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Chris Kahrl

  (8:03 PM)

Howdy folks, Jim Baker should be here any minute, and he'll be joining myself and Jeff Bower (who will be misidentified as Derek Zumsteg all evening if I understand correctly) from Baseball Prospectus. I hope we're all revved up for a good game.

Marco

Hello guys...so, another game 7. How does this years series compare to last years?

Chris Kahrl

  (8:04 PM)

I know I find it a lot more compelling, but that's because of the similar strengths and balances between these teams. There are minor advantages--the Angels' defense, for example--but these are two well-matched opponents.

Jim Baker

  (8:04 PM)

It has Shawon Dunston and Darren Baker!

Derek Zumsteg

  (8:05 PM)

Up to this point, I'd say they're about even. Let's hope for a Game 7 that's as good as last year's.

BobD

It seems to me that the TV ratings are down because of:1. length of games2. declining baseball popularity3. Tim McCarver4. Western teams with only medium national visibility5. Fox networkWhat do you think?

Jim Baker

  (8:08 PM)

I'm not going to worry about the poeple who haven't watched this Series and the reason for it either real or imagined. They have missed a great Series and it's their loss. Life is for the living!

Derek Zumsteg

  (8:08 PM)

I think it's mainly due to more viewing options. There's some really compelling stuff once you get past Channel 70 or so.

Chris Kahrl

  (8:10 PM)

Agreeing with both Jeff and Jim's sentiments, I think Fox has done a terrible job of marketing the product.

Pedro Feliz

Why am I in the lineup tonight?

Derek Zumsteg

  (8:12 PM)

Good question. Maybe Dusty thinks Dunston shot his magic bullet last night. He's really no worse than the other options, though.

Chris Kahrl

  (8:12 PM)

Hominid, biped, fully-functioning limbs, these things all look pretty good to me.

Jim Baker

  (8:14 PM)

He has the highest OPS against RHP of any of the men hanging around on the Giants bench save for -- oh, wait, nevermind. Goodwin and Ramon Martinez were both higher, but not by a whole lot.

Angels Hitters

Which Livan Hernandez will show up tonight? We really want to win.

Jim Baker

  (8:17 PM)

The same one that has shown up for just about every postseason outing: one who gives up too many runs but gets good support.

Chris Kahrl

  (8:17 PM)

I know Livan has a good rep as the poor man's El Duque or whatever, but he was weaker on the road, and he's facing a lineup with Fullmer in it. And I don't think Eric Gregg was let into the ballpark tonight, so...

Derek Zumsteg

  (8:18 PM)

Judging by his early control, the bad one. Has there been a good one recently?Scioscia is helping him by giving away outs.

Jonah

If Scioscia decides to pitch to Bonds and loses the game as a result, should he be regarded as the goat? Same for vice versa: if he pitches to Bonds and wins as a result, should he be the hero?

Jim Baker

  (8:20 PM)

That's a great question. When the leadoff man walks, I would like to see if it's because of wildness before I started giving outs a way.

Derek Zumsteg

  (8:21 PM)

re. Gary's question--Isn't it good to see some strategies from the Deadball Era never go out of style (ducking).

Chris Kahrl

  (8:21 PM)

Nobody remembers Dick Williams letting Goose Gossage pitch to Kirk Gibson in 1984, and nobody remembers Tony LaRussa letting Dennis Eckersley pitch to Gibby in 1988 (nobody remembers Mike Davis' miracle walk either, but so it goes), so if Scioscia lets them pitch to Bonds, he'll almost certainly only share goat status with the jacktastic party starter.

Jim Baker

  (8:21 PM)

Note: It looks like Gary's queston didn't get posted. He asked why the Angels are playing for one run in the first inning.

J.T. Snow and Scott Spiezio

Do we prove that it doesn't take much more than a replacement-level first baseman to win?

Chris Kahrl

  (8:24 PM)

And then the famed Angels' agressiveness just hurt them pretty badly, killing what could have been a big inning. I believe in taking advantage of Lofton's arm as much as the next guy, but that was a big baserunning mistake.

Jim Baker

  (8:25 PM)

In your case, JT, a team can carry a first baseman of his caliber if they've got a near-Hall of Famer at second base and a living legend in left field. In your case, Scott, it won't work forever. (And how about Eckstein, the so-called "Hi IQ" ballplayer getting doubled off of second.)

Derek Zumsteg

  (8:25 PM)

You can have a replacement level guy anywhere on the diamond, assuming you have enough offense elsewhere.

Chris Kahrl

  (8:26 PM)

Look at the other playoff teams: the Braves got Los Dos Francos off the scrapheap and the A's got Hatteberg for little. If you have other offensive strengths, you can obviously make do, and for a lot less than it costs to have Tino Martinez around.

Jon Young

verdict on Fox's Sounds of the Game?

Derek Zumsteg

  (8:27 PM)

Love it. Reminds me of my days as a youth watching Bugs Bunny and Batman. Sign me up for more!!

Chris Kahrl

  (8:27 PM)

I live for the day when zoom sounds accompany my mundane tasks, like opening the dishwasher or locking the door.

David Eckstein

What was I thinking?

