Surprising Giants Win Season-Series over Rival Dodgers

The wonder boys of San Francisco have done it again, this time reclaiming sole possession of first place in the National League West after taking two of three from the archrival Los Angeles Dodgers and besting their hated foes to claim the season series: 10 games to 9. Let's face it, the Giants weren't even supposed to be here heading into the season, especially this late into the year, not to mention against the All-Star cast of talent that is the defending champion Dodgers. And yet, Gabe Kapler's ragtag Giants team has found a way to do it again, this time taking the rubber-match at San Francisco's Oracle Park, while handing Cy Young contender Walker Buehler his first career loss to the Giants in 10 career starts and his worst outing of the season in which he allowed a season-high six earned runs over a season-low three innings pitched. All while the Giants were forced to play their second consecutive bullpen game in as many days. 

As good as Buehler had been this season while boasting a record of 13-2 and an MLB-best earned run average of 2.05 entering Sunday's outing, he's been even better when facing the Giants. Prior to Sunday's game which was televised on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, Buehler had absolutely owned the Giants this season to the tune of a 0.79 ERA in 34 innings against them over five starts. With a perfect record of 7-0 against San Francisco in 12 career games, including 10 starts, Buehler has especially enjoyed pitching at Oracle Park where he's won all six of his starts there since being called up to the Majors in 2017. However, with first place on the line, the Giants were finally able to breakthrough against Buehler, attacking him early and often in the count. After a solo home run from Brandon Belt opened things up in the first inning, the recently recalled Steven Duggar who was called up from Triple-A Sacramento and plugged into the lineup just hours before first-pitch, delivered a 2-run triple before eventually scoring on a single from Darin Ruf. Brandon Crawford and Curt Casali continued the surge with an RBI double and RBI single, respectively, ending Buehler's night after only three innings pitched. The Dodgers were aided a run on a controversial ball-four call that drew a bases-loaded walk in the fifth and got a pair of runs late in the 9th inning off of a pinch-hit homer from Albert Pujols, but were unable to complete the rally before falling by a final score of 6-4. 

Despite their struggles hitting with runners in scoring position in the first two games of the series (a combined 4-for-30), those struggles were nonexistent in the finale for the G-Men (4-for-10) when facing one of baseball's best. After surrendering sole possession of first-place in the NL West for the first time since April 25, the Giants reclaimed their throne with the thrilling victory in the series-finale to their epic season-long battle which could very well witness another chapter, but in postseason-form. Dating back to their days in New York, the Giants and Dodgers have never met in the postseason up to this point, and could very well see that come to an end this year if whichever team is forced to play in the one-game Wild Card playoff, is able to win their game and advance to the National League Division Series. As if the rivalry needed anymore drama added into the mix. Since dropping their first four games of the season to L.A., the Giants have gone on to win 10 of the last 15 versus Dave Roberts' Dodgers club. With just a 1-game lead in the division following a win from both teams on Labor Day, the Giants currently own the best record in all of baseball at 88-50 and will try to keep their distance over Los Angeles in the standings with only 24 games remaining in the regular season. 

Follow me on Twitter: @FraserKnowsBest 

Giants cap off Wild Trade Deadline with Acquisition of All-Star Bryant

Major League Baseball had one of its crazier trade deadlines in recent memory on Friday, if not the craziest of all-time. By the 1pm cutoff time, 4pm if you're on the east coast, baseball fans who are less than three weeks removed from watching the MLB All-Star Game played in Denver, saw a record ten All-Stars who played in that Mid-Summer Classic, dealt by the time things were all said and done. With such names as sluggers Joey Gallo of the Texas Rangers and Anthony Rizzo of the Chicago Cubs being dealt to the Bronx from their respectively clubs as the Yankees try to chase down the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox in the American League East, as well as Kyle Schwarber heading to Bean Town from our nation's capital, the list of notable names that changed clubhouses goes on and on. But perhaps the biggest blockbuster that caught everyone by surprise, was that of the Los Angeles Dodgers who pulled a Houdini move by snaking a pair of All-Star studs from the nose of the division rival Padres. 

By mid-day Thursday, it appeared that the Padres had gained a tremendous boost in their efforts to overthrow the Dodgers and first-place San Francisco Giants in the National League Western Division when reports swirled that they were close to finalizing a deal that would land them a 4-time Cy Young Award-winner in Max Scherzer. Instead, the pitcher-needy Friars were upended by the rival Dodgers who pulled off a sneak-attack by stealing Scherzer from their grasp, while also adding All-Star shortstop Trea Turner in the process. While the deal did cost a pair of L.A.'s top prospects in return, they added another unbelievable duo to their already star-studded roster, as well as prevent a pair of rivals from adding a dominant arm to their starting rotation, as the Giants were also rumored to be in on Scherzer. After landing All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the days leading up to Friday's deadline, the only additions the Padres had to show for on deadline day were a pair of underwhelming names in relief pitcher Daniel Hudson and outfielder Jake Marisnick who were acquired from the Nationals and Cubs, respectively. 

Just when it appeared that Farhan Zaidi -- general manger of the San Francisco Giants, was going to stay pat at the deadline, the team with the best record in all of baseball waited until the 11th hour before getting in on the action and acquiring Cubs All-Star third baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant. Not long after news broke that the Cubbies were shipping two-time All-Star infielder Javy Baez to Queens to join the New York Mets, the north siders ended their fire sale by sending Bryant out west to the city by the bay to join the Giants. It was a nerve-racking hour or so for Giants fans as reports were unclear on who Zaidi had given up for what could very well be a rental player considering Bryant will be a free-agent at the end of the season, but when it was all said and done, San Francisco got the guy they wanted all along and didn't trade an arm and a leg to get him. In return for Bryant, a former NL MVP and four-time All-Star who says he grew up a fan of Barry Bonds and the Giants, San Francisco gave up a pair of Minor Leaguers in outfielder Alexander Canario and right-handed pitcher Caleb Kilian, their No. 9 and No. 30 prospects, respectively, which was much more calming and somewhat of a relief to hear than their top prospect in catcher Joey Bart and first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. which was initially rumored. The Giants ended their deadline pursuit by bringing back lefty reliever Tony Watson from the Los Angeles Angels to bolster the bullpen. Watson spent three seasons with the Giants from 2018-20. 

