World Series Update #1

In case you missed it: Game Six of the 1986 World Series-- bottom of the 10th inning

Two nights in a row Jeff Francoeur failed to catch a fly ball

Two nights in a row newly-acquired Mets outfielder Jeff Francoeur failed to catch a fly ball, and two nights in a row the New York Mets lost to the Washington Nationals.

For more information about Jeff Francoeur, here is a link to his official website.

Facts you might not know about Kevin Appier

Here are some facts you might not know about Kevin Appier:

• Kevin Appier was a right-handed pitcher for the Royals, Athletics, Mets, Angels, and Royals (again).
• Kevin Appier pitched in the major leagues from 1989 to 2004.
• Kevin Appier had a career record of 169-137 with an ERA of 3.74.
• Kevin Appier's best season was probably 1993, when he went 18-8 with a 2.56 ERA for the Royals.
• Kevin Appier made 5 postseason appearances with the Athletics and Angels, and his record was 0-2.
• Kevin Appier was once traded for Mo Vaughn (2001).
• Kevin Appier briefly attempted a comeback in 2006. He pitched for the Tacoma Rainiers, AAA affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. During that time, I went to a Rainiers game and got to see Kevin Appier hanging out in the bullpen. According to the journal entry I made at the time-- "Tacoma won 1-0 --We mostly watched Kevin Appier in the bullpen-- spewing out sunflower seed shells, spitting large amounts of a clear fluid, leaning back, and once stamping his feet." (See photos below, taken by Jeremy, a friend of my step-brother Justin).

• If you search on the internet, it is possible to find people who believe that Kevin Appier deserves to be in baseball's Hall of Fame.
• Kevin Appier was born on December 6, 1967, the exact same day I was.

Top four Yadier Molina moments from last night's Cardinals' game

• Molina is in kneeling position to tag runner Omir Santos out at home plate - shortstop Brendan Ryan bounces his throw in and over Molina's shoulder. Later in the dugout, Molina is seen admonishing Ryan.
• 6th inning, runners on first and second, one out - pitcher Tim Redding sacrifice bunts. Molina springs up, fields the ball and throws the lead runner out at third.
• Cardinals' center fielder Rick Ankiel throws home on a single trying to get base runner Luis Castillo. The throw is surprisingly close but up the line. Molina dives at Castillo as he runs by. Did Molina tag Castillo? Yadier sure thought so, but the umpire did not. Uncharacteristically, Molina lets the umpire know he disagrees.
• Molina hits a ground ball behind second base. Luis Castillo dives to his right, makes the stop and throws the ball on three hops over to get Molina at first. Molina, attempting to stretch to reach first base, lands awkwardly on the bag. Later, Molina is seen crying in the dugout. Tears of pain? Tears of frustration at being so unbearably slow? No one but Yadier can be sure.

Below, Molina argues with home plate umpire Dale Scott.