but I thought this preface from the Hardball Times was hilarious:

"Warning: The following is especially harsh on the two World Series managers, Manuel and Maddon. If you have a weak stomach or are a friend or relative of theirs, use caution when reading this. "

His reference to the two managers as “fric” and “frac” is funny too, even though I might have a different reaction if I were a Philly or Rays fans.

I tend to agree with MGL’s criticism of both managers’ failure to take advantage of lefty/righty match ups. For all of the other criticism he might receive, that is one criticism you will seldom see about Cecil Cooper. He is one of the more strict followers of the lefty/righty matchup convention I have seen.

Leo Mazzone, the old Braves’ pitching coach, preached hitting the low outside margin as many times as possible. Not only is the pitch hard to hit, but the angle is the worst for the umpire to see, and he felt that many balls just off the outside corner tend to get called strikes as the game goes along.

I, too, recall Bruntlett int he middle of that unworldly fast DP for the Astros in the NLCS. Bruntlett’s efforts in Game 3 here reminded me of another evening in Citizens Bank Ballpark when he was with Houston, and the Astros and Phillies were vying for the wildcard slot in 2005. It was a critical game, and (as I recall it) the Astros and Phillies were tied (or perhaps the Astros were 1 run down). Bruntlett got on with a bunt or shallow single (can’t remember exactly) then stole 2d and stole 3d, against Billy Wagner, and came home to tie the game on a groundball.