Momma Said There d be Days Like This

Very proud of Urias today! As for Lux, I too am puzzled by his passivity on “down the middle” hittable pitches. This is a problem for many Dodger hitters, but not to that extent.

My pet peeve, already mentioned by several of you, is the Dodgers’ refusal to bunt or hit against the shift. If I were manager, every hitter would try it at least once a game. Especially Bellinger, especially with his speed. Then there’s that going for the fences (and failing) with runners on second and third, when you really need a single, thing.

Roberts’ bullpen management never ceases to amaze me. And not in a good way (I’m biting my tongue). And, as you’ve mentioned, his pulling hot players from the lineup so he can “rest” them, is nothing but dumb.

I’ve said enough. But I’m for being patient with Lux. There’s a lot of talent there. Roberts needs to work his motivational magic with Gavin, or get him professional help. It’s hard being 23–remember?

About TB. Yes, many of us women do have a visceral reaction to “dangerous” men. When he was signed, my reaction was, literally, nausea and fear (for my team). Women’s intuition is real, unless you’re 27, I guess. It does get better with experience.

Trevor is beyond help or therapy. I’m inclined to agree with the “he’s on the spectrum” theory advanced by one of our excellent commenters. I really would like this to be over. I really would like Andrew Friedman to admit he made a mistake.

Scherzer gave up a grand slam last night to a pitcher who was just called up from AAA. It was also his first MLB at bat. But if you look at the pitches location, it is amazing that the guy hit it at all, let alone out of the park.

I honestly believe now is the time to bring up Ruiz. Send down Uceta. Sitting in the bullpen is not going to help the kids confidence or stuff. He is obviously not ready for prime time.

Radaronline is breaking some Bauer stuff.

Ruiz can hit.

I think we fixed his launch angle too.

All systems go.

Here’s to hoping THE PRICE IS RIGHT on Friday. That other guy won’t be back this season so I’m done talking about him.

My wife just informed me we are going to Amsterdam in November for a week.https://www.tradefairdates.com/Aquatech-M7413/Amsterdam.html

Travel news. Just got confirmation of family trip to Portugal next week. 7 days in Lisbon; 7 days in Porto. Me, wife, and my two sons.

Don’t miss me too much 🙂

First, you nailed it about Julio righting the ship today. He’s now 11-3. When he gets through the first inning, he’s been very tough. He’s been better than his ERA suggests.

Second, I think the enforcement of a morality clause depends mostly on the wording of the contract. I think cancelling a bobblehead or other merchandise while the cloud of suspicion hovers is simply prudent public relations.

Short of a full recantation by the accuser, I think the best case scenario for Bauer is still bad. No charges but a tarnished reputation. Dodgers should probably cut ties regardless.

He was problematic before he was signed. Is he radioactive now?

We like Classic Historic Hotels. I have not stayed here for a while, but it is a Millenium Hotel, which usually means it is EPIC:

https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/los-angeles/millennium-biltmore-hotel-los-angeles/

It’s quick to the Ravine and OK to LAX.

Looking for advice. I’m flying to Hawaii but making a priority of landing in LA on the 21st and going to the Dodgers game on the 22nd against the Giants. We hop back on a plane to Hawaii on the 23rd. So, basically where would be a good place to stay that I can shuttle or Uber or take some sort of transit to the ball game on the 22nd and be able to get back to LAX on the 23rd without it being a nightmare.

Fangraphs on Kershaw’s injury:

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/kershaw-lands-on-injured-list-as-dodgers-rotation-uncertainty-grows/

…For the Dodgers, the injury comes at a time when the rotation — whose 3.03 ERA, 9.3 WAR, and 3.58 FIP respectively rank second, third and fourth in the NL — is somewhat depleted. …

Szymborski on the Dodgers, in general:

Question: Who will the dodgers pick up? I think Nats should at least get a call but a healthy kluber on a flailing Yankees might be a good move. Or maybe Hendricks if the Cubs flop?

Dan Szymborski: Hendricks is certainly a possibility, but the Cubs may not want to trade him at a low point in his value. I do think the Dodgers will pick up a pitcher of course. At this point, they’re going to operate as if there’s no more Bauer, I think. (but I don’t do projections for criminal investigations and player suspensions/releases) I think there will be a lot of sellers in the NL, but I’m still not sure which. It depends who thinks they have a divisional chance in a couple weeks. Because ain’t nobody in the East or Central chasing a wild card spot, at least if they’re smart.

