Brent Mayne

For the love of God, freeze on a line drive!!!!!

First off, I want to say what a treat it has been to watch these post season games. Honestly, we’ve been able to witness 3 or 4 of the funnest games ever, right?

That being said, baseball has a got a really bad baserunning and umpiring rash going on right now. Kind of like a stubborn case of jock itch or athletes foot.

Granted, these guys are the best in the world at what they do. And to be perfectly honest, I love seeing the best in the world make mistakes. It is so imperfect, so baseball, so human, so much like life.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I dislike the idea of replay in baseball for a number of different reasons, but mostly because I love the imperfection of the human element. Replay for me brings with it a degree of sterility. Not to mention the fact my wife will KILL me if I have to sit on the couch for five hours to finish a game.

Look, the simple fact is, we’re sitting at the end of the season with the four best teams of 2009 (the Angels ARE better than the Sox, Philly IS better than the Rocks, etc). Despite the baserunning and umpiring mistakes, the right teams have finished where they should have. The cream has risen to the top without the use of replay. That’s my point, it may be ugly and mistake filled, but baseball, just like life, generally works out in the end.

Can I make a suggestion? Skip the replay idea and opt for a grading system similar to the one used by the NFL where the bottom 5% go back to the minor leagues every year. As it is, there’s no consequences for being bad if you’re an umpire. Basically you have a job till you die. Having a better grading system that would eliminate the fat every year would give opportunity to those coming up and (I think) increase umpiring efficiency.

OK, so back to the subject. A word of advice for both the umpires and the baserunners. First to the umpires. Relax, breathe, TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF YOUR THROATS, AND CONCENTRATE! You are making your job a lot harder than has to be. Geez, you’ve got like 19 umps on the field for these post season games. Clean it up.

To the baserunners….WHAT PART OF FREEZE ON A LINE DRIVE DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND? Breathe, relax, and freeze on a frickin line drive OK? It’s not that hard.

Which brings up another point. Baserunning really is a neglected aspect of the game. Unless you’ve got a great baserunning coach on your team (of which there is about 3 in the world) you’re screwed. Unless you’ve got the benefit of a guy like Davey Lopes or Jeff Cox to chirp in your ear in between innings or during play to be heads up to certain situations, you’ve got to take it upon yourself to self coach.

It’s kind of like catching, in that neither aspect of the game is taught well…even at the highest levels. So the moral of the story is (as it always is) BUY MY BOOK “The Art of Catching”. It is the solution for all baseball troubles. Also, if you are interested in listening and learning from one of the 3 experts on baserunning in the entire world, check out my podcast interview with ex-grande leaguer Rich Amaral.

Till next time, keep your eye on the ball…and do me a favor, freeze on a line drive.

OMG, can the umps miss another big call?

October rules.

How fun is October? You’ve got the baseball playoffs, Bret Farve thrilling us, The Presidents Cup, hoops getting ready to start, the north winds and swell filling in, the beach empty with the kids back in school.

Here are some random thoughts on the playoffs so far. Great Twins games, one with Detroit and one with the Yanks. Bad base running all the way around.

Dodgers dominating (Vincinte Padilla?!!). Matt Holliday’s monumental error.

The similarity between Kevin Youkilis’ top hand and Bobby Abreau’s in their batting stances. By the way, how good a hitter is Abreau anyway?

Some of the best catching in years with Mauer, Ruiz, the Angels guys, etc.

Decent, calm announcing from the TBS crew (no McCarver, Hershieser, etc!).

What’s with the crappy umpiring? I’m not one in favor of the replay in baseball (I prefer the human element complete with all of its mistakes) but c’mon…clean it up.

Fenway park looks so beautiful in the fall…I just want to eat it up. Is Varitek alive? Complete MIA so far in the series…it seems strange to see Boston without him.

Did you notice that great base running move Tori Hunter made in the 6th inning of game 3? After Boston tried unsuccessfully to pick him off second, Hunter briefly feigned injury (like he knocked his breath out on the dive back) then stole third on the next pitch. Cool. But, he quickly followed that sneaky/brilliant move with a brutal decision to not score from third on a ground ball in the hole between 3rd and short. Baseball is a weird game isn’t it?

Snow in Colorado.

That’s all I’ve got…till next time, be well.

Playoffs, Mauer, Ruiz, etc.

Please tell me you saw that game yesterday between the Twins and Detroit. That game was some kind of fun to watch. Back and forth, mistakes, homeruns, great plays, intensity, pressure, it had it all.

