Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
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Baseball executives like to complain about the schedule. Managers like to complain about the schedule. Players like to complain about the schedule. Fans like to complain about the schedule. Announcers like to complain about the schedule.
This article examines a little just how the current schedule is made.
The Dodgers opened at home with three games against Atlanta. Since it was going to the only trip to L.A. for Atlanta, the umpires were bound and determined to play all three games come hell or high water. And that was the case the first two games and last night's game was played in some of the foulest weather ever seen at a Dodgers game.
Many of the teams that opened in "cold weather" cities are back in action today after playing their home openers so they could have a makeup day available in case Opening Day is rained out.
Despite the bad weather last night, the Dodgers and Braves went the full nine innings. The last Dodgers home game that was shortened by rain was on August 10, 1955 when the Brooklyn Dodgers beat the New York Giants 5-4 in a game that went 6 1/2 innings at Ebbets Field. Since then, the Dodgers have had 21 different road games shortened by weather. But not a one at Dodger Stadium.
Interestingly, 40 years after the Dodgers had a game shortened by rain, the Dodgers had a game called with one out in the ninth inning at home, when umpire Bob Davidson ordered a forfeit because fans were throwing souvenir baseballs on the field. The Cardinals were ahead 2-1 at the time and that was the final score that went into the books.
And in the first instance, the stats still count except there is no winning or losing pitcher or save.
The July 12, 1979 Comiskey Park riot was a 9-0 forfeit for the Tigers.
The last game of the Washington Senators was a 9-0 forfeit for the Yankees, even though the Senators were ahead. All the stats counted.
Although the Dodgers fans did not behave well that night, it was pretty mild compared to what I've seen at other parks.
Now if they had been at the Nickel Beer Night riot in Cleveland I would understand.
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