My God. I turn of the A's/Texas games and the score is 5-1 Texas, bottom of the 4th. And soumofabitch, 15 minutes later it's tied 5-5, when what looks like the 3rd out, a high fly to short CF, is missed by Hamilton (off his glove), and its now 7-5 A's.

I still don't know anyone on the team execpt for that Reddick kid they got from Boston, the pinch runner from Boston, Crsp, and that famous Internet star, Yoenis Cespedes.

Honestly, I have idea how they are doing this.

15th of 30 in RS
15th of 30 in SLG
24th of 30 in OBP
28th of 30 in BA
and 5 rookie pitches.

Honestly, I have idea how they are doing this.

(And how do you name someone Red-Dick?)

Meanwhile, out west, its Oakland 8, Texas 5 through 5 innings. Both starters gave up 5 runs in less than 3 innings of work, but Derek Holland came on in relief of Dempster and gave up 3 runs (1 earned). Meanwhile, whoever Evan Scribner is, he's given up no runs to Texas.

Seems to me that Ron Washington is doing whatever he can to win this game - Holland relieved just once this year before today. A depleted Texas team might have trouble in the play in game, if they lose this one.

[1] You beat me to the recap punch, OYF! ;)

Its all about run prevention in Oakland, and decent enough offense.

Oakland is 9th in the AL in runs/game, 9th in SLG.

In advanced stats, they are 7th in VORP, and in a 3-way tie for 5th in True Average. Their home park masks some of their ability.

"In a move that will be seen as anticlimactic at this point, Red Sox upper management intends to remove Bobby Valentine as manager soon after the season ends, people familiar with the situation say."

Since it seems that (shocker, I know) Bobby V. is managing his last game for the Red Sox tonight, I wonder if he'll do anything to make it memorable:

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/03/bobby-valentine-says-his-coaching-staff-wasnt-loyal-and-undermined-him/

Besides saying his coaching staff wasn't loyal and undermined him, of course.

I was looking at all the scenarios on ESPN for who wins what, and best record, home field. Oy!!!

This is a mus win for the Yanks tonight if the A's hold on to win. I would hate for the Yanks to have to face Detroit in the first round and go up against Verlander again.

The Yanks got to take the skin boat to tunatown tonight and drub the Red Sox.

I have agita imagining the possibilities for the next rounds.

The wild card game looks to add quite a bit of excitement. It is like a game 7 built in 2 times a year.

Through 7 in Oakland, A's still up 8-5.

[4] Shocking move of the year.

probably only 1 more AB for Hamilton. He needs 2 homers to pass Miggy.

[5] Wow, anyone want to coach for Bobby now? Even if there were problems you keep them behind closed doors.

Josh strikes out! Barring a big comeback by Texas, or an incredibly offensive night by Trout, Miggy has the triple crown.

[10] Well, Trout could go 4-4 and Miggy could go 0-4 still, right? I don't think that's likely, but it is possible.

After a Derek Norris HR, A's now up 9-5, in the bottom of the 8th. Two on, one 1 out, Cespedes up.

Cespedes walks, bases loaded, still 1 out, Moss up.

Gosh, I wish the Yanks had signed Cespedes. .291/.353/.506 with power, speed, and by all accounts, excellent defense. And just 26. There would be no worries about replacing Swisher if he really does want a Jayson Werth-type of contract.

Of course, until Gardner got hurt, they wouldn't have had any room for him in the OF . . .

[11] From David Pinto's site:
If Trout goes 4 for 5, Miguel needs to go 0 for six.

http://baseballmusings.com/?p=88840#comments

Miguel is only going to get a couple of ABs, I bet. Leyland is going to let him go 0 for 6

Holy smokes! Moss singled in two runs, and Cespedes scored another when Nelson Cruz made an error in right. Now 12 to 5, A's over Rangers.

I think we have a genuine story for the ages here - even though the Rangers still get in via the 2nd Wild Card, they were up 13 games in the division over the summer. 13 games!

8th's over.

3 outs, and Oakland wins the AL West. You really can't predict baseball.

