ESPN’s Morgan continues to dazzle Sunday nights
By Punch N. Judy
BaseballBigMouth.com baseball news
As one half of the best announcing team in baseball – perhaps all of broadcast sports for that matter – Joe Morgan remains a steadfast student of the game, plying his craft as steady as ever - all the while maintaining the curiosity of a child unwrapping his first birthday present.
With his play-by play partner Jon Miller equally eschewing the aura of the “expert” in the booth who talks down to his audience, (good morning Joe Buck and Tim McCarver) the long time tandem turned in a gem of an effort Sunday night as the Twins breezed by the Tigers in a game that got out of hand in a hurry leaving the network (ESPN) in need of a save so to speak. Fortunately for the viewers Morgan had his best fastball on Sunday.
During the top of the third as Detroit slugger Gary Sheffield stepped in waggling his bat in the menacing fashion that his become his trademark, Morgan set about dissecting Sheff’s actual swing and just how unique it really is. Using the telestrater and footage of fellow power hitters Albert Pujols, Barry Bonds, and Stan Musial, we the viewer were treated to a visual physics lesson that showed how a home run hitter’s approach is in fact quite generic. Similar to the way a pitcher winds and contorts his body to generate proper torque, the power hitter cocks the barrel of the bat first towards the pitcher before unleashing an almost roundhouse type of cut.
Morgan went on to explain how aluminum bats have allowed the past few generations to forsake the art of creating one’s own power – and thus bat speed – instead concentrating in many cases on just making contact. A great discussion in all.
Don’t ask me why, but my boy Shea has adopted Brandon Inge as his Tiger. From a pure athletic and hustle standpoint not a terrible choice. However, as most readers know, the Tiger third baseman isn’t thought of too highly in these circles. Just the other day while watching Inge lace a rare single into left, Shea shrieked “look, look, Dad! Brandon Inge just got a hit! Usually he just strikes out or hits a homerun.” Out of the mouths of babes.
For my money Jorge Posada is the finest catcher in the game today. Not only does this guy continue to evolve as a great hitter, his job now entails playing part-time baby sitter to the revolving door of amateur hurlers toeing the rubber in the Bronx. While Joe Torre is said to be battling shin splints from his many trips to the mound, it’s Posada who must endure squatting an extra hour or so more a day than he should.
I was little young at the time, but does anyone remember Aurelio Rodriguez being referred to as A-Rod?
I’m not ready to anoint the Brewers as this year’s 06’ Tigers just yet. Not enough veteran influence for that comparison. They should however win the weak division they’re in if only by virtue of the other clubs ineptitude. The one thing that does compare favorably though is the bullpen. After fleecing the Rangers of Francisco Cordero and redeploying former closer Derek Turnbow to the set-up role, the Brewers have succeeded in shortening the game the way most quality teams do. If they finish just .500 the rest of the way they’ll bank 88 wins in a division that St. Louis won with only 87 last season.
Scott Boras says he would like to see the World Series bumped back up to a best of nine with the first two games played at a neutral site. Anyway the season can be lengthened is good idea to me. Citing the lack of MLB marketing savvy, Boras thinks this format would generate exposure for the games many stars. Stay tuned.
Quote of the Week – “Keep it all in. Love is to keep it all in.” Gord Downey of the Tragically Hip ranting, mid-song on the virtues of marital bliss.
Clown of the Week – Virgil Vasquez, Tiger farmhand called up to replace Jeremy Bonderman on Sunday night. A little harsh maybe? Not if you watched an anemic hitting Twins lineup bash this mid-eighties throwing bum around the Metrodome for three innings. Sheesh.
Well I’m off to Cleveland to catch the Tragically Hip at the House of Blues followed by a 12:07 start at the Jake tomorrow as the Tribe takes on the Twinkies. To wear my Tiger hat or to not wear my Tiger hat? Come back on the weekend for highlights and pics of this exclusive BBM road trip. Wish you could be there Heckler.
Editor’s note - Baseball and Eggs will appear every Thursday, and serves as a form of self – therapy for this clinically insane baseball fan. The baseball part is self – explanatory. The eggs however, could pertain to just about anything on Punch’s mind from Wednesday to Wednesday. Good day all.