[RoXer]

Damocles of the Dodgers

Posted by Paul on April 15, 2013 | Short Link

The following text was transcribed word-for-word from tonight’s broadcast of the Padres at the Dodgers game, top of the 2nd inning. Pitcher Chad Billingsley is on the mound, the opposing pitcher, Eric Stults, is at the plate.

Vin Scully, calling the action.

“We often talk about Chad Billingsley, saying that he pitches ‘with the Sword of Damocles over his head.’ That’s an old Greek legend. Chad Billingsley, Damocles of the Dodgers, waits for the Sword to fall. The ruler was Dionysus, and he had a guy in the courtier - in the court – who would always talk about how great the ruler had it. So finally, the ruler said, ‘Ok. I’ll tell you how great it is.’ - the pitch is high, ball two - and he had a big dinner for Damocles and there at the head of the table was the chair and the beautiful table set up. Damocles sat down and directly above his head was a huge sword and it was tied by one horse hair. [Scully chuckles] Damocles got the idea. 2-2 pitch on the way is fouled back. So, of course, any time anybody’s pitching in a somewhat precarious position, I guess it applies: The Sword of Damocles. And, with Chad Billingsley, with that touchy arm, any time he goes to the mound that’s exactly who he is: Damocles of the Dodgers. Amarista at second, Maybin at first. This’ll be the seventh pitch to Eric Stults. Chad ready, checks, right-hander deals. High fly ball to deep center…Kemp going back…a-way back…this one is over the wall! Eric Stults hits it out over the centerfield fence and it’s the Padres on the scoreboard leading, three to nothing.”