Some have called it the ‘Miracle on Grass.’ I’m not sure I want to go that far, but the Unites State Men’s soccer team 2-0 victory over Spain gets my POTW. Hopefully, taking down the world’s number one team in convincing fashion will lead to big things for the 2010 World Cup. As of right now, we can bask in the glow of the US team advancing to a FIFA final for the first time since starting play in 1916.
Sunday’s loss to Brazil can not dampen the mood. If anything the loss adds relevance to US team. After beating Spain, many might have expected a hangover. Instead the US jumped to a 2 nil lead before giving in to the Brazilian pressure.
Who gets your POTW?
Mariano Rivera, for getting his first career RBI in the same game that he earned his 500th career save.
Chas – great call.
I don’t recall ever hearing an interview with Mo.
My POTW goes to Wegmans Food Market for another wonderful Golf Tournament. Wegmans LPGA is an annual golf tournament for professional female golfers on the LPGA Tour. It has taken place every year since 1977 at the Locust Hill Country Club in Pittsford, New York.
The tournament was originally known as the Bankers Trust Classic. Wegmans Food Markets took over as the title sponsor in 1998.
Working with the Monroe County Rotary Clubs, tournament proceeds are donated to support local summer camps for disabled children. Through 2005, more than $6.6 million had been raised for these charities through the Wegmans LPGA Tournament.
I am hoping that Wegmans will now commit to next year and continue this wonderful event. With the economy the way it is, they will need other corporate sponsors to jump in and support . Let’s hope that happens.
Bunch – great call!!!!
Back to Mariano Rivera and 500 saves. Remember the discussion a few weeks back after the Big Unit got his 300th win and we asked if he’ll be the last one to achieve that. Well, I wonder if we should ask the same Q about 500 saves? That seems like an AWFULLY hard mark to hit. Rivera got there because of 1) durability and 2) he’s got GREAT stuff. Seems like closers can be quite injury prone and most of them seem to sputter out after 5-6 years of 50+ appearances, esp the real hard throwers. Who’s next in line on the saves list?
Next on the list among “active” players (age in parentheses):
Billy Wagner (37) – 385
Troy Percival (39) – 358
Jason Isringhausen (36) – 293
Francisco Cordero (34) – 229
Francisco Rodriguez (27) – 228
Joe Nathan (34) – 219
If Wagner hadn’t suffered that career threatening injury, he would’ve had a shot at 500. Otherwise, K-Rod is the obvious choice for the guy with the best chance. Here’s a few other guys under 30:
Jose Valverde (29) – 148
Bobby Jenks (28) – 135
Jonathan Papelbon (28) – 132
Chad Cordero (27) – 128
Huston Street (25) – 113
Papelbon would seem to me to have the best chance in that group, although he is older than K-Rod. I agree, Wally, that it’s going to be really difficult. Not just because of injuries, but good closers seem like they have a tendency to fall into the flash-in-the-pan category. See Eric Gagne, although I guess injuries (and steroids) had something to do with his fall from grace.
Another F-I-P was Bobby Thigpen (ChiSox)… had about 3 great seasons, set the saves record that Gagne broke … and then he disappeared. There’s something about the pressure, having to throw fastballs almost all the time, etc that wears you down.
I was at the game when Bobby Thigpen recorded his 50th save that year. That was my only visit to Old Comiskey.
I like Joe Nathan’s consistency. He’s the forgotten man in the discussion of the best closers today. Everybody wants to talk about Rivera and Papelbon in the AL, and he gets left out. I think he’ll get to 400 saves.
Chas —
What did you think of old Comiskey Park? I have very fond memories of that place … probably went to 5-8 games a year there as a kid. And then again after college until they tore it down. A classic baseball stadium. I’m getting teary-eyed. 🙁
Just stumbled on this one – Ian Snell took out some frustrations on Sunday. After receiving a surprising demotion by the Pittsburgh Pirates, Snell responded by striking out 13 consecutive Toledo Mud Hens. Snell’s line for the Indianapolis Indians – 7IP, 2 hits, 1BB, 17 Ks.
That’s a good one, Casey.
Wally, I remember being pretty impressed with Old Comiskey, but those memories are mostly faded. It sounds like your haven’t.
I’ll tell you this much; the “new” Comiskey park (is it celluar one?)” looks very stark from the outside. we pass by it often as we go to visit our grandchildren in north chicago. obviously not memorable if i’m not even remembering the name for sure, but that’s on the highway view. maybe it’s a good venue on the inside. It’s like soldier field in chicago. renovations make it look uninviting.
Pete —
New Comiskey (“The Cell” or U.S. Cellular Park) recently underwent renovations that particularly improved the feel of the game on the “inside” of the park. They put in a lot of retro stuff that gave it an older look, and especially improved the outfield area. The outside of the park isn’t particularly inviting … I agree … esp from the highway.
One thing they’ll never be able to recover from … except at great expense …. is that they really botched the upper deck … it is way too steep and hence too far from the field of play. So if you’re past row 10 up there, not only will you need binoculars, but you may lose your balance going up and down. Really risky after 3 beers!!!
Unfortunately, the new Comiskey was the very first of the “new generation of stadiums” and it was unfortunately built just before Camden Yards was built. Had they waited until after Camden was built, I believe a lot of the bad things about it never would have happened. Or maybe Camden learned it’s lessons from Comiskey instead? I don’t know, but sometimes it sucks to be first.