Playoff Picture Coming Into Focus

by Chris Lima
108 Red Stitches

With the Red Sox victory over the Cleveland Indians last night, the BoSox eliminated the New York Yankees from post season contention. With the win, three of the four playoff slots in the American League have been filled (LA Angels of Anaheim, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox). The current Twins-White Sox series should determine the fate of the AL Central Race, with the White Sox leading the division by a game and a half.

The National League, as always, will most likely come down to the wire. The Cubbies are the only team to lock up a playoff spot, as the Phillies and Mets jocky for first place daily and even with a three game lead over the Diamondbacks, the Dodgers are really only safe from the Giants and Padres in the NL West.

The Yankees were unable to give their beloved Stadium a proper send off, as they failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the '94 strike shortened season.

And apparently, according to ESPN, the Rays are playing in the NLDS this post season....

Yanks Let Fans Roam One Last Time

Story reported by the Associated Press:

Fans will be allowed to walk on Yankee Stadium's field for three hours before the ballpark's final game Sunday.

Gates will open at 1 p.m. -- about 7 hours, 15 minutes before New York plays the Baltimore Orioles in its final game at the 85-year-old stadium.

For the first three hours, fans can walk through Monument Park, behind the fence in left-center, and walk along the warning track in the outfield and to home plate. Field access will end at about 4 p.m., and Monument Park will close at about 6:45 p.m.

Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Goose Gossage, Ron Guidry, Graig Nettles and Bobby Richardson are to be part of the pregame ceremonies, which start at 7:05 p.m.

A closing ceremony for the stadium will be held after the season.

Bleacher Fans to Receive an Eyesore in New Stadium

by Chris Lima
River Avenue News

According to the New Yankee Stadium's seat selector, fans positioned out in the left field bleachers will be starting a food products if anyone hits a ball down the right field line.

The above image is a screen shot from yankees.com. The big ugly gray mass in center field is actually the restaurant, which also serves as the batters eye.

So when Yankee firstbaseman of the future Jason Giambi/Adam Dunn/Xavier Nady smashes a ball down the right field line for a game winning/come from behind/meaningless stat padding shot home run, the fans in left will have to rely on someone else to clue them in on the action.

Interestingly enough, as listed on the website, Yankee officials are saying that “From the Bleachers to Yankees Premium Offerings, every fan will have more comfortable seating that offers improved sight lines.”

Well, almost everyone.

Mets Season on the Ropes

Things are starting to look a lot like 2007 for the Mets. Entering a crucial period in their schedule, they find themselves in a familiar position; looking up.

After taking hold of the NL East lead, the Mets have found a way to tumble down, now trailing the Phillies as another September collapse begins to look imminent.

The Mets just announced that Fernado Tatis will miss the remainder of the season after seperating his shoulder against the Nationals. Add that to Damion Easley being scratched from the lineup and the Mets are slowly losing quality right handed bats.

The Mets have recently lost closer Billy Wagner to a season (possibly career) ending injury and don't expect John Maine to return until the playoffs (and may return to a bullpen role).

Maybe it wasn't Willy's fault.

What the Yost?!?!

In what industry insiders and fans alike should consider a surprise move, the Milwaukee Brewers fired manager Ned Yost, replacing him with Dale Sveum.

The Brewers currently hold a share of the wild card lead, and have made vast improvements since Yost held the reigns as Brew Crew manager.

Despite landing lefty CC Sabathia before the trade deadline, the Brewers have been floundering as of late. The following quote was posted on ESPN.com

"I think we have sucked in September so far," a Brewers player who wished to remain anonymous told ESPN.com's Amy K. Nelson. "And I don't think it's his fault that we can't hit or pitch right now, but something had to change."

Yost was in his sixth season as the Brewers' manager.

Zambrano No Hits Astros, First Cubbie No-No Since '72

September 15, 2008
by Chris Lima
108 Red Stitches

Carlos Zambrano has had some season. Arm troubles, trips to the DL, crazy wins, head scratching losses. This time, after not having pitched since September 2nd, Zambrano did something that no Cubs hurler has done in 36 years.

He tossed a No-No. Even with arm fatigue and not having faced live hitters in twelve days.

Imagine what he could do when he's finally healthy.

Zambrano walked one batter and hit another, the only blemishes on an otherwise perfect performance.

Zambrano wound up throwing 110 pitches, which might be cause for concern for Cubs fans, after all the pomp and circumstance is over.

Here's the odd part; Zambrano threw the no-hitter in Miller Park. Against the Houston Astros, who, the last time we checked, were not the Milwaukee Brewers. The game was moved to Miller Park (Brewers home field) because of Hurricane Ike.

Eighth Sign of the Apocalypse Draws Near

by Chris Lima
108 Red Stitches

Football season kicks off tonight with the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants taking on the Washington Redskins.

Many New Yorkers will turn to football as a way to drown out their lost hopes they held so dear for their New York Yankees. The last season at the Stadium, and the team can't even come close to adding one last page to its exalted history book.

While New Yorkers turn to football as a much needed distraction, they're going to miss the last and final Sign of the Apocalypse.

We here at 108 Red Stitches know a thing or two about the Apocalypse; our tag line is: One Blog in the Post Apocalyptic World of the New Home Run King. We're constantly on the lookout for signs of impending doom. And now, we're officially worried.

Whoever is in charge of the Apocalypse has skipped right over the frogs, nasty bugs, plagues, fire and brimstone, and sacrificing of firstborns. They've skipped right over to the Eighth and Final Sign: Boston Fans Routing for the Yankees.

My wonderful girlfriend pointed out to me yesterday that Mike Schweitzer, a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, had indeed, posted on his Facebook wall this quote:

"Let's Go Yankees!"

After spitting out my cookie cake and milk, I sprayed us and the surrounding area with Holy Water and grabbed the only set of Rosary Beads I could find. This was surely the end.

I never thought I would live to see the day that a die hard Red Sox fan would be cheering for the Yankees, until I realized that, if the Bombers beat the Rays, the BoSox would move closer towards first place in the AL East.

After sadly realizing that all that is left for my beloved Yanks is a role they haven't played in almost two decades (spoilers), only one thought remained in my head.

"Let's Go Rays".

Uh Oh! Roger's Son is Arrested

According to reports by the Associated Press and a news article posted on sfgate.com, Roger Clemens' son, Koby Clemens, and two other minor leaguers were arrested "after police were called to the parking lot of a restaurant. Clemens and Ori were charged with disorderly conduct. Goethals was charged with assault and battery."

The three minor leaguers play for the Salem Avalanche, the Single A affiliate of the Houston Astros, their last game of the season being Monday (9/1/2008) night.

The three were jailed, albeit for a brief time.