Gibson v Eckersley 1988. But then I'm a lifetime Dodger fan and that walk-off was one of the peak moments of my life. I like your idea, though, Tommy. Make it fun again.
BTW, maybe check out my new Substack, The Full Catastrophe? I'm just getting started.
Actually, I never watch the All-Star Game because there are no stakes. I love watching baseball when there's something on the line. Among other things, my idea would make the stakes feel higher.
Yes, the WBC was interesting ... much more interesting than much of the MLB season. And as far as the situation ... two outs, nobody on in the 9th, but the tying run at the plate in the title game? Pretty much the definition of a critical situation.
It was a bit painful watching Markquis Nowell given that he helped knock off UK, but at the same time, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anyone pass quite like that before. He was unreal in that game against Michigan State.
‘ sliders that break like a teenager’s heart.’ - what a great analogy.
I find your rule change idea intriguing, but then stars will remain the stars and we may miss out on bench sitters and pinch hitters getting to shine. Francisco Cabrera and Jorge Solar come to mind for the Braves when they needed clutch play.
Thank you for this newsletter. It’s a bright spot in my week.
Gibson v Eckersley 1988. But then I'm a lifetime Dodger fan and that walk-off was one of the peak moments of my life. I like your idea, though, Tommy. Make it fun again.
BTW, maybe check out my new Substack, The Full Catastrophe? I'm just getting started.
You’re absolutely right. But even that was 35 years ago! I’ll check out the Substack...
Hey Tommy - on the subject of Tiny Desk Concerts and Athens, GA/40 Watt, you might like this that posted today from new Athens supergroup The Bad Ends https://www.npr.org/2023/03/24/1164979490/the-bad-ends-tiny-desk-home-concert
Tommy, you had me at “break like a teenager’s heart.”
While I love all sports with a ball, the one with bases has become deadly boring. Hope something changes!
What an interesting concept concerning baseball. I need to sit with that idea a while.
https://youtu.be/dmukTdo-WuY
I love your ideas for how to shake up base as I the 8th and 9th innings. It certainly would make for more exciting games
Re: baseball methinks you make much ado about not so much.
Go Braves!
All I can say is this is a terrible idea.
Sorry, but 2 outs, nobody on in the 9th inning is hardly a critical situation regardless of who is batting.
Nor is Ohtani pitching as a relief pitcher - as opposed to his normal starting role - a normal setup either.
Then there's the WBC - interesting but irrelevant. A literal handful of games for a sport based on endurance far more than peak physical capability.
Characterization of this as the "Best moment in baseball", even top 10, is flat out wrong.
The author is clearly one of those who thinks All Star Game performances matter.
Actually, I never watch the All-Star Game because there are no stakes. I love watching baseball when there's something on the line. Among other things, my idea would make the stakes feel higher.
Yes, the WBC was interesting ... much more interesting than much of the MLB season. And as far as the situation ... two outs, nobody on in the 9th, but the tying run at the plate in the title game? Pretty much the definition of a critical situation.
It was a bit painful watching Markquis Nowell given that he helped knock off UK, but at the same time, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anyone pass quite like that before. He was unreal in that game against Michigan State.
Just ... wow.
It was a joyous run.
‘ sliders that break like a teenager’s heart.’ - what a great analogy.
I find your rule change idea intriguing, but then stars will remain the stars and we may miss out on bench sitters and pinch hitters getting to shine. Francisco Cabrera and Jorge Solar come to mind for the Braves when they needed clutch play.
Thank you for this newsletter. It’s a bright spot in my week.
- Van
Thanks for the kind words! Francisco Cabrera will always be a hero. Soler, too--but his home run was well before the ninth.
The pitch clock has made MLB watchable again. Games are around 2.5 hours which is the sweet spot.
You want to fix MLB? Salary cap. MLB is more than NY, Boston, LA and a few others- but you sure wouldn’t know it if you listen to Manfred or ESPN.