In the National League Championship Series, fans of both teams saw familiar faces wearing the opponent’s uniform. Dodgers Jim Thome, Vicente Padilla, and Randy Wolf used to play their home games in the City of Brotherly Love, while Phillies Jayson Werth, Pedro Martinez, Chan Ho Park, and Paul Bako once upon a time bled Dodger Blue.
Both the Philadelphia and Los Angeles coaching staffs have ties to their LCS rivals as well. Philly first base coach Davey Lopes played for the Dodgers for 10 years (1972-1981), while his counterpart, Dodgers first base coach Mariano Duncan, played for the Phillies from 1992 to 1995. Taking the cake is L.A. third base coach Larry Bowa, who played in Philadelphia from 1970 until 1981 and managed the Phils for four seasons (2001-2004) before being replaced by current Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who had a brief stint with the Dodgers in 1974 and 1975.
How ‘bout that?
How about CC Sabathia? After leading the Yankees to victory in their playoff opener against the Twins, CC has brought his A-game to the park in the second round. In Game 1 of the ALCS, Sabathia threw eight innings, giving up one run on four hits while striking out seven and walking just one, leading the team to a 4-1 victory over the Angels. He followed that up with another eight-inning, one-run performance on short rest in Game 4 to give the Yankees a 3-1 series lead. If the Halos win tomorrow night to force a Game 7, CC will take the hill one more time in an attempt to carry his teammates into the World Series.
How about Jeff Mathis? After hitting just .211 in 272 regular season at-bats, the Angels catcher has resembled Derek Jeter in the postseason. With hits in his first three times up last night, the team’s hottest hitter collected hits in six consecutive at-bats, including four doubles – one of which was a walk-off hit in the bottom of the 13th inning of Game 3 to give the Angels their first win of the ALCS.
How about the Angels? The team has come so far since the death of Nick Adenhart in the season’s first week. After closing the month of April with a record of 9-12, they went on a tear (88-53) the rest of the way to finish with the second-best record in the American League (and the majors, for that matter). Whether or not he wins his second Manager of the Year award, Mike Scioscia did a hell of a job. No one can blame the Angels for their slow start, but we can give them credit – for battling all year and, no matter what happens the rest of the way, for honoring their fallen teammate every time they take the field.
Money Walks
Kenji Johjima, the primary Mariners catcher of the last four years, announced this week his plan to return to his native Japan, forfeiting $16 million remaining on his contract, which would have kept him in Seattle through 2011. While it is sad to see someone walk away on a less-than-high note (Johjima hit just .235 over the last two seasons), I must say that it is nice to see a ballplayer make a decision without letting money cloud his judgment.
Keywords: CC Sabathia, Chan Ho Park, Charlie Manuel, Davey Lopes, Derek Jeter, Jayson Werth, Jeff Mathis, Jim Thome, Kenji Johjima, Larry Bowa, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Dodgers, Mariano Duncan, Mike Scioscia, National League Championship Series, New York Yankees, Nick Adenhart, Paul Bako, Pedro Martinez, Philadelphia Phillies, Randy Wolf, Vicente Padilla