I don’t know about you, but I even enjoyed the announcing combo of Chip Carey and Ron Darling. It was my first time listening to Darling and I liked his style. He didn’t shove any mechanical expertise down my throat and the points he made were accurate for the most part. I like Carey anyway, so for me, that duo was a pleasant surprise.

And how about Joe Mauer? All things considered, he might be the best catcher ever. Mauer’s offense speaks for itself.  3 batting titles in 5 years – AS A CATCHER?!  That is  flat out astounding. But let’s talk about his defense. This guy is just about the best I’ve ever seen.

I haven’t seen enough of him to comment on all aspects of his defensive game, but here’s what I do know. His stances are impeccable. They are exactly “Art of Catching” style. (As they should be –  we share the same catching lineage. Larry Corrigan, one of the people who taught me how to catch also taught him.) He’s also is a great example of a big guy who catches with a perpendicular back (to the ground). He’s a great rebuttal for any arguments that a big guy can’t get low enough using “The Art of Catching” style.

His glove mechanics are dead on. Smooth, clean, and extremely simple. His lower body movement toward a pitched ball is perfect. His throwing mechanics are exactly right. He calls a nice game.  He executed a play at the plate well yesterday, and his field awareness is excellent.

Here’s the deal. Gillete should call him and include him in those razor commercials with Roger Federer and Tiger Woods. He’s that good.

And since the Twins won, we get to see him some more. We also get to watch (and as I write this I am watching) the Phillies. You already know that Werth and Ibanez are a couple of my favorites, but for you young catchers, don’t miss their catcher Carlos Ruiz. He too is excellent. Pay special attention to how much energy he brings to the position, how he mixes his stances, and how he blocks. He is one of my favorites and a pleasure to watch. Yorvit Torrealba for Colorado ain’t half bad either.

What other catchers to key in on? Well, pay attention to the Angel’s catchers (Mathis and Napoli) blocking style. It’s excellent.

Watch how Varitek works with the pitching staff.

Watch how Posada gets it done. Sometimes it’ll be ugly, but he does get it done.

I haven’t seen enough of Molina with St Louis to comment yet, but I will in a few days. Happy viewing.

The great Joe Mauer.

Carlos Ruiz, my favorite catcher to watch.

Yorvit Torrealba - solid.

Jason Varitek takes control.

Jorge Posada, not always pretty, but effective.

Yadi Molina, solid and one of many Molina catchers.

Russell Martin, a battler.

Mathis and Napoli, excellent blocking mechanics.

We’ve Got Action

Baseball is really heating up right now. It’s definitely my favorite time of the season both as a fan and as a player. As a player it’s great because one of two things is going to happen and both of them are great.

One, you could be lucky enough to be on a good team and involved in a playoff race….awesome.

Or two, you could be on a mediocre to crappy team and the end is just around the corner. You’ll soon be sleeping in your own bed, choosing your own friends, reacquainting yourself with your kids and wife, and giving your body a much needed rest…also awesome.

Both of these scenarios are great because they give you energy. I don’t know how to accurately describe what it feels like to be in a playoff hunt and to actually play in the playoffs. (I really can’t tell you what it’s like to play in a World Series because I never got there.) I can say though that there’s nothing like the playoff atmosphere. The energy, the intensity, the pressure (and don’t forget those tasty little playoff checks) all combine to make a very heady cocktail that’s extremely addicting. You know how when you see a guy interviewed after a playoff game and he’s got this glazed eyed look and all he can say is how awesome this is? It’s really like that…there just isn’t words.

And on the flip side of the coin, the last day of the season. That’s a little bit easier feeling to describe. The best analogy that I can give you is the last day of school. Can you remember how incredible it felt that final day of school? When the possibilities were endless. When you were looking right smack dab into the face of nothing for three months. No responsibilities for a whole summer. That is exactly what it feels like when the season is over. Especially if you happened to be on a team like this season’s Padres or Royals and you spent the last six months getting clubbed like a baby seal.

We lost 97 games in 97' for Oakland and this is what it felt like.

So that’s why I love this time of year, so many possibilities. Are the Dodgers gonna mix in a win and clinch it or will the Rockies sweep? Can the Tigers hold on or will the Twins catch em? And this story about Teddy Ballgame….it’s just giving me a headache. Sorry, I couldn’t resist…what a rotten, weird story though.

Anyway, enjoy….oh yeah, sorry Chicago, but I’m looking forward and can’t wait to see what Rio can do with the summer Olympics. Can you say Brazilian bikini? Now that’s gonna be awesome.

The Splendid Splinter.