I’ve seen some really interesting plays on the diamond in my day, but some of them are quite a bit more foolish than others. The Reds, they had a couple of plays during the game today that were beauties in that respect.
The bottom of the first had Shin-Soo Choo missing a ball in centerfield that was hit by Yadi. Now, I gotta tell you, I missed that one, but when I saw the replay, it was quite the debacle. The ball bounced off the webbing of Choo’s glove–twice–and it was quite circus-y. Except, he didn’t recover by catching the ball. The Cardinals ended up scoring two in the first.
Top of the fourth, there was a joker that tried to take Yadi out at the plate (instead of scoring the run). This one really ranks up there with foolish base running. On a sharp hit ball to Freese, Chris Heisey of the Reds took off from third base. Freese fielded the ball cleanly and made a throw to Yadi that placed him in front of the plate. Heisey took it upon himself to not slide into home plate, but instead, try and slide into Molina. Now, let’s look at this with “we love Yadi, think he’s awesome, and don’t you even try and take him out” eyes. What in the love of Pete was this guy thinking?! Not only did he completely miss the plate (he would have totally been safe), but he failed to score a run for his team, and added an out to their side of the inning. Foolishness, I say, pure foolishness.
Back to Shin-Soo Choo. Bottom of the 6th, he let a Yadi fly ball hit the heel of his glove and bounce to the grass (with 2 out and Holliday on). Holliday scored. Embarrassing.
By the time Choo got up to bat in the 7th, the Cards’ faithful were cheering him, thanks to his expert fielding out in center. Now, I’m not making fun of the guy, or even questioning his abilities as a centerfielder; come on, though. You are a major league baseball player who plays centerfield. There are a number of guys killing themselves to make it up from the minors and take your place. You should be able to catch a fly ball. But I’m not complaining.
Then, Brandon Phillips. Yes, THE Brandon Phillips. I have nothing else to say.
Unfortunately, in this game came the mini implosion of the 9th inning. This calls for a time of reflection. Sad reflection, but reflection nonetheless. Reflection of: not everyone has learned not to challenge Yadi at the plate, at least Choo isn’t a Cardinal, and Motte will be back, eventually. The season’s still young, and there’s still a lot of games left to be played at Busch in 2013.
So, today, I am rejoicing in the Cardinals’ opening day at Busch. I’m also thanking my lucky stars I’m not a Reds’ fan.
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On top of that, the Reds have an announcer, Chris Welsh, that said he thinks the Reds still have the best opening day ceremonies in baseball. Maybe they used to, but not since ESPN took their sole home opener away. As one who has attended a Reds home opener, in the last couple of years, I can attest that it has regressed to a drunken beerfest.
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