tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post3951815051494658208..comments2024-03-28T19:45:50.194-07:00Comments on the joy of sox: Baseball Time Machine: Pick One Game To Seeallanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673233312198832937noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-19658227760042998302011-09-13T09:24:47.041-07:002011-09-13T09:24:47.041-07:00A great question, Allan. Obviously any of the 2004...A great question, Allan. Obviously any of the 2004 ALCS wins would be up on my list, but having actually watched them on TV kind of mitigates that (not a lot, but a little). Some of my other choices have already been mentioned - the Shot Heard Round The World, Larsen, Gibson, etc.<br /><br />I think I'd take a page out of Crazy '08, though, and go either to the pennant-deciding game (not the Merkle game) or to the Joss-Walsh showdown. The pennant-deciding game has so much going for it - the end of one of the greatest races (if not the greatest) ever, the old Polo Grounds and a kick-ass atmosphere, Christy Mathewson trying to save the pennant, a John McGraw-managed team, the greatest Cubs team ever with that famous infield, the specter of Merkle hanging over everything. As for Joss-Walsh, seeing a perfect game in person is about as cool as it gets, IMO, and when the other pitcher strikes out 15 in a complete game loss, in the heat of a tight pennant race, that makes it all the cooler. Plus, y'know, the whole "this happened a century ago" thing.Tonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12613923038816299394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-25696528016323629572011-09-13T05:52:31.194-07:002011-09-13T05:52:31.194-07:00Godwin sighting!Godwin sighting!laura khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05524593142290489958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-5796937755624076482011-09-13T05:48:35.618-07:002011-09-13T05:48:35.618-07:00The Exhibition game at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. S...The Exhibition game at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Sneak away in the 1st, kill Hitler, set up a high interest bank account, file a few dozen semiconductor patents, and hopefully get back in time to see the walk-off HR in the 7th.(Ryan) Michneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02623080141788392318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-52216981280574699712011-09-13T04:57:36.950-07:002011-09-13T04:57:36.950-07:00Lou Samples:
Wiki
B-RefLou Samples:<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Gehrig#Records.2C_awards.2C_and_accomplishments" rel="nofollow">Wiki</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gehrilo01.shtml" rel="nofollow">B-Ref</a>laura khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05524593142290489958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-22258588468086003252011-09-13T04:46:13.222-07:002011-09-13T04:46:13.222-07:00You say he was overshadowed by two of his own acco...<i>You say he was overshadowed by two of his own accomplishments, one which epitomizes who he was on the field and the other off. That--along with the "disease named after him" thing--seems like the ultimate in recognition. I feel like if you ask someone to name some all-time greats, they say "Ruth, Gehrig..." and go from there. </i><br /><br />I'll explain what I mean more fully.<br /><br />I believe that the measure of Gehrig's baseball greatness - that specifically - is very under-recognized. His farewell speech is not a measure of that, obviously. <br /><br />IMO, neither was his consecutive-game streak. That streak was quite unbelievable, and it probably says a lot about Gehrig as a person. But Gehrig's baseball talent was both more, and more important, than that streak. If he had taken a day off now and again, his hitting accomplishments would still make him one of the very best players in baseball history.<br /><br />ALS being bizarrely called Lou Gehrig's Disease for so many decades has nothing whatsoever to do with Gehrig's accomplishments as a baseball player, IMO. That was about his fame, the speech and the movie that was made of his life, which popularized an edited version of the speech. (Personally, I find it quite bizarre and am relieved that these days most people call the disease ALS.)<br /><br />It's true that people mention his name, but I'd be very surprised if most who do so actually know much about Gehrig's many off-the-chart records as a hitter. <br /><br />I guess the short answer would be: I think Gehrig has wide <i>name</i> recognition - partly because of the disease and the speech - but that's different than recognition for baseball accomplishments.laura khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05524593142290489958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-12313812138863156742011-09-13T04:41:01.785-07:002011-09-13T04:41:01.785-07:00Laura, I understand wanting to step back in time i...Laura, I understand wanting to step back in time in many contexts, not just baseball. It would be fascinating to see the world of 80 years ago, 180 years ago, 1800 years ago. But if I had a chance to time travel, I probably wouldn't pick a baseball game as the place to spend my few hours in a different era. Seeing a bunch of players I didn't know or care about in funny uniforms might be amusing for a bit, but then I'd want to go see other things.