See ya, CJ

It's official. Texas Rangers ace C.J. Wilson is going home to Southern California, signing with AL West Division rival Anaheim -- oops, I mean the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim -- this morning. The Rangers home-grown ace inked a five year, $77.5 million deal to stay in the AL West after leading Texas to consecutive World Series.

Rangers fans need to realize a few different things on this note:

First and foremost, this is a significant loss. Don't talk about how "he choked in the postseason" or mention the hit batter with the bases loaded against the Cardinals. It's simply not relevant. The Rangers wouldn't have been in the World Series, let alone the post season without CJ Wilson's contributions. In 2011, he went 16-7 in 34 starts with a 2.94 ERA in the American League. He made 34 starts. Seriously, 34. Wilson worked 223.1 innings. Forget the fact that his numbers were outstanding, but who is going to eat up those innings for Texas in 2012? Martin Perez will likely debut out of the bullpen. Neftali Feliz needs to be stretched out from his role as a closer. Scott Feldman needs to stay healthy, and the Amish Assassin and 2010 Opening Day starter could move back into the rotation. But for now, nothing is certain except that Wilson won't be back.

Game 7: Still a hell of a run

The Texas Rangers fired every bullet in their chamber last night and fell short in Game 6 of the World Series, missing on a pair of opportunities to claim the franchise's first title when St. Louis found itself down to its final strike. Tonight, the Cardinals closed the series out in St. Louis, 6-2 in Game 7 for their 11th World Series championship. The fact that this team came so close -- again, one strike away twice in Game 6 -- makes it so much more painful, but maybe the most healthy thing Rangers fans can do is take a step back, or ten, and look at just how far this organization has come.

The Rangers made it to Game 7 of the World Series.

The Texas Rangers!

Last year's ride that ended against a super San Francisco pitching staff in five games was magical just to experience the Fall Classic for the first time. This season, yes, expectations were raised. Those expectations skyrocketed when Texas took a 3-2 lead going back to St. Louis. Those same high expectations came one strike away from reality -- twice -- before eventually succumbing to the Cardinals.

Part of me wants to go on a witch hunt for scape goats. My brother's graphic regarding Game 7 home plate umpire Jerry Layne's strike zone is a humorous beginning as we light our torches.

But the witch hunt doesn't need to start and stop at the Game 7 crew chief. Texas had its chances. This isn't the Dallas Mavericks in 2006 against the Miami Heat -- although it certainly crossed my mind more than once on Twitter, especially in the fifth inning when Scott Feldman allegedly walked Yadier Molina. When it comes down to it, however, the Rangers were in control of their own destiny and their carriage turned back into a pumpkin three nights before Halloween.

The bullpen that was so strong throughout the entire 2011 season, ALDS, and ALCS. That same bullpen disintegrated against the Cardinals in the Fall Classic. The pitching staff in general fell victim to walks that didn't come back to bite them in the earlier rounds of the postseason. Texas set a new record for walks in a World Series with 41 over this seven-game set, and too many of them came around to score.

In Game 7, the Rangers walked six batters (one intentionally) with three of them coming around to score. Scott Feldman walked in a run, and CJ Wilson hit a batter with the bases loaded to score another. Overall in the postseason, Texas played with too much fire (77 walks in 17 games) to not get burned. Here's a look at the walks, intentional walks, and subsequent runs during this playoff run:

Round	Game	Walks (IBB)	Scored
ALDS	1 vs. TB	2 (0)	1
ALDS	2 vs. TB	4 (0)	1
ALDS	3 at TB	5 (0)	0
ALDS	4 at TB	3 (0)	2
ALDS	TOTAL	14 (0)	4

Round	Game	Walks (IBB)	Scored
ALCS	1 vs. DET	6 (1)	0
ALCS	2 vs. DET	6 (1)	0
ALCS	3 at DET	2 (0)	0
ALCS	4 at DET	5 (1)	0
ALCS	5 at DET	3 (0)	0
ALCS	6 vs. DET	0 (0)	0
ALCS	TOTAL	22 (3)	0

Round	Game	Walks (IBB)	Scored
WS	1 at STL	6 (2)	0
WS	2 at STL	4 (0)	0
WS	3 vs. STL	6 (1)	5
WS	4 vs. STL	3 (0)	0
WS	5 vs. STL	9 (4)	2
WS	6 at STL	7 (1)	1
WS	7 at STL	6 (1)	3
WS	TOTAL	41 (9)	11

The Rangers walks were certainly part of the problem, but the bullpen's collapse -- a bullpen that looked like it would be the reason Texas would win the series -- became the team's fatal flaw over this seven game series. This team's starting rotation was never heralded as a great rotation like the 2010 Giants staff we ran into that featured Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Madison Bumgardener.

Somehow starters CJ Wilson, Colby Lewis, Derek Holland and Matt Harrison as well as regular season starter Alexi Ogando forged one of the most consistent starting rotations in the big leagues in 2011. In the post season, however, things got a little dicey. After starters earned decisions in all four games against Tampa Bay, the bullpen earned all four wins in the ALCS and two of the three victories in the World Series.

We didn't see the same bullpen against St. Louis. Alexi Ogando was un-hittable against Detroit in the ALCS and somehow looked liked a 2010 version of Derek Holland when he reached the World Series. Neftali Feliz had never blown a postseason save until Game 6 on Thursday night. Scott Feldman worked 8.2 scoreless postseason innings before allowing three earned runs over 4.1 innings in the Fall Classic.

Offensively, Nelson Cruz and Mike Napoli were amazing. Adrian Beltre's bat -- the same bat that launched three home runs in Game 4 of the ALDS -- was perhaps out-shined by his glove-work at third base. But Josh Hamilton's power faded, save for the two-run home run in the 10th inning of Game 6 which might have gone down as the Kirk Gibson moment of the franchise if not for the Cardinals' amazing comeback. Hamilton and Mike Young seemed out of their element in the World Series. Not that the moment was too big for them, because I don't think it was, but they had opportunities that went unfulfilled.

Manager Ron Washington made some critical errors in Game 1 and Game 6, both costly losses on National League turf. But for anyone who is ready to get rid of the skipper, pull on the reins because Texas wouldn't be where they are if not for "Wash." He was not Boston's Grady Little leaving in Pedro Martinez too long in the 2003 ALCS. Washington was out-managed in a National League park by Tony LaRussa -- and I don't think anyone anticipated something different. Washington twice sent Esteban German to the plate in the World Series. He kept going back to Ogando out of the bullpen. And he opted for Darren Oliver in the 10th inning of Game 6 instead of giving Feliz another shot at a save (a move that I did agree with at the time).

