With TBS ramping up to do the entire MLB Division Series and the American League Championship Series, we have the final MLB on Deck regular season quotage. We’ll be getting quotage throughout the postseason and I look forward to that.
One thing I have heard through Twitter and not able to confirm as TBS is airing Yankees-Red Sox and it’s blacked out in Rhode Island, that the MLB on Deck studio is calling the game as there were technical difficulties in Boston. If you can confirm this and also have video, let me know.
Here’s the quotage.
Notes from TBS MLB on Deck – October 3, 2010TBS’ exclusive coverage of MLB’s Division Series gets underway on Wednesday, Oct. 6.
***** ***** ***** ***** *****TBS MLB on DeckMatt Winer, Dennis Eckersley, Cal Ripken and David WellsWiner on the unknowns going into the final day of the regular season: “We have a lot of expertise assembled here on the panel. We have note cards with reams of statistical information available to us yet we don’t know anything. The playoffs will begin here on TBS on Wednesday but we can’t tell you what any of the matchups are because there are so many scenarios that could play out today. How great of a finish is this?”Ripken on some of the division races coming down to the wire: “First I thought all of the divisions would be handled pretty early. As early as a few days ago, we thought we knew where we were going to be. The National League West is still undecided, the wild card is still undecided and the home field advantage in the American League is still undecided. We don’t know whose playing who at all. I do like the sudden death feel of it all, it’s like the seventh game of the World Series.”Eckersley on the excitement of the final day of the regular season: “Each one of the teams (San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres) in the National League West have had their chance. The Giants just got a three game lead on San Diego. San Diego has a chance to go in there and sweep. This is as exciting as it gets. It’s like Game #7 (in the World Series). You’re not going to get any more tense than this.”Wells on how he dealt with big game pressure: “I think these guys need to (think of it) as another game and don’t put any pressure on yourself. Just go out there and have some fun. You’ve been doing it for 161 ballgames. So just go out and be relaxed and play your game. (When I played) I developed tunnel vision. I just looked at the glove. I went out there and just played catch with my catcher, believe in my stuff (skills) and went after the hitters accordingly.”Eckersley on what it’s like to pitch in the ninth inning of a Postseason game: “The ninth inning I was always amped up. When you’re pitching the ninth inning, you’re amped to the gills. I only had an opportunity once to be a starter in the playoffs so I don’t really know what it feels like. I just know what it feels like when you do close it out. It’s exhilarating!”American League MVP PredictionsRipken picks Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton: “The reason people may disagree (with my choice) is because Josh Hamilton hasn’t played in a month. However, he’s had a monster year. He has a presence in offense and a presence on defense. Even though he missed all those games, he’s been instrumental in the Rangers success in the post season.”Wells picks Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carl Crawford: “I like Carl Crawford because he is a complete player, defensively and offensively. This guy can run. He makes things happen.”Eckersley picks Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera: “This guy has Triple Crown (potential). He plays in Detroit, which is a tough place to play and he puts up numbers every year.”National League MVP PredictionsEckersley picks Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto: “I’m picking Cincinnati Reds’ Joey Votto because he’s been consistent all year. The Reds haven’t been in the playoffs since 1995 and this guy has over 30 home runs. He’s trying to lead the league in hitting. He’s been they’re (Cincinnati Reds) clutch for them all-year long.Wells picks Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez: “(Gonzalez) is a complete player and a Triple Crown candidate as well.Ripken picks Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto: “Joey Votto is the MVP. The Cincinnati Reds have had a wonderful season. No one predicted they would be where they’re at right now. Where would they (Cincinnati Reds) be without him?”Eckersley, Ripken and Wells all select Roy Halladay as National League Cy Young winnerWells: “I like the way (Halladay) handled himself coming over to National League. He’s dominated the American League and has proved that he can dominate in the National League. 21 wins is a pretty good record.”Ripken: “Roy (Halladay) is just an all-around complete pitcher. He reminds me of Greg Maddox with an upper 90s fast ball. He can blow you away in the strike zone. He’s just a good quality pitcher and he knows what he’s doing.Eckersley: “The expectations for (Halladay) are unbelievable. He was supposed to come here (to the National League) and win the Cy Young and that’s exactly what he did. You couldn’t ask for anything better than that.”American League Cy Young winner predictionsDavid Wells picks New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia: “I want CC (Sabathia) to win it because of his wins but I think Felix Hernandez (Mariners) going to win it because he’s got the numbers. When you look at Felix Hernandez’s numbers, they’re just ridiculous.”Ripken picks Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez: “Felix Hernandez is the MVP. I want to hold him responsible for those wins. If a pitcher is going to win the CY Young he needs to have more than 13 wins. If you look at his run support, its virtually non-existent. During 8 or 9 of his starts, they scored zero runs.Eckersley picks Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez: “When you’re pitching for a club and you know you can’t give up anything and (Hernandez) still did what he did and he got 13 wins.”
That will do it for this post. Yes, I’m still working on the mailbag.
UPDATE: 7:25 p.m.: Heard from Turner Sports. I’ve been told that the studio crew of Matt Winer, Dennis Eckersley, David Wells and Cal Ripken, Jr. were given an opportunity to comment on the game to give them some extra exposure. There were no technical difficulties. Thanks to the fine people from Turner for the explanation.
