Brand New Day
It's day four of the draft ... of wait, just hour four. I actually spent most of the day flipping between the draft and the Reds game. Cincinnati lost, 4-2. Now I am watching the Cubs choke away a one-run ninth inning lead to the Pirates.
But it got me to thinking ... baseball is in the regular season, in full swing, and I bet the NFL whips them today in the ratings.
-Jose Mesa is pitching for the Pirates, looking for his sixth save. Somehow, this guy is not only still in the league, but a successful closer.
In 1995, Mesa was the best closer in baseball, but the ice in his veins met the deep fryer in game seven of the 1997, and that's what we'll remember.
Mesa has made at least 60 appearances since 1995, strange when you consider that he hasn't really pitched for a contender since 1998. Then again, that may not be true ...I lost track of him after the Indians dealt him to the Giants. Now I am searching my mind to remember who Cleveland got back in the deal. I seem to think Steve Reed and Trinnadad Hubbard. I also remember the Indians sending Shawon Dunston west as part of the deal.
OK, Erik, am I missing anyone?
Mesa has two outs and a runner on. The announcer said Jose is throwing about 95, impressive when you consider no one has any idea how old he is.
A base hit sends runners to first and third. This is the Mesa I remember, post 1995. Still, he usually, during the regular season, got the job done.
Sure enough, Mesa finishes with a strike out.