The World Series is over. The season is over. But hopefully for Rangers fans, the fun is simply just starting. For anyone who wants to compare this franchise, now twice losers of the World Series, to either the Atlanta Braves or NFL's Buffalo Bills, go ahead. Considering where the Rangers have been for a majority of the franchise's history, to have a run of success like the Braves (five pennants and a World Championship while winning 14 straight division crowns) would be a much welcomed new era.

The future is bright in Texas, despite how dark it may seem tonight.

Loved the call, hated the moment

When St. Louis Cardinals hero David Freese belted a solo home run to dead center field to lead off the bottom of the 11th inning of Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, the Rangers fan in me cringed and tried to sink deeper into the couch. But as a broadcaster, I couldn't help but appreciate FOX's Joe Buck tipping his cap to his late father Jack.

"We'll see you tomorrow night!"

The same words that Jack Buck used to punctuate the dramatic finish of Game 6 of the 1991 World Series when Kirby Puckett launched a bomb over the left-center field wall.



Now those words are part of St. Louis Cardinals lore, the same team that featured Jack Buck as lead broadcaster for decades.



And while this tribute to his father is certainly significant -- not just for the World Series Game 6 parallels but also the fact that it was a Cardinals victory -- it's not the first time Joe Buck attempted a tribute to his father. In Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS, the Boston Red Sox staved off elimination on a David Ortiz walkoff home run after midnight on the East Coast. Joe Buck capitalized on the moment:



"We'll see you later tonight."

Whether you love Joe Buck or hate him, anyone who has an appreciation for broadcasting knows exactly what was going on in that booth. All broadcasters have their vocal heroes they have either worked to emulate, blatantly or subconsciously. Ernie Harwell, Vin Scully, Jack Buck -- these are legendary voices, and in this era of broadcasters, hearing Joe Buck pay tribute to a man he no doubt admired as a broadcaster but also as his father was special.

Broadcasters of the world, I don't believe what I just saw! heard!

Game 6: Full for now-forgotten moments of Rangers greatness

I don't even know where to begin. I'm sick to my stomach. And while the Texas Rangers, my Texas Rangers, were on the receiving end of the ultimate kick to the nuts, the most crushing part of it might be the fact that I don't know how I'll be able to muster hope for tomorrow -- actually, for later tonight.

In a 4 hour, 33 minute, back-and-forth, eyelash-away-from-a-championship game -- TWICE -- the St. Louis Cardinals forced Game 7 of the 2011 World Series by defeating Texas, 10-9 in 11 innings in Game 6 to tie the series, 3-3. But while the number of games each team has won might be tied, the Cardinals have such a big lead at this point, I don't know how Texas is supposed to recover.

The Rangers twice had the Cardinals down to their final strike, not their final out, but their final strike, and couldn't get the job done. Texas led 7-5 in the bottom of the ninth inning before Neftali Feliz blew his first career postseason save in eight chances. One inning later, the Rangers lost a 9-7 lead after Josh Hamilton hit was could have been a legend-cementing home run. Instead, Hamilton's go-ahead home run in the top of the 10th inning, his first of the playoffs and first since September 25, will be forgotten like Jake Delhome's TD pass to Ricky Proehl with just under two minutes left in Super Bowl XXXVIII to put the Panthers ahead of the Patriots. But no one remembers that because of what happened next.

In the case of the 2003 Panthers, Tom Brady drove New England to a Super Bowl title. In the case of Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, Hamilton's blast was erased by Lance Berkman's game-tying single in the bottom of the 10th and David Freese's walkoff home run in the bottom of the 11th.

Hamilton's home run, for all intents and purposes, never happened.

Neither did the three St. Louis errors that led to a pair of unearned runs for the Rangers.

The back-to-back home runs by Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz? Vanished into a footnote.

Those same solo shots to begin the top of the 7th to put Texas ahead immediately after Michael Young's defense went to hell, Alexi Ogando reverted to a 2010-version of Derek Holland, and the Cardinals tied the game 4-4 in the bottom of the 6th... those two home runs are now almost as memorable as Mike Napoli's throw to third base in the bottom of the 6th to pick off Matt Holliday and prevent any more damage.

And speaking of Napoli, his Wolverine-like healing power after snapping his ankle sliding into second base early in the game? Now an afterthought.

So many Texas Rangers chances in this game. So many opportunities.

So many great moments that could have be just a part of the magic of the franchise's first World Championship. Instead, those are merely some of the hurdles that fans in St. Louis can reminisce about for generations to come unless Texas has a shorter memory than a housemate on Jersey Shore.

(Translation: I'm not optimistic.)

(Bluntly: How is this team not entirely F'd right now?)

Skipper Ron Washington was out-managed by Tony LaRussa, which isn't shocking, but Washington was not ready to work lineup card magic in a National League ballpark. He kept Colby Lewis in the game in the top of the 5th to hit with the bases loaded and two outs. He brought in Alexi Ogando who melted down yet again in the Fall Classic before yanking him off the mound in favor of the Dutch Oven. Wash left Holland out there to allow a solo homer to Allen Craig in the 8th to pull St. Louis within two runs instead of immediately going to right-handed set up man in Mike Adams. And in extra innings, Washington and the Rangers seemed out of sorts deciding whether to keep Feldman in the game and on the mound or pinch hit for him with two outs in the top of the 11th.

By the end of the night, Mike Napoli was playing on one ankle, Nelson Cruz strained a groin, and the Texas Rangers' fans hearted suffered the ultimate bruise.

Somehow the Rangers -- a team that hasn't lost consecutive games in more than 40 days -- must continue that streak to claim the franchise's first championship.

Two strikes away. Twice.

And tomorrow, if the Rangers do win, this misery goes away almost as quickly as the legend of the Hamilton's home run in tonight's 10th inning. But if St. Louis completes the comeback, it's a game that will haunt these players, these coaches, these fans, and this Metroplex until Dirk and boys redeem themselves five years later against Wade and Heat, until...

?

Gardenhire, not Washington, AL Manager of the Year

News just hit the wire that Minnesota Twins skipper Ron Gardenhire has been named American League Manager of the Year for 2010. Gardenhire certainly was more than qualified for the honor, helping to lead the Twins to the AL Central Division title, despite being bounced from the playoffs in a three-game sweep by the Yankees.

