Running baseball thread part VIII

And Counsell crushes a ball up the middle ... but right to Iguchi, who had him played perfectly.

Whew. Makes up for yesterday's pissjob.

 

3-4 road trip for the phils, corrected from the 2-5 I said earlier.

Cubs go back in front with a win. But considering the way the Cubs hit lefties, congrats Glavine on No. 300.

 

3-4 is not too bad playing two of the hottest teams in the league. It should have been 5-2, but oh well. You win some, you lose some.

 

Barring a miracle, Josh Beckett will get his 15th win tonight (counting the AS victory).

 

Let's hear some more of that chatter, boys and girls.

 

I'm too excited, Buck. I've got my Subway sandwich to my right and the remote to my left -- and a case of beer in the fridge. Let's get this night started.

 

Is Glavine one of those guys for whom you'll always root, simply because he will always be a lifetime Brave? Or is it more because he's been the model of consistency for about two decades and always handled himself like a true profession -- not unlike Maddux?

I do that with players like Piazza and Edgardo Alfonzo -- well, not anymore with him, I guess. When Todd Hundley left, it was a dark day for me. But I rooted for him like crazy when he was sucking dust with the Cubs.

 

Glavine's the guy I modeled myself after when I first started pitching at 9 years old. I tucked my glove into my left hip like he did. I toed the rubber on the right-hand side because he did -- and resisted all my coaches telling me to move to the "correct" side. I developed a circle change at 12 because he threw one. I learned my curveball at 13 by using the same grip he did -- actually, I probably threw it better than him back then, at least by the time I got to high school. 8)

In my professional life, he's treated me with class and respect the two times I've had a chance to interview him.

He's been my favorite pitcher for almost my entire life. I can't root against him.

I just hate the fact he's a Met.

 

I actually was pulling for him to stay with the Braves before he went to the Mets, even though it was a solid pick-up for New York. There are some players -- like Glavine, Maddux, Smoltz, Biggio, Bagwell ... and the list goes on -- who should stay with one team. I know Maddux began his career with the Cubs, but he will always be a Brave to me. I am a sentimental guy when it comes to tradition and loyalty.

 

I did that same thing with Eddie Murray, my favorite player. I played first base for 13 years, from slow pitch to college, and always conducted myself with class on the field. I'd like to think I looked like I was having more fun than Murray, but when I was on the field, I was there to play. I learned to switch-hit because of Eddie. I just wasn't as successful -- no shit.

 

I figured. Maybe he'll go back there to finish his career. I kind of hope he does. After all, he won't go into the Hall with a Mets hat, anyway.

 

Let's not.

Dear Mr. Glavine: You. Traitor. Period.