Now What? Indians Trade Martinez Before His Bobblehead Night

On the trading deadline, the Cleveland Indians traded their catcher, Victor Martinez, to the Boston Red Sox for several young arms. The transaction wasn't out of the ordinary until you realize that tomorrow game against the Detroit Tiger is Victor Martinez Bobblehead Night at Progressive Field. It is true that only in Cleveland would something like this happen to baseball fans. I have never seen this happen in my life.

Now my only question is what are they going to do with that 40,000 or so bobbleheads? Are they going to pass them out as part, so kids could put Victor next to his catcher's mitt giveaway and the Cliff Lee bobblehead they got from earlier this season? Or are they just going to scrap it and have some employees flip them for great money on eBay, making them an awesome rare collectible?

My idea is this: Since the Red Sox and Indians have similar colors on their uniforms, why not package those bobbleheads along with Victor as offer them as part of the trade. The Red Sox employees can slap a team logo on the helmet of the doll and distribute them in a Fenway giveaway night to welcome him to town. The final line will show this: Justin Masterson, Bryan Price and Nick Hagadone for Victor Martinez and 43,000 bobbleheads.

Blake-Slapped

Casey Blake wants to join the party, too. There have been a lot of heroics by the Dodgers this season. They are 20-9 in one-run games, and have won 10 games in their final at-bat. What is even more impressive is that Blake has been struggling at the plate this homestand and was held hitless for the game until his bloop single in shallow right field that scored the winning run.

As the Dodgers batted in the bottom of the ninth, the usual suspects were trying to create another comeback. Everyone on the top of the lineup batting before Blake has recently done something clutch for the team. It was fitting that it was Blake was able to deliver the hit, especially when many who were watching the game probably thought that Manny or Andre Ethier was going to get the game-winning hit. At least for tonight, they took a backseat to this underappreciated third baseman named Casey.

...The Impossible Has Happened: Manny Ramirez Edition

"This is more Hollywood than Hollywood! No wait, you're right, it's Mannywood."
-Vin Scully

Were you there tonight? If you were at the stadium for Manny Ramirez bobblehead night, you were in for an amazing treat and great moment in Dodgers baseball history. In front of a soldout crowd, the ultimate Hollywood (or should I just say Mannywood) story was written before our eyes.

After getting hit in the hand in last night's game, Ramirez was unable to start due to a bruised hand. That is right. Manny was unable to start or maybe even play on his own bobblehead night. However, in all of our minds, we knew that he was going to pinch hit in a key situation. Now, this is where the story becomes really improbable.

Joe Torre chose to bat the pitcher 8th tonight, which he does quite often. The Reds managed to tie the game at 2 in the top of the sixth inning, but Bronson Arroyo loaded the bases by walking Russell Martin with the pitcher's spot coming up. Pretty much everyone in the stadium knew that Manny was going to come off the bench and at least hit a sacrifice fly to score the go-ahead run. He looked uncomfortable all night sitting on the bench, and also went into the tunnel on one occasion, to probably hit in the batting cage. Reds manager, Dusty Baker, had a double-switch and brought in Nick Masset in relief of Arroyo. With nowhere to put Manny, everyone knew Masset would have to pitch to him. The atmosphere was intense, almost like a playoff game. The sellout crowd was the loudest it has ever been all season, and that includes the amazing World Baseball Classic Final. To a standing ovation, Manny hit Masset's first offering straight to the Mannywood section. Right after that, the crowd just erupted and everyone went crazy, high-fiving and hugging everyone next to them.


My friend and I have often called the impossible moments in sports, "Bullshit Moments". I classify this one, a 9 points out of 10 on the "BS" meter. How could it be that Manny would be unable to start the game due to an injury, come up to pinch hit for the pitcher with the bases loaded, and hit a first-pitch grand slam on his own bobblehead giveaway night? Also, he provided what proved to be the difference in the game. Masset has given up only 2 home runs all year. I believe that Dennis Eckersley gave up 5 homers all year in 1988 before he gave up the one to Kirk Gibson in the world series. Of course, Manny was no where as injured as Gibson was, and this wasn't in the playoffs. Either way, this was still a special game. And this team is definitely special. I haven't seen so many "Bullshits" in one season since the "Rally Monkey" Angels who won the World Series in the early 2000s.


One more thing to note. I am sure the Dodgers fans just shut up Bill Plaschke for his constant Manny-bashing since the end of his 50-game suspension. Did you see the fans cheer for Manny and the Dodgers? Did you see how happy Manny was when he hit the slam and the fans went crazy? Bill, I hope you enjoyed this one! I will certainly enjoy my Manny bobblehead!