Who were these guys playing the Toledo Mudhens this afternoon and what have they done to the Ironpig’s players? That’s what I asked myself listening to the broadcast today. The Pigs scored 9 runs in the first two innings and ended up winning their first game in 7 tries by the score of 11 to 6.
Rich Thompson was the only Ironpig without a hit.
John Mayberry and Andy Tracy both had 3 hits … Mayberry with 3 RBI, Tracy with 1
Sellers and Mayberry both homered.
Brandon Duckworth lasted only 2.2 innings allowing 6 runs on 8 hits.
The bullpen then took over and finished the game without allowing a run.
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When Pete Rose retired I went a few years waiting for a new favorite player. Granted, Gary Carter was also a favorite but when Ken Griffey Jr. debuted with the Mariners he was quickly on my list of favorites. That natural swing.. the speed.. the miraculous catches in centerfield! I felt my heart drop when I saw he announced his retirement today. Who knew in 1989 that he would finish 5th all times in home runs and many many other accomplishments. Griffery Jr. was one of those highly touted prospects who turned out to be more than what was expected. Everyone knew the retirement was coming soon but it still marks the end of an era for me.
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The latest baseball news I read tonight was the almost perfect game by Detroit’s Armando Galaraga. With 2 outs in the 9th a ground ball hit to the first baseman looked to close the Perfect game and the call was safe. Replay shows the runner was clearly out. Even the umpire, Jim Joyce, has admitted he blew the call and Galaraga’s perfect game. I wonder what will come of this… MLB and Bud Selig are washing out their underroos after seeing that. Kudos to Joyce for manning up and admitting his mistake but what happens to future games. Will this be one of those “protested” plays? Years ago when George Brett’s controversial reversal of a home run prompted a replay of that last inning. Will this call be reversed by baseball management? One part of me thinks it would only be fair to this young, up and coming pitcher.. the other part thinks umpiring and judgement is just part of the game that you have to accept. Ask the 1983 Phillies team how they feel about blown calls…
Oh and the batter whose “hit” broke up the perfect game? Former Ironpig Jason Donald.
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Anyone notice the Phillies lack of offense lately? Someone needs to send a new set of binoculars to the bullpen. Coincidence?
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Again, I want to reiterate my disappointment in DeWayne Wise choosing to leave for greener pastures. Having someone of that quality on the team is costly for us fans. We will miss you DeWayne!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
I think I saw that Chacin hit a homer for the Astros the other day, in his first at-bat in years. It is cool to see these guys we’ve watched day/in day/out have some success on the next level. I was hoping they’d interview Jason Donald last night. I don’t know what he’d say, really, he was just doing his job. But, I just wanted to see him on TV.
Chacin Machine! haha
I did see a clip from a Jason Donald on mlb network. He said he thought he’d be called out and all he was trying to do was prolong the game.
For me, blown calls begin and end with a similar play to the one last night. It was the 9th inning of game 6 of the 1985 World Series and the Cardinals were on the verge of winning the World Series. Jorge Orta grounded to Jack Clark at first base who tossed to Todd Worrell covering. Denkinger called Orta safe but replays showed he was clearly out. The Royals rallied to win game 6 and then won game 7 to take the World Series.
“The only church that truly feeds the soul, day in and day out is the church of baseball”.
Players like Ken Griffey Jr. is what makes baseball so great.
It’s amazing how many instances of that has happened. I wonder what it was like pre-televised games with replays of every angle. I could imagine an 1880’s umpire having players waiting for him after the game 🙂