2014 World Series

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

That damn Kung-fu Panda is a tough out.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Fuckin' Thunder Pants. Three run first inning homer. 4-0 Giants two outs in the first. Royal fans in shock.

[austro]

Pence got hold of that one.

[subnuclear]

PENCE!!

[austro]

Fuckin' Thunder Pants. Three run first inning homer. 4-0 Giants two outs in the first. Royal fans in shock.

Well, it was a two-run shot, but still...

[austro]

Well, if it's true that Price pitches better when he's tired, he ought to be dynamite in the 2nd inning.

[subnuclear]

i'm out of popcorn dammit.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I wish someone would kill that Marlin fan.

[austro]

Pence slugging 3.000.

[austro]

You know, by pulling Shields when they did, I wonder if they're thinking about bringing him back for game 3.

[chuck]

From the "Not Something You Hear All the Time" file:

I entered college in 1995 in Korea and bought my first personal computer so I could search more deeply for more detailed information about the Kansas City Royals.

[Mr. Happy]

You know, by pulling Shields when they did, I wonder if they're thinking about bringing him back for game 3.

I doubt it, although they might be forced to do. His pitch count was still somewhere close to 60, so that's why I doubt it. And, Shields has been struggling mightily for his past 6-8 starts, so they might not be as enthused to run him back out there with short rest.

[Bench]

I doubt it, although they might be forced to do. His pitch count was still somewhere close to 60, so that's why I doubt it. And, Shields has been struggling mightily for his past 6-8 starts, so they might not be as enthused to run him back out there with short rest.

Yost said that Shields will pitch game 5.

[NeilT]

Yost said that he hopes Shields will pitch game 5.

[subnuclear]

Excellent fake slapdickery by the Royals.

[subnuclear]

Some of the old Pence-ian grace on display.

[austro]

Strickland's phone is going be ringing next summer when the Home Run Derby rolls around.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Tom Verducci during the game said of Pence: “It almost seems like he’s batting out of order.”

[subnuclear]

Just sat down to watch the game and I read the news about Taveras. How awful.

[NeilT]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/10/26/cardinals-outfielder-oscar-taveras-dies-in-car-accident/17977685/

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Mad Bum is awesome.

[HudsonHawk]

There are a lot of mullets on that Giants team.

[Ron Brand]

There are a lot of mullets on that Giants team.

And one googly-eyed cocker spaniel.

[subnuclear]

Apparently, you don't have to throw it near the plate to strike out Infante.

[subnuclear]

So long, Jake Peavy.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

K.C. piling on, 6-0, one out in the bottom of the second.

[subnuclear]

7-0 now. Just pounding away.

[subnuclear]

Alligator lizards in the air.

[NeilT]

Did the tv feed just cut to a clip of Bud Selig and George Will holding hands? TIEITWWWT.

[chuck]

Did the tv feed just cut to a clip of Bud Selig and George Will holding hands? TIEITWWWT.

It all makes sense now.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Oh, you didn't know? Bud Selig is a Democrat.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Game seven baby. I'm a little torn between but WTF go Royals!

[Ron Brand]

I'm enjoying this Giant breakthrough.

[NeilT]

I'm enjoying this Giant breakthrough.

I can't ever remember liking two teams as equally.  What a good series it's been.

[subnuclear]

I can't ever remember liking two teams as equally.  What a good series it's been.

Technically, I liked the Cards and Red Sox equally.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Giants score 2 after a HBP and 2 sac flies. Royals score two after a HBP and 2 sac flies. Hudson out Afeldt in. 2 outs bottom of the second.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Curious to see how Perez handles crouching.

[NeilT]

Technically, I liked the Cards and Red Sox equally.

Yes, I was being very precise. 

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Ump review, I don't think they over-rule, but Buck and Reynolds think they will.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

He is ruled out. Hosmer should have just run through the base.

[Ebby Calvin]

He is ruled out. Hosmer should have just run through the base.

Hell of a play though.

