I get up early for eight Tuesdays in the fall and spring to help cook breakfast for a 300 member men’s group at my family’s church, and the kitchen crew I work with is a pretty tough crowd. So, after the Cardinals’ Albert Pujols stuck the pin in the Stros’ World Series balloon last night, the subject of the comments from the crew members this morning were focused on the Stros, particularly Stros Manager Phil Garner’s dubious decision to pitch to Pujols — rather than walk him — with a two run lead and two out in the top of the ninth inning of the potential National League Championship Series clinching game:
“Of course, you have to pitch to Pujols in that situation,” noted one crew member with more than a touch of sarcasm. “Sanders and Mabry (the much lesser batters who followed Pujols) could have knocked in even more runs.”
“What, not pitch to the best hitter in the National League with two on, two out, a two run lead in the top of the ninth and a World Series on the line?” commented another crew member with an equal amount of sarcasm. “Hell, he was 0 for 4.”
“First pitch (a swinging stike in the dirt) good. Second pitch (over the railroad track over the left field pavilion) bad.”
“One good thing out of this is that Manager Garner has decided to seek some professional assistance. Word has it that he has set up an appointment today with (0-5 Houston Texans’ head coach) Dom Capers.”
“You know, I don’t think the Texans (0-5) are going to make the playoffs this season.”
Add your own comment. It’s good therapy. ;^)
I’d summon the sarcasm, but I just keep seeing the pitch over and over and over…
We need to exorcise the demons.
It was a bad pitch. Too bad. But you MUST pitch to Pujols in that situation, as unpleasant as that may seem. If he walks, bases are loaded, and any single ties the game, and leaves runners in scoring position.
No, you’re wrong that it was necessary or even advisable to pitch to Pujols in that situation. A hit to left field in Minute Maid Park does not necessarily score two runs, and neither Sanders nor Mabry is nearly as effective a hitter as Pujols. Yes, it was a bad pitch, but it was a questionable decision to be throwing a pitch over the plate to a hitter of Pujols’ stature in that situation.
1. Now Astrs fans know how Notre Dame fans felt last Saturday in last second loss to USC.
2. Did anyone see the Billy Goat that tried to get into Wrigley Field World Series years ago.
Was he refused admission to Minute Maid Park last night?
After the roller coaster ride on the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, I am just emotionally drained. But I have to look at it like this. we are not out of it. The ‘Stros need to tie up their boot laces and get to St. Louis and stun their crowd.
From what I read on the internet boards everyone is blaming Lidge to Garner and the truth is that that Lidge is having issues with this team.
I do not want to get to the World Series if our pitching is not there because the White Sox are not slouches either.
Finally,
Houston fareweather fans, keep the faith, watch some good baseball and hope that Oswalt and the boys can pull it off on Wednesday.
Go ‘Stros
Dennis
What if you’re an Astros fan, a Notre Dame fan, and a Saints fan? It’s like the perfect storm. Arrrggh!
Sports guy feels our pain today, too.
Right decision, wrong outcome. Roy O will take care of business tomorrow night.
Dr. Katz writes
“Right decision, wrong outcome”
That sounds like a failed defense in a medical malpractice case….. 🙂
Go ‘Stros (he managed to say weakly).
With your closer, you have to pitch to Pujols,and you can’t put the go-ahead run on base (unless it’s Bonds on steroids, i.e. any time in the last 6 years). For those of us SoCal types, we remember Donnie Moore in the same situation. The Astros better win it in Game 6. Sorry for the pain, Tom, I wouldn’t wish this on anyone (except a Yankees fan, of course).
Peter, with regard to a normal or even above-average hitter, I agree that you would not put him on base in this situation. But Pujols is basically “Bonds on steroids” — he and Derrick Lee were far and away better than any other hitters in the National League this season. In that situation, you throw convention out the window and either put him on intentionally, or throw four sliders in the dirt to see if you can get him to swing at three and, if not, put him on, anyway. Lidge’s chances with either Sanders or Mabry were far better.