The Pirates win their opening day game 5-3 at Wrigley field, not least thanks to a beauitful 2-run homer by Hayes in the 1st. :)
Cubs and Pirates starters (Hendricks and Kuhl, respectively) both looked shaky and were taken out after 3 innings. Cubs went through 8 pitchers - they gave up 11 BB, plus 9 hits, plus a HBP.
I should stop watching now, because this is probably as good as it gets for the season. :P
The Orioles are already enjoying a 1/2 game lead over the Yankees.
So I noticed :mad:
Royals over the Rangers, 14-10????
I might need to track down some highlights of that one.
Edit: it was 8-7 after 3 innings. :lol:
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31183822/mlb-moving-all-star-game-atlanta-georgia-voting-law
QuoteMLB moving All-Star Game from Atlanta over Georgia voting law
Major League Baseball is moving the 2021 All-Star Game and 2021 draft out of Atlanta in response to a new Georgia voting law that critics say unfairly limits access to the ballot box, especially for people of color.
"Over the last week, we have engaged in thoughtful conversations with Clubs, former and current players, the Players Association, and The Players Alliance, among others, to listen to their views," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "I have decided that the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport is by relocating this year's All-Star Game and MLB Draft."
The decision follows calls from as the White House to consider moving the midsummer classic out of Atlanta.
EDIT:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex_ZIk7WEAE3ffg?format=jpg&name=small)
Quote from: Barrister on April 01, 2021, 10:28:19 PM
Royals over the Rangers, 14-10????
I might need to track down some highlights of that one.
Edit: it was 8-7 after 3 innings. :lol:
In game 2 it's 11-4 Royals vs the Rangers.
Well, that looked more like the Pirates I know. :cry:
Hits, strike outs etc. very similar between Cubs and Bucs but Pirates defense looked seriously shaky. Also didn't help that Hayes stepped out after two innings because he messed up his wrist hitting a foul ball. Nothing serious, it looks like, just a precaution. Some expect him to be rookie of the year, but ... eh. If he doesn't live up to the hype he will be replaced by someone else in a year or three. If he does, he will be traded away a year later. As a Pirates fan it's not good to be come attached to any player on the roster, as the owner made it clear in the past that he doesn't seem to care about building a team that's competitive over a longer period. It's eternal rebuild purgatory.
Anyways, Zach Wheeler had a fun game for the Phillies last night. Retired 17 in a row, 10 SOs, and 2 for 3 at bat, with a double and 2 RBI. :D And Yermin Mercedes who went 5/5 in his first game for the White Sox, "only" went 3/4 yesterday. Still, a streak of 8 hits to start of your Major League stint isn't too bad, I suppose. :P
Damn. If only the Orioles could play the Red Sox 159 more times.
:lol:
Pirates scored 3 runs on 7 hits, which would be fine if they didn't manage to give up 4 runs on 3 hits. Mitch Keller is supposed to be one of the Great Hopes(TM) for the team, but his pitching was all over the place, literally.
Just saw the highlights for Shohei Ohtani on the Angels' roster. He pitched the highest velocity this weekend, AND hit the ball with the highest exit speed. And apparently it's the first time since the 70s that an AL team have their pitcher in the lineup instead of a DH (he's batting #2 spot). :D
Watched the tail end of the Padres game last night; they were struggling but Tatis hit a monster shot that almost exited the stadium.
Going to be fun race for MVP in the NL this year,
So, observation from a returning viewer - I last closely followed during the 2013/14 seasons and the Bucs' botched playoff attempts (and I guess I can be glad I missed the dumpster fire that was 2019 Pirates clubhouse :ph34r: ).
Over the weekend I felt that there were notably more home runs than when last I watched. And I also caught the chatter that this season's ball is designed to allow less homers.
Yesterday's Pirates-Reds game alone had 5 homers (fun fact: both Pirates and Brewers scored 3 home runs yesterday, yet lost their games - goes to show homers aren't as useful without men on base).
So I had a look at season stats, and last I watched HRs per team game were under 1, but generally around 1.
