Larsen gets company! 4 Astro pitchers no-hit Phils to even WS.

On October 8, 1956, my father, an uncle and at least one of their friends were at Yankee Stadium as Don Larsen threw a perfect game in Game 5 of the World Series that year. The win put the Yanks up 3 games to 2 in a WS they would win in 7.

I don’t know who was there at Citizen’s Bank Park in Philadelphia last night that I would know personally, as four Astros pitchers (Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly) combined to no-hit the Phillies in a 5-0 victory that evened the WS at two games apiece.

On June 25 of this year, I, along with about 40 other members of the Lehigh Valley Yankees Fan Club, were at Yankee Stadium when the Astros threw a combined no-hitter and no-hit the Yankees in a 3-0 Houston win. The pitchers then were Javier, Hector Neris, and Pressley.

I wondered about using Javier instead of Verlander in Game 4. Guess I was wrong. Now the Astros have the upper hand (it appears) since Game 5 tonight will feather the Phils’ Noah Syndergaard vs. Houston ace and future HOF Justin Verlander.

But Verlander is 0-6, 6.07 in WS play (even the great ones have bad postseasons). This is his chance to finally redeem himself.

But also wondering…. if this goes to a Game 7, will it be Nola vs. Javier again, each on 3 days rest?

How will the Phils bounce back? After all, I have always thought that the most OVERRATED HR in history was Carlton Fisk’s HR in Game 6 of the 1975 WS. After all, Boston then lost Game 7.This no-hitter is a wonderful and historic feat, but if the Phils win the WS, it, in the long run, won’t mean as much.

The other postseason no-no came via the Phils’ Roy Halladay, who no-hit the Reds in Game 1 of the 2010 NLDS, and that also was at Citizens’ Bank Park in Philadelphia. I do know a couple of people who were at that one.

Cubs win epic game 7; first WS title since 1908. Zobrist MVP.

First a correction. I forgot that Albert Pujols also drove in 6 RBI in a game. He was 5 for 6, scored 4 runs, had 3 HR and had 6 RBI in Game 3 of the 2011 WS. A game where he tied the WS record for HR AND RBI in one game.

So the four to drive in 6 in a WS game are Richardson, Matsui, Pujols and Russell.

Now to Game 7. Where to begin. It was epic.

The Cubs beat the Indians in ten innings, 8-7. It’s the first WS title for the Cubs since 1908. They are the sixth team to come back from down three to games to one in a best-of-seven World Series. The others: 1925 Pirates, 1958 Yankees, 1968 Tigers, 1979 Pirates and 1985 Royals.

Ben Zobrist was named WS MVP.

Dustin Fowler led off the game with a HR, the first time that ever happened in a Game 7.

The Indians tied it in the third on a single by Carlos Santana.

The Cubs got two in the fourth (Russell SF, Willson Contreras double) and two in the fifth to go up 5-1 after 4 1/2. Corey Kluber and Andrew Miller both didn’t have it. You can tell some pitchers were worn out.

Javier Baez homered for one of those Cubs runs in the fifth. The other scored on a single by Anthony Rizzo.

In the bottom of the fifth, a wild pitch let two runners score. 5-3 Cubs.

In the top of the sixth, David Ross, playing in his last MLB game, homered. What a way to retire, by homering in Game 7 of a WS. 6-3 Cubs.

Then, four outs away from victory, the Cubs let the game slip away for the time being.

With two out in the bottom of the eighth, Jose Ramirez singled and the Cubs brought in Aroldis Chapman.

Chapman’s recent workload caught up with him. He gave up a double to Brandon Guyer, and then shockingly, a 2-run HR to Rajai Davis that tied the game up.

The game went into the tenth. Kyle Schwarber singled and was PR for. After an out and an intentional walk, Zobrist doubled. After an intentional walk to load the bases back up for a DP, Miguel Montero singled to make it 8-6. Cleveland got out of the inning with no further damage, but the fatal damage was done.