Q: Do you have a gut feeling about how much time Trevor Bauer is going to be gone or if the Dodgers might cut ties?

Dan Szymborski: Zero. It’s a horribly messy situation. Both legally and morally and that’s before you even get to baseball

HEADLINE : DODGERS BOUNCE BACK AGAINST MUFFNIFICENT MARLINS . Salvage series with one win

In talks with Sports Illustrated, Bauer admits that he would be a “bad husband”, before going on to explain his three rules when dating: “I have three rules. One: no feelings. As soon as I sense you’re developing feelings, I’m going to cut it off, because I’m not interested in a relationship and I’m emotionally unavailable. Two: no social media posts about me while we’re together, because private life stays private. Three: I sleep with other people. I’m going to continue to sleep with other people. If you’re not O.K. with that, we won’t sleep together, and that’s perfectly fine. We can just be perfectly polite platonic friends.”

It is reported that Bauer’s administrative leave will be extended another 7 days effective tomorrow by MLB.

When batting with two strikes CT has struck out 86 times in 159 at bats. The next closest on the Dodgers is JT with 61 in 152 at bats. CT is lost when he has two strikes on him.

I am not watching the game, but did I get this right? Urias bats (strikeout) and is then replaced on the mound without facing a batter in the 8th?????

With a 5 runs lead in the 8th inning why isn’t Price in to pitch? Could it be that Dave Roberts doesn’t feel the lead is large enough? After all Batting average against Price is .328. The worst of any Dodger pitcher this year with more than 2 innings.

Best to wait on the Pasadena police department and Major League Baseball investigation to conclude. Same thing with Clayton Kershaw injury, best to wait for the test results.

Oh my gosh. I realize that’s difficult in today’s instant information, jump to conclusions before we know the facts, twitter society.

Okay, David Price? What’s going on? He says he wants to start, ready to get back in the rotation, but Dave Roberts plays it down. Makes sense, unless there is something we don’t know. Not much clarity here. But the Dodgers are apparently starting him Friday.

Will they finally give in and move him into a starting role? Makes sense to me since he’s pretty much always been a starter.

Guessing Andrew Friedman is focused on another starting pitcher at the trade deadline, uncertainty front and center. Maybe an additional bullpen piece.

I agree the Dodgers are not always having good at bats with runners in scoring position, more or less, LA’s downfall in this series. Dodgers are finding ways to lose games. Why is Uceta even in the game? Go one better, why is he even up. Just not impressed, not ready.

Thinking Ryan Pepiot will be up sooner than later. Deserves a shot. Could Josiah Gray get an earlier than expected?

Could Phillies explore a Zack Wheeler trade? Maybe. Probably not. If that happens, that would be worth the Dodgers exploring. Costly, but …

LA Daily News columnist Jim Alexander starts his column today, “When they cancel your bobblehead night, that spells trouble.”

Pretty much. Guessing the Dodgers are planning for the worst case scenario.

Okay, no question if the Dodgers, knew what they know now, they wouldn’t sign Bauer.

Anyone notice that suddenly Gerrit Cole is giving up lots of runs, 10 in his past two starts?

I wonder who many times Julio will bat twice in one innings in his career?

I’m rooting for Trevor. I want him back on the team ASAP.

What he does in his personal life, especially if consensual, should not define the rest of his career.

Well, I guess the 5th is our one inning to score in today.

More change ups? The hitters adjusted and are looking for that sh*t.

Not playing like WORLD CHAMPIONS today.

We do not know what is true and what isn’t in the Bauer case. Contrary to what some people say, he has not admitted to anything.

So, right about now, it is felony stupid to cut him or make any conclusions. The results will be in soon.

So,what are our options with Bauer?Can we get out of part of the contract?If not are we held responsible against the mlb tax rule?

1 – They can’t exercise the morals clause in the contract at this point. He hasn’t been convicted of anything yet. If criminal charges are never brought the alleged victim can still sue. If she wins maybe then. I don’t know what the clause says but I’m sure that it’s pretty narrow – today’s athletes get away with all kinds of things (shootings, strip bars and hookers, drugs, etc.) and don’t get their contracts cancelled.

