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NLCS Game 3
2007-10-14 15:05
by Mark T.R. Donohue

Lots of storylines for this one. You can try guessing Livan Hernandez's age, or his weight. You could try and list Game 3 starters for playoff teams up 2-0 less imposing than Josh Fogg. You can start speculating as to which long-dead god Clint Hurdle sacrificed his firstborn to in exchange for his sudden powers of divination. You can search for a reason Eric Byrnes' best efforts to prop back up the dying Diamondbacks clubhouse involved his shagging flyballs from the top half of the Rockpile at Coors Field (my guess: Byrnes wanted us all to get used to throws of his not quite making the infield dirt).

Ask yourself as many questions as you want, but seek not a reason for the Rockies' 19-of-20 run. There isn't one.

Comments (98)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2007-10-14 15:53:42
1.   Bob Timmermann
In the 2004 NLCS, the Cardinals started Jeff Suppan when they were up 2-0.

In the 2000 NLCS, the Mets started Rick Reed up 2-0.

In the 1989 ALCS, the A's started Storm Davis up 2-0.

In the 1987 ALCS, the Twins started Les Straker up 2-0.

So there you have it. Josh Fogg is the Les Straker of the 21st Century.

2007-10-14 16:25:08
2.   Bluebleeder87
A little bird told me the weather doesn't wanna cooperate, I haven't checked the weather channel though.
2007-10-14 16:31:11
3.   Linkmeister
And in 1965 the Dodgers started Claude Osteen when they were down 2-0!
2007-10-14 16:31:48
4.   Bob Timmermann
Forecast is for rain showers and temps in the 40s.

I doubt it will dissuade the people of Denver from showing up.

2007-10-14 16:34:20
5.   gpellamjr
2 & 4 Stop whining, you whiney Rockies fans. Wah Wah Wah.
2007-10-14 16:35:06
6.   Bob Timmermann
From MLB.com's Jim Molony:

DENVER -- Rains cut short Saturday's Colorado Rockies workout at Coors Field and continued off and on through Sunday afternoon, but a possible window in the weather could mean Sunday night's National League Championship Series Game 3 will start as scheduled at 8:37 p.m. ET.
The 80-percent chance of rain forecast by the National Weather Service for the morning and afternoon had been reduced to 40 percent for game time, with a first-pitch forecast of 41 degrees.

The chance of rain is expected to lessen as the night progresses, although winds out of the north are up to 12 mph and could make conditions feel like 35 degrees.

2007-10-14 17:22:51
7.   Bluebleeder87
So I guess it will be a high scoring affair today with Livan & Fogg "pitching" today.
2007-10-14 17:34:12
8.   mehmattski
7 But, Fogg has a career Post-season ERA of 0.00! And what about Livan's performance in the 1997 World Series, back when he was only 47 years old?!
2007-10-14 17:38:23
9.   mehmattski
couldn't care less! Couldn't Couldn't Couldn't! Stupid Chip Caray/most English speakers who make that error...
2007-10-14 17:42:17
10.   Bluebleeder87
oh man, an almost triple-play.
2007-10-14 17:42:58
11.   trainwreck
It is funny to see Eric Byrnes as the most hated opposing player.
2007-10-14 17:46:49
12.   Bluebleeder87
It's pretty strange seeing the game get started on what the announcers are calling a down poor.
2007-10-14 17:48:23
13.   trainwreck
Did Byrnes just run into the wall?
2007-10-14 17:48:30
14.   mehmattski
And Bump Bailey is down!
2007-10-14 17:48:40
15.   Jon Weisman
Of all of Eric Byrnes' comic moments, that collision with the wall might have been the comicest.
2007-10-14 17:49:08
16.   Linkmeister
The Rockies are reminding me of last year's Cardinals (sorry, Bob). Unstoppable. You can only hope to contain them.
2007-10-14 17:49:23
17.   Bluebleeder87
Holliday didn't even have a stride on that dinger, he pretty much just swung & it went out.
2007-10-14 17:50:07
18.   Bluebleeder87
13