Granted, postseason play does not factor in to these regular season awards. That being said, it's still disappointing not to see Texas Rangers skipper Ron Washington take home the honor. Maybe it was the preseason news of his positive cocaine test. Maybe it was the fact that Texas is considered to play in a weaker division with fewer teams. But don't think that Washington isn't deserving of this honor.

The Twins finished 94-68, with four more wins than the Texas Rangers (90-72) in 2010. Minnesota finished six games ahead of the second-place White Sox in their division while the Rangers bested second-place Oakland by nine games. Gardenhire's Twins were certainly a strong team, but the Texas Rangers overcame much more and Washington helped mold a group that (outside of Cliff Lee) hadn't ever achieved anything.

The Rangers hadn't won the AL West since 1999, going 11 years between playoff appearances. Texas had guys who had career years, and Washington's fingerprints were all over it, putting them in positions to succeed. The Twins have won their division in six of the last nine seasons (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010). Bottom line, this is a group of guys that have been their before. It was known that they should finish atop their division. Meanwhile the Rangers have been nothing more than a dark horse contender, a trendy up-and-coming pick for several years, but never have been a team to take seriously.

Ron Washington changed that. He took a group of guys that had a handful of All-Star appearances along with castoffs (Colby Lewis), aging veterans (Vlad Guerrero), and other parts, throwing together a division winner with some clear staying power. Bringing in a hired gun in Cliff Lee helped push the team to the division crown and through the playoffs, a move that must be credited to Jon Daniels and Nolan Ryan, but when Lee wasn't on the mound, it was Washington's philosophy of how to play the game that fueled the Rangers' success.

Perhaps this is one of those things where Gardenhire's time had finally come. He had finished second a handful of times before finally breaking through and earning the honor this season. For Ron Washington, if his Rangers continue to produce at the level we saw from this season's American League Champions, he deserves to be recognized for his efforts as well.

Who is the real ALCS MVP?

Much has been made of a number of Rangers' players. While Cliff Lee is the Rangers' unquestioned ace, a single (albeit exceptional) win in game 3 in no way qualifies him for ALCS MVP. Perhaps one looks to traditional big guns: Josh Hamilton, Vladimir Guerrero, or Nelson Cruz?

Not a chance. Cruz hit some big claws this series and Vladdy had some bit hits as well, including the bust-it-open shot in the bottom of the fifth. He had 3 RBIs today. Josh Hamilton (who was just named the actual series MVP) had 4 HRs this series, tying a record, but the Yankees basically put a stop to anything else he could do to them by intentionally walking him a record 5 times throughout the series.

Switching gears again, if you want to choose the best Pitcher this series: Colby Lewis. Just no doubt. Two huge wins. The first and the last. He allowed only 3 runs in those two games. Unfortunately, even Colby doesn't make the cut.

The Rangers won this series plain and simple behind Elvis Andrus. No doubt. No question. And here's why:

Fall Classic gets first look at instant replay

When the umpires went to review an Alex Rodriguez double in Game 3 of the 2009 World Series, the precedent of playoff-tested, playoff-approved instant replay became the final straw in a mounting argument that will undoubtedly culminate with the expansion of instant replay in baseball next season.

The umpires overruled a double, calling the ball a homerun off a camera in the first row of the outfield seats - the first ever postseason use of instant replay. And the question must be asked: really, just how hard was that?

That's all it took to get a call right. The umps discussed the play, decided they needed to take a look at a replay of the could-be homerun - the only reviewable aspect of baseball. After a brief delay, they came out and signaled homerun. Easy. Simple. That did not seem to stop down the game for what amounted to an additional hour. The game was already behind schedule because of a rain delay, and yet the umpires had time to saunter into the dugout, find a television, and get the call right.

And getting the call right is the ultimate goal. It's not about being close enough. It's not about being right most of the time. The objective of having umpires, six unbiased umpires spread across the field, is to get the calls right. Instant replay was able to provide the World Series with the correct call and give the Yankees what could have become another Don Denkinger type of blunder in the Fall Classic.

The fuss of keeping the purity of the game cannot be nearly as important as keeping the integrity of the game (Granted, integrity went out the door with HGH and other performance enhancers, right A-Roid?). Still, to maintain that integrity, the calls must be right, and instant replay will be the way this happens in future MLB seasons.

Coming soon to MLB: Instant Replay

With one round of the 2009 MLB playoffs in the books, baseball's instant replay debate is once again being, um, replayed -- this time with new evidence a la the League Division Series. With bungled calls in several series, most notably the fair ball called foul in the Yankees-Twins ALDS, look out as critics will begin the cries for more use of replay technology while purists defend the use of umpires who "get it right more often than not."

A year ago I said that implementing instant replay for home runs would lead Major League Baseball down the slippery slope of letting instant replay decide most of if not all of a very objective game. Because of the baseball's objective nature compared to particular calls in football or basketball (calling holding or block fouls is much more subjective than safe or out), it's much easier to instant replay to overtake the game, which I must say may not be the worst thing.

"I realize a home run is more important than a regular old play because it means point are either on or off the scoreboard. But where does it stop?

Home runs are okay to replay. But not a play at the plate, which might be more difficult to call despite an umpires close proximity to the play. I don't like the concept of limited instant replay. That's how things started in the NFL, and the league seems to expand replay every year to include more and more rules that were either overlooked or deemed not important enough when the NFL originally added replay.

...

If MLB is going to use instant replay, they shouldn't decide to do it just for HRs. Might as well implement it everywhere and get the whole thing over with.

That's what I wrote over a year ago, and now it's time for us all to get ready as baseball could very realistically be adding new elements to it's replay abilities by as soon as next season. I don't think this will get as advanced as the NFL where managers are throwing challenge flags and instead of losing timeouts, the teams have to make extra outs or something.

But what if the MLB used tennis's Hawk-Eye replay system (in use since 2006) to rule fair and foul balls in relation to where they bounce down the foul lines. It takes tennis less than 10 seconds, and it's accuracy is virtually unsurpassable. That could easily be implemented, and calls like the one from the Yankees-Twins series would not longer be in doubt.

Let's get an official in the booth who can quickly assess if the ball beats the runner to the bag on routine force outs. Or perhaps make it extremely centralized a la the NHL, and have the MLB headquarters directly review any plays in question. After all, while a home run directly reflects points on the scoreboard and thus clearly can affect a final score, what about a runner called out at first base who might have come around to score after subsequent hits later in the inning?