[6] On the whole, I agree, but I think it's a close call. The wild card winner is going to be a distinctly better team than the Tigers, and Verlander doesn't exactly dominate the Yankees.
But, the Wild Card winner will have the significant disadvantage of having just thrown their best pitcher in the Wild Card game.

Also [1] the A's have extraordinarily good defense. It looks like Billy Beane's guys may have figured out how to measure it better. If so, damn, that's amazing.

Texas down 12-5 in the 9th.
To me, this is almost like the '69 Mets.
They have absolutely no right be here where they are... but they are.
And they look scary.

[18] Oakland, you mean? Possibly. They don't scare me too much.

[16] Remember, too, the ALDS format this year is 2 games away, 3 games home. That, to me, gives the lower seed a little advantage.

And its done! The A's won the West! Texas goes to the play in game!

So... with a Win tonight in NY, the O's play the Rangers in Texas for the wildcard, and we play the winner in the ALDS?

(16) I hadn't even considered the best pitcher being used in the Wild Card game. If it is close and heated they might also burn up the bullpen quite a bit too.

Damn! The debate is on at 9:00 EST tonight, 2 hrs into our game. Can we get off to an early 10-0 lead please?

[19] Hm, I doubt that's an advantage.
[21] Correct.
[23] I know. And my wife will commandeer the tv for sure.

[23] Its possible with how bad Dice-K has been this year.

I wouldn't turn on the debate unless I was laying in a Nigerian-flagged supertanker's worth of Jameson's (h/t the wonderful Charlie Pierce), and as that seems an unlikely event, I will be sticking with baseball.

Actually, huh, the Orioles are using their best pitcher today. At least I think so. Chris Tillman.

[24] My thought is, home field advantage might result in a 2 games to none lead for the lower seed, and then they need just 1 more win to advance. Its probably more likely they'd "steal" that 1 win on the road than lose 3 in a row. I could be wrong!

Kind of exciting. If all goes as expected, a 95 win team, who would expected that in August?

Did anyone hear about the internet dust-up over Cone's comparing Ichiro's bat to a chopstick during one of his plate appearances? If he compared it to a fork, no issue. If he compared Arod's bat to a tortilla, no issue. I don't know David Cone personally, but my perception of his public face is that he does not have prejudice bone in his body. I'm not Asian, but is this an issue?

[27] Yeah, but think of it the other way: if you have the first two games at home and split them, you're in real trouble.

(Actually, the way I think of it, each game is a separable event, so the order really doesn't matter.)

Are they chanting what I think they're chanting?

people being too sensitive imo. I doubt he meant it the way some are implying. Should he have said it? probably not. Did he mean anything by it? no. Is it worth an internet hoopla? nah.

Crowd is into it.

Orioles down harmlessly in the first.

Oh, Nuts.

Thanks for the out Boston.

Well, good work, Russell.

I can't wait to see what Daisuke looks like...

28) I think it just came out strange. He meant that Ichiro just chopped at the ball with his swing. The ball was outside and he sort of chopped at it. That it came out chopstick I think was one of those subconscious unintentional things that may have sounded wrong but I think was trying to be descriptive and when you are calling a game you aren't exacting with your words and things can just fly.

[28] I didn't hear that, but I would give the benefit of the doubt to Cone. Unfortunately, it doesn't make sense. Chopsticks are always used together. A wand, a tennis racket, a spatula...these are better Ways to describe is bat control.

Uh, however, I don't think they eat tortilla's in The Dominican. Perhaps in the Bronx. That would be a silly choice of words for A-Rod.

I likey how Russell throws the ball a few feet down the line towards first. The throw is a little shorter, and the tag is made before the runner is at the bag. Traditionally, didn't catchers throw the ball directly to the base?

Longoria homers.

Well that fucking sucked.

[38] Dominican food includes arepas, which are kind of tortillish. (I wonder if 'tortillish' will get my comment held up in moderation.)

[27] [31] What you guys said. I don't think its a big deal.

Score truck, score truck, where are you score truck?

Oh, nothing about the Red Sox season has been disappointing. I've thoroughly enjoyed it.

[38] They do eat tortillas in the Dominican, but i was just doing my usual Arod bashing (sorry) comparing his bat to limp tortilla. I look at chopsticks as precision implements.

Dice-K dominating, 6 pitch inning?

[28] Just a poor choice of words or a poor attempt at a humorous allusion. Given that people are for the most part rightly sensitive about stereotypes of their heritage in this country and the steps we all have taken to address those issues, it was a poor choice made disproportionately large by the fact that it was made within the realm of a large, diverse media market. Cone is not an idiot by any means and I am loathe to make an issue of it, but you have to be a little more aware of your environment and your audience.

Orioles down quickly again.

{46] Well said. Can we call the Red Sox bean eaters?

Nice, Rob.

Cone should have said Teixieria handled his bat yesterday like a limp chouriço.
(Full disclosure: I had to look up Teix's heritage b/c I had forgotten and had to google Portugeuese food) : )

Dice-K getting squeezed, he's should be in for a long night. Ball 3 was definitely a strike.

Now we're talking.

[50] Just the right food choice, I commend you. (Rhode Island has a lot of ethnic Portuguese and Cape Verdeans.) Chouriço is great on pizza. And, it has a cedilla!

The Grandyman can, oh, the Grandyman can. That was one HIGH homer.

Woo hoo!

Grandy!!!!!

Granderson, pleasing the crowd!

Grandish.

If mark keeps on going this poorly i wonder what they will do with him in the post season.

Also nice work granderson!

also also... how do i do that cool thing where I have the number of the person im responding to in my post?

[54] Took the words out of my mouth . . . err, off my keyboard?

Score truck! Score truck! More runs from the score truck!

46) One thing about Cone. I know the guy is a big drinker. I wonder if he has a drink while he's on the air? I have no idea if that's the case. But at times he seems like a guy who is THIS close to saying something unprintable on the air.

[59] Put the number of the post you want to reference in square brackets (i.e., [X] where X is the number of the post).

I'm guessing Tex will keep playing, because the only way to get him right to keep playing him. The Yanks have won the Serious without contributions from everyone before.

[59] You put the number in square brackets. Like [number].

Bring him in, DJ.

Dag.

And thanks to last night I had this sniglet running through my mind last night.
Runnersinshittingposition. (RISP) When to take care of your personal business b/c Teix is up to bat. Sorry, Mark. You were that bad yesterday.

[61] I think that's probably unlikely, for liability purposes if nothing else. I was thinking Cone is just hyper, the residual of knowing what those kinds of games feel like but not being able to play in them anymore.

[62] I think he'll keep playing because he's valuable in the field. And, yes, he could come around even if he struggles in the ALDS, say.

Orioles continue their silence at the plate in the third.

[68] And there ya go.

[61] I would doubt that. I imagine he's professional about his work. He certainly is a breath of fresh air in that booth.

[62] Tex has to play. Is there really a better alternative on the team? I guess if Gardner is ready, Swish could play first, but is that better?

Daisuke is looking like day old sushi tonight. ;>)

hello for game 162! let's go yankees!

[72] i'm with you. tex has to play. it's tough because he'll hurt us short term. My only concern is that Girardi puts him too high in the lineup while he's working out his swing.

No more 2 out runs, Kuroda.

[76] Ask, and ye shall receive!

Kuroda is doing fine results wise, but half his pitches have been out of the zone. For those with the TV in front of them - is he missing a lot, or is the strike zone crazy tonight?

[28] This 'Politcally Correct Speech' thing is just nuts. In reality, women, pregnant women, gays, undocumented workers and most minorities are still fighting for basic rights and fair treatment. So we treat this majority unfairly, but.... we will get all upset if someone says something that references your race or ethnicity

People need to listen to an hour of Lenny Bruce and George Carlin every night.

There are no dirty words... just dirty thoughts (or intentions).

(OK.... I getting ready for the bedate tonight).

[77] It's not crazy, but the strike zone is a little tight. For both pitchers.

Alex is looking pretty good. Not scary, but good.

Let's go Robbie!

[72] Teix did hit a Moonshot the other night, so he is still s threat to make an impact.

Gritner hasn't held a bat for a lot longer then Teix. Why would he be better?

And another ground ball single by Powerless ARod.

[61] I have the notion that what he doesn't think is a problem now will be acknowledged at the least opportune time; he'll eventually say something that he wish he didn't under those circumstances as most people do. C'est la vie.

Oh sweet Robby baby.

Love this game.

KABOOM! Atta boy, Robbie!

ROBBIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I asked for 10-0.... bit 10-1 will do!

I'll take that over a stolen base.

[78] Getting ready for the bidet?

Mr. Robinson can be seductive.

ROBBIE!

How many upper deck shots have been hit in YSIII? 3?

FYI: there is an annual (American) football championship game in Japan called the Rice Bowl. That's not a joke.

Score truck! Score truck! Score truck!

OK Kuroda, its in your hands with a 5-1 lead.

Way to go Nick!

92) Exactly.

i just want a blow out so there is no doubt when i switch to the debates.

Sayonara!

[95] Do you have a Nigerian-flagged supertanker's worth of Jameson's handy, seamus? [25] If so, can I come to your place?

Do you think this the last time we'll see Dice-K in a MLB game?

[97] i have about 4 shots worth. so only if it's a matchbox scale tanker.

[98] i have to admit, i have no idea why he only pitched 40 innings the last two years. hurt, bad or both?

[95] See [23].

Yay, Teix! : /

Passed ball on a third strike put Chris Davis on first with two out in the 4th. Davis moved to third on Adam Jones' base hit.

Tiex looked good running there.

[100] Hurt, Tommy John surgery IIRC?

[98] I don't think so. I figure some team with nothing to lose would offer him a contract. The question is, would he sign here or does he want to go back to Japan?

[100] Both.

[103] Yeah, the dropped third strike was their first base runner! Helickson is dealing.

[97],[99] Can I have the Nigerian flag when you're done? You can keep the whiskey...

Oh, did anyone hear some saying that last night, Ibanez' game winner ground ball hit grazed Cervelli on the base path before going through to the outfield?

Full count to Matt Weiters...

[108] I have not heard that.

[106] I would like if he continues dealing a shutout, instead of walking the bases loaded with Thome due up.

Hellickson gets out of it.

[98] Interesting. Does a West Coast team give him $2m for a year?
If we Win this game, am I correct in saying that Baltimore is playing for Home Field in the WildCard? They would have a better record then Texas, which I assume gives them home court.

And man, did Texas get kicked in the ass or what?
They went from the #1 seed to a 1 game elimination in 3 days.

[105] Yes, Tommy John surgery. You could see that his arm slot has dropped compared to past years (if you were looking for it), and I think that's a result of the surgery. Velocity down, too.

Nice round of applause for Miggy in KC.

Where was that pitch, if not a strike?

And he flies out.

[105] and [113] thanks. [101] glad i'm not alone in wanting to watch. i think.

[108] No. It looked kind of close -- Frankie jumped a little. But I am pretty sure the ball had already passed the third baseman (was it Ciriaco? can't remember who was playing there), so it doesn't really matter anyway.

OK - I'm calling it. This is the game right here.

[112] I don't recall, so I looked it up.

If the Yanks win and the O's win, the O's host the Rangers on Friday.

If the Yanks win and the O's lose, the Rangers host the O's on Friday.

Longoria does it again!

[117] I'll be watching, but my vote is decided and NY is not in play.

Yep, Teixeira is still valuable.

oh and btw, was valentine's bike accident today not the funniest thing??? sorry if it's already been discussed on detail which i'm sure it has. i thought it was satire for sure at first.

[122] yeah my vote is decided and PA is not in play either. at least not in the Presidential race.

[122] Rhode Island is even more out of play. And I'll give huge odds that this debate doesn't swing any significant number of votes. But I'll watch...

[124] Hysterical.
I'm still not absolutely sure it's true.

So, if you were Buck Showalter, would you just pull Chris Tillman now? Your chance of winning the Division is pretty low, and you might want to start Tillman on short rest if you can get past the Rangers...

