Nerve-Racking Save Situations plus my thoughts on Jose Lima and Nyjer Morgan's inside the park incident

Just another sunny-Sunday afternoon. Got the Brewers-Twins game going on the MLB.tv feed. Got the end of the Red Sox-Phillies game playing on the TV.

Yesterday's game was interesting to say the least. Coming back from 4 down to take a lead only to blow the lead and lose in the 12th. Thus far today, the Brewers pitching (despite being in shambles) has pitched reasonably well so far as they are up 4-2 in the 6th inning. This also happens to be the second game where a Brewer has made their big league debut this weekend as Zach Braddock is in the middle of his first appearance as we speak.

Today is a sad day in the world of baseball as Jose Lima died at the age of 37. This was a bit shocking to say the least (anyone that uses a name such as Lima Time for his pitching appearances has to be interesting). His Major League career might have been over but he wasn't that old. Lima had an interesting career to say the least. He had a couple really good seasons in '98 at '99 and at age 26 it looked like he was going to be amongst the elite pitchers for the foreseeable future.

Of course things didn't work out that way. He did have his moments after that (pitching a playoff shutout for the Dodgers in the 2004 NLDS) but he was never able to recapture what he had for the end of the 90s. The last I remembered seeing of him was about a month ago. I was watching a Dodgers-Pirates game, it was about the 8th inning and they cut to the crowd where Lima was signing some autographs for some fans....I didn't think too much about this when I was watching that game but it seems surreal now that the next time I would see or hear anything about Lima would be to hear of his death.

So, yesterday I was watching MLB Network and they were about to go to commercial and they were teasing for a highlight for the Nationals game and something about an inside-the-park home run that happened in an unusual fashion. Since I wasn't feeling like TV after the Brewers loss yesterday, I didn't think much about it and went on with my day.

Well, I just saw the YouTube video for it and all I gotta say is wow. So I know its gotta be disappointing falling short on making a catch that would have robbed the hitter of a likely double. Being distracted enough to throw your hat down and completely lose it to the point that another outfielder has to throw the ball in a desperate attempt to prevent an inside the parker--that has got to be about the dumbest i've seen on a big league field in a long time (if not ever)--i'm guessing it will be hard for him to live this incident and he'll be likely to be remembered for the 20 seconds of bad judgment more than whatever he may accomplish on the field....it might not be fair but thats just the harsh reality of things.

Felling a bit tense the Brewers are up 4-2 right now but down to those elusive last 3 outs. Today's closers role is going to John Axford (after a very quick inning by Hoffman). Hudson just led off with a double--not liking how this is starting......strikes out Morneau (not bad at all)....struck out Cuddyer swinging (up and in).....Kubel RBI Single (not hit that hard outfield playing deep 4-3).......base hit runners at 1st and 3rd, Thome coming up...based loaded Plouffe coming out......strikes out Plouffe to end the game and lead the bases loaded...........for once a blown save is averted...........wow that was a bit nerve-racking......been inside my apartment a bit much this weekend, time to hit the gym.....till next time

Sports/Music Crossover Column: Collective Soul

So.....I was wandering aimlessly on the internet earlier today and realized that mid-90s post-grunge band Collective Soul is coming out with a new album titled Rabbit on Tuesday....in tribute to their 15+plus year body of work....I decided the time was ripe for another sports/music crossover post to discuss my take on whichever sports news crosses my mind.....

The Song Division:

"Counting the Days"--.....until football season

I am counting the days till football season for various reasons. First, to see whether or not the Packers will bounce back from a disapointing year. Will the switch to a 3-4 defense make the Packers defense at least somewhat competent? Will Aaron Rodgers build on a strong 2008 and inch himself closer to the leagues elite.....

Also, for purposes directly realting to this blog...I decided that I needed a way to expand my knowledge about sports teams that don't happen to play in the state of Wisconsin......and after years of being sure I would never cross over into it.....I am making my first serious foray into fantasy sports.....i have a fantasy nfl and college teams starting up soon...i'm a bit anxious to see how well I do and to see if/how it will expand my knowledge.....

"Why Pt. 2"---Brett Favre's 2nd annual retirement/un-retirement fiasco

Seriously, what is this dude thinking? Does he not want people to like him? Does he realize that he's just not that good anymore? Why does he retire when he knows he's going to come back? Whatever....it should be amusing to see him expand his all-time career lead in interceptions by another 25......and lead the Vikings to a non-playoff season

"Blame"---Memphis Basketball Scandal

Who is to blame for this little fiasco? Coach John Calipari, a coach who has now directly led to TWO schools having to forfeit a Final Four appearance? Derrick Rose....a player who had to lie and cheat to pass the SAT and be "eligible" to play at Memphis? My Answer C: All of the Above

"Run"---Usain Bolt--running his way into the record books

Alright so I could care less about track....but anytime you break two world records by yourself [100 metres/200 metres] in the same week........that's pretty epic and worth giving some recognition to

"Perfect Day"---Mark Buerhle's perfect game

Alright so i'm a month late on this one but going 27 up/27 down in a baseball game is pretty awesome.....and rare enough that it's happened only 18 times in MLB history

"No More, No Less" ----- Cubs/Dodgers All Time Series

Going into this weekends set the Cubs and Dodgers played each other 2,028 times......The Cubs won 1,014 times....the Dodgers had won the other 1,014 times........tough to get a series as close as that....not sure what the odds are of this happening but this is definitely one of those statistical anamolies that is unlikely to repeat itself in sports........

The Albums Secion

"Afterwords"--Micheal Vick and the aftermath of his prison sentence

In the aftermath of Vick's 18-month sentence for dogfighting and signing on with the Eagles...what's going to happen in the aftermath of his scandal........will PETA ever forgive the Eagles?.....will the Eagles switch to a wildcat offense that emphasises his strengths very well?....when will we find out whether or not Vick will be suspended or allowed to play?........with this story and the Favre story going on at the same time which story will ESPN bludgeon like a dead horse first?.......will Vick be the same, better, or worse than before his prison sentence.....this question and possibly others will be answered in this season of NFL football

"Rabbit"---emergence of ML leadoff hitters who can run--and actually get on base.....

I don't know if its just me but it seems like there's been an infusion of youth and speed at the top of lineups all over the NL this year.....Andrew McCutchen, Micheal Bourn, Nyjer Morgan.....with Alceides Escobar in the process of joining this list..........none of these guys are likely to be power hitters...but they all hit for solid contact....and their speed causes problems for opposing pitchers once they get on base.....

"From the Ground Up"---NFL/mystery suprise team

With the NFL season coming up...come speculation on which team will rise from the ground up and go from atrocious to the playoffs within a year.....last year it was the Dolphins and Falcons who went from laughingstocks to legit contenders.......I have no idea who will pull it off this year but either way it won't be that much of a shock when it happens [unless the Lions somehow are that team]