The 'Roots Cough Up a Granny in the 10th, Astros 1 Game Away from Elimination

[Limey]

The Pirates suck, so here's a photo of a very wet Megan Fox.

[Reuben]

If you didn't catch it live, and you want an example of a ridiculously shitty job of blocking the plate tagging a base runner who's been thrown out by 10 feet, watch this clip of the Mets scoring the tying run in the 8th off the Cubs.

Despite that, I still thought the Mets might fritter this one away- especially after their LF (Murphy?) fouled off a 2-strike bunt, as Reyes glided into 2nd base with what would've been an easy SB. Alas, and fuck the Cubs- not even a PH appearance by Lee? Ramirez? Soriano? Really?

[HudsonHawk]

If you didn't catch it live, and you want an example of a ridiculously shitty job of blocking the plate tagging a base runner who's been thrown out by 10 feet, watch this clip of the Mets scoring the tying run in the 8th off the Cubs.

That was an absolutely wretched throw.  What did you expect the catcher to do?

[ValpoCory]

That was an absolutely wretched throw.

What do you mean?  The steM announcers said "the throw was perfect from Fukudome".  How can this be?

[ValpoCory]

The Pirates suck, so here's a photo of a very wet Megan Fox.

"Forbidden

You don't have permission to access /images/48d8316505f4f.jpg on this server."

[JackAstro]

"Forbidden

You don't have permission to access /images/48d8316505f4f.jpg on this server."

copy, paste, go.

[Ty in Tampa]

copy, paste, go bunk.

[BizidyDizidy]

It would be interesting to see the # of games played while eliminated stats for the NL since 2000 or so (I've seen this a few years ago) - is there any easy way to pull it?

[toddthebod]

What do you mean?  The steM announcers said "the throw was perfect from Fukudome".  How can this be?

It was a perfect throw.  Church did a great job of avoiding the tag and the Cubs catcher was on his knees and couldn't adjust.

[austro]

It was a perfect throw.  Church did a great job of avoiding the tag and the Cubs catcher was on his knees and couldn't adjust.

It was ten feet up the line. Church did a great job, but that was no perfect throw. If it's on the plate (or only two feet up the line) Church is out by five feet.

[Reuben]

It was ten feet up the line. Church did a great job, but that was no perfect throw. If it's on the plate (or only two feet up the line) Church is out by five feet.

Yes, it was up the line by ten feet- not a great throw- but the runner was still 8-10 feet away when the catcher got the ball. He had plenty of time to move in front of Church and make a tag, but he let himself get faked out somehow and lost his balance, and missed what should have been an easy tag.

[EasTexAstro]

If you didn't catch it live, and you want an example of a ridiculously shitty job of blocking the plate tagging a base runner who's been thrown out by 10 feet, watch this clip of the Mets scoring the tying run in the 8th off the Cubs.

Question: Why is it legal to run to the dugout before coming back to tag the plate? Is there no rule about running outside the baseline going to home plate?

[Limey]

Question: Why is it legal to run to the dugout before coming back to tag the plate? Is there no rule about running outside the baseline going to home plate?

It's not legal*


* Unless you're playing the Cubs.

[Duman]

Question: Why is it legal to run to the dugout before coming back to tag the plate? Is there no rule about running outside the baseline going to home plate?

Here is what the rule book says:

(k) In running or sliding for home base, he fails to touch home base and makes no attempt to return to the base, when a fielder holds the ball in his hand, while touching home base, and appeals to the umpire for the decision.
Rule 7.08(k) Comment: This rule applies only where runner is on his way to the bench and the catcher would be required to chase him. It does not apply to the ordinary play where the runner misses the plate and then immediately makes an effort to touch the plate before being tagged. In that case, runner must be tagged.

This indicates the catcher is responsible for appealing to the ump.  However, on the other bases, this is the rule for "Abandoning the bases"

(2) after touching first base, he leaves the baseline, obviously abandoning his effort to touch the next base;
Rule 7.08(a) Comment: Any runner after reaching first base who leaves the baseline heading for his dugout or his position believing that there is no further play, may be declared out if the umpire judges the act of the runner to be considered abandoning his efforts to run the bases. Even though an out is called, the ball remains in play in regard to any other runner.
This rule also covers the following and similar plays: Less than two out, score tied last of ninth inning, runner on first, batter hits a ball out of park for winning run, the runner on first passes second and thinking the home run automatically wins the game, cuts across diamond toward his bench as batter-runner circles bases. In this case, the base runner would be called out “for abandoning his effort to touch the next base” and batter-runner permitted to continue around bases to make his home run valid. If there are two out, home run would not count (see Rule 7.12). This is not an appeal play.
PLAY. Runner believing he is called out on a tag at first or third base starts for the dugout and progresses a reasonable distance still indicating by his actions that he is out, shall be declared out for abandoning the bases.