[127] you think valentine made it up? that'd be even more hilarious in a way.

Red Sox trivia question (for dummies):
Who is the only player to begin his career with the Red Sox and have his number retired by the Yankees?

Careful, it might not be the obvious...

Greetings all, great scoreline to get back from work to find.

[129] I think he may have... misdescribed what happened.

[128] hmm maybe. or do you play for the home field in the wildcard? i know winning games matters most but that guarantees the first home playoff game in baltimore in a while if you can get it.

[131] Indeed, both in the Bronx and further south.

[129] Did you hear what Bobby V. said about his coaching staff on the radio today?

So if the game in Tampa holds up, The Orioles will play in Texas, and the Yankees will go to either Baltimore or Texas depending on who wins? What's better? At least Baltimore will be doing a lot of flying.

[134] yes. wtf is he thinking? noone will hire him again after this year and shit like that. throwing everyone under the bus. players, coaches, etc.. It suggests to me a guy who i don't want to play or coach for.

[130] Bucky Bleeping Dent?

[131] Greetings, divine baseball Being.

[135] Right.
You mean, would we rather play Texas or Baltimore?
Texas has not been good since the All Star break. Mediocre.
I dunno. I still can't quite believe the Orioles are for real.

[133] Knowing Showalter, he's playing to win. They'd love to host the play-in game.

[135] I think that's right. Both may be tired out by the play-in game. I think the O's would be more pumped up, though, given it would be their first ALDS since 1997. I'm not sure who I'd rather the Yanks face.

[136] Yep. Of course, he could blame everything on the Red Sox and the environment, but I think you're right. He's done as a manager.

I'm sure ESPN will welcome him back with open arms, especially if Francona becomes the manager in Cleveland.

So ... as it stands now, who would we get in the 1st round?

Detroit, or the winner of the Wild Card play-in?

I see Ryan Roberts also homered. So three solos for the Rays.

[141] Winner of the WC play-in.

[140] Noooooo! Seeing that smug face on BBTN, I don't want to think about it. MLBN it is then.

142) Roberts' was hilarious. Rain maker but landed in the first or second row. Longoria's second one was a fucking BOMB.

[130] Yogi Berra?

Through 4 and a half innings in Tampa . . .

I almost forgot how much I enjoyed game threads.

[139] Interesting. My kneejerk was Texas was better, but over their last 81 games, they are 43-38, so indeed, the O's may be a better team now.

Congratulations to Miggy. I know it's not popular here, but I think he gets the MVP. He's going to the Post Season, Trout is not, first Triple Crown in decades. He's had a body of work that ranks him amongst the top 30 all time. I believe the writers will be sentimental about it and give him the award.

146) Wasn't it one of those pitchers that came over around the Babe Ruth time? Red Ruffing, maybe?

149) I would give it to Trout, personally. But there is just no way he'll get it. I'd be shocked if Cabrera doesn't get the award. And he sure has had a monster season with the bat.

[149] he'd have my vote.

4 innings to go.

Hiroki might not be enjoying himself but we sure are enjoying his performance so far.

[149] I agree. I didn't think I'd ever see a Triple Crown in my lifetime.

Yawn...just sitting down here at ACME, Inc. Anything going on today in the baseball world?

[154] Yep, and throughout the season. He was a heck of a pickup.

The triple crown is awesome, but I think that should be enough of a reward for Cabrera. Trout was more valuable. But, I won't be upset when they give it to Miggy.

Time for the answer to the trivia question!

Ohhhhhh.

It was the obvious.

Good show so far, Banterers.
My wife will be home with my son the swimmer in a few minutes (I'm with the other two) and she'll want to watch the debate on the big screen.
Out of deference to the bigger game, I'll retreat to the smaller set in the bedroom to watch the rest of (what will hopefully be) the Division clincha.
Oh fuck yes, let this be true!

[130] Wait, isn't it Bryce Harper?

Nice rip, Alex.

Centaurs are better than ponies.

ROBBIE, WHAT A FUCKING BOMB

Arod's playing possum, by the way.
Oh, fuck yes, Robbie!

