Roy Hobbs Lives: Daniel Nava Stars as the Natural

There aren't so many parallels between Roy Hobbs and Daniel Nava. Nava was cut from his university baseball team and Hobbs was cut down by a psychpath's bullet. Hobbs is fictional and Nava is real. But there are a few broad parallels. And that's where it gets interesting.

In this age of cradle-to-athletic-grave data driven analysis, it is highly unusual for an athlete who has been reviewed, labeled and rejected to later emerge in the major leagues. Daniel Nava did just that. Like Hobbs, his appearance created a "who's that and where did he come from?" reaction.

Nava recovered from being cut and staying on to be the manager of the University of Santa Clara baseball team. From there, he got a short-lived minor league tryout (after having been passed over in the baseball draft) before eventually making a name for himself in the Independent League.

From there, the King of Baseball Database Analysis - Theo Epstein - found him and took a flyer. A $1 flyer. That's all it took to purchase Nava's rights. On Saturday, Nava completed his ascent through the minors and joined the Red Sox to help fill the gaps that Andre Beltre has created in their outfield.

Nava stepped to the plate with the bases loaded against the Phillies who have been to the previous two World Series. The first pitch to Nava resulted in a grand slam, only the fourth such occurrence in baseball history. He's had 4 hits in his first 8 at bats, with 5 RBIs. 

Of course it will be interesting to see where this all goes, For the moment, it's a great feel-good story that even Bernard Malamud - were he still with us - might consider writing. Let's hope there are a lot more major league hits left in Wonderboy redux.

Red Sox Nation Invades Philly

Red Sox Nation invaded Philly last weekend. It's not like it was just a couple of years ago when half the park (or more) was Red Sox fans.

Recent Phillies' success, a newer stadium and the prospect of a fan being tasered brought out a big crowd, most of whom were rooting for the home team.

But some things don't change. The Red Sox have dominated the Phillies in interleague play, and it continued this past weekend. Dice-K pitched a no-no until 2 outs in the eighth (check the scoreboard, left).  He was assisted along the way by great defense, including his own stab of a Jason Werth laser.  By the way, with that quick glove, where was Dice-K when when the Bruins needed him?

Jacoby Ellsbury returned to the Sox lineup, so the Nation could breathe a sigh of relief (picture left). And David Ortiz had a couple of hits and a couple of solid plays in the field. On Sunday, Tim Wakefield dazzled the Phillies again. So it may be that this is the stretch that re-ignites the fanatics in Beantown.

It was my first visit to Citizen's Bank Park, which opened in 2004 although it seems much more recent. It's a very good place to see a game. The seats were much roomier than what I remembered from Yankee Stadium, although the slope of the seating area was not as sharp, meaning that you felt a little further away from the action than you really were. Lots of balcony seats.  The scoreboard was placed in a somewhat awkward position in left field, making fans on the third base side turn to see it. Great way to meet your rowmates, though.

Afterwards, a visit to Gino's (or Pat's, I can't remember and don't know the difference). All in all a great trip to Philly.

NOMAH!

He was one of the greatest Red Sox players of all time, even if his career was cut short by injuries. The Red Sox are signing Nomar Garciaparra to a one-day contract today so he can retire as a Red Sox. 

It's a classy - if somewhat puzzling - move by the Red Sox who have reconciled with several players who ended their careers elsewhere including Dewey Evans, Carlton Fisk and Fred Lynn. Evans, Fisk and Lynn did not leave as a result of contract negotiations with the current management team, nor was their departure as bitter.

$15 gets you a ticket, a hot dog, a soda and two All Stars

If you need a reason to go to a minor league game, here's a beauty: former New Britain Rock Cat teammates Tori Hunter and David Ortiz getting ready for the ALDS. Not every minor league player turns out to be an All-Star, but that's true in the majors, too.

Post-Season Picks

Last night went according to form. Here are my picks going forward:

MLB Post-Season Picks

Series	Winner	Comments
Red Sox-Angels	Sox in 5	Home field plus better bullpen. Changing of the guard at catcher for the Red Sox. Ellsbury is the difference. Abreu re-surfaces.
Dodgers - Cards	Dodgers in 4	Torre manages better than LaRussa. Manny shines. Cards' Cy Young candidates are overrated.
Phils - Rockies	Phils in 4	Phils have the edge offensively. Rockies are riding their late-season rush (again) and may win one at home. Phils could almost play in the AL East. Almost.
Yankees- Twins	Yankees in 3	Biggest danger for the Yankees is to finish too soon and then have to wait for the war between Boston and LA to conclude.
League Championship Series
Yankees - Red Sox	Yankees in 5	It's been too long for Derek Jeter and company. This may be the best team he's played on. Girardi goes back to Posada behind the plate for every game, realizing he needs the extra bat. Burnett is on the spot.
Phils - Dodgers	Phils in 6	Manny does all he can. Then gets lost on the way to left field. Phils have too much depth, offense and pitching. And Howard.
World Series
Yankees - Phils	Yankees in 5	Phils almost have the power to compete with the Bombers. But not quite enough. Yankees have better pitching and the home field advantage. Sabbathia becomes a Yankee legend.

I'm Coming Teddy

I'm looking out my door right now at this shady establishment, about a shank 8-iron away and I'm about to walk across the street and kick some Alcor ass.

Bud Selig's Vision of Baseball

This is what 3-22 looks like

The Yankees and Red Sox are meeting this weekend in an epic meaningless series in the Bronx in front of a sold-out (except for the lower bowl) crowd.

In the meantime, in a galaxy far, far away the Pirates are doing their best to catch the Phillies. Not this year's Phillies. The all-time losingest Phillies.

What's with NL pitchers in Boston?

John Smoltz and Brad Penny were (relative) bargain signings this year for the Sox. Penny was the better of the two, and while he was never great, he chewed up a lot of innings. In that regard, he fulfilled his end of the bargain.

On the other hand, the pitching-smart Braves had given up on Smoltz, and the Red Sox should have paid closer attention to why.

But now the two pitchers have gone back to the National League. And while Smoltz had a one-game revival for the always-smarter-than-you Tony LaRussa, he may be now reverting to form. Penny on the other hand has had back-to-back solid starts for the Giants. Is this a National League v American League thing, or just an anomaly? The Red Sox have had little luck importing National League pitchers.

This may be why Jim Rice had to wait so long for the HOF

For those who were around when Jim Rice was in his prime, his words to Little Leaguers last week are not surprising. When he spoke - which wasn't often - he said what was on his mind. And he wasn't always pleasant in either the substance or the delivery. Many people attribute the 15-year delay to his deserved entry to the Hall of Fame to his outspoken, blunt and sometimes under-thought-out comments.

So you'd think he would have learned. But apparently not. His inspirational speech to Little Leaguers in Williamsport was a bit short on humbleness and inclusiveness.

I understand why he might go after Manny ["We didn't have the baggy uniforms. We didn't have the dreadlocks," Rice said.]. But Jeter? ["You see a Manny Ramirez, you see an A-Rod (Alex Rodriguez),  you see (Derek) Jeter ... Guys that I played against and with, these guys you're talking about cannot compare," Rice said].

He better hope they don't take a re-count in Cooperstown.

We can use more like him

Ok, I’ll admit I hate David Ortiz. He wears a uniform of the enemy. He was a nobody until he was claimed off the scrap heap from Minnesota and now that he’s in Boston he’s sold his soul to the Green Monster. Now, he’s a real “Godzilla” not to mention bearing a strong resemblance. Batting in front of who may arguably be one of the top five right handed hitter of all-time Manny Ramirez, they form an imposing challenge to anyone who toes the rubber. But remember I hate him.

But I have to take off my Yankee hat and stand and applaud this man. He chose to become an American citizen. He went all Red, White and Blue. He gets it. It’s great to see an athlete with some skill above the neckline. He’s not abandoning his native Dominican heritage; he simply has shown the understanding and appreciation what the United States has allowed him to accomplish both professionally and personally. In the fouled up sportsworld we live with, he’s providing a great sense of leadership. Keep it up and bring a few more in from the cold.

Next time though he digs in at the Stadium though…hard up and in.