World Series Game 4 Live Blog

by
October 27, 2013
11:58
Brad Johnson: Good luck getting to sleep after that one. Bye all.
11:58
Wendy Thurm: OK friends. Got to get my kids to bed, I’m out. See ya around the twitters.
11:57
Brad Johnson: The funny thing is that I agree. With a slow lefty up and Koji on the hill, your best bet is to get the hitter
11:57
Comment From Josh
I like the part where McCarver said the Red Sox shouldn’t hold the runner. That was cool.

11:56
Brad Johnson: A risk anytime you bring in a reliever. Especially a sinkerballer, even a slight miss in location can lead to terrible results.
11:56
Comment From Frank
Watching the Gomes shot again, wow Maness just missed there. Should never be that far up with his stuff.

11:55
Brad Johnson: Ok, well it’s been fun everyone. Tune in next time for more poor fundamental baseball in October.
11:55
Comment From ChrisinNYC
LOL. It was THIS play http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/poll-obstruction-or-smart-defense/

11:54
Comment From Shrewd Cat
It’s hard to believe these are the 2 best teams in baseball.

11:54
Comment From Poncho
“them boys did give a tug”

11:54
Comment From Scruffy, the janitor
Tomorrow’s game ends with a walkoff balk

11:54
Brad Johnson: So I have to assume the rest of the series will be painfully anticlimatic
11:54
Comment From paul
Defense and baserunning has been obscene this series

11:54
Comment From Crusty
WHAT IS WITH THE ENDINGS OF THESE GAMES!

11:54
Comment From lowercase jeff
MORE INSANITY. YES. EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED.

11:54
Comment From AJT
LOLOL

11:53
Comment From Tim McCarver
wow

11:53
Comment From Sandy Ravage
AWESOME!

11:53
Comment From paul
That is so wrong Wong

11:53
Comment From gump
AHAHAHAHAHA

11:53
Comment From Crusty
Wow

11:53
Comment From Hank
The odd thing? Why were they even holding him on with 2 out and a lefty pull hitter up?

11:53
Comment From Robo
thanks for the real time shot of that fox

11:52
Comment From Brian
are we going to have a normal game this series?

11:52
Brad Johnson: Oh wow. This series…
11:52
Wendy Thurm: WOW
11:51
Comment From Guest
Beltran postseason narrative activated. Go.

11:50
Brad Johnson: He doesn’t have a changeup. Just fastball, split, and a very rare curve
11:50
Comment From Tim McCarver
Middlebrooks is somehow going to screw this up for Boston

11:50
Comment From Erik
The 1-0 pitch looked like a change up?

11:50
Comment From Guest
Craig now is 4 for 4 as PH in the WS (11 and 13).

11:49
Wendy Thurm: Craig pulling a Kirk Gibson in this series
11:48
Brad Johnson: The problem is that it’s hard to distinguish between the two.
11:47
Comment From paul
With Koji you have to go up there looking for 1 pitch, FB or split, he throws each about 50% of the time. If you go up looking for both, you can’t hit either

11:47
Comment From Crusty
I need to create a 200 page binder as to how much I can improve a company’s profit margins. “This guy is the Steve Jobs of the live blogging world…”

11:46
Wendy Thurm: Scourge on America
11:46
Brad Johnson: I think I’m hovering around 1.0 but I’m still a prospect and offer plenty of projection. For example, I still need to get software for GIF making.
11:46
Comment From gump
didn’t even realize there was more than one Jeremy ad

11:45
Comment From Red
What’s your AAR (articles above replacement)?

11:45
Comment From machetko
In the realm of professional athletics, 1B is as un-demanding as it gets. Just seems insane to me that there’s somehow an argument for a rule that allows us to keep players unable to meet its rather mild demands.

11:44
Brad Johnson: The key being that they don’t just walk away. Even in the closed system of baseball, some teams simply avoid Boras clients if at all possible.
11:44
Comment From Pre
Honestly, if you ever end up in a salary negotiation in life, pretend like your Boras. In my experience if you start from a position of ludicrous you can potentially get solidly overpaid

11:43
Wendy Thurm: Koji time
11:43
Wendy Thurm: I’ve studied this issue bc of all the controversy in SF over Pablo Sandoval. 1B and DH are the only places those body types can last, and even 1B is tough
11:43
Brad Johnson: I’ll hire him to negotiate my contract extension with Fangraphs.
11:42
Comment From Crusty
Scott Boras got that guy a 200 million dollar contract. I want him to be my agent.

11:41
Brad Johnson: Would need to see more than 10 games of Ortiz in the field to answer that accurately. I’d call them similar.
11:41
Wendy Thurm: Prince Fielder is in a steady decline
11:41
Comment From williams .482
Am I crazy to think Ortiz is a better defender than Fielder?

11:40
Brad Johnson: Definitely a higher risk for injury than the average bear, but Prince Fielder has held up well with a similar body type so it’s no guarantee.
11:39
Comment From machetko
Do we really think that if there were no DH a player like Ortiz would have been flat-out unable to maintain his career as a first baseman, i.e., would have been consistently injured or such a defensive liability?

11:39
Comment From joe bucks eyebrows
he was fixed when he put up a 109 wRC+ with above average defense as a shortstop.

11:38
Brad Johnson: Dave would have posted 5 articles in an hour. As it was, I had to change my article’s topic twice.
11:38
Wendy Thurm: Certainly in the series
11:38
Comment From Josh
Am I crazy, or is that Drew’s best at bat in a month?

11:38
Comment From Ezra
I don’t know. Everyone was complaining that an obstruction call was anticlimactic but I thought it was a great way to end a game. Heck, I wish Game 7 was decided by an obstruction call. Can you imagine all the wonderful Dave Cameron articles we would’ve gotten out of that?

11:38
Brad Johnson: we think it’s an important proxy for intangibles like teamwork
11:37
Brad Johnson: Their new system HIGH5f/x which helps us quantify who is best at high fiving
11:37
Comment From ATrain
broken? when was he fixed?

11:37
Comment From Erik
Why does Fox show so many high fives in super slow-mo?

11:37
Brad Johnson: Drew is broken right now, so no.
11:36
Comment From Crusty
Salty’s series has been awful.

