A fond fairwell to Todd Jones

In the midst of Yankee Stadium closing, the Rays clinching, the Tigers being swept into last place, and the Mets and Brewers backing into the wild card - Todd Jones announced his retirement. He will retire with 319 career saves. Todd won't get to walk the mound at Comerica one last time, he won't hear the crowd chanting his name, or get to hear the loud speaker play the Counting Crows' 'Mr Jones'. He deserves better. His nickname the last few years in Detroit has been "roller coaster" because he would always have men on base and have to wriggle out of trouble. Yet, he always seemed to get the job done. I think the term "a pro's pro" was coined for a guy like Todd. He never had good stuff - Zumaya, Rodney, Farnsworth, and Leyland all throw harder. Yet, he wanted the ball in the 9th with the game on the line. I think when people look back at the 2006 Tigers team that turned around the franchise, he will be the forgotten man. But he was vital - just ask this year's Mets and Cardinals what they would give to have a reliable closer. Five year's from now Cooperstown won't come calling. I don't even know if Detroit will retire his number. He will retire with 319 career saves, and the most all-time in Tigers history, but he was never flashy, never dominant, but always good. I have decided to start a wall-of-fame here on the blog, and Todd Jones is going to be the first inductee. This wall-of-fame will exist to honor those players that had great careers, not very flashy, and plenty of fantastic facial hair. I think my favorite story of Todd Jones (his impersonation of Maggs during a rain delay would come a close second) is when Jim Leyland was asked about his closer - he referred to Todd as his "pack closer", because every time he took the mound Leyland was going to have to smoke a pack of cigarettes just to get through the outing.

Here's to your Mr. Jones

Best games of the last week

Here we are in the last week of the regular season and only the Cubs, Angels, and Rays are guaranteed a spot playing in October. That means there are many series this week worth keeping an eye on.

1. Cubs vs Mets. The Cubs
- The Cubs have nothing to play for. The Mets are in the midst of a second straight September collapse. The Cubs took the opener on Monday. I am not sure if the Cubs should even want to win these games. If they sweep the Mets that will greatly help the Brewers in the NL wild card - giving the Cubs the Dodgers in the first round. If the Mets win - the Cubs could turn around and play the Mets again in October.

2. White Sox vs Twins
- After being usurped for what seemed like half a month by the Republican National Convention - the Twins return home for the biggest series of the year. The Twins are down two in the standings and must take 2, but a sweep is really what they should have their eyes on. If the twins sweep - they would again control their own destiny. For the White Sox, winning all three would be great, but just a series win would probably wrap up the AL central.

3. Pirates at Brewers
- Best cure for a September collapse? Have the Pirates visit. The Brewers enter this series only one game down to the Mets. The must sweep the Bucs who have nothing to play for and have traded away almost every dangerous bat in their lineup. I love that the Brewers went for it by trading for Sabathia, and making the playoffs would make it all worth it. However, if they should end up the odd team out, this could set back the franchise years.

4. Tigers at Royals
- Ok there are absolutely no playoff implications with this series. However, with Detroits recent free-fall, and after dropping the opener in KC - the Tigers hold only a one game lead over the last place Royals. It would mean a lot for KC not to finish in the basement, and for Detroit - this season has been a complete embarassment, hopefully the guys can save a little face and not finish dead last.

Enjoy the last week of the season!

I was in the show once.......

The playoff races are heating up, its early September, and the Giants have been buried since March. So I am no totally surprised that Scott McClain's story has been a bit buried. Scott McClain is a September call-up for the Giants and he hit his first major league home run on September 3rd. This was not your average September call-up home run. Scott McClain's first major league home run came on the heels of 287 career minor league home runs. His major league debut came 10 years ago - with the Rays, when they were possessed by the Devil. He is 37 years old and hitting his first home run with the Giants - is rather fitting. Despite his age - McClain is still considered young talent by the Bay. He was drafted in 1990 - almost 2 decades before hitting his first major league home run.

"I was in the show once. I was in the show for 21 days, the greatest 21 days of my life."

Daily Musings for September the 2nd

- The Cy Young race is starting to resemble the 08' general election. The media has a lot to do with the public perception and opinion. Today in my readings online and listening to podcasts I heard 4 separate people pitching (again pun totally intended) Tim Lincecum for NL Cy Young, as their dark horse candidates. I have no problem with people supporting Lincecum for Cy Young - he does lead the NL in ERA and strikeouts - two pretty solid categories for a pitcher to lead his league. I just find it funny that all of the sudden Tim Lincecum is everyone's NL Cy Young darling.

- Today Dontrelle Willis and Feddy Garcia threw a simulated game against each other at Comerica. According to the story on detroittigers.com both threw well and looked good. This is encouraging - at their best both guys would be a great addition to the rotation in 09'. However, this reminded me that the 08' Tigers look great on paper, but once they step on the field - suddenly the 08' Tigers are the 62' Mets.

-The Braves are currently leading the Marlins 14-13 in the bottom of the 6th inning. I would be willing to bet if the Falcons and Dolphins played tonight - they would not score 27 combined points. Not to worry the Marlins have 2 on and no one out in the 6th. This has really become a game about field position. Before I could finish writing the sentence the bases are now loaded. Maybe I should head down to Miami - someone is going to need a 26 year old left handed situational reliever tonight.

Enjoy the last month!

You have ruined his moment!!!!

I like to talk a lot about moments. The walk-off home run. The amazing game saving play. Watching the Tigers slowly fade into mediocrity. Yesterday - I saw a great moment ruined. CC Sabathia continued his dominance of the NL yesterday. He threw another complete game shutout against the Pirates (ok that's not the impressive part) and he only allowed one "hit". This is a great start and any pitcher would be happy with a one-hitter. However, the hit was bogus. I first learned of this news by reading CC's line on the bottom line of ESPN. His line was followed by the statement that the Brewers are filing a protest to the league to have that hit reversed to an error. This seemed a bit strange, so I stayed up to see the late Sportscenter to see what the fuss was about. If you haven't seen the "highlight" yet, here it is.

Even if the Brewers are successful in having this call overturned - the moment is gone. A no-hitter is great and something I am sure CC would take with him forever. However, its the build-up that makes the no-hitter great. In my early days of blogging I wrote about the build-up here.

This is what CC will never get back from yesterday.

1. Being isolated in the dugout starting around the 7th. No one wants to be that guy who ruins the no-no (to John Smoltz and Mike Mussina - I am truly sorry)

2. The walk out to the mound in the 9th.

3. The standing ovation from the opposing team. Such a cool event when the other team gives you props because its good baseball.

4. His defining moment of the second half of the 08' season. I have been hearing more and more arguements that CC should be the NL MVP, but not the Cy Young. Voters love defining moments to look at - and his was taken away by a scorekeeper.

5. The amazing akward hug between CC and Kendall. CC is listed at a conservative 6'7" and 290 lbs. Jason Kendall is 6'0" and 200 lbs. I just love the thought of CC jumping into Kendall's arms and crushing him to the ground. This may be as close as we can get today to David Spade and Chris Farley.

Even if baseball reverses that call - the moment is gone. Hopefully he will have another chance at a no-hitter through his career, but you never know.