JediDefender.com Forums
Community => JD Sports Forum! => Topic started by: Mikey D on March 30, 2004, 07:15 AM
-
Well, it's here. The Yanks - Devil Rays are playing as I type over in Japan and Opening Day in the States is here in 5 short days.
Who you got to win? What teams will surprise people this year?
I think, much like last year, the Red Sox and Yankees will beat the sh!t out of each other once again. And I also believe if one of them falters, then Toronto could be right there lying in the wings.
My predictions:
NL East: Phillies
NL Central: Cubs
NL West: Giants
NL WC: Houston
AL East: Red Sox (got to give the love to the hometown boys, plus I think they have the better pitching staff)
AL Central: Royals
AL West: Mariners
AL WC: Yankees
Surprise teams: Toronto and Baltimore should make the AL East interesting and could possible contend, especially if the Red Sox or Yankees don't do as well as expected.
GO RED SOX!!
-
Wow, Yanks lost to TB in Japan. Game 2 is 17 hours from now.
AL East: NY Yankees
AL Central: Kansas City Royals
AL West: Anaheim Angels
AL Wild Card: Boston Red Sox
NL East: Philadelphia Phillies
NL Central: Houston Astros
NL West: San Franscisco Giants
NL Wild Card: Chicago Cubs
National League Champs: Houston Astros
American League Champs: New York Yankees
World Series Champion: New York Yankees
-
I've been absolutely PATHETIC in my picks of division champs the last 3 years but here goes
AL East: NY Yankees
AL Central: Kansas City Royals (same spot the Twins were in 2 years ago, they are hungry and have gotten better while the Twins got worse)
AL West: Oakland A's (pitching wins baby)
AL Wild Card: Boston Red Sox
NL East: Philadelphia Phillies (I think I've picked them 3 straight times, bastards)
NL Central: Chicago Cubs (too many weapons plus they added more from last year)
NL West: San Franscisco Giants
NL Wild Card: Houston Astros (see Oakland)
National League Champs: Chicago Cubs
American League Champs: New York Yankees
World Series Champion: Chicago Cubs
As much as I hate damn Cubs fans and the 80 million bandwagon jumpers they get when they make the playoffs, I think they have a real shot at winning it all. LaTroy Hawkins was a huge signing, he absoultely shuts teams down in the 7th and 8th when he most needed, something the Cubs really need. Sosa, Alou, Ramirez, Patterson and Lee make for a really solid line up and Prior (when he gets back) Wood and Clement are pretty solid 1, 2, 3. Its their year, God help us all
-
Here's my AL and NL Champions, I'm going with the World Series everyone (or at least MLB) wants to see:
NL Champions: Cubs
AL Champions: Red Sox
And guess what, there won't be a winner. The world's coming to an end with 2 outs, 2 on, 3-2 count in the bottom of the ninth. I have foreseen it.
Actually, that's not going to happen, the Red Sox in six. The world will be safe, while Boston gets rioted into obvilion.
-
I, too, am a crappy division-winner chooser, but it never stops me from trying...
AL East: New York Yankees
AL Central: Minnesota Twins
AL West: Oakland A's
AL Wild Card: Toronto Blue Jays
NL East: Atlanta Braves
NL Central: Chicago Cubs
NL West: LA Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Houston Astros
National League Champs: Chicago Cubs
American League Champs: New York Yankees
World Series Champion: Chicago Cubs
Or something like that...
Jeff
-
Someone's got to explain to me how the Los Angeles Dodgers are being considered better than the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Francisco Giants. Hell, even the Padres are on par with LA this season. And if LA isn't careful, Colorado could sneak up on them too. Well, let's not get crazy.
But for real, where is LA better than Arizona and San Francisco other than the closer spot?
I'll give Gagne props, but I don't see anyone else worthy of much mention on LA other than Shawn Green.
-
Someone's got to explain to me how the Los Angeles Dodgers are being considered better than the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Francisco Giants.
Here's how I see it...
Barry + BALCO = Season long distractions...
Randy is unprotected thanks to Curt trip to the Red Sox... too much rebuilding
San Diego = They're the NL West's Royals. Up and coming, but not quite there yet
All the Dodgers have to do is improve Run production. If they would have scored just 17 more runs last year, the ESPN magic statistics (run differential) show they could have stayed in the race. Plus, with Gagne, they DON'T lose close games.
So, that's why I picked them to win. Plus, I'm tired of the same old teams and like a bit of fresh blood mixed into the playoffs (which is also why I picked Houston and Toronto as the Wild Cards)
And besides, if I pick the same thing as everyone else, who will I brag to if I turn out to be right :)
Jeff
-
Its their year, God help us all
I hope you are right. ;) Also do you really think the Cubs have 80 million bandwagon fans? I think the reality of it is that there are Cub fans everywhere. We are just a little more vocal about when we make the playoffs. When you are in last place you don't go around screaming go Cubs. I'm not saying I don't support the team when they are playing bad, because I definitely do, but I am a lot more vocal about it when they are winning. It's not often you can brag about being a Cubs fan. I am also a huge Buccaneers fan, now you can say all you want about that team having a plethora of bandwagon fans. Our fanbase went up about 5000% after winning the Super Bowl and dropped back down to 10 people after last season. ;)
-
]
Randy is unprotected thanks to Curt trip to the Red Sox... too much rebuilding
I think Brandon Webb is an extremely formidable number 2 guy behind the Unit, he blew people away last year.
The way I see it Luis Gonzalez-Richie Sexson-Shea Hillenbrand is a nice 3-4-5.
It all depends if Shawn Green can return to his old form.
It's hard to bring up the fact that Curt Schilling live the 'backs and not state that Kevin Brown left the Dodgers. Brown was 2nd in the NL in ERA last year and K'd a ton of people.
-
I think Brandon Webb is an extremely formidable number 2 guy behind the Unit, he blew people away last year.
The way I see it Luis Gonzalez-Richie Sexson-Shea Hillenbrand is a nice 3-4-5.
It all depends if Shawn Green can return to his old form.
It's hard to bring up the fact that Curt Schilling live the 'backs and not state that Kevin Brown left the Dodgers. Brown was 2nd in the NL in ERA last year and K'd a ton of people.
I've got a LONG list of rookie pitchers who "blew people away" only to have a sucky Sophomore season, so until he shows me something, he's unproven IMHO.
As for Brown leaving, well. That sucks for the Dodgers.
I don't know, I've just got a gut feeling that the Dodgers will stick around a bit, but that's the great part of a new season. I'll probably turn out to be totally wrong and you can all laugh at me in September!
Jeff
-
(http://sportsmed.starwave.com/media/mlb/2003/0416/photo/a_puckett_i.jpg)
-
I'll post my predictions for finishes later tonight, top to bottom in each division. Just picking playoff teams out of a hat at the moment, I would have to pick the two safest picks, the Yankees and Red Sox, from the AL East. As for the other one of the three most clearly improved teams in baseball, the Angels, I'm not sure yet. I truly don't believe Bartolo Colon is truly a No. 1 starter. Maybe I never will, because he screwed around and underachieved for so much of his career with the Indians organization.
The AL Central is better than last year, though still clearly the worst division year-in, year-out since the 1994 realignment into three divisions per league. The only team I see that made significant improvements from last year is the Tigers, and unless a 75-87 record wins a division for the first time in history, Detroit is irrelevant in any fashion other than spoiler. Chicago and Minnesota have done nothing to improve and Cleveland is not far past its post-Hart nadir. Two swing factors in this division - how good as a rookie Joe Mauer will be, particularly if he can hit in the middle of the order for the Twins, and I don't think he'll reach his power potential for another couple of years, and the full managerial skills of Tony Pena and Ozzie Guillen, will determine who wins this division. I'll go out on a short limb and say the Royals.
In the National League, the Phillies and Cubs are the two most-improved teams by far. They're in. The Phillies have perhaps a better 1-9 lineup and more power potential overall in the middle of the order, but Corey Patterson of the Cubs is on the verge of being the next great center fielder in the game. On top of that, the Cubs' rotation of Prior (when he returns), Wood, Maddux (as a No. 3!), Zambrano and Clement gives them a top three arguably as good as the Maddux-Glavine-Smoltz days in Atlanta over the last dozen years, a top four that matches the Braves during Avery's brief peak and a 1-5 better than anything Atlanta has had during its run. The only team in the league that can keep the Cubs out of the World Series is Philadelphia and that wont happen in a long series. Philly's best chance at beating the Cubs would be in a best-of-five first round. (Or is this the year that MLB is going to a best-of-seven first round?)
In the West, it's up for grabs.
As for the wild card, who knows? Lots of good bets out there - Marlins, Braves' last hurrah (actually, the last might have already been hurrahed), Cards, Astros, Giants, maybe even the Mets.
-
The real opening day is today for most teams, no more of this Tokyo Ball or special games before hand. Its a great moment, the Boys of Summer are back.
Twins (and the Vikes) got some new turf its the Real Turf that all the rage now. It looks weird seeing balls bounce on it with the little puffs of dirt/sand/rubber coming up. Players I guess love it...feels better than real grass
I also read the Bengals are ripping up their natural grass field to put in this turf. Weird
-
Just read an interesting article on the stuff...didn't think about the speed of the ball slowing down and how that effects your team...
(http://www.startribune.com/stonline/images/news95/twin0405w.l.jpg)
The good and the bad of Metrodome's new turf
La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune
April 5, 2004
A new carpet that has brightened up the Metrodome and provided for softer landings also leaves some Twins wondering how it might affect their playing style.
"It's a complete 180 from what we're used to," Twins first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz said. "Hopefully it gets faster. The only thing we had at home was that the speed of the game was faster. This takes away a lot of what we do as a team. But if it keeps guys off the disabled list, you have to take the good with the bad."
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he's grateful for the more forgiving surface.
"It's soft out there," he said. "We were looking for something that would not kill our knees and back and, when you dive, would not rip your skin off."
Torii Hunter, who knows a thing or two about ripped-off skin, said he's just as impressed with the aesthetics of the new field.
"It looks good," Hunter said. "It looks like a ballpark, actually."
Those were a few of the initial reactions to FieldTurf, the synthetic grass that replaced the old, hard AstroTurf at the Metrodome. It's perhaps the most significant change to the playing area since the plexiglass was removed from the left field wall after 1993.
Groundskeeping guru George Toma was flown to the Twin Cities to oversee final installation of the field, particularly the pitching mound and the dirt around the bases.
One concern, expressed by some players who worked out on the surface for the first time Sunday, is how the change from fake carpet to fake grass might change their style of play. Every ball that touched the ground Sunday slowed down significantly.
In the past, the Twins have benefited from high bounces and squibbed hits that have rolled through the infield.
Scouts in recent years have deemed the Twins perfectly suited for turf play. It's a description some with the Twins don't embrace. They say Minnesota scored 399 runs on 255 extra-base hits at home last season, compared with 402 runs on 263 extra-base hits on the road. Still, opponents such as Yankees manager Joe Torre warned against letting the Twins "loose on that surface."
Now, the Twins will play on a surface that features blades of fabricated grass and tiny rubberized chips, which resemble dirt. A similar field covers Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., where Tampa Bay plays. The Devil Rays have a full dirt infield while the Twins will continue to have dirt cutouts around each base.
The Twins have been told the blades will loosen up more as the season goes along and the rubber bits will settle into the surface, which will allow for faster play.
Slow, however, might not be all bad. Opponents' hits that scooted through the infield now might be caught, giving the Twins' standout infielders more opportunities to show off their defensive prowess.
"It is slower but still faster than [real] grass," Devil Rays General Manager Chuck LaMar said. "For the teams like Minnesota who have an outstanding defensive team anyway, I think their defense will show up more on this surface as well. They will find out once they get used to it."
That's exactly what infield coach Al Newman wants to hear. Newman has tutored shortstop Cristian Guzman and second baseman Luis Rivas over the past two seasons and said both have had good springs and could benefit from the surface.
"Defensively, it should help our pitchers, which should help our infielders because their range increases," Newman said. "I know [Guzman and Rivas] have taken a lot of hits for the balls they don't catch. Now that it's a fairer surface, the true athletes will succeed, and I know we have good athletes."
In addition, Guzman, Rivas and a few other Twins could use the bunt as a weapon.
"The surface is easier to bunt on," LaMar said. "It's not as fast. We found it easier to get bunts down."
Mientkiewicz agreed.
"You didn't think about bunting on the old stuff," he said. "Everything would roll foul. This year, we can take advantage of that more."
Instead of fretting about losing the fast track, Gardenhire was thinking of ways to take advantage of a surface that a couple of Twins coaches feel is slower than grass.
"It's definitely slower, no doubt, but we like it," Gardenhire said. "We have to see how we play on it. There's going to be some funny things happen as we go along here. The ball is going to stop as it goes through the infield, where it used to keep on rolling. If we can use our speed, we can take advantage of those things. It could be fun.
"We talked to our baserunners about going hard to first base when they get a base hit. Because if the ball stops out there, you might be able to take two. With our speed, we can try to stretch singles into doubles."
Sunday's workout included fielding practice, throws to home plate, popups and batting practice.
The players didn't mind the introductory session. While there's concern over how the game will be played on the new surface, it was good riddance to the old stuff.
"It was like patchwork," Twins General Manager Terry Ryan said of the AstroTurf. "They would get a seamstress to come in and fill in some of the gaps. They did a reasonable job. When we'd get in the postseason, the commissioner's office would come in and we'd have to walk the stadium. You'd get a pretty good idea walking through there that there were areas that weren't too appealing."
-
AL
East - Yankees
Central - Royals
West - Athletics
Wild Card - Red Sox
NL
East - Phillies
Central - Cubs
West - Diamondbacks
Wild Card - Astros
World Series - Cubs over Red Sox in seven, end of the world to follow 24 hours later. No, I just can't predict something that outlandish, even though those are aguably the best on-paper teams in baseball. I really am uneasy about the Yankees rotation after Mussina, and I really get the feeling Pedro is nearing a decline, so both the Yankees and Red Sox are a little shaky from about No. 3 or 4 on to me.
Jeez, I would love to see a best-of-7 NLCS between the Astros and Cubs, two outstanding rotations with at least one future Hall of Famer each. The Phillies are probably the only team that can keep the Cubs out of the Series, though, and that would take a quick five-game series.
I'll take the big-market coward's way out due to my lack of research time and predict a repeat of the 1932 Series, Yankees sweep the Cubs.
-
Twins are on pace for 162-0!
ALthough, Mauer, Santana and Hunter all left the game with injuries last night
-
The D'Rays, Tigers, Brewers and Mets are leading their divisions. Scary thought ;)
The Red Sox got their first win of the season and their two big off season accquistions, Schilling and Foulke picked up their first win and save, respecitively, for the Home Town Team. Red Sox have to play tough during April while Nomar and Trot heal from injuries as they play a lot of division rivals.
And Mussina gets rocked once again to drop to 0-2 and the Yankees go under .500. ;D
I knew it's early but I have to gloat while I can
-
Twins are on pace for 162-0!
ALthough, Mauer, Santana and Hunter all left the game with injuries last night
Boy, it sure would suck to have any of those injured Twins on your Fantasy Basebal roster...
/DOH!
Jeff
-
Good Lord. We're only THREE games into the season and there's only TWO undefeated teams left...?! ::) That's totally pathetic.
But since one of those two teams is mine (Tigers are the other), I guess it's time to fire up the smack talk converters, and point out that my Angels are 2-0, and averaging a whopping TEN runs a game. Glaus poked two out in the opener, as did Garrett Anderson tonight (Vlad hit one too). Man, murderers row right there. Best the rest of you watch out, 'cause Anaheim is comin' for YOU!!! :-*
Unfortunately, they're going to probably have to beat my Dodgers in the World Series though, so that's a little heartbreaking.
Hope the rest of you enjoy the long season anyway, and we'll see you all in 2005!
P.S. Heartfelt condolences go out to the BoSox and Cubbie fans, as usual... ;)
-
The Halos definitely have a good shot at getting back to the playoffs I think injuries and the fact there was a bit of a letdown last year after winning it all in '02 hurt them. The Dodgers on the other hand will continue to wallow in mediocrity
BTW...any push for the Dodgers to get a new Stadium at all? They are playing in one of the oldest 50's/60's ballparks around...you think they'd be demanding a new home like most of the other teams (excluding the Yankees, Cubs and Red Sox)
-
Does any one actually give a sh!t that Bonds hit his 660th home run yesterday? ESPN actually interupted PTI yesterday to show the at bat in which he hit it. ::)
Some one wake me up when the ass hole passes Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron. Then I might care. Might being the key word.
-
I don't really care that much, the whole thing is tainted, the whole sport is so ****** up its not even funny. Steroids, no Salary Cap, Contraction, Labor Stoppages, etc etc etc etc
Anyone actually think that Baseball is The National Pastime anymore???
-
I'd say Football is the NAtional Passtime, by far too, although the NASCAR fans might say something different
-
Does any one actually give a sh!t that Bonds hit his 660th home run yesterday? ESPN actually interupted PTI yesterday to show the at bat in which he hit it. ::)
Some one wake me up when the ass hole passes Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron. Then I might care. Might being the key word.
Not really. I was just out at lunch, and they were talking about this on ESPN Radio. Dan Patrick was going on and on about how this is such a big deal, and asking why isn't Barry Bonds getting the recognition. Nobody has hit this many since Hank Aaron passed Willie Mays in 1972. He was also complaining about the Balco, saying that people should be fair to Bonds until he has been found guilty of something.
For me, it boils down to these points:
First, it's third place. Not as big a deal to begin with right there. If or when he catches Babe Ruth, then I'll take notice.
Second, I think that Willie Mays' overall numbers were more impressive. He played all of his home games at some of the worst hitters parks in the history of baseball. The Polo Grounds, Candlestick Park, and even Shea Stadium were all among the worst hitters parks in baseball, and Willie Mays put up impressive numbers in all of them. He was also a far superior overall player to Barry Bonds. Has Bonds ever made a play in the field that compares with Mays' over the head basket catch?
Third, there's the whole steroids suspicion. Has Barry Bonds been found guilty of using steroids? No. Do most major league baseball fans think he has? Yes. Does the public's opinion of players matter in the grand scheme of things? Yes. Barry Bonds on the Pittsburgh Pirates of the early 90's is a very different looking guy to Barry Bonds of 2004. Anyone with eyes can see that. Add in the leak of Bonds' name in association with the Balco case, and you just have to play connect the dots.
On top of all of these things, Bonds' poor relationship with the media has not helped his case. The writers can be your friend or they can be your enemy. Anyone who has seen the movie 61* will understand just sports writers are very influential people. Bonds is completely responsible for his public image by the way he has conducted himself with the press and the public, and this is going to follow him well after his career. Most people remember just how great a ballplayer Ty Cobb was, but just as many people knew he was possibly a cheater, a dirty player, a racist and an overall rotten human being. I think the same kind of thing will follow Barry Bonds to the end of his days.
-
Bonds is #3 but how about this guy...
Forget Barry Bonds: The week's real star is superfan Larry Ellison.
He caught HR No. 661 last night -- to go with No. 660 he caught on Monday. Not only should he keep the 661 ball (as Barry himself suggested), Ellison might want to start playing the lottery.
But it gets better: After graciously giving No. 660 to Bonds on Monday, he was given six seats behind home plate for Tuesday's game, which he promptly gave away to family, while he returned to his kayak in McCovey Cove. Don't devalue his 660 gesture by calling his 661 fortune "luck."
Karma, friends: It's a boomerang, just like that freaky coffeehouse barista's tip jar proclaims. I'm the first to laugh at "curse" talk, but Ellison's 660 give-back earned some serious karmic payback.
What's the larger lesson here? Do the cool, neighborly thing and you'll be rewarded. Maybe not as immediately and ridiculously as Ellison, but his model is one worth following.
-
That is just insane luck, although kayaking in McCovey cove is a good recipe for getting a Bonds hit ball.
-
Sox take 3 out of 4 from the Yankees and not a peep from anyone...wowza!
Twins are in 1st place and that is without Hunter and Mauer...doing pretty well actually. I'm worried about their staff and pen
-
I can't believe the Twinkies let LaTroi Hawkins go. The guy throws some heat! But his new club, the Cubbies aren't doing that well.
-
If there was one mistake they made this offseason it was letting him walk, he's the perfect set up man, he was too much of a basket case to be a closer but he can like you say blow people away
-
Sox take 3 out of 4 from the Yankees and not a peep from anyone...wowza!
Twins are in 1st place and that is without Hunter and Mauer...doing pretty well actually. I'm worried about their staff and pen
I've been away and today is actually my first day at my new job, so being on the internet all day isn't exactly a way to make a good impression.
But yeah, it was great. So much for their $200 million payroll. They have the lowest BA in the league.
I know its April, but every game counts.
-
I can't believe the Twinkies let LaTroi Hawkins go. The guy throws some heat! But his new club, the Cubbies aren't doing that well.
Cubs will be fine. Once the pitching staff kicks it in they will go on a tear. That offense is potent.
-
Bonds must be on some sort of mission to prove his record was no fluke...9 dingers already...7 in 7 games! Trying to tie the record tonight shared by Mattingly, Jr Griffey and Dale Long
-
Glad that turd missed the record. 8)
BTW, I think I'm a little overdue on stopping in here to point out (and gloat) that my Dodgers are tied for the best record in baseball! Don't ask me how though... I have no idea where the hell their usually paltry offense is coming from now, but it sure is fun to watch for the time being. Unfortunately, my Angels are quickly sliding in the opposite direction... :-\
Kudos to the Twinkies for being third best though. ;)
-
I'm just wondering how many of you guys go to Triple AAA (or double/single A) games? Lately, I find myself having more fun at those games than I do the Major league ones. Don't get me wrong, I love baseball and will gladly shell out the bucks to get good seats at the big boys fields but it's so much cheaper and more fun going to the local "Timber Rattlers" games than the Braves, Brewers and others.
My son has just signed with Eastern Michigan University to play baseball in the fall and even college baseball seems to be more "intense" than the major leagues. I know it's the caliber of players and experience but I was just curious how others felt.
PS: Maybe I should get downstate to a Tiger game instead of going to the Brewers before reality strikes and the Tigers curse comes back. ;)
-
You know why, Beth? Its because they're playing for the love of the game and not the money. Every AAA game I've been to was great. Playing for that one goal every young boy seems to have: to play MLB.
-
You know why, Beth? Its because they're playing for the love of the game and not the money. Every AAA game I've been to was great. Playing for that one goal every young boy seems to have: to play MLB.
You're so right. That attitude is right under my nose (my son's goal has always been to play in the Majors) and I never even realized it. He lives for game and has worked his ass of to be recognized by universities. We don't have high school baseball in the Upper Peninsula so all he could do was play American Legion ball and hope that someone noticed him at all the baseball camps he attended.
-
As a Cubs fan I do not see the lack of intensity in MLB players, but I do know it exists. I think that is why I have always been and always will be a Cubs fan. Every year they go out and do the best they can with what they have to offer. The way Sammy trots out to right at the beginning of home games signifies how much he appreciates the fans. Kerry Wood and Carlos Zambrano's emotional outbursts show how much thay want to win. There are so many more things I could add. This team wants a ring for themselves and for the fans and will stop at nothing to get it. The major difference this year than in year's past is the management is serious about winning it all as well.
-
Red Sox sweep the Yankees in the Bronx. The home town team delivered a good old fashioned ass kicking on Friday 11 -2, then won yesterday in 12 innings even though they went 0-19 with runners in scoring position. Then today all they needed was a two run shot by Manny to complete the sweep and raise their record against the Yanks this year to 6-1. Something's definitely wrong in Gotham and I couldn't be happier.
-
Red Sox sweep the Yankees in the Bronx. The home town team delivered a good old fashioned ass kicking on Friday 11 -2, then won yesterday in 12 innings even though they went 0-19 with runners in scoring position. Then today all they needed was a two run shot by Manny to complete the sweep and raise their record against the Yanks this year to 6-1. Something's definitely wrong in Gotham and I couldn't be happier.
Nothing's wrong with the Yanks. At least 3 of those wins were 1 or 2 run games that could have gone either way. The Yanks defense was real sloppy but that's just a fluke. It could have very easily been 4-3 Yanks in the season series right now.
What I find more remarkable is that Red Sox fans, who haven't had a World Series win in 85 years, have just said to hell with October and have just made the regular season games against the Yankees their "world series."
I would just like to offer one sound piece of advice:
Never bet against the Yankees.
Their bats are going to come around, and they will probably lead baseball in runs scored per game around 7-7.5, maybe even 8.
It's April baseball people, settle down.
-
Lets go Yankees lets go! *clap clap*
Kevin
-
The Yankees are the Yankees for a reason and I'm smart enough not to count my chickens before they hatch. And I would give up those 6 wins now for 6 wins in October when it really counts. And I have no doubt their bats are going to come around (Arod looks to be coming out of his slump), but the Sox are without two of their biggest bats (Nomar and Trot) right now also. Every game they win now without them is a bonus. Getting them back is going to help tremendously. Every win counts, whether by 1 run or 9 runs.
-
The Yankees are the Yankees for a reason and I'm smart enough not to count my chickens before they hatch. And I would give up those 6 wins now for 6 wins in October when it really counts. And I have no doubt their bats are going to come around (Arod looks to be coming out of his slump), but the Sox are without two of their biggest bats (Nomar and Trot) right now also. Every game they win now without them is a bonus. Getting them back is going to help tremendously. Every win counts, whether by 1 run or 9 runs.
I hear ya, but i'm here in Boston and let me tell you, people were running around in the streets while I was jogging to the gym acting like they were just declared 2004 World Series Champions.
The Yanks will see you in October, worry not.
-
I take great joy when the Sox beat the Yanks, but there is no way in hell I'm declaring anything yet. I've said since day one that they were going to beat the sh!t out of each other this year, just like last year. Both teams are too evenly matched (although I'd give the slight edge to the Sox starting rotation).
And I wouldn't be surprised if they meet up again in October. One thing's for sure, it should be a great season.
-
Unfortunately, my Angels are quickly sliding in the opposite direction...
Now my Angels are sliding in the right direction. Matt yor wish for a freeway world series may happen this year if our teams play as will as they are now.
-
OCB, your boy, AJ Piroshki, is apparently hearing the boo birds inside the club house too.
Giants pitchers rip into Pierzynski (http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82~11682~2118249,00.html)
I'm not big on anonymous sources, but if this is true, I hope they can settle it.
-
There was a bit on the local TV News last night about that...people didn't really like him around here either, he's got a huge mouth and isn't missed
-
My Cubbies get to Busch stadium in St Louis and have their heads up their rears again there. Wood threw the ball past 6-6 Derrek Lee that led to a run. Then 3 relief pitchers walk 4 batters in the bottom of the 9th to lose to the Cardinals. Sick. Walks the winning run in. Not so good.
-
My Cubbies get to Busch stadium in St Louis and have their heads up their rears again there. Wood threw the ball past 6-6 Derrek Lee that led to a run. Then 3 relief pitchers walk 4 batters in the bottom of the 9th to lose to the Cardinals. Sick. Walks the winning run in. Not so good.
Kerry Wood should get a pass on that one. If not though, we would love to see him in pinstripes in NY!!
-
What the hell's with all the old men kicking ass this year? Damn...
Clemens, Kevin Brown, Glavine, and obviously Bonds. Sheesh, has this become an old farts game, or what? These guys are incredible testaments for keeping yourself in shape, and for proving that the young punks in today's game aren't really all that. I'm stoked for Clemens, annoyed with Bonds, and pissed with Kevin Brown (since we traded him to the Yanks for NOTHING). Regardless, it's fun to watch, and good for baseball that these geriatric patients are still hangin' around...
Dodgers and Angels are still playing pretty well, which is cool. Can't figure out WTF is going on down in Florida still, with that crew of no-namers. Almost the same can be said for the Twinkies right now. Those clowns better slow their butts down too, 'cause I don't want Scott to be able to talk too much smack this season.
The Sox are still up there too, so Matt, Mikey, and Jim must be pretty happy these days. Just don't get your hopes up too much fellas, 'cause after all - they're still the Red Sox... ;) :P
-
pissed with Kevin Brown (since we traded him to the Yanks for NOTHING
How are you liking Jeff Weaver?
:-X
-
How are you liking Jeff Weaver?
>:(
-
So, how 'bout those Yankees? :-*
Kevin
-
What the hell's with all the old men kicking ass this year? Damn...
Clemens, Kevin Brown, Glavine, and obviously Bonds. Sheesh, has this become an old farts game, or what? These guys are incredible testaments for keeping yourself in shape, and for proving that the young punks in today's game aren't really all that. I'm stoked for Clemens, annoyed with Bonds, and pissed with Kevin Brown (since we traded him to the Yanks for NOTHING). Regardless, it's fun to watch, and good for baseball that these geriatric patients are still hangin' around...
As much as I was ticked off at Clemens for coming back after he said he was going to retire, you've got to respect him. He's able to spend a lot more time with his family, so you've got to be happy for the guy. AND, he's still churning out good starts, all while closing in on Steve Carlton's position as second on the all-time strikeout record list.
Kevin Brown is turning out to be a great acquisition, especially since the Yanks were able to part ways with Jeff Weaver. If you want to blame anyone for the deal, blame the Dodgers for wanting to dump salary by making the trade in the first place. Brown has turned out some great performances thus far. Plus, now that he's got some offense and not the Dodgers, I see his W-L record going up this year.
Dodgers and Angels are still playing pretty well, which is cool. Can't figure out WTF is going on down in Florida still, with that crew of no-namers. Almost the same can be said for the Twinkies right now. Those clowns better slow their butts down too, 'cause I don't want Scott to be able to talk too much smack this season.
Well, I've got tickets to see the Yanks take on the Angels in a couple of weeks. I'm curious to see how Vlad and Colon are going to mesh with that team.
The Sox are still up there too, so Matt, Mikey, and Jim must be pretty happy these days. Just don't get your hopes up too much fellas, 'cause after all - they're still the Red Sox... ;) :P
True. It's only May. There's a full 5 months of baseball to play, and it's only going to get more interesting. One of the most interesting stories to come out in the past couple of days? Pedro Martinez suspending contract extension talks with the BoSox, and saying he's going to test the free-agency waters come the offseason. That, and him getting rocked by the Rangers of all teams last night had to bring a smile to my face. But as much as I think the Yanks might be interested in Pedro in the offseason, I sincerely hope they don't pursue him. He comes across like he's a cancer in the clubhouse. Do you really need someone like that? Especially when they come at the price of $17.5 million a year? No thanks.
-
So, how 'bout those Yankees? :-*
Kevin
I'm a New Yorker and a Yankee fan transplanted into Boston for the last 4 years (coming to an end in 3 weeks).
Let me tell you, the Red Sox fans here have gone so long without winning a championship, 85 years, that they've actually made a regular season series with the Yankees in April their "world series." You can't believe the carrying on. Every year I've been here they've started out saying, "THIS is the year." This is the 4th straight year I've heard this.
Now I don't know the exact reasons why, and I don't think anyone does, but every single year I've been here the Red Sox are smoking the first 1/2 of the year and take a dive after the All Star Break. And it's not just because the Yankees go nuts as the playoffs approach. The Red Sox just never have been able to hold it together.
I think the Yankees are going to win their division this year, again. If that's the case, maybe the Sox won't even make the playoffs.
-
The Bopensiero award for April:
Jim Tracy, 4/23 -- 4 intentional passes. Count 'em, 4 base-on-(no)balls to Bonds in one game.
Jake Peavy (SD), 4/21 -- Up 8-0 in the 6th, too chicken s- to try to get Bonds out. Pitches aren't even close.
-
Unfortunately for Bonds everytime somebody does pitch to him it's ends up an HR. It's scary! I don't blame pitchers/managers for walking him all the time. To bad for the Giants fans I suppose.
Well another great Cubs/Cards game today. The wrong team won...again. LOL!
-
Blowouts or bases loaded though you have to pitch to him...what is surprising to me though is how horrible the Giants Pitchers are doing
-
Here's one of the funniest things I've heard this season. San Francisco traded with the Twins for catcher AJ Pierzynski. Word is that he was not the best guy in the clubhouse. Well, that rep has followed him to the city by the bay. It's only May, and a Giants pitcher was quoted as saying that Pierzynski was a cancer in the clubhouse. To make it even more interesting, when the Giants were playing the Padres, Pierzynski was talking trash about his own pitcher to Phil Nevin during an at-bat. Can you believe this?!
-
Here's one of the funniest things I've heard this season. San Francisco traded with the Twins for catcher AJ Pierzynski. Word is that he was not the best guy in the clubhouse. Well, that rep has followed him to the city by the bay. It's only May, and a Giants pitcher was quoted as saying that Pierzynski was a cancer in the clubhouse. To make it even more interesting, when the Giants were playing the Padres, Pierzynski was talking trash about his own pitcher to Phil Nevin during an at-bat. Can you believe this?!
Jedi Idej pointed this out last page...but its true, glad to see him gone from here :-*
-
In his Friday radio segment (which he got because of his personality), AJ was about as subdued as I've ever heard him. You can tell he was still numb from the criticism even after they had a team meeting to address it. He said he thought he was getting along great with everyone, so the the article came as a complete shock.
Publicly, everyone is playing nice. The comments I've read from the players and organization brass downplay the incident as past and buried. Even Torrealba, the catcher given the vote of confidence by one of the players in the article, argued that he knows his role is as backup.
If he heeds the wake-up call and learns how not to irritate everyone, the gang tackle would have been a good thing. He'll need to use that new-found congeniality on his next team.
I think he'll be moving on next year but not because of the discontent. He won his arbitration for 3.5M this year and the Giants won't offer a long-term deal with an annual salary anywhere near that.
-
Total April reversal:
Yankees sweep the Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals to be the owners of a 6 game win streak.
The Red Sox get swept by the Texas Rangers to experience a "wicked faaahhllll"
:D
-
I, too, am a crappy division-winner chooser, but it never stops me from trying...
AL East: New York Yankees
AL Central: Minnesota Twins
AL West: Oakland A's
AL Wild Card: Toronto Blue Jays
NL East: Atlanta Braves
NL Central: Chicago Cubs
NL West: LA Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Houston Astros
So far [approx 25 games into the season]:
AL East: Boston Red Sox
AL Central: Minnesota Twins
AL West: Texas Rangers
AL Wild Card: Chicago White Sox
NL East: Florida Marlins
NL Central: Houston Astros
NL West: LA Dodgers
NL Wild Card: San Diego
Do I win a prize for having two right (AL Central, NL West) so far?
Jeff
-
The Sox now have the April Yankees "curse". They can't hit worth sh!t. A solid performance by Schilling Monday night (2 runs) and they manage to score less than that ::). Bases loaded twice with one out, they don't score. Man at third with the tying run top of the ninth with one out, they don't score. WTF!
They are now 0-5 in May. :'(
-
I guess the Wall Street Journal is reporting that SpiderMan 2 logos will be appearing on Bases and the Pitching rubber on June 11-13...horrible idea, horrible, horrible, horrible
I wonder if Carl Pohlad was behind this money grabbing move?
-
Yankees baby!!!!
7 straight and counting!!
PS Wasn't Oakland supposed to have the best pitching?
-
Yeah Oakland's staff is about as bad as the Giants, what the hell is up with them? Red Sox are looking horrible too
-
Hmmm... Actually ON the bases, or just added to the bases with that fancy Ad software?
It probably is the future of advertising in sports I guess. I once saw a demo of the software that placed an Ad between the uprights during a FG attempt. They say it will be here soon.
I don't even like listening to sports on TV anymore. I usually watch a game and listen to the radio coverage, which isn't quite as bad as TV yet (but catching up very quickly).
It really bugs me when I'm watching a baseball game on Fox and hear them say things like:
"And Jones slides safely into second with a double... and you should be sliding into your favorite chair tonight to catch an all new episode of 24!"
or
"This race is as action packed as any I've seen... but not quite as action packed as the next episode of 24!"
It's annoying to have all the commercials during the game too. I guess Hollywood is just getting in on the action too...
"And Hundley strikes out swinging.... speaking of swinging, guess who's swinging into theaters on July 2nd! It's Spiderman!"
Jeff
-
The world of advertising. Money Talks!
-
One of my pet peeves is watching a NFL doubleheader on FOX or CBS...the damn promo commercials air 50 times at least during the day...TONIGHT ON AN ALL NEW SIMPSONS, Homer does something stupid...then on a very Special Malcolm in the Middle, Malcolm does something stupid
-
I guess the Wall Street Journal is reporting that SpiderMan 2 logos will be appearing on Bases and the Pitching rubber on June 11-13...horrible idea, horrible, horrible, horrible...
Apparently so many other people agreed with you Scott, that MLB just did a complete about face, one day later and canceled the ad campaign (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/baseball/mlb/05/06/bc.spider.manoffbase.ap/index.html), at least on the bases. Surprising, but at least they're showing they care about their fans opinions.
On a seperate note, Angels... Dodgers... I'm enjoying this season so far! A helluva lot more than the NBA right now, that's for sure. ::)
-
Yeah Oakland's staff is about as bad as the Giants, what the hell is up with them? Red Sox are looking horrible too
I think Oakland's staff has always been really overrated. If you ask me, yeah Barry Zito had one really good Cy Young year, but Tim Hudson is really the only one I'd want to see on my team - Yankee pinstripes. If you look at Mark Mulder's numbers, he's just really not that impressive.
-
Barry Bonds is on my nerves.
It's the 10th inning yesterday, tie game 6-6 between the Giants and the Reds in the 10th inning. The Reds bring in their closer, Danny Graves, who has 13 saves thus far this year. The Reds management orders an intentional walk of Barry Bonds with the bases empty and nobody out. So now the Giants are just a sac bunt and a hit, or a hit and a sac fly away from scoring the winning run. And that's what happened!
They gave Bonds first base, then he scored, and Danny Graves took the LOSS because the Reds manager made him intentionally walk Barry Bonds.
Why not just go after Bonds? I mean, ****, you're Danny Graves, you lead baseball in saves. MAKE Bonds beat you, don't just put a runner on first with nobody out.
I think this is getting a tad out of control.
PS I'm just a little more upset than the rest of you probably because Graves is one of my fantasy league closers and I took a fat hit because of this incident.
-
BALCO!
-
BALCO!
2nd place!
:-X
-
BALCO!
2nd place!
:-X
Quiet You >:(
-
I thought you guys were bumping this thread up to point out which 2 teams have the best records in the majors... 8) Unfortunately, the Angels have lost 2 more of their starting position players to injuries in the last 2 games, which makes 4 of our 8 starting players on the DL now - Garrett Anderson, Darin Erstadt, Tim Salmon, and Jose Guillen. We're in trouble!
As for that Bonds walk - I agree. Totally ridiculous. That's the second time that's happened this month too! Sissy managers... ::)
-
As for that Bonds walk - I agree. Totally ridiculous. That's the second time that's happened this month too! Sissy managers... ::)
A walk is a terrible thing in a tie game in extra innings with nobody out. Just pitch to him, inside, outside, up and in, maybe he pops out, grounds out, strikes out! But an INTENTIONAL walk? This is just getting way out of control. You cannot just put the winning run on base with nobody out, I don't care who is at the plate. Make them swing the bat, Barry Bonds isn't even having to do that much anymore. Stupid.
-
What really blows my mind is Bonds was O-fer on the day, was, I think, 0-15 coming into the ballgame, and has a sinus/ear infection that's throwing off his balance and timing and is serious enough that the doctor recommended that he not play for 10 days.
OCB, one thing about the fantasy league... I noticed in your initial thread that no points are awarded for walks though pitchers are dinged for each one issued.
-
What really blows my mind is Bonds was O-fer on the day, was, I think, 0-15 coming into the ballgame, and has a sinus/ear infection that's throwing off his balance and timing and is serious enough that the doctor recommended that he not play for 10 days.
OCB, one thing about the fantasy league... I noticed in your initial thread that no points are awarded for walks though pitchers are dinged for each one issued.
It's true.
My starting staff is Jason Schmidt, Kevin Brown, Javier Vazquez, Brad Penny, and at times, Matt Morris...and I'm only +25 pts on my starting pitching total. That's because the BB + ER to K ratio is very hard to win. Saves, on the other hand, are 5 points each. And I'm 2nd in the league in saves. So that's a plus.
But it seems like the key to starting pitching is to just try to stay on the + side of zero.
-
There's a disproportionate negative to walks on pitchers' stats, but it's a level field since it'll affect everyone. (I feel the best strategy would have been to choose more by walks and strikeouts than win/loss record.)
Mainly, my point was whomever (or is that whoever) has Bonds is going to make a killing just on walks alone. :P
Jedi "Peter Gammons" Idej
(btw, Gammons annoys the heck out of me.)
-
There's a disproportionate negative to walks on pitchers' stats, but it's a level field since it'll affect everyone. (I feel the best strategy would have been to choose more by walks and strikeouts than win/loss record.)
Mainly, my point was whomever (or is that whoever) has Bonds is going to make a killing just on walks alone. :P
Jedi "Peter Gammons" Idej
(btw, Gammons annoys the heck out of me.)
I let Scott have Barry Bonds. But now Scott wishes he had my team after I unseated him from his BALCO-riddled throne over a week ago.
:-X
-
Let us all take a moment and remember the greatest moment in the history of baseball, and in all of sports, Sausage-Gate:
(http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2004/US/Midwest/05/10/sausage.retires.ap/story.july.incident.ap.jpg)
-
Let us all take a moment and remember the greatest moment in the history of baseball, and in all of sports, Sausage-Gate:
(http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2004/US/Midwest/05/10/sausage.retires.ap/story.july.incident.ap.jpg)
RIP Sausage
BALCO!
-
Just saw one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in Baseball. Alex Cora 2B for the Dodgers evened the count at 2-2 against Matt Clement of the Cubs. He then slapped around 13 straight foul balls and then went deep for a 2 run bomb. 18 total pitches is one at-bat and he ends it with a homer.
-
Jorge Posada got hit by a double play relay throw in the face tonight and broke his nose. He's "expected to miss 3 to 4 games but the Yankees say that the disabled list will not be necessary."
:'(
-
Just saw one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in Baseball. Alex Cora 2B for the Dodgers evened the count at 2-2 against Matt Clement of the Cubs. He then slapped around 13 straight foul balls and then went deep for a 2 run bomb. 18 total pitches is one at-bat and he ends it with a homer.
Yeah, that was totally crazy! It's always great to see a pitcher and hitter battle like that, especially when the hitter finally gets the pitch he's looking for and tallies a nice base knock. But to go 18 freakin' pitches, and finish up with a dinger... from a very light swinging second baseman no less... That was just a thing of beauty to watch. The crowd and Cora's teammates in the dugout were just going more and more nuts after every pitch. Baseball needs more moments like that. Not to mention my Dodgers went on to shutout the Cubbies 4-0. Still rollin' along! 8)
Jorge Posada got hit by a double play relay throw in the face tonight and broke his nose.
Yeah... Uh, sorry 'bout that Matt! ;) Our bad. Then we went and rubbed it in with an 11-2 shelacking of the Yanks. 8) Now if we could just get Erstadt, Anderson, and Salmon back, this is really gonna be fun! I may finally get that Freeway Series that I've been dreaming of since I was about 5 years old... :)
See Clemens blow up again yesterday? Holy God, that guy's not human! What an incredible story he is this year.
-
Yeah the bench's reaction to all of those foul balls was priceless. PRetty amazing feat and to top it off with a homer was just classic. If he struck out, it would have been a waste of time :P
-
Jorge Posada got hit by a double play relay throw in the face tonight and broke his nose.
Yeah... Uh, sorry 'bout that Matt! ;) Our bad. Then we went and rubbed it in with an 11-2 shelacking of the Yanks. 8) Now if we could just get Erstadt, Anderson, and Salmon back, this is really gonna be fun! I may finally get that Freeway Series that I've been dreaming of since I was about 5 years old... :)
See Clemens blow up again yesterday? Holy God, that guy's not human! What an incredible story he is this year.
That's okay, we stuck you with Jeff Weaver, and snatched Kevin Brown!
:D
-
This just in...
Barry Bonds used his two off days earlier in the week to complete his force training at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant:
(http://espn.starwave.com/media/mlb/2004/0411/photo/g_bonds2_ft.jpg)
-
Just saw one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in Baseball. Alex Cora 2B for the Dodgers evened the count at 2-2 against Matt Clement of the Cubs. He then slapped around 13 straight foul balls and then went deep for a 2 run bomb. 18 total pitches is one at-bat and he ends it with a homer.
Yeah, that was totally crazy! It's always great to see a pitcher and hitter battle like that, especially when the hitter finally gets the pitch he's looking for and tallies a nice base knock. But to go 18 freakin' pitches, and finish up with a dinger... from a very light swinging second baseman no less... That was just a thing of beauty to watch. The crowd and Cora's teammates in the dugout were just going more and more nuts after every pitch. Baseball needs more moments like that. Not to mention my Dodgers went on to shutout the Cubbies 4-0. Still rollin' along! 8)
Jorge Posada got hit by a double play relay throw in the face tonight and broke his nose.
Yeah... Uh, sorry 'bout that Matt! ;) Our bad. Then we went and rubbed it in with an 11-2 shelacking of the Yanks. 8) Now if we could just get Erstadt, Anderson, and Salmon back, this is really gonna be fun! I may finally get that Freeway Series that I've been dreaming of since I was about 5 years old... :)
See Clemens blow up again yesterday? Holy God, that guy's not human! What an incredible story he is this year.
Congrat's Matt on the Dodgers taking 2 of 3 from the Cubs. At least Zambrano finally got something going for them today. I just hope Kerry only misses one start and will be 100% for his next one.
-
Just got back from the Big Ballpark in the Bronx! The Yanks took it to the Angels in style, knocking three out of the park courtesy of red-hot Ruben Sierra, Bernie Williams and Hideki Matsui. Jon Lieber had a no-no going into the 4th, but the Yanks came back in the next inning. And when Mariano trotted in from the bullpen to "Enter Sandman", it was a thing of beauty. Yankees win! Thu-uh-uh Yankees win!!!!!!!!
-
Milwaukee's Ben Sheets struck out 18 batters today! I have not seen that in a while! 18 K, ER, BB.
-
Couple short of the record, but still very impressive. Not bad...
I was actually on my way to stop in here earlier today with another update on the absolute brilliance and wonder that is Roger Clemens. Went 7 innings today, no runs, 10 K's, 2 hits, 1 BB. Leads the majors in wins and ERA now, and is third in K's. Unfortunately, just 1 out away from getting win #8, Houston's stupid reliever blows the whole game and gives up a 2-run game tying dinger to Piazza in the 9th to ruin Clemens incredible game. Still another outstanding start nonetheless. Not to mention this guy's hitting .222 with 4 RBI's in his first season in the NL. Not too shabby for a pitcher. I've been a big Rocket fan ever since he first came into the league, so this is really fun stuff to watch from a guy who was retired from baseball just a few months ago!
Unfortunately, my Dodgers aren't faring as well. 4 losses in a row, as the team, and especially the offense, comes tumbling back down to earth. They're still hanging on to the top record in the NL though. Angels have dropped a few of late as well, but are still in the #1 spot in the Majors, so I guess I can handle that... :P
-
Couple short of the record, but still very impressive. Not bad...
I was actually on my way to stop in here earlier today with another update on the absolute brilliance and wonder that is Roger Clemens. Went 7 innings today, no runs, 10 K's, 2 hits, 1 BB. Leads the majors in wins and ERA now, and is third in K's. Unfortunately, just 1 out away from getting win #8, Houston's stupid reliever blows the whole game and gives up a 2-run game tying dinger to Piazza in the 9th to ruin Clemens incredible game. Still another outstanding start nonetheless. Not to mention this guy's hitting .222 with 4 RBI's in his first season in the NL. Not too shabby for a pitcher. I've been a big Rocket fan ever since he first came into the league, so this is really fun stuff to watch from a guy who was retired from baseball just a few months ago!
Unfortunately, my Dodgers aren't faring as well. 4 losses in a row, as the team, and especially the offense, comes tumbling back down to earth. They're still hanging on to the top record in the NL though. Angels have dropped a few of late as well, but are still in the #1 spot in the Majors, so I guess I can handle that... :P
Yeah Ben Sheets rocks and either him or Randy Johnson will undoubtedly be in pinstripes by the all star break, maybe a little after.
The Dodgers offense hinges on Shawn Green. Though he has 7 HR and 18 RBI, he's batting an anemic .236 avg. That shoulder injury he had 2 years ago caused the 19 HR 85 RBI display last year as opposed to his normal 40 HR 120 RBI. Adrian Beltre has cooled off. Milton Bradley is overhyped. The Dodgers starting staff got hurt by losing Kevin Brown and taking on Jeff "Cheech" Weaver, double whammy there. And Hideo Nomo and Ishii are pretty much overrated, they generally combine to walk 200 batters per year, which kills them. Eric Gagne is your stud, he's the best at what he does. Period.
Still and all, I was picking Arizona to win the NL West with Randy Johnson and Brandon Webb as their # 1 and 2, and with Luis Gonzalez, Richie Sexson, and Shea Hillenbrand in the middle of that lineup, but with Alomar down and Sexson out for some more time, may have to change that to the Dodgers when all is said and done, especially if Randy Johnson gets traded.
Who knows, LA may win the West after all. It is the weakest division in baseball.
-
Randy Johnson's got a perfect game going in the 8th. Put on TBS.
-
He did IT!!! Wow, way to go Big Unit (which BTW is one of the best nicknames ever!)
-
He did IT!!! Wow, way to go Big Unit (which BTW is one of the best nicknames ever!)
It was my nickname before it was his.
I picked that game up in the 4th inning when I got tired of the Red Sox beating up the Devil Rays, as soon as they said "Randy Johnson has retired the first 12 in order" my eyes got all big and I was glued to it.
-
Randy Johnson's got a perfect game going in the 8th. Put on TBS.
Fortunately, my Dad called me from Arizona, and told me to put the game on when it was in the 8th inning. Just incredible! Another amazing achievement by a 40+ year old athlete. Really happy for him... I was certain that Perez (who was 6 for 13 off Johnson lifetime) was going to get a hit in that last at bat, but NO. A 13th and final whiff! 8)
Randy Johnson actually goes to the same church as my parents, out in Scottsdale, AZ too! :P
On to my boys, the Dodgers slide continues, and as initially expected earlier in the season, we probably ain't all that good. I can live with that. But my Angels though... Damn. We just lost Troy Glaus now, on top of all the other Angels on the DL (Erstadt, Garrett Anderson, Salmon, etc.) They're even saying that Glaus, who's leading the AL in homers right now, may be out the rest of the season following shoulder surgery. He's on the 60 day DL right now, as it is. This really sucks... :'(
But at least we threw an 11 inning, 3-hit shutout tonight against the Yanks! 8)
-
Randy Johnson's got a perfect game going in the 8th. Put on TBS.
Milwaukee's Ben Sheets struck out 18 batters today! I have not seen that in a while! 18 K, ER, BB.
Both games against the Braves. I can't even begin to figure out what's been happening in Atlanta. I thought for sure Perez would have ended Johnson's perfect game but it was not to be. The only consolation is it was to Johnson, one of my favorite players to watch.
I guess I go back to watching Tiger baseball since the Braves seem to be sliding in that direction.
-
I think that who ever has "The Big Unit" on their roster should get bonus points in the JD.com Fantasy Baseball league for his perfect game... ;)
Jeff
-
Nice try :-*
-
I think that who ever has "The Big Unit" on their roster should get bonus points in the JD.com Fantasy Baseball league for his perfect game... ;)
Jeff
Randy's +23 SP performance (+5 W, +5 SHO, +13 K) is the best performance of the year by a SP, tied with Ben Sheets and his win with 18 K's.
Actually, I got the same thing from Jason Schmidt last night with his 13 K 1-hit shutout.
Make that 3 SPs tied for the best.
:)
-
Tampa Bay's SP Victor Zambrano has already walked 8 batters in his first 3.1 innings in tonight's game. We must be coming up on some kind of record :o
-
Twins lost bad yesterday to the White Sox and are now in a tie for 1st with them. The team that is absolutely sucking is the Royals. WTF happened to them???
-
Twins lost bad yesterday to the White Sox and are now in a tie for 1st with them. The team that is absolutely sucking is the Royals. WTF happened to them???
Royals Starting pitching:
4-19, team ERA = 5.01
That is pretty poor. Looks like this year's Royals and Tigers switched places...
Jeff
-
Not too worried about the Tiggers though either...their pitching is totally suspect. Same can be said of the Twins but they have been nailed by injuries. I think they have an excellent shot at a 3rd Central Championship more due to the collapse of the Royals though than anything else. They were so close and have just totally sucked!
White Sox will collapse like they have for the last 3 years
-
Team BALCO gets a nice night from the 3 players playing...4 Taters and 30+ points ;D
-
Team BALCO gets a nice night from the 3 players playing...4 Taters and 30+ points ;D
Here's looking (down) at you kid! :D
PS Andruw Jones is not on steroids.
-
Looks like Bonds is starting to heat up again...BALCO!
-
Who's got the best record in baseball?
New York Yankees (30-18)
:D
-
;D Only by half a game :P
-
Cubs have been hurting lately. Finally righted the ship yesterday. But some players are coming back in a few weeks. A brutal June schedule - Houston, St Louis, Anaheim, White Sox, Oakland, - just to name a few. I am fearing this month for my beloved Cubbies.
-
Cubs have been hurting lately. Finally righted the ship yesterday. But some players are coming back in a few weeks. A brutal June schedule - Houston, St Louis, Anaheim, White Sox, Oakland, - just to name a few. I am fearing this month for my beloved Cubbies.
Prior's back Friday. Hopefully Sammy & Wood will be back soon. Lord knows we need them badly.
-
First all-star balloting update has been posted:
AL:
1B Jason Giambi, Yankees 376,307
2B Alfonso Soriano, Rangers 729,949
3B Alex Rodriguez, Yankees 558,880
SS N. Garciaparra, Red Sox 412,742
C Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers 516,332
OF Vladimir Guerrero, Angels 637,515
OF Manny Ramirez, Red Sox 626,272
OF Johnny Damon, Red Sox 360,755
NL:
1B Albert Pujols, Cardinals 449,708
2B Jeff Kent, Astros 500,876
3B Scott Rolen, Cardinals 461,194
SS Adam Everett, Astros 302,310
C Mike Piazza, Mets 500,446
OF Barry Bonds, Giants 647,183
OF Sammy Sosa, Cubs 586,479
OF Ken Griffey Jr., Reds 364,997
Yawn. Same ol', same ol', with a few odd exceptions...
Meanwhile, my injury plagued Angels limped through May, and hit the skids a bit the last couple weeks - enough to the point where they went and signed recent retiree Raul Mondesi. ::) Sucks when half of your starting lineup is on the shelf for nearly the whole season. :'(
My Dodgers have also (expectedly) come crashing back down to Earth with a giant thud! Didn't expect them to do much this year, so that flash in the pan April/early May was certainly more exciting than most of us around here ever expected. But it's back to reality now. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.
Unfortunately, the Giants have finally caught fire now, with 10 wins in a row. >:( And on the flip side, the dreaded Yanks have ascended to their usual spot atop the AL throne. :-\
I'll refrain from worrying about baseball though, until my basketball team has finished handling their business... 8) Then I'll be sure to stop by a little more often and tell you all about how the Angels are going to bounce back and kick all your asses! :-*
-
I'll refrain from worrying about baseball though, until my basketball team has finished handling their business... 8) Then I'll be sure to stop by a little more often and tell you all about how the Angels are going to bounce back and kick all your asses! :-*
Make sure you toss your hat into the ring in the JD Fantasy Baseball League next March when we draft. Yankee fans like me love to eat up you CA team chumps.
-
Yankee fans like me love to eat up you CA team chumps.
You still on for becoming a CA chump soon yourself, Matt?
-
Wow. Anyone catch what Vladamir Guerrero did for our Halos tonight?! 4 for 4 with 9 RBIs! Two dingers too. On top of that, our super stud shortstop, and one of Scott's favorite players - David Eckstein went 5 for 5 to extend his hitting streak to 17 games. Oh yeah, we beat Pedro and the Red Sox too. ;)
So who's the smart guy who wisely took Vlad in our fantasy league? 8)
-
Eck is still playing? He should almost be at Puberty now, so maybe he'll become useful here in a few more years. I swear he'd make a better bat boy ::)
-
So who's the smart guy who wisely took Vlad in our fantasy league? 8)
Oh, and that would be yours Truly Team BALCO!
BTW, we should rename Dressel's team Team SP/RP!
-
One more thing, I'm in 2 Yahoo Fantasy Leagues right now, my other team has Nomar, Prior and Sosa all who have been hurt for a big chunk of time, all of which will be back from injury real soon. Can't wait to get them back, should be a big plus for the Sox and Cubbies too. Bad thing is I also have Chavez who just went down and Glaus who's probably done.
Need Wood and Wagner and Giambi to come back for Team BALCO :'(
-
Yankee fans like me love to eat up you CA team chumps.
You still on for becoming a CA chump soon yourself, Matt?
I took a position at a dental clinic in upstate NY and successfully seduced my girlfriend of 3 years to leave Los Angeles behind and come to NY to live with me. In sum, I brought the mountain to Mohammed. CA is nolonger necessary in the immediate future. Perhaps in the long term though :)
-
So who's the smart guy who wisely took Vlad in our fantasy league? 8)
Oh, and that would be yours Truly Team BALCO!
BTW, we should rename Dressel's team Team SP/RP!
I got 4 saves on Tuesday night. You can call my team anything you want!
BTW Mr. Pearson, you picking up Scott Shields reminds me of the time that I went to Target and saw 3 Ephant Mons on the pegs. 2 were gem mint and went into my shopping cart, the 3rd was bashed, creased, and jacked, and I left it on the shelf. Scott Shields is that bashed, jacked Ephant Mon. He's the #3 closer behind Troy Percival and Frankie Rodriguez. Any SP/RP that will provide a steady stream of SV's is already on my squad.
:D
PS I think Magglio Ordonez is quietly going down for a couple months here. I've seen reports of him needing to rest his hammy for 1 week to needing exploratory surgery and sitting 2 months. Chances are you'll eat into a little of my 200 point lead :'(
-
196 Point lead...damn you
-
I took a position at a dental clinic in upstate NY and successfully seduced my girlfriend of 3 years to leave Los Angeles behind and come to NY to live with me.
You dumbass! I was looking forward to another local collector around here... >:(
But congrats on the job and girlfriend relocation though. This mean you're gonna finally propose to her?!? ;)
Looks like the Angels pickup of Mondesi finally paid some dividends last night, when he jacked one out, and threw out a runner at home. Despite all the injuries, we've won 3 in a row and are still hanging tough... 8)
-
I was at another Yankee game yesterday, and we broke out the brooms, sweeping the Orioles for a second time. Man, does that team need pitching! But I've got to admit, Baltimore has a serious lineup with Tejada, Palmeiro and Lopez hitting 3-4-5, but the guy who was really impressive? Melvin Mora! This guy is hitting .380, and he was 2-4 yeasterday with a couple of good hits! It figures that the Mets would let this guy go. And the only ball to get jacked was courtesy of Javy Lopez. Drat!
The Yanks looked good, but a lot of guys had the day off as it was a day game right after a night game. Bernie Williams had most of the game off until the 7th. Sheffield was DH-ing. Posada had the day off. Giambi is still recuperating. But all in all, the Yanks pulled off a good win with a somewhat unorthodox lineup. NICE!
-
Very glad to be seeing Junior Ken Griffey J.R. Jr doing so well this year...he's on a tear and finally Cincy is winning. Talk about being Snakebit...3 healthy years and he might be right on Bonds heels right now for Aaron's record. Always liked the guy too
(http://reds.enquirer.com/2003/07/17/junior_zoom.jpg)
2 More for 500...watch him pull another Hammy :-\
-
Well, although Griffey Jr. has bopped a bunch over the fence this first 1/3 of the season, it should be noted that he's also batting .245 at the plate. That's not vintage Griffey. I'd still rather have Manny Ramirez in my outfield as he's hitting .345, 100 pts higher, and with 15 HR.
-
True...I would take Manny over Junior but thats knowing what's happened to him in the last 3 years...if he had been healthy hitting 40 HR's a year...he'd be closing in on 600 instead of 500 and would probably be just as formidible as Bonds is...plus he has help in the Line Up with Dunn and Casey.
He also started the year slow, so to have a .250 average right now is pretty respectable...and to think a few weeks ago they were talking of trading him. I don't see that happening any time soon...
I was in Cincy last summer and listened to the talk Sports shows which were about ready to buy tickets for Junior to fly to Alaska and never come back. I'm glad he's playing so well and I think he's much more apt to root for than Bonds ever will be (except when he's on your Team BALCO)
-
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1817400
Padres take a page from the Twins' notebook and draft a local HS hero as the #1 pick in draft due to "signability".
Damn agents! Teams get stuck with lesser picks (cough*Mauer*cough) because their dang agents threaten to hold out! >:(
Grrr... the rules need to be changed to allow draft picks to be traded. Right now, it is against the rules to let picks get traded, so baseball resorts to the old "Player to be named later" nonsense. I wish they would change the rules, that way if a team knew a player wouldn't sign (cough*Prior*cough), at least then they could trade the pick to a team he would sign with and get something in return.
>:(
Jeff
-
First Round, 2004 Amateur Draft:
1. Padres -- Matt Bush, SS, Mission Bay H.S., El Cajon, Calif.
2. Tigers -- Justin Verlander, RHP, Old Dominion
3. Mets -- Philip Humber, RHP, Rice
4. Devil Rays -- Jeff Niemann, RHP, Rice
5. Brewers -- Mark Rogers, RHP, Mount Ararat H.S., Orr's Island, Maine
6. Indians -- Jeremy Sowers, LHP, Vanderbilt
7. Reds -- Homer Bailey, RHP, LaGrange, Texas
8. Orioles -- Wade Townsend, RHP, Rice
9. Rockies -- Chris Nelson, SS, Redan H.S, Decatur, Ga.
10. Rangers -- Thomas Diamond, RHP, New Orleans
11. Pirates -- Neil Walker, C, Pine Richland H.S., Gibsonia, Pa.
12. Angels -- Jered Weaver, RHP, Long Beach State
13. Expos -- Bill Brey, LHP, William and Mary
14. Royals -- Billy Butler, 3B, Wolfson H.S., Jacksonville, Fla.
15. Diamondbacks -- Stephen Drew, SS, Florida State
16. Blue Jays -- David Purcey, LHP, Oklahoma
17. Dodgers -- Scott Elbert, LHP, Seneca H.S., Seneca, Mo.
18. White Sox -- Josh Fields, 3B, Oklahoma State
19. Cardinals -- Chris Lambert, RHP, Boston College
20. Twins -- Trevor Plouffe, SS, Crespi H.S., Northridge, Calif.
21. Phillies -- Greg Golson, CF, Connally H.S., Austin, Texas
22. Twins -- Glen Perkins, LHP, Minnesota
23. Yankees -- Philip Hughes, RHP, Foothill H.S., Santa Ana, Calif.
24. A's -- Landon Powell, C, South Carolina
25. Twins -- Kyle Waldrop, RHP, Farragut H.S., Knoxville, Tenn.
26. A's -- Richard Robnett, CF, Fresno State
27. Marlins -- Taylor Tankersley, LHP, Alabama
28. Dodgers -- Blake DeWitt, 2B, Sikeston H.S., Sikeston, Mo.
29. Royals -- Matt Campbell, LHP, South Carolina
30. Rangers -- Eric Hurley, RHP, Wolfson H.S., Jacksonville, Fla.
-
True...I would take Manny over Junior but thats knowing what's happened to him in the last 3 years...if he had been healthy hitting 40 HR's a year...he'd be closing in on 600 instead of 500 and would probably be just as formidible as Bonds is...plus he has help in the Line Up with Dunn and Casey.
He also started the year slow, so to have a .250 average right now is pretty respectable...and to think a few weeks ago they were talking of trading him. I don't see that happening any time soon...
I was in Cincy last summer and listened to the talk Sports shows which were about ready to buy tickets for Junior to fly to Alaska and never come back. I'm glad he's playing so well and I think he's much more apt to root for than Bonds ever will be (except when he's on your Team BALCO)
Scott Pearson buys 1 new pair of panties for every 50 points I go up on him in the JD Fantasy Baseball League.
He currently has undergarments for Monday through Thursday.
He's got more freedom on the weekends.
-
Wearing Women's Underwear is part of my Turn-Ons
-
Crazy Angels/Brewers game still going on right now (at almost midnight). ZERO - ZERO score in the 17th inning! :o Angels only have 3 hits so far, and actually had a perfect game going against them until two outs in the 7th. But on the flip side, the Angels pitchers just set the major league record by striking out 26 Brewers batters in one game. 8)
As for Griffey Jr., I'm glad to see him finally playing up to his old standards again, and being healthy for the first time in 3 years. It's been sad watching him become so fragile of late, his stats and averages declining, and the Cincy fans absolutely turning on him. Hopefully he stays healthy and puts up some monster numbers this year.
On another note, Clemens pitched another incredible game tonight, improving to 9-0, with a 2.08 ERA. He'd be winning the pitching Triple Crown in the majors if it wasn't for Randy Johnson, who's got 10 more K's than Rocket does. Clemens is just amazing. Should be very interesting to see if how well he can keep this up for the rest of the season. Absolutely, mind-bogglingly insane pitching from a 41 year old (or a pitcher of any age for that matter)!
-
Crazy Angels/Brewers game still going on right now (at almost midnight). ZERO - ZERO score in the 17th inning! :o Angels only have 3 hits so far, and actually had a perfect game going against them until two outs in the 7th. But on the flip side, the Angels pitchers just set the major league record by striking out 26 Brewers batters in one game. 8)
As for Griffey Jr., I'm glad to see him finally playing up to his old standards again, and being healthy for the first time in 3 years. It's been sad watching him become so fragile of late, his stats and averages declining, and the Cincy fans absolutely turning on him. Hopefully he stays healthy and puts up some monster numbers this year.
On another note, Clemens pitched another incredible game tonight, improving to 9-0, with a 2.08 ERA. He'd be winning the pitching Triple Crown in the majors if it wasn't for Randy Johnson, who's got 10 more K's than Rocket does. Clemens is just amazing. Should be very interesting to see if how well he can keep this up for the rest of the season. Absolutely, mind-bogglingly insane pitching from a 41 year old (or a pitcher of any age for that matter)!
Its over now. :'( I was at this game and was hoping for at least 23 innings of play. One of the funniest things about it was the fact we got the wave going with only about 10,000 or few people left in the seats and we got it going for a few turns then the Brewers scored. I was so hoping for a 21st inning strech.
-
The New York Yankees have the best record and winning percentage in baseball at .643
The closest 2nd place team is the Boston Red Sox at .596
-
Anyone see the footage today of some bastard in Texas who ripped a foul ball out of a little kids hand?
Wouldn't give it to him and the crowd was chanting "Give Him the Ball". He got a bat and a couple of balls from the Cardinals and the TV crew was going nuts...pretty funny
St. Louis led 12-0 in the third when a foul ball hit into the stands by Matthews got more attention than anything on the field.
In the ensuing scramble, a husky man jumped over a row of seats and pinned a 4-year-old boy against the seats with his legs while diving to get the ball. To no avail, fans started chanting "Give him the ball! Give him the ball!"
But the boy, who wasn't injured, ended up with much more than one ball. In the next few minutes, both teams sent bats and balls to the boy, including Cardinals outfielder Reggie Sanders coming out between innings to do so.
"In my heart, I thought I should do something," said Sanders, who initially saw the incident on the clubhouse TV. "It's all about the kids."
There was also a little extra for the man who got the ball, but he left two innings later and never received the Cardinals T-shirt on which "Tough Guy" and "Ball Stealer" was written by reliever Steve Kline.
"I'm a big fan of giving kids balls. He was a real jerk about it," Kline said. "That's part of life, people like that in the world. They do something like that. I don't understand."
Griffey 1 more to 500!
-
Dressel's News and Notes:
- Yeah OCB, that guy who ripped the ball away also had a sack of Ephant Mons and R2 with Leia holos under his box seat if you look closely. His behavior comes as no surprise once you are armed with this information.
- Anyone else notice that Scott Rolen is a serious triple crown threat in the NL this year? He's in the top 3 in the NL with a .354 BA, 2nd in HR with 17 back of Griffey and Dunn, and 1st in RBI by a lot with 67, next closest is Berkman with 49. I hope he keeps it up, it'll be fun, plus he's the 3B on my fantasy team, which brings me to item #3...
- Scott Pearson is close to buying his league leading 5th pair of panties if he loses just another 13 points to Dressel's Rebels in the standings. With Dressel commanding a 237 point lead and dominating the top spot in the league, OCB has become his favorite lingerie model.
-
Well the Cubbies finally handed Roger Clemens his first loss this season. Yay! The Cubs have actually shown a few signs of life the past few games. It's still remarkable a 41 year old ex-retiree can be having that muchh success though.
-
Junior Griffey just hit the big 500...congrats!
BTW, I have sized up my 6th pair of undies :'(
-
BTW, I have sized up my 6th pair of undies :'(
Who's up for next year?
:D
-
Mmmmm.
-
Well, after a rough past month, my Halos are finally getting some of their players back on the active roster, after having like 7 of our top 10 guys out for extended periods of time. Talk about bad luck...
So hopefully they can get the offense going again, with Garrett Anderson, Darin Erstadt, Tim Salmon, and several other guys back in the lineup finally! Just missing Troy Glaus at this point. :'( Fortunately, everybody else in the West has stunk lately as well, so we haven't fallen too far out of the race.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers somehow keep plugging away, and overachieving themselves right into first in the NL West. Pretty surprising. Mostly just the pitching keeping us in there. Still expect us to come tumbling back down to Earth eventually though...
Dumb Yanks are already in cruise control though, but I should obviously point out (to Dressel) that the Dodgers took 2 of 3 from the Pinstripes this week when they were in town! 8) :-*
-
Dumb Yanks are already in cruise control though, but I should obviously point out (to Dressel) that the Dodgers took 2 of 3 from the Pinstripes this week when they were in town! 8) :-*
The Yankees have the best record in baseball and the command of the AL East by 4.5 games.
The Dodgers have... well, they've got... hrmmm, look at it this way they're...no, well, look on the bright side the Dodgers still might....
:-X
P.S. At least I hear rumors that the Dodgers are in the Carlos Delgado, Freddy Garcia, and Carlos Beltran hunt.
-
Meanwhile, the Dodgers somehow keep plugging away, and overachieving themselves right into first in the NL West. Pretty surprising. Mostly just the pitching keeping us in there. Still expect us to come tumbling back down to Earth eventually though...
Actually the SF Giants are in 1st place in the NL West, but a Californian should never let the facts get in the way.
:D
-
Bringing JediMAX to the Ole Ballpark on Friday night for his first game. Not planning on staying too long or him being real interested, more like some daddy/son bonding time and to see the look on his face when we go through the doors for the first time. The Twinkies play the Brew Crew...should be fun
-
Bye Bye Beltran...
Watch out Cubs and Birds!
3 team deal gets done. (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1828880)
Houston just got better... (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=1828986)
I'll be sad to see him go, he was the only real reason to get excited when the Twins played KC. I really though KC was headed in the right direction with Pena, but I guess we can safely say now it was just a fluke.
Jeff
-
Bye Bye Beltran...
Watch out Cubs and Birds!
3 team deal gets done. (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1828880)
Houston just got better... (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=1828986)
I'll be sad to see him go, he was the only real reason to get excited when the Twins played KC. I really though KC was headed in the right direction with Pena, but I guess we can safely say now it was just a fluke.
Jeff
Okay, Houston is officially sick. Biggio, Bagwell, Kent, Berkman, Beltran swinging the thunder sticks; but the real kicker is they ship Dotel off to Oakland and Brad Lidge, who is perhaps the most wicked pitcher in the game today, gets the nod as Houston's closer. The Astros have that door slammer for a 1-2-3 9th in the closer slot now. Brad Lidge has 65 K's to 25 BB + ER, which is a ratio about 3 times higher than your average pitcher.
I stand by my original prediction in March of the Astros winning the NL Central.
-
Is it football season yet? I need to watch a team that knows how to win. >:(
Time to start looking at that wild card, because the division ain't going to happen. Bunch of underachieving *****.
-
Is it football season yet? I need to watch a team that knows how to win. >:(
Time to start looking at that wild card, because the division ain't going to happen. Bunch of underachieving *****.
I hear ya Mikey, Twins jsut got swept by the Palehose...not the end of the season but it would have been nice to take 2 out of 3 at best...1 out of 3 at worst, but to lose all three...ugh >:(
-
Garcia was shaky at best against the Twins, but the ChiSox got the job done...
At least we play KC soon so maybe the Twins can rebound a bit.
Anyone heard any good trade rumors lately?
I'd hate to think we're done already, but it sounds like Boston, NYC, and Cali are not planning on dealing, while Oakland and Chicago are all done.
Jeff
-
Garcia was shaky at best against the Twins, but the ChiSox got the job done...
At least we play KC soon so maybe the Twins can rebound a bit.
Anyone heard any good trade rumors lately?
I'd hate to think we're done already, but it sounds like Boston, NYC, and Cali are not planning on dealing, while Oakland and Chicago are all done.
Jeff
Mmmmm word has it that the Yanks are going after Randy Johnson real hard. The 'Backs say that they won't trade him unless the Big Unit requests a trade, but at the same time word has it that Randy is complaining about the lack of offense in Arizona (he's not getting enough run support); but that's understandable since Richie Sexson who's good for .280 40 HR 110 RBI went down for the year with the shoulder, plus Robby Alomar's out all year so far. Brandon Webb has had a disappointing sophomore season.
All in all, I say the chances of the Yanks getting Johnson is 50-50. I am a little scared of the Red Sox reuniting Schilling with the Unit, I have to say, as a Yankee fan.
Hopefully we'll see Johnson in pinstripes, or at the very least, Carlos Delgado, since Beltran and Garcia already have new homes.
-
While I would love to see the Big Unit in Boston, unfortunely I think they need the hitting and defense more. Manny and Ortiz can't provide all the offense and giving up 60 unearned runs (so far) is pathetic. I hate to say it, but I think it's time to trade Nomar and see what we can get.
-
While I would love to see the Big Unit in Boston, unfortunely I think they need the hitting and defense more. Manny and Ortiz can't provide all the offense and giving up 60 unearned runs (so far) is pathetic. I hate to say it, but I think it's time to trade Nomar and see what we can get.
On behalf of the New York Yankees:
We don't want him!
Enjoying our 8.5 game AL East cushion,
Dressel, Cashman, and Steinbrenner
-
What, Giants in first place despite losing 2 of 3 to LA in the last series?
JediMac, if it's any consolation, Bonds will now make his off-season home in 90210... in case you want to egg his house.
-
At least we play KC soon so maybe the Twins can rebound a bit.
Ha!
What a couple nights for my boys, THREE complete game shut-outs in a row as the Twins destroyed KC, outscoring them 25-0 over the past three games.
Radke threw a 4-hitter, then Santana a 3-hitter, then Lohse with a six-hitter last night. That's 27 scoreless innings by starters, along with 24 strikeouts and only 2 walks. KC managed to get 13 hits scattered across those 27 innings, all of them singles.
Things are getting pretty bad in KC. Since tradong Beltran, they are 1-12 and they have scored just one run in the last 37 innings of baseball. KC's big boon last year was their divisional record, but this year that's flopping. After going 11-8 against Minny last year, this year, they are 3-9 so far. Not looking good for them.... :)
But, things are looking better for the Twins. After the Sweep of KC, and combined with the Chi-Sox 5-game losing streak, my boys are back in First Place with a 2.5 game lead and a fully rested bull-pen... here's to hoping that they continue the run by pounding on Detroit!
Jeff
-
Don't anyone look at who I picked to win the Central this year either. Who knew after getting swept by the Pale Hose last week the Twins would be up by 2.5 again so soon.
Sad to see that happen the Royals
Oh...and Dressel, your once almost 300 point lead is fading fast. And that's without Beckett and Wood pitching for me...I'm gonna get you sucka!
-
Don't anyone look at who I picked to win the Central this year either. Who knew after getting swept by the Pale Hose last week the Twins would be up by 2.5 again so soon.
Sad to see that happen the Royals
Oh...and Dressel, your once almost 300 point lead is fading fast. And that's without Beckett and Wood pitching for me...I'm gonna get you sucka!
Strong words from a 2nd rate team that's down 230 points to the big dog.
Good luck.
-
Big dog my ass. BALCO!
-
Big dog my ass. BALCO!
Yeah Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield have been ultra scary. I'm going to go find a corner to cower and quake in fear.
:-X
-
Manny Ramirez is making a bid for the Triple Crown in the AL. He's currently batting .345 with 26 HR and 77 RBI, which makes him the leader in both homeruns and runs batted in and fourth in batting average.
Over in the NL, Scott Rolen is the leader in RBIs and is hitting about .340, but probably will not have the HR total to compete if Jim Thome remains healthy.
Watch for Manny Ramirez to make a serious run at the crown.
-
For those who mostly see Bonds only in seconds-long highlights, did you notice in the All-Star game and homerun derby how he now sports a *ahem* looser fit uniform top than in past years? :P
Whether Bonds took THG, knowingly took a substance that doesn't conform to the spirit of fair play, or if he should even be penalized for either of the above if conclusively proven -- it wasn't illegal at the time of alleged use and the bill making it illegal has hit a snag -- I get a kick out of the people in the game who jump in and out of his bandwagon.
Reggie Jackson made nice with his comments about the unfairness of the innuendos of the game's athletes and performance enhancers. Yet, a few months ago, he did everthing but name Bonds when he ripped into athletes using steroids. I suppose the 23 homers despite the walks and mounting scrutiny kinda muffled Jackson tad.
-
Page 3 :-\
Trading deadline is fast approaching, sounds like the Twins are making a serious play for Kris Benson...he'd be a great pick up...may ship out Mientkiewicz too
Sounds like Giambi is really sick :-\ Or its BALCO coming back to bite him in the ass
-
I read that they aer testing Giambi for all sorts of stuff to figure out why he's sick:
HIV, Cancer, weird parasites, etc.
I don't think they have ANY idea why he's sick... unless they are just coving up his BALCO crash? Strange...
Jeff
ps.
My Boy Milty had a no-no going into the 8th this weekend and the Phillies almost blew it for him >:(
-
the "official" story was that both he and kevin brown had unknown parasites from their trip to japan at the start of the season. but i heard about all those tests for everything under the sun as well. i think the first half already came back, and they found nothing. they are still waiting for the rest of the results to get back in.
-
Page 3 :-\
Trading deadline is fast approaching, sounds like the Twins are making a serious play for Kris Benson...he'd be a great pick up...may ship out Mientkiewicz too
Sounds like Giambi is really sick :-\ Or its BALCO coming back to bite him in the ass
He feels weak cuz of the lack of steroids. Ceeeeeerrrrrash!!!
-
http://msn.foxsports.com/story/2611108
Some rumors from FoxSports.com. Enjoy.
-
I've been pleasantly quiet of late in this thread, but I just wanted to make sure that everyone here was aware that my Dodgers are officially KICKING ALL YOUR ASSES right now.
That's all.
Thanks.
- M
P.S. Damned Angels are still farting around though. But hopefully they'll land the Big Unit, and get their $h!t back together real soon here... >:(
-
Don't worry, the Dodgers will crap out at the end of the year for one reason only... from page 1 of this thread:
I, too, am a crappy division-winner chooser, but it never stops me from trying...
AL East: New York Yankees
AL Central: Minnesota Twins
AL West: Oakland A's
AL Wild Card: Toronto Blue Jays
NL East: Atlanta Braves
NL Central: Chicago Cubs
NL West: LA Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Houston Astros
You're doomed.
Jeff
-
Bad news for you then. Randy Johnson shot down a trade to the Dodgers within the last couple of days. The D-Backs were so sure it was complete that they went to him and asked him to waive his no-trade and he declined! He is saying Yankees or bust now. Funny thing is, a kid from my high school who's in the Dodgers system was supposed to be part of the deal.
-
Bad news for you then. Randy Johnson shot down a trade to the Dodgers within the last couple of days. The D-Backs were so sure it was complete that they went to him and asked him to waive his no-trade and he declined! He is saying Yankees or bust now. Funny thing is, a kid from my high school who's in the Dodgers system was supposed to be part of the deal.
I don't know if I like the Yankees trading for him. Sure, the guy is a gamer. But the D-Backs want Jorge Posada, who is arguably the second best catcher in baseball. I don't know if I'd do it. It would be the first instance of the Yanks trading one of their big home-grown players. It would almost be like them trading Jeter, to put it in perspective.
-
Bad news for you then. Randy Johnson shot down a trade to the Dodgers within the last couple of days. The D-Backs were so sure it was complete that they went to him and asked him to waive his no-trade and he declined! He is saying Yankees or bust now. Funny thing is, a kid from my high school who's in the Dodgers system was supposed to be part of the deal.
I don't know if I like the Yankees trading for him. Sure, the guy is a gamer. But the D-Backs want Jorge Posada, who is arguably the second best catcher in baseball. I don't know if I'd do it. It would be the first instance of the Yanks trading one of their big home-grown players. It would almost be like them trading Jeter, to put it in perspective.
Where did you see they wanted Posada? That's the first I'd heard of that. We all know that won't happen. The reason the D-Backs haven't sent him to the Bronx is because there are no "major league ready" prospects in the Yanks system. That's why all the 3-way trade rumors are surfacing now.
-
This is what I like to see...
Big White Sox miscue helps lead to huge Twins sweep (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=240728104)
3.5 game lead, now turn it on (with or without Benson) and don't look back!
Jeff
-
Rumor has it that Johnson asked "acquaintances" about playing in SF and for the Giants. The likelihood of landing him is virtually zip, but oh, I can dream.
-
Bad news for you then. Randy Johnson shot down a trade to the Dodgers within the last couple of days...He is saying Yankees or bust now.
Yeah, that's the same thing I unfortunately heard on the sports talk radio during lunch unfortunately... What the hell happened to the Angels though? I thought they were the favorites just a day or two ago. Dammit!
As for the Posada demand by the D'backs, I heard the same thing on the radio at lunch today too, but most everyone was in agreement that the Yanks would be stupid to do that. Just as the Dodgers would've been stupid to let Paul LoDuca go as part of a potential Big Unit deal too...
Today's the supposed deadline (that Randy just set) to figure all this crap out. So it sounds like there's only a few more hours for the D'backs to move him. Should be interesting...
-
Bad news for you then. Randy Johnson shot down a trade to the Dodgers within the last couple of days...He is saying Yankees or bust now.
Yeah, that's the same thing I unfortunately heard on the sports talk radio during lunch unfortunately... What the hell happened to the Angels though? I thought they were the favorites just a day or two ago. Dammit!
As for the Posada demand by the D'backs, I heard the same thing on the radio at lunch today too, but most everyone was in agreement that the Yanks would be stupid to do that. Just as the Dodgers would've been stupid to let Paul LoDuca go as part of a potential Big Unit deal too...
Today's the supposed deadline (that Randy just set) to figure all this crap out. So it sounds like there's only a few more hours for the D'backs to move him. Should be interesting...
What happened to the Angels is that they forgot how to score runs and have fallen out of the race for Unit. As it stands for them, he doesn't see them as a legit title contender so he doesn't want to go there and the Angels are reluctant to part with any of their studs in the farm system. Anaheim is the best fit, but I don't see it happening unfortunately. I'd like to see Randy pitch all the time as much as the next guy here in So Cal, but it ain't gonna happen.
-
Reports are hitting the radio that the Dodgers are somehow back in the running for the Unit. Still prefer to see him go to the Halos, but the Dodgers would be a nice runner up choice. I'm sure the Yanks will still figure out a way to eventually make it happen though, unfortunately...
BTW, A-Rod suspended for 4 games (http://www.yoururl.com) for that brawl with the Sox.
-
BTW, A-Rod suspended for 4 games (http://www.yoururl.com) for that brawl with the Sox.
Varitek should have gotten 5-7 for punching A Rod in the face to start the whole thing, then maybe 1-2 for A Rod for being involved. What was A Rod supposed to do, let Varitek punch him in the face and walk calmly back to the dugout?
-
Varitek should have gotten 5-7 for punching A Rod in the face to start the whole thing, then maybe 1-2 for A Rod for being involved. What was A Rod supposed to do, let Varitek punch him in the face and walk calmly back to the dugout?
Of course he was.
Baseball is such a civil sport, I'm shocked at his actions. ::)
I'd have picked up a bat and started swinging!
Went Hank Arron on them all!
Kevin
-
A flurry of deals today, the biggest being the Dodgers/Marlins deal. Very suprised that the Dodgers dealt LoDuca, who I consider to be the heart of their squad. They must really be confident that they can land Randy Johnson. Supposed Unit is going to sleep on the deal to LA.
-
A flurry of deals today, the biggest being the Dodgers/Marlins deal. Very suprised that the Dodgers dealt LoDuca, who I consider to be the heart of their squad. They must really be confident that they can land Randy Johnson. Supposed Unit is going to sleep on the deal to LA.
I don't think there's a team on the planet that wouldn't deal Lo Duca for Brad Penny anyhow; regardless of whether it turns into a 1/2 year of the Unit or not.
-
A flurry of deals today, the biggest being the Dodgers/Marlins deal. Very suprised that the Dodgers dealt LoDuca, who I consider to be the heart of their squad. They must really be confident that they can land Randy Johnson. Supposed Unit is going to sleep on the deal to LA.
I don't think there's a team on the planet that wouldn't deal Lo Duca for Brad Penny anyhow; regardless of whether it turns into a 1/2 year of the Unit or not.
That's debatable. The LA Times was filled with articles today about how the Dodger players were stunned that Lo Duca was dealt. He was the heart of the team. The Dodgers brass better hope these deals don't ruin the team's chemistry, especially now that Charles Johnson vetoed the trade from Colorado and the Unit deal falling through. Penny definitely upgrades their staff, but now they have no catcher. The West is so weak they should still make it out of there.
I'm SO happy that Nomar is out of Boston. I wish him well with the Cubbies.
-
I'm still fuming over the LoDuca deal as well, and to rub salt in L.A.'s wounds, we didn't even wind up landing Randy Johnson, or Charles Johnson who was all set to replace LoDuca behind the plate.
LoDuca was definitely the heart and soul of the Dodgers, and pretty much every L.A. fan's favorite player. To make matters worse, we'll probably lose Adrian Beltre after this season. Man, if the Dodgers don't stay in the playoff picture, heads WILL role over yesterday's deal.
Just as heartbreaking to Dodger fans as when we dumped our other beloved catcher several years back - Piazza. This blows.
Unit stays in AZ. That blows too. But I guess it's better than having him in pinstripes! ;)
-
Unit stays in AZ. That blows too. But I guess it's better than having him in pinstripes! ;)
>:(
-
I've been pleasantly quiet of late in this thread, but I just wanted to make sure that everyone here was aware that my Dodgers are officially KICKING ALL YOUR ASSES right now.
So they are. So they are. One thing certain about the Dodgers from the last dozen years, they'll find a way to screw up. :-*
****Breaking News****
GM DePodesta sucks lifeforce from Dodgers.
LoDuca? Dave Roberts? These two (along with Gagne and to a lesser extent, Green) were the backbone of the Dodgers. What was DePodesta thinking?
Not that I'm complaining. ;D
-
I've been pleasantly quiet of late in this thread, but I just wanted to make sure that everyone here was aware that my Dodgers are officially KICKING ALL YOUR ASSES right now.
So they are. So they are. One thing certain about the Dodgers from the last dozen years, they'll find a way to screw up. :-*
****Breaking News****
GM DePodesta sucks lifeforce from Dodgers.
LoDuca? Dave Roberts? These two (along with Gagne and to a lesser extent, Green) were the backbone of the Dodgers. What was DePodesta thinking?
Not that I'm complaining. ;D
Brad Penny and his 3.15 ERA and 1.25 WHIP isn't such a bad thing. This is a guy who beat the Yankees twice in the World Series last year, winning a championship. He is the 15th to 20th best pitcher in baseball, somewhere in there. While Lo Duca may be a fan favorite in LA, he was a tad overrated on the left coast. He averages just 125 games per year over his career. At the same time, while LoDuca was just a little better than average offensively most of his career, Steve Finley's bat that was also added with Penny more than makes up for Lo Duca leaving. And remember, pitching wins. I think the Dodgers are a much better team adding Brad Penny and Steve Finley. And those changes are magnified in a weak division.
-
I think the Twins are giving the Dodgers a run for thier money as the hottest team in baseball. Damn me for leaving Santana on my bench for todays game >:(
They seemed to give away Meintkeiwicz, that wasn't too cool :-\
-
Brad Penny and his 3.15 ERA and 1.25 WHIP isn't such a bad thing. This is a guy who beat the Yankees twice in the World Series last year, winning a championship. He is the 15th to 20th best pitcher in baseball, somewhere in there. While Lo Duca may be a fan favorite in LA, he was a tad overrated on the left coast. He averages just 125 games per year over his career. At the same time, while LoDuca was just a little better than average offensively most of his career, Steve Finley's bat that was also added with Penny more than makes up for Lo Duca leaving. And remember, pitching wins. I think the Dodgers are a much better team adding Brad Penny and Steve Finley. And those changes are magnified in a weak division.
I can't stress enough the chemistry aspect for this team. Perhaps it was only during Giants/Dodgers games and the rivalry had something to do with it, but in those games, Lo Duca was always amped up and was usually involved in a key play. And it seemed like Roberts was always getting on base and scoring or making a nice defensive play. On a team that was finally coming into their own, losing a fifth of the roster -- and two of those being their "spark plugs" -- and having to integrate their 5 replacements with under 60 games left... And let's not forget, they dealt Mota.
For Giants fans worldwide, let's hope I'm right.
-
And let's not forget, they dealt Mota.
Yep, and it cost us the very next game! Mota was our setup man for Gagne, and was 8-4 with a miniscule ERA. So he leaves and Dreifort replaces him, and what happens? We're up 2-1 in the 8th inning. Bring in our new setup man Dreifort, and what does he do? Yep. Gives up two runs, and we lose 3-2. Fortunately, we've still been playing pretty well since then (24-7 over our last 31 games - Not bad ;))
Still not thrilled with some of those deals, but Matt's right, getting Finley and Penny's not a bad thing... Just didn't want to have to lose LoDuca and Mota to do it. But things seem to continue rolling along smoothly for the Blue Crew, so I guess I'll bite my tongue and not complain about it... for now.
In other news, the Cards already stacked lineup (Pujols, Rolen, Edmonds) just got even better by adding Larry Walker from the Rock's, for absolutely zip practically. Man, that's a murderer's row if I ever saw one (at least by today's standards).
-
Damn me for leaving Santana on my bench for todays game >:(
Don't feel bad. I actually did the same thing for Jason Schmidt last night. It seems that they moved up his start 1 game. Our mistakes cancel out.
-
Brad Penny and his 3.15 ERA and 1.25 WHIP isn't such a bad thing. This is a guy who beat the Yankees twice in the World Series last year, winning a championship. He is the 15th to 20th best pitcher in baseball... And remember, pitching wins. I think the Dodgers are a much better team adding Brad Penny and Steve Finley.
Not when Penny's fragile ass goes down in the first inning of his second start with us. >:( Looked pretty bad, but they're hoping it's just a sprained bicep. But when I see a pitcher just run right off the mound in sheer pain after throwing a pitch, I tend to worry that it may be something much worse. Guess we'll know soon.
Meanwhile, my Angels are finally showing signs of life, and creeping back into the AL West picture. Only 1.5 back now! 8)
-
OK,
Who wins the AL Wild Card?
Boston Red Sox (My pick)
Texas Rangers
Oakland A's
Anaheim Angels
Clevland Indians
I'm pretty sure that Minnesota can hang on, especially with the White Sox being so Diseased. I am also certain that the Evil Empire will win another AL East, barring a major disaster (ie a plane crash with all team members aboard).
The West, however... I'm not so sure about. Seems like the A's have the pitching, the Angels the hitting, and Texas the will-power to stay in the hunt. Someone is gonna win the West, but will the runners-up have a shot at the Wild Card? Is it an all-or-nothing division this year?
I'm going to stick with my original plan and choose the A's to win the West... leaving the Wild Card door open for the Red Sox as the Angels and Rangers crap out.
Jeff
ps.
Having just spent the week in Boston, it's safe to say the folks there don't appreciate Douggie Baseball just quite yet. At least not as much as they miss No-mah. That NomarGate stuff is crazy... lotsa cheap Nomar T-Shirts around though.
Also, I got to tour Fenway. Absolutely Amazing. I was sad I couldn't take in a game, but the tour was great. Got to go to the press box, the .406 Club level, the Green Monster Seats, and take a walk on the warning track around the field (no going on the field though as it was being groomed :().
Truly a "wicked awesome" ballpark. Makes me sad to have to sit in that teflon baggie covered cement monster to watch a baseball game :'(
-
The three teams in the West will beat the piss out of each other for the remainder of the season thus giving the WC to the most underachieving sack of ***** I've ever seen play the game. And stupid ass me will final believe this is the year only to have my heart ripped out once again. At least by then the Patriots should be close to a 20 game win streak and it will ease the pain a little.
-
The A's will win the West and the Angels will win the Wild Card.
-
I don't know about that. Texas has been pretty hot. I think it'll be the A's winning the west, but Texas bringing in the wild card.
-
The A's will win the West and the Angels will win the Wild Card.
The way I see it any of the three - A's, Angels, or Rangers can take the AL West, and the remaining 2 combined with the Red Sox all have a one in three chance of winning the AL wild card. It's tight.
Over in the NL, what the HELL happened to the Astros? I know you Red Sox fans may disagree, but just looking at winning percentage W and L's, the Astros are the most perplexingly underachieving team in '04. I don't get it. Beltran, Kent, Berkman, Bagwell, Pettitte, Clemens, Oswalt. Man.
-
The Rangers lack of pitching is catching up with them, like I knew it would, and they are slowly falling out of the race. The A's are playing well and the Angels have hit a groove. Texas is done, sorry to say since my former teammate Michael Young is having such a great year.
As for the Astros, I'm with you. What in the hell did happen? They just seem like an old team. Too much talent to have been that inconsistent this season. But who would have guessed the Cards, with seemingly no solid pitching, would have the best record in baseball? Now that Wood and Prior are back, the Cubbies will take the Wild Card.
-
My prediction: Angels win the West, and the Sox take the Wildcard slot. You heard it here first! 8)
On the flip side though, over in the NL, damned Darren Dreifort (who we're stuck with now since we traded away our kick ass setup man Mota in the LoDuca trade) just BLEW another game for us. >:( >:( Took a 5-3 lead into the eighth against Cincy, and he comes in and promptly gives up 3 earned runs, and we lose 6-5. What a turd.
Speaking of Cincy, Griffey Jr. was just confirmed as being done for the year (AGAIN). ::) That's too bad, since it was refreshing (and good for baseball) to see him finally reverting back into form earlier this year. What a waste. He would've gone down as one of the best ever, if not THE best ever, if he'd kept things up the way he was playing in Seattle. Defense, offense, power, average, decent speed, lovable guy, etc. Damned shame...
-
I watched Dreifort blow that game while doing cardio at the gym today. The guy is clearly not a set-up man. Nice trade Dodgers.
-
My prediction: Angels win the West, and the Sox take the Wildcard slot. You heard it here first! 8)
and what about the rest of the a.l. - they don't count? or are you just that afraid of my yankees :P
-
It's not that they don't count, it's just that the focus was on the AL West and Wild Card. The Yanks have locked up the East and the Central will come down to the last week like it usually does. How bout the Tribe making a run? They're only like 3 games behind the Twinkies.
-
Yeah Dave, the Wild Card post was under the assumption that Minny would take the Central and the Yanks the East.
As for Minny, well.... Biiiiiiig series this weekend.
My Twinkies are only 3 games up over the Tribe, and they play a 3-game set over the weekend.
Cleveland is like 19-9 over the last month while ChiSox and Twins have struggled lately. Their surge was part of why I tossed them into the Wild Card mix in my original post.
I just can't bring myself to even CONSIDER that the Twins will lose to those biffers in Cleveland! >:(
Jeff
-
Gotta add the Twins/Indians into the Wild Card fight, something ESPN doesn't seem to think possible based on their latest poll where Boston, Anaheim and Oakland were the only 3 choices
Indians remind me of the 2000 Twins, not sure if the have the arms to get them into the Post Season but like KC last year they have the bats and might be able to squeak in, they are hotter than hot right now too
I also see I've been flirting with getting Dressel's once though insurmountable 300 point lead down to the 200 range...might be time to give back another pair of panties :-*
-
I also see I've been flirting with getting Dressel's once though insurmountable 300 point lead down to the 200 range...might be time to give back another pair of panties :-*
I had confidence before 8/17's games.
-
Well, I got my ASS handed to me yesterday pretty hardcore. Not only did Scott pick up 56 points in the standings, but my team took 3 losses, didn't hit a lick, PLUS Bret Boone who I finally benched and replaced with Mark Loretta (.336 BA) at 2nd base, FINALLY hit 2 homeruns yesterday....
FROM MY BENCH.
I got my ass kicked to the tune of a 60 point spread.
Scott, you're within 180.
Now excuse me, I have to go regroup.
-
Here's Wednesday's Pair, please put them to good use
(http://www.psci.net/~bgoeppn/auction/panties.JPG)
-
Pink panties! That's awesome. My hockey team does that too with a pair of pink shorts. Whoever sucks that week has to carry them in their bag. I don't really remember how that even got started but it always cracks me up.
-
a few notes about tonight's yanks/twins game...
(a) gary sheffield is the man.
(b) the umpire really botched that call on the sac fly. whether the yanks win or lose, that run never should have counted.
-
and throwing your glove at the ball is against the rules, btw :P
-
Dang...Nathan hasn't blown a save in like forever :'(
-
NY 7, MN 2
At this point, I'm pissed that we traded Milty for Silva >:(
MN 8, NY 7
:)
then,
NY 9, MN 8
>:(
but then,
MN 10, NY 9
So, I turn off the TV contented to leave the game in Nathan's hands.
Final:
NY 13, MN 10
:'(
Jeff
-
Just listened to "Welcome to the Jungle" as Gagne trotted out. Best intro in baseball.
-
Big sweep for the Twins this weekend and finished 5 of 6 versus the Indians and Yanks (almost swept the Yanks too) Back to being on fire after a little nosedive. 7 up on Cleveland after only being 1 up last week...tough series against Texas and Anaheim coming up
-
The Red Sox swept the White Sox and now lead the WC standings by 1 game and now only trail the AL East by 5 1/2 after being down by 10 1/2 last week. Still have six games against the Yanks left. The underachievers are finally starting to play like they should have been all season. Should be a great final six weeks of the season.
-
The Red Sox swept the White Sox
Thanks! Way to go Red Sox! With their sweep of Chi-Sox and our bashing Cleveland, the Twins now hold an 7/8 game lead over Cleveland and Chi-Sox, respectively.
:)
Good weekend... but as Scott said, we play the Rangers soon. Hopefully the Twins can beat up on Texas and Cali to return the favor for ya Mikey!
Jeff
-
Big sweep for the Twins this weekend...
And an even bigger sweep by the Halos over the Yanks! 8)
Where you at, Yankee fans?! :-*
-
Right here. Still leading the AL East, BTW.
-
Right here. Still leading the AL East, BTW.
Word. Not many teams in baseball can drop 6 of their last 7 games with the 2nd place team red hot and still lead their division by 5.5 games!
-
Went to the last 3 Dodger/Braves games and had a blast talking s--t to all the bandwagon Dodger fans. Typica example: Friday nite when LaRoache singled in the go-ahead run off Gagne, the guy behind us screamed, "F--k you Gagne, go back to Canada!" The guy was wearing a Gagne jersey. He turned into super fan again when Beltre homered to win it. Typical LA fans. It was a fun 3 days.
-
D'backs just put Randy Johnson (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5808361/) on waivers... But it's said to be doubtful that the Yanks will pick him up. Wonder why not?
In separate news, Card's reliever Julian Tavares just got suspended for 10 games for juicing the ball up with some **** he had applied to the bill of his cap. ::)
As for the Dodgers, yeah, there bullpen's in the toilet right now, and Gagne's even looked human last week. Last night's game sucked major ass though, as the Dodgers rallied back from a 7-1 deficit, to tie the game in the 9th on Adrian Beltre's major league leading 38th (or is it 39th?) dinger, only to turn around and lose the damned game in the bottom of the 9th when we loaded up the bases, and walked in the game winning run... >:(
Giants are starting to creep up on us... :'( Not surprising really, since I've though we were playing over our heads all season long in the first place. I'd be perfectly fine seeing the Angels and Dodgers swap positions. Angels have turned it on again of late, so I think they're looking pretty solid for either a Division winner, or the Wild Card spot. Dodgers will probably wind up sliding right out of both. Hopefully I'm wrong though, and they tough it out and hang in there.
Still waiting for my Angels - Dodgers Freeway World Series that I've been praying for since I was about 6 years old... 8)
-
Nathan just blew his second save in a week after going like 34 straight before that...damn...Tribe lost though again :)
-
So the Angels absolutely blew up (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=240825103) tonight! Won 21-6, on 22 hits, for our 8th or 9th win in a row... All 21 runs were scored over a 5 inning stretch. DaVanon hit for the cycle too, which is a good thing he got his licks in, as he's about to get benched when Troy Glaus finally returns in about a week or two... 8)
Of course, the A's keep winning too, so we still haven't nabbed the top spot in the West.
Dodgers continue their slide against the lowly Expos. Giants are only 4 back now, and closing fast... ::)
-
Marco Scutaro!!
-
Nathan just blew his second save in a week after going like 34 straight before that...damn...Tribe lost though again :)
(http://www.jedidefender.com/news/images/7-04/mad.gif)
If it wasn't for that, we'd have swept Texas and be on a nice little run.
As it stands, we've won 8 of the last 10 (stupid Nathan blown saves! >:(), and opened up a nice 8 and 9 game lead over the Tribe and ChiSox, respectively.
Now we just gotta keep the run going to get that second seed in the AL so we can host Oakland/Anaheim at the Dome in the first round ot the playoffs ;)
Jeff
-
Big series with "JediMAC's" Angels this weekend. Been a nice two weeks for the Twinkies, hope they keep it up!
-
A's win again Matt. Gotta keep up!
-
>:(
BTW, are you saying "Gotta keep up" as in we've gotta keep up (like you're an Angel fan)? Or as in "Gotta keep up" with my A's, as in you're an A's fan, Jas? You're SoCal, so hopefully it's the former.
Just gotta figure out whether I need to talk **** to you or not! ;)
-
Well I was an Angels fan growing up (Wally World!) but when Big Mac entered the league I also started rooting for the A's and jumped off the Angel wagon when they dumped Wally. I always root for the Angels to do good and was just as excited for their world title as any die-hard fan. I still root for the Halos, but the A's get my loyalty in that matchup. Since Mac retired, I really don't have 1 team I'm die-hard about. I root for the A's, Angels, Cubs, Yankees, Braves and Cards to do well...as well as anyone playing the Dodgers. ;D
-
I root for the A's, Angels, Cubs, Yankees, Braves and Cards to do well...as well as anyone playing the Dodgers. ;D
Geez... Really got your bases covered there, eh Jason?! (no pun intended)
Good chance you'll win the World Series this year. Well, one of your bajillion star-studded teams anyway...
-
So like did America even like qualify for the baseball in this years olympics????
I know that Australia won the silver medal.
Not bad for a country without a national league ;D
-
So like did America even like qualify for the baseball in this years olympics????
Don't even ask. :-[
Yeah, we didn't even freaking qualify for the Olympics, in the sport that we created, which is dubbed our "National Pastime". Go figure...
Of course, one or two more Olympics from now, we may be in the exact same boat with our Basketball team as well. ::)
Congrats on the Silver though Hemish. That was a pretty outstanding achievement there for a country not really known for it's baseball. 8)
-
I root for the A's, Angels, Cubs, Yankees, Braves and Cards to do well...as well as anyone playing the Dodgers. ;D
Geez... Really got your bases covered there, eh Jason?! (no pun intended)
Good chance you'll win the World Series this year. Well, one of your bajillion star-studded teams anyway...
True. Well, I've explained the love for the A's and Angels. With the Cubs, well it's hard not to root for those guys. You always want them to win. Big fan of Wood and Prior also. With the Cards, that's where Big Mac was traded to and I'm a huge fan of Edmonds (used to work w/ his aunt), Pujols and Rolen. The Braves are my best friend's team, so I root for them (more passingly than the other teams.) And really love the tradition and mystique that surrounds the Yankees. Big fan of a lot of the legendary pinstripers as well. Obviously I'm a Giambi fan (ex-Athletic) and big A-Rod fan too.
-
So like did America even like qualify for the baseball in this years olympics????
I know that Australia won the silver medal.
Not bad for a country without a national league ;D
Didn't I see Graeme LLoyd, and ex-MLBer pitching for the Aussies?
Also have to wonder which Cuban National team member is going to try defecting after the games are over.
-
Who's yo' daddy?!? Yeah, that's what I thought... :-*
P.S. Scott, any idea how many outs there are?! :P
-
Dear JediMAC,
Johan friggin' Santana.
Awesome!
Booya!
In yo face!
:P
Your Pal,
Jeff
-
Dear JediMAC,
Johan friggin' Santana.
Awesome!
Booya!
In yo face!
:P
Your Pal,
Jeff
Co-Signed
Your Other Pal,
Minnesota
Johan could equal World Championship Rings for the Twins he's that good right now, thanks to the guy who dumped him in Fantasy Baseball, Dressel thanks you too
-
anybody catch that awesome yankee offense show today?
-
thanks to the guy who dumped him in Fantasy Baseball, Dressel thanks you too
:-[
If I had kept him on my Fantasy Team, he would have continued to struggle (notice how Stewart went on the DL this year, the curse of Jeff's Team).
I did it for the good of the Twins, sacrificing myself in the process... you did notice he was 3-5 when I dropped him? Now he's CY Young material.
I give and I give for my team... it's not like I just jump on the bandwagon of whichever hometown team is the hottest like some folks from tropiCAL locations. ::)
-
Dear JediMAC,
Johan friggin' Santana.
Awesome!
Booya!
In yo face!
:P
Your Pal,
Jeff
Co-Signed
Your Other Pal,
Minnesota
Johan could equal World Championship Rings for the Twins he's that good right now, thanks to the guy who dumped him in Fantasy Baseball, Dressel thanks you too
Too little too late Scotty my boy. I could bench my whole starting lineup for 5 days straight and you still wouldn't win.
Your ass is mine.
EDIT: In fact, I'm toying with the idea of not even putting the 9 players out there the last week of September just to prove it to you. We'll see if you're even within 100-200 points.
See Nataku? You don't have to take that Johan Santana gloating from him :D
-
anybody catch that awesome yankee offense show today?
Yes they're rather potent.
-
...I root for the A's, Angels, Cubs, Yankees, Braves and Cards to do well...as well as anyone playing the Dodgers. ;D
... it's not like I just jump on the bandwagon of whichever hometown team is the hottest like some folks from tropiCAL locations. ::)
Jason, I think Jeff here's talking **** to you. I know he ain't sayin' that to me, 'cause I've been a die hard Dodgers and Angels fan for longer than most of you guys have been alive! Especially those two Minnesota punk asses.
Granted, I'm slightly more vocal when we're winning, but that should be a given... ;)
-
...I root for the A's, Angels, Cubs, Yankees, Braves and Cards to do well...as well as anyone playing the Dodgers. ;D
... it's not like I just jump on the bandwagon of whichever hometown team is the hottest like some folks from tropiCAL locations. ::)
Jason, I think Jeff here's talking **** to you. I know he ain't sayin' that to me, 'cause I've been a die hard Dodgers and Angels fan for longer than most of you guys have been alive! Especially those two Minnesota punk asses.
Granted, I'm slightly more vocal when we're winning, but that should be a given... ;)
That's cool. Doesn't bother me whether he's kidding or serious. I've never been one to root for the local team just to root for the local team. The only local team I've ever been a loyal fan to is the Lakers. And beyond the Lakers, I can't stand basketball. I explained the reasons I root for the teams I root for (and add Nomar to my reason for liking the Cubbies) and if you were all paying attention, it's because of individual players. I've always identified more w/ individual players than with teams. The entire reason I became a Detroit Red Wings fan back in 1989 was because when I first started to watch and follow hockey, I thought Steve Yzerman was the man. Had Yzerman been playing for Quebec, I'd have been a Nords fan. Had Mark McGwire been playing for the Giants, I'd be a Giants fan. It's as simple as that. Everyone has their reasons for liking whatever team it is they like. I have mine, you have yours. You can't knock them one way or another. Plenty of people hop on and off bandwagons, but I'm not one of those people.
-
Jason, I think Jeff here's talking **** to you. I know he ain't sayin' that to me, 'cause I've been a die hard Dodgers and Angels fan for longer than most of you guys have been alive! Especially those two Minnesota punk asses.
Granted, I'm slightly more vocal when we're winning, but that should be a given... ;)
Hey!
Don't go around mis-interpreting my slams (http://www.jedidefender.com/news/images/7-04/mad.gif)!
That slight was not intended for Jason, rather it was intended as a shot at your fair weather hockey fans who decided to show up at games only after you made it to the Stanley Cup Finals and then disappeared again one season later.
Quite tryin to stir up trouble or I'll have you banned!
Jeff
>:(
-
CA is full of fair weather fans. When the Lakers were getting swept in the 1st round by Utah, nobody had Kobe and Shaq jerseys or car flags. When they became a dynasty again, everyone loved them and claimed they were lifelong fans. When the Cowboys were in the middle of their run of Super Bowls in the 90s, everyone out here "loved them Cowboys." When the Ducks made their run, Duckmania swept the Southland. Now they suck again and no one cares. That's just So Cal. Lots of fair weather fans, but also lots of distractions and other things to get excited about if a team stinks.
-
That's cool. Doesn't bother me whether he's kidding or serious.
Yeah, I was just ****in' ya' there Jas. Jeff was yappin' his dumb Minnesota ass off at me... ::)
Speaking of which, anyone catch last night's Halo/Twinkie score? Yeah, that's what I thought.
Anyway, on the topic of "fairweatheredness"... I've openly admitted to being a bandwagoner of our local hockey teams for the most part. Lost interest in the early/mid 90's when Gretzky bailed, and the "Showtime" era was gone. Same can be said for the Ducks, after they dumped Teemu and later Kariya. Loved those two. Now, nuthin'.
But I've gotta agree, SoCal IS the land of fairweathered fans. Like Jason said, if our local teams aren't at/near the top, there's plenty of other stuff going on around SoCal to peek one's interest. I think the same can often be said for our local players, and their occasional lack of focus/interest/heart/desire. Just too many distractions around here for both the fans and the players I think, and that's what keeps us from the fun and insane levels of fandom seen in other cities around the country... :-\
But the Angels are still kicking the Twins ass in this series, and that's all the really matters right now. :-*
-
Anyone ever think they would live to see a 700 HR hitter again in our lifetime? I did I guess once McGwire hit 72 but back in the 80's I could say there is no way in hell it would have ever happened.
I admire Bonds for what he has done...not sure what I think about him as a person since I hear lots of bad and not so much good about his personality and moodiness. Doesn't mean he isn't awesome and he'd be nearing Aaron if it weren't for the sissy managers not pitching to him
-
Anyone ever think they would live to see a 700 HR hitter again in our lifetime? I did I guess once McGwire hit 72 but back in the 80's I could say there is no way in hell it would have ever happened.
I admire Bonds for what he has done...not sure what I think about him as a person since I hear lots of bad and not so much good about his personality and moodiness. Doesn't mean he isn't awesome and he'd be nearing Aaron if it weren't for the sissy managers not pitching to him
Even Bonds can't save you now Pearson!!
Long live Adrian Beltre!!!
-
Actually Mac only hit 70. That piece of **** Bonds hit 72. :'(
I read something in the Sporting News around the turn of the century that was incredibly interesting. It took each player in the top 10 in HRs per at bat and figured out how many career HRs they would have hit had they played full (or somewhat average) seasons without injury. Mac's projection based on his HRs per at-bat was over 1000 for his career. Had the man been able to stay healthy, Bonds would be chasing him.
-
Actually Mac only hit 70. That piece of **** Bonds hit 72. :'(
Actually, that jackass Bonds hit 73. :P
I was wary of the Giants signing the ego maniac back in '93. On the other hand, this jackass was one of the game's best players.
Over the course of 11 years, my attitude about the guy has softened a bit. I hear these stories callers tell on the radio. The way the local media now covers him -- the very same media that used to magnify every little mistake he made. My own semi-encounter and my niece's separate experience with him. He has his good and bad points. He's no different than a lot of other big name athletes.
Paraphrasing a local radio personality, "When Bonds doesn't want to talk to reporters, he'll just ignore them. When McGwire didn't want to talk, he let them know in his surly fashion."
-
You are correct sir. It was 73. Not sure why I had 72 on the brain.
McGwire really started to dislike the media after '98, and who could blame him? He was hounded by them everyday and each day it was the same set of questions. Personally, I think I'd get tired of the media as well. You see SO many pro athletes just get so sick and tired of the bs that is the sports media. Bonds attitude, however, extends to both fans, media, teammates and everyone in general. The guy is a prick.
-
You are correct sir. It was 73. Not sure why I had 72 on the brain.
The guy is a prick.
******* ******* is more like it. Back when the Red Sox played the Giants in interleague play (in SF, no less) he went off on how much he hates Boston, it's racist, blah, blah, blah. When the reporter asked him where he got his info, figuring it was based on first hand experience, Bonds told him he heard "stories". Turns out the dickhead has never actually been to Boston.
-
My predictions:
NL East: Phillies
NL Central: Cubs
NL West: Giants
NL WC: Houston
AL East: Red Sox (got to give the love to the hometown boys, plus I think they have the better pitching staff)
AL Central: Royals
AL West: Mariners
AL WC: Yankees
Surprise teams: Toronto and Baltimore should make the AL East interesting and could possible contend, especially if the Red Sox or Yankees don't do as well as expected.
Boy, do I know how to pick them or what? ::)
-
I've been absolutely PATHETIC in my picks of division champs the last 3 years but here goes
AL East: NY Yankees
AL Central: Kansas City Royals (same spot the Twins were in 2 years ago, they are hungry and have gotten better while the Twins got worse)
AL West: Oakland A's (pitching wins baby)
AL Wild Card: Boston Red Sox
NL East: Philadelphia Phillies (I think I've picked them 3 straight times, bastards)
NL Central: Chicago Cubs (too many weapons plus they added more from last year)
NL West: San Franscisco Giants
NL Wild Card: Houston Astros (see Oakland)
National League Champs: Chicago Cubs
American League Champs: New York Yankees
World Series Champion: Chicago Cubs
As much as I hate damn Cubs fans and the 80 million bandwagon jumpers they get when they make the playoffs, I think they have a real shot at winning it all. LaTroy Hawkins was a huge signing, he absoultely shuts teams down in the 7th and 8th when he most needed, something the Cubs really need. Sosa, Alou, Ramirez, Patterson and Lee make for a really solid line up and Prior (when he gets back) Wood and Clement are pretty solid 1, 2, 3. Its their year, God help us all
3 for 4 in the AL, KC's slide off the face of the planet is one of the big stories nobody is talking about this year. They were on track for big things and after taking 1 step forward they are 20 steps back
0/4 in the NL though Atlanta is a big suprise to me, maybe Bobby Cox really is that good of a manager. Phillies have underachieved yet again. Cubs have a chance at the Wild Card and I think the Giants still have a chance in the West
-
That slight was not intended for Jason, rather it was intended as a shot at your fair weather hockey fans who decided to show up at games only after you made it to the Stanley Cup Finals and then disappeared again one season later.
Quite tryin to stir up trouble or I'll have you banned!
Jeff
>:(
OK, now I'm confused. See, I THOUGHT you were talking to Matt, but after that hockey comment, I'm wondering if you're now targeting someone from Tampa? :-*
-
OK, now I'm confused. See, I THOUGHT you were talking to Matt, but after that hockey comment, I'm wondering if you're now targeting someone from Tampa? :-*
No sadly, the Tampa Hockey Fans will disappear this season... along with the rest of the NHL fans :-\
Jeff
-
Well, except for those in Canada, that play hockey as well as watch it ;) Someone asked if anyone other than Canadians would really notice if there was no season. I was hard pressed to answer yes. Not trying to sell the US short at all, there are plentiful hockey fans, especially around team centers, but Canada as a nation will miss it. That cannot be said of any other country methinks.
The Czech-Finland game yesterday afternoon had higher ratings than did much of the Olympics.
-
McGwire really started to dislike the media after '98, and who could blame him? He was hounded by them everyday and each day it was the same set of questions. Personally, I think I'd get tired of the media as well. You see SO many pro athletes just get so sick and tired of the bs that is the sports media.
McGwire started to act like that to reporters early in his career, maybe around his 3rd or 4th year, and continued until part way through his run for the record in '98 when he took notice of how Sosa was relishing the attention. He reverted when injuries took a toll on his numbers.
Bonds attitude, however, extends to both fans, media, teammates and everyone in general. The guy is a prick.
I've listened to enough talk radio since Bonds has been a Giant -- can't comment on his Pirates days -- to classify a majority of the gripes as being some 20+ y.o. bitching because Bonds blew off his request for an autograph or hearsay of the way Bonds blew off that same 20+ year old's request. I've heard way more callers relaying how nicely Bonds treated their 10-y.o., or of Bonds going to his car, getting out a ball and beaning the father in the head signing it for the caller's son. My then-12-y.o. niece and her friends bumped into Bonds, his wife, and their toddler at TRU. He was nice enough to snap pictures with them. (They had a camera because they just came from a birthday party from across the parking lot.)
Moral: if you're over 17, stay out of his face.
As far as teammates... like who? Van Slyke? Jeff Kent? Why don't the national media ask Shawon Dunstan, JT Snow, Nen, Aurilia, Grissom? In a short period, Bonds and Dustin Mohr have become real close. Ricky Ledee came from the Phillies thinking the worst of Bonds, met him, and says he was wrong. Rick Reilly's hitpiece using Kent got a lot of attention. Nothing was made of Dan Patrick's interview with Matt Williams prior to that year's WS with the D-backs. To all of the talk of Bonds' being disingenuous, Williams countered that not many people knew the real Bonds like he did... that they are good friends.
******* ******* is more like it. Back when the Red Sox played the Giants in interleague play (in SF, no less) he went off on how much he hates Boston, it's racist, blah, blah, blah. When the reporter asked him where he got his info, figuring it was based on first hand experience, Bonds told him he heard "stories". Turns out the dickhead has never actually been to Boston.
His comment was stupid and he was rightly skewered for it. He has a good knowledge of baseball history but he ignorantly projected those conditions of racism in the Boston Redsox organization then to the Boston of today.
-
Clearly you are a Giants fan and a Bonds fan, and hey, that's cool. I've read, heard, seen, etc plenty from fans, players, media and Barry himself that show that Barry doesn't really care about anybody but Barry. The only people I have ever heard defend the guy are guys who play for him or Giants fans. When I interned on "Best Damn" plenty of people on that show's crew and some athletes who came through there had nothing but bad things to say about the guy through experiences they had. They all admire what he does on the field, but know that off the field the guy is the biggest most arrogant piece of **** associated with MLB. Personally, I've always rooted for athletes that are team players (McGwire, Yzerman, Nolan Ryan, etc.) and even if I were a Giants fan, I'd have an incredibly hard time rooting for Bonds. If Bonds leaves the Bay Area and signs with a team I follow, I'm going to be VERY disappointed and mark my words here: I will not root for him.
-
Anyone catch the Yank's score tonight? 22-zip. That would be 22 for the Tribe, and nada for the Pinstripes. Nice! :P Sorry Dave, Matt & Nick! :-*
Unfortunately, the Sox took out my Halos too. Drops us another game down in the Wildcard race, and moves Boston to just 3 1/2 back from the Yankees. Now it's getting interesting! As much as EVERYONE loved seeing my Lakers choke in the Finals, I'd love to see the Yanks slide right outta the playoffs in the last month of the season. That'd be classic! 8)
-
A's win again and are up 3 on ya Matt!
-
As much as EVERYONE loved seeing my Lakers choke in the Finals, I'd love to see the Yanks slide right outta the playoffs in the last month of the season. That'd be classic! 8)
don't hold your breath. uncle george will be digging into his pockets pretty deep before he lets that happen.
-
Anyone catch the Yank's score tonight? 22-zip. That would be 22 for the Tribe, and nada for the Pinstripes. Nice! :P Sorry Dave, Matt & Nick! :-*
Uhh, I think we're still in first place though. Losing by that much doesn't cost you 2 or 3 games in the loss column.
-
Every team has games like this. It's part of sports and trust me, I've been on both sides of it enough times to know.
-
Clearly you are a Giants fan and a Bonds fan
It took a few years after he became a Giant for me to become a Bonds fan. Those who read my posts here will be surprised that I occasionally rip on him and the Giants. And my friends locally would be surprised I put up a defense for Bonds on the forums. I know he's not flawless, nor do I believe he's the oozing puss of pure evil that he's made out to be on 30-sec sound bites run ad nauseam on SportsCenter.
The only people I have ever heard defend the guy are guys who play for him or Giants fans.
I've read modern day pyscho-analysts (ie, sports journalists) describe his act as erecting barriers. (The best line I came across went something like: "I've never met anyone try so hard at being unliked.") Whatever the reason, it's logical to conclude that he eventually lets teammates see a side of him those of us outside the clubhouse aren't privy to, which explains why guys he played with, more often than not, defend him.
When I interned on "Best Damn"
How was Lisa Guerrero in person. :P She sounded like she knew what she was talking about in interviews. How the heck did she bomb on MNF?
Personally, I've always rooted for athletes that are team players
Hey. Yo. Even though I'm a big senior leaguer, 2 of the guys I rooted for were Mattingly and... Puckett. >:( Fortunately, cynicism had replaced idealism well before the allegations hit. Stunned, sure, but not disillusioned.
We'll have to agree to disagree. At least we have in common a dislike for fair weather fans, regional two-team fans, and hatered for the Dodgers.
Speaking of...
JediMac, should be an interesting conclusion. SF and LA play 6 times. SF and SD, 6 times. SD and LA, 7 times.
-
Fair enough. We'll agree to disagree.
As for Lisa, she was very nice to me when I was introduced to her my first day and the lady knows her sports for damn sure. A lot of people on the show who had worked w/ her far longer than I had did not like her at all. She was a professional no doubt, but did carry herself like she knew she was the sh-t.
-
A's win again and are up 3 on ya Matt!
You shush! :-X
Losing by that much doesn't cost you 2 or 3 games in the loss column
It should!! 8)
Every team has games like this.
True, but it's much more fun when it's the Yanks. ;)
How was Lisa Guerrero in person.
Hey, you two stay the hell away from my woman! >:(
At least we have in common a dislike for fair weather fans, regional two-team fans, and hatered for the Dodgers.
Speaking of...
JediMac,
I'll assume you're just referring to the latter two of those blurbs there. But Idej, are there really no Bay Area folks that are fans of both the Giants and the A's? Or in NY, is anyone a fan of both the Yankees and the Mets?
Hell, ever since I was a lil' tike growin' up in Orange County, I've always rooted for both of my local teams, in each sport. Dodgers/Angels, Raiders/Rams, Lakers/kinda Clippers, Kings/later Ducks (though I'll admit to being fairweathered in this sport now), UCLA/USC...
Fortunately, it's never come down to one team against another in the Playoffs, so I've never had to make a choice between the two. I've been begging for my Freeway World Series between the Halos and the Blue, but they've never really even come close. If they met now, I'd go with the Angels in a heartbeat though. Rams and Raiders have come close to playing eachother in the Super Bowl a couple times recently, but to no avail. The only local team I've dumped since my youth is USC, 'cause THAT'S a rivalry that you just can't be on both sides of. Since I went to UCSB (long ago) and my wife went to UCLA, they've definitely won my loyalty since I hit my collegiate years. Don't get that same vibe from any of those other franchises though. No hatred for eachother really.
Now you wanna talk about hatred... Dodgers/Giants. Now there's some hatred. I love how Vic the Brick always refers to them as "the hated ones", instead of ever calling them just "the Giants". Anyway, yeah, it's gonna boil down to those head to head series matchups over the next few weeks here, and the Dodgers have been losing some serious steam of late. I think we're 13-11 since the trade, including the win we squeeked out against the Snakes in extra innings tonight. Not looking too hot right now, and we're still reeling from the implosion within our bullpen. Not a good idea trading Mota. At all. That's proving a lot more costly than moving LoDuca.
I'll be extremely pissed off if both the Angels AND Dodgers falter coming down the stretch here, and we get no post season love here in SoCal. It'll just add insult to injury if SF sneaks in there... :-\
-
Uhh, I think we're still in first place though.
True, but for the Sox to make up 7 games in a little over two weeks has to put some worry in the Yankees, Steinbrenner, the fans, etc. And honestly, the Yankees starting rotation is suspect and it will hurt them in the playoffs. Great pitching will almost always win over great hitting. Hell, you saw it first hand last year in the ALCS.
-
Or in NY, is anyone a fan of both the Yankees and the Mets?
nope. that's sacrilige (or however you spell it). almost as bad as liking more than one of the following: rangers, islanders, devils. that could get you killed.
-
I've seen Billy Crystal rock out both Mets and Yankees hates. You just can't do that.
It would be like me wearing an Avs jersey while being an enormous Red Wings fan. It just ain't gonna happen and it isn't allowed.
-
I've seen Billy Crystal rock out both Mets and Yankees hates. You just can't do that.
He wore a Mets hat in "City Slickers"...a movie, nothing more. However, he does own a stake in the Arizona Diamondbacks despite being a lifelong Yankee fan.
-
I've seen Billy Crystal rock out both Mets and Yankees hates. You just can't do that.
He wore a Mets hat in "City Slickers"...a movie, nothing more. However, he does own a stake in the Arizona Diamondbacks despite being a lifelong Yankee fan.
Yeah, I remember the hat in City Slickers, but I thought I saw him rocking one out somewhere. Hopefully I'm wrong, but then again, why wear a Mets hat in the movie if you're a Yankee fan? Billy has clout. He didn't "have" to wear the Mets hat.
-
But Idej, are there really no Bay Area folks that are fans of both the Giants and the A's?
Oh, there are. And I'm not singling you out. Fans of the As/Giants, Cubs/White Sox, Yankees/Mets, Angels/Dodgers... you're all equally confused. :-*
For the record, the 1988 WS proved quite the dilemma for me -- As or Dodgers, which team was I going to boo more?
-
Angels not helping themselves thus far. Sele is getting shelled.
-
Angels not helping themselves thus far. Sele is getting shelled.
Yeah they are. They just scored 3 in the third, to tie it up 5-5! 8)
-
Angels not helping themselves thus far. Sele is getting shelled.
Yeah they are. They just scored 3 in the third, to tie it up 5-5! 8)
12-6. So much for that rally.
-
Don't Worry, J-MAC.
At least the Twins are helping out out by beating up on Texas so they don't catch ya in the standings ;)
Boston is really pouring it on... too bad the Yanks won tonight to keep it at 3.5 games.
If this keeps up, there will be some GREAT baseball weeekends in September...
Fri. 17 Boston at NY Yankees
Sat. Sep 18 Boston at NY Yankees
Sun. Sep 19 Boston at NY Yankees
Fri. Sep 24 NY Yankees at Boston
Sat. Sep 25 NY Yankees at Boston
Sun. Sep 26 NY Yankees at Boston
Not to mention the Oakland/Anaheim showdowns and the SD/LA/SF showdowns. Not too much to see in either of the Central divisions or the NL East where things are on cruise control.
The Cubs should put on a good show in the WC race, they just gotta hope that SD and SF beat up on each other (or LA beats up on both of them) and gives them a chance to pull away a bit.
Jeff
-
Just bumping this near the top so alls yous SoCal fans don't forget that the Red Sox swept the Halos and now hold a lead of 4 1/2 in the WC and 6 over the Rangers, who come to town next and have to face a team that's looking for their 10th win in a row. :P
-
Well thats a rap. Our Edmonton Trappers are done & gone, played there final home game here last night. Game played only 1 inning & was called off because of a lengthy rain delay. The Trappers will relocate to Round Rock, Texas. :'(
-
and 6 over the Rangers, who come to town next and have to face a team that's looking for their 10th win in a row. :P
AND don't forget, the Ranger are a team who have LOST 4 in a row thanks to the beloved Twins who got out the brooms last night to sweep those Texans your way, Mikey.
Nine game lead over the Tribe, 9.5 over the ChiSox ;)
My heart skipped a beat when I heard ESPN talking about the possibility of a 1987 re-match! Bring out the Homer Hankies! ;D
Jeff
-
Radke-Santana is as good as a 1-2 punch as there is right now, good that really they only use the 3rd Starter once in the Playoffs. Mauer comes back, Koskie comes back and the Twins are looking great come October, whowee!
One of those moments I'll never forget is Gaetti to Hrbek for the last out of Game 7 1987
-
Barring a meltdown by my A's or the hated BoSox, the Angels may just be done, which really sucks because I wanted to go to some playoff games. Guess I'll have to settle for the Dodgers.
-
I don't know HE, there's still a ton of games left between the top three teams in the West. One thing's for sure, there's a lot of meaningful games with playoff implications left.
-
Just bumping this near the top so alls yous SoCal fans don't forget that the Red Sox swept the Halos
Barring a meltdown by my A's or the hated BoSox, the Angels may just be done...
Yeah, that was NOT a good series for the Halos. Pitching staff got LIT UP. Didn't even have a chance to get anything to K-Rod or Percy in the pen. Devastating, dropping us 4+ games behind both the A's for the Division, and the Sox for the Wildcard. Still a month to go, so I'm not giving up yet, but that was definitely a huge setback, after we had been playing our asses off for the several weeks prior to that. But man, the Sox and A's are even hotter.
Definitely gonna be some crazy wild division and wildcard chases down to the wire. Should be a helluva lotta fun to watch! If I don't get one of my boys in there, maybe we'll get that BoSox/Cubbies matchup this time around... Was kinda hoping they'd meet last year, so at least someone's demons could be excorcised! 8)
Most likely the Cards will be in there though. Against whom is the biggest question. I just doubt it's gonna be those Homer Hankie totin' dorks from MN though! :-*
Well thats a rap. Our Edmonton Trappers are done & gone...
Umm... Who?! ???
-
Well thats a rap. Our Edmonton Trappers are done & gone...
Umm... Who?! ???
Not a big league team, just a plain old Triple A baseball team. :-\
Gloomy night in Edmonton as another Triple A baseball club leaves Canada (http://www.canada.com/sports/baseball/story.html?id=D55F0E3D-E7A0-4A01-A959-7EFCBE234CCB)
-
Edmonton used to be the Twins Triple A Farm Club back in the day
-
Yeah, the Trappers had quite a few MLBers grace their field...
Here's their all-time Team:
Catcher: Javier Valentin (Trapper in 2001 & 2002)
First Base: Todd Sears (Trapper in 2001 & 2002)
Second Base: Mark McLemore (Trapper in 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990)
Third Base: Scott Spiezio (Trapper in 1996 & 1998)
Shortstop: Tony Batista (Trapper in 1996 and 1997)
Left Field: Ron Kittle (Trapper in 1982)
Centre Field: Devon White (Trapper in 1985, 1986 and 1990)
Right Field: Tim Salmon (Trapper in 1992)
Designated Hitter: Matthew LeCroy (Trapper in 2001 and 2002)
Utility Man: Scott Sheldon (Trapper in 1995, 1996 and 1997)
Left-Handed Pitcher: Johan Santana (Trapper in 2002)
Right-Handed Pitcher: Scott Randall (Trapper in 2002)
Relief Pitcher: D.W. Smith (Trapper in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987)
Not too shabby for Triple AAA...
Jeff
-
Not a big league team, just a plain old Triple A baseball team. :-\
Yeah, I figured as much. I was just messin' witchya'! :-*
Ron Kittle, eh? There's a blast from the past. Homer or whiff. Nuthin' in between. :P
-
Wasn't anyone else besides me impressed with Brownie breaking his hand on the clubhouse wall?! What a ******* idiot... ::)
Dodgers slide continues. Got waxed by the Cards, and the Hated Ones are closing quickly. 3 1/2 back now, I think.
Sox and Cards just look like steamrollers right now.
-
Wasn't anyone else besides me impressed with Brownie breaking his hand on the clubhouse wall?! What a ******* idiot... ::)
agreed. but he's missed so much time this season already in the rotation, that i don't think this will really be that big of a deal. but yeah, he's a ******* idiot all right.... ::)
-
NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees asked the commissioner's office to award them a forfeit over Tampa Bay after the Devil Rays failed to arrive in time for the scheduled start Monday because of travel problems in Florida due to Hurricane Frances.
The doubleheader was changed to a single game and the start time, pushed back Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., was reset for 7 p.m. The Devil Rays, who reported to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg at 8 a.m., left the ballpark at 1:05 p.m., departed Tampa International Airport at 2:40 p.m. and arrived at LaGuardia Airport at 5:25 p.m.
"The rule states that if your team is here and ready to play, and the other team isn't here and not ready to play, there should be a forfeit, and we believe there should be a forfeit," Yankees president Randy Levine said.
"There are no plans to reschedule any games until this issue is worked out," he said.
Levine said the commissioner's office had been told by the Devil Rays that Tampa Bay would head to New York late Friday or Saturday. Levine called for an investigation by baseball, and said that if the facts as the Yankees understood them were true, the game should be forfeited. Alternatively, Levine said the game should be rescheduled for Oct. 4 -- the day after the regular season is scheduled to end -- if it's necessary to decide a postseason race.
A forfeit didn't appear to be likely.
"Given the stage of the season we are in, and the exciting pennant races, it is critical that we do everything to decide the championship on the field," commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement.
that's the biggest load of bull**** i've read since last time i went to rs. so, what... because it was the yankees, a forfeit isn't allowed? so at the end of the season, they are gonna have the d-rays fly back up to new york to make up this one game if neccesary? what bull****. the rules are the rules, and their should not be any exceptions to them. i would bet that if the yankees were late getting to florida, they would have granted a forfeit to the d-rays.
-
NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees asked the commissioner's office to award them a forfeit over Tampa Bay after the Devil Rays failed to arrive in time for the scheduled start Monday because of travel problems in Florida due to Hurricane Frances.
The doubleheader was changed to a single game and the start time, pushed back Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., was reset for 7 p.m. The Devil Rays, who reported to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg at 8 a.m., left the ballpark at 1:05 p.m., departed Tampa International Airport at 2:40 p.m. and arrived at LaGuardia Airport at 5:25 p.m.
"The rule states that if your team is here and ready to play, and the other team isn't here and not ready to play, there should be a forfeit, and we believe there should be a forfeit," Yankees president Randy Levine said.
"There are no plans to reschedule any games until this issue is worked out," he said.
Levine said the commissioner's office had been told by the Devil Rays that Tampa Bay would head to New York late Friday or Saturday. Levine called for an investigation by baseball, and said that if the facts as the Yankees understood them were true, the game should be forfeited. Alternatively, Levine said the game should be rescheduled for Oct. 4 -- the day after the regular season is scheduled to end -- if it's necessary to decide a postseason race.
A forfeit didn't appear to be likely.
"Given the stage of the season we are in, and the exciting pennant races, it is critical that we do everything to decide the championship on the field," commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement.
that's the biggest load of ******** i've read since last time i went to rs. so, what... because it was the yankees, a forfeit isn't allowed? so at the end of the season, they are gonna have the d-rays fly back up to new york to make up this one game if neccesary? what ********. the rules are the rules, and their should not be any exceptions to them. i would bet that if the yankees were late getting to florida, they would have granted a forfeit to the d-rays.
We beat the Rays 7-4 anyhow. Plus had there been a forfeit, A-Rod, Matsui, and Posada wouldn't have contributed points to my fantasy bounty for the night. And that would have been a damn tragedy.
-
right, the yanks won the game that was played. but it was supposed to be a double header. so even if the yanks would have been granted the forfeit, they still would have played this game.
-
Can someone point me towards an AL pitcher who is throwing better than Johan Santana right now?!?
That's right, THERE ISN'T ONE.
10-0 in his 11 starts since the All-Star break with a 1.38 ERA.
Since June 9, Santana is 15-2 with a 1.49 ERA :o
Go Twinkies! ;D
-
Can someone point me towards an AL pitcher who is throwing better than Johan Santana right now?!?
That's right, THERE ISN'T ONE.
10-0 in his 11 starts since the All-Star break with a 1.38 ERA.
Since June 9, Santana is 15-2 with a 1.49 ERA :o
Go Twinkies! ;D
Yet he was cut by the Nataku Dragons...
-
how about "El Duque" Orlando Hernandez? Since coming back to the team in mid-July, he's 7-0 in 11 starts with a 2.62 era.
oh yeah, there's also this news today as a follow-up to my earlier story:
HURRICANE FRANCES RAVAGES FLORIDA. STEINBRENNER BLAMED (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=1876789)
-
Big wins tonight for my local boys... Gained a full game each. The Blue is getting their lead up to a more comfortable margin again, at 6 up with about 22 to go...
Halos closed to within one game of the A's tonight too. Plus, we've got 6 head-to-head games left to go with them as well, so our density destiny is in our own hands at this point, which is cool.
BoSox gained a game back tonight on the Yanks too. Plus, there's a 5 way race going for that NL wildcard. Getting exciting!
Yet somehow, amidst it all, the Twinkies just keep winning... I just don't get that. Oh wait, yes I do. They play in the worst division in all of baseball. That's right, now I remember!
-
Yet somehow, amidst it all, the Twinkies just keep winning... I just don't get that. Oh wait, yes I do. They play in the worst division in all of baseball. That's right, now I remember!
Sounds like someone's jealous! :P
-
Just looking at record alone the Twins would be 1 game out of first in the AL West and 2 games out of first in the NL West. But that doesn't transfer entirely because you can't take away the fact that the Twins play the majority of their games against the Magglio-less Frank-less Sox, Royals, and Indians while the A's play the Angels, Ranger and Mariners and the Dodgers play the Giants, Padres and Diamondbacks.
The Twins are a good team, no doubt, but they are definitely a notch below the other 1st place teams in my opinion.
Anything can happen in that short first round of the playoffs though.
-
Name me another team besides the Red Sox with two better starting pitchers...oh and a Payroll below $60 million...
I was a doubter at the beginning of the year but they are smoking teams right now, not just the Central. If Santana doesn't win the Cy the award is a sham
-
Name me another team besides the Red Sox with two better starting pitchers...oh and a Payroll below $60 million...
I was a doubter at the beginning of the year but they are smoking teams right now, not just the Central. If Santana doesn't win the Cy the award is a sham
A 1-2 punch for pitchers? Well, the Sox don't have a payroll that low. But some awesome 1-2 punches THIS year (so NOT Wood-Prior) are Clemens-Oswalt, Hudson-Mulder, Schilling-Pedro.
Are you using Radke as your #2 on Minnesota?
I have to agree that Santana has been way more dominating than Schilling if you look at ERA, WHIP, and K/9. Santana has struck out 3 more batters per 9.0 than Schilling with an ERA 1/2 point below Schilling. Santana deserves the Cy.
-
With the exception of one bad game against Anaheim a couple of weeks ago Radke has been phenomenal since the All-Satr Break. Clemens and Oswalt was the other pair I was thinking of but nobody could hold Santana's jock right now
I like the Twins chances with Santana and Radke pitching 4 of 5 and then 6 out of 7 Games in the Playoffs.
-
Just looking at record alone the Twins would be 1 game out of first in the AL West and 2 games out of first in the NL West. But that doesn't transfer entirely because you can't take away the fact that the Twins play the majority of their games against the Magglio-less Frank-less Sox, Royals, and Indians while the A's play the Angels, Ranger and Mariners and the Dodgers play the Giants, Padres and Diamondbacks.
I'm also looking at the Yankees Record and they get to play the Orioles, Devil Rays and Blue Jays 18 times a piece
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/standings/grid
I'm not saying they aren't so good but you look at how the Twins have done against the rest of the AL and they are just as good as the Yankees, A's, Angels and Red Sox
In fact if you look at W-L against those 5 teams only, Boston is the clear cut best team with the Twins, Yankees, Angels and A's all around the same
-
All Central Division jealousy aside, the Minnesota Twins just keep rolling!
We whupped the Chicago White Sux two games is a row to extend the old Win Streak to 8 games to an 85-60 record, as well as opening up an impressive 12.5 game lead over those same Sox.
If we can hang on to the #2 seed in the playoffs, we'll get Boston instead of the Suckees Yankees, and as a baseball fan, I'd LOVE to see a Schilling/Santana and Pedro/Radke for game 1 and 2.
;D
Jeff
ps
More Props for Santana (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=olney_buster&id=1881935)
-
All Central Division jealousy aside, the Minnesota Twins just keep rolling!
We whupped the Chicago White Sux two games is a row to extend the old Win Streak to 8 games to an 85-60 record, as well as opening up an impressive 12.5 game lead over those same Sox.
If we can hang on to the #2 seed in the playoffs, we'll get Boston instead of the Suckees Yankees, and as a baseball fan, I'd LOVE to see a Schilling/Santana and Pedro/Radke for game 1 and 2.
;D
Jeff
ps
More Props for Santana (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=olney_buster&id=1881935)
It looks like Round 1 is going to be Yankees vs. Twins and Red Sox vs. Oakland.
-
Aramis Ramirez with 3 homeruns last night. Aramis 5 Reds 4.
-
i dont think the yanks are going to win the east. i firmly believe the sox are going to pull ahead of them with the next 2 sox yanks series. i think the sox will win 2 of 3 in ny and 3 of 3 in boston. THe yanks pitching has not been really good where the red sox pitching has been very good. they both have amazing offenses so it will come down to which starting pitcher is better...i think the yanks will win tonight, (el duque vs. arroyo) and the sox will take the other 2(lowe vs lieber and pedro vs. mussina)
-
has anyone seen the chair throwing thing
have a seat (http://mfile.akamai.com/10869/wmv/mlb.download.akamai.com/10869/2004/open/topplays/archive09/091304_texoak_brawl_350.asx)
-
Yeah, that was pretty crazy! I'd probably take a chair in the face and a broken nose, if it turned into a million bucks in damages, or something to that effect...
Meanwhile, my Dodgers are tanking. Hard.
Angels are too, but fortunately the A's are as well, so we're not losing any ground. Just running out of time to make it up! :-\
-
Bonds just hit #700!
-
Care.
-
Twins Magic Number is down to 3!
-
Twins Magic Number is down to 3!
;D
Sweeeeet. I'm going to try to head out to the game on Sunday to see Santana pitch... should be a good one!
Jeff
-
I think Santana pretty much wrapped up the Cy yesterday barring a horrific 9 run perfomance or something, leads the league in ERA and K's and 2nd in W's and has been absolutely wicked since before the All Star game.
One more win against the Whiteys and its over...looks like they'll play the BoSox first. Should be a lot of great story lines there...Dougie and Ortiz being former Twins and Martinez and Schilling versus the Twins 1-2 of Santana and Radke.
I like the Twins chances and the national media seems to be picking up the vibe as well
-
i dont think the yanks are going to win the east. i firmly believe the sox are going to pull ahead of them with the next 2 sox yanks series. i think the sox will win 2 of 3 in ny and 3 of 3 in boston.
Guess not. The Yanks should have won that Friday night game as well, but Mariano comes in and blows it in the 9th. Oh well, you can't be perfect all the time. Everyone's allowed to make a mistake or two. I just wish it wasn't against Boston. But I think the Yanks will be able to hold on to the lead in the A. L. East and win it. Again.
-
Cubs defeated Pavano in the 1st game of a double header. You know Pavano, one of the best pitchers in the NL. He's won like 17 or 18 games this season. They beat him without Sosa, Barrett, and Aramis Ramirez. Something like 5-1.
Then the Cubs lose to David Weathers 5-2 in the second game. Weathers by the way had not won a major league start in 6 years.
How the hell does that happen? LOL! :)
-
I'm surprised at how bad the majority of teams who are in the running for the postseason are playing right now.
-
Cubs have a chance at the Wild Card and I think the Giants still have a chance in the West
Cough...nice job Dodgers!
-
Yep. Dodgers suck. Angels suck. Neither will probably make the post season at this point, just 'cause God hates me.
But I'm still holding out hope 'til the bitter end. Pretty pathetic to lose 8 games off your lead in just a month or so...
Not to mention Brad Penny finally returned last night after 6 weeks out, and promptly got shelled, and reinjured his arm by the 4th inning. Brilliant trade that turned out to be. :-\
-
Yep. Dodgers suck. Angels suck. Neither will probably make the post season at this point, just 'cause God hates me.
But I'm still holding out hope 'til the bitter end. Pretty pathetic to lose 8 games off your lead in just a month or so...
Not to mention Brad Penny finally returned last night after 6 weeks out, and promptly got shelled, and reinjured his arm by the 4th inning. Brilliant trade that turned out to be. :-\
As long as Steve Finley and Brad Penny stay put, I still would have given up Mota and Lo Duca. Of course, LA has to sign Beltre to even have a shot next year anyhow. I think Beltre might now want a raise. When asked by an LA area reporter if he thought this season would bring him more value in the free agent market, Beltre replied only, "Bling bling mother ******."
-
Yep. Dodgers suck. Angels suck. Neither will probably make the post season at this point, just 'cause God hates me.
But I'm still holding out hope 'til the bitter end. Pretty pathetic to lose 8 games off your lead in just a month or so...
Not to mention Brad Penny finally returned last night after 6 weeks out, and promptly got shelled, and reinjured his arm by the 4th inning. Brilliant trade that turned out to be. :-\
Hopefully you are wrong since I just bought 3 playoff tickets for the Angels first game of the playoff. 8)
Edit: I had more easily of a time get those then getting my C3 pass and hotel room.
-
Yeah, looks like I will be catching a few games of the Sox in the playoffs in the first round. Now I just have to pull a few strings to get tickets to face you Yankee doucebags ;D
-
As long as Steve Finley and Brad Penny stay put, I still would have given up Mota and Lo Duca.
Finley wasn't part of that deal though, otherwise most Dodger fans wouldn't have quite such a gripe over it. The Finley deal went down at the exact same time though, in a 3 team swap, where we gave Dave Roberts to the Yanks (or Sox, can't remember now), got Finley from the D'backs, and I can't remember who they got. But not part of the LoDuca trade. We got Penny, HeeSop Choi (Korean first baseman, who's sucked), and some other random dude I can't remember now.
But yeah, Finley's been great, and a healthy Penny (next year) would still make an excellent addition to the staff. Surprisingly, our bullpen's ERA has actually DROPPED since we got rid of Mota in that trade. Weird. Must've just been because Driefort got injured and stopped blowing all the 8th inning holds in Mota's place.
Helluva stretch run here, and the Dodgers have thankfully turned things back up a notch, knocking the hated ones in 2 of 3 over the weekend, to boost our lead back to 2 1/2 over them. Couple more wins against the Rockies and a Giant loss or two, and hopefully we can put this thing to bed!
Angels have been even more nail biting of late, but pulled out 2 of 3 against the A's, to pull to within 1 game of the Division lead, with 3 more to go against the A's in Oakland to close out the season this weekend. But fortunately the A's have been sucking much ass the past month, and allowing the Angels to stick around. Gonna be a serious nail biter, but hopefully the Angels squeek in there!
You guys see that the Angels just suspended our 2nd best hitter, Jose Guillen, for the rest of the season (including playoffs) after he got pissed off at being pulled for a pinch runner on Saturday?! Damn. Ballsy move by the Halos. Most folks are still wondering if there was some further action going down in the clubhouse after the game between Scioscia and Guillen that prompted the suspension. 'Cause a measely little facial gesture sure ain't worth it in most people's opinions. But at least Glaus is looking healthy again, and swinging the bat better now, so he should be a more than suitable replacement for Guillen's stick. Sucks that we lost Adam Kennedy for the rest of the season to an injury a few weeks ago too. That definitely hurts. As a matter of fact, we just gave up a run to Texas on an error by his replacement at second. Tied 1-1 right now...
Gonna be one helluva stretch run, that's for sure. Go SoCal!!! 8)
-
Edit: I had more easily of a time get those then getting my C3 pass and hotel room.
;D I bet you did
-
Good Lord that was close! Halos took a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the ninth, where they let the Rangers load the bases with only 1 out. But Percy fortunately got us out of it. Barely.. 8)
Now the A's just need to LOSE!!!
-
Have the Dodgers been able to exorcise the ghost of Murdoch's megla-corp already? Why aren't they sucking wind like Harry Knowles after a walk through a long corridor?
Dodgers on the verge of clinching the West... 4 hurricanes in Florida... I fear the apocalypse is near.
-
Now the A's just need to LOSE!!!
Now THAT is something I can get behind. ;)
Suck it up A's! I'd love to open the ALDS at the Homer-Dome! ;D
Jeff
-
Don't get all excited goof. You're just gonna lose to us again in the playoffs, so the less you rant and rave now, the less I'll have to rub it into your Twinkie ass later! :-*
BTW, Beltre just hit a grand slam, to but the Blue up 5-2! Maybe we just WILL exorcise those Murduch demons... 8)
-
the sox are in. now they just need to pass the mfy...i am rooting for the twins this week
ps...mfy = yanks
-
Don't get all excited goof. You're just gonna lose to us again in the playoffs, so the less you rant and rave now, the less I'll have to rub it into your Twinkie ass later! :-*
BTW, Beltre just hit a grand slam, to but the Blue up 5-2! Maybe we just WILL exorcise those Murduch demons... 8)
Hey, if we see a Twins/Halos rematch, that'd be great because it'd mean somebody beat the Yank-Offs and the Red Sux. :-*
the sox are in. now they just need to pass the mfy...i am rooting for the twins this week
ps...mfy = yanks
I'm guessing that you don't mean "My Favorite Yanks" :P
-
absolutely i dont
i dont think lohse will beat hernadez but i am pretty sure they will win the other 2 with radke and santana
-
It sure would be nice to roll into the series with the Yanks and take at least 2/3 if not sweep them right before the playoffs like that. 8)
Should be a fun finish to the 2004 regular season as early this week we've got:
Twins at Yankees - Potential Playoff Preview
Anahiem at Texas - both are still in the AL West hunt
Then, some HUGE series this weekend:
Giants at Dodgers - Will probably decide the NL West Winner
Anaheim at Oakland - Will probably decide the AL West Winner
Cubs at Atlanta - Will probably help hecide the NL Wild Card
So much crazy stuff could go down yet this week in 4 of the 8 races...
Jeff
-
It sure would be nice to roll into the series with the Yanks and take at least 2/3 if not sweep them right before the playoffs like that. 8)
The Yanks are gonna put the mac down, and put the smack down.
-
I think the Twins have a better shot this year than they did last year since the Yanks pitching is down. I won't put too much stock in these next 3 games either
I'm not sure if I'd rather play the Yanks or the Sox right now, both of them are scary good with the sticks which might crack Radke a game or two
Still like their chances in a 5 game series
-
Holy ****, what a night of SoCal baseball! First, the Angels won big over Texas. Then Oakland loses, meaning the Angels are finally back in FIRST PLACE (tied)! 8) Plus, the Angels got the potential playoff tie breaking game against the A's in Anaheim, should it come to that.
Then, the Dodgers come out like a limp schlong against the Rockies, down 4-0 in the bottom of the ninth. Giants have already won, so we're about to lose a game back off our lead, when BAM! Dodgers go for 5 runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to pull it out! Crazy!
Plus, in the Dodgers best Jose Guillen impression, Milton Bradley went totally AGRO (for like the 5th time this season), and got into it with a DODGER fan in the bleacher. Apparently the fan tossed a bottle out towards him, after he made a costly error allowing a couple runs to come in. So Bradley walked over to him, and kindly returned his bottle at his feet - with all of his might. Then went nuts, got tossed, screamed at the rest of the Dodger fans on his way into the dugout, etc., etc., etc. Gonna get suspended by the league too, I'd bet. What a moron. Maybe him and Guillen can go out for some drinks together this week, while their teammates are still ballin'.
Looking good! Pretty confident about the Dodgers right now, with their 3 game lead with just 5 to play. Now I just pray the Angels will keep rolling and finish their division out too! 8)
-
RIP Montreal Expos...and the Washington team better be named the Senators
-
Plus, in the Dodgers best Jose Guillen impression, Milton Bradley went totally AGRO (for like the 5th time this season), and got into it with a DODGER fan in the bleacher. Apparently the fan tossed a bottle out towards him, after he made a costly error allowing a couple runs to come in. So Bradley walked over to him, and kindly returned his bottle at his feet - with all of his might. Then went nuts, got tossed, screamed at the rest of the Dodger fans on his way into the dugout, etc., etc., etc. Gonna get suspended by the league too, I'd bet. What a moron. Maybe him and Guillen can go out for some drinks together this week, while their teammates are still ballin'.
Somebody ought to prescribe him a sedative, cuz he just cannot control himself. I think he's gonna get a nice big smack on the ass this time.
-
Bradley's suspended for the rest of the season. I don't know if he's eligible for return in the playoffs or not. Psycho.
-
That's just freakin' brilliant. ::)
-
It sounds like he is at least able to play in the playoffs unlike Guillen, who is trying to fight his suspension with the players assaction. IF he get it removed he will be the best brench warmer the Angels have since it sounds like he won't be allowed to play anyways since the manger makes the line up choices.
-
RIP Montreal Expos...and the Washington team better be named the Senators
Yup, a whopping 4000 or so fans. Finally a team from Canada that should move to the US. Still, sad to see yet another franchise go south. Guess I better get used to it :'(
-
I find it surprising though that cities are willing to shell out the big bucks for these teams, many of which are still losing money and many of which have found loopholes around revenue sharing (which is why the Yankees want to build or renovate their stadium)
I lost a lot of love for baseball thanks to 1994, its taken years, even the last 3 here in town has shown people don't care as much as they used to. Twins were drawing over 3 million fans in 1987 and 1991 and this year with probably just as good as a team drew poorly.
This is why the NFL will be and always will be America's true Pastime, Baseball gave that up with the Strike of '94 and its never going back
-
Well the Cubs are trying their best not to make the postseason. Lost 4 of their last 5 to the Mets and Reds and even had leads in the 9th inning twice! But thanks to the Giants for losing they are still just a half game in back of the Stros with 4 to play and Houston idle tonight.
Crazy WC race but I think Houston will pull it out since they play Colorado. They should sweep them and the Giants and Cubs have tougher opponents. Giants play the Dodgers and the Cubs play the Braves. We'll see what goes down though.
-
Yeah, I think your Cubs are toast Bri. Too bad, 'cause I often root for the poor guys (and really like Maddux). Astros are playing tough, and it'll be interesting to see what the Dodgers do to the Giants this weekend, with potentially nothing at stake for themselves anymore. I'd love to see them knock the Giants out of the Wild Card too. God, that would make my year...
Another barn burner for the Halos last night. WOW! Down 6-5 in the ninth, with two outs and no one on. Vlad singles, and a guy who's got like 15 at bats all season comes in and triples off the top of the wall to tie it up! Then, in the 11th, Glaus goes for the 2-run poke for the win. Then the real icing on the cake - the A's blew their lead in the 9th inning as well, and lost to Seattle! 1 game lead baby!!! 8)
Unfortunately, the Dodgers melted down in the 9th themselves, but the Padres took care of the Giants in extra innings, keeping the Blue 3 games up, and dropping our magic number down to 2, which means we could actually clinch tonight, rendering the weekend series against the Giants a moot point (which would be kinda unfortunate, as that would be some insane baseball to watch)...
Fingers crossed... :)
-
RIP Montreal Expos...and the Washington team better be named the Senators
Yup, a whopping 4000 or so fans. Finally a team from Canada that should move to the US. Still, sad to see yet another franchise go south. Guess I better get used to it :'(
:'(
-
This is why the NFL will be and always will be America's true Pastime, Baseball gave that up with the Strike of '94 and its never going back
Don't suppose you'd care to forward that statement on to Goodenow and Betmann would you? Fans can and do become bitter, especially when it's a bunch of millionaires fighting amongst themselves. Hockey is just that much stupider, simply because so little of the US cares about them. They desperately need to realize they are not a major league sport, in spite of being the best in the world at what they do.
-
None of the Twinkees are running their mouths now, huh??
;D
-
Meh, they would have won game one if Santana would have pitched the whole game, Game 2 was close and that is with suck ass Loshe pitching.
Doesn't really matter too much other than if they play back there next week or at home versus the Sox. I still like their chances
-
Yeah, hard to argue with game 1.
Santana looked GREAT through 5 innings, got to 70 pitches and Gardy benched him. Save that arm for the Playoffs me thinks. I'd rather take a loss there than have Johan blow out his arm inthe 7-8th inning.
Jeff
-
Gotta ask the Cub
bandwagon fans what they think about LaTroy Hawkins these days????
-
1 game lead baby!!!
Boy, that didn't last too long... :'( Angels got slapped around today, and the A's hit a dinger in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Mariners. ****! >:(
...what they think about LaTroy Hawkins these days?
One of my buddies is his agent (or at least one of them from that sports management firm), as well as your other boy still out there - Torii Hunter. :-*
-
Gotta ask the Cub bandwagon fans what they think about LaTroy Hawkins these days????
As 2004 JediDefender Fantasy Baseball Champion I declared LaTroy Hawkins an inferior closer to Brad Lidge and made the appropriate move, thereby helping liberate Planet Dressel of the Old Cocky Bastard army.
-
The thing about LaTroy Hawkins is this. He is not a closer. He is a setup man. He was brought to the Cubs to setup for Joe Borowski. But Joe went down early in the season due to injury. Then they thrust LaTroy into that closer role and sometimes he's done good and a lot of times not so good. But it's not his true role. You look at the better closers in this game and they are older pitchers. LaTroy just is not there yet. Close but not quite.
However, the Cubs management had the entire season to shop for a closer and they never did. I don't know why because it was one of their main problems the whole year. I know getting Nomar was a good move but they had more than enough talent to go after a decent closer. Anyone would have helped.
In the end what really screwed the Cubs was their lack of clutch hitting and bullpen. They always, always, always, always put themselves in a fantastic position to win games but rarely got the big hit in many key series' to break a game wide open.
That and their lack of a solid closer. There were other things that doomed the team like injuries, poor attitudes on some ballplayers, and some dumb coaching from Baker and Wav'in Wendell Kim the 3rd base coach.
All in all it just was not their year...again. They had their chances but could never quite seal the deal.
-
(http://www.huatki.com/topsite/members/photob1/Broom.jpg)
-
WOOHOO! YANKS SWEEP THE TWINKIES! AND WIN THE AL EAST!
-
Bobby Crosby!!!
How awesome is it that the A's and Angels get to decide the West in a best of 3 final series?
-
Yawn...like I already said, get back to me when it counts and the Twins pitchers pitch the whole game ::)
-
Yeah, yeah, yeah.... but shouldn't the Twins have been playing for Home Field advantage at least? A few more wins could put them above whoever wins the West. And I'm sure the Yanks are now gonna get swept by the 65-93 Blue Jays since Torre said lots of guys are going to get some rest ::)
-
I don't think they care, they have to beat the Yankees either way
-
:)
Go Yankees!
Kevin
-
Twinks win!
Halos jump out to n early lead...
-
Eeeeeeeeeee cheeeeeeeeeeeeeee rooooooooooooo
Seems like every game I've gone to see in the last two or three years has been the Twinks versus the Mariners for some reason. Me and my buddy like to yell Ichiro's name at the top of lungs, its fun to do, try it!
Congrats Ichiro, you rule!
(http://espn-att.starwave.com/media/mlb/2004/1001/photo/la_ichiro2_skirm.jpg)
-
That's a bigtime record to break. Congrats Ichiro! Too bad it's been mired with some controversy. Some baseball purists were suggesting that Ichiro's record should have something akin to an asterisk next to it since he acheived this in the era of the 162 game series. Hasn't anyone learned from the terribly time Roger Maris was put through when he held the single season homerun record? The stupidity of some people is really staggering at times.
-
How awesome is it that the A's and Angels get to decide the West in a best of 3 final series?
Just about as awesome as the fact that their two National League local counterparts are doing the exact same thing. ;)
Makin' my head spin this past week!
But the Halos definitely took care of business tonight, clocking in a 10-0 drudging of the A's. Still nervous about the next couple games though. Gotta win just ONE more! Same goes for the Dodgers, who didn't come out to play tonight, and looked lethargic against the Giants. Lead's down to 2. I wouldn't be totally shocked to see the Giants take all three, that I've gotta think/hope that it's highly doubtful.
And as much as I hate Bonds, it really sucks to watch us (or anyone else for that matter) intentionally walk the guy when he's LEADING OFF an inning with no one on, and no outs. That's embarrassing for us and for baseball, and the rules should be changed where the batter is awarded SECOND base on some bull**** kinda walk like that. ::)
And congrats to Ichiro as well. Incredible achievement with the alltime single season hits record there... 8)
-
Congrats to Ichiro. Very impressive accomplishment.
I'm stunned at how bad the A's have played this last month and a half. Had they played the way they've played the last few years in the second half, they would have run away with this thing. Everyone in the West was struggling. I'm amazed at how bad Mulder has been as well. The pressure is on now. They've gotta win the next 2. If not, hats off to the Angels and I'll be pulling for them in the postseason against the Red Sox.
-
Angels WIN ;D.
I'm going to my first playoffs every soon. 8)
-
Well, it's all set. The 8 playoff teams are Astros, Braves, Dodgers, Cardinals, Yankees, Red Sox, Twins, and Angels.
-
Yanks and Twins in the first round if the Angels win tomorrow or Minnesota loses either game
The game today was suspended because they had to get the Metrodome ready for the Gopher game tonight...weird
-
Well, it's all set. The 8 playoff teams are Astros, Braves, Dodgers, Cardinals, Yankees, Red Sox, Twins, and Angels.
Not yet. Astros have to win today.
Congrats to the Angels. They earned it. Now here's hoping they get the Sox so they can wax them.
-
Wow. Yesterday will definitely go down as one of the greatest days in my sports fandom history. I'm sitting there in the 7th/8th innings of both the Dodgers and Angels games, screaminig obsenities and shouting at my wife how ****** up it was that NEITHER of my teams was going to make the playoffs...
Then, RALLY TIME. Angels chip away and pull out another amazing comeback against the A's, at which point I tell the Mrs. "well, I did say I'd take the Angels over the Dodgers", so I'm one happy MF right then. Haven't won the division in almost 20 years (got in with the Wild Card a couple years ago).
So after reveling in the Angels celebrating for about 15 minutes, I finally switched back over to the Dodger game for good, to endure the last inning or so of pain. Well, I think you all saw what happened there. Unbelievable. Topped by Finley's walk off grand slam... Did I mention unbelievable? What a moment.
So we stunningly pulled off both division championships within 29 minutes of eachother. I'm one happy man. Exhausted too, from switching back and forth between channels between practically every single pitch of both games. Sheesh! But getting the Dodgers AND the Angels in the playoffs in the same season for the first time EVER was well worth the worn out thumb muscle! ;)
But what's odd, is that I won't feel like the Dodgers victory is really complete until the Giants are completely eliminated from the playoffs. Seeing them (and Bonds) left out is almost as good as us getting in. So today's game is still pretty damned important in that respect. It'd be the icing on the cake if we could knock them out of the playoff picture today. At least the Astros have Clemens pitching today, so that should definitely help them get the W they need. 8)
Woohoo! I want my Freeway World Series!!! 8)
-
Well no Clemens today Matt, but Brandon Backe is doing the job thus far. 5-2 'Stros at the moment.
I'm not a Dodger fan by any stretch, but that was an amazing moment yesterday that I won't soon forget. Bonds not making the playoffs is great, so the Dodgers are the lesser of 2 evils.
I was impressed that the A's did what they did this year because this was by far their weakest club in the last 5 years. The bullpen was horrendous and neither Arthur Rhodes nor Dotel were the answer at closer, so even had the A's gotten into the postseason, I doubt they'd have made any noise in round 1. I had picked the Angels to win the West based on their offseason moves, so I'm really not surprised they won. I think it's great that they did too. They have a chance to make some noise and go deep into the postseason.
The NL playoffs are going to be interesting. If the Cards pitching holds up, I think they will take it all the way. They'll get the Blue Crew if the 'Stros hang on and win.
As a side note, I read in the Sporting News this week that the Angels may make a run at Pedro Martinez this offseason. I also think the A's will shop Barry Zito. I'd love to see the Angels get him.
-
Lord, please have mercy on the Dodgers, the Angels, JediMAC and Holographic Elvis, when you plunge southern California into the Pacific Ocean on their way to hell.
-
Well, it's all set. The 8 playoff teams are Astros, Braves, Dodgers, Cardinals, Yankees, Red Sox, Twins, and Angels.
Not yet. Astros have to win today.
Yeah I know, but if the Astros win and Giants lose, both win, or both lose, then the Astros are in. The only of the 4 combinations that could have forced a one game playoff would have been Giants winning and 'stros losing.
At any rate, Astros vs. Braves round 1.
-
I've been absolutely PATHETIC in my picks of division champs the last 3 years but here goes
AL East: NY Yankees
AL Central: Kansas City Royals (same spot the Twins were in 2 years ago, they are hungry and have gotten better while the Twins got worse)
AL West: Oakland A's (pitching wins baby)
AL Wild Card: Boston Red Sox
NL East: Philadelphia Phillies (I think I've picked them 3 straight times, bastards)
NL Central: Chicago Cubs (too many weapons plus they added more from last year)
NL West: San Franscisco Giants
NL Wild Card: Houston Astros (see Oakland)
National League Champs: Chicago Cubs
American League Champs: New York Yankees
World Series Champion: Chicago Cubs
As much as I hate damn Cubs fans and the 80 million bandwagon jumpers they get when they make the playoffs, I think they have a real shot at winning it all. LaTroy Hawkins was a huge signing, he absoultely shuts teams down in the 7th and 8th when he most needed, something the Cubs really need. Sosa, Alou, Ramirez, Patterson and Lee make for a really solid line up and Prior (when he gets back) Wood and Clement are pretty solid 1, 2, 3. Its their year, God help us all
2 for 4 in the AL, 1 for 4 in the NL ::) Great Work OCB ::)
So...Round 1
AL Playoffs
Twins over Yankees in 4
Red Sox over Angels in 5
NL Playoffs
Cardinals over Dodgers in 4
Astros over Braves in 5
One thing that has me chewing my fingernails to nubs is the Twins Middle Relief, those guys have fallen apart at the end of the year. And you can't do that with the Yankees, they'll kill ya
Santana for 2 means that Radke or Silva needs to win 1 game, I think its more than possible that there will be an upset, in fact its gonna happen. How can it not with basically the same teams minus Clemens and Pettite and Wells from last year? Sorry New Yorkers, not gonna happen again!
-
I, too, am a crappy division-winner chooser, but it never stops me from trying...
AL East: New York Yankees
AL Central: Minnesota Twins
AL West: Oakland A's
AL Wild Card: Toronto Blue Jays
NL East: Atlanta Braves
NL Central: Chicago Cubs
NL West: LA Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Houston Astros
2/4 in the AL, 3/4 in the NL.
Would have had 3/4 in the AL if Oakland hadn't choked the last weekend of the year >:(
And, to those who scoffed at my pick of the Dodgers way back in March, *cough*Dressel*cough* to you I say, "HA!".
:P
Now, for the Playoffs:
Twins over Yanks in 5
Red Sox over the Halos in 3
Red Birds over the Dodgers in 3
Astros over the Braves in 5
-
Not sure I even made picks since I didn't register until just recently, so here's mine for the playoffs:
ALDS
Angels over Red Sox in 5
Yankees over Twins in 4
NLDS
Cards over Dodgers in 5
Braves over Astros in 5
ALCS
Angels over Yankees in 6
NLCS
Cards over Braves in 5
World Series
Cards over Angels in 6
I don't like to pick against the Yankees this time of year, but the Angels are hot right now and I've just seen too many teams ride that wave into the postseason and go far. Same can be said for the Astros, but I like the Braves head-to-head against them.
-
I'll save myself the embarrassment of posting my choices. Let's just say that only three are going to the playoffs and only one of those finished where I predicted ::) But hey, at least the Mariners were in it until early May.
Playoff picks:
-Twins over Yankees in 5. The stuff that helped the Yankees in the playoffs previously, pitching, is really going to hurt them.
-Red Sox over Angels in 4. The Halos are hot, but it's not like the Sox have been playing ****** ball lately. Plus the Angels might be tired, having played hard until the final days, where as the Sox have been resting up for almost a week.
-Cardinals over Dogders in 4. Better team the entire season wins here.
-Astros over Braves in 4. Clemens and Oswalt in a five game series? Tough to win.
-
Boy, not much love for my Braves. :( But here are my off the wall picks.
Twins over Yanks (Yanks lack of starting pitching finally catches up with them)
Red Sox over Angels (Schilling and Pedro will just be enough for them to win)
Braves over Astros (Clemens hasn't been that dominating in divisional playoffs in his career and this will be Oswalts first playoffs so who knows how he'll perform. Not to mention the Braves have owned the Astros in post season over the past 7-8 yrs)
Cards over the Dodgers (Dodger's pitching won't be able to hang with the Card's offense)
Twins over Red Sox
Braves over Cards
It comes full circle this year for the Twins and Braves. 14 yrs ago, at the start of the Braves run of 13 consecutive pennants, the Braves and Twins met in the WS. The Twins won it then, but this year, the Braves will win it, capping their unprecidented run with a WS win...and then will fail to make the post season next year. But they'll at least go out on top when their streak ends. ;D
-
Jim...who would win in a wrestling match? Kent Hrbek or Ron Gant????
(http://www.startribune.com/stonline/images/news63/1hrbek91.l.jpg)
-
Hmmm, Hrbek has the obvious weight advantage, but Gant probably has the strength advantage. That boy had some pipes on him.
I'll have to go with Gant though. Can't be taking a Twin over a Braves player, regardless of what it's in. :-*
-
Sucks that I had to take the day off of work today to actually watch my teams in the playoffs. Still haven't heard an explanation for all the insanely early playoff start times... 1pm for most of the weekday games? Anyone know why?
I'm also bummed at the two matchups we got stuck with, since those were the two teams I did NOT want to play in the first round. Sox are going to be EXTREMELY tough in a 5 game series with that 1-2 Schilling/Pedro punch. Make me nervous. And of course, the Cards are the best team in baseball this year, with an absolutely SICK offense, so I was dreading getting matched up with them at any point, but especially in the first round. Which they're obviously proving right now, by kicking our ass 7-1 in the 6th inning at the moment. >:(
As for my picks (little late now, I know):
Cards over Dodgers in 4
Astros over Braves in 5 (I think the Braves have overachieved all year, and Clemens will come up big)
Yankees over Twinks in 5 (despite the Twins awesome starters, there's just too much history and playoff experience on the Yanks side, and I think they'll squeek it out)
Angels over BoSox in 5 (can't possibly go against my Angels, despite the odds)
THEN:
Cards over Astros in 6
Angels over Yankees in 6 (screw their playoff history and experience, we're gonna kick their ass! Again! ;D)
AND FINALLY:
Angels over Cards in 7 8)
...but I wouldn't put my money on that. ;)
-
Cards take game 1 in convincing fashion 8-3 smashing a record-tying 5 HRs.
-
Dodgers look like they are a little tired from the stretch run mania...that happens a lot...same thing might happen to the Angels
-
Sucks that I had to take the day off of work today to actually watch my teams in the playoffs. Still haven't heard an explanation for all the insanely early playoff start times... 1pm for most of the weekday games? Anyone know why?
The East Coast Bias?
Because your teams were all last-minute additions to the Playoffs?
Because MLB hates you?
:-\
-
Dodgers look like they are a little tired from the stretch run mania...that happens a lot...same thing might happen to the Angels
Happening right now. 8-1 Sox.
-
Yeah, so that sure wasn't worth taking a day off for! :P I wasn't terribly surprised though. Schilling's a rock in the postseason, so I thought he'd handle us pretty well. I was actually surprised to see us get to him as much as we did. If we had just a couple more key hits we would've been right in there. Had some of our top guns up there with runners on base and in scoring position several times, but we couldn't come through in the clutch. Surprised at how poor our fielding was though... ::)
Pretty worried about the Dodgers, but I think the Angels will bounce back. They always do. I think they lost all three of their Game 1's on the way to their World Championship a couple years ago, so I don't think they're gonna panic. And since Pedro's been pitching like **** for the past month (which I hadn't fully realized until today), I think we can hopefully rough him up a little. I think the nerves will hopefully be a little better for Vlad, Figgins and the other playoff newbies come Game 2. They sure better be!
-
Well it's 2-0 Twinkies over the Yankees at the moment. Just the 6th inning though.
STL looked great today. So did Boston. I am looking forward to a possible Astros/Cards series now. If that happens.
-
Well it's 2-0 Twinkies over the Yankees at the moment. Just the 6th inning though.
Last time Santana gave up more than 2 earned runs...early August...
He gets to the 8th, I think they'll take 'er And then the Yanks are in deep ****! Their line-up is so good though, it ain't over, 'til its over :-X
-
Here comes Nathan! Lets get a run in the 9th boys and put the AL Chumps in a hole
-
THE TWINS WIN! THU-UH-UH TWINS WIN!
Where are all the Yankee fans??????? :P
I told you tonight would be different...Radke tomorrow night and then Silva and Santana again at home...uh oh!
-
Whew!
;D
Jeff
-
and Santana again at home
I should add (If Necessary) :P ;D
(http://espn-att.starwave.com/media/mlb/2004/1005/photo/g_santana_ft.jpg)
-
1 game down, 10 more to go.
I missed the 7 run inning and was forced to listen to it on the radio because MLB doesn't get the fact that people are still working at ******* 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Dipshits. And it's not just yesterday's game. Tonight's game starts at 10pm and with Colon pitching and the amount of time he takes in between pitches, the game will probably end around 2am. ::) Hey but at least Friday's game starts, oh yeah, that's right 4 pm. Asswads.
I think Petey will bounce back tonight. It won't be a perfect game, but he'll do enough and leave with the lead. That is of course, unless Francona leaves him too long, ala, He Who Must Not Be Named.
-
Can I just say again how impressed I am with my club???
* FIVE Double Plays to get out of trouble!
* An A-Rod homer stolen by Hunter! (I loved A-Rod's little smirk when he saw Torii caught that ball)
* A Sierra (oops) homer foul ball called correctly by the officials!
* Hunter gunning Posada at the plate!
* Santana - 7 IP, 0 ER, and only 93 pitches
They didn't give the Yankees any extra outs, they played great fundamental ball, and they took their chances when they got them.
Very impressed indeed, especially compared to the 7 run - 4th inning tragedy in the other AL series (oooh, burn!) ;D
I have great faith that my club will jump all over Lieber (14-8, 4.33) and the BRadke (11-6, 3.48) will bring the good stuff... :)
Jeff
-
Can I just say again how impressed I am with my club???
* An A-Rod homer stolen by Hunter! (I loved A-Rod's little smirk when he saw Torii caught that ball)
Great play but I don't think it would have been a homer if Torii didn't catch it. Looked like it would have bounced off the top of the wall for at least a double.
* A Bernie homer foul ball called correctly by the officials!
Ruben Sierra hit that ball. Best part was him striking out after rounding the bases.
-
Yeah, so that sure wasn't worth taking a day off for! :P I wasn't terribly surprised though. Schilling's a rock in the postseason, so I thought he'd handle us pretty well. I was actually surprised to see us get to him as much as we did. If we had just a couple more key hits we would've been right in there. Had some of our top guns up there with runners on base and in scoring position several times, but we couldn't come through in the clutch. Surprised at how poor our fielding was though... ::)
Being at the game it was worst... exspecailly being next to some Sox fans. I compelely missed the 9th inning since I was watching a protinal fight/riot between Angels fans and SOx fans. Nothing to bad started just a Sox fan getting his hat throwen around a bit (almost on off the level we were on). The cops escoted out the two main probelms from the stadium before anything bad broke up.
Pretty worried about the Dodgers, but I think the Angels will bounce back. They always do. I think they lost all three of their Game 1's on the way to their World Championship a couple years ago, so I don't think they're gonna panic. And since Pedro's been pitching like **** for the past month (which I hadn't fully realized until today), I think we can hopefully rough him up a little. I think the nerves will hopefully be a little better for Vlad, Figgins and the other playoff newbies come Game 2. They sure better be!
I think we will start getting runs and the win tonight. I think I saw that its going to be on UPN so hopefully I can watch it since I don't have cable.
-
Come On! Where the hell are all of the baseball fans out there...5-5, Rivera blows the Save, Twins and Yankees in the 12th and Nathan just shut down Jeter, A-Rod, Sheff (BALCO!), Matsui, Posada, and Sierra...wowza what a game!!!
GO TWINS!
-
[holding breath]
:-X
-
TORII!!!!
-
I'm Nervous to see Nathan out there again though :-\....although sit your ass down Olerud
-
I'm Nervous to see Nathan out there again though :-\...
:'(
-
Nice job Grady Little >:( And now...we'll hear from the Yankee "fans" ::)
-
A-Rod is the king!
As for the Angels, I smell a sweep. The Sox are looking scary right now. Damn shame.
-
Going on 3 1/2 hours of sleep with a bid due this afternoon is going to be hell, but it was all worth it. Stayed up until
late last night this morning and watch a great game. The Angels look tired but they never gave up and you have to respect that. This Sox team is the best and most balanced team I've seen - from starting pitching, offense, defense and the bullpen, they got it. And did anyone really doubt Petey would go out and pitch a ****** game? He always steps it up in the post season.
Go Red Sox!!
-
Yeah even if the Twins do get by the Yankees, I think the Sox are so good all the way around that they have to be the favorites in the AL. I like their chances versus NY too, I think the Yankees trading for and signing A-Rod instead of going after a pitcher or two will bite them in the ass
-
As 2004 JediDefender Fantasy Baseball Champion, I would like to state for the record that I had no idea that Grady Little was managing the Twins until I saw Joe Nathan come out for his 3rd inning of work. Thanks Grady!!
Go Yanks!!
-
What? The Angels lost again?! No way. I don't believe you Mikey. My boys wouldn't do that to me... >:(
I do have to nitpick the **** out of that home plate ump last night though. In my entire history of watching baseball, I've seen only one game (not even with the Dodgers or Angels) where I think the strike zone was called/not called so unfairly. I'd say at least 3 of the Sox first 4 runs came on hits by batters that had technically (by any other ump) already struck out. Pretty bad. Really bad, actually. OK, horrible.
But I still think the Halos can bounce back. They've always had that "never say die" attitude, so I'm not throwing in the towel quite yet. If they can just win Game 3 in Boston tomorrow, I think the stigma of "the curse" may start sneaking into the Sox players head's again, and may get them mentally off their game just a little. Plus, their two dominant pitchers will/should be out of action the next couple games, so we should have a much better shot against Bronson Arroyo and Tim Wakefield. That's assuming they don't get desparate and bump Schilling up to Game 4. Granted the formidable Sox lineup will still be there, but I think the Angels bats will at least be able to contend with them now.
Still not hoping for too much out of the Dodgers though, so any wins in the Card's series would just be icing on the cake of a surprisingly decent (if not overachieving) season. But who knows... I've seen stranger things happen. (Lakers/Pistons, anyone? :P)
Crushing blow to the Twinks last night though, as further evidenced by the posts above. Had victory snatched right outta your hands. Ugh. That one may really come back to haunt you. :-\
Looks like Jim's Bravos might be heading for more postseason disaster as well. Got handled by Oswalt pretty well, though Hampton didn't do such a bad job himself. 2-1 going into the ninth...
-
Yeah, I was watching the game last night and could not believe that Nathan was STILL on the mound. Why are these managers so stupid??? I mean really. You either get a manager that leaves guys in way to long or a different one like LaRussa who pulls them out before they even have a chance to get into trouble. There is not much in between.
I can see leaving a guy in to see how he does with the first batter or first 6 pitches. AND I would allready have a guy warming up in the pen in case the current guy is losing it. Bbut these guys just let them screw up and THEN take him out. It's unbelieveable! Happens all the time though.
-
What do you think your Cubbies are going to do with Sosa, Bri? Looks like he's not going to be able to co-exist with Dusty for another year, so it's gonna have to be one or the other on the ol' chopping block in the offseason, I'd guess. Looks like they just fined Sammy big time (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/baseball/mlb/10/07/bc.bbn.sosafined.ap/index.html) for coming late and leaving early for that last regular season game... :-\
We'd be happy to relieve you guys of him, and would gladly offer you a topline starter in Brad Penny in return... Maybe even throw in a high-energy rightfielder who has a propensity for bottle throwing? ;)
-
Sending out Nathan for a third inning of work was a gamble for sure, but they had the lead so who else would you want on the mound? Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. I'd have yanked him after the walk to Jeter though.
The Sox look tough, but they looked bad last nite. The Angels, unfortunately, looked worse. What happened to Chone Figgins? Right now, the Angels are finding ways to lose. The series is over in my opinion, sorry to say. As for the bad plate umpire, he definitely was squeezing the strike zone, but pros make adjustments, not excuses.
The Cubs, I think, will trade Sosa and there is already talk that the Rangers and Royals are interested.
The Braves winning today was enormous for them. They couldn't afford to go down 0-2 heading into Minute Maid Park (yes I said it.)
Update: Werth just went big fly. 1-0 LA.
-
As 2004 JediDefender Fantasy Baseball Champion, I would like to state for the record that I had no idea that Grady Little was managing the Twins until I saw Joe Nathan come out for his 3rd inning of work. Thanks Grady!!
Go Yanks!!
For the record, I already made the Grady Little comparison...where were you two night ago ::)
Romero has been terrible the last month and I think HE is right, you put your best pitcher on the mound. It was great until you walk Jeter. Gardy/Grady gets criticism for not having anyone warming up at the top of the 12th
Jacque Jones gets a big F-U too for looping in the ball on the final play...he clearly could have gunned down Jeter if he was paying attention.
They gotta win tomorrow night because if they have to go back to NY, I don't like their chances. I do like their chances though in both games at home. Depending on what type of Kevin Brown shows up
-
Looks like Jim's Bravos might be heading for more postseason disaster as well. Got handled by Oswalt pretty well, though Hampton didn't do such a bad job himself. 2-1 going into the ninth...
Actually, it was 2-2 going into the ninth. And 4-2 at the end of 11. ;D
So much the argument of leaving in a closer for too long being a bad thing. 3 scoreless and hitless innings from Smoltz today was as huge as Furcal's homer. But then again, Houston's closer, Lidge, first off, was brought in way too early, and second, was left in way too long. The guy was not sharp at all and was putting base runnings on all over the place. He's lucky to have not lost the game in the 9th, after giving up a leadoff single to the pitcher. ::)
Now, if we can steal game 3 away from them against some pitcher I've never heard of before, we'll be in pretty good shape.
-
Wierd. CNNSI.com had a gooseegg up there for you guys in the 8th, heading into the top of the ninth, when I had last checked that score. Guess they hadn't updated the score properly yet... But nice comeback though! Gotta give your Braves some credit for that! Lots of exciting baseball in half the series so far. Some not so exciting baseball in the other half. My half. >:(
Getting spanked again as we speak. ARGH!
-
Not sure what I'll enjoy more...not having to hear and see those stoopid penis clappers in Anaheim or seeing Colman's Interstate Series flushed down the toilet
I'm starting to see a Sox-Cards World Series...eeks are they both great teams.
-
I'm starting to see a SoxTwins-Cards World Series...eeks are they both great teams.
There I fixed that for you. ;)
-
Oh yes...thanks :D
Twins - Cards repeat of the '87 classic, the best 3 weeks a 12 year old boy in suburban Minnesota could have ever wished for! Laudner throwing out Evans at Third...Gladden's Game 1 Grand Slam...losing three in a row at Saint Louis...Hrbek's grand slam in Game 6 and just an all out boring Game 7 until the final out was recorded Gaetti to Hrbek...got to skip school to go to the parade and we had first row seats at the Capital for the rally...Puck, Bruno, Hrbek, G-Man, Franky V, Blyleven, Gagne, Laudner, Gladden, Reardon...great team, great fun, great memories ;D
-
Spawn.com's sports board has a contest running where you had to pick the World Series match-up, MVP and how many games the series would go. I picked Cards over Sox in 7 w/ Jim Edmonds as MVP.
It's must win for the Angels from here on out if they want to force a game 5 in OC.
How scary good do the Cards look right now?
-
I think the Sox are scary good looking though too, the rest of the AL teams have some weaknesses
Twins from lack of O
Yankees and Angels from suck ass starting pitching staffs
Besides the obvious discrepency in Offense that favors the Cards, the Braves and Astros match up pretty evenly and are not far behind the Cards. The Dodgers are done
Big game tonight...Go Twins!
-
For the record, I already made the Grady Little comparison...where were you two night ago ::)
My friends had thrown me a party celebrating my sound defeat of OCB in Fantasy Baseball. Sorry I wasn't around.
As 2004 JediDefender Fantasy Baseball Champion, going into the MLB playoffs I had picked the Yankees, Cardinals, Astros, and Angels to go to the Championship series with the Yanks beating the Astros in the World Series. Everything is looking possible still except the Angels beating the Sox 3 straight; but admittedly, that was the one of the four series' that I was picking with my heart rather than my head. Nevertheless, the Yanks will defeat the Sox and go on to beat the 'stros in the World Series. MVP? A Rod.
-
Vlad just hit a slam to tie it!!
-
Good God! I had stopped checking updates on the internet at the office when we were down 6-1 in the 7th, and then my buddy from SF calls and asks me if I'm totally stressing out or what. Had no clue what he was talking about, and then he mentioned Vlad's slam and the tied score. Wow. Nice comeback! But still far from over, tied in the tenth.
**praying**
-
Ouch.
Nice pitching change Scioscia... ::)
See y'all next season. :-\
-
Good thing I watched the Debate instead of the Twins ::) Win tomorrow and hope Radke shows up for Game 5 ::) ::)
-
Good thing I watched the Debate instead of the Twins ::) Win tomorrow and hope Radke shows up for Game 5 ::) ::)
:'(
It's all up to Johan to keep us in it... and if it isn't in the cards for us this year, at least we won one game and didn't get swept.
-
On to the ALCS! Perfect situation - four days of rest, Schilling and Pedro in Games 1 & 2 and 6 & 7 if necessary. Honestly I don't care who they face, I just Twins - Yankees to go to five games. Going through New York to get to the Fall Classic would be nice, but if it's the Twins, then so be it.
-
Good thing I watched the Debate instead of the Twins ::) Win tomorrow and hope Radke shows up for Game 5 ::) ::)
I'll take Vazquez fresh over Johan on 3 days rest.
-
Yeah Vazquez has been a stud the second half of the season...I'd take the real Cy Young long dead over Vazquez right now
-
Yeah Vazquez has been a stud the second half of the season...I'd take the real Cy Young long dead over Vazquez right now
Johan couldn't save your fantasy baseball team from my fantasy team, and he can't save your real life team from my real life team either.
-
Yeah Vazquez has been a stud the second half of the season...I'd take the real Cy Young long dead over Vazquez right now
Later Twinkies.
Johan Santana and Brad Radke quickly learned that they are not Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling.
Bring on the Red Sox.
-
Yeah Vazquez has been a stud the second half of the season...I'd take the real Cy Young long dead over Vazquez right now
Later Twinkies.
Johan Santana and Brad Radke quickly learned that they are not Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling.
Bring on the Red Sox.
Radke isn't but the Yankees scored how many runs on Santana? And what's their payroll? I'll be cheering for the Red Sox from here on out...go Sox!
-
Yeah Vazquez has been a stud the second half of the season...I'd take the real Cy Young long dead over Vazquez right now
Later Twinkies.
Johan Santana and Brad Radke quickly learned that they are not Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling.
Bring on the Red Sox.
Radke isn't but the Yankees scored how many runs on Santana? And what's their payroll? I'll be cheering for the Red Sox from here on out...go Sox!
Don't even start in with the payroll, if you're an owner that's not willing to get out there and spend money to compete with payrolls with the Mets, Red Sox, and Yankees, then don't complain when your team loses. If you're not going to do it right, then why own a team at all?
-
Once again, the Yankee fans are like, "We're so great." ::)
You lost game 1.
You BARELY squeaked out game 2 (in extra innings).
You won game 3.
You rallied to win game 4 (again, in extra innings).
You got lucky to get by us, and you'll be EXTREMELY lucky to get by Boston the way they are playing right now.
I won't get into he payroll stuff as it's been hashed out over and over, but some teams only get 3mil a year for TV deals while others get 10x that much. That's just the way it is. :(
Go Red Sox! :P
Jeff
-
I think it was a good series. Two extra inning games, and it went to 4 out of a possible 5.
As for the Red Sox, just let the teams play and we'll see who wins. The Yanks have been pretty hot against the Red Sox lately, and Pedro hasn't been anywhere near as dominant against the Yanks as he was back in '99. Schilling is another story entirely. The guy's a horse, pure and simple, but he's also facing Mussina who's been pretty hot recently. We just have to see how it plays out.
-
Yeah Vazquez has been a stud the second half of the season...I'd take the real Cy Young long dead over Vazquez right now
Later Twinkies.
Johan Santana and Brad Radke quickly learned that they are not Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling.
Bring on the Red Sox.
Radke isn't but the Yankees scored how many runs on Santana? And what's their payroll? I'll be cheering for the Red Sox from here on out...go Sox!
Don't even start in with the payroll, if you're an owner that's not willing to get out there and spend money to compete with payrolls with the Mets, Red Sox, and Yankees, then don't complain when your team loses. If you're not going to do it right, then why own a team at all?
So Pohlad (the Twins owner) is supposed to lose money to try and play on an even field with the Yankees and Red Sox? Its a testament to their farm system and scouting departments that they are even in the playoffs and not some Milwaukee or Tampa Bay whose franchises are both poor and have horrible front offices. The economics of baseball while better than they were after the threatened lockout are still way out of whack and it still sucks for teams that will never have a chance to buy a World Series title ::)
-
I may be mistaken, but I think Pohlad is THE richest owner in baseball. What he could do is follow the Yankees lead and try to form his own regional Sports cable channel. Carry the bulk of the Twins games, the T-Wolves and the Wild when they come back. A move like that will increase the team's revenues and then he could put more of that money out on the field. That is the real future of baseball from an economic standpoint.
-
He did try that this year, failed miserably because he wanted to charge the local Cable franchises the same rate the Yankees are charging in New York, something like $4 per customer per month for the year
The cable companies said get bent and the Twins weren't on TV for the first week or so of the season. He had to ditch it in favor of going back to FoxSports because people here were Pissed Off the games weren't on TV and there was lots of ill will for him. None of the Gopher basketball games were on. The Wild and Wolves refused to join them and stayed on FOXSports so why would the Cable Companies want to pick up an inferior station?
I'm not saying he's not a rich bastard, he's just frugal to the point that he'll only lose so much money on the team every year and what suffers is the payroll. Doesn't help they play in a **** hole stadium too
-
I hear ya. Steinbrenner was smart in the way he went about putting YES together. He owns the Yanks, and had a stake in the Nets at the time, too. He also locked up the Devils once their current TV deal is up, and also looked into getting some other programming like Manchester United soccer.
If Pohlad wants to make a Twins focused network a reality, then he would try to lock up the T-wolves and Wild as well as some college teams to make it happen. YES has proven successful, and so has NESN for the Red Sox. I think it's pretty much inevitable that baseball owners are gonna go this route.
There will definitely be growing pains for baseball teams to do this. YES wasn't carried on Cablevision in the NY area for a long time. That wound up affecting about 6 million households. Finally, the two parties came to an agreement since so many fans were incensed that they couldn't see the games.
-
Can we just please rewind things back 8 days, and start all over? Last Saturday was so much fun here in SoCal. WTF happened?! >:( :'(
Kind of a toss up as to who I'd like to see win now (after the Astros polish off the Braves ;)), but it'd be either team from the NL, that much I'm sure of. I like Clemens, and I like Edmonds/Rolen, so I'd be happy if any of them won, but I think since the 'Stros never have, I'll be pulling for them. I even kinda want the Yankees to beat the Sox, just 'cause I like Nomar too, and would hate to see them win it as soon as he got traded. That would stink (for him).
Should be another incredible, classic Sox/Yanks series though. Gonna be fun to watch. Think there's gonna be some good fights? 8)
I'd love to see Clemens wind up pitching against either of those two former teams of his in the World Series!
-
Damn, you guys hear that former MVP Ken Caminiti just died of a heart attack (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/baseball/mlb/10/11/bc.bbo.obit.caminiti.ap/index.html) at the age of 41? Very sad, but he's been battling drug problems for a number of years now. But I'm sure a lot of the anti-steroid folks are going to try to link it to his usage of those. Maybe that was the cause, or maybe it was the drug addictions, or maybe both.
Great player though. Sad day for baseball.
-
The lesson on Caminiti is Don't Do Drugs
Kudos to the Astros for winning a series! Sorry to Jim but I'm glad to see the Braves get their asses kicked year after year in the Playoffs.
Since I predicted a Sox-Cards WS I'll say
Sox in 6
Cards in 5
Sox over the Cards in 7
It's been a great postseason so far!
-
Kudos to the Astros for winning a series! Sorry to Jim but I'm glad to see the Braves get their asses kicked year after year in the Playoffs.
Tis OK. As a Braves fan, I've become accustomed to post season disappointment. Even more so in the last 3-4 yrs where it seems they can't even get out of the first round. ::)
So now that I officially don't give a crap who wins the WS this year, I do suppose I'd rather see a Sox-Astros series. Would be nice to either see Bagwell and Biggio finally win one, or the Sox finally win one. So long as it's not the Yankees.
-
I want the Sox to win so we can stop hearing about the Curse of the Bambino forever
-
Glad to see Houston handle their business last night. Hopefully they'll get past the Cards now too, so Clemens can have a showdown with his former team, whichever one it is...
It's been a great postseason so far!
Aside from your Twinks losing, I assume... ::)
You guys see this stuff on the Who's your daddy?! (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/baseball/mlb/specials/postseason/2004/10/11/tshirt.recall.ap/index.html) t-shirts that they were making in N.Y., but MLB ordered them to stop... Too funny. I heard on the radio this morning that the shirts are already going for $100+ since they're no longer allowed to sell them.
-
The lesson on Caminiti is Don't Do Drugs
Kudos to the Astros for winning a series! Sorry to Jim but I'm glad to see the Braves get their asses kicked year after year in the Playoffs.
Since I predicted a Sox-Cards WS I'll say
Sox in 6
Cards in 5
Sox over the Cards in 7
It's been a great postseason so far!
Yankees over Red Sox in 6
Astros over Cardinals in 6
Yankees over Astros in 6 to win the World Series
-
Fantastic game so far by the Yanks.
Kevin
-
Yep, given up 5 runs in the 7th so far. Fantastic game. ;D
-
Is that Juan Rincon in there? Wow, shows what an extra 120 million in hitter can do for you (although the Twins made the bonehead move of the last 3 years when they told Ortiz "We don't need you")
-
Yep, given up 5 runs in the 7th so far. Fantastic game. ;D
I'll cut ya. >:(
Kevin
-
2 run triple Bernie Williams, 10-7 Yankees!!!!!!!!
-
Boy, how about that Mussina-Schilling Showdown?
Great pitching by both bullpens though... ::)
What a crazy game!
Jeff
-
I'll take some solice (not much) in the fact that Moose had a perfect game into the seventh with an eight run lead, but the Sox made it interesting until the final out (tying run at the plate).
Non game thoughts:
That Star Wars opening was the most retarded ******* thing I've seen. Johnny Damon's head on Chewbacca - ******* brilliant. Bats as lightsabers - classic. The Red Sox as the Rebels and the Yankees as the Empire - why didn't I think of that ::)
Tim McCarver is the biggest dip**** moron on the planet. Brandon Arroyo is pitching tomorrow against Pedro? Matsui's hit was the biggest of the inning? No **** Sherlock - he drove in two runs. The man's a genius in the booth. ::)
-
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v144/Bosox3/rings.jpg
)
-
Boy, Schilling and Pedro sure did get their asses kicked.
-
Yep on Schilling nope on Martinez, 3 Runs is NOT an ass kicking, I gotta hand it to Lieber for finally showing up this year in the Playoffs.
-
Yeah, at least Pedro kept his team in it and the Sox had their chances...
after watching Schill pitch game 1, I REALLY hope that Johan gets that CY.
It's funny how well the Yankees can "play when they want to play". Watching these two games leads me to believe that either they did not take the Twins seriously, or, they get totally hyped up for these Sox games.
Jeff
-
Who's Your Daddy?
Go Yanks!
-
Who's Your Daddy?
That's the funniest damned chant ever! I wonder how badly Pedro wishes he could take that comment back now...
But yeah, he pitched pretty well yesterday - just didn't get much support since Lieber was on his game something fierce. Wakefield usually pitches pretty well in the postseason (game 7 clinching dingers aside), so he may give them a boost when they get back to Boston. But if he does, Lowe better bring it after that if they want to have any shot at getting back into this thing. If Schilling is indeed down for the count, or pitching injured again, the Sox are in big trouble.
Bummed to see the Cards come all the way back yesterday too. There's gonna be some crazy offense in that series (when Clemens isn't pitching). Still hope the Astros can pull it out though.
-
Back-to-back jacks by Pujols and Rolen! 6-4 Cards.
-
Because I know JediMAC needs some baseball cheer. (Nothing in the article, though, that indicates Bonds knew it was steroids.)
Bonds used steroids in 2003, trainer says on secret recording (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/10/16/MNG0D9B5K21.DTL)
-
Yankees baby!!!
-
Boy it must suck to be a Sox fan right about now! :-*
Kevin
-
Yeah, that was a slaughter tonight by the Pinstripes. Damn, the Sox are toast. This series was a total letdown after all the hype and anticipation. Oh well. Hopefully the Clemens vs. Yanks showdown will live up to it's billing! Nice game tonight from the Rocket to get the 'Stros back in it. Oswalt tomorrow, so hopefully they can tie it up now.
And Idej, thanks for the heads up on the Bonds article. ;) Actually saw that earlier today. But I'm guessing if he pleads ignorance, like Sheffield did, that he'll get off the hook even if he was on 'roids. But I think a lot of folks will have a "mental asterisk" next to his name and numbers for many years to come...
-
The Yankees put up NINETEEN runs on the Red Sox, putting them up 3-0 in the series and Barry Bonds' trainer admits Barry used steroids. Man, this was the best day ever!!! ;D
-
The Yankees put up NINETEEN runs on the Red Sox, putting them up 3-0 in the series and Barry Bonds' trainer admits Barry used steroids. Man, this was the best day ever!!! ;D
We all knew Barry was on steroids anyway, looking at his build, there was no doubt.
As for the Yankees, they've really met some fearsome pitching haven't they? The Red Sox ERA in the ALCS is 11.50
-
The Yankees put up NINETEEN runs on the Red Sox, putting them up 3-0 in the series and Barry Bonds' trainer admits Barry used steroids. Man, this was the best day ever!!! ;D
We all knew Barry was on steroids anyway, looking at his build, there was no doubt.
As for the Yankees, they've really met some fearsome pitching haven't they? The Red Sox ERA in the ALCS is 11.50
Trust me when I say I've been leading the Barry's on Steroids parade for years. I HATE that guy!
-
We've come to find out Schilling/Martinez is no Santana/Radke
-
We've come to find out Schilling/Martinez is no Santana/Radke
It's true. Schilling and Martinez are still in the Playoffs, meanwhile Santana and Radke are home with their thumbs up their asses courtesy of Yankee bats.
-
We've come to find out Schilling/Martinez is no Santana/Radke
It's true. Schilling and Martinez are still in the Playoffs, meanwhile Santana and Radke are home with their thumbs up their asses courtesy of Yankee bats.
::)
-
OCB's humorous observation of Monday October 18th...Yankee fans disappear around here when they lose ::)
-
I flipped on that game in the 8th inning. I laughed out loud when the Sox tied it. And was glad that a former Twin could deliver the winning blast! ;)
Talk about the potential for a momentum swing. I think the Yankees will eventually take it because 3-0 is a big hole to climb out of, but at least now there's a changce the Yanks will have to win game 6 to get it...
Jeff
-
When you've got your foot on a team's throat, you don't let them off the ground. The Yanks did that and now give Pedro another chance. Too many mistakes last nite (walks, errors and men left in scoring position.) Gotta rebound today and finish the Sox.
2-1 Sox in the 2nd.
-
OCB's humorous observation of Monday October 18th...Yankee fans disappear around here when they lose ::)
Crickets...Go Sox!
-
Damn Boston!
Go Yankees!
Kevin
-
I flipped on that game in the 8th inning. I laughed out loud when the Sox tied it. And was glad that a former Twin could deliver the winning blast! ;)
Talk about the potential for a momentum swing.
Jeff
Again, the former Twins help the Red Sox! Kinda neat to see Douggie give Ortiz a big hug after that hit...
Two HUGE wins for the Sox, the momentum has swung, that's for sure...
Wonder how Schilling will look in Game 6? :-\
-
What has to be of a bigger concern for the Yankees, the fact that they have lost 2 straight and allowed the Sox right back in it, or the fact that Rivera has blown 2 straight saves, and allowed the Sox back in it?
-
Wonder how Schilling will look in Game 6? :-\
I tell you what, if he looks anything like he did in Game 1, Francona better have the balls to yank him quick.
If anything, I'm just glad the Sox put up a fight and this series isn't turning out to be the laugher everyone (including myself) thought it was going to be.
-
The Yankees handed those 2 games to the Sox. Very disappointing. Too many walks, mistakes in the field and the inability to get men home that were in scoring position in extra innings kept Boston hanging around and now it's a 3-2 series instead of over.
-
Im glad the umps got that call right with Arod swatting at the pitchers glove like a little wuss to knock the ball loose.
And about the Yankees fans throwing **** on the field after the correct call, very classy.
-
I also love the fact they got the homer right in the 4th...nice job umps :)
-
Go Yankees!
Can't these officials see A-Rod was clearly running? Jeeze.
Kevin
-
We've come to find out Schilling/Martinez is no Santana/Radke
It's true. Schilling and Martinez are still in the Playoffs, meanwhile Santana and Radke are home with their thumbs up their asses courtesy of Yankee bats.
Last post from Dressel regarding the ALCS...also was the last time the Yankees won
Huh...GO SOX!!!!!!
-
Whoever called A-Rod a wussy is an idiot. Who wouldn't have done that in that situation because who of us can honestly say they knew that rule? In fact, the rule doesn't really apply to that directly. At any rate, I knew they were going to call him out and return Jeter to 1st, which they did.
As for the umps, why pat them on the back? They got the calls right which is their job!
I said it in an earlier post. The Yankees failure to execute in key situations has resulted, essentially, in a 1-game playoff. The Sox have nothing to lose w/ all the momentum in the world. I had a bad feeling it would go 7 because you can't give a guy like Schilling a chance to redeem himself after being embarassed because he's gonna come out guns blazin.
Let's hope the ghosts (and the Yankees bats) show up tomorrow nite.
-
Whoever called A-Rod a wussy is an idiot.
Yeah, thanks. I just call it like I see it, and on that play, with the way he intentionally tried to knock that ball loose, it made him look like a wuss.
Who wouldn't have done that in that situation
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say most people, especially professional baseball players would not have done the same thing. Reason being, I've seen very similar plays to that, who knows how many dozens or hundreds of times in all the games I've watched in my life and I can't honestly remember a time where the runner made an attempt to swat the ball loose like that, while running to first. Most either try to dodge the tag or simply concede the out.
because who of us can honestly say they knew that rule?
Why should any of us know that rule? We aren't getting paid 25 million a yr to play the sport and know the rules. Funny thing is, both commentators lastnight seemed to know the rule. Why shouldn't A-Rod?
-
I agree it was sort of sissy and then to act like they were wrong on the call was also sissy. Nothing against him though because he's a great player.
A couple of points brought up this morning on the radio:
Why can players plow over the catcher
Why can players plow over the 2B/SS on a double play
The host said that in both cases you can't swipe at the ball to try and dislodge it like that...I don't know if that's true or not
I can't wait to see the game tonight
-
A couple of points brought up this morning on the radio:
Why can players plow over the catcher
Why can players plow over the 2B/SS on a double play
I'm going to guess the reason that they are allowed to do that in those instances is because the fielder is typically in the runner's basepath and the runner probably has the right to run to the bag, even if it means thru another player. Had Arroyo been more in A-Rods way to the point they actually collided and the ball was knocked loose, then more than likely he would have been called safe but when the only contact was A-Rod swinging his arm at the pitchers arm, that's not quite the same thing.
Nothing against him though because he's a great player.
I agree. Great player, poor lack of judgement lastnight.
-
Did anyone expect any different? Red Sox-Yanks, game 7. It's going to be great. Honestly, I'm hoping for a blow out either way, I can't take anymore of this close ****.
Sox have already made history. It's time to do it again.
Go Red Sox!!
-
Yeah its been an amazing series, and I'll admit I was with the rest of the country who thought it was over at 3-0
And its also amazing how little publicity the NLCS has gotten...I guess when the media darling Cubs are not in it nobody cares about them. The 'Stros have been pitching unbelievably well
-
Like any other Sox fan, I am still in aw of last nights game. Dont think I was finally able to fall asleep until 3 AM just because of the disbelief of what has happened and the adrenaline rush I was having. No way did I think the Sox or any other team could rebound from what had looked to be mental game at this point in the series. If the Sox bats could just come alive, especially Damon and a few other players, then the Yanks may be in trouble. Pitching really worries me tonight with Lowe, but I think Francona may finally be onto something by mixing up the pitching like he has. I bet we see almost everyone pitch tonight minus Schilling. I wouldnt doubt if Pedro shows up later in the game for an inning or two either. If the game becomes a blowout I think things may get nasty though. Either way, the Sox have nothing to lose and the momentum is definitely there advantage. Plus Schilling will go down as being a total gamer having one of the best performances of his career and will go down in Sox history.
-
Pfft! Go Yankees! I hope we have more armored cops! Thats ******' nuts!
Kevin
-
I totally disagree chuckles. What A-Rod did was genious and if not for an obscure rule that, let's face it, even the announcers really didn't know, he'd have been safe. I have seen players do that before (attempt to dislodge the ball) and just because you haven't seen it on a national TV stage doesn't mean it's some unseen occurence. I can remember back in the 90s Rickey Henderson slid into home plate and was clearly beaten by the throw. The catcher had the ball and had his glove out for the tag and Rickey did a "jump slide" and his cleat landed right in the mit and dislodged the ball. He scrambled and touched home and was called safe. No umpire meeting, no nothing. What A-Rod did was not wussy nor dumb. It was a smart play in a situation where he was dead to rights basically.
-
Totally crazy to see this going to a Game 7 now, after the shalacking the Sox took in making it a 3-0 series lead just several days ago. But an impressive comeback for sure, and credit goes to the Sox for that. But man, the Yanks have just sucked at the plate during this slide. Never seen them perform so poorly with runners in scoring position, and the like. Almost looks like they're choking, though a lot of the credit for shutting them down obviously goes to Boston.
As for the dumb**** umps... I hate seeing all the headlines about the game last night being about the umps making two huge calls in favor of Boston. The headlines barely even point out the fact that both of the overrulings were unquestionably correct. They almost make it sound like they were actually controversial (of course they were to the Yanks fans in attendance). Had the umps just DONE THEIR DAMNED JOB CORRECTLY from the start, this wouldn't have even been an issue. Idiot. A ball lands 4 feet over the fence and bounces of a fans stomach, and the ump thinks it went off the freakin' wall? ****, get serious. And they even have outfield umps down the lines for the playoffs, so there should be considerably less chance of making an incorrect call.
They definitely got A-Rod's call correct too, and I'd be willing to bet that 99.5% of MLB players KNOW that specific rule, which is why you rarely, if ever, see them taking swipes (with their arms/hands) at the ball or the opponent's glove when they're involved in a tag out play of that nature. I don't necessarily fault A-Rod for giving it a shot though. Hell, it's worth a try at that particular moment. He's gonna be toast at first regardless, Game 6 is on the line, so why not go for a desparate move like that in hopes the umps **** up and let it go. Just don't get all upset when they decide to make the correct call... Of course, had the umps called it correctly when it first happened, I'm sure they would've avoided the eventual response they got after having to correct their mistake later on. Dumbasses. Just glad to see they got both of those "controversial" calls correct, so the outcome of the game wasn't in question.
Anyway, it's gonna be one helluva Game 7 tonight! Gotta jet home early today to check it out...
Hopefully the 'Stros polish off the Cards in Game 6 tonight too, so Clemens can pitch Game 1 of the World Series, and possibly even be able to pitch twice more after that, if necessary.
Still should've been Angels vs. Dodgers though... >:(
-
I again disagree that 99.5% of MLB players knew that rule. It doesn't matter how long you play a game, you as a player are not going to know every rule there is in the book. I saw a quote in the LA Times this morning that backs exactly the point that I'm raising in defending why A-Rod did what he did:
"The umpire said I could have run him over, but he was coming at me, and I know the line belongs to me. He was reaching toward my stomach, and I feel I can knock it out."
I couldn't agree more. The reason you don't see players doing this more is because who really wants to plow over a non-athlete pitcher when you're running up the 1st base line? The argument here is valid. It's ok to bowl over a catcher or a shortstop but you can't swat at a guys glove as he's making a tag? It was a desperate act at a desperate time no doubt, but it was also a genious move because had it worked, A-Rod is on second and Jeter is in the dugout high-fiving guys.
Now you've read my earlier posts, so don't think for 1 second I'm blaming the umps for the series being 3-3. I also agree w/ Matt that the umps got all sorts of press for doing their job. What is that all about?
-
For all you Yankees fans who so quickly forget. Anyone remember that blown call last year where Jeter supposedly tagged one of our players and they called him out. I forget which Boston player it was, but the replay showed that he was not even within 3 feet of tagging that player out. Im sorry, but even though Grady Little f'ed up not pulling Pedro, the Umps handed you guys a few bad plays last year that cost us one game that would of ended things. F*ck the curse, its for the superstitious. And Boston aint got time to believe in that BS anymore. The curse is old news and just isnt playing out the same anymore for us fans. Trust me. We leave that superstitious crap to the NY fans.
-
Regarding A-Rod saying
"The umpire said I could have run him over, but he was coming at me, and I know the line belongs to me. He was reaching toward my stomach, and I feel I can knock it out."
True, while the line might belong to him, the pitcher was not at all in his baserunning line and was not at all impeding his path to 1st base. He blatently swatted his left arm out, hitting the pitcher in the forearm and jarring the ball loose. Had there been more of a body to body type collision there and the ball came loose, then he's safe. But when the only contact made is A-Rods left hand coming down on the pitchers forearm, that's a different story.
The argument here is valid. It's ok to bowl over a catcher or a shortstop but you can't swat at a guys glove as he's making a tag?
If you're saying it should be OK to swat at a guys glove while trying to make a tag, why stop there. Why not also make it legal that, if on a popup where the fielder is standing near a basepath, the baserunner can stand there and at the last second make a swat at the fielders glove just a split second before he attempts to catch it. I mean, he is standing in the vicinity of the baserunners path, not unlike the situation lastnight, is he not? Or, why not just bowl over the fielder who is in your way but looking up at the ball trying to make a catch?
It was a desperate act at a desperate time no doubt, but it was also a genious move because had it worked, A-Rod is on second and Jeter is in the dugout high-fiving guys.
A genious move? I don't think so. Had he conceded the out, Jeter is standing on 2nd base and in scoring position. As a result of his desperate act, Jeter had to return to 1st and A-Rod could have very well cost his team a run if the next guy would have singled and instead of scoring Jeter, it would have left baserunners at the corners. But since no one else got a hit that inning, it's a moot point.
Actually, none of this will matter at all, if Boston doesn't win tonight.
-
A genious move? I don't think so. Had he conceded the out, Jeter is standing on 2nd base and in scoring position. As a result of his desperate act, Jeter had to return to 1st...
I'd actually forgotten they sent Jeter back to first when I made my comments above, suggesting it wasn't a bad move since A-Rod had nothing to lose. So with that in mind, I'd change my position above, and suggest A-Rod just take the out.
I don't think anybody here is arguing that you can't bowl ANY player over and knock the ball loose and be safe - pitcher or otherwise. Just the deliberate arm swinging is what's against the rules. As for the Rickey Henderson case, I'm pretty sure spikes flying, regardless of how high or close to the glove (even if intentional), is all fair game. I'm sure Ty Cobb spiked more than a few balls loose in his day!
Anyway, we've all stated our opinions on it, so let's just let it go and move on now and focus on the big Game 7 showdown. Do or die. Loser goes home. Gonna be fun! 8)
And hopefully the dumbass umps are "invisible" as humanly possible tonight, so the players can actually garner the attention this time! ::)
-
Am I the only one who was thrilled with the heavily padded cops last night?
Here's to hoping they'll be there later! ;D
Kevin
-
Damn! Another crazy extra-inning barn burner!
Edmonds just donked a 2-run walk off dinger to push the NL series to a Game 7 as well. Happy for Edmonds, since he's a former Halo.
Here comes Clemens! Go Astros! 8)
-
I agree. This has been one of the best series of baseball I can remember. I really am pulling for the Sox's right now and would like to see the Card's make it to the big dance.
Holy ****...a Grand Slam!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh baby, I said it when Damon got his first hit, if he could come out of his slump-this could turn out to be the year for the Sox's.
Gotta go..can't type and watch all this at the same time. :D
-
I just want to know what happened to all of the Yankee fans?
"Who's Your Daddy?"
-
Pretty shocking. Yanks came out flat, again. Sox totally outplayed them again. The "curse" is half-way lifted... But you wanna know my prediction? There will be a new curse by the time the World Series is over:
The Curse of the Rocket
Yep. Clemens is finally gonna get his shot at really sticking it to the Red Sox once and for all, after they kicked his ass out the door like a sorry punk. Yeah, he was definitely finished. Only got 4 more Cy Young awards after he departed Boston... ::)
-
Like my posts said, the Yankees let the Red Sox off the mat and it cost them. I was genuinely concerned knowing that you can't give a guy like Schilling a chance to redeem himself and you really don't want to play a game 7 because too many things can happen. Exhibit A: Johnny Damon, hitting under .100 for the series has 2 bombs and 6 ribbies. The Yankees staff, their Achilles heel all season, finally caught up to them. I would take my hat off to any team but the Red Sox, so f--k them and now in about 24 hours I'm either a huge Cards fan or a huge 'Stros fan. But the bottom line, if the Sox don't win the World Series, this win over the Yanks don't mean s--t.
The interesting thing now is to see who survives The Boss' wrath. It ain't gonna be pretty. This was the ultimate loss for the Bronx Bombers.
-
I would take my hat off to any team but the Red Sox, so f--k them
Nothing makes me happier than a sad Yankees fan ;D
Today is the best hangover I've had. ;) The Greatest Comeback in Sports History and the Biggest Choke of all Time. How's that $190 million payroll now Georgie Boy? Three outs away from sweeping and your team of bloated contracts blew it. Have a good off season.
What a way for Damon to break out of his slump. Keep it up.
The Sox won without Manny driving in a run. Pretty shocking.
DLowe is going to get some serious money from someone with the gem he pitched.
Step 2 complete boys, 4 more wins to go.
Go Red Sox!!
Oh, and for all the "fans" who want to celebrate by burning cars, get a ******* life.
-
Tremendous series on both sides of things. I'm not usually a big baseball watcher, but have tuned in for this Yankees-Red Sox bru-ha-ha. Nothing against Yankee fans, but I was really happy to see the Red Sox finally get the monkey off their back, and to come back from being down 3-0 to do it? Amazing. Plus, with all the extra innings madness, it has turned into one of the most exciting series I've ever seen. More Game 7 madness tonight with the Cards and Stros. Not really sure if I care who wins or not, I don't have anything against either team, and it will just be nice seeing different teams in the world series. Hopefully the final series lives up to the expectations set by these two divisional championships.
-
I would take my hat off to any team but the Red Sox, so f--k them
Nothing makes me happier than a sad Yankees fan ;D
Today is the best hangover I've had. ;) The Greatest Comeback in Sports History and the Biggest Choke of all Time. How's that $190 million payroll now Georgie Boy? Three outs away from sweeping and your team of bloated contracts blew it. Have a good off season.
What a way for Damon to break out of his slump. Keep it up.
The Sox won without Manny driving in a run. Pretty shocking.
DLowe is going to get some serious money from someone with the gem he pitched.
Step 2 complete boys, 4 more wins to go.
Go Red Sox!!
Oh, and for all the "fans" who want to celebrate by burning cars, get a ******* life.
Not sad, disappointed. And like I said, I hate the Sox w/ a passion so they get no respect from me. Enjoy your win, but remember, if you don't go on and win the series, it don't mean ****.
-
I hate the Yankees with passion but I respect them (at least their mid 90s teams with Brosius, Tito and O'Neil, not so much now a days). The Sox made history and even the most die hard Yankee fan should be able to put aside his hatred and respect that, but apparently that's not the case. If the situation was reversed and the Yankees came back and won 4 straight, I would certainly respect that. Sad, bitter and disappointed yes, but respectful none the less.
-
I hate the Yankees with passion but I respect them (at least their mid 90s teams with Brosius, Tito and O'Neil, not so much now a days). The Sox made history and even the most die hard Yankee fan should be able to put aside his hatred and respect that, but apparently that's not the case. If the situation was reversed and the Yankees came back and won 4 straight, I would certainly respect that. Sad, bitter and disappointed yes, but respectful none the less.
There are certain teams in sports that I show no respect for and won't pat them on the back if they accomplish something (Red Sox, Avs, etc.)
-
Congrats to the Cards, my pick as World Champs! They are a step closer. Keep The Curse alive!!
It did suck to see Clemens lose as I am a huge fan of The Rocket. Just an amazing pitcher. A tough loss for Houston but that organization cannot hang their heads after the run they had.
-
Agreed on Clemens, love the guy and has always been one of my favorites to watch and I've always wanted him and his teams to do well
I'm picking the Cards too, both teams are even as far as hitting goes but with all of the let down for having beat the Yankees and for having a pretty beat up staff, I can't see the Sox continuing it another 4 wins. The pitching therefore is even and to me it comes down to LaRussa versus Francona
Francona's absolutely asinine move of bringing in Martinez last night tips that scales for me to the Cardinals...
Although, if the Sox win I won't be upset, one less stupid thing the media can no longer run into the ground to death, over and over and over again
-
It did suck to see Clemens lose as I am a huge fan of The Rocket. Just an amazing pitcher.
Exactly. I've loved the Rocket ever since he broke into the league, and have always rooted for him and his teams. Plus, it would've been cool to see Houston make it to their first World Series, and for Clemens to pitch against his former team. Just bummed the loss had to come against Clemens. He was so close too... I wonder if that's it for him now, or if he'll be back for another go of it, with a hopefully healthy Pettite alongside him this time. Either way, he should at least have another Cy Young award on his mantle real soon here.
But I do really like the Cards team and all of their players. No one on their team really "annoys" me, which I can't say for the Sox. Plus, I've always really liked Jim Edmonds (former Angel), so I'll be rooting for him and the Cards to keep "the curse" alive.
Plus, I think the Sox may be spent now after such a grueling and emotional series against their dreaded rivals. Hell, they're already acting like they've won the whole thing just 'cause they finally got past the Yanks and got that monkey off their back. But they've actually still got a very long way to go, against a VERY good team too. Far from over.
Not to mention, I recently saw my Lakers following a very similar path. All we "had to do" was win the West and the Championship was ours, since the East didn't even count. And we all know how that turned out... >:(
-
Just for the record, I hate all this curse talk. It was made up by some dip **** Boston sports writer to make money by writing a book. And it apparently worked if you guys on the West Coast are talking about it. Everyone decided it sounded good and it was the reason the Sox haven't won in 8+ decades. It was bad management, non-quality pitchers, etc and not the ghost of a fat pitcher turned slugger.
As for the WS, I expect a great series. Sluggers vs. sluggers, the two best offensive teams in the majors. Obviously I'm biased, but I'll take my chances with Schilling (even at 80%) and Pedro. As for the tired issue, they did get an extra day off after their series and are already home, whereas the Cards are flying halfway over the country today.
As for Clemens--I'll thank him for losing the All Star game and leave it at that.
-
Just for the record, I hate all this curse talk. It was made up by some dip **** Boston sports writer to make money by writing a book. And it apparently worked if you guys on the West Coast are talking about it. Everyone decided it sounded good and it was the reason the Sox haven't won in 8+ decades. It was bad management, non-quality pitchers, etc and not the ghost of a fat pitcher turned slugger.
As for the WS, I expect a great series. Sluggers vs. sluggers, the two best offensive teams in the majors. Obviously I'm biased, but I'll take my chances with Schilling (even at 80%) and Pedro. As for the tired issue, they did get an extra day off after their series and are already home, whereas the Cards are flying halfway over the country today.
As for Clemens--I'll thank him for losing the All Star game and leave it at that.
Who's sad now with all this Curse talk? ;) I fully believe in the Curse and there isn't anything anyone can say to change my view on that. The Yankees had never won a championship and the Sox had won like 5 of the first 15 but when they sold the Babe, the Yankees went on to not only dominate the Sox and most of the majors, but they also claimed 26 championships (a record for any major sport.) The Sox? No titles since the sale of the Babe and some pretty awful moments since then (Bucky Dent, Bill Buckner, etc.)
-
Hmm, did the Oilers win after they sold Gretzky? Maybe there is a curse there now as well.
But of the Sox curse, it hasn't been lifted, even if it exists. They need to win the last series for the curse to be gone. I found it odd that most of the media were calling the curse done. A little premature I'd say (due respect to Mikey).
-
Well, at least Boston doesn't have a goat jinx :P :-*
-
I don't buy into the whole curse thing either. If that's the case, what kind of "curse" do the Texas Rangers have then? 40+ yrs in existence and they have yet to even play in a world series, let alone win one. Surely that's got to be a long enough period of time to qualify them as being cursed too, right? If not, then what's the official # of yrs to not win a WS before you're considered cursed? I'm sure Rangers fans would like to know so they can jump on the whole "our team is cursed, thats why we can't win" bandwagon.
-
Hmm, did the Oilers win after they sold Gretzky?
Traded. And yes, they won in 1990. I thought you were a hockey fan??
I don't buy into the whole curse thing either. If that's the case, what kind of "curse" do the Texas Rangers have then? 40+ yrs in existence and they have yet to even play in a world series, let alone win one. Surely that's got to be a long enough period of time to qualify them as being cursed too, right? If not, then what's the official # of yrs to not win a WS before you're considered cursed? I'm sure Rangers fans would like to know so they can jump on the whole "our team is cursed, thats why we can't win" bandwagon.
You're missing the point, unless you're doing it purposely. This has nothing to do w/ expansion franchises such as the Rangers and Astros. This goes back to a franchise who was one of the premiere teams of it's time. They had won a third of the first 15 World Series ever played. But then they sold the best pitcher of his time, who would go on to be the best hitter of all-time, to the Yankees in order to fund the play "No, No Nanette." Since that sale, the Yankees have won 26 world titles. The Sox have won ZERO. For anyone to compare the Red Sox to any other unfortunately franchise is just plain ignorant.
-
Being a Boston native I will step in and defend Mikey. Curse? I dont think so. , This whole losing BS is now just a mental game. People also fail to realize that the buying power of great players does add a little extra to the the situation. Dont ya think? The Sox may be one of the most expensive teams in both leagues, but think of this. The Yankees payroll is what 40, 50 million higher than the Sox. Imagine the Sox with the ability to buy even another 30 million in pitchers this year. Thats two All-Star Pitchers .There would of been no contest. The Sox would of buried them. There is that rare exception though where great young players and even combination of veterans can pull together with a great team. How bout those Marlins from a few years back. Payroll? Wasnt it less than 100 million. What about the Twins this year. Great team, small payroll. Bottom line is that a cap needs be instated like the NFL. I really hope this happens in NHL this year and the owners dont cave. Think about it. The NFL is one of the hardest leagues to predict a teams outcome. Baseball? We all know basically which 5-6 teams will be there every year. Yanks, Sox, Braves, A's. Im not taking away that the Yanks have real talent but youve had your time in the spotlight. You guys will be back in the hunt next year with us, so there should be no concerns. Old Georgie already has his wallet open and looking for a few big names. Catch you Yank fans next year. ;) And just think how much sweeter the rivalry will be. George was insulted and will be back for sweet revenge.
-
Being a Boston native I will step in and defend Mikey. Curse? I dont think so. , This whole losing BS is now just a mental game. People also fail to realize that the buying power of great players does add a little extra to the the situation. Dont ya think? The Sox may be one of the most expensive teams in both leagues, but think of this. The Yankees payroll is what 40, 50 million higher than the Sox. Imagine the Sox with the ability to buy even another 30 million in pitchers this year. Thats two All-Star Pitchers .There would of been no contest. The Sox would of buried them. There is that rare exception though where great young players and even combination of veterans can pull together with a great team. How bout those Marlins from a few years back. Payroll? Wasnt it less than 100 million. What about the Twins this year. Great team, small payroll. Bottom line is that a cap needs be instated like the NFL. I really hope this happens in NHL this year and the owners dont cave. Think about it. The NFL is one of the hardest leagues to predict a teams outcome. Baseball? We all know basically which 5-6 teams will be there every year. Yanks, Sox, Braves, A's. Im not taking away that the Yanks have real talent but youve had your time in the spotlight. You guys will be back in the hunt next year with us, so there should be no concerns. Old Georgie already has his wallet open and looking for a few big names. Catch you Yank fans next year. ;) And just think how much sweeter the rivalry will be. George was insulted and will be back for sweet revenge.
Umm, how exactly is that defending Mikey's point when in the span of 2 sentences you go from The Curse to The Budget? The Marlins team from last year was just all around sound. They had solid pitching, a good pen, great defense, power and speed. It really didn't matter who they played. They were the most balanced team. This season, who was the consensus going into the postseason as the most balanced team? The Red Sox. Someone on ESPN made a very good point: the Red Sox win isn't all that suprising, amazing comeback yes, but not all that surprising since they were picked to win by most. So they've lived up to their potential thus far. How can you make a comparison between this year's Sox and their huge payroll and last year's Marlins, or any of the Twins or A's teams of the past 4 years? There is NO need for a cap in baseball and teams that you cited (Marlins, A's, Twins, etc.) prove that. You used the Braves as an example but guess what? They dramatically slashed their payroll this year and were supposed to be one of the worst teams in their division. They ended up winning it!! Money does not buy championships. I've always said that. You have to go out and play and win it on the field. People just love to bitch and cry about teams spending money. Big damn deal. It doesn't guarantee a thing. God bless George Steinbrenner for spending the money he has. Too few owners do that, John Henry included. Had he popped down a puny $12 million more, he have had A-Rod. But no, he and the rest of the whiny Beantowners would rather cry about it and blame the Evil Empire for their woes. That's another element of the Curse. The Sox fans feed into it with their whining and bitching and moaning year in and year out. This year is was all big bad George's fault because he stole A-Rod from you guys. News flash: Your owner handed the blueprints to George on how not to pursue the guy. Hell, even if you guys win the World Series you'll probably still find something to complain about.
-
Hate to tell ya, but not getting Arod was a pleasure. Hes not worth the money the Yankees wasted. Most fans in Boston were glad he never came to town either. And also, regardless of what people think of the Nomar deal, it was one of the smartest and ballsiest things the Sox have done in years. Arods on field antics in the Championship summed up his whiny image IMO. And if you read my post I did not say all teams benefit by big payrolls, mentioning the Twins and Marlins, but when was the last time a low payrolled New York team was in the playoffs? But I will still say that unlimited spending does play a major role. As far as defending Mikey, my point was that Boston fans dont believe in the curse for the most part, and everyone else from around the Country seems to be buying into it. The voice of many (meaning people who dont live in this state) seem to be the ones trying to explain this curse. Get back to me when youve lived here all your life and have a better understanding of whats going on.
-
This has nothing to do w/ expansion franchises such as the Rangers and Astros.
True, it doesn't have anything to do with any of those particular franchises, but I'm just proving a point on how there are other teams that have gone thru decades of futility with out a so called "curse" being the reason. The Sox are not the only team to suffer thru that.
For anyone to compare the Red Sox to any other unfortunately franchise is just plain ignorant.
OK, so is it fair to compare the Red Sox to a franchise like the Phillies, who have been in the league even longer than the Sox and have won a whole whopping 1 WS? That's about 125 yrs of baseball for that franchise and 1 world series to show for it. That means 124 yrs they have NOT won it. That sure makes the Red Sox 86 yrs of not winning one sure seem more feasable, if another team can go even longer without winning one (which by the way was 100 yrs until the Phillies got on the board). And they don't have a curse. So why can they have 10 decades of coming up short be due to many other reasons besides some curse, but not have the same apply to the Sox? You call it a curse, I call it a coincidence that it started after selling Ruth.
But then they sold the best pitcher of his time
Babe Ruth, a better pitcher than Walter Johnson or Grover Alexander, who are also of the Babes time? I don't know about calling a pitcher who had 3, maybe 4 real good yrs as a pitcher better than 2 of the all time great pitchers in the history of the game.
-
Bottom line is that a cap needs be instated like the NFL. I really hope this happens in NHL this year and the owners dont cave. Think about it. The NFL is one of the hardest leagues to predict a teams outcome. Baseball? We all know basically which 5-6 teams will be there every year. Yanks, Sox, Braves, A's.
It's obvious that you know nothing about the economics of baseball. Let me start with this caveat: I am a Yankees fan for as long as I've watched baseball, and that's since the '70's. The Yanks should've sealed the deal in Game 4 and they didn't. HOWEVER, by the same right, I've noticed more than a fair share of obnoxious Red Sox fans rubbing things in. Get some class people, and also realize that you haven't won the World Series yet.
As for the economics of baseball and a potential salary cap, you have no grasp of the situation. The NFL system works because of several things: coordinated television contracts, extensive revenue sharing, fewer games and more demand for NFL tickets compared to baseball.
The NFL has coordinated television contracts. That means that the league as a whole has negotiated the television rights for the entire league. They've made it so that Fox is the home of the NFC, and CBS is the home of the AFC. Then there are the Sunday and Monday night games which belong to ESPN and ABC. All of the money from those deals is distributed evenly among all 32 teams. And believe me, it's a TON of money!
The difference between this system and the way MLB television rights are handled is staggering. Each team in the MLB negotiates their own TV deal, meaning that there are disparaties between what the Dodgers will get in Los Angeles and what the Royals will get from the Kansas City TV market. This is just reality. So will MLB come to it's senses and centralize this? Probably not, because the owners won't go for it. Especially since the owners are now following the YES/NESN business model of owning their own regional sports networks to make even more money.
This problem only gets worse because of the MLB schedule. You've got 162 games per team in MLB as opposed to 16 per team in the NFL. Since the supply of games is higher in MLB, it means that demand for the product (games on TV) is lower. Have you noticed just how few games were carried on Fox over the course of the summer? Those are only window dressing and rehearsals for the Fox TV talent to get ready for the post season. Seriously, I don't think they even started airing baseball on Fox until June this past summer.
The same glut of games is what brings down demand for MLB tickets. Too many games means that people will only go to games when it suits them unless the team is doing really well. It's even happened with the Yankees. Witness the 80's. Yankee stadium was pretty empty many a night in the 80's when the Yanks were stinking up the Bronx. Why? Everyone was crosstown at Shea watching the Mets win.
Now, as for the teams you've cited, I can't believe you mentioned the A's. The A's have one of the lowest payrolls of any team that's been competitive over the past several years. Run the numbers and you'll see. It's Billy Beane that has made that team the success they are on a tight budget. The Braves have gotten kind of cheap too. And the Twins are run by a tightwad as well. In fact, the guy is the richest owner is baseball.
The only thing that is going to change the way Major League Baseball is run economically is what is happening in the NHL right now. That would be devastating to baseball from a PR standpoint, but it's possibly one of the few things that would remedy the situation.
-
Well obviously you guys can't have discussion on this because you chose to ignore the parallel between Ruth's sale to the Yanks and the Sox 86 years of futility. Bring up whatever franchise you want and however long they've gone w/out a World Series and it doesn't even come close when you break it all down. We were talking about The Curse, but you guys chose to steer down a different path to avoid admitting it exists.
-
Well obviously you guys can't have discussion on this because you chose to ignore the parallel between Ruth's sale to the Yanks and the Sox 86 years of futility.
OK, I'll give you that for the last 14-15 yrs that Ruth was in the league, it obviously had a huge impact on both teams. The Red Sox lost their star player and no longer were as competitive afterward. While the Yankees went on to win 4 WS in the Ruth era. No question that deal had major ramifications for both ball clubs, at that time. But I have no idea why anyone thinks that the sale of Ruth has anything to do with any Red Sox team in the past 70 yrs, once Ruth was retired. You're dealing with entirely different rosters, different managers, different owners, and different competition in the league, hell, even a different format in the playoffs. And those are the kinds of things that contribute to a team not winning for so long. Not a curse.
We were talking about The Curse, but you guys chose to steer down a different path to avoid admitting it exists.
I'll admit something exists when I see hard evidence that it does exists. And so far, I have not.
-
Curse or no curse its been one hell of a game tonight!!!
-
Well obviously you guys can't have discussion on this because you chose to ignore the parallel between Ruth's sale to the Yanks and the Sox 86 years of futility.
OK, I'll give you that for the last 14-15 yrs that Ruth was in the league, it obviously had a huge impact on both teams. The Red Sox lost their star player and no longer were as competitive afterward. While the Yankees went on to win 4 WS in the Ruth era. No question that deal had major ramifications for both ball clubs, at that time. But I have no idea why anyone thinks that the sale of Ruth has anything to do with any Red Sox team in the past 70 yrs, once Ruth was retired. You're dealing with entirely different rosters, different managers, different owners, and different competition in the league, hell, even a different format in the playoffs. And those are the kinds of things that contribute to a team not winning for so long. Not a curse.
So Ruth retiring effectively ended The Curse in your opinion huh? Funny because I still don't see a world title attached to the Red Sox for all these years since he retired. Interesting.
We were talking about The Curse, but you guys chose to steer down a different path to avoid admitting it exists.
I'll admit something exists when I see hard evidence that it does exists. And so far, I have not.
LOL, what more do you need?? Exhibit A: Bucky Dent. Exhibit B: Bill Buckner. Need I go on?
-
LOL, what more do you need?? Exhibit A: Bucky Dent. Exhibit B: Bill Buckner. Need I go on?
Oh right, what was I thinking. A team giving up a homerun and an infielder letting a ball roll through his legs. Two things that never happen in a game of baseball, unless of course, a curse is involved. ::) I guess every team has a curse then because I've sure seen a lot of homers given up and a lot of infielders let ground balls roll right between their legs and under their gloves.
-
LOL, what more do you need?? Exhibit A: Bucky Dent. Exhibit B: Bill Buckner. Need I go on?
Oh right, what was I thinking. A team giving up a homerun and an infielder letting a ball roll through his legs. Two things that never happen in a game of baseball, unless of course, a curse is involved. ::) I guess every team has a curse then because I've sure seen a lot of homers given up and a lot of infielders let ground balls roll right between their legs and under their gloves.
Keep denying the obvious Sox-homer. Truth hurts don't it?
-
i'm sorry i must have missed something...i was too busy giving the yankees the Heimlich manuever
the sox are in the world series right...and the yankees are doing what now?
-
Can't we let the curse discussion go now? It's like asking someone if they believe in ghosts... Some believe in the supernatural, some don't.
But yeah, a Dent dinger and fielding gaffe by Buckner I don't think have anything to do with Babe Ruth personally. That's just baseball, bad luck, choking, whatever...
Donnie Moore gave up a game winning homerun to Hindu when the Angels were one strike away from going to the World Series back in '86. Then the poor fella went and committed suicide a little later on because of it. But the Angels don't have a Donnie Moore curse, as they won it all two years ago (granted we're far from the history of the Sox).
I think "the curse" is just a fun little way to tease the Sox and their fans, and explain anything and everything bad that ever happens to them. That's all. If they lose to the Cards this year, I don't think it'll be because of the curse. It'll be because the Cards are a better team (which should've had home field advantage in this series...)
Anyway, fun slugfest to watch last night. Hopefully the Cards bounce back tonight!
-
Keep denying the obvious Sox-homer. Truth hurts don't it?
What truth? You, and the rest of those that believe in a made up curse, hardly makes it the truth.
Can't we let the curse discussion go now?
Aww, come on. We're having such a good time here. ;)
-
if anyone really looks at the babe ruth career, he was sold from the red sox to the yankees because the owner could not afford him anymore (stupid musicals). the yankees promised babe a managing career for many years, then at the end of his career they offered him 1 dollar in his final season with ny and told him he would never manage a yankees team. after that he went to the braves, who promised him a managing career and he never got that either. so if the babe was going to haunt or curse anyone it would either be the yankees for slapping him in the face after so many great years or the braves for flat out lying to him. I personally think the curse idea is stupid, the idea was the work of a dumb boston sports writer after the sox lost the 86 world series.
personally i would love to see a salary cap and a salary minimum so all teams have a chance of winning a world series. the introduction of the wild card really helped baseball because it kept a lot of markets in the playoff hunt, when in the past they would not have been. I am a huge sox fan, but i firmly believe there is an unfair advantage for teams in giant markets like boston and new york
-
personally i would love to see a salary cap and a salary minimum so all teams have a chance of winning a world series. the introduction of the wild card really helped baseball because it kept a lot of markets in the playoff hunt, when in the past they would not have been. I am a huge sox fan, but i firmly believe there is an unfair advantage for teams in giant markets like boston and new york
Man, how many times (in several different threads) do we need to explain this whole cap thing to people? A cap won't help baseball. Players are still gonna go where they want to go, and that is to teams like Boston and the Yankees who can win every year. Do you think someone's gonna pick the Diamondbacks over the Yankees if he wants to win a championship? Someone in this thread already explained why a cap works so well in football and why it won't work in baseball (or hockey for that matter) so do some reading and you'll see for yourself.
-
Dang.
I missed both of the Game 7s, but sounds like they were great.
I still can't believe that the Sox pulled it off, or that Ortiz was the MVP. Crazy. Baseball history...
What a wild game last night, looks like tonight is going to get crazy too...
Jeff
-
Man, how many times (in several different threads) do we need to explain this whole cap thing to people? A cap won't help baseball. Players are still gonna go where they want to go, and that is to teams like Boston and the Yankees who can win every year. Do you think someone's gonna pick the Diamondbacks over the Yankees if he wants to win a championship? Someone in this thread already explained why a cap works so well in football and why it won't work in baseball (or hockey for that matter) so do some reading and you'll see for yourself.
if each team can only spend 100 million, for example, once the teams spend that much then they cant spend anymore. they will need to spend the money they have more wisely. that is what i am getting at. i understand how salary caps work, and i understand players would prefer to go to ny or boston over kc for example. you can bet your sweet A** that the yankees are going to spend whatever they need to spend to not be made to look foolish again...even if that means 300 million. Teams like toronto and tampa cant afford that, hence the need for a salary cap. I understand players have contracts that need to be honored, but mlb might need to say, for example, in the year 2008 teams will need to limit their payroll to 100 million or whatever it could be. that way teams can plan for this. A salary cap can work and probably should be implimented in the next 5 or 7 years
-
Man, how many times (in several different threads) do we need to explain this whole cap thing to people? A cap won't help baseball. Players are still gonna go where they want to go, and that is to teams like Boston and the Yankees who can win every year. Do you think someone's gonna pick the Diamondbacks over the Yankees if he wants to win a championship? Someone in this thread already explained why a cap works so well in football and why it won't work in baseball (or hockey for that matter) so do some reading and you'll see for yourself.
if each team can only spend 100 million, for example, once the teams spend that much then they cant spend anymore. they will need to spend the money they have more wisely. that is what i am getting at. i understand how salary caps work, and i understand players would prefer to go to ny or boston over kc for example. you can bet your sweet A** that the yankees are going to spend whatever they need to spend to not be made to look foolish again...even if that means 300 million. Teams like toronto and tampa cant afford that, hence the need for a salary cap. I understand players have contracts that need to be honored, but mlb might need to say, for example, in the year 2008 teams will need to limit their payroll to 100 million or whatever it could be. that way teams can plan for this. A salary cap can work and probably should be implimented in the next 5 or 7 years
Some people will not buy into the cap issue, but I totally agree with you. Money is killing the game, and to see an average salary with incentives added would definitely make the players appreciate what they do a little more, and possibly give a little more effort on the field. Sure Arod and Jeter fill the stands and bring fans, and advertisent and TV add in, but you know who is paying for it? You and me. Its to the point where the middle class cannot afford to go to many games each year. I went a couple weeks back and it cost my wife and I over $200. If pay was more even, and teams were more competitive, you would see more and more players wanting to play in there home towns, most of which are small market teams. You can sit here and argue all day with me about the cap not working, but I will disagree til I die. But none of that is important at the moment. Whats important is the Sox are up 2 to zip, but need not let there guard down. The Cards have all the ability to do to us what we did to the Yanks. On a side note, Torre was a real class act mentioning Wakefield the other night after the game.
-
8 errors in 2 games and the Sox still win? Never thought it possible, but like the cliche says, that's why they play the games. Only 2 more wins to the event everyone in Boston has been waiting for for much too long. Unfortunetely, if they win, I think it's going to be overshadowed by the "celebration".
-
8 errors in 2 games and the Sox still win? Never thought it possible, but like the cliche says, that's why they play the games. Only 2 more wins to the event everyone in Boston has been waiting for for much too long. Unfortunetely, if they win, I think it's going to be overshadowed by the "celebration".
I think your right Mike. I think the final festivities are going to give this town a bad name :( I am really glad I am no where near the city. A sad point though is the fact that the majority of the people who caused problems the other night are out of state college kids and not even locals. I say hit them where it hurts and expel them. We'll see how pissed those parents will be when they are holding a 50K college bill for there expelled son/daughter.
-
If pay was more even, and teams were more competitive, you would see more and more players wanting to play in there home towns, most of which are small market teams. You can sit here and argue all day with me about the cap not working, but I will disagree til I die.
Ah, but the fundamental flaw in a salary cap is revenue sharing. Until baseball has a revenue sharing deal like football does, where 1 network buys the rights for ALL teams and everyone gets a share a cap will not work in baseball.
Now, being from Minnesota, I'd love to see a small markets get more competative. I just don't think a cap will do it.
Lets look at some numbers. The Yankees average 30mil a year for endorsements on TV/Radio because of their network. There is NO way that the Twins could ever generate that much dough.
Even if the Twins started their own network (they did, and it failed miserably) they could NEVER generate the cash that the Yankees do putting the games on TV. The large market teams make MORE money than the small market teams do. End of story.
Revenue Sharing in football ensures that even if the Arizona Cardnals suck and never sell out a game, they will still earn 30-40millions in TV/endorsement cash alone. You just don't get that security in baseball.
Let's say that there was a cap of $120 million put in place. Do you really think that Tampa would suddenly start spending $120 million on payroll? NO WAY. All you'd do is cap the Yankees and Red Sox from being GREAT, they'd just be REALLY GOOD.
If we were to impose a salary cap in baseball, the only thing it would do is bring down player salaries, in that players might agree to take less money in order to sign with a competative team (the way it happens in teh NBA where guys take the minimum to play for a great team).
I do NOT think a salary cap would make all teams more competative unkless you find a way to pool all the TV/radio money from all teams and then split it up. Teams like the Twins and the Devil Rays will never spend cash unless they know it is safe and they won't lose money. (this is the same reason why I think a cap won't work in hockey).
Anyway, just my $0.02 on the matter.
Jeff
-
Bingo, Revenue Sharing is the key to the whole thing. And while the Yankees are villified for having this exorbinant payroll the Sox are just as bad
60 million difference is a lot but how about 130 million between the Twins and Yankees, they could have gone out and bought a slugger in Right Field and 3 starting pitchers and a 1st Baseman
Oakland and Minnesota show how to do it, scoutdevelop your talent to compete, and trade stars for minor leaguers before they become free agents. The Sox are reaping the benifits of David Ortiz
The sad thing is, Steinbrenner and the rest of the teams with regional sports TV deals will NEVER give them up, revenue sharing will never happen and as such the greedy pigs will continue to dominate the upper tier with the smart little guys breaking through every now and then.
I've heard the idea floated that there be a new division made a Major Major League and the B-Listers sort of how Soccer is run in around the world. I'd hate to ever see that happen but without revenue sharing I think its a definite possibility
-
The arguments made for the cap hold no water, nor does the notion that with players will sign w/ their "home town" team. Do you have any clue just how many foreign players are in the majors now? I almost never see guys going and signing w/ their "home town" team, so you mean to tell me that instituting a cap will make them? That's one of the more ridiculous things I've read in this thread. A cap will not work in baseball and it won't work in hockey. Too many uninformed people hear cap and think it guarantees that crappy teams will suddenly become competitive. You still gotta have the players genious and I don't see any marquee free agents running to go sign w/ Tampa Bay.
-
Well, people would sign with Tampa if there was a chance they could win it all. Which is why they sign and want to play for the Yankees. A cap isn't going to work without revenue sharing as Jeff said and more revenue sharing (there is a small form of that in place with many loop holes) isn't going to happen
The sad thing to me is that the owners are willing to piss on each other without thinking of the overall big picture. National TV deals with right to all games through FOX and ABC/ESPN would be worth billions as well. But, like I said, there is NO WAY in hell Steinbrenner would ever give up his cable deal for the sake of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, if they can't survive then too bad
-
with the cap they need to have a reasonable salary minimum too. And i think a player will play in tampa for example when the yankees and the sox and those type of teams have filled their roster with what the cap would allow...why because i dont think they would not play then to play in tampa. I use tampa as an example only no disrespect to the d-rays.
The reason teams like KC and toronto and the mighty expos dont have cash for salaries...because they cant win and no one wanted to see them. if they were competitive they would have some butts in the seats. remember when the expos were good...they had a good fan base. It would take a lot of time and careful planning, but it obviously can work because it works in other sports.
Right now in a lot of markets you have to pay 1 dollar for the yankees yes network. you dont have a choice. as a sox fan i find this appalling, and if i had to pay it in my town i would cancel my cable and get dish network or something that didnt require me to pay for yes. i am not going to contribute to the over-priced salary of a-fraud
-
with the cap they need to have a reasonable salary minimum too. And i think a player will play in tampa for example when the yankees and the sox and those type of teams have filled their roster with what the cap would allow...why because i dont think they would not play then to play in tampa. I use tampa as an example only no disrespect to the d-rays.
The reason teams like KC and toronto and the mighty expos dont have cash for salaries...because they cant win and no one wanted to see them. if they were competitive they would have some butts in the seats. remember when the expos were good...they had a good fan base. It would take a lot of time and careful planning, but it obviously can work because it works in other sports.
Right now in a lot of markets you have to pay 1 dollar for the yankees yes network. you dont have a choice. as a sox fan i find this appalling, and if i had to pay it in my town i would cancel my cable and get dish network or something that didnt require me to pay for yes. i am not going to contribute to the over-priced salary of a-fraud
Sorry, but if I'm a player and the Sox and Yanks are "capped-out", I'm not signing w/ Tampa. It's a crappy team in a crappy dome in a crappy area of Florida. I'd much rather play somewhere else. And like I said, no one is gonna go play for a team like Tampa until they establish a trend of success. A cap guarantees NOTHING. Next topic.
-
you seem to be very close minded on this topic. there are thousands of people that would die for a chance to play in tampa. I would have to say you are the minority when you would choose not to play if your only option was to play in tampa or not play.
-
I think the point is...there shouldn't be a cap without revenue sharing
Since there won't be revenue sharing there won't be a cap. A cap by itself is stupid.
Players would play in Tampa if they had the money to spend. Since they do play in a small market in a crap stadium with a horrible they'll never compete. But if there was revenue sharing/salary cap in place they and every other team would have a chance. I don't see why people would be against that, its is part of the reason the NFL (which really can't be compared to baseball economics) is so exciting. Every year your team has a chance to go all the way as the Bucs and Panthers and Rams have shown over the last 4 years.
-
you seem to be very close minded on this topic. there are thousands of people that would die for a chance to play in tampa. I would have to say you are the minority when you would choose not to play if your only option was to play in tampa or not play.
I'm the close minded one even though more people agree w/ me that Tampa is a crap team w/ a crap stadium in a crappy part of Florida? And I'm also the close minded one when myself and others have given you reason that a cap won't work? AND I'm the close minded one because I wouldn't play in Florida yet you claim thousands would?
-
I'm surprised at how poorly St. Louis has been playing so far. After two incredible league championship series, the world series has been a major letdown so far. I was hoping for something a little more competitive than this. St. Louis comes back home and almost gets shutout? That's weak.
So, anyone want to place bets on whether we'll see another miracle comeback from 3-0 down? :P
-
Sox go up 3-0! One win away from breaking "the curse" duh duh duh...and a sign the Apocalypse is upon us...
-
GO RED SOX!
Dang, Pedro looked good tonight. I was worried for the Sox pitching after they were so beat up (and the debacle in game 1 with all those runs scored), but man they are pitching on fire now...
Jeff
-
Giddy with excitement and yet still nervous. I don't expect the Cards to go quietly into the night. For some reason I still think this is going 6 games, but would love to be wrong.
Go Red Sox, just one more win. Bring it on home, boys.
-
I agree. This series, with all its hype, has been a tremendous disappointment thus far. But I said it at the start of the playoffs: If the Cards pitching holds up, they will win the World Series. Thus far, not one of their starters has made it past the 5th. Result? 0-3 hole.
-
Ze discussion of ze curse is now a moot point. Congrats to the Red Sox. Mikey, lock the doors :o
-
My hats off to all of you long suffering and now relieved and joyous Red Sox fans. Being a Vikings fan and hearing year after year from the Green and Gold Cheese Brains I know a little of what you have suffered. Granted, 43 years is only half of 86 years but having your team be so good for so long and have them not win it all is something that I keep the faith in, some day my team will finally win the big one and watching the World Series has reminded me of that. Tip one back for me and enjoy every minute of it :)
-
Kudos to Douggy M and David Ortiz on winning a ring, too bad rich bastard didn't keep you around to do it here instead
-
Congrats to the Red Sox Nation! Now they just have to kill that goat in Chicago... :-X
Looks like a partyin Beantown! I called my bro (who lives in New Haven, CT) and he said the bars there were just nuts!
Kudos to Douggy M and David Ortiz on winning a ring, too bad rich bastard didn't keep you around to do it here instead
:'( Ain't it the truth... stupid rich bastard! >:(
-
This series, with all its hype, has been a tremendous disappointment thus far.
Most definitely. Aside from the Sox finally lifting their supposed "curse" and a little bit of excitement in game 1, this series was a complete and total bore. One of the worst ever IMO. The Cardinals were absolutely pathetic, beyond the point of just "good pitching beats good hitting", though that certainly played a part in it. But the Red Sox have just been unstoppable the last couple weeks in winning 8 in a row.
But congrats to Beantown and all of it's long suffering fans. Must be nice to get that monkey off your back!
-
Boston Red Sox - 2004 World Series Champions! I can't believe I actually just wrote that. It's all still a blur and the full brunt of it hasn't hit me yet. I'm sure it's going to hit me hard suddenly during the day and I'll fully realized what my team just accomplished.
Thank you, you bunch of idiots! Congratulations Boston Red Sox - 2004 World Series Champions.
-
1918
2004
-
HUMBUG!!! >:(
Kevin
-
There was some talk on the radio this AM about an eerie comparison between this years World Series and Back to the Future 2. Someone claimed that in the Almanac that Biff had, it had the 2004 World Series with the Cards and the Sox. With the Sox being the victors. Personally I cant believe it. Anyone know if this is BS ???
-
B as in B, S as in S
http://www.snopes.com/sports/baseball/bttf2.asp
-
Thats what I thought. Thanks for the link Scott.
-
Looks like I never got around to saying congrats to Mikey, Jim, and the rest of the Boston fans out there. Way to go guys, and way to go Sox. Absolutely bitch slapped the Cards all over the place. St. Louis looked like a minor league team out there, especially in the last 3 games. Definitely a dull and boring series for sure. But at least "the curse" has been lifted.
You guys hear that Pedro Martinez got nailed right in the forehead by a baseball somebody threw at the parade he was riding in, in a boat on the river no less. Apparently it was thrown pretty hard too. Payback's a bitch, huh?! :P
Well, it's been fun (not really, at least not in the past 3 weeks). See y'all next season when the Dodgers and Angels renew their quest to finally satisfy my SoCal baseball cravings with the first ever Freeway World Series! Yeah right, I know... ::)
-
Off season will be plenty interesting and busy I suspect. 16 free agents on the Sox side.
-
Looks like Georgie boy is trying to put some type of contract together for Pedro. Surprise, surprise.
-
I'd like to see a contract put out on him too. Oh wait, that's not what you meant.
-
I'd like to see a contract put out on him too. Oh wait, that's not what you meant.
You'll have to wait around til he recovers from that fastball to the head ;D Hate to say it, but pretty funny stuff. Pedro looking for a 4 year contract and Boston is probably not going to offer that long of a deal. Looks like sayonara to him. The rest of the team has filed as well. Could be a pretty different team next year. And after the Millar incident with shots all around prior to playoff and world series games, that could have cost him a resigning. Hes always shot his mouth off way to much. My only concerns are to resign Pedro, Varitek and Cabrera. Anything after that is replaceable.
-
Johan should win the Cy Young today, if he doesn't its all a sham
-
It was great seeing The Rocket take home yet another one a few days ago - a record number 7th, to go along with his one MVP award too. What's it say about the state of pitching these days when the 1-2 places in the NL Cy Young award balloting are held by 42 and 41 year olds (Randy Johnson) respectively... ::)
On an unrelated note, the trade rumors are swirling like mad the last couple days. Sounds like my Dodgers are trying to move Shawn Green at all costs. Looks like they're making a pitch to bring Piazza back home too, which would be awesome! Looking forward to seeing all the talk play out...
Good luck to Johan too. Should be a gimme on that one!
-
It's Official... 8)
Santana captures AL Cy Young (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20041111&content_id=912848&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp)
28 First Place votes! ;D
(http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2004/10/05/yjeCXthE.jpg)
Even Joe Nathan got a vote!
Jeff
-
w00t!! Congrats to Johan on being the best pitcher in Baseball, too bad Radke didn't show up for the Playoffs ::)
-
Congrats to Johan on being the best pitcher in Baseball...
I think you mean the AL. :-*
How'd his stats line up against Clemens? I don't recall now, but I wanna say Roger was the best in all of MLB.
-
No way in hell
Johan vs Roger
W-L 20-6 vs 18-4 JOHAN
ERA 2.61 vs 2.98 JOHAN
K's 265 vs 218 JOHAN
BB's 54 vs 79 JOHAN
WHIP 0.92 vs 1.16 JOHAN
Roger did beat Johan in getting thrown out of Little League games though
-
Uh... Yeah. Ok. I guess I'll give it to your boy then... >:(
But consider the Rocket did that stuff at the age of 42. That's way more impressive. You'd expect a young whipper snapper like Johan to pitch like that. :P
But I'll concede that one.
-
Actually that whole Little League game thing never happened.
-
BALCO! (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20041115&content_id=913660&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp)
I'm not really a fan, but I guess I have to respect his talent.
7 MVP titles? That's pretty good no matter what... unless of course those last 4 turn out to be roid tainted. :-X
Eh, but since nothing's been proven, and you're innocent until proven guilty, well then... congrats to Barry!
One wonders what public opinion of him would be like if he'd actually talk to fans/media... too bad about his bad rep.
Jeff
-
Balco!
-
Barry's winning these on pure name recognition now, and that's just wrong. You can't say his stats weren't impressive, but let's face it, the player in the NL that was the most valuable to his team (hands down) was Adrian Beltre. The Giants didn't make the playoffs, and the Dodgers did. Without Bonds, the Giants still don't make the playoffs. Without Beltre, the Dodgers don't make the playoffs. I'm no Dodger fan, but Beltre was robbed.
Just saw the Angels picked up Bengie Molina's option and declined Ramon Ortiz's option.
Any of you guys seeing/hearing any good rumors in your area? So far here in So Cal it's been:
Dodgers
Green for Piazza - Dodgers apparently aren't convinced that Piazza can catch 130+ games for them
Green for Sosa - looking less and less likely
Dodgers are interested in Brad Radke
Angels
They've been talking to Florida about a deal for Jose Guillen. Marlins rejected a Guillen for Juan Pierre swap. This has now grown into a trade of Guillen to Florida, Randy Johnson to the Angels and prospects to Arizona. Still just talk right now. Angels also extremely interested in Beltran.
-
Balco!
:D
-
Barry's winning these on pure name recognition now, and that's just wrong.
Mid-August I had Beltre, Pujols, Bonds 1-2-3 if the season ended then. But it didin't. Beltre cooled off a little, Bonds went on a mini-tear, and the Giants got back and stayed in contention until the last few days of the season.
Oh, here's a rumor: The Giants are going to overpay old man Vizquel $12.5 million over 3 years. Crazy, ain't it? :o :-\ >:( :( :'(
-
Vlad wins MVP!
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1924078
-
Vlad wins MVP!
As he should have. His performance in the final week of the season to get the Halos in the playoffs sealed it. Congrats to Vlad, well deserved.
-
No doubt, he was a stud all year but his last few weeks were beyond studly. Were it not for the SP/RP loophole, he would have led me to the fantasy baseball promised land
-
ESPN's Bottom Line just reported the new Washington franchise has signed it's 1st free agents:
SS Christian Guzman
3B Vinny Castilla
-
Steinbrenner met with Pedro Martinez today.
As a Yankee fan, I don't want him. I'll take Pavano as a free agent and trade for a Ben Sheets type.
-
Why would you sign Pavano and then trade him? That makes no sense.
ESPN.com is reporting the Tigers have signed Troy Percival to a 2-year, $12 million deal. Interesting since the Tigers exercised their option on Urbina earlier this month.
-
I think he meant two deals - sign Pavano (deal 1) and trade for Sheets (deal 2), not sign Pavano and then use him for trade bait.
-
The Washington Nationals?
(http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/images/masthead/was_logo_primary.gif)
Sticking with the old Senators caps though I see...
(http://mlb.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p1775855nm.jpg)
Jeff
-
I guess the word that I heard on them staying the Expos was wrong
Cool Cap though
-
Pardon me, but I think it's a dopey name. Yes, they're playing in the nation's capitol, and they're also in the National League (if it were otherwise, it would be even dopier). But the name doesn't do it for me.
I think with Major League Baseball's emphasis on it's own history and tradition, it seems like the Washington Senators would have been a perfect fit. Sure, the Senators didn't have a great tradition and were never anything special, but if the events of this past October have taught us anything, it's that streaks of bad luck do end. When the NFL saw fit to expand again and resurrect the Cleveland Browns all was right in the world. The same should have been said of the Senators.
-
Yeah I agree Nick, I also (as does my dad) thinks its stupid Baltimore aren't the Colts and Houston aren't the Oilers in Football. It should have been the Senators The only thing I think why they didn't is because of the Ottawa Senators but that's reaching
-
I don't know that I agree about the Baltimore thing. The Colts held onto their name after they left Baltimore. Also, the city of Cleveland also fought Art Modell for ownership of the name The Browns, prompting him to change the name of his franchise to the Ravens. I think those situations are kind of sticky. As for the Oilers/Texans....I'm on the fence. I kind of like the Texans name.
-
Just read the Nationals was the official original name from 1901 to 1960.
The Nationals was the official original name of the Senators franchise that played in Washington from 1901-60, although the team was known by both names for several decades. Owner Calvin Griffith officially changed the name to Senators in 1957.
Selig wanted to use Senators, but leave it to the politicians to muck things up. :-*
Commissioner Bud Selig preferred the name Senators for Washington's new team, but the mayor objected because the District of Columbia does not have representation in the U.S. Senate.
AP news (http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3185402)
-
HoF ballots this week...
Is this the year for my 2nd Base Hero, Rhino