One day later, I’m no longer mad at Joel Skinner. It just seems silly to be angry at a third base coach for one gross misjudgment when the rest of his team utterly collapsed. Yes, I still think Skinner’s stunning timidity which prevented Kenny Lofton from scoring was one of the worst bits of third-base coaching I have ever seen. Who am I kidding? It was the worst. Period. It was so bad that any third base coach who holds up a runner in an obvious scoring situation should from this day forth be said to have “skinned the runner.”
But here’s the thing: I sort of get the feeling that being mad at Joel Skinner when Boston outscored Cleveland 30-5 in the final three three games is a bit like being mad at the chef of the Titanic for undercooking the chicken. It’s bad, yes, it will make you really sick, sure, it might even kill you … but honestly, you have bigger things to worry about.
Someone asked me if it was fair to put Skinner in the same Cleveland category as Sipe, Byner, Ehlo and Fernandez, the Four Horseman of the Cleveland Apocalypse. I’ve thought about this a lot and the answer is no. It’s not fair. Because there’s one quality those four have that Skinner does not share. All four of those players were really good.
Brian Sipe — a Horseman for his Red Right 88 interception against Oakland in the playoffs — was actually the league MVP that season. He was terrific all year. He brought the team back all year. He was the biggest hero in town. That’s what made the interception hurt so much. Had Paul McDonald thrown it, well, yeah, expected that.
Ernest Byner — a Horseman for his last second fumble against Denver in the AFC Championship Game — was not only a great running back, he was especially great THAT DAY. He almost singlehandedly brought the Browns back from a huge deficit with his runs and catches. It was sport-tragic that he ended up being the goat.
Craig Ehlo — a Horseman by default (he just happened to be the poor sap who had to defend Michael Jordan when he hit his first really famous game-winning shot) — was a good player who had scored the go-ahead basket on a brilliant out-of-bounds play. In fact, he had scored TOO FAST which was why Jordan got his shot.
Tony Fernandez — a Horseman for making the game-changing error in extra innings in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series — had, up to that moment, been a candidate for Series MVP. He hit .471 in that World Series, and he drove in both the Indians runs in that very Game 7.
In other words, the biggest goats in Cleveland sports history had all been heroes as well. That’s part of the point. It’s a star-crossed town, what can I tell you? Anyway, Joel Skinner doesn’t fit the profile.
* * *
I love it when color commentators and newspaper reporters do their, “Keys to victory” before a game. Each announcer/newspaper has its own stupid name for this (newspapers usually put the keys at the end of their “match-up charts”), but they’re all the same. The announcer/reporter comes up with one or two basic things each team needs to do to win.
The reason I like these is because it forces us to make a hard choice. We have to narrow down everything to one pithy “key to victory.” It’s especially fun to watch television announcers deal with this challenge. Some simply try to cheat and turn their one key into some broad and vague statement (“The Rockies key to victory today will be good pitching and timely hitting. If they can get those things, and play their usual sound defense and maybe create a little havoc on the bases, I think they’ve got an excellent chance today”).
Others offer up the same kind of broad and vague statement, but use a pun to cover up the banality: “Today, the Rockies need to be PH balanced … the ‘P’ standing for Pitching and the ‘H’ for Hitting).
PUNNY INTERLUDE: Speaking of puns, Tim McCarver … well, you knew it would be about him. During Game 7, he was talking about Boston reliever Hideki Okajima and his unusual head movements while he goes through his windup. McCarver was saying that in Japan, they were — “pardon the pun, trying to keep his head on straight.” McCarver actually said, “Pardon the pun.” Which would be fine, except you KNOW McCarver had come up with that line like three weeks earlier. You know he was just DYING to get it into a broadcast. Pardon the pun? The pun was the whole point. He should have said, “Pardon the point.” He should have said “Pardon the bizarre contortions I need to do to get to this stupid pun” (which as, a couple of readers have already pointed out, wasn’t even a pun to begin with). It“s like that joke I heard at camp one year that has the punch line, “Silly Rabbi, kicks are for Trids.” The setup is too convoluted to make the joke worthwhile.