Oh, baby. Oh man.

Rob and Alex, both finding the groove???

Robbie: Peaking.

Man, it sure would be sweet if RIPPER stayed this red hot into the playoffs.

He's SMOKING.

Robbie! Score truck is in the stadium.
I want double digits

I really think this is concrete proof that Robbie has been fucking with us all year

We needed this game to be like this.

[168] that's my dream. just wow lately. and it's september. not even august for mr i like hot weather.

But he was loafing around the bases! ; )

'Tis a shame Cano keeps having great years that are surpassed by others. He ought to have won an MVP award by now. But for Trout and Miggy, he'd have a great argument this year.

Well OYF, 3 more runs and the Yanks are at 10. Or is 7 enough for you? ;)

I guess Arod toasted his tortilla and it was crisp, and Robinson's bat was like the native mahogany.

Yay, we can safely switch back and forth from the debate.

I have a growing man-crush on Robbie's post-tater smile. Only the Jazz Princess has a better smile!

And does anyone think Pedroia is the better second baseman anymore? No? OK. Just checking to make sure.

[172] It is?

In Rhode Island, it's October. I can never get the hand of this time zone thing.

Whoa! Is that Bobby V bike story true?? What else can happen to this guy this year, maybe lighting srtikes as he makes a pitching change?

[178] Yes, that's an actual expression in RI: "get the hand of it."

No, it isn't.

[179] If Bobby V. called down to the bullpen to get Aceves up, would Aceves start warming up? Would the bullpen coach even deliver the message?

What percentage of Red Sox fans have turned their TVs to something else by now? 50%? 60% More?

[178] oh right, it's october. actually i still haven't accepted that.

Miggy didn't make the PS. The Tigers did.
Trout didn't miss the PS. The Angels did.

Trout(CF): .0961 OPS, .422 wOBA, 175 RC+, 13.5 URZ/150, 49 SB
Miggy(3B): 1.001 OPS, .417 wOBA, 166 RC+, -10.6 URZ/150, 4 SB

For a middle player to be within 40 OPS pts of a corner player is pretty damn good. And then Trout is better in all other individual categories. The difference in defense alone, is worth more then 40 OPS pts.

So if Miggy has a few less RBI and misses the Triple Crown, is he then NOT MVP.

If Granderson(CF) had Trout's exact numbers, that would be a lot more impressive then ARod(3B) having Miggy's exact numbers.

[180] "Get a handle on it" I can get. "Get the hand of it" is just plain bizarre.

OOps. Trout(CF): 0.961 OPS

ok. i've got me a pennant ale in hand. switching to debates. have fun yankees fans!

O's only have three more offensive innings.

[176] Sweet [177] If Pedroia played for the Yankees, we would love him. [178] Be nice.

[188] I've always sort of disliked players who constantly make a point of showing you how HARD they play, even when they're on the Yankees.

See Bubba Crosby

Hey... I asked for 10-0.
NoOlddamus?

[186] Is that a delicious Brooklyn Beer pennant ale? I love that stuff. Sometimes hard to find in MA.

[188] Yes, because he's a good player and all - but he's not as good s Cano.

[189] Hear hear.

Also, Trout stole 48 bases and was only caught 5 times.

Longoria just hit his third homer of the game!

[189] That made me laugh, where is ol' Bubba now anyways?
You would despise watching Japanese baseball then, every player is taught from a young age to go all out 100% on every single play. It's exhausting to watch and exfeedingly cruel to the young kids.

Home Run Longoria.

4-0 Tampa

[191] yes yes. yummers.

[195] You gotta have Wa!

Have you seen the Gangnam Style Romney parody? Doesn't matter your political slant, it's funny!

http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6830834/mitt-romney-style-gangnam-style-parody

[198] I just typed "exfeedingly". All this beer chat is making me drunk. Going to celebrate tonight though, the Division Title is actually more improtant to me than the WS..sacrilage I know.

Longoria goes yard again???

Alright Cornflake!

