hahahhahahahhaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[USSoccer]

I'm curious to have someone say how Farnsworth imploded in Game 6 for the Cubs. Here is what happened after he was brought into the game with runners on second and third:

 

- intentional walk to Lowell

- Sac Fly by Conine

- Intentional walk to Hollandsworth

- Double by Mordecai

- Remlinger in for Farnsy

 

Farnsworth was brought into a very tough situation -- and immediately asked to throw four wide. You know, just to help him get his confidence, focus and control, I guess. Or to take away the extra time to warm up since Baker didn't have him warm to start the inning. He gets an out on the next batter. Then ha's asked to walk another guy and still keep up his confidence, focus and command. Then he gave up the double to Mordecai.

 

So, he was ordered to walk two guys and pitch to two guys. He got one of the two guys he actually faced out.

 

That's imploding?

 

Oh yeah, I forgot to add:

 

Dusty's logic in giving the pass to Holla also escapes me. Farnsy was and is just as tough on lefties as righties. Holla was no bigger threat than Mordecai, who was on deck. But because of the L/R thing, Dusty put extra stress on his pitcher by taking away the open base.

 

Ack. Going through this inning again drives me insane.

I'm disappointed. I've seen so many people claim Farnsy imploded (or exploded or flat out sucked) in that game that I wanted to see someone justify it in the face of the play by play. I guess giving up one hit means you stink on ice these days.

 

Has TrueBlueCubFan even been online yet tonight :P

[Tim]

He's hardly the only one claiming that Farnsworth choked in that series.

[USSoccer]

He's hardly the only one claiming that Farnsworth choked in that series.

 

About all I have to say about that is if Baker knew how to handle a pitching staff, we'd never be having this conversation, since either Prior would have been pulled sooner in Game 2, thus giving him maybe 15-20 extra picthes in Game 6, or, failing that, Baker would have had Farnsworth up after the Pierre double, or, finally, not had him immediatly throw 4 high and outside to the first guy he faced, or decided to go with the Alfonseca v Harris matchup in Game 1, or...

 

I guess I could go on, but I'll get even more angry. My point is, Kyle was the least of the problems in the NLCS.

[Tim]

He's hardly the only one claiming that Farnsworth choked in that series.

 

About all I have to say about that is if Baker knew how to handle a pitching staff, we'd never be having this conversation, since either Prior would have been pulled sooner in Game 2, thus giving him maybe 15-20 extra picthes in Game 6, or, failing that, Baker would have had Farnsworth up after the Pierre double, or, finally, not had him immediatly throw 4 high and outside to the first guy he faced, or decided to go with the Alfonseca v Harris matchup in Game 1, or...

 

I guess I could go on, but I'll get even more angry. My point is, Kyle was the least of the problems in the NLCS.

Yeah, but, well, he's still a choker of mad dogs or something like that.

[RockTheIvy]

He's hardly the only one claiming that Farnsworth choked in that series.

 

About all I have to say about that is if Baker knew how to handle a pitching staff, we'd never be having this conversation, since either Prior would have been pulled sooner in Game 2, thus giving him maybe 15-20 extra picthes in Game 6, or, failing that, Baker would have had Farnsworth up after the Pierre double, or, finally, not had him immediatly throw 4 high and outside to the first guy he faced, or decided to go with the Alfonseca v Harris matchup in Game 1, or...

 

I guess I could go on, but I'll get even more angry. My point is, Kyle was the least of the problems in the NLCS.

 

I still contend that if Baker had just gone to the mound to talk to Prior, calm him down, try to help him get his focus back, we might not be having this discussion. But, so it goes

[USSoccer]

He's hardly the only one claiming that Farnsworth choked in that series.

 

About all I have to say about that is if Baker knew how to handle a pitching staff, we'd never be having this conversation, since either Prior would have been pulled sooner in Game 2, thus giving him maybe 15-20 extra picthes in Game 6, or, failing that, Baker would have had Farnsworth up after the Pierre double, or, finally, not had him immediatly throw 4 high and outside to the first guy he faced, or decided to go with the Alfonseca v Harris matchup in Game 1, or...

 

I guess I could go on, but I'll get even more angry. My point is, Kyle was the least of the problems in the NLCS.

Yeah, but, well, he's still a choker of mad dogs or something like that.

 

Were you looking for "gutless, choking dog"?

 

Mmmm, that's good hyperbole!

[UK1679666180]

Personally, Pujols should get drilled in the posterior for his pose as should any player who does that crap after a HR. Of course, that would fall into the hands of Oswalt, but he should be smart and not risk the quick trigger of an ump.

