Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

Desperation permeates New York both at Yankee Stadium and NFL Headquarters.  Rule changes ( enforcement changes as the league is calling it) and lineup changes are abound as both organizations face desperate situations.  Both come after painful events.  For the Yankees the consequences are serious, but not nearly what the NFL is facing.  It is no surprise the NFL's actions come after a weekend of violent hits one of which included Eric LeGrand of Rutgers being tragically paralyzed.  New York is a place where everything is done in a hurry and this is a perfect example of just how fast things can change and be implemented in New York. Maybe baseball should move their headquarters.  Let's hope at least one of these changes is for the better.

YES, THERE IS A SERIES!

With all three division series at 2-0 it was looking like it would be all four until the eighth inning then the Braves offense decided to break through with a 3-run eighth to tie the game at four.  The Giants appeared to have the game in their grasp again in the bottom of the 10th, with bases-loaded and only one out.  Then an unlikely and seldom used hero emerged off the bench to turn an amazing double play.  Troy Glaus took the one hopper of the bat of Buster Posey and without hesitation sent the ball on its way towards Infante at second.  Infante who started the game at third made an amazing turn on the left-field side throw to get Posey at first.  Derick Lee pumped his fist as the Braves dugout exploded with excitement.  Two hitters later it would explode again as Ankiel went deep sea diving with a no-doubter in the 11th.  The "pinnacle" of his career Ankiel gave baseball fans, excluding Giants fans of course,  something to cheer about.  Yes, there would be a SERIES!

Game one was full of drama as well with the Giants scoring the games only run after a blown call at second base.   Lincecum was masterful and threw a complete game two-hitter and although the Braves were upset about the call it looked unlikely they would ever score off of the "Freak".

The NLDS is now tied 1-1 and even the runs are knotted up at 5 a piece.  It resumes Sunday afternoon in Atlanta and if game three is anything like the first two then baseball fans cannot wait.

Great Pitching & Bad Umpiring Don't Mix

Great pitching and bad umpiring are like water and oil they don't mix well.  Like a bad chemical reaction, the outcome is never pretty and more than likely someone will get burned. Last night it was the Braves.

When pitching dominates games the umpire calls are magnified. This is a fact. Example Braves vs. Giants fourh inning Posey is thrown out stealing second, but called safe basehit two batters later scores Posey and the Giants win  1-0.

When games are dominated by pitching and low scoring small plays can play a huge part in outcomes of games and series. Every run is at a premium and so a walk, error, or blown call can all make that pitcher get one more out or face one more batter and that can make all the difference.  It is a shame that today we are talking about bad umpiring instead of the great games and pitching performances thus far.  Last night Lincecum and Lowe were brilliant the umpiring unfortunatley was not!

MLB POSTSEASON IS BACK & SO IS THE FOUR6THREE

Our one month hiatus is complete!  After being banished to a work camp in Siberia (more about the trip to come), I have returned to find out that my Braves, despite blowing a division lead, have still been wild enough to get a card to the playoffs.  They will travel to the left coast to face off against former NL West Division foe the San Fransisco Giants (Yes, the Braves use to be in the West).  The Phillies will stay on the right side of the map in Philly so the Reds of Cincinnati can come to town.
The Twin Cities will host a playoff series beginnning tomorrow against the favored Yankees whose loss on the last day of the regular season cost them the home-field advantage.  The Rays will take on the Rangers who were the best in the AL West, which leaves doubts about their chances in the playoffs. 

The fun begins tomorrow in a triple-header on TBS, while the Braves & Giants will wait until Thursday to get their series underway.  Tune in because afterall you are a bigger fan of baseball (I am talking to you Mets fans)!

Attention Atlanta Hawks!

Due to the lack of rapid communication in today's society the Atlanta Hawks missed their opening game of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.  In order to prevent a future problem, I am sending them a telegram to inform them about their next game.

Attention Atlanta Hawks Game 2 of your current playoff series is Thursday night in Orlando! -Stop
You are playing a team called the Orlando Magic and they are pretty good so you might want to show up. -Stop
We are sorry we missed you Tuesday night. - Stop
Due to your failure to appear you have spotted the Magic a 1-0 series lead. -Stop
The Magic have some players you might want to guard, including a very tall guy named Dwight. -Stop
If you are unable to attend please send a replacement of professional quality. -Stop
The bums that filled in for you Tuesday were pretty pathetic. -Stop
Good new is you may be only three games away from summer vacation. -Stop
Send me a postcard. -Stop
All the bests, The Four6Three -Stop

I hope they get it on time.  They should, I sent it by two-day pony.  It was cheaper than homing pigeon.

Playoffs? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game.

PLAYOFFS? (Click Playoffs for 20 seconds of fun video that make this post make more sense.)

Yes Jim, the NBA Playoffs are here and the boredom of the first round has officially set in.  Most of these teams just hope they can win a game.  Its hard to talk about playoffs when the NBA makes us suffer through four games of the Cavs vs. Bulls, Magic vs. Bobcats etc.  Yes, all the lower seeds in the Eastern Conference just hope to win a game.   We these first round series were ever expanded from five to seven games is beyond me! Okay so not really, it is all about MONEY-- dilluting down the basketball in order to sell more tickets and more TV games. Thanks again David Stern! Not only have you extended horrible series, you have established rules that make the game less exciting.  The only thing worth watching in the first round thus far was the scuffle at the end of the Celtics vs. Heat Game 1.  Back in the 80's & 90's this was common practice and it added some passion to the PLAYOFFS! Like Jeff Van Gundy riding Alonzo Mourning's leg like a pogo stick at the bottom of a fracas. 

Please take us back to the old school ways so we can once again talk about the PLAYOFFS!