MLB Preseason Preview 2024 Part 2

 

Part 1

Lindy’s picked the Yankees and the Dodgers in the World Series.  The Mariners would win the AL West, with the Tigers being the surprising Central pick.  The Orioles, Blue Jays (?) and Rangers would be Wildcards.  In the NL, the Phillies would upset the Braves in the East.  The Reds would take the Central.  The Braves, Diamondbacks, and Marlins (?) would be the Wildcards. 

 

I have my doubts on these picks.  In fairness, there were before several moves made after the magazine was published.  It’s been a slow free agent season, even after Shohei Ohtani signed.  There was some alleged collusion by the owners, particularly against “super” agent Scott Boras clients.  One of his bigger clients, World Series winner Jordan Montgomery, is still unsigned as of me writing this.  [Pre-post edit: He just signed with the Diamondbacks.]  Of course, the players are also colluding a bit, in that the Players’ Union always tells its members to go for the money and don’t settle.  However, it may the economy in general that’s depressing the market, which no one is admitting to. 

 

AL East

Yankees: These guys were sitting in the catbird seat after picking up Juan Soto.  On the one hand, he’s only there on a one-year contract.  On the other, this means it’s a contract year for him and he should over-perform.  Then Gerrit Cole got injured in Spring Training.  Suddenly, the Pinstripes’ rotation doesn’t look so good.  I’m not convinced Aaron Judge is going to stay healthy either.  They’ll probably be good enough to be a wildcard.

 

Orioles: These guys were sitting in the catbird seat . . . wait . . . I just said that.  The sudden injury to our distinguished Aggie alum, Kyle Bradish, may take him out for a couple of months to over a year.  It’s a good thing they picked up Corbin Burnes.  They also got Craig Kimbrel to fill in for Felix Bautista.  In addition to their great young core of stars, the O’s are also getting the MLB’s number one prospect, Jackson Holliday, into the lineup.  I’m picking the Black Birds to take the East again.    

  

Blue Jays: I’m done predicting these guys are going to do anything worthwhile.  They have tried to significantly improve the team, but failed.

 

Rays: They lost Wander Franco and Tyler Glasnow—their best position player and best pitcher.  Is this the year the Rays are finally exposed?  Probably not.  I’ve learned to not bet against the Flying Fish being good.  They do have top prospect, Junior Caminero, coming to hit for them.  They’re getting a new stadium in a deal so filled with graft and corruption and with so little chance of increasing attendance.  At least the Yankee fans in Tampa will have a nice, new place to cheer for their team.

 

Red Sox: Who cares?  Apparently even Boston fans don’t.  The fall of the Sox and the Patriots have crushed New Englander’s spirits. 

   

 

AL Central

Royals: They signed Bobby Witt Jr. to a long-term contract and picked up a whole handful of mediocre free agents.  They’re trying to improve the team to a competitive level in order to get a new downtown stadium.  Why didn’t they push for the new stadium when the team went to back-to-back World Series?  I do see them being competitive this season, I really do.

 

Tigers: This team should have been good last season.  Let’s try it again this season.  They have the pieces there and a good manager.  However, I don’t know how the team is improved by losing Eduardo Rodriguez, probably their best pitcher. 

 

Twins: I don’t know.  Just don’t know.  They’re an enigma.  Maybe they’ll be good, since they broke their playoff winless curse.  Maybe they’ll collapse.  I’m reluctantly picking them to take the Central.

 

White Sox: Let’s move on.

 

Cleveland: Change your name back to the Indians and I’ll start covering you again.

 

 

AL West

Mariners: Great starting rotation and some great relievers (all right-handed, weird).  They’ve got a couple of good offensive players, but not much otherwise.  This could work for them, but there’s no margin for error or injury.  I think they’ll get in as a wildcard.

 

Rangers: Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom will probably be rejoining the team off injury.  Those will be significant reinforcements.  The question is how well will they pitch and where will the team be when they come back.  At least the offense will still be very good.  They’re easy to like with a full season of Evan Carter and possibly prospect Wyatt Langford coming up.  The World Champs might have done more in free agency, but were hobbled by their uncertain local TV deal.  I see them as a wildcard team. 

 

Astros: These guys are still good.  They are going to collapse in the near future, but not this year.  They did extend Jose Altuve and pick up Josh Hader.  I’ll pick them to win the division this season for the final time, without some serious retooling.  

 

Angels: There’s only one question—when do they trade Mike Trout?  If he bounces back this season, he’s gone by the trade deadline.

 

A’s:  There’s a proposal to move this team to Las Vegas and a new stadium.  I don’t know if there’s a plan on how to get them there and how to get it built, much less putting a good team on the field any time in the near future. 

 

NL East

Braves:  Probably the most complete team in the MLB.  They even picked up Chris Sale as a reclamation and that may work out for them.  They’re my pick for this division.  Recent history has shown they only have one weakness.     

