With the Twins deciding to renew the contract of manager Ron Gardenhire for another two years through the 2015 season, many Twins fans have expressed a lot of negative feelings toward the decision. Based on the recent track record of the club, those negative feelings are more than justified.
In an era of "What Have You Done For Me Lately?", the Twins front office has decided to make Memory Lane their permanent home. After three consecutive 96-loss seasons, what fans receive as an explanation for why the current coaching regime remains in tact is nothing short of a campfire story about how good the team was between 2003-2010. Unfortunately, reputation alone doesn't win ball games.
Ron Gardenhire may be the nicest guy around. He may be the best "players' coach" in the game. In fact, he still may be one of the best managers in all of Major League Baseball. But not for this team. Not anymore. In order to succeed in the future, you can't rely on the successes of the past.
The role of the manager can be both undervalued and overhyped at the same time. The sad fact is, managers often take the heat for the failures of a ball club, even if it's not necessarily their fault. Many believed that the 2012 demise of the Boston Red Sox wasn't Terry Francona's doing, but rather that his players quit on him. The same could be said for countless other managers who lost their jobs over the years. But, regardless of the sport, there does come a time where, no matter how nice a guy, and no matter what the past has brought, that a manager or coach's message becomes stale and lost.
To many Twins fans, that time was after 2012. The Twins' front office, however, has a different opinion.
On Monday, while Gardenhire was being notified of his two-year extension, another manager was being given his walking papers. Dale Sveum, the first-time manager for the Chicago Cubs, was fired after two seasons, in which he went 61-101 in 2012, followed by a 66-96 campaign in 2013. Two seasons. That's all it took for the Cubs to pull the trigger. Now, it's understandable to say that Sveum doesn't have near the track record that Gardenhire has with the Twins. But that is really where the comparison should stop.
For the last three seasons, Twins fans have been force-fed the excuse that Gardenhire "hasn't had much to work with." That statement should be an indictment on both the General Manager as well as the Owner, but instead, by most accounts, the Pohlad Family and Terry Ryan are given a pass by most members of the media. Not all...but most. The players Gardenhire "has to work with" are players drafted and/or signed by Ryan and the ownership. These are young, "talented" players we were told a couple of years ago would be the future of this Twins franchise. Players like Aaron Hicks. Players like Chris Parmalee. Players like Kyle Gibson. Now, the sample size for the likes of Hicks and Gibson are only a small portion of the 2013 season, but these were guys we were told would help bring this team to prominence again.
One of the reasons given for the Cubs making the decision to fire Sveum as their manager was that they felt that he hadn't developed their young talent the way they'd expected. Couldn't that very same thing be said for Gardenhire? Now, I have not heard this suggested by anyone else, but I personally feel that Gardenhire is solely responsible for stunting the growth of Aaron Hicks.
How, you ask?
I have absolutely no problem with the Twins bringing Hicks up to start the season on the big-league club. I have no issues making him the starting center fielder, even though he skipped right over Triple-A. Where my issue lies is that an experienced manager, a manager who is touted as one of the best in baseball, should have realized that beginning the season with Hicks as your lead-off hitter, with no real experience against Major League pitching, was something that could mentally hamper the young man from Day 1. In his first 10 games, Hicks was 2 for 43 at the plate, striking out 20 times during that stretch. Something as subtle and simple as positioning someone in the lineup is not something that can be blamed on the player, nor can it be blamed on the GM or the Owner. That falls on the manager.
Had Gardenhire done the responsible managerial thing, he would have started the season with someone more equipped to possibly lead off. Someone like Brian Dozier, whom Gardenhire eventually put into the lead-off spot later on, and watched him flourish. But for 10 games, Hicks struggled, trying to impress out of the gates, when he may have been more comfortable hitting in the bottom third of the order. This seems like a logical thought, but one that seemed to have eluded the manager. There are no doubt other examples.
It could also be debated whether or not Sveum had even less with the Cubs to work with than Gardenhire had with the Twins. But, regardless of the tools in his toolbox, Sveum was let go, while the Twins front office continues to make excuses for their fledgling manager. But as I've said many times, it's important to note that, if you're going to place most, if not all, of the blame on the roster for three straight 96+ loss seasons, then the roster is what brought the Twins to the playoffs six times in nine seasons from 2002 through 2010. But, we don't hear that. We always hear what a great job Gardy has done with this team. We heard during his first few seasons as manager, what a terrific job he did given the payroll he was given. How are the last three seasons any different. One word: Reputation.
As I stated earlier, the manager's role isn't a glorious one most of the time. People continue to say that "Gardy isn't the problem," or that "manager's are overrated." If the latter is truly the case, then why not make a change? Even if he's not the problem, but the role itself is overrated, what harm would it do to bring a new voice into the clubhouse? It's worked for many other teams over the years. Why should the Twins be any different, or be the exception to this rule?
Showing posts with label Boston Red Sox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boston Red Sox. Show all posts
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Plain And Simple: Twins Pitching Stinks
There really isn't any way to sugar-coat this anymore. The Twins need to find a way to pitch better, and it needs to happen immediately!
Entering Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, the Twins pitching staff has the highest batting average against (.292) in all of Major League Baseball. What does that imply? Frankly, it implies that the Twins' "pitch-to-contact" philosophy is surely working. Sadly, that type of game plan won't allow you to succeed in the professional game against professional hitters. If they haven't yet, the Twins need to realize this, and figure out a different approach.
The fact of the matter is...what was already a problematic area when last season ended, was not addressed before this season began. The Twins decided to rely on a rotation comprised of Scott Baker (career 4.15 ERA and .266 Opp BA), Carl Pavano (4.33 / .284), Nick Blackburn (4.56 / .294), and Francisco Liriano (4.35 / .250). The addition of Jason Marquis to the starting rotation was the only real change made by the Twins entering the season. Marquis is a great guy, and a serviceable starter, but he came into the season with a career ERA of 4.59 and an opponent's BA of .272. Not exactly someone you could count on to shut an opponent down.
Those numbers brought into this season by the starters (with the exception of Scott Baker, who is on the Disabled List) have done nothing but gone up, and will probably continue to go up further as the season progresses. The logic behind the Twins' "pitch-to-contact" philosophy is sound; allow batters to hit the ball and let our fielders make the plays. What baffles me is that the flaw in the logic seems lost on the Twins front office and coaching staff.
What happens when the other team doesn't actually hit the ball TO our fielders, but in places where they aren't?