he bounced off apparently

2007-10-14 17:51:27
19.   Jon Weisman
But it was like a Wile E. Coyote moment. It was as if he had no idea a wall might be in his way.
2007-10-14 17:58:20
20.   Sam DC
I have no sound and a bad tv -- is that fuzz on my old RCA or is it seriously raining out there?
2007-10-14 18:01:48
21.   Vishal
you know, i'm rooting for the rox and all, but i really HATE the "neighborhood" call.
2007-10-14 18:04:37
22.   trainwreck
20
Yes, it is.
2007-10-14 18:07:16
23.   Sam DC
Thx.
2007-10-14 18:07:33
24.   Bob Timmermann
Sam has to stop stealing TVs from hobos.
2007-10-14 18:07:37
25.   Vishal
okay, i'm gonna rescind that. it was a lot closer than i thought; tulo's foot dragged across the bag later and he received the ball earlier than i had originally perceived.
2007-10-14 18:08:50
26.   Sam DC
To be clear, it has sound, I'm just trying not to let my six-year old realize the game is on or he'll be out here bugging me.
2007-10-14 18:13:10
27.   Bob Timmermann
On an HDTV, the rain looks a lot harder than it likely is.

Craig Sager only looks a little soggy.

2007-10-14 18:13:59
28.   mehmattski
See, everyone harps on Craig Seger for his wool suits, but in this weather, he's the one who's dry as a... um, something that's not normally dry.
2007-10-14 18:14:04
29.   Vishal
did chip just say something about livan hernandez "turning a trick"?
2007-10-14 18:14:39
30.   mehmattski
29 No kissing. Too personal.
2007-10-14 18:15:38
31.   Bluebleeder87
anybody know the record for DP's in a playoff game?
2007-10-14 18:18:23
32.   mehmattski
31 Well, according to b-r.com, two players have had 3 GIDPs in a single post-season game: Tony Taylor (1972 ALCS) and Willie Mays (1951 WS). So there's a start.
2007-10-14 18:20:02
33.   Bob Timmermann
The Rockies are one DP short of the LCS record for a game.

They have six for the series. They had none in Game 2. The four-game record is 8 by the 1974 Dodgers.

2007-10-14 18:24:18
34.   Bob Timmermann
The Twins turned 5 DPs against the Yankees in the 2004 ALDS. That's the 9-inning record for the postseason.

http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2004/B10050NYA2004.htm

2007-10-14 18:24:26
35.   mehmattski
Also according to b-r.com, there has been one seven-double-play postseason game.

http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/pFVQ

I can't figure out how to make it show me which game that is.

2007-10-14 18:28:03
36.   Bob Timmermann
This game between Houston and Atlanta had 7 DPs in it.

http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2001/B10100HOU2001.htm

2007-10-14 18:28:25
37.   Bluebleeder87
Byrnes looked like a fly hitting a wall, judging from the re-peats.
2007-10-14 18:31:19
38.   mehmattski
So all the six-DP games were extra innings, then?
2007-10-14 18:32:13
39.   mehmattski
Oh never mind, that's not for one team.
2007-10-14 18:34:22
40.   Bob Timmermann
38
Those are combined DPs in the game.
2007-10-14 18:47:38
41.   Bob Timmermann
Augie!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AtTy539VlU

2007-10-14 18:54:22
42.   Bluebleeder87
is Mark T.R. Donohue at the game or something? was he made fun of because of his last name?
2007-10-14 18:56:13
43.   Sam DC
I believe he did say something about going to the game, in between references to the goldmine he has coming when he sells tickets to future games, should they occur.
2007-10-14 19:08:13
44.   Sam DC
Rocket Cars aren't much in the news these days compared to when I was a kid.

