They're both feeling better and are back in the lineup. Thus, the lineup is a standard order other than Gary Sheffield starting in LF in place of Craig Monroe and, of course, Bonderman batting ninth.
Jeremy, Jeremy, Jeremy. You have now officially entered the Twilight Zone!
The 1st inning problem has become absolutely absurd. And it's not like he has bad luck in the 1st innin g--he is getting tagged hard. What worries me every time this happens is if it carries over to the next inning. So far so good--fingers crossed.
I wonder what his ERA is if you omit the 1st inning?
Inge had a bad AB. It is very important to make contact if you are hitting 8th ahead of a pitcher. Especially with someone perched on third.
Well Rich I hope you thoroughly enjoy the game!
I am going to watch the Tigers in Seattle when they are playing there in July. We'll be a few rows back behind and just past the dugout for one game and in rows down the LF line for the other. Looking forward to it. The last time I saw them play was in Seattle when Fielder was a big deal with the team.
N.B. I think Jeremy needs to seek the advice of a hypnotist!
A former Tiger!!!
Germany Schaefer....
"If there is one player who can be classified as one of baseball's all-time zaniest and lovable characters, it was Herman 'Germany' Schaefer. There have been many stories told about this utility infielder's antics. On one occasion, a game was played through a torrential downpour and both players and spectators were left guessing why the umpires didn't call the game. Well, in the third inning, Germany stepped up to the plate wearing a raincoat and tall boots with an umbrella in one hand and a bat in the other. The umpire called the game. Another time, Germany, playing against a hostile crowd, was put into the game as a pinch-hitter and stepped up to the plate as the boos grew deafening. Germany turned to the crowd and announced that they were about to see the greatest batter alive demonstrate his wonderful hitting skills. On the first pitch, Germany hit a homerun out of the ballpark as a stunned crowd gazed at this zany baseball character as he began his trek around the basepath. The show was not over as Germany, amazingly, slid into first base announcing to the crowd, "Schaefer leads by a head at the quarter". He picked himself up and then slid into each of the remaining bases announcing his progress after each slide. His final slide into home plate was punctuated with Germany leaping to his feet, doffing his cap and then announcing, "This, ladies and gentlemen concludes the afternoon's performance." In 1907, Germany stunned the baseball world when he stole second base and then on the next pitch stole first base. That's right! It was a close game with Germany on first and Davy Jones on third. The manager called for a double steal. The steal was on with the next pitch but the catcher, bluffing a throw to third and holding the runner, then threw to second base. Schaefer beat the throw. Amazingly, on the next pitch, Germany made a mad dash from second and slid safely back into first base. The umpire was dumbfounded as was everyone else. But after some intense deliberation with the opposing players, the umpire let the play stand. Then, on the next pitch, Schaefer sped to second as the catcher's throw sailed wildly over second base allowing the runner from third to score. Schaefer's shenanigan came up at the next baseball rules committee meeting and a new rule was created stating that once a runner touched second base he could not return to first. Ironically, Schaefer was a teammate of Nick Altrock, called by many the 'clown-prince' of baseball . Germany Schaefer definitely was the 'baron of highjinx'!"
Hey maybe Sean Casey can jack one today!!!
Dan, funny you mention Casey possibly jacking one today. I was sitting here watching the first part of the game thinking that this is one stadium he might hit a homerun in. Then he later hit the ball just a couple feet from going out. He still could this series. Heck, Polanco hit 14 and 17 homeruns while playing for the Phils. Maybe Casey could hit one out.
Well, here comes Rodney--gut feeling is he is gonna do the job today.
So much for gut feelings!
Yeah, Rodney has been leaving a feeling in the gut lately alright.
The ballpark was loaded with Tiger fans again. This team certainly travels well. Maybe they can get an invite to the Rose Bowl. This is a very nice ballpark, right up there with the best of them.
These people here in Philly will boo their team for anything. I remember that from the old Vet and it certainly hasn't changed. They did play a pretty sloppy game, however.
