As William mentioned in the comments section earlier, there is always something to see when you are the ballpark that you can’t get on TV, even if the ballpark experience features an awful lot of TV. For instance, last night, I noticed just how slowly the players took the field between innings. They were in no rush. It was hot and humid, and they’ve been playing all summer long. How many trips has this been from the dugout to their respective positions? They were pacing themselves, conserving energy.
Then, I think it was in the top of the third inning, one of the Rays hit a line drive that almost took off the head of their first base coach. The dude hit the deck, then, gingerly, stood up. The crowd gave him a cheer for surviving. A few minutes later, a ground ball up the middle took a late hop and Derek Jeter had to adjust his glove quickly to snare it. After he gloved the ball and flipped to Cano at second for the force, Jeter shook his head as if to say, “Dag, close call.”
And it struck me that even when baseball seems slow, boring and tedious, the action on the field happens lightening fast. The sense of danger is always there.
P.S. I heard that Jeter is called a “bi-racial angel” in the new Will Ferrell movie. That’s a good line.
[Photo Credit: Andrew Burton/Getty Images]
Two milestones achieved today already:
Jose Bautista hit his 50th homer.
More importantly,
Ichiro reached 200 hits for 10th straight year.
Yeah, I think Ichiro makes the Hall.
Man, that Ichiro. It is remarkable. Good for Bautista too.
[1] He'll make the Hall, but I am still not sure he's deserving.
3) His style will go a long way. Plus, he's a great baserunner and sick fielder.
4) All true, but as a corner OF his numbers just don't amount to much. I'm not convinced Paul O'Neill (for example) was not a superior player, and he will never come close to Hall unless he pays for a ticket. But in the end, style and exclamations marks (Ichiro!) will win out.
The artistry has helped make him famous and there is something to be said about that, though your points are well taken.
During the rain delay last night they had a bit with Jack Curry showing some of the player quirks that may be missed on tv. Such as Jeter always throws the bone at the on deck batter. He said he started that with Abreu to try and hit him when he wasn't looking. He also walks to the plate kicking the bat with every step. Funny stuff.
[3] Ichiro would be well past 3,500 hits by now if he didn't spend 9 years in Japan. That's pretty damn good. Hall Worthy even. : )
ichiro's career is kinda like gwynn's career from the same age period. gwynn was a better hitter, ichiro was a better fielder. i have no idea if bb ref's historical WAR is based on reliable fielding info, but ichiro's career WAR is 54.7 and Gwynn's 27-37 span only totals 43.2.
Wade compiled 66.4 from age 27-37.
ichiro tallied 2228 hits (and counting) from 27-36, boggs and gwynn got 2010 each from 27-37. not that that makes ichiro better, but what a torrid friggin pace.
(i gave those guys an extra year because to account for the strike)
meanwhile, Ichiro's teammate King Felix lost 1-0 today, pitching a 2-hitter.
He is now 12-12 with a 2.31 ERA, just under a K per inning, opps. are hitting approx. .215 against him (1.07 WHIP), AND the Mariners have averaged just over 3.1 runs in his starts
Interesting comparison... Ichiro and O'Neil. Paulie has a far better OPS and a somewhat better wOBA. Ichiro however, has produced significantly more runs (RC) per year.
In 10 years, Ichiro has averaged 224+/- hits/year. Simply amazing. My guess is if he started his creer in MLB, he would have [7] more like 4,000 hits.
Also, his fielding and arm are outstanding... maybe the best in the game over the last 10 years.
He is an amazing player, and I honestly think he's been bummed with Seattle for many years now, and would have produced more if he was on a winning tem and more motivated.
[9] he also has allowed 17 unearned runs. that's a big part of the story of his season which i never see included with the rest of the info...
[5] & [10] luv oneill, all he did for the yanks, and enjoy his personality on YES. but i'm pretty sure that oneill could not carry ichiro's jock strap w/o express written permission from the Japanese govt.