[JaneDoe]

I am being reminded how much I love this game.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Panda with an infield hit. PENCE! with another single. 2 for 2. 2 on no outs.

[Ebby Calvin]

I am being reminded how much I love this game.

Well said.  Now where's the mute button on this thing?

[Ron Brand]

Go, Thunder Pants, go!

[Ron Brand]

Well said.  Now where's the mute button on this thing?

It's in Awkward Rob Lowe's pants.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

If the Giants win, is the MVP Pence or Bumgarner?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Or Sandoval?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I am being reminded how much I love this game.

Hi!

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Another HBP, another double play. Two down on the bottom of the fourth.

[JaneDoe]

Hi!

Nope, in Texas, not Colorado.....Howdy!

[Ron Brand]

Bumgarner's warming up. I guess Bochy likes neutralizing KC's lefties.

[NeilT]

If the Giants win, is the MVP Pence or Bumgarner?

Pence.  they'll want to annoy JimR.

[Ron Brand]

I don't know if Joe Buck has a secret crush on Joe Panik or if Panik is really a budding star.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

This is what Мэдисон Бамгарнер's name looks like in Russian.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

In Korea he is known as 범가너 매디슨.

[Ron Brand]

Wow, nice play by Perez!

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Wow, nice play by Perez!

It was even more spectacular than it looked.

[NeilT]

It was even more spectacular than it looked.

People often say that about me.

[HudsonHawk]

People often say that about me.

giggity

[HudsonHawk]

In Korea he is known as 범가너 매디슨.

On a conference call with a bunch of people in Thailand.  What's it in Thai?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Those Venezuelans sure can hit a baseball.

[Ron Brand]

Weird to see Pence hit into a double play.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

On a conference call with a bunch of people in Thailand.  What's it in Thai?

I don't know but, tell your people thanks for the $2.65 per gallon I paid today and keep up the good work.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Weird to see Pence hit into a double play.

Son of a bitch Pence hit into a double play? He sucks!

[HudsonHawk]

I don't know but, tell your people thanks for the $2.65 per gallon I paid today and keep up the good work.

I'm working hard to get it back up to $3.

[Ron Brand]

Does Bumgarner come back for the seventh?

[HudsonHawk]

Does Bumgarner come back for the seventh?

Unless he has a bone showing.

[subnuclear]

If the Giants win I'm growing my hair long and never washing it.

[JaneDoe]

If the Giants win I'm growing my hair long and never washing it.

Would make great stuffing for your ears....OMG...

[Reuben]

Unless he has a bone showing.

These announcers all have a bone for Mad Bum.

[HudsonHawk]

These announcers all have a bone for Mad Bum.

Who doesn't?  He's dealing.  He goes until he can't, IMO.

[Reuben]

Who doesn't?  He's dealing.  He goes until he can't, IMO.

I have platonic admiration for him.

[NeilT]

These announcers all have a bone for Mad Bum.

I'm kinda hoping for extra innings just to watch their pain.

[subnuclear]

Being a catcher sucks.

[austro]

It's in Awkward Rob Lowe's pants.

Who greenlighted that shit?

[HudsonHawk]

Who greenlighted that shit?

I'm I the only one who loves the Rob Lowe commercials?

[austro]

I'm I the only one who loves the Rob Lowe commercials?

They were mildly amusing the first time I saw them, but they haven't aged well, at least for me. They're moving into Tex-Message territory for me.

Bumgarner is amazing.

[Ron Brand]

Somehow Bumgarner has put himself the position to be the pitcher Bochy would want up in the ninth. How much does he have left?

[austro]

These announcers all have a bone for Mad Bum.

It's pretty much the exact opposite of Gruden and McCoy the other night.

[HudsonHawk]

They were mildly amusing the first time I saw them, but they haven't aged well, at least for me. They're moving into Tex-Message territory for me.

Bumgarner is amazing.

I love the "I'm down at the rec center watching folks swim"  line. 

[austro]

Somehow Bumgarner has put himself the position to be the pitcher Bochy would want up in the ninth. How much does he have left?