11:36
Comment From gump
Is Drew Due? Stay Tuned…

11:36
Wendy Thurm: Agree. Salty should have held that ball for SO MANY reasons,
11:35
Brad Johnson: That was an awesome play by Pedroia. I wish the play had worked out so we could focus on that.
11:35
Comment From Ezra
I don’t know Brian, Jay came up HUGE with that totally planned groundout to Pedroia which led to The Call.

11:34
Brad Johnson: The Cardinals have been using magic beans all season long. The bottom of their order is so overexposed right now.
11:34
Comment From Brian
freese and jay have been terrible in big spots all series

11:32
Wendy Thurm: Last call on the final result poll
11:32
Brad Johnson: Drew with a touch pass to first.
11:32
Brad Johnson: I couldn’t tell you Wendy, it’s mindnumbing how sloppy this series has been
11:31
Wendy Thurm: What is it about the 8th and 9th innings that the Sox just lose all sense of the fundamentals?
11:30
Comment From Shannon
Honestly, Napoli probably could have come off the bag to catch the throw, then gotten back in time to get the out.

11:29
Wendy Thurm: Xander rushed the throw for no reason
11:29
Brad Johnson: Seems I’m on a video delay now, I knew about the error before he swung
11:28
Comment From Ben
Why are we penalizing Farrell for being creative for once. I’d rather have a starter throwing his best stuff in a high-levarage situation, and keep my pen fresh. Its not like he’ll miss a start because he pitched the eighth.

11:28
Comment From James
If by “the face” you mean scary, probably-homicidal, Dr. Cox from Scrubs then, yes, he has “the face”.

11:27
Brad Johnson: And Ortiz and Craig
11:27
Comment From Molitor
Molina and Adams only guys who are out on that ball

11:27
Brad Johnson: theoretically this is his between start pen work.
11:26
Comment From Nick
Does this screw up Lackey starting game 6?

11:26
Brad Johnson: Do you mean that he has “the face?”
11:26
Comment From Robo
Well at least Lackey looks good

11:25
Brad Johnson: And I speak from first hand experience.
11:25
Brad Johnson: Aggression is much easier to learn than patience.
11:24
Comment From Scruffy, the janitor
I’d rather a young player be excessively patient than excessively aggressive.

11:24
Brad Johnson: This does appear to be a weakness of his – I did an analysis piece on him for THT recently and wondered the same thing.
11:23
Comment From Gila Monster
Boegarts might be too patient though hoping borderline pitches get called his way.

11:23
Brad Johnson: He needs to be rested for the long season ahead of him.
11:23
Comment From Ben
Wait why can’t Tazawa just get the 8th? He threw like 2 pitches in the 7th

11:22
Brad Johnson: It’s true. No wonder scouts love him. And here comes Lackey
11:22
Wendy Thurm: Tough called 3rd strike
11:22
Comment From Tim McCarver
Xander looks good at the plate. Even when he makes an out, he looks really good in there.

11:21
Brad Johnson: I was waiting on someone to do the leg work for me on that one. Thank you minions.
11:20
Comment From gump
nava’s a good fielder? -28 career Def, -18.4 this year?

11:19
Comment From paul
Nava is a very good fielder

11:19
Brad Johnson: I haven’t gotten many looks at Berry, but he’s fast at least.
11:19
Comment From gump
is berry a good fielder? i guess it doesn’t take much to be better than nava or gomes…

11:18
Brad Johnson: Not nuts, pretty standard usage of defensive replacements
11:18
Comment From Tim McCarver
Berry to OF for Gomes after this? Or is that nuts?

11:17
Brad Johnson: I forgot about PR Berry as a SB option earlier today.
11:17
Comment From Guest
First SB for Boston.

11:16
Brad Johnson: lackey isn’t*
11:16
Brad Johnson: Just seems risky to use a start in this situation. And a non-elite starter at that. Lackey is vintage Pedro.
11:16
Comment From williams .482
What would be so bad about John Lackey starting the 8th?

11:15
Brad Johnson: Uehara did fail to close the door yesterday…
11:15
Comment From Ruki
John Lackey for new Red Sox closer!

11:15
Wendy Thurm: Practice of law has changed substantially. Only top law grad get substantive jobs out of school in big cities. 2008 recession changed the economics of the profession.
11:15
Brad Johnson: We will learn soon.
11:15
Comment From Justin
Why is Lackey still throwing? That had better be sidework, and nothing more.

11:14
Brad Johnson: I hear playing baseball is lucrative.
11:14
Comment From Guest
So what field would you advise people to go into?

11:13
Comment From gump
‘go into blogging’

11:11
Wendy Thurm: They’ve been strongly advised against pursuing that career.
11:11
Comment From Cheese
Wendy, would you advise your kids to go to law school?

11:11
Brad Johnson: Blind squirrels and nuts, you know?
11:10
Wendy Thurm: No
11:10
Comment From Frank
Was that actually a sound point by McCarver? I’m shocked.

11:10
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Wendy, as a lawyer, can you submit a plea of guilty against your client’s will like Kinnear did?

11:09
Brad Johnson: I love how announcers make a huge deal about any sort of cross-sport relationship.
11:08
Wendy Thurm: Greg Kinnear has a new show? how dreadful
11:07
Brad Johnson: It’s a bit top heavy. Once you get past Uehara and Tazawa it’s a bit unreliable.
11:07
Comment From gump
is boston’s bullpen this bad?

11:05
Brad Johnson: I’ve noticed that too, I’ll take a look after the game.
11:05
Comment From Pre
it sure seems like a ton of pitches down the middle of the plate today

11:04
Brad Johnson: I assume Lackey’s just getting his work in. I hope anyway.
11:04
Wendy Thurm: Strike one was the pitch to hit. WOW
11:03
Brad Johnson: We’ve belabored this point all postseason, clearly isn’t going to happen.
11:02
Comment From me again
Uehara should have been up and ready to face the middle of the lineup!

11:02
Wendy Thurm: I would, but I’m not a major league manager
11:01
Brad Johnson: ah right, that’s incredibly hard to test well, but I have to imagine that there is SOME effect. I don’t know if it would be large though.
11:01
Comment From Guest
Uehara? Season on the line?

