Now everyone who saw the game, or will hear about the game, will know what Dave’s been talking about for so long. All hail King Felix.
Quick recap of the futures game:
Felix Hernandez lived up to all the hype. 97-98 MPH fastballs, knee buckling curves. Prince Fielder singled, he struck out David Wright, and then got a double play to end the inning. 8 pitches, all strikes, and a 1-2-3 inning. Kid is something else.
Shin-Soo Choo had a forgettable day. Strikeout, bases loaded groundout that include a bunch of check-swing fouls on pitches a foot inside, and a terrible misplay on a ball to right that cost the team two runs.
Jeff Francis starts the game for the world team; he’s one of the best pitching prospects in the game, and not some obscure kid. Peter Gammons, Tony Gwynn, and Gary Thorne are doing the play-by-play. Gary Miller is doing the on-field interviews. We are treated to the following exchange:
Thorne: “Francis’ changeup is unbelievable for a 19-year-old. What a great advantage.”
Me to TV: “He’s not 19. He’s 23.”
Gwynn: “Yea, to be that advanced at his age is unbelievable. What a great 19-year-old.”
Me to TV: “He’s not 19! Look at your freaking roster.”
Miller, interview Francis: “Jeff, you’re a teenager, how does it feel to be here?”
Me to TV: “Good Lord. He’s 23!”
Francis: “I’m not 19, I’m 23.”
Way to do your homework, fellas.