Jim Baker

  (8:30 PM)

Did you have a kid in your grade school class who added sound effects to everything? I knew one kid who would make industrial-type noises for everything. Maybe he's with Fox now.

Chris Kahrl

  (8:30 PM)

Beats me, you're the brainiac. Assuming the working press noticed, there should be a few tough questions coming your way by about 10 PM Pacific.

Jones

I wish one of the sounds were Rupert Murdoch being caned for making the country collectively dumber.

Derek Zumsteg

  (8:31 PM)

You were thinking that your run could be the difference in a 1-0 game. Scioscia did by bunting.

Chris Kahrl

  (8:31 PM)

Wouldn't that produce something drastic, like an Australian declaration of war?

Jim Baker

  (8:32 PM)

I disagree. Obviously, you don't watch The Simpsons, a show that has more intelligence packed into its 22 minutes than any other entertainment show on television.

Dan Vernon

Am i right to say that its refreshing not to be watchin the yankees play right now?

Chris Kahrl

  (8:33 PM)

I know there's a lot of this going around, but I don't share the sentiment. A good series is a good series, and the Yankees gave us some great postseason baseball.

Derek Zumsteg

  (8:34 PM)

As much as I dislike the Yankees, there's somethng very cool about post-season baseball in Yankee Stadium.

Derek Zumsteg

  (8:34 PM)

I want everybody to remember it's not Derek making these incredibly insightful posts.

Jim Baker

  (8:35 PM)

Think of it as a calm in the storm. The Yankees will do everything they can to get back there next year.

Hani Sbitany

Are you surprised that the Angels decided to start a 23 year old rookie in the biggest baseball game of the year?

Derek Zumsteg

  (8:36 PM)

They really had little choice didn't they? Although I wouldn't be surprised to see Ortiz later in the game.

Angels

Who does John Lackey remind you of? Stuffwise and mentally?

Jim Baker

  (8:38 PM)

Not at all. Younger pitchers have actually done pretty well in key Series games, going all the way back to Babe Adams in 1909. Johnny Podres was even younger when he won Game 7 for the Dodgers in '55.

Mike

Everyon'es talking about how no visiting team has won a game7 since '79. Um, sample size. Road teams are 17-17 in WS games 7's, 19-22 overall.

Chris Kahrl

  (8:39 PM)

Superficially and thoughtfully, I'm sort of reminded of Danny Cox. And not just because he's big and wears a red hat.

Jim Baker

  (8:41 PM)

It's good to see the people using phrases like "sample size." It means folks are out there questioning what they hear in the media. Fight the power!

Derek Zumsteg

  (8:41 PM)

re, Angel's guestionJoe McGinnity

Burke

Is it too early to mention that Livan's pitching a no-no?

Derek Zumsteg

  (8:44 PM)

BEFORE the game is too early. Otherwise, it's OK.

Derek Zumsteg

  (8:45 PM)

Of course not. And the way he's throwing, I fully expect him to finish with one!!

Chris Kahrl

  (8:46 PM)

Heck no, and consider that a random act of revenge for Miller's belaboring the point during the one-game play-off in 2000.

Brian Foley

Do you consider Barry Bonds one of the top 3-4 baseball players ever and do you think a heroic performance in this game will cement that plaec for him?

Derek Zumsteg

  (8:47 PM)

Yes, and it was cemented before this post-season ever started.

Chris Kahrl

  (8:49 PM)

Yes, and no, respectively. He already is, and whatever happens tonight doesn't make him merely equal with Ted Williams or something.

Jim Baker

  (8:49 PM)

He was in the top ten after 2000, but the last two years have put him in the innermost circle of greatness, immortality and exellence.

nh in sf

Neyer said that dusty was wrong to start dunston last night, and I think j baker agreed - even after dunston hit the home run. shouldn't a manager's questionable moves be justified by the results?

Chris Kahrl

  (8:52 PM)

I'm reminded of a story about Frank Lucchesi, and how he once made a PH decision that won the game, and freaked out, screaming about his own genius. As Dunston's jack reminds us, in a short series, even a blind squirrel with no sense of smell gets lucky.

Jim Baker

  (8:53 PM)

Because a manager gets lucky -- and believe me, lucky is what they were -- to back off a statement would be cowardly.

Derek Zumsteg

  (8:53 PM)

Yes, both when they work and when they don't. Still, I''m all for maximizing the chance that they will instead of playing hunches.

rone

If you drive drunk but manage to get home, are you justified in driving drunk?

Jim Baker

  (8:54 PM)

Good analogy!

Derek Zumsteg

  (8:55 PM)

If Hernandez makes it through more than five innings, I'll wax your car, Chris. You still driving that Yugo?

Chris Kahrl

  (8:57 PM)

The BPmobile is only slightly more upscale than that, although it would most appropriately be an Impala

Osiris

I am far from TV or audio update on the game. What is the score as of now?

Jim Baker

  (8:59 PM)

I saw a righteous, stealthy Impala SS today. Big, fast, black and nasty.

Chris Kahrl

  (8:59 PM)

1-1 in the top of the 3rd, and both starters haven't looked very sharp.

aditya (LA)

So, we're guaranteed a post season with no shutouts---are the balls juiced, the pitchers tired, or the hitters locked in?

