Go, Fight, Win: A Photo Essay

The Phillies and Giants fought last night in San Francisco. You can and should watch the video, here. These photos feel like Norman Rockwell paintings to me:

Here's a trio of closeups on Chase Utley's eyeballs:

Brawler #1, Shane Victorino:

Roy Oswalt grinning:

Cliff Lee looking surprisingly noble:


A Where's Waldo series of Cole Hamels photos:

As you can see, the score was 8-2. What were the Giants trying to accomplish? Are they just mad because the Phillies are going to win the National League championship this year? And finally, where is Roy Halladay?

Champsionship Series: Days 3 & 4

I watched about half of Saturday's Yankees-Angels match-up before going to see Nomar-Garciaparra-double/musician Josh Kolenik and Small Black play at Death By Audio. Thankfully, I was able to stay emotionally and informationally invested in the game, due to real-time updates from Paul's brother's TiVo, Twitter and MLB.com's "At Bat 2009" iPhone application. Yes, I am currently that annoying person that needs to check sports scores constantly regardless of the social appropriateness of that action. Sorry guys, but Saturday was a nail-biter.

Vladdy Strikes Out Swinging
ALCS Game 2: OHSHITOHSHITOHSHIT! Yanks Ice Angels in Extra Innings

Yankees 4, Angels 3

Yanks lead series 2-0

W: Robertson (1-0)

L: Santana (0-1)

HR: NYY Jeter (1), Rodruiguez (1)

Top: Aybar argues; Melky safe at second
Middle: A-Rod and Mo collide
Bottom: Mark Teixiera [insert your favorite ass joke here]

From the New York Times:

Hairston entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Freddy Guzman, facing Ervin Santana. After Brett Gardner’s sacrifice, the Angels walked Robinson Cano intentionally, bringing Melky Cabrera to the plate.

Cabrera bounced a ball to the left of Izturis, the second baseman. Trying for the inning-ending double play, he whirled and whipped an off-balance throw to second, nowhere near shortstop Erick Aybar. It skipped on the dirt toward third base, where Chone Figgins dropped it. Hairston, who had stopped running, raced home and slid for the winning run.

Jerry Hairston Jr. ends the game

It's a bit lazy to just cut and paste that end-of-game recap, I know, but it's more coherent than the stream of texts and tweets through which I experienced those last innings. Do you want to read this:

Text: 2 to 2 in the ninth

Text: Nooooooooooooooooooooo

Text: Still tied. Yankees up in tenth.

Text: Oh ononononononononono

Text: Oh, it's true

Text: Nooooooooo

And this:

"Music from Yankee Stadium...Pearl Jam's "Alive" into MJax's "Bille Jean." I think A-Rod is bobbing his head as he fields grounders at 3B" 4:51 PM Oct 17th from web (via @JackCurry1)

"Jeeeeeeter!" 8:53 PM Oct 17th from Twitterrific (via @jennicatherine)

"A-Rod again - what an October. Solo HR off 2009 MLB saves leader Brian Fuentes. #Yankees 3 #Angels 3 bottom 11th" 12:12 AM Oct 18th from web (via @mlb)

"Gaudin's the only relief pitcher left. Even @nickswisher is out of the game.12:26 AM Oct 18th from web" (via @TylerKepner)

OR DO YOU WANT TO READ FACTS?!

NLCS Game 3: FACT...the Dodgers got rocked.
Phillies 11, Dodgers 0

Phillies lead series 2-1

W: Lee (1-0)

L: Kuroda (0-1)

HR: PHI Werth (1), Victorino (1)

CLIFF LEE WAS AMAZING! I wish he still pitched for the Indians.

This game was annoying. Shane Victorino's in-game microphone was annoying. Shane Victorino's unnecessary three-run homer in the 8th inning was annoying. Phillies fans are annoying and rude and strange. See?

Top: Ugh. Middle: Ugh. Bottom: Cool!

I watched this game with Dodgers fan John, who was also pretty angry at the Phillie's shut-out smack-down. He was, however, super into the home plate umpire's outfit. And Casey Blake's beard. BUT WHO ISN'T.

Ugh. I can't think about this game anymore. Let's just cross our fingers and hope that all goes well for the Yanks and Dodgers today.

The Flyin' Hawaiian

In case anyone missed Shane "The Flyin' Hawaiian" Victorino's awesome catch last night here's the video:

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=6072625

Those losers at MLB don't let you embed videos and the youtube one has already been pulled down.

I really love the disappointed attitude that the announcers take:

"Awww, come on guys!"

"Not just the beverage, but the whole cup; that's dangerous"

"Not what Cub fans are all about"

Really? That's exactly what I thought the bleachers were all about. In fact I have one of those Late Night at Wrigley Field shirts with "TOP TEN LIES TOLD AT WRIGLEY FIELD"


Number 10: Bleacher bums drink in moderation.

Here's a sweet pic of Victorino in pure beer mode. I guess I kind of feel bad for him knowing that his jersey probably smelled like stale beer for the rest of the game.