Grip on Sports: It’s hard to play for a title with both hands around your neck
A GRIP ON SPORTS • It was hard to get out of bed this morning. Being depressed will do that to you. Read on.
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• There is only one word that really describes the Dodgers’ effort last night in Game Seven of the World Series: Choke. Or chokers, if you prefer. Maybe you want to use two words. OK, how about choking dogs?
Too harsh?
Not really, not when the starting pitcher, the guy you mortgaged your future at the trade deadline to acquire, can’t get out of the second inning – again. Not when your rookie first baseman ranges to San Dimas to grab a ground ball in front of the second baseman and throws it in the photographer well – in the first inning. Not when you put the leadoff hitter on time after time, load the bases, put guys in scoring position – and score once.
That’s the definition of choking.
But, to be fair, the stage may have been just too big, the lights too bright, for this team at this time.
It wasn’t for the Astros, who won their first World Series in their 55-year existence, 5-1, thanks to a combination of small ball, another big blow from George Springer’s explosive bat and a usual starter, Charlie Morton, posting an outstanding relief stint. In other words, the typical Game Seven combination these days.
The Astros deserved to win this game and they did, basically in the first inning against Yu Darvish, who pitched as if he had never faced pressure before. Maybe he hadn’t or maybe he just never learned how to deal with it.
Whatever, Houston scored twice by putting stress on Los Angeles – only one ball was hit hard – and watching the Dodgers crack. Well, Cody Bellinger cracked. The presumptive N.L. Rookie of the Year made one throw he shouldn’t have, the abovementioned off-balance lob, and didn’t make one he should have, allowing the second run to score.
The biggest mistake young players make in big games is to try to do too much. The second-biggest? Being tentative. Bellinger did both in the first inning.
Then, after Lance McCullers Jr. hit a couple Dodgers and loaded the bases, the Astros still wiggled out of a jam in the bottom of the inning – helped by Bellinger’s strike out, one of the record 17 he had in the series – and the game was effectively over.
When Series MVP Springer launched another ball into the night in the top of the second, his fifth home run in the seven games, it was really over.
It didn’t matter the guy who should have started, Clayton Kershaw, threw four shutout innings. It didn’t matter the Dodgers kept putting guys on base, kept giving themselves chances to get back into it, not when they were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
This was the Astros’ game from the top of the second on, and they weren’t going to give it away. And the Dodgers, with everyone trying to hit an eight-run home run, weren’t about to take it.
Both these teams are young, and both have an opportunity for more titles. But Houston has a couple veterans it really leans on, second baseman Jose Altuve and catcher Brian McCann. That trumped the Dodgers’ veterans, who are mainly pitchers or role players.
The Astros rose to the moment. The Dodgers choked. It’s as simple as that.
• It is now November. The baseball season is over, football season is either halfway done (NFL) or three-quarters (college).
Which means it’s time to think about hoops.
The S-R today has its college basketball section, filled with previews, notes and thoughts about everyone of the schools in the Inland Northwest. Every story can be found here. We also link them in the sections below. There are also quite a few photos to peruse. Enjoy.
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WSU: There is a pretty important football game in Pullman this Saturday afternoon. Stanford comes to town for a crucial North division showdown. Theo Lawson takes a look at the Cardinal in this piece, and makes his Pac-12 picks in this one. He also has a couple interviews with assistant coaches contained on our WSU football page. … The Cougars will have to find a way to contain Stanford defensive star Harrison Phillips. … In our basketball preview section, Theo Lawson writes about how Ernie Kent is picking up the pace in practice and, hopefully, in games. … John Blanchette examines the cloud hanging over the Pac-12 as the season starts. … The WSU women are aiming for new heights, according to Jim Allen’s story.
Elsewhere in Pac-12 football, Jon Wilner is counting down his personal top 25 greatest games featuring conference schools. He’s on No. 19, one I remember well. … The only game this week that might be on that list someday will also be in the Coliseum, where USC hosts Arizona is a game that should decide the South representative in the conference title game. … The biggest rivalry game this week pits Washington and Oregon, though Husky players tried to downplay the significance. It may be really significant to Justin Herbert. … Whether UCLA’s Josh Rosen will play a significant role as the Bruins travel to Utah, no one knows. … Two teams in need of a win, Oregon State and California, will meet in Berkeley. … The same can be said of Colorado, and its highly regard defensive back, and Arizona State.
Gonzaga: There was some news yesterday as the Zags were ranked 18th in the preseason AP basketball poll. Jim Meehan has that story. … As for items from the preview section, Jim looks at the season, which comes on the heels of GU’s best, while also examining how successful the Zags have been at reloading and at expanding their facilities. … John looks at the changing nature of Gonzaga’s recruiting. … John also relays the news WCC coaches all picked Saint Mary’s to win this season. … The Gonzaga women are the pick to win the conference. Jim Allen talked with, and writes about, two players that the main reason why.
EWU: With the Big Sky schedule winding down, there are about five teams in the conference with a shot for a piece of the title. And all are vying for a spot in the playoffs. Jim Allen takes a look at all of them and what they have to do. … On the basketball front, Jim introduces us to new coach Shantay Legans. … He also has a story on the star player for the women, Delaney Hodgins. … Around the Big Sky in football there are many ways to develop into a top nose tackle, though the one a Montana player took is different. … The playoffs are in play at Southern Utah. … The conference title is in play at Northern Arizona. … Montana State is growing up.
Idaho: Not only do the Vandals have to travel to Alabama to play Troy, one of the better Sun Belt teams, they had to do it yesterday because they play tonight. Peter Harriman has an advance of a game for which UI didn’t have much time to prepare. … The favorites in Big Sky basketball? That would be Idaho. Peter Harriman has a preview. … Jim also has a story on the Idaho women and their goals.
Whitworth: Success is expected for the Pirate men, as per usual, while the women’s team tries to bounce back from a trying season. Whitney Ogden has both stories.
CCS, NIC: Whitney also has stories on the men and the women at both the local community colleges.
Chiefs: Portland got past Prince George at home last night.
Preps: The football playoffs are in full swing and Dave Nichols takes a swing at all the games in this preview. … University’s girls’ soccer team is coming together at the right time, according to Jim Allen’s story. … Steve Christilaw has a story on Central Valley trying to build a program for the long haul.
Seahawks: With a new left tackle ready to go, the Hawks want to improve their running game this week. And it starts with Eddie Lacy. Really? … Jeremy Lane is back. And the defense welcomes him. Whether Earl Thomas will be on the field against the Redskins is another story. … Can Duane Brown lead the Hawks to the promised land?
Mariners: OK, we have World Series stories to pass along. I’m not sure I want to, but I have to. So here they are.
Sounders: It is make or break time for Seattle tonight against Vancouver. Win or stay home. … Portland won’t be facing Dallas’ best goalkeeper on Sunday.
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• I’m not really all that depressed. Not over Game Seven anyway. Though talking about it will be hard. I’ll be on the radio from 3 to 6 this afternoon, joining Rick Lukens on 700 ESPN. You can listen here. The guy sobbing in the background? That won’t be me. Until later …