Mighty Mite, and Mighty Long

Well, the Astros sent the Yankees packing last night by a score of 6-4, with a two-out, two-run homerun by Jose Altuve off of Aroldis Chapman on 84-mph changeup/slider.  I want to know, who called it?  Did Chapman shake off his catcher until he got the signal he wanted; did catcher Gary Sanchez make that call on his own or take his cue from the bench?  Or maybe Chapman wanted to get beat with his second- or third-best pitch. 

Whatever the answer, it’s always nice to see the winning hit produced by a player who stands all of 5’6”.  That’s how tall my daughter stands, and just one of the reasons I think a woman like her could produce in equal measure in those same circumstances, that is, if that female player had hands as quick as Clare.  Yes, she’s Altuve-fast.

But, why oh why did the game so slow, a snail’s pace of four hours and nine minutes?  Both teams used seven pitchers because both managers went monkey-see, monkey-do with their bullpens.  If anyone wants to argue seven pitchers worked for the Astros, then someone can turn around and say it was an unlucky seven for the Yankees.  Just don’t tell me they should’ve gone with eight or more.

And don’t tell me four-plus hours works for a nine-inning ballgame. Super Bowl LIII went a mere 3:32, for heaven’s sake.  FOX isn’t content with destroying our political system.  It has to bring down the national pastime, too.  If World Series games between relatively small-market Houston and Washington go more than four hours, the ratings will tank.  Mark my words.