As teams jockey for position in the home stretch of the MLB regular season in preparation of the Postseason, the Giants at 65-39, currently own a 3-game lead over the Dodgers in the division and a 6.5 game advantage over San Diego. The Giants are hopeful that the acquisition of Bryant will help them maintain a stranglehold in the division over both the Dodgers and Padres, two teams that were supposed to be lightyears ahead of the Giants heading into the season. Hitting .267 on the year with 18 home runs and 51 RBI, the Giants will welcome Bryant's versatility with open arms as he's played seven different positions in 2021, while also looking forward to his bat as he's enjoyed success at San Francisco's Oracle Park, boasting a .324 batting average, 5 HR, 3 doubles, a triple and 15 RBI in 17 career games. Speaking to fellow All-Star and now teammate Brandon Crawford, Bryant knew at the All-Star break that there was a possibility he could be dealt, and all that he asked of Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer was that he would be traded to a team contending for a playoff berth like San Francisco. It's safe to say the 29-year old Vegas-native got his wish, as the core three of Bryant, Rizzo and Baez from the curse-breaking 2016 World Series champion Cubs team are all gone. 

Other notable names that changed ballclubs at the deadline include: All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel who the Cubs shipped to the southside of town to join the White Sox and Eduardo Escobar who landed in Milwaukee after being the lone representative in the 2021 All-Star Game for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Like the Cubbies, the Nationals also cleaned house by shipping out a number of big names in addition to Turner and Scherzer, such as Kyle Schwarber who was sent from D.C. to the Red Sox, Yan Gomes and Josh Harison who joined the playoff hopeful Oakland Athletics and 5-time All-Star Jon Lester who joined Wild Card contenders St. Louis. The Minnesota Twins also dealt a pair of All-Stars in pitcher Jose Berrios who landed in Toronto with the Blue Jays and Nelson Cruz who was dealt a few days earlier to the reigning American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays. It's unlikely we'll ever witness a trade deadline quite like this one after seeing 32 different trades which included more than 80 players dealt in total.  

Follow me on Twitter: @FraserKnowsBest 

Scoreless in San Diego

The San Diego Padres are bad. How bad you ask? They just kicked off their 2016 season in the worse way possible -- by being swept in shutout fashion by the rival Dodgers. This all happened in their own park no less as San Diego was outscored 25 to 0. We all knew heading into the season that the Friars were going to be bad this year, but nobody could've expected this. Making matters worse for San Diego, Dodgers pitcher Kenta Maeda homered in his second career at-bat, while pitching in his Major League debut. That's right, the Dodgers' pitcher has accounted for more offense than the entire Padres lineup combined.

Regardless of how much credit first-year skipper Dave Roberts deserves for his team's blazing start considering how bad the Padres are, it's one hell of a way to kick start your managerial career. L.A. became just the second team in modern-day Major League history to record three straight shutouts to open a season, joining the 1963 St. Louis Cardinals. The 27 consecutive scoreless-innings to start a season is also a Dodgers franchise-record, breaking their previous best of 23 set back in 1974. Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw began the scoreless streak by hurling seven innings of 1-hit ball (no surprise there) before handing it off to the bullpen. Offseason acquisition Scott Kazmir followed suit in his National League debut by giving the Dodgers six solid innings in which he also only allowed one hit, followed by Maeda's memorable outing on both sides of the plate. With a 4-game slate against the arch-rival Giants (2-1) taking place in San Francisco starting Thursday, the Dodgers (3-0) will need five more scoreless frames to tie the Cardinals' record of 32 consecutive innings without allowing a run and six to set a new record. Pitcher Alex Wood will be asked to keep the streak alive for the Dodgers as San Francisco hopes to counter by turning to veteran hurler Jake Peavy.

As for the Padres who now own the dubious record previously held by the 1943 St. Louis Browns who went 26 innings without scoring a run to start a season, San Diego will have to sleep on it for at least another day as they've got an off day on Thursday. However, I do like their chances of scoring at least one run when they take the field again as they open a 3-game series on the road at Denver's Coors Field where a pitcher's earned run average goes to die and balls fly out of the park more so than anywhere else. But hey, it's not all doom and gloom if you're a baseball fan living in San Diego, as the city will play host to this year's MLB All-Star game in July. Though it's still a few months away, the Mid-Summer Classic might be the only time that San Diego baseball fans will be treated to some offense generated by the home team this season.


Follow me on Twitter: @FraserKnowsBest 

Dodgers take a Double Scoop of No

For the second time in nine days, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been no-hit. After having a no-hitter thrown against them in a 3-0 loss to the Houston Astros on August 21, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly watched from the dugout on Sunday as his club logged the shortest span for a team being no-hit in 92 years when the Cubs repeated the feat. 

The first pitcher to victimize the first-place Dodgers was Mike Fiers who was dealt by the Milwaukee Brewers at the non-waiver trade deadline and acquired by the Houston Astros. Having entered the game seeking his first career complete game, in his third start with his new club, the 30-year old Fiers would achieve so much more by the end of the night. Needing 134-pitches, Fiers got his first complete game and then some, striking out 10 batters and walking 3 while becoming the first pitcher to throw a no-no after being traded that season since Jim Bibby in 1973. It would be the Astros' first no-hitter since a combined no-no in 2003 against the Yankees in New York and first individual no-hitter since the late Darryl Kile stymied the Mets in the old Astrodome in 1993. The masterful outing which earned Fiers AL Player of the Week honors, was the 11th no-hitter in franchise history and first in the 16-year history of Houston's Minute Maid Park.

In what's been a remarkable season for the Astros who virtually opened the season in first place in the AL West and haven't looked back, Fiers' performance added to the excitement as Houston tries to hang onto its playoff spot with baseball entering its last full calendar month of the regular season. 

On Sunday, however, the Dodgers fell victim to a whole different animal in Cubs righty Jake Arrieta. Unlike Fiers who's had an up and down season spent between two clubs, Arrieta has been one of the best pitchers in all of baseball since the All-Star break having logged 14 consecutive quality starts. And in Tinsletown, Arrieta took to the mound and delivered a performance fit for the Oscars. Having dominated the entire month of August, Arrieta showcased his best stuff yet on Sunday, striking out 12 Dodger hitters while allowing only two base runners all evening in the 2-0 victory. A walk and an error by Cubbies shortstop Starlin Castro would be the only blemish on an otherwise perfect night for the Chicago right-hander. For what it's worth, Arrieta, who boasts an ERA of 2.11 on the season, has held the opposition hit-less thru the first five innings in seven of his 18 starts in 2015. But on Sunday, he would go the distance by twirling the sixth no-hitter of the 2015 season and becoming the first Cubs pitcher to toss a no-hitter since Carlos Zambrano who made history by blanking the Astros in a game played at Milwaukee's Miller Park on September 14, 2008.

