Idiots Write About Sports

Another day at the ballpark, this time courtesy of my generous employer, and Barry’s total stats in games I’ve attended are now: 1 for 4, 8 walks (7 intentional, 1 basically intentional).
Perhaps the weirdest thing at the park today was a fire, apparently across McCovey Cove. The right-field stands blocked my view, but big puffs of black smoke wafted over the field for quite a while.
In the 9th the Giants loaded the bases thanks to a flyball dropped by Pat Burrell that was properly scored an error. When Burrell walked into leftfield before the 9th, he spent about a minute holding his glove between his eyes and the sun, trying to calibrate how he’d approach catching a fly. Guess he didn’t calibrate too well; however, he did redeem himself by running in to catch Pierzynski’s dying flyball to salt the game away.
A Phillies fan near me tried to start a “BALCO” chant; it didn’t really work out for him.
In more promising news, Neifi (Xeixi #1) was pinch-hit for in the 8th, which was a good sign, even if the pinch hitter — Fonzie — did nothing but prove he’s not a pinch-hitter. Xeixi #2 also pinch-hit, and ended the threat in that inning. Xeixi #1 is getting dangerously close to hitting below the Mendoza line. Maybe someone’s finally noticing.
I have to quibble with Marty from Across the Seams, though: from my vantage point Neifi’s drop was on a play where he had to move a long, long distance to even field the ball; in the scorer’s judgment (and probably in mine) that was going to require an extraordinary effort to make a putout.
Finally, what the heck kind of name is Chase Utley? Sounds like he should be tapping maple trees in Vermont. And is he related to Garrick or George?