And last night, they did what the Yankees have failed to do in this millennium: They humbled Charlie Morton. Tampa can still rebound. But the juju gods may have taken part in early voting: At long last, the Dodgers seem to have ascended.
But here's where everything went flat:
We - the Yankees, that is - were supposed to be their final obstacle, and the ultimate confrontation was supposed to save MLB.
Back in March - Covid B.C. - the Gammonites foresaw an inevitable clash between the coastal titans. Yankees v. Dodgers... the biggest names in the biggest markets, a rivalry dating back to Jackie and Whitey, to Sandy and Mickey, to Duke and Joltin' Joe. It roused MLB's hopes. And LA kept up its side of the bargain. It was the Yankees who stumbled like Daniel Jones, the Jersey Giants' modern day Joe Pisarcik.
So, it's Tampa... Hey, God bless the Rays, best team in the AL. But last night, America was more involved with Rudy Giuliani in Borat. TV ratings for the World Series have fallen through the dumpster. Game one was the least watched series game in history.
There are no fannies in the stands, and nobody watching on the couch at home.
MLB cannot staunch its lagging popularity. A NY-LA series would have helped. But it wouldn't be a cure.
We have four-hour games with barely three minutes of game action.
We have anemic lineups. The 2020 Cincinnati Reds - who made the playoffs! - had a 2020 team batting average of just .212.
We have endless bullpens. MLB expanded the playoff rosters, hoping to bring more specialists. But teams just added pitchers.
We have expanded playoffs that include teams with losing records: Milwaukee and Houston.
We have the Astros' scandal, which still reeks. In 2017, with the help of cheating, Jose Altuve hit .346. This year, .217.
We have games that are home run derbies.
This was supposed to be a huge World Series. The Yankees fell short, which is their new tradition.
Very true, Duque. And tonight's game, which everyone will proclaim a wild and woolly, all-time classic, was the worst.
ReplyDeleteI didn't see it live—thank goodness. But what a mess!
A closer who can't get a .196 hitter to end the game with two outs and a 1-2 count.
A rightfielder who can't make a routine play on a basehit.
A runner who falls down racing around third with the potential winning run.
A catcher who can't make a routine stop.
And through it all, an endless series of strikeouts and home runs, led by a man who suddenly discovered his PEDs, sorry, power, at age 25, after bouncing around half the world as a singles hitter.
Yeah, it's baseball like it oughta be. In hell.
I think that there needs to be a couple of basic basic rule "modifications' to save baseball, cuz, Lord it's getting dull with four hour K-athons.
ReplyDelete1) outlaw shifts to the extent that there must be two infielders on each side of 2nd at the time of the pitch.
2) Each batter may only step out of the box twice per at-bat. A strike is assessed thereafter. [That covers dirt in the eye, missed signals, etc.)
3)Only 5 pitchers may be used per game. After that if a pitcher is taken out of a game, that pitcher may not be used for the next two consecutive games and the roster spot may not be filled
4) Lower the mound again like was done in the late 60's to take some of the "leverage" advantage away from the pitchers.
MLB needs to address the state of the game, or the golden goose is dead. I don't know if they are watching Borat, but there were probably more people watching BIG10 football than the WS
The Archangel
ReplyDeleteI really want the world to know about this great man who brought back happiness into my life again after my husband left me and the kids 3 years ago for another women online when i contacted Dr Believe he cast a love spell for me within 48 hours my ex husband start calling me and begging for forgiveness for everything that have happened between us. I was so happy to have my family back together with love again here is the email of Dr Believe via believelovespelltemple@gmail.com a man with the great powers you can also call him or add him on Whats-app: +2348156148821
God bless you
I am very grateful for your help in my marriage.
LOTTO, lottery,jackpot.
ReplyDeleteHello all my viewers, I am very happy for sharing this great testimonies,The best thing that has ever happened in my life is how I win the lottery euro million mega jackpot. I am a Woman who believe that one day I will win the lottery. finally my dreams came through when I email believelovespelltemple@gmail.com and tell him I need the lottery numbers. I have spend so much money on ticket just to make sure I win. But I never know that winning was so easy until the day I meant the spell caster online which so many people has talked about that he is very great in casting lottery spell, . so I decide to give it a try.I contacted this great Dr Believe and he did a spell and he gave me the winning lottery numbers. But believe me when the draws were out I was among winners. I win 30,000 million Dollar. Dr Believe truly you are the best, all thanks to you forever