2 – I disagree with Vengeur. Bauer’s attorney wouldn’t let him talk to the team or anyone else while he’s being investigated for a crime as anything he tells anyone else can be used against him. Dodger management doesn’t know everything yet.

3 – Roberts finally said last night that they were going to start stretching Price out, but look at his numbers – they stink! In 27 innings he’s given up 38 (!) hits and 8 walks for a WHIP of almost 1.7! Maybe he can be 5th starter, but if Bauer doesn’t come back for a while (or ever) and Kershaw is out for more than a couple of weeks, they still need another starter, assuming that Gonsolin’s arm doesn’t fall off too.

4 – I don’t get the fascination with Uceta. The fact that they keep bringing him up and then they have to use him in late and close situations tells us just how few ready pitching prospects that they have and how shallow the bullpen is. White is another guy who allows too many baserunners to be effective.

5 – So how much runway do they give Lux? But what are the alternatives while Seager is out? Would you like to be the guy who gave up on Lux too soon and have him become a star wearing another team’s uniform? He has nothing left to prove in AAA – so what else do you do with him?

On a completely different note, I really miss Caleb Ferguson.

I like day games, but not before I had my coffee!

This 1st inning HR sheeyit is just ridiculous.

We don’t know all the facts about the Bauer case. But I would wager that by now the Dodger owners/management do know pretty much everything. And they’re going to do what causes the minimum of amount of damage to the team, under the circumstances. How that works out contractually, we can only guess. Bottom line right now , he’s not pitching the rest of the year. Doc looked really tired yesterday.

Dodgers Select Darien Nunez

By Steve Adams | July 8, 2021 at 9:17am CDT

The Dodgers announced this morning that they’ve selected the contract of lefty Darien Nunez and optioned right-hander Mitch White to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Their 40-man roster is now full.

Nunez, 28, signed with the Dodgers out of Cuba back in 2018 and has consistently posted solid numbers out of the bullpen as he’s risen through their system. He’s gotten his first experience at both the Double-A and Triple-A levels in 2021, pitching to a combined 2.70 ERA with a 35.3 percent strikeout rate and a 12.6 percent walk rate in 30 innings. Obviously, the Dodgers will hope his control of the strike zone improves — he’s also hit a batter and tossed three wild pitches — but it’s a generally encouraging showing for the lefty.

If the Dodgers release Bauer, that will likely cost them his full salary for next year, which is around $40 million, plus his third year’s salary, which is around $20 million. That devastates the payroll. They will have some substantial salaries coming off he books, including Kershaw and Jansen, but then how do you replace them? Then we have Seager and Taylor, how do we sign them?

A case could be made that the Dodgers should try to rebuild, starting right now, because next season does not look good. The problem is that they really don’t have many players that any other team wants, think about it. And which players on this roster can we legitimately count on to do very well next year? The Bauer signing, which I was all for at the time, will very possibly turn out to be disastrous to the franchise. Actually, I am still not convinced that this was not consensual “rough sex,” where he hit her too hard, but that can never be an excuse for the injuries.

I don’t know where the Dodgers can go from here. There is not a lot of talent in the minors right now. We have no young potential lineup player who projects to be a big star. Maybe we should have gone all-in on Ohtani? We were “interested,” the reports said, bu that was about it. The only player on this roster who I would consider indispensable, is Buehler. Our starting pitching for next year is very questionable. The bullpen suddenly looks better, but we have no high-end closer, unless we want Jansen back. Our best hitter seems to be Muncy, though I think that Betts will bounce back. The minor league talent is not the answer, and we have almost nothing to trade, certainly not on the major league roster, unless some team is excited about Lux, hitting .235. A rebuild, shedding payroll and then trying to pick up a few good pieces, is no fun, but we’re apparently now sunk $40 million on next year’s payroll because of Bauer. However, we are in this far, still look to make the playoffs, and I well understand the wish to go all-out for this last big chance to win a title. But do we have any legitimate chance to win it?

It’s remarkable how a team can be playing very good baseball and just like that against a last place team look disinterested and lacking fundamentals (like hitting a baseball in the strike zone when it’s pitched). During this series the team has KO’d 32.4% of the time. It’s made no contact about 43% of the time. They have left 56 on base. And, to put a cherry on top their defense has been awful with the catching leading the way. How Barnes has three CI recently is really hard to believe. Between the pitchers being pathetic at holding runners on first and Barnes’s weak and inaccurate arm why is he sticking his glove in the swing zone. He has no chance of throwing anyone out. And, according to Jerry Harriston Jr Smith’s fundamentals are flawed. I never understood why Smith rarely used his body to block pitches but figured the coaches knew what’s what. I guess not.