The answer to that question is what you saw with the 2011 club, and what you are now seeing in the 2012 Twins. Excellent big league hitters are able to hit any type of big league pitching. Average big league hitters are usually able to hit average to above average pitching. Below average big league hitters can usually hit average pitching. What the Twins have is below average pitching, which basically means that all levels of big league hitters will be able to tee off, and thus, they have.
So far this season, excluding the opening series against Baltimore, Twins' opponents have increased their team's batting average in three of the five series. Texas increased its team BA from .257 entering the series with the Twins to .270 after it. New York raised their BA from .253 before playing the Twins, to .276 after the four-game series. So far, through the first two games of its series, Boston has raised its BA from .276 at the start of the series, to .291 after Tuesday night. Needless to say, the Twins pitching staff has been a welcome sight for teams looking to improve their offensive numbers.
When asked about his starters during his post-game interview following Tuesday's 11-2 drubbing at the hands of the Red Sox, manager Ron Gardenhire said, "We have to get them straightened out. We can't go out and buy people. We've gotta make this work. I can't rub a bottle and make people pop out. We have to make these guys work."
You're right, Ron, you can't just go out and buy people. That needed to happen six months ago. With that ball having been dropped, you now need to figure out how to make the best of the situation at hand. That's what great managers do.
It's put up or shut up time.
Entering Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, the Twins pitching staff has the highest batting average against (.292) in all of Major League Baseball. What does that imply? Frankly, it implies that the Twins' "pitch-to-contact" philosophy is surely working. Sadly, that type of game plan won't allow you to succeed in the professional game against professional hitters. If they haven't yet, the Twins need to realize this, and figure out a different approach.
The fact of the matter is...what was already a problematic area when last season ended, was not addressed before this season began. The Twins decided to rely on a rotation comprised of Scott Baker (career 4.15 ERA and .266 Opp BA), Carl Pavano (4.33 / .284), Nick Blackburn (4.56 / .294), and Francisco Liriano (4.35 / .250). The addition of Jason Marquis to the starting rotation was the only real change made by the Twins entering the season. Marquis is a great guy, and a serviceable starter, but he came into the season with a career ERA of 4.59 and an opponent's BA of .272. Not exactly someone you could count on to shut an opponent down.
Those numbers brought into this season by the starters (with the exception of Scott Baker, who is on the Disabled List) have done nothing but gone up, and will probably continue to go up further as the season progresses. The logic behind the Twins' "pitch-to-contact" philosophy is sound; allow batters to hit the ball and let our fielders make the plays. What baffles me is that the flaw in the logic seems lost on the Twins front office and coaching staff.
What happens when the other team doesn't actually hit the ball TO our fielders, but in places where they aren't?
The answer to that question is what you saw with the 2011 club, and what you are now seeing in the 2012 Twins. Excellent big league hitters are able to hit any type of big league pitching. Average big league hitters are usually able to hit average to above average pitching. Below average big league hitters can usually hit average pitching. What the Twins have is below average pitching, which basically means that all levels of big league hitters will be able to tee off, and thus, they have.
So far this season, excluding the opening series against Baltimore, Twins' opponents have increased their team's batting average in three of the five series. Texas increased its team BA from .257 entering the series with the Twins to .270 after it. New York raised their BA from .253 before playing the Twins, to .276 after the four-game series. So far, through the first two games of its series, Boston has raised its BA from .276 at the start of the series, to .291 after Tuesday night. Needless to say, the Twins pitching staff has been a welcome sight for teams looking to improve their offensive numbers.
When asked about his starters during his post-game interview following Tuesday's 11-2 drubbing at the hands of the Red Sox, manager Ron Gardenhire said, "We have to get them straightened out. We can't go out and buy people. We've gotta make this work. I can't rub a bottle and make people pop out. We have to make these guys work."
You're right, Ron, you can't just go out and buy people. That needed to happen six months ago. With that ball having been dropped, you now need to figure out how to make the best of the situation at hand. That's what great managers do.
It's put up or shut up time.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Four Games In Is Hardly Time To Overreact!
Let's be honest...
Had the Twins begun the 2012 season by winning two of their first four games, many fans would've considered that a positive.
Had someone told you the Twins would start the 2012 season 0-4, many fans would've probably said "Yea, that wouldn't surprise me."
Had the Twins jumped out to a 4-0 start on the year, many fans would probably be saying, "Yea, but it won't last. They're not really that good."
So, with the honesty out of the bag, why are Twins fans willing to pack the 2012 season in with 158 games left to play?
There's no doubt that the start of this season has been frustrating for fans. It's difficult to stay positive after what we witnessed last year, and what appears to be a mirror image through four games of this season. But to assume that this team won't turn things around sooner rather than later is a bit negative. And that's coming from someone who has had his share of negative opinions of this organization over the last couple of years.
For many teams and players, it's sometimes difficult to jump out of the gates hot. Often times, when teams do look "hot," it's because the team they're playing isn't. Are Red Sox fans running for the hills because Josh Beckett got lit up in his first outing of the year? On the flip side, we know the Tigers are going to be one of the better American League teams, but are they that good to sweep a team like the Red Sox without so much as batting an eye? The answer to both questions is...no.
What Twins fans need to realize is that things will come. The offense will turn around and begin hitting the ball hard. We've already seen evidence of Josh Willingham being able to drive the ball over the fence, and Justin Morneau has been making solid contact when bat has met ball. We've seen some positive things from a couple of pitchers, namely Glen Perkins and a five-inning stretch from Nick Blackburn. The defense has been a little shaky to start, which we all had hoped would be better. But all-in-all, if people were expecting perfection out of the gates, they might want to re-evaluate their level of baseball knowledge.
The Twins will be fine. We're not expecting a Division Title, are we? We're just expecting them to be better than last year. And that will be the case.
Had the Twins begun the 2012 season by winning two of their first four games, many fans would've considered that a positive.
Had someone told you the Twins would start the 2012 season 0-4, many fans would've probably said "Yea, that wouldn't surprise me."
Had the Twins jumped out to a 4-0 start on the year, many fans would probably be saying, "Yea, but it won't last. They're not really that good."
So, with the honesty out of the bag, why are Twins fans willing to pack the 2012 season in with 158 games left to play?
There's no doubt that the start of this season has been frustrating for fans. It's difficult to stay positive after what we witnessed last year, and what appears to be a mirror image through four games of this season. But to assume that this team won't turn things around sooner rather than later is a bit negative. And that's coming from someone who has had his share of negative opinions of this organization over the last couple of years.
For many teams and players, it's sometimes difficult to jump out of the gates hot. Often times, when teams do look "hot," it's because the team they're playing isn't. Are Red Sox fans running for the hills because Josh Beckett got lit up in his first outing of the year? On the flip side, we know the Tigers are going to be one of the better American League teams, but are they that good to sweep a team like the Red Sox without so much as batting an eye? The answer to both questions is...no.
What Twins fans need to realize is that things will come. The offense will turn around and begin hitting the ball hard. We've already seen evidence of Josh Willingham being able to drive the ball over the fence, and Justin Morneau has been making solid contact when bat has met ball. We've seen some positive things from a couple of pitchers, namely Glen Perkins and a five-inning stretch from Nick Blackburn. The defense has been a little shaky to start, which we all had hoped would be better. But all-in-all, if people were expecting perfection out of the gates, they might want to re-evaluate their level of baseball knowledge.
The Twins will be fine. We're not expecting a Division Title, are we? We're just expecting them to be better than last year. And that will be the case.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Baseball Drama: There's NOTHING Better!
162 games.
There is no lengthier season in professional sports than that of Major League Baseball. Starting at the beginning of April (or sometimes the last day of March), the season begins. It comes to an end on or around the last day of September. That's six months.
For those people who are not true fans of the game, 162 games seems excessive. It seems like overkill. For those that are not true fans of the game, shortening the season sounds like a brilliant idea. After all, the games at the beginning of the season really don't matter, it's just the ones at the end that make the difference.
Tell that to the Atlanta Braves, who lost a "meaningless" game on April 21st to the Los Angeles Dodgers, losing in the 12th inning after blowing a one-run lead in the ninth.
Tell that to the Boston Red Sox, who started their 2011 season 2-10 in April, finally getting themselves back on their typical track.
Tell it to both the Braves and Red Sox, who saw their 2011 seasons come crashing down on the final day of the regular season. Game 162.
Believe it or not, they all matter!
I've been a baseball fan since I was probably about six years old. As a kid, you dream about playing baseball in the big leagues. Some of my fondest memories are of playing catch in the backyard with my father. I remember pitching in grade school, looking off to the side and seeing my grandfather leaning against a tree, watching me. It's personal memories like that which make baseball such a special sports.
My first real memory of dramatic baseball came during the 1986 World Series. I was just starting to truly understand the game and what it meant. Being only eight years old, I had no real comprehension of what that World Series meant to the Boston Red Sox. When I saw the Red Sox lose Game 6 after Bob Stanley blew a save opportunity, leading to the infamous Bill Buckner error, I knew something dramatic and memorable had just happened, and I was hooked! It wasn't until years later that I truly understood the significance of that moment.
I had the great fortune of being in attendance at the Metrodome for the 1987 World Series, to see the Minnesota Twins win their first of two World Series championships. I've never heard a building louder. I was only nine years old at the time, but I knew that what I had just seen was something so unprecedented, so "special", that I figured out; only baseball could provide moments like that.
I remember spending a fall evening in October of 1988 at my grandparents' house. I got ready for bed early so I could just lay in bed in the spare room and watch Game One of the 1988 World Series. The Oakland A's, by all accounts, should have made quick work of the Los Angeles Dodgers. But, a funny, amazing thing happened as I was laying there watching the game, even more amazing to me than the '87 series. A hobbled, injured Kirk Gibson hit an improbable walk-off, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth off A's closer Dennis Eckersley, who was absolutely untouchable during the regular season. As a ten year-old, I'd never felt goosebumps like that.
In 1991, the Twins reached the World Series again, and once again, I was lucky enough to be there for all four games. I'm 13 years old now, and seem to already have a wealth of baseball history in me just in the past fives years. And yet, it's about to get even deeper. An amazing jumping catch against the plexi-glass wall in left center by Kirby Puckett, followed by a storybook walk-off home run in the 11th inning of Game 6 by Kirby himself sends the Twins and Braves into a Game 7. There was no way to top the emotion from Game 6. Not a chance anything could be more exciting than that!
Wrong. Game 7 proved to be, what I still consider, the greatest baseball game ever played. A game with everything riding on it, with a "win or go home" finale assured. There would be no tomorrow. Twins pitcher, Jack Morris, took to the mound for one of the most amazing, guttiest pitching performances in the history of Major League Baseball; a 10-inning, 1-0 Twins victory, giving them their second World Series title in five seasons. In a word: Epic!
Over the last 20 years of my baseball-watching life, I've seen some amazing things happen, both live and on television. I've seen a World Series clinching walk-off homer by Toronto's Joe Carter in Game 6 of the '93 World Series. I watched the drama unfold in 1998 when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa chased down Roger Maris's home run record of 61, with McGwire breaking it first. I saw the Arizona Diamondbacks break the unbreakable Mariano Rivera to win the 2001 World Series in Game 7. Seeing the 2004 Red Sox exercise their 86 year-old demons and win their first World Series since 1918. I was in attendance at the Metrodome once more in 2009 for Game 163, a one-game playoff between the Twins and Detroit Tigers in which the Twins won a back-and-forth game in extra-innings on a walk-off single to advance to the playoffs.
I've seen quite a bit in my lifetime so far. However, nothing I've seen rivaled what I saw Wednesday night. Four teams; the Cardinals and Braves in the National League, and the Red Sox and Rays in the American League. Two playoff spots; the Wild Cards. One winner. A season where 161 games all led up to this night. Game 162.
The Cardinals made quick work of the Houston Astros, doing their part for the night, leaving it up to Atlanta to decide whether they'd be playing in the post season, or playing a one-game playoff against the Braves on Thursday. Atlanta led Philadelphia 3-2 entering the ninth inning.
The Red Sox, needing a win and a Tampa Bay loss to secure the Wild Card, led 3-2 in the seventh inning before a rain delay kept them waiting, and watching, what was happening in Tampa.
The Rays trailed the Yankees 7-0 entering the bottom of the eighth inning. Many fans in attendance had already left as it seemed an insurmountable lead to overcome. They just needed to hope the Red Sox choked, as they'd been doing throughout September, in order to play a 163rd game on Thursday.
As the Cardinals watched from their clubhouse, the Braves proceeded to blow their one-run lead, allowing the Phillies to tie the game in the top of the ninth, ultimately sending them into extra-innings in Atlanta. As this was happening, the Rays began mounting a minor assault on the Yankees, scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth, allowing Evan Longoria to come to the plate with two runners on. Longoria hit the first pitch he saw into the left-center field stands for a three-run homer, bringing the Rays to within one at 7-6. The Red Sox could only sit and watch as the rain fell in Baltimore.
Once their game resumed, the Red Sox attempted to hold their 3-2 lead, learning that the Rays had just tied their game with the Yankees at 7-7 with a two-out, two-strike, pinch-hit home run by Dan Johnson, a guy who hadn't hit a home run since April. The Red Sox entered the ninth inning leading 3-2.
As the drama unfolded in both Baltimore and Tampa, the Braves succumbed to the pressure of the moment first, allowing a run in the top of the 13th inning, and falling to the Phillies 4-3. The Cardinals were going to be the National League Wild Card winners.
Back in Baltimore, the Orioles start the bottom of the ninth trailing 3-2, facing the ever-intimidating Jonathan Papelbon. After their first two hitters struck out, the Orioles get a double, ground-rule double, and a single from the next three hitters to win the game 4-3, sending the Red Sox into waiting mode to find out if the Yankees could beat the Rays to create the need for a one-game playoff on Thursday.
Boston wouldn't be waiting long. Within three minutes of the Red Sox losing, Evan Longoria comes to the plate for Tampa Bay with one out in the bottom of the 12th inning, and lines the 2-2 pitch over the wall in left field for a walk-off, Wild Card-clinching 8-7 victory.
The drama within those 90 minutes was, as far as I'm concerned, unmatched in baseball. Having all four games taking place at the same time, having two of the four go into extra-innings, having three teams (Braves, Red Sox, and Yankees) all blow ninth-inning saves with two-outs, having three incredible clutch home runs hit by Tampa Bay in the 8th, 9th, and 12th innings...having it all happen within 90 minutes, on the last day of the regular season. Words can hardly describe it and give it justice.
If you're somebody who thinks the regular season is too long, and that baseball is boring, there are some people that might agree with you. For me, however, I couldn't imagine it being any other way. Wednesday night WAS baseball. Nights like that may not happen often, or ever, for that matter. But, when they do, they're nights you will always remember!
There is no lengthier season in professional sports than that of Major League Baseball. Starting at the beginning of April (or sometimes the last day of March), the season begins. It comes to an end on or around the last day of September. That's six months.
For those people who are not true fans of the game, 162 games seems excessive. It seems like overkill. For those that are not true fans of the game, shortening the season sounds like a brilliant idea. After all, the games at the beginning of the season really don't matter, it's just the ones at the end that make the difference.
Tell that to the Atlanta Braves, who lost a "meaningless" game on April 21st to the Los Angeles Dodgers, losing in the 12th inning after blowing a one-run lead in the ninth.
Tell that to the Boston Red Sox, who started their 2011 season 2-10 in April, finally getting themselves back on their typical track.
Tell it to both the Braves and Red Sox, who saw their 2011 seasons come crashing down on the final day of the regular season. Game 162.
Believe it or not, they all matter!
I've been a baseball fan since I was probably about six years old. As a kid, you dream about playing baseball in the big leagues. Some of my fondest memories are of playing catch in the backyard with my father. I remember pitching in grade school, looking off to the side and seeing my grandfather leaning against a tree, watching me. It's personal memories like that which make baseball such a special sports.
My first real memory of dramatic baseball came during the 1986 World Series. I was just starting to truly understand the game and what it meant. Being only eight years old, I had no real comprehension of what that World Series meant to the Boston Red Sox. When I saw the Red Sox lose Game 6 after Bob Stanley blew a save opportunity, leading to the infamous Bill Buckner error, I knew something dramatic and memorable had just happened, and I was hooked! It wasn't until years later that I truly understood the significance of that moment.
I had the great fortune of being in attendance at the Metrodome for the 1987 World Series, to see the Minnesota Twins win their first of two World Series championships. I've never heard a building louder. I was only nine years old at the time, but I knew that what I had just seen was something so unprecedented, so "special", that I figured out; only baseball could provide moments like that.
I remember spending a fall evening in October of 1988 at my grandparents' house. I got ready for bed early so I could just lay in bed in the spare room and watch Game One of the 1988 World Series. The Oakland A's, by all accounts, should have made quick work of the Los Angeles Dodgers. But, a funny, amazing thing happened as I was laying there watching the game, even more amazing to me than the '87 series. A hobbled, injured Kirk Gibson hit an improbable walk-off, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth off A's closer Dennis Eckersley, who was absolutely untouchable during the regular season. As a ten year-old, I'd never felt goosebumps like that.
In 1991, the Twins reached the World Series again, and once again, I was lucky enough to be there for all four games. I'm 13 years old now, and seem to already have a wealth of baseball history in me just in the past fives years. And yet, it's about to get even deeper. An amazing jumping catch against the plexi-glass wall in left center by Kirby Puckett, followed by a storybook walk-off home run in the 11th inning of Game 6 by Kirby himself sends the Twins and Braves into a Game 7. There was no way to top the emotion from Game 6. Not a chance anything could be more exciting than that!
Wrong. Game 7 proved to be, what I still consider, the greatest baseball game ever played. A game with everything riding on it, with a "win or go home" finale assured. There would be no tomorrow. Twins pitcher, Jack Morris, took to the mound for one of the most amazing, guttiest pitching performances in the history of Major League Baseball; a 10-inning, 1-0 Twins victory, giving them their second World Series title in five seasons. In a word: Epic!
Over the last 20 years of my baseball-watching life, I've seen some amazing things happen, both live and on television. I've seen a World Series clinching walk-off homer by Toronto's Joe Carter in Game 6 of the '93 World Series. I watched the drama unfold in 1998 when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa chased down Roger Maris's home run record of 61, with McGwire breaking it first. I saw the Arizona Diamondbacks break the unbreakable Mariano Rivera to win the 2001 World Series in Game 7. Seeing the 2004 Red Sox exercise their 86 year-old demons and win their first World Series since 1918. I was in attendance at the Metrodome once more in 2009 for Game 163, a one-game playoff between the Twins and Detroit Tigers in which the Twins won a back-and-forth game in extra-innings on a walk-off single to advance to the playoffs.
I've seen quite a bit in my lifetime so far. However, nothing I've seen rivaled what I saw Wednesday night. Four teams; the Cardinals and Braves in the National League, and the Red Sox and Rays in the American League. Two playoff spots; the Wild Cards. One winner. A season where 161 games all led up to this night. Game 162.
The Cardinals made quick work of the Houston Astros, doing their part for the night, leaving it up to Atlanta to decide whether they'd be playing in the post season, or playing a one-game playoff against the Braves on Thursday. Atlanta led Philadelphia 3-2 entering the ninth inning.
The Red Sox, needing a win and a Tampa Bay loss to secure the Wild Card, led 3-2 in the seventh inning before a rain delay kept them waiting, and watching, what was happening in Tampa.
The Rays trailed the Yankees 7-0 entering the bottom of the eighth inning. Many fans in attendance had already left as it seemed an insurmountable lead to overcome. They just needed to hope the Red Sox choked, as they'd been doing throughout September, in order to play a 163rd game on Thursday.
As the Cardinals watched from their clubhouse, the Braves proceeded to blow their one-run lead, allowing the Phillies to tie the game in the top of the ninth, ultimately sending them into extra-innings in Atlanta. As this was happening, the Rays began mounting a minor assault on the Yankees, scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth, allowing Evan Longoria to come to the plate with two runners on. Longoria hit the first pitch he saw into the left-center field stands for a three-run homer, bringing the Rays to within one at 7-6. The Red Sox could only sit and watch as the rain fell in Baltimore.
Once their game resumed, the Red Sox attempted to hold their 3-2 lead, learning that the Rays had just tied their game with the Yankees at 7-7 with a two-out, two-strike, pinch-hit home run by Dan Johnson, a guy who hadn't hit a home run since April. The Red Sox entered the ninth inning leading 3-2.
As the drama unfolded in both Baltimore and Tampa, the Braves succumbed to the pressure of the moment first, allowing a run in the top of the 13th inning, and falling to the Phillies 4-3. The Cardinals were going to be the National League Wild Card winners.
Back in Baltimore, the Orioles start the bottom of the ninth trailing 3-2, facing the ever-intimidating Jonathan Papelbon. After their first two hitters struck out, the Orioles get a double, ground-rule double, and a single from the next three hitters to win the game 4-3, sending the Red Sox into waiting mode to find out if the Yankees could beat the Rays to create the need for a one-game playoff on Thursday.
Boston wouldn't be waiting long. Within three minutes of the Red Sox losing, Evan Longoria comes to the plate for Tampa Bay with one out in the bottom of the 12th inning, and lines the 2-2 pitch over the wall in left field for a walk-off, Wild Card-clinching 8-7 victory.
The drama within those 90 minutes was, as far as I'm concerned, unmatched in baseball. Having all four games taking place at the same time, having two of the four go into extra-innings, having three teams (Braves, Red Sox, and Yankees) all blow ninth-inning saves with two-outs, having three incredible clutch home runs hit by Tampa Bay in the 8th, 9th, and 12th innings...having it all happen within 90 minutes, on the last day of the regular season. Words can hardly describe it and give it justice.
If you're somebody who thinks the regular season is too long, and that baseball is boring, there are some people that might agree with you. For me, however, I couldn't imagine it being any other way. Wednesday night WAS baseball. Nights like that may not happen often, or ever, for that matter. But, when they do, they're nights you will always remember!
Monday, September 26, 2011
This Twins Downfall Started In 2007
With the Twins' season coming to a close this week, there have been some positive discussions and quite a few negative ones. To be fair, I've been one who has chosen to see more of the negative aspects of this club than the positives, after all, there have been almost twice as many. We've beat the injury excuse to death already. I've hinted that perhaps it's the coaching staff who should be to blame, although I'm beginning to back off that idea a little bit. Just this past week, I heard the ultimate reason for the Twins demise this season: The Curse of Wally The Beer-Man.
In all reality, the Twins' demise this season, their ineptitude in postseasons of the past, and the potential struggles yet to come in future seasons, can be traced back to one fateful day back in September of 2007. It was then that Mr. Bill Smith accepted a promotion from Vice President, Assistant General Manager to Terry Ryan to become the new Senior Vice President, General Manager of the Minnesota Twins.
Smith was immediately handed a difficult task: Finding a way to either keep center-fielder Torii Hunter and two-time Cy Young winner Johan Santana, or to make the most out of their departure. It was clear from the start that it would be impossible to hold on to both players. Hunter was a free agent after the 2007 season, and Santana would be after the 2008 campaign. If Smith opted to throw the necessary money at Hunter to keep him, then Santana would be lost. If he decided to let Hunter go and focus his attention on Santana, he'd risk losing both without getting anything.
The Twins made an offer to Hunter in August of 2007; a three-year, $45 million offer. The offer was made by then GM Terry Ryan. Smith took over the reigns in mid-September as the GM, and failed to make another offer. Whether it was something lost in the shuffle of the transition, or just a decision that they couldn't go any higher, the Twins lost Hunter to the Los Angeles Angels for a five-year, $90 million contract. Although disappointing to lose someone of Hunter's character and talent, it opened the door for Smith and the Twins to focus their attention on keeping the best pitcher in baseball, Santana.
Smith turned his attention to Santana, knowing it would either be a "re-sign him or trade him" outcome. The club offered him a five-year, $96 million deal. Santana's people countered with a seven-year, $126 million deal. It quickly became clear that Santana's price would be too high, and the club's best chance would be to trade Santana and get some good value in return. In hindsight, Santana has missed the entire 2011 season and part of the 2010 season with elbow injuries, so signing him may have proved to be a mistake, however, I'm not sure that mistake would compare to the colossal blunder that was about to happen.
Deciding to trade Santana, the Twins put everyone on notice, entertaining offers from the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, and Red Sox. As you would expect they would, the Yankees and Red Sox began battling with each other to try and land Santana. The Dodgers, seeing what the Sox and Yankees were offering, quickly decided to pull out of the running. Smith had exactly what he should've wanted: a bidding war of sorts between the Yankees and Red Sox. First the Red Sox upped their offer, and then the Yankees threw in another stud, which caused the Sox to make another change. In the end, the offers sat there for a couple weeks.
They sat until Smith had done the impossible. He'd actually annoyed the Yankees enough by not making a decision that they'd lost interest and pulled their best offer off the table. That offer included outfielder Melky Cabrera and pitcher Phil Hughes. That left the Red Sox and Mets. The Red Sox began to lose interest, as well, having waited long enough for an answer. Smith continued to push them for more and more, even after they'd improved their original offer dramatically. In the end, the Red Sox offered a trade with one of two centerpieces: either left-handed pitcher Jon Lester, or center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, coupled with two young prospects, pitcher Justin Masterson and infielder Jed Lowrie. Smith asked for all four. The Red Sox said no. So, Smith did the only thing he could do.
He accepted the Mets offer.
The Mets offered outfielder Carlos Gomez and three pitchers; Philip Humber, Deolis Guerra, and Kevin Mulvey. Gomez had played a few games for the Mets in 2007 and showed some promise, but was very rough around the edges. The three pitchers had little to no big league experience, and would be projects. Hindsight, again, is always 20/20, but taking a look at the cornerstone players involved in the deals with Red Sox, Yankees, and Mets since 2008 (the year they would've been Twins), it's clear that Smith's run as General Manager of the Twins would be nothing short of disappointing.
If you want more proof, here you go:
In all reality, the Twins' demise this season, their ineptitude in postseasons of the past, and the potential struggles yet to come in future seasons, can be traced back to one fateful day back in September of 2007. It was then that Mr. Bill Smith accepted a promotion from Vice President, Assistant General Manager to Terry Ryan to become the new Senior Vice President, General Manager of the Minnesota Twins.
Smith was immediately handed a difficult task: Finding a way to either keep center-fielder Torii Hunter and two-time Cy Young winner Johan Santana, or to make the most out of their departure. It was clear from the start that it would be impossible to hold on to both players. Hunter was a free agent after the 2007 season, and Santana would be after the 2008 campaign. If Smith opted to throw the necessary money at Hunter to keep him, then Santana would be lost. If he decided to let Hunter go and focus his attention on Santana, he'd risk losing both without getting anything.
The Twins made an offer to Hunter in August of 2007; a three-year, $45 million offer. The offer was made by then GM Terry Ryan. Smith took over the reigns in mid-September as the GM, and failed to make another offer. Whether it was something lost in the shuffle of the transition, or just a decision that they couldn't go any higher, the Twins lost Hunter to the Los Angeles Angels for a five-year, $90 million contract. Although disappointing to lose someone of Hunter's character and talent, it opened the door for Smith and the Twins to focus their attention on keeping the best pitcher in baseball, Santana.
Smith turned his attention to Santana, knowing it would either be a "re-sign him or trade him" outcome. The club offered him a five-year, $96 million deal. Santana's people countered with a seven-year, $126 million deal. It quickly became clear that Santana's price would be too high, and the club's best chance would be to trade Santana and get some good value in return. In hindsight, Santana has missed the entire 2011 season and part of the 2010 season with elbow injuries, so signing him may have proved to be a mistake, however, I'm not sure that mistake would compare to the colossal blunder that was about to happen.
Deciding to trade Santana, the Twins put everyone on notice, entertaining offers from the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, and Red Sox. As you would expect they would, the Yankees and Red Sox began battling with each other to try and land Santana. The Dodgers, seeing what the Sox and Yankees were offering, quickly decided to pull out of the running. Smith had exactly what he should've wanted: a bidding war of sorts between the Yankees and Red Sox. First the Red Sox upped their offer, and then the Yankees threw in another stud, which caused the Sox to make another change. In the end, the offers sat there for a couple weeks.
They sat until Smith had done the impossible. He'd actually annoyed the Yankees enough by not making a decision that they'd lost interest and pulled their best offer off the table. That offer included outfielder Melky Cabrera and pitcher Phil Hughes. That left the Red Sox and Mets. The Red Sox began to lose interest, as well, having waited long enough for an answer. Smith continued to push them for more and more, even after they'd improved their original offer dramatically. In the end, the Red Sox offered a trade with one of two centerpieces: either left-handed pitcher Jon Lester, or center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, coupled with two young prospects, pitcher Justin Masterson and infielder Jed Lowrie. Smith asked for all four. The Red Sox said no. So, Smith did the only thing he could do.
He accepted the Mets offer.
The Mets offered outfielder Carlos Gomez and three pitchers; Philip Humber, Deolis Guerra, and Kevin Mulvey. Gomez had played a few games for the Mets in 2007 and showed some promise, but was very rough around the edges. The three pitchers had little to no big league experience, and would be projects. Hindsight, again, is always 20/20, but taking a look at the cornerstone players involved in the deals with Red Sox, Yankees, and Mets since 2008 (the year they would've been Twins), it's clear that Smith's run as General Manager of the Twins would be nothing short of disappointing.
| Jacoby Ellsbury | Melky Cabrera | Carlos Gomez | ||||
| Avg | .298 | .274 | .244 | |||
| AB | 1902 | 2012 | 1412 | |||
| H | 566 | 552 | 344 | |||
| HR | 48 | 43 | 22 | |||
| RBI | 215 | 234 | 132 | |||
| XBH | 168 | 164 | 101 | |||
| SB | 165 | 46 | 81 | |||
| Justin Masterson | Phil Hughes | Philip Humber | ||||
| G | 146 | 105 | 48 | |||
| W | 28 | 31 | 11 | |||
| L | 38 | 20 | 10 | |||
| ERA | 3.92 | 4.49 | 4.05 | |||
| IP | 613.2 | 369.1 | 202.2 | |||
| SO | 485 | 310 | 138 | |||
| BB | 238 | 125 | 58 |
If you want more proof, here you go:
- November 29th, 2007: Smith trades pitcher Matt Garza (career 51-54, 3.84 ERA, 761 SO) and SS Jason Bartlett (career .275, 31 HR, 282 RBI) to Tampa Bay for outfielder Delmon Young (career .287, 69 HR, 402 RBI) and SS Brendan Harris (career .260, 29 HR, 158 RBI). Although this trade happened before the Santana trade, it's significance wasn't known until the Twins failed to acquire a legit replacement for Santana at the top of the rotation. Garza had potential to be a top tier starter, and proved so in Tampa Bay's run to the World Series in 2008.
- December 9th, 2010: Smith trades SS J.J. Hardy (who was acquired a year earlier from Milwaukee for Carlos Gomez) and SS Brendan Harris (who was acquired for Garza and Young) and $500,000 to Baltimore for pitcher Brett Jacobson and relief pitcher Jim Hoey. The move was made to clear room, both under the cap and on the field, for the Twins to bring in SS Tsuoyshi Nishioka from Japan. No need to say anything more on that.
- July 29th, 2010: Smith trades prized catching prospect Wilson Ramos to the Washington Nationals for closer Matt Capps. With Joe Nathan missing the entire 2010 season with Tommy John surgery, it was important for the Twins to get someone to seal up games at the end. Although his 2011 was less than desired, Capps filled the critical role perfectly last season. The issue with this deal, you ask? With the health of Joe Mauer a question even last season, to trade a valuable back-up catching option like Ramos for a closer in the heat of the moment was a terrible decision. To put it in perspective, Ramos' 2011 season: .269, 15 HR, 52 RBI, 38 XBH, and a On Base+Slugging % of .784. The Twins two back-up catchers, Drew Butera and Rene Rivera combined in 2011: .160, 3 HR, 28 RBI, 16 XBH, and a combined On Base+Slugging % of .436. A decision that no doubt affected the Twins this season.
Unfortunately for Twins fans, I don't think we've seen the last of Mr. Smith. This offseason will prove to be an interesting one, to say the least.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Money Isn't The Only Difference Between The Twins And Yankees
With the exception of a few teams in baseball, such as the Red Sox or the Phillies, most teams think of themselves as being different than the Yankees because they don't spend as much money as the Bronx Bombers. The Twins are no exception to that. There are those Twins fans that believe they can't compete against the Yankees because their payroll is twice that of the Twins. The money argument is a stale one, considering the success of teams like the Cardinals and Giants over the last couple of years. The truth of the matter is that it doesn't have as much to do with the amount a player makes, but more with the talent he has and what the team does with it. Right now, it doesn't appear the Twins have done enough with the talent they do have, and continue to feel sorry for what they don't have.
With the Twins now 13 games back in the Central Division, 2011 has quickly become a lost season. Injuries ravaged the team from the start, and made it clear that if they were to succeed this season, it truly would be a total team effort. For the most part, the Twins and their fans tend to be a bunch that lives in the past, rather than a bunch that looks at what's going on in front of them or in the future. You'll hear statements such as, "we've won six division titles under Ron Gardenhire," or, "he's a three-time batting champion," or, "he was the MVP back in 2006."
It can be said that teams like the Twins or like the defending World Series Champion Giants have to make the most with what they have. This is very true. At the same time, teams like the Yankees and Red Sox do the same, making the most of the players they have, and in many cases, making them better than they were. People can complain about them buying all the "great" players, but what matters is what those "great" players do for the Yankees when they're there.
A prime example of this is evidenced by the breakout season of Curtis Granderson. Granderson was always a fantastic player for the Detroit Tigers, but seems to have taken his offensive game to a new level with the Yankees. Upon arriving in New York, Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long worked with Granderson, an already proven big-league hitter, on his stance, calming his movements down at the plate. The result has been noticeable, with Granderson leading the league in Runs, RBI's, and Extra-Base Hits, and currently sitting second in Home Runs.
What the Yankees don't tend to tolerate is mediocrity. If a player isn't getting the job done, the Yankees will find a solution, either through a trade during the season, or the free agent avenue after it. Yes, often times that requires the check book to come out. But, what it does show, to both the Yankee players and their fans, is that the team is willing to do what it takes to win.
When the Yankees come to town, boos can be heard throughout the Twin Cities. Those boos are for Alex Rodriguez. Those boos are for Derek Jeter. Those boos are for Nick Swisher. Those boos are even for Mariano Rivera. Sadly, those boos are incredibly misplaced. OK, maybe the boos for A-Rod are placed pretty well.
When a team continues to allow its star player to average an extra-base hit in every 17.9 at-bats, that should be booed. When a team allows its rookie shortstop to struggle immensely at the plate and in the field without even an attempt to find a better solution, that deserves to be booed. When a team's "power-hitting" first baseman sits out a game because he fouled a pitch off his foot the night before, while his counterpart in the other dugout who fouled three pitches off his feet in one at-bat in that very same game plays, that should be booed. When a team continues to accept mediocre-at-best performances from its starting rotation, as well as pathetic displays from its bullpen during important close games, that needs to be booed.
Just because a team comes into town with the willingness and desire to actually succeed, regardless of the financial cost, they shouldn't be booed. They're doing only what we would want our own team to do, and that's be as competitive as possible. If people think that booing the opposition for wanting to be the best is something that helps their own team, they're mistaken. It really only shows how little respect those people have for the game. If you're booing that, then you're accepting the very mediocrity that your own team continues to march onto the field, which only means that you can expect to continue seeing that level of mediocrity in the future.
But hey...you've won six division titles in the last 10 years, so, it's not that big a deal, right?
With the Twins now 13 games back in the Central Division, 2011 has quickly become a lost season. Injuries ravaged the team from the start, and made it clear that if they were to succeed this season, it truly would be a total team effort. For the most part, the Twins and their fans tend to be a bunch that lives in the past, rather than a bunch that looks at what's going on in front of them or in the future. You'll hear statements such as, "we've won six division titles under Ron Gardenhire," or, "he's a three-time batting champion," or, "he was the MVP back in 2006."
It can be said that teams like the Twins or like the defending World Series Champion Giants have to make the most with what they have. This is very true. At the same time, teams like the Yankees and Red Sox do the same, making the most of the players they have, and in many cases, making them better than they were. People can complain about them buying all the "great" players, but what matters is what those "great" players do for the Yankees when they're there.
A prime example of this is evidenced by the breakout season of Curtis Granderson. Granderson was always a fantastic player for the Detroit Tigers, but seems to have taken his offensive game to a new level with the Yankees. Upon arriving in New York, Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long worked with Granderson, an already proven big-league hitter, on his stance, calming his movements down at the plate. The result has been noticeable, with Granderson leading the league in Runs, RBI's, and Extra-Base Hits, and currently sitting second in Home Runs.
What the Yankees don't tend to tolerate is mediocrity. If a player isn't getting the job done, the Yankees will find a solution, either through a trade during the season, or the free agent avenue after it. Yes, often times that requires the check book to come out. But, what it does show, to both the Yankee players and their fans, is that the team is willing to do what it takes to win.
When the Yankees come to town, boos can be heard throughout the Twin Cities. Those boos are for Alex Rodriguez. Those boos are for Derek Jeter. Those boos are for Nick Swisher. Those boos are even for Mariano Rivera. Sadly, those boos are incredibly misplaced. OK, maybe the boos for A-Rod are placed pretty well.