Craig Breedlove, The Blue Flame -- this was a big deal back in the day.

You can now return to your regularly scheduled business.

2007-10-14 19:11:11
45.   Bob Timmermann
42
Mark has attended every Rockies home playoff game since 1996.
2007-10-14 19:17:33
46.   Sam DC
You know who would appreciate a good Rocket Car, I'd bet. Greg Brock.

Where is that guy?

2007-10-14 19:20:06
47.   Bob Timmermann
When Livan Hernandez threw his complete game, 15 K win over the Braves in the 1997 NLCS for the Marlins, he threw 143 pitches.
2007-10-14 19:21:52
48.   Bluebleeder87
I really hope Fogg doesn't throw another floater to Reynolds. High heat seems to be the pitch to get him out I think.
2007-10-14 19:22:19
49.   Bob Timmermann
I believe Mark T.R. Donohue was born after the race car driver Mark Donohue died.
2007-10-14 19:22:45
50.   Bob Timmermann
Josh Fogg can throw heat?
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2007-10-14 19:23:22
51.   Bluebleeder87
take a seat Reynodsl!!
2007-10-14 19:24:40
52.   Andrew Shimmin
McClelland's lucky I wasn't the one standing there, with a bat, getting rung up like that.
2007-10-14 19:25:07
53.   Bluebleeder87
well at least he got him with a low slider.
2007-10-14 19:26:30
54.   Bluebleeder87
52

it was to close to take you gotta swing at those...

2007-10-14 19:26:47
55.   Andrew Shimmin
Low and inside.
2007-10-14 19:27:59
56.   Andrew Shimmin
54- Piffle.
2007-10-14 19:28:06
57.   Bob Timmermann
But Larry Vanover is the home plate umpire.
2007-10-14 19:28:32
58.   Sam DC
Umpires standing in the rain probably tend to call lots of strikes.
2007-10-14 19:29:26
59.   Bob Timmermann
Chris Young looks like he's ready to go duck hunting.
2007-10-14 19:30:48
60.   Andrew Shimmin
The box score says it's McClelland behind the plate, Vanover at 2B. Admittedly, I can't tell them apart. Is Wegner the one who let Kaz Matsui pretend he'd beaten out that ground ball, last inning?
2007-10-14 19:32:34
61.   Andrew Shimmin
Ah. It's Thursday's box score. Well, that'll do it.
2007-10-14 19:33:31
62.   Andrew Shimmin
Hallion is the Matsui abettor.
2007-10-14 19:37:28
63.   Sam DC
I've always loved that Livan 58 mph curve.

It's a pretty dramatic pitch.

2007-10-14 19:39:02
64.   das411
"...especially with a crappy veteran like Todd Helton at second base"??

OUCH!!! Livan wishin it was still 1997!

2007-10-14 19:39:43
65.   Sam DC
Of course, when it doesn't break . . .
2007-10-14 19:40:57
66.   Gen3Blue
Ohhh My, as Vin would say it.
2007-10-14 19:41:13
67.   trainwreck
Why is Livan still in?

Never mind.

2007-10-14 19:47:49
68.   yankee23
Is it just me, or does this strike zone seem kind of (albeit consistently) low?
2007-10-14 19:48:40
69.   Bob Timmermann
I don't think TBS was intending to have a shot where a production assistant walks into the booth to hand Chip Caray a promo to read.
2007-10-14 19:50:24
70.   Mike Carminati
By the way, only two teams in the last 50 years have won 20 or 21.
2007-10-14 19:51:14
71.   Gen3Blue
Yeah, ninety bags of special manure mix, and no slips so far.
2007-10-14 19:53:57
72.   yankee23
69 Maybe TBS is starting to realize that Chip Caray is their biggest mistake, so anything minor isn't going to make much of a difference?
2007-10-14 19:55:30
73.   Bluebleeder87
56

Rubbish!

2007-10-14 19:56:36
74.   Andrew Shimmin
That was scrappy.
2007-10-14 19:57:45
75.   Bluebleeder87
I like Chip Caray

[Runs!]

2007-10-14 19:59:52
76.   Bob Timmermann
75
You can run, but you can't hide. And we'll find you. And we'll make you watch 162 Braves games for your only baseball viewing next year.
2007-10-14 20:00:26
77.   yankee23
75 Really? I find him unbearable. Between him & Joe Buck I'm beginning to hate postseason baseball. Part of it is the TavARES thing, he constantly mispronounces the name when Tony & Bob never do. It's frustrating!
2007-10-14 20:00:57
78.   yankee23
76 Reason #169847 why Bob is great.
2007-10-14 20:03:52
79.   yankee23
And I think the mispronunciation of names just seems unprofessional to me. Mainly because every radio guy I've ever known checks with the visiting team (or the player) at the start of every series to find out the correct pronunciation. You'd think somebody on a national stage would go about something similar.
2007-10-14 20:03:55
80.   Bluebleeder87
I thought the Rockies had made it further in the playoffs in years past but I just read that there entering uncharted water. They make it look so easy though....
2007-10-14 20:07:25
81.   Bob Timmermann
I don't like it when announcers say "You-baldo" Jimenez. It's "oo-baldo."
2007-10-14 20:13:53
82.   Bluebleeder87
81

Me either.

2007-10-14 20:17:31
83.   Vishal
caray said something that wasn't a word at the beginning of the inning, but i forgot what it was. i complained to my roommate that they shouldn't let people become announcers until they have a basic command of english. it also bugs me when gwynn uses "good" as an adverb.

but i did like caray's use of "military lineup" to refer to the L-R-L-R configuration. he's not good but he's not terrible.

2007-10-14 20:18:00
84.   Bluebleeder87
79

Steiner (old friend of yours) does it all the time, I guess I just don't notice it as much, but yeah I can see how one would have a pet peeve over that.

2007-10-14 20:20:47
85.   Vishal
42 back in college i would always refer to mark t.r. donohue by his full name. his middle initials just seem to be relevant for some reason.
2007-10-14 20:26:19
86.   Bluebleeder87
We're gonna probably witness history today.
2007-10-14 20:31:22
87.   Bob Timmermann
86
Man has already walked on the moon.
The Berlin Wall has fallen.
Nixon resigned.
Russia gave up Communism.

What history will we see?

2007-10-14 20:32:09
88.   Bluebleeder87
my bad, it's best of 7.
2007-10-14 20:33:33
89.   Bob Timmermann
88
Whew, I was worried that Liechtenstein was going to announce that they had nukes.
2007-10-14 20:33:35
90.   Bluebleeder87
87

doesn't Putin have a straggle hold over there these days?

2007-10-14 20:39:51
91.   Bob Timmermann
No team has ever swept the first two rounds of the playoffs since they went to this format back in 1995.

The Tigers lost one game last year in the first two rounds and the Braves lost one game in the first two rounds in 1995.

2007-10-14 20:42:45
92.   das411
Colorado is the hottest team I've seen since those oh so crazy '02 Athletics, but to think that a team could go on an 11 game winning streak in late September...and then follow it up with a 9-gamer...it has to be seen to be believed, and even then I (and I suspect MTRD) almost can't quite believe it!
2007-10-14 20:43:00
93.   fanerman
Go Rockies!
2007-10-14 20:52:17
94.   Sam DC
Is there really a football game on with the score 61-61?
2007-10-14 20:55:32
95.   Sam DC
Well no, make that 61-69.
2007-10-14 20:59:54
96.   Bob Timmermann
But it just finished 69-67.
2007-10-14 23:09:36
97.   Linkmeister
Wow. Last I looked it was 41-all. Did Boise State pull it out?
2007-10-14 23:11:23
98.   Linkmeister
Never mind. 4 overtimes. My goodness.

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