy last night... i still oppose it... once i've calmed down from this, it will become part of the lore of the game, much like Jeffrey Maier is part of the lore of the game... the fallability of people is an integral part of the game, berating the umpires is part of the charm of baseball and they should resist the temptation to turn their game in to football just because the class of fan who barely care and get "bored" at baseball games want it...

If you don't want replay I have another suggestion. Have the extra umps stand at the foul pole. That way every play is in front of them. I think they would have gotten the call correct last night (either the outfield ump or the 3rd base ump would have seen the play. It's also possible that they would have gotten the Maier call right way back when.

i like it i'll call Bud

[BisonBacker]

could be worse JJ, most Twins fans seem to think the series is fixed... i won't go that far

as for replay - despite the Twins just getting the ol screwgy last night... i still oppose it... once i've calmed down from this, it will become part of the lore of the game, much like Jeffrey Maier is part of the lore of the game... the fallability of people is an integral part of the game, berating the umpires is part of the charm of baseball and they should resist the temptation to turn their game in to football just because the class of fan who barely care and get "bored" at baseball games want it...

If you don't want replay I have another suggestion. Have the extra umps stand at the foul pole. That way every play is in front of them. I think they would have gotten the call correct last night (either the outfield ump or the 3rd base ump would have seen the play. It's also possible that they would have gotten the Maier call right way back when.

I agree have them stand back there. It's insane to add extra umps to get calls correct only to have one who is 15 feet from the play "according to announcers" get it wrong. I was listening on the radio to the game and they all said it right away he got it wrong. Pathetic.

[BisonBacker]

Can you please provide us with this link to the news source? I just watched Hrbeck comment on this last week and he still maintains that is not the case but that Gant was falling into him. Either way it is old news but you seem to be coming up with some questionable comments. Regarding last nights game. The Twins got shafted not only from the Umps but also from their own closer who Ive said all year long is over rated. I hope they get rid of him and bring in someone else. Gomez well that was just bad luck but still a stupid play.

watching fans turn on Nathan has been just sad... the guy is an elite closer with a New York problem... while that's annoying - you name me 4 better closers in MLB... you can't.

as for Hrbie... no, he's NEVER said that... I read the guys book - where he let a lot of things out... like that he and Puckett were never close (which any real Twins fan knew) if he was going to change his take on the most infamous play of his career, that's where he would have done it...

It's not just this blown save thats given me the opinion that he's overrated. I've been saying this all summer. You talk about how many blown saves he's had this year as compared to other closers. Or give these other closers that many chances as he's had and see how they'd do. Just saying he's got X amount of saves this year doesn't tell the real story. Good closers would have beat his record as they wouldn't have blow 6 or 7 saves this year.

[Gil Dobie]

watching fans turn on Nathan has been just sad... the guy is an elite closer with a New York problem... while that's annoying - you name me 4 better closers in MLB... you can't.

Nathan had moments like Friday thoughout his career, he's not perfect, but he'll give it his best every time. He doesn't have the traditional stuff of a closer like Rivera though.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

watching fans turn on Nathan has been just sad... the guy is an elite closer with a New York problem... while that's annoying - you name me 4 better closers in MLB... you can't.

as for Hrbie... no, he's NEVER said that... I read the guys book - where he let a lot of things out... like that he and Puckett were never close (which any real Twins fan knew) if he was going to change his take on the most infamous play of his career, that's where he would have done it...

It's not just this blown save thats given me the opinion that he's overrated. I've been saying this all summer. You talk about how many blown saves he's had this year as compared to other closers. Or give these other closers that many chances as he's had and see how they'd do. Just saying he's got X amount of saves this year doesn't tell the real story. Good closers would have beat his record as they wouldn't have blow 6 or 7 saves this year.

1. Name 4 better closers... name 4 guys in MLB who you would sooner bring in than Nathan... I can name only 3

2. you're right, saves are a misleading stat... which is why K-Rod is overrated in New York - however, Nathan has a minuscule ERA and huge k/9 totals.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

watching fans turn on Nathan has been just sad... the guy is an elite closer with a New York problem... while that's annoying - you name me 4 better closers in MLB... you can't.

Nathan had moments like Friday thoughout his career, he's not perfect, but he'll give it his best every time. He doesn't have the traditional stuff of a closer like Rivera though.

Nathan is much more in the "traditional closer mold" than Rivera, at least now. 10 years ago Mo was also just like Nathan, a guy with a hot fastball that moved and a devastating slider. Rivera now... doing something never really done by a closer... throws nothing but a cutter, and is, frankly one of the the three closers in MLB better than Nathan. but Rivera is not at all a traditional closer anymore...

[Gil Dobie]

Nathan had moments like Friday thoughout his career, he's not perfect, but he'll give it his best every time. He doesn't have the traditional stuff of a closer like Rivera though.

Nathan is much more in the "traditional closer mold" than Rivera, at least now. 10 years ago Mo was also just like Nathan, a guy with a hot fastball that moved and a devastating slider. Rivera now... doing something never really done by a closer... throws nothing but a cutter, and is, frankly one of the the three closers in MLB better than Nathan. but Rivera is not at all a traditional closer anymore...

There are several pitchers I'd put ahead of Nathan, as to who I would like to see hold a lead. Nathan does a great job, and Friday night has no bearing on my choice. Rivera, Papalbon, F-Rod, Soria to start with.

[Willie]

I'd be very surprised to see the Yankees pull off the sweep tonight. I think the Twins may win 4-3.

[Willie]

Yankees get solo shots out of Rodriguez and Posada and take a 2-1 lead.