Schilling’s sock controversy not bloody worth it
By The Heckler
Baseball Big Mouth
baseball blog
Thoughts recorded last night while sitting back, flicking around my MLB Extra Innings package, thinking baseball, talking baseball, writing baseball . . .
THORNY COMMENT SULLIES SCHILLING - The Heckler sits here today honestly feeling sorry for announcer Gary Thorne. A versatile dual-sport play-by-play man (Thorne is also a great hockey man, for those not in the know) here’s hoping his slipup in erroneously mistaking — and subsequently reporting upon — an off-the-cuff, saracastic remark by catcher Doug Mirabelli in regard to the validity of blood on Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling’s sock in the 2004 World Series doesn’t leave a stain on this man’s career. He has owned up to his mistake and, even more importantly, didn’t exploit the “revelation” at all — he merely mentioned it in passing on a broadcast. Let bygones by bygones, Sox Nation. Don’t hold this against the guy. We all believe Schilling performed miracles that night, even non-Sox fans (like The Heckler). Schilling himself has yet to respond, but be sure to check out the official Curt Schilling blog official blog for updates.
INTENTIONAL WALKS SHOULD BE BANNED - I hate’em. The Heckler sat here watching the Dodgers-Giants tonight narrated by the heavenly tones of Vin Scully. Great match-up, great announcer, great game — only to have it marred by watching the Dodgers chicken-bleep their way around Barry Bonds by intentionally walking him with two outs and a man on third — and all the while up by two. Instant karma came back to bite’em, however, as Bonds came around to tie the game later in the inning. I understand if walking a guy sets up a force or a double-play, but to outright pitch around someone plays against the integrity of the game. This is one rule that shojld have never been allowed in the game.
SOSA MORE THAN SO-SO IN COMEBACK - Don’t look now but Sammy Sosa somehow is still finding meat-headed pitchers to throw him fastballs. He has now hit six homeruns (to go with 18 RBI) in his comeback season with the Texas Rangers. Sosa also set an MLB-record Thursday by going yard in his 44th MLB park. Take it from The Heckler, you throw this guy anything with a wrinkle, and he’ll wave that twig right by it. How he’s still getting anything straight is beyond me. I don’t hate Sammy — or even root against him — but this guy sure looked washed-up earlier this year coming out of camp and into April. Heck, I could have sworn I saw him start his swing while still in the on-deck circle. Maybe he’ll make me eat my words. Then again, looking at that .238 average, maybe not . . .
YANKEES LOSE! THE-E-E-E-E YANKEES LOSE! - And finally, take a gander at the AL East standing folks. At 8-12, behind even the might Tampa Bay Devil Rays, sit the once-powerful New York Yankees. Carl Pavanno is back on the DL; Kei Igawa sure won’t confuse anyone for Daisuke Matszaka and rookie “phenom” Philip Hughes was a bust in his MLB debut. Oh! And A-Rod is lighting it up for a losing team again. Yep - all is right in Gotham, according to The Heckler. Yankee fan might feel different, but who cares. It’s not like they have the guts to step up and comment on this blog anyway . . .