Your writing reminds me of the great Rodger Angell. If I might give one piece of advice, avoid the phrase "the best pitcher in baseball" unless you have a shotgun handy and are prepared to use it.
Loved the article, well written. I am concerned about the hype, so much of it. Remember Serena Williams, she had too much hype and lost her bid for the grand slam.
To quote Casey Stengel - "Oh, dem bases on balls."
Steve Winwood wrote, "when you see a chance, take it."
Jacob deGrom is evidence how far you can ride that. He was pretty far down the young pitching hierarchy in the Mets' farm system when injuries in 2014 necessitated calling him up, and he's been nails ever since. Makes one wonder how many other potential stud players are dismissed by their organizations?
Jacob deGrom is evidence how far you can ride that. He was pretty far down the young pitching hierarchy in the Mets' farm system when injuries in 2014 necessitated calling him up, and he's been nails ever since. Makes one wonder how many other potential stud players are dismissed by their organizations?
1
Thank you, Michael Powell, for a beautiful piece of sports writing. Before this game, I hadn't seen the Mets this year or Jacob deGrom. But when I got one look at that hair I knew the Dodgers were in trouble.
2
Powell needs to do his homework: Kershaw post season record 3-9, not even close to best pitcher in baseball....
When your hot, your hot. 90% is attitude, 50% is ability.
1
Winning one in LA gives the Mets a leg up. Winning two would put LA in a deep deep hole. Game 1 is history. Game 2 could be decisive.
And what team broke Greinke's 40+ inning scoreless streak in LA? That would be the Mets, before the offensive reinforcements came on board.
I've seen all the great Mets arms since 62' , degrom is one Degreatest !
He is unflappable and big game pitcher , we are lucky to have him.
He is unflappable and big game pitcher , we are lucky to have him.
3
Really ???
Kershaw the "best pitcher in baseball" ?
A lovely, well written article, but I'm sure many, MANY folks out there would argue the designation given to Mr. Kershaw...
For one, how about the lefty about 400 miles North of LA ?
I'm sure lots of folks, needing to win one game, would chose Bumgarner before either Dodger ace...
Kershaw the "best pitcher in baseball" ?
A lovely, well written article, but I'm sure many, MANY folks out there would argue the designation given to Mr. Kershaw...
For one, how about the lefty about 400 miles North of LA ?
I'm sure lots of folks, needing to win one game, would chose Bumgarner before either Dodger ace...
2
With the Giants' playoff lives on the line, Bumgarner was beaten, and the Giants lost 8-0. Over the last 5 years, Kershaw has been the best pitcher in the game. But this year? 1. Arrieta 2. Greinke 3. Kershaw.
1
Is Jacob deGrom a later day Samson of major league baseball? Samson was said to have two vulnerabilities, an attraction to untrustworthy women and his hair, without which he was said to be powerless. He may have had others.
Were star pitcher Jacob deGrom to play for the Yankees, we might learn if his power comes from his hair. He certainly has a lot of it - and loads of power.
Perhaps the Mets will trade him for some of that star power and we will find out. The Yanks will want to beef up on the mound. And everywhere else, for that matter. There is no position that could not be improved... and that is the problem.
Perhaps the Yanks will waive on the hair bit. Beards are everywhere, baseball started with them...long locks are another matter, and it only starts there...
Were star pitcher Jacob deGrom to play for the Yankees, we might learn if his power comes from his hair. He certainly has a lot of it - and loads of power.
Perhaps the Mets will trade him for some of that star power and we will find out. The Yanks will want to beef up on the mound. And everywhere else, for that matter. There is no position that could not be improved... and that is the problem.
Perhaps the Yanks will waive on the hair bit. Beards are everywhere, baseball started with them...long locks are another matter, and it only starts there...
Why do people keep referring to Kerahaw as the best pitcher in baseball. If you can't put upbig numbers in the playoffs it's academic. For whatever reason he can't keep his pitch count down when it matters. Look at all the other truly outstanding pitchers who have thrown shutout ball this playoff season. That's what he had to do and didn't and one more comparison to sandy Koufax and I'll throw up
1
"broke a finger castrating a calf"??
Now theres something you don't normally see in a player's bio.. I imagine he's the first calf-castrator in MLB history to win a playoff game
Now theres something you don't normally see in a player's bio.. I imagine he's the first calf-castrator in MLB history to win a playoff game
5
That I actually seriously doubt. All those farm boys from the Midwest and west. Castrating calves is or was almost a right of passage. I never have but I've had many a discourse on it. And mainly from big farm boys that can throw like Greek gods
As a Red Sox fan - great baseball and I agree a nicely painted story.
-- gotta root for those Cubbies to get there day....
-- gotta root for those Cubbies to get there day....
2
Were I Mattingly, I would have had far more confidence in Kershaw than any reliever, other than perhaps Jansen...
Go Mets. 2 more...
Go Mets. 2 more...
7
Mattingly was a great player and is a really nice guy. But as an American Leaguer who played with the DH he seems to manage less analytically than others.
