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?

Yeah, it was a long run for Neifi, but he got to it. He was running right at me ... he stood up, reached into the glove for the ball ... and dropped it. Yes, it was a tough play, but he had made the tough part. He booted the easy part.

I could be entirely wrong, of course. I'm biased.

Oh, I agree that for Neifi to justify his existence in the line-up he has to make that play. But it wasn't an error.

Of course, for Neifi to really justify his existence he'd need to cover the entire field, like The Flash.