Then, some of us use buzzwords as our keys to victory. It will come down to leadership. Confidence. Momentum. Character. McCarver (not to pick on him) said Game 7 would be won by the team breathed easier. Do we believe any of this? I doubt it. The Red Sox did not have more “character” than the Indians in Game 7. They had a lot more hitting. But hey, we all do it. I remember some years ago when Jimmy the Greek used to do his NFL picks, and he would match up the two teams in a number of categories — Offense, Defense, Special Teams — and then he had one category called “Intangibles.” Even back then I wondered — how could one team has MORE intangibles than the other team. They’re intangible. That’s the point. Their intangibility.
Well, I’m going to give you now my Keys to Victory for this World Series — Boston v. Colorado — and I’m going to offer no buzzwords, no vague statement, no puns. I’m going to make it real simple because I’m about to the leave the country and don’t have time for anything complex. Here you go:.
– Colorado’s key to victory: Beat Josh Beckett in Game 1.
– Boston’s key to victory: Don’t let Colorado beat Josh Beckett in Game 1.
That’s it. I’m making the call right now. Game 1 winner takes it all. It’s not really that bold, I know, but here’s my thinking:
FOR COLORADO: The Rockies already beat Beckett once. On June 14 at Fenway, they crunched Beckett for six runs in five innings - Matt Holiday and Garrett Atkins both homered. It was Beckett’s worst outing of the season (or at least his lowest game score) and you can’t tell me that anyone has forgotten.
Now in my opinion, Beckett, more than anyone else, won the ALCS. His dominating performance in Game 5 turned everything around. The Indians could not touch him, and I suspect that was the game when the Indians batters all realized at once, “Oh man, this is serious now.” It’s like the moment when Gil Morgan was leading the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Then he hit a bad shot and was staring down at one of those impossible to stop chips with water on the other side and he thought, “Oh oh.” He was never heard from again.
If Colorado can smack Beckett around again — even a little bit — and win the game, I think that does two huge things. One, it really convinces the Rockies players that they are unbeatable. They already have some of those feelings now. Two, it pierces the whole “Josh Beckett is the greatest big game pitcher ever” invincibility shield. With a mortal Beckett, the Red Sox are not nearly as scary. Suddenly, they’re down a game and coming back with the 88-mph Curt Schilling and Rollin’ the Dice-K. I think Rockies win it all.
FOR BOSTON: Boston players and management types will talk on and on about how much they respect Colorado, but seriously, they KNOW that they are a lot better than the Rockies. Hell, the Rockies played in the horrendous National league and until there were two weeks left in the season they weren’t even a particularly good team in the National League. I like the Rockies as much as anyone, but come on, their No. 2 starter is Josh Fogg and away from Coors they didn’t hit a lick.
But what the Rockies have going for them is this absurd streak — 21 victories in 22 games — and that irrepressible “We are blessed” feeling. Well, actually that feeling is quite repressible. That feeling goes bye bye real fast if Beckett sticks it in their ears for seven or eight shuotout innings, and then Jonathan Papelbon closes the door with 97-mph heat and a little Lord of the Dance. Yes a 7-0 destruction would end the Rockies Can’t Lose momentum real fast. And after that, it’s a five-game victory for the Red Sox, or a sweep, depending on Game 3.
There you go. I don’t care what Dane Cook says. You only have to watch Game 1.
* * *
Sadly, I won’t be around even for Game 1. As I so delicately hinted in the title and in the previous section, I am going on an assignment far, far away. OK, I’ll give you a hint: I’m going to Japan to write about the Japan Series and new Royals manager Trey Hillman. Good hint, eh?
Yes, this was quite sudden and unexpected, and I’m still trying to figure out how it’s all going to work. If any of you happens to be in Sapporo or Nagoya or knows a lot about those places and has some hints to offer, hey, I’m here to listen. And, you bet, I’ll try to keep you updated on the Japan Series right here — I’m pretty sure that will send my bloggy numbers through the roof. Especially if I go after Chief Wahoo again.
