Before we jump into all the stuff you missed because you were napping all weekend, just a few all-important scores: 8-3, 2-0 and 7-6 ...
MLB Weekend Update: Hall Of Fame Batted 1.000
Hall of Fame Goes 3-for-3
Bert Blyleven had to wait 13 too many years, Roberto Alomar one too many. But at least they’re both in the Hall of Fame now, and the Hall is better for it. Pat Gillick took his place, too, in essentially his first year of eligibility as an executive. There probably aren’t enough general managers in the Hall of Fame; after all, they do more to determine a franchise’s success than managers do. But GM’s don’t typically enjoy long careers in that role, which makes finding Hall-worthy general managers tough. Gillick’s an easy one, though. As John Schuerholz will be, three years from now.
Mariners Lose 15 Straight (so far!)
When the Mariners were riding (relatively) high early in the season, everybody was looking for explanations and really good luck just wouldn't do. When pressed, even I had to allow that with two starting pitchers like Felix Hernandez and Michael Pineda -- plus the other three starters, all of them pitching well -- it would be hard to lose more than a few games in a row, no matter how awful the hitting. Right. Fresh off getting swept at Fenway, the Mariners get to play three games in the Bronx. Good luck with that.
Logjam in the National League Central
With the Cardinals playing the Pirates and the Brewers and Reds both playing good interdivisional foes, we might have achieved some clarity in the N.L. Central this weekend. No such bad luck for us, though. The Cardinals took two of three from the Pirates, the Brewers lost two of three against the Giants, and the Reds took two of three from the Braves. The result? We've got a three-way tie, with Cincinnati three games behind the leaders. The Brewers, with all their talent, have been outscored this season. The Pirates are just four runs to the good, while the Cardinals and Reds have both outscored their opponents by 36 runs. Unhappily, it will be some time before any of these clubs battle each other again.
Cubs Win Exciting Battle for Fifth Place
And in other N.L. Central news, the Cubs swept the Astros, notable because it looked like there might be a spirited battle for next-to-last place before the series. Well, maybe not. But if the Astros had swept the Cubs at Wrigley, they might at least have been able to fantasize about escaping the basement. Instead the Cubs swept the Astros, who now have the worst record in the majors. By a lot.
Rockies' Thoughts Turn to 2012
Or they should, anyway. Playing at home against the surprisingly frisky Diamondbacks, the Rockies really needed a strong series, if only to gain ground on someone. Instead they lost two of three, and fell 11 games behind the first-place Giants, seven behind the second-place D'backs, and 11 behind the Wild Card-leading Braves. We're rapidly approaching the point at which the math just doesn't work for 2011. Now, if only they had some player that most of the contending teams are lusting after ...
Until next time, good night and watch out.
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