(https://i.postimg.cc/x19T6fRT/hr.jpg)
But since 2016 that number has exploded while hit numbers and numbers of 2Bs and 3Bs seem roughly the same, so ... what gives? :unsure:
Another thing (but I expected that) - relievers are brought in earlier. During 2006 - 2008 there were between 34 and 45 pitchers who pitched 200+ innings. in 2017 - 2019 that number had shrunk to between 13 and 15. The number of pitchers with 150+ innings went from 93 - 101 down to 76 - 79; not as dramatic, but still a 20% drop.
Quote from: Syt on April 06, 2021, 01:34:58 AM
But since 2016 that number has exploded while hit numbers and numbers of 2Bs and 3Bs seem roughly the same, so ... what gives? :unsure:
I think the theory is that pitch velocity is higher than before, and hitters have generally gotten stronger...strike outs are up big time and stolen bases are way off...the game has gotten away from small ball and been more about home runs than before.
Yeah if you like action on the bases and in the field it is just not your era. If you love home runs and strike outs though every game is a endless buffet.
If it was caused by pitch velocity going up, wouldn't the HR percentage go up more gradually? But there was a jump in 2016/17 and it has stayed there for now. It feels like there might be either a change in equipment or technique that happened within a season or two.
Quote from: Syt on April 07, 2021, 01:52:14 AM
If it was caused by pitch velocity going up, wouldn't the HR percentage go up more gradually? But there was a jump in 2016/17 and it has stayed there for now. It feels like there might be either a change in equipment or technique that happened within a season or two.
Using the chart above, there was an 8.6% increase in home runs from 2016 to 2017, following a 14.8% increase the previous year. Strike outs were up 2.7% and 4.2%, which isn't everything but is in the same direction.
But if you look at longer trends, batting averages were .245 last year (and so far just .237 this year)--the lowest this century and a relatively steady decline from .270 in 2000. Strike outs have also steadily increased since 2000 and last year were up 34.6% from 2000.
I think technique (or at least player development and selection) has changed: everyone wants to hit for power.
There are stats on average pitch velocity but a 30 second google didn't turn them up.
At any rate, today's game PIT-CIN is off to a painful start.
Bottom of the 1st, Reds batting:
- HR on first pitch
- ground out into double due to fielding error
- BB
- BB
- BB (score 1, 2 strikes thrown on the 3 BBs)
- Sac Fly, scoring 1
- Line drive double, scoring 2
- ground out, putting Kuhl out of his misery
I know, it's rebuilding, it's not about the scores but about the progress, but sheesh. :D
Still waiting for a decent start by any of the Bucs' starting rotation. :D
The Royals are currently sitting atop the AL Central standings with a 3-1 record.
I see no reason why they shouldn't hold onto that position all year. :zipped:
And exciting April 7th pennant race is underway with Toronto, Baltimore, and the Yankees all battling it out for first place!
Quote from: alfred russel on April 07, 2021, 11:56:52 AM
I think technique (or at least player development and selection) has changed: everyone wants to hit for power.
Yes the emphasis from development level on up is making hard contact and emphasizing bat speed, velocity off the bat and launch angles. Pair that with emphasis on power pitching and FB velocity and you have formula for high strikeout, high HR outcomes.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on April 07, 2021, 01:29:56 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 07, 2021, 11:56:52 AM
I think technique (or at least player development and selection) has changed: everyone wants to hit for power.
Yes the emphasis from development level on up is making hard contact and emphasizing bat speed, velocity off the bat and launch angles. Pair that with emphasis on power pitching and FB velocity and you have formula for high strikeout, high HR outcomes.
Unfortunately it is self reinforcing. The guy who doesn't hit for power but makes up for it with speed on the bases and his glove is devalued. Stealing a base isn't so relevant if the guy hitting behind you is more likely going to either hit a home run or strike out. Defensive value is marginally less relevant in an era with less balls to be fielded (due to more strikeouts and home runs) and runners less aggressive on the basepaths (aggression down because less point in risking an out if the path across the plate is increasingly via a home run).
Correct these kinds of trends can continue until same step is taken to reverse them. One of the positive steps of the minor league reorg is that MLB apparently intends to use the new controlled minor leagues as labs to test various innovations. Hopefully we will see some efforts aimed at restoring balance.
