The bottom of the ninth inning was a microcosm of the 2018 World Series. The Boston Red Sox put the best they had to offer on the mound in Chris Sale, the lanky southpaw with a slider that cuts like a Benihana chef. The Los Angeles Dodgers, trailing four runs, had the heart of their... Continue Reading →
One of baseball's advantages over football is that we all know what constitutes a catch. Or so we thought. https://youtu.be/WWspq5goKiM?t=36 Down two runs in the bottom of the first, Jose Altuve turned on a pitch from Rick Porcello and sent it towards the short porch in right field. Outfielder Mookie Betts went back, back, to... Continue Reading →
This is the hardest part of being a fan. When all the meaningless platitudes like "grit" and "clutch" are stripped away, all the stats dissected and parsed, all the analysis completed, you still feel empty. The postseason continues. But your team is packing up their bags and heading home, leaving the memories and remnants of... Continue Reading →
Dynasties are like sand castles. They need to be built by an expert hand, crafted over time to make sure that every detail fits together precisely. Once completed, beachcombers stare aghast at the brilliance, fortitude, and glory of the structure. Then, the tide rolls in, the sandcastle is washed away, and the process begins anew.... Continue Reading →
Pressure? What pressure? Four teams—the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Colorado Rockies—came into the final day of the season facing must-win games. Win, and you win your division; lose, and you face the unappealing prospect of a one-game wildcard. By the end of the third inning, the Dodgers were up 9-0 on... Continue Reading →
Chris Taylor knew it. Adam Ottavino knew it. And by the eruption of euphoria that rang through Dodger Stadium, the fans knew it too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHR_OAIgI8c Underachievers the whole year, the Dodgers are, finally, ready to play ball. Call it a World Series hangover, call it injuries, call it what you will--the Dodgers had been listless... Continue Reading →
Standing Room Only 