This Is Why I Miss Baseball

I miss baseball. I miss baseball a lot. I yearn for news about baseball games. Player movement enthralls me. Even the Gold Glove Awards are peaking my interest.

For it seems like it was just yesterday that the most improbable World Series ended. Another 7 game classic. But not like any of its brethren. Not even close.

The Washington Nationals are the World Champions. The Nationals pitching and timely hitting over the course of seven games out did the Houston Astros, their great pitching and their awesome lineup. Just enough to win. This from a team which, in May, was not even a thought for being in a pennant race, let alone the Wild Card. They were so far below .500 that experts wondered what they would do at the trade deadline—sell off which starting pitchers and what hitters. 

Then a funny thing happened. The Nationals started to win. And win. And win some more. They were in a race with the Phillies, then the Mets to challenge the Atlanta Braves for NL East supremacy. While they did not win the division, the Nationals made it to the Wild Card game against the Milwaukee Brewers. With a clutch late inning series of runs which included a misplayed ball in the outfield, the Nationals rallied to stun Josh Hader, the Brewers fireballing lefty closer and advance to the NLDS.

Washington prevailed in the NLDS, behind the big arms of Steven Strasburg and Max Scherzer.  It was the slugging of Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto to first tie the Dodgers in the 8th inning of Game 5 at Dodger Stadium, then to score 4 runs via a grand slam home run off the bat of 36 year old Howie Kendrick in the top of the 10th inning secured an advance to the NLCS.

The St. Louis Cardinals were overwhelmed by the Nationals in a 4 game sweep which was not much of a matchup. Which gave a now very confident Washington its first appearance in the World Series—including the time the franchise was in Montreal.

Houston was deemed the favorites largely due to its duo of Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander, along with a batting order which recorded the timely hits against the Yankees in winning the ALCS in 6 games.

Yet the experts underestimated the pitching from the Nationals formidable duo of Max Scherzer and Steven Strasburg. As well as Cole pitched, Strasburg was even better. With a squad that was the oldest in the MLB, they were actually hungrier than the Astros. 

Somehow, at the doorstep of losing, this Washington Nationals team thrived. Whether it was the Wild Card, the NLDS or in the NLCS, the Nationals showed a fortitude that none of the other teams demonstrated. 

Maybe it was the “Baby Shark” thing. Or the crazy dances in the dugout. Or the “Finish the Fight’ motto, encapsulated by their feisty manager Dave Martinez, who had mid-season heart problems and needed to stay calm (which he did not during and after the strange interference call against Trea Turner running to first which got Martinez ejected when the umpires call was upheld after video review).

Whatever it was, the Nationals made sports history by becoming the first team to win a seven game series by winning all of the games of the road. Not in MLB, NBA or NHL annals had this ever been done.

Not before a thrilling Game 7. The 40th Game 7 in MLB history. It was the first time two former Cy Young Award winners had faced off in the deciding game. Scherzer let the Astros accumulate a 2-0 lead, while Astros starter Zach Greinke was virtually unhittable for the first 6 plus innings. Then Rendon swatted a homer and Greinke walked young phenom Juan Soto. 

Astros manager A.J. Hinch went with the analytics and replaced Greinke with Will Harris, instead of using Cole, who had previously warmed up in the bullpen. Bad, bad move. One which cost Houston the World Series. 

The result was that guy Kendrick streaked a ball off  of the right field foul pole screen and gave Washington a 3-2 lead. Patrick Corbin, a lefty starter for the Nationals, provided the team with three scoreless innings and Daniel Hudson shut the door for Houston in the bottom of the 9th inning. 

This was the 6th straight year that the road team won the deciding game of the World Series and the fourth straight win on the road in a Game 7. Strasburg picked up the M.V.P. trophy, which was the first time a former no. 1 overall draft pick won the award.

The composite box score showed that the Nationals outscored Houston 33-30, but 21-10 from the 7th inning on. Both teams hit 11 home runs. Soto and Astros third baseman Alex Bregman each hit 3. 

It was pure theater. Great drama to conclude the baseball season. In the year of the homer, the home runs counted, but strong pitching and opportune hitting counted even more. 

