MLB Insider

September 11, 2008

Remembering September 11^th, 2001… Off to the Races

As I sit before my computer and type away, the events of this day, September 11^th, 2001 are just as clear in my mind as they were seven years ago.

I can remember everything that I did on that morning – where I was, exactly what I was doing. 

I also remember oh so clearly various workers being called to the phone and seeing the shock on their face, the tears flowing and that heartbreak look as they fled work to head home.

Being some 1800 miles away from New York, I began feverishly calling friends and family from my cell phone only to get the recording: “All circuits are busy, please try your call again later.”  I never stopped, despite getting that recording over and over.

As time passed I was overcome with such emotion that work was secondary – matter of fact everyone felt that way, including my boss who told us if our work schedule was complete for the day, we could head home.

I became a zombie sitting in front of my television watching the various videos of the events that shocked not just New York or the United States, but the world.  It became the day the earth stood still, a title from a Robert Wise movie from some 40-years earlier.

Every major event in every city throughout the United States and Canada were cancelled.  It also included every baseball game that was to be played on this date.  Eventually, all NFL games scheduled for the coming weekend were cancelled and MLB went on hiatus for seven days before returning on September 18^th.

If there was one good thing that Commissioner Bud Selig has done as commissioner of baseball, it was the decision to forgo playing “America’s Pastime.”

When play resumed on September 18^th, the New York Mets were the first professional team to play after the attacks in the city.  Every Mets player wore a different cap honoring the NYPD or the NYFD, or other support organizations that responded on September 11^th.

Few will forget that Mike Piazza hit a home run to lead the Mets over the Braves on that night with fans going crazy in the stands for the first time in over a week.

It couldn’t have been scripted any better… for what it meant for the people in the stadium and in the city to finally have something to cheer about.

Each year MLB and many of the teams will honor the event – and yes, September 11^th is an event that will be forever remembered in American history.

Today in Minnesota, the Twins Wives’ Organization will donate new and used baseball equipment that they have collected to donate to the US troops in Iraq.

In Baltimore, the Orioles are donating 50 percent of their September 11^th game ticket sales to the Welcome Back Veterans foundation and will welcome and honor injured members of the armed forces from Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Boston announced that they would team up with the American Red Cross, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Boston community leaders to announce the Sixth Annual September 11^th Day of Remembrance Blood Drive at Fenway Park.

All major league teams will have custom lineup cards and bases with the 9/11 commemorative logo, some teams will have pre-game ceremonies involving veterans and current members of the armed forces, the local police and fire and rescue officials.

All teams playing will wear stars and stripes caps.

Today in each ballpark fans will hear over the P.A. system: “Seven years ago, our nation was shocked to see the scenes of disaster at the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and in rural Somerset County, Pennsylvania.  However, our resolve as a nation enabled us to band together and unify ourselves in the cause to defend our way of life and to honor the victims of the terribly tragic events.  At this time, we ask that you please join us as we say ‘We Shall Not Forget’ and honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks during a Moment of Remembrance.”

Off to the Races

Baseball is a very funny game.  On some games days every pitcher is in command of their pitches and the hitters look like they’re blindfolded at the plate.  On other nights, the hitters all look like Roy “The Natural” Hobbs.

There are days and nights when one run is the defining number between a win and a loss, while other times a blowout is the defining number between a win and a loss.

No matter which way the game is played, the team with the most runs always comes out on top.

As the third week of September comes into play, one team has already come out on top – the Los Angeles of Anaheim.  The Angels became the first team in the majors to lock up one of eight playoffs spots when they defeated the Yankees 4-2 on Wednesday.  

They won their fourth AL West title in five years hours later after the Rangers lost to Seattle.   The Angels in wrapping up the division clinched it earlier than any other team that had done so… Oakland was the previous holder of that honor when they clinched on September 15^th, 1971.

Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez picked up his 56^th save on the year, one shy of the major league record of 57 set by Bobby Thigpen of the White Sox in 1990.

NL Central

Despite the Cubs showing in their last ten games (2-8), they’ve managed to hold onto their 4.5 NL Central lead primarily because the Brewers have gone 3-7.  In Wednesday’s game against the Cardinals, Ted Lilly picked up his 14^th win bringing the Cubs one-game closer (13) to wrapping up the Central Division.

Chicago’s quest for the division title though isn’t as easy as making mom’s apple pie.  All of their remaining games are against division foes breathing down their backs with the exception of a trip to New York to face the Mets.

Milwaukee’s recent tale-spin has certainly made things very interesting in the NL Central.

One would only wonder where the Brewers would be if not for CC Sabathia… CC pitched seven innings on Wednesday, looking for his 12^th win as a Brewer and 16^th overall but came away with another no-decision as the Brewers rallied for a 4-3 win over the Reds to avoid a 3-game sweep.

The win enabled the Brewers to hold onto a 4-game lead over the Phillies and Houston and a 4.5 game lead over the Cardinals for the Wild Card. 

Milwaukee begins a tough stretch though that takes them on the road for 10 out their final 16 games of the season.