Derek Zumsteg

  (9:01 PM)

The thing that strikes me every year as these three-round playoffs go on is that they become a war of attrition. Doesn't it seem like the managers keep dragging out the same two or three relievers even though they're dog tired?

Jim Baker

  (9:02 PM)

I think it has something to do with the Giants having the third-most runs in the NL and the Angels having the fourth-most in the AL.

Derek Zumsteg

  (9:02 PM)

I've decided to make this announcement every half hour: these x-ray like insights into the game are not courtesy of the real Derek Zumsteg.

Chris Kahrl

  (9:03 PM)

I'll pick (C), because (A) is another one of those wacky journalist angles that has nothing to do with anything beyond idle fingers finding ways to fill the time/column space.

Chris Kahrl

  (9:04 PM)

Hmmm, any takers on bets about whether or not Eckstein can be doubled off of every base tonight?

emancip8d

Do you guys place bets, i.e. put your money where you mouth is?

Derek Zumsteg

  (9:06 PM)

Of course. It's the only way to prove that oneself is a true man! I actually wager inning to inning!!

Jim Baker

  (9:06 PM)

In all seriousness, betting takes away from my enjoyment of baseball. It does not enhance it, as it does for some people.

Chris Kahrl

  (9:06 PM)

I've been thanked by people who acted on things I've written, and condemned. For myself, I think gambling's a con, sort of like local government, but without the public works.

Frank M.

Jon Miller just mentioned that Mel Stottlemyer had less experience than La ckey when he started the 7th game in 1964. He must have been 20 or 21.

Jim Baker

  (9:08 PM)

And he's still pitching! No...wait...I guess he's just a coach on the Yankees, right?

Chris Kahrl

  (9:09 PM)

Of course, that didn't turn out too well for the Yankees, who lost and had to take on the immortal Johnny Keane as Series loser.

Derek Zumsteg

  (9:09 PM)

Actually, he was 22.Go back and look at some of the rosters in the late-60s. About half of the ballclubs must have had average ages under 26. Of course, players today are rushed to the majors.

Jim Baker

  (9:11 PM)

I would hook Hernandez so fast his clothes would still be standing there seconds after he was gone.

Chris Kahrl

  (9:13 PM)

That's a nifty Sparky Anderson impression, Jim, and yes, he should have been yanked.

Jim Baker

  (9:13 PM)

I would like the record to show that I posted that comment BEFORE Anderson plated three with his double.

Justin

Hey, Witasick can come in the game and blow another World Series for a team!

Derek Zumsteg

  (9:13 PM)

I know we never formally bet, but are you going to wax my Yugo, Chris? Err, that doesnt' sound good, does it?

Chris Kahrl

  (9:14 PM)

That's reassuring, since it would mean the Giants would rally, making for a sweet game one way or another.

Chris Kahrl

  (9:15 PM)

Jeff, are you sure you aren't Derek?

Andrew

Damn, Anderson won't ever stop being overrated now will he?

Jim Baker

  (9:17 PM)

Would you rather be the most over-rated under-rated player or the most under-rated over-rated player?

Chris Kahrl

  (9:18 PM)

I'm pretty sure Darryl Motley got over it.

Derek Zumsteg

  (9:18 PM)

I can't keep it straight. Is Anderson underrated or overrated this year?

Jefferson (SF)

Is Livan Hernandez the worst pitcher ever to start a Game 7??

Derek Zumsteg

  (9:21 PM)

No, but there may not have been many who have brought worse stuff or command to the mound that particular day.

Chris Kahrl

  (9:21 PM)

Frankly, I have no idea. Answering that kind of question is one of the many reasons I hope that David Smith's reference book on postseason baseball gets published.

Jim Baker

  (9:23 PM)

I don't know if he's the worst, but he might end up being one of the most obscure as the years go by. Nobody much remembers Ralph Terry except that he gave up Mazeroski's HR in '60, but he started Game 7 in '62.

Chris Kahrl

  (9:23 PM)

Chad Zerbe has been a real godsend in this series, by the way. I know I've hammered Dusty for carrying three lefties on the roster, but that's mostly about Fultz, since Eyre and Zerbe serve distinct purposes.

Ben Seaver

Can you name a more obscure baseball player then Thad Bosley?

Chris Kahrl

  (9:25 PM)

A good commericial break question. Sure, how about Bill Mooneyham? Pete Filson?

Jim Baker

  (9:26 PM)

How about Esix Sneed? He's obscure in spite of the disadvantage of having played in 2002.

Derek Zumsteg

  (9:26 PM)

Cisco Carlos

DTKennedy

yes...Dave Revering

Brett

Moonlight Graham

Chris Kahrl

  (9:27 PM)

I'm pretty sure Dr. Seuss immortalized Esix Snead in one of his classics.

Chris Kahrl

  (9:28 PM)

A good time to pitch to Bonds, by the way.

Will

Since we've never heard of them, can't we claim that you're just making them up?

Chris Kahrl

  (9:29 PM)

I wish I was that creative as opposed to that obsessed with minutiae.

