Double Duty

I’ve been overwhelmed at work, and have used this as an excuse not to write anything here. I’ve even been to two Giants games which they won since I last wrote. They won that final day game against Colorado with 7 hits in the 8th inning, three of which went off the pitcher’s glove. I also saw them beat the Astros on Friday night, with Schmidt throwing an eight inning three hitter the day after I traded for him (not our stats, though). We were concerned about Schmidt because he’s just not the same pitcher, but when you have 60 points and not 70 points, you’ve got to take some chances. Anyway, season record at SBC is now 7-7.

Ken sent me the attached article reporting the death of 103 year old Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe, who pitched in the Negro Leagues back in the ‘30’s. He played with and against everyone from Satchel Paige to Jackie Robinson. At the time of his death he was thought to be the oldest living professional baseball player. At age 96 he returned to the field to throw one pitch for the Schaumburg Flyers in a minor league game. If by some miracle I’m alive at 96, I hope I can stand on the mound without assistance, no less reach the plate.

My favorite story is how he got his nickname. He caught Satchel in the first game of a doubleheader in the 1932 Negro League World Series, and then pitched a shutout in the second game. When you see pitchers tiring after 80 pitches in games today, imagine how they might feel if they had caught nine innings earlier in the day.

Greg Maddux had a Maddux-like game today: a complete game win, giving up 4 runs and 12 hits but walking no one. Nomar is back (2 for 5 today), and Derrick Lee got off the August schneid with a couple of jimmy jacks. And Corey Patterson started today, picking up 3 hits. I guess that along with Matt Lawton, we’re looking at the Cubs lineup for the stretch.

Gee, I talked about the Cubs before talking about the Giants? Yep, stick a fork in them, they’re done. They’re losing to the Braves as I write this, with Schmidt showing why we were nervous about him No sign of Moises Alou returning to the lineup. They could have used him as a pinch hitter last night, but didn’t want to screw up the ability to put him on the DL retroactively. Get real.

I haven’t spoken yet about Oatmealgate. Larry Krueger is an oaf, and he got what he deserved. What is interesting is I heard him last week yakking about the Giants, and he seemed so angry about the state of the team. Angry? Why is he angry? Why is anyone angry? What’s so important about baseball, or any form of entertainment? If you don’t like it, don’t go. Don’t watch. Don’t pay for the product. Oh, yeah, he doesn’t have to pay because he’s a journalist, so called. I’ve done plenty of complaining about the Giants here, but I’m not angry about their performance. Do I seem that way? I’m still enjoying the season, I’m just disappointed after having such high expectations. But I still enjoy watching Omar Vizquel’s jump throw to turn a double play, and JT Snow’s dive to catch that popped up bunt last night after which he rolled over and looked to make the throw to 1st to double off the runner (he didn’t go). Why be angry?

Scott Ostler, who I’ve met, but don’t often read, wrote an excellent column today about what he called Kruegergate. I think he got it pretty much right, and I particularly liked his ending:
“Krueger learned a tough lesson on the choice of words and the expression of thoughts.
Meanwhile, lest we forget, the Giants still suck.”

That they do, Poot, that they do.

The other guys that got fired really deserved it. Making fun of Felipe’s righteous complaint simply can’t be forgiven. Hatchet time.

Apparently Cameron and Beltran collided in the Mets’ outfield today, a head on crash after they both dived for a ball. Cameron was carried off on a stretcher, done for a while. Beltran walked off, but hurt his shoulder. You know, the Mets are still in this thing, but this can’t be good. And it’s not good for the Cappers (Cameron) or the Leaguers (Beltran) in BABI. It often comes down to injuries in a close race. So who besides the Pecklers would have thought that Cliff Floyd would turn out to be the most durable of the Mets’ outfield this season?

Finally, Dustan Mohr-on. What a package. Thirteen homers, batting about .210. Can’t waive him, can’t trade him. Like the old line about women: can’t live with them, can’t kill them. Let’s put it differently. He’s keepable at $5. Thirteen homers. Who wants him?

One more trade thought: might Professor Pennypacker be interested in trading Luis Gonzalez for Luis Gonzalez?