Are we still saying that Casey isn't producing offensively?
Rodney came in with a man on and gave up a triple and it seemed like a good outing. That's not good.
I watched Miner's bullpen session. You can stand just above the visitor's pen so I ate my cheesesteak from there and watched from about ten feet away. He looked good, although I have no idea if it was a good session. I just know he didn't clutch his shoulder in agony. :-) Leyland came up to observe and I had to withstand the urge to call him a stubborn old coot. Of course, I would have said "Dan thinks you're a stubborn old coot." :-)
Tomorrow I'm going to sprint up the steps to the art museum, ala Rocky. And if you believe that, I've got a pitcher to sell you. Then we'll go back and see how young Mr. Miller does.
Glad they came away with a victory for you Rich. I hope you see a gem from AM in the PM tomorrow. Are you taking in the game on Sunday too? Verlander does Vander Meer--don't want to miss that. Bonus will be seeing Verlander go for the fences after he sees Casey get his first of the year against Eaton. (If I make 3 more predictions I will get at least one of them right.)
You mnentioned some "original" thinking from JL---well we may not have seen original but somewhat different today.
Notice how he didn't sart Rodney in the 8th and Jones in the 9th? Must have been hard for the crusty curmudgeon to put those boys in in the middle of an inning!
I think Miner may just be a possible solution (if one is needed) for a setup man. I think he may have the demeanor for the role. Until Rodney puts his cap on straight I can't see the hitters taking him any more seriously than a lot of Tiger fans do. He must have hung around too much with Nook Logan.
Pudge is really comin' around and had another key hit today.
I may be a bit optimisitc here but I like the fact that Rabelo is backing him up. Wilson is a great guy and always seemed to handle affairs very well but it is good to have some fresh blood in there. Best of luck to Vance but he has got a very large challenge ahead of him given his age, backup status and physical condition.
Holy cow--that little Jimmy Rollins is a precious commodity isn't he?
I'll be on the road tomorrow so if Verlander pulls a Vander Meer, I'll be the only Tiger fan on the planet to have missed both games.
I think JL wanted to finish with Byrdak and Seay. He had to use Rodney when things got dicey, and it appears he played it VERY safe in the ninth. At least, that's how it appeared to me. I wasn't happy when he brought Jones in. I thought Seay should have just gotten that last out. Didn't seem to show much confidence in him.
BTW, if the gun here matches the others, Rodney didn't go above 91 mph with his fastball, and sometimes 89. Perhaps by design?
For what it's worth, there was a discrepancy between the radar gun readings in the park and the readings on the Phillies broadcast. Usually when the ballpark had Rodney at 91, the telecast had him at 94. Not sure who's right. With some TV networks you suspect they bump up the readings for viewership, but I also remember those Zumaya readings at Busch Stadium during the World Series. That said, Rodney isn't Zumaya.
Dan, I love these Germany Schaefer stories! What a character! One major thing you left out was the time he complained it was getting too dark to play (he was hoping to get the game called early). He kept it up until he went out to field his position at second...with a lantern in one hand.
There's another one, similar to the above, which says he lit a match in the batter's box. (If it wasn't Schaef, it sure sounds like him.)
Then there's the trick he used to pull as a first base coach with the Senators. He would take a bag of popcorn to the coaching box and show his contempt for the opposing team by munching the popcorn, lazily looking around into the sky, like this whole thing was boring and not worthy of his time. So in Chicago, 1912, he got tossed by umpire Silk O'Loughlin for 'detracting from the dignity of the national pastime,' making him the only man ever thrown out of a game for eating popcorn!
Reminds of another baseball anecdote. I'm not sure who the batter was (but I think it may have been Dizzy Dean), went up to bat against Bob Feller and the game was a long one and getting dark. He strides up to the plate and strikes a match. The ump says to him, Do you think that's gonna help ya see fellers fast one?" Dean says, "Heck no, I just wanna make sure Feller sees me!"
