It never gets old - reflections on Oct 17-20, 2004

[BuellMiller]

There was no replay because of the homer on the next pitch. But, still look to me like he got to the plate, and was under the tag.

It was obviously a close play, and watching it in real-time, it looks like he beat it. But on watching it a few times and slowing it down, Posada does a good job of blocking the plate, and gets the tag down quickly just before Damon can get the foot on the plate. If it happens nowadays, the Red Sox probably still challenge it, and who knows if Brown grooves the next pitch to Ortiz if there's a 4 minute delay for the review of it. (Then again, if we're using today's rules, Posada maybe wouldn't be able to block the plate as well, and he's probably just safe).

 

[reggiecleveland]

It was obviously a close play, and watching it in real-time, it looks like he beat it. But on watching it a few times and slowing it down, Posada does a good job of blocking the plate, and gets the tag down quickly just before Damon can get the foot on the plate. If it happens nowadays, the Red Sox probably still challenge it, and who knows if Brown grooves the next pitch to Ortiz if there's a 4 minute delay for the review of it. (Then again, if we're using today's rules, Posada maybe wouldn't be able to block the plate as well, and he's probably just safe).

All great points.
Now as I impose my own narrative the bad call is something that would have derailed Sox teams in the past, but was just a blip to these saviors.

 

[jaytftwofive]

Damon was safe at home right before Papi's game 7 homer too.

I stand corrected. It was a very, close play at home. I watched the replay on DVD. If he was out which I think he was it was about 4 inches from the plate Posada tagged him. Very close.

 

[Humphrey]

Didn't realize until just now that Game 7 was not Kevin Brown's last hurrah as a Yankee; they brought him back in 2005 and he pretty much performed at the same level (bad).

 

[reggiecleveland]

Didn't realize until just now that Game 7 was not Kevin Brown's last hurrah as a Yankee; they brought him back in 2005 and he pretty much performed at the same level (bad).

Yeah its hard to believe from his body language going to the clubhouse that he ever pitched again.

Years form now when Speilberg's granddaughter makes the "based on true story" movie she will blur historical characters and Brown will slink off into the clubhouse and sign up for flying lessons.

 

[tims4wins]

So I’m currently rewatching the 2003 ALDS on the Pedro server. Fantastic series.

Forgotten moment in Gump history:

Game 4. Sox down 2-1 in the series, up 2-1 in the game, top 6. Oakland 5-6-7 hitters due. Burkett on the hill. To that point he’s given the Sox 5 solid innings, dancing out of trouble here and there including getting out of a bases loaded, no out situation after a run had already crossed. Heading into the 6th he was over 90 pitches.

Lead off man Hatteburg hits a soft ish liner up the middle that Burkett gets a piece of but becomes an infield hit. Ok, I can see giving Burkett another hitter.

Next batter Guillen smokes a liner but Mueller makes a phenomenal diving catch. One out. I’m thinking you gotta yank him now. No move from Grady. Ok, I kind of understand, at least he got an out.

Next batter is lefty Melhuse who is already 2-2 and swinging the bat great. He launches a rocket to right over an outstretched diving Trot (who was a little gimpy with a sore calf). A run scores to tie the game and Melhuse advances to 3rd on the throw and is the take the lead run.

At this point Burkett is well over 100 pitches and clearly done. Wakefield is warm in the pen (why him but that’s a question for another day). Jermaine Dye due up.

So what does Gump do? Leaves Burkett in, of course. What does Dye do? You guessed it. Parking garage roof across Lansdowne.

So with the season on the line he let a 38 year old washed up gassed Burkett face Jermaine Dye.

I almost wish they lost that game to avoid the ALCS game 7 pain. They sure deserved to.

Man Grady was awful.

 

[TFisNEXT]

So I’m currently rewatching the 2003 ALDS on the Pedro server. Fantastic series.

Forgotten moment in Gump history:

Game 4. Sox down 2-1 in the series, up 2-1 in the game, top 6. Oakland 5-6-7 hitters due. Burkett on the hill. To that point he’s given the Sox 5 solid innings, dancing out of trouble here and there including getting out of a bases loaded, no out situation after a run had already crossed. Heading into the 6th he was over 90 pitches.

Lead off man Hatteburg hits a soft ish liner up the middle that Burkett gets a piece of but becomes an infield hit. Ok, I can see giving Burkett another hitter.

Next batter Guillen smokes a liner but Mueller makes a phenomenal diving catch. One out. I’m thinking you gotta yank him now. No move from Grady. Ok, I kind of understand, at least he got an out.

Next batter is lefty Melhuse who is already 2-2 and swinging the bat great. He launches a rocket to right over an outstretched diving Trot (who was a little gimpy with a sore calf). A run scores to tie the game and Melhuse advances to 3rd on the throw and is the take the lead run.

At this point Burkett is well over 100 pitches and clearly done. Wakefield is warm in the pen (why him but that’s a question for another day). Jermaine Dye due up.

So what does Gump do? Leaves Burkett in, of course. What does Dye do? You guessed it. Parking garage roof across Lansdowne.

So with the season on the line he let a 38 year old washed up gassed Burkett face Jermaine Dye.

I almost wish they lost that game to avoid the ALCS game 7 pain. They sure deserved to.

Man Grady was awful.

I was watching that live at Boston Beer Works across from Fenway (after failing to scalp a ticket for something semi-affordable at my age back then) and I think about 2/3rds of us were screaming the same thing: "Get his ass out of there!!!".

Underrated that game: Todd Walker's HR off Ricardo Rincon to lead off the bottom half of that very inning. Felt like they stole a run back with that lefty on lefty matchup. Made it seem more manageable to come back off Foulke down 1 run instead of 2.

 

[tims4wins]

I was watching that live at Boston Beer Works across from Fenway (after failing to scalp a ticket for something semi-affordable at my age back then) and I think about 2/3rds of us were screaming the same thing: "Get his ass out of there!!!".

Underrated that game: Todd Walker's HR off Ricardo Rincon to lead off the bottom half of that very inning. Felt like they stole a run back with that lefty on lefty matchup. Made it seem more manageable to come back off Foulke down 1 run instead of 2.

Dammit spoiler that shit I haven't started the bottom of the 6th yet

 

[loshjott]

Yeah its hard to believe from his body language going to the clubhouse that he ever pitched again.

Years form now when Speilberg's granddaughter makes the "based on true story" movie she will blur historical characters and Brown will slink off into the clubhouse and sign up for flying lessons.

This should not go unrecognized.

 

[reggiecleveland]

This should not go unrecognized.

Thanks I tried.