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29 Comments, Comment or Ping
Benwa
Nsiya Tova, have a safe trip
Oct 23rd, 2007
Joel
Whether he deserves it or not Joel Skinner will be the name associated with the 2007 ALCS for Indians fans. Of course he wasn’t the reason the Indians lost, but he did his part right along with Sabathia, Hafner, Carmona, and the rest of the lot.
What’s remarkable about all this is that Joel Skinner was the coach who earned the job last season as a replacement for a guy who was far, far worse: Jeff Datz. So the Indians upgraded from maybe the worst 3B coach I’ve ever seen to a guy whose name will be forever brought up when discussing botched coaching decisions (because really, everyone talks about 3B coach mistakes like all the time). It would have been perfect if prior to the game Skinner pulled a shoulder, thus preventing him from waiving runners home, and had to be replaced by Datz, who would have promptly given Lofton the run sign. Datz would be remembered as a hero even though he isn’t instead of Skinner being remembered as a failure even though he isn’t.
Still…you gotta send Lofton!
Oct 23rd, 2007
Minda
Good luck in Japan. Go ‘Fighters!
Oct 23rd, 2007
Jeff Orth
Tsurumi! If you get a chance stop by this little burg halfway between Tokyo and Yokohama.
There is a bar there called Chibata, across the street is a superb Sushi restaurant. All 100% tourist free. (Nobody speaks much English either, but, I got around fine.)
I was there over labor day. I never found bad food there.
JeffO
Oct 23rd, 2007
James
Have fun in Japan! Going to Nagoya and Sapporo will give you a very different impression of the country than if you’d just gone to Tokyo, like most people (especially journalists) do…
Oct 23rd, 2007
Josh
Joe, my advice to you in Japan is to try the vending machines. They are everywhere, and they are fantastic. If you enjoy coffee, the cans of coffee from the vending machines is especially delicious. Just be careful… it comes both hot and cold (blue button on front of machine for cold, red for warm). Enjoy!
Oct 23rd, 2007
Oddibe
Joe,
Have a good trip to Japan. While you are there, see if you can spot any of “Nolan Ryan’s Tender Aged Beef” in stores or at the ballparks. He took a USDA junket over there this summer to promote American beef because since the mad cow scare Japan has allowed almost no American beef to be sold there. His son Reid wrote about it in a couple of emails to Round Rock Express fans. The highlight of the trip was when Nolan threw the first pitch to Bobby Valentine before a game and it was clocked in the upper 80s. It’s still unknown if he did any pitching to get the first Whataburger opened in Japan. “Try findin’ a Whataburger in Philadelphia, Chicago, New York…” or “Whataburger. It’s like a beacon in the night.”
Also, speaking of McCarver and Japan. Why are Dice-K and Okajima always called “Japanese imports” as if they are a Toyota Camry or a Honda. You don’t hear players from other countries being called imports I don’t think. When was the last time you heard a player from the D.R., Puerto Rico, Canada, etc being called a “__________ import”? Kind of funny. Maybe the NAAJP should file a protest?
Oct 23rd, 2007
Royalfan
Surely you don’t remember John Mizerock coaching third base for the Royals several years ago. I can’t count the times he killed rallies by getting runners thrown out at the plate. And most of them weren’t even close. I left several games early just because I was so furious at his incompetence. He makes Joel Skinner look like Einstein.
Oct 23rd, 2007
Jim Haas
And, technically, McCarver’s remark wasn’t even a pun.
Oddibe makes a very good point about the ‘imports.’ Strange.
Oct 23rd, 2007
Simon Oliver Lockwood
Oddibe asked: Why are Dice-K and Okajima always called “Japanese imports” … You don’t hear players from other countries being called imports I don’t think.
I think it’s because Japanese players come over as established “Major Leaguers” rather than as kids coming through the minors. They’re imported as finished products rather than developed from raw materials.
Oct 23rd, 2007
roger
@Joel: I believe Skinner initially replaced NEWMAN! Jeff Newman, that is, who was scientifically proven to be the worst 3rd base coach ever (besides this guy I played softball with who would send you home regardless of ball location, runner’s speed, situation, etc). I think Skinner became bench coach and Datz (who was a monstrously intimidating 1st base coach) became 3rd base coach. I didn’t like it because I think Skinner (overall) is good and I remembered the debacle that was Newman. Anywho, the Indians eventually figured it out and put Skinner back.
To the game 7 point, it wasn’t Skinner per se (though it was a terrible decision), but once that happened, you just knew Blake would GIDP (or consecutive Blake/Sizemore Ks).
Oct 23rd, 2007
Eli
This conversation reminds me of one of my favorite Bill Simmons lines of all time. He constantly criticized Dale Sveum (Red Sox 3rd base coach at the time) and during Game 7 of the infamous Yankees series in 2004, Sveum got Damon thrown out at home in the first inning. In his column Simmons wrote, “If this guy was a school crossing guard, little kids would be getting pancaked by SUVs like Tony Mandarich in his prime.”
Oct 23rd, 2007
Bob
Joe,
After you get on your flight from Tokyo to Sapporo, you are going to be going to a much different part of Japan. Sapporo is up on the northernmost island of Hokkaido and you will find out that sunrise and sunset are at odd times. The sun will come up around 6 am, but by 4:30 it’s going to be getting dark.
Sapporo is much quieter than what a stereotypical Japanese city (i.e. Tokyo) is like. It’s easy to get around as much of the city is laid out in a nice grid pattern and much of the city is numbered.
It’s likely that you are going to be steered toward restaurants or bars that cater to Westerners, but I would just go to a place the locals go to. Don’t worry about the language barrier. A good restaurant will bring you good food. If it doesn’t appeal to you, there is always a McDonald’s or Starbucks around.
I say, when in Sapporo, look for the giant crab.
http://griddle.baseballtoaster.com/archives/541925.html
My only knowledge of Nagoya is that I went to a game at the Nagoya Dome. Which is really clean and an usher personally escorted me halfway around the stadium to find my seat.
Presumably you’ll fly back to Tokyo and then take a train down to Nagoya, which takes a couple hours and you get to see Mount Fuji if the weather is right.
The easiest thing to do in Japan when you’ve got time to kill and you don’t know quite what to do is ask where the biggest department store is and go visit and wander through the food section of it. You probably shouldn’t buy anything since it will be expensive, but you will find the selection impressive.
Oct 23rd, 2007
Jim
I remember Jimmy the Greek making those picks. I was about eight and didn’t know what the word “intangible” meant. I asked my dad and he said something about things you can’t measure. When I asked why Jimmy the Greek was measuring them, he said “Because he’s an asshole who gets paid to be an asshole.” That’s stuck with me for 25 years.
Oct 23rd, 2007
Steve
Talking about bad 3B coaching decisions, what about the Dodger 3B coach in last year’s NLDS who got two men thrown out at home ON THE SAME PLAY?
Oct 23rd, 2007
Ryan
I think the media and fans want to Bill Bucknerize every series. They always want to find the goat that was the turning point in the key game. The Red Sox made plenty of mistakes in that game too.
Casey Blake caught some flak for hitting into a double play in a key inning, but how many DPs did the Red Sox hit into that game and the entire series? They broke a record for most DPs in post-season series and STILL won.
I’m not a fan of demonizing players and coaches in big series like these. It’s too easy to do. It was a seven game series. Cleveland had its chances.
BTW, Joe, I agree with you about getting rid of the Chiefs Wahoo guy. I mean, how would all these people who sent you angry emails feel if there was a team called the Charleston Blowhards and the mascot was Rush Limbaugh or Bill O’Reilly?
Actually, it’s 50/50 that they might like it.
Oct 23rd, 2007
Ernie Camacho
Skinner made a bad decision but there is no point in agonizing over it because it is IMPOSSIBLE to know whether or not it cost the Indians the game. That is a fact. Not one person in this world knows how the game would have played out had Lofton scored. Everyone talks as if it cost the Indians the game, but they could have still gone on to lose.
The only way to know for sure that it cost them the game is if it occurred in the bottom of the ninth with the score tied.
Oct 23rd, 2007
Craig Calcaterra
Having kids roughly the same age as yours, all I can think when I read this is just how mad my wife would be if I went away to Japan on business for a week or two.
