Results tagged ‘ St. Louis Cardinals ’
“Kinsler’s Safe!”
According to Nettie Schwarz, our receptionist here at Dr Pepper Ballpark and All-Time Greatest Rangers’ Fan, Ian Kinsler’s stolen base in the 9th inning in Game 2 of the World Series “was the game.”
Ben and Skin on 103.3 FM ESPN this morning went so far as to say that, along with Nelson Cruz’s blasts in the ALCS, it might be the most defining moment in the playoffs so far for the Rangers.
Kinsler, a member of the RoughRiders’ 2004 Texas League Championship team, told the Dallas Morning News after the game, “my hand just barely got in there. It took everything I had.”
Of course, all of this came on the heels of Cardinals’ All-Star catcher Yadier Molina rifling a strike down to second base to get Kinsler in the first inning of Game 1.
The replay of his stolen base in Game 2 showed that second base umpire, and St. Louis native, Ron Kulpa got the call right. Rangers’ radio play-by-play man Steve Busby said, “Boy … Molina, not only did he get rid of it quickly, he threw a laser down there to second.” Boy, is that right. Couldn’t have been much closer.
Didn’t it remind you a little of Boston’s Dave Roberts’ stolen base in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS against the (stinkin’) Yankees? Granted that was an elimination game, but still, when Kinsler took off to to second base, virtually everyone’s heart stopped beating until he was called safe – just like Roberts.
Who knows, maybe Kinsler’s stolen base will do for Texas what Roberts’ did for Boston.
-AG
What the Manning Brothers Taught Me About the World Series
Although Rangers fans are no doubt bummed today, that was a great start to this World Series. What did I
learn from last night’s game? That no matter what happens, I won’t be fully satisfied.
Remember when the Colts played the Giants last year and Archie Manning was interviewed about if he was cheering more for Peyton or Eli? I’m sure that was a more difficult situation than what I’m in the middle of, but I can truthfully say that no matter who wins, there will be at least a small part of me that wishes the other team won. (If you haven’t read the blog over the last two days, let it be known that I’m from St. Louis).
- Sure did seem like Adrian Beltre got hosed on that call in the ninth. With his bat, you never know, the next pitch could have gone bye-bye and tied things up. Sure did look like that ball fouled off his toe. How about that crazy X-Ray cam that Fox threw at us. You know that producer had been waiting all night to break that thing out.
- I know Tim McCarver takes a lot of heat from virtually everyone, but the line of the night came when we described back-to-back swings by Beltre in the seventh: ”Those are two grown man swings.” Loved that.
- Thanks to ESPN Stats and Info along with Baseball Reference for this random nugget from last night’s game: St. Louis’ Arthur Rhodes, who got through the 8th inning, is now oldest pitcher in baseball history to record a World Series hold (turns 42 on October 24).
- Not sure if you caught it, but former ‘Rider Mark Hamburger made a cameo on FOX last night. Late in the game a foul ball found its way into the Rangers’ dugout and he graciously tossed it to a young Cardinals fan. Mark isn’t on the roster, but what a great experience for him to be there and take it all in.
- In news outside of the World Series, Jose Ruiz has been released by the Rangers. The big, yet agile, first baseman hit .275 over 106 games in 2011 with the RoughRiders. His 12 home runs and 54 RBIs were no doubt a disappointment given his stature (6-3, 235) and the fact that he put on some shows during batting practice. Ruiz, who received a late-season promotion up to Triple-A Round Rock, had a major league option in his deal. That means the Rangers would’ve needed to put him on the 40-man roster in order to keep him.
Wednesday’s News & Notes
- According to a press release by sent out this morning by the Rangers, the Ballpark in Arlington will be decorated inside and out with signage and other décor to display the arrival of the Fall Classic to Arlington. Today at approximately 11:00 a.m., five large World Series banners with images of the Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals logos are scheduled to be installed at each of the Ballpark’s entrances. The first banner will be installed at the third base entrance.
- It was announced shortly ago that Doug Dascenzo, the Texas League Manager of the Year, has accepted a position
in the Atlanta Braves organization as their minor league base running and outfield coordinator. Dascenzo, a former major league teammate of ‘Riders skipper Steve Buechele, spent 13 years in the San Diego system, the last two with the Missions. He played seven seasons in the majors after being drafted in 1985 by the Cubs. Little known fact, he was a Texas Ranger in 1993. Dascenzo began his big league career by playing in a then National League record 241 games without committing an error. I’m sure he’ll continue to do well with Atlanta.
- In other Missions’ news, BallparkDigest.com is reporting that the wheels are in motion in San Antonio for a new ballpark. As aptly stated by the website, “Despite the size of the San Antonio
market (25th largest in the nation, third-largest in Texas), the Missions ranked last this past season in Texas League attendance, drawing just 4,202 fans per game. ” Although the ballpark is not all that old (built in 1994), there’s no doubt it ‘s been beat up. It would be great to see a new ballpark built closer to downtown San Antonio where there is steady tourist activity. San Antonio is a nice city and deserves a great ballpark.
- If you read yesterday’s blog, you learned of my pair of ballpark seats from the old Busch Stadium. This is where I’ll be sitting while watching tonight’s game on TV.
-AG
