Kuzul

It was the kind of game that fans in 2010 have seen many times.

New York’s most beloved team, the New York Mets, a last place team on Sept. 1 and the Cincinnati Reds were playing the first game of the 1973 National League playoffs at Riverfront Stadium.

Tom Seaver, the league’s best pitcher who had been nursing a “tired” arm for almost one month, was opposed by the Reds’ Jack Billingham, who had been ill the day before and told the press that he was probably dehydrated.

Seaver’s right shoulder had stiffened during the Mets’ stretch run.

“For the last month, I didn’t have my stuff and I didn’t know where it was going, anyway. It’s tough trying to pitch like that. I’ve been taking Butazolidin pills to draw off the irritation.”

Their less than peak physical condition didn’t seem to bother either hurler. Going to the Reds’ half of the eighth inning, the Mets led 1-0.

Left-handed hitting reserve catcher Hal King batted for Billingham. He became Seaver’s twelfth strike out victim.

Pete Rose was the batter. It was a battle between two of the all-time greats.

One cannot over-emphasize the fact that Pete Rose maximized his talent more than almost any one who ever played the game, including most Hall of Famers.

In 1968, the first “Year of the Pitcher,” Pete led the league with a .335 batting average. Only Mateo Alou (.332), his older brother Felipe (.317) and Curt Flood (.301) hit at least .300. Carl Yastrezemski led the junior circuit with a .301 average.

Rose stepped into the left-handed batters box. After working the count to 2-2, Pete blasted a Seaver fast ball over the right field fence to tie the game. Johnny Bench won it in the ninth inning with a game-ending home run off Seaver.

During the 1973 season, Rose led the league with a .338 batting average and an Ichiro-like 230 hits. But in 752 plate appearances, he hit only five home runs. Pete rose to the occasion.

The Mets beat the Reds in five games to win the pennant, but Rose batted .381 and hit another home run.

Pete Rose was the firebrand that helped lead the 1975 Reds to the World Championship and the following season helped set the stage against the New York Yankees by getting into Mickey Rivers’ head.

Pete played an extremely shallow third base to take the bunt, one of Rivers’ primary weapons, away from the Yankees’ lead off hitter. The Reds swept the Yankees, who were not doing well in the World Series.

In 1980, Pete was with the Philadelphia Phillies, a team that had never won a World Series. He provided the leadership that led to the Phillies’ first World Championship.

Pete Rose set many enviable records, but all of those records, as great as they are, are overridden by the fact that those who know baseball know that Pete Rose was and is a winner.

References:

Pete Rose at Baseball-Reference

By JOSEPH DURSOSpecial to The New York Times. (1973, October 7). Seaver Loses but Strikes Out 13 for Mark :Matlack to Pitch Today Reds Down Mets in 9th With Homer Playoff Mark For Strikeouts Bench Ends Game. New York Times (1923-Current file),p. 243. Retrieved October 15, 2010, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 – 2007). (Document ID: 91000768).

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Yogi Berra managed the New York Yankees to their fifth consecutive pennant in 1964, which tied the record for most consecutive pennants by a team, but the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Yankees in the World Series.

Yogi was relieved of his managerial duties, and in a bizarre move, Cardinals manager Johnny Keane took over the Yankees’ reins.

In 1984, Yogi again became the Yankees manager, and following a third place finish, 17 games behind the World Champion Detroit Tigers, Yogi was among those who wondered about his status.

Mr. George Steinbrenner assured Yogi that he would manage his team the entire 1985 season.

Yogi would not be fired.

“Yogi will be the manager this year. A bad start will not affect Yogi’s status.”

The team started poorly. After 16 games, the Yankees had won only six games and were in last place.

Mr. Steinbrenner, the greatest owner in the history of sports (sorry, Jerry Jones and Al Davis), sent general manager Clyde King to inform Yogi that his services were no longer required.

About an hour later, Steinbrenner telephoned Yogi. Billy Martin was the new (and the old) Yankees’ manager. It was the 12th time Steinbrenner had changed managers.

Yogi refused to criticize the Yankees’ owner. “He’s the boss. He can do what he wants. I’m used to this.”

The players refused to comment when they learned the news, but Don Baylor, after reading the prepared statement given to reporters, kicked over a trash can.

One baseball journalist wrote:

“…the principal owner has known that it wouldn’t be easy to drop Yogi—a symbol of whatever class the Yankees have left.”

He then commented on Billy Martin.

“But no matter what Billy Martin does, he’s just another interim Yankee manager, as they all are in George Steinbrenner‘s tyrannical regime.”

Yogi Berra didn’t speak much. His actions spoke for him.

In 1988, Yogi and legendary catcher Bill Dickey, who, Yogi once said, “Taught me his experience,” were given plaques in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium. But Yogi was still convinced that Steinbrenner had gone back on his word and he didn’t attend.

Ten years later, Mr. Steinbrenner and Yogi mended fences.

Steinbrenner visited Yogi and he apologized.

It was believed that two factors finally forced the Yankees owner to take action. One was a guilty conscience and the other was the influence of the greatest of all center fielders.

“I got very close to Joe DiMaggio at the end,” Steinbrenner said. “He would point that finger at me and say, ‘You’ve got to get him back.’ You have to believe Joe is smiling today.”

References:

By MICHAEL MARTINEZ Special to The New York Times. (1985, April 29). Berra Dismissed by Steinbrenner; Martin Rehired to Manage Yanks :Berra Dismissed. New York Times (1923-Current file),p. A1. Retrieved September 22, 2010, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 – 2006). (Document ID: 118849488).

Dave Anderson. (1985, April 29). Sad Switch For Yanks :Sad Switch For Yanks. New York Times (1923-Current file),C1. Retrieved September 22, 2010, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 – 2006). (Document ID: 118849642).

Yogi Returns

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At the trading deadline in 2004, Jim Duquette, the general manager of New York’s most beloved team, the New York Mets, acquired right-hander Kris Benson from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In exchange, the Mets sent Ty Wigginton, minor league right-hander Matt Peterson, and infielder Jose Bautista to the Pirates.

Except in rare cases, it is impossible to predict the twists and turns of a baseball player’s career. When the Mets included Bautista in the Benson trade, Jose had fewer than 200 major-league plate appearances, and had not hit a home run.

The Mets were not the only team to send Jose Bautista away.

In 2004, Bautista was a member of five teams (Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, and Pittsburgh Pirates, although he never played for the Mets).

Bautista was originally obtained by the Pirates in the 2000 draft, but the Baltimore Orioles picked him up in the 2003 Rule 5 draft. Nothing to worry about.

In June, 2004, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected Jose off the waiver wire from the Birds. Nothing to worry about.

Twenty-one days later, the Kansas City Royals purchased Jose’s services from Tampa Bay. Still nothing to worry about.

Jose was picked up by the Mets for minor-league catcher Justin Huber, and the Mets then sent Jose to Pittsburgh in the Benson trade.

Bautista appeared in 500 games with the Pirates from 2004-08, He batted .241 with a .329 on base average, and 43 home runs while a Pirate.

The Pirates had seen enough. They sent Bautista to the Toronto Blue Jays for catcher Robinson Diaz in Aug. 2008.

Last season, Bautista played the outfield, third base, and on occasion, was the Blue Jays’ designated hitter. He batted .235 with 13 home runs in 336 at bats.

The most home runs Jose Bautista ever hit in a season was 16 with the Pirates in 2006, but in 2008, while with the Pirates, he hit five home runs in nine games during interleague play.

In Sept. 2009, there was a preview of coming attractions. Bautista hit 10 home runs during the last month of the season.

Jose Bautista has 49 home runs as of Sept. 18, 2010. Runner-up Paul Konerko has 37 home runs. Albert Pujols leads the National League with 39.

In the “Year of the Pitcher,” Jose Bautista has surpassed the great Barry Bonds with respect to the greatest increase in home runs hit in a single season during his career.

Bonds went from a high of 46 in 1993 to 49 in 2000 to 73 in 2001, so one can say the increase is either 27 (73 from 46) or 24 (73 from 49).