Hang in there, Margo.
Oct 23rd, 2007
ajnrules
If you ask me, it’s possible that Skinner wasn’t willing to take the risk after Lofton was thrown out at 2nd. It’s better to have runners on the corner with 1 out than a runner at first with 2 outs with the same score. And Casey Blake had gone 2 for 2 earlier in the game…
Anyways, all I can say is ganbatte.
Oct 23rd, 2007
Jon
I can’t believe you put a “Sorry Rabbi kicks are for trids” reference in there that is seriously hilariously great.
Oct 23rd, 2007
James
Hey Joe, be sure to try the Sapporo Ramen on your trip. Just ask your guide to take you to one of the better ramen shops, it’ll be worth the wait no matter how crowded. If you ever get to Tokyo drop me an email, I’ll be glad to recommend a lot of good places.
James
Oct 24th, 2007
Blue
Joe-
Try to find time to go to an Onsen. Trust me on this one!
Oct 24th, 2007
Sven
Speaking of the Bucknerization of Series. I skipped a lot of the production (Thank you Tivo). Was there any mention at all of the ‘99 Series and magical Pedro or Troy O’Leary? (Or am I not allowed to mention his name on your blog)
And btw, blaming Ehlo for a Jordan move is like blaming the Miami secondary for a Brady to Moss TD. Some things are just unstoppable.
Oct 24th, 2007
Eric
Man, Boston fans can be obnoxious after they win. If I hear (or read) one more tell me that we’ll get a World Series ourselves someday, I’ll punch them (or flame them on a blog).
The Indians have one more year left to win the series (where they’ll have about a 10 percent chance), and then CC will be gone to some free-spending team. Probably the Red Sox. The Sox will contend forever, because baseball is broken, but this was our one chance.
Oct 24th, 2007
Atlanta Sports Fan
Eric–good stuff. Your negativism (for lack of a better word) reminds me of my buddy who’s a lifelong Cleveland fan. In response to the Browns being in Yahoo! Sports’ top 10 power poll, he said “I guess I’ve got a new letdown to focus on.”
Oct 24th, 2007
Rep. Kucinich
I won’t comment about this to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, but I will tell my friends here on this board that UFOs do exist. Pres Bush and his evil cabal have suppresed this fact and have actively worked to make the aliens mad at us. Global warming will soon cause Metrapluxon and Zbbvrytsk to attack us. I was told this by their ambassador to my campaign.
-D.K.
Kucinich Had A UFO Encounter, According To Friend Shirley MacLaine
By Eric Kleefeld - October 23, 2007, 10:19AM
In Shirley MacLaine’s new book, the actress and longtime friend of Dennis Kucinich makes an interesting claim: During a visit to her home in Washington state, Kucinich said he saw a UFO and heard messages from it.
“Dennis found his encounter extremely moving,” MacLaine writes. “The smell of roses drew him out to my balcony where, when he looked up, he saw a gigantic triangular craft, silent, and observing him.
“It hovered, soundless, for 10 minutes or so, and sped away with a speed he couldn’t comprehend. He said he felt a connection in his heart and heard directions in his mind.”
Kucinich’s campaign and Congressional offices did
Oct 24th, 2007
Andrew H
Wow….Joe you missed the worst World Series game in history. I knew the layoff would hurt Colorado (McCarver said it wouldn’t) but I had no idea it would be this bad. I hope the rest of the series isn’t this bad. If so…oh brother. It’s currently 12-1 and the bases are still juiced for Boston in the 5th inning….and oh yeah, it’s 10:00 central time. Nice work, MLB.
Oct 25th, 2007
Old Man Duggan
Is it wrong to have yelled “Go back to Ireland” to Troy O’Leary while heckling the Cubs at a Cubs-fan-dominated Miller Park?
By the way, is there anything more irritating than Cubs fans overtaking Miller Park because the tickets are cheaper and then being total assholes in the other team’s park? I’m not a Brewers fan, but it certainly makes me hope that their pain continues.
Oct 25th, 2007
Old Man Duggan
Oh, eat some eel. I hear it’s really good. For real.
Oct 25th, 2007
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