Yeah I vastly prefer the ball to be in play as much as possible. As fun as it surely was for the Yankee fans to watch the Orioles strike out 14 times yesterday might have been :P
Mets put on a shift vs Bryce Harper and he put down a bunt for a base hit, moving over the runner from second. Nice to see from a $30 million man.
Speaking of salaries. The Pirates payroll this season is estimated at 46 million. Of those, 11 are for Gregory Polanco. I know they're not the biggest spenders, but this seems excessively low. :unsure:
They are definitely not underpaying Polanco.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on April 07, 2021, 07:39:57 PM
Mets put on a shift vs Bryce Harper and he put down a bunt for a base hit, moving over the runner from second. Nice to see from a $30 million man.
Does anyone know what the WAR would be of a player like Harper if he walked every at bat? I assume it would lead the league.
It would be the highest single season WAR of all time by a large margin.
It depends slightly on the weightings used each year in calculating weighted on base (WOBA)
A typical value for BB in the formula is around 0.7 so that would be a WOBA of 0.700. If we assume a league average WOBA of .320 (it was .318 in the 2019 NL), a 1.25 scaling factor, and 650 plate appearances that translated into 198 runs above average (compare to 74 in Harper's MVP year).
For simplicity assume no park effects (Philly is pretty neutral); I am also excluding baserunning and other fiddly adjustments. Harper plays RF which gets a negative positional adjustment but he plays it pretty well so assume its wash. You then have to add runs to adjust for the difference between replacement and average - at full-time it should be around 20. Total runs over replacement is 218, which translated into a WAR in the 21-22 range.
The record for WAR (Bref) version by a non-19th century pitcher is Walter Johnson (1913) at 16.5
For a position player it is Babe Ruth (1923) at 14.1. The best post war position player season was 1967 Yaz at 12.4
Barry Bond's highest single season bwar was 11.9.
This is another way of showing why just walking a Ruth or a Bonds every time they come up is not an optimal strategy.
Quote from: alfred russel on April 07, 2021, 11:56:52 AM
There are stats on average pitch velocity but a 30 second google didn't turn them up.
Fangraphs reports pitch velocity data from 2007 on.
In 2007 avg velocity of a fastball (4 seam) was a little above 91. By 2008 it was inching above 92, and by 2014 it was up to 93
Fastball velocity appears to stabilize between 2017-2020 at between 93 and 93.5
In the early games of 2021 it is up to 94, but it may dip as we go deeper into the season.
Quote from: alfred russel on April 08, 2021, 08:33:32 AM
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on April 07, 2021, 07:39:57 PM
Mets put on a shift vs Bryce Harper and he put down a bunt for a base hit, moving over the runner from second. Nice to see from a $30 million man.
Does anyone know what the WAR would be of a player like Harper if he walked every at bat? I assume it would lead the league.
Barry Bonds without a Bat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwMfT2cZGHg)
Well yeah his OBP might stay that high but his SLG goes from .812 to .000.
Minsky, you said you had Bichette in your Perfect Team lineup?
(https://media2.giphy.com/media/xd22mkODEpZuRltY0L/giphy.gif)
I guess they don't have water coolers to punch anymore? :)
I like the realization restraint ... "Ugh, I'm going to need my hand again soon ..."
Pittsburgh Pirates making history! :w00t:
https://www.wbsc.org/news/alessandro-ercolani-becomes-first-san-marino-citizen-to-sign-professional-baseball-contract
QuoteAlessandro Ercolani becomes first San Marino citizen to sign professional baseball contract
The 17-year-old righthander will join the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league camp in early May.
Right-handed pitcher Alessandro Ercolani, born 20 April 2004, became the first player developed in the Republic of San Marino to sign for a Major League Baseball (MLB) organization, when he recently agreed to terms with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The historic signing generated a buzz in San Marino.
Ercolani will join the Pirates' minor league camp in Bradenton, Florida, in early May.
"I feel proud," said Ercolani during a press conference. "I understand I will have to compete at a high level."
Alessandro Maestri, the Italian pitcher who played professional baseball in the US Minor Leagues, Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), Mexican Baseball League (LMB) and Australian Baseball League (ABL) also began a pro career in San Marino back in 2005.