Jose Bautista has gone from a high of 16 to a new high of at least 49, for an increase of 36.

Isn’t it fascinating?

References:

Jose Bautista at Baseball Reference

LEE JENKINS. (2004, July 31). Mets Make Two Trades to Keep Hope Alive. New York Times (1923-Current file),D1. Retrieved September 19, 2010, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 – 2006). (Document ID: 1059264542).

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It was on of the greatest games in one of the most magnificent, amazing seasons in the history of sports.

In 1968, New York’s most beloved team, the New York Mets, had finished a dismal ninth in the 10-team National League, but by July 1969, they were doing something they had never done before. They were winning games fairly consistently.

On July 8, the Eastern Division leading Chicago Cubs were at Shea Stadium to open a three-game set against the second-place Mets, who trailed Leo Durocher’s team by five games.

Going to the bottom of the ninth inning, the Cubs, behind Ferguson Jenkins, led Jerry Koosman and the Mets, 3-1. Since this was 41 years ago, Jenkins went to the mound to finish the game.

Ken Boswell batted for Koosman and doubled. It was a ball that center fielder Don Young should have caught.

“I know what happened to the kid,” said Cleon Jones after the game. “The sun and the stands make it hard to see the ball.”

After Tommy Agee fouled out to first, Donn Clendenon pinch hit for Bobby Pfeil, and hit a deep drive to center field that tipped off Young’s glove for a double. Boswell had to stop at third.

Everyone in the ballpark, everyone in Chicago, and everyone watching or listening to the game knew that the game was over. It was just a matter of time.

Durocher went to the mound. All he said to Jenkins was, “Battle him.” Leo Durocher would never put the potential winning run on base.

Cleon Jones promptly hit the Mets’ third double of the inning to tie the game. There was never a thought of taking out Jenkins, not in 1969.

Durocher had Jenkins intentionally walk the left-hand hitting Art Shamsky to face left-handed Wayne Garrett, who grounded out, moving Jones to third and Shamsky to second with two outs.

It had to be that way. The Mets had to be one out away from defeat, and the Cubs had to be one out away from victory.

Ed Kranepool singled to center on an outside 1-2 curve ball. Down to their final strike, the Mets win. The Mets win.

All of the Mets ran to greet Kranepool. It was an emotional celebration that was not seen often before the 1969 New York Mets followed the “Impossible Dream.”

It was the kind of celebration that is seen almost every day in 2010 when a batter lays down a successful sacrifice bunt or moves a runner up a base on an infield ground out.

The Mets had sent their message. They were not a fluke, not with a dominating pitching staff that included Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Gary Gentry, Nolan Ryan, and Tug McGraw and just enough offense to win most games. 

The teams split the next two games,

Tom Seaver pitched his infamous one-hitter the next night, but the Cubs managed to salvage the final game. It didn’t matter. These were not your big brother’s Mets.

References:

By GEORGE VECSEY. (1969, July 9). 55,096 Watch Mets Shock Cubs With 3-Run Rally in Ninth for 4-3 Triumph :KRANEPOOL GETS DECIDING SINGLE Raps Homer Off Jenkins in 5th for Only Met Hit Until 9th — Jones Doubles In 2. New York Times (1923-Current file),47. Retrieved September 12, 2010, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 – 2006). (Document ID: 78354863).

Retrosheet

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St. Louis Browns’ outfielder Pete Gray played one season in the major leagues. He batted .218, had a .259 on base average, and slugged a mere .261 in 1945. But, Pete Gray might have been the most unique individual to have ever donned a uniform.

Pete Gray didn’t have a right arm.

When he was 12 years old, Pete, who was a promising young athlete, slipped while doing farm work.

He fell of the running board of his father’s pickup truck, which ran over his right arm, completely crushing it.

The arm was amputated at the shoulder.

Pete Gray would not give in. He learned to catch and throw with his left hand.

After catching a fly ball, Gray would tuck his glove under his stump, roll the ball across his chest, and throw, all in one fluid motion. It was an amazing feat.

Professional baseball ranks were depleted during World War II, which worked to Pete’s advantage.

