Quote of the Week
“ Sweep deez nutz across your face. ”
– Trevor Bauer, Indians pitcher responding to a Twitter troll
This Week in Baseball
Vicious Cycle...
During a somewhat uneventful Division Series of the playoffs, Brock Holt hit a ninth-inning two-run homer and became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit for the cycle in a playoff game. The home run into the right-field stands of Yankee Stadium capped off the scoring in the Boston Red Sox's overwhelming 16-1 victory. If someone hits for the cycle in an empty stadium does it still make a sound?
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire...
In recent months the Chicago Cubs made an attempt to lock up All-Star Kris Bryant to a multiyear deal. The offer was in the neighborhood of $200 million, but the third baseman turned down the deal. Bryant doesn't just want the money. He wants the fairy tale. (Yes, that's a Pretty Woman reference, get over it.)
Broadcast News...
Fox Sports Detroit Tigers TV announcers Rod Allen and Mario Impemba have lost their jobs after a physical altercation. The incident took place after reported “simmering tension” between the two led to Allen following Impemba out of the booth and choking him. No word yet on whether their punishments will include having to stay in Detroit.
What's Happening in Vegas...
A pair of tweets by the Vital Vegas Twitter account has set off speculation about the possibility of Major League Baseball coming to Las Vegas and a stadium being built where the Rio hotel-casino currently stands. Is there anyone more excited about this than Pete Rose?
Phillie Phelon...
Former Phillies outfielder Lenny Dykstra was indicted on three counts by a grand jury for possession of meth, possession of cocaine and making terroristic threats. He was arrested after "putting a weapon to the head of an Uber driver and threatening to kill him." Okay, the drugs are bad, but that's pretty much how everyone feels about Uber drivers.
On the Air
“ Hey, you know what? A lot of people have done well in life doing the opposite of what I do. ”
-
Episode 82: Brock Holt Cycle; Divsion Series Yawners; Giancarlo Stanton Scapegoat(?); Kris Bryant Extension Nix; MLB in Las Vegas; Drew Brees
First and foremost, how about that Brock Holt cycle in Boston’s 16-1 route of the Yankees in game three of the ALDS? Episode 82 of Foul Territory: A Baseball Podcast—the Johnny Lazor episode (only player in MLB history to wear 82 …
Going Deep
-
Relievers, Wildcards and Apple Pie—Part I
This is Part I of a three-part series Take a Deep Breath: Rethinking Relief Pitching For years, the idea of using the best non-starter on a pitching staff to pitch only the ninth inning seemed a bedrock fundamental of baseball. …
-
After Boston, a Few Hard Truths for the Yankees to Face
The Yankees lost the Division Series last night. And despite their almost miraculous comeback in the ninth inning of game four, they looked dead most of the series. The Yankees played this postseason like they did when they lost to …
-
State of Pitching (Part I): The Rise of the ‘Opener’
The Art of Pitching—A Brief History When the National League opened for business in 1876, teams began with small rosters of perhaps 11 or 12 players on the entire team. And those who were starting pitchers pitched when they were …
Off Base