Jeremy, Jeremy, Jeremy. You have now officially entered the Twilight Zone!
The 1st inning problem has become absolutely absurd. And it's not like he has bad luck in the 1st innin g--he is getting tagged hard. What worries me every time this happens is if it carries over to the next inning. So far so good--fingers crossed.
I wonder what his ERA is if you omit the 1st inning?
Inge had a bad AB. It is very important to make contact if you are hitting 8th ahead of a pitcher. Especially with someone perched on third.
Well Rich I hope you thoroughly enjoy the game!
I am going to watch the Tigers in Seattle when they are playing there in July. We'll be a few rows back behind and just past the dugout for one game and in rows down the LF line for the other. Looking forward to it. The last time I saw them play was in Seattle when Fielder was a big deal with the team.
N.B. I think Jeremy needs to seek the advice of a hypnotist!
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A former Tiger!!!
Germany Schaefer....
"If there is one player who can be classified as one of baseball's all-time zaniest and lovable characters, it was Herman 'Germany' Schaefer. There have been many stories told about this utility infielder's antics. On one occasion, a game was played through a torrential downpour and both players and spectators were left guessing why the umpires didn't call the game. Well, in the third inning, Germany stepped up to the plate wearing a raincoat and tall boots with an umbrella in one hand and a bat in the other. The umpire called the game. Another time, Germany, playing against a hostile crowd, was put into the game as a pinch-hitter and stepped up to the plate as the boos grew deafening. Germany turned to the crowd and announced that they were about to see the greatest batter alive demonstrate his wonderful hitting skills. On the first pitch, Germany hit a homerun out of the ballpark as a stunned crowd gazed at this zany baseball character as he began his trek around the basepath. The show was not over as Germany, amazingly, slid into first base announcing to the crowd, "Schaefer leads by a head at the quarter". He picked himself up and then slid into each of the remaining bases announcing his progress after each slide. His final slide into home plate was punctuated with Germany leaping to his feet, doffing his cap and then announcing, "This, ladies and gentlemen concludes the afternoon's performance." In 1907, Germany stunned the baseball world when he stole second base and then on the next pitch stole first base. That's right! It was a close game with Germany on first and Davy Jones on third. The manager called for a double steal. The steal was on with the next pitch but the catcher, bluffing a throw to third and holding the runner, then threw to second base. Schaefer beat the throw. Amazingly, on the next pitch, Germany made a mad dash from second and slid safely back into first base. The umpire was dumbfounded as was everyone else. But after some intense deliberation with the opposing players, the umpire let the play stand. Then, on the next pitch, Schaefer sped to second as the catcher's throw sailed wildly over second base allowing the runner from third to score. Schaefer's shenanigan came up at the next baseball rules committee meeting and a new rule was created stating that once a runner touched second base he could not return to first. Ironically, Schaefer was a teammate of Nick Altrock, called by many the 'clown-prince' of baseball . Germany Schaefer definitely was the 'baron of highjinx'!"
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Hey maybe Sean Casey can jack one today!!!
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Dan, funny you mention Casey possibly jacking one today. I was sitting here watching the first part of the game thinking that this is one stadium he might hit a homerun in. Then he later hit the ball just a couple feet from going out. He still could this series. Heck, Polanco hit 14 and 17 homeruns while playing for the Phils. Maybe Casey could hit one out.
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Well, here comes Rodney--gut feeling is he is gonna do the job today.
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So much for gut feelings!
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Yeah, Rodney has been leaving a feeling in the gut lately alright.
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The ballpark was loaded with Tiger fans again. This team certainly travels well. Maybe they can get an invite to the Rose Bowl. This is a very nice ballpark, right up there with the best of them.
These people here in Philly will boo their team for anything. I remember that from the old Vet and it certainly hasn't changed. They did play a pretty sloppy game, however.
