"Dammit, this ball is dirty."
Jeff Mathis helps resurrect the Angels -- latimes.com
"That was a heck of a ballgame this afternoon," said Scioscia, master strategist and king of the understatement.
Angels win in the 11th inning to get back in the series - OCRegister.com
After losing the first two games of the best-of-seven series in demoralizing fashion, the Angels now have a chance to even the series with another win in Game 4 Tuesday night at Angel Stadium.
Scioscia, Mathis propel warmer Angels to critical Game 3 win - CBSSports.com Baseball
Three games, 33 total innings, 11 home runs, just the fourth ALCS ever in which two of the games have gone extra innings, each pitch more tension-filled than the last. "You feel like throwing up," Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher said. "Then you feel like eating. Then you feel like throwing up. Then you feel like eating."
Kazmir gets chance to prove worth - angelsbaseball.com
"I'm excited," Kazmir said. "Very excited. I'm up for the challenge. I don't put any extra pressure on myself. I just go out there and pitch my game. With this team, the Yankees, they're a very high-powered offense, so you just have to attack the strike zone. I'm not going to try to do anything extra, just pitch my game."
Team Reports - CBSSports.com
The Angels and Yankees combined to hit six home runs in Game 3, tying the ALCS record for home runs in a game (one short of the major league record). The Yankees had not given up a home run in their first five postseason games this season until Kendrick went deep in the fifth inning Monday.
Video highlights from yesterday's game:
Jeter leads off the game with a homer - MLB.com
Derek Jeter sends the third pitch of the game over the left-field wall to give the Yankees a quick lead in the first inning
A-Rod leads off the fourth with a homer - MLB.com
Alex Rodriguez crushes a solo homer to left field to make the score 2-0
Vlad's homer in the sixth ties the game - MLB.com
Vladimir Guerrero smacks a two-run homer to left field, tying the game in the sixth inning
TV, radio call Abreu's baserunning gaffe - MLB.com
Television and radio broadcasters call Bobby Abreu's baserunning blunder and Derek Jeter's quick reaction in the eighth inning
Ump punches Posada out on second strike - MLB.com
Home-plate umpire mistakenly punches out Jorge Posada on the second strike
TV, radio call Mathis' walk-off double - MLB.com
TV and radio broadcasters make the call on Jeff Mathis' walk-off double in the 11th inning that delivered the Halos the Game 3 win
Redemption Day - Angels Unplugged - Los Angeles Times
But most of all, this 5-4, 11-inning mini-classic was redemption for an Angels team that was so much better than it appeared in the first two games of this series. In Game 3, you saw many of the reasons Mike Scioscia's guys won 97 games in the regular season and why some of their strengths figured to eventually show up against the Yankees.
Angels Revive Bats and Thunderstix - NYTimes.com
"Obviously, it’s the biggest hit in my life," said Mathis, who hit .211 this season but earned the trust of Manager Mike Scioscia for his outstanding defensive work and handling of the pitching staff. "To come through, and for Howie to have the at-bat he did right there and get on base and put one in the game and score to win the game, it’s a pretty good feeling."
Video Central - FOX Sports on MSN
Rosenthal analyzes Angels win
Joe Girardi's 'manic managing' costs New York Yankees in Game 3 - Ben Reiter - SI.com
Girardi made so many questionable and unconventional decisions during Game 3 of this ALCS, and meddled with his talented club so much, that he had to know that if his Yankees somehow lost the game that he'd be lambasted by New York media and fans who don't exactly react well when unconventionality leads to failure. The Yankees lost the game, 5-4, on an RBI double by Angels catcher Jeff Mathis with two outs in the bottom of the 11th. Let the lambasting start.
ALCS Coverage: Scioscia’s Blunder - FanGraphs Baseball
Saturday night, 8th inning, 2-2, runners at 1st and 2nd, 1 out. The LI for this situation was 3.72. This was a critical juncture of the game, as the Angels needed to simply get a base hit to take the lead, and could give themselves a good chance of winning with an extra base hit that scored both runners. Staring at that opportunity, Mike Scioscia sent Gary Matthews Jr to the plate to hit for Mike Napoli. Matthews, owner of a .315 wOBA in his three seasons as an Angel, pinch-hit for Napoli, who has a career .364 wOBA. With the game on the line.
Angels prove Joe Buck wrong despite Jeter's early strike -- latimes.com
Tim McCarver, while praising the job Angels General Manager Tony Reagins has done, first called him Tom. Having heard from more than a few Angels viewers who think Fox is being too New York-centric, it doesn't help when the analyst seems to not know the name of the Angels' GM.