Don't argue about the sanctity of the game being ruined by the addition of technology. The "sanctity" of the game is in doubt so long as umpires are blowing these calls. Replay doesn't worsen the game's reputation.

The flood gates are open with home runs, so it's only a matter of time before everything else flows through.

Boosting butts in the ballpark

Looking at pictures of an empty Pittsburgh Pirates ballpark this afternoon, part of me hopes/wonders if our little-engine-that-could operation of the Long Beach Armada can rid ourselves of days like this next season. After working three years in independent baseball for the Golden Baseball League, stadiums with this look of a sold out "dress as a seat" night theme may be a bit too common. On the plus side, I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Now's the time where we get to fight to make a difference. The Armada and the GBL have just hit the offseason, and for me as the team's broadcaster, that's when I take off the headset and put on a tie. Time to sell, sell, sell. So is the world of all minor league baseball.

From now until the first pitch of the season, all efforts revolve around finding ways to get people through the gates of Blair Field here in Long Beach. And I get the feeling it's happening. Personally, I've already set up 10 meetings coming up in the next week with either local little leagues or sponsors. Gettin' an earlier start than last offseason. It's not a situation where we can just give tickets away (as much as people often suggest), for two reasons: 1. We've gotta make some money, and 2. If you do that, you lose all possible value of what you actually have.

This offseason I'm trying to find a way to build some value in what we can do for the community. Maybe it's get our players out to talk to the little leaguers more often, or getting the mascot to be the guest-umpire for a tee-ball game, or have guys out to dedicate the new local playground or something. Whatever it is, there has to be some sort of focus that we're doing is something to give back. If not, if we're just in it to sell tickets, then you end up with a stadium like the one pictured above. People know when you're just out to try to sell them something, and it's an extremely off-putting feeling when you get those phone calls.

With eight months until our season starts anew, we've got a find a way to make people want to answer the phone when we call. It's all about the baby steps. Last season the local newspaper finally covered every one of our games. No exception. Each game had a write up in the paper. Now if only they would publish the GBL standings so people can see where we rank (actually, after the sluggish season we had last year, maybe it's better that they didn't).

This is when the difference is made. The offseason.

Just as players work year-round to improve their on-field abilities to improve year by year, now is the time when our organization must improve. I get the feeling we're doing it. And the motivation? To not end up as an attendance punch-line that gets outdrawn by little leagues. Looking at that picture of the Pirates game says that somewhere along the line, someone has lost that drive (and lost a lot of baseball games). In Long Beach, we can't fall victim to those same traps. It's great motivation for us here. Geez, I'd hate to be like that.

Sure we had some lighter attended games this past summer, but it was leaps and bounds ahead of what things looked like at Blair Field in 2008. And with as much progress as (I felt like) we made from '08 to '09, to reality is I know there is plenty more to get done. Now is the time when we can make that sort of thing happen. We are making it happen. Mascot visiting schools. Meeting with little leagues and churches and others. The hype has already started.

Worst case scenario, at least we're not stuck in Pittsburgh.

This Dodger Fan Feels The Blues

No doubt Dodger fans nationwide should be upset with the news about Manny Ramirez testing positive for steroids and being suspended 50 games. Coworkers here at the Long Beach Armada are livid. Other fans are disappointed. My girlfriend, a lifelong Dodger fan who was born just weeks after the team won its last World Series in '88, expresses her disappointment and frustration here:

This Dodger Fan Feels The Blues
By Megan Murray

So this morning I was hit with some terrible news. To most, it probably means nothing. To other sports fans like me in Los Angeles, it’s a huge deal. Manny Ramirez, the pride and joy of the LA community, dubbed “Mayor” of Dodgertown, has been tested positive for drug use.

For anyone who has been paying attention to Dodger baseball recently, you know their home record was on fire, tying previous records and setting modern ones. The boys in blue were most recently tied with the Detroit Tigers in 1911 with 12 consecutive wins at home. On Wednesday May 6th, Dodgers beat the Washington Nationals 10-3 to set a modern MLB record with most consecutive wins at home.

I saw the entire game, watching with pride as my guys slaughtered DC inning by inning. It was beautiful, and by the middle of the ninth when the Dodgers had won, I had started to tear up. I just kept thinking how I can tell my kids about this moment some day. Last night felt like Christmas. This morning, it felt like someone punched me in the face and told me Santa isn’t real.

I remember telling my boyfriend last night during the game about how silly all the Manny hype is. “You know, he makes a big difference, but he’s not the entire team.” That’s what makes me the most upset. Not that Manny will be gone for 50 games, because I still believe in what my team can do, but all the money, time, and energy spent on this one person. The dodgers made him seem like some sort of god, and now he feels like one big joke. All the pride I felt last night after the Dodgers’ big win flew out the window. I’m embarrassed as a fan, and I hope the team is too.

Apparently, Ramirez was given a medication prescribed by his doctor and he and his doctor had no idea that it went against MLB’s drug policy. Ramirez said, “LA is a special place to me and I know everybody is disappointed. So am I. I'm sorry about this whole situation.” Well Manny, you should have been more careful. You’ve let down a lot of hopeful fans that looked to you to turn the Dodgers into something great. Let’s just hope that at the end of 50 games, you still have those fans to support you…because who will? Boston? Don’t think so.

Manny's only hope: Apologizing

Manny Ramirez has one chance - just one chance - at redemption.  As reports surface that the savior of the Dodgers tested positive for steroids and will be suspended 50 games effective immediately, the slugger must follow the footsteps of past perpetrators and apologize NOW!

Don't go down the road that Roger Clemens took, firm denial with a dash of rage.  Don't try to shut out the outside world like Barry Bonds and as a result become vilified.  Don't even attempt to move on without talking about it because it happened in the past, a la Mark McGwire.

No.  Manny must apologize - even if he's not specific - to his fans, to the Dodgers, to baseball for letting them all down.

As my girlfriend, a Dodger-diehard said this morning upon hearing the news, "I'm just disappointed. ... It's like finding out Santa Clause isn't real."  How true that is.

The man who seemingly single-handedly lifted the Dodgers from the middle of the pack to the champions of the NL West last summer after a blockbuster trade is now on the fast track out of the game unless he can do the necessary damage control.  

Look at how Andy Pettitte or Jason Giambi and others were able to bounce back from similar reports.  Learn from that and repeat.

Mannywood will never again have the same glitz, glamor or glory that fans came in LA came to enjoy last season.  At this point, Ramirez can only diffuse the situation by coming clean, taking his lumps, and admitting what he did.  

