Isn't this pretty much how a game should go? Both teams' pitchers keep the game low-scoring and close, then the good guys get a key hit in a late key situation, then the closer says good morning, good afternoon, good night. Winnah, winnah, chicken dinnah!
I have always liked these:
"Excuse me, but may I buy you a car?"
Van: "You remind me of my first wife."
Woman: "How many times have you been married?"
Van: "None."
Just tuned in, haven't read the rest of the posts yet. Just wanted to say that I have been very pleasantly surprised with Morneau's commentary in the games he's worked. He shares a lot of insightful points about hitting and strategy. It's unfortunate about his near-monotone delivery but if you can get past that he's good.
A bit of somewhat more ominous news regarding Mauer: The Strib reports that his placement on the DL is due to a cervical strain and concussion-like symptoms.
Looking back I can see how you were misled by how I wrote about batting the pitcher in the middle of the order. I was merely referring to how a good-hitting pitcher could be placed somewhere in the order other than ninth under NL rules. Our later posts were referring to having the pitcher bat for himself in a game played under AL rules. The point I'm making is that it is a disadvantage to start a game with the pitcher batting for himself in a game played under AL rules.
This joke doesn't apply any more but I'll tell it anyway. Those of us who can remember life from about 35 years ago will get it.
Q: How does Wisconsin punish drunk drivers?
A: They make them put yellow license plates with black letters on their cars.
True, but then you're burning more players than the other team is because you have given up the DH. That's a significant disadvantage in the late innings and that's especially true if the game goes extra innings. You'll wind up with pitchers batting while the other team still has their DH.