30-3: a columnist's view

"The Baltimore Sun: Roch Around the Clock"

Did that really happen?

All I can say is, thank goodness for that Matt Stover field goal last night, or it really could have been embarrassing.

30-3.

No matter how many times I write it or say it, the absurdity nearly overwhelms me.

30-3.

Who knew Daniel Cabrera would end up being the most effective pitcher?

And no, I don't believe the Rangers were piling on, though the on-side kick was a bit much.

30-3.

Brian Burres and Rob Bell are supposed to be the long men in the bullpen. I didn't know that meant making the games longer.

30-3.

No team had scored that many runs since 1900. And yes, I made a Julio Franco joke the minute it was announced.

30-3.

Manager Dave Trembley was misty eyed as he talked to reporters before Game 1 and recounted all the dues he paid in the minors - the long bus rides, the poor playing conditions, the altered lifestyle.

Then Game 1 began and he REALLY wanted to cry.

30-3.

Trembley walked into the interview room afterward and said, "If anyone has an intelligent question, ask it."

Boy, did he come to the wrong place!

The room fell silent. I was waiting for someone to say, "So...do you like...stuff?"

30-3.

I won't rip Trembley for leaving in his relievers too long. The guy had a second game to play. He needed someone to take one for the team so he wouldn't burn out the bullpen, but Burres and Bell didn't cooperate.

He had to wait. He had to hope someone would step up and restore a little order.

30-3.

This was no time to break out the Bradfords and Walkers. This was no time to mix-and-match. Erik Bedard wasn't pitching Game 2. We're talking Garrett Olson. There's no way Trembley could count on the rookie left-hander to give him seven or eight innings.

"We're talking about Garrett Olson. We're talking about Garrett Olson. Garrett Olson. Not Bedard, not Bedard, not Bedard. Garrett Olson."

Sorry, Allen Iverson just took over the blog for a few seconds. I'm back.

Whether it's 30-3 or 2-1, it still counts as one loss. A humiliating one, for sure, but one loss.

Nice save for Wes Littleton, by the way.

Next, he'll save a kid from drowning in a Wet Nap.