This issue with teams stealing bases on the Dodgers with reckless abandon is going to be the downfall of the team in the playoffs. So much for analytics by other teams when it comes to stealing bases. So, why aren’t we doing some stealing of our own? When Mookie is on first he takes these gigantic leads, but rarely steals. We have speed. Mookie, Lux, Bellinger, Muncy, and Taylor are capable of stealing some bases. Of course, they need to make more contact than they are currently doing in order to get on base.

I’ve been a Lux supporter so far this season. After a rough start I was for giving him a half a season to prove he deserves to start. Well, he has proven he does not deserve to start especially with his play lately. He is infuriating to watch at the plate. He watches too many down the middle, hittable pitches. I mentioned yesterday he doesn’t seem to have a plan. He’ll swing at a ball out of the zone and then watch a hittable pitch with that blank look on his face. And his fielding is become a issue.

With Kershaw on the IL there have been some wild assessments by posters above. From it’s no big deal to TJ surgery. If you read the press release it’s inflammation in the forearm (not tightness in the elbow). I think it’s giving Kershaw a midseason break that includes the All-Star break. So, he’ll probably miss 3 turns and be OK on his return. Let’s hope so.

What the heck is wrong with Mookie? As usual we get no insight from Roberts and Mookie says he’s having a bad year (yet makes the All-Star team?). Like mentioned above he’s doing poorly things he was doing well last year.

I continued to question Roberts use of the BP the last couple of months (well, actually forever). I don’t get pulling a pitcher who’s doing well in the middle of an inning. Why? It surely isn’t analytic driven. Last night was very odd. I don’t listen to Roberts’ postgame comments anymore because they nothing but clichés, bullshit, and down right lies. So, his BP use will be a beautiful mystery (to quote Aaron Rodgers).

We all waited patiently for Bellinger’s return. Me included. But, what a disappointment. What’s going on with him? Oh wait, I have an idea….never mind. When he is at bat and they have the shot from high above and behind the plate and I see damn near the entire left side of the infield wide open I’m thinking “let’s see, in the last seven games he’s batting .087, driven in 1 run, and is striking out 35% of the time maybe he might consider a bunt somewhere in the wide open space in front of your face”. Nope, let’s swing from the heels with men in scoring position in a tied game. That’s the ticket. Hell, it worked a couple of weeks ago. I keep pulling for him to be successful, but it just ain’t happening.

Enough for now. Almost game time. Hopefully, they’ll prove my comments above aint valid.

I honestly did not understand bringing Kenley in when they did.

Just to bring Uceta in to lose it for us. I would have brought Uceta in, and IF he held bring Kenley in. If he holds & the D’s score in the 9th bring Kenley in. If he implodes in the 8th & D’s do not score in the 9th, game over & you have not wasted Kenley.

Lux’s AB’s were some of the UGLIEST in recent memory.

I was glad to see them drop Cody down in the order, hope he stays farther down until/if he “fixes” things.

Homer notwithstanding I would also drop Mookie down for a couple days. Those top spots in the order should be for guys who are hitting consistently IMO.

Today’s early start game in Miami at noon EST:

RF Bett

1B Max

LF Beaty

CF Cody

C Will

2B Chris

SS Gavin

3B Zach

P Julio

Lux has the physical skills but he looks like a deer in headlights frozen in time. Everybody makes errors but his has cost us dearly. He just doesn’t seem to have the right mental makeup currently.

If kersh is just getting a break they sure picked a fine time. Sp in shambles bp is game but burn out.

Mckinstry scares me every time a ball is hit his way. No telling where he will throw it if he catches it.

Bellinger stating the obvious is just stalling our offense. He doesn’t appear to want to make any adjustments. Same swing every time. U would think he would b embarrassed and try to make contact. I know the game is hard blah blah blah

Where is Tommy lasorda when u need him? He had the funniest rants. I know he would not let this lackadaisical play go without some outrage. Doc just says we r prepared we r trying we will play better but we got a lot of season left.