[BigbadB]

Wouldn't that be what you use your ROBBBGY for? You know the guy who sits next to the LOOGY?

 

Yeah, the Righty One Batter Bean Ball Guy.

[stitchface]

I hate hate hate a reliever coming in and throwing an IBB to his first batter. Have the previous pitcher do it.

 

Which is worse, having a reliever come in to issue the IBB, or having a pinch hitter come in for a pitcher and sac bunt? Donny Buntball did the latter all the time, while Dusty is infamous for the stupid pitching moves.

 

Oh wait, another: a guy with command issues throwing pitch outs.

 

Let me go on record as saying I hate almost all pitchouts unless its 0-2.

[stitchface]

That's fine. If you want to celebrate before the job is done, then you're going to have to deal with the egg on your face when it all comes crashing down. It's the chance you take. All Pujols did was walk to first base and watch his home run (which was pretty, you have to admit). Why is that so much more of a crime than dancing, giggling, and clapping around the bases?

 

Walking and staring at your work is showing up the pitcher, and generally poor sportsmanship. But many people tend to like poor sportsmanship nowadays.

 

Pujols jogged to first after about three steps. There was no poor sportsmanship there at all in my opinion.

[stitchface]

I don't have a problem with Berkman's or AP's home run trots. It is afterall the freakin' playoffs and both home runs were huge.

 

But Pujols does that after every single homerun, what does the playoffs have to do with it?

 

I think the whole "homerun watching makes you a turd" thing is completely overrated. The only way I would have a problem is if the batter makes gestures to the opposing team.

 

or screams at him like edmonds.

[stitchface]

oh, and I have to add that first inning curtain calls on solo homeruns are showing up the other team in my book also. you'd think the "worlds greatest fans" would have a little more class.

[UMFan83]

Anyone remember when Manny hit a big HR against the A's in the 2003 ALDS and the Fox announcers ripped on him for like 3 innings for staring.

 

Well Pujols HR last night was worse then that and those Cardinal loving guys didn't even mention it.

[Exile on Waveland]

He's hardly the only one claiming that Farnsworth choked in that series.

 

About all I have to say about that is if Baker knew how to handle a pitching staff, we'd never be having this conversation, since either Prior would have been pulled sooner in Game 2, thus giving him maybe 15-20 extra picthes in Game 6, or, failing that, Baker would have had Farnsworth up after the Pierre double, or, finally, not had him immediatly throw 4 high and outside to the first guy he faced, or decided to go with the Alfonseca v Harris matchup in Game 1, or...

 

I guess I could go on, but I'll get even more angry. My point is, Kyle was the least of the problems in the NLCS.

 

Gawd, choosing to face Lowell over Harris has got to be the single stupidest managerial move of all-time. Even compared to typical Dusty lunacy, that's just incredible. It angers me just thinking about. Lowell over Harris? Crap, how stupid.

 

On Farnsworth: I don't believe he choked in that series, he was good during the playoffs. Once again, Dusty didn't put him in the best situation to succeed. However, all hits are not created equal nor are hits given up to certain players. Taking last night's game, I can't imagine claiming Lidge "choked" by giving up a homer to Pujols. Pujols is awesome. If he'd given the homer up to Eckstein or Grudzielanek or Nunez, well I'd think that'd come awful close to a "choke."

[CardsFanInChiTown]

oh, and I have to add that first inning curtain calls on solo homeruns are showing up the other team in my book also. you'd think the "worlds greatest fans" would have a little more class.

 

I understand what you are saying but have you ever noticed how players sign discounts and waive no-trade clauses just to play in st louis?

[Andy]

oh, and I have to add that first inning curtain calls on solo homeruns are showing up the other team in my book also. you'd think the "worlds greatest fans" would have a little more class.

 

I understand what you are saying but have you ever noticed how players sign discounts and waive no-trade clauses just to play in st louis?

It's a good point but STL is far from exclusive in that way. Todd Walker took a discount and also a reduced role to play in Chicago. Randy Johnson was only too happy to waive his no-trade to play in New York. Heck, Barry Bonds took less money to stay in SF, although that may just be because he believes Willie Mays is the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

STL is not the only city baseballers flock to. But I definitely can see why players like playing there. A great Cardinals player is treated as well as any great player in the majors, and usually better, by his hometown fans.

[vaball]

Did anyone else notice that during the post game press conference Pujols was wearing a shirt that said "Who's Your Daddy?"

 

Owned.

[gus_dog]

I can't imagine claiming Lidge "choked" by giving up a homer to Pujols. Pujols is awesome. If he'd given the homer up to Eckstein or Grudzielanek or Nunez, well I'd think that'd come awful close to a "choke."

