Templeton (and) the Rat

Game 5 - Mets

Marlins 4, Mets 2 
Record: 2-3

Lots to look sideways at on this one, from a pair of rare hands-like-feet moments from Francisco Lindor, to Senga opening his first with the 1-2 punch of 2B-HR, to Polar Pete staying chilly at the plate (.176/.333/.353).

Mostly I'm looking at you, Mark Vientos. 

The young third baseman for the Metmen has been toiling at the dish in the early going (2-for-19 thus far with a .401 OPS), but it was a particular play that rubbed us (us = Keith Hernandez and me, natch) the wrong way. 

With 1 out, top 4, tied at 2, a decently hit grounder to third off Vientos' bat was bobbled and dropped by Graham Pauley. Mark Vientos wouldn't know it until it was too late, because he put his head down and trotted down to first. Out by a half-step. 

Larry?

Lollygagger.

Keith mused that ol' Whitey Herzog would've had a word with Mr. Vientos at some point; a real sore spot with the White Rat. Which made me think, unfairly, of "The Garry Templeton Incident" when Cardinals manager Herzog dragged Templeton into the dugout after a profane flurry aimed at the angry fans, something precipitated at its roots innings prior by the soon-to-be-in-San-Diego shortstop not running out a dropped strikeout.

I remember that story vividly from childhood. A real cautionary tale for a hotheaded kid like... someone else, not me. I was docile. But real the full scoop here, well chronicled here by a St. Louis scribe thrilled with the end result (The Wizard), who says it best here:

Smith, of course, went on to enjoy a Hall of Fame career in St. Louis, where he helped lead the Cardinals to the 1982 World Series championship and National League pennants in 1985 and 1987. He won 11 of his 13 career Gold Gloves and made 14 of his 15 all-star game appearances while wearing the birds on the bat.

Anyway, this is not that. But man, let's see some crazy sprint Mike Piazza in those trips down to first, even the futile ones. 

2-3. Take the rubber match tonight, gents.