I was fascinated by Soto’s sheer talent. Rendon, a Houston native, grew up as an Astors fan, starred scholastically in the city and at Rice University. He came home and made his mark. He is a free agent whose talent is great. 

Just like that, baseball was over. Cole has declared himself to be a free agent. Hal Steinbrenner said the Yankees are disinclined to pursue him. Strasburg opted out of his contract. It will be interesting to see where he lands and for what price. 

The Nationals celebrated with a parade, riding the Zamboni at the Capitals game and will visit the White House. This is the first World Series title since 1924 for the win starved D.C. populace—even if it is a third franchise in the city. It is okay to go gaga over the victory. Party unlike any other party. For unless the baseball gods align themselves in such a way again, most likely there will not be back-to-back titles in Washington. 

So there is hope in those franchises which have never won (San Diego, Colorado, Milwaukee, Tampa Bay and Texas) let alone had a sniff of the Fall Classic (Seattle). Long suffering teams that haven’t won a World Series in this century are Cleveland, Detroit, the Dodgers, the Mets, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Oakland, Cincinnati, Minnesota, Toronto and Atlanta. If the Yankees can’t win it all, then one of these proud cities should have its chance. 

Meanwhile, in Yankees land, Aroldis Chapman has re-signed with the team for more money and another year on his contract. Aaron Hicks underwent Tommy John surgery and is likely lost for at least half of the 2020 season. Edwin Encarnacion’s option was not picked up. Pitching coach Larry Rothchild was let go. And C.C. Sabathia retired.  All this as the Yankees took in the sobering fact that this is the first decade since the 1900’s that a Yankees team has not won a World Series. 

What do they do about their other free agents? Is Didi Gregorius replaced by someone like Xander Bogaerts? Will New York take a run at star 1B Paul Goldschmidt? Unless they keep Luke Voit, who had abdominal surgery and wait for Greg Byrd to finally be injury free? Do they bring back Cameron Maybin and keep him in the OF with Mike Tauchman? Will The Yankees keep Brett Gardner with Hicks out or will they finally go with Clint Frazier? Will Dellin Betances leave and end up with the Astros as has been predicted? And reliable backup C Austin Romine is rumored to be headed home, to play for the Angels. 

Moreover, is Masahiro Tanaka’s arm surgery going to impact him in 2020? Can the bullpen repeat its excellence or are they burnt out from overuse by Girardi and Aaron Boone?What about Jordan Montgomery—is he ready and able to step into the starting spot vacated by Sabathia? Was Domingo German a flash in the pan or is he the real deal—and how will his suspension impact him going forward/? Who will be the Yankees third baseman—Miguel Andujar or Gio Urshela? Will Mike Stanton thrive in 2020 as the DH and remain injury free? Do they make a run at Mets P Zack Wheeler? 

For a team many believe will be the best next year, there are many questions to be answered. Most of all, can the Yankees avoid the injury bug which has plagued them over the past two years and have enough depth to be relevant if not dominant? 

It’s only November and the Yankees have plenty of work ahead for themselves to put together a roster which will be a winner. Yankees fans want more than appearances in the ALCS. It is up to GM Brian Cashman and Steinbrenner to deliver to the impatient fan base what they want.

Managerial hires included former Yankee skipper Joe Girardi in Philadelphia and former Yankee and Met Carlos Beltran will pilot the team that lives in Citi Field. Joe Maddon is back home with the Angels. David Ross goes from World Series hero to broadcaster to Cubs manager—has Theo Epstein made the right choice for success at Wrigley Field? Mike Matheny, a former Cardinals manager, gets the KC job. San Diego hired somebody I never heard of. Pittsburgh and San Francisco are the last two available managerial openings; lots of speculation with those spots.

There are plenty of free agents available. Where they end up will shape the off season dramatically, starting with Cole and Strasburg. Can the Red Sox rebound from the miserable season they had and flourish again? Is J.D. Martinez going to opt out? Are the Mets going to take the next step with Beltran piloting them, given the fact that all of the teams outside of Miami are good enough to win the NL East? Is Todd Frazier gone after one season with the Mets? Could the Mets swing a trade for the much-needed center fielder or take a chance that Cameron Maybin might work for them?