The Indians didn’t go quietly however. (You knew it wasn’t going to be easy for the Cubs after 108 years, didn’t you?) After two out, a walk, an advance due to defensive indifference and a single (Davis again) made it 8-7 and put the tying run on first with the winning run at the plate. Cubs fans had to fear a game-tying double or WS winning HR. Michael Martinez grounded out and it was over.

For the Indians, another year of waiting for their first WS title since 1948.

For the Cubs, they can retire the Billy Goat. As for the 108 year gorilla (not monkey) on their backs, that’s gone, too.

Theo Epstein, president of the Cubs, can probably book his HOF ticket. As GM of Boston, he ended an 86-year old Curse of the Bambino and as President of the Cubs, ended the 108 year Cubs’ curse.

Finally, Joe Maddon, Cubs’ manager, wins a WS (he lost as Tampa Bay mgr. in 2008). Maddon comes from Hazleton, PA, about an hour’s drive from me.

Now for the hot stove league. Who gets traded? What free agents go where?

Cubs slam Dodgers in Game 1 of NLCS; Cleveland goes up 2-0 in ALCS.

Andrew Miller may be the most dominating player in the postseason right now. In 7 2/3 innings of relief, he has struck out 17. He pitched two more scoreless innings of relief yesterday, giving up no hits and no runs and striking out five in Cleveland’s 2-1 win over Toronto.

The win puts Cleveland up 2 games to none. They now head to Toronto for the next three games in the best-of-seven ALCS. Today is an off day.

Once again, Francisco Lindor came up with the game winning hit for the Indians.

In the NLCS, Miguel Montero hit a PH grand slam in the bottom of the eighth to break a 3-3 tie and lead the Cubs to a 8-4 win in Game One of the NLCS. I don’t know what Joe Blanton was thinking. He gave up the meatball on an 0-2 pitch. Then, the next hitter, Dexter Fowler, hit another HR and it was game over.

This after Aroldis Chapman entered the game in the top of the eighth with the bases loaded, no one out and the Cubs having a 3-1 lead. He got two strikeouts but Adrian Gonzalez tied the game with a single before Chapman got the final out.

Ex-NY Jet Dennis Byrd over came a severe injury on the football field to learn how to walk again when it looked like he would be paralyzed for life. How sad is it to learn that after overcoming that, that Byrd died in a car accident yesterday.

I am watching the ND-Stanford game yesterday, and ND gives up a safety. I have to ask, why with your team backed up against its own end zone, is the QB in a shotgun? The center snaps the ball over the QB’s head and into or through the back of the end zone for a safety. Too often I see shotgun and no back formations. When backed up against your own end zone, do it the old-fashioned way—-have your QB right under the center with his hands under the center’s ass for the snap. It’s not that complicated, coaches.

Arizona Fall League: Only Gleyber Torres of the Yankees’ prospects played. He was 0 for 4 and struck out twice. There are no games today, Sunday.

Game 159. Yanks sweep Bosox, but are eliminated.

The Yanks got a little bit of payback for getting swept up in Boston last weekend by sweeping Boston in three games at the Stadium this week, but with Baltimore’s win over Toronto, were officially eliminated from postseason activity.

CC Sabathia was great in the Yankees’ 5-1 win. It’s the last time the Yanks will have to face the retiring David “Big Papi” Ortiz.

CC’s win was #223 of his career.

The Yanks are now 83-76.

The Yanks got a run in the first when Jacoby Ellsbury walked, stole second, and scored on a Starlin Castro double.

Boston tied it in the fourth on a HR by Xander Bogaerts.

In the fifth, Aaron Hicks bunted for a hit and was doubled home by Ellsbury.

In the sixth, Castro singled, Headley walked and McCann singled to load the bases with one out. After a fly out by Hicks that failed to bring in a run, Tyler Austin walked to force in a run and another scored on a WP.

McCann walked and scored on a double by Hicks in the eighth.

It was a rough night for Gary Sanchez, who went 0 for 5 with four strikeouts.