<br /><br />On the other hand, if I could only time travel TO a baseball game, like Brad, I still think I'd pick the Fisk home run game and scream my bloody head off. (Remember that was my first year as a Sox fan and that living with a Yankee fan, I had to live that moment without another Sox fan to share it with!) I would love to relive that moment with 30,000+ other Red Sox fans.<br /><br />It is interesting to see how we all have different fantasies about all this!Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15720293202890878993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-76635831181640846992011-09-12T22:27:42.740-07:002011-09-12T22:27:42.740-07:00I wouldn't mind seeing Disco Demolition Night-...I wouldn't mind seeing Disco Demolition Night--but it was between games of a DH. Are DHs allowed? Don't answer that.<br /><br />Laura, I don't get what you mean about Gehrig being under-recognized. You say he was overshadowed by two of his own accomplishments, one which epitomizes who he was on the field and the other off. That--along with the "disease named after him" thing--seems like the ultimate in recognition. I feel like if you ask someone to name some all-time greats, they say "Ruth, Gehrig..." and go from there. (And yes, the fact that people always seem to say Gehrig AFTER Ruth shows how he was overshadowed by the Babe--I do agree with that part.) So maybe I'm just missing your point.<br /><br />(Also, for those of us who lived on 94th between 1st and 2nd, we saw recognition of his birth every day, ha.)Jerehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13448619048422750447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-8382955178047224992011-09-12T21:44:17.871-07:002011-09-12T21:44:17.871-07:00This is such a great question… I suspect I will b...This is such a great question… I suspect I will be thinking about this for days. <br /><br />I think all of my choices (including runners up) have been mentioned – ’33 World Series, ’19 World Series (would give almost anything to see Shoeless Joe Jackson), ’18 World Series, so many more… but I choose Game 6. For me it is the greatest game ever played and since that is ultimately the question (if you could pick out ONE game to go back in time and attend…) I think that I would pick that one. But there are a couple of other reasons I would pick that over the others: As a Sox fan, I think Pudge’s homer is the most iconic in club history. It would be incredible to say that I was there (and I would probably work it into the conversation pretty much every day for the rest of my life). Also it was at home and there is something very emotional about getting swept up with the crowd and sharing that moment. Finally, the Sox had some of my all time favorite Red Sox players on that team and the Red’s were loaded with future hall of famers. As long as I am picking a game to go to, I might as well see as many HOF’s as I can.Bradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12919343462085992964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-74263281097820682092011-09-12T19:05:28.829-07:002011-09-12T19:05:28.829-07:001918 World Series (all games)
I thought this woul...<i>1918 World Series (all games)</i><br /><br />I thought this would be your first choice!<br /><br />I also thought of the Thomson/Branca game. I wish I could have seen the Polo Grounds.laura khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05524593142290489958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-67090000505043552602011-09-12T19:04:26.100-07:002011-09-12T19:04:26.100-07:00September 10, 1999 - Pedro's 17 strikeouts at ...<i>September 10, 1999 - Pedro's 17 strikeouts at YS (I was supposed to have been there, grrrrrrrrrr).</i><br /><br />...and waited outside the Stadium for that fucker who never showed up with the tickets. Grrrr.laura khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05524593142290489958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-30021369016455827952011-09-12T19:03:23.763-07:002011-09-12T19:03:23.763-07:00another question - can i use the time machine to g...<i>another question - can i use the time machine to go onto one of the trains the old red sox of the deadball era used to take?</i><br /><br />Oh man, I was going to post something very similar about my Lou Gehrig choice. <br /><br />Part of why I can pick such an uneventful game is because I just want to see a game of that era. I'd like to see baseball before TV, when men wore suits and ties to games. See the players' baggy wool unis, the parks that I only see in black-and-white. I never went to the original Yankee Stadium, and I wish someone had taken me there. (Would have been so easy to do.) So my wish is more than seeing Lou Gehrig as a young man, it's seeing everything else that would mean.<br /><br />Second choice: the game Lou hit 4 HRs and very nearly hit a 5th. But that was in Philadelphia, and wouldn't get me a trip to YSI.laura khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05524593142290489958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-70138711260541146542011-09-12T18:04:19.222-07:002011-09-12T18:04:19.222-07:00that's a classic story, fusionmouse.
