Echo 1995
=== Mr. Made for TV ===
Was 
Inside Pitch's nickname for the 2nd-year ARod, but now in a better sense might tag Mr. Gutierrez... :- )
In 1995, Wetteland fired that 95 heater in to Edgar with the bases loaded. Our old STATS-AOL pal Steve22, a semipro catcher and Yankee fan, said that he threw his beverage can at the TV when the ball was in midflight.
Edgar unloaded, Musburger (?) said "DEEP TO CENTER!" and then they gave us a full 120 seconds of silence as the TV cut back-and-forth between the M's, Yankees', and fans' reactions. Moments like that remind you that you're not just passing time with the national pastime.
..............
If you didn't catch the TV broadcast, Felix was bitterly disappointed to be down 1-0 in the 8th, and when the M's scrrrrooouuuuuunged two baserunners in the 8th, Gutierrez came up... and Felix hid his head under a towel, not able to bear the tension.
Rizzs and Blowers were laughing about it pretty good.
When Gutierrez destroyed that low 1-0 fastball, Felix heard the crack of the bat, whipped the towel off his head, looking around wide-eyed to try to find the action...
The TV panned back-and-forth for wave after wave of emotional celebration in the Mariners' clubhouse. Even Wakamatsu allowed himself a small smile and golfclap.
Game was nowhere near as big, but in terms of emotion, it'll do until 1995 comes around again :- )
.
=== 418 ===
Yep. I'll take my medicine. About 16 more times this year, I'm guessing.
And the kid's at .300 now?
.
=== Griff ===
Ichiro on second, Branyan out, Lopez out, Griffey goes to 3-2... I knew for a fact that Wilson was going out of the strike zone. I figured a 90% chance that Griff, overanxious, would fish.
I was half right. Wilson went down-and-away, and Griffey decisively gave him a "half position" like Bruce Lee half-blocking a feinted jab. Beee-yooo-teee-ful. Without that walk, the win doesn't happen.
For the record, Griff's 100 OPS+ is worth a tad more than average: (1) OBP is worth more than SLG, and Griff has more OBP than SLG; (2) BB and HR are worth more than 1B's and 2B's.
.
=== Beating the Shift ===
We were right behind home plate Tuesday and it looked for all the world like Griffey intentionally slapped the ball to 3B, beating the shift for a DOUBLE. He leaned over, finished with the bat pointed at the pitcher, and apparently swung-bunted the ball into the hole.
Branyan, too, has shown bunt several times lately, always with runners on. I hope these doggies are showing their teeth a little bit to these shift-cats.
Go for it, guys. Three hits each and they're not shifting any more.
.
=== 9th Inning ===
After the Intensity In Ten Cities, Aardsma came right out and retired the side on about two pitches. Made for a crunchy finish.
Here is a June SI article in which Bill James comments on Nolan Ryan's fight against dogmatic pitch counts.
I just couldn't believe that Felix didn't come out for the 9th inning with only 112 pitches under his belt. ... the positive spin would be that Wakamatsu wanted Aardsma to get right back on the horse, which would be admirable, but what a cost he paid to do it. Felix could have easily butchered the Rangers, and if Aardsma blows that one too...
Not complaining. Just observing. I wouldn't have had the guts to sub in David Aardsma for Felix Hernandez in such a must-have game. Wak's a leader of men, but...
Lookoutlanding's very cool Win Probability chart tonight gives Gutierrez a hilarious +65% on his 3-run homer. It felt like +400%. (Down by 1 run in the 8th, with two on and two out, and a 1-0 count ... you expect to win about 27 out of 100 games. Up by two in the top of the 9th, you expect to win about 92 of 100 games.)
Not wanting to quibble, Felix -- for owning the night lock, stock and barrel -- got half what Gutierrez got. No complaints whatsoever, but Cy Young aces are under-measured by practically every stat known to us saberdweebs.
.
=== Hail the King ===
Pennant race in July.
Four games against the division leaders.
We need three out of four.
Our Aces go in games 1 and 4.
It felt like Randy Johnson and a gimme tonight.
Felix PITCHED like Randy Johnson and a gimme.
For me, this was Felix' first "Randy Johnson" game. I plan to thoroughly enjoy the rest of them.
We Aren't Worthy,
Dr D