Heading into the ninth inning needing only three outs, Arrieta went out in style by striking out the side to put the finishing touches on his historic night as he improved to a perfect record of 6-0 in the month of August, while tallying his Major League-leading 17th win of the season which seems like a far cry from the forgetful seasons Arrieta spent with the Baltimore Orioles. And for the first time since 2008 the Chicago Cubs (74-55) are on the cusp of a playoff berth, currently holding the second NL Wild Card spot with a 5.5-game cushion on top of the defending-champion San Francisco Giants. A lot of that has to do with the impressive second half to the season Arrieta has been able to put together. If he can keep it up, don't be surprised if his name's in the final running for the NL Cy Young Award. 


Follow me on Twitter: @FraserKnowsBest 

Clayton the Unhittable

Whatever's in the water cooler in the Los Angeles Dodgers' dugout seems to be working for the team's starting pitching staff which has produced the only two no-hitters thus far. After going nearly two decades without a single Dodger no-hitter, the boys in blue have now witnessed a pair of no-no's less than a month apart from one another in 2014. With Josh Beckett tossing the first no-hitter of the 2014 season back in May, the first by a Dodger since Hideo Nomo in 1996, L.A.'s ace Clayton Kershaw now has a no-hitter story to tell of his own. Having already established what appears to be a Hall of Fame worthy resume in just six full seasons and touted as the best pitcher in all of baseball, Kershaw's name will now be etched in the record books after logging his most dominant outing yet. And let's be honest, we all knew he was bound to toss a no-hitter sooner or later.

With the start of Kershaw's 2014 season anything but ideal, serving a stint on the disabled-list for the first time of his career just one start in after being awarded his second Cy Young Award last season and third consecutive ERA title, the 3-time All-Star appears to have put that behind him and has more than made up for his early absence. Having often been compared to Dodger great and fellow southpaw Sandy Kofax, Kershaw now has something else in common with the Dodgers legend now that he's got a no-hitter under his belt. Something Kofax knows plenty about considering he tossed four no-hitters of his own during his days, one of which being a perfect game. Though time will tell whether the 26-year old Kershaw can come even remotely close to Kofax's four no-hitters, his no-no would've been a perfect game had it not been for an error in the seventh inning by Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez who's errant throw to first base allowed the only base runner in the game for the Rockies.

To put into perspective just how dominant Kershaw's outing really was on Wednesday night, he struck out a career-high 15 batters and allowed only one 3-ball count while needing only 107-pitches (80 for strikes) as the Dodgers defeated Colorado easily by a final score of 8-0. Kershaw improved to 7-2 on the year while bumping his ERA down to 2.52 and more importantly helped L.A. close the gap on the division-leading Giants who's 9.5 game lead just two weeks ago has shrunk to just four games. Despite a disappointing outing in the series clinching game 6 of the NLCS last season which saw Kershaw surrender seven earned runs to the St. Louis Cardinals who went on to the World Series, the Dodgers agreed to a record-setting contract extension with their ace during the offseason, signing him to a 7-year, $215 Million deal, the richest contract ever signed by a pitcher. And so far, Kershaw's been worth every dime.


Follow me on Twitter: @FraserKnowsBest

Dodgers' Beckett no-hits Phillies

Baseball saw its first no-hitter of the 2014 season on Sunday when Josh Beckett of the Los Angeles Dodgers worked his magic to blank the Philadelphia Phillies in their own home. With such pitching stars as Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, both of whom who have hoisted Cy Young Awards during their careers as well as former All-Star Dan Haren and Korean sensation Hyun-Jin Ryu, it was the eldest of the bunch who did something neither of his teammates had accomplished before. Needing 128-pitches, 80 of which were for strikes, the 34-year old Beckett became the 24th Dodger in franchise history to toss a no-no (11th since the club moved to L.A.) and the first since Hideo Nomo no-hit the Colorado Rockies on September 17, 1996.

Beckett, a 3-time All-Star himself and a 2-time World Series champion, has had his fair share of ups and downs over the last few seasons but seems to have found his rhythm so far in 2014. Sporting a 2.43 ERA in 9 starts this year, Beckett saw his best outing yet on Sunday, striking out six and allowing three walks without yielding a single hit, which earned him NL Player of the Week honors. But the road Beckett has taken over the last year is almost as remarkable as the masterful performance he had on Memorial Day weekend. After struggling early in the season last year and eventually serving a stint on the disabled list where he began experiencing tingling in his fingers and numbing of his hands, it was learned that Beckett had been diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome. Fearing that he wouldn't be able to pitch again, Beckett underwent season-ending surgery in July and had a rib removed to relieve pressure on his nerves. Several outings into the new season and I think it's safe to say Beckett is healthy again.

Though the no-hitter was a first for Beckett who had made 320 starts prior to Sunday's 6-0 win over the Phillies, the man behind the dish who caught Beckett, had some experience however. Dodgers catcher Drew Butera added a second no-hitter to his resume on Sunday after catching one from Francisco Liriano back in 2011 while with the Minnesota Twins. Beckett's gem was nearly one-upped the following day when his fellow teammate Hyun-Jin Ryu took a perfect game into the 8th inning on Monday before Todd Frazier of the Reds hit a double to lead off the inning. The two combined for 17 straight no-hit innings, nearly becoming the first pair of teammates to toss no-hitters on back to back outings. L.A.'s streak of 17 hit-less innings is one that's only been matched one time in the last 30+ years when the Dodgers' cross-town rival Los Angeles Angels did it in May of 2012 which featured a no-hitter by Jared Weaver. The Dodgers (29-24), winners of their last three, are hoping Beckett's stellar pitching can continue as they look to gain some ground on the division-leading San Francisco Giants who hold a 4.5 game lead in the NL West.


Follow me on Twitter: @FraserKnowsBest 

Deadline Dud

This year's MLB trade deadline was a whisper in the night opposed to years passed as there were no major splashes made in baseball's trade-o-sphere. However, a few clubs managed to address their pitching needs without dealing for marquee names. Perhaps the biggest name dealt was starting pitcher Jake Peavy who relocated from the Chicago White Sox to the Boston Red Sox. Though Peavy, a 4-time All-Star and former Cy Young Award winner isn't quite the pitcher he once was with the San Diego Padres as he's had a hard time adjusting to the offense-friendly American League, he gives Boston a much needed arm in a rotation that's been without arguably its best pitcher in Clay Buchholz who's been idle since June 8 with a shoulder injury. The move also benefits the player as the 32-year old Peavy (8-4, 4.28 ERA) departs a last place Chicago team for Boston who currently sits atop the AL East with an MLB-best 66-wins. Peavy is under contract through 2014.

