WOOH Baseball

Colorado and San Diego. Never before have I seen such a game! It pulled at my heart strings, captured my attention and will never leave my mind. To me, it was the single most exciting ball game ever played in my lifetime. Both teams gave it their all; both bullpens came up huge. In the end, it was Hoffman –the career saves leader- blowing a game which should have been wrapped up. Two blown saves in consecutive appearances which cost the Padres a playoff birth may be enough for Hoffman to retire, or for the Padres to not invite him back next year. You have to feel for him though. It’s a case of a pitcher getting older and not having the stuff he once had. His heater is now ineffective making change-ups his primary pitch. Unfortunately, this proved to be his downfall.

But enough about Hoffman! My Colorado Rockies, yes MY Colorado Rockies are heading to the postseason for the first time since 1995, and only the second time in franchise history. It will be a first for heart-and-soul guys like Jamey Caroll (long-time Lynx player, god bless him) and Todd Helton. I am quite jubilant at the moment for these guys. They won 14 of their last 15 games to make it in! Unbelievable. The game ended on an unbelievable note. The Padres looked to have dashed the hopes of Rockies players and fans alike with a 2 run bomb by Scott Hairston, son of pro-baller Jerry Hairston. This came in the top of the 13th. Then the rally started: double by Matsui (Hideki’s estranged brother); double by Tulowitzki; triple by Matt Holliday off the scoreboard in right field (and an attempt by Brian Giles that dazzled me; his 5’10 frame be damned as he just missed the ball climbing up the scoreboard). Then the next player to come up, Jamey Caroll, who had lost his mother to cancer earlier on in his career – but not before she was able to see him finally in the Major’s. Caroll, principally a utility player in his Major League career, could feel the importance of this. He promptly punched a ball to right field on the first pitch – a liner it was. At first it looked like it would drop in. On next glance, it appeared as if it would even go over the glove of the outfielder. Neither was the case. Giles, and his beauty grade 8 highlighted mushroom cut caught the ball on an absolute line and then, without so much as a running start, just cannoned the ball to home, in anticipation of Matt Holliday tagging up. Giles tried to make up for his mediocre arm by getting rid of it as soon as possible. He sort of air mailed it actually, but it still bounced before the plate. Michael Barett seemed to block off the plate perfectly but couldn’t come up with the ball. Holliday had slid head first into his cleat. Both players sprawled out for what seemed like an eternity. Then Barrett got control of the ball and as he was reaching to tag Holliday (the umpire had not made a call up to this point), Tim Mclelland made a safe sign. Totally blown call though! The game should have continued as the play was not complete. Either Holliday had to touch the plate, or Barett needed to tag Holliday. Anyway, what a game and what a night. I woke up to “Don’t go breaking my heart” on my radio station and reflected on how I had just witnessed two teams giving it everything they had. I was happy for Caroll, a good guy who deserved to make it to baseball’s second season.

Last night, other things happened. The Escort popped a wheeley so to speak. Repairs are needed. I needed to get to Barrhaven for dinner and groceries and game, so Mark came and got me at fallowfield station and we proceeded to Food Basics. He forgot his $10 chicken though. Then after I watched some game with him, pa drove me back to Ambleside. Thanks guys!