The Diamond Fan

Today’s game between Cleveland and New York ended with the Yankees winning 7-4. The biggest thing about the game, though, wasn’t the final score, it was that the game exposed baseball’s new, limited instant replay as a total farce.
With the score 3-2 Indians and one on in the bottom of the 7th, Jorge Posada hit a ball on which Cleveland outfielder Trevor Crowe was prepared to make a leaping catch. Only he didn’t make the catch because a fan (two fans, actually) reached over the fence and deflected the ball before it got to Crowe’s glove.
The ball hit the top of the fence and bounced back into the field of play, but the umpire signalled home run. Ball call, but hey, this is the kind of play for which instant replay was specifically instituted, right? Wrong! Somehow, even after watching the replay, the umpires decided that, no, the fan who had his arm fully extended outward toward the field while standing right at the fence, was NOT interfering with the play. What ?!#?
The only thing I can think is that this was a CYA thing for the umps. Our guy made the call and it would look bad to overrule him, so let’s just pretend that there is not enough “clear and convincing evidence” to overturn. What a joke! If you’re not going to overturn that play, then the whole instant reply idea is a complete waste of time and might as well be ditched.

With the White Sox winning a tense victory over the Twins the field is finally set for the American League playoffs.  In contrast to the National League field, this group is comprised mostly of teams that have had great success recently (with the notable exception of the Rays, of course).

• The Red Sox, White Sox and Angels have all won World Series titles this decade (the Red Sox twice). Between them they have four World Series appearances (all victories), as opposed to none for the four NL playoff teams.
• Between them the three teams have 10 playoff appearances this decade (versus five for the NL contenders).
• Of course, prior to this decade these franchises all suffered from a notable lack of success. The Red Sox “curse” is well known, and the White Sox had not won a championship since before the notorious Black Sox scandal of 1919.  The Angels’ pennant in 2002 was the first ever for the team.

So, while based on recent events the Rays have to be your team if you like to cheer for the underdog, longtime fans of the other three teams may rightfully feel they still have some making up to do for long years of championship drought.

I just hope the Tampa Bay fans show up to see their excellent young team compete in what should be an exciting playoff. The Angels-Red Sox matchup is one of the best first round pairings ever.

With the closing of voting for the All Star game less than two weeks away, it’s time for me to mark my ballot and do what little I can to send the best players to Yankee Stadium. Here are my choices for the American League:

First Base: Justin Morneau (MIN)
This is a fairly weak position in the AL this season. Jason Giambi has 17 home runs and a very respectable .394 OBP. but the rest of his numbers are so-so. Kevin Youkilis and Morneau have similar stats overall, but Morneau’s big edge in RBI gives him the edge in my mind.

Second Base: Ian Kinsler (TEX)
Howie Kendrick’s injury took him out of the running. Brian Roberts has the speed, but Kinsler’s SB total is just two less (18 as opposed to 20), and the rest of his numbers are clearly superior. He gets the nod over Roberts, Dustin Pedroia, and Placido Polanco.

Shortstop: Michael Young (TEX)
Orlando Cabrera is probably playing the best right now, but his slow start drags him down. Youg tops Jeter in just about every statistical category, and plays better defense to boot.

Third Base: Alex Rodriguez (NYY)
Joe Crede is having a great season in Chicago, and Miguel Cabrera is pretty good too, but A-Rod is clearly the best third baseman in the game today, and once again having an All Star caliber season.

Catcher: Joe Mauer (MIN)
The big names at this position are having down years either due to injury or advancing age, leaving this spot open for rising star Mauer. AJ Pierzynski and Dionner Navarro are having fine seasons for winning teams, but Mauer’s impressive .420 OBP swings me toward him.

Outfield: Josh Hamilton (TEX), Manny Ramirez (BOS), Grady Sizemore (CLE)
I hate to keep putting Rangers players in here, but hey, when they are the best at their respective positions, you’ve gotta do it. Hamilton is having an unreal MVP type season. Manny is having a typical Manny season, and Grady Sizemore is a great offensive catalyst for the Indians.

DH: Hideki Matsui (NYY)
Big Papi is on the shelf, and while Aubrey Huff has better power numbers, Matsui’s high average and high OBP and hitting in the middle of that potent Yankees lineup makes me put him ahead.

So there it is: three Rangers, two Twins, two Yankees, and one each from the Red Sox and Indians.

I’ll do the National League in another post within a few days.

At the beginning of the season there was talk that the National League was at long last closing the gap that had opened up in recent years between them and the American League.  With the young talent that had come into the league in places like Milwaukee, Los Angeles, and Miami, such a scenario seemed plausible.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t panned out that way.  As of the end of play today, the National League is 36-47 in interleague play, for a .446 winning percentage.  That winning percentage is worst than any American League team except for Kansas City and Seattle.

This is really frustrating for a lifelong National League fan, but I have to admit: right now the American League is still the superior league, in just about every aspect of the game.