One team hoping to spoil the party and prevent Boston from making the postseason if not meet them there, are the Baltimore Orioles who answered their division-rivals with a move of their own, acquiring hurler Bud Norris from the last-place Houston Astros. Norris, who served as the ace for a Houston ball club that's had a torturous 2013 campaign, owning baseball's worst record at 36-71 in their first year in the American League, has gotta be as happy as anyone now that he'll be shifting from the race for the worst record in all of baseball for what's expected to be a pennant race in the AL East. Orioles skipper Buck Showalter who helped turn the franchise around in 2012, leading them to their first playoff appearance in 15 years, knows his squad has been highly dependent on its power hitting offense while the team's mediocre pitching staff has fallen by the wayside, putting up numbers near the bottom of the pack in almost every major pitching category. That's where Norris comes in and hopes to make his presence felt.

However, as far as importance goes, both of these deadline deals fail to match that of the Texas Rangers acquiring Matt Garza from the Chicago Cubs for Mike Olt, C.J. Edwards and Justin Grimm, which took place last week. Nolan Ryan and company hope the addition of Garza will help the Rangers catch up to and pass the Oakland A's who dethroned Texas for the American League Western Division title last season and currently lead the division by 3.5 games. Garza who's been surprisingly consistent despite playing a majority of his career in the powerhouse AL East while with the Tampa Bay Rays and in the hitter-friendly Wrigley Field, will now be given the daunting task of having to pitch in Arlington, Texas where the triple-digit temperatures are no friend to a pitcher's earned-run average. But who wouldn't sacrifice a few notches on their ERA to play for a contender that's made two World Series appearances in the last three years.

Another name or beard rather that is quite popular among baseball fans is Brian Wilson. The former All-Star closer for the San Francisco Giants has been M.I.A. from the big league stage since April of 2012 while recovering from a second Tommy John surgery. After watching his team win the World Series without his help in 2012, negotiations with the San Francisco ball club went sour when the team he compiled 171 career-saves for over seven seasons failed to offer Wilson a contract following his second surgery. Wilson didn't shy away from expressing his disappointment with the Giants front-office as his feathers were ruffled so much so that he chose not to accept an invitation to the team's ring ceremony back in April. And to spite them even more, the former ringleader of the 2010 Giants club which were best known as a band of misfits, signed with the team's arch rival -- the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Signing with the Dodgers gives Wilson a chance to prove he still has something in the tank as well as play for a contender as it appears the blue crew is primed to run away with the division, barring a setback of suckage like the 2013 Dodgers prior to Yasiel Puig's arrival. The deal which keeps Wilson under contract for the remainder of the season is a low-risk, high-reward type of signing for L.A. considering they didn't have to give up any prospects to get an arm that helps bolster the bullpen assuming he resembles the Brian Wilson that led the National League in saves in 2010 with 48. And if not, they won't be obligated to his services past 2013 which makes it a win-win for Don Mattingly and company. 

Last but not least is Alfonso Soriano, the lone position player acquired before the deadline worth mentioning. After beginning his Major League career in 1999 with the New York Yankees where he spent five seasons, two of which he made the All-Star team in while donning the pinstripes, Soriano was dealt to the Rangers for Alex Rodriguez who he'll now call his teammate. The Yankees began the season as one of the better teams in the AL and remained near the top of the AL East standings until just recently where they're now looking up at everybody in the division except for the Toronto Blue Jays who still can't get over the .500 mark and continue to disappoint. Soriano is due $25 Million over the remainder of 2013 and through 2014, with the Cubs picking up nearly $18 Million owed to the 7-time All-Star. Though Soriano's batting average has dropped drastically over the years and he no longer poses a major threat on the base paths, he can still pile up RBI's as evident in 2012 when he racked up a career-best 108 ribbies while swatting 32 home runs, his largest total since 2007 when he hit 33 homers with the Cubbies. But even the addition of the 37-year old Soriano doesn't look like it'll be enough to help the Bronx Bombers overcome the much younger and talented teams ahead of them in the division. At least not this season.

The limited action at this year's trade deadline is most likely an indication that teams feel more eager to hang onto key players since the MLB's adoption of a second Wild Card team in each league which was introduced for the first time in 2012, thus making teams that would normally be sellers at the deadline into hopeful contenders. That move may have forever altered the landscape of the trade deadline we once knew to be one of the more exciting week's of baseball. But that's not to say moves still can't be made as there's always the waiver wire that teams can resort to. The waiver deadline is a whole different ballgame though, which doesn't end until August 31. With that said, lets keep our eyes peeled for any forthcoming deals made through waivers. For all we know, they might be more groundbreaking than what this dud of a trade deadline offered.


Follow me on Twitter: @FraserKnowsBest

A Giant day in Dodgerland

Since my early childhood I've been attending baseball games with my father. In fact, some of my earliest memories are traced back when walking through the turnstiles at Dodger Stadium to cheer on the archrival San Francisco Giants. Continuing a tradition that we used to live by at least once a year when school was out for the summer until some 3 or 4 seasons back, my father and I set out to catch a pair of games at Chavez Ravine for my Birthday for the first time since the Giants added two World Series titles to their resume (one in 2010 and the other in 2012) while calling the Bay Area their home, leapfrogging the rival Dodgers in the process with 7 Championships to L.A.'s 6.

With seats down near the right-field foul pole in the outfield for game 1 of a 3 game series, my dad and I took a stroll down to the visiting bullpen where we watched in awe as the starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner threw strike after strike to the Giants catcher and reigning NL MVP Buster Posey as the battery warmed up before joining everyone in the ballpark as we sung the National Anthem in unison. Shortly after, we took to our seats some six rows back from the field as the game got underway. With the entire row to ourselves and our gloves in hand, we knew we had a good chance at catching a home run ball if one was hit our way. Little did we know our catching abilities would be tested several pitches into the game. After the Giants failed to get anything going in the top of the first inning, it was L.A.'s turn.