 

Phillies:  And the name of that weakness is the Phillies.  The guys in the red pinstripes have had their number in the playoffs apparently.  They’ve extended Zach Wheeler, so they’re basically bringing back the same team.  Why mess with a good thing?  They’re in as a wildcard.      

 

Marlins: They’re incomplete as a team, but they have talent.  Unfortunately, they’re in a division with two great teams.  I’ll like them next year when they get Sandy Alcantara back. 

 

Mets:  I don’t understand what went wrong.  They spent the most money.  They should have won.  Right?  (The Yankees, Dodgers, and Padres are all nodding their heads.  Meanwhile, the Rangers are grinning.)  They’re resetting their strategy this season.

 

Nationals: I could see them somehow arriving a year ahead of schedule and being competitive this season.  Keep an eye on them.     

 

NL Central

Cubs: They spent big money on a new manager, Craig Counsel.  Oh, wait.  We need players, too?  Shoot.  Quick, resign Cody Bellinger, so we don’t look completely like idiots!

 

Cardinals: They brought in some experienced pitchers and Paul Goldschmidt is heading into free agency next season, which could mean a career year.  The Cards could be good enough to take a weak division, but I’m not seeing it.

 

Brewers: All that talent over the years wasted.  And they want a new stadium.  Good luck.

 

Reds: They’re young, hungry, and have talent.  Elly de la Cruz might be the most exciting player in the MLB.  I’ll pick them to take the Central. 

 

Pirates: I’m actually looking for a bounce-back this season.  Oneil Cruz will be back playing this season and fighting Elly for being the best “Cruz” in the division.  Top pitching prospect in the MLB, Paul Skenes, will be debuting.  (And, yes, I’m still hoping Aggie Nick Gonzales makes it back up and becomes awesome.)

 

NL West

Dodgers: They signed Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow.   Shohei was $700M, with much of it deferred, and he won’t even pitch until next season.  Yoshi was a relative bargain at $325M.  After committing over $1B to the team this season, you can bet fans of 29 other teams will celebrate them not winning a World Series.  This team is so loaded, they’re even fielding a second baseman with the Yips, Gavin Lux.  (Gee, if only there was a position in the lineup where you could insert a good hitter who was defensively weak, except that’s where Shohei will be playing all season.) 

 

As much as I’d like someone else take it, the Dodgers may stroll away with this potent division.  However, ominous signs are already appearing for the team.  The opening series in Korea has exposed Yoshi as needing more work and Shohei just lost his interpreter.  We’re hoping this scandal doesn’t end up exposing Shohei as having some relationship to his interpreter’s illegal bookies.      

 

Giants:  This franchise has been seriously trying to be competitive, but have had trouble sealing the deal with some star players.  No screwing around this offseason.  They’ve picked up new manager Bob Melvin (and good-f-ing bye to kneeler, Gabe Kapler), Korean star, Jung Hoo Lee, Matt Chapman, Jorge Soler, and a late pickup of Cy Young-winner, Blake Snell.  Will this all constitute a good team, though?  I think they’ll be a wildcard.       

 

Padres: This is another team with TV broadcast issues, which has caused revenue uncertainty.  They were also bumping against the cap.  GM AJ Preller managed to flip a one-year rental of Juan Soto to the Yankees for some good pitching prospects, which may help with losing Snell.  He also made a good late trade for Dylan Cease.  Preller is trying to keep his job with the new ownership.  The franchise is also bringing up their top prospect, Jackson Merrill.  Though this team has outfield issues, don’t be surprised if this team performs well with Soto and Melvin gone.  I’m not saying they were the problem with last year’s underperformance, but we’ll see.  (They’re my alternate wildcard, if somebody stumbles.) 

 

Rockies: Doomed.

 

Diamondbacks: It’d be easy to write them off as a fluke World Series contender last season, but I think Corbin Carroll has a strong enough back and will to carry this team into the playoffs again.  Resigning Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and picking up Eduardo Rodriguez should keep this team very competitive.  They’re in as a wildcard.  [Pre-post edit: After signing Jordan Montgomery on a one-year deal, if the Dodgers stumble, D-Backs win the division.]  

 

So how does this all end?  In the NL, smart money has the Braves and the Dodgers in the league championship.  I think it’ll be the D-Backs and the Phillies.  They’ll do it on sheer grit.  For the AL (this’ll probably be a mistake), it’ll be the Mariners (great pitching and a mid-season deal for batting) versus the Orioles (so much young talent).  (I’m really swinging for the fences there.)  Your World Series will be the Phillies over the Orioles.  Take note of this.  This pick is either going to be prescient or psychotic.

 

Or Taylor Swift dumps Travis Kelce and starts dating Aaron Judge, and the Yankees miraculously end up in the World Series with Tay and Aaron kissing on the field.   