Those last few pitches didn't look as smooth to me. If Bochy doesn't get his pen up, he could find himself in a situation where everything goes south in a hurry and he doesn't have an answer.

[NeilT]

I'm I the only one who loves the Rob Lowe commercials?

I think they're great, but that shouldn't give you any comfort.

[HudsonHawk]

Somehow Bumgarner has put himself the position to be the pitcher Bochy would want up in the ninth. How much does he have left?

If he's not geeked up for the 9th, someone check if his balls are still there.

[Reuben]

Those last few pitches didn't look as smooth to me. If Bochy doesn't get his pen up, he could find himself in a situation where everything goes south in a hurry and he doesn't have an answer.

Nah, nothing could go that wrong for the Golden Boy. He could walk 3 straight batters and then give up a moonshot with a 470-ft trajectory, but the ball would hit a passing bird or something and fall into the SS's mitt for an easy game-ending triple play.

[NeilT]

This series would be epic if the royals got two runs off bum garner in the 9th.

[Ron Brand]

If he's not geeked up for the 9th, someone check if his balls are still there.

I'm sure he's geeked up, but that arm is going to have to be geeked up too.

[BudGirl]

I don't see how you could possibly yank Mad Bum unless he himself said he was done.  And I don't see how he wouldn't be MVP.

[jbm]

I'm not surprised he's going back out, but you might as well warm up your closer.

[HudsonHawk]

I'm sure he's geeked up, but that arm is going to have to be geeked up too.

He's a strapping young Carolina boy.  He pisses kerosene.  His arm is fine.

[Ron Brand]

I sure am glad I got to see this.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I sure am glad I got to see this.

Yep.

[HudsonHawk]

I sure am glad I got to see this.

Me too.  This has been an epic series no matter what happens.

[NeilT]

Me too.  This has been an epic series no matter what happens.

Yep.

[BudGirl]

Gordon's due a hit.

[subnuclear]

Gordon's due a hit.

There you go.

[HudsonHawk]

Holy shit...you're playing no doubles and you allow a triple. 

[JaneDoe]

Oh. My.

[BudGirl]

I didn't expect Gordon to get to third though.

[Ron Brand]

Gordon's due a hit.

I hope you use your powers for good.

[austro]

Holy shit! When the LF kicked it around I thought it might go for an inside-the-park job.

[BudGirl]

I hope you use your powers for good.

Bum's gonna win though.  But I was rooting for the Royals.

[Ron Brand]

Bum's gonna win though.  But I was rooting for the Royals.

Good girl.

[NeilT]

Bumgardeners throwing snot balls

[HudsonHawk]

Perez loves those fastballs in his eyes.

[HudsonHawk]

Holy shit! When the LF kicked it around I thought it might go for an inside-the-park job.

I was shocked they didn't send him. 

[BudGirl]

Posey reminds me of Ausmus.
KC did a great job.  They seemed to have been beaten by one pitcher.

[subnuclear]

Great post season. Hopefully the Astros will be there soon.

[austro]

Perez loves those fastballs in his eyes.

All of those KC guys do. Keri's piece in Grantland last week was spot on.

What an entertaining post-season. Some years are ho-hum, but this year was great.

[NeilT]

Great baseball.

[Ebby Calvin]

Fun series.  Great Game 7.

[austro]

I was shocked they didn't send him. 

I was surprised too, although Gordon did look pretty spent going into third. He probably would have been out, but I had zero confidence that they were going to get another hit off of Bumgarner; probably ought to take the chance.

[HudsonHawk]

All of those KC guys do. Keri's piece in Grantland last week was spot on.

What an entertaining post-season. Some years are ho-hum, but this year was great.

This was a fantastic series.  I LOVE this game!!

[HudsonHawk]

You don't get much more of a hillbilly battery than Posey and Bumgarner. 

[Ron Brand]

You don't get much more of a hillbilly battery than Posey and Bumgarner. 

Nawp.

[HudsonHawk]

I was surprised too, although Gordon did look pretty spent going into third. He probably would have been out, but I had zero confidence that they were going to get another hit off of Bumgarner; probably ought to take the chance.