Three weeks into his big league career, Cuban sensation Yasiel Puig, who's been red-hot since being called up to the Majors on June 3, stepped up to the plate boasting a batting average well above .400. The noise Dodger fans made for their new favorite player when he stepped up to the plate was deafening as cheers and whistles were mixed in with the sound of maracas that blew out the stadium speakers. And in his first career at-bat against the Giants, Puig hit a 87 mph offering on a two-seam fastball our way. The ball appeared to be headed straight for my lap but then began curling around the foul pole a few seats over. Hesitant to move as if my feet were stuck in quicksand, I turned my head and saw that my dad had already drifted over some eight seats down the isle with his hands in the air. Doing his best Say Hey Kid impersonation decked out in his vintage Willie Mays Giants jersey lost in a sea of blue, my dad came down with the ball. Standing their in disbelief, I instantly began celebrating and laughing with my father as if he had just caught the final out of a World Series clinching game 7, despite our team falling behind, 1-0.

With a good amount of Giants fans sitting in our section, it wasn't long before they began shouting, "Throw it back!" And had it been me who caught the ball, I just might have. Instead, my father began to make a throwing motion as if he was going to toss the ball back onto the field but he played it off and shook his head no to the chorus of boo's from our fellow Giants fans to which he responded by blowing them kisses. As if the moment couldn't get any better, a Dodger fan sitting several rows in front of us pulled out and flashed a one hundred dollar bill from his pocket and offered to buy the ball from us. With little purpose of a ball hit by a player of the opposing team, my dad proudly obliged before handing me the Benjamin and saying, "Happy Birthday, son," Putting a stamp on the perfect father son moment. And though it would be the Dodgers who came out victorious on this day, 3-1 winners, snapping a five-game losing-streak against the Giants whom they would later sweep in the series, being there with my father to soak in a ballgame, much less witness him catch a home run ball which is a once in a lifetime moment, is something that far exceeds one single 'W' in the win column. However, getting the win would've been pretty nice, too, given I've been to nine Giants-Dodger games in L.A. in my lifetime and the only game they've won, I was too young to remember. Needless to say, this is one Birthday present that I'll never forget.

Follow me on Twitter: @FraserKnowsBest

Yasiel to the Rescue

Heading into the 2013 MLB season, no two teams had higher expectations than the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Los Angeles Dodgers. So much so that many had predicted the first ever Freeway Series in this year's Fall Classic. Unfortunately those same two teams share another distinction two months into the season as being the biggest disappointments thus far into the year despite owning the two highest payrolls in all of baseball. With both clubs at or near the bottom of the standings, the Dodgers (25-32) dead last in their division and the Angels (26-33) ahead of only the lowly Houston Astros in the American League West, there's still plenty of time for both teams to turn it around. The question is, can they?

While the Angels are hoping for Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton to turn things around on offense after getting off to a slow start as well as get their ace Jered Weaver back on track after a fractured left elbow landed him an early trip to the disabled-list, their National League counterparts appear to have found what they've been missing all along. Having suffered from a lack of power all season long near the bottom of the pack in home runs and only ahead of the White Sox, Nationals and Marlins in the runs department, the Dodgers lineup has been rejuvenated practically overnight while getting a glimpse of the future. With their star player in Matt Kemp on the DL with a hamstring injury and scheduled to make a pit-stop in the Minor Leagues for a rehab assignment, Dodgers skipper Don Mattingly who's been on the hot seat, elected to make a decision many thought he would've made during the final weeks of spring training by calling up 22 year old prospect Yasiel Puig. Puig, a native of Cuba, signed a 7-year, $42 Million deal with L.A. after defecting from his homeland in 2012 and had a superb spring before being promoted to the Majors on June 2. He would make his big league debut the following day. 

Taking on the division-rival Padres, Puig was plugged into the starting lineup as the lead-off man where he'd finish the game 2-for-4. However, his most impressive feat of the night would come on a play made for the final two outs of the ballgame. With 1-out in the 9th and a runner on first, Puig tracked down a fly ball on the warning track before rifling a toss on the fly to the first baseman Adrian Gonzalez in time to gun down the runner attempting to retreat to the bag for the game-ending double-play, worthy of a SportsCenter Top 10 nominee. And for those who missed his debut, the Cuban sensation made sure he backed it up with an encore even more awe-inspiring. Following their 2-1 victory over San Diego the night before, Puig highlighted a come-from-behind win over the Friars by going 3-for-4 with 2 home runs, 5 RBI's and 2 runs scored and possibly saving his manager's job in the process (at least for now) as L.A. improved to 2-0 in the Puig era after the 9-7 triumph Tuesday. The 22 year old stud became the first Dodger ever with a multi-homer game in his first two games and only the second player in franchise history with 2 home runs and 5 RBI's from the lead-off spot. 

Up until Monday the Dodgers were a two man show led by Adrian Gonzalez and their ace Clayton Kershaw who's 1.85 ERA is third in the Majors behind only Clay Buchholz of the Red Sox and Shelby Miller of the Cardinals. The kid has made one hell of a first impression on his first homestand and already has as many home runs in his first two games as teammate Matt Kemp has all season. A start of this magnitude will most likely draw the comparisons to Mike Trout, Manny Machado, Bryce Harper and other young stars who made an immediate impact with their clubs last season, but Puig seems poised to write his own chapter as the one who helped save the season despite the year being far from over. While he definitely appears to be the shot in the arm the team was desperately in need of on offense, he'll need all the help he can get from struggling players like Andre Ethier and Hanley Ramirez while key cogs Matt Kemp and Carl Crawford are sidelined with injuries.

Follow me on Twitter: @FraserKnowsBest

Baseball's So Cal Supreme Teams

Over the last few years in baseball, it almost seemed like a trend or better yet a given that the game's marquee free-agents would either land in New York, Philadelphia, or Boston during the off-season. But since last season, no place has been a better big name attraction than Los Angeles. Better known for its warm weather and sandy beaches, L.A. has quickly formed into a baseball haven.

As if the Los Angeles Dodgers weren't already the team to watch in the National League next season preparing to begin their 2013 campaign with the super team they tried forming during mid-season last year, they've surely solidified their case this off-season. Continuing what began in late July last season when the Dodgers traded for former NL Batting Champion Hanley Ramirez and All-Star reliever Brandon League before later adding Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett and Nick Punto in an August blockbuster  deal with the Boston Red Sox, the Blue Crew have yet to put down their checkbooks and take a break from their free-spending. Earlier this week Dodgers GM Ned Colletti confirmed the signings of Korean All-Star hurler Hyun-Jin Ryu and 2009 Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke. 

Refusing to play second fiddle in the city of angels to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim who had the most expensive off-season ever last year when signing Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson to a combined $317.5 Million, the Dodgers have quickly evolved into the NL's version of the New York Yankees and have been this year's most active ball club. Shortly after committing close to $62 Million on Ryu which included the $25.7 Million posting fee to negotiate with the Korean Baseball League veteran, the Dodgers made Greinke the highest paid right-handed pitcher in MLB history, inking him to a six-year, $146 Million pact. Hoping to improve in the pitching department, seeing as their nemesis in northern California -- the San Francisco Giants just won their second World Series title in three years backed by a dominant pitching staff, the Dodgers plan to make some noise of their own by adding a second Cy Young Award winner into the rotation.

The combination of Clayton Kershaw who took home NL Cy Young honors in 2011 and Greinke who won the hardware in the AL while with the Kansas City Royals in 2009 could be a lethal duo in an already pitching dominant division and should challenge the Giants for the NL West title. Splitting the season with the Milwaukee Brewers before being traded to the Angels in late July, Greinke posted a record of 15-5 with an ERA of 3.48 in 2012, eclipsing the 200 mark in both strikeouts and innings pitched. A season after the franchise filed for bankruptcy before falling into the hands of Guggenheim Baseball Management which includes former NBA great Magic Johnson for $2 Billion, the Dodgers who's current payroll sits at $225 Million, will more than likely begin the 2013 season with the highest payroll in baseball history, surpassing the previous mark set in 2005 by the New York Yankees ($209 Million). 

And while the 2013 payroll of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim doesn't quite compete with that of their southern California relatives, sitting at $160 Million, that doesn't mean they don't have a team that's even better on paper. Though the Dodgers own a better pitching staff than their cross-town rivals, the Angels' lineup is much more superior thanks in large part to owner Arte Moreno's spending which enabled GM Jerry Dipoto to land the most coveted player in free-agency for the second consecutive year. A year after signing Albert Pujols to a mega deal and prying former Rangers ace C.J. Wilson from the hands of their division rivals, the Angels have once again made it clear that they're going for it all in 2013, this time by adding former AL MVP Josh Hamilton to a five-year, $125 Million contract. Finishing his 2012 season with a .285 batting average, 128 RBIs, a .930 OPS and a career-high 43 home runs, Hamilton finished fifth in the AL MVP voting and was named Silver Slugger for the third time in his career. 

While many are quick to say the Angels have taken a roll of the dice with the blockbuster signing of Hamilton, a 5-time All-Star who brings baggage along with him which includes a history of injuries as well as alcohol and drug problems, Moreno sees it as a way to improve the ball club and enhance their chances of bringing the organization its second World Series Championship and its first under Moreno who bought the team in '03. Though one relapse can spell doom for the 31-year old Hamilton, he'll have a supportive cast to keep him clean along his journey. Alongside his family, Hamilton will have Pujols, Wilson who lives a straightedge lifestyle and his accountability partner, Shayne Kelley to help keep him out of trouble and away from his former demons that derailed his career in earlier years. Along with stealing their best player, the acquisition of Hamilton should also be enough to steal the AL West in 2013, leaving the Texas Rangers and Oakland A's on the outside looking in.

Hoping to improve their starting rotation following the departures of Greinke and Dan Haren, the Halos have acquired  Tommy Hanson, Joe Blanton and Jason Vargas this off-season and have added Ryan Madson and Sean Burnett to their relief corps. But even with an average pitching staff led by ace Jared Weaver, the Angels will be doing most of their winning with their offense. With Mike Trout leading off, Hamilton will more than likely protect Pujols as Anaheim's cleanup hitter which gives them three potential MVP candidates. Not to be forgotten is the power-hitting hometown kid -- Mark Trumbo. Combined they form a nice little rendition of the 1927 New York Yankees better known as "Murderers' Row." But along with the excitement revolving this new breeding ground for baseball superstars comes the expectations of winning championships. Something the Dodgers haven't done since 1988 and the Angels haven't accomplished since 2002. With a Battle of the Bay as well as a Subway Series World Series already in the books, could this be the year we're finally treated to a Freeway Series in the Fall Classic?


Follow me on Twitter: @FraserKnowsBest

Bryan Stow: A Rivalry Gone Too Far

With the Los Angeles Dodgers expected to return home for the first time this season since their season opening series against the rival San Francisco Giants, the team will not only be greeted by the shade of Dodger blue they're used to seeing, but also LAPD blue. This of coarse coming after the beating of a Giants fan in the Chavez Ravine parking lot after both teams renewed their rivalries for the first time in 2011 on March 31. Though the series between these two long-lived rivals almost guarantees a hostile environment which often translates to many fights amongst fans in the stands, never have we seen something quite like this.

Bryan Stow, a Santa Cruz native and paramedic who is usually helping save lives, is now fighting for his own. Following a 2-1 loss to L.A., Stow, wearing a Giants jersey, began walking back to his vehicle, when suddenly he was ambushed by two Dodger fans who jumped from behind a parked car and began punching and kicking him profusely before fleeing the scene. Suffering from a severe skull fracture and bruising to the brain's frontal lobe, the father of three now lies in a coma while his family anxiously awaits his wake. Chief officials from both cities along with both organizations have joined forces in hopes of capturing the two suspects still at large. A $150,000 reward has been offered to anyone who knows any further information on the whereabouts of either suspect as seen here:

With both teams meeting again on Monday, this time in San Francisco, the one thing on everybody's mind was if Giants fans would retaliate. Prior to throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, players and coaches from both teams met on the baseball diamond and were seen shaking hands with one another before Giants reliever Jeremy Affeldt and Jamey Carroll of the Dodgers stood in front of a podium to address the issue and remind fans that there's no room in the game for hatred and violence. "We ask that you respect our rivalry and that you respect each other as fans." said Affeldt. Trying to fight off tears, the choked up left-hander added, "When the last out is made, the rivalry ends on the field."

The game was dedicated to Stow, raising over $70,000 in proceeds to help his family pay for medical bills. Another $60,000 was raised by the Dodgers organization who also did their part by holding a drive through fund raiser in the Dodger Stadium parking lot where the incident took place. Some of the Giants players also contributed, including fan favorite and 2-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum who donated $25,000 of his own to the Stow family. In efforts to prevent another incident like this happening, undercover cops and off-duty policeman will attend Thursday's Dodgers-Cardinals game dressed in opposing teams attire to act as decoys in hopes of cracking down on other unruly fans.

