Cubs fans had to wince when they learned a former New York Met would be doing the analysis for the Arizona series.
Ron Darling, a former pitcher, seemed to be in the right spot for a game involving Carlos Zambrano and Brandon Webb, two of the National League’s best pitchers.
Darling, though, missed his big moment in the seventh inning. I was looking for more analysis from him when it became apparent that Cubs manager Lou Piniella was going to take out his ace after only six innings and 85 pitches.
Darling should have jumped all over that. Was it a good move? How much of a factor was the heat? Is it smart to play for Game 4 (with Zambrano scheduled to pitch on three days’ rest) when you still haven’t won Game 1?
Darling was a front-of-the-rotation pitcher. How would he have felt coming out of a big game with the score tied?
Darling said, “If I was a Cubs fan, I wouldn’t want to see Zambrano come out of the game.”
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No kidding, especially after Zambrano’s replacement, Carlos Marmol, promptly came in and gave up a homer to the first batter he faced. Again, Darling should have continued the debate. He should have pointed out that Piniella’s move blew up in his face.
Also, imagine White Sox general manager Ken Williams’ reaction when Darling said Arizona “stole” center fielder Chris Young in the trade for Javier Vazquez. I could hear Williams yelling, “Hey, Vazquez won 15 games this year!”
Darling called the game with Dick Stockton. The veteran announcer might as well to move to Chicago considering he seems to do the bulk of the Bears games on Fox.
Another TBS person with Chicago connections was Frank Thomas. The former Sox slugger made his debut as a studio analyst, joining Ernie Johnson and Cal Ripken.
“The Big Hurt” probably discovered that sitting in the hot seat could be as challenging as facing Josh Beckett.
Thomas was a bit soft-spoken at times, and like most current players who moonlight as analysts, he wasn’t going to offend anybody. When prodded about who is tougher to hit against, Beckett or the Angels’ John Lackey, Thomas wouldn’t commit, knowing he will face them next year.
Thomas, though, was spot on with his predictions. He said the two-day layoff would take the steam out of Philadelphia’s bats. He forecast a big game for Boston’s Beckett. And he said the Cubs-Arizona game would come down to the bullpens.
Ripken, meanwhile, was much improved off his Monday night studio performance. He seemed looser, scoffing at the notion that Piniella, known for his temper, could calm down Zambrano.
The opening of the playoffs might be the best day of the year in baseball. Three games, one of them in the afternoon, and they all mean something. That’s our kind of marathon.
TBS handled the chores for the first time Wednesday, doing a competent, if not spectacular job. However, perhaps the best part of watching the network for more than 10 hours was seeing the ads for Frank Caliendo’s new show, “Frank TV.” His John Madden impersonations and version of Al Pacino reciting “Who’s on First” were priceless. Reason enough to tune in again Thursday.
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