Althouse: "Over the decades, teams falling apart during a pennant race have always made for darkly compelling viewing."

September 23, 2011

"Over the decades, teams falling apart during a pennant race have always made for darkly compelling viewing."

"If the Red Sox and the Braves continue their descents, this September could produce two historic collapses. No team... has ever squandered what Boston and Atlanta are close to giving up: leads of eight or more games in the race for a spot in baseball’s postseason in the final month of the season."

57 comments:

Fred4Pres said...: Is this some analogy/metaphor for Rick Perry?; 9/23/11, 9:59 AM
Ron said...: ah....shades of the '64 Phillies...; 9/23/11, 10:01 AM
edutcher said...: Damn! Ron beat me.

The September Swoon is still legendary.; 9/23/11, 10:04 AM
exhelodrvr1 said...: The Red Sox, the Braves, and the Obama administration.; 9/23/11, 10:07 AM
Fred4Pres said...: If the Yankees win, Trooper will be insufferable for at least six months.

Seriously these teams need to get their shit together!; 9/23/11, 10:08 AM
Curious George said...: Cubs '69 :-(

After getting passed by the Mets I remember asking my Dad "they'll come back, won't they?".

"No, I don't think so".; 9/23/11, 10:09 AM
Tank said...: Didn't the Mets have a similare collapse just a couple of years ago?; 9/23/11, 10:10 AM
MadisonMan said...: Who would want to play baseball in October anyway?; 9/23/11, 10:11 AM
Shouting Thomas said...: You've got to be kidding me.

The '69 Cubs were 9 games ahead of the Mets on August 16 going, and ended up 8 games behind.

That Cub team lost 17 of its last 25 games and still finished 92-70.

Three Hall of Famers on that team: Billy Williams, Ernie Banks and Fergie Jenkins.

Ron Santo should be in the Hall, too.; 9/23/11, 10:11 AM
SteveR said...: The thing about the Red Sox (particularly) and Braves is they have ridiculoyusly high payrolls and thus elicted no sympathy. Tampa has about one tenth the Sox payroll, yet competes. Collapse away.; 9/23/11, 10:14 AM
gerry said...: I'm relieved to be a Reds' fan. No late-season anxiety.; 9/23/11, 10:15 AM
themightypuck said...: Boston has a bunch of games against Baltimore. I'd bet a lot of money they are in.; 9/23/11, 10:18 AM
Chip S. said...: Despite being a Sox fan, I see a huge silver lining in this cloud. It wasn't very long ago that everyone was moaning about how the fans were being cheated out of great pennant races by the Wild Card format. The solution was going to be...more Wild Card teams!!!

It was like the argument for Son of Stimulus®.

If this puts that talk to rest, it'll be worth it.; 9/23/11, 10:20 AM
Anonymous said...: (adjusts Yankee hat)

Boston sucks!

That is all.; 9/23/11, 10:24 AM
Henry said...: Boston just LOST a bunch of games against Baltimore. Still, there's no reason they can't win most of their last games and squeak in. The Yankees have nothing to play for and Baltimore is terrible, even if they did just lost 3 of 4 against the birds.

Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon is confident:

"Look, I understand the potential danger of [playing this bad this late]. But that's why it's a calculated attack. That's the best way I can explain it. Like Winston Churchill. He attacks at night."

http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/jonathan+papelbon; 9/23/11, 10:25 AM
Curious George said...: "Shouting Thomas said...
You've got to be kidding me.

The '69 Cubs were 9 games ahead of the Mets on August 16 going, and ended up 8 games behind.

That Cub team lost 17 of its last 25 games and still finished 92-70.

Three Hall of Famers on that team: Billy Williams, Ernie Banks and Fergie Jenkins.

Ron Santo should be in the Hall, too."

What's your point?; 9/23/11, 10:26 AM
Henry said...: How bad has Boston been? In the month of September they are 4-0 when scoring 12 runs or more. They are 1-16 otherwise.