As a TV Market, Los Angeles Is Staggering in the Baseball Playoffs - NYTimes.com
But the story is that the Los Angeles market is being drubbed by New York and Philadelphia. Maybe it’s the old time-zone thing that limits viewership in the West Coast because what starts at 8 o’clock in New York begins at 5 in Santa Monica. Perhaps Angelenos have more amusing diversions. Maybe it’s the cold and the rain in the East keeping fans inside. Or maybe old baseball cities like New York, Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia tend to support their teams in greater numbers.
Citing Adenhart case, police promise to swarm Angels Stadium in drunk driving crackdown - Los Angeles Times
Orange County authorities are warning baseball fans against drinking and driving after the Angels' playoff game today and said law enforcement officers will be swarming the area around Angel Stadium looking for violators.
Was Mariano Rivera Throwing a Spitball? - nbcsports.com
Call me crazy, but it appears to me like Rivera looks up to see if anyone is watching, then looks down and spits right on the ball. Is that the secret to his cutter? Anyone have an alternate explanation as to what is going on?
October 20 - BR Bullpen
Events, births and deaths that occurred on October 20.
2002 - Twenty-year old Venezuelan righthander Francisco Rodriguez becomes the youngest pitcher ever to win a World Series game. With just 15 days of major league experience, "K-Rod" throws 37 pitches retiring nine consecutive batters in three innings to pick up the victory as the Anaheim Angels outslug the Giants in Game Two, 11 - 10. Tim Salmon goes 4 - 4 with two home runs and four RBI, while Reggie Sanders, David Bell, Jeff Kent and Barry Bonds homered for San Francisco.
1931 - Mickey Mantle, outfielder; All-Star, Hall of Famer (d. 1995) "The Mick" would have been 78 years-old today.
0 recs | 47 comments
Pulling Napoli for GMJ...
That one’s worth a dozen questionable pitching changes…
Jietoh - October 20, 2009
Napoli has been horrible.
HALO_86 - October 20, 2009
yup.
worst time for a cold streak ever.
retrohalo - October 20, 2009
You should probably drop the spitball thing
before you look like a whiner. Seriously. The picture shows he is holding the ball off to the right side of his body and spitting straight in front of him.
There are a lot of Yankees you could call out for questionable behavior, but trying to make Rivera one of them because he spit on the same side of his body as the ball is just not very smart.
GMan83201 - October 20, 2009
Textbook irony.
Whiner enters fan forum of opposite team to whine about a capsule from a major news network (in a collection of twenty such capsules) because it threatens the integrity of his beloved. Whiner, in a nervous fit of fanboy protectiveness, uses “whiner” card preemptively.
Turks Teeth - October 20, 2009 via mobile
I've made no comment on the spitball stuff
All I’ve done is provide a link to NBC Sports.
WiHaloFan - October 20, 2009
It's just a link
I don’t think he spit on the ball either, but this is just a link to someone else who is writing about it. Maybe you should go back to the Yankee blogs.
Gorbachav5 - October 20, 2009
Your blog needs you.
Go to it, now.
clover_black - October 20, 2009
HA HA! +1
3rd Echelon - October 20, 2009
I honestly don't think it was a spitball
but the fact there was the possibility of a spitball is what was the eyebrow-raiser for me. I’ll give the guy the benefit of the doubt for now, but Fox should definitely touch on the idea and show the video tonight, which they of course won’t. and somebody should just watch Rivera like a hawk the next game to be sure.
I think the TV angle makes it look worse than it was, and just seemed like careless spitting on his part, and if any made it to his hand then so be it. the thing is, if it came anywhere close to his hand or the ball then it was likely intentional and not the first time. and what umpire is going to call for the ball from FHOF / greatest closer of all time Mariano Rivera before he’s even thrown a pitch. maybe if Mike runs out and calls time and asks for the ball, but that’s about it (which is probably not going to happen either).
I think Rivera has been in the game for so long, and after reviewing the video and stills, if he was going to throw any kind of spitter the spit wouldn’t even make it to the ball until it was behind his back and a split second before he actually went into his motion, so it would be even harder to detect. he could simply wipe any spit from his hand to his pant leg before it even made it to the ball if anyone questioned him or wanted to check the ball before that point.
Brian S (brianguy) - October 20, 2009
I have seen this in three places now.