[194] [196] [201] He's got a ways to go to take the Triple Crown away from Miggy. ;)

The Rays must be wondering where they'd be if Longoria had been healthy all year. 'Course they had a fine record without him, but still.

Kuroda is at 70 pitches. One more inning, right?

I want Kuroda back next year. Really badly.

Uh, Ken, Bodie isn't "thinking single" on ANY swing.

That's often the problem ...

[201] Thanking us for Scott Proctor last year

216 hits. Not bad for an old goat.

By the way, Russell is a tough sombitch, ain't he?

How about Ichiro gets on and then A Rod breaks the grand slam record?

[209] Add 50 points to his batting average - two bloops hits a week for every week of the season - and he's got amazing numbers for a catcher. Add in the defense and wow.

Maybe not...

Can we start celebrating yet or do the Sox have a comeback in them? I've got this cued up and am ready to start dancing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3DVCRyPrwc

Two more offensive innings for Baltimore.

Hmmm ... stealing a base up 7-1?

Well, ok, it's against the Red Sox ...

Slam? Maybe? Ya think?

215) He just wanted to make sure he led the team in steals--was in a tie with Alex with 13.

"Enjoy" it while you can Bobby, each walk to the mound might very well be the last time you ever do that on a Major League field ...

[217] Really? Wow. Ichiro! has been another heck of a pickup.

[218] It's ok, he has his community fire marshal gig back in Connecticut to return to.

213) Oh, shit. Love that jam, dude. Thanks for sharing it.

[218] Does that make anyone else irrationally happy?

I don't know what Atchinson throws, but Bobby V. brought in a RIGHTY to face CANO?!

Oh, jolly good, Robbie, jolly good!

[213] Creeping closer. . .

Attaboy, Rob.

[222] Oddly enough, I didn't have anything against Valentine before the season, but frankly, he's been nothing but a whiny, petulant, cowardly sack-of-bastards from the day he was hired.

Frankly, even Red Sox fans deserve better ...

Well Tex, here's a chance to do something positive with the bat.

Ball Saxbury!

[222] No. I actually really pity the guy.

He caused a lot of his own problems, but Boston can be a vipers' nest, especially when things are going badly, and I'm not sure Bobby V. fully appreciated that before he took the job. I think he figured he'd win over the media with his charm, like he always has before. The same rules don't apply when its the Boston media, though. Even our old friend PeteAbe has changed some to succeed in the Boston market. This is a place where the CHB is still beloved and gainfully employed; where WEEI rules the airwaves over all else.

[227] Bobby Valentine has been like that his entire adult life.

[221] Congolese dance music is so joyful. But for a real stanky-ass DEEP groove check this Nigerian tune out, maybe linked it here before but it's so killer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEGe23iveBI

One offensive inning left for Baltimore.

Rays 4-0 through 7 and a half...three more outs.

[232] Oooh, gonna have to listen to that later. Noice!

Friends, time for me to leave the office and drive home, so I'll be with you all in spirit the rest of the way. I'll check back in when I'm in front of a computer again.

[231] Maybe so, but for whatever reason I didn't remember him that way from his time with the Mets and, honestly, I had a ton of respect for the fact he managed to go to Japan and win a championship managing over there. Flat out, that's a hell of an accomplishment.

Say what you want about RBIs, but its still pretty cool to see a Triple Crown

232) Oh, shit. I know that cut. My man Steinski once sampled it but I didn't know what record he sampled. Cool, man.

Jazz, how do you say "I'll have Hiroki Kuroda's babies" in Japanese?

Huh.
Jose Iglesias, .104, rbi.

Just sayin.

Great job by Hiroki.

As the Rays and O's go to the 9th.

[240] Hmm..not sure they have that expression. Maybe better to just stick with, Kuroda-san, I love you! "黒田さん, 愛している!" (Kuroda-san, Aishite-iru!)

[241] Eh. We're winning 18467584-2.

[244] 18467585.

Miles to go before we sleep, but tonight I'm feeling a dose of this. The old barn. The old man. The old feeling. How did it get to be so long ago?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjekF24XKb0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

A propos of nuthin but my mind went took a turn that way.

O's down to their last out.

