Saturday, October 04, 2003

 

The War of the Rookies

In a shocking last-minute twist, Felipe Alou will be starting Jerome Williams in today's crucial Game 4. He will face anointed Rookie of the Year favorite Dontrelle Willis. Additionally, Cruz is out, replaced by Hammonds, and Santiago will be replaced by...Alberto Castillo?? (ESPN has to be wrong; it has to be Torrealba.)

I'm fine with Williams starting. He has to notch a victory in one game this series for the Giants to win. History tells us that bringing back starters in the postseason on short rest often backfires, so saving Schmidt for tomorrow makes sense.

But talk about pressure. You're Jerome Williams. You didn't expect to pitch at the major-league level this season, let alone pitching in the postseason, let alone in an elimination game. Now you carry the hopes and fears of thousands of ulcerous Giants fan, many of whom are frankly ready to head for the clock towers with six-packs and sniper rifles after the disasters of Games 2 and 3. No, there's no pressure there. No pressure at all. You just have to forget that the Giants offense has stopped driving in runs, and that you probably have to throw a shutout today to overcome your teammates' suddenly pathetic defense. No, no pressure at all.

To me, no matter what Williams does today, the Giants won't lose the series because of him. Pretty much everyone except Bonds, Alfonzo, Schmidt, Rueter, and Worrell will have to look themselves in the mirror and yell, "God DAMN, I sucked this week." And I'm not too sure on Worrell, but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt based on his solid Game 3 peformance and his warrior-like ferocity yesterday. It's not his fault Neifi and Jose made him throw an extra 25 pitches in the 10th and 11th innings.

And if I'm Felipe Alou, there's no way in hell that Neifi even sees the field today, let alone gets on it. Ditto Jose Cruz Jr. (I recommend duct tape and chloroform, Felipe--I'm sure Murph packs both for occasions like this.)

One hour to Ragnarok, my friends. If the Giants are to fall today, at least let them fall after battling with pride, skill and ferocity enough that they may all enter Valhalla with their heads held high.

Jefferson 8:58 AM

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