11:00
Brad Johnson: I have to recover Robo’s question – it didn’t show up in my chat log and I forget the details already
10:59
Wendy Thurm: Excitement!
10:59
Comment From Sandy Ravage
And it was magical

10:58
Brad Johnson: “those two hooked up last night”
10:58
Wendy Thurm: Good hitting. He was jammed
10:58
Comment From Robo
Can reliever effectiveness decrease over the span of a 7 game series like this if they keep facing the same people?

10:55
Brad Johnson: This is a very good point, I scout players for fantasy purposes all the time.
10:55
Comment From Getbacktoboston
MLB.tv is great for fantasy baseball fans. I’ll watch brewers marlins any day if one of my starters is going.

10:54
Brad Johnson: I imagine it has something to do witth veteraniness and guts
10:54
Wendy Thurm: Shane Robinson must have the highest WPA/body weight of anyone in the postseason in the last 25 yrs.
10:54
Comment From Nick
Why is Napoli not in for Ortiz right now

10:54
Comment From Sandy Ravage
I love how McCarver talks about playing baseball like it’s not a series of processes and decision-making that occur in like…fractions of seconds. As if he expects Descalso to be the model of plate discipline. I can’t wait to not hear him speak anymore

10:53
Comment From Floyd
mlb.tv is also perfect for Cubs fans who also have jobs. 70 day games means per year means I can just fire up mlb.tv and watch the archived game when I get home

10:53
Comment From Crusty
Why is Ortiz in there?

10:52
Brad Johnson: Gomes with the hockey save
10:51
Comment From rhino
papi being papi

10:51
Comment From Andrew
MLB Advanced media is central revenue.

10:51
Wendy Thurm: MLB.tv is a product of MLB Advanced Media. The 30 teams own MLBAM equally. All revenue goes into the central fund and distributed equally to all 30 teams. Just like national TV contracts
10:51
Brad Johnson: What is Ortiz doing there?
10:50
Comment From Gila Monster
Shouldn’t MLB.tv funding just be provided through revenue sharing?

10:49
Wendy Thurm: Just a terrible swing by Freese there
10:49
Comment From Guest
It’s all about money. Big TV contracts will keep the current system in place for a while.

10:49
Comment From Pre
That’s the thing about mlb.tv, it’s such a good product but mostly appeals to the die hards that are happy to watch non-local teams

10:48
Comment From Crusty
But seriously, someone remind Robo that the NSA has access to Fangraphs live blogs.

10:48
Brad Johnson: Yea I forget that not everybody is like me – I just watch whatever 4-6 games look most interesting at a given time.
10:47
Comment From McClure_SF
@Brad- but not your local team. Born & raised & still living in SF, being able to watch a Brewers/Marlins game doesn’t do me much good.

10:46
Comment From Crusty
Robo hates America! GET HIM!

10:46
Comment From Tom
When Toronto hosts a World Series game, what will they sing? The Hockey Night in Canada Theme?

10:46
Brad Johnson: As bad as they are, at least you can watch most games online. Football doesn’t have that.
10:46
Comment From Pre
I think if they’d get rid of the ludicrous mlb.tv blackouts it would go a long way towards helping encourage a younger audience

10:45
Brad Johnson: Perhaps, but why should someone concern themselves with being a “good american” if it means listening to songs during sporting events.
10:45
Comment From Robo
does the fact that I hate the new “tradition” of singing god bless America during the 7th inning stretch of nationally televised games make me a bad American?

10:44
Wendy Thurm: I’m a big Kapler fan. He needs more seasoning on the TV side, but he’ll get there.
10:43
Comment From Frank
Gabe Kapler would be nice.

10:43
Brad Johnson: my internet also took an intermission there.
10:42
Comment From Casey
Other: Patton Oswalt

10:42
Comment From Tim McCarver
Yeah, MLB needs quality analysts, like Michael Irvin

10:42
Comment From Floyd
I actually think Dirk Hayhurst would be a not-bad replacement for McCarver. Maybe

10:41
Wendy Thurm: One of many reasons, yes
10:41
Comment From Guest
I wonder if Matheny’s slow hook is related to the fact that he seems scared to use about 1/2 of his bullpen right now.

10:41
Comment From Leo
All of these terrible announcers are part of the reason that a younger generation prefers NBA or NFL.

10:40
Brad Johnson: Tim reminds himself of this every night before going to bed: it could be worse.
10:40
Comment From Tim McCarver
Other: Fran Drescher

10:39
Brad Johnson: Fangraphs needs him writing 35 articles a day…
10:39
Wendy Thurm: I think it’s wide open at the moment
10:39
Comment From gump
Other: Jeff Sullivan

10:38
Comment From Williams .482
Is David Cone an option?

10:38
Comment From Ruki
My brain froze trying to answer that poll.

10:37
Brad Johnson: With a 3 run lead, it’s only slightly questionable. I would turn to the pen now personally.
10:36
Comment From Scruffy, the janitor
Would it be dumb to let Doubront hit in this situation?

10:36
Comment From Frank
If LaRussa was managing, there would be no Wacha or CMart or Rosenthal getting innings.

10:36
Brad Johnson: I seem to have lost my audio. I’m not sure if I’m going to bother trying to fix it.
10:35
Brad Johnson: I imagine he’ll be given some tutorials over the offseason.
10:35
Comment From Yo-Yo
The Cardinals are one of the most intelligent teams in baseball. They are run beautifully. How can they stick with a manager who is as inept at in-game management?

10:35
Comment From Tim McCarver
W, all I care about are Ws

10:35
Comment From Frank
RBI /ill show myself out

10:35
Comment From goms
Jay refused to be walked for a third time because he has a sense of right and wrong

10:34
Comment From Robo
TWTW

10:34
Brad Johnson: That’s my favorite as well.
10:34
Comment From Tim McCarver
TISNSTAAPP

10:33
Comment From Scruffy, the janitor
TOOTBLAN

10:33
Wendy Thurm: OBPSI –of course!
10:33
Brad Johnson: What’s the over/under on this game ending before midnight?
10:33
Comment From Ben
Favorite baseball related acronym?