Just because Santa Clause isn't real doesn't mean you can't celebrate Christmas.  But it certainly ruins some of the magic.  

A-Rod's steroid report brings all MLB into question

With the recent report that Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003, baseball and sports fans across the nation must wake up and accept the fact that baseball is dirty, and it's not going to be clean any time soon.

Just think back to August 7, 2007. Barry Bonds smashed a 3-2 pitch from Washington's Mike Bacsik. As Bonds' career home run #756 cleared the right-center field wall, a dark and ominous cloud seemed to crawl out over the evening sky. No longer could fans deny the permanent scar steroids would leave on the game of baseball. The one silver lining to the steroid cloud was that hopefully, someday, Alex Rodriguez will continue his pace to break Bonds' career home run record, once again restoring some semblance of honor to the most hallowed record in sports.

Apparently not.

Sports Illustrated's report that A-Rod tested positive for steroids has erased any hope of a silver lining. Instead, baseball's steroid cloud has cast an imposing shadow over the game like one of the alien ships from Independence Day. The problem can no longer be brushed aside. And if it's not dealt with, game over.

Not sure how baseball can clean up this mess. The problem seems too widespread to simply "solve" over the course of a season or two. And what's worse, is the fans don't seem to care that some of these all-star caliber players are doing it dirty. Oh, sure, the ones who don't admit to it and disgracefully fade into infamy (Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire) will be vilified at least until they admit some guilt. But what about Jason Giambi or Andy Pettitte?

Alex Rodriguez's worst baseball sin - other than his post-season play - was really only signing a monster contract with the Texas Rangers for a quarter-billion dollars before moving to the hated New York Yankees a few seasons later. But now, the man formerly known as Pay-Rod has become A-Fraud. And what a fraud he's had going. His 2003 MVP season is tarnished, and based on history, his only chance at redemption in the court of public option would most likely be to apologize without being specific and hope people move on. The only problem with that logic is that if Rodriguez truly does end up challenging Barry Bonds' career home run record, these steroid reports will cloud people's judgment of the accomplishment. Guys like Pettitte or Giambi have still played well after battling steroid reports, but neither of them challenged any of those mega-records in sports.

Rodriguez might.

And so A-Roid must now decide how he will address these allegations. Ignore them, and they will only intensify. Accept them, and have a chance at salvation. Fight them, and face a conviction in the court of public opinion. There is no easy way out.

The same can be said for Bug Selig and Major League Baseball. With the man who was recently heralded as the salvation compared to Bonds' disgrace of the record books, now no one is above scrutiny. And no one is above speculation of guilt. Unles the MLB were to have openly public testing results - something that would never be allowed because of the privacy of medical records, not to mention an incredibly strong players union - the validity of all baseball players must come into question.

The Fall (anything but) Classic

What is going on with the World Series? Umpires are admittedly blowing calls, Bud Selig is changing rules and not telling anyone, and Las Vegas already declared the Phillies the Game 5 winners. Did I mention that Selig has now postponed Game 5's completion to Wednesday?

Poor Major League Baseball. Look at the other major sports championship games/series over the past year.

The NFL had 18-0 New England, vying for the first ever 19-0 perfect season against a team from nation's largest market that snuck into the Super Bowl after winning three road playoff games. Super Bowl XLII (that 42 for the Roman Numeral impaired) was a back-and-forth affair full of drama until the final game-winning drive. The helmet catch. The end of the Pats dynasty? Eli Manning winning MVP one year after Peyton. One on of the greatest championship games of recent memory.

The NHL pitted it's "New York Yankees" franchise, the Detroit Red Wings, against the face of the league in Sid the Kid and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ratings were near pre-lockout levels as a team that hockey fans love to hate faced off against a player that is truly entertaining to watch. A six-game thriller that hockey fans really got into. Detroit won it's fourth cup since 1997.

The NBA and televising partner ABC received their wet dream Finals match up when the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers renewed a coast-to-coast championship rivalry so full of history that the series needed every bit of the six games it lasted to cover all of it. Home teams won 5 of the 6 games, keeping the series close. Could Kobe win with Gasol and without Shaq? Will this be KG's year? What about Paul Pierce's injury and dramatic return? And Garnett let the world know that ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE!

What is Major League Baseball getting?

It missed out on the dream series of Manny Ramirez taking his new team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, to its first World Series in 20 years against the defending champions and Ramirez's former team, the Boston Red Sox. Two of the nation's biggest markets. A championship grudge match to follow up the NBA's LA vs. Boston series. Joe Torre once again managing against the Red Sox in the playoffs. It never materialized.

The consolation prize?

Tampa Bay versus Philadelphia. And now, the supposed "True Baseball Fan's Series" is being so mishandled, it's starting to make the tied 2002 All Star game look like the highlight of Selig's tenure. I think I'm going to watch the rest of the series the same way that people slow down on the freeway when approaching an accident. You can't not look. It's becoming so bad that with each inning the drama builds of not who will win the game, but what could go wrong next.

And now, thanks to a 48 hour weather delay that now includes snow, we won't know until at least Wednesday. This might be one of those series that no one outside the winning city remembers who won. All anyone will remember is what a mess it's been.

Tommy Lasorda speaks

Video I took from last night's NLCS Game 5 after the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers to advance to the World Series. Former Dodger skipper Tommy Lasorda took the mic and reminded fans of the old Brooklyn Dodgers saying, "wait til next year." After an emotionally charged series (not just on the field), a good number of Dodgers fans stayed to thank their team and their second-half MVP Manny Ramirez for a great 2008.

Dodging abuse

Decided to take in an NLCS game Sunday evening.  Thought I'd see a great battle between two worthy opponents.  Instead I saw a one-sided onslaught that sent the losers running for cover.

And I'm not talking about the game on the field.  The anger, violence and hatred that permeated the stands cast a despicable shadow over anything for which Dodgers fans might feel pride.  If it was my team, I'd be embarrassed.

I wore a blue hat and blue shirt to the game though I didn't have much rooting interest for either side.  [[Disclaimer: if I had to pick a side, I'd like to see the Dodgers win because I've got family that used to live in Brooklyn in the Brooklyn Dodgers days, so why not.]]  I figured the blue would allow me to blend in.  I didn't really factor in the fact that the friend I went with was wearing his Phillies gear.  I figured it'd be no big deal though.  Sure, the Dodgers fans would probably boo him or taunt him, but how bad could it really get?

Little did I know.

