Talking Baseball

And so, without further ado, I'll turn you all over to our crackerjack crew for coverage of tonight's game between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees. Big Mike, take it away...
Thanks Harry and welcome one and all to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. Mike Thomas here along with Johnny Q. and Janie Gallant. This inter-league game features two of the most storied teams in the history of baseball...the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs.
Harry just mentioned that, Mike.
Yes, I realize that Janie but for those just tuning in...
He just mentioned it a few seconds ago. How many people could possibly have tuned in between then and now?
Point taken Johnny. This is shaping up to be a long night. Both teams are contending in their respective divisions hoping to make the playoffs. Brett Gardner leads it off for the Yankees and takes a first pitch strike.
Looked like a breaking ball, Mike. Or, maybe, a curve ball. Gardner  swings at the first pitch 92% of the time but, not on Tuesdays.
Ah, interesting observation. This is Tuesday, right?
All day, Janie.
That ball is hammered to left off the wall. Got to love those ivy clad walls here at Wrigley.
Many people don't realize that despite the ballpark opening in 1914, the ivy wasn't added until 1937. In other words, World War One broke out a few months after Wrigley Field opened and World War Two started a couple of years after the ivy was installed.
Excellent tie-in, Mike. This ballpark simply exudes history.
Hey, there goes Addison Russell breaking for second. He's not known for his base-stealing.
No, Johnny, he's not. In fact, Russell hasn't stolen a base since his sophomore year in high school for the Kansas City Slickers.
Kansas City, Kansas or Kansas City, Missouri?
Good question Janie. We'll have our research team check that out. In the meantime, he was called safe at second but, the Yankees are calling for a review. Let's have a look at the replay.
Looks out from that angle. No, no...this angle shows his foot on the bag before the tag. Gosh! The umpires are on the phone with the officials. This could take a while.
Good Lord, that's the 10th instant replay and still no decision.
Relax Johnny, that's why they installed lights in Wrigley...no big hurry.
You ever play this game, Janie?
I'm just going to ignore that sexist remark and mention that Vince Scully will be joining us soon in the broadcast booth. Oh my goodness, here's the man himself now.
Welcome Vince. May I call you Vince?
I think you just did. That's fine. Just don't call me late for breakfast.
Well, allow me to say that it's an honor to have you here. You are the dean of baseball announcers and the one we all emulate. Your knowledge of the game is second to none. I especially liked your anecdote about that Dodger 1st baseman who was introduced to the game due to his love of hot dogs.
Ah yes. I remember that well. There were two outs in the 3rd inning of a Thursday night game in August of 1958. I had recently married Joan Crawford and the Dodgers hadn't scored with two outs on a Thursday all year.
The Yankees scored 19% of the time with two outs last year.
On a Thursday?
Well, not sure about that. Joan Crawford, huh? Wow! You have any children with her?
Thankfully, no.
Ah, the call at second has been over-ruled. Russell is out. That's it for the 6th inning. What a see-saw game this has been. So many runs scored...
Yeah, who's leading...Mike?
May I just cut in here to say that the seesaw is also known as a teeter-totter.
Wonderful bit of information. Vince. So, if I may, back to my colorful hot dog anecdote. You see...
So sorry to interrupt you Vince but, Montero just scored all the way from first base on Rizzo's triple. And they say catchers don't have speed.
Runners score from first on a triple 92% of the time. The exceptions being when the runner is gun downed at the plate and that usually happens if he's left-handed and recovering from a recent hamstring injury. Interesting to note that left-handed players are 27% more likely to suffer hamstring injuries than...than...
Than right-handed players, Mike?
Exactly. Thank you for clarifying that for our viewers, Johnny. Now let's get back to our hot dog raconteur. Vince, the stage is yours. Vince? Where's Vince?
Sorry Mike but, Vince fainted or something. He was removed by our crack team of first responders.
Oh dear. I was so anxious to hear the rest of...
We'll hook up with him in L.A. We got a game on our hands here, Mike. Cubbies down by a run with the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the 9th.
Cubs hold the record for most times failing to score with the bases loaded in an inning and no outs.
In the 9th inning, Janie?
88% in the 9th inning and 95% over all. A deep fly scores the tying run.
You mean a deep fly will score the tying run, right? Future tense; not present tense.
Oh for christsake, Johnny. You think people these days give a damn about speaking the English language correctly?
Well some of us still do however you, obviously, aren't one of them.
Hey, why don't you kiss my...
And on that note, what a thrilling game ladies and gentlemen. Please be sure to check into Yahoo or Google for the final score. For Johnny Q., Janie Gallant and the chronically verbose Vince Scully, this is Mike Thomas bidding you all a good night.