The Ball Beat You

A couple of interesting debates over Derek Jeter's attempted steal of third in yesterday's seven to six Blue Jays win over the Yankees. The first isn't really a debate, but more of an observation. Jeter took off for third with Nick Swisher up, no one out, in the bottom of the first inning. It's a cliche, but for a reason, "You should never run yourself OUT of an inning." And that is exactly what Mr. Jeter did. He has a lot of good will to play with in New York City (four championships in five years and all). Listening to Boomer and Carton this morning (not proud about that), they made a good point that if any other player had attempted this steal, they would be lambasted in all the local media. Mr. Jeter is not. Nick Swisher followed the caught stealing with a single.

Bad play... if you are caught... now was he?

The replay shows Jeter was safe. He made an extremely athletic and nimble play, pulling back his left hand and getting his right hand on the bag. (Pretty good shot of it here.) Now, what makes an interesting debate here is what Jeter says the third base umpire, Jerry Foster, told him as to why he was called out. When Jeter slid in, he shouted "He didn't tag me." Jeter said in a post game interview that Foster replied, "He didn't have to tag you. The ball beat you."

Now, how much of this is Jeter's recollection of the events and what actually transpired can be debated, but if anything like that passed Mr. Foster's lips, you have to worry a little bit. There are plenty of rules that are stretched in baseball (or widdled down, as in the strike zone). The phantom tag and the "around the bag for a double play" play are two that happen in almost every Major League game, and I am absolutely fine with that. But to have an umpire actually acknowledge that being the case is absurd. Maybe that sounds counter intuitive, but if all umpires are going to call a steal attempt like a force out, why not change the rule to it being a force out?

Foster was not available for comment. Crew chief John Hirschbeck talked about the call after game. He stated that he was disappointed in the explanation his crew mate made and that while "It used to be if the ball beat you to the bag, your out. But it's not like that any more with all the cameras and replays." So much like Jeter, umps should make the call, and even if it isn't the right one, just make sure you don't get caught.

And the final thing that about this whole thing that interests me the most is Joe Girardi's reaction. Girardi made a point of calling out DJ. Jeter agreed that you have to make it to third if you go there, he just reiterated that he was safe. Interesting to watch how the dynamic between these two unfolds. This has been some chatter that Girardi doesn't get along with the vets that much.

I manage to not have a single Philadelphia Phillie on ANY of my four fantasy teams. Amazing. Even more so when they go off for 22 runs. I am surprised they went for two on their last touchdown pass.

Nomar Garciaparra returned to Fenway and helped the A's beat the Red Sox six to nothing. Great pitching effort from Oakland youngster Brett Anderson. He twirled a complete game shutout, giving up just two hits and two walks while striking out nine.

Jason Marquis pitched another masterful game at Coors Field. He worked eight innings of shutout baseball, striking out three, in the one to nothing Rockies win. Huston Street picked up the save. Marquis is now eleven and five on the year, matching his win total from all of last season.

We are still waiting to see who the American League will put up against the thumpers from the National League in the Home Run Derby. Are they having trouble getting AL players to commit? Is this like the Washington Generals going up against the Globetrotters?