The American electorate spoke loud and clear on Tuesday – they want to move on and will reward those who effectively govern.
by Chris Saxman
*Phone rings*
“What’s up?”, I answered recognizing the caller ID’d number.
“He’s done, right?” came the question.
“Yup, he’s done.”
The caller hung up.
But much to my astonishment (and to the rest of the country watching), Boston Red Sox manager Grady Little, who had gone to the mound in the 8th inning of Game 7 in the 2003 American League Championship Series (ALCS), left obviously “done” pitcher Pedro Martinez in the game. Against the Yankees. IN New York. In Game SEVEN. With THE LEAD.
The PREVIOUS inning, Martinez who had thrown 100 pitches by then was TOLD by Little that, “you’re done.” He was pulling him. BUT minutes later, Little asked Martinez if he could get the next batter in the next inning out because the pitcher/batter match up Little was thinking about was not good after all. Martinez agreed, went back in the game, got that batter — Nick Johnson — out on just two pitches.
So, Little kept Martinez in. Derek Jeter doubled, Bernie Williams singled, and then came Little’s famous — or infamous- – mound visit and that phone call.
Obvious. Patently obvious. Martinez was gassed. Done. Little knew it the last inning!
If you don’t know how that game ended by now, well, the Red Sox lost. The Curse of the Bambino remained.
The next morning I was listening to a national sports radio show and one of the commentators asked another commentator if Grady Little should be fired for his decision.
The answer came, “He should have been fired on his way to the bus!” Continue reading