Other than the "F*** the Phillies" chants that echoed in Chavez Ravine, things really got ugly when a Dodgers fan across the aisle started to run his mouth to the Phillies fan to my left.  The Phillies fan, to his credit, ignored the guy and just stared straight ahead, which only made the guy more intent to get a reaction out of him.  He started taking his rally towel and flicking it at him and threatening to pour his beer on the guy.  The Phillies fan got up, found an usher, and asked the usher to get the guy to stop.

When the usher confronted the fan, he became an angelic boy scout, cordially shaking the usher's hand and trying to explain how it was "all a misunderstanding."  The usher allowed the Dodgers fan to remain in his seat, and once the usher left the section, things really escalated.  The taunts of "help I need an usher" began to pick up.  Each time a Phillies fan walked up the aisle to the concourse, they were bored and forced to dodge an onslaught of peanuts catapulted toward them.

The Dodgers fan next to me, a nice guy who himself was repulsed by the actions of his fellow Dodgers fans, told us, "That guy does not represent Dodgers fans.  That guy represents drunk ass assholes.  Do not get the two confused."

If only the assholes weren't an overwhelming majority.

The boiling point occurred late in the game when two young ladies wearing red Phillies shirts tried to get their picture taken at Dodger Stadium.  While one fan held the camera, the girls positioned themselves against the rail in the front row, posing for a great snapshot with historic Dodger Stadium as the backdrop.  Dodgers fans decided booing would not suffice and a few men stood up and blocked the photographer from taking the picture.  The girls at first laughed it off, assuming the men would eventually let them get their photo.  No luck.

Dodgers fans began cursing out the women for apparently trying to show them for by taking a picture of themselves wearing Phillies gear in Dodger Stadium - yeah, it makes perfect sense.  *rolling eyes*

The photo incident erupted into a shouting match between rows of inebriated Dodgers fans and two petite women wearing red.  After cries of "Why doesn't somebody do something?" from the family sitting near us, ushers eventually came in to eject the offending Dodgers fans.

At first, the masses assumed the Phillies fans would be ejected and began chanting "na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye."  When they realized that fellow Dodgers fans were being kicked out, they began booing.  You'll even see in this video at the end of the clip one Dodger fan shares some choice words with the ushers and gets himself ejected for mouthing off.

When the seventh inning stretch hit, the nice guy next to me told me not to worry as most of the fans would be leaving soon.  He said that the fans stay to sing and leave.  "There's a whole generation of kids that think the game ends when you sing.  They don't find out til they're ten.  Like 'What? Baseball goes nine innings?'"

We stood for the seventh inning stretch and a singer took the field to sing God Bless America.  Just before she started to sing, the Dodgers fans around us once again started a "F*** the Phillies" chant which bled into the first verse of God Bless America.  Maybe it's because these specific fans behind us don't feel as close to this country because they didn't appear to be from here, and that's their prerogative, but don't start chating "F*** the Phillies" during God Bless America.  I had had enough and turned around to tell these fans to shut up for this song.  

While a few Dodgers fans next to me gave me looks of approval and thanks for attempting to put a stop to the foul-mouth chants during the song, the fans who had been yelling "F*** the Phillies" glared at me as if I'd told them the Dodger Dog tasted like crap.  It's not like they were chanting this during Take Me Out To The Ball Game.  It was God Bless America.  Can the bitching and taunting not wait 30 seconds?

To cap the night off, as we exited the stadium, a local TV reporter interviewed my friend the Phillies fan, during which time some Dodgers fans stole his hat and doused it with beer.  It's all on tape too.  Should make for exciting B-roll for KCAL 9.  

Walking through the parking lot after the game, Dodgers fans jeered my friend for the beating that LA put on Philadelphia in the game.  My friend said nothing more than, "we're still up, 2-1," and this pack of fans became irate, threatening to "throw down" with us if we didn't get moving.

I've been to Dodger Stadium before.  I've had fun there before.  But that night has left a severe scar on how I view Dodger Stadium and Dodgers fans.  You always hear about Raiders fans at the black hole, or Philadelphia fans booing Santa, or college football rivalries that provide tense moments.  But I could have enjoyed my life as a sports fan blissfully unaware of how utterly classless, thoughtless, and gutless some of the Dodgers fans act.

My optimistic side would love to believe that I was merely seeing the exception, not the rule.  Sadly, the majority of fans on Sunday were exceptionally unruly.

If you're a Dodgers fan and saw any of this behavior, please tell me I'm wrong that this is the majority.  I do want to believe that, but there was no evidence supporting that claim on Sunday.  I'd like to believe fans - not just Dodgers fans, but sports fans in general - are capable of a mutual respect to grant fans of opposing teams.  When you can't feel safe wearing your teams colors in an opposing stadium, something has got to change.

Lose the Halo and Think Blue

Summer has faded into fall in Los Angeles. The leaves are changing color. The days are shorter. The temperature is cooler outside.

When people talk about how the weather in Southern California is always perfect, it strikes an uncanny similarity to the fair-weathered nature of Los Angeles sports fans. And after the Red Sox eliminated the 100-win Angels in Game 4 of the ALDS, the stormy weather hovering over Anaheim was ignored as the clouds parted and sun shined down on Chavez Ravine.

**Now arriving on track 3, the Dodgers bandwagon**

The transition would stun fans in New York or Chicago, markets that serve as homes for multiple teams. Fans who had erupted for Torii Hunter's game-tying 2-RBI single and cursed a failed squeeze play were seen immediately brushing off the loss with a "Think Blue" attitude. Men at the bar tried to justify their flip flop like a politician in an election year.

"Let the record show, I've always really been a Dodgers fan."

"I was for them before I was against them!"

"As long as one of them is moving on, that's all that matters."

That's all that matters? Prior to the Rays knocking the White Sox from the playoffs, I wonder if Cubs fans coping with their latest playoff debacle with the oh so comforting idea of "at least the White Sox are still alive." Doubtful. When the New York Yankees met the New York Mets in the 2000 World Series, the city divided. Thoughts of "at least one of the New York teams will win it all" were outlawed by the state's supreme court.

But not in Los Angeles. On the West Coast, sports fans follow in the footsteps of entertainment junkies. It's more about who is "in" at the moment. Which star is on the cover of the most recent tabloids? Which celebrity is currently attracting the flashbulbs? Instead of Southern Californians thinking "who is my favorite star?" they rely on the buzz of the entertainment world to tell them "This is the hottest star." If Lindsay Lohan is going into rehab, Britney shaving her head is passe. That same mindset translates into how the locals follow sports.

As the Angels piled up wins en route to the best record in baseball in 2008, the Dodgers limped along with fewer wins and less attention. The Dodgers won 84 games in Joe Torre's first season as manager, but it wasn't until the Angels had all but clinched the AL West and Manny was traded to the Dodgers that the spotlight in LA shifted.

In this town, that spotlight represents the focus and attention of all the fans. But just as twisting glowing beams of light twirl above the latest movie premier in Hollywood, so too do the loyalties of Los Angeles sports fans twist and twirl to focus on whichever team currently headlines Entertainment Ton- I mean, Sportscenter. Right now, it's the Dodgers.

Just as the Dodgers now prepare for the Phillies, plenty of Angelinos scramble to hide their rally monkeys and dig out their blue shirts. In a two-team market, there will be no dwelling on the Angels elimination. The attention of the fans, the media, everyone will shift north up I-5. Better use the carpool lane - they'll be a lot of Angels fans also getting on the freeway.

I want what the Angels have

If the brain trust that runs the Texas Rangers - Tom Hicks, Nolan Ryan and Jon Daniels - wants to learn what the goal of their efforts should be, they should look no further than Anaheim, Calif.

I've been to a few Angels games - mostly when they play Texas - late this season, and I couldn't help but think "I want that!" I want what the Angels have. A successful team, a packed stadium, a fan base that cares and has a reason to care.

Last night I decided to head down to Angels Stadium to see if I could get a ticket to Game 1 against Boston (much thanks to the scalper who got me a ticket for a good price). I'd never been to an MLB playoff game before (didn't make it out to any of those Rangers-Yankees series in the late 90s, and the Rangers didn't last long enough to really give me much of a chance). The experience of cramming into seats surrounded by a sellout crowd of baseball fans (not fans waiting for football season) who knew all about the team, who cared all about the team, was not only refreshing, but it was near-foreign.

The scoreboard sign would light up with the monosyllabic command, "NOISE!" and fans would start screaming. It didn't matter the situation or lack there of. When "NOISE!" displayed, the stadium came alive. You don't see that at Rangers games. The response in Arlington would most likely resemble Oh look honey, it says "NOISE" on the scoreboard. That's nice.

By the way, the videos of the Rally Monkey showing up in random movies: amazing! If you haven't seen these spoofs (Jaws, Poltergeist) , they are on par with some of the videos on the screen at Mavs games (Avery Bunch, Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be Spurs fans, cavemen dispute). Last night, the Rally Monkey appeared in the movie Shrek when the sundown caused the princess to transform from a beautiful woman into the Rally Monkey (instead of an ogre). He also showed up in Ferris Buller's Day Off.

I asked some of the Angels fans around me what they generally thought of the Rangers, and there answer was an overwhelming: we don't.

I don't even know what to think of the Rangers. It's nice to hear that Hicks realized the Danks trade was terrible, but I don't doubt something similar will happen again. Cowlishaw summed things up with a great column about how the Rangers fans had suffered. The future looks promising with the Rangers with guys like Hamilton, Young and Blalock to support a younger cast of characters like Chris Davis and company. But hasn't that been the case with this franchise for years? The future was bright when Young, Blalock and Teixeira were all here back in 2004, and I couldn't help but think how this would soon be a playoff team.

Whether Ron Washington is the man for the job or not, I don't know. But I do know the Rangers have meandered through the past nine seasons with each offseason leading us to believe that it'll only be a couple of years before things get turned around. And each year, it doesn't happen.

As a result, the team continues to struggle. Once again as the Rangers enter this offseason, I find myself rationalizing in my mind how this second place finish is a sign of things to come - and I hope there's merit to that. Yet until this team turns around on the field, Rangers Ballpark will struggle to reach capacity, and fans will struggle to care.

But hey, at least I know I can get a cheap ticket to see playoff baseball just down the road. Too bad I don't really care for either team.

As Major League Baseball continues into October, once again the Rangers season is over. A few other thoughts I had on the 2008 Rangers season...

Last call

Fans arrested for stealing pieces of Yankee Stadium

You knew it would happen.  Frankly, I thought there would have been more arrests.  I do know that when Texas Stadium closes up at the end of this season, I don't know if I'm going to steal anything (frankly, I don't know what there is to take), but I do know I'll want to always remember the place that hosted so many great memories for me.  Can't say I blame these Yankees fans for wanting to save a little piece of history.

Yankee Stadium

Once the Cowboys game ended last night, I flipped over to the Yankees-Orioles game to catch the ninth inning - the final inning - of baseball in Yankee Stadium.  If someone were unfamiliar with the history of baseball, or American sports in general, they probably could have watched ESPN's seven hours of pre-game coverage and gotten all caught up (I flipped back and forth during the afternoon football games to see the interviews with some of the greats who played at Yankee Stadium ... wow, that's a lot of greats).

Mariano Rivera took the mound in the top of the ninth, the Yankees leading 7-3.  When the game ended, he literally took the mound - or some of the dirt from it - in a small container to forever preserve and remember some of the history he made there.  Jeter left the game with two outs to a special ovation.  And when it ended, the moment caught everyone in what can only be described as a surreal daze.

The ESPN broadcaster Jon Miller just allowed the game to unfold, withholding comments for virtually all of the 9th, allowing the TV audience to soak it all in.  Fans cheered, but not a loud, raucous, rowdy cheering.  Instead, fans quickly allowed the joy of winning to succumb to the realization of losing.  Yes, the Yankees will have a new stadium next year, but this is THE Yankee Stadium, and the fans in New York and sports fans nation wide are losing it.

And as the players remained on the field, flash bulbs sparkled around the stadium and no one left their seat.  Fans seemingly refused to leave.  One sign hung up by a fan put it best: "LAST ONE OUT, TURN OFF THE LIGHTS!"  

Yes, they turned out the lights for the final time at Yankee Stadium last night, but the memories of the park will forever shine bright.  From Ruth's home runs, to the NFL's 1958 Championship Game, 26 World Series, and everything else, no one will forget Yankee Stadium's rich history.

From all the hoopla, it almost seemed as if the Yankee franchise was being contracted or dissolved.  It was as if the team was being relocated to a new city.  The players will still be there next season.  The monuments will be moved across the street next season.  They'll still play the Red Sox next season.  It just won't happen in the House That Ruth Built, as it did the previous 85 seasons.