Houston doesn’t have a problem, but could be a problem for some.  The Astros won their fifth straight and 13^th of 14^th to remain four games back in the Wild Card race.  Houston is 12-games over .500 for the first time since the end of 2005 season, when they finished 16 games over .500.  Jose Valverde picked-up his league leading 42^nd save in 48 save opportunities.

NL West

Doesn’t anyone want to win the Wild, Wild West?  Over the last week it sure looks as though Joe Torre’s Dodgers are the team to beat. 

Thanks to Manny Ramirez’s two, 2-run dingers the over the Padres on Wednesday night the Dodgers increased their NL West to a season high 3.5 games over the Arizona Diamondbacks.  It was their third straight win and their 10^th in 11 games, moving their magic number to clinch the division to 14.

Manny though has taken this team and put them on his back.  He’s hit eight homers in his last 13 games and since arriving in LA 38-games ago, has 14 homers with 40 RBI for a season total of 34.

Arizona meanwhile has lost seven of their last nine games and it won’t get any easy for them the rest of the way.  The D-Backs will bring a six game losing streak into their series opener against the Reds on Friday at home.

Arizona’s schedule is somewhat favorable, but considering they swept in back-to-back series (Dodgers and Giants) it’ll be an uphill battle, despite playing 10 of their last seven at home

NL East

It was one year ago at this time that the Mets season went down the drain.  With 17 games left to play and a seven-game lead the Mets choked losing their divisional lead and a playoff berth.

Now, one year later, the Mets find themselves in the same spot, with the exception of having a season high 3.5 lead in the NL East.  But, things are much different now.  Gone is Willie Randolph and in is Jerry Manuel as manager.

The Mets have responded to Manuel since becoming “interim” manager on June 18^th, guiding them to a 46-28 record. The big hitters are hitting (Delgado and Wright), the pitching despite losing closer Billy Wagner and starter John Maine are getting the job done.

Heading into the final 17 games of the season, the Mets will need to toughen it up as their schedule is a tough one with 13 games against divisional opponents.

Florida helped the Metropolitans out Wednesday night with a 7-3 win over the Phillies, who are seeing their playoff hopes slowly fade away.

Although Ryan Howard hit his major league leading 42^nd homer of the season, it wasn’t enough for the Phillies as they were held hitless from the fifth inning on.  Philadelphia may have lost just for the 4^th time in their last 14 games, but they’ve fallen four games behind in the Wild Card to the Brewers and must face them in a four-game series beginning tonight in Philadelphia. 

The series against the Brewers is crucial for the Phillies if they want a trip to the post-season.

AL Central

If the season ended today, the White Sox would be the AL Central winner – but the season doesn’t end today at the White Sox are holding onto the slimmest divisional lead at 1.5 games over the Twins.

Wednesday night the PaleSox got a big lift defeating Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays 6-5 and in doing so, snapped the Jays 10-game winning streak all without Paul Konerko, Carlos Quinton and Joe Crede.

Mark Buehrle won for the fifth time in his last six decisions, and it was the most runs the White Sox have scored in a win without hitting a homer since May 21^st, 2007.

The Twins, who are one game behind Chicago in the division, picked up consecutive wins for the first time in nearly three weeks and with their 80^th win surpassed last year’s victory total. The Twins have won nine of their last 12 home games.

AL East

The biggest series in franchise history was just that for the Tampa Bay Rays.  Entering Boston with a three game losing streak and seeing their lead dwindle down to 1.5 games saw that lead decrease to a half game after a series opening loss on Monday night to the BoSox.  

Tuesday though saw the Rays come from behind and win their first game at Fenway this year in stunning fashion – a 9^th inning home run to tie the game from a very unlikely hero in Dan Johnson, and a go-ahead double by Dioner Navarro off of Jonathan Papelbon. 

The irony of it all was that the Rays had stranded 12 runners in the first eight innings, going 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position before Navarro’s double.

With their divisional back to 1.5 games, the Rays on Wednesday looked to do what no Ray’s team had done since 1999 – win a series in Boston.

It took 14 innings and over five hours to see the Rays’ take the rubber game and the series from the BoSox.  Carlos Pena broke a 1-1 tie with a three-run blast over the Green Monster in the top of the 14^th.

But hold onto your seat because the Sox weren’t finished in their half of the inning.  The Sox loaded the bases with no outs off Rays closer Troy Percival (who left the game with back stiffness), who gave way to Jason Hammel.

Against Hammel, Kevin Youkilis hit a sacrifice fly scoring Jacoby Ellsbury and Hammel then struck out Jason Bay swinging and got Alex Cora to fly out to center picking up his first save.

Winning the division for the Rays’ will come the hard way.  With a magic number of 16, the Rays’ have 10 games remaining against divisional foes in the Yankees, Boston and Baltimore.  The schedule certainly doesn’t favor the Rays’ by any shape or means.

Boston on the other hand could catch a break, but then again Toronto and New York still think they have a chance for the post-season.