i agree ...that's a classic story, fusionmouse.<br /><br />i agree with laura. i would want to go to games that have not seen before (as cool as 2004 ALCS-4, 5, 6, 7, 2004 WS-4 would have been, they just don't have the awesomeness as old time baseball!)<br /><br />in addition to the ones mentioned already, some great choices, i submit the following:<br /><br />-1919 world series - already mentioned, but if i go back in time, can i bet on the reds in 8? ;)<br /><br />-dock ellis' lsd no-no<br /><br />-that 22 scoreless innings game that you guys went to (A&L)<br /><br />-first ever blue jays game - April 7, 1977 - on snow-covered exhibition stadium<br /><br />-april 26, 1901 - boston americans vs. baltimore orioles<br /><br />-any 23-year old cy young pitched game of the <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLV/1890.shtml" rel="nofollow">1890 cleveland spiders</a> - featuring Chief Zimmer catching and Peek-a-Boo Veach at first base!<br /><br />another question - can i use the time machine to go onto one of the trains the old red sox of the deadball era used to take?timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12041184236514293677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-5405040401654385992011-09-12T17:50:34.367-07:002011-09-12T17:50:34.367-07:0010 cent beer night!!!!!10 cent beer night!!!!!timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12041184236514293677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-88789018713707309122011-09-12T17:49:49.812-07:002011-09-12T17:49:49.812-07:00More choices:
May 2, 1917 - Reds-Cubs. Cincinnati...More choices:<br /><br />May 2, 1917 - Reds-Cubs. Cincinnati's Fred Toney and Chicago's Hippo Vaughn each pitched nine no-hit innings. The Reds got two hits and a run off Vaughn in the 10th and won 1-0; Toney pitched a 10-inning no-hitter.<br /><br />May 26, 1959 - Harvey Haddix's 12 perfect innings.<br /><br />September 10, 1999 - Pedro's 17 strikeouts at YS (I was supposed to have been there, grrrrrrrrrr).<br /><br />September 6, 1912 - Joe Wood/Walter Johnson showdown at Fenway Park (in its rookie season). Red Sox win 1-0.<br /><br />October 8, 1956 - Don Larsen, 1956 World Series, Game 5.<br /><br />One of the best exhibition games (mid-1930s?) between MLB white players and Negro Leaguers.<br /><br />April 15, 1947 - Jackie Robinson's debut.<br /><br />Whatever game Ruth hit his longest HR in.<br /><br />April 22, 1876 - First National League game: Boston Red Caps at Philadelphia Athletics.<br /><br />Game during 1890s in which there is a serious brawl, fans throwing bottles, umpires getting beaten up, etc.<br /><br />September 28, 1941 - End of season doubleheader in which TSW goes 6 for 8 to finish at .406.<br /><br />October 3, 1951 - Thomson/Branca at the Polo Grounds.<br /><br />1918 World Series (all games)<br /><br />1919 World Series (all games)<br /><br />2004 ALCS Game 5<br /><br />2004 WS Game 4allanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04673233312198832937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-44697292158586894982011-09-12T17:44:07.187-07:002011-09-12T17:44:07.187-07:00But even for players I know of and admire---like R...<i>But even for players I know of and admire---like Ruth, Gehrig, etc.---there isn't the same emotion or excitement that I feel for teams and players that I actually followed as a fan.</i><br /><br />For me, in a way, there's more. I'll never feel the way about any player in my lifetime the way I do about Lou Gehrig.<br /><br />****<br /><br />Fusionmouse, I love your story! Great that Vin is in there.laura khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05524593142290489958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-11555808426774178042011-09-12T15:55:45.611-07:002011-09-12T15:55:45.611-07:00The bloody sock game.The bloody sock game.Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15854250774475775919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-13990277705088820432011-09-12T15:43:41.034-07:002011-09-12T15:43:41.034-07:00I realized, of course, that you know that! I was ...I realized, of course, that you know that! I was just trying to explain why so many of us would want to have been AT the game, not just watching it on TV. <br /><br />I guess if I knew more about games that occurred before I was a fan, I might feel as you do. But even for players I know of and admire---like Ruth, Gehrig, etc.---there isn't the same emotion or excitement that I feel for teams and players that I actually followed as a fan.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15720293202890878993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-677752630265908822011-09-12T14:23:57.945-07:002011-09-12T14:23:57.945-07:00Oh my goodness, I know there is nothing like being...Oh my goodness, I <i>know</i> there is nothing like being there! I have been very fortunate to have been at some incredible baseball games, especially in the post-season.