"I spoke to him," commented Ercolani. "He told me that I will have good and bad days, and that I need to control my emotions and focus on competing."
"We like what we saw on the mound," said Tom Gillespie, the Pirates' scouting coordinator for Europe and Africa. "We also liked Alessandro's attitude. We believe he can compete at the professional level."
Enea Ercolani, Alessandro's father, is the president of the San Marino Baseball Softball Federation. "I can't express how much pride I feel," he said. "It's an unbelievable accomplishment."
WBSC Treasurer Angelo Vicini is a San Marino National and was given the floor at the press conference.
"My advice to Alessandro is to consider this the starting point of a new path," Vinici said.
The Republic of San Marino has been an independent State within the Italian peninsula since the year 301. Its top baseball team competes in the Italian Baseball League (Serie A1).
Well that is cool. Always good to see another old world country take up the game :cool:
The Red Sox sure put the Orioles in their place. Ah well.
https://twitter.com/StatsBySTATS/status/1382166503383044102?s=20
QuoteThe @Pirates beat the Padres 8-4 tonight despite walking 13 and hitting 3 batters.
They're the first team to issue at least 16 combined BB+HBP in a 9-inning win since the Browns on June 21, 1948.
:lol:
The Browns game was a wild one; there were 5 lead changes, and the Browns came back in the bottom of ninth down 3; the runs were scored with 2 outs:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLA/SLA194806210.shtml
The Philadelphia Athletics finished 2nd in the league in bases on balls with 725. That was in a 154 game schedule. By way of comparison the Astros led the majors in 2019 with 645 in 162 games. Eddie Joost and Ferris Fain drew 7 walks between them in the game; they both had over 110 on the season.
It's the sort of record that you wouldn't think could be broken c. 2021 but the Pirates will find a way.
Yankees starting pitching to date
G. Cole 2-0 1.47 ERA 1.18 FIP
Montgomery 1-0 3.27 4.60
Taillon 0-1 7.56 6.14
German 0-2 9.00 9.43 0 women hit by pitcher
Kluber 0-1 5.68 5.51
The wing it plan for the back of the rotation is not off to a great start.
"Monty, Cole, and a giant black hole"
Quote from: Syt on April 14, 2021, 12:46:44 AM
https://twitter.com/StatsBySTATS/status/1382166503383044102?s=20
QuoteThe @Pirates beat the Padres 8-4 tonight despite walking 13 and hitting 3 batters.
They're the first team to issue at least 16 combined BB+HBP in a 9-inning win since the Browns on June 21, 1948.
:lol:
The St Louis Browns were so shitty they sucked even while winning.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on April 14, 2021, 08:18:52 AM
Eddie Joost
Wait Eddie...Joost? Not Eddie Yost?
*looks it up*
Well damn. Two players with almost identical names who played at the same time who were famous for drawing walks.
By the way congrats to Carlos Rodon on blowing his perfect game but still getting a no hitter.
The Orioles are going to play their second consecutive double header tomorrow. I wonder when was the last time that happened.
It's fitting that the only year the Browns won the pennant was a war year, and then they promptly lost the Series.
To the Cardinals of course.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on April 14, 2021, 11:00:05 PM
It's fitting that the only year the Browns won the pennant was a war year, and then they promptly lost the Series.
To the Cardinals of course.
Their entire history is just "We had George Sisler and lost anyway"
I kind of feel bad for Sisler because if he had played for a team that wasn't the Browns he would be this famous alltime great. But instead he played for a team that no longer exists and whatever few fans it had are long dead.
Edit: Even his Wikipedia page has a picture of him playing in College for Michigan :lol: well at least that would make grumbler happy.
I love it when the Royals play Toronto - I can actually get the scores on the radio.
Of course I like it even more when the Royals win - which they did yesterday.
ROyals have a half game lead atop the AL Central.
You can get radio of any MLB game if you their app.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on April 16, 2021, 03:16:00 PM
You can get radio of any MLB game if you their app.
The thing is I'm far from a huge fan.
Over the course of the regular season I'm happy to just check the standing every few days when I remember to.