Derek Zumsteg

  (9:29 PM)

Dang. Glaus clearly has more range at short than Jeter.

Jim Baker

  (9:30 PM)

Now that the G'ints have started some stuff, it will be interesting to see if Scioscia gets HIS bullpen cooking.

Chris Kahrl

  (9:31 PM)

I'd stick with Lackey, in part because of who he's facing, and in part because it would be more tidy to turn over a clean inning to the pen in the fifth or sixth.

Jim Baker

  (9:32 PM)

This at bat with two men on and two out is the defining moment of Reggie Sanders' career.

Derek Zumsteg

  (9:32 PM)

Lackey's stuff looks okay to me. He should be able to go five.

Chris Kahrl

  (9:34 PM)

Reggie Sanders is sort of the latter-day Claudell Washington--he's been so many things in the course of his career, I think it defies definition.

Jim Baker

  (9:35 PM)

True, Chris, but if he homers here, it will give him a defining moment that all secondary talents need to gain lasting staying power in collective memory.

Chris Kahrl

  (9:36 PM)

A whole lot of nothing, and the bottom of the order in the 5th, I think you'll be able to stand by that call on Lackey, Jeff.

Adam

Is Jim related to Dusty?

Jim Baker

  (9:38 PM)

Our DNA is 99.9 identical.

Derek Zumsteg

  (9:38 PM)

Having met Jim and seen Dusty in person, I can't hazard a good guess.

Chris Kahrl

  (9:39 PM)

They're blood brothers, raised by the Iron Sheikh at a wrestling camp.

Andrew

Would the Giants have been better off in the series if Ryan Jensen was on the roster instead of Hernandez?

Derek Zumsteg

  (9:40 PM)

Once again, I'd like to take this opportunity to state that I am not Derek Zumsteg. Though if you disagree with anything I say, Derek's email address is available at the BP website.

Chris Kahrl

  (9:41 PM)

I don't really think so. I think Baker should have flip-flopped Rueter and Hernandez in Games Three and Four, because I'd rather take my chances with Rueter on the road in Game 7, but I won't begrudge Dusty this particular choice.

todd r.

ok-- a "shift" question. doesn't it undercut the abilities of who is supposed to be your best defensive infielder? for example, the range your shortstop has to cover in the shift is much less than under normal allignments. the thirbaseman, notorious (unless you are chavez) for having limited range is now resposible for nearlt half the infield. wouldn't it at least make more sense to have the shortstop stay where he is and move the thirdbaseman behind second?

Jim Baker

  (9:44 PM)

Many times in shifts of this sort, the shortstop stays on his own side of the bag and the third baseman moves next to the second baseman.

Chris Kahrl

  (9:44 PM)

I think it's worth noting there's a body of opinion that Glaus could be a Ripkenesque (read, big and strong-armed) shortstop if given the opportunity.

Derek Zumsteg

  (9:47 PM)

Aren't you that body of opinion, Chris?

Gabe

Guys, do you ever remember a team with less manuverability lineup-wise than the giants? (in the World Series, that is)

Derek Zumsteg

  (9:49 PM)

Excellent question. Wish I had an answer for it.

Jim Baker

  (9:49 PM)

Bobby Cox's Braves of recent memory.

Chris Kahrl

  (9:49 PM)

The 1987 Cardinals come to mind, but they were decimated by injuries. Almost any Braves team you care to mention from the last decade, since Cox's benches are notoriously weak, and not just because of his predilection for carrying third catchers. But yes, this is an inflexible lineup and roster.

Ricky

Was that the best catch ever in WS history by a guy with a horrible contract?

Jim Baker

  (9:52 PM)

I'll bet that Sandy Amoros had a pretty bad contract -- for Sandy Amoros.

Chris Kahrl

  (9:52 PM)

Beats me. Andy Van Slyke doesn't really count, does he?

Bill (Chicago)

Are guys like Erstad doing anything to change the prevailing (stathead) opinion of the importance of OPS accross the board? When his contract became public, all anybody wanted to talk about was that he doesn't hit well. He just took a hit away right there, and he does that all year long. Is defense undervalued by statheads because it doesn't translate to stats very well.

Jim Baker

  (9:56 PM)

Not this stathead's, anyway. I have no problem with a team starting a player like Erstad, but there is no earthly reason to pay him $28 for four years.

Chris Kahrl

  (9:56 PM)

I'm a lousy candidate to talk about the importance of OPS, since I think it's completely worthless for anything beyond superficial references to player value. Player skills are better reflected by looking specifically at what they offer, in terms of OBP, SLG, defense, and the context of the rest of the team's needs, offensively and defensively. But I'm sort of outside the clubhouse on this one.

Derek Zumsteg

  (9:57 PM)

I'm not sure guys like Erstad are, because if he were Andruw Jones defensively, his OBP wouldn't justify his contract. However, defense has been an overlooked component because it's difficult to measure. That's changing.

Chris Kahrl

  (9:57 PM)

But that said, the contract is Van Slyke-silly.

Jim Baker

  (9:58 PM)

But you like on base percentage, Chris. Would you pay a guy with a .313 OBP that kind of money -- given his lack of power?