It's obvious the history between not only these two teams is rich in violence but also both cities, so I find it rather sad it's taken something like this for officials to finally step in and beef up security. After all, this isn't the first act of thuggery seen in the infamous Dodger Stadium parking lot. Such antics between fans of the two teams have gone as far as a shooting, which took place in 2003, when a Giants fan shot and killed a Dodger fan after a similar altercation. And more recently in 2009 when the Dodgers hosted the Giants to open the season, a man was hospitalized after being stabbed multiple times following an argument.

What makes this tragedy so frightening to me, is that it could have happened to anyone. For years now, my father and I have made a number of trips to Giants-Dodger games in L.A., and we've been fortunate enough to leave the stadium unharmed, with no battle wounds to show for. Based off my own experience, there's no other feeling as discomforting as the one that follows after leaving the hostile environment of Dodger Stadium. However, that won't stop me from entering the Ravine or any other opposing team's stadium to support my team. A day at the yard should be a fan-friendly, family oriented environment. Not a place to go to seek violence with other fans or rival gang members, which has happened all too often at the Ravine.

Dodgers second baseman Jamey Carroll said it best on Monday when standing in front of a sold out crowd at AT&T Park, "This is America's national past time and let's keep it at that."

World Series Hangover

This past Thursday, the San Francisco Giants opened their title defense on the road against the rival Dodgers in a four game series in L.A. Since capturing their first ever World Series Championship in late October, the Giants have showed no signs of slowing down, finishing Spring Training with a league best 23-wins. However, the start to their 2011 campaign and run for a second consecutive title began a bit sluggish and was anything but ideal.
Game 1 of their four game set at Dodger Stadium featured a pair of young aces -- Tim Lincecum and Clayton Kershaw. Living up to expectations, Kershaw would eventually win the pitcher's duel, thanks to 3 errors by the Giants, allowing a 1-0 lead in the 6th. L.A. would tack on another run in the 8th, before Pat Burrell's solo shot off Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton put the Giants on the board in the 9th, ending the shutout. However, the self inflicted wounds would be the difference in the game, as the World Champs dropped their first match of the season, 2-1.
In Game 2, the Giants starting rotation would showcase yet another dominant outing to start the game, before running into some misfortune for the second straight night. Southpaw Jonathan Sanchez appeared to be on top of his game for the Giants, until allowing a walk to the opposing pitcher Chad Billingsley in the 3rd, who went on to score after a ground-rule double hit by Matt Kemp. The Giants would strike back an inning later, with the only offense they had all night, thanks to rookie first baseman Brandon Belt hitting his first big league homer, a 3-run shot over the center field wall. After taking a 3-1 lead into the 6th, the San Francisco defense would commit back-to-back errors, including a comebacker off the glove of Sanchez, allowing the Dodgers to reclaim the lead.

Only a year removed from setting a franchise record for the fewest errors in a season and a .988 fielding percentage which was good enough for 4th best in the league, the Giants have already committed 5 errors. Those errors would prove to be costly as San Francisco was unable to get anything else going on offense, falling once again to their archrivals, 4-3. Game 3 would sing a different tune, as the Giants poured it on their nemesis in landslide fashion. A usual suspect of the lack of run support, the San Francisco offense would be sure to treat the right-handed Matt Cain to plenty of offense on Saturday, amassing a total 10 runs on 13 hits. Hitting atop of the line-up, Miguel Tejada, Freddy Sanchez and Aubrey Huff combined for 7 hits and 8 RBI's, leading the G-men to their first win of the season, 10-0, as Cain blanked the opposition.
With a chance to split the series in Game 4, the Giants would hand the ball over to the left-handed Barry Zito for the finale. Having suffered from a car accident just days prior to his outing on Wednesday night, it was unsure if Zito would be effective in his scheduled start, let alone be healthy enough to play. With a few extra nights of rest pitching fourth in the rotation, Zito was given the green light and pronounced ready to go, facing L.A.'s Hiroki Kuroda. Zito, a former Cy Young Award winner while a member of the A's, ran into an early speed bump, as two of the first three Dodger hitters reached base before being brought home on a Matt Kemp homer. After the 3-run 1st, Zito would settle in and was let off the hook thanks to solo blasts by both Pablo Sandoval and Pat Burrell and an RBI single off the bat of Posey.

The Giants bullpen however, missing one of their key pieces in closer Brian Wilson, would be kind enough to give the game right back with contributions from Aubrey Huff who had a hard time covering right field. Diving and missing a ball by several feet was only the beginning of a forgetful day by the veteran Huff who later let a ball soar over his head after being turned around and mislead. The left handed throwing Dan Runzler would be credited with 4 earned runs in the 7th, while recording only one out before Sergio Romo was called upon. The Giants would be a threat the following inning after loading the bases, but only managed to scratch across 1-run with a bases loaded walk by Belt.

With a 3-run deficit heading into the 9th, the pinch-hitting Aaron Rowand led the inning off with a home run, cutting the lead to 2. After a Freddy Sanchez base hit, last year's reigning Rookie of the Year Buster Posey came up to bat with a chance to tie it, but instead grounded out to end the game, sending the defending World Champs to a disappointing 1-3 record to start the season. Stealing a quote from Giants skipper Bruce Bochy who said, "We shot ourselves in the foot" would be a perfect way to sum up the series. Not only did the Giants make a lot of self inflicted miscues, but the Dodgers were fortunate enough to capitalize on them. To say the players are happy to be leaving L.A. would be an understatement.

With an off-day tomorrow, Bruce Bochy and company will make the trip down south of the border to face the San Diego Padres for a 2-game set before the Giants' home-opener on Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Though I don't expect the Giants to get swept against the Friars, perhaps a trip home is all they need to get going and be reminded that they're the defending World Champions. On tap for Tuesday's affair will be southpaw Madison Bumgarner facing off against San Diego's newest arm and long time ace of the Reds -- Aaron Harang.

MANNYWOOD Shutdown

Weeks after removing the ever so popular 'Mannywood' signs that stood in left-field of Chavez Ravine, uncertainty was in the air regarding the sluggers final month in L.A. And for good reason, there should have been as Ramirez was released by the team and claimed on waivers Monday by the Chicago White Sox. In what many believed would be his final days in a Dodger uniform, Manny found himself pinch-hitting in a bases loaded, one out situation at Colorado's Coors Field. With a chance to get a hit and drive in a few runs that could have been somewhat of a storybook ending to his tenure with the team that embraced him when no one else would, Manny's days as a Dodger come to an end on a rather sour note.