I think it bears looking into. FOX/TBS surely has either the rest of the shot (before the fade) or another angle by which to see this clearly. If he isn’t spitting, it is in Rivera’s interest to clear this up (HOF implications, imo). If he is, well, MLB has an interest in finding out.
In any case, I sure hope nobody at FOX has any bright ideas about erasing some footage.
I don’t know either way, but it bears looking into.
matthiasstephan - October 20, 2009
MLB commish office
had a response… pretty weak, they claimed he didn’t spit on the ball (how they know this, I have no idea). and he’s a “known spitter”
now about NO spitting on the mound, period, for games 4-7, plus the WS, or the player will be ejected? that’ll solve it.
Brian S (brianguy) - October 20, 2009
good solution
but the ump’s don’t have the balls to stand up to the Yanks
HalosFanInNorCal - October 20, 2009
my favorite pic from last night
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/laa/gallery/im:urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,ap:20050301:mlb,photo,4f45df65614e42b08107bf6c403bb293.correction_alcs_yankees_angels_baseball_alcs179:1
one possible caption,
“Hey Mark…. how’s that other coast workin’ out!”
Brian S (brianguy) - October 20, 2009
Love the pics.
I think mark couldn’t care less though.
Mark’s priorities:
1. Keep husband, er, wife happy.
2. Fill swimming pool full of money
3. Backstroke in money and laugh maniacally
4. Occasionally play baseball
clover_black - October 20, 2009
I think he gets a free BJ every time he saves AR or DJ an error too.
AlanFalcon - October 20, 2009
I'm just glad nobody got hurt in the celebration!
note Kaz in the photo:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/laa/gallery/im:urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,ap:20050301:mlb,photo,4f45df65614e42b08107bf6c403bb293.correction_alcs_yankees_angels_baseball_alcs179:1#photoViewer=urn%3Anewsml%3Asports.yahoo%2Cap%3A20050301%3Amlb%2Cphoto%2C88315d824d5141c4bcb3639e040fd838.correction_alcs_yankees_angels_baseball_alcs172%3A1
let’s do it again tonight!!
Brian S (brianguy) - October 20, 2009
correction
Brian S (brianguy) - October 20, 2009
correction correction
Yahoo photos
Brian S (brianguy) - October 20, 2009
Girardi Computer Fail....
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/wacky_move_to_aceves_hands_angels_Yvs61y2OhTUWk0fNUuCGSJ
3rd Echelon - October 20, 2009
His computer didn't fail
His pitcher/catcher did. Howie and Mathis are both awful against decent offspeed stuff from right handers. Then Aceves went out and threw 7 pitches, 6 of which were fastballs.
I guess Girardi has to have some blame. I mean, when Aceves got in there, he should have said, “These guys can’t hit your offspeed stuff. Set em up with a fastball off the plate and then I better not see a pitch over 82 MPH the rest of the inning.” Either Girardi never said that, which is his fault, or the message didn’t get through.
Gorbachav5 - October 20, 2009
So you're saying that Girardi didn't screw up by relying on what the computer/scouts said?
3rd Echelon - October 20, 2009
No, he didn't
Aceves has better command of his breaking stuff, which is what the computer told him would have better success against Kendrick and Mathis. Robertson is a power pitcher – Howie in particular destroys fastballs. So Girardi went with the better junk pitcher.
The problem is that the pitcher didn’t throw junk. He had the better pitcher for that situation on the mound, the pitcher just didn’t throw the right stuff. That’s not the computer’s fault, although it may be Girardi’s fault for not emphasizing it enough to Aceves when he got to the mound.
Gorbachav5 - October 20, 2009
Anyone know how much parking is?
SenorChuckles - October 20, 2009
I was wondering too
for Thurs.
Brian S (brianguy) - October 20, 2009
$10
Unless they jack up the prices as the stadium fills up, which I doubt. It was $10 for me.
AlanFalcon - October 20, 2009
alright thanks man.
SenorChuckles - October 20, 2009
The corporate off-site lots across the street on Orangewood
Which were cheaper than the stadium during the regular season, are getting $30 (triple stadium parking). Of course, it’s a hell of a lot easier to get out…
I showed up late (about 15 minutes before game time), so I paid the $30, rather than fight the lots. Also, I needed to get out quickly to get home and do some final work on my class project.
red floyd - October 20, 2009
Is it a popsicle stick house or a baking soda volcano?