Sabathia (w, 9-12, 3.91) 7 1/3 IP, 1 R,  4 H, 2 walks, 8 K.
Clippard (H, 25) 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 walks, 1 K. 3.63 (AZ/NYY)
Bleier 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 walks 1 K. 2.14.

One-time Yankees prospect Jesus Montero, who hasn’t lived up to his billing after the Yanks traded him for Michael Pineda a few years back, and who had some run-ins with his own team’s personnel, was suspended 50 games for testing positive for a banned stimulant.

Waiting for reality.

As always with the Winter Meetings, there are rumors and then there is reality. I love the hot stove league and the chess-like maneuverings. Who goes where, rumors of trades, etc.

But for the purpose of the blog, I don’t have the time to report on every rumor, and there are many of them out there. What I will do is try to focus on the reality and report and comment on what actually happened or went down. But here is a brief rundown, some of which are rumors and hasn’t happened yet (if it will at all).

That said, the Yanks did turn down a Gardner for Brandon Phillips swap. Yes, the Yanks need a 2B after Cano’s departure, and Phillips (.261-18-103 for the Reds in 2013) would have fit the bill. However Phillips is owed $50MM over 4 years, and has a no-trade clause. He also wanted to renegotiate his deal as part of a possible trade. Checking out various info on Twitter, Gardner (who obviously doesn’t have Phillips’ power) had a WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of 4.2 to Phillips’ 1.7. Also, Gardner had an OPS+ of 108, Phillips a 92.

With some recent acquisitions (Cano, Hart, Morrison), one-time Yankee prospect Jesus Montero is available. His stock has dropped (PED suspension, poor defense).

The Astros could be interested in Joba. So are the Tigers. Ex-Yank Raul Ibanez is talking with the Angels.

The Yanks could have interest in Joaquin Benoit. Also Johan Santana, but Santana would have to be on a minor-league, “Let’s see what you have left” deal.

Omar Infante wants 4 years at $8MM+. This could be a deal-breaker when it comes to the Yanks getting him. As with Beltran, KC could be the Yanks’ main competition here.

The Yanks picked up an A-ball pitcher from the Pirates in return for Chris Stewart.

A-Rod, others suspended

Some dozen players were suspended for 50 games, basically the rest of this season, while Alex Rodriguez got 211 games— the rest of this season and all of 2014— for links to PEDS.

One player receiving 50 games was Yankees C Francisco Cervelli, who because of a broken hand and other ailments has played in just 17 games this year. He did have a surprising 3 HR in those 17 games. Maybe now we know why.

Others included Fernando Martinez at AAA S/WB, just picked up by the Yanks for minor league depth a few weeks ago, ex-Yankee prospect Jesus Montero, now with Seattle, Nelson Cruz of Texas, Everth Cabrera of SD (who just killed the Yanks this weekend), Jhonny Peralta of the Tigers, Bastardo of the Phils and Valdespin from the Mets.

Ryan Braun ‘fessed up a couple of weeks ago and got a 65-game ban.

Players like Bartolo Colon and Melky Cabrera were already nabbed and won’t face double jeopardy.

All these players accepted their suspensions except for A-Rod. A-Rod is appealing his suspension and will be allowed to play while he’s appealing.

Frankly, I don’t like that at all. Unfortunately, that’s the way it works. One huge distraction. I kind of want the Yanks to win, but Alex to go 0 for 4 with 4 strikeouts. I feel dirty having him on the field right now.

If I were an opposing pitcher, I sure as hell would look to deck Alex.

A-Rod apparently got 211 games for obstructing the investigation, looking to destroy evidence, repeated violations of the PED policy and allegedly recruiting others into Biogenesis.

Frankly (again), I’m tired of A-Rod. $275 MM talent. 10 cent head. At this point, I wish he’d just go away.

Suspensions coming Monday.

Alex Rodriguez, and about a dozen others, including Francisco Cervelli and Ex-Yank Jesus Montero, are to be suspended on Monday according to reports.

