Update 7-25-2024
Trading Deadline, Skenes loses to the Cards, and Second Chance at Rebuilding
This week in my weekly column I wrote about the popularity of provocative “analysis” in sports writing. A catchy headline about an event that “might” happen takes the top-of-the-page spot, and game reports are on page five. Yesterday I read that the Orioles might be willing to trade Jackson Holliday AND Heston Kjerstad for a proven starting pitcher. Has Baltimore moved from building a roster to now or never? Be careful here Birds, the city has named a street after Holliday.
The infamous trading deadline is approaching next week. Those of us who grew up with less turbulent rosters have a tough time warming up to this dump-or-grab idea. What would things have been like in our youth if the trading deadline had existed 65 years ago? Let’s take a look…
Trade Deadline 1959
The LA Dodgers are one-half game back as the 1959 trade deadline approaches. After finishing seventh in their first year in California, the Dodgers trail their arch-rival Giants, and the front office is getting a little antsy. They have some extra starting pitching, and their shortstop, Don Zimmer, is batting .172.
Expendable names are tacked randomly to a bulletin board in the meeting room, and one name stands out as “trade bait. The voice of reason speaks,
“This guy Sanford Koufax has been with us since 1955. He has a losing career record and an ERA of about 4.00. Last year he walked more than 100 batters in 158 innings. He has good stuff occasionally, but no command. Let’s give up on him. I hear we might get Rocky Bridges from the Tigers. He ain’t very good, but he is better than Zim, and a lot better than the Wills kid we have as a backup.”
Paul Skenes finally Loses a Start
Yes, on Tuesday, the sensational rookie stayed in the game going into the ninth inning in a 1—1 game with the Cardinals. It was his first big-league experience in a ninth inning. Twelve days ago he was relieved to start the eighth after pitching seven hitless innings, but this time he was apparently allowed to pitch a complete game. Maybe we know that 100 pitches is his soft pitch limit. The 104th pitch cost him the game.
It was inevitable that the schedule would eventually bring the invincible Mr. Skenes face-to-face with the formidable St. Louis Cardinals. At some point in his career, the go-ahead run would be on third, and superstar Alec Burleson would produce the deciding RBI. After all, those intimidating “Birds on the Bat” guys are heading for a World Series crown. (Sure they are!)
This Week In Backroads and Ballplayers Weekly
If you missed the REBUILDING stories from this week’s Backroads and Ballplayers Weekly, here is your second chance. Link