Brownie19

You can't say this with any certainty. If Vlad is on 1st to start that inning, they pitch to Bo, Barger, Kirk, etc. differently. The butterfly effect is a real thing.

I don't disagree, but it's hard to fake a 0.99 WHIP over 144 IP (1.01 WHIP over 318 IP for his career)

I know it doesn't always work like this, but... The 2014 Royals: - First World Series appearance since winning the title 30 years prior - Lost in heartbreaking fashion in Game 7 at home - Generational pitching performance by opponent SP, came in to deliver last out, got WS MVP. The 2015 Royals: - World Series Champions

I suspect all infielders would have looked to throw to 3rd, knowing the other 2 runners wouldn't be getting big leads (they mean nothing). They'd be looking for a false step, or a slip.

He is where the 3rd base coach is man. He's probably further to be honest. I don't know, but he may have been told to avoid a secondary lead as that added momentum increases the likelihood of a false step home on a line drive. Who knows.

Term - you were the leader of team positive and your optimism was remarkably consistent and needed throughout this incredible season. You deserved this one as much as any fan I know. I fell off the positivity train a few (several?) times throughout the season after embarrassingly asking to be woken up in 2029 when this team is good again (preseason). This team was by far the most fun sports team I've ever followed - even if they came up short. Thanks for everything you do around here. I appreciate it.

This - 100%. They weren't going to be beat on a shallow liner. They wanted to make Ernie beat them deep, which he almost did.

You spelt improbable wrong. That's why baseball is such an incredible game - because sometimes the improbable happens.

I don't think anyone knows enough about the direction given to form any firm opinion. IKF said he was told to shorten up his lead a bit to avoid getting doubled off. We don't know if that meant reduce it by 4 steps or half a step. We don't know if he was told not to take a secondary lead or not. Taking a secondary lead certainly increases the possibility of getting doubled off as you're momentum is taking you home and your natural reaction on any ball hit will be to GO (see Barger, Addison in case you forget what this looks like). Perhaps everything he was told was 100% correct, but he froze up in the moment. WHO KNOWS. You don't and I don't. People are pulling up hit charts and all this crap like the only possibility was a liner to 3rd for a DP. But you have to consider the likelihood that he takes a false step or 2 on a line drive and the further off the bag you are, the higher the possibility that you get doubled off on a liner to SS, or back to the pitcher. There are all kinds of possibilities. The chances of him taking an extra half step primary or secondary lead and it being the difference between winning and losing the World Series is EXTREMELY low. If you need to blame 1 moment, or blame a couple of inches on a leadoff to make yourself feel better - then do that. But it's silly and unnecessary.

I appreciate that. Stupid was the wrong word. I ought to have said it's impossible and/or unnecessary. You could point to upwards of 50 different events in that game that might have changed the outcome. Pitch choice, pitch execution, umpires call, swing decisions, defensive positioning, etc. There are so many different events that happened in an 11 inning game that could have allowed us to score, or prevent 1 more run.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQj5n9RkZWR/?igsh=MTE3eWozbzhlaDhrdg==

You understand there's no rule that says you have to blame someone. The game of baseball is deep in my soul. I played it, I coach it, I follow it. Baseball is the greatest game on earth, but it will also rip your heart out. Everyone in that organization played their heart out, but sometimes the best team doesn't win. It doesn't feel fair, but it happens. Trying to pinpoint this on the shoulders of a few is meaningless. What about our inability to add the tact on run in the 8th? I think baseball is the only sport that criticizes moves and players to this point. The only comparable I can think of is the play call in the Seahawks/Patriots super bowl.

At least you're consistent gruber. Miserable old c*nt.

That's the best season of baseball I've ever watched in my life. I love this team. They gave us so much. What an improbable season from start to finish. I know this hurts really bad, but please stop trying to blame people for this. Expecting perfection from humans is stupid. Baseball is a funny game sometimes. What incredible memories. I won't soon forget 2025.

This is insane.

RIGHT HERE. Tack it on. Gotta find a way. Move the ball forward!

Let's go boys. 1 more. We got this. This team will fight to the bitter end for us - let's do the same for them. No second guessing moves, no negativity, no bickering. 100% support all night long. How can you not be romantic about baseball? This is the game we all dreamed about playing in as kids. LFG!

Just go man. You'll never regret it.

I'm cool with that lineup.

I think Hoff for 2 IP is in play. He's had 2 days off.

Guys - no need to air out the dirty laundry. Delete that crap. We're all dealing with heartbreak right now. Some better than others. We're going to need everyone tomorrow - all rowing in the same direction, together - to pull this off. We got this.

Go to bed Grant - for your mental health. Just put the phone down.

I agree with this. Barger is seeing it better than Varsho right now. Unfortunately, Varsho missed several opportunities tonight.

What a punch in the gut. This team needs to show it's resiliency one last time. We got this.