10:33
Brad Johnson: For the commenters writing about the winter meetings – yes actual things do happen. It’s just a bit overblown with modern technology allowing GM’s to text each other at 2AM.
10:33
Comment From Ben
Gomes with bases empty, career: .204/.317/.377
Gomes with men on, career: .293/.373/.480

10:32
Wendy Thurm: Farrell said pre game that LAckey would be available to throw an inning if needed
10:32
Comment From Scruffy, the janitor
It’s his throw day.

10:31
Comment From gump
WHY IS JOHN LACKEY GETTING LOOSE IN THE PEN

10:31
Brad Johnson: Not anymore…
10:30
Comment From Leo
Does anything ever get done at the winter meetings?

10:29
Comment From Brian
i dont think the players have a clue about where the strike zone is

10:29
Comment From Casey
Personally I like the Winter Meetings the best, mostly because its in the middle of nothing baseball-wise.

10:29
Comment From Sandy Ravage
Trade deadline used to be the best before almost every team was still legitimately in the playoff race come July 31st

10:29
Wendy Thurm: Craig Breslow has a beautiful beard
10:29
Comment From Lyle
Ortiz seems to be the only player who grooms his facial hair on Sox.

10:28
Brad Johnson: We can make this a poll, but I’m particularly interested in roster construction. I also like when I can watch 4 games simultaneously.
10:28
Wendy Thurm: I like watching games. So even though I write about the business side, the winter is just a slow death march
10:27
Comment From Gila Monster
Most interesting time of the year : Playoffs,Trade Deadline, or Winter Meetings?

10:27
Wendy Thurm: I’m filing a complaint with the FCC over the close ups of the beard tugs.
10:26
Comment From Robo
The best part is that when Matheny makes a move it blows up in his face thus reinforcing his slow hook

10:25
Brad Johnson: We have a winner, the operative word was “better”
10:25
Comment From chuckb
Matheny’s slow hook is horrendous. Anyone else would quit f-ing throwing it.

10:25
Comment From Tim McCarver
Ask people around baseball and they’ll tell you, you want to score runs.

10:24
Comment From Nick
That’s why unintentional intentional walks are dumb.

10:24
Comment From Ben
Jonny Gomes is never ever coming out of the lineup ever again.

10:24
Comment From Brian
why is gomes getting all fastballs tonight…he is awful against breaking pitches

10:24
Comment From MJ
to think… the inning could’ve ended with an Ortiz groundout off of Choate

10:23
Wendy Thurm: And there you go. Gomes was DUE
10:23
Comment From Sandy Ravage
HAHAHA HE WAS DUE!

10:23
Brad Johnson: So, due?
10:22
Comment From Guest
Well, Gomes does look a little thick around the middle. Maybe he is due.

10:22
Brad Johnson: Don’t worry, I was getting to that!
10:22
Comment From gump
stole my quote without citing me!

10:22
Wendy Thurm: yes
10:22
Brad Johnson: That question comes from commenter Gump
10:22
Comment From Guest
Will Napoli PH tonight?

10:21
Comment From Ruki
I was so hoping that Matheny would bring in Choate to face Gomes to see how this chat would have exploded.

10:21
Brad Johnson: They looked like close balls on the broadcast, but I agree that it wasn’t purely intentional
10:20
Wendy Thurm: If you’re a FG reader and are citing “he’s due” you must be a fan of one of the two teams playing, and there for not thinking rationally
10:20
Comment From Unbiased cards fan looking for a bottom of the strike zone
According to game day those first two ortiz pitches were strikes, so not sure completely unintentional intentional bb

10:19
Brad Johnson: I believe they’re left out of BB% and included in FIP. But that’s worth double checking.
10:19
Comment From paul
About time, hopefully not too late. Gomes is overdue and I semll a 3 run HR

10:19
Comment From gump
do IBB factor into BB%, FIP etc?

10:19
Comment From divcoman
They just put the go-ahead run in scoring position rather than bringing in a lefty. Amazing!

10:19
Comment From Sandy Ravage
What is Mike Matheny doing

10:18
Brad Johnson: About time.
10:18
Comment From jesse
well if he not pitching to ellsbury, nava or ortiz why is choate even up!!!!

10:18
Comment From ChrisinNYC
Unintentional intentional walk. Say it Tim. SAY IT!!!

10:18
Brad Johnson: Ryan Madson’s been trying to come back for a couple seasons now. It’s better than shoulder surgery but carries risk.
10:17
Wendy Thurm: Oh, perhaps he’s not actually pitching Just an unintentional IBB
10:17
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Brandon Beachy, Daniel Hudson, and Cory Leubke all had significant setbacks from TJ this year. It seems to work out well for most, but it’s not a guarantee

10:16
Comment From Donnie Baseball
Matheny went outside for a smoke break.

10:16
Brad Johnson: yea this is mindblowing.
10:16
Wendy Thurm: Hard to imagine Lynn pitching to Ortiz here but here we are
10:16
Brad Johnson: (briefly) You’re looking at two effects. The rehab process gets some players in better shape then they were originally. More importantly, many pitchers have a damaged UCL for awhile before getting surgery.
10:15
Comment From Guest
Choate here?

10:15
Brad Johnson: That’s a misconception.
10:15
Comment From cd
Tommy John surgery seems to be the one surgical procedure that can result in a net improvement. Or maybe that’s just my impression.

10:13
Brad Johnson: Imagine if the Sox just got out of a bases loaded, no out jam?
10:13
Wendy Thurm: Be interesting to see if Brian Wilson regains top closer form
10:13
Brad Johnson: Absolutely not. Players consistently complain about all the postseason nonsense the networks make them do.
10:13
Comment From Tim McCarver
Am I a jerk for asking if these constant breaks could impact a game?

10:12
Comment From jesse
Lynn out for the 6th inning and Dave Cameron is quietly weeping in his drink

10:12
Brad Johnson: Craig Kimbrel, Aroldis Chapman, and Kenley Jansen say hi
10:12
Comment From Gila Monster
Trevor Rosenthal has top-1 potential?

10:12
Brad Johnson: There’s always room to complain.
10:11
Comment From Sandy Ravage
Last night’s strike zone seemed brutal. But it seemed brutal for both teams, so there was no room to complain

10:11
Brad Johnson: Potential? I guess. He’s a very good reliever, but the top 10 may be a stretch.
10:10
Comment From Guest
Does Tazawa long term have top-10 reliever potential?

10:10
Brad Johnson: Without actually testing, I’m willing to bet that there’s no significant difference.
10:09
Comment From Unbiased cards fan looking for a bottom of the strike zone
Is the accuracy of called strikes and balls in the postseason worse than the regular season? I think it just feels that way because of using the strike zone graphics

10:09
Brad Johnson: Not many players come from Europe. Yet. But this is a good point.
10:09
Comment From Steff
If they are from europe, they will have had at least 5 year of english in most countries. In Germany every pupil hast to learn at least one other language beginning in 5th grade (a lot learn two languages over 8 years)

10:08
Brad Johnson: Japanese players are a bit of an exception.
10:08
Comment From cd
Koji required an interpreter during the Pennant ceremony.

10:07
Brad Johnson: By the time they reach the majors, yes. But not always before that. Depends on a number of factors.
10:06
Comment From Sandy Ravage
Random question you guys might have an answer for: Do most foreign-born players speak at least some English? I can understand why they might not want to interview in English, but a good portion have to have some basic language skills, right?

10:06
Comment From chuckb
Cards approach at the plate has been just awful tonight.

10:06
Wendy Thurm: I do think that is part of it
10:06
Brad Johnson: They also require more team coordination in general.
10:06
Comment From cd
Maybe its because the NFL and NBA rely more on verbal play calling, during, umm, play, and the crowds in the NFL and NBA have the opportunity to interfere with that.

10:05
Wendy Thurm: Hilarious
10:05
Brad Johnson: I almost mentioned that, but how many games does that factor into?
10:05
Comment From McClure_SF
Cody Ross is RTing everyone who thinks he’s playing right now https://twitter.com/IamCodyRoss

10:05
Comment From Seb
What about the hill in center field…which i think is the Astros stadium

10:04
Comment From someone
“Catch it before it hits the ground.” Thanks, Tim.

10:04
Wendy Thurm: If you like Edgar Allen Poe
10:04
Brad Johnson: Aside from the Green Monster, most parks don’t have any difficult features.
10:04
Comment From Casey
Johnny Gomes is poetry in motion.

10:03
Comment From Scruffy, the janitor
Which is weird, considering how different the parks can be.

10:02
Wendy Thurm: If you look over many years, baseball has the smallest home field advantage vs, NFL. NBA
10:02
Brad Johnson: Second Wendy’s request. Can’t manage the chat, watch the game, and use twitter on the same 15in screen.
10:02
Comment From jack
why does playing at home seem like a much bigger deal during the postseason, beyond just the added gravity of the game?

10:01
Brad Johnson: My rooting interest is for good, clean baseball
10:01
Wendy Thurm: What’s happening on Twitter? What are the memes so far?
10:01
Comment From gump
Unfortunately? 🙂

10:00
Brad Johnson: This seems unfortunately likely.
10:00
Comment From Guest
Lynn will start the 6th. Matheny doesn’t take him out at 79 pitches.

10:00
Wendy Thurm: The singular/plural problem is true for every team, really. Joe Smith players for the Giants. Joe Smith is a Giant. The latter just sounds weird
9:59
Brad Johnson: Yea it’s a huge perk to being overseas. The only add I’ve seen all series is for 5 hour energy. And that was just once.
9:58
Comment From Steff
You are watching mlb.tv, bRad? You can’

9:58
Comment From McClure_SF
If it’s spelled “Sox,” spelling the singular correctly seems wrong. I always say “Sok.”

9:58
Wendy Thurm: Would think so
9:58
Comment From MS Dhoni
this it is for bucholtz right? he said this start was all he had left in him?

9:57
Brad Johnson: This entire series has been about bad process. If everyone uses a bad process, someone will get a good result.
9:57
Wendy Thurm: Bad process, good result for Matheny there. I do wonder how tired the pen is. Threw alot of pitches last night
9:57
Brad Johnson: Thank god we have a hunger games trailer…
9:56
Brad Johnson: Good question, depending on who you ask, it’s Sox or Sock. The general consensus is Sox but they can be used interchangeably.
9:55
Comment From Guest
What is the singular for Sox?

9:55
Brad Johnson: I’m just naive…
9:55
Comment From Robo
Matheny will probably give him a chance for a win if he gets this out

9:55
Wendy Thurm: I always stumble on that.. Seems weird to say that Clay Bucholtz is a Red Sock
9:54
Comment From Guest
Brad, you don’t know Matheny.

9:54
Comment From Ruki
“Ever since he became a Boston Red Sox” The whole Red Sox?

9:54
Brad Johnson: I’m surprised that Lynn got to throw to Ross…
9:53
Comment From Sandy Ravage
Think they let Lynn pitch to Carp? Guy’s thrown plenty of pitches this inning

9:53
Wendy Thurm: Yes, or put another way, the Sox not being held back by Ortiz’s lack of speed.
9:53
Comment From joe bucks eyebrows
storyline of the game is definitely Ortiz’s speed

9:53
Brad Johnson: hi there.
9:52
Comment From Guest
hey guys 🙂

9:52
Brad Johnson: Sox fans have to be very pleased to survive that outing.
9:52
Comment From Scruffy, the janitor
4 decent innings by Buchholz. I am very happy.

9:51
Brad Johnson: We also have two good bullpens that are going to be taking over shortly
9:51
Comment From Jim
We have 2 struggling pitchers. There is going to be a big inning

9:50
Wendy Thurm: No. Bunts are a scourge on America
9:50
Brad Johnson: do you love that bunt attempt Wendy?
9:50
Brad Johnson: I would have preferred rabid buffalo
9:50
Comment From Casey
David Ortiz runs like a deranged buffalo.

9:49
Wendy Thurm: I love that send.
9:49
Brad Johnson: Another tied ballgame
9:48
Brad Johnson: More or less, but somehow worse.
9:48
Comment From MJ
your HS coach was dusty baker?

9:48
Comment From chuckb
The Cards are about to pay for not getting more off Buchholz.

9:47
Brad Johnson: That reminds me of all the shit my HS coach would give me for walking. I hit something like .250/.600/.400 but all he could focus on was the .250.
9:47
Wendy Thurm: Now things get interesting
9:46
Comment From Frank
Hey Brad, you like when a guy works a tough walk and everyone in the dugout goes “GOOD AB” when of course it’s only a PA.

9:46
Brad Johnson: Bogaerts has been GB heavy since getting the call to the majors.
9:45
Comment From Frank
Compared to Jonny ‘Devon White’ Gomes.

9:45
Comment From Frank
Compared to Jonny ‘Devon White’ Gomes.

9:45
Wendy Thurm: Well, all that hacking led somewhere,.
9:45
Brad Johnson: Farrell vindicated! Good result trumps bad process…
9:45
Wendy Thurm: Gomes looks like he’s just hacking.
9:43
Comment From Frank
Compared to Jonny ‘Devon White’ Gomes.

9:43
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Carp plays the outfield like an actual carp

9:43
Brad Johnson: it’s a good point and the OF in STL isn’t small.
9:43
Comment From someone
Carp plays the outfield like a dead guy

9:42
Comment From Frank
Carp is in the Shelby Zone.

9:42
Wendy Thurm: Why Gomes over Nava the prior games? Farrell has stuck with him too long
9:42
Comment From MJ
victorino is out with a bad back so they have to play both gomes and nava, would be my guess

9:42
Comment From gump
Because #gut

9:42
Brad Johnson: I think we’ve given up trying to figure this one out.
9:42
Comment From Gila Monster
Why Gomes over Carp vs. a righty?

9:42
Comment From Chris
Twist: he’ll send Workman in as a pinch hitter.

9:41
Brad Johnson: Yea when Farrell accidentally forgets to send up a pinch hitter.
9:41
Wendy Thurm: We shouldn’t. But who knows.
9:41
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Do we see another pitcher hit this game?

9:40
Brad Johnson: Yes, Ortiz was all over Lynn that at bat.
9:40
Comment From Scruffy, the janitor
Ortiz had some good swings there

9:39
Wendy Thurm: Yeah, should’ve had popcorn in the snack poll.
9:39
Comment From lowercase jeff
top scoring regular season team’s only hit off Lynn is an infield single from David Ortiz. Baseball!

9:39
Comment From Brian
ortiz was locked in during the LCS where he hit 150?

9:39
Wendy Thurm: Is that a HR around the Pesky pole at Fenway?
9:38
Brad Johnson: Yea that was dumb 🙂
9:37
Comment From Bill
“Ells”?

9:37
Brad Johnson: Chocolate happens to be what’s in the fridge so it gets my vote.
9:36
Brad Johnson: No it’s not, just seems less than ideal to let them leadoff with Ells next inning.
9:35
Comment From MJ
with two outs it’s not a bad call.

9:35
Brad Johnson: You mean nice positioning 🙂
9:35
Comment From OldKinderhook
Nice play by Nava.

9:35
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
But Descalso hit .338 w/RISP during the regular season. Farrell’s just playing the percentages

9:34
Brad Johnson: Yea not a big fan of walking a guy who hits like a pitcher just because he isn’t a pitcher.
9:34
Comment From divcoman
This is crazy! He intentionally walked one of their weakest hitters!

9:33
Brad Johnson: Just another reason for robot umpires – perfect reflexes.
9:33
Wendy Thurm: That’s what my eyes focused on. What the hell was the ump doing there?
9:33
Comment From Jim
Did anyone else notice that Jim Joyce just interfered in that play?

9:32
Brad Johnson: Not THAT long ago.
9:31
Comment From chuckb
Remember when Freese was actually pretty good? Was a long time ago.

9:31
Brad Johnson: Buchholz beat Ross on the stick side for the first goal of Game 4
9:30
Wendy Thurm: Pedroia looks like he JUST got his foot back down
9:29
Wendy Thurm: And Rangers fans weep
9:29
Comment From Guest
The Cardinals 3B/SS combo has to be one of the worst in WS history.

9:29
Wendy Thurm: Shall we do a poll on favorite WS game snacks?
9:28
Wendy Thurm: And then Jon Jay walks on 4 pitches.
9:28
Brad Johnson: and my mlb.tv feed died, lovely.
9:28
Comment From paul
Cardinals approach at the plate is simply awful. Buchholz is pitching with half an arm

9:27
Wendy Thurm: My kingdom for an end to in-game interviews.
9:26
Comment From Guest
Although Buchholz doesn’t have his velocity. He does seem to be more-or-less commanding all of his pitches and he is getting good movement and hitting the corners. That combined with the Cardinals unfamiliarity with him probably explains why they aren’t teeing off on what looks like soft stuff…the stuff hasn’t been straight, and speed/location have been changing.

9:25
Comment From Brolo
Colonel Mustard in the locker room with a well placed fastball

9:25
Wendy Thurm: Consistently good pitching, young flamethrowers one after the other out of the pen. Oh, and SSS
9:25
Brad Johnson: I know that it’s not ideal from a winning perspective, but I just love managers like Valentine and Guillen in the game because they’re great entertainment fodder
9:24
Comment From Scruffy, the janitor
Who killed the Red Sox offense?

9:23
Comment From someone
Valentine was a deranged idiot.

9:23
Brad Johnson: haha, if Wendy leaves I’m going to change the subject to fiction novels.
9:22
Wendy Thurm: If you all keep pressing for Bobby Valentine, I’m outta here.
9:22
Brad Johnson: No. That seems like a panic (non) move.
9:21
Comment From Frank
Some of them yes Brad, but the Workman hitting- No. There is nothing approaching a credible defense of that.

9:21
Brad Johnson: I purchased a universal translator at great personal expense.
9:21
Comment From Leo
You can understand what Manuel is saying?!

9:20
Brad Johnson: I’m surprised that this happens in the majors, but it’s he’s hardly the first manager to admit to it. Charlie Manuel comes to mind.
9:20
Comment From divcoman
Farrell admitted openly that he booted the double switch last night.