Of course when they had their little playoff run I was a bit more intense... :ph34r:
In 1966 the Phillies traded Fergie Jenkins to the Cubs for two veteran pitchers, Bob Buhl and Larry Jackson. Buhl was washed up, Jackson had 3 decent years left. Jenkins reeled off 6 straight 20 wins and a Cy Young.
Then the Cubs traded Jenkins to the Rangers for Bill Madlock. Madlock did win the batting title two years in a row but he had no power and couldn't play any position in the field which it turns out is a problem in the National League. So they dumped him a few years later. Meanwhile Jenkins won 25 games for the Rangers the season after the trade, finished 2nd in Cy Yon voting.
So of course the Rangers trade him to the Red Sox. For Juan Beniquez, a fine fielding outfielder who spent most of his career as a defensive replacement because he couldn't hit his way out of a paper bag. The Rangers foolishly played him full time and he hit ZERO home runs in 526 plate appearances. Meanwhile Jenkins gave the Red Sox 400 innings of better than league average ERA in the AL's best hitter's park.
The Red Sox finished in second place in 1977 because despite scoring scads of runs their staff ERA was only 8th in the league. So what do they do?
Trade their best pitcher of course!
Jenkins goes back to the Rangers. Red Sox got a prospect that never pitched in the majors again.
Jenkins went 18-8 for the Rangers in 1978, finished 6th in the Cy Young
The Red Sox tied for 1st with the Yankees and lost the 1 game playoff. They had decent pitching that year, but they would have won easily with Jenkins on the staff.
Rangers learned their lesson. Jenkins was never traded again.
What does this have to do with 2021?
Nothing.
But anyone who saw the Yankees play the Rays this evening will understand.
Michael Flynn can't catch a break. :(
https://pirates.pittsburghbaseball.com/2021/04/27/pirates-release-six-minor-league-players/?utm_source=ReviveOldPost&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ReviveOldPost
QuoteThe Pittsburgh Pirates made six cuts yesterday ahead of setting the Opening Day rosters for the four full-season minor league affiliates, who kick off their season a week from today. The released players are pitchers Michael Flynn, Samson Abernathy, Zach Spears and Winston Nicacio, along with catcher Zac Susi and infielder Zack Kone.
Michael Flynn was a sixth round pick in 2018, who battled through injuries in his first two seasons. He was able to pitch just 21 innings in pro ball.
Here's a random little bit of trivia: one of the contacts for SABR.org for Europe is Indy Neidell, who some people here may know from his YouTube history series (e.g. Great War & WW2 in real time).
Klubot named AL player 'o the week
Could he really be: back?
The Orioles were beaten yesterday in demoralizing fashion and are now back where they belong in last place.
But...only two games below .500! These days that is enough to get me excited.
Royals still in 1st place in the AL Central. :ph34r:
Giants are 6 games over 500. They are the closest thing I have to a team nowadays.
Quote from: Valmy on May 03, 2021, 03:26:58 PM
The Orioles were beaten yesterday in demoralizing fashion and are now back where they belong in last place.
But...only two games below .500! These days that is enough to get me excited.
Harvey is pitching better than I've seen since the old days and Mullins has been breaking out.
They still aren't a good team overall but at least they aren't a boring team.
Trevor Story is on the trading block.
Checked to see how he does away from Coors. On the road he has been meh at .249/.317/.446. That's fine for a good fielding SS but not superstar territory.
Quote from: Barrister on May 03, 2021, 03:30:29 PM
Royals still in 1st place in the AL Central. :ph34r:
I jinxed them! :ph34r:
They've lost 8 in a row since I posted the above. :weep:
The Bucs are slowly puttering along, negative record of course, but they're not completely embarrassing themselves, so there's that. :)
Any enthusiasm I once had with the Os this year was severely drained by their recent annihilation at the hands of the Red Sox and the Mets. Ah well things can only look up as next they are playing the...*checks notes*...Yankees. Oh boy.
I'm amazed by los gigantes.
Royals up to 11 losses in a row. :weep:
Apparently 8 vaccinated members of the Yankee organization are Covid positive, with one player placed on the Covid IL.
