Panther in the Laundry Basket

by Rev Halofan on Aug 23, 2006 1:09 AM PDT in News Comment 48 comments

Panther of the Game:
Francisco Rodriguez

This was the most difficult Panther Award to decide all season - easily the best game I have attended all year - the ebb and flow, the rises to occasion, the inchiest game of inches I've seen in a long time. It was exhilarating to witness firsthand. All drama, every batter - the stadium edgy with a divided partisanship easily whipped into frenzy.

But look at this...

- F. Rodriguez relieved S. Shields, M. Ramirez hit for D. Pedroia

M. Ramirez flied out to deep center
C. Crisp singled to shortstop
C. Crisp stole second
M. Loretta grounded out to third
D. Ortiz intentionally walked
K. Youkilis flied out to deep right

Could you script a more scintillating drama in 24 pitches (14 for strikes, 4 lobbed intentionally)?

Reading the game thread is like seeing a cast of heroes turned to goats who will be inevitably redeemed.

Oh and Kevin Gregg was sitting six seats away from me with a girl and another couple. We're talking the cheap seats here folks. Way to serve your suspension, 3G, with the proletariat.

UPDATE: The FANGRAPHS agrees with me, computing Frankie's contribution to be 17.4%, G.A.'s to be 14.6% and Saunders' 12.1%...

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K-Rod

did exactly what a closer must do. He made pitches he needed to make. He's basically been getting the job done all season long.

I wish I'd seen three-Gs. I musta walked right past the guy on my way in.

It was blast, really. There was a smattering of good-natured and reasonably well-behaved Boston fans in my section. Made it more fun, in fact.

by jjackflash on Aug 23, 2006 1:17 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Good...

Frankie had to get a Panther award one of these days. His first pitch against Crisp was 97mph and he threw a bunch of 96mph balls as well.

Quite a game tonight, I hope I don't regret switching and going to tomorrow night's game instead (had tickets to both). Tomorrow night will also be my last home game of the regular season as I have to return to school on Friday... I might drop in on Choakland Colliseum though.

by Neo8234 on Aug 23, 2006 1:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Saunders

I believe I've said this before, but...

...Saunders gave up ZERO EARNED RUNS. Had those two runs not scored via Chone's tough error, he'd be panther, wouldn't he?

by Carl Johnson on Aug 23, 2006 1:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The guy can pitch

There's no question.

He didn't have great command, but figured out how to get outs when he really needed them. I'm pretty sure he could have closed out the 6th without incident.

by jjackflash on Aug 23, 2006 2:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I came onto HH just now

Almost 100% positive that it would be G.A. You disappoint me, Rev. Guy came through with an RBI in the 3rd to tie the game, then came through in the 7th to break a tie RIGHT after Shields had blown the lead. We saw some vintage G.A. tonight, placing balls where they needed to be placed to drive in the runs when they were needed the most. With everyone riding his ass this season, it was really an impressive form to see him rise to the occassion like that.

K-Rod is not without his virtues for the night, even if the panther for tonight is more a mark for his contributions for an entire season. It'll do.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Aug 23, 2006 1:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

hmm

GA turned a pop fly single to left into an RBI double, scoring a slow, fat designated hitter from third base.

He replaced the run he gave up with a run he batted in. Replacing an error with a hit does not a panther make.

by Carl Johnson on Aug 23, 2006 1:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not Entirely Fair

I don't think that assessment is completley fair either. He put incredible hustle into a play to try to turn a single into an out. It wasn't a horrible play, persay...rather one that seems to happen often with players. He drove in two, which seems to make the big difference in the game. I just got a little too much Tension out of K-Rod's save for it to seem like a big-'panther performance'.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Aug 23, 2006 6:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not fair?!?

You call that comment not fair? How about this one? "...after Shields had blown the lead"

The "blown" lead you're talking about happened when GA made the play in question. I don't care how much hustle he showed on the play, it was stupid. Run hard at it, sure, but when you see you can't get it, pull up and keep Ortiz on the bases. He does that and the lead never gets "blown". After that play I was ready to put the blame on Scioscia for yet again playing GA in left with a perfectly capable Rivera being wasted at DH.

by leftwing on Aug 23, 2006 7:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And if he plays it safe

he gets booed for not hustling. The guy can't catch a break...he tried for the catch because HE THOUGHT HE COULD CATCH IT. He didn't. Happens all the time in the game of baseball.

by johnnyangel101 on Aug 23, 2006 9:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But the rule is

If you leave your feet you guarantee you got the ball.

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, eats ketchup on a hot dog. ~Dirty Harry

by eyespy on Aug 23, 2006 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

A guy called into Angels Talk after the game last night on 710 and was talking about how he thought GA tried for that diving play to please the fans. I might agree with him. If he lets the ball bounce, he'll get criticized for being "lazy". But when he makes an effort and doesn't succeed, he looks just as bad.

Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. I felt bad for him.

by NPCody on Aug 23, 2006 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shields Came in

With nobody on and 2 outs. He needed one out, and perhaps it was Scioscia's fault for not understanding that Boston owns the guy, but he allowed back to back baserunners, one of which scored. Entirely his fault? Perhaps not, but he didn't exactly help the Angels cause with that pitiful performance. G.A., like has been said, is in the damned if he does, damned if he doesn't position. Apparently there was no proper way for him to handle that situation without ridicule.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Aug 23, 2006 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

unless he dove head first...

but then we would have all had to deal with hell freezing over.

by thewebb on Aug 24, 2006 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the fact that he slid

has already resulted in a cold front passing through down there.

"An almost inexorable baseball law: A Red Sox ship with a single leak will always find a way to sink." - Thomas Boswell

by Stirrups on Aug 24, 2006 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

doh

From first base, first base. Sorry.

by Carl Johnson on Aug 23, 2006 1:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Backwards K

He also ended the 1st watching strike three with two men on.

I'm not picking on the guy; I'm simply noting that he played a flawed game today.

There was no clear-cut Panther.

by jjackflash on Aug 23, 2006 2:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like i said

Toughest Panther Pick ever...

by Rev Halofan on Aug 23, 2006 1:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My Panther pick....

...would be Bill Stoneman for not trading Joe Saunders at the break. If Moseley or Gregg started this game, we would have had our asses handed to us.

I agree G.A. came up big, but looking at the called 3rd strike breaking ball with 2 runners in scoring position was unforgivable. Doesn't he know by now nobody is going to throw him a fastball with 2 strikes? He swings at the breakers that aren't close to the strike zone but looks at this lollipop?

DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Aug 23, 2006 2:43 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If Kevin Gregg had started tonight's game.

Let's just say that Angel stadium would have sold a lot less beer Tuesday night...

by Rev Halofan on Aug 23, 2006 2:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Light up the chowdah!

Rats, I was kinda hoping Frankie would get no game panthers all year, then be named Panther of the Year.

Two more to play against these muffinheads. Hey, if you live in Southern Cal, and are an Angels fan, go to one, willya? I'm sick of tuning in to hear people cheering aginst the home nine.

Want to know where to buy champagne in Oakland? Just ask an Angels fan!

by Sean on Aug 23, 2006 7:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Angels obviously are represented well...

but season ticket holders, please, please, please don't sell your tickets to Red Sox fans. Seeing those Red Sox shirts in the VIP section behind the home plate screen made me want to barf.

by thewebb on Aug 23, 2006 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're not going to stop...

...the ticket broker "Season Ticket Holders" from selling their seats to the enemy. They'll always find a way in. Money talks.

DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Aug 23, 2006 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And

you know what? Having some BoSox fans in the vicinity made it even more satisfying. It's one thing to celebrate amongst other fans of your team, but it's even better when you can chide your opponents' fans as well.

Actually, the Boston fans around me spent more time berating their own team than anything else. Kapler and Mirabelli were the primary targets of their wrath.

by jjackflash on Aug 23, 2006 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree to some extent....

...it's more interesting to have some opposition to berate and throw peanuts at when we're winning, but I for one don't appreciate one bit an audible "Let's go Red Sox (or Yankees)" chant in MY FUCKING STADIUM!!!

If Boston/NY were so great, they should move back. One less East Coast dickhead in front of me on the freeway.

DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Aug 23, 2006 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sean--

I have to comment on your signature line--
"Want to know where to buy champagne in Oakland? Just ask an Angels fan!"

I actually did something like that in Oakland last year-- I went into a sporting goods store and actually asked to speak to a manager and asked him why they didn't have any "Angels 05 Division Champs" shirts.

The funniest part was the look on his face before he answered that they wouldn't be carrying them-- he looked at me like I was from outer space...

by pattimelt on Aug 23, 2006 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BTW

Nice pick on K-Rod. In the top of the 9th, MY heart was jumping out of my shirt so I can't imagine what K-Rod's was doing.

Last year he was routinely at 94 MPH with the fastball, not this year, and especially not last night. Just cranking it up against the solid part of the lineup.

by thewebb on Aug 23, 2006 8:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ya gotta love a player...

that sits in the cheap seats. Tip o' the cap to Gregg. Hurry back and give up some more runs...

by bleacherdave on Aug 23, 2006 9:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Guess

he likes the same view as he gets from the bullpen.