In 1944, Pete played for Memphis of the Southern Association. All he did was hit .333 and steal 68 bases, which tied the league record.

He was named the league’s MVP and was honored as professional sports most courageous athlete by the Philadelphia sportswriters.

Opponents treated Gray as they would any other adversary once they realized that he was a force to be reckoned with.

Pitchers in the Southern Association were timid about throwing to Pete, who batted leadoff.

Finally, one manager ordered his pitchers “to loosen him up.” Pete was brushed back, an act which delighted him. Gray not only didn’t want any favors—he resented them.

Following the 1944 season, the American League champion St. Louis Browns purchased Gray’s contract from Memphis.

He played both centerfield and left field during the 1945 season, but it didn’t take long for pitchers to realize that Gray couldn’t hit a breaking pitch because once he started his swing, he couldn’t check it without a second arm.

In 1946, the players returned and Gray was sent to the minors, where he played until the early 1950s.

It is too bad that Pete Gray isn’t eligible for the Hall of Fame since he didn’t play the necessary 10 seasons in the majors, but Pete Gray exceeds one of the most important of all voting guidelines.

“Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.”

References:

Pete Gray at Baseball Library

To Honor Pete Gray. (1945, January 22). New York Times (1923-Current file),p. 13. Retrieved September 9, 2010, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 – 2006). (Document ID: 88184321).

Reg. U.S. Pat. Off. By ARTHUR DALEY. (1945, May 27). Sports of the Times :Gray Eagle Handy Man Retort Discourteous. New York Times (1923-Current file),38. Retrieved September 9, 2010, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 – 2006). (Document ID: 94853461).

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The New York Yankees finished third in 1959.

It was the first time since 1954 that the Yankees didn’t win the pennant, but while the 1954 team won 103 games, the 1959 team finished a dismal third, 15 games behind the pennant-winning Chicago White Sox.

It was clear that the Yankees needed help. The Kansas City A’s usually provided that help.

On Dec. 11, 1959, general manager George Weiss sent an aging Hank Bauer, promising youngsters Norm Seibern and Marv Throneberry, and the only pitcher to hurl a perfect World Series game, Don Larsen, to their Kansas City friends in exchange for Kent Hadley, Joe DeMaestri, and Roger Maris.

In 1957, the season following his perfect game, Larsen started only 20 games. He had a decent season, going 10-4 with a 3.74 ERA, which translates to a mediocre 97 ERA+.

The next season, 1958, was similar. Larsen was 9-6 with a 3.07 ERA and a 116 ERA+, but in the World Series, the Yankees were down two games to none to the Milwaukee Braves.

Larsen rose to the occasion, shutting out the defending World Champions for seven innings. Ryne Duren completed the shutout as Hank Bauer drove in all four Yankees’ runs with a two-run single and a two-run home run. The game was every bit as important as Larsen’s perfect game.

Larsen dropped to 6-7 in 1959, with a 4.33 ERA and an 84 ERA+.

Roger Maris won the MVP award in his first season with the Yankees, batting .283, driving in a league-leading 112 runs, and hitting 39 home runs. Along with Mickey Mantle, Roger gave the Yankees a lethal one-two punch.

The next season, Roger broke Babe Ruth’s single season home run mark, hitting 61, but Roger would suffer a similar fate as Don Larsen.

A combination of injuries, fan resentment of his $70,000 salary, and a newly developed loyalty to Mickey Mantle resulted in a series of relatively mediocre seasons.

In 1962, Roger hit 33 home runs and drove in 100 runs, but he never again hit more than 26 home runs or drove in more than 71 runs.

Following the 1964 season, the Yankees paid the price for allowing their farm system to dry up. In 1965, the once-proud team finished sixth, 25 games behind the Minnesota Twins.

Roger hit .239 with eight home runs in 1965, and followed that with a dismal .233 batting average, 13 home runs, and 43 RBIs in 1966. Roger, like Don Larsen, was gone.

In early Dec. 1966, Roger was traded to St. Louis for journeyman infielder Charlie Smith.

The Yankees had traded the only pitcher to pitch a perfect World Series game for the player who would break the single season home run mark.

A few years later, the player who set the single season home run record was traded.

Don Larsen had a day of glory that has lasted a lifetime. Roger Maris had a season that is one of the most memorable in baseball history, yet the Yankees traded both a few short seasons after their feats.

The great Branch Rickey used to say that luck is the residue of design. Sometimes luck is just luck.

Reference:

Baseball-Reference

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The Oakland A’s took the first two games of the 1972 World Series from the favored Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati. The A’s were in an enviable position since no team had ever lost the first two games at home and won the Series.

The teams traveled to Oakland for the next three games, but rain caused the third game to be moved up a day.

One of the Series’ most memorable plays, which has been almost forgotten with the passage of time (which means it is no longer considered memorable, but still is worth remembering) occurred in the eighth inning.

The Reds sent right-hander Jack Billingham to the mound to face Oakland’s John “Blue Moon” Odom. California Governor Ronald Reagan threw out the first ball, and as was expected, both pitchers were on their games. There was no score after six innings.

The Reds struck in the seventh inning.

Tony Perez led off with a single to left field. Denis Menke sacrificed him to second, bringing up Cesar Geronimo, who singled to center.

The field was still wet from the previous day’s rain, which caused Perez to slip rounding third, but Oakland center fielder George Hendrick had already made his relay to the infield, no Oakland player noticed Perez’ quandary, and Tony scored the game’s only run.

The play occurred in the Reds’ eighth inning.

Left-hander Vida Blue came in to pitch. Future Hall of Famer Pete Rose hit a screaming line drive to the right side that second baseman Ted Kubiak speared for the first out.

Future announcing great Joe Morgan walked and moved to third on a Bobby Tolan single to center. That was it for Blue.

Manager Dick Williams brought in Rollie Fingers to face Johnny Bench with runners at the corners and only one out.

Tolan stole second, which dictated an intentional pass to the second greatest catcher in baseball history, but Dick Williams marched to his own tune. He had Fingers pitch to Bench, with Tony Perez on deck.

Forget the potential inning-ending double play. Forget about the potential force out at home. Pitch to Bench.

The count went full when Williams had a change of heart. He strolled to the mound, made the signal to give Bench ball four, and had a brief conference with Fingers and catcher Gene Tenace.

Tenace went back behind home plate, stood tall, and signaled for ball four as he moved to the right.

Fingers nodded assent and went into his delivery, but Tenace quickly jumped back behind the plate as Fingers was delivering the ball.

Fingers fired a slider that caught Bench sleeping as it caught the outside corner for a called third strike.

It was a play that is thought about often, but that is rarely executed. Williams had the guts to pull it off in the World Series. Turn an “intentional” ball four into strike three.

Tony Perez really was walked intentionally to load the bases. Fingers retired Menke on a pop-up to second to end the threat.

It was all for naught when Billingham and Clay Carroll combined to shut out the A’s, but all turned out fine when the A’s won the Series in seven games.

Those who saw the third game will never forget what happened to Johnny Bench.

Neither will Johnny.

Reference

by JOSEPH DURSO. Special to The New York Times. (1972, October 19). Reds Win, 1-0, on 3-Hitter, A’s Now Lead Series, 2-1: Reds Win on 3-Hitter, 1-0; A’s Lead, 2-1 Carroll Saves the Shutout for Billingham. New York Times (1923-Current file), p. 97. Retrieved August 19, 2010, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851-2006). (Document ID: 79475397).

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In his rookie season of 1952, Joe Black won 15 games for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He lost only four times, pitched to an ERA of 2.15, an ERA+ of 171, and helped the Dodgers win the pennant.

Black was voted the National League’s Rookie of the Year, and finished third in the MVP balloting.

Black was Brooklyn’s top relief pitcher. He appeared in 54 games in relief, but manager Charlie Dressen realized that he was short of starters for the upcoming World Series against New York’s other team, the New York Yankees.

On Sept. 21, Black made his first start of the season, beating the Boston Braves 8-2. Joe limited the Braves to a pair of runs and three hits in his complete-game victory.

Yes, a complete game after more than 50 relief appearances.

In the World Series against the Yankees, Black started the first, fourth, and seventh games. Since there were no travel days, he started both the fourth game and the seventh game on two days’ rest.

Imagine any pitcher, much less a relief pitcher, being allowed to do that today.

Black bested Allie Reynolds in the Series opener, but lost the fourth game to Reynolds 2-0.  In the crucial seventh game, the Yankees reached Joe for three runs over five and a third innings.

Brooklyn nearly got him off the hook in the seventh inning when Jackie Robinson’s wind blown pop fly with the bases loaded almost fell to the ground, but Billy Martin made his famous catch to end the inning.

Manager Charlie Dressen was not satisfied with success. After the great 1952 season, Dressen tried to change Joe Black to make him even better.

Dressen tried to make him into a pitcher. It didn’t work. Black explained why.

“I’ve tried to become a pitcher. I’m not a pitcher. I’m a thrower. This fancy stuff isn’t meant for me. I should just rear up and throw the ball past the batters, just bust it past them. That’s what I did when I was at my best and that’s when my control was sharpest.”

Rookie Joe Black had only two pitches. One was his great fastball, and the other was dinky curve ball that was thrown slightly slower than the fastball.

Dressen wanted to make Black a starter after he saw what Joe did in the World Series. He tried to teach Black the changeup, but Joe had a problem with his hand. Joe didn’t have normal muscular control of his fingers, and he couldn’t raise either index finger.

He tried to master the changeup, which requires the pitcher to lift two fingers, but there were problems. Joe continued to try, but the effort affected his fastball. He lost his pinpoint control.

Joe Black didn’t suffer the sophomore jinx. He didn’t develop a sore arm from starting three World Series games. His attempt to add a pitch didn’t need cost him his career.

In 1953, Black remained a relief pitcher. He was 6-3, but his ERA swelled to 5.33, and his ERA+ was a horrible 81.

Brooklyn sent Joe to the Cincinnati Reds in 1955, who sent him to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1957, and finally he joined the Washington Senators later that season.

The Senators released him after the 1957 season.

References:

Joe Black at Baseball Reference

By ARTHUR DALEY. (1954, February 12). Sports of The Times :Secret Weapon. New York Times (1923-Current file),30. Retrieved August 18, 2010, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 – 2006). (Document ID: 83746550).

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The San Francisco Giants were in New York—not to face New York’s most beloved team, as they usually did, but to face the New York Yankees on the weekend of June 7, 2002.

The visit marked the first time in 40 years that the Giants had returned to Yankee Stadium, but it seemed as if time stood still when the Yankees won the Friday night game, 2-1, in front of 55,053 fans.

Barry Bonds changed that the next day when he faced Yankees left-hander Ted Lilly in the first inning.

At the team meeting before the Giants series, manager Joe Torre told Lilly not to allow Bonds to dominate the game, which was like telling a politician not to dominate the discussion.

David Bell led off the Giants’ first inning with a walk. Rich Aurilia followed with a ground-ball single to left field, moving Bell to second. Barry was the batter.

Lilly delivered the first pitch, which was a high fastball. Barry swung and missed. The crowd, in unison, screamed with delight.

Some older fans had an image of Mickey Mantle in their minds. Even older fans could see Babe Ruth.

Jorge Posada fired the ball back to Lilly, who toed the rubber, checked the runners, and delivered a pitch that was low and away to even the count at 1-1.

Bell took a short lead off second. Aurilia inched towards second base. Lilly fired, and Barry blasted.

The fastball that, much to Lilly’s chagrin, stayed too far inside landed about halfway up the third deck along the right field foul line. The ball was still rising when it crashed into the seats.

It was a shot that Mantle, Ruth, and even Albert Pujols would have been proud to claim.

Ted Lilly knew what he was up against. He told reporters that most left-handed power hitters would have pulled the pitch foul, but Barry Bonds was not most left-handed power hitters.

Lilly continued:

“There’s no shame in it, but when you’re facing the best in the game, you want to win a little bit more.”

Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle were always in the conversation when the subject was long home runs. When a player hits one high and far, the shot is often called “Ruthian.”

