LCS Ruminations

Jason Michael Barker

Thoughts from around the American and National League Championship Series, while I try to stop laughing about Mark McGwire's anti-climactic pinch-hitting appearance against the Mets Thursday night...

? You know that sound effect they play at Yankee Stadium? It sounds something like "Daaaaay-o!", and the crowd echoes it. I've heard it played at other baseball and NFL games as well. I don't know why, but it bugs me, and I'm glad they don't play it at Safeco Field.

On the other hand, I'm a big fan of The Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" being played when the opposing manager heads out to the mound to converse with his pitcher, and I heard that for the first time on Wednesday's radio broadcast of the Mariners-Yankees game from New York. Very nice.

? Speaking of Wednesday's game, the decision Lou Piniella made in pulling starter John Halama after six shutout innings reminded me (after the game) of a line from the very same song.

And thus was Piniella's dilemma. Do you stick with the hot hand, even though he hasn't pitched that well this season, or do you go with the bullpen that has been brilliant all season?

Halama had been outstanding after a shaky first inning, and had given far more than anyone had expected. I seriously questioned the decision even to start Halama, who boasted a road ERA of over six this season, but he proved me wrong. You have to quit while you're ahead, right? Halama had only thrown 83 pitches through his six innings, and after Seattle's bullpen blew the game in the eighth, the second-guessing began.

? In my NLCS preview that ran in this space on Wednesday, I called Rick Ankiel the "wild card" in terms of starting pitchers in the series. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but it turns out I was right on the money -- he certainly was a wild Card, walking three of the six batters he faced before being pulled. Twenty of the 34 pitches he threw missed the strike zone, and two missed by so much that they wound up as wild pitches.

? You didn't need to read quite as closely to see that I picked the Cardinals to win the series in six games, and with the Mets up two games to none that prediction doesn't look so hot. I thought St. Louis had enough offense to overcome New York's slightly superior pitching, but two games into the series that hasn't been the case.

Hampton was awesome in Game One, and the Mets won a classic Game Two with some key hits and a strong start from Al Leiter. What's more they've already dealt with Darryl Kile, St. Louis' best starter, and head home needing only to win two of three at Shea.

The silver lining for the Cardinals is that they can come back with Rick Ankiel in Game Four... provided Tony LaRussa still has any confidence in his young starter.

? Best thing about the ALCS on NBC? Joe Morgan.

? Best thing about the NLCS on Fox? No Bob Costas.

? One of the things I really enjoy about the post-season is seeing the reactions of the players in the dugout, particularly when their team scores a big run, and thanks to the wonder of television these replays are readily available. From the grown men jumping around like little kids to the high fives and yelling, that's some good stuff right there.

? He'll probably get overlooked because the Cardinals lost, but Edgar Renteria had a tremendous individual game Thursday night. He was three-for-five at the plate with two singles and a double, and he would have had another doubled in the seventh if not for a running, back-handed catch by the incomparable Timo Perez (that guy is a kick to watch, both on the basepaths and in the outfield).

Renteria also stole three bases, knocked in a run, scored a run, and played a solid defensive game. Just 25, he's poised to become the best shortstop in the National League once Barry Larkin hangs it up (and provided Alex Rodriguez isn't in the NL next season). Renteria has improved each season he's been in the league, and set career highs in walks, homers, and slugging percentage this season.

Best thing about Jason Michael Barker's articles? Jason Micahel Barker, of course. Make sure you tell him how much you appreciate him keeping on top of stadium music selections by mailing MP3s of "Louie, Louie" to him at jmb@strikethree.com.

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