Chris Kahrl

  (9:59 PM)

Never, and given his flakiness (one great season and a bunch of crummy ones), you can bank on the crummy. Even if he was consistent, he wouldn't be worth it. But hey, it's not my money, it's the Mouse's.

Gary M

Do the opening day starters (Washburn and Schmidt) have to chart pitches tonihgt?

Chris Kahrl

  (10:03 PM)

That's exactly the amusing sort of question I don't have an answer for. I suspect the answer is yes, out of habit, but I wouldn't be surprised if nobody gets fined for spending more time chewing their fingernails and being riveted by the action.

Derek Zumsteg

  (10:03 PM)

I think so. Baseball is a game with many traditions--you just can't go changing them on a whim.

Jim Baker

  (10:04 PM)

No, but they do have to write the team's Christmas cards.

Steve (RI)

Do statheads like you guys and Neyer and James get into bloody fist fights about ideological differences at these baseball conventions?

Chris Kahrl

  (10:05 PM)

I'm pretty sure it was Baker who broke my jaw at the SABR convention in Boston this summer, but I'm not sure, Neyer was holding me down, and Bower didn't have my back.

Jim Baker

  (10:06 PM)

Steve: you missed a golden opportunity to find out for yourself back in June. The SABR convention was in Boston and all three of us as well as, Neyer, Joe Sheehan, Eric Neel of espn's Page 2 spent an evening in a tavern discussing variouis topics. Were there fisticuffs? What happened there, stayed there, right guys? (Chris, by the way, my lawyer says your lawyer won't return his calls.)

Chris Kahrl

  (10:07 PM)

Although it was a wasted at-bat, I'm glad to see Scioscia choosing not to pull Fullmer. He'll still have him available to hit against F-Rod and Robb Nen. Sometimes the best tactical choices are the ones not made.

Derek Zumsteg

  (10:08 PM)

I've never physically gotten into it with any of the guys you mentioned. Like a heavyweight boxer, I like a good tomato can, so my fisticuffs are usually with the members of SABR who saw Christy Mathewson play in person.

Jim Baker

  (10:08 PM)

I just heard from a friend at the game. She says the people next to her never showed up so her rally monkey is sitting in a $145 seat. How do you not show up for Game Seven?

Chris Kahrl

  (10:10 PM)

Worse yet, I've got a friend who lives a couple of miles from the park, and was wondering if he could get a seat tonight at any price. Apparently, yes.

Matt Barnard

Have you ever seen a player look as consistently disinterested as Garret Anderson?

Derek Zumsteg

  (10:12 PM)

You've never seen the kids on the Little League team I coach. I wish they were half as interested as Anderson.

Chris Kahrl

  (10:13 PM)

Not even the Shadow knows what motivations and thoughts lurk behind the faces of every ballplayer. Why bother speculating?

Jim Baker

  (10:14 PM)

I think Derek Bell was looking toward retirement pretty much from day one of his career.

Chris Kahrl

  (10:15 PM)

Looking forward, with Pecival for the ninth, and Donnelly perhaps good through the 7th, it'll be interesting to see who draws the 8th.

Chris Kahrl

  (10:16 PM)

Well, I certainly spoke way too soon. Bully for the Giants...

Dan

Should Sanitago have tried to score?

Nate Messerich

Have you ever seen a pitcher with a stranger delivery than Ben Weber?

Chris Kahrl

  (10:17 PM)

Only if he wanted to make like an Angel and die on the basepaths.

Jim Baker

  (10:17 PM)

Luis Tiant could get pretty freaky when he wanted to.

Chris Kahrl

  (10:18 PM)

Have we forgotten Kevin Appier's occasional shot-puts that quickly? That's the great thing about deliveries, the number of ways you can skin a cat/throw a strike.

Drew Hinkes

The real question is, has anyone ever seen a stranger delivery than Craig House's delivery..i know he's a Rockie or Met or something insignificant right now, but he has a weird windup.

Derek Zumsteg

  (10:19 PM)

Craig House's was pretty unique.

Jim Baker

  (10:20 PM)

This is the defining moment of Tom Goodwin's career.

Chris Kahrl

  (10:20 PM)

Good choice, Drew, which raises the shame that they've monkeyed with his delivery to keep him from doing the mid-air slinging.

Chris Kahrl

  (10:21 PM)

Sheesh, Baker, is this Howard Cosell goofy observation night at the ballpark?

Derek Zumsteg

  (10:21 PM)

Now Goodwin's career is even more clearly defined.

Chris Kahrl

  (10:23 PM)

Ex-Royal is an ugly thing to find on anyone's tombstone.

Andrew

Is it a better idea to go with a guy who has proved himself in the pen like Donnelly or a guy like Ramon Ortiz who is a good starter? Of course considering starters often improve their rate stats when moved to the pen.

Chris Kahrl

  (10:24 PM)

Given Ortiz' spotty performance this October, and the speculative but probably virtues of familiarity with the warm-up routines, I'd avoid thinking about Ortiz unless this one goes to extra innings.

Derek Zumsteg

  (10:24 PM)

It depends on the parties involved. I always though Randy Johnson was a good choice when he ambled in from the bullpen.

