218 thoughts on “2016 World Series: Game Seven”

1. Pregame reading: A Brief History of Why Umpires Wear Suits

   1. And the etymology of the word Umpire or nonpere.

2. The last pitcher to start & win three games in one World Series: Mickey Lolich.

   1. Lolich a Croatian, the other notable Croatian MLBer being Roger Maris.

      Kevin McHale on the Croatian top MLB list not sure why - but Croatian on his mother's side.

      A brush with fame with KMcH at Perkins in Shoreview one Sunday morning after hockey at Bo's rink. He had to dunk for the doorway.

3. !!!!!!!!!!!

   1. That's a good start to my desire to see a 3 games to 1 lead collapse.

      1. Wahoo karma.

         1. Clap clap clapclapclap

4. Giddyup.

5. Lots of Cubs fans in Cleveland

6. An infield hit for the guy who shredded his ACL & LCL this spring. Of course.

   1. TWINS BASEBALL!!

      Sorry, force of habit.

      1. It's okay. You can leave it all on the field tonight.

7. Scwheels

   1. You should trademark that.

   2. Schwiped.

      1. The Cubs need to acquire Swarzak this off-season.

8. I just now realized that I'm rooting for Cleveland. Didn't see that coming.

   1. I realized the same thing after game 5.

9. Francisco Lindor anagram fun: No Rancid Frolics

10. So have there been any comeback wins in this series?

    1. Game four and five saw the losing team score first.. .

11. That pickoff was timely.

12. If Schwarber could do that over, I bet he decides a runner on first and two out with Bryant up is just dandy.

13. Schweels®

    1. Dammit, I guess I'm not getting any royalties for it now.

14. Remember back in the offseason when the Orioles thought they signed Dexter Fowler?

15. Wow, how did the ump think 2bdude had a grip on the ball in the first place?

    1. Take it easy on John Hirschbeck. This is his last game ever.

    2. I'll just go with "because Joe West" (whether he's actually at second or not.)

16. Uh-oh. Can't rush that play.

    1. I still can't figure out what the 2nd base ump thought he saw there to think it was an out at 2nd.

17. Dangit

18. Oof. Can't go for two there.

19. I really like Maddon, but I'd trust Francona WAY more in a bullpen game.

20. Hendricks threw nine pitches he shouldn't have had to after Baez' error. Looking forward to watching Baez make it right.

    1. So it was said, so it shall be.

       1. Spooky'd?!!?

    2. Nailed it!

21. Hi everybody!

    1. meat! I owe you an email.

       1. Well, hit me up. zero zero 2 mylast name at gmizzle. (if you've got that one...) I've got a good beer trade in mind....

22. This game is way more interesting than the Louisiana senate candidates debate.... *

    *Yeah, Forbidden Zone, but still crazy...

23. Whoa, that was ballsy.

24. WOW! nice slide, gutsy send.

25. Facial hair and World Series - analytics?

26. That looked like Danny Santana playing CF.

27. On the grill: Chicken and Sausage Gumbo on a school night. Yeah, I'm a glutton (for punishment... and the other kind).

    1. We had a pretty quick & easy ham & white bean soup with arugula & olive oil toasts. I added some Aleppo pepper to my bowl. Mrs. Hayes drank my last cold beer, a Revolution Bottom Up Wit. The cold weather needs to get here so the cellar cools down and I can make impromptu withdrawals.

       1. The new normal. We've hit record highs for most of the month of October. I'm ready for non AC weather.

28. Baez!!

29. Not looking good for Cleveland to get its second championship this year.

    1. This looks way smarter with Baez homering right before the LTE.

    2. These are the Cubs, you know.

       1. Yes, easily the best team this year so obvious they would have the best odds of winning.

30. Y'know, if the Royals* would have played harder in the All-Star Game, the Indians could have been playing this game at home.

    *among others. Or was 2015 the year almost all the Royals were All-Stars?

    1. If the Dodgers had played harder and made it a longer drive, they'd be playing at home, you mean?

       1. No, he's got it right. I'll also say it is nice to see the Cubs play well in front of the home crowd.

          1. I think I also have it right.

             1. I'm not even sure what's real anymore.

31. irregardless. freaking irregardless? Blarf.

    1. If he says "supposably" I'm bolting.

32. Love that buck brings up the classic against Morris and the Twins, but fails to mention the result.

    1. I'm sure Smoltz appreciated him bringing that game up.

       1. He seemed fond of the memory of the game, to be honest. I'm sure it stings, but he eventually got his, so maybe he's more or less over it.

33. For reals, Maddon?

34. If the Cubs hold on, that would be the second straight WS Game 7 that the road team won. However, the home team had won the previous 9 times. Before 2014, the last team to win Game 7 on the road was Bert's 1979 Pirates team, which also overcame a 3-1 series deficit.