So many unanswered questions. Lots of intrigue. It doesn’t get better than this. Plus the awards season is still to come.

Otherwise I can wallow in the misery that the Jets provide—especially after the woeful performance against the Dolphins. I have opted to see the Niagara—Rutgers men’s basketball instead of the Giants-Jets contest on Sunday. Sitting out in the cold watching this group play like they do is not going to make me warm and fuzzy.

We went to see F&M at Moravian College. Although the Diplomats out gained the Greyhounds, a missed extra point and a missed chip shot FG at the end of the game put F&M on the losing side of a 17-16 score. The ride back from Bethlehem was not that much fun. I bet the team’s return trip to Lancaster was worse.

It looks like Middlebury is going to go undefeated and win the NESCAC. Wesleyan defeated Williams in OT, so only they can tie the Pioneers should they falter in the season finale. 

Three more weeks to go in the Patriot League and apparently everybody is in the hunt for the title, including suddenly resurgent Lafayette, winners over Fordham. While their chances of ending up 5-7 are remote, the Leopards are playing for something besides pride this week.

Unlike Rutgers, who fought Illinois to a tie before succumbing 38-10 to the Illini. Hide your eyes for the last three games are with Ohio State, Michigan State and Penn State. The blowouts are going to be bad. Greg Schiano rumors are running rampant right now, with his signing possible as early as Wednesday, if the rumors are to be believed. Something positive in the 150th anniversary of College Football?

Two upcoming games of significance this Saturday. A #1 versus #2 showdown when the top-ranked LSU Tigers come to Tuscaloosa to face the Crimson Tide. This will be a battle of the QB’s and defenses. If Tua Tagovailoa plays this week, Alabama should be favored, even if Tua will be a bit rusty.

Then there is the big Ivy League clash at Yankee Stadium between two unbeaten teams—Dartmouth and Princeton. The Stadium should be buzzing with the championship virtually decided on Saturday in the Bronx. Wouldn’t it be nice if the Tigers won in this celebratory year? Dartmouth supporters think otherwise.

Rutgers has a big image problem which surfaced regarding the softball program. Evidently the coaches decided to run he team into the ground by making them survive hellish conditioning regimens. This is akin to the Mike Rice basketball scandal.

The Scarlet Knights cannot afford any more bad news. To make matters worse, AD Pat Hobbs went off on an obscenity-laced tirade at a reporter over the softball imbroglio. When is the madness going to stop on the Banks of the ‘Ol Raritan? Maybe having winning programs in men’s and women’s hoops along with a strong showing by the wrestling team might help.

To make my sports life worse, Steph Curry suffered a broken hand and is out for about  three months. Draymond Green suffered ligament damage to his hand. D’Angelo Russell is hurting too. The Warriors faithful should cherish their one win, for the cupboard is bare and wins will be hard to come by. I cannot bear to watch Warriors games after such success for 5 years. I have endured years of Knicks and Nets basketball with nothing to show for it and I was in law school when the Sixers had their 9 win season. I don’t want a repeat of that travesty. Which leaves me the Lakers and Clippers to enjoy? Ugh. 

The NHL? New Jersey is struggling and possibly heading nowhere fast. Watching the Capitals and seeing the Blues fall apart isn’t enjoyable. Perhaps the Islanders 9 game winning streak might make me watch them this season if they continue to win. Maybe. 

Which is why I miss baseball so much. Sure the NFL is entertaining and the good teams like New Orleans, Baltimore, New England and maybe Houston are entertaining—although I foresee more losses for the Patriots as they enter the meat of their schedule. Watching the Chargers rout Green Bay was not good TV. Dallas—please—they aren’t that good even if they prevail against the Giants. I pray for the safe return of Pat Mahomes to make Kansas City a solid contender.

But that again is why I miss baseball. Finding out that Greinke and Colorado’s Nolan Arenado again were Gold Glove winners is more exciting. Free agency has a mystique to it. Trades that we never dreamed of are possible. 

Just wait until they start to play the games for real. Then I will have a whole different set of questions and opinions.

This is why I miss baseball.