At any given moment, the path we seem to be on can change.
In the first inning of the NLCS, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Brett Myers threw a pitch behind L.A. Dodgers’ Manny Ramirez and later claim the ball slipped. He went on the strike Ramirez out, but the wild pitch made many question his ability to repeat his last performance. In the top of he second inning, Myers gave up a couple hits and one run scored. He continued giving up runs in the following two innings and by the time the fourth inning was over, the Dodgers scored five runs off of Myers.
With the spotty offense the Phils have been providing, allowing the Dodgers to score five runs would be disheartening. However, Philadelphia was able to score four runs in each of the second and third innings. Those two innings were all they needed to be victorious in Game Two.
Just enough hitting for a few games, a parade of hits in the next.
At any given moment, we can prove people wrong.
The Phillies were notorious for using the long ball to score runs. Games broadcasted on national television always remind viewers that Citizens Bank Park is a “hitter-friendly” ballpark. During the 2008 regular season, they led the league with 214 team home runs.
Today, Philadelphia scored all of their runs without going yard once.
Yup, the Phils don’t always muscle their way into the win column.
At any given moment, history can teach us nothing.
Brett Myers is a pitcher for the National League. In general, pitchers aren’t the greatest hitters. In the regular season, Myers had a batting average of .069, going 4-for-58.
In Game Two, Myers went 3-for-3, scoring two runs with three RBI.
Hey, if you’re not pitching your best, why not make up for it by becoming a temporary offensive machine?
At any given moment, humans may unexpectedly be the passengers on an emotional teeter-totter.
Friday morning, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel learned that his mother, June, passed away. Instead of taking the day off to mourn, Manuel decided to go to the ballpark and manage his team. Players and coaches from both teams offered kind words, hugs, and looks of compassion.
With a score of 8-5, Philadelphia defeated Los Angeles and went up 2-0 in the series. The joy of winning suddenly blended in with the pain of loss.
High off of a great game, Shane Victorino walked off the field, running into his father in a tunnel leading to the clubhouse. The center fielder couldn’t hold back the tears when he learned that his grandmother also passed earlier in the day. His father chose to wait until after the game to let Victorino know because he didn't want the news to have an effect on his game.
However, he revealed his grandmother may have helped him during the game. In his blog, Victorino wrote, “Maybe my grandmom helped me make that catch, and maybe Charlie's mom helped, too. I believe that.”
There are moments when these ballplayers seem superhuman, then we realize, in many ways, they’re just like us.
At any given moment, baseball is more than just a game; it’s a trusted companion.
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about 1 month ago
Nicely written article Claire - it was one of those wacky type of games that pops up in baseball every now and then. Too bad for my Dodgers it was in the playoffs.
To answer your last question, off the top of their pointy little heads. The fact Buck and McCarver continue to work such high profile games shows the complete ineptitude of the commissioner of the sport. A real leader would have explained to the network in no uncertain terms to need for announcers who conveyed the excitement of the game, and knew the current subject matter.
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