For about the last two months or so of the regular season — basically, ever since it became apparent the Brewers were headed to the postseason — I have had a recurring nightmare in which the Milwaukee Brewers’ season ends.
In this nightmare, the Brewers are in in the ninth inning of a postseason elimination game — usually against the Phillies in the NLCS, but it varies. It’s a tie game or maybe the Brewers lead by one with two runners in scoring position. There’s always two outs. Either way, the season is on the line.
Then, a ball is hit weakly up the middle. It dribbles into the outfield grass, where Carlos Gomez makes a valiant effort to throw out the winning run but the ball was hit so weakly there was never a chance at a play at home plate. Yuniesky Betancourt can be seen lumbering towards second base, never truly having a chance at the play as an entire state laments his lack of range.
And then it happened. Top of the ninth. The go-ahead run on third for Arizona. Henry Blanco up (of course it would be a weak hitter). This is my nightmare.
(Click to embiggen)
It would be selling Yuniesky Betancourt short to declare what happened next the least likely outcome possible. But let’s just say it was not a very likely outcome.
(Again, click to embiggen)
The nightmare was over.
And now, with another series beginning against St. Louis within the hour, the nightmare looms again.
We get it, Jack, Yuni B is the Monster Inc. in your closet. It was too close for comfort, but he did make the play.
If he plays well for the rest of the season I will never say another bad word about the guy.
My recurring nightmare is Yuni playing just well enough this October for Doug Melvin to decide he’s the best SS available and offer him a multi-year deal.
And that is why I called him the Yunigma when he was in KC.
Yuni has been one of the most clutch players in the playoffs