Curtis again! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z66wVo7uNw

went AND

Grittner!

Oh, that's nice to see.

Way to go, GGBG!!!

Hey, nice job Grittner.

Gritner!

Welcome back.

With a man on, Rodney's coming in to get the last out in Tampa.

Robinson and Curtis have had a very selfish game. Out of all those runs, they didn't leave any rbi for anybody else. (Six for Rob, four for Curtis.)

Nice Wheels GRITTNER!

Down goes Baltimore! Yankees clinch!

Ichi-GO!!!

O's lose.

Congratulations, Division Winners!!!!

Congratulations, guys ... Jebus knows I thought you weren't going to make it, a time or two, but you fought through everything and came out on top.

Bravo!

Jeter not smiling makes me love him.

Icing on the cake!

Pull all starters now.

Here's to the 2012 American League Eastern Division Winners! The NY Yankees.

In 1st place since June!

Better late than never, right? Great job Yankees.

By the way, in case you guys are wondering what you are missing on NBC:

Families.

It's all about families.

You're welcome.

That look from A Rod was hilarious.

[262] He knows, the team really hasn't won anything of significance, yet.

I'm greedy ... I want more RIPPER!!!

267) Best political commentary this year.

And for the rest of you, this is not an invitation to discuss the debates further...at least not in this space. Let's not ruin the mood...

Now that the Yanks are in the clear, let's enjoy this: ending the Red Sox year, slowly and painfully in a blowout.

[267] Is it: one guy lying about what he has done and one guy lying about what he would do? That's what I had things down for ...

Sorry sorry sorry sorry!

C'mon Cornflake!

Cornflake!

Harold Reynolds has declared that the Yankees were never challenged like this. NEVER

[Alex] (Can't see post numbers on my phone) indeed. In other circumstances I'd have mixed feelings about the excess, but with Valentine in the dugout, this is delicious.

BTW way, Bobby, in case no one gave you this reply back in the spring: The Yankees hate you back. Sit there and stew.

278) Stew and screw...Bobby V.

Jeebus, Bobby V is more a victim than villain. Have some compassion everyone.

Yeah maybe if he could have hired his own coaches, they would not have undermined him.

The Sox were destined to lose, it's easy to make him the fall guy, start all over with a new team next year, and pretend this ridiculous hatchet job never happened.

280) In theory I'd have compassion--this disastrous year is far from his fault-- \but from everything I've heard Bobby V was and remains an insufferable son of a bitch. Fug him.

Great way to end the regular season! I'm planning on drinking my lunch today :)

Andruw Jones in some extended Herb Williams style Garbage Time.

Gotta assume (hope?) this is the last at-bat of Jones potential HOF career....

[283] Hahaha, excellent!
[284] Waiting for him to hit 30-dingers here at tiny Jingu Stadium next year. From the looks of it Andruw could use some light&healthy Jpaanese food..

[281] Then at least respect an elder, lifetime baseball man, who puts his foot in his mouth often..let him go. Remember this debacle happened to our hated rivals, give thanks for that.

Nice bit of juice, Frankie, and props to Podsednik. Always weird seeing him - I covered him when he was a Hudson Valley Renegade. His manager was Bump Wills.

[281] They deserve each other.
Good night all, just going to enjoy the end of the regular season.

About time we can sit back, take a deep breath, have a drink or 6 and just smile

Hey, according to Buster Olney, Jeter is now managing.

281) I can live with that.

287) Bump Wills! Jeez, you ever read his father's autobiography? The first few pages, involving father, son and a woman they were both sleeping with is major league creepy.

Wow, just dawning on me how stressful--and random--this one-game wildcard playoff is going to be. Whew.

[292] And imagine if the O's had caught us, and we had to do a one game playoff to see who had to do a one game playoff...

So what was it again that I've have been worried about for oh, the last month or so? :)

How did your season end? Freddy Garcia stuck my ass out.

Debate ended just in time to see the final out live.

#BestTeamintheAmericanLeagueNYY

Amen.

[297] フレーーーーー！！！

Perfect timing. Cheers, gang!
Go Yankees!