They have lost 6 one-run games, including 2 in extra innings.; 9/23/11, 10:30 AM
Anonymous said...: How gratifying it has been for this Yankee fan to have Boston fans root for the Yanks this week.; 9/23/11, 10:43 AM
sorepaw said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 9/23/11, 10:44 AM
Ron said...: Plus, Shouting Thomas, those Cubs had several very good (though non-HOF) players, Beckert, Kessinger, Hundley, Bill Hands, Ken Holtzman....; 9/23/11, 10:46 AM
Shouting Thomas said...: My point is:

If there is a God in the universe... If there is any justice... If good is to triumph over evil...

Ron Santo must be in the Hall of Fame.; 9/23/11, 10:46 AM
Curious George said...: "Ron said...
Plus, Shouting Thomas, those Cubs had several very good (though non-HOF) players, Beckert, Kessinger, Hundley, Bill Hands, Ken Holtzman...."

...Don Young.; 9/23/11, 10:54 AM
ndspinelli said...: Firstly Fred, The Yanks don't have to win for Trooper to be insufferable. The Giants and Knicks are losers but it doesn't slow down the Brooklyn Bullshitter!

Ron, The one fortunate thing for the Red Sox and Braves is they don't have Gene"Panic Button" Mauch @ the helm.

Red Sox and Cub fans are whiners who love to wallow in misery. The irony w/ the Sox is they have won twice recently. But, they're in the "Whoa is me" mode just like before their 2 Championships. We gravitate toward the familiar..even if it's misery. Just ask any shrink.; 9/23/11, 10:56 AM
policraticus said...: Let us all remember the Phold.; 9/23/11, 11:00 AM
Chip S. said...: they're in the "Whoa is me" mode just like before their 2 Championships.

Woe, there, nd!

I don't think this is right. My sense of the predominant feeling among Sox fans is that if the team can't get its shit together then we don't want to watch them in the playoffs.

Now, the fact that the media love that tired meme and are jumping at the chance to revive it is indisputable. But since when do you believe what you read in the NYT?; 9/23/11, 11:01 AM
ndspinelli said...: ChipS, I get this info about the Sox from family and friends in Ct. and Ma. I'm hearing the same ole blues from them I heard going back decades. The best predicter of future behavior is past behavior. I made my living understanding that fundamental truth.; 9/23/11, 11:11 AM
Chip S. said...: nd--I'd bet their attitude, esp. in CT, has a lot to with having to put up with trash talk from NYY fans.

Anyway, I and most of the fans whose opinions I know are more annoyed with the crappy free agent signings that led to this than they are woebegone. It's nothing like being at the brink of ultimate victory and then losing, which was what all the old-timey Sox-fan b.s. was about.; 9/23/11, 11:20 AM
traditionalguy said...: Baseball is hard to do without a confident mind.

The Braves lost their best player psychologist when Bobby Cox retired.

The pressure on the younger players has gotten to them their first time in the major league spotlight.; 9/23/11, 11:25 AM
Carol_Herman said...: Michael Lewis' MONEYBALL is a home run, according to Ebert. He gave it 4-stars! He said you don't even have to like baseball to LOVE this movie.

Now, as far as the pennant races go ... that's what America celebrates: CONTEST

Because somebody's got to fall off ... for the "other" to move up a notch ... the contests that are close ... that literally involve wiping out dreams ... is a better show than one team being in the lead by far. And, having no competition at all.

Think of it this way:

Obama NEEDS a tight race ... where others look like their racing ahead ... but in the end ... especially if its close ... Americans will stay engaged.

Yup. Both sides will ROOT.

It sells tickets.; 9/23/11, 11:28 AM
Fred4Pres said...: Firstly Fred, The Yanks don't have to win for Trooper to be insufferable. The Giants and Knicks are losers but it doesn't slow down the Brooklyn Bullshitter!