Let's get Comfortable, Comfortable
I wanna get Comfortable, let's get into Comfortable,
Let me hear your beer talk,
Your beer talk, let me hear your beer talk

well something like that

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, eats ketchup on a hot dog. ~Dirty Harry

by eyespy on Aug 23, 2006 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

typical Frankie Goes To Hollywood

this guy will give us all heart attacks before the year is out, but you've got to give him credit -- he's getting the job done. with unnecessary flair? yes. but at the end of the day it is about Scoreboard.

by yeswecan on Aug 23, 2006 10:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

and...

...to those of us who get frustrated by his antics...

...Frankie say RELAX!!

(sorry, i had to do it)

by yeswecan on Aug 23, 2006 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

don't apologize

that's the kind of cheese I can dig.

by thrill000 on Aug 23, 2006 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But what's

The reference?

Light Up That Halo!

by Clutch on Aug 23, 2006 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you serious?

1980s band "Frankie Goes to Hollywood"

Big Hit: RELAX

New wave british disco, very popular for 15 minutes...

by Rev Halofan on Aug 23, 2006 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Say it again

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, eats ketchup on a hot dog. ~Dirty Harry

by eyespy on Aug 23, 2006 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

15 minutes?

i'm no big fan of this genre, but Erasure, The Pet Shop Boys, etc., have lasted a hell of a lot longer than 15 minutes.

by yeswecan on Aug 23, 2006 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I meant Frankie had his 15

not the genre, crap that stuff is like cockroaches, it'll be around after the bomb goes off...

by Rev Halofan on Aug 23, 2006 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dramarama

Be nice to Nurses... we keep doctors from accidentally killing you!

by ladybug on Aug 23, 2006 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Save the Dramarama for ya mama!

by Higz on Aug 23, 2006 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

did you see the Bands Reunited on VH1 with them? The one guy in the band is a total YUTZ

Be nice to Nurses... we keep doctors from accidentally killing you!

by ladybug on Aug 23, 2006 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

never saw it

I was never a Dramarama fan either.

Though I did see this one thing where the singer from the Smithereens (never into them either) tried to become a minor league ballplayer. It was OK. Did you see that?

by Higz on Aug 23, 2006 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

missed that one

I did like that show-I hope they bring it back with more bands. It was great hearing the "back stage" stuff as well as hearing them perform their one big hit.

Be nice to Nurses... we keep doctors from accidentally killing you!

by ladybug on Aug 23, 2006 6:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A funny little side story..

My buddies and I were in lower view last night out in left field above the bullpens. There was this completely obnoxious couple behind us - decked out completely Red Sox gear of course. The dude would put on a fake Boston accent whenever he chanted/cheered (cause he didn't have it when he was talking to his woman). ie. "LET'S GO KAPLAH" or "SIT 'EM DOWN SNYDAH".

But what got me was a comment his lady friend made after GA was unable to make that sliding catch. She screamed, "YOU SUCK ANDERSON! LEARN HOW TO HUSTLE!". My buddies and I looked at each other and immediately recognized the irony. One of my friends turned around and simply said, "Dude, your left fielder is Manny Ramirez". They shut up.

by NPCody on Aug 23, 2006 10:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Crunch time that satisfies

Agreed with Rev--this one had it all and the best game I've seen this season. Drama, redemption, and mostly subdued Red Sox fans (still reeling from the sweep by the Yanks, no doubt). Big props to the Angels fans that stepped all over their chants of "Let's go blah blah" before they could get momentum. They're all important from here on out. Let's keep it up Halos!

by Diving Catch on Aug 23, 2006 12:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This one WAS a tough call.

I don't have a problem with Frankie, or if you took GA, but with a gun to my head, I probably would have taken Joe Saunders. The guy didn't give up and an earned run to a very good offensive team.

by bc56274 on Aug 23, 2006 1:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

yes, tough

but saunders got himself into ALOT of trouble, of which he needed some fortunate fielding and relief pitching to bail him out. zero earned runs is very panther, though, no matter how you did it.

by yeswecan on Aug 23, 2006 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The bottom line: no earned runs.

Like I said, very tough call. Good contributions all around yesterday. Lets hope we're arguing over another panther situation tomorrow.

by bc56274 on Aug 23, 2006 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

WORD

by yeswecan on Aug 23, 2006 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Cadillac

I was at the game last night and from what I saw, that was typical GA, or "The Cadillac". Problem is that his style of play always looks like he's not trying (when actually he is). However The Cadillac has a lot of miles on him and needs to be traded in or left in the garage only to be taken out on weekends (see DH).

During the last two years this guy has done nothing but annoy me because I never know what to expect out of him. One minute he's letting balls drop in front of him or not running out a infield hit then the next thing you know gets a clutch hit. The same cannot be said about his fielding. There is NO consistancy.

Time to put the Cadillac in the garage.

by Rex DaKine Budler on Aug 23, 2006 2:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs