Game 4: Yanks “Steal” One – On the Precipice
By Mike Silva ~ November 2nd, 2009. Filed under: 2009 World Series.
All it took was a simple “double steal” to rattle Brad Lidge and bring him back down to earth. When Johnny Damon arrived at the plate Lidge had pitched 4.2 scoreless innings in the playoffs. A bloop single and two stolen bases on one play opened the flood gates and set up another clutch opportunity for Alex Rodriguez. As you know by now A-Rod came through and the Yanks put the Phillies on the precipice of elimination with their 7-4 victory. The ninth inning was a prime example of baseball being a game of inches. With two strikes it appeared Damon was struck out by a Lidge slider. Carlos Ruiz couldn’t hang on to it and the inning continued. How the World Series could have changed if Ruiz just simply completed the putout.
Umpire Overreaction
I thought home plate umpire Mike Everitt overreacted to warning both teams after Blanton’s beaning of A-Rod. Obviously cooler heads prevailed and nothing came of it. Imagine if he threw out Lidge after hitting Teixeira in the ninth? The umpires have to remember that throwing out that early warning could make it difficult to pitch inside. In a park like Citizen’s Bank that strips down an already naked pitcher. Apparently the umpires told Girardi the warning didn’t preclude Sabathia from pitching inside.
More on the Steal
Great observation by Johnny Damon by pointing out his presence at third base took away Lidge’s biggest weapon – his slider. Rodriguez wound up hitting a fastball for the game winning double.
True Yankee?
It took six seasons and over 900 games, but can Alex Rodriguez now be called a true Yankee? An interesting side story to a potential 27th championship is there will no longer be the “dynasty guys” vs. the “yet to win a ring” individuals.
Where’s Russo?
Some of those that frequent the site are wondering where NYBD contributor Frank Russo may be. Well Frank has been a bit under the weather and promises to return after the series. I could only imagine what he has cooked up if the Yankees win number 27.
In case you missed it we celebrated Halloween this weekend with our “Haunted Baseball” show. Mickey Bradley, co-author of the book “Haunted Baseball”, joined me to talk about ghosts, curses, legends, and eerie events about the national pastime. Howard Megdal of SNY and MILB prospect Val Majewski provided commentary on the 2009 World Series. Click here to download the replay.
