Casey Blake from True Blue LA from 1.bp.blogspot.com

The Giants quietly won the 3 games series against the Dodgers, and the Dodgers bullpen blew a second straight lead. I’m not sure if anyone else noticed, but the Giants have now won the last two series against the Dodgers. The Dodgers lead the overall wins this year 5-4, but it’s getting close. The Dodgers are winning against other teams, but the Giants quietly seem to be figuring out the Blue Crew.

The real news coming out of Sunday’s game was the gesture by Casey Blake. This story cracks me up. Brian Wilson, the closer for the Giants always crosses his arm in a gesture of his Christian faith and to his late father when saving a game. Apparently at some point on Sunday after Casey Blake hit a homerun off him, he made the gesture in the dugout. Let’s just say someone got this picture to Brian Wilson, feelings were hurt, and now all of the Giants have a lesser impression of “nice guy Casey Blake.”

Talk about a rivalry blowing something out of proportion. I am totally biased here towards Casey Blake, and I mean no disrespect to Brian Wilson, but here’s my take. Brian Wilson makes a very public symbol everytime he saves a game. This is personal, but I’m sure it rubs some people the wrong way. Casey Blake goes and hits a homerun off him to tie the game for the Dodgers. In a mocking tone, Casey Blake made the symbol in the dugout stating he beat Brian Wilson at his own game. I doubt it was meant in disrespect (too much), but more one player saying “boo-ya” after launching a homerun to tie the game.  Maybe not the best sportsmanship, but definitely typical in a tight game whether in the majors or little league.

What is interesting though is that it really got a lot of attention. Here’s a local blog that shows that Brian Wilson quieted down on the issue later (click here), but the damage is done and specifically the Giants fans won’t forget this incident any time soon. Come August, Casey Blake may get more boos that Manny Ramirez.

What’s funny to me is that I’ve now seen Casey Blake almost in two altrications with the Giants. This one I don’t think he planned on, but I can see future ones going to directly to him. Last year in his first series against the Giants, he almost got beaned, and almost rushed the mound. He was controlled, but he brought an intensity to the Dodgers that really seemed lacking. I think at some point, this is going to come back. This recent incident, will cause some pitcher to throw high and tight to Blake at some point, he won’t take it, and there could definitely be a brawl. We’ll have to see, but all the pieces are in place. This rivalry loves things that ramp up the heat, and this one, may have definitely done it.

The next series in August should be a fun one…but until then hopefully the bullpen can figure out how to hold a game.  I still think they should try wonderboy Pierre in the 8th at least one game.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 at 1:05 am and is filed under 2009 Games, Spy Game. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.