Dodgers need to release TB now. I’m all for due process but a message needs to be sent that we’re a “team first” club and when you conduct yourself selfishly that impacts the team there is a price to pay. His poor judgement and resulting suspension has put the team in a situation where they have to rely upon a taxed and at times very inexperienced bullpen.

I’m looking for that shoe to drop soon, perhaps during the all-star break.

This is the first I’ve hear of this. So, CK has the classic “forearm tightness” that leads inevitably to Tommy John? Ouch. At first I believed B&P’s assessment that the “injury” conveniently coincided with the ASB, this giving him a long rest.

I would assume that it would be hard to stretch out a 35 year old pitcher mid-season, especially one who hasn’t started since 2019. Even so, I’m not sure why this hasn’t been a serious consideration. The Dodgers are paying him 16 million to be a middle reliever.

I would agree that using the morality clause to sever ties with TB is the right thing to do, in spite of the desperate need for SP right now, unless of course there is some sort of smoking gun evidence that victim staged the event or that it was some elaborate extortion attempt. Unlikely, but not impossible. Even if she asked for rough sex, if she winds up with a skull fracture then TB is a sadist who needs to go away. It’s not that many of us wanted proof beyond a reasonable doubt. We just wanted to see more evidence before we formed an opinion. I’d still like to get all the facts first. BTW, I can say with a 100% degree of certainty that if TB was the model Woke virtue signaller with preferred pronouns in his social media bios then the likes of Nosler and Molly Knight would have a completely different tone. “Let’s not rush to judgment!” It’s the times we live in.

Injuries or not, my issue with this team all year has been the poor execution of the fundamentals. The 2017 and the 2020 Dodgers had an uncanny knack for winning those close games, coming from behind or winning on walk-offs. This team just has an uncanny ability to lose close games because of some mental error or lack of execution or key strikeout in a key moment. Playoff baseball is won on those key moments in key situations. I don’t think anyone here can say with confidence that the Dodgers would easily beat their first round opponent. I just don’t have confidence in this team.

I think AF understands that. It’s why he traded for guys like Jimmy Rollins or Howie Kendrick, Utley and Pujols. There is stability, scrappiness and the ability to slow the game down in key moments that sabre nerds don’t yet have a stat for. Lux is showing us the contrapositive.

Dodgers send White back to OKC and call up Nunez.

Hot takes, get yer hot takes!:

1. Must be Seager who is the franchise cornerstone along with Betts. Give him the money. Who else is gonna get it?

2. Put Lux on the bench. Time for some tough love.

3. Welcome to the rotation, Price. You also take Kershaw’s veteran LHP role next year.

4. Find a way to fit in Ruiz. Whatever it takes.

5. All-star break is a good time to re-sign Taylor.

6. More prospects will be traded this deadline than usual, but emphasis will be on controllable guys.

7. Trade Pollock to Miami where he sees the ball well.

8. Speed kills.

9. Pepiot will pitch in October.

10. Bauer signing is not Pedro-for-DD or Piazza trade; it’s closer to Strawberry signing or Andruw Jones.

MT is riding the Lux wave. He’s coming on, no he isn’t, he’s coming on, no he isn’t.

I love McKinstry’s clutch, but he isn’t the player Lux is. Z-Mach is rating out as poor fielder at every position so far. He’s 26 while Lux is 23.

The pitching staff gave up 9 runs yesterday, you aren’t going to win many of those. Reed, White and Uceta gave it up like the Farmer’s daughter, or Bauer’s house guest. Too soon?

Why is Barnes still on this team? You can go years without seeing catcher’s interference and he does it 3 times in a week? WTF???

Kenly has been giving up baserunners to the first 1 or 2 batters he faces for the last few games, only natural for Doc to bring him in with runners on.

Maybe we should have just stuck with Don Mattingly. I don’t see him making bone-headed moves anymore, but Doc never learns.

Bullpen games are for the birds. It’s no coincidence that we’re getting smoked by the Fish.

The team has played flat these last three games after stepping up and taking care of business against the Nats. The first game of the series featured 3 big names “resting”. Ever consider the team is responding in kind to these stupid roster decisions? Or, was it a 2 game hangover from the stupid 4th of July schedule that all the players complained about?

Invisible man AJ Pollock, homered with a 2-4 game yesterday but apparently no one saw it.

