12/18/24
October 23, 2011
Albert Pujols does Albert Pujols Things, Powers Cardinals to 2-1 World Series Lead: After a couple of tight, tense affairs in St. Louis, Albert Pujols (roundly criticized just the day before for failing to meet with the media after Game 2) broke out in a major, historical way to lead the Cardinals to a rout of the Rangers, 16-7 in Game 3 of the World Series (a game in which the "human element" reared its ugly head on a tag play at first).
That was an atrocious call by the first base ump. It wasn't even close.
Nor was the game. Letting the opponent score in six straight innings is bad strategy, as it turns out.
On Napoli's slide at home, he's safe if he puts his lead foot on the plate instead of splaying it out to the side. Couple that with the throw home, and he had an awful game at the plate and he wasn't even the catcher.
But I'm burying the lead. Albert Pujols' hitting performance ranks among the best in Series history. He will be an excellent Yankee.
posted by rcade at 11:05 AM on October 23, 2011
But I'm burying the lead. Albert Pujols' hitting performance ranks among the best in Series history. He will be an excellent Yankee Blue Jay.
posted by grum@work at 11:08 AM on October 23, 2011
He will be an excellent Yankee, Blue Jay, Tiger.
posted by roberts at 11:41 AM on October 23, 2011
I'd continue that line to make Pujols an excellent Twin, however, some fantasies are best kept to one's self.
Unbelievably bad call at 1st, and while it's hard to hang the game on that play, it did most definitely impact the way the game unfolded.
Between Napoli and Berkman, it appears that some bigger guys need sliding lessons.
posted by dviking at 12:48 PM on October 23, 2011
That was an unbelievably bad blown call by the ump in I think the 4th inning. It's possible the Cards wouldn't have scored as many runs if the Rangers got that out. It's a shame they don't have instant replay in baseball.
posted by insomnyuk at 01:52 PM on October 23, 2011
Beyond instant replay, there are 5 other officials on the field these games, each one had to have known that the call was incorrect. Perhaps they'd never over-rule each other, but just a shame that a play like that can't be prevented.
posted by dviking at 02:44 PM on October 23, 2011
I just don't pitch to Pujols if at all possible.
roundly criticized just the day before for failing to meet with the media after Game 2
And after this game he was being interviewed before he left the field! God works in mysterious ways.
posted by justgary at 05:12 PM on October 23, 2011
I just don't pitch to Pujols if at all possible.
You would think it would go that way for the rest of the series. Of course, it might have been the smart thing to do during this game.
posted by bperk at 05:15 PM on October 23, 2011
Of course, it might have been the smart thing to do during this game
I'm hoping that at the very least the only reason he was pitched to in the ninth was the game being out of hand.
I think they've got two choices: avoid him, or knock him off the plate. And that could bring fireworks.
posted by justgary at 05:24 PM on October 23, 2011
You would think it would go that way for the rest of the series.
Managers don't always seem to think logically. What else could explain Nelson Cruz's steady diet of inside fastballs during the ALCS?
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 09:35 PM on October 23, 2011
YYM, that crazy old man knew exactly what he was doing. Thanks to an ugly incident with the Pirates and Tigers in the 80's, Leyland has a secret hate of the Tigers organization. This whole being the manager thing was just a ploy to get the fans hopes up and then dash them in new and unique ways.
posted by apoch at 03:59 AM on October 24, 2011
Albert Pujols vs the Texas Rangers pitchers:
Stop! Stop! They're already dead!