The World Series

I watched every pitch of World Series game six yesterday evening featuring the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers. I haven’t done that since game seven of the 2000 World Series, when [my] Arizona Diamondbacks beat the New York Yankees in dramatic fashion.

25 years later, this series seems to warrant the same kind of attention that one did many years ago. Ohtani is truly something else. Mesmerizing. The Japanese pitching rotation between Yamamoto and Sazaki is special. In an absolutely jaw-clenching situation in the bottom of the eighth, the pitching coach approached the mound, an interpreter on his right side to help translate his guidance to 23-year-old Roki [Sazaki]. The Dodgers got out of the jam in the bottom of the eighth. And we moved to the ninth.

After a lead-off HBP (hit by pitch) to the stocky catcher, a pinch runner sprinted to take his place on first. The next batter belted a ball to deep left center, and the ball was pinned under the wall. It got stuck. I have never seen that before in my life. The outfielder put his hand up, didn’t go after it initially, and as the Blue Jay fans screamed wildly, the umpires and announcers were getting organized to explain that it was a ground rule double. So instead of a triple and a 3-2 game, it was still 3-1 with runners on second and third, nobody out. Sazaki’s time was up.

In comes the very American, very tall, very large, Tyler Glasnow – a starting pitcher (who was maybe going to start game 7; still may), to try to secure the win. The first pitch was swung on and it was the most lackluster pop-out you could imagine. One out. Runners stay put. The next at-bat was also quick, and somehow turned into an incredible double play. Three pitches, three outs. Dodgers win. Welcome to game 7.

I really don’t know how grand of a stage the World Series is this year. Ohtani gets eye balls, but everything gets eye balls these days. I don’t know if people realize Game 7 is tonight; some may, some may not.

This has been one of the better World Series in recent memory. Maybe the best one since the D-Backs Yankees in 2000.

It’s hard for me to watch one full inning on TV of regular season baseball. Last night was so enjoyable, hanging on the couch with friends, watching the game. Every pitch. There were at least three fly outs where my butt jumped off the couch, exclaiming “that’s gone.” One of my friends laughed each of those three times. I need to do more diligence on the ground rule double situation. In my book, that’s a ground rule triple. But that’s because I’m cheering for the Blue Jays. Those Canadian birds.

My fandom and opinions of professional sports has changed over the years, and will continue to change. But something about playoff baseball struck a chord with me this year, and this World Series has done everything but disappoint. It has been electric. And tonight will be as well.

So sit back, tense up, and enjoy the game. And then when the Blue Jays win, let’s all move to Canada.