Gleyber Torres
Useful reminder that the vaccines are not 100% proof against infection or transmission , although all the Yankees cases are asymptotic.
Just leaving this beautiful play by the Pirates here without comment: https://twitter.com/BarstoolBurgh/status/1397976546141421580?s=20
:lol: :bleeding: :weep:
For Timmay:
https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1404168883230199808?s=20
QuoteFor the first time in franchise history, the Red Sox allowed 8 home runs in a single game.
The @BlueJays won 18-4 :o
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E3ycJi2WYAMMsfY?format=jpg&name=small)
Saw the Mets today at Citi Field.
They got knocked out by a Tatis grand slam.
Quote from: Syt on June 13, 2021, 03:12:29 PM
For Timmay:
https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1404168883230199808?s=20
QuoteFor the first time in franchise history, the Red Sox allowed 8 home runs in a single game.
The @BlueJays won 18-4 :o
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E3ycJi2WYAMMsfY?format=jpg&name=small)
Bad game, but we've played pretty well so far overall this year.
Anytime something happens for the first time in the history of the Red Sox that is quite an event though.
Especially when you consider the crappy teams they had during the Murderer's Row era and last Philadelphia As dynasty during the 20s and early 30s
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on June 15, 2021, 10:49:31 AM
Especially when you consider the crappy teams they had during the Murderer's Row era and last Philadelphia As dynasty during the 20s and early 30s
I agree, 8 home runs is a lot, but given how many games by bad teams have been played over the decades, I'm shocked that the record isn't higher than that.
Josh Gibson's bref page:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gibsojo99.shtml
Among other things, he is now the slugging percentage and OPS leader for a single season (1937)
Happy Bobby Bonilla Day everybody!
(https://media4.giphy.com/media/26BRBqZeeKDWcmbdu/200.gif)
Oh and somehow the Orioles just swept the Astros. Good times.
How is it I'm only just learning about Shohei Ohtani, who plays as both a pitcher AND a designated hitter for the Angels? And who is leading the league in home runs (and has respectable stats as a pitcher)? And is going to the All-Star game as both a pitcher and DH?
I know - I'm a very very casual baseball fan, but you'd think this guy would be a bigger star...
Quote from: Barrister on July 05, 2021, 03:16:55 PM
How is it I'm only just learning about Shohei Ohtani,
?????
He is a big star. How do you normally get your baseball news?
He's YUGE!
Bigger than Joe Schlabotnik huge
Quote from: Valmy on July 05, 2021, 06:04:27 PM
He is a big star. How do you normally get your baseball news?
Well I suppose that's it. It's not like the old days where you get your news from the newspaper, or from watching Sportscentre. To the extent I'm a baseball fan I'm a Royals fan, so I mostly get my news about them from social media by following the Royals.
But still I would have thought Ohtani would have broken through that before yesterday.
I am subbed to the MLB and Jomboy Media on Youtube, despite the laters horrid Yankees loving. That generally keeps me up to date on what the non-Orioles world is doing...generally better than the Orioles.
Thank Hod for the Diamondbacks.
How to score three runs off a dribble on the foul line that doesn't even make it to third base:
https://www.mlb.com/video/kevin-newman-singles-on-a-sharp-ground-ball-to-pitcher-taijuan-walker-joh
:lol:
Cleveland Indians to be known as the Cleveland Guardians after the end of the season. :o
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31868331/cleveland-changing-name-indians-guardians
Quote from: Barrister on July 23, 2021, 10:07:32 AM
Cleveland Indians to be known as the Cleveland Guardians after the end of the season. :o
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31868331/cleveland-changing-name-indians-guardians
Naps, Blues, Broncos and Spiders are all available names associated with past Cleveland MLB franchises.
All them as good or better names than "Guardians." WTF are they playing baseball or joining Space Force?
Probably want to ride the Guardians of the Galaxy wave? :unsure:
(Not sure if anyone would want to try rehabilitate the Spiders name :P )
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on July 23, 2021, 10:20:29 AM
Quote from: Barrister on July 23, 2021, 10:07:32 AM
Cleveland Indians to be known as the Cleveland Guardians after the end of the season. :o
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31868331/cleveland-changing-name-indians-guardians
Naps, Blues, Broncos and Spiders are all available names associated with past Cleveland MLB franchises.
