Lurk— Speaking of announcers, yesterday I watched the first 5 innings of the O’s /NYY to get a chance to watch Richie Martin play (slick glove/strong arm right on). My point on announcers is Ben McDonald (LSU Alum/we hear during Post Season ball) is a regular for the Orioles during their regular season. I thought he was doing a good job for them in his broadcast.
Ben knows the game and is not annoying. I was thinking about another guy. I think you know who he is.
From seeing them play at UF I would have picked Wilkerson as the most likely great MLB player and Eckstein as too small, but skilled and only OK. Shows what I know. India is doing much better than I would have predicted. Just what you would have expected given my track record. And I would have predicted Pete Alanso as about a 20 home run per season hitter in The Show. Just remember all of this when I talk about players. I really don't know anything. Or maybe the MLB game is very different from the college game.
I thought India would be a standout in pro ball-- his 2018 numbers were off the charts, BA .350, OBP .497, HR 21, RBI 52, SLG .717, OPS 1.213...and a solid fielder and team leader.... also SEC player of the year and All American, #5 overall pick. Bader had great numbers at UF and showed brilliant fielding and speed- smart ballplayer and Alonso showed massive power- remember several mammoth HRs he hit in CWS- I think 3-4 of the longest HRs ever at CWS-- Ameritrade. Pete suffered some with injuries at UF but when healthy he showed what he could do and has been stunning in the Show. No Gators ball player has come close to the talent level of these three since 2018.
Just saw India lace a double into the LF corner. The Reds are down 8-1 going into the 5th but Jonathan’s playing hard. Good to see.
Watching this RHP reliever Parker in for Cleveland—I don’t know that I’ve ever seen someone delay working himself into his “set” position quite like him. He wiggles and gyrates around like he’s got a wet fart sliding around in his britches…. Think I’d have to come up with a new routine.
Alonso is 3-4 on the day so far. Brady Singer had a tough outing against the Bronx Bombers. 3.2IP, 10H and 5ER. Fell to 3-8 on the year.
Z with a HR. Alonso with a walk-off HR. India with a HR. Some nice nights for a few Gators on a terrific night for baseball.
you need to go back and watch some old tape of Mark “The Bird Man” Fidrych. Would talk to the ball before pitches, manicured the pitchers mound with his hands, and a lot of add hand movements. Rookie of year snd started all star game. Character for sure. Not a Luis Tiant windup for pitches, but eccentric