On the TunneySide of Sports
November 14, 2022
#926 Up next…
After further review… How can we honor the pitchers, hitters and fielders of the Houston Astros and not even mention the spectacular catch that Astros’ centerfielder Chas McCormick made with two out in the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Ball Park in game 5 of the 2022 World Series?
McCormick went high in the air bouncing against that center field wall to catch a well-hit ball by J.T. Realmuto of the Phillies. It was thought at first to be a homer, err, no, maybe a double in a scoreless game. The Phillies with a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series might have scored the winning runs and headed off to Houston at 3-1. But it didn’t happen.
There were some great double plays as well as other defensive plays in this World Series – as you would expect with the two best-playing teams at this level. What surprised me was the lack of communication on fly balls hit in the outfield or in short outfield and the infielders trying desperately to make a play on that pop fly. There was more than one per game where one wondered which player would make the catch. Even in Little League, the coaches stress who should make the play and how to “call-off” others.
I loved this World Series. It was great to see Dusty Baker take over as manager of the Astros. There will be no banging of cans from the dugout to indicate to their batters what the incoming pitch will be as there was in the 2017 series with the Astros. Baker is a straight-up manager, who I would love to see as Manager of the Year.
I have always been a World Series fan. It used to be played while there was still daylight when not all stadiums had lights. Since my early days when I had a summer day job, I would strive to see any part of the games that I could. Major League Baseball instant replay was only instituted on Aug. 28, 2008, by commissioner Bud Selig, so seeing it live if at all possible was my only real option outside of listening to the games on the radio.
In 2023 more will change.
For example, with the stricter pitch clock enforcement, the pitcher will have 15-seconds to make his pitch (20 seconds if a runner(s) is on base. Hitters will need to be in the batter’s box with eight seconds on the pitch clock.
There will be no allowance for a team to shift its players forcing batters to hit into their shift. It seems to me that the administration of rules is micromanaging team strategy.
Will you log in your thoughts regarding MLB’s attempt to make the game better?
—————
Holiday Gifts For The Sports Fan
Jim’s famous Bobblehead is still available for $30. He has added one of his books (your choice – you pick one from his website www.jimtunney.com) at no extra charge.
Shop here.
To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com.
