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Wobbly fielding making for postseason bobbleheads
So much for Chase Utley, Josh Hamilton and their playoff pals handling every grounder, popup and throw with ease. So far, this October is all about those Es.
Placido Polanco, Scott Rolen and Evan Longoria were among a half-dozen Gold Glovers who turned into postseason bobbleheads during a first round that set a record for errors.
In all, 31 errors in only 15 games — a mistake rate up an alarming 66 percent over the regular season.
"I think defense is huge right now," said CC Sabathia, who will start for the New York Yankees against Texas in Game 1 of the AL championship series Friday night. "I mean, you can't give away outs. You have to play solid defense. You see what happened in a couple of those games in the NL series."
No bad weather or twilight zones to blame, either. Instead, postseason newcomer Cody Ross offered a simpler explanation.
"Maybe just playoff nerves. I think that's all I can kind of chalk it up to," the San Francisco right fielder said. "Maybe coincidental. First round, you want to be perfect and try not to make any mistakes and sometimes when you try too hard that's when you make all your mistakes."
Whatever, there sure are a lot of them. The 31 errors were the most in any round of a baseball postseason. In fact, that matches the total from the entire 2009 postseason.
Last year, a missed fly ball by St. Louis left fielder Matt Holliday was the signature miscue of the playoffs. This year, the liner that Cincinnati right fielder Jay Bruce lost in the lights was the biggest misplay. So far.
The Reds made just 72 errors during the regular season, tied with San Diego for the fewest in the NL. Then Cincinnati made seven errors while getting swept in three games by the Phillies.
"I think that's something that just happens," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said. "All of a sudden we hit streaks where our defense kind of collapses or we start playing bad. I think that's all part of baseball and all part of, I would say, being excited about being there, at the same time, a little tight."
Atlanta second baseman Brooks Conrad had the roughest time, committing four errors in the Braves' four-game loss to the Giants. His three errors in Game 3 cost Atlanta a chance to advance.
So much for Chase Utley, Josh Hamilton and their playoff pals handling every grounder, popup and throw with ease. So far, this October is all about those Es.
Placido Polanco, Scott Rolen and Evan Longoria were among a half-dozen Gold Glovers who turned into postseason bobbleheads during a first round that set a record for errors.
In all, 31 errors in only 15 games — a mistake rate up an alarming 66 percent over the regular season.
"I think defense is huge right now," said CC Sabathia, who will start for the New York Yankees against Texas in Game 1 of the AL championship series Friday night. "I mean, you can't give away outs. You have to play solid defense. You see what happened in a couple of those games in the NL series."
No bad weather or twilight zones to blame, either. Instead, postseason newcomer Cody Ross offered a simpler explanation.
"Maybe just playoff nerves. I think that's all I can kind of chalk it up to," the San Francisco right fielder said. "Maybe coincidental. First round, you want to be perfect and try not to make any mistakes and sometimes when you try too hard that's when you make all your mistakes."
Whatever, there sure are a lot of them. The 31 errors were the most in any round of a baseball postseason. In fact, that matches the total from the entire 2009 postseason.
Last year, a missed fly ball by St. Louis left fielder Matt Holliday was the signature miscue of the playoffs. This year, the liner that Cincinnati right fielder Jay Bruce lost in the lights was the biggest misplay. So far.
The Reds made just 72 errors during the regular season, tied with San Diego for the fewest in the NL. Then Cincinnati made seven errors while getting swept in three games by the Phillies.
"I think that's something that just happens," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said. "All of a sudden we hit streaks where our defense kind of collapses or we start playing bad. I think that's all part of baseball and all part of, I would say, being excited about being there, at the same time, a little tight."
Atlanta second baseman Brooks Conrad had the roughest time, committing four errors in the Braves' four-game loss to the Giants. His three errors in Game 3 cost Atlanta a chance to advance.