The postseason brings out the best of everybody. Players, fans, and even umpires can feel the intensity of playoff baseball as teams march toward the World Series.
Former MLB umpire Jim Joyce joined WEEI’s Rob Bradford on the Audacy original podcast “Baseball Isn’t Boring” and explained just how different playoff baseball feels from the 162-game regular season.
“Postseason is like a completely different part of the year where the play is on a whole different level,” Joyce said (5:15 in player above). “I remember one of the first times I started being selected for postseasons – we would sit around and talk after the fact when I had my first postseason –, I said ‘You know what’s really amazing? They run faster. They get on the ground more. The intensity is two levels up.’
Joyce, who is a hockey fan as well, noted that it’s the same for other sports. This year, though, the intensity is hitting a new level.
“Watching these playoffs this year,” he continued. “I think it’s even more intense.”
The little things get a little extra attention during the postseason. Every inning, out, at-bat, and pitch matter that much more.
“Just watch a guy run down the first base line on a routine ground ball. It’s totally different than it is on June 1st. It’s amazing,” Joyce said. “They go to the wall and crash into it. I can’t stress enough how the intensity level is magnified by at least two times.”
The Rangers and Astros have felt that intensity as the AL West rivals face off in Game 7 of the ALCS on Monday night.
The Phillies are also locked in as they’re one win away from a second-straight World Series appearance.
Buckle up, the World Series starts this week on Friday, October 27th.