Comments on: The Squeeze Was the Perfect Call

By: Gilbert

Gilbert — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:18:17 +0000

Larry, you and I disagree often about baseball, and I’m with you on the squeeze.

I was fine with the squeeze play, and when it became a 2-0 count, I was actually hoping they’d do it.

The Angels were the better team over 162 games — anything can happen over 4.

By: Gene

Gene — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:54:34 +0000

All the more reason to let Lester start the 8th inning. You are right about Masterson. Everyone who points out the Angel mistakes overlooks the fact that Masterson’s wild pitch in the 8th inning was the reason Tori Hunter could tie the score with only a single. Masterson moved the tying run into scoring position. Delcarmen should have started the ninth inning, to be sure.

By: Larry Brown

Larry Brown — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:32:12 +0000

I did read that Papelbon said he was only available for the 9th inning, so that’s probably why Francona didn’t bring him into the 8th with two outs. I’m still wondering why Masterson was left in to start the 9th, however.

By: Gene

Gene — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:43:46 +0000

I agree with everything in your article with the exception of John Lackey’s observation that the Angels were the better team. Maybe they were better in the regular season, and maybe with the Red Sox injuries, they were better on paper. However, the better team won the series. The Angels were jittery in the field, to put it mildly. You mentioned the errors by Kendrick and Aybar. Figgins made a fine play on a one hopper and then made a miserable throw to second which, instead of starting a double play, resulted in no outs. The Alfonse and Gaston act in center field in game 3 was beneath a team that has always performed with good fundamentals. Reggie Willits showed poor judgment, along with good hustle, in diving for Jason Bay’s short fly ball down the right field line. The game would have been over right there if the ball hadn’t gone into the seats for a ground rule double. Teixeira and Vlad got on base many times, only to be left stranded by the lack of clutch hitting. Teixeira and Vlad got on base many times, only to be left stranded by the lack of clutch hitting.

Remember, the Red Sox won despite some questionable moves by Terry Francona. Among them was the removal of Lester to start the 8th. Francona also left Masterson in for too long, just to name two blunders.

The Angels had a great season and a great run of good seasons. The team has nothing to be ashamed of. However, John Lackey, you were beaten by a better team on the field. Give them credit publicly like a good sport and resolve to do better next year.