No southpaws for the ‘Stros
Longtime umpire Meriwether dies
EDITOR'S NOTE — C.J. Nitkowski played 10 seasons in the majors and pitched for eight teams, including the Houston Astros early in his career and the Washington Nationals when he finished up in 1995. The lefthander was 18-32 with three saves and a 5.37 ERA. After his time in the big leagues, he played in Japan and South Korea. Now a TV analyst with the Texas Rangers and a broadcaster on MLB Network Radio, Nitkowski couldn't help but notice how the Astros assembled their staff to face Washington in the World Series — 12 pitchers, all right-handed. The Astros are the first team since the very first World Series in 1903 not to bring a single left-hander. Neither Boston nor Pittsburgh had any in that initial Fall Classic. This is a lefty's lament:
You may not be heartbroken over the lack of lefties on the Astros, but I am. The problem is we have been figured out!
There was a time when you could preach to young, aspiring pitchers that they had two avenues to reach the major leagues 1) be really good, and if they couldn't do that, then 2) be left-handed.
The Astros and their supercomputers have solved a riddle myself and my southpaw brethren had hoped would never draw a concrete conclusion — you just need your best pitchers to win, regardless of which arm they throw with.
I am grateful for the 19 years I was able to convince general managers around the world that they needed at least one lefthander in their bullpen, regardless of how inept. I guess that makes up for the fact that I had to compete against so many chemically-enhanced batters during my career.
With that being said, I do believe that field managers still love having that lefty in the 'pen, especially one with a respectable breaking ball,
to face the Yordan Álvarez and Juan Soto types late in the game.
Is it necessary? Maybe not. A good right-handed changeup that baffles lefties is a pretty good weapon to have. But a lefty breaking ball is that like a warm, fuzzy blanket — not critical for survival, but it sure make you feels nice.
Ump Meriwether dies
Former major league umpire Chuck Meriwether, who was behind the plate when the Boston Red Sox ended their championship drought in 2004, died Saturday. He was 63.
Commissioner Rob Manfred made the announcement hours before Game 4 of the World Series. Meriwether had been ill with cancer and died at home in Nashville, Tennessee.
Meriwether called his first big league game in 1987, was promoted to the full-time American League staff in 1993 and worked for 18 years. He then became a major league umpire supervisor for nine years.
Meriwether had the plate in Game 4 when the Red Sox ended their 86-year title absence by beating St. Louis at Busch Stadium. He also did the 2007 World Series when Boston swept Colorado.
In addition, Meriwether got eight assignments in the Division Series, two in the League Championship Series and two All-Star Games.
Earlier this month, major league umpire Eric Cooper died at 52, two weeks after working the ALDS between the New York Yankees and Minnesota.