Jim Baker

  (10:25 PM)

It's late enough now that they can turn the game over to those who are used to the role. Unless, as Chris said, it gets tied up and goes to extrys.

Paul

is anybody going to comment on the ridiculousness of pinch hitting for sanders there?

Chris Kahrl

  (10:26 PM)

I'll let Paul's adjective choice stand.

Jim Baker

  (10:28 PM)

I've been hammering at the need for Sanders to come up big since May, but Sanders at his worst is better than Goodwin at his best.

Derek Zumsteg

  (10:28 PM)

Well, Dusty's Feliz hunch didn't work out, so he hunched again.

Derek Zumsteg

  (10:29 PM)

I was going to complain about Molina not running hard out of the box, but then it dawned on me that's his top speed.

mattkew

Is it possible to be a baseball analyst like you guys are while still sporting a healthy hatred for a team (like I have for the Giants)

Chris Kahrl

  (10:30 PM)

As a kid, I hated the Royals. It hasn't been an issue since the Reagan Administration.

Derek Zumsteg

  (10:31 PM)

No. One must relinguish all bias. I now love the Devil Rays as much as the Blue Jays.

Jim Baker

  (10:31 PM)

Yes -- as long as you contain the hatred with mucho medication and expensive anger management courses.

Derek Zumsteg

  (10:33 PM)

Having missed the last thirty minute announcement, read this note twice: I am not Derek Zumsteg. There was a ghost in the ESPN machine that wouldn't accept Jeff Bower's name.

Derek Zumsteg

  (10:35 PM)

I'm going on record before it happens: Scioscia shouldn't pitch K-Rod tonight.

Chris Kahrl

  (10:36 PM)

or Tom Niedenfuer.

Steve (RI)

Are the Giants getting unlucky a la Red Sox-Yanks ALCS a few years ago? Last night, an Angels HR just barely clears the fence, and tonight, Anderson just caught one at the track, and anyone but Santiago could have scored the previous inning.

Chris Kahrl

  (10:38 PM)

It's a worthwhile point, because it conjures up an unanswerable question about distinctions between luck and Harry Caray's old "extra biscuit for breakfast." And now that Bell also just scraped the fence for an out, it makes it all the more apropos to bring up now.

Derek Zumsteg

  (10:39 PM)

No, it's clear that Donnelly is just pitching to the big part of the ballpark--even though any pitcher I've ever asked about that says it's a load of crap.

Jim Baker

  (10:40 PM)

See, them balls had too much lift on 'em, see? They needed to get roped out a little more and they would have gone fenceover.

Josh

If the Giants don't win tonight, do you think Barry Bonds will stay one more year, knowing that his team has a shot at the championship?

Jim Baker

  (10:43 PM)

He'd better, or he'd be breaching his contract.

Chris Kahrl

  (10:43 PM)

It's usually not kosher to mention that Bonds is apparently a concerned parent who has harmed his negotiating position by making it clear he doesn't want to move his kids.

Derek Zumsteg

  (10:43 PM)

What Jim said.

Jim Baker

  (10:45 PM)

To avoid charges of regional bias, we are in three different time zones. Chris is on the East Coast (for East Coast bias), Jeff is on the West Coast (for West Coast bias) and I am in Texas (for Texas bias).

Derek Zumsteg

  (10:45 PM)

I don't know where the other two are, but I'm next to a gorgeous blonde behind the Angels dugout. I'll try and remember to wave the next time the camera focuses on her--I mean me.

Joey (IN)

Is baseball becoming too much like the nfl in that teams are coming from virtually nowhere to winning the world series? And if it is, is that a bad thing?

Chris Kahrl

  (10:49 PM)

I don't think it's a bad thing at all, but unlike football, baseball never institutionalized cyclical mediocrity. And as even the Bengals or the Devil Rays demonstrate, management decisions trump everything on this front. The ability to compete is a choice, not some frothy economic determinism.

Jim Baker

  (10:50 PM)

I think "out of nowhere" would be appropriate if the Royals or Tigers were in the Series this year. Many people picked the Angels to compete -- not win 99 games, but compete. And no, it is not bad for baseball.

Derek Zumsteg

  (10:50 PM)

Umm...you could make the argument that this year's two best teams are in the World Series. As to the second part of your question, yes, the way the NFL encourages "parity" is a bad thing.

Jim Baker

  (10:52 PM)

Francisco Rodriguez is now in to face the heart of the Giants' order....

Chris Kahrl

  (10:52 PM)

Hopefully Aurilia and Kent do a better job of getting on than they did in the 9th of Game Two... well, scratch Aurilia.

Derek Zumsteg

  (10:53 PM)

As I predicted, K-Rod is nails tonight.

Chris Kahrl

  (10:54 PM)

I refuse to take odds from you on Niedenfuer pitching the ninth.

Jorge Pendergrass

Why aren't there any posts questioning the defense of Barry Bonds? Are you screening them in an attempt to hide his mediocre (at best) defense?

Chris Kahrl

  (10:56 PM)

Last I checked, he's a left fielder. You want for him to fly?

Jim Baker

  (10:57 PM)

Yes, we are. We are on the Bonds payroll. We will lay off him as long as those checks keep coming in, right guys?

