Sunday SIERA

If you caught last week's Sunday SIERA, you already know about Adam Greenberg's story.  Well, this is how he fared:



That's tough, going against a Cy Young-candidate knuckleballer.  But he can hold his head up high, because he has more MLB plate appearances than I will ever have. And at least he will get his own baseball card.

Saturday Shuuto

The Houston Astros 2012 season in a microcosm:

I suppose it could be worse though...

Bad call, legitimate victory. The Cards won fair and square.

During the first ever National League Wild Card game, the umpires blew a big call during an important situation in the eighth inning.  See for yourself:

First off, that was a horrible call.   I know that the infield fly rule can be called even when the play is not in the infield.  Still, the ball was hit so far into the outfield, that there was no chance the baserunners could be duped into a double play.  How do we know?

Sick of the TBS commercials yet?

Not me.  This is what I get during the breaks in action.  I'm just assuming that the TBS commercials are bad, like they always are.

Stay classy, Atlanta

I haven't seen the likes of this since the 2007 NLCS.  In fact, I think a couple of PFBL members were at that game.

It works!

Check out POSTSEASON.TV on my phone (above) and my television (below).

Taking a Chance on POSTSEASON.TV

I'm going out on a limb.  Remember my view of the All-Star Game?

It appears to be . . . JAMMED!

That was how FOX looked on my TV in July.  My reception of TBS and MLB Network is even worse nonexistent.  Well, for the playoffs, I have taken drastic measures to ensure that I won't be stuck in the same predicament I encountered during the midsummer classic.  I have shelled out the $4.99 required to purchase POSTSEASON.TV. 

I'm not sure how it will turn out, but the notions of live batting practice, broadcast audio and ten camera angles have me rather excited.  Don't worry, I will strive to keep OSITF updated about my experiences with the streaming video service.

Excelsior!

Who has two thumbs and is excited for the MLB playoffs?

THIS GUY!

Friday Fathomings

Tonight, Larry Jones Jr. will play what might be--what I hope will be--his last MLB game.  All season long, opposing teams have have honored him with tributes and gifts during his "farewell tour."

Well, OSITF will be no different.  In honor of the future hall of famer, here is my personal favorite highlight featuring Larry:

Whither @dbacksbooth? A new job for @byrnes22?

These aren't the broadcasters you're looking for...

Sad news everyone: the Diamondbacks have announced that neither Mark Grace nor Daron Sutton will return to their broadcast booth next year.  I'm super bummed about this because Sutton and Gracie are were the best broadcast team in baseball.  They had the best chemistry and they made every telecast entertaining, even if the Dbacks were mired in a 97 loss season.

I understand that Grace needs time to address his substance abuse issues.  That needs to be the first priority in his life.  But why not Sutton?  The Dbacks have not said why he was sacked, other than it is a "personnel" issue--not a "personal" issue.  There have been some rumblings that he fell out of favor because he kept insisting on wearing a suit during the broadcasts, but the Dbacks organization has never confirmed or denied that speculation.

The Tribune names White Sox announcer Steve Stone and former Dbacks manager Bob Brenly as possible replacements.  Those sound like good choices, but I think a better/more entertaining analyst would be Eric Byrnes.

Regardless, I have my doubts that any replacements will be half a great as Sutton and Gracie were.