9:19
Brad Johnson: We do have to recognize that there’s probably inside information that’s informing Farrell’s odd decisions.
9:18
Wendy Thurm: Sox need to make a move now. Chances of getting to the Cards pen two games in a row seem low.
9:17
Comment From Bob
I don’t understand why all these Sox fans want to get rid of Farrell after he just took them on a dreamy comeback season.

9:17
Wendy Thurm: Happens alot. Mistakes get made. Winning team capitalizes.
9:17
Comment From MJ
and an evenly misplayed series, you could say.

9:16
Brad Johnson: Yea that sounds like American politics…
9:16
Brad Johnson: This has been a very evenly played series from my perspective. Which I enjoy.
9:16
Comment From Sandy Ravage
This series seems to be more about the losing team losing games rather than the winning team winning games, if that makes sense

9:16
Brad Johnson: Actually meant to pub Brian’s comment so I’ll comment on that
9:15
Comment From Brian
even with the strange ways they won 2 and 3 they’ve outplayed the sox

9:15
Comment From Guest
the sawx need a more experienced hand at the wheel… what’s that Stengel fella doin… bring him outta retirement

9:14
Wendy Thurm: That’s been a theme throughout. Cards benefitted from very poor decision making by players in Games 2 and 3
9:14
Brad Johnson: Yes it does. I’ve seen a lot of games lost because an offense fails to capitalize on a struggling pitcher.
9:13
Comment From chuckb
Feels like the Cards should be up by more than 1.

9:13
Comment From Guest
Buchholz at 48 pitches. Lynn at 34.

9:13
Brad Johnson: That’s what I’ve been thinking.
9:12
Wendy Thurm: If you suggest that again, I will have you banned from FG.
9:12
Comment From Scruffy, the janitor
I also doubt Dempster is much of an upgrade over Buchholz .

9:12
Brad Johnson: Good point on the injuries, but he made some inscrutable moves in the ALCS too (Nava/Gomes nonsense in particular).
9:12
Comment From Jim
Bring back Bobby Valentine!

9:11
Wendy Thurm: Farrell was excellent in ALDS and ALCS. Out managed Leyland big time. His moves here are odd, but there is likely injury stuff we don’t know.
9:11
Brad Johnson: I don’t know for certain. he managed the roster fine in the reg season, but doesn’t seem to have a knack for postseason management.
9:10
Comment From Chris
Is Farrell really as incompetent as he’s seemed this series?

9:10
Wendy Thurm: Beltran is a boss. Love watching that guy play
9:10
Brad Johnson: The man is ridiculously good at this.
9:09
Comment From Guest
Beltran! RBI hit!

9:09
Brad Johnson: So, how about that not-pinch-hitter last inning?
9:09
Wendy Thurm: That’s just awful OF defense., So unusual for Ellsbury
9:08
Comment From Scruffy, the janitor
Good god, the defense in this series has been so bad.

9:08
Brad Johnson: We can hold a live chat on my (lack of) college performance after the playoffs.
9:07
Wendy Thurm: Lance Lynn won the first poll. 65% said he’ll throw most innings. Seems right, so far.
9:07
Brad Johnson: He did seem to be fading down the stretch, But I don’t know why he’s rostered,
9:06
Comment From Andrew
I brought up the Miller thing to a Cards fan friend. Didn’t even bat an eye, said he sucked at the end of the year. Hope that isn’t the Cards thought process

9:06
Brad Johnson: fwiw, my best season was my junior year which isn’t listed on that card.
9:04
Brad Johnson: I sure was 🙂
9:04
Comment From Guest
http://athletics.macalester.edu/roster.aspx?path=&rp_id=333 yeah you were below replacement level

9:04
Brad Johnson: Look at that, McCarver said something preposterous. Generally pitchers who bat from the opposite side did so in the college/HS.
9:03
Wendy Thurm: Million dollar question
9:03
Comment From dose17
McCarver suggesting that pitchers are “discouraged” from hitting opposite handed is absurd to me, considering by age 18-21 when these guys are drafted, they all know which hand they hit with, even if they are pitcher-only.

9:03
Comment From Shrewd Cat
Has Shleby Miller been ‘shut down’? He’s on the roster but he may as well be like Strasburg last year.

9:03
Brad Johnson: Macalester, which is a tiny, academic focused d-3 school.
9:02
Comment From Guest
where did you play college?

9:01
Brad Johnson: Buchholz, which is not to downplay the risk with Lynn. Though his location seems to be improving at least. he threw some cookies early on.
9:01
Wendy Thurm: Lynn looks much better than I expected. Commanding pitches and fooling good hitters
9:01
Comment From Brian
higher risk 2nd time through lineup, Lynn or Buchholz?

9:01
Brad Johnson: I’m a bit stunned that Farrell isn’t thanking his gods that they’ve survived 2 innings of Buchholz and moving on.
9:00
Comment From lowerase jeff
Dave suggested pinch hitting with Carp here. Got to think it’s their best option, actually.

8:59
Brad Johnson: There’s semi-pro and “semi-pro.” My version had the quotation marks.
8:59
Comment From Chris
Game 4 of the 2013 World Series hasn’t provided much fodder for conversation thus far.

8:59
Comment From HeeHaw
Semi-pro DURING college? Isn’t that against some sort of NCAA rule?

8:59
Brad Johnson: I’ll allow it. Shall we talk about Buchholz more?
8:58
Wendy Thurm: Yes
8:58
Comment From Guest
Is this World Series Game 4 Live Blog going to have any discussion about World Series game 4?

8:58
Brad Johnson: I said 20-somethings. I’m 26 and I definitely remember it. Many of my friends stopped watching baseball until our local team finally got good in 2007.
8:57
Comment From hal
as a 20 year old, I vividly remember the days of the strike. My one-year old self was aggressively turned off by the sport. I wrote daily of my disgust, my anger flawlessly articulated in my Barney journal.

8:56
Brad Johnson: I played through college and some semi-pro during college. I had the same experience.
8:56
Comment From Frank
I play in a good league in Australia (not exactly the bigs) but with guys who absolutely love baseball. Some just blindly accept things that are taught by previous generations and are largely wrong. And these are people obsessed with the game.

8:55
Brad Johnson: I think you’d be surprised Wendy. Our generation was young when the strike occurred. Lost a lot of would-be fans who are still coming back.
8:55
Wendy Thurm: I’m getting a snack. Back in a few
8:54
Comment From Rhonda
A lot where I grew up in Texas, where football is king.

