CC Sabathia: UPDATED: ruling upheld

Re: CC Sabathia: no-no or no?

Yeah, Simon. You and I agree on this issue...HIT.
Having you agree with me makes me even more cranky.

 

Re: CC Sabathia: no-no or no?

Same story says:

Maybe Sabathia felt he could make a play as he did the inning before, when he caught Nate McLouth’s line drive up the middle with the palm of his right hand and flipped the ball to first to turn a double play.

 

Re: CC Sabathia: no-no or no?

Loud and clear on that one!

 

Re: CC Sabathia: no-no or no?

Are you saying that the writer made an error, too?

 

Re: CC Sabathia: no-no or no?

I just saw the play three more times. If the official scorer said it was spinning, then he was lying his ass off to cover his ass. Just watch the play -- apparently it will be the first time for you -- and you'll see that anyone saying it was a spinning ball is a liar.

There was nothing tricky about the ball that made fielding it a problem, and if he fields it he throws him out. No two ways about it. I also just heard a replay of the radio audio. bob Uecker says "if he picks it up, he throws him out easily." I think I'll take a Hall of Fame broadcaster's opinion over your's and an official scorer trying to cover his ass.

And the runner was nowhere near "well down the line" as the liar states. Unless 40 feet is "well down" a 90-foot line.

 

Re: CC Sabathia: no-no or no?

Halfway down the line, when CC first touches the ball.... and "well" enough down the line considering he had to collect the ball, itself not an easy act for a 6-9 guy, turn a full 180 degrees and fire to have a chance.

Hit.

 

Re: CC Sabathia: no-no or no?

I think this is just the Pirates trying to save face.

 

Re: CC Sabathia: no-no or no?

I have watched the play on MLB four times (which means 12 trimes since there are 3 angles). It's been a hit in my judgment every time...for all the reasons Simon just stated (damn, I'm agreeing with him again!)

 

Re: CC Sabathia: no-no or no?

Hit.

Not an easy play for a lefty, although Sabathia would have had a play on him if he makes a strong throw. No guarantee of that, either. Not an automatic out, by any means.

Sabathia has to do everything right -- and quickly -- to make that play. No guarantee that he does even if he fields it cleanly, therefore ... hit.

It's a hit if the third baseman is charging in on it, too.

 

Re: CC Sabathia: no-no or no?

I'm gonna hang as long as I can, here on Agreement Island.

 

Re: CC Sabathia: no-no or no?

Sorry, Buck, but if he fields it he throws him out by at least a full step, probably two steps. And there was no reason to not field it other than ... an error.

 

Re: CC Sabathia: no-no or no?

You just think everything is easy, don't you?