 

I understand what you're saying, and I agree with you, to a certain extent, however, that was an absolutely horrible pitch that Lidge threw there. A hanging slider, belt-high, right down main street. Mick Kelleher would have hit that out...., well, maybe not, but you get the picture, huh?

[K-Town]

I can't imagine claiming Lidge "choked" by giving up a homer to Pujols. Pujols is awesome. If he'd given the homer up to Eckstein or Grudzielanek or Nunez, well I'd think that'd come awful close to a "choke."

 

I understand what you're saying, and I agree with you, to a certain extent, however, that was an absolutely horrible pitch that Lidge threw there. A hanging slider, belt-high, right down main street. Mick Kelleher would have hit that out...., well, maybe not, but you get the picture, huh?

 

 

I agree that it was a horrible pitch, but it's pretty irrelevant in that park, though. Heck, Carpenter threw a pretty good pitch to Berkman, and Berkman boinked it out.

[dalgreen]

oh, and I have to add that first inning curtain calls on solo homeruns are showing up the other team in my book also. you'd think the "worlds greatest fans" would have a little more class.

 

I understand what you are saying but have you ever noticed how players sign discounts and waive no-trade clauses just to play in st louis?

 

I love the short memories. Seems to me in the early spring Pujols was getting ripped by fans and media in St. Louis for proclaiming, "No hometown discount".

[K-Town]

oh, and I have to add that first inning curtain calls on solo homeruns are showing up the other team in my book also. you'd think the "worlds greatest fans" would have a little more class.

 

I understand what you are saying but have you ever noticed how players sign discounts and waive no-trade clauses just to play in st louis?

 

I love the short memories. Seems to me in the early spring Pujols was getting ripped by fans and media in St. Louis for proclaiming, "No hometown discount".

 

 

But he did give them a discount.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

oh, and I have to add that first inning curtain calls on solo homeruns are showing up the other team in my book also. you'd think the "worlds greatest fans" would have a little more class.

 

I understand what you are saying but have you ever noticed how players sign discounts and waive no-trade clauses just to play in st louis?

 

I love the short memories. Seems to me in the early spring Pujols was getting ripped by fans and media in St. Louis for proclaiming, "No hometown discount".

 

 

But he did give them a discount.

 

You beat me to it.

 

Besides I'm not saying every player does... just a lot of them.

[dalgreen]

oh, and I have to add that first inning curtain calls on solo homeruns are showing up the other team in my book also. you'd think the "worlds greatest fans" would have a little more class.

 

I understand what you are saying but have you ever noticed how players sign discounts and waive no-trade clauses just to play in st louis?

 

I love the short memories. Seems to me in the early spring Pujols was getting ripped by fans and media in St. Louis for proclaiming, "No hometown discount".

 

 

But he did give them a discount.

 

Wasn't it 7 yrs/$105? I don't know the structure and that is cheap for the best player in the game, but I don't consider that a discount considering he had only put in 4 years prior to the contract. How many arbitration only eligible players get that kind of raise?

[goonys evil twin]

oh, and I have to add that first inning curtain calls on solo homeruns are showing up the other team in my book also. you'd think the "worlds greatest fans" would have a little more class.

 

I understand what you are saying but have you ever noticed how players sign discounts and waive no-trade clauses just to play in st louis?

 

I love the short memories. Seems to me in the early spring Pujols was getting ripped by fans and media in St. Louis for proclaiming, "No hometown discount".

 

 

But he did give them a discount.

 

You beat me to it.

 

Besides I'm not saying every player does... just a lot of them.

 

who?

[K-Town]

oh, and I have to add that first inning curtain calls on solo homeruns are showing up the other team in my book also. you'd think the "worlds greatest fans" would have a little more class.

 

I understand what you are saying but have you ever noticed how players sign discounts and waive no-trade clauses just to play in st louis?

 

I love the short memories. Seems to me in the early spring Pujols was getting ripped by fans and media in St. Louis for proclaiming, "No hometown discount".

 

 

But he did give them a discount.

 

Wasn't it 7 yrs/$105? I don't know the structure and that is cheap for the best player in the game, but I don't consider that a discount considering he had only put in 4 years prior to the contract. How many arbitration only eligible players get that kind of raise?

 

It was 7 years, $100 mil (a little over 14 mil per year).

 

He would have been eligible for arbitration anyway....... who knows how much he would have gotten? And he would have been free agent eligible after 2006.

 

I'm not sure there's any way to not view it as a "bargain", considering he's the best player in baseball (maybe A-rod is, but a case could be made for Pujols).