Barry hit them just as far.

It is easy to imagine what he would have done if he had played his entire career in Yankee Stadium, where the distance down the right field line was all of 314 feet and to straightaway right field was 344 feet.

It would likely have been Barry, not Mark McGwire, who topped Roger Maris’ single-season home run record, and Barry would have been considered the greatest player in the game during the late 1990s.

There would have been no reason for Barry to feel slighted by the media during the McGwire-Sammy Sosa home run chase. History would have been changed.

But Barry became a San Francisco Giant, and he will always be a Giant. He didn’t need Yankee Stadium to become the all-time career home run leader.

References

TYLER KEPNER. (2002, June 9). BASEBALL: Small Victories Equal a Defeat for the Yankees. New York Times (1923-Current file), p. g3. Retrieved August 17, 2010, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851-2006). (Document ID: 727161212).

Retrosheet

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“First we’ll use Spahn, then we’ll use Sain, Then an off day, followed by rain. Back will come Spahn, followed by Sain, And followed, we hope, by two days of rain.”

Boston Post sports editor Gerald Hern wrote a poem that led to the above hoped-for sequence in 1948. Spahn and Sain were the only two solid starting pitchers on the pennant winning 1948 Boston Braves.

While the 2010 San Francisco Giants are not quite in such dire straits, Tim Lincecum is getting close to putting the Giants into a situation where it is rapidly becoming “Zito, Sanchez and Cain, then let’s pray for a little rain.”

Lincecum has a three game losing streak for the first time in his brief career.

In his last three starts, his ERA is an obscene 10.28. He is no longer dominant despite the fact that he is still striking out batters. The key is that batters are making better contact when they hit the ball.

In 2008, Tim allowed 182 hits in 227 innings or 0.801 hits per inning.

In 2009, Tim allowed 168 hits in 225.3 innings or 0.746 per inning.

This season, he has given up 152 hits in 159.3 innings, or 0.954 hits per inning.

What is more alarming is that he has allowed 11 earned runs in only seven and two-thirds innings in his last two starts against the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres. Neither team reminds anyone of the 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers.

Lincecum is trying to rely less on his father’s help. He believes that he knows his mind and body best.

“I’m 26. I don’t need a babysitter anymore.”

After his loss to the Cubs, Lincecum told reporters “I’m not hurting. I don’t feel dead or tired. I had good stuff. It’s a matter of where I throw it and my motion, being able to repeat it.”

Yesterday against the Padres Lincecum finally expressed some concern, although he remains optimistic that he is merely experiencing a cold streak.

After the game, Tim and Giants’ pitching coach Dave Righetti spoke for more than one hour. After the discussion, Lincecum did admit that he sometimes loses his confidence.

“You get frustrated when things don’t go your way, or the way they have been. You’ve just got to keep coming to the field every day and working with a purpose and knowing that it’s going to come back, and that’s pretty much what I’m trying to get to.”

If Lincecum doesn’t return to form, enormous pressure is put on the Giants’ other four starters.

Barry Zito, Matt Cain, and Jonathan Sanchez are solid, although Sanchez still walks too many batters.

Madison Bumgarner has been a pleasant addition, but the Giants are watching him game-by-game as they decide how many innings they will allow him to pitch.

Bumgarner is only 21 years old, and has worked 146 innings between his minor and major league assignments.

At this time, the Giants have a chance of catching the Padres or finishing as the wild card, but not without an effective Tim Lincecum.

The Tim Lincecum who won two Cy Young Awards gave the Giants an excellent chance of winning every time he pitched.

He took pressure off the bullpen, put pressure on the opposition’s defense and pitching staff, and gave his team the confidence only an ace can provide.

Lincecum was the stopper, which helped the Giants’ other starters.

If he fails to regain his form, it will be an almost impossible task for the Giants to make the playoffs.

It is unlikely that “Zito, Sanchez and Cain, then let’s pray for a little rain,” will work this season.

References:

Around the Horn

Tim Lincecum at CBS Sports

Padres Beat Giants

Cubs Rough Up Lincecum

Bumgarner Wants to Pitch

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