If you compare Marte and Pollock’s careers, you’ll see a lot of similarities. Both have played 10 years. They’re age is just a year apart. Each seems to get injured each year. They are just 6 homers apart and career OPS is just 13 points apart.

Its just giving Kersh a little time before the break to be strong down the stretch. If Fridays game mattered he would be in there, he was in the dugout laughing and hamming it up last night, if this was real serious he’d would have been on a plane back to LA.

Look this is going to come down to who gets hot, and at the right time. Can Buehler be our 88 Hershiser, can Muncy be our 20 Seager, can Mariachi Joe be the 18Joe. The answer is yes they can, if they get hot at the right time, watch out.

Id like to see Pepiot come up; give the kid a shot.

The last 3 games sucked, but lets take the long view here and enjoy the ride, its going to be a wild one.

Mitchell white looks like he could go into a starting role. He pitched 4 innings I mean none of them give u more than six anyway. He may not be great but he could surprise. I have never seen such a fragile bunch of Mlb players. My word Robert’s acts like this is brain surgery. These are supposed to be the best players in the world and we don’t have anybody who can start. I don’t give AF a pass on this. This has been brewing for quite a while. There should be no excuse for being in this position.

Robert’s just gave them the game by putting uceta in the 9th. He continues to do this nonsense. Uceta could have started or been used in the middle innings. We had a 5-2 lead and we’re scored on in almost every inning. U save your worst reliever to get the toughest outs. Ridiculous

On ESPN last night they said that Keyshawn forearm was hurt doing weights; specifically pointing out that it was not due to throwing. Of course this is ESPN so consider the source.

The inability to hold base runners has become a common theme for opposing teams to exploit. Hard to imagine we couldn’t improve with a little concerted effort there. Injuries are demoralizing but work on some of these things we can control.

Dodgers are snake (injury) bitten this season. So many key guys going down and then the TB case to top it off.

Should we now lose Clayton too the season probably is a lost case, at least as far as a title is concerned.

AF and the Dodgers will have to make up their mind pretty fast what direction they will go. If they think besides all the injuries and the TB fiasco they still have a shot they have to get another starter quick. They will crash and burn the bullpen arms if those bullpen games go on for much longer.

I do not understand why they are so reluctant to use Price in a starting role. Guy has done this all career long, so why not work him up quickly ?

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, baseball happen . Captain Obvious strikes again. After the game last night Roberts told reporters, ” We need to do the little things better” No Poop there Dave. How about doing some of the big things better too, like scoring runs when you have the bases juiced??? Urias on the bump first today. 9 AM start in LA, 10 here. I could see Lux getting demoted to AAA to get his sh%% together. McKinstry has the same number of HR’s in half the at bats. This team can be maddening and I agree with MT that it is going to be very hard for them to repeat. I think they make the playoffs. But it is not going to be as easy as everyone thought at the beginning of the year. Great job yesterday Jeff. Nice to see you back if even only for a little while. I needed some comedy relief after last nights debacle, so I read about some baseball characters who were good for a laugh. Moe Drabowski was one of them. Ordered a pizza from Japan from the pen, and one time after he was taken out of a game, he called to the bullpen imitating Weaver and ordered them to get up a reliever. Joe Carter pulled a great one at the end of the season on fan appreciation day. Saying there would be a raffle for a car giveaway. He then had one of the clubhouse guys wash Derek Bell’s jeep, and later in the game Carter drove it onto the field as Bell watched unbelieving what he was seeing. The video of the look on his face is classic. But one of my all time favorite moments came in 1934 in Philadelphia. Dodger pitcher, Walter Beck was pitching against the Phillies. The wall in the outfield was tin, and Beck was giving up a lot of shots off of the wall that made a booming sound when hit. Hall of Famer, Hack Wilson, who was playing RF was getting worn out chasing baseballs. Manager Casey Stengel finally had enough and came out to get Beck. Wilson turned and leaned his head against the wall to rest..he was probably suffering from a hangover. Anyway, Casey heads to the mound to get Beck, and Beck is telling ol Case, no no….then he turns and fires the ball to right field, hitting the wall above Wilson’s head. The startled Wilson, thinking play has resumed, chases the ball and turns and fires a perfect strike to second base. Beck leaves the game, but he is Walter Beck no more, from that day on his nick name was Boom Boom.