Batting Around is BC Sports' look back at the week's happenings in the world o' sports, presented in a lineup card format for some undisclosed reason.
The Lineup Card
1. 2B Kaz Matsui
2. QB Trent Green
3. DT Travis Johnson
4. PG Isiah Thomas
5. #24 Jeff Gordon
6. CS Norman Chad
7. K Nick Folk
8. S Tony Joiner
9. SP Paul Byrd
Coach: Jim Harbaugh
1. 2B Kaz Matsui — If you need only one example of how goofy this baseball postseason has been so far, look no further than the bottom of the seventh inning of Game 3 between the Phillies and the Rockies in the NLDS.
Tied at 1-all, catcher Yorvit Torrealba singled and reached second on a sacrifice, bringing up the Rockies' unlikely spark plug leadoff hitter, Matsui. Hitting .417 in the series, Phillies pitcher Tom Gordon decided to intentionally walk Matsui and instead face Rookie of the Year frontrunner Troy Tulowitzki, who he eventually struck out, ending the threat.
It was a good strategy. And never before in the postseason has a wise strategy entailed intentionally walking Kaz Matsui.
2. QB Trent Green — The Dolphins' signal-caller is rather familiar with injury. In the 1999 preseason, he went down for the year, paving the way for Kurt Warner's unfathomable MVP season and Super Bowl victory. His QB scramble in Kansas City last year awarded him a concussion. And on Sunday, his low block on the Houston Texans' Travis Johnson during a Ted Ginn, Jr., end-around went awry as Green's helmet ran full speed into Johnson's knee. He lay motionless on the field, stretchered off, and was diagnosed with a Grade III concussion, which means he was unconscious for at least five minutes.
He might not play again this year. At 38, he doesn't have many years left, if at all. If this is his lasting impression on the gridiron, consider it one of hustle, intangibles, and leadership. In short, a learning experience for all his fellow Miami Dolphins on how to play the game. As if it were your last play.
3. DT Travis Johnson — And then there's this guy. The man whose knee collided with Trent Green's head looks like a complete douche cauldron after (a) chewing him out as he lay motionless on the field, for which he was flagged for taunting, and (b) throwing a tirade after the game, including the phrase "Fuck Trent Green" and "He's like the scarecrow. He wanted to get courage while I wasn't looking and hit me in my knee instead of trying to hit me in my head."
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Article comments
1 - The Haze
1.2B Kaz Matsui - If Mitch Albom can have "Tuesdays with Morrie", you can have "Intentionally walking Kaz Matsui".
2.QB Trent Green - A class act who came through for more than one team.
3.DT Travis Johnson - No excuse for his behavior. On or off the field. It was a "legal" block.....ask any Bronco offensive linemen.
4.PG Isiah Thomas - You think Isiah gave Dolan his resume from Toronto??
5.#24 Jeff Gordon - Next thing you know,girls will be allowed on the wrestling team.
6.CS Norman Chad - play the river Norm.....
7.K Nick Folk - They had a football game Monday???
8.S Tony Joiner - "Can you hear me now"?
9.SP Paul Byrd - One ticket to Boston please.
Coach: I wonder how far fetched Les Miles thinks that is?
Keep up the good work Matt!
2 - RJ
Nick Folk for President!