After seeing only one pitch, home plate umpire Gary Cederstrom called a strike on a ball that appeared to be off the plate. Ramirez turned around and began arguing the call and was eventually ejected moments later. The unsportsmanlike toss from the game might have made the Dodgers' decision to release him a little bit easier as he's been notorious throughout his career for being a virus inside the clubhouse and doing his abnormal antics as seen in his final years in Boston in what became known as, "Manny being Manny." ESPN insider Buster Olney called it the most unprofessional exit he has seen in his 15+ years covering baseball and I'd have to agree.

Before departing Boston for Hollywood in 2008, Manny's final at-bat in a Red Sox uniform ended in a similar fashion. In a game against the archrival New York Yankees and their closer Mariano Rivera, Ramirez took place in a controversial three-pitch strikeout as he never took the bat off his shoulder. While watching all three strikes go right down the pipe, Manny returned to the dugout with the sound of boo's leaving the Boston faithful in disappointment.

Ramirez, who's in his second and final year of a 2-year, $45 Million dollar deal he signed with the Dodgers in March of 2009, now serves as a rent-a-player for a team aiming to gain some ground on the division foe Minnesota Twins in hopes of making the postseason for the first time in two years. With less than a month on the MLB calender and some 3 1/2 games back in the AL Central, ManRam finds himself in a familiar situation similar to that of 2008 when he single handily carried the Dodgers to the Playoffs upon his arrival. If the Dominican born slugger can duplicate what he did for L.A. down the stretch in '08, he may be in store for a lucrative contract with the Chicago based team this offseason.

While Dodger fans begin throwing away the little memories they had of the slugger faster than the team site can remove the Manny dreadlock-wig merchandise, a new chapter of the 'Manny Being Manny' chronicles surfaces. According to sources, he will join the team as early as tomorrow against the Cleveland Indians, the team he broke into the Major Leagues with. And with a hot headed manager like Ozzie Guillen under control, it's only a matter of time before the fireworks ignite between the two. The duo can either be one of the best things for the team or quite possibly one of the worst. Let's sit back and grab some popcorn and watch how this whole thing unfolds shall we? My guess is it'll end up being a recipe for disaster.

Throwback Thursday x Bobby Thomson

The News Heard 'Round the World - Last week we learned the unfortunate news of the passing of one of baseball's most unexpected heroes -- Bobby Thomson who passed at the age of 86. Serving 14-years in the Major Leagues with five different ball clubs, Thomson was better known for his days spent with the New York Giants (1946-1953, 1957) where we was a 3-time All-Star. Though his service wouldn't interrupt his career on the baseball diamond, Thomson enlisted in the United States armed forces like most players during his time.

However, his greatest achievement would come in one of the most memorable moments in baseball history. After trailing the Brooklyn Dodgers by many as 13 1/2 games as late in the season as mid-August, the Giants finished the season by going on a tear winning 37 of their final 44 games, overcoming what many believed was a deficit well out of reach. Finding themselves in a tie with their arch rivals on the final day of the regular season, the Giants and Dodgers met for a three-game playoff to determine who would move onto the World Series.

After splitting the first two games and falling behind 4-1 heading into the ninth inning of game three, the Giants were in need of a miracle. With one out and two men on base, Thomson stepped up to the plate to face pitcher Ralph Branca who Thomson had a successful career against. With the count even at 1-1, Thomson sent the next pitch he seen deep into left-field in what would seal the deal for the Giants and win the game, 5-4. The pennant winning 3-run homer would be known as the Shot Heard 'Round the World.

The Giants would eventually lose in the World Series to New York Yankees in 6-games. With one swing of the bat, Thomson's legacy will live on in baseball immortality. To this day some 50+ years later, Thomson's Shot remains one of if not the most popular home run in the sports 100+ year history. Not only was it a huge hit considering it won both the game and the pennant, but the stage it was on in one the sports greatest and longest standing rivalry solidifies it as the granddaddy of them all.

Once a Giant, Always a Giant.

R.I.P Bobby Thomson
October 25, 1923 - August 16, 2010

The Cuban Missile Crisis

Consequences and repercussions often occur after a celebration. Take a wild night of drinking and partying for example. Whether it means waking up naked in the same bed as someone you don't know or waking up in a puddle of your own vomit. Although this story brings a much different circumstance, they can all relate.

Another case of the ridiculous surfaces as L.A. Angels slugger Kendry Morales will likely be out for the rest of the season after his walk-off celebration which ended in the most bizarre of ways. While rounding the bases after hitting his game-winning grand slam and 11th home run of the season against the division rival Seattle Mariners, Morales was seen leaping onto home plate awkwardly and being dog piled by his teammates. But the celebration went from happy to worrisome in a matter of seconds as Morales went from trotting around the field to being carried off of it on a stretcher. Since losing former Angels first baseman Mark Texiera last year to the Yankees in free agency and deciding not to bring back veteran DH Vladamir Guerrero, Morales has become the teams main source on offense.

After positive x-rays revealed a fractured lower left leg, it was learned that the injury would require surgery and keep the Angels' offensive leader sidelined for at least 3-months. With an important player to his team like Morales going down to injury, could we be in store for a different approach on how teams celebrate walk-off victories in the mere future? According to Angels manager Mike Socia, the incident will not only change the way his team celebrates, but also the way every team in the league celebrates. Whether or not that's true, it didn't take long to find out if Socia's Angels were true to their word and made adjustments to their game-winning routines. One day after Morales' freak accident, the Angels had another walk-off win, this time off the bat of second baseman Howie Kendrick and this time much more cautious.

Walk-off celebrations such as Morales' go back to as early as the 1950's when the most memorable walk-off celebration took place when the New York Giants' Robby Thompson hit what went on to be known as 'The Shot Heard Round the World' which sealed the deal and won the team the pennant over the archrival Brooklyn Dodgers. And speaking of the Dodgers, just two nights after Morales' freak accident, the Angels' southern California neighbor and cross-town rivals won in walk-off fashion by a Matt Kemp home run. After rounding third base, Kemp began to tip toe his way to home plate and slowly creeped to the box as if he was mocking Morales and poking fun at the incident while trying to avoid a similar injury. So let this be a lesson learned to all you kiddies out there, always wear protection while celebrating no matter the occasion!

Here's a video of the walk-off celebration/injury and the chaos leading up to it from a fan's point of view: