The roof. To be or not to be, that is the question. Who cares? The Astros, before Game 3 mind you, prophylactically whined because Major League baseball demanded that the roof on Minute Maid remain open for the game. The home field advantage, the Astros bleated, is all tied up in the roof. Don't you see? I mean, look at the records! What a bunch of cry babies. Oswalt, who I used to like, was the worst. He actually said that the White Sox had the advantage in Chicago because they play in cold and windy situations all season. I've been to Chicago in the summer -- it's freakin' hot and muggy. Oswalt, you've got to be kidding. I can't believe you'd make excuses for a loss that hasn't even happened.
Astro advocates have been carting out the team's record with the roof on and off as "proof" that they gain an advantage. I don't recall the exact numbers and I don't want to look them up because they're irrelevant, but their winning percentage is something like .650 with the roof and .530 without. I could be wrong. I don't care.
Before those numbers mean anything I need to see the same statistics from the stadium's inception. Next, I need to see the Astros' opponents winning percentage in those games (maybe they've played a tougher schedule with the roof off). Next, I need to see the Astros' starting pitchers in those games (maybe Backe and Wandy are out there more often with the roof off). There are likely several other variables that must be controlled before I will believe the Astros actually gain an advantage with the roof shut.
If such an advantage exists (it doesn't), I'd like to see if we can figure out why it exists. Is it a fair advantage? Are the Astros cheating? There's so much to see, so much to do. I'm just exhausted worrying about that silly roof.
I even heard from a fan today concerned that MLB was doing this to give the advantage to the White Sox. The White Sox, you see, are accustomed to playing in the cold. Well, nothing Houston can dish out means "cold" to me, so that's a bunch of crap. Also, why would MLB want the Astros to have an advantage? Going seven games is the best thing as far as revenue and I think it's clear that MLB is all about that green.
Of course, on the flip side, what's up with MLB's arbitrary wield of power? Sure, everyone likes baseball to be played outside, but is that why MLB decided at this time to step in and open the roof? Probably not. I'm not sure why it's choosing now to raise the roof, but an arbitrary exercise of authority fits the m.o. of Bud Selig and Co., so I'm not thinking conspiracy.
A few other things regarding this World Series. I missed most of Game 1, but saw most of Game 2. I'm watching Game 3 right now (actually, I'm taping it right now, but every 15 minutes or so I go to catch up on real time -- I'm just fast-forwarding through commercials and Fox's pointless interviews). So far, an entertaining row.
Tonight has been a good night for lipreading. When Crede got hit by Oswalt, Fox focused in on Phil Garner jawing at the White Sox bench, at apparently Carl T-Rex Everett. He screamed while enunciating perfectly for the lipreaders in the room, "Fuck you, you fat fuck." While I don't condone such language, I do appreciate that it was directed toward the spokesman for Dunce Cap, Inc. Good stuff. Garner's always had a mouth on him -- his tirades are legendary. Crap Iron, indeed. It should be noted that had the roof been on Garner would never have heard Everett saying things about his mother and would not have had to unleash the "fat fuck" commentary.
The umps blew yet another call and surprisingly it went against the White Sox. I don't blame the ump really, but I blame the capricious yellow line placement. Why not just do a jagged line all across the outfield -- it would make as much sense. I don't understand how Major League Baseball can let a team just put up yellow lines willy-nilly and then claim them as home run gospel. The umps have other calls to miss to have to be bothered with Jason Lane's double-off-the-wall homer.
I've made myself clear in this forum on my dream of an umpire-less society. One step in that direction is useful ball/strike technology, and for the World Series Fox gives us FoxTrax (where in the hell was that for Game 4 of the NLCS?). I love it that they've got something, but much prefer ESPN's K-Zone. Fox's graphic is not superimposed over the actual strike zone, which seems like an obvious step to me. In the time it's up, the viewer has to concentrate on where the ball went and then quickly look to the right to see where FoxTrax says it went. In my opinion, these often don't line up, which makes me wonder about FoxTrax's accuracy.
Plus, Fox uses this FoxTrax thing to embellish game action. During the 9th inning of Game 2, Bobby Jenks, the militia man who throws the ball real hard, was throwing real hard. Hard enough to impress even the most cynical of fastball observers. After every pitch when anyone's throwing, Fox flashes the MPH in the line at the top of your screen. Thanks to DVR, I analyzed each Jenks pitch. Jenks was getting the ball up there in a hurry, of course, at 96 and at times, 98 MPH. Gas. But, that's not enough for Fox. So, when they'd show the same pitch on FoxTrax, on at least two occasions, Fox would give the viewer an even faster reading. So, the pitch was initially 96 in what is undoubtedly a jacked up reading, but when FoxTrax gives it to you, 99 is shown. FoxTrax makes the ball go even faster! Good ol' Fox. Time permitting, I intend to go through the FoxTrax numbers from tonight's game to see if this was a glitch or just part of the Fox hype machine rolling on.
Right now Game 3 is heading to the 9th tied at 5. What fun! I went into the Series not rooting for either team, but have found that I now want the White Sox. But, tonight, I'd like to see the Astros win. My first priority is more baseball. Plus, I really want to get to the bottom of this FoxTrax scandal I've uncovered and need more data.
I think the Astros should adjust the home run lines depending on whether the roof is open or closed. It would make the game more like golf, and doesn't everyone like golf? "How's she playing today?" "Long. The roof is open and the lines are up. Better settle for shooting liners into the gap today."
Posted by: D. Derek | October 26, 2005 at 08:46 AM
I understand that next year there will be tarantulas and quicksand on the warning track.
Posted by: MA | October 26, 2005 at 01:33 PM