35. Hendriks would have been the odds-on favorite to be MVP if it wasn't for Maddon overmanaging. He was pulled in his first start in the fifth inning of a scoreless game and now he's pulled in the fifth inning in which he's leading 5-1 and there is 1 runner on base and 2 outs.

    1. I hope it backfires on him.

       1. Wish granted.

36. The Dread Pirate is displeased.

    1. !!!!

    2. I'm quite pleased. He would be the perfect goat.

       1. I imagine some Cleveland fan tried to bring an actual goat to the yard tonight.

37. Uffda.

38. 2 players score on 1 wild pitch? How did that happen?

    1. Ricocheted off Ross's mask about 50 feet away, he couldn't find it right away, and Kipnis got a great read.

39. It looked like Ross got concussed on that pitch. I'm assuming he simply tripped himself but it does look weird to see a guy fall backwards like that.

    1. Had no problem hitting it out though.

    2. Well, if he was, that was a very quick recovery.

40. David Ross, redeemed.

41. Huh, how about that.

42. Hmmm. Something about this Surly Abrasive I just poured seems...missing.

    1. Really? I'm a big fan of the abrasive.

       1. So is he. He drank it so quickly that it's missing.

    2. Chances are philo disagrees.

    3. Not enough Todd?

43. Buck quoting from Retrosheet!

    1. 

       1. I lol'd

          1. I inadvertently visited Retrosheet a few weeks ago. I was very pleased to see it looked the same as I remembered it looking in 2005.

             (I love what that site does. That it's remained the same is endearing.)

44. I wonder if Miller has had too many appearances this series or just unlucky.

    1. A combination probably. The more teams see him, the easier he is to hit as well as fatigue as a factor.

       1. Miller hasn't pitched since Saturday... I thought he was going to be fresh & Chapman torched after last night?

    2. Well, the one time, he didn't get a strike on a pitch that was pretty clearly a strike, but other than that, his stuff seems flat.

       He and Kluber both have seemed tired today.

       1. I was wondering if it was fatigue for Miller, or if he was rested but overthrowing his stuff. Listening to the telegraph, it's hard to know.

45. meat, something's headed to yer inbox.

    1. Saweet

46. I love the strike em out throw em out double play.

47. This game is fun. My 2 year old and infant still being awake is less so.

    1. Ouch. Be strong, man.

       1. Plus Philosofette has her first formal teaching evaluation tomorrow so is tied up, and I have a three hour drive starting at 4:30 in the a.m and need to pack for several days... Wee!

          1. Uffda. Their timing is impeccable, naturally!

    2. I'm unreasonably disappointed with the Indians performance. Otherwise, yeah.

48. And that whiniest whiner who ever whined just got rewarded for his whining again. Infuriating.

    1. I like Buck's observation, "That hasn't been called a strike all night."
       Yeah, because it weren't a strike.

49. I'd love to see Chapman throw a 73 mph Bugs Bunny changeup.

50. RAJAI DAVIS!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY COWS!!!

51. Woo-hah!

52. Wha!!!!?!!??!

53. I SPOOKY'D THE SHIT OUT OF THAT when I saw him choking up like Orlando Ballgame!

    1. Same!!

54. Wow. I guess this will be a memorable game.

55. HolycrapholycrapHolycrapholycrapHolycrapholycrapHolycrapholycrap

56. Miller is not the only one.

    1. Chapman's throwing straight gas in a room full of lit matches.

57. So, uh... About that game six.

    1. Ha!

    2. Right? I mean, Maddon is basically Dusty Baker at this point.

    3. Curse of Chapman.

58. Dear Chicago, please put down the Malört.

    1. *shudder*

       1. Not a fan of the stuff?

          1. I prefer Crest.

             1. Lol

          2. It's my favorite beverage that tastes like throwing up in my mouth a little bit.

             (I actually enjoy it.)

             1. I do have to admit that all of my malort memories involve having a great, great time.

                1. There is that.

             2. I enjoy it too, but I genuinely like Jägermeister.

                1. Malört, Unicum, Jägermeister, Becherovka, pass the bottle.

59. Well, looks like we're guaranteed to see an epic collapse tonight one way or another.

    1. I'm already tired of people saying this is better than Game Seven of 1991, and they haven't even said it yet.

       1. I keep waiting for it.

       2. Let's hope it doesn't end on a HR then.

       3. Reminds me of 2011's Game Six.

       4. And there it is.

          1. Let me guess: Buck.

             1. 😬

60. I think what we're seeing here tonight is that there is a happy medium between waiting for a save and tossing your best pitcher out there for 40 pitches in a blowout, then leaning on him again the next day.

    1. There's a comment about using your bullets wisely, but Chapman...

       1. Heh

    2. Chapman threw 20 pitches last night. You're thinking of Sunday night. At Bat says he's hitting 100 tonight. So he's lost a bit of velocity, but it might be the poor location that's hurting him, or it might be his foot, or it might just be cumulative.

