I Was Afraid

So afraid that I had the game recording and watched something else for fear of a horrific start which would mean a crushing end of any hopes the dodgers will advance. Thankfully that fear was avoided. Once Puck was back for about a half hour or so from a shopping run (sweaters and some new boots for our Thanksgiving trip) and settled in on the couch and ate our dinner did I dare turn on the game. We both let out a huge sigh of relief upon seeing the score. Puck and I kinda cheered. I think Puck exclaimed, "Thank God!" (imagine you're beginning to tell a Bill anecdote to tell Puck, and she lets out that groan because she knows where it's going? Yeah, that kind of 'thank God!'). We rewound to see the big inning we missed.

Not going to make any attempt at a transition into saying Russell Martin may be the most competitive position player in the league. He gets this really intense look on his face. It's priceless. Tried to find a video clip but to no avail. But that face was out in full bloom after getting hit the first time. It showed itself later in the game again after he stole second after getting hit the second time.

Now some general observations of the game. The phillies messed up with the brushbacks and the first beaning. It just pumped up the dodgers. Manny got a bit too pumped up and had to be restrained so that he didn't do something dumb. Jamie Moyer got way too much help from the umpires in balls being called strikes. He would've been in much more trouble if half of the questionable strikes had went the right way for the dodgers. That would be a bad last outing for Moyer if he calls it a career. Kuroda's 2-seam fastball inside on left handed hitters was really on. Cory Wade didn't self destruct after going back out for his second inning of relief. That helped a lot. Maybe that solo homer that Furcal hit gets him on a bit of a streak and boosts his confidence at the plate.

Back to my main man, Martin. There was also a dugout shot of him slamming down a helmet but not in the vain, roid rage type way you usually see. It's a positive, intense, 'I want to win' type of vibe, but I'm biased. The downside is that it causes him to press too much sometimes in his approach at the plate. I have another description for it but it's way too rude to post here, but I think it's very accurate. Suffice it to say, Russell Martin in key situations is extremely focused and is extremely in the moment. I'm laughing at the previous sentence because I'm using the same words one would use to discuss Jedis from Star Wars. It's not just on offense, either. Just watch him play third base and his enthusiasm for the game just jump out at you. It's an infectious, (repeating myself again) intense energy that I haven't seen in a ballplayer since Gagne maybe?