What Might Have Been

Addict, gawker, masochist—I can’t help myself.  I try not to watch the White Sox, only to end up sitting in front of the TV and watching in disbelief.

Among other things, I can tell you that Bad Ivan Nova is back in a big way.  Last night, Nova gave up six runs on eleven hits in just 4.1 innings; throw in a little Josh Osich, and the score stood at 8-2 Cleveland going into the eighth inning.  Then Jose Abreu hit a two-run homer, and Tim Anderson did likewise in the ninth.  Eventually, the Sox loaded the bases in the ninth but couldn’t score.

There are all sorts of positive takeaways for an “authentic fan” like in the ads.  Abreu really is having a B+ year with 29 homers and 106 RBIs.  Ditto Anderson with his .331 BA, this despite walking all of eleven times in 417 at-bats.  Even the big baby looks to have turned a corner.  Or maybe we should refer to Eloy Jimenez as Babe.  Either way, Jimenez has his BA up to .255 to go with 24 homers and 57 RBIs in just 385 at-bats.

Going into the ninth inning, Jimenez already had two hits on the night.  With the bases loaded, he worked the count from 0-2 to full.  And then he hit the ball, a rocket over the head of center fielder Oscar Mercado.  What should have been a bases-clearing double or triple instead turned into an over-the-shoulder diving grab by Mercado.  But you have to like how Jimenez approached the at-bat, sensing the game was on the line and creaming the ball.  That’s what gaining experience does for a player.

Now, here’s the thing.  Leury Garcia had a terrible game in center for the Sox, looking terrible on four balls that came his way, three for hits; Mercado provided a tutorial on how to play the position.  Too bad it was only for Garcia’s benefit.

Imagine if Luis Robert had been there in the ninth inning to see Jimenez’s at-bat and Mercado’s catch.  Seeing is believing is learning, if only my wreck of a team dared think so.