Out of Character

I’m not quite sure what’s going on in New York. It’s head scratching stuff. For one thing, I was certain I would see highly competitive games. That much has held true. The head scratching is coming from the ill advised plays in the field. Just weird stuff you might expect to see in a Little League game, not a League Championship Series.

I know, baseball is a very different game. It’s full of shoulda’s, woulda’s and coulda’s. But these occurrences are not only becoming laughable.. they are nearly predictable based on the flow of the Series to this point.

It’s completely out of character to see a stalwart defensive team like the Angels implode in the field. From miscommunication dropped pop ups to missing the bag on a simple double play. Just .. well, everything… Including losing the game on a wild throw ala Ut-Oh. Huh?

Take New York even: AJ Burnett WP’s a guy home only to be saved by a little known rule when the ball bounces into the stands. Only to repeat the gaffe moments later and allow the tying run. Huh?

And speaking of out of character… How about Derek Jeter. He homers to put the team up 2-0. Nothing unexpected there, he’s done it more than Mickey Mantle and Reggie Jackson in the Post Season for his Yanks. What was out of character was the little maneuver he tried defensively to catch the runner rounding 3rd base (ala Nick Punto) when there were 2 outs and the game was tied 2-2. Throw to first! That’s what we expect from Jeter.

Then, to top it off… this crazy and whacky game. Jeter doesn’t even attempt to move runners over from 1st and 2nd in a 2-2 game. Instead, he swings for the fences, dribbles into a double play and cancels the chance for a very important run. Later in the game, Mr. October/November/December commits an error.

What in the world is going on?

If the Angels were playing anywhere near their capability they’d lead this Series 2-0 or, at the bare minimum, be tied 1-1.

Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda.

Because one guy that has not been out of character (or is he?) is Alex Rodriguez. He continues to have a Playoff resurrection. Another game tying Home Run keeps the Yankees alive when they were certain to have bumbled the game away.

Oh, and what was that count? No balls, two strikes! C’mon .. this guy is a closer. A good one! A no ball, two strike hittable pitch to the second coming of Babe Ruth. Please… 

Out of Character to say the least.

5275al.jpgCongratulations Alex Rodriguez. You are Yesterday’s Hitter!

 

14 comments

  2. devilabrit

    Buz – I think you have this nailed… what the hell is going on… why so many simple plays turn into errors in both the NLCS and the ALCS is somewhat confusing, lets hope the next series of games produces more professionalism from the players….
    ~peter
    Outside the Phillies Looking In
    http://devilabrit.mlblogs.com

    Reply
  3. Buz

    Babu, that was my thought.. out of character. However, not this year!!

    Peter – Yea, it’s weird. How many simple double plays have been gaffed so far in what.. dozen or so games?

    Reply
  5. Buz

    Lisa and Jane… I know.. it’s part of the game. It’s just so out of the ordinary for post season play. But, the Yanks have the 2 zip advantage… so, all good.

    Reply
  6. ibleedpinstripes

    Nice choice, Buz. This guy certainly made his case as a clutch hitter in the 11th last night! And all the miscues… well, I guess we can excuse them for now? Hopefully none of this will happen in Anaheim, except maybe on the side of the Angels. Muahahaha.

    – Lisa
    http://perennialpinstriper.mlblogs.com/

    Reply
  9. Buz

    I wouldn’t hide Jeff.. How could you not predict it. The results have NOT been there. but.. I have to say Alex has earned his “stripes” .. without question.

    Reply
  14. Buz

    Emma and Jeff- No Kidding! Ouch.
    Julia – There is a good chance you’ll see those Angels show up tonight : )
    Jenn – He looked pretty solid last night. No Ut-Oh’s ; )

    Reply

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