Are we still saying that Casey isn't producing offensively?
Rodney came in with a man on and gave up a triple and it seemed like a good outing. That's not good.
I watched Miner's bullpen session. You can stand just above the visitor's pen so I ate my cheesesteak from there and watched from about ten feet away. He looked good, although I have no idea if it was a good session. I just know he didn't clutch his shoulder in agony. :-) Leyland came up to observe and I had to withstand the urge to call him a stubborn old coot. Of course, I would have said "Dan thinks you're a stubborn old coot." :-)
Tomorrow I'm going to sprint up the steps to the art museum, ala Rocky. And if you believe that, I've got a pitcher to sell you. Then we'll go back and see how young Mr. Miller does.
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Glad they came away with a victory for you Rich. I hope you see a gem from AM in the PM tomorrow. Are you taking in the game on Sunday too? Verlander does Vander Meer--don't want to miss that. Bonus will be seeing Verlander go for the fences after he sees Casey get his first of the year against Eaton. (If I make 3 more predictions I will get at least one of them right.)
You mnentioned some "original" thinking from JL---well we may not have seen original but somewhat different today.
Notice how he didn't sart Rodney in the 8th and Jones in the 9th? Must have been hard for the crusty curmudgeon to put those boys in in the middle of an inning!
I think Miner may just be a possible solution (if one is needed) for a setup man. I think he may have the demeanor for the role. Until Rodney puts his cap on straight I can't see the hitters taking him any more seriously than a lot of Tiger fans do. He must have hung around too much with Nook Logan.
Pudge is really comin' around and had another key hit today.
I may be a bit optimisitc here but I like the fact that Rabelo is backing him up. Wilson is a great guy and always seemed to handle affairs very well but it is good to have some fresh blood in there. Best of luck to Vance but he has got a very large challenge ahead of him given his age, backup status and physical condition.
Holy cow--that little Jimmy Rollins is a precious commodity isn't he?
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I'll be on the road tomorrow so if Verlander pulls a Vander Meer, I'll be the only Tiger fan on the planet to have missed both games.
I think JL wanted to finish with Byrdak and Seay. He had to use Rodney when things got dicey, and it appears he played it VERY safe in the ninth. At least, that's how it appeared to me. I wasn't happy when he brought Jones in. I thought Seay should have just gotten that last out. Didn't seem to show much confidence in him.
BTW, if the gun here matches the others, Rodney didn't go above 91 mph with his fastball, and sometimes 89. Perhaps by design?
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For what it's worth, there was a discrepancy between the radar gun readings in the park and the readings on the Phillies broadcast. Usually when the ballpark had Rodney at 91, the telecast had him at 94. Not sure who's right. With some TV networks you suspect they bump up the readings for viewership, but I also remember those Zumaya readings at Busch Stadium during the World Series. That said, Rodney isn't Zumaya.
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Dan, I love these Germany Schaefer stories! What a character! One major thing you left out was the time he complained it was getting too dark to play (he was hoping to get the game called early). He kept it up until he went out to field his position at second...with a lantern in one hand.
There's another one, similar to the above, which says he lit a match in the batter's box. (If it wasn't Schaef, it sure sounds like him.)
Then there's the trick he used to pull as a first base coach with the Senators. He would take a bag of popcorn to the coaching box and show his contempt for the opposing team by munching the popcorn, lazily looking around into the sky, like this whole thing was boring and not worthy of his time. So in Chicago, 1912, he got tossed by umpire Silk O'Loughlin for 'detracting from the dignity of the national pastime,' making him the only man ever thrown out of a game for eating popcorn!
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Reminds of another baseball anecdote. I'm not sure who the batter was (but I think it may have been Dizzy Dean), went up to bat against Bob Feller and the game was a long one and getting dark. He strides up to the plate and strikes a match. The ump says to him, Do you think that's gonna help ya see fellers fast one?" Dean says, "Heck no, I just wanna make sure Feller sees me!"
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