All them as good or better names than "Guardians." WTF are they playing baseball or joining Space Force?
Guardians has the advantage of rhyming with Indians. Those other names are all over 100 years old, so hardly have any real resonance with fans. And they've justified it by making a reference to some Guardians of Traffic statue on a bridge near the stadium, which is as good an excuse as anything.
It's a good name. Rhyming effect is a good reason enough to pick it.
The Guardians of Traffic.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6_Gr4wXoAQhU-O?format=jpg&name=900x900)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6_Gr4uWUAMmGFj?format=jpg&name=large)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6_Gr4vXoAcr9UE?format=jpg&name=large)
(https://cdn.wallpapersafari.com/77/6/x7u1yc.jpg)
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 23, 2021, 10:44:56 AM
It's a good name. Rhyming effect is a good reason enough to pick it.
It's why I was pushing for the Edmonton CFL team to be rebranded as the Escargot. :ph34r:
Better names:
River Burners
Foresters
Symphonics
Careys
Fellers
Guardians does not rhyme with Indians. They just both end in "ians". An who gives a crap what rhymes with Indians anyways? Why not call them the Cleveland Totalitarians?
Cleveland Grovers
New mascot revealed:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6_p-DGWYAMcQB8?format=jpg&name=360x360)
Quote from: Syt on July 23, 2021, 10:54:01 AM
Cleveland Grovers
:lol: :lol: :lol:
That would have been outstanding!
Once again the Dodgers prove they are what the Yankees once were - the team with the most absolute and unconditional commitment to win at all costs. They could have easily just stood pat trusting that their superior personnel would lead to them to overtake the Giants. Instead they brushed aside the Padres bid for Scherzer and sent their two best prospects to address the last remaining weakness on the roster (SS) and add yet another ace to a staff already leading the majors in ERA. They may have given up too much in the deal but I can't help but admire the brassiness of their balls.
As for the de jure Yankees, a few weeks ago, Bill James made a comment on his website to the effect that he thought the Yankees were struggling because they lacked left handed bats in the lineup (and quoted Casey Stengel) - then added he would expect Cashman had a plan to address it. Indeed it he did - the Yankees now have no shortage of lefty power bats. But it ends up being treading water in the AL East because the Red Sox added Schwarber to their juggernaut, the Blue Jays added Berrios, and the Rays added no one but still have their magic juju.
Also now seems Javier Baez is going to the Mets which would make them the current power in the NY baseball world.
And . . . Giants nab Kris Bryant to keep up with LA.
Chisox apparently gave up Nick Madrigal for a 1/2 year of Kimbrel; I don't get that one, no matter how much they are going for broke. Either they think Madrigal's injury problems are more than just short term. or they just made a dumb move.
Saw some ire erupting around the final call in the Dodgers/Giants series. Yikes. That ... was not a good call, unless I'm missing something? Not to say Flores doesn't strike out on the next pitch, but this seems like a very shitty way to close out the series.
Looking above on the deadline deals, I got the Mets badly wrong, everything else I got right. The Kimbrel deal ended up even worse than I thought.
Quote from: Syt on October 15, 2021, 07:19:16 AM
Saw some ire erupting around the final call in the Dodgers/Giants series. Yikes. That ... was not a good call, unless I'm missing something? Not to say Flores doesn't strike out on the next pitch, but this seems like a very shitty way to close out the series.
It's a blown call but blown calls are part of the game. Cardinals fans are still bitching about Don Dekinger.
When there's two strikes on the count and you either take or check swing, you are taking your chances. If you are not sure or it's close put some wood on the ball and foul it off.
Bad call.
I didn't expect the Red Sox to make it this far.
Champions!
(https://i.postimg.cc/jSXvD1Z3/image.png)
^_^
Maybe it's me, but I feel the Bucs may have a slight weakness in the catcher position with the current roster. :hmm:
https://www.mlb.com/pirates/roster/depth-chart
Also, Max Scherzer's contract annual salary is almost as much as the entire Pirates payroll. :lol:
Hayes can cover it from third. His range is that good.
:lol: