By Punch N. Judy
BaseballBigMouth.com baseball news

Amidst the blur of dramatic wins, pitching gems and catchy slogans, the only downer in my memory bank from the 84’ season was a road trip to Seattle in which the Tigers appeared vulnerable for the first time.

Back in those days a 10:00 o’clock game on the coast meant staying up late on a school night; never a problem in the Judy household where baseball always took precedence. I should note however, much like today, the midnight oil only burns in my home with at least an hour nap thrown in. Anyway, that road trip came on the heels of the 35-5 start that will forever define Sparky Anderson’s juggernaught that went wire to wire en route to the club’s fourth World championship. After dropping the opener 7-3, the Tigers fell 9-5 and 6-1 before heading off to Oakland where they regrouped to take two of three. At the time the fallout from that series seemed much worse.

Fast forwarding to this year, the Detroiters open a four game set tonight against Ichiro and company that could well set the tone for both clubs as the second half kicks into gear. Sitting just a game out of the wildcard, the Mariners boast an impressive lineup laden with both speed and power. Couple that with good starting pitching and a lights out bullpen and what you have is a team that should contend for the remainder of the season.

Now let’s just hope they don’t throw Mike Moore out there for old time’s sake.

I couldn’t agree more with The Heckler on his take of Tony “Red Nose” LaRussa and his snub of Albert Pujols at the All-Star Game. Much like Stan Musial before him, Pujols may be the finest player of his generation, only to be underappreciated by a nation wide fan base that couldn’t give a hoot about the goings on south of the Mississippi.

When Joe Torre was recently asked if his Yankees would have benefited from the presence of Gary Sheffield, the Yankee skipper replied, “we went without him all of last and did all right . . . so I’d have to say no.” Somehow I think Joe is lying. I’m calling bullshit. How can Torre honestly say, given the state of the Yankee outfield this year that his club wouldn’t benefit from these numbers: .302, 21, and 58?

During the height of the steroid era, an emphasis was generally placed on what became the sixth tool required for success in the Majors: Size. Middle infielders who usually came in under six feet and two hundred pounds were now changing the prototype. Yes defense was still a priority, but can you hit 30 homers and drive in a hundred as well? Thank God we seem to be changing the scouting emphasis back to where it belongs: Power pitching.

With AJ Burnett back on the DL, I guess it’s only natural that the Little Weasel in Toronto slithers out from under his manhole cover to kick a man when he’s down. Yep folks, J.P Riccairdi is at it again, covering his cigarette pack ass with comments designed to make a slacker out of the guy he signed to a contract that seems more outlandish by the day. In stating that “some people can pitch with pain, some just don’t know when they’re hurt and when they’re really hurt,” the Little Weasel is putting a spotlight on his own lack of judgment. If memory serves, Burnett was no less a DL regular in Florida than he is now. Elbow, shoulder, blisters; the guy is what he is: Injury prone.

Clown of the Week – Bud Selig – While the greatest record in the history of sport is on the cusp of being broken, Selig had this to say about whether or not he would be in attendance when Barry Bonds hits number 756: “I don’t know if I’ll be there, I do have a day job you know.” Huh?

Quote of the Week – “At the end of this season they’re gonna tear this place down (the Polo Grounds). The way you’re pitchin’ the right field section will be gone already.” Casey Stengel to pitcher Tracy Stollard in 1963.
 

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. 

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 12th, 2007 at 9:23 am and is filed under Baseball and Eggs, Baseball. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.