The MLB Playoffs have been packed with action so far and it’s only beginning. We have seen a no-hitter in a postseason debut, an error so costly that it was enough to make you sick, and a home run making a splash to punctuate a huge comeback. Three of the series sit at 2-0 and that magical home run leaves more for the imagination with a 1-1 tie. Let’s take a quick trip around the highlights of the playoffs to this point.
Halladay nearly perfect
When the Phillies landed Roy Halladay during the offseason, the predictions began. Would he win 25 games and totally dominate the weaker league? Most said yes and they were right. After making those predictions, focus turned immediately to seeing Mr. Halladay pitch in the postseason. He would likely finally get the chance to pitch on baseball’s biggest stage after 11 lost seasons in Toronto. The Blue Jays just couldn’t compete with the Yankees and Red Sox during their glory years in that decade despite putting together some pretty good clubs. Still, Halladay never felt the cool October breeze with white towels waving wildly in the stadium. And for the best pitcher in baseball that was disappointing. With the trade to Philadelphia, a proven winner that played in two straight World Series, people started to dream about the possibilities.
But no one dreamed up what Halladay actually did in his first postseason start. Halladay was nearly perfect — only one walk ruined perfection — in tossing the second no-hitter in postseason history. He joined Don Larsen in the history books and on the back cover of the Philadelphia Daily News which was pretty much perfect from my point of view. It doesn’t get much better than a tribute to the past while celebrating the present — especially when it comes in October.
And it doesn’t get much better than a no-hitter in Philadelphia, which has become one of the best baseball towns over the last five years. Although, the reports that some fans actually left the game early to beat traffic is mind-boggling and flat out embarrassing. First, it’s the playoffs. Second, it’s the playoffs! Third, Roy Halladay is throwing a no-hitter, something that doesn’t happen ever in the playoffs and rarely at all. If you left early, you are not a baseball fan and you did not deserve to have those tickets to begin with.
Back to the game. Halladay was locked in all night and didn’t even need any spectacular plays until maybe the last of the game when Carlos Ruiz made a great play on a tapper in front of the plate. He may have been better than his perfect game in Florida earlier in the season and this one came against a playoff team that includes some big bats like Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce, and Scott Rolen. Except for one unfortunate walk, Halladay was perfect. He gave people something beyond their wildest dreams.
And Don Larsen was undoubtedly smiling somewhere.
Bruce’s miscue breaks Reds’ spirit
Coming off the no-hitter, the Reds actually showed signs of life with home runs from Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce and a decent showing from veteran pitcher Bronson Arroyo. Aroldis Chapman was firing 100 mph bullets and Cincinnati looked ready to even the series. Then all the excitement was gone in an instant when Bruce missed a routine fly to right field off the bat of Jimmy Rollins, allowing the Phillies to take a 5-4 lead. It was a surreal moment and one that made me immediately think of Matt Holliday’s brutal error in Game 2 of the NLDS last year. It was the exact same situation. The Cardinals were primed to even the series and then anything could have happened, but Holliday’s error lost the game. This time it was their NL Central rival Reds ready to make things interesting only to watch in disbelief as Philadelphia celebrated a 2-0 lead. St. Louis folded in Game 3 and it was a disappointing end to the season. The Reds seem destined for the same outcome. On the bright side, the error didn’t define Holliday this season and he bounced back to have an All-Star campaign. Little was ever said about the error. Right now, Bruce is being criticized unfairly by fans. Yes, he made a huge mistake. But that doesn’t warrant death threats and cries of hate. It’s just a game after all. And it would be sad to see this mistake define a young player’s career in the same way Bill Buckner is remembered for his gaffe rather than as one of the best hitters of his generation.
Shake off Mr. Bruce. Life goes on and there will be more opportunities down the road. Plus, this series isn’t over yet.
Ankiel lifts Braves to big win
Rick Ankiel provided some much-needed drama to the playoffs and ensured that at least one series would not be a sweep with his 11th-inning blast that landed in McCovey Cove. The Braves got off to a bad start thanks to a three-run bomb from Pat Burrell. The Braves battled back after manager Bobby Cox was ejected in the early going and were rewarded with a 5-4 win and hope that they can win the series as it shifts to Atlanta.
Now, I just hope Braves fans actually come out to support the team. It should be fun to see the Tomahawk Chop going in Atlanta again. It feels like it’s been way too long. And I’d like to see it one more time with Bobby Cox and unfortunately Chipper Jones on the bench. I can still hear the chants in my head after watching the 1996 World Series video on VHS with my brother far too many times. Yes, the Braves lost that series but it was still a classic. Here’s hoping Bobby and the Braves enough left to get a shot in the NLCS against their division foes.