We’re deep into the baseball playoff season. There have been some exciting games ... and some odd moments ... as Major League Baseball rolls toward the World Series.
Calling ‘em as I see ‘em ... here goes:
* Pointless graphics on television always annoy me. Computer whiz kids impress their idiot network bosses by inventing drivel that shows up on TV screens all game long. For TBS, which has been covering the National League games, a video box showing the “location” of each pitch has been clogging up the picture. Ball, strike, hit, wild pitch ... that’s all I want to know, and I can see them for myself. I don’t need a dopey video box showing me how far “outside” or “inside” a ball was.
The fish-heads at Fox — never slouches for obnoxious behavior — have been employing a graphic that is far more lousy. It’s in the upper right hand part of the screen, an all-game reminder that the New York Yankees are leading the series over the Los Angeles Angels. For more than four hours Monday, the “NYY leads series 2-0” was forced upon the at-home fans.
And fans, who know the series and baseball in general, knew this already. Flash the stupid thing at the top of each inning if you must, Fox morons, but spare me your creative “idea” through nine innings.
* Sure wish I owned some “Blackberry” stock. Their commercials are everywhere ...between innings, during pitching changes ... showing mini dramas involving young fashion designers, young musicians, young lovers, young architects and young city dancers, all of whom just can’t live without their high-tech phone gadgets. I’m a middle-aged writer, so I’m not hip enough for a “Blackberry.” My cell phone still has an antenna, and offers communication services only. No “apps,” no extras. Of course, these ads must be costing “Blackberry” a fortune. Maybe it’s a good thing I don’t own company stock.
* I’ll go weeks during the baseball season, months even, without seeing a player make a damn fool of himself on the bases. This October, it seems there’s a serious gaffe every game. The Minnesota Twins made a bunch of goofs against the Yankees in the playoffs’ opening round. Players have run off bases on line drives, and looked stupefied when drives have been snagged and they’ve been doubled off. Last night, Bobby Abreu of the Angels hit a lead-off double in the bottom of the eighth, game tied at 4. But it wasn’t a double, because Bobby thought about taking third, thought wrong, and ended floundering in the dirt, kneeling before the lords of baseball on national TV. The Yankees nailed him quicker than Hop-Sing flipped a pancake on “Bonanza.”
I’m generally not much for conservative causes, but conservative base running would be at the top of my list during important games.
* Also been amazed at all these closers getting clobbered during October. Joe Nathan blew a game for the Twins, Jonathan Papelbon looked like Jonathan Paplebum (my brother Tim coined this clever take on the Red Sox reliever) in blowing the pivotal game against the Angels, Colorado Rockies closer Huston Street was lit up like a Christmas twice against the Philadelphia Phillies. Usually, these guys save games; they rarely blow them. The great Rivera from New York has not faltered. Yet. I can always hope that Bobby Abreu hits a grand slam against Mariano tonight. Then he can run around the bases backwards, if he wants to.
* Speaking about the Phillies, I had been rooting against these guys. Thought the Dodgers had a better chance to take down New York in the World Series (I have little faith in the Angels). But Philly has been rolling all over L.A., and I like the deep ball power guys like Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth have been showing. So I have switched allegiance from Joe Torre and Manny over to the young Philadelphians.
Sure wish the Phillies had Dick Allen in the lineup, though. The man had style!
