masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgFirst it’s June Cleaver, now Howard Cunningham.

This hasn’t been a good week for TV parents.

If Rob Petrie dies, I’ll stay curled up in a ball for weeks.

A Yankee hits a long fly ball, the right fielder appears to be camped under it at the fence, and a fan reaches out and deflects it.

Like that would ever happen in a playoff game.

Did anyone else have flashbacks last night to the 1996 ALCS as Robinson Cano circled the bases and Nelson Cruz pointed into the first row of seats? Did you…First it’s June Cleaver, now Howard Cunningham.

This hasn’t been a good week for TV parents.

If Rob Petrie dies, I’ll stay curled up in a ball for weeks.

A Yankee hits a long fly ball, the right fielder appears to be camped under it at the fence, and a fan reaches out and deflects it.

Orioles-Yankees_1996.gif

Like that would ever happen in a playoff game.

Did anyone else have flashbacks last night to the 1996 ALCS as Robinson Cano circled the bases and Nelson Cruz pointed into the first row of seats? Did you sit there wondering whatever happened to Tony Tarasco and Jeffrey Maier?

I’m not sure why the umpires didn’t review the play, as they did on Lance Berkman’s foul ball.

“From the angle I had, I was very confident that the ball was in the stands,” right field umpire Jim Reynolds said afterward.

That’s fine, Jim, but please don’t sign autographs the next day like Richie Garcia did.

Here’s a box score from that infamous night – Oct. 9, 1996. Derek Jeter, batting ninth, hits a disputed eighth-inning home run off Armando Benitez, who always seemed to be in the middle of a crucial game-turning blast, and Bernie Williams wins it in the 11th with a shot off Randy Myers.

I was part of The Sun’s baseball coverage, though I didn’t join the beat full-time until the following spring training. One of my most vivid memories as a reporter.

If it isn’t too painful, feel free to share your memories from that game.

The biggest difference between the two ALCS games: The Yankees weren’t celebrating a win last night, and they sure needed one.

As if these Yankees don’t have enough problems, Mark Teixeira injured his hamstring and is done for the year. His teammates could be joining him shortly.

Meanwhile, Bengie Molina hit a go-ahead three-run homer and provided one of the best quotes of the postseason:

“It’s not bad for a fat kid that everyone makes fun of when he runs.”

We’re not laughing at you, Bengie, we’re laughing with you.

AFL update: Shortstop Greg Miclat went 1-for- 3 with an RBI in the Scottsdale Scorpions’ 5-4 win over Surprise. Third baseman Ryan Adams was 1-for-4, and Xavier Avery went 0-for-3 with a walk.

Pat Egan earned his second “hold” after allowing three hits in 1 2/3 scoreless innings.