So perhaps as people reflect on their fondest memories of Yankee Stadium, they should appreciate just how close a building, a structure, can bring people.  The greatest Yankee Stadium memory I have occurred in 2001 when President Bush threw out the first pitch for Game 3 of the World Series.  Regardless of your politics, every American - sports fan or not - can appreciate what that moment meant (go to 3:05 in the video if you don't feel like watching it all).

And that's really what that stadium has meant.  It's hosted so much history, and now, Yankee Stadium will become a part of history.  No longer will it be standing, but forever it will be remembered.

HR replay reviews

I find myself in full baseball mode now that I'm on the road calling these games for the Long Beach Armada. So let's take a look at the big controversy currently brewing in MLB: homerun instant replay.

Currently, there is no instant replay in Major League Baseball; it's the only one of the four major sports in the country that doesn't use some form of replay. NBA reviews period-ending baskets that may or may not have beat the buzzer. The NHL reviews goals from all sorts of angles to make sure the puck completely crosses the goal line. The NFL, heck, they review virtually everything - including field goals next season.

But baseball is now facing some heat after a few blown home run calls in the past week. One ball went off an outfield wall. Another off hit some yellow-painted stairs above the outfield wall. And more and more have taken awkward bounces to come back into the park, and in all these situations the umpires are in the difficult position of making the correct call.

Easy answer: just use instant replay. We can see it all and have clear-cut answers in mere moments. Plus baseball does not have the same concerns of getting the games in on time as other pro leagues considering the sport has no time limit. So naturally instant replay is the answer for home runs. Solved. Done.

Wrong.

Wrong!

I think instant replay will get the calls correct for the most part, but it is not 100 percent. One problem with the NFL's replay system that I have is the fact that not every game has the same number of TV cameras. The higher-profile game, the more cameras, the better chance for a good camera angle on the play in question. Not to mention the person responsible for feeding the video clips for replays to the NFL's replay officials sits in the TV truck and has his own biases that are not governed by the National Football League. (conspiracy theorists, have fun with that)

But with baseball replay, it seems more clear-cut. Did the ball go over that yellow line on the outfield wall or not? I think baseball, more than any other pro sport, has a very slippery slope when it comes to replay. Football, hockey, basketball are very subjective games for an official (yes, I know that the rules say what is pass interference or what is a blocking foul, etc, but in those games the referees are there to make those judgement calls).

The plays in baseball are not subjective like a pass interference call. Well, there was some contact, but not enough contact, and we haven't been calling minimal contact all game, plus I'm not entirely sure the ball was catchable anyway, so I'm going to not throw a flag. No penalty. Baseball, however, doesn't have those types of plays. The umpires make simple YES OR NO decisions. The ball got there before the player touched the base. OUT! The runner touched the bag before the tag got down. SAFE. As a result, if baseball starts using instant replay just for homers, I wouldn't be shocked if the domino effect caused the entire sport to be officiated by mounted cameras while the entire umpiring profession as we know it faced extinction.

Is that a bad thing? Well...? Nevermind, nevermind. Sorry, but when given the prospect of never dealing with umpires again, a guy can dream right?

As much heat as these guys face, the one thing we need to remember is the fact that they get most of the calls right. Granted, as I'm typing this, I just saw another replay of the Rangers-Indians game from last night where umpires ruled a should-be homerun a double for Cleveland. What was I saying again? Okay, so most of the calls. Most of. Not all.

I realize a home run is more important than a regular old play because it means point are either on or off the scoreboard. But where does it stop?

Home runs are okay to replay. But not a play at the plate, which might be more difficult to call despite an umpires close proximity to the play. I don't like the concept of limited instant replay. That's how things started in the NFL, and the league seems to expand replay every year to include more and more rules that were either overlooked or deemed not important enough when the NFL originally added replay. I do think the NFL is better off for it because they now seem to get the majority of calls right - the objective ones at least (both feet down, cross the goal line, down by contact, etc).

But baseball isn't like many other sports. The ballparks aren't even the same dimensions. Some have much higher walls (the green monster in Boston). Some have different nooks and crannies in the outfield. Some even have a miniature-golf-like obstacle course (centerfield in Houston). What is a home run in some places would not be even close at other venues (which is cause for an entirely new debate, but we'll save that).

If MLB is going to use instant replay, they shouldn't decide to do it just for HRs. Might as well implement it everywhere and get the whole thing over with.

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Last night the Armada dropped a game for the first time this season. They are now 1-1 with the series-deciding third game coming up today (weather permitting) in St. George, UT. Here's my recap from last night's game that was posted on the team website.

STG evens opening series
By Josh Feldman
5/23/2008

ST. GEORGE, Utah -- As the rain began to pour down, the Roadrunners bats continued to produce. Long Beach could not keep pace with St. George, which used a three-run third inning to take the lead for good in the 6-9 Armada loss on a wet night at Bruce Hurst Field.

Early Friday, St. George DH Trevor Dimick sat at his Odgen, Utah home when Roadrunners manager Cory Snyder tapped him to fill a open spot on the roster. Dimick, one of final cuts of St. George training camp, went 3-3 with 2 runs and an RBI. Roadrunner SS Brandon Taylor contributed three runs of his own, including a solo homerun in the eighth inning. Taylor finished 2-4 on the night.

The pitching debut for Long Beach native Nick Bierbrodt started off promising, as he struck out the first batter he faced. He finished with 5 IP, 9 hits, 7 run (5 earned), 4 SO, 2 BB and 2 HBP. Bierbrodt (0-1) took the loss despite flirting with fastballs in the low 90s throughout the night.

Offensively the Armada dipped from last night's 23-hit, 14-run outburst. Long Beach scored three in the top of the first inning to jump out to another early lead in this series. 2B Cleatus Davidson led the game off with a triple, and came around to score. 3B Ryan Lehr and LF Dan Trumble also scored in the first.

The Roadrunners third inning appeared to be the back-breaking difference-maker for St. George. Taylor reached base on an error to kick off a 3-run frame that put the Roadrunners up 6-4.

Lehr also blasted a solo homerun for the Armada in the seventh inning to narrow the lead to 8-5. Each team scored once more in the latter innings to bring the game to its 9-6 final.

SP Justin Abbott (1-0) earned the win for St. George, with 5 IP, allowing 5 run (3 earned), 4 hits and 4 SO on 88 pitches.

Ryan Claypool will start for Long Beach tomorrow night as the Armada look to win the season-opening series in St. George. First pitch will be at 6:05pm PDT, and you can hear all the action with Josh and JR at www.longbeacharmada.com.