As I have previously mentioned, the baseball season ended for me on October 6th, when the Detroit Tigers eliminated the New York Yankees three games to two in the American League Division Series. Yes, I continued to watch as the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals advanced to play in the 107th World Series. I was rooting for Texas to beat the Cards, but the St. Louis Cardinals won their 11th Series title in the deciding seventh game of the Fall Classic.
Albert Pujols pounded three home runs in Game 3, matching a World Series feat accomplished only by Babe Ruth (1926 and 1928) and Reggie Jackson (1977). His 14 total bases (3 HRs, 2 singles) set a new Series record, and he tied the single-game records for most HRs (3), most hits (5) and most RBIs (6). Texas should have won the Series in Game 6, but like the 1986 Boston Red Sox, came within one out of winning it all, then faltered in extra innings, ultimately losing Game 7. Game 6 was one of the most entertaining games in baseball history. It was not a particularly crisp, error-free affair with great pitching. But, for drama and excitement, it was a barnburner. The Cardinals twice came back late from two-run deficits, in the ninth and tenth innings, both times down to their last strike, one pitch away from crowning the Texas Rangers with their first title. The come-back Cards became the first team ever in World Series history to score in the 8th, 9th 10th and 11th innings of a single game.
David Freese, third-year third baseman for the Cardinals, earned both the League Championship MVP and the World Series MVP awards, only the 6th time a player has won both, all National Leaguers, never been done by an American Leaguer. The previous dual-award winners: Willie Stargell ("We Are Family" Pittsburgh Pirates, 1979), Darrell Porter (1982 St. Louis catcher, "Whitey-Ball" Herzog over "Harvey's Wallbangers" Brewers), Orel Hershiser (Dodgers, 1988, remember Kirk Gibson's HR off Dennis Eckersley in Game 1?), Livan Hernandez (1997 Florida Marlins who were promptly disassembled by owner Wayne Huizenga) and Cole Hamels (2008 Philadelphia Phillies). The World Series MVP has been officially awarded since 1955, when it was initiated and sponsored by SPORT Magazine. It is now determined by writers and MLB officials immediately during and after the final game of the Series. Only three players have won the Award more than once: Sandy Koufax (LA Dodgers 1963, 1965), Bob Gibson (St. Louis Cards 1964, 1967) and Reggie Jackson (Oakland As 1973, New York Yankees 1977). It has been predominantly a pitcher's award (27 times, 3 relievers), with third basemen winning 10 times, outfielders 7, catchers 6, shortstops 5, first basemen twice, second sackers once and a Designated Hitter once (Hideki Matsui, 2009, Yankees). Only once has the award been given to a player on the losing team, 2B Bobby Richardson of the New York Yankees in 1960, when he drove in 12 runs (still the record), batted .367 and had 11 hits (a record then, since beaten and then tied by Richardson in 1964). The Yankees outscored the Pirates 55-27 that year, and outhit them 91-60, but Pirate 2B Bill Mazeroski slugged a lead-off walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth over the ivied left field wall in Forbes Field to win Game 7 and the Series over the Yankees in Casey Stengel's final World Series appearance. Yogi Berra said afterwards, "We made too many wrong mistakes."
Continuing media coverage of this year's Winter Baseball Meetings is whetting my appetite for baseball. The newly re-named Miami Marlins are making the most noise, with their signing of SS Jose Reyes, closer Heath Bell and left-handed starter Mark Buerhle. And if you believe the rumors, the Marlins are still in the hunt to land Albert Pujols. With new manager, Ozzie Guillen, and a brand new ballpark, the former Florida Fish may make some noise this year in the National League East. I still think that Pujols stays with the Cardinals, but if he doesn't, won't that make it very plausible that the Cards go strong after Prince Fielder? If Pujols stays with the Cardinals, where will Fielder land? Hopefully, not in the NL West.
Meanwhile, our Colorado Rockies continue their ho-hum pursuit of marginal players and dumping salaries. Though I remain a staunch Monfort Brothers fan, I am not enamored with the foresight (or lack, thereof) from general manager Dan O'Dowd. Last year's big acquisitions: Jose Lopez and Ty Wigginton, where are they? Chris Iannetta to the Angels for an unproven starter, right-hander Tyler Chatwood, 25 career starts, 4.75 ERA, 6 wins 11 losses, only 22 years old. Sound familiar? Colorado's roster is filled with young, not-quite-ready-for-prime-time starting pitchers. Most successful Major League organizations have those types of pitchers grooming in the minor leagues, building up their strength and repertoire before being thrust into the Major League spotlight. Matter of fact, the Rockies have a slew of number 4-, 5-type rotation starters, and no ace, not even a viable, proven 2 or 3.
Oh wait, stop the presses...............the Rockies acquire starter Kevin Slowey, right-hander from the Minnesota Twins for a bag of balls and some Greeley grain-fed steaks. Yes, that Kevin Slowey, the one who started and lost all eight decisions last year for the Twinkies, plus they also lost all 6 games he appeared in as a reliever. Veteran Kevin Millwood coming back? Doubtful. Aaron Cook? Rockies paid him $500,000 to go away. Jorge De La Rosa might be ready to go by the end of May after Tommy John surgery on June 3rd and recuperation. Jhoulys Chacin has had another year and seasoning at the big league level, how will he respond? Can Juan Nicasio return to his pre-injury form? The line drive that fractured the verterbra in his neck was the most horrific baseball injury I have seen, rivaling the beaning that effectively ended Red Sox Tony Conigliaro's career with Boston back in 1967. The Rockies maintain a roster with the likes of Jason Hammel, Esmil Rogers, Alex White and Drew Pomeranz. Not quite a starting slate that will strike fear into anybody's opposing lineup. Sure, there are rumors that the Rockies are 'pursuing deals' for the likes of Jair Jurggens, Edinson Volquez, Hiroki Kuroda, Matt Garza, etc. Brad Lidge coming back home to Colorado? Unlikely. The best we Rockie fans can hope for, is that old "lightning in a bottle" phenomenon.
Hallelujah! Huston Street unloaded to the San Diego Padres for, a prospect to be named later. The important thing: unloading his $8-million salary and tendencies to cause ulcers in ninth innings of close games. He will do much better in pitcher-friendly PetCo Park.
Two more months to go until pitchers and catchers report to Arizona for Spring Training. In the meantime, we have Timmy Tebow and the Righteous Bronco Revival to entertain us. Has anyone ever asked Timmy if he would like to try his hand at baseball?
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