Friday, April 25, 2008
Bob Walcott and the Yankees
I could talk about the scintillating three-hitter that Cliff Lee threw at the Royals last night to complete a series sweep in Kansas City. I could also rant about the fact that the doubleheader started at 6 p.m. EST last night instead of 3 p.m. for no reason. As a result, Indians fans attending tonight's game can expect the starting nine to be comatose against the Yankees. But to be honest with you, Bob Wolcott is on my mind. Perhaps, you don't remember the right-hander who had a career ERA of 5.86.
Shall we revisit October 10, 1995? The scrubby right-hander had loaded the bases on three straight walks to start Game 1 of the ALCS. The next four hitters included a surefire hall of famer, two hitters with hall of fame credentials, and another whose candidacy was ultimately derailed by injuries. The four hitters? Albert Belle, Eddie Murray, Jim Thome, and Manny Ramirez. Walcott escaped the inning unscathed. I find that as amazing today as I did when I was 11 years old, watching it. Wednesday night, it's 2 a.m. and I'm wide awake, not thinking about life-changing decisions, but rather Bob Walcott's 7 inning gem in the fall of 1995. Nobody can debate the insanity of Manny Ramirez but I really think that if you mentioned Bob Walcott's name to him, he'd remember his effort at the Kingdome.
Anyway, big series tonight. It's the Yankees only visit to the Jake (ohh wait, it's called Progressive Field now) in 2008 and something tells me there'll be about ten thousand empty seats for it. I don't see any scenario in which the Indians can take 3 of 4 with Byrd, Sowers, Sabathia and most likely Aaron Laffey pitching in the series. Nice to see the Indians grind out a win last night in the second game. David Delucci is starting to string together some good games. I'll take a .275 batting average with fifteen to twenty homers.
Just a reminder that Grady Sizemore is good.
Shall we revisit October 10, 1995? The scrubby right-hander had loaded the bases on three straight walks to start Game 1 of the ALCS. The next four hitters included a surefire hall of famer, two hitters with hall of fame credentials, and another whose candidacy was ultimately derailed by injuries. The four hitters? Albert Belle, Eddie Murray, Jim Thome, and Manny Ramirez. Walcott escaped the inning unscathed. I find that as amazing today as I did when I was 11 years old, watching it. Wednesday night, it's 2 a.m. and I'm wide awake, not thinking about life-changing decisions, but rather Bob Walcott's 7 inning gem in the fall of 1995. Nobody can debate the insanity of Manny Ramirez but I really think that if you mentioned Bob Walcott's name to him, he'd remember his effort at the Kingdome.
Anyway, big series tonight. It's the Yankees only visit to the Jake (ohh wait, it's called Progressive Field now) in 2008 and something tells me there'll be about ten thousand empty seats for it. I don't see any scenario in which the Indians can take 3 of 4 with Byrd, Sowers, Sabathia and most likely Aaron Laffey pitching in the series. Nice to see the Indians grind out a win last night in the second game. David Delucci is starting to string together some good games. I'll take a .275 batting average with fifteen to twenty homers.
Just a reminder that Grady Sizemore is good.
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Labels: Cleveland Indians, cliff lee, Grady Sizemore, Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees
# posted by Nate @ 12:24 PM 