       1. The heat was there, but he suddenly had Pat Light's command.

       2. I am. You're right.

61. My old roommate went to high school with Rajai Davis, so I've always had a soft spot for him. That is Game 163esque with the way his defensive mishaps led to runs earlier...

62. I would really like to go to bed, so I would not be sad at all if they were forced to suspend this game.

63. Its raining and Cody Allen cant throw a strike.

64. Now Allen doesn't have it.

65. How hilarious would it be if this game included torched relievers and a rain delay?

66. Where's Allan Huber to raise his hands in the rain and say both teams win the W.S.?

    1. There will be no winner. The next of either team to win a WS will receive two trophies.

       1. 

    2. OMG, please.

67. How hilarious would it be if they let Lebron and JR Smith join the grounds crew? Would anything fire up the crowd more than a shirtless JR Smith in the rain?

69. Foul bunt strike three. Fantastic!

    1. TWINS BASEBALL!!

70. There is no chance any of Twins' middle infielders makes that play.

71. ...Chapman back out for the ninth? Sure, why not!

72. It's official. Rondon's arm has actually fallen off. It's the only explanation.

73. This is bizarre. I like Maddon, but this is flat bizarre.

    1. What's the point of having a 7-man bullpen (not including the starters like Lester)?

       1. Group discount on charter flights? I dunno. There's a story here somewhere.

          1. I laughed

       2. Well, hey. Arrieta is up next, so we can REALLY wonder.

          1. This makes John Lackey sad.

74. No way do I have a completely gassed pitcher who is just trying to get it over the plate for a strike up with the teeth of Cleveland's order up

    1. He's completely abandoned his fastball.

       1. Until there.

75. The key to Davis' HR had to be choking up on the bat. I would have turned to the PR to comment on it, but she's asleep (against her will, she's just so worn out from you know, growing a little person)

    1. she's just so worn out from you know, growing a little person

       I remember that well.

76. I just noticed the Gentleman Masher up top. Nicely done, whomever.

    1. Somebody really sculpted his butt

77. Maybe they should just move the game to Miller Park.

78. Welp, tarp's out, time for bed.

79. Well this benefits the Cubs, since Chapman was done, but Shaw probably had another inning in him.

    1. He's out on the mound now.

       1. Didn't work out very well.

80. "who wants it most"??!

    I fully expect the Cubs to come out of the rain delay, acknowledge that they're really just not into it anymore, and walk sadly off the field.

    1. One of my most disliked sports clichés.

       1. Frank Thomas REALLY loves them

          This is why A-Rod is the breakout star.

          1. This is actually the first I've heard of the panel. I generally turn it on 30 seconds before first pitch and off 30 seconds after the last out.

81. This is going to make my drive in to work in the morning pure ass, but no way I'm going to bed.

    At least I get to sleep in (relatively) on Friday

    1. Yep. I'm into it for the long haul.

       1. If this game is over in the next half hour, I can still get six fhour of sleep.

          And we have to pack for Chicago in the morning before work too. We're staying in the Cities tomorrow to save driving extra on Friday.

          1. Does this mean you're not deer hunting this year?

             1. Most likely not, especially not opener. I still need to email you. I honestly have no idea how go about it - tags, grounds, rifle, etc.

                I'm a decent shot at least, but beyond that.

       2. Might not have to wait much longer.

          1. :-/

82. The pinch runner's savvy baserunning is getting lauded for good reason. It's really been the catalyst here.

83. Walks will haunt.

84. Still gotta get through the bottom of the inning

85. This game is both a fitting end to, or potential continuation of, the Cubs curse.

86. What this game needs is a hidden ball trick.

    1. Lindor tried after Almora tagged up earlier this inning. Almora didn't bite.

       1. I'm glad someone tried it.

87. The announces with a fair point. Everyone should just get the morning off tomorrow, right?

    1. Right

       1. I will buy myself a larger version of whatever coffee I would have otherwise purchased on my drive.

          1. I may double-fist the java tomorrow.

88. Oh sweet baby Jesus

    1. This game is fun.

89. Let's play two.

    

90. Wait 'til next year

91. ...

92. Does Bartman get his life back?

93. They gave us a good one.

94. Bryant slipped on that throw, still got it there.

95. Did it look like Bryant almost fell to anyone else? The world flashed before my eyes.

96. "Duh", replies Michael Schur.

97. Wish that ball would have soared over 1st base.

    1. You wouldn't say that if you saw the pictures of Trueblood.

       1. I'm reading his Twitter series on the building of the Cubs right now. Really impressive, that Trueblood.

98. And now the Twins' future can begin.

    1. And he's still got something to prove!

99. Jinkies, what a game. How much would the Cubs charge for Theo Epstein?

100. On reflection, it is cool that they got to win in front of their fans.

101. If the game wouldn't have lasted so long, I might not have realized that I needed to put the venison jerky in the dehydrator tonight or it wouldn't be ready before it was time to leave for deer camp.

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