This is shaping up to be a great series between two NYC teams, and as a New Yorker, it's a win-win outcome. Too bad Vin Scully is on the DL. His commentary would be exquisite.
This is shaping up to be a great series between two NYC teams, and as a New Yorker, it's a win-win outcome. Too bad Vin Scully is on the DL. His commentary would be exquisite.
I Completely agree. I would have left Kershaw in to face Wright, and either he gets out of the inning or he's done if Wright gets on. So Mattingly hardly channeled 1964 Johnny Keane on young Bob Gibson in Game 7 of the World Series, "I made an investment in his heart."
1
I think he let what happened last year with Matt Adams get to him. Plus the guy did walk three guys that inning.
This is a really fun, exciting write. I don't want the author to get heady, but I enjoyed his read as much as listening to Vin Scully. Of course, we're talking writing, not baseball, so a relative upstart professional can't be compared to the best story teller of our time. Yet, I sensed the compassion and pride.
Great work. May Grienke break your heart.
Great work. May Grienke break your heart.
6
Greinke didn't break our hearts. But Chase Utley did break one of our guys' legs. Dirty slide, late, not in reach of the base. Actually should have been called a DP for sliding, late and out of the baseline to take out a player.
Never should have been reviewed. Tim Rohan, in the game report, said such plays are "rarely reviewed." In fact, under the rules, the neighborhood play is NOT REVIEWABLE, which, even if the second out on Utley wasn't called, would have made Seagar's popout the third out of the inning. The Metsies got hosed.
Never should have been reviewed. Tim Rohan, in the game report, said such plays are "rarely reviewed." In fact, under the rules, the neighborhood play is NOT REVIEWABLE, which, even if the second out on Utley wasn't called, would have made Seagar's popout the third out of the inning. The Metsies got hosed.
"just happened to beat the best pitcher in the National League in Game 1" Really? I didn't realize the Mets were playing the Cubs or that Arrieta had started for Chicago.
2
We will be perhaps, but Cards or Cubs I honestly think we will prevail.
I don't usually follow baseball, but this is a beautifully written article.
7
Jacob deGrom is gold, baby...GOLD !
Give that man a giant raise.
Give that man a giant raise.
19
Jake Arietta is the best pitcher in the NL, if not all of the majors.
3
Really? Cy Youngs to date: Kersham: 3. Arrietta: 0. Even if Arrieta gets on the board, so to speak, this year, he's not in Kershaw's league yet.
P.S. I am neither a Dodgers fan nor a Cubs fan.
P.S. I am neither a Dodgers fan nor a Cubs fan.
3
Wrong and wrong. Greinke is the best. I've never seen the league leader in ERA and WHIP, with a 19-3 record get so little appreciation. OK, Arrieta had a better 2nd half, and Kershaw a better 3 years, but this year's best pitcher was Greinke.
The amazing's are back!
6
Not sure what game or which Jacob deGrom the author was watching last night but...Jacob deGrom's wind-up does not feature him bringing the ball or his hands behind his head.
3
The author was referring to Kerhsaw's delivery.
Grit counts in the post season. The Giants have had it, the Mets seem to have it. Kershaw, not so much.
10
A beautifully written piece ...
6
Great game. Amazing effort by both starting pitchers. The Mets made it happen when it counted. Can't wait for game 2. GO METS!
7
Poise, grace, and intelligence on the mound. Amazing performance!!
10
what the heck! let's go mets. why not? if we can get one miracle in [hey, by the way, i'm a dodger's fan but I'm rooting for a resurgence of greatness in America, not trump style, but real America] maybe we can get Sanders elected to top it off.
so, come on, sports fans, where's your love of the game????!!!!! play ball, fer chrissake.
so, come on, sports fans, where's your love of the game????!!!!! play ball, fer chrissake.
8
Spectacular pitching duel. So happy for DeGrom. You have to love stories where the hero meets challenge after challenge and bests them all. Here's to wishing him health and success and a long, long career with the Mets.
14
"He has perhaps eight pitches, which arrive at speeds of between 97 and 74 miles per hour."
I'm only a casual reader of the sports pages, so maybe there's something baseball-related that I'm missing. But why not the more natural "at speeds of 74 to 97 miles per hour"?
I'm only a casual reader of the sports pages, so maybe there's something baseball-related that I'm missing. But why not the more natural "at speeds of 74 to 97 miles per hour"?
2
My guess would be because the fastball sets up the off-speed pitch.
3
The writer (or the editors) starts with 97 because the majority of the hundred or so pitches Kershaw throws every start are much closer to 97 than to 74. Still, I understand the objection.
1
The last pitcher who was proclaimed to have eight pitches was Daisuke Matuszaka, who flamed out in a much shorter period than Kershaw has.
As for tonight, look for Greinke to have a great game. He must be seething after hearing all week that he's the 3rd best pitcher in the NL after having a better year than Kershaw and Arrieta. May even have the best hair in the league.