When a team continues to allow its star player to average an extra-base hit in every 17.9 at-bats, that should be booed. When a team allows its rookie shortstop to struggle immensely at the plate and in the field without even an attempt to find a better solution, that deserves to be booed. When a team's "power-hitting" first baseman sits out a game because he fouled a pitch off his foot the night before, while his counterpart in the other dugout who fouled three pitches off his feet in one at-bat in that very same game plays, that should be booed. When a team continues to accept mediocre-at-best performances from its starting rotation, as well as pathetic displays from its bullpen during important close games, that needs to be booed.
Just because a team comes into town with the willingness and desire to actually succeed, regardless of the financial cost, they shouldn't be booed. They're doing only what we would want our own team to do, and that's be as competitive as possible. If people think that booing the opposition for wanting to be the best is something that helps their own team, they're mistaken. It really only shows how little respect those people have for the game. If you're booing that, then you're accepting the very mediocrity that your own team continues to march onto the field, which only means that you can expect to continue seeing that level of mediocrity in the future.
But hey...you've won six division titles in the last 10 years, so, it's not that big a deal, right?
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Biggest Chokes In Sports History
Coming off an NBA Finals where the "best player in the game" decided to phone it in for a few games, I started thinking about the biggest choking performances I've seen in sports. I didn't think a whole lot about it, until I started watching a little bit of coverage of the U.S. Open, seeing the first round leader's name on the leader board. Twenty-two year old Rory McIlroy shot a six under par 65 to open the first round of the 2011 U.S. Open. Outstanding performance for anyone, but even more so for McIlroy, coming off what could've been considered a major choke in this year's Masters. So, what are some of the other "chokes" in sports, either specific plays, matches, games, or series?
Given McIlroy's age (22) and virtual inexperience at the top of the leader board in major championships, it might be hard to actually consider his 2011 Masters fourth round performance a "choke", but it does have to be put into the conversation. However, when it comes to the Masters itself, one performance in my mind sticks out as an even bigger collapse. Back in 1996, Greg Norman entered the final round of the Masters up by six strokes. After his final round on Sunday, he finished a total of five shots behind eventual winner Nick Faldo. For someone widely considered to be one of the better golfers of his generation, this was easily one of Norman's darkest hours, and definitely ranks up there as one of the greatest chokes in all of sports, not just golf.
Boxing saw one of it's biggest choking performances back in 1990, when Mike Tyson was knocked out for the World Heavyweight title in Tokyo to little-known James "Buster" Douglas. For a lot of people, this was one of those events in history where, if you were old enough, knew exactly where you were when you heard the news. Tyson was always a little off-key, but the loss to Douglas was just the beginning of the downward spiral Tyson's career would see. Was it a choke? Maybe. Or, maybe Tyson just took Douglas a little too lightly. Hard to say, but regardless, it goes down as one of the biggest upsets in sports history.
When it comes to choking in a playoff series, the most recent that comes to mind is that of the 2004 New York Yankees. Up 3-0 in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series against the hated rival Boston Red Sox, it was considered a lock that the Yankees would end up in yet another World Series. It had never been done before in Major League Baseball history, that a team trailing a series 3-0 had come back to win the series...until 2004. Boston scrapped and clawed their way back, eventually winning four straight games, and moving on to the World Series, where they went on to win their first World Championship in 86 years. Definitely an amazing performance by Curt Schilling, David Ortiz, and the rest of the Boston Red Sox...but, an equally impressive meltdown by the New York Yankees.
Sometimes, it's difficult to distinguish between a "choke" and a hard-fought comeback. This was definitely the case in the 1993 NFL Playoffs, when the Buffalo Bills overcame a 32 point deficit, to comeback and defeat the Houston Oilers in a Wild Card playoff game. The Oilers had looked very impressive for the first half of football, seemingly steam-rolling over the powerful Bills. The second half, however, saw a completely different game. The Oilers looked nothing like they had in the first half, and the Bills looked twice as hungry as they had to start the game. So, was it a choke, or did the Bills just outplay the Oilers? Always a tough call, but I think any time you lose a 32 point lead, there has to be some choking involved.
So...help me out everyone. What are some of the other choking performances in sports history? Give me your thoughts. Let's see how many we can come up with.
Given McIlroy's age (22) and virtual inexperience at the top of the leader board in major championships, it might be hard to actually consider his 2011 Masters fourth round performance a "choke", but it does have to be put into the conversation. However, when it comes to the Masters itself, one performance in my mind sticks out as an even bigger collapse. Back in 1996, Greg Norman entered the final round of the Masters up by six strokes. After his final round on Sunday, he finished a total of five shots behind eventual winner Nick Faldo. For someone widely considered to be one of the better golfers of his generation, this was easily one of Norman's darkest hours, and definitely ranks up there as one of the greatest chokes in all of sports, not just golf.
Boxing saw one of it's biggest choking performances back in 1990, when Mike Tyson was knocked out for the World Heavyweight title in Tokyo to little-known James "Buster" Douglas. For a lot of people, this was one of those events in history where, if you were old enough, knew exactly where you were when you heard the news. Tyson was always a little off-key, but the loss to Douglas was just the beginning of the downward spiral Tyson's career would see. Was it a choke? Maybe. Or, maybe Tyson just took Douglas a little too lightly. Hard to say, but regardless, it goes down as one of the biggest upsets in sports history.
When it comes to choking in a playoff series, the most recent that comes to mind is that of the 2004 New York Yankees. Up 3-0 in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series against the hated rival Boston Red Sox, it was considered a lock that the Yankees would end up in yet another World Series. It had never been done before in Major League Baseball history, that a team trailing a series 3-0 had come back to win the series...until 2004. Boston scrapped and clawed their way back, eventually winning four straight games, and moving on to the World Series, where they went on to win their first World Championship in 86 years. Definitely an amazing performance by Curt Schilling, David Ortiz, and the rest of the Boston Red Sox...but, an equally impressive meltdown by the New York Yankees.
Sometimes, it's difficult to distinguish between a "choke" and a hard-fought comeback. This was definitely the case in the 1993 NFL Playoffs, when the Buffalo Bills overcame a 32 point deficit, to comeback and defeat the Houston Oilers in a Wild Card playoff game. The Oilers had looked very impressive for the first half of football, seemingly steam-rolling over the powerful Bills. The second half, however, saw a completely different game. The Oilers looked nothing like they had in the first half, and the Bills looked twice as hungry as they had to start the game. So, was it a choke, or did the Bills just outplay the Oilers? Always a tough call, but I think any time you lose a 32 point lead, there has to be some choking involved.
So...help me out everyone. What are some of the other choking performances in sports history? Give me your thoughts. Let's see how many we can come up with.
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