<br /><br />For me, though, the allure of a baseball past that I can never ever see in any way, TV or otherwise, is very powerful.laura khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05524593142290489958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-63446452544628062642011-09-12T14:22:08.499-07:002011-09-12T14:22:08.499-07:00There is nothing like being there, though, Laura. ...There is nothing like being there, though, Laura. Having been to the Mother's Day Miracle game, I can tell you that being there is whole other level than watching it on TV.<br /><br />Plus I am not as aware of all the baseball history that you and Allan are, so those games don't mean as much to me.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15720293202890878993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-84134187658606113142011-09-12T14:20:12.023-07:002011-09-12T14:20:12.023-07:00I find it interesting that most people (I think) w...I find it interesting that most people (I think) want to see games they've already experienced through TV and their own memories.<br /><br />I want to see something that only a time machine could bring me, I want to see Lou Gehrig play baseball. (Granted I could have picked a better game for that, but I purposely picked something unassuming and quiet like he was. Maybe I could talk to him after the game.)<br /><br />Allan also picked a game he couldn't see any other way.laura khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05524593142290489958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-20281161439161852132011-09-12T14:17:02.810-07:002011-09-12T14:17:02.810-07:00OK, well, it would be of the first three I mention...OK, well, it would be of the first three I mentioned, and probably the Fisk home run in Game Six of the 75 WS. Definitely the most exciting moment of baseball I can remember.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15720293202890878993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-32233707161663183092011-09-12T14:09:37.343-07:002011-09-12T14:09:37.343-07:00Dave Roberts steal.Dave Roberts steal.Yourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204520544856729695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-32080319885595550672011-09-12T14:05:10.832-07:002011-09-12T14:05:10.832-07:00Current and future baseball time-travelers, here i...Current and future baseball time-travelers, here is the game in simplified form. <br /><br /><i>If you could attend any game in baseball history, which game would you choose?</i><br /><br />Don't concern yourself with any other technical questions. Just answer that one.laura khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05524593142290489958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-48759613561768744792011-09-12T13:47:47.216-07:002011-09-12T13:47:47.216-07:00Hmm, more rules for me to decipher. So I pick a g...Hmm, more rules for me to decipher. So I pick a game that I WOULD have picked because of reasons other than I now know that Fisk hits that home run or Dave Roberts steals that base or Tom Seaver strikes out 20, etc?<br /><br />So I would probably pick game 7 of the 2004 ALCS. I would know that we had won three in a row and that we had a better than even chance of going to the WS for the first time since 1986.<br /><br />Or am I not getting the point of this exercise? It was hard enough to start a game thread!Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15720293202890878993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730822.post-18180714326619168012011-09-12T13:40:27.842-07:002011-09-12T13:40:27.842-07:00Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
I was a graduate...Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.<br /><br />I was a graduate student at USC and a fan of the Dodgers. From the lab I could see the lights of Dodger stadium and listened to the game called by Vin Scully on the radio.<br /><br />Mickey Hatcher, a fusionmouse favorite, (who played the game with a Little Leaguer's enthusiasm) hit a two-run homer in the first to stun the heavily favored bash-brother driven A's. Mickey ran full speed around the bases he was so excited!!<br /><br />Canseco later clobbered a grand slam to take the lead 4-2 for the A's (in the process denting the centerfield camera for NBC).<br /><br />The Dodgers clawed a run back to make it 4-3 and faced Dennis Eckersly in the bottom of the ninth. I couldn't work anymore and sat glued to the radio and staring at the lights from Chavez Ravine.<br /><br />Eck walked Mike Davis and in hobbled Kirk Gibson... you've probably heard the rest of this story--but this was the moment that I truly fell in love with the game.fusionmousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13613045010655098881noreply@blogger.com