Derek Zumsteg

  (10:57 PM)

Yes, his defense is now mediocre after being excellent earlier in his career. Your point? Maybe Shinjo should be in left?

jared d

no one's gonna talk about it probably, but did fielding do in the giants in the series (if they end up losing)? back in game 2, lofton made some misplays that helped the angels score those 11 runs...and then bonds last night helped out the angels too...

Chris Kahrl

  (11:00 PM)

The Giants relied on a lot of guys who aren't at their best any more. Lofton, Bonds and Santiago all used to be plus defenders. They aren't now, and it was a factor. The Angels, by contrast, have a bunch of under-30 players in their prime, and were arguably the best if not one of the best defensive teams in baseball, even counting Eckstein's occasionally desperate work at short.

Derek Zumsteg

  (11:01 PM)

Yes, Lofton's defense may have been worth a game somewhere along the way. Starting Livan Hernandez twice was a bigger sin.

Vicky M.

It does strike me that in view of Voros McCracken's work (theorizing that whether balls in play become hits or outs is basically out of the pitcher's control), defense might be more significant to player analysis than has sometimes been thought. Or maybe it's just that it's hard, and still is hard, to analyze defense. But that's not to suggest that Bonds is not a great player -- how many 38-year-olds can play even mediocre defense?

Jim Baker

  (11:03 PM)

Bonds brings so much to the table with his offense he could be as bad in the field as Greg Luzinski and a team would still be wise to trot him out there.

Chris Kahrl

  (11:04 PM)

I'd say it's still very hard to assess a player's defensive value. Before this season's decline in Runs Scored, defense was at an all-time low in value, if only because we were at an all-time low in terms of balls in play. That's not the same thing as saying defense doesn't matter, of course.

aditya (LA)

Does this count as an easy save for Percival---3 run lead?

Derek Zumsteg

  (11:06 PM)

Yes, I think defense is more important than we gave it credit for a few years ago. One thing re. McCracken's work is that it looks at hits for balls in play. It doesn't take into account slugging percentage, and there is a better year-to-year correlation for slugging percentage from pitcher to pitcher.

Steven from Geneva, Il

Jim Baker: Was the key to the series Santiago's inability to make them pay for pitching around Bonds?

Chris Kahrl

  (11:07 PM)

He is getting to face Snow, Goodwin, Bell and Feliz, so while I know you'll get the usual talk about the mental challenge, that's not exactly murderer's row.

Derek Zumsteg

  (11:08 PM)

As with the question about the Giants being one of the least maneuverable WS teams of all time, Santiago might be one of the worst WS fifth-place hitters of all-time.

Jim Baker

  (11:09 PM)

It was ONE of the keys. In a seven-game Series, it never comes down to one factor. Is anybody surprised, though? It's Bentigo Santiago!

Chris Kahrl

  (11:10 PM)

I don't any one of these things as a Series-breaker, so much as it all adds up a bunch of little giveaways where the Giants wound up with slight, exploitable disadvantages.

Derek Zumsteg

  (11:12 PM)

Gotta feel good about having Tom Goodwin up right now...

Eddie (OH)

This is where the Giants need Damon Minor.

Chris Kahrl

  (11:14 PM)

I'd take that up with Dusty Baker.

A-Lo

Instead of ripping on Santiago, Lofton, et al, how about giving credit to an Angels team that won 99 games in the regular season (and could have won far more!) and showed tremendous fortitude in the playoffs?

Jim Baker

  (11:15 PM)

Percival was wild last night and the Giants wouldn't lay off him. Tonight they seem to understand not to whack at everything he throws.

Chris Kahrl

  (11:15 PM)

That's the flip side of the coin, and with two well-matched opponents--OK, never mind, the Giants are PHing Tsuyoshi Shinjo. Ugh.

Derek Zumsteg

  (11:17 PM)

But he's a high-fastball hitter. Just like Feliz would hit Lackey.

RA(NY)

you never know

Steven from Geneva, Il

Who is your MVP Jim/Derek/Chris?

Jim Baker

  (11:19 PM)

I will now formally retract my statement regarding the whacking upon of innacurate pitches.

Chris Kahrl

  (11:19 PM)

No, they do have to play the games, after all. That's one of the many fun things about the game: Shinjo could have made us look like idiots, but the odds didn't speak to his favor.

Derek Zumsteg

  (11:19 PM)

I think Bonds was the best player in the Series. He gets my vote.

Chris Kahrl

  (11:19 PM)

Lofton sure did end this one quickly.

Chris Kahrl

  (11:20 PM)

I'd have to go with Bonds as well. His impact on the series was its dominant feature.

Chris Kahrl

  (11:20 PM)

Congratulations to the Angels and to their fans, this has to be very, very sweet.

Jim Baker

  (11:20 PM)

I will go with Bonds as well.

Dwight

Are all the major sports championships going to reside in the L.A. area...?

Chris Kahrl

  (11:21 PM)

I think the LA Dolphin-Safe Tunas aren't about to win the Super Bowl.

Derek Zumsteg

  (11:21 PM)

I didn't realize the Kings won the Stanley Cup.

Jim Baker

  (11:22 PM)

Only if someone from the NFL puts their trophy in a safe deposit box there.

A-Lo

Do any of you three wise men see the Angels as a potential dynasty?

Chris Kahrl

  (11:23 PM)

It would be remarkable if they did. They play in a pretty tough schoolyard against some strong rivals. If they do, it would be especially impressive.

Jim Baker

  (11:24 PM)

No, not with the Yankees sitting on a Mt. McKinley-sized stack of moneyand other predatory organizations out there.

Derek Zumsteg

  (11:25 PM)

Can't see it happening. The AL West is going to be the best division in baseball again next year and this was just one of those years for the Angels. Jim, Chris--what team would you compare this year's Angels to?

Jim Baker

  (11:26 PM)

the '91 Twins?

Chris Kahrl

  (11:27 PM)

Nobody's coming to mind. The talent is essentially in mid-career, they're remarkably balanced in terms of a solid rotation, good pen, solid offense, good defense.

Vicky M.

And what are the odds that we'll have to endure a whole new round of "Bonds always chokes" pieces as a result of this finish? I'd place them at close to 100%.

Chris Kahrl

  (11:28 PM)

In the case of spiteful twerps like Jeff Pearlman, I'd have to agree on those odds, and facts be damned.

Derek Zumsteg

  (11:29 PM)

Yeah, that's the problem I'm having. The Angels are going to fall off a cliff like the '93 Phillies or the like.

Jim Baker

  (11:29 PM)

I can only think of one at bat where he really looked like he "choked." That strike out on the high fastball tonight was completely out of character for him. Otherwise, on offense, anyway, he played his game and did an excellent job.

Derek Zumsteg

  (11:30 PM)

Bonds didn't choke. However, that won't prevent certain writers from using the fact that the Giants lost to rip him.

dave

any chance Baker gets taken to task for his batting order and lineup selections? if he batted Bonds #2, he would've come up as the last out in game 6, not to mention playing Shinjo, et al at DH when he could've had Minor.

Craig(CT)

Troy Percival MVP. One word. Weak.

Chris Kahrl

  (11:32 PM)

Beyond somebody like Jim Baker or Rob Neyer or Joe Sheehan or Gary Huckabay asking, I really doubt there will be that much in the way of hard questioning of what Baker did.

Jefferson (SF)

Just wait until tomorrow, and listen to KNBR, Chris.... :-(

Jim Baker

  (11:33 PM)

It's beyond weak! Three innngs pitched? How is that more valuable than what Bonds did? Or Glaus, even?

Chris Kahrl

  (11:33 PM)

Good point, Jefferson. : )

Derek Zumsteg

  (11:34 PM)

I missed it. Percival was named MVP??!

Chris Kahrl

  (11:35 PM)

RE: Percival. The fascination with the saves hits an all-time low/high. Ugh.

Chris Kahrl

  (11:35 PM)

Whoops, looks like people were picking the wrong Troy.

Jim Baker

  (11:35 PM)

No, wrong Troy. Sorry. I will never trust a reader again.

Chris Kahrl

  (11:35 PM)

Glaus is clearly a much better selection.

Derek Zumsteg

  (11:36 PM)

Got our Troy's confused. Glaus is definitely a fair choice--the most deserving Angel, IMO.

Steven from Geneva, Il

Jim/Chris/Derek: What did we learn about the state of baseball from this World Series?

Doug (IL)

Neyer said in his notes that a player from a losing team has never won the WS MVP. But didn't a Yankee win it in 1960?

Chris Kahrl

  (11:38 PM)

That we've got a great game, where teams have the power to contend, kiboshing an awful lot of Congressional testimony to the contrary.

Jim Baker

  (11:38 PM)

Baseball in Orange County is sure in good shape!

Derek Zumsteg

  (11:38 PM)

I can't remember one. I'll trust Neyer (I don't often say that :-).

Jim Baker

  (11:40 PM)

Bobby Richardson was MVP in the Yankees loss to the Pirates.

Chris Kahrl

  (11:41 PM)

Well, this is where I say it's been fun, because it has, to wish Angels fans well because this is a moment to relish, and thank everyone for showing up in the chat. Apologies to the hundreds of folks with questions good and bad who we couldn't get to, and hope you're as hopped up for the Hot Stove League as I already am.

Jim Baker

  (11:41 PM)

He drove in 12 runs and had 11 hits.

Derek Zumsteg

  (11:43 PM)

Yeah, it was fun. Being a relatively old guy, this multi-tasking computer/TV stuff was a challenge. Thanks to everybody for hanging out with us and for some great questions. Congrats to the Angels!

Jim Baker

  (11:44 PM)

Yes, this has been a fun Series. These chats keep us connected with the Baseball Nation and remind us how the game is still very much woven into the fabric of American life...sniff...BASEBALL IS OVER. IT'S OVER! OH GOD, IT'S OVER!

Blankman

Baker you swine! Now I'm depressed! Why did you remind me!!!

Jim Baker

  (11:48 PM)

If my spirits are going down, I'm taking you all with me. Good night Chris. Good night Jeff. Good night everybody.