Higz - October 20, 2009
I think it's a science project on absorption
testing name brand diapers vs generic to see how much crap from the announcers that can be absorbed
ladybug - October 20, 2009
Joe Girardi Wikipedia page
Someone added the following. LOL:
Girardi has been know to prematurely celebrate the achievements of other people. The most recent example was his over celebration of Derek Jeter’s lead off home run in Game 3 of the 2009 ALCS in which he ran from one end of the dugout to the other pumping his fist. The Yankees eventually lost that game due to several of Girardi’s poor decisions.
alcor805 - October 20, 2009
LMAO that's perfect
HalosFanInNorCal - October 20, 2009
Undisputable evidence that Yankees fans are the biggest bunch of chumps
“We wish we could afford to see actual game here at the stadium…”
http://www.nypost.com/video?vxSiteId=a89dc16f-1771-485a-8c76-3ebbf3072361&vxChannel=PostSportsFeed&vxClipId=1458_751132&vxBitrate=700
What!? Is this a baseball game or someone trying to get a table at a restaurant on Rodeo Drive ? How sad. The most dedicated fans, the blue-collar guys who work their asses off to take their kid to an actual Yankee game can’t get in because they can’t afford the $1000/seats at Field Level. Sorry, you’re not good enough to sit any closer to our over-paid lineup of baseball Gods. But you can watch it on TV. We’ll even make sure they show plenty of shots of A-Roid’s latest skank. Feels just like you’re back in High School doesn’t it?
The Angels have been ranked as the most fan-friendly baseball team for six straight years by an ESPN study.
I don’t care much for ESPN, but I think in light of the previous info, it says a lot. Yankee fans are treated like shit by the organization and yet, they come back for more.
3rd Echelon - October 20, 2009
and I thought that sadomachicsm was only big in San Francisco
HalosFanInNorCal - October 20, 2009
1000 bucks. Insane.
I thought I was out of my mind when I dropped 200 bucks for diamond club seats for me and my pops this season.
Almost breaks your heart when you see that kid saying how “big and new” the ball game is, and the closest he’s ever been to one is walking by target.
Those seats aren’t even filled up, come game time. Bought and paid for though— corporate tickets. The people who show up didn’t even spend a dime on them… unappreciative corporate whores, uninterested in the game.
Unbelievable.
clover_black - October 20, 2009
thats why minor league ball rules...........
IMO.
norcaliangelsfan - October 20, 2009
This very same thing could be said for the Lakers.
44FAN - October 20, 2009
This has jaded me very much against the Lakers
And since I can’t like another team, the NBA in general.
linkbruin - October 20, 2009
Funny that you said that...
That’s why I stopped being a Laker fan. After the 80’s and Showtime, they lost me. Being at a Laker game these days is like trying to get into some trendy night-club. More and more people go just “to be seen”
I’m not an idiot to think that professional sports isn’t the most “corporatized” thing around, but I have a short temper when it comes to the whole “TMZ” angle.
How many shots of Kate Hudson do we need? (I didn’t even know who that was at first until my wife told me.) Give me a frigg’n break. Or the lame intro shots of the Hollywood sign? Did we come here to play ball or socialize?
3rd Echelon - October 20, 2009
Oh and the thing that really pisses me off
is that all the time they showed Ms. Hudson, they never once mentioned who she was. Like we’re all a bunch of sheep who have nothing to do but read gossip magazines.
At least when they Eva Longoria they would talk about her and Tony Parker.
3rd Echelon - October 20, 2009
I'm not so sure that either manager has made many mistakes.
Players have simply failed to execute, most noticeably on the Angels’ side.
Zach (maestro876) - October 20, 2009
FYI the new halo was lit last night, apparently for the first time... I caught it driving by at 8.
Don’t know if anybody already mentioned that so, thought I would.
They’re clearly still working the bugs out, but man it looked sweet anyway!!
Brian S (brianguy) - October 20, 2009
There's a video at the tail end of the postgame thread.
So I hear.
AlanFalcon - October 20, 2009
Does anyone know why they never talk to Sosh during the game?
I noticed that if anything they’ll talk to Butcher. I don’t recall him ever being on TV. Is it because Mike doesn’t like to be interviewed during games? Just curious.
3rd Echelon - October 20, 2009
I think that's the case, it's a nuisance.
opiejeanne - October 20, 2009
Mike Scioscia is paid to manage and pay attention at all times during a game.
He believes that if fans want to hear him talk they can watch his Howard’s TV commercials for that.
44FAN - October 20, 2009
He's too busy having to explain baseball to the dipshit umpires.
AlanFalcon - October 21, 2009
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