While the others besides A-Rod will get the rest of this season, A-Rod will get the rest of this season and all of 2014, costing him $34mm.

He then can try to come back for 2015 to recoup $61MM he has coming from 2015-2017. But then he would be 39 1/2, coming off two major hip operations and be out of the majors for two full seasons.

This will hurt Alex not only in the pocketbook but with numbers he hopes to reach.He is 14 HR shy of passing Willie Mays. He is 99 hits from 3000 and 50 RBI from 2000.

Kiss the HOF goodbye.

It’s been said that his baseball knowledge, and obvious physical talents are immense. It’s too bad he has a 10 cent head when it comes to life decisions.

The minors today.

The big club was off today.

AAA: SWB lost 8-5. I will be heading there on June 8th for a game. Brett Marshall 8 R in 4 IP. 2 RBI for 1B Josh Bell (http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/belljo01.shtml) who was signed as a free agent by the Yanks five days ago. Brennan Boesch 3 h, rbi. 2 h for Thomas Neal, double, rbi (did I mention he should be up and DFA Francisco? Oh yeah, a lot. Listening Cashman?)

AA: Trenton lost 9-4. Nik Turley 2 R in 3 IP, but 3 H, 5 walks to go with his 5 K. 2B Jose Pirela solo HR. C J.R. Murphy 2 hits. (.295) DH Slade Heathcott 2 RBI.

High A: Tampa lost 12-4. Bryan Mitchell 10 R, 5 ER in 4 2/3. CF Mason Williams 3 hits. C Gary Sanchez 2 Hits, rbi. 3 hits RF Jose Toussen. 2 H LF Ben Gamel.

Low A: 12-7 win for Charleston. Jose Campos 4 R, 2 ER in 4 IP. CF Jake Cave (.315) 3 H, 4 RBI. DH Kelvin De Leon 3 H, solo HR. LF Taylor Dugas 2 h, rbi.

Meanwhile ex-Yankee Jesus Montero was sent down to AAA by Seattle.

More names

Francisco Cervelli and Jesus Montero’s names came up in that Biogenesis PED situation down in Miami. You hope they are clean, but where there’s smoke, well, you know….

Meanwhile Ryan Braun’s name came up too and you really have to wonder. After all, the 2011 NL MVP & 2012 runnerup basically avoided a 50-game suspension due to a technicality. This now certainly won’t sway those who still think he’s guilty but instead reinforce their belief.

You wonder how deep this investigation gets, how sordid it is and who all is involved.

A-Rod surgery Ok, but Yanks lose out on Morse

A-Rod’s surgery went ok, but a big bat the Yanks could have used—Michael Morse—went to Seattle.

Morse had no place in Washington after their recent moves. Morse could DH (which the Yanks are looking for) as well as play 1B and corner OF vs. lefties (which is also a Yanks’ need—a righty bat in the OF vs. lefties and a backup for Teix).

Morse hit .291-18-62 last year, OPS+ 112 and he went .303-31-95, OPS+ 147 in 2011 for the Nats.

Instead he goes to Seattle in a 3-team deal, the A’s and Nats also involved.

Morse is a free agent after 2013. So you had to watch what you gave up. The M’s now have added Jason Bay (hoping for a comeback), Kendrys Morales and Jason Bay to go with the developing Montero as they look to improve their offense. Apparently Justin Smoak (who they got for Cliff Lee) is out of their plans (as he should be after posting a .217-19-51 OPS+ 87 mark last year). … and to think that Seattle took Smoak instead of a package deal for Montero (who they got for Pineda a year later) for Lee. They might still have Pineda today. Of course, the Yanks don’t expect Pineda until mid-summer and hope he’s the same after his shoulder surgery. It’s funny how the dominoes fell.

Speaking of surgery, A-Rod had his hip surgery today and all reports are that it went as expected. If everything goes well, he may rejoin the Yanks shortly after the All-Star break.