MLB Preseason Preview 2024 Part 1

 

There was only one 2024 MLB preview issue on the racks when I went looking for one in February, Lindy’s.  As is unfortunately becoming usual, it was way too early and a bunch of high-impact trades and free agents weren’t accounted for.  Back when most trades and deals were done by the Winter Meetings, their early publishing date made more sense.  It’s a worthwhile guide in general.  While the price went up to $11, I do appreciate that Lindy’s at least put that increase into some better writing.  I’m going to preserve a few quotes here for posterity. 

   

They referred to Boston’s Triston Casas as “a statue” on defense.  Kevin Kiermaier was listed as “running down anything within reach,” but “an undisciplined hitter, running exorbitant strikeout rates and swinging at anything within his zip code.”

 

About the White Sox: “Nautical speed records were challenged by the force with which the 2023 season hit the rocks on the South Side.  The rest of the year held the excitement of an autopsy.”  [Heh, heh.  That’s good.  I may steal that someday.]

 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. “hits the ball with nuclear force.”  Meanwhile, a couple of Blue Jays were said to have “invisible offense.”

 

Royals: “The farm system is a landfill.”

 

A’s: “Oakland used 24 different pitchers to start games in 2023, and it will likely take a village again to fill 162 games.”  The commentary also went after owner, John Fisher.  They’re highly skeptical about the team’s move to Las Vegas.  (Here’s a cue for Fisher’s critics.  He’s not going to sell until his team is playing in a new stadium.  Duh.)

 

Phillies: “Garrett Stubbs, an 80-grade clubhouse guy if nothing else.”

 

Nationals: “The constants in life are death, taxes, and Patrick Corbin making 30-plus bad starts a year.”

 

Rockies: “We reassigned scouts last year to just catch their affiliates by coincidence; we didn’t have anyone high enough on a pref list to sit on them.”  In other words, their farm system is terrible.

 

The Marlin’s entry blathered on about deposed GM, Kim Ng.  This was the problem with hiring a woman for the position.  You couldn’t ever fire her without the enduring a firestorm of criticism from the Media.  The team instead put her in a position where she had a reason to quit.  All I have to say is, I haven’t seen anyone else hire her.  The team is pretty good.  Was it her or was she basically a figurehead?

 

Team reports are the bulk of the issue.  There’s a bit of MLB in general up front.  They’re mostly congratulating the league on improving pace of play.  (Here, here!)  There are rankings on the best individual players, as well as minor league and college and high school players.  On the back page, there’s an odd article about trading cards.  You can buy shares in the live openings of packs and sets.  You can also make “fractional investments” in high-value cards.  It feels like the hobby is straining for relevance.

 

There’s also a set of tables in the back giving the stats.  Texas led the AL in BA and fielding, but was in the lower half in ERA.  The AL WAR leaders in Batting were Marcus Semien and Corey Seager, who also leads in defense.  The Rangers had three Gold Glove winners.  There’s a reason Texas won the World Series. 

 

The Rangers were fourth in payroll, but 16-th in attendance.  That’s a bit disappointing, especially with a new beautiful new, indoor stadium.  Payroll does usually track with fan attendance.  The Orioles were near the bottom in payroll and also in attendance, even while fielding a great team last year.  Rays were actually better than them in fans (albeit mostly there rooting for the Yankees and other visiting teams).      

 

Atlanta led the NL in BA (fifth in attendance, but tenth in payroll), AZ in fielding, and Milwaukee in ERA.  San Diego was second in pitching, but in the lower half in hitting.  They were second in attendance and third in payroll.   

 

There are a few other imbalances.  The White Sox were 15-th in payroll, but 24-th in attendance.  Meanwhile, the Mariners’ were 18-th in payroll, while 10-th in attendance, and the Cardinals were 17-th payroll, but fourth in attendance.  (The Midwest loves their birds, even when they lose.)  A 100+ loss Rockies team was 14-th in payroll, but still 13-th in attendance.  (Rocky Mountain High, indeed.  They’ve only vaguely aware of who wins and losses their games.)

 

At the ends of the scale, there’s the A’s, who were last in payroll and attendance.  That’s not surprising.  The Mets were first in payroll (by a lot), and 14-th in attendance.  (NYC doesn’t show up to see losers.)  The Yankees were second in payroll and third in attendance.  (I stand corrected.)  Lastly, the Dodgers were first in attendance again, but sixth in payroll.  Are they still having those cable issues with people in Los Angles not able to watch the team on TV?  

I picked up an issue of Baseball America because they put the Rangers on the cover as the Organization of the Year.  I have a little shrine going with my two Rangers World Champion commemorative magazines.  You have to celebrate these championships, since you don’t know when or if you’ll get another.

 

I have several issues of this magazine, but I’m not sure why.  It’s mostly about minor league reports and players.  (Player reports are mostly a list of their injuries.)  But inevitably, there’s always a couple of articles that interest me and tempt me into buying it.

 

The Orioles and the Diamondbacks were also honored for Executive and Manager of the Year respectively.  The O’s Triple-A team, the Norfolk Tides, were the minor league Team of the Year, which included former Aggie star, Joey Ortiz.  The Albuquerque Isotopes were awarded as the best Triple-A organization for their PCL-leading attendance.  BA puts it on their Mariachi’s alternate identity, but I doubt it.  I hope to go to a game there someday.  The Amarillo Sod Poodles were the Double-A winner.  The article gushed about their alternate identity as the Calf Fries (don’t ask).   

 

At least there’s some nice action pictures.  These were part of their American League farm system reports.  The Orioles are rated number one with the number one rated player, Jackson Holliday.  The Yankees and the Rangers are also top rated.  The Astros (surprisingly), the Angels, Blue Jays, and the Royals are at the bottom. 

 

Lastly, there was an obituary for Peter Seidler, owner of the Padres, and an opinion piece about minor league contraction.  Minor league players got a pay raise by virtue of the elimination of 15 players per organization.  Further cuts may be on the docket.  The writer proposes an expansion of the Dominican Summer League and allowing low-revenue teams expanded minor league rosters.  Overall, the $15 price was bit brutal, but it was okay. 

 

I’ve gone back a couple of times to B&N since getting these.  I haven’t seen Baseball Digest on their racks at all.  Surprisingly, Sports Illustrated is still there.  I’d heard they were bankrupt and had fired everyone.  If they’re producing a baseball season preview, I was apparently too early to get it.  If I see it, it’ll be after the season starts, so I may or may not get it.        

 

Part 2

NM State Aggies vs UTEP Miners Softball 3-23-24

Savannah Bejarano

Sort of.  I’m going to get an incomplete on this report.

 

Friday night, I was following along over Twitter with the Aggies playing UTEP, which the Aggies won 9-1 in a run rule.  After the game, I kept refreshing to see if they were going to update the schedule over the weekend.  The plan was to play two more games over Saturday and Sunday.  However, there was a consistent forecast for very high winds on Sunday.  I thought they’d go ahead and make a double header of it on Saturday.

 

Which they did . . .  but didn’t update the schedule until Saturday, where I didn’t see it.  I’m sure they waited to the last minute, since they probably really wanted three sold-out games.  So, I showed up at 5:30 for the 6:00 game and almost had to park over in the baseball lot.  (I rode in behind a cart delivering a 4-ft tall bag of popcorn.)  An usher told me that the game had started at 5:00 and that Sunday’s game would be played right after.  Inside, it was good to see a capacity crowd for the rivalry game.  This did make finding a seat difficult, though.

 

I saw that Xophia Venegas, who I met at baseball, got her picture in the paper promoting this weekend’s games.  Between showing her and Savannah, they’re doing a good job of promoting the team.  No scorecards today, since I arrived in the third inning with UTEP up 2-1.  There were enough weird plays that I was sort of okay with that.  This recap is just going to be some disjointed notes on the game.  It was overcast with a light breeze, or at least, the stands were out of the wind. 

 

About a third of the crowd was UTEP fans.  We’d hear from them later.  The team looked fairly smart their orange “915” jerseys and blue pants.  The Aggies were coming off a successful three-game road sweep.  Desirae Spearman won her third Freshman of the Week honors. 

 

Top of the third, we got what we came for right off the bat.  Jillian Taylor made a leaping catch at the wall to probably rob a home run.  She’s worth the price of admission. 

 

The big crowd was also fun.  Every foul ball out of the stadium produced a horde of kids rushing after it.  The crowd would get a laugh of it.  Then there’d be a giveaway toss and the crowd would go frighteningly insane.  Even the UTEP fans wanted the Aggie swag. 

 

There were lots of dogs in the crowd.  A football player (there were several there) had a bulldog.  There was a dog wearing a big, inflatable collar, like a cone.  There were a couple of service dogs.  One was like a pit bull.  Another was an old, tired German shepherd.  I wanted to give him a hug.  I think it was past his bedtime.  He seemed to just want to sleep.

 

The Aggies put two on in the bottom of the fourth, but didn’t score.  Top of the fifth, Jayleen Burton let one go through the wickets at short.  That put two on with nobody out.  A sacrifice drove in one run.  A single brought in another.  Jillian made a throw from the outfield that was just offline to get her. 

 

Then we had one of those weird scoring plays.  There was an attempted steal of second, which started a rundown.  In the attempt, the runner at third came home and drew a throw that was too late.  The runner from first was still between bases.  Jessica Carreon at second dropped the ball and had trouble picking it up, which allowed the runner to retreat safely back to first. 

 

Then an error by Kayla Lunar at third brought in another run.  The Aggie fans started cheering for the Aggies.  The UTEP fans came back with their own cheering and it became a contest.  Finally, the inning ended with the Miners up, 6-1. 

 

There was a New Mexico state flag (the Zia) souvenir tossed to the crowd.  Yes, the El Paso fans wanted them, too.  There were a couple of softball teams of little girls in the crowd.  They would occasionally become their own cheering section for the Aggies.  I also noticed the crowd on both sides was really getting on to the ump.  (Sometimes, they seemed to have point from what I was seeing.)

 

To the bottom of the fifth and the Aggies got a rally going.  After a double steal with two on, Jillian had an infield hit.  The runner from third scored.  Shockingly, Des came in right behind her and scored.  Jill took second during the play.  Dezianna Patmon came up and hit a two-run homer to make it 6-5 UTEP.

 

The Aggies had brought in a new pitcher during the fifth, Haiven Schoolcraft, who continued in the sixth.  I hadn’t seen her before.  She was throwing hard, but wild.  After a couple of walks, she gave up a three-run homer.  The Aggies brought in yesterday’s starter, Jaileen Mancha.  She gave up a solo home run, which set off the UTEP fans chanting, “Let’s go Miners!”  Des in left field threw out a runner a home on a single to end the inning with UTEP up, 10-5.  The UTEP coach spent a long time arguing the play at the plate, but it wasn’t close.

 

The Aggies were not quitting.  Kayla jacked out a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth.  UTEP brought in a new pitcher.  The Aggies managed to load the bases with a walk to Des with nobody out.  Jillian would strikeout, but a wild pitch brought in another run.  Unfortunately, the inning ended with Jessica getting picked by the catcher at third.  The play looked even worse than it sounds.  10-8 UTEP. 

 

There was a brilliant pink and purple sunset to the west with low clouds surrounding it.  The Miners weren’t done scoring, either.  A double drove in two runs.  Jill crashed the centerfield wall going for it.  12-8 UTEP.

 

No quit tonight with the Aggies.  In the bottom of the seventh, Jayleen Burton beat out a bunt single to load the bases with nobody out.  A sac fly brought in a run.  Jessica managed an infield hit to reload the bases with two outs.  Des came up and was walked on four pitches, which drove in another run.  Jill came up and this all felt familiar with the last inning.  After a battle, Jillian struck out to end the game.  UTEP wins 12-10.       

             

In spite of the disappointing result and that I didn’t see the whole game, it was pretty exciting.  I was glad I went.  However, I got up and left right after the game.  No offense to the girls, but I was feeling a little off.  I’d had a busy day and an exhausting week at work and almost didn’t go at all.  Only because the nice weather had held up, I decided to go.  Also, I thought I’d only be there for a couple of hours.  I just didn’t have the stamina tonight to be there for at least a couple more hours. 

 

I watched the local news Saturday night and they showed highlights of the game.  The newscaster then said that Game 3 of the series would be on Sunday.  Apparently, she didn’t get the notification either.  The next day’s weather was as advertised.  At one point in the morning, there was bright sunshine, a 50mph wind, and rain out of nowhere with small bits of hail. 

 

Sunday evening, I got the report about the game.  (The newscaster apologized and said the game decision was made at mid-day yesterday.)  Desirae returned to the circle to pitch.  She hit an inside-the-park home run with the score at 2-2 and that turned out to be the game winner.  The Aggies win 3-2 and win the series.  I’m sensing more honors in Des’ immediate future (Pitcher of the Week in this case, which happened on Monday).

NM State Aggies vs Sam Houston State Bearkats Baseball 3-17-24

A big, wet-looking cloud hung over Presley Askew Field to start today’s game between the Aggies and the Sam Houston Bearkats.  We did get a little rain last night.  It made the first half of this game a bit more nervous given the close score.  There was a cold breeze blowing, but it wasn’t too bad.  The sun kept going in and out.  I was just happy that I’d gotten up on time today.  With the 11:00am start, I decided on a $1 dog, corn-in-a-cup, and a Brisk tea at the Concessions for breakfast.  (It was okay.)

 

On field, Sam Houston was wearing orange tops.  They were reminiscent of the Orioles, as yesterday’s grays looked like the Giants.  The crowd was again pretty good, especially given the time.  I was with Fans Michael and Ken as usual.        

No radio again today and I was on my own with the scoring.  These added up, but I did need to look up a couple plays.  Determining the difference between a wild pitch and a passed ball is tough in a split-second situation.  Also, I did make a couple of careless boo-boo’s with the pen.

 

Hayden Walker started for the Aggies with a 1-2-3 top of the first.  Gavi Coldiron began for the Bearkats.  (What a name!)  He had a rougher first.  Keith Jones singled and a bobble in the outfield moved him to second.  After he was moved over on a grounder, KJ came in on a wild pitch.  The Aggies got a couple more baserunners, but an unconventional double play ended the inning.  It was a grounder to first that was thrown to second.  The shortstop then threw to the pitcher covering first.  1-0 Aggies.

 

There were a series of giveaways in a raffle today.  The first one was for a commemorative championship ring.  Michael wanted one, but a player’s mom won it.  “Fix!” he yelled.  Michael was sour about not winning for the rest of the game. 

 

Walker had a fairly easy top of the second.  He only gave up a single.  SHS also got their first stolen base of the day.  The Aggies had some traffic in the bottom of the inning.  There was a dropped DP ball that gave the Aggies another out, but they weren’t able to get anyone across.

 

Caleb Cotton led off for the Bearkats in the third.  He singled on a bunt hit.  He was very fast and then stole second.  He was caught leaning and was tagged out in a rundown.  Walker gave up a walk and a single without any damage.  In the bottom, Nick Gore, who’d had a quiet series, blasted a humpback line drive to center.  The ball easily cleared the wall and hit the fieldhouse roof.  2-0 Aggies.

 

Romeo Ballesteros began the top of the fourth by snagging a line drive.  Walker got involved in the next two plays.  He interfered with a high chopper in the in the infield for a single and deflected a grounder on the next batter for another hit.  (Why do they let pitchers wear gloves?)  He got a flyout to end the inning.  The Aggies went down in order in the bottom.  Cotton made a good sliding catch for the first out.

 

It was Bark at the Park day.  Several nice-looking dogs came in.  A big brown handsome Doberman was sitting by nearby that caught my eye.  I later got to pet him.  He was ambivalent about it.  Another family member won a gift bag in the raffle.  Michael was muttering.  The big prize was a cooler that I don’t think went to a family member.  I didn’t enter, since I didn’t really want any of the prizes, except for the ring.

 

The fifth was scoreless in both halves of the inning.  Tension was mounting.  Saul Soto came in for the top of the sixth.  He gave up a single, but no more.  The Aggies went down quickly in the bottom.  It was difficult to imagine a 2-0 score holding out much longer here at the ‘Skew.

 

Soto got the first batter of the seventh.  He walked the next batter and then gave up a double.  The next batter was intentionally walked to load the bases.  The next batter hit a shallow fly to left field.  The runner at third started, but then KJ threw a dart to the infield, and he held up.  The crowd went wild.  Unfortunately, Jeffrey David then hit a two-run single, which tied the score at 2.  Soto finished out the inning on a groundout.

 

Coldiron got the first out of the bottom of the seventh and was then pulled for Logan Hewitt.  He was greeted with a pair of singles.  Romeo’s second single dropped into shallow center in front of the centerfielder.  It was either going to be two on or two out with Sheehan O’Connor already at second.  KJ came up.  He fouled one back to a light pole that ricocheted directly into the crowd.  He straightened up another pitch and put it into the trees in the outfield for a three-run homer.  Aggies up 5-2!  Titus Dumitru made the final out of the frame with a looking strikeout.  He seemed genuinely shocked by the call.

 

The rest of the crowd started getting restless on balls and strikes, as well.  Hayden Lewis came in to start the top of the eighth.  He walked the first batter and was visibly irritated with the call.  (The crowd was plenty vocal.)  The next play was a comebacker.  Lewis angrily grabbed the ball and threw to second to get the lead runner.  (Oh, that’s why they give pitchers mitts.)  Romeo wasn’t able to turn the DP. 

 

After the Bearkats’ fourth stolen base of the day (Gore wasn’t having a great day behind the plate), Lewis walked another.  Lane Brewster took a walking lead off second.  When he realized no one was paying attention, he took off for third.  Lewis made a throw to third, but it got away from O’Connor.  There is a lot of foul space past third base.  Both runners came around to score on the error.  (At least, he didn’t throw it underhand like Aaron Treloar’s error yesterday.)  Lewis came back with two strikeouts to end the inning.  5-4 Aggies.

 

Some of the fans and the Aggie dugout started yelling at the umps.  It got ugly for a minute before settling down.  Two Aggie strikeouts started the bottom of the eighth.  There was a single, which was rubbed out on a grounder. 

 

Lewis came back out for the ninth.  I was surprised, but Coach Angier either had faith in him or had no one else he trusted.  Lewis gave up a walk and a single.  He got a double play ball next, but the tying run scored.  Oh, there’s that Hunter Autrey guy again.  He’d been quiet today after 8 RBI’s yesterday.  Too quiet.  He hit the go-ahead home run.  Now, I finally heard some emotion (and curse words) from the SHS dugout.  6-5 Bearkats.

 

We go to the bottom of the ninth.  SHS brought in Chandler David for the save.  After a strikeout, bopper Logan Galina was brought in off the bench to pinch hit.  He got ahold of one and sent a hard high liner to center.  Jake Tatom jumped for it, but it got past him and went to the wall.  Logan cruised into third, where he was pulled for Jadon Arakaki.  This paid off quickly, as a passed ball went to backstop and Jadon came in to tie it up. 

 

KJ struck out leaving the Aggies only one out left.  Damone Hale was having a frustrating game with no hits and three strikeouts.  He let everyone know that he hadn’t forgotten how to hit.  Damone crushed a no doubt, high-arcing home run to center.  It wasn’t just a walk off, it was an exclamation point!  Pitcher David was the last off the infield for his team and was a picture of dejection.  Hale was doused in Gatorade right after crossing the plate.  Aggies win 7-6! 

 

Neat.  I was glad I woke up early for this.  It was also a tidy two-and-a-half hour tension-filled thriller.  I had no trouble doing other stuff after the game.  I went to the grocery store, walked over to the mall, and went over to dad’s to watch the NCAA Tournament selection show.  I had a happy glow the rest of the afternoon.

 

Gameballs!  For the Bearkats, Jeffrey David went 2 for 5 with 2 RBI’s on a clutch single.  Hunter Autrey went 1 for 5, but that “1” was a go-ahead home run in the ninth.  For the Aggies, Keith Jones went 2 for 5 with 3 RBI’s coming off a big home run.  (I also found out he drives a Cadillac pickup.  I might have to question his taste in cars.)  Damone Hale got one hit today and it decided the game.  Hayden Walker deserved the win today, though he didn’t get it.  He went 5 innings and gave up 0 runs.

 

I was wearing a green t-shirt for St. Patrick’s Day today.  We sure seemed to have the luck of the Irish with us.  Baseball will be gone for a couple of weeks, but we should have some Softball to report on in the meantime.

NM State Aggies vs Sam Houston State Bearkats Baseball 3-16-24

I was glad to be at a ballgame today.  Last Sunday, I went to the game and I was sort of sick.  I got over it by Tuesday, but was overwhelmed with work from being out on last Friday.  The weather forecast for today was about a 50% chance of rain.  Thankfully, it was only partly cloudy and otherwise nice this afternoon.  I felt good and was happy to not be at work.  Let’s play ball!

 

Before that, I’ll cover a little Basketball.  The Aggie Women won a game in the C-USA Tournament, but fell in the next game.  The Aggie Men took an early exit in their first game.  I happened to catch the UTEP Miners’ on the radio Friday morning.  (No, I don’t know why they were playing Men’s tournament games in the morning.)  The Miners won it in a thriller and moved on to the championship game, but lost there Saturday night.  When I got home from baseball today, I also caught the New Mexico Lobos winning the Mountain West conference.  So, I still have some regional interest in the NCCAA Tournament.

 

Though it was fairly nice, I think crowd was a bit light, but okay.  I caught up with fan Michael at the ballpark.  He’d been there on Friday.  The wind had been blowing hard and cold for the night game.  Michael had some colorful words to describe the Aggies losing to Sam Houston 10-0 in a run rule.  He also reported that the hot tub in the Student Section was gone.  It was just there as a promotion for a local company.       

 

There was no radio this weekend, so I’d be on my own with the scorecards.  A handsome, well-dressed young man joined Adam Young in the booth today for TV.  Michael identified him as former Aggie pitcher, Marcel Renteria.  “Shouldn’t he be pitching somewhere?” I asked.  He’s on rehab right now. 

 

Yeah, these are in pen again.  Even without the help of the radio and even with some extreme weirdness in the game, it all added up with the scoreboard totals.  As you can tell by the score though, that was a hollow victory. 

 

Josh Sharman started for the Aggies and tossed a two strikeout, 1-2-3 first.  The Aggie dugout was vigorous in cheering throughout these opening innings.  They were determined to avenge yesterday’s humiliating defeat.  The Aggie offense picked it up in the bottom.  Damone Hale singled and Titus Dumitru doubled him in to give the Aggies a 1-0 lead.  It might have been more of a rally, but Titus had a moment of indecision about taking third on a wild pitch and was thrown trying to do it.

 

Mitch Namie at first speared a liner to start the top of the second.  Sharman ran down the line to take the feed from him for the first out.  Josh quickly finished the rest of the inning with a couple of groundouts.  The Aggies also went down in order in the bottom.

 

Michael flagged down the pretty souvenir girl and got an Aggie New Mexico flag for his sister, who wasn’t in attendance.  “She’s going to be so happy.”  The team photographer girl stood in front of us for part of the inning.  She was in her usual tank top, yoga pants, pretty hair, and bright smile.  It was a distraction.  Fan Ken, who was sitting by us, didn’t see any play on the field while she was there. 

 

Sharman cruised through another inning facing the minimum.  I was feeling some optimism or, at least, that game would be quick.  The Aggies tacked on another run in the bottom.  Sheehan O’Connor singled and Hale drove him in.  Unfortunately, the Aggies did leave the bases loaded with two outs.  Caleb Cotton in left field made a great leaping catch on a deep liner by Namie to end the inning.  2-0 Aggies.

 

The second time through the order, the Bearkat batters started figuring Sharman out.  After a strikeout, Walker Janek blasted a solo shot to center.  After a single, there was a popup on the infield that elicited the use of the Infield Fly rule.  Hunter Autrey, with the coolest name in the SHS lineup, then came up and hit a two-run homer to the scoreboard.  Romeo Ballesteros made an errant throw to first on an infield hit, but after a walk, Sharman got the final out.  3-2 SHS.  The ump seemed to be squeezing the strikezone a bit this inning. 

 

The Aggies struck back in the bottom of the fourth.  Preston Godfrey led off with a home run to center on a line drive.  The wind was also blowing out a bit more with some clouds moving in.  The batters were taking advantage of it.  Edwin Martinez-Pagani singled next and Keith Jones would hit a ground rule double over the wall to bring him in later.  4-3 Aggies.  In the inning, O’Connor fouled a ball towards the Press Box.  With the window open, Adam was ready to make a play with his arm out, but it just missed going in.

 

Sharman gave up a double and a single to start the fifth and was lifted.  The Coach was probably trying to get him through five for the win.  Cho Tofte relieved him.  A sac fly brought in the tying run. 

 

Next was the strangest play of the game.  Malachi Lott hit a line drive to the right field wall.  Titus leapt for it as it was going over and fell to the ground.  Where the ball ended up was uncertain for a few moments.  The first base ump eventually signaled home run, however on delay, Lott passed the first base runner.  The call on field would be solo home run and an out (credit 3 unassisted).  Needless to say, everyone was in the dark, but eventually a fan came by with the play call.  5-4 SHS.

 

The Aggies were not about to quit at this point.  After two singles in the bottom of the fifth off a new pitcher, Godfrey doubled them in.  EMP doubled him in.  Romeo came up and took a bad hack at the first pitch.  Hitting coach, David Bellamy, called for time and had a chat with him.  Romeo then smacked a run-scoring double.  Good talk.  The Bearkats brought in another pitcher to finish the inning.  8-5 Aggies.

 

Tyler Hoeft came in for the top of the sixth.  Michael called him a “hard luck case” with his injury history.  The bad luck continued.  Romeo knocked down liner from the first batter, but had no play.  This was followed by another infield hit.  After a walk which loaded the bases, Titus knocked down liner to right and held the batter to a single to just bring in one run.  The next play was a hard grounder to first.  Namie whiffed on it and two more runs scored.                 

 

Hoeft was pulled with two on and without having gotten an out.  Aaron Treloar came in and got a grounder to third.  O’Connor threw home and prevented the run, but wasn’t able to start a run down to get an out.  Treloar struck two with the bases loaded, but then gave up a two-run scoring single.  SHS batted around and tied the score at 8.

 

Hale singled to start the bottom of the sixth.  The Aggies loaded the bases, but would not score, even given an extra out.  The shortstop forgot the number of outs and started to run off the field on a sure double play ball that would have ended the inning.  I think I heard the SHS coach cursing from the dugout.  Ominous clouds were gathering overhead, but we’d stay dry for the game.   

 

Well, the top of the seventh was a complete unraveling.  Hale misplayed a liner to center that went to the wall for a leadoff triple.  Treloar got a comebacker next and underhand tossed it into the opposing dugout.  (I wonder if he’s got one of those yip things about throwing to first, because that’s what it looked like.)  A run scored.  This was followed by five more runs and a pitching change in the middle of it.  The Bearkats ran wild with three stolen bases in the inning.  You know you’re not having a good day defensively when you get a get grounder into a drawn-in infield and still don’t get an out at home.  16-8 SHS.  The Bearkats even left the bases loaded. 

 

New Bearkat pitcher, Wyatt Tucker, struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh.  Okay, now it looked like the Aggies were giving up.  Freshman Ty Acton did come in and get his first career college hit.  The Aggies brought in a new pitcher for the eighth, but the Bearkats were smelling run rule.  Autrey jacked a three-run homer, which would seal it, as the Aggies went down in order in the bottom.  19-8 Sam Houston wins the truncated game.

 

Well, it was a good game until the dynamite went off.  Surprisingly, the game was just under three hours.  More surprising, during those Bearkat rallies, they weren’t getting all that excited.  Usually, there’s a lot a dugout noise in those kind of situations.  It’s like SHS expected to win.  With some costly errors, the Aggies sure helped them out.

 

Here’s some Gameballs.  For the Bearkats, Malchi Lott went 3 for 6 (in an eight-inning game) with two RBI’s and a homer.  Hunter Autrey, get this, 3 for 5, including two homers, for 8 RBI’s!  Wyatt Tucker also pitched effectively for the win in scoreless relief.  For the Aggies, Damone Hale went 3 for 5 with an RBI, Titus Dumitru went 3 for 4 with an RBI, and Preston Godfrey went 2 for 4 with a homer and 3 RBI’s.  The defense was shaky, though there was some good efforts.  Outside of Josh Sharman’s first three innings, the pitching was not asset today.

 

I walked by the umps on the way out.   I thought about saying, “Good game,” but to be honest, I questioned the strikezone.  I did tip my hat to them.  I debated going straight home for dinner out of a can or going to Burger King.  I made the wrong choice and the Whopper was decidedly subpar.  I can see why they’re handing out half-price coupons.  Let’s try this again tomorrow for the finale.