Sat Nov 01, 2014 10:18 pm
Like BBfan, I'm a long-time Giants fan--although only since 77--and I gasped with horror as Blanco blew the no-doubles prevention play.
I also initially thought the Royals should have sent Gordon for all the reasons mentioned, particularly Bumgarner's continuing (but waning) dominance. However, every replay (from every angle) I''ve seen since shows Gordon not having a substantial, if even workable, lead on the inevitable incoming throw. Yes the odds were against the upcoming batters getting the job done, but they were even more against Gordon being safe at home. And it would have been terrible to see the last out of the series being thrown out at home by a mile.
Obviously, I'm ecstatic over how everything worked out. However, until someone can show me an angle showing Gordon's substantial lead on the throw, or can argue the lead shown was sufficient, I will still think Jirschele made the right call.