I would like to see that from a different angle.  When the LF kicked it, I knew for sure Gordon would score easily.  But he was cruising into 3rd.  He'll turn that over in his head a million times. 

[Reuben]

I would like to see that from a different angle.  When the LF kicked it, I knew for sure Gordon would score easily.  But he was cruising into 3rd.  He'll turn that over in his head a million times. 

My thoughts exactly. You're down by 1 run against a great pitcher with 2 outs in the 9th of Game 7. Run as hard as you fucking can until the base coach makes you stop.

Gordon's a very good player, but he also really fucked up by letting Sandoval tag up and go to 3rd on that fly ball in the 2nd. Looked like he had time to go back and catch it with his momentum going toward the infield, not away.

[Uncle Charlie]

They seemed to have been beaten by one pitcher.

Reminded me of Kevin Brown

[MusicMan]

He probably would have been out, but I had zero confidence that they were going to get another hit off of Bumgarner; probably ought to take the chance.

Safe OR out, if they had sent him, that goes down as the most dramatic play in the game's history.

[HudsonHawk]

Safe OR out, if they had sent him, that goes down as the most dramatic play in the game's history.

Unless the SS completely botches the throw, Gordon is out by about 30 feet. 

[MusicMan]

Unless the SS completely botches the throw, Gordon is out by about 30 feet.  

Right, but the 2 OFs had already butchered it.  So there's a chance.

Also, Gordon being called safe on the plate-blocking rule would have been the perfect ending to Selig's career.

[HudsonHawk]

Right, but the 2 OFs had already butchered it.  So there's a chance.

Sure there was a chance, especially if Gordon is running hard.  In fact, he scores rather easily if he's running hard.  But he essentially gave his 3B coach no choice but to stop him.  The SS had the ball about 130 feet from the plate as Gordon would have been rounding the bag.  That's essentially like waiting until a pitch hits the catcher's mitt to take off from 1B to 2B on a steal. 

Also, Gordon being called safe on the plate-blocking rule would have been the perfect ending to Selig's career.

Now THAT would have been epic, especially considering it's the "Buster Posey Rule" to begin with. 

[Jacksonian]

Unless the SS completely botches the throw, Gordon is out by about 30 feet. 

I would have liked to see Gordon go down the line a bit to force the throw, just in case it is bad.

[HudsonHawk]

I would have liked to see Gordon go down the line a bit to force the throw, just in case it is bad.

The problem with that is that going far enough to force a throw means he's far enough from the bag for them to throw behind him too.  Once he broke it down, the right call was "on the bag".

[roadrunner]

Unless the SS completely botches the throw, Gordon is out by about 30 feet. 

Crawford makes that throw 99 times out of a 100, too, so I'm skeptical as well.  Would have been an interesting finish, though.

[VirtualBob]

This was a fantastic series.  I LOVE this game!!

Exactly.

When do pitchers and catchers report?

[JimR]

I was there last night. great game.

[BudGirl]

I was there last night. great game.

cool

[Mr. Happy]

I was shocked they didn't send him. 

Me too. Make the Giants make a play.

[austro]

Also, Gordon being called safe on the plate-blocking rule would have been the perfect ending to Selig's career.

This is exactly what I was hoping to see, too.

[Reuben]

I was there last night. great game.

You lucky dog. So what was your take on Gordon's run, not being restricted by the TV view of the play?

[Aussie Astro]

Exactly.

When do pitchers and catchers report?

For some of us it is just getting started...

Home opener for the Perth Heat in about 5 hours.  It will be nice to see some live baseball, and the best part will be the championship ceremony tomorrow.  Life is good when you have warm nights, cold beer and your team is winning.

[Ebby Calvin]

For some of us it is just getting started...

Home opener for the Perth Heat in about 5 hours.  It will be nice to see some live baseball, and the best part will be the championship ceremony tomorrow.  Life is good when you have warm nights, cold beer and your team is winning.

2/3 ain't bad, either.