8:54
Brad Johnson: I live in Atlanta so I got to talk with a lot of people about Chris Johnson and Ramiro Pena. The narrative was basically – they have done well but there are underlying indicators that make it seem unlikely that they will keep it up. That’s usually accepted.
8:53
Wendy Thurm: Definitely. But how many 20 year olds in America don’t know the basics about the game?
8:53
Brad Johnson: Wendy, you have the advantage of a blank slate. 20-somethings with preconceived biases are harder to teach.
8:52
Wendy Thurm: I have 2 kids, now 9 and 12. So I know how to work with someone who starts with zero knowledge of baseball and grow their knowledge and appreciation,
8:52
Brad Johnson: I present myself as a sort of baseball scientist and then talk in VERY general terms.
8:51
Brad Johnson: Sambf, I think it’s more akin to a start-up. The investor absolutely will know you inside and out before investing.
8:51
Comment From Sandy Ravage
Speaking of understanding the game…how do you guys go about discussing the game with those who don’t have any understanding outside of what they may have seen/what they’ve been told growing up (aka basic, sometimes misinformed information)? It’s hard to not come off a bit snobby sometimes.

8:50
Wendy Thurm: Yes.
8:50
Comment From Sambf
Re: Personal agreement with agent, should I have to be friends with Larry Paige to buy google stocks?

8:50
Comment From chuckb
Some fans also feel a too-powerful ability to influence the game.

8:50
Brad Johnson: Yea this is looking bad so far. With his velo down so far, they need to bring out plan B.
8:49
Comment From Shannon
The Workman thing last night was bad, but that was just the difference between a single 1 out at bat with the bases empty of Napoli and Workman. Is this Buchholz thing the biggest instance of managerial neglect you’ve seen? I mean, it is obvious to literally everyone watching the game that buchholz has nothing, but Farrel isn’t going to pull him until a few runs have scored.

8:48
Brad Johnson: Yea that’s one of those idiosyncrasies that just doesn’t make a lick of sense. Perhaps they hope to psych out the pitcher?
8:47
Wendy Thurm: (1) They are bored and (2) they don’t understand the game
8:47
Brad Johnson: And I would say that a bond-style asset makes more sense.
8:47
Brad Johnson: I like the concept for amateurs but I feel like it’s something that should be directly between a player and investor, with perhaps the agent playing middle man.
8:47
Comment From Sandy Ravage
Why do fans always boo at opposing pitchers checking runners? Seems to be a pretty normal, strategic part of the game to me. But perhaps we’re of a more rational camp here.

8:46
Wendy Thurm: Yeah, that was the Felix Salmon post I linked to. There’s something creepy about it for me for athletes that have already turn pro. I like the idea of pooling $ and investing in a young athlete’s future.
8:46
Brad Johnson: I would assume that Farrell doesn’t want to wear out his relievers by doing the bullpen trot early and often.
8:45
Comment From Chris
Why is no one up in the Boston bullpen?

8:45
Brad Johnson: Rueters had an interesting discussion point…how do you feel about rich white folks owning shares in black football players?
8:44
Wendy Thurm: I have an irrational dislike of Yadi. I appreciate his skills but as a Giants fan, he just really bugs me.
8:43
Wendy Thurm: Thanks. I think it’s troubling to have strangers own a significant % of an athlete’s lifetime earnings.
8:43
Brad Johnson: Well targeting a post-breakout player like Arian Foster seems bizarre to me. Especially with the attrition seen by running backs.
8:42
Comment From Catoblepas
I really enjoyed the Fantex article Wendy. Do you think this is a good idea with a flawed execution, and will we see other similar ideas in the future?

8:41
Comment From Pale Hose
Worst Attendance(2013)/Metro(2010): Angels (16.9%), Yankees (14.2%), and Mets (9.3%)…not really a meaningful measure

8:41
Brad Johnson: Ha, my earlier analogy failed. Of course Milwaukee is the Green Bay of baseball. #Cheese
8:41
Wendy Thurm: Toy Story, original and 3
8:41
Comment From SeaBass
Wendy, favorite Pixar flick?

8:41
Comment From RageAgainstTheNarrative
Nadal is at the plate, since apparently topspin is important for ground balls up the middle.

8:41
Wendy Thurm: There you go. I always forget how incredibly small Milwaukee is.
8:40
Comment From Pale Hose
Best Attendance(2013)/Metro(2010): Milwaukee (124.9%), Cincinnati (116.6%), and St. Louis (116.5%)

8:40
Wendy Thurm: I think so
8:40
Brad Johnson: ok, so far we have the start of a pitching duel between two pitchers who do not appears to be very sharp tonight.
8:40
Comment From Guest
“David Ortiz looked like he was running in a cranberry bog” – best simile ever?

8:39
Brad Johnson: Where’s Rafi Nadal today?
8:39
Brad Johnson: Not to mention his “hop”
8:38
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Some of Pedroia’s grit is rubbing off on Ortiz

8:38
Wendy Thurm: A wonderful chilldren’s book. The movies have nothing to do with the story in the book, other than the title.
8:38
Comment From Rhyno
Pretty upset with Wendy’s harsh opinion of the children’s classic ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2’. Has she changed her mind in retrospect?

8:37
Brad Johnson: Yea that was fun to watch.
8:37
Wendy Thurm: Oh my goodness. David Ortiz looked like he was running in a cranberry bog
8:36
Brad Johnson: I haven’t listened to either radio broadcast enough to remember them.
8:36
Wendy Thurm: I live Dave O’Brien in the Sox booth. He does ESPN TV work during the season,
8:35
Comment From Aussie Mariner
Which is the better radio broadcast to listen, Boston or St Louis?

8:35
Brad Johnson: Yea, that’s the early story. I agree that he doesn’t look like he’ll last long.





 

Wendy writes about sports and the business of sports. She's been published most recently by Vice Sports, Deadspin and NewYorker.com. You can find her work at wendythurm.pressfolios.com and follow her on Twitter @hangingsliders.

4 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Jorge
10 years ago

Hello!

-1