Can we have a collection ot get tickets for Carol Herman and Trooper York to go see Moneyball together and do a blog review? (My guess is Carol likes to talk though movies especially about "Rickey Brant").; 9/23/11, 11:36 AM
Wince said...: Trust me, the irony is not lost on Sox fans.

Spooky World brings Halloween frights to Fenway

Scarier things will happen at Fenway Park this October than the possibility of losing to the Yankees.

Spooky World, the haunted Halloween attraction, will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the historic ballpark with The Fear at Fenway.

“We continuously look for ways to use Fenway Park as a year-round venue, and this was a unique opportunity to bring together two popular New England traditions,” said Red Sox spokesman Zineb Marchoudi. “Our staff is always thinking creatively and saw an opportunity that we brought to Spooky World.”; 9/23/11, 11:39 AM
Alan Smithee said...: The '08 Mets blew a 7 game lead with 17 to play. In '64, the Phillies blew a 6 1/2 game lead with 12 to play.; 9/23/11, 11:53 AM
Widmerpool said...: The complete collapse of the pitching staff has been almost breathtaking to watch (and depressing). If Lester doesn't win tonight, the Yanks will sweep them.; 9/23/11, 12:10 PM
Anonymous said...: Ebert sucks!

That is all.; 9/23/11, 12:12 PM
sorepaw said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 9/23/11, 12:16 PM
Anonymous said...: I think the Red Sox bookending a brilliant few months in the middle of the seasons by horrible first and last months would be really funny.

I remember how distraught Red Sox fans were in April as their beautiful season was slipping away faster than than people could get mugged in the parking lot, then the great run up the rankings to put a scare in the Yankees, only to fade out again when it really matters.

Classic! But then, I'm an Indians fan, I'd prefer they beat the Yankees.; 9/23/11, 12:30 PM
Trooper York said...: Hey insufferable is my default position.

That is if you ask me to suffer fools gladly.

And anyone who roots for the Red Sox or the Braves is by definiton a fool.; 9/23/11, 12:39 PM
Trooper York said...: Oh and one more thing.; 9/23/11, 12:40 PM
Trooper York said...: BOSTON SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!; 9/23/11, 12:41 PM
Known Unknown said...: Ron Santo must be in the Hall of Fame.

Certainly more deserving that Jim Ed Rice.

Santo had 68.5 WAR (wins above replacement) for his career. RIce had 40.5, and Santo played one less season.

Career OPS+ is close — Santo at 125, Rice at 128.; 9/23/11, 12:42 PM
Known Unknown said...: Classic! But then, I'm an Indians fan, I'd prefer they beat the Yankees.

Indians fan here too, watched them take out the White Sox 11-2 last night at the Jake. (Not calling it Progressive Field)

They looked good. Hopefully, they'll be even better in 2012.; 9/23/11, 12:43 PM
Curious George said...: E.M. Davis said...
Classic! But then, I'm an Indians fan, I'd prefer they beat the Yankees.

They looked good. Hopefully, they'll be even better in 2012.

Makes you yearn for the good old days of Jake Taylor, Ricky "Wild THing" Vaughn, and Willie Mays Hayes.; 9/23/11, 1:30 PM
JohnBoy said...: The Rays have a home series against the Jays this weekend, while the Sawx have to play the Yanks. They could be tied on Monday.

That would be delicious; 9/23/11, 1:59 PM
Steve M. Galbraith said...: As Yogi would say: "One word - starting pitching."

Both teams have been devastated by injuries to their rotations.; 9/23/11, 2:00 PM
Tom from Virginia said...: Dear Red Sox,

I've enjoyed our time together, but lately you've become a real downer. Too much drama and depression. Too much negative energy. I need to break it off now, before I get sucked into the same old sturm und drang. Really now, hadn't we worked all that out years ago? I'm going to hang with Mr. Brady and his gang. You'll have to face your latest existential crisis without me.

I'll touch base when you get back on your meds and return to the 21st Century.

Your friend, Tom.; 9/23/11, 2:13 PM
Tom from Virginia said...: By the way, Professor, if we're gonna talk baseball, how about this:‎ 50 years ago this day - Roger Maris hit his 61st home run. Only man to hit more than 60 without 'roids. At a time when baseball was THE national pastime, not the second tier sport it has become.; 9/23/11, 2:16 PM
Known Unknown said...: E.M. Davis said...
Classic! But then, I'm an Indians fan, I'd prefer they beat the Yankees.

They looked good. Hopefully, they'll be even better in 2012.

Makes you yearn for the good old days of Jake Taylor, Ricky "Wild THing" Vaughn, and Willie Mays Hayes.

Or the good old days of 2007, when they beat the Yankees and were one win from the World Series.; 9/23/11, 2:20 PM
Known Unknown said...: Dear Red Sox,

I've enjoyed our time together, but lately you've become a real downer. Too much drama and depression. Too much negative energy. I need to break it off now, before I get sucked into the same old sturm und drang. Really now, hadn't we worked all that out years ago? I'm going to hang with Mr. Brady and his gang. You'll have to face your latest existential crisis without me.

I'll touch base when you get back on your meds and return to the 21st Century.

Your friend, Tom.

You're a shitty fan, Tom.

Imagine being a Pirates fan.; 9/23/11, 2:21 PM
Known Unknown said...: By the way, Professor, if we're gonna talk baseball, how about this:‎ 50 years ago this day - Roger Maris hit his 61st home run. Only man to hit more than 60 without 'roids. At a time when baseball was THE national pastime, not the second tier sport it has become.

The only problem with this is also determining how many pitchers were on PEDs while pitching to the likes of Sosa, McGwire and Bonds.; 9/23/11, 2:22 PM
Fred4Pres said...: I am not a Sox or Indians fan, I just hate the Yankees. It is really that simple.; 9/23/11, 2:22 PM
Fred4Pres said...: Fargo had a big sign for Roger Marris when I drove through it last month.

Pretty much that is about all Fargo has going for it. Sorry Likes, I tried to get into it. I even saw a few decent old buildings and neon signs, but it looked overall pretty bleak.; 9/23/11, 2:28 PM
Fred4Pres said...: Maris. Sorry Roger. You deserve to have your name spelt right.; 9/23/11, 2:29 PM
Wikitorix said...: The '51 Dodgers had a 13.5 game lead on August 11 and ended up losing to the Giants (on the legendary Shot Heard 'Round the World.; 9/23/11, 3:16 PM
ndspinelli said...: ChipS, You're absolutely correct about Ct. being a combat zone between Sox/Yankee fans. My mom's family were big Sox fans, my dad's were even bigger Yankee fans. I got to listen to some great radio announcers[Gowdy, Allen, Rizzuto]. However, here's a quirky little known fact. The first year the Mets played they were trying to establish a base in Ct. No commercial tv station would pick up their telecast so they put their games on what was called back then "educational" tv. I would watch some games. What was interesting was since there were no commercial breaks you could hear Bob Murphy and Ralph Kiner just casually chatting between innings.; 9/23/11, 3:23 PM
ndspinelli said...: Fred, Were you driving a "tan Cierra" in Fargo?; 9/23/11, 3:24 PM
Fred4Pres said...: ndspinelli said...
Fred, Were you driving a "tan Cierra" in Fargo?

9/23/11 3:24 PM

Did you mean Sierra?

And the answer is no. I don't do tan vehicles (or Government Motors).

I do not want to dis North Dakota. It is a great state. I like the rolling plains and the bad lands. I would like to go back and shoot some pheasants.; 9/23/11, 3:33 PM
Fred4Pres said...: Oh wait, is this another Herman? My bad if that is what you were referring to!; 9/23/11, 3:34 PM