October 14, 2021
1. The quote of the day: Pete Rose on Joey Gallo
There’s a big, historic game on tonight in San Francisco, but as you already know that, we’ll start with this — Pete Rose being Pete Rose, assessing the Yankees lineup:
“How does someone who didn’t play every day strike out 213 times? Ray Charles wouldn’t strike out that much. I just can’t imagine striking out 213 times without killing myself.”
2. The great Ray Fosse has died at 74
He passed away from a long battle from cancer yesterday, with the news first delivered (to most people) from a tweet by Johnny Bench:
Fosse was a longtime catcher for the Indians and Athletics, two-time World Series champion, two-time All Star, and then beloved broadcaster in Oakland.
Perhaps most famous, in another bit of Pete Rose news, for that collision at the plate in the 1970 All-Star Game.
He was always a fun listen on A’s broadcasts, and great baseball mind, tuning in here and there on MLB TV — and here’s a clip to leave you with:
3. The stage is set for Game 5 of the NLDS tonight
Dodgers vs. Giants. 109 wins vs. 109 wins.
Here’s Vin Scully on the stakes of it all:
And the view outside beautiful Oracle Park, before the game gets going (photo from Tyler Kepner).
4. The Dodgers won’t be starting their starter, Julio Urias, but instead using Corey Knebel as an “opener”
A big, surprising move for a game of this magnitude, and a sign of the times for this moment in baseball history.
Dave Roberts even told his opposing manager last night:
Knebel has been perfect in the two brief postseason appearances so far this year, and with a 2.45 ERA on the season. And then when he’s done, in will come Urias for the second inning (presumably).
5. The Cardinals fired manager Mike Shildt this afternoon
A pretty surprising move, after the Cardinals won 17-straight games late in the year and almost beat the Dodgers in the Wild Card Game — but, as it turns out, the organization is moving on.
He had a .556 winning percentage in St. Louis, and so we’ll have to wait and see if he gets scooped up anywhere —perhaps by the Padres or Yankees (though very unlikely, the latter).
6. Tony La Russa will return in 2022 as manager of the White Sox
There will be no time to even entertain the idea of a reunion with the Cardinals, as the South Side welcomes Tony back once again.
With the full support of Tim Anderson, too:
7. Astros ace pitcher Lance McCullers will miss the ALCS
He won two of the games for Houston in the division series, and now with Boston on deck it sounds like he’ll be out completely.
8. The Cubs hire Carter Hawkins as their new GM
If you’ve never heard of him, you’re not alone (but, for informing all of you’s sake, he was the Assistant GM of the Indians, is 37 years old, and will now be working under Jed Hoyer, the Cubs’ president of baseball operations).
9. The Athletics continue their exploration of Las Vegas as a potential home city
A tough day for A’s fans, after the Ray Fosse news and this:
10. The Yankees send their coaches home for good
Phil Nevin, the goat (not “GOAT”) of the A.L. Wild Card Game, with his aggressive send of Aaron Judge from third base, is no more.
And so too is Marcus Thames, the guy who lost his cool in that mid-summer game against the Red Sox, when Aaron Boone lost control of the dugout completely.
11. The Mets’ GM search includes rumors of Billy Beane
We’re entering Year Two of Steve Cohen’s reign in Queens, with the team in dire need of a world class behind-the-scenes captain — and after all Billy Beane was a member of the mid-’80s Mets:
And with the Brewers’ season now over, their star young GM has now been added to the rumor mill.
12. And lastly, Giants pitcher Logan Webb has a special fuel
When you start Game 5 of the NLDS (or any game, as it turns out), this is the diet of champions. Red Bull. Three of them. Chugged.
