July 23rd @ The Royals
In this game, A-Rod becomes the first batter to reach 100 RBI in (a season) in fewer than 100 of his team games since Manny Ramirez did it in 1999. What a year for Rodriguez. I take back what I said about Alex and Manny – at least for this season.
And, a tip of the cap to Clemens for his effort in this game. In his last five starts, Rocket has averaged almost 7 innings per start. I never thought we would see that from him – going this deep into games – and I was not the only one. Roger is showing us all something special here.
I caught the start of this game on the TV in my local gym. But, I was watching it in the mirror – as the big screen TV was behind where I was working out. Because I was watching in the mirror, the game was backwards. It’s strange to watch Roger Clemens pitch as a left-hander and to see Johnny Damon bat as a right-hander…but that’s what happens when you watch a baseball game on TV through a mirror. If you’ve never experienced this, try it some time. It’s very bizarre – especially when it’s players that you’re so used to seeing.
Watching in the mirror – does it look like the batter runs up the third baseline upon contact, like a confused tee-ball rookie?
It’s really strange. At one point, I think it was Butler, hit a ball off Clemens, and through the mirror, it looked like a slicer towards RF – - and then in comes Matsui to make the catch and throws the ball to the second baseman – - but it was Jeter. Then, I realized, wait, it’s Matsui and Jeter – so the ball was hit to LF. But, through the mirror, without question, it looked like a ball hit to RF. Very confusing.
Wouldn’t Jeter be covering 2nd for balls hit to right field anyway?
On the play that I was watching, through the mirror, Jeter was on the grass – getting the relay throw from the OF. Which is why it seemed odd at that split moment – since I thought the hit was to RF (and not LF – where it was in reality).