You can tell tomorrow is opening day-- on my drive in to this morning I noticed that all the bums had already staked out their begging spots.
I turned down opening day tickets because I have a project deadline to meet. I'd like to go to Reds opening day sometime but the thought of paying a premium over regular ticket prices to go freeze my ass off doesn't appeal to me (unless it's football, which is meant to be played in that weather).
Seems like about half the yokel Reds fans are confident that they'll win the Series this year, and the other half have the proper amount of pessimism (getting swept in the divisional playoff round is still fresh in their minds).
Cardinals have too damned many question marks, so they could either win the division by a 10 game margin or have a losing season.
Phillies should dominate the NL if they stay healthy.
That's about all I've got for now. I don't usually start paying a whole lot of attention until a couple weeks into the season, but I figured we needed a thread out of respect for the game.
The Reds do have a chance but only because they play in the NFC West of the NL.
I boldy predict the O's will finish in 3rd place in the AL East.
I might go to a few minor league games this spring. Go in the middle of summer? Pass.
Phillies? :x
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportsecyclopedia.com%2Fnl%2Fmtlexpos%2F82ASG.jpg&hash=42cf55d86d1e9c4e5302800a1e74d5528979637d)
*sniff*
Quote from: Grey Fox on March 30, 2011, 11:10:27 AM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportsecyclopedia.com%2Fnl%2Fmtlexpos%2F82ASG.jpg&hash=42cf55d86d1e9c4e5302800a1e74d5528979637d)
*sniff*
I still feel sad when I think about the Expos 1994 team. The champions who never were.
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 30, 2011, 11:04:14 AM
I might go to a few minor league games this spring. Go in the middle of summer? Pass.
:cool:
Bats games = fun. Last time I went I saw them kick the shit out of the Toledo Mud Hens. :smoke:
Quote from: Caliga on March 30, 2011, 11:27:53 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 30, 2011, 11:04:14 AM
I might go to a few minor league games this spring. Go in the middle of summer? Pass.
:cool:
Bats games = fun. Last time I went I saw them kick the shit out of the Toledo Mud Hens. :smoke:
The Round Rock Express have the worst parking lot in sports. I would go more often but it takes forever to leave once the game is over. Screw that.
Also the temptation at Minor League games to blow way too much money on over-priced beer is hard to resist.
City driving annoys me (the Bats play downtown at Slugger Field, which is right on the river), so I always make Princesca drive when we go. :)
Never noticed it before, but the expo's emblem in that pick looks like jousting penises.
Quote from: Caliga on March 30, 2011, 11:34:24 AM
City driving annoys me (the Bats play downtown at Slugger Field, which is right on the river), so I always make Princesca drive when we go. :)
Hell, I have to go into downtown Dayton. Especially now that the city is starting to stir back into life.
The Royals have already pretty much topped out for the year by coming in 2nd in the Cactus League. It'll be all downhill from here. Having traded away most of their established players and banking off their farm system to ever be relevant again means it'll be about two years before they do anything of note. Of course, that's figuring that they don't bring all of their talent along piecemeal or make them switch positions or other awful decision making and ruin them like they've been doing for the past 20 or so years. I hate the Glass family. A lot. I'll also be following the Indians this year, who I expect to be in a struggle for last place with the Royals, but at least it'll be fun.
In terms of games, I'd like to catch a few the summer. Maybe Toronto, Boston, Cleveland, and New York for the pros and some Syracuse and Buffalo games for AAA. I already have tickets for the Buffalo Bisons game on Star Wars Night! :nerd: If I see one even semi-attractive Slave Leia I'll be happy.
Los Gigantes de San Francisco have nowhere to go but down :(
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on March 30, 2011, 01:22:58 PM
I already have tickets for the Buffalo Bisons game on Star Wars Night! :nerd: If I see one even semi-attractive Slave Leia I'll be happy.
In Buffalo? Good luck!
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 30, 2011, 01:30:20 PM
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on March 30, 2011, 01:22:58 PM
I already have tickets for the Buffalo Bisons game on Star Wars Night! :nerd: If I see one even semi-attractive Slave Leia I'll be happy.
In Buffalo? Good luck!
Hahaha, I know. A man can dream though, right? :lol:
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 30, 2011, 01:22:00 PM
Hell, I have to go into downtown Dayton. Especially now that the city is starting to stir back into life.
I used to have to drive into downtown Boston sometimes, so I'm still recovering from the related PTSD. :blush:
I don't mind driving in Lexington, and most of Louisville is ok except for the retarded one way streets in the middle of downtown.
Driving in Cincinnati :bleeding:
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on March 30, 2011, 01:38:52 PM
Hahaha, I know. A man can dream though, right? :lol:
Too many garbage plates make a HOTT Leia cosplayer unpossible. :(
She might be able to eat her weight in chicken wings.
Quote from: Caliga on March 30, 2011, 01:46:08 PM
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on March 30, 2011, 01:38:52 PM
Hahaha, I know. A man can dream though, right? :lol:
Too many garbage plates make a HOTT Leia cosplayer unpossible. :(
Garbage plates are more of a Rochester thing.
Quote from: Valmy on March 30, 2011, 10:54:34 AM
The Reds do have a chance but only because they play in the NFC West of the NL.
:yeahright: That has historically been the NL West.
Quote from: derspiess on March 30, 2011, 02:24:42 PM
:yeahright: That has historically been the NL West.
True but I am talking about this year.
Quote from: Caliga on March 30, 2011, 11:34:24 AM
City driving annoys me (the Bats play downtown at Slugger Field, which is right on the river), so I always make Princesca drive when we go. :)
:bleeding: Does you let you wear her skirt to the game as well?
Quote from: Valmy on March 30, 2011, 02:25:28 PM
Quote from: derspiess on March 30, 2011, 02:24:42 PM
:yeahright: That has historically been the NL West.
True but I am talking about this year.
Sounds like you're talking about late last season.
Quote from: derspiess on March 30, 2011, 02:33:01 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 30, 2011, 02:25:28 PM
Quote from: derspiess on March 30, 2011, 02:24:42 PM
:yeahright: That has historically been the NL West.
True but I am talking about this year.
Sounds like you're talking about late last season.
Fine: the Reds have a chance because the NL Central looks down this year.
Quote from: derspiess on March 30, 2011, 02:26:02 PM
:bleeding: Does you let you wear her skirt to the game as well?
No. :(
Quote from: Valmy on March 30, 2011, 02:34:34 PM
Fine: the Reds have a chance because the NL Central looks down this year.
Much better. Carry on.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11089/1135667-63.stm?cmpid=pirates.xml
QuoteBaseball 2011: What constitutes improvement?
Three reasons why Pirates will -- or will not -- finally turn the corner
PHILADELPHIA -- Just forget it.
That is, by far, the simplest way to analyze the Pittsburgh Baseball Club's 125th season that opens Friday: These Pirates will be made up of mostly the same players who limped to a 57-105 record last year, they added little in the offseason and ... well, they are the Pirates.
The 2010 team left no stone of ineptitude unturned, finishing 30th among Major League Baseball's 30 teams in ERA, 29th in batting average, 29th in runs, 25th in home runs, and the defense made a first-to-worst plunge in fielding percentage.
The bigger picture is no brighter: Since the 162-game schedule began in 1961, only three of the 34 teams that won 57 or fewer games had a winning record the next season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The 1973 Texas Rangers went from 57 victories to 84, the 1979 Oakland Athletics from 54 to 83 and the 1988 Baltimore Orioles had the greatest leap from 54-107 to 87-75.
The Pirates have finished with 57 or fewer victories in a full season six times in baseball's modern era -- 1900 and on -- and the only time they transformed instantly into winners was in 1917-18 with an improvement from 51-103 to 65-60. The 1918 season was shortened by World War I.
It is, to be sure, asking a lot.
So, perhaps the most pressing question regarding these Pirates is this: If it looks unrealistic to end the franchise's record string of 18 consecutive losing seasons, what constitutes improvement?
Here are three reasons why the Pirates might substantially improve, and three reasons why they will not.
WHY THEY WILL IMPROVE
3. The new skipper
Clint Hurdle's booming voice and back-slapping manner reverberated all through spring training, and it appeared to resonate, too.
"The guy's just amazing," new right fielder Matt Diaz said. "Every which way you look, he's there."
That includes the clubhouse, a place where some managers tread lightly. Perhaps Hurdle will, too, in time. But the popular notion for now is that the team's youth demands a more visible presence, and Hurdle is more than up to that.
That jolt could prove most beneficial on the road, where the team went 17-64 last season under quiet, conservative John Russell. If it is true that a team takes on its manager's personality, then that team's timid performance in opponents' stadiums might not have been all about talent. Remember that the Pirates went a respectable 40-41 at PNC Park.
But it will take more than Hurdle's brash "All in!" pronouncements to effect serious change. He will need to handle -- and improve -- the majors' worst pitching staff, he will need to get the most out of the four young everyday players, and he will need to infuse faith into a franchise that long ago ran dry of that stuff.
"I know it's been tough here," Hurdle said. "But we're looking forward, not back."
2. Back-end bullpen
The bullpen as a whole does not appear nearly as strong as the one that opened last season, when Joel Hanrahan and Evan Meek had supporting roles for Octavio Dotel, Javier Lopez, D.J. Carrasco and others.
Now, Hanrahan is the closer and Meek the setup man after both reached new heights last season. Hanrahan was one of four relievers in the majors with 100-plus strikeouts, and Meek was an All-Star with a sterling average of 1.05 walks and/or hits per inning. Overall, the Pirates were 42-4 when they had a lead after seven innings, 48-2 when they had a lead after eight.
That is a precious commodity for any team to have, even one that is building with youth.
"Our bullpen definitely will be a strength," newcomer Joe Beimel said. "And a young team needs that. If you're losing leads in the seventh or eighth innings all the time, that can wear on a younger team. You can get down. You might not bounce back the next day as easily."
Hanrahan and Meek, despite a shaky spring for both, should be able to handle the final two innings and, thus, reduce the load on the uncertain starting rotation. Chris Resop and Jeff Karstens should make for reliable middlemen, too. But Beimel's elbow pain has him on the disabled list, newcomer Jose Veras has a history of too many walks, and most of the rest lack experience.
So, how many innings can those starters deliver?
Well, they lasted six-plus innings only 88 times last year. And the team went 15-59 when they lasted less than that, as the bullpen gradually wore down.
This spring?
Don't ask.
1. More bop from the bats
Andrew McCutchen grinned when asked why these Pirates shouldn't be able to hit.
"Maybe if we had our limbs chopped off. That's the only thing I can think of," he replied. "I feel like there's no way, shape or form that we won't score runs. With the lineup we have, some power, the speed, I think we'll get a lot done at the plate and on the basepaths."
Indeed, the offense looks poised to be the greatest area of improvement and, in an intangible sense, the facet that will make the team at least more fun to watch this summer.
McCutchen batted .286 with 16 home runs in 2010, his first full season, and many baseball insiders envision a big-time breakout. His magnificent spring has done nothing to quell that.
"Look out, man," McCutchen said.
It might not be fair to expect Jose Tabata and Neil Walker to improve upon their respective .299 and .296 rookie averages, but both will be entering their first full seasons, so their season-long impact on the team can be greater.
Same is true of Pedro Alvarez: His slow-start debut left his final average at .256, but he was everything as advertised with a huge September that raised his power numbers to 16 home runs and 64 RBIs in 95 games.
There is no more potent variable in this lineup than whether or not Alvarez can be similarly productive over a full season.
"I know that, and I'm looking forward to the challenge," Alvarez said. "I want to be that guy who comes through for his team."
The Bill James Handbook, using a computer-based model, forecasts Alvarez batting .277 with 27 home runs and 103 RBIs.
That would be quite some lift.
"This team is going to hit," right fielder Garrett Jones said. "I don't have any doubt about that."
WHY THEY WILL NOT
3. Defense
Frank Coonelly, the Pirates' president, had set an offseason goal of improving the infield defense, and the team did that at first base by signing free agent Lyle Overbay, a good glove man. But the rest remains just as uncertain as last year, and that does not mesh well with equally uncertain pitching.
Alvarez committed 17 errors in 94 starts at third base, and doubts were raised anew this winter about whether his thick frame will eventually force a move to first. He is more solid muscularly than last season, but the extra 5 pounds probably will not add mobility.
Ronny Cedeno is still an enigma, capable of the sensational and the sloppy in the same inning. He has all the physical tools to be a dynamic shortstop, but his lapses and lack of confidence have held him back.
Walker looked good at times in his first career experience at second base, but his ultimate zone rating -- a complex defensive formula used by several teams, including the Pirates -- was minus-17.1. Only St. Louis' Skip Schumaker was worse among everyday second basemen. Walker is bright and athletic enough to improve, though, and already showed pluses to that effect in the past month.
Overbay, who has worked closest with all three infielders this spring, predicted there will be no sequel.
"I don't see that at all," Overbay said. "Maybe the best piece of advice I've ever gotten came from Matt Williams: Slow the game down. If you watch the really good infielders, that's what they do. Some of our guys, it seems like sometimes they rush. That's when mistakes happen."
He cited a spring play by Alvarez.
"Pedro made a diving play, and he thinks he's got to spring right up and fire it. Well, this guy was really fast down the line, but Pedro still threw him out by three steps. You can take that split-second, get up, square your feet, make the right throw. Don't panic. Same with Neil learning a new position. There are going to be growing pains."
2. Starting pitching
Improvement in this area should be academic, actually, given that it is hard to be worse.
The starters went 34-84 -- fewest victories since 1952 -- with a 5.27 ERA, and they had no 10-game winner in a full season for just the third time in franchise history. Opponents batted .303 against Paul Maholm, and Charlie Morton and Ross Ohlendorf combined for three wins over 38 starts.
All three are in the rotation again, joined by promising James McDonald and the lone addition, Kevin Correia.
"You're not going to hear any one of us say we had a good year last year," Maholm said. "But I think we all learned something. We all grew. Now, it's time to do it. It's time to step up. Let's go six, seven innings, not use up the bullpen, keep the team in the game. It's our job to set the tone."
All five have had spurts of success, even the combustible but talented Morton, and bringing those traits out consistently will be the task of Ray Searage, the pitching coach who took over when Joe Kerrigan was fired in midseason last year. Kerrigan was more number-cruncher than teacher, and Searage has drawn praise from the pitchers for his hands-on instruction that surely is a better fit for a young staff.
Still, that task looks daunting.
1. It's not now yet
Hurdle and general manager Neal Huntington have spoken enthusiastically about 2011, with Huntington recently declaring, "It's time." But there are few firm indications of that, tangibly or otherwise.
The statistical site FanGraphs.com, using a computer-based model, forecasts the Pirates to finish fifth in the Central Division, ahead of the Houston Astros, with a 71-91 record that would mark a 14-game improvement. That might be optimistic, as most experts of the human variety have the Pirates finishing last yet again.
The organization's elite pitching -- top prospects Jameson Taillon, Luis Heredia and Stetson Allie -- is several years away. There is an encouraging wave at Class AAA in Rudy Owens, Bryan Morris and others, but few are projecting top-of-the-rotation futures for anyone there. And acquiring pitching from the outside involves either big-time spending or shrewd trading, neither of which has been a trademark of this management team.
So, what does 2011 mean to the Pirates?
"I think you can see this team assert itself, turn the corner," Overbay said. "Confidence might be an issue right now, with all the young guys, but I can see that walking out of the door here in no time. The ability's there. It's just a matter of them believing in it."
Quote from: Valmy on March 30, 2011, 11:32:57 AM
Quote from: Caliga on March 30, 2011, 11:27:53 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 30, 2011, 11:04:14 AM
I might go to a few minor league games this spring. Go in the middle of summer? Pass.
:cool:
Bats games = fun. Last time I went I saw them kick the shit out of the Toledo Mud Hens. :smoke:
The Round Rock Express have the worst parking lot in sports. I would go more often but it takes forever to leave once the game is over. Screw that.
Also the temptation at Minor League games to blow way too much money on over-priced beer is hard to resist.
Can't you sneak in a flask of whiskey?
Man, what a pathetic thread.
Anywho, I got to see Francisco Cordero get his 300th save the other night. I thought it was pretty impressive that it tied him as 21st in all-time saves until my brother told me he was #10 in all-time blown saves :lol:
Quote from: derspiess on June 03, 2011, 11:14:51 AM
Man, what a pathetic thread.
You guys need an obsessive fan to keep bumping the thread with stories about his or her favourite team. :ph34r:
I would, but it's hard too follow baseball when I can only watch the highlights on ESPN.com, back home I literally watched every game.
The NCAA tournament starts today. I look forward to two weeks of pure awesome.
Tonight: Texas vs. Princeton
Quote from: Barrister on June 03, 2011, 11:21:36 AM
You guys need an obsessive fan to keep bumping the thread with stories about his or her favourite team. :ph34r:
But my favorite team still exists. They continue to suck though, and make me want to forget they do so. :(
Jose Bautista is having a pretty good year, unfortunately the Blue Jays are in a pretty damn tough division.
Quote from: Valmy on June 03, 2011, 11:31:51 AM
The NCAA tournament starts today. I look forward to two weeks of pure awesome.
Tonight: Texas vs. Princeton
Shockingly, one of the local schools to me made it. Go Wright State Raiders.
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 03, 2011, 03:26:49 PM
Shockingly, one of the local schools to me made it. Go Wright State Raiders.
Yeah they are playing Texas A&M in College Station tonight. I hope they win by 20.
Speaking of Ohio schools Kent State just beat Texas State here in Austin. Pity the National Guard didn't open fire and save the Bobcats.
College baseball? :yucky: I think I am going to go back and read BB's minute-by-minute updates from the Glendale City Council meetings.
Somebody doesn't like the ping of aluminum bats.
Quote from: sbr on June 03, 2011, 06:57:14 PM
College baseball? :yucky: I think I am going to go back and read BB's minute-by-minute updates from the Glendale City Council meetings.
I KNEW somebody appreciated those. :hug:
Anybody been watching the Women's softball tournament? I couldn't tell you who won, but I did enjoy some of the young ladies. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 03, 2011, 07:24:55 PM
Somebody doesn't like the ping of aluminum bats.
With the new bats they just sorta "thunk" now. I miss the ping sometimes.
Quote from: sbr on June 03, 2011, 06:57:14 PM
College baseball? :yucky: I think I am going to go back and read BB's minute-by-minute updates from the Glendale City Council meetings.
What is wrong with College Baseball? It is totally awesome. Besides the Orioles will still be there to suck for me once Texas' season is over.
Anyway took my kid to his first game and much fun was had by all. Texas hit its amazing 14th homerun of the season (in 59 games) and went ahead 5-1 before the bullpen screwed around late but a 5-3 victory over their future Ivy League bosses. Kent State tommorow.
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 03, 2011, 07:48:53 PM
Anybody been watching the Women's softball tournament? I couldn't tell you who won, but I did enjoy some of the young ladies. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Just not the same since Jennie Finch graduated :P
Giants were looking good till Posey's leg went Kaboom!
Wright State got kicked in the teeth. I assume Arizona will kick them in the nads, but I'd laugh so hard if the fightin' berkuts flop against the Raiders.
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 04, 2011, 06:39:33 AM
Wright State got kicked in the teeth. I assume Arizona will kick them in the nads, but I'd laugh so hard if the fightin' berkuts flop against the Raiders.
Yeah Arizona took them to the woodshed.
Just got back from the Texas game against Kent State it was a total barn burner I am exhausted and completely hoarse from screaming the whole time. Man that park was rocking. Those Ohio kids can hit like hell though. 7-5 Kent State. But I feel pretty good about it the team played hard and almost came back and won in the end. Texas State tommorow and then hopefully vengeance tommorow night and Monday night. Man I love baseball so much crazy shit in tonights game.
Quote from: katmai on June 03, 2011, 11:26:19 PM
Giants were looking good till Posey's leg went Kaboom!
They are still in first place!
Really weird situation with the finger pointing and gripes with Posey's injury though. Just a weird season for the Giants period really.
That Posey injury was pretty unfortunate, especially considering I had him in 2 fantasy leagues :cry:, but I think there is a lot of overreacting to it. I can't believe real baseball people like Buster Olney is calling for rule changes to avoid plays at the plate based on one unfortunate result of one play. They have been blocking the plate for decades, if not longer, and now we need to change it? :rolleyes:
Quote from: sbr on June 04, 2011, 10:15:07 PM
That Posey injury was pretty unfortunate, especially considering I had him in 2 fantasy leagues :cry:, but I think there is a lot of overreacting to it. I can't believe real baseball people like Buster Olney is calling for rule changes to avoid plays at the plate based on one unfortunate result of one play. They have been blocking the plate for decades, if not longer, and now we need to change it? :rolleyes:
I was listening to Greg Swindell be totally baffled by the Giant's GM Sabean attack on Cousins for being too agressive. What a bunch of whiners. Sometimes your guys are going to get injured.
Quote from: sbr on June 04, 2011, 10:15:07 PM
That Posey injury was pretty unfortunate, especially considering I had him in 2 fantasy leagues :cry:, but I think there is a lot of overreacting to it. I can't believe real baseball people like Buster Olney is calling for rule changes to avoid plays at the plate based on one unfortunate result of one play. They have been blocking the plate for decades, if not longer, and now we need to change it? :rolleyes:
See: Tom Brady v. Bernard Pollard
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on June 05, 2011, 03:15:53 AM
See: Tom Brady v. Bernard Pollard
Bernard Pollard rules. He may be slow and suck shit in pass coverage, but that man is a true Patriot killer. Dude took out Wes Welker with a look.
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on June 05, 2011, 03:39:21 AM
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on June 05, 2011, 03:15:53 AM
See: Tom Brady v. Bernard Pollard
Bernard Pollard rules. He may be slow and suck shit in pass coverage, but that man is a true Patriot killer. Dude took out Wes Welker with a look.
:wub:
he should have a statue.
Totall crazy day today. One loss will end Texas' season so it was pretty freaking intense. Texas won both games with a walk off in the bottom of the 9th (4-3 final) to send Texas State back to have sex and get drunk on the banks of the San Marcos river and then a rather bizarre 9-3 win against Kent State. The players were getting sorta tired playing in 95F+ degree weather for three straight days. In one of the late innings a Texas player tries to steal 3rd and the Kent State catcher sees him go and takes his eye off the ball and drops the pitch blowing any chance to get him. For some reason the guy picks up the ball and throws to third anyway...and off it sails into left field. Thanks for the free run! Ah College Baseball.
Regional Championship game tommorow!
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on June 05, 2011, 03:15:53 AM
See: Tom Brady v. Bernard Pollard
Yeah the reactionary shit the NFL does at least is sort of understandable with the concussions they have (though Pollard I guess basically did the same thing to Brady as Cousins did to Posey). Total chickenshit to change the rules of baseball for one incident.
QuotePittsburgh Pirates: "Kevin Correia and Charlie Morton get the press, but Paul Maholm is pitching as well as either of them year too, with a 3.66 ERA but just a 2-7 record. In his seven losses, the Pirates have scored just four runs."
Because some people focus too much on wins, Paul Maholm is going to get the shaft this year in the popular imagination. But Maholm, the NL leader in losses, has allowed exactly the same number of runs as teammate and NL wins leader Kevin Correia in just 0.1 fewer innings. As you can see above, Maholm's run support has been abysmal, while the Pirates have scored 47 in Correia's 8 wins. Never has there been a better case for wins being a stupid stat that is largely based on the offensive support a pitcher receives than this.
Woah, Lenny Dykstra is fucked
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43306022/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/
QuoteDykstra, 48, was charged with 25 misdemeanor and felony counts of grand theft auto, attempted grand theft auto, identity theft and other crimes, said Jane Robison, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney's office. He faces up to 12 years in state prison if convicted.
Nails! :(
Stupid with money or adrenaline junkie? :hmm:
Quote from: sbr on June 04, 2011, 10:15:07 PM
That Posey injury was pretty unfortunate, especially considering I had him in 2 fantasy leagues :cry:, but I think there is a lot of overreacting to it. I can't believe real baseball people like Buster Olney is calling for rule changes to avoid plays at the plate based on one unfortunate result of one play. They have been blocking the plate for decades, if not longer, and now we need to change it? :rolleyes:
Blocking the plate is, and always has been, against the rules, just as blocking any other base is against the rules.
Quote7.06 When obstruction occurs, the umpire shall call or signal "Obstruction."
. . . (b) If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no
further action is possible. The umpire shall then call "Time" and impose such
penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction . . . NOTE: The catcher, without the ball in his possession, has no right to block the pathway of the runner attempting to score. The base line belongs to the runner and the catcher should be there only when he is fielding a ball or when he already has the ball in his hand.
For some reason, the umpires do not enforce the rules as written, but rather accept the customary practice whereby the catcher sets up physically obstructing the plate. Thus, there is no need for any change. The umpires just need to enforce the rule as written - which would mean automatically calling any runner safe on a play where the catcher sets up in front of the plate.
Cal-Berkeley announcer losing his shit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHsvdSPgzdg
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on June 07, 2011, 10:43:05 AM
Quote from: sbr on June 04, 2011, 10:15:07 PM
That Posey injury was pretty unfortunate, especially considering I had him in 2 fantasy leagues :cry:, but I think there is a lot of overreacting to it. I can't believe real baseball people like Buster Olney is calling for rule changes to avoid plays at the plate based on one unfortunate result of one play. They have been blocking the plate for decades, if not longer, and now we need to change it? :rolleyes:
Blocking the plate is, and always has been, against the rules, just as blocking any other base is against the rules.
Quote7.06 When obstruction occurs, the umpire shall call or signal “Obstruction.”
. . . (b) If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no
further action is possible. The umpire shall then call “Time” and impose such
penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction . . . NOTE: The catcher, without the ball in his possession, has no right to block the pathway of the runner attempting to score. The base line belongs to the runner and the catcher should be there only when he is fielding a ball or when he already has the ball in his hand.
For some reason, the umpires do not enforce the rules as written, but rather accept the customary practice whereby the catcher sets up physically obstructing the plate. Thus, there is no need for any change. The umpires just need to enforce the rule as written - which would mean automatically calling any runner safe on a play where the catcher sets up in front of the plate.
Yep.
I have no idea why the umps don't enforce this one. Based on some things I've read, they used to do so, but quit enforcing it at some point, apparantly in the 50's.
Quote from: dps on June 08, 2011, 08:09:56 PM
I have no idea why the umps don't enforce this one.
Because those runner/catcher collisions add a bit of much-needed drama to the game.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on June 08, 2011, 08:15:56 PM
Because those runner/catcher collisions add a bit of much-needed drama to the game.
Eh? When the outcome of the game is really critical every moment is dramatic. If it is not then baserunners running over a catcher once every 50 games or so is not going to make it so.
QuoteThe Pirates evened their record this late in the season for the first time since also being 30-30 on June 11, 2005. Pittsburgh has won four of five and six of eight.
:w00t:
Quote from: Syt on June 09, 2011, 12:09:16 AM
QuoteThe Pirates evened their record this late in the season for the first time since also being 30-30 on June 11, 2005. Pittsburgh has won four of five and six of eight.
:w00t:
Now, can they stay even for a hundred more? :lol:
I find your lack of faith ... justified. :(
At least one feel-good story out of MLB this week--
QuoteARLINGTON -- Georgia outfielder Johnathan Taylor was on the fast track to the major leagues. He could chase balls down in gaps with ease, and he hit .312 in 117 career games with the Bulldogs.
But his life changed dramatically on March 6 when he collided with a teammate in the outfield. Taylor broke his neck and was paralyzed from the waist down.
On Wednesday, the Rangers selected Taylor in the 33rd round of baseball's draft.
"I think it was Kip Fagg's idea," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said of the team's director of amateur scouting. "Kip and [Georgia area scout] Ryan Coe. They mentioned it to me a couple of days ago. It is a classy move on their part."
Taylor collided with teammate Zach Cone on the play. The Rangers drafted Cone on Monday with the 37th overall selection.
"We felt like it was the right thing to do," Fagg said. "Zach is coming into our family now and J.T. and him were really tight. We thought it was the right thing to do from the family aspect of it. He's a good kid. He probably had a chance to play professional baseball."
When Fagg and others from the scouting department visited Cone in Georgia they gave him a Rangers jersey for Taylor that was signed by the team, and asked him to deliver it to his teammate.
"This was truly a classy move and a great gesture on the part of the Texas Rangers organization," Georgia coach David Perno said in a statement. "J.T. is definitely a player worthy of getting drafted. When I talked to him after he got the call, he was in the middle of his rehabilitation work, laughing and having a good time and was thrilled to be drafted."
That was so horrible. Cone has never been the same either. :(
Quote from: Valmy on June 08, 2011, 10:30:39 PM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on June 08, 2011, 08:15:56 PM
Because those runner/catcher collisions add a bit of much-needed drama to the game.
Eh? When the outcome of the game is really critical every moment is dramatic. If it is not then baserunners running over a catcher once every 50 games or so is not going to make it so.
I still remember when Bo Jackson ran over Rick Dempsey. That was very dramatic and exciting to watch (unless you are Dempsey).
Yankees Suck! :nelson:
Quote from: Strix on June 10, 2011, 12:45:50 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 08, 2011, 10:30:39 PM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on June 08, 2011, 08:15:56 PM
Because those runner/catcher collisions add a bit of much-needed drama to the game.
Eh? When the outcome of the game is really critical every moment is dramatic. If it is not then baserunners running over a catcher once every 50 games or so is not going to make it so.
I still remember when Bo Jackson ran over Rick Dempsey. That was very dramatic and exciting to watch (unless you are Dempsey).
I remember when Bo Jackson ran over Brian Bosworth. That was fantastic. I don't remember the Dempsey play, I will have to browse YouTube tonight after work.
Quote from: Strix on June 10, 2011, 12:45:50 AM
I still remember when Bo Jackson ran over Rick Dempsey. That was very dramatic and exciting to watch (unless you are Dempsey).
I still remember that deal when he ran up the wall to make that catch in the outfield.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on June 10, 2011, 01:46:08 AM
Yankees Suck! :nelson:
I hate you, your team and your city.
Bo Jackson! :wub: A Royal and a Raider!
Quote from: sbr on June 10, 2011, 07:28:22 AM
Quote from: Strix on June 10, 2011, 12:45:50 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 08, 2011, 10:30:39 PM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on June 08, 2011, 08:15:56 PM
Because those runner/catcher collisions add a bit of much-needed drama to the game.
Eh? When the outcome of the game is really critical every moment is dramatic. If it is not then baserunners running over a catcher once every 50 games or so is not going to make it so.
I still remember when Bo Jackson ran over Rick Dempsey. That was very dramatic and exciting to watch (unless you are Dempsey).
I remember when Bo Jackson ran over Brian Bosworth. That was fantastic. I don't remember the Dempsey play, I will have to browse YouTube tonight after work.
You won't find it. Because it never happened.
Astros moving to the American League and a 2nd wild card team being added? :hmm:
http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2011-06-11/major-league-baseball-discussing-division-less-realignment-option
Quote from: jimmy olsen on June 11, 2011, 11:25:42 PM
Astros moving to the American League and a 2nd wild card team being added? :hmm:
http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2011-06-11/major-league-baseball-discussing-division-less-realignment-option
That's one of the dumber ideas I have seen.
I like it. The wild card sucks. I view it is something of an abomination that the Marlins have won the world series twice but have never won their division.
The Astros shouldn't move, it should be the Brewers. But I guess Selig isn't going to force his team to move back, and the Astros could have a rivalry with the Rangers.
I do question how they will schedule leagues with odd numbers of teams. Does this mean interleague play throughout the year? :yucky:
Quote from: alfred russel on June 12, 2011, 12:45:05 AM
I do question how they will schedule leagues with odd numbers of teams. Does this mean interleague play throughout the year? :yucky:
Besides the extra teams in the playoffs this is my biggest problem with it. It was stupid when the NFL had an odd number of teams for a year or two and it would be even worse if it MLB were to do it.
Quote from: sbr on June 12, 2011, 12:46:46 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on June 12, 2011, 12:45:05 AM
I do question how they will schedule leagues with odd numbers of teams. Does this mean interleague play throughout the year? :yucky:
Besides the extra teams in the playoffs this is my biggest problem with it. It was stupid when the NFL had an odd number of teams for a year or two and it would be even worse if it MLB were to do it.
I'm a big believer that the 162 game schedule is the best guage of a team. 5 and 7 game series between relatively evenly matched teams are crapshoots. From a competitive point of view, I think it would make sense to go back to the no division era, abolish the wildcards and championsip series, and just play the world series between the best AL and best NL teams (by regular season record).
But as that won't happen, at least this would give a real incentive to not be a bubble team. The NFL lets a lot of teams in the playoffs, but gives the best teams a bye (and big advantage). In baseball, where home field doesn't mean all that much, you can win 110 games and are basically in the same boat as a team sneaking in with 85 wins. It bothers me that the Marlins have won 2 world series but never won a division. But if you force the 85 win team to go through a playoff, it is a little easier to justify their inclusion ("Their regular season wasn't as good, but they survived a trial by fire to get in"). Also, getting rid of the divisions will keep out marginal teams that are able to get in because the entire division sucks.
Quote from: alfred russel on June 12, 2011, 12:58:29 AM
Quote from: sbr on June 12, 2011, 12:46:46 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on June 12, 2011, 12:45:05 AM
I do question how they will schedule leagues with odd numbers of teams. Does this mean interleague play throughout the year? :yucky:
Besides the extra teams in the playoffs this is my biggest problem with it. It was stupid when the NFL had an odd number of teams for a year or two and it would be even worse if it MLB were to do it.
I'm a big believer that the 162 game schedule is the best guage of a team. 5 and 7 game series between relatively evenly matched teams are crapshoots. From a competitive point of view, I think it would make sense to go back to the no division era, abolish the wildcards and championsip series, and just play the world series between the best AL and best NL teams (by regular season record).
I agree, from a selfish standpoint I would like to see that. It will never happen though, because of the money it would cost MLB and their TV partners.
QuoteBut as that won't happen, at least this would give a real incentive to not be a bubble team. The NFL lets a lot of teams in the playoffs, but gives the best teams a bye (and big advantage). In baseball, where home field doesn't mean all that much, you can win 110 games and are basically in the same boat as a team sneaking in with 85 wins. It bothers me that the Marlins have won 2 world series but never won a division. But if you force the 85 win team to go through a playoff, it is a little easier to justify their inclusion ("Their regular season wasn't as good, but they survived a trial by fire to get in"). Also, getting rid of the divisions will keep out marginal teams that are able to get in because the entire division sucks.
So your first choice is to have no playoffs and the next best thing is to add more teams to the existing tournament? :huh:
With 5 teams in each league I suppose they give the #1 seed from each league a bye into the second round? That isn't the worst idea I have ever seen but still don't like it. The baseball season is already too long, adding a third playoff round is just stupid. They have stretched it out so far that they have to deal with horrible weather and threats of snow both at the start of the season and in the playoffs.
After some thought this does have one possibility of improving the baseball playoffs. If they would just condense the playoff rounds so there aren't so many days off we could have something here. MLB teams play 162 games in ~180 days in the regular season to decide who gets to the playoffs, then they completely change the game once the playoff start. With all of the days off in the playoff schedule once a team makes the playoffs they no longer need a 4th or 5th starter and most teams bullpens become irrelevant. It is crazy how much the game changes from regular season to the playoffs.
Quote from: sbr on June 12, 2011, 02:08:17 AM
With 5 teams in each league I suppose they give the #1 seed from each league a bye into the second round?
But then you have 3 teams left in each league, they'd need to give the top 3 a bye.
Quote from: sbr on June 12, 2011, 02:08:17 AM
So your first choice is to have no playoffs and the next best thing is to add more teams to the existing tournament? :huh:
With 5 teams in each league I suppose they give the #1 seed from each league a bye into the second round? That isn't the worst idea I have ever seen but still don't like it. The baseball season is already too long, adding a third playoff round is just stupid. They have stretched it out so far that they have to deal with horrible weather and threats of snow both at the start of the season and in the playoffs.
After some thought this does have one possibility of improving the baseball playoffs. If they would just condense the playoff rounds so there aren't so many days off we could have something here. MLB teams play 162 games in ~180 days in the regular season to decide who gets to the playoffs, then they completely change the game once the playoff start. With all of the days off in the playoff schedule once a team makes the playoffs they no longer need a 4th or 5th starter and most teams bullpens become irrelevant. It is crazy how much the game changes from regular season to the playoffs.
You would have to give the first 3 seeds a bye. The #4 and #5 seeds would be the "first round". That series would have to be a 1 game series, or you are going to disadvantage the second round team that plays them (a week without seeing live pitching isn't going to help anyone).
So this is how I see it: right now it basically doesn't matter how you do in the regular season so long as you get into the playoffs. Due to way first round playoff matchups are set, the best team isn't even guaranteed to face the team with the worst record. This change would make the regular season more relevent: no one would want to be the #4 or #5 seed. The #1 seed would be much more valuable, as the team that advances out of the first round would be coming off of a do or die game where they needed to use their best pitchers (not to mention they probably just went through a final regular season stretch that was do or die as well).
I prefer whatever gives maximum weight to the regular season and increases the chance of the best teams in the regular season to get to the world series. Even though this idea increases the number of playoff teams, I think it may do that. Though I would miss the division rivalries.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 10, 2011, 10:25:18 PM
Quote from: sbr on June 10, 2011, 07:28:22 AM
Quote from: Strix on June 10, 2011, 12:45:50 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 08, 2011, 10:30:39 PM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on June 08, 2011, 08:15:56 PM
Because those runner/catcher collisions add a bit of much-needed drama to the game.
Eh? When the outcome of the game is really critical every moment is dramatic. If it is not then baserunners running over a catcher once every 50 games or so is not going to make it so.
I still remember when Bo Jackson ran over Rick Dempsey. That was very dramatic and exciting to watch (unless you are Dempsey).
I remember when Bo Jackson ran over Brian Bosworth. That was fantastic. I don't remember the Dempsey play, I will have to browse YouTube tonight after work.
You won't find it. Because it never happened.
Oh, it happened. Just look up Cleveland versus Kansas City on 07/22/87. Not sure if there is a video somewhere or not.
Quote from: Strix on June 12, 2011, 12:56:48 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 10, 2011, 10:25:18 PM
Quote from: sbr on June 10, 2011, 07:28:22 AM
Quote from: Strix on June 10, 2011, 12:45:50 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 08, 2011, 10:30:39 PM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on June 08, 2011, 08:15:56 PM
Because those runner/catcher collisions add a bit of much-needed drama to the game.
Eh? When the outcome of the game is really critical every moment is dramatic. If it is not then baserunners running over a catcher once every 50 games or so is not going to make it so.
I still remember when Bo Jackson ran over Rick Dempsey. That was very dramatic and exciting to watch (unless you are Dempsey).
I remember when Bo Jackson ran over Brian Bosworth. That was fantastic. I don't remember the Dempsey play, I will have to browse YouTube tonight after work.
You won't find it. Because it never happened.
Oh, it happened. Just look up Cleveland versus Kansas City on 07/22/87. Not sure if there is a video somewhere or not.
Oh, that explains it, then. Because it never would've happened with Rick Dempsey in an Orioles uniform. Must've been his brother Larry in Cleveland.
Great week to swing the old aluminum around. Well ok it was 100F for all four games but besides that...
The regional championship against Kent State last Monday started at 1PM so I had to leave work early and made it at around the 4th Inning. It was really really hot and humid and those Ohio guys, already being pushed constantly on the base paths (in the two games on Sunday and Monday Texas collected 7 bunts and 7 stolen bases and Kent State committed 5 errors under the pressure) wilted under the heat. The Texas coaching staff constantly shifted in pitchers to take advantage of Kent States batting order which grouped their left handers at the top of the order and their righties at the bottom. Six pitchers combined for a 5-0 victory that was as decisive a butt kicking as I have seen in a long time.
Then came the series against a scummy Arizona State bunch that used a bureaucratic technicality to play despite being on probation. All three games in the series started at 6PM and despite that it was freaking boiling hot the whole time. But the Arizona guys are used to that.
Arizona State has a powerful offense and one of the best defenses in the country so Texas couldn't pull the same stuff they did against Kent State. The Texas pitching staff came up huge again allowing only 4 earned runs the whole series and only lost Game 1 because of two critical Texas errors.
So 5-0, 1-3, 5-1, 4-2. Not bad in championship play.
Now on to the very poorly named 'College Word Series' where the National Championship will be at stake. Never got why they play a World Series for a National Championship but whatever it is just good marketing. Florida Gators on Saturday!
Quote from: Valmy on June 13, 2011, 09:12:06 AM
Well ok it was 100F for all four games but besides that...
And you saw them all in person? :blink:
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on June 13, 2011, 10:17:18 AM
And you saw them all in person? :blink:
I missed the 5-1 game due to a previous commitment but yeah I saw them in person. My seats are in the shade.
But I have attended every home regional/Super Regional since 1989 and temps like that are not uncommon. It is Texas in June.
Valmy, I never knew.
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 13, 2011, 12:00:53 PM
Valmy, I never knew.
Eh nobody else was using the baseball thread. :P
Though it is picking up lately. And the Orioles have a good chance of finishing 0.500 this year.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is history in the making:
QuoteHOUSTON -- Pinch-hitter Xavier Paul doubled, then stayed in the game and hit a two-run homer and single Wednesday night as the Pittsburgh Pirates moved over .500 with a 7-3 win over the Houston Astros.
At 34-33, this is the first time the Pirates have been over the break-even point so late in a season since Aug. 15, 1999, when they were 59-58.
Neil Walker tripled and drove in three runs for the Pirates.
:cool:
I love Joel Hanrahan, I have him in a fantasy league and he is pitching lights out.
Albert Pujols is out for a month or more. Ruh oh Cards fans.
This is awesome. I wish I could buy a Major League team on credit and then take all its money for my personal life style:
http://itsaboutthemoney.net/archives/2011/06/21/commissioner-selig-frank-mccourt-must-go-a-petition/
As some of you have probably been distressed to know, Lenny Dykstra is in jail atm. But now you can help get him out of jail with your paypal account!
Apparently he only needs a modest donation of $40-50k in order to go free.
http://savelenny.com/
The Bucs beat the Red Pox! :w00t:
Again! :w00t:
Dodgers file for bankruptcy, blame Selig, MLB. (http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/news/story?id=6708046)
Also:
Pirates: best story of first half of season? (http://espn.go.com/blog/SweetSpot/post/_/id/12896/best-story-of-first-half-try-the-pirates)
Jeter comes back, the Yankees lose. Coincidence? Go Tribe!
Quote from: Syt on June 27, 2011, 12:28:51 PM
Also:
Pirates: best story of first half of season? (http://espn.go.com/blog/SweetSpot/post/_/id/12896/best-story-of-first-half-try-the-pirates)
I agree. :)
This Dodgers business is sad... McCourt was clearly looking for a 'trophy' team when he was first casting about to spend his real estate money... it would be nice if people who genuinely liked a sport were to own the teams.
Quote from: AnchorClanker on July 04, 2011, 09:39:32 PM
This Dodgers business is sad... McCourt was clearly looking for a 'trophy' team when he was first casting about to spend his real estate money... it would be nice if people who genuinely liked a sport were to own the teams.
Now that's just fucking crazy talk Ank.
:P
:cry:
Quote from: AnchorClanker on July 04, 2011, 09:39:32 PM
This Dodgers business is sad... McCourt was clearly looking for a 'trophy' team when he was first casting about to spend his real estate money... it would be nice if people who genuinely liked a sport were to own the teams.
From what I've been reading its more sinister than that. It wasn't a trophy for his money - he borrowed all the money to buy the team. Then he systematically tried to extract as much money from the team (which he didn't pay for) as he could until he had leveraged every possible asset left within the Dodgers.
Quote from: Barrister on July 04, 2011, 10:33:53 PM
Quote from: AnchorClanker on July 04, 2011, 09:39:32 PM
This Dodgers business is sad... McCourt was clearly looking for a 'trophy' team when he was first casting about to spend his real estate money... it would be nice if people who genuinely liked a sport were to own the teams.
From what I've been reading its more sinister than that. It wasn't a trophy for his money - he borrowed all the money to buy the team. Then he systematically tried to extract as much money from the team (which he didn't pay for) as he could until he had leveraged every possible asset left within the Dodgers.
God bless America?
Quote from: Barrister on July 04, 2011, 10:33:53 PM
Quote from: AnchorClanker on July 04, 2011, 09:39:32 PM
This Dodgers business is sad... McCourt was clearly looking for a 'trophy' team when he was first casting about to spend his real estate money... it would be nice if people who genuinely liked a sport were to own the teams.
From what I've been reading its more sinister than that. It wasn't a trophy for his money - he borrowed all the money to buy the team. Then he systematically tried to extract as much money from the team (which he didn't pay for) as he could until he had leveraged every possible asset left within the Dodgers.
Yeah, that's all true. He looksd at a few other teams before (and not all baseball teams) - he was a rich guy who wanted a team, and yes - he borrowed most of it and then proceeded to use the team as a personal piggy bank. Awful stuff.
Quote from: AnchorClanker on July 04, 2011, 10:41:40 PM
Quote from: Barrister on July 04, 2011, 10:33:53 PM
Quote from: AnchorClanker on July 04, 2011, 09:39:32 PM
This Dodgers business is sad... McCourt was clearly looking for a 'trophy' team when he was first casting about to spend his real estate money... it would be nice if people who genuinely liked a sport were to own the teams.
From what I've been reading its more sinister than that. It wasn't a trophy for his money - he borrowed all the money to buy the team. Then he systematically tried to extract as much money from the team (which he didn't pay for) as he could until he had leveraged every possible asset left within the Dodgers.
Yeah, that's all true. He looksd at a few other teams before (and not all baseball teams) - he was a rich guy who wanted a team, and yes - he borrowed most of it and then proceeded to use the team as a personal piggy bank. Awful stuff.
Yeah, the possiblility of things like that is supposed to be the reason that MLB has to approve the sale of any team, but they dropped the ball on this one.
Scratch one off the bucket list: got a foul ball at an MLB game tonight.
It wasn't exactly a hard line drive, but it was a hard hit ball that I tried to barehand and dropped it. I quickly did a survey to confirm no one going for the ball was 4 years old, and amazingly still had time to get the ball. I'd rather have caught the ball in the air, but at this point I probably won't get another chance at a ball so I'll have to take what I can get.
Awesome, who hit it?
Fan dies after falling at a Rangers game. :(
The railing looks low, they should raise it a little.
http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/mlb/news/story?id=6747510
Quote from: jimmy olsen on July 10, 2011, 12:55:30 AM
Fan dies after falling at a Rangers game. :(
The railing looks low, they should raise it a little.
http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/mlb/news/story?id=6747510
Yeah, read about it yesterday. Terrible thing; and I wouldn't want to be Josh Hamilton's right now.
In other news: one fan at Yankee Stadium probably has a new family heirloom courtesy of Derek Jeter.
Quote from: Syt on July 10, 2011, 01:38:43 AM
Yeah, read about it yesterday. Terrible thing; and I wouldn't want to be Josh Hamilton's right now.
He hit a walk off HR today to beat the A's. Yesterday though, a foul ball he hit blasted a fan in the head. No shit. Fortunately, that guy was okay. Just needed stitches/staples and to learn to pay attention at the game.
100 worst baseball players.
http://deadspin.com/5820716/the-100-worst-baseball-players-of-all-time-a-celebration-part-1
Quote35. The Reverend Aloysius Stanislaus Travers, 1912 (Tigers)
In May of 1912, a man named Claude Lueker, who had no hands, heckled Ty Cobb by calling the Georgia Peach—himself a renowned bigot—"half a nigger." Cobb entered the stands and slugged Lueker repeatedly, ignoring the pleas of fans for him to stop beating up a man with no hands. When Cobb was suspended indefinitely for the assault, his Tigers teammates went on strike until Cobb was reinstated. To avoid paying hefty fines and forfeiting the next game, the Tigers had to find replacement players. Aloysius Travers was one of those replacements: a violist and college student, the not-yet priest was assistant manager of the St. Joseph's College baseball team. In his one major league appearance, Travers pitched a complete game, allowing 26 hits and 24 runs (only 14 earned).
:lol:
:lol: I knew Ty Cobb was a son-of-a-bitch* but beating up a guy with no hands, that is classic.
*No I didn't know him but I have heard from reliable sources.
Quote69. Kurt Bevacqua, 1971-1985 (Padres/Royals/Rangers/Brewers/Indians/Pirates)
Kurt Bevacqua once called Tommy Lasorda a "fat little Italian." And while his career .236 average speaks well to how bad of a player he was, Lasorda's response spoke better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzjWQF1oP2M (NSFW!)
:lol:
That list is awesome MB! :lol:
Quote2. Bob Uecker, 1962-1967 (Braves/Phillies/Cardinals)
In a just world, the Mendoza Line would be the Bob Uecker Line, for the catcher who did manage a clean, round .200 career average, bouncing among four teams in his six seasons. It's surprising Uecker hasn't claimed it, given his skill at leveraging failure into fame—as the voice of the Milwaukee Brewers, a Miller Lite pitchman, drunken announcer Harry Doyle in Major League, and the star of "Mr. Belvedere." He is the Rodney Dangerfield of baseball: "People don't know this but I helped the Cardinals win the pennant. I came down with hepatitis. The trainer injected me with it."
Quote from: sbr on July 13, 2011, 06:29:02 PM
:lol: I knew Ty Cobb was a son-of-a-bitch* but beating up a guy with no hands, that is classic.
*No I didn't know him but I have heard from reliable sources.
Supposedly, when fans were asking him to quit hitting the guy because he had no hands, Cobb said, "I don't care if he has no feet, either".
Quote from: sbr on July 13, 2011, 06:29:02 PM
:lol: I knew Ty Cobb was a son-of-a-bitch* but beating up a guy with no hands, that is classic.
*No I didn't know him but I have heard from reliable sources.
He also strangled the wife of a black groundskeeper. The groundskeeper had the audacity to speak to him, so Ty started beating him up. The woman wanted to intervene and caught his ire.
His game was powered by rage. He was one of those Southerners of that era who was still fighting the Civil War and all that. Supposedly he lamented in his old age that he wished he had had more friends but if he had done that he never would have been a great one.
In the '09 World Series he met Honus Wagner. He managed to rile up the rather gentle German so much that he got a split lip when he slid into base and was tagged in the face.
The Pirates are in 1st! The Pirates are in 1st!
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 16, 2011, 02:26:08 PM
The Pirates are in 1st! The Pirates are in 1st!
:o That's unpossible!
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 16, 2011, 02:26:08 PM
The Pirates are in 1st! The Pirates are in 1st!
And who is in last in the AL Central? Who else - the Royals. :weep:
Well, Bucs are half a game out of first behind the Brewers.
However, it's nice to see the team compete for a change; and whatever happens in the next 70 or so games, the season so far has been fun to watch (esp. the series win against the Red Sox).
Biggest improvement is defense - offense is as sucky as always, and the pitching is only slightly improved.
Quote from: Barrister on July 17, 2011, 11:07:23 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 16, 2011, 02:26:08 PM
The Pirates are in 1st! The Pirates are in 1st!
And who is in last in the AL Central? Who else - the Royals. :weep:
:cry: If it weren't for my picking up the Indians to follow at the end of last season, I'd be tuned out already and foaming at the mouth for football. The combo of my fantasy teams being filled with under performers and injured players, the Royals being the Royals, and the non-stop cock sucking of Derek Jeter and the Yankees around here it's almost just too much. Thank you Tribe.
I was surprised to find that the Nationals weren't in last place.
The Orioles, though suck tremendous ass, are actually sorta fun to watch this year. The line up is actually pretty good and losing 9-6 is just a bit more entertaining than losing 9-1.
Quote from: Valmy on July 18, 2011, 08:26:20 AM
The Orioles, though suck tremendous ass, are actually sorta fun to watch this year. The line up is actually pretty good and losing 9-6 is just a bit more entertaining than losing 9-1.
Oh yeah, 15-10 last night with the BoSox was positively yuks all around.
Quote from: AnchorClanker on July 04, 2011, 09:39:32 PM
it would be nice if people who genuinely liked a sport were to own the teams.
So, how about that Danny Snyder? That man just looooooves his football!
Quote from: CountDeMoney on July 19, 2011, 04:29:54 AM
Oh yeah, 15-10 last night with the BoSox was positively yuks all around.
You have to admit it takes a really special kind of pitching staff to give up an 8 run inning without giving up a single home run.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on July 19, 2011, 04:30:40 AM
So, how about that Danny Snyder? That man just looooooves his football!
The same way Hitler loved his dog.
Wow, a PITCHER from PITTSBURGH is the NL's player of the week - Jeff Karstens for his complete game shutout of the Astros for which he needed only 83 pitches.
Quote from: Syt on July 19, 2011, 10:42:39 AM
Wow, a PITCHER from PITTSBURGH is the NL's player of the week - Jeff Karstens for his complete game shutout of the Astros for which he needed only 83 pitches.
I am glad the Lastros are around. It makes the rest of us feel good about ourselves.
Quote from: Valmy on July 19, 2011, 10:45:35 AM
Quote from: Syt on July 19, 2011, 10:42:39 AM
Wow, a PITCHER from PITTSBURGH is the NL's player of the week - Jeff Karstens for his complete game shutout of the Astros for which he needed only 83 pitches.
I am glad the Lastros are around. It makes the rest of us feel good about ourselves.
Astros need Craig Biggio as their manager. He can teach them all to get hit by a pitch.
Quote from: Valmy on July 19, 2011, 10:45:35 AM
Quote from: Syt on July 19, 2011, 10:42:39 AM
Wow, a PITCHER from PITTSBURGH is the NL's player of the week - Jeff Karstens for his complete game shutout of the Astros for which he needed only 83 pitches.
I am glad the Lastros are around. It makes the rest of us feel good about ourselves.
That's true.
Actually, I fear that the Bucs are having a one off season and ill be back to being useless next year.
Still, I don't know what's worse: spectacularly bad Pirates (see last season), or Pirates that are mediocre to the point of "meh".
I saw on ESPN that the fans are finally starting to return to the Pirates games.
Quote from: Ed Anger on July 19, 2011, 11:02:52 AM
I saw on ESPN that the fans are finally starting to return to the Pirates games.
From what I hear through my sister in Pittsburgh, the town always loved the Bucs, but not like Chicago and its Cubs where 103 years of futility are met with fierce love - the fans slowly stopped going when losing season after losing season piled up - and it wasn't helped by trading away prospects and beloved players for rubbish. TBH, I think Neal Huntington's hand started turning this shit steamer around in recent years, and with Clint Hurdle they might have a pretty good GM/Manager team there now.
Bottom of the 5th, Rangers are leading 18-1 against the Twins. :pinch:
Quote from: Syt on July 25, 2011, 09:12:56 PM
Bottom of the 5th, Rangers are leading 18-1 against the Twins. :pinch:
The announcing crew is pretty bored. They're talking about snack foods at the moment.
Edit: And now they're zooming in on people in the stands who are eating and trying to read their lips between bites. :lol:
Nice first big league hit tonight for Jason Kipnis. Tribe wins! :cheers:
And the Pirates win in Atlanta! :pirate
16 straight losses for the Mariners! How can they be that bad?
Explore Brian Wilson's Beard (http://mlbalwaysepic.mlb.com/alwaysepic/brianwilson/index.jsp#/?fbid=J6Hb1dKHKsv)
:lmfao:
Feck, lost in 19. :(
Where does your 2nd signature come from?
Quote from: jimmy olsen on July 27, 2011, 01:55:38 AM
Where does your 2nd signature come from?
It's from a German song text by Helrunar: "Narren seid Ihr, dass Ihr glaubt, den Willen eines Gottes zu kennen." Basically aimed at religious zealots.
ESPN:
http://espn.go.com/blog/SweetSpot/post/_/id/14246/we-have-a-new-worst-call-ever
QuoteDid I stay up until 2 a.m. watching the Pirates-Braves game that ended on the most controversial call since Jim Joyce ruined Armando Galarraga's perfect game?
Yes I did.
And it was something.
Twitter exploded immediately, with sympathy coming from across the country for America's team. A Pirates fan who has lived in Italy for 19 years was watching the game and tweeted me in horror. Other Pirates fans called it the worst Pirates loss since the "Sid Bream Game" in 1992. Page 2 writer and Pirates fan DJ Gallo wondered just exactly where home plate umpire Jerry Meals had to go at 2 a.m. Joe Sheehan wrote that baseball is a wonderful game that deserves better than its umpires.
I simply said the call made me sad.
You can watch the video of the play in the bottom of the 19th inning that gave the Braves the 4-3 win. You can see a photo here. And a better one here. People tweeted that they saw a replay that was 100 percent conclusive that catcher Michael McKenry tagged out Julio Lugo (yes, Julio Lugo is still in the majors). Others tweeted that the replay they saw was 100 percent conclusive that the tag was missed.
Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage (at least, it appeared to be him) tweeted back at me, saying, "Deal with it," meaning, I assume, that the team will have to move and not let it affect them. A Pirates beat writer said he'd never seen the Pirates clubhouse so fired up. Sheehan followed up with a great point: Pirates manager Clint Hurdle shouldn't be let off the hook.
Why? He didn't get All-Star closer Joel Hanrahan into the game, instead letting an obviously fatigued Daniel McCutchen throw his 92nd pitch of the game (previous season high: 52). Hanrahan had pitched two days in a row -- but thrown only 25 pitches. And he hadn't pitched in five days before that. Hurdle, of course, was waiting for the save opportunity that never came. Even if Meals had called Lugo out, McCutchen still needed another out to escape the inning anyway.
Like the Joyce call a year ago, the day will be spent arguing about the need for instant replay, instead of admiring a remarkable baseball game that had seen both bullpens combine for 26 scoreless innings, including six from Braves reliever Cristhian Martinez. The debate is necessary, if not fun. You can also debate that baseball should have a rule that rotates the home-plate ump after 12 innings or 500 pitches or whatever. Maybe a fresher set of eyes would have gotten the right call.
Fresh eyes. Mine are tired right now. But I'll be back Wednesday night, watching more baseball, hoping for something remarkable to happen again in this sport we love.
I just hope it has a happier ending.
A gif:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.sbnation.com%2Fassets%2F670132%2FHomeTag2.gif.opt.gif&hash=bed39218e405fd8b4bbe4eaaac204f2549145da4)
It sucks if a ballgame hinges on such a blown call. If it's the final call in the 19th(!) inning . . . well, I hope Jeff Karstens beans the umpires a bit tonight.
Did he touch him. Quality sucks but it doesn't look like he touched him.
Recap on ESPN:
http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310726115
Umpire had enough of this 19 innings shit. Gotta agree with the guy, no?
Also to me, he missed the tag.
I didn't see the game, but I was listening to ESPN Radio on the way to work this morning, and they replayed the call by both the Pirates and Braves radio crews. Even the Braves announcer said he was out.
Sure you can blame the ump, but who let Julio Lugo get safely to third in the first place?
Quote from: jimmy olsen on July 26, 2011, 12:59:43 AM
16 straight losses for the Mariners! How can they be that bad?
The game two days ago, the Mariners played about as poorly as I have ever seen a major league team play. Terrible fundamentals, lousy defense, dumb mistakes, and tired and demoralized veterans failing to lead shell-shocked, overmatched noobs.
yesterday they actually played pretty tight; they just couldn't put a bat onto anything Sabathia threw.
Blue Jays with some pretty nice trades today. Probably not enough to make the post-season but good moves nonetheless.
Baltimore:
Last in ERA
Last in WHIP
Last in Batting Average Allowed
Last in Quality Stats
Last in Home Runs Allowed
What a team!
I went to Cooperstown yesterday. The museum was enjoyable, but I thought it could have been better.
Quote from: alfred russel on August 01, 2011, 02:03:57 PM
I went to Cooperstown yesterday. The museum was enjoyable, but I thought it could have been better.
It would be better if the ghost of Babe Ruth greeted you as you walk in.
I'm probably missing a few things because this is off of memory, but aside from sections on the general history of baseball, the hall of fame itself, and records/memorabilia/stadiums, these were the exhibits:
1) the women's baseball league of WWII (I really thought this was made up in the movie)
2) baseball vs. cricket
3) Babe Ruth
4) Negro Leagues
5) Latin American players
6) The Yankees
Considering Ruth was a major part of the Yankee section, the history of the game, and the records section plus then had his own section, if his ghost was also there it might be too much Ruth.
Quote from: Valmy on August 02, 2011, 07:57:50 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on August 01, 2011, 02:03:57 PM
I went to Cooperstown yesterday. The museum was enjoyable, but I thought it could have been better.
It would be better if the ghost of Babe Ruth greeted you as you walk in.
It needs Hank Aaron XXIV to greeat you. :)
So I guess this is where the Bucs croak. They've dropped five in a row now - it's ok to be sweeped by the Phillies on the road, but losing twice to the Cubs in Pittsburgh . . . ouch. :(
Quote from: Syt on August 02, 2011, 10:15:34 PM
So I guess this is where the Bucs croak. They've dropped five in a row now - it's ok to be sweeped by the Phillies on the road, but losing twice to the Cubs in Pittsburgh . . . ouch. :(
The Bucs and Tribe could only keep their Cinderella stories going so long. Thank Hod Football is back. Looks like I'll be needing it for my sports watching/caring outlet soon. :(
QuoteOrioles: Former pitcher Flanagan found dead
County police say investigation continuing, body not identified
By Justin Fenton and Dan Connolly, The Baltimore Sun
11:08 PM EDT, August 24, 2011
Former Orioles pitcher Mike Flanagan, a Cy Young Award winner who became a face of the franchise as a television announcer and top executive, was found dead on his Baltimore County property Wednesday afternoon, the team confirmed. He was 59.
A Baltimore County police spokeswoman said police received a 911 call at 4:26 p.m. reporting a suspicious death in the 15000 block of York Road in Sparks. When officers arrived, they found a man's body on a trail leading to a barn, said spokeswoman Elise Armacost.
In a statement from owner Peter Angelos, the Orioles said the body was that of Flanagan, a father of three.
"In over a quarter century with the organization, Flanny became an integral part of the Orioles family, for his accomplishments both on and off the field," Angelos said in a statement. "His loss will be felt deeply and profoundly by all of us with the ballclub and by Orioles fans everywhere who admired him."
Armacost said late Wednesday police had not confirmed the identity of the body and said the investigation was continuing. She also would not disclose the cause or manner of death. But word spread quickly in baseball circles.
"It's just shock right now," said former Orioles catcher Rick Dempsey. "I know everybody that played with him loved him to death. He was the backbone of that pitching staff. He never quit — this guy never quit. He was there for the duration. We had so many great games and so many great times. I just can't believe it."
At Flanagan's home Wednesday night, a light was on inside the home and a police car blocked the driveway, letting two vehicles enter the property. Some of his neighbors in the rural neighborhood said they had not seen police activity and had not heard anything out of the ordinary.
Property records show Flanagan and his wife, Alex, purchased the 10.5-acre property in 1997 for $525,000. No one answered the phone at his home, and relatives could not be reached for comment.
Flanagan, who was in his second year as a color analyst for the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, spent more than 30 years with the Orioles as a player, coach, front office executive and broadcaster.
Selected by the Orioles in the seventh round of the 1973 amateur draft, Flanagan went on to pitch 18 major league seasons, including parts of 15 with the Orioles. He was a key member of the 1983 world champions, going 12-4 with a 3.30 ERA in the regular season and winning Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Chicago White Sox.
The left-hander won 141 games in his Orioles career, including an American League-leading 23 in 1979, when the Orioles lost the World Series to the Pittsburgh Pirates in seven games.
Flanagan won the American League Cy Young Award that year as the league's top pitcher and finished sixth in Most Valuable Player voting. His lone All-Star season was in 1978, when he won 19 games in 40 starts, tied for the most in the league.
The Orioles traded Flanagan to the Toronto Blue Jays on Aug. 31, 1987, for pitchers Oswaldo Peraza and Jose Mesa. Flanagan pitched the remainder of that season and parts of three more for Toronto before returning to the Orioles in 1991 as a 39-year-old free agent, spending the last two seasons of his playing career pitching in relief.
"He just kept going out there,'' said friend and former teammate Terry Crowley. "No matter how good or how bad the situation, Mike always tried to make the best pitch every time the ball came out of his hand."
After being named to the Orioles Hall of Fame in 1994, Flanagan served as the team's pitching coach twice, in 1995 under manager Phil Regan and in 1998 under Ray Miller.
He spent 1996-1997 and 1999-2002 broadcasting Orioles games before becoming the club's executive vice president after the 2005 season, a role he held until his contract expired at the end of 2008.
Wow.
What a horrible way to be reminded of Flanagan. I still remember seeing him pitch. Damn.
RIP :(
QuoteFormer Orioles pitcher Mike Flanagan, a Cy Young Award winner who became a television announcer and top executive with the club, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Wednesday afternoon, according to police.
Flanagan had been upset about financial issues, police said Thursday.
Flanagan's wife, Alex, who was out of town, had sent a neighbor to their house in the 15000 block of York Road in Sparks on Wednesday afternoon when she didn't hear from her husband. According to police, Alex had last spoken to an upset Flanagan around 1 a.m. and was concerned when he failed to call her the following day. The neighbor, unable to find Flanagan, called 911.
Baltimore County police found Flanagan's body on trail about 250 feet behind his home around 4:30 p.m.
Police confirmed Thursday that Flanagan, 59, appeared to have shot himself in the face, making identification difficult and causing official confirmation of his death to be delayed. Flanagan did not leave a note, police said.
Syt-ism on the rise in Euroland:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/6948276/mlb-baseball-europe-take-off
Vienna baseball is depressing. The best Vienna Wanderers player is also their manager: a Japanese guy who leads the team in both ERA and AVG (<2 and >.300 respectively).
Quote from: Syt on September 14, 2011, 09:22:07 AM
Vienna baseball is depressing. The best Vienna Wanderers player is also their manager: a Japanese guy who leads the team in both ERA and AVG (<2 and >.300 respectively).
Does he also hit homers? A pitcher, hitter, manager? It is like the Babe Ruth of the Danube...who also manages and is Japanese.
Actually, no. Woefully few homers in Austrian baseball - and it's purely amateur. I just checked, the guy has a .302 AVG this year (he's not best, though - team average is .293) and ERA of 1.29.
A friend of mine played softball for a couple years, but she gave it up, because as outfielder she found the games boring beyond belief because few balls. if any, made it out of the infield.
Besides me I don't know any MLB fans here. I get rather queer looks when I profess I follow it. More people follow football, but usually only headlines, and the occasional game on tv (with German commentary :x ) and the Super Bowl.
Quote from: Syt on September 14, 2011, 09:33:47 AM
A friend of mine played softball for a couple years, but she gave it up, because as outfielder she found the games boring beyond belief because few balls. if any, made it out of the infield.
Did she play right field? Usually in slow pitch tons of balls are hit to center and left.
Quote from: Valmy on September 14, 2011, 09:35:04 AM
Quote from: Syt on September 14, 2011, 09:33:47 AM
A friend of mine played softball for a couple years, but she gave it up, because as outfielder she found the games boring beyond belief because few balls. if any, made it out of the infield.
Did she play right field? Usually in slow pitch tons of balls are hit to center and left.
CF.
When we were ten or twelve years old we wanted to get a team running in Germany, but lacked interested people/funds. There was a somewhate decent team nearby that had a couple American soldiers playing for them.
We played occasionally with some of the American kids, but the Ricans usually preferred soccer.
Quote from: Syt on September 14, 2011, 09:33:47 AM
Actually, no. Woefully few homers in Austrian baseball - and it's purely amateur. I just checked, the guy has a .302 AVG this year (he's not best, though - team average is .293) and ERA of 1.29.
Makes me wonder if they're using non-standard baseballs or something.
Anyway, according to the article you linked, almost 3/4 of baseball players in Europe are either Dutch, German, or Italian. Doesn't really surprise me, at least as far as the Netherlands and Italy are concerned.
I guess the MLB also has a bit of a marketing problem vs. NFL over here. The NFL season with its few games per season, and one final game is rather digestible from afar.
Meanwhile, MLB has 162 games per team and season and 15 matchups most days of the week for ca. half a year - and the finals stretch over (potentially) seven games. I enjoy the sport, but I limit myself to the Pirates, the big headlines and the play offs, because otherwise it can become a fulltime job. :P
Still, you see a lot more people with MLB apparel (caps, mostly - and there Yankees dominate by far) than NFL apparel over here. Teamspotting is a bit of a sport for me on my way to/from work.
Quote from: Syt on September 14, 2011, 09:35:38 AM
We played occasionally with some of the American kids, but the Ricans usually preferred soccer.
:yeahright:
They were obviously Venezuelan sleeper agents.
The new Miami Marlins logo looks straight out of 1978!
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.sbnation.com%2Fassets%2F722250%2Foriginal.png&hash=3f79d0f954c4c1bbf8472f50c01b3f9f71e7a9a5)
Florida baseball is an abomination.
In other news the Yankees (no-surprise) have clinched the East. I'm hoping the Red Sox can lose the Wild Card race.
Quote from: Syt on September 14, 2011, 12:38:33 PM
Still, you see a lot more people with MLB apparel (caps, mostly - and there Yankees dominate by far) than NFL apparel over here. Teamspotting is a bit of a sport for me on my way to/from work.
Seen any Winnipeg Jets gear yet? New or old. :)
ANDINO! O's WIN! Biggest win in over a decade at least. That was freaking awesome.
Quote from: Valmy on September 28, 2011, 11:24:12 PM
ANDINO! O's WIN! Biggest win in over a decade at least. That was freaking awesome.
:bleeding::bleeding::bleeding::bleeding::bleeding:
It was kind of sad really. The players and fans (especially me) were celebrating like they just won the pennant.
But damn it! It was something both memorable and positive to happen to Baltimore. I mean those are hard to come by these days. Most of their big memorable moments are getting no-hit by Buchholz or melting down in 2005 or giving up 30 to the Rangers.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 28, 2011, 11:26:46 PM
Quote from: Valmy on September 28, 2011, 11:24:12 PM
ANDINO! O's WIN! Biggest win in over a decade at least. That was freaking awesome.
:bleeding::bleeding::bleeding::bleeding::bleeding:
:nelson: Go Orioles! :D
Pirates didn't manage to stay under 90 losses. :( Great season in first half, but seriously downhill after the blown ref call in the extra innings game in Atlanta. Still, the season has left me cautiously optimistic for the future.
Huzzah! I've won LFBBL despite Katmai stomping all of us in the regular season. Great last matchup against the Vienna Imperials. It came down to superb performances by two of our pitchers on the last day.
Behold your current LFFL and LFBBL title holder!
Good lord I feel too nerdy for words.
Cards managed to get the Wild Card I'm a bit surprised. They seem to do better when I'm not watching them. Probably performance anxiety.
Quote from: Valmy on September 29, 2011, 12:28:41 AM
It was kind of sad really. The players and fans (especially me) were celebrating like they just won the pennant.
The greatest collapse in baseball history since Appalachian State defeated Michigan.
Evil lost! Fuck the Red Sox.
Quote from: frunk on September 29, 2011, 06:27:58 AM
Huzzah! I've won LFBBL despite Katmai stomping all of us in the regular season. Great last matchup against the Vienna Imperials. It came down to superb performances by two of our pitchers on the last day.
Yeah, that was pretty close. Your batters had me outmatched, so I had to hope for my pitchers to come through.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 29, 2011, 07:00:43 AM
Quote from: Valmy on September 29, 2011, 12:28:41 AM
It was kind of sad really. The players and fans (especially me) were celebrating like they just won the pennant.
The greatest collapse in baseball history since Appalachian State defeated Michigan.
Was that right after the Germans bombed Pearl Harbour? :unsure:
Quote from: Barrister on September 22, 2011, 11:33:29 AM
Quote from: Syt on September 14, 2011, 12:38:33 PM
Still, you see a lot more people with MLB apparel (caps, mostly - and there Yankees dominate by far) than NFL apparel over here. Teamspotting is a bit of a sport for me on my way to/from work.
Seen any Winnipeg Jets gear yet? New or old. :)
No, but I've seen someone read an article in an Austrian hockey paper about the new Jets' logo/branding.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on June 10, 2011, 01:46:08 AM
Yankees Suck! :nelson:
That's what the Rays keep saying.
But it is hard to hear over the wailing and lamentation coming out of Boston.
We're not the champions my friend
but we screwed the Red Sox in the end
Gawd, MLB needs more playoff teams.
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 29, 2011, 10:29:25 AM
Gawd, MLB needs more playoff teams.
Oh bullshit. With a 162 game season what they need are less playoff teams.
Quote from: Valmy on September 29, 2011, 10:32:21 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 29, 2011, 10:29:25 AM
Gawd, MLB needs more playoff teams.
Oh bullshit. With a 162 game season what they need are less playoff teams.
Blablabla. 4 team is boring. No rivalry, no excitment. Contraction or more Playoff teams!
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 29, 2011, 10:35:13 AM
Blablabla. 4 team is boring. No rivalry, no excitment. Contraction or more Playoff teams!
What do fewer playoff teams have to do with rivalry or excitement? Hell yesterday was one of the most exciting days in sports I have seen in awhile. Three legendary games at once.
For Tim:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fzeitgeistinapetiole.files.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fucob1.jpg&hash=a5e9b5f31e64181aa9b00dc4dc8cc900dc381829)
Sometimes I wonder what teams people in Montana like. I mean they are near nothing.
Quote from: Razgovory on September 29, 2011, 06:30:47 AM
Cards managed to get the Wild Card I'm a bit surprised.
:punk: Only downer is that Pujols dropped to .299 after last night. Had he stayed at .300 he would've had .300+ BA in each of his 11 seasons in the MLB.
QuoteThey seem to do better when I'm not watching them. Probably performance anxiety.
I wrote them off, too. I deleted the MLB At Bat app from my phone and shifted them over on my ESPN favorite teams so my football, hockey, basketball teams show up first (I tend to do this anyway as seasons end). But just when I did that, they hit their streak & the Braves imploded.
Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to keep myself from watching them play the Phillies. So it'll be Phillies in 3 for sure.
Quote from: Valmy on September 29, 2011, 11:08:45 AM
Sometimes I wonder what teams people in Montana like. I mean they are near nothing.
I'd imagine Rockies or possibly Mariners. Or whatever minor league team they have out their way.
Quote from: Valmy on September 29, 2011, 11:08:45 AM
Sometimes I wonder what teams people in Montana like. I mean they are near nothing.
From living in Yukon, favourite teams tend to be a mish-mash. Slight preference for BC / Washington-based teams because in the old days those were the games you'd get on television, but mostly based on your former home town / family roots or what teams were hot when you were a kid.
Quote from: Valmy on September 29, 2011, 10:46:55 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 29, 2011, 10:35:13 AM
Blablabla. 4 team is boring. No rivalry, no excitment. Contraction or more Playoff teams!
What do fewer playoff teams have to do with rivalry or excitement? Hell yesterday was one of the most exciting days in sports I have seen in awhile. Three legendary games at once.
It creates them. It was exciting for 6 teams in a league of 30? :zzz:
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 29, 2011, 11:43:33 AM
It creates them. It was exciting for 6 teams in a league of 30? :zzz:
Yeah because the last day of the NHL regular season is thrilling for every single team. So much at stake.
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 29, 2011, 11:43:33 AM
Quote from: Valmy on September 29, 2011, 10:46:55 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 29, 2011, 10:35:13 AM
Blablabla. 4 team is boring. No rivalry, no excitment. Contraction or more Playoff teams!
What do fewer playoff teams have to do with rivalry or excitement? Hell yesterday was one of the most exciting days in sports I have seen in awhile. Three legendary games at once.
It creates them. It was exciting for 6 teams in a league of 30? :zzz:
The season itself is long enough, and 8 playoff teams (don't forget the wild cards) out of 30 is plenty.
edit: Hell, baseball purists are still bitching about having wild card teams in the playoffs, and want to reduce it to 6, with the top NL and AL teams each getting a bye.
Those purists are idiots.
Season needs to be shorter & have 16 teams playoffs.
Quote from: Valmy on September 29, 2011, 12:00:57 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 29, 2011, 11:43:33 AM
It creates them. It was exciting for 6 teams in a league of 30? :zzz:
Yeah because the last day of the NHL regular season is thrilling for every single team. So much at stake.
More then 6 at the least.
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 29, 2011, 12:10:53 PM
More then 6 at the least.
What a joke. Maybe two. I have watched the NHL all my life do not try to bullshit me.
Quote from: Valmy on September 29, 2011, 12:12:04 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 29, 2011, 12:10:53 PM
More then 6 at the least.
What a joke. Maybe two. I have watched the NHL all my life do not try to bullshit me.
:huh: You lost me.
Anyway, this is a lost argument I wont change my mind neither will you.
Baseball will always be lost on me because there's only 8 teams making the playoff. 162 games & why should I watch any of them? Only the top teams are going to do anything anyway.
No underdog, no cinderella runs for the casual fan. Just the Yankees & 5 other teams, over & over again.
:zzz
Quote from: Valmy on September 29, 2011, 12:12:04 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 29, 2011, 12:10:53 PM
More then 6 at the least.
What a joke. Maybe two. I have watched the NHL all my life do not try to bullshit me.
Well, the thing about baseball pennant races is that it makes things exciting for the top 10-12 teams, whereas the rest of the league plays meaningless games.
For hockey, it makes things exciting for the middle teams. Sure, the Canucks had their playoff spot guaranteed early on, and the Oilers were out of it early on, but there was a lot of exciting hockey for teams clustered in the middle about whether they'd make it or not.
Hockey probably has more meaningful games for more teams than MLB does, but they're for different teams.
Quote from: Barrister on September 29, 2011, 12:21:19 PM
Well, the thing about baseball pennant races is that it makes things exciting for the top 10-12 teams, whereas the rest of the league plays meaningless games.
Last nights game was pretty freaking meaningful to me thanks. :angry:
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 29, 2011, 12:15:47 PM
No underdog, no cinderella runs for the casual fan. Just the Yankees & 5 other teams, over & over again.
LOL. You do not know what you are talking about. Did you just make that up? You do realize the San Francisco Giants, a cinderella team on a miraculous run, just won the WS last year and that is the rule rather than the exception the last decade?
Quote from: Valmy on September 29, 2011, 12:35:59 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 29, 2011, 12:21:19 PM
Well, the thing about baseball pennant races is that it makes things exciting for the top 10-12 teams, whereas the rest of the league plays meaningless games.
Last nights game was pretty freaking meaningful to me thanks. :angry:
Well they weren't for me as a Royals fan.
Quote from: Valmy on September 29, 2011, 12:38:22 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 29, 2011, 12:15:47 PM
No underdog, no cinderella runs for the casual fan. Just the Yankees & 5 other teams, over & over again.
LOL. You do not know what you are talking about. Did you just make that up? You do realize the San Francisco Giants, a cinderella team on a miraculous run, just won the WS last year and that is the rule rather than the exception the last decade?
:yeahright:
Quote from: Valmy on September 29, 2011, 12:38:22 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 29, 2011, 12:15:47 PM
No underdog, no cinderella runs for the casual fan. Just the Yankees & 5 other teams, over & over again.
LOL. You do not know what you are talking about. Did you just make that up? You do realize the San Francisco Giants, a cinderella team on a miraculous run, just won the WS last year and that is the rule rather than the exception the last decade?
You are a not a cinderalla team with a 92-70 record that finish first of it's division.
Quote from: Barrister on September 29, 2011, 12:39:14 PM
Quote from: Valmy on September 29, 2011, 12:38:22 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 29, 2011, 12:15:47 PM
No underdog, no cinderella runs for the casual fan. Just the Yankees & 5 other teams, over & over again.
LOL. You do not know what you are talking about. Did you just make that up? You do realize the San Francisco Giants, a cinderella team on a miraculous run, just won the WS last year and that is the rule rather than the exception the last decade?
:yeahright:
Arizona over the Yankees
Angles over the Giants
Marlins over the Yankees
Red Sox over the Cardinals
White Sox over the Astros
Cardinals over the Tigers
Red Sox over the Rockies
Phillies over the Rays
Yankees over the Phillies
Giants over the Rangers.
Yeah...no underdogs no Cinderellas there...I mean virtually every year there is one team that gets hot and makes a huge run via the Wild Card. Do you not watch Baseball? That is the only way I can think you would have this opinion.
None!
All those team either won a division or finish on top a race of 2nd best, usually being better then one of division champ.
You can't be an underdog & win a division. You just can't.
No Valmy, I really don't watch any baseball.
I'm with GF - your definition of Cinderella seems to be any team that isn't the Yankees / Red Sox. Giants last year was a nice story, Rays are a continuing nice story, but there's very few of them.
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 29, 2011, 12:43:47 PM
None!
All those team either won a division or finish on top a race of 2nd best, usually being better then one of division champ.
You can't be an underdog & win a division. You just can't.
Wow.
Ok then.
Quote from: Barrister on September 29, 2011, 12:49:29 PM
No Valmy, I really don't watch any baseball.
I'm with GF - your definition of Cinderella seems to be any team that isn't the Yankees / Red Sox. Giants last year was a nice story, Rays are a continuing nice story, but there's very few of them.
:blink: There are tons of them. The Cardinals were left for dead and swept into the playoffs this year. I mean we have two this year and we almost always have them. But you do not even watch the game so how do you know who the underdogs and who the favorites are?
Quote from: Valmy on September 29, 2011, 12:50:53 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 29, 2011, 12:49:29 PM
No Valmy, I really don't watch any baseball.
I'm with GF - your definition of Cinderella seems to be any team that isn't the Yankees / Red Sox. Giants last year was a nice story, Rays are a continuing nice story, but there's very few of them.
:blink: There are tons of them. The Cardinals were left for dead and swept into the playoffs this year. I mean we have two this year and we almost always have them. But you do not even watch the game so how do you know who the underdogs and who the favorites are?
Ever heard of a little show called Sportscentre? It's great - it gives you the highlights of all the games without having to watch every single game.
Quote from: Barrister on September 29, 2011, 12:38:41 PM
Well they weren't for me as a Royals fan.
Yeah ok if you finish last in your division in the NHL or NBA every year you do not make the playoffs either.
Quote from: Barrister on September 29, 2011, 01:00:26 PM
Ever heard of a little show called Sportscentre? It's great - it gives you the highlights of all the games without having to watch every single game.
You know what? I don't need this. I had a great night last night and I do not need you and GF trying to shit on it and tell me why it is not exciting.
I mean I love the NHL but that does not mean I want every league to be a clone. Sometimes it is nice when the regular season and the division titles mean more.
Quote from: Valmy on September 29, 2011, 01:25:45 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 29, 2011, 01:00:26 PM
Ever heard of a little show called Sportscentre? It's great - it gives you the highlights of all the games without having to watch every single game.
You know what? I don't need this. I had a great night last night and I do not need you and GF trying to shit on it and tell me why it is not exciting.
Took you long enough!
Quote from: Valmy on September 29, 2011, 01:25:45 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 29, 2011, 01:00:26 PM
Ever heard of a little show called Sportscentre? It's great - it gives you the highlights of all the games without having to watch every single game.
You know what? I don't need this. I had a great night last night and I do not need you and GF trying to shit on it and tell me why it is not exciting.
I mean I love the NHL but that does not mean I want every league to be a clone. Sometimes it is nice when the regular season and the division titles mean more.
I don't know why you're taking this so personally. It's not as if GF and I are calling you stupid for enjoying baseball, or that you shouldn't have been excited at last nights games.
Quote from: Barrister on September 29, 2011, 01:31:01 PM
I don't know why you're taking this so personally. It's not as if GF and I are calling you stupid for enjoying baseball, or that you shouldn't have been excited at last nights games.
Bad timing. I am on a fan high right now. And how can you honestly wonder how I can be taking this so personally? Look how irrational you are about the Jets.
Anyway check this out: http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7033950/a-running-diary-game-162
Simmons calls it hours before it happens:
Quote4:22 — Red Sox killer Robert Andino leads off for the Orioles as Daniel hisses, "That's just an eff you move by Showalter." Lester strikes him out. I've had Andino on my AL Keeper Team all season — he's a homeless man's Ben Zobrist. There's no better candidate to ruin the 2011 Red Sox season and join the Bucky Dent/Enos Slaughter/Aaron Boone group. He's the odds-on favorite.
I know the Tampa Bay thing was a lot more spectacular, but for obvious reasons the Cardinals and Braves games overshadowed it for me. I had both games split-screened on ESPN3 via Xbox (awesomeness), and kept flipping the audio back & forth :)
Quote from: derspiess on September 29, 2011, 02:51:25 PM
I know the Tampa Bay thing was a lot more spectacular, but for obvious reasons the Cardinals and Braves games overshadowed it for me. I had both games split-screened on ESPN3 via Xbox (awesomeness), and kept flipping the audio back & forth :)
Good God man - why?
Didn't you know there was a Winnipeg Jets pre-season game going on?????
Quote from: derspiess on September 29, 2011, 02:51:25 PM
I know the Tampa Bay thing was a lot more spectacular, but for obvious reasons the Cardinals and Braves games overshadowed it for me. I had both games split-screened on ESPN3 via Xbox (awesomeness), and kept flipping the audio back & forth :)
I was flipping between all four games. Those ninth innings were amazing. Even the Braves one you could just see the feeling of doom sweeping over the park.
I hope they refer to this Red Sox collapse as 'The Curse of the Andino'.
Quote from: Syt on September 29, 2011, 11:05:58 AM
For Tim:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fzeitgeistinapetiole.files.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fucob1.jpg&hash=a5e9b5f31e64181aa9b00dc4dc8cc900dc381829)
Pretty cool, but New England sports allegiances cross over into New Brunswick as well.
Surely Mariners territory crosses over into Vancouver as well.
Last night was probably the most memorable night in regular season baseball in recent memory. I was in class from 5:20 to 8:20. I got a text from a friend(we're both Rays fans) watching the game in Boston at a Red Sox party- he said the score was 7-0 Yankees, and that the Red Sox were winning. I pretty much assumed the season was over, but I went over to a friend's place anyway to watch the rest of the season- which turned out to be a good decision.
I'm pretty sure the Rays aren't going to make it out of the ALDS though. I think the team is pretty fatigued, both physically and emotionally, from the post season chase. I definitely wasn't expecting them to make the playoffs, either. So, to me, everything is gravy going forward.
One last point- yesterday's game shows us how stupid the proposal to add Wild Card teams is. All of those exciting games yesterday would have been meaningless if two wild cards qualified.
Quote from: stjaba on September 29, 2011, 07:48:35 PM
One last point- yesterday's game shows us how stupid the proposal to add Wild Card teams is. All of those exciting games yesterday would have been meaningless if two wild cards qualified.
So what you're saying is, you'd rather see that happen once every 8 or 9 years rather than doubling the chances of it happening every year?
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 29, 2011, 08:12:05 PM
Quote from: stjaba on September 29, 2011, 07:48:35 PM
One last point- yesterday's game shows us how stupid the proposal to add Wild Card teams is. All of those exciting games yesterday would have been meaningless if two wild cards qualified.
So what you're saying is, you'd rather see that happen once every 8 or 9 years rather than doubling the chances of it happening every year?
That's not what I am saying. The race for the Wild Card spot is more than the last game of the season. In both leagues it lasted for 3+ weeks. If there was an extra wild card spot, those games would have had way less meaning. There would have been one exciting game, instead of dozens.
Do the Mets really have the monopoly of loyalty in the city while the Yankees dominate upstate?
Quote from: stjaba on September 29, 2011, 08:21:14 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 29, 2011, 08:12:05 PM
Quote from: stjaba on September 29, 2011, 07:48:35 PM
One last point- yesterday's game shows us how stupid the proposal to add Wild Card teams is. All of those exciting games yesterday would have been meaningless if two wild cards qualified.
So what you're saying is, you'd rather see that happen once every 8 or 9 years rather than doubling the chances of it happening every year?
That's not what I am saying. The race for the Wild Card spot is more than the last game of the season. In both leagues it lasted for 3+ weeks. If there was an extra wild card spot, those games would have had way less meaning. There would have been one exciting game, instead of dozens.
Thank you. Last night would have meant nothing if there were 2 wildcards from each league. Please let's let at least one sport keep the importance of the regular season without selling everything out to the playoff tournament at the end.
Anybody else checking out the Divisional Series? My God this has been a great last couple weeks for MLB. Three out of the four series going to a game five and the one that didn't was still amazing.
The Yankees probably are going to stomp the Tigers now though. That is regrettable.
Yay Tigers! :w00t:
I admit, I like rooting for the Tigers in the AL (despite their HIDEOUS orange/blue jerseys). For one, they have Jim Leyland. For another they had Ty Cobb.
I would love to see a World Series between Brewers and Tigers.
I'm just thrilled the Yankees lost.
Quote from: sbr on October 06, 2011, 11:26:37 PM
I'm just thrilled the Yankees lost.
Especially how they lost. At home where they had all the momentum and all the chances in the world to win.
Oh and it was ARod who struck out to end it...AGAIN. That guy is the worst post-season star since Barry Bonds' annual no-show against the Braves.
I hope the Brewers win today.
Quote from: Valmy on October 07, 2011, 11:00:50 AM
Oh and it was ARod who struck out to end it...AGAIN. That guy is the worst post-season star since Barry Bonds' annual no-show against the Braves.
Only if you ignore 2009, when he carried the team on his back to the Series. Blame goes to Girardi for batting him 4th when he was still clearly compromised by whatever post-roid joint injuries that continue to plague him.
Anyway, disappointed the Yankees last, but overall the year went pretty well - best record in the AL, and knocking the Sox out of playoffs by beating them in the final series and then dropping the games against the Rays. :D
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on October 07, 2011, 01:02:33 PM
Only if you ignore 2009, when he carried the team on his back to the Series.
Hey Bonds had 2002 as well.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 07, 2011, 10:53:35 AM
Quote from: sbr on October 06, 2011, 11:26:37 PM
I'm just thrilled the Yankees lost.
Me too. ^_^
Just remember, that in 20 years people will talk about that epic collapse of the Red Sox, while this will be just another post season for the Yankees.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on October 07, 2011, 01:02:33 PM
Anyway, disappointed the Yankees last, but overall the year went pretty well - best record in the AL, and knocking the Sox out of playoffs by beating them in the final series and then dropping the games against the Rays. :D
Not a Yankees fan, but on a certain level I was quite glad to see Boston miss the postseason. I actually like a lot of their players, but they have probably the worst fans of any team in a major pro sports league in North America. Sure, Philly fans (in all sports) are just plain nasty, rude people, but Red Sox fans are such whiny, self-righteous jerks. Yuck.
A GREAT season for Oriole baseball!!
They finally played a game at the end of the season that had some importance. It's awesome to be able to rub it in all the Red Sox fans faces at work. And, now, we finished ahead of both the Red Sox and Yankees in the draft.
Quote from: Strix on October 07, 2011, 04:57:44 PM
A GREAT season for Oriole baseball!!
They finally played a game at the end of the season that had some importance. It's awesome to be able to rub it in all the Red Sox fans faces at work. And, now, we finished ahead of both the Red Sox and Yankees in the draft.
It was definitely the most satisfying 69 win season in Major League history.
Cards win. (https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi195.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz133%2Fsbr32%2Fsmilies%2Fyipi.gif&hash=3724050d0216828042d953ece7a66c1b0496f184)
I don't think they can win the Series but no one thought they could in 2006 either.
Oh yeah, the Yankees lost.
The Cards may win the Pennant this year. I'm really surprised.
Started off with 4 runs in the first inning. :yeah:
Quote from: Razgovory on October 16, 2011, 07:31:27 PM
Started off with 4 runs in the first inning. :yeah:
And then almost gave it all back until Albert saves the day again.
Oh wow they got 4 more in that inning, even Jackson should be able to hold that for another couple of innings.
Hm. So barring an ugly collapse, I need to start working up some hate for the Cardinals?
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on October 16, 2011, 08:44:27 PM
Hm. So barring an ugly collapse, I need to start working up some hate for the Cardinals?
No, of course not. You should be grateful that the team deigns play the Rangers.
Quote from: Razgovory on October 16, 2011, 09:00:42 PM
No, of course not. You should be grateful that the team deigns play the Rangers.
I can't think of any reason to hate the Cardinals anyway. :P
I really enjoy the compressed format of the playoffs this year, in previous years they never played on back-to-back days making starting pitching and bullpen depth almost irrelevant. This year teams finally are having to use all 25 players on their roster to win series.
Cardinals in the World Series? Cool.
Looks that way. Raz is pleased. :)
Quote from: Razgovory on October 16, 2011, 10:51:41 PM
Looks that way. Raz is pleased. :)
Me too. :party: :yeah:
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on October 16, 2011, 09:09:18 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 16, 2011, 09:00:42 PM
No, of course not. You should be grateful that the team deigns play the Rangers.
I can't think of any reason to hate the Cardinals anyway. :P
Classy franchise. Good for them.
And they owe it all to one little squirrel. Well, not really.
Quote from: Razgovory on October 17, 2011, 01:13:56 AM
And they owe it all to one little squirrel. Well, not really.
The Squirrel provided inspiration. Well, that and Furcal's "Happy Flight".
The Texans may massacre & sweep the Cards & I'd still be thrilled with these playoffs. For the Cards to go from 10.5 games behind in the wild card race in late August to knocking off the #1 and #2 NL teams & then make it to the Series-- that's a huge accomplishment. Makes me forget about their August 2010 implosion that allowed the Reds to win the division.
Pujols & La Russa may both be gone next year, so every additional game I get to watch is like a gift :)
Even my Argentine brother in law is digging the playoffs-- I don't have the heart to tell him that regular season games aren't nearly as exciting :)
Cards win, though I think the umpires made the wrong call in the 9th. I think the ball hit the guys foot, should have been a foul. Still, it was hard to see. So I can't blame them. I suspect some Rangers fans will.
Quote from: Razgovory on October 19, 2011, 10:20:04 PM
Cards win, though I think the umpires made the wrong call in the 9th. I think the ball hit the guys foot, should have been a foul. Still, it was hard to see. So I can't blame them. I suspect some Rangers fans will.
The Rangers fans are experiencing too much angst around how Carpenter shut them down. They are having PTSD from what the Giants did to them last year.
Quote from: Razgovory on October 19, 2011, 10:20:04 PM
Cards win, though I think the umpires made the wrong call in the 9th. I think the ball hit the guys foot, should have been a foul. Still, it was hard to see. So I can't blame them. I suspect some Rangers fans will.
Is that what they were showing on their weird IR cam? I was outside smoking, and came in to see that, but didn't have the sound on so I dont know what they were talking about. What was the call and all that?
Yeah. I don't know what the IR cam was suppose to prove. Does the ball travel in invisible wave lengths at certain points in time?
Oh, forgot to answer the second part. He hit the ball and someone picked it up and threw it to first getting an out. If it looked to me like it hit is foot and should have been a foul thus no out.
Quote from: Razgovory on October 19, 2011, 10:28:37 PM
Yeah. I don't know what the IR cam was suppose to prove. Does the ball travel in invisible wave lengths at certain points in time?
Yeah I was wondering wtf was going on when I came in. Not enough to listen to Joe Buck though.
QuoteOh, forgot to answer the second part. He hit the ball and someone picked it up and threw it to first getting an out. If it looked to me like it hit is foot and should have been a foul thus no out.
Oh. Meh. Doubt it would have mattered anyway.
Edit: Wait thats wrong.
ROBBED
I had to work late so I didn't get to see the game, nice to see another win by the Cards. I am really flashing back to '06 here, back then the Tigers were supposed to overwhelm the Cards but lost. I hope to see a similiar outcome this year.
No score yet. I missed the first hour cause I was at a lecture. Kinda sleepy, may not watch any of the game tonight.
Quote from: Razgovory on October 20, 2011, 08:31:30 PM
No score yet. I missed the first hour cause I was at a lecture. Kinda sleepy, may not watch any of the game tonight.
Yeah, I'm not really feelin it tonight. Watching football instead.
Edit: Well okay, I switched over a couple minutes after they mentioned something about it during this "game," and saw the last two pitches and the flyout to end it. Heh.
That was a hell of a game last night. Pretty exciting.
Now we get to see if that whole warm weather leads to more hitting thing is true.
Quote from: Valmy on October 21, 2011, 08:46:29 AM
That was a hell of a game last night. Pretty exciting.
Now we get to see if that whole warm weather leads to more hitting thing is true.
If it is (and it might be-- they were right about cold weather = less hitting), then Texas may well sweep the next 3 games. I hope the Cards can at least get one more home game. But they've been playing with house money the entire playoffs, so I'm still ecstatic they made it as far as they did.
Great game last night. The top of the 9th was as good as it gets.
But in the biggest news, did anyone see the New York Post? Possibly the greatest front page I've seen. With a picture of a dead Khadafy and his supposed shooter in a yankees cap, it reads: "Khadafy Killed by Yankee Fan: Gunman had more hits than A-Rod."
http://www.nesn.com/2011/10/muammar-khadafys-yankee-fan-gunman-has-more-hits-than-a-rod-says-front-page-of-new-york-post.html
Quote from: alfred russel on October 21, 2011, 11:42:33 AM
The top of the 9th was as good as it gets.
It was excruciating for me. When there were runners on the corners with no outs I knew both would eventually score. Not sure what the percentages were, but in my head it was like a 95% chance at that point.
I just love games where strategy and heads up baserunning and execution are so key. Both times the Rangers took the extra base the Cardinals just barely wiffed on the play but that is all it takes in games like last nights.
Quote from: Valmy on October 21, 2011, 12:22:07 PM
I just love games where strategy and heads up baserunning and execution are so key. Both times the Rangers took the extra base the Cardinals just barely wiffed on the play but that is all it takes in games like last nights.
That is what was great: except for the error (which was a bit harsh to charge an error on, imo), I thought both teams played about as well as they could. The Rangers made all the right moves on the basepaths, and the Cards made good throws to make all the plays close.
Derspiess, I feel your pain. Nothing worse than blowing a late lead in baseball.
Quote from: Valmy on October 21, 2011, 12:22:07 PM
I just love games where strategy and heads up baserunning and execution are so key. Both times the Rangers took the extra base the Cardinals just barely wiffed on the play but that is all it takes in games like last nights.
Yeah, I saw the last half of the game. It was tense. My dad gets too worked up over it. He's keeps referring to the Cardinals as "us", as if he and I were out there playing. Really strange.
Quote from: Razgovory on October 21, 2011, 12:52:53 PM
Yeah, I saw the last half of the game. It was tense. My dad gets too worked up over it. He's keeps referring to the Cardinals as "us", as if he and I were out there playing. Really strange.
Not strange at all since the love of sports is often tied into identification with a team. After all if you have been a fan for a few decades you have probably been with the franchise longer than anybody actually a member of it...except perhaps the owner.
Quote from: alfred russel on October 21, 2011, 11:42:33 AM
Great game last night. The top of the 9th was as good as it gets.
But in the biggest news, did anyone see the New York Post? Possibly the greatest front page I've seen. With a picture of a dead Khadafy and his supposed shooter in a yankees cap, it reads: "Khadafy Killed by Yankee Fan: Gunman had more hits than A-Rod."
http://www.nesn.com/2011/10/muammar-khadafys-yankee-fan-gunman-has-more-hits-than-a-rod-says-front-page-of-new-york-post.html
Wow! :D
That is pretty great. Hard to see how they'll top themselves, but it's the Post so I'm sure they'll manage somehow.
Quote from: alfred russel on October 21, 2011, 11:42:33 AM
But in the biggest news, did anyone see the New York Post? Possibly the greatest front page I've seen. With a picture of a dead Khadafy and his supposed shooter in a yankees cap, it reads: "Khadafy Killed by Yankee Fan: Gunman had more hits than A-Rod."
http://www.nesn.com/2011/10/muammar-khadafys-yankee-fan-gunman-has-more-hits-than-a-rod-says-front-page-of-new-york-post.html
It pains me to see any Yankees fan getting good press.
Quote from: Valmy on October 21, 2011, 02:14:51 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 21, 2011, 12:52:53 PM
Yeah, I saw the last half of the game. It was tense. My dad gets too worked up over it. He's keeps referring to the Cardinals as "us", as if he and I were out there playing. Really strange.
Not strange at all since the love of sports is often tied into identification with a team. After all if you have been a fan for a few decades you have probably been with the franchise longer than anybody actually a member of it...except perhaps the owner.
Seems weird to me. I root for the Cards because they are the local team. It's also less depressing then rooting for Royals.
Quote from: Razgovory on October 21, 2011, 05:59:57 PM
Quote from: Valmy on October 21, 2011, 02:14:51 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 21, 2011, 12:52:53 PM
Yeah, I saw the last half of the game. It was tense. My dad gets too worked up over it. He's keeps referring to the Cardinals as "us", as if he and I were out there playing. Really strange.
Not strange at all since the love of sports is often tied into identification with a team. After all if you have been a fan for a few decades you have probably been with the franchise longer than anybody actually a member of it...except perhaps the owner.
Seems weird to me. I root for the Cards because they are the local team. It's also less depressing then rooting for Royals.
Rooting for Muammar Gaddafi would be less depressing than rooting for the Royals.
Quote from: sbr on October 21, 2011, 06:11:09 PM
Rooting for Muammar Gaddafi would be less depressing than rooting for the Royals.
On behalf of Beeb and I: :cry:
I keep hearing that the Royals have one of the best farm systems in the MLB. When is it going to come to fruition?
Quote from: Syt on October 22, 2011, 01:53:32 AM
I keep hearing that the Royals have one of the best farm systems in the MLB. When is it going to come to fruition?
Never. They just rotate up, then trade and restock. It's a never ending cycle. Instead of keeping their own home grown guys, they bring in awful overpaid free agents on the rare occasion they splurge on salary. It's awful.
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on October 22, 2011, 01:56:34 AM
Quote from: Syt on October 22, 2011, 01:53:32 AM
I keep hearing that the Royals have one of the best farm systems in the MLB. When is it going to come to fruition?
Never. They just rotate up, then trade and restock. It's a never ending cycle. Instead of keeping their own home grown guys, they bring in awful overpaid free agents on the rare occasion they splurge on salary. It's awful.
So basically like the Pirates these past two decades. Though the Bucs at least seem to be willing to break this cycle now.
Quote from: Syt on October 22, 2011, 02:51:39 AM
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on October 22, 2011, 01:56:34 AM
Quote from: Syt on October 22, 2011, 01:53:32 AM
I keep hearing that the Royals have one of the best farm systems in the MLB. When is it going to come to fruition?
Never. They just rotate up, then trade and restock. It's a never ending cycle. Instead of keeping their own home grown guys, they bring in awful overpaid free agents on the rare occasion they splurge on salary. It's awful.
So basically like the Pirates these past two decades. Though the Bucs at least seem to be willing to break this cycle now.
The difference is that for years, the Pirates never seemed to have a plan. The Royals alway have a plan. The problem is, they change that plan more often than most people change their underwear, and the new plan is usually totally at odds with the old plan: "we're going to build from within, using our farm system", "our minor leaguers aren't ready? Sign some free agents", "the free agents aren't performing up to their previous standards? Trade them for prospects", "the prospects aren't working out? Sign some free agents", etc.
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on October 22, 2011, 01:26:57 AM
Quote from: sbr on October 21, 2011, 06:11:09 PM
Rooting for Muammar Gaddafi would be less depressing than rooting for the Royals.
On behalf of Beeb and I: :cry:
I always thought George Brett was cool. :)
Quote from: Syt on October 22, 2011, 01:53:32 AM
I keep hearing that the Royals have one of the best farm systems in the MLB. When is it going to come to fruition?
I head an interview with an ESPN baseball talking head (Olney, Stark or Timmy Kysdfkjsdfn, don't remember which) much earlier in the year and they said the Royals would win their division in 2013. FWIW.
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 22, 2011, 08:18:26 AM
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on October 22, 2011, 01:26:57 AM
Quote from: sbr on October 21, 2011, 06:11:09 PM
Rooting for Muammar Gaddafi would be less depressing than rooting for the Royals.
On behalf of Beeb and I: :cry:
I always thought George Brett was cool. :)
:yes: Second best 3rd baseman of all time.
Quote from: sbr on October 22, 2011, 11:29:21 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 22, 2011, 08:18:26 AM
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on October 22, 2011, 01:26:57 AM
Quote from: sbr on October 21, 2011, 06:11:09 PM
Rooting for Muammar Gaddafi would be less depressing than rooting for the Royals.
On behalf of Beeb and I: :cry:
I always thought George Brett was cool. :)
:yes: Second best 3rd baseman of all time.
I'd put him in the top five, but any higher than 3rd.
Quote from: dps on October 22, 2011, 04:38:52 PM
Quote from: sbr on October 22, 2011, 11:29:21 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 22, 2011, 08:18:26 AM
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on October 22, 2011, 01:26:57 AM
Quote from: sbr on October 21, 2011, 06:11:09 PM
Rooting for Muammar Gaddafi would be less depressing than rooting for the Royals.
On behalf of Beeb and I: :cry:
I always thought George Brett was cool. :)
:yes: Second best 3rd baseman of all time.
I'd put him in the top five, but any higher than 3rd.
Mike Schmidt is #1, who would you put as #2?
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on October 22, 2011, 01:26:57 AM
Quote from: sbr on October 21, 2011, 06:11:09 PM
Rooting for Muammar Gaddafi would be less depressing than rooting for the Royals.
On behalf of Beeb and I: :cry:
:cry:
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 22, 2011, 08:18:26 AM
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on October 22, 2011, 01:26:57 AM
Quote from: sbr on October 21, 2011, 06:11:09 PM
Rooting for Muammar Gaddafi would be less depressing than rooting for the Royals.
On behalf of Beeb and I: :cry:
I always thought George Brett was cool. :)
George Brett *IS* cool. :mad:
And a God amongst men, but that may just be my personal opinion.
Is, was...it doesn't matter.
Quote from: sbr on October 22, 2011, 06:06:04 PM
Quote from: dps on October 22, 2011, 04:38:52 PM
Quote from: sbr on October 22, 2011, 11:29:21 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 22, 2011, 08:18:26 AM
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on October 22, 2011, 01:26:57 AM
Quote from: sbr on October 21, 2011, 06:11:09 PM
Rooting for Muammar Gaddafi would be less depressing than rooting for the Royals.
On behalf of Beeb and I: :cry:
I always thought George Brett was cool. :)
:yes: Second best 3rd baseman of all time.
I'd put him in the top five, but any higher than 3rd.
Mike Schmidt is #1, who would you put as #2?
Eddie Matthews. Actually, I
might rank him #1 ahead of Schmidt. Their stats are pretty close. I think that Schmidt ranks ahead because Matthews best seasons were in 50's, which was a much better era for hitters than Schmidt's era, and Schmidt's defense was probably better, too. But OTOH, Matthews latter years were in the 60's, which were even worse for hitters than Schmidt's time, and I'm not really sure about the defense.
But...but...Brooks Robinson :(
Well I guess the thing about run production going up in warmer weather is proving true in this series so far.
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 22, 2011, 07:10:11 PM
Is, was...it doesn't matter.
Well I'm pretty sure it matters to George.
Cards doing pretty well so far.
Oh fuuuuuuuuck. I just saw the score. There had to be some cheating involved or something.
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on October 23, 2011, 02:03:09 AM
Oh fuuuuuuuuck. I just saw the score. There had to be some cheating involved or something.
There was.
QuotePujols, who was 0 for 6 in the first two games, became the third player to hit three homers in a series game. He joined Babe Ruth, who did it in 1926 and again in 1928, and Reggie Jackson's performance in 1977.
His six RBIs tied the record in a game, matching Bobby Richardson in 1960 and Hideki Matsui in 2009.
Oh, Pujols also matched the series mark for hits in a game set by Paul Molitor in 1982. Just think, too -- Pujols' monster game came after he grounded out in the first inning.
[...]
Texas fans booed after first-base umpire Ron Kulpa's blown call helped the Cardinals score four times in the fourth for a 5-0 lead. The crowd at Rangers Ballpark went silent when Pujols started swinging for the fences, and beyond. His three-run shot in the sixth rattled the windows of the club level in left field.
Game 4 is tonight, with Derek Holland starting for the Rangers against Edwin Jackson. It will be the back half of a St. Louis-Texas style doubleheader -- earlier in the day, the Rams play the Dallas Cowboys right across the parking lot.
Ok, without the supposed four runs due to the blown call, the game still would have ended 12-7.
You should know 4 early runs can change the entire makeup of the game. It isn't simply a matter of subtracting 4 runs from the final score.
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on October 23, 2011, 02:50:33 AM
You should know 4 early runs can change the entire makeup of the game. It isn't simply a matter of subtracting 4 runs from the final score.
Yes, but you can't call it total collapse if the Rangers still managed to score 7 runs, with 3 runs coming in the same inning. Would it have gone differently, without the blown call? Probably. Still, I think the Cards had the hotter bats that night overall.
Well, Cowboys will beat the shit out of the Rams today, if that's any consolation.
Looks like the Cards took inspirations from the Rams.
Holland was dealing tonight. I still feel pretty comfortable, the Rangers still have to win 2 games and I don't see any of their starters pitching that well again.
The Cards came off a bit like a Keystone Cops operation last night.
For the Yankee fans/haters:
Too Much Moneyball (http://www.jest.com/video/46873/too-much-moneyball)
Quote from: Syt on October 26, 2011, 06:27:37 AM
For the Yankee fans/haters:
Too Much Moneyball (http://www.jest.com/video/46873/too-much-moneyball)
:lol: Nice.
Are you FUCKING kidding me Holliday!! What the fuck, are you going to steal home?
What a worthless piece of steaming dog shit.
This game has been hilarious so far! :lol:
Holliday out with a bruised pinky.
Holland running the bases like a champ in his dorky pitchers jacket. Pedostache and all.
Poorly played game, but entertaining.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on October 27, 2011, 11:11:24 PM
Poorly played game, but entertaining.
Definitely, one of the most fun I've watched in a long time.
Holy crap. This is a game for the ages...I mean besides the errors and bullpen collapses.
Lolz! :D
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FtHvSz.jpg&hash=0baa044d54911f242d1400c30e5d3805eefc1306)
I cannot believe Washington would PH for Feldman with a runner on first with two outs. WTH.
Quote from: Valmy on October 27, 2011, 11:37:45 PM
I cannot believe Washington would PH for Feldman with a runner on first with two outs. WTH.
Yeah that was a weird move. Then again, if Lowe keeps pitching like this, it won't matter anyway.
:lmfao:
AND FREESE HITS IT OUT!
Wow the Rangers blew it. I am not sure what to say I have never seen a WS game quite like that one before.
Quote from: Valmy on October 27, 2011, 11:41:55 PM
AND FREESE HITS IT OUT!
Wow the Rangers blew it. I am not sure what to say I have never seen a WS game quite like that one before.
Yeah that was pathetic. One strike away from winning it twice and they couldn't put it away. Feliz throwing meatballs, Cruz, as awesome as he has been, halfassing it and not snagging that last out, etc. Just bad.
Also sucks that they have to be playing in St. Louis for these last two games.
I've never seen any game like that one, not since little league.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on October 27, 2011, 11:43:30 PM
I've never seen any game like that one, not since little league.
:lol:
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on October 27, 2011, 11:43:30 PM
I've never seen any game like that one, not since little league.
It actually reminded me of some college games I have seen, the teams tend to run out of pitching late in games.
Damn. I gave up watching in the sixth inning. They Cards looked fuck, and they kept making errors.
Quote from: Razgovory on October 28, 2011, 02:52:56 AM
Damn. I gave up watching in the sixth inning. They Cards looked fuck, and they kept making errors.
I went to bed right after Craig hit the homerun to get within 7-5. Just turned ESPN on and saw what happened.
Hopefully Holliday's pinkie hurts so much he can't play tonight, he is killing them.
Wait you Cardinals fans actually missed it? I hope Spicey at least saw it live.
Quote from: Valmy on October 28, 2011, 08:02:29 AM
Wait you Cardinals fans actually missed it? I hope Spicey at least saw it live.
Hellz yeah I watched it. Had my brother in law & father in law right there with me. We sat there in stunned amazement for about an hour after the game-- good times. Too bad my father in law has to fly out this afternoon.
One thing that cracks me up is that here in Cincy nobody wants to talk about the game (*everyone* was talking about Game 5). I didn't realize this newly-kindled Reds-Cardinals rivalry ran that deep.
God damn it, why oh why do the games have to be so late? Yeah, I went to bed about the 6th inning.
Quote from: alfred russel on October 28, 2011, 10:25:25 AM
God damn it, why oh why do the games have to be so late? Yeah, I went to bed about the 6th inning.
I know the freaking games last forever. I was looking at the clock at 9 PM central thinking that if this was a college game we would be in the 8th inning now...but we were only in the 5th. The ads and the pitching changes are just brutal.
I gotta admit-- what I've been doing for most of the playoffs is giving the game a good 45 minute to hour head start on my Tivo, and then fastforwarding through commercials & other non-game stuff. Usually I catch up to live action by about the 7th or 8th inning.
What is Ron Washington doing?
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 28, 2011, 08:53:45 PM
What is Ron Washington doing?
Hilarity is ensuing? What's going on? SP sucking or bullpen sucking?
There seems to be a commercial right now.
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on October 28, 2011, 08:58:09 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 28, 2011, 08:53:45 PM
What is Ron Washington doing?
Hilarity is ensuing? What's going on? SP sucking or bullpen sucking?
There seems to be a commercial right now.
He loaded the bases with an intentional base on balls, and then pitcher walked in a run. Not surprising since he hit the batter before the IBB.
EDIT: Just hit another batter to drive in a run.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 28, 2011, 08:59:06 PM
He loaded the bases with an intentional base on balls, and then pitcher walked in a run. Not surprising since he hit the batter before the IBB.
EDIT: Just hit another batter to drive in a run.
Ah. The traditional control shown by Rangers pitching.
CJ Wilson needs a haircut.
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on October 28, 2011, 09:00:45 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 28, 2011, 08:59:06 PM
He loaded the bases with an intentional base on balls, and then pitcher walked in a run. Not surprising since he hit the batter before the IBB.
EDIT: Just hit another batter to drive in a run.
Ah. The traditional control shown by Rangers pitching.
CJ Wilson needs a haircut.
Yup. Also, that inning started with a walk. It was BB, HBP, IBB, BB, HBP
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 28, 2011, 09:08:42 PM
Yup. Also, that inning started with a walk. It was BB, HBP, IBB, BB, HBP
:lmfao: Holy shit. Maybe I should be watching that instead of the BYU implosion.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 28, 2011, 08:59:06 PM
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on October 28, 2011, 08:58:09 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on October 28, 2011, 08:53:45 PM
What is Ron Washington doing?
Hilarity is ensuing? What's going on? SP sucking or bullpen sucking?
There seems to be a commercial right now.
He loaded the bases with an intentional base on balls, and then pitcher walked in a run. Not surprising since he hit the batter before the IBB.
EDIT: Just hit another batter to drive in a run.
I've never seen that happen before. I don't know what the end game of this rather unique strategy is.
Rangers are going out with a wimper so far.
Congrats to the Cards.
My poor father has been a fan of the Senators/Rangers since they started in 1961. And he was a fan of the old Washington Senators before that in the 50s. Ah well at least he is used to it.
Card win, after one of the most unlikely seasons ever.
Quote from: Valmy on October 28, 2011, 10:29:06 PM
Congrats to the Cards.
My poor father has been a fan of the Senators/Rangers since they started in 1961. And he was a fan of the old Washington Senators before that in the 50s. Ah well at least he is used to it.
Man, that's sad. :(
:punk: Seemed like forever between 1982 and 2006. Glad I didn't have to wait too long for this one.
But I'm still in shock. Not sure when it will sink in. I was happy as hell that they just made the damned playoffs.
Fuck it, where's my credit card-- I'm buying the train.
http://www.bradfordexchange.com/products/49170_.html?cm_ven=FB-BEX&cm_cat=WS11-CardsTrain-M35_49170&cm_pla=CardinalsRollOut11_Img-full&cm_ite=M35_KW-STLCards_1Step-N_Niche
Quote from: derspiess on October 28, 2011, 11:31:57 PM
But I'm still in shock. Not sure when it will sink in.
I think Rangers fans are feeling that way about last night. The full scope of the disaster that befell them is just starting to sink in.
:yeah: Wohoo, Cards win!! I barely remember '82 but '85 and '87 are burned into my memory forever. Tonight's game took a bit of the shine off of a very good series but I will take it every time.
Grats to the Cards, awesome run into the postseason and awesome comeback in game 6 - a year for the history books for sure.
The bottom of the 5th had me laughing out loud; I thought Ron Washington would start to cry. :lol:
La Russa is retiring. Says he's not going to manage somewhere else. Hate to see him go, but with his age I wonder if there aren't some health issues in play. Anyway, perfect timing-- if you have to go, go out on top.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7173381/tony-la-russa-st-louis-cardinals-says-retiring
La Russa retires.
Goodbye. I played your videogame.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fen%2Fc%2Fca%2FTony_La_Russa%2527s_Ultimate_Baseball_Coverart.png&hash=a3ce42050e9897d536a0baa17d7f339b68a6f44b)
DAMN YOU SPICY!!!!!!!!!!! *fake outrage at beating me*
Well, seeing how he can't possibly top the past two months of his managerial career, I'd say now is as good a time as any to retire sign a commentator gig with ESPN.
So how does LaRussa stack up against the top managers of his era?
Candidates being: Lou Piniella, Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, Tom Lasorda, Jim Leyland, Sparky Anderson, Davey Johnson, (anyone important I missed?)
I think he stacks up pretty well although I don't entirely approve of the 1 batter pitching change strategies he pioneered.
Quote from: dps on October 22, 2011, 09:54:16 PM
Eddie Matthews. Actually, I might rank him #1 ahead of Schmidt. Their stats are pretty close. I think that Schmidt ranks ahead because Matthews best seasons were in 50's, which was a much better era for hitters than Schmidt's era, and Schmidt's defense was probably better, too. But OTOH, Matthews latter years were in the 60's, which were even worse for hitters than Schmidt's time, and I'm not really sure about the defense.
I recently finished a book called
Wizardry, which uses regression analysis to try to concoct statistical measurements of defense using available historical data that roughly matches in accuracy the best of the defensive evaluation systems currently in operation that use hit ball data and game charting. The book rates Mathews as slightly above average defensively, but it rates Schmidt as outstanding, more than 100 runs better then Mathews over the course of their career. That is a big difference. Not sure if I buy the magnitude, but directionally it does accord with the raw fielding stats and the anecdotal evidence including GG awards (schmidt won 10).
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on October 31, 2011, 12:42:50 PM
Quote from: dps on October 22, 2011, 09:54:16 PM
Eddie Matthews. Actually, I might rank him #1 ahead of Schmidt. Their stats are pretty close. I think that Schmidt ranks ahead because Matthews best seasons were in 50's, which was a much better era for hitters than Schmidt's era, and Schmidt's defense was probably better, too. But OTOH, Matthews latter years were in the 60's, which were even worse for hitters than Schmidt's time, and I'm not really sure about the defense.
I recently finished a book called Wizardry, which uses regression analysis to try to concoct statistical measurements of defense using available historical data that roughly matches in accuracy the best of the defensive evaluation systems currently in operation that use hit ball data and game charting. The book rates Mathews as slightly above average defensively, but it rates Schmidt as outstanding, more than 100 runs better then Mathews over the course of their career. That is a big difference. Not sure if I buy the magnitude, but directionally it does accord with the raw fielding stats and the anecdotal evidence including GG awards (schmidt won 10).
How does it rate Brooks Robinson?
Quote from: stjaba on October 31, 2011, 12:45:41 PM
How does it rate Brooks Robinson?
Basically dead even with Schmidt. Slightly behind but well within the margin for error.
IIRC Belanger is the highest rated SS in the modern era.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on October 31, 2011, 12:52:27 PM
IIRC Belanger is the highest rated SS in the modern era.
:yeahright: How many backflips did he do?
Quote from: derspiess on October 31, 2011, 01:19:52 PM
:yeahright: How many backflips did he do?
Turns out that is a very inefficient way to make plays . . .
Ozzie rates very high but not as high as one would think. There is a short essay to address him. There are stretches in his career where his year-on-year performance is off the charts. But there are other years where he rates out much lower - and it turns out some of those are years where he suffered injury problems. The author speculates that the Cards may have been sticking him back in before he was 100% and just as playing with nagging injuries can harm hitting performance, so they can affect fielding. This impacts on a few years for Ozzie.
Another point that is made throughout is that correct positioning and other "invisible" skills are important contributors to defensive outcomes, particularly for SS, 2B and CF. Because those are difficult to see, there is a tendency to rate very athletic players whose defensive skills are easily visible vs those who strengths lie elsewhere. Also Ozzie's rep has been burnished by incredible gross fielding numbers (e.g. total assits) which throughout his career tended to be inflated by playing behind pitching staffs that had high ground ball, low-moderate strikeout tendencies.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the results are presented as runs above average not replacement, which benefits Belanger in comparison to Ozzie (who has a lot more playing time).
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on October 31, 2011, 12:36:53 PM
So how does LaRussa stack up against the top managers of his era?
Candidates being: Lou Piniella, Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, Tom Lasorda, Jim Leyland, Sparky Anderson, Davey Johnson, (anyone important I missed?)
I think he stacks up pretty well although I don't entirely approve of the 1 batter pitching change strategies he pioneered.
Not sure. His Oakland teams underachieved based on their talent, they should have won more than one World Series, but his Cardinal teams definitely overachieved according to their talent. I am as big a Cardinal fans as you will find but I don't think either the '06 or '11 team were in the Top 5 of most talented teams of that year and both may have been considerably lower than that.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on October 31, 2011, 12:36:53 PM
So how does LaRussa stack up against the top managers of his era?
Candidates being: Lou Piniella, Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, Tom Lasorda, Jim Leyland, Sparky Anderson, Davey Johnson, (anyone important I missed?)
As far as missing anyone, it depends on how you define his era. At the start of his career, guys like Gene Mauch and Earl Weaver were still active.
QuoteI think he stacks up pretty well although I don't entirely approve of the 1 batter pitching change strategies he pioneered.
Agree on both parts. Overall, I'd rather have Cox.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7246443/houston-astros-sale-approved-mlb
QuoteMILWAUKEE -- Baseball owners unanimously approved the sale of the Houston Astros from Drayton McLane to Jim Crane on Thursday, which will lead to the team moving from the NL Central to the AL West for the 2013 season.
The decision will give each league 15 teams, baseball's first realignment since the Milwaukee Brewers switched from the AL to the NL after the 1997 season.
As part of the Astros' agreement to switch leagues, the sale price was cut from $680 million to $615 million, a person at Thursday's meeting told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details weren't announced,
Major League Baseball will make up part of the $65 million difference, paying McLane $35 million over three years, the person said.
Commissioner Bud Selig said owners also approved two additional wild-card teams for the postseason, meaning 10 of the 30 teams make the playoffs. Selig said he hopes the expanded playoffs can start next year, but he said the specifics are being worked out. The players' association favors the move.
"You do things for a long period of time. The addition will really help us in the long run," Selig said.
Owners also approved longtime San Francisco Giants executive Larry Baer to replace Bill Neukom as the team's controlling owner.
In addition, MLB executive vice president Rob Manfred said progress was made on a new collective bargaining agreement to replace the deal that expires Dec. 11.
Selig saluted McLane, who bought the team in 1992 for about $117 million. The Astros struggled mightily on the field last season, losing 106 games.
"Drayton should have a wonderful legacy of what he did for the Astros, got them a new ballpark and did all these things," Selig said. "He sure left a much better franchise than we he came in."
Crane founded a Houston-based logistics company in 2008. He is chairman and chief executive officer of Crane Capital, a private equity fund company. Two years ago, he was attempting to buy the Chicago Cubs and last summer he tried to purchase the Texas Rangers.
In September, Crane expressed frustration at how long it was taking MLB to move on the sale and noted there is a Nov. 30 deadline.
In 1997, employees of Crane's former company, Eagle USA Airfreight, filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission saying there was discrimination. Eagle settled the case in 2005 for about $900,000.
Selig acknowledged the long vetting process.
"I'm very comfortable today telling you he has put together a good group in Houston," the commissioner said.
Finally, the leagues will be symmetrical again. Of course it'll increase chances for the Bucs to finish last in the NL Central. :weep:
OTOH, maybe a decent Rangers-Astros rivalry will develop.
Sucks about the additional wild cards, though.
Quote from: dps on October 31, 2011, 06:46:57 PM
Agree on both parts. Overall, I'd rather have Cox.
I think that's right, although Cox benefitted from being a piece in a very high quality organization across the board.
I think both Johnson and Piniella were among the most talented, but both had a tendency towards volatility and had a difficult time sustaining success. Weaver is a classic example of that managerial "type" but who also maintained consistency. I don't consider part of this generation though.
Torre, Lasorda and Anderson were all successful managers of talented veteran teams, but without the supporting cast, their records were less than impressive.
Jim Leyland never really impressed me with his in game management skills but it's hard to argue with the results - he has succeeded in many places, often under difficult circumstnaces.
Mark Buehrle signed by the Marlins.
Dude's are just straight printing cash!
Quote from: jimmy olsen on December 07, 2011, 06:04:44 PM
Mark Buehrle signed by the Marlins.
Dude's are just straight printing cash!
The Marlins are going to have a killer roster, at least until they go bankrupt around the all star break.
The Marlins have supposedly pulled their offer to Pujols off the table, now the Cards' 10 year $220 million deal is the only one out there. I love Albert put I don't want to see the Cards pay any 32 year old that kind of money for that period of time.
Quote from: alfred russel on December 07, 2011, 06:34:25 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on December 07, 2011, 06:04:44 PM
Mark Buehrle signed by the Marlins.
Dude's are just straight printing cash!
The Marlins are going to have a killer roster, at least until they go bankrupt around the all star break.
I'm really, really hoping karma comes and demolishes Loris for all of his bullshit in terms of the SEC investigation looking into him and the financing of the Marlins' new stadium. The guy is trash, from running the Expos into the ground and his antics with Marlins' firesales and running the infamous 16m payroll that even his boy Selig called him on as awful.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on October 31, 2011, 12:52:27 PM
Quote from: stjaba on October 31, 2011, 12:45:41 PM
How does it rate Brooks Robinson?
Basically dead even with Schmidt. Slightly behind but well within the margin for error.
Oh, that's bullshit.
QuoteIIRC Belanger is the highest rated SS in the modern era.
That is not bullshit.
Quote from: sbr on December 07, 2011, 07:00:27 PM
The Marlins have supposedly pulled their offer to Pujols off the table, now the Cards' 10 year $220 million deal is the only one out there. I love Albert put I don't want to see the Cards pay any 32 year old that kind of money for that period of time.
My brother-in-law's father is close to several members of Card ownership, and there is a substantial number of them didn't even want to offer that, as the prevailing opinion on the inside is that he's not as young as he says he is.
Do not expect the Cards to counter any bigger offer. He's incredibly lucky they're offering what they are, as there was apparently a great wailing and gnashing of teeth to even get to that point.
I love the fact that Bobby V is back in the game, as he's one of my all-time faves...but Boston? :bleeding:
Quote from: dps on October 31, 2011, 06:46:57 PM
Agree on both parts. Overall, I'd rather have Cox.
Not in the post-season.
Looks like Pujols is leaving for Cali. Aw well, I figured something like that would happen. Cards wouldn't have won the series (or even got there in the first place), without him.
Quote from: Razgovory on December 08, 2011, 11:11:25 AM
Looks like Pujols is leaving for Cali. Aw well, I figured something like that would happen. Cards wouldn't have won the series (or even got there in the first place), without him.
For 10 years, $250 million, they are probably better off without him. He listed as 31 years old, and there are rumors that he is older than that. He looks older.
Now that he's in the AL, the question is, how soon will he be a DH?
Meanwhile, a feelgood story from Pittsburgh. Nate McLouth returns!
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7328029/pittsburgh-pirates-sign-lefty-erik-bedard-outfielder-nate-mclouth
QuoteThe veteran outfielder agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, returning to the team he spent his most productive seasons with from 2005-09 before being traded to the Atlanta Braves.
"It was the easiest decision I've ever made in my life," said McLouth who will be guaranteed $1.75 million, with another $450,000 possible in performance bonuses. "It's a no-brainer."
The Pirates also agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Erik Bedard on a one-year, $4.5 million contract and signed free agent catcher Jose Morales to a minor league deal. Bedard has the chance to earn another $500,000 in performance bonuses.
Later Wednesday, the Pirates acquired infielder Yamaico Navarro from the Kansas City Royals for minor league pitcher Brooks Pounders and infielder Diego Goris.
McLouth led the National League with 46 doubles in 2008, making the All-Star team and becoming a fan favorite. He was shipped to Atlanta in June 2009 in exchange three minor leaguers, including pitcher and new teammate Charlie Morton.
McLouth led the National League with 46 doubles in 2008, making the All-Star team and becoming a fan favorite. He was shipped to Atlanta in June 2009 in exchange three minor leaguers, including pitcher and new teammate Charlie Morton.
Leaving the Pirates was difficult, and he struggled in Atlanta to regain the form he showed while becoming one of baseball's top young outfielders. McLouth hit .198 in 2010 and .228 in 2011 with a career-low four homers in 81 games with the Braves.
"To struggle performance-wise as much as I did and to have the injuries that I did, it was tough," McLouth said. "I'm not going to lie. The past couple years were very, very difficult personally."
The 30-year-old McLouth will likely be a utility outfielder. The Pirates are set in center field with All-Star Andrew McCutchen and have invested serious money in Jose Tabata, who switched between left and right field late in the season.
Alex Presley provided a spark after being called up from Triple-A Indianapolis and the team still has veteran Garrett Jones on the roster, though Jones spent time at first base toward the end of the season.
"We are pleased to sign Nate and bring him back to Pittsburgh," general manager Neal Huntington said. "He will add a positive veteran presence to our outfield and club."
McLouth isn't picky after two frustrating years in Atlanta.
"I'm comfortable playing all three positions," McLouth said. "Whatever way I find myself into the lineup is going to be good with me."
The Pirates went 70-92 last summer, fading over the final two months after briefly rising to first place in late July. McLouth found himself involved in what's considered the season's turning point, a 19-inning loss to Atlanta in which the Braves took advantage of an umpiring gaffe to win.
McLouth was thrown out in the ninth inning of the game after getting picked off but remains stunned by the outcome.
"We talked about that game for the rest of the year," he said. "None of us have ever seen anything like that."
Bedard watched the Pirates rise from afar while splitting 2011 between Seattle and Boston. He went 5-9 with a 3.62 ERA in 24 starts between the clubs after missing the 2010 season with a shoulder injury.
"They had a great year last year, they just need a couple more pieces to help them get over the hump," Bedard said. "I'm going to try and do that this year."
Bedard helps fill the void left by the departure of veteran left-hander Paul Maholm. When healthy, he's been among the most effective southpaws in baseball and is eager to get a crack at the NL after spending the first eight seasons of his career in the American League.
"I'm just there to help and give them some innings and have a solid year," he said. "I'm not there to take anybody's spot. I'm just there to help."
So is McLouth. He felt the Pirates were on the verge of becoming competitive before he was traded. He thinks they're in an even better position now. He's eager to finish the job.
"That was my goal, especially when I got to the big leagues, was to be a part of helping the franchise turn around and get back to a winning franchise," he said. "To not be able to see that through was one of the most difficult parts about being traded. Now that I'm back, I re-welcome it knowing that we're even closer than when I left."
Angels get CJ Wilson as well.
As for Albert's age, haven't legions of reporters tried to track down proof that he's older? If he was older wouldn't they have found out by now?
What do the Angles plan to do with Trumbo?
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on December 08, 2011, 01:04:23 PM
What do the Angles plan to do with Trumbo?
Hopefully trade him to the Indians. :)
I am sooooooooo happy about the new Cubs front office.
NL MVP Ryan Braun has tested positive for PEDs. His spokesman says "There are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan's complete innocence...." Of course there are
http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/7338271/ryan-braun-milwaukee-brewers-tests-positive-performance-enhancing-drug
QuoteNational League MVP Ryan Braun, who last season led the Milwaukee Brewers to their first division title in nearly three decades, has tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug and faces a 50-game suspension if the initial finding is upheld, two sources familiar with the case told "Outside the Lines."
Major League Baseball has not announced the positive test because Braun is disputing the result through arbitration.
A spokesman for Braun confirmed the positive test Saturday and issued a statement: "There are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan's complete innocence and demonstrate there was absolutely no intentional violation of the program. While Ryan has impeccable character and no previous history, unfortunately, because of the process we have to maintain confidentiality and are not able to discuss it any further, but we are confident he will ultimately be exonerated."
USA TODAY reported Saturday night that Braun said of the test result: "It's B.S."
The 28-year-old Braun had to provide a urine sample for testing during the playoffs, and he was notified of the positive test sometime in late October -- about a month before he was named the National League's most valuable player.
The positive result was triggered by elevated levels of testosterone in Braun's system, the sources also told "Outside the Lines." A subsequent, more comprehensive test revealed the testosterone was synthetic -- not produced by Braun's body.
Every individual naturally produces testosterone and a substance called epitestosterone, typically at a ratio of 1-to-1. In Major League Baseball, if the ratio comes in at 4-to-1 or higher during testing, a player is deemed to have tested positive. The sources did not indicate how high above the threshold Braun's sample tested.
To affirm the results and strengthen its case, MLB asked the World Anti-Doping Agency lab in Montreal, which conducts its testing, to perform a secondary test to determine whether the testosterone spike resulted from natural variations within Braun's body or from an artificial source. The test indicated the testosterone was exogenous, meaning it came from outside his body.
Brewers spokesman Tyler Barnes said Saturday that the team had not been contacted by the commissioner's office and the team had no knowledge of a failed test. Messages left for MLB officials were not returned. Greg Bouris, spokesman for the Major League Baseball Players Association, declined comment.
Since being informed of the results, Braun has been disputing his case. A source close to Braun said that when he was told about the positive test, he immediately requested to be tested again. That second test, using a different sample that was tested by Braun's camp, the source said, was not positive. Those close to Braun believe that the difference between the two tests will show that the first test was invalid. Although Braun's representatives acknowledge that a non-positive test would not negate a positive one, they believe the second test shows certain anomalies that will suggest problems with the first. They declined to specify.
The outfielder has told those around him that he did not knowingly take any banned substances and hoped to prove that during the arbitration process. No major league player has ever successfully appealed a positive test.
MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Policy calls for strict liability among players, meaning if a player tests positive, the league is "not required to otherwise establish intent, fault, negligence or knowing use of a Prohibited Substance on the Player's part to establish such a violation."
Even if a player can establish he did not knowingly take a banned substance, he must show he was not in any way negligent to appeal successfully. For example, taking a dietary supplement that contains an unlabeled performance-enhancing drug would not be sufficient grounds for appeal, but if he were to show that he ingested something that was either tampered with or no player reasonably could have assumed to have been contaminated, the appeal might succeed.
The source close to Braun said he believes that standard can be met.
Once criticized for protecting its biggest stars from scandal, the league is now faced with the possibility of suspending one of the game's best and most-admired players.
Braun had never been linked to PEDs previously; in fact, at the 2009 All-Star Game in St. Louis, when commissioner Bud Selig addressed efforts by Albert Pujols to tamp down questions about steroid use, he invoked Braun as a shining example of the sport's tough testing policy.
"Albert Pujols is absolutely right. He has been tested since he started playing," Selig said. "So has Ryan Howard. So has Ryan Braun, Ryan Zimmerman. Since they were in the minors."
About a month before that, Selig was quoted in The Arizona Republic as saying, "Our minor league testing program is in its ninth year, and that means all the great young players in baseball, from Ryan Howard to Ryan Braun, have all been tested for nine years. There's a system in place, and it's working. We know we have the toughest testing program in major league sports."
Earlier that spring, after Alex Rodriguez was exposed for using steroids, Braun spoke to MLB.com about the "mistakes" made by the superstar. Braun said he met Rodriguez in 2001 during a recruiting trip to the University of Miami.
Asked if he were surprised that Rodriguez had been exposed as a steroid user, Braun was quoted saying, "I don't know if I would say I was surprised. I feel like it was so rampant, so prevalent, in baseball during that time period that not much surprises me anymore. If anything, I was surprised he got caught, that it came out this long after he supposedly did it."
On whether he had ever been tempted to try performance-enhancing drugs, Braun said, "It's never something that I sought."
MLB.com wrote that Braun then showed "a flash of his sense of humor and his well-documented self-confidence" by adding, "I would never do it because if I took steroids, I would hit 60 or 70 home runs."
Braun was speaking to the website prior to the news conference at which Rodriguez admitted his use.
"... The best thing he can do is come out, admit to everything and be completely honest," Braun said. "The situation will die a lot faster if he tells the whole truth."
Since breaking into the majors in 2007 at 23, Braun has emerged as one of the sport's top young players. He won the NL Rookie of the Year in 2007 and was an All-Star each of the past four seasons.
In his rookie season, Braun hit 34 homers and drove in 97 runs, while amassing a .634 slugging percentage in just 113 games. He had 37 home runs and 106 RBI the following year, then saw his power numbers decline modestly over the next two seasons. He still hit 25 home run runs and had a .501 slugging percentage in 2010.
In April, Braun signed a five-year contract extension worth $105 million. He then went out and had his best season ever, carrying the Brewers to their first division title in nearly three decades. He led the league in slugging percentage at .597, with a .332 batting average, 33 home runs, 111 runs batted in, 109 runs scored and 33 stolen bases.
Braun turned 28 on Nov. 17 and five days later was named the NL MVP. Now, though, he's looking at a 50-game suspension to open the 2012 season, and, of course, all sorts of questions about what role steroids have played in his success.
Mark Fainaru-Wada and T.J. Quinn are investigative reporters with ESPN's enterprise unit. Fainaru-Wada can be reached at [email protected]. Quinn can be reached at [email protected].
http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/7423044/joe-torre-quits-mlb-job-attempt-buy-los-angeles-dodgers
QuoteJoe Torre has quit his job with Major League Baseball to pursue ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the league announced on Wednesday.
QuoteDodgers Suitors
Dodgers Although a definitive list has not been released, a number of prominent names have emerged as potential buyers of the Los Angeles Dodgers: Among them:
Joe Torre
Group includes former Dodgers manager and real estate developer Rick Caruso
Magic Johnson
Group includes Lakers legend, Guggenheim Baseball Management and baseball executive Stan Kasten
Steve Garvey, Orel Hershiser
Group includes former Dodgers stars and Joey Herrick of Natural Balance Pet Foods
Larry King
Group includes talk show host, White Sox special assistant Dennis Gilbert and Jason Reese of Imperial Capital
Fred Claire
Group includes former Dodgers general manager, A's president Andy Dolich and former Dodgers batboy Ben Hwang, who brought in the financial backers
Peter O'Malley
Former Dodgers owner's group not revealed
Mark Cuban
Dallas Mavericks owner's level of interest or group not clear