November 1, 2021
1. The Braves lose Game 3, and the World Series heads back to Houston
It was all so promising, wasn’t it? An electric atmosphere in Atlanta, a grand slam in the first inning, a rested bullpen, and just one win away from sending the Astros packing.
There were some questionable moves from Braves manager Brian Snitker, as he neglected to play it like a final, clinching game and instead like some sort of regular season routine — saving his best relievers for last, but too late, when the lead was already gone.
But then, the Braves took the lead back, with a moonshot from Freddie “Frederick!” Freeman:
In the end, they couldn’t hold it, as the Astros win 9–5. And the Braves lose their first home game of the 2021 postseason (after starting 7–0).
Game 6 is tomorrow in Houston, 8:09 ET.
2. Game 6 tomorrow night will be Max Fried vs. Luis Garcia
We all hoped there wouldn’t be any need for a Game 6, but then last night’s game took a turn for the worst, and the champagne was left unopened:
And so, tomorrow night. Max Fried takes the mound against Luis Garcia. And every good-natured baseball fan in America will root root root for the Braves.
3. Zack Greinke made a bit of history last night
Zack Greinke, the pitcher Zack Greinke. He came in and pinch hit last night — in the middle innings, too, not in some desperate 15-inning empty-bench situation — and actually got a hit.
It could be one of the last at-bats from a pitcher we’ll ever see in the majors, if the long-rumored universal DH comes into place this offseason. And so, for any trivia buffs out there, remember this moment.
And maybe the end of seeing warm-up jackets on the bases, too:
4. The Braves’ organist is a star of the World Series
He played “I’m a Little Teapot” for Jose Altuve’s at-bat, “Free Fallin’” when a struggling Alex Bregman came up (both of whom hit big hits in response, so maybe the whole organ taunting is a bad idea), “Thriller” for Michael “Michael Jackson” Brantley, Coldplay’s “Clocks” for Martin “Chris Martin” Maldonado, “California Girls” for Yuri “California” Gurriel, and so on.
Almost every one a bit of a stretch, but almost every one the kind of gem you only ever find at a baseball game — a bravado performance from the guy.
5. Beloved Red Sox broadcaster (and former player) Jerry Remy passes away
Rest in peace, to one of New England’s favorite-ever baseball voices.
Here’s a nice little video from MLB Network:
6. A very expensive Babe Ruth baseball card has its own shareholders
The article is behind a paywall, so the details aren’t fully clear, but the card seems to have “shares” attached to it, meaning many investors have a piece of action in the card’s value — and of late it’s been soaring.
What a strange world we live in.
7. Bob Melvin was introduced today as Padres manager
With the Dodgers potentially losing a lot of key players to free agency, and the Giants unsure to repeat their brilliant-but-maybe-fluky 107-win season, this could be the beginning of a great run in San Diego.
8. The Cubs may have a new hitting coach
Scoring anyone associated with the Rays is an absolute win.
9. Highlights from Halloween in baseball yesterday
At Truist Park last night, the only thing spookier than Joc Pederson’s batting average (.091) was this guy in the crowd:
And elsewhere around baseball:
10. Albert Pujols hit a walk-off dribbler in winter league (Dominican Republic)
He’s still got the speed.
11. Here’s Babe Ruth in 1920, colorized
A neat little video spotted on Twitter the other day:
12. And lastly, Waffle House in at the ballpark is baseball perfection
