Perhaps the better question is, why do they give you the extra bases and runs on a walk-off homer? In every other situation, the game ends when the winning run scores.
The home run, however, has long since become such an iconic big deal that they make an exception for the walk-off ball hit into the seats on the fly (since 1920). The double has never been a big enough deal to get the same treatment.
In this situation, no, because with the winning run on third the hit is a single regardless. If the winning run had been on second, then Navarro would actually have to run out the hit to get credited with a double, so his teammates would have cost him a base.
That has no relevance to the scoring. The hit is a single because the winning run was on third, and it didn’t clear the park on the fly.
I cannot imagine a general manager anywhere else keeping his job for eight years despite not making the playoffs.
They weren’t very good, but I think the '07 Diamondbacks qualify as worse because not long before the season ended they lost Orlando Hudson. So they were actually a bad team that had just lost their best position player. (I’d pick Hudson over Eric Byrnes, because while Byrnes had flashier numbers, Hudson had a better OBP and is much more valuable as a defensive player.) At least the 2005 Padres went into the playoffs with the best of a mediocre bunch. And I love the O-Dawg, but I think it says a lot about the 2007 D’Backs that their best player could even be argued to be Orlando Hudson, who is a fine player but will never be mistaken for Eddie Collins.
At one time walk-off homers (which weren’t called that back then) were indeed scored as singles (or as whatever type of hit necessary to get the winning run in). Babe Ruth lost some dingers that way (as well as because of a more stringent fair/foul rule for home runs down the line).
Hold the phone there. I wouldn’t say they’re a lock. There are still – not sure – 8 or 9 games left?
Not that it bodes well, but in the past month the Sox have done well against everyone (except the Rays) and the Rays have done shitty against everyone (except the Sox). So if the trends will work in Boston’s favor, it’s hardly a lock.
Either way … I’m getting a little sick of getting beating by an expansion team – yeah, I said it … Expansion Team! So there.
BoSox remaining schedule
3 games at Toronto, 4 games vs Indians, 3 games vs Yankees (last 7 at Fenway)
Rays remaining schedule
4 games vs Twins (Trop), 4 at Baltimore, 4 at Detroit
So the Rays play 2 more games and are ahead by 3 in the loss column. Magic number is 10. So essentially the Rays have to match the Red Sox in wins during this stretch, because of the 2 game cushion (2 up and 2 extra games to play). Red Sox probably need to win at least 8 of their last 10 unless the Rays really tank. Given their current home and road records it’s fair to expect them to win 3 at home and split their road series, although they could go 3-5 on the road easily enough.
Oh, and the Sox are looking at Burnett (18-10), Halladay(18-11) and Lee (22-2) in the next five games. So definitely not a luck, but not exactly easy street for the Sox, either.
The Tigers pitched Freddy Garcia yesterday. They got him 16 runs ,so he was relaxed. He was throwing max about 90 mph. I am not familiar with him. he pitched in the Nat. League before. He was like a younger Kenny Rogers. He did very well. Is that his game or has he lost velocity? He gave up 1 earned run yesterday. His pitch count was very low. Strikeout pitchers have to throw a lot of pitches. He got through innings with 8 to 20 pitches.
Longoria did get another AB, since the Rays bullpen sort of melted down, but sadly did not get his fourth. Bummer of a game, nice 9th inning comeback by those rascally Twins.
Holy crap the Cubs pulled off a miracle today. Down 6-2 with two outs in the ninth, they manage to wrestle four runs back from the Brewers and end up winning 7-6 in extra innings. I actually kind of feel bad for Milwaukee fans. They were a lock for at least the wild card a couple of weeks ago, and now they’re 1.5 behind the Mets for the last playoff spot, and it just ain’t looking good for them.
For anyone who likes a good baseball brawl, there was a doozy in Cleveland tonight. Between Gary Sheffield and Fausto Carmona (15-year age difference!)
The bad news is that suspended Cleveland Indians makes it more likely that the Red Sox can sweep the tribe. The good news is that suspended Detroit Tigers might help the Rays in their final series. I’m guessing that the teams won’t appeal suspension this late in the season since both these clubs are out of it?
Only 2 more games left for Yankee Stadium and the Yankees are eliminated with any combination of two losses or two Red Sox wins. At least they caught the Twins and past the Jays.
What are the odds of the Sox losing every game left and the Yanks winning all but one?
Lets see the Yanks need to go 4 of 5 and the sweep the Red Sox in Boston as Boston loses 6 of 6 to Toronto & Cleveland and then get swept by the Yanks.
