MLB 2014 season thread

Richard Sandomir:

There was no expectation Thursday night that Derek Jeter would end his final home game with a thunderclap of a hit. This has, after all, been his worst full season, statistically.

But there he was, acting as if it was 1996, hitting an opposite-field, game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth against the Baltimore Orioles to punctuate his 20 seasons in pinstripes.

The clear parallel is to Ted Williams’s final at-bat, on Sept. 28, 1960, at Fenway Park, in his final home plate appearance, wrapping up with a scintillating coda.

Like Jeter, Williams knew he was retiring. A farewell ceremony preceded his final game.

“Baseball has been the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me,” he said.

It was a dank Wednesday afternoon in a pretty good season for Williams. Entering the game, he was hitting .316, with 28 home runs and 71 runs batted in. By the time he came to the plate in the eighth inning, he had walked once and flied out twice. The Red Sox were trailing the Baltimore Orioles, 4-2. The fans were applauding, as if they might never stop, delaying Jack Fisher’s first pitch to Williams.

nyti.ms/1nfkYd9

 

Allen Craig follows the career path of so many others: Hit over .300 with the Cardinals for a few years and then completely suck starting around your fourth season -- usually with someone else.

 

Nine guys, combined, with uniform numbers 60 or higher. That might be some sort of record.

 

After Texas keeps Seattle alive by rallying past the dying A's, it's nail-biting time at Safeco.

Tied 1-1 in bottom of ninth, and the first two Mariners reach base. Sac bunt is thrown to third late, so Seattle has 'em loaded with no outs.

Brad Miller steps to the plate ...

 

... and takes strike three, on a 3-2 pitch.

The Angels had five guys in the infield, and will leave them there with one out.

Chris Taylor's turn for the M's.

 

Grilli strikes out Taylor, too.

It's up to Austin Jackson. Or maybe a wild pitch will bail the Mariners out.

EDIT: Grilli comes back from a 3-0 count, gets Jackson to fly out to right-center on a 3-2 pitch.

On to the 10th!

 

Mariners finally come through, as Austin Jackson beats a double-play attempt in the 11th for a game-winning fielder's choice. Seattle 2, SoCal Angels 1

King Felix gets the biggest start of his career tomorrow.

If the Mariners somehow force a one-game playoff with the A's, it could be young Taijuan Walker who gets the start.

 

We could have three Game 163s on Monday, if Royals, Pirates and Mariners win Sunday and Tigers, Cardinals and A's lose.

 

Would rather see MLB go to tiebreak rules for the division title when both teams are in the playoffs. Base it on season head to head results.

As is now, both teams would have to burn a quality starter in a game 163 and then turn around on the quick to play their wildcard game or division series. Seems to put both teams at a disadvantage regardless of the result.

And for any moaning from the tiebreak loser, you had 162 games to win one more.

 

I totally disagree. Any complaints from the game 163 winner about the disadvantage - you had 162 to win it outright. Why you possibly be against another (legitimate, not contrived) win or go home game?

 

I'm with you on this one. Win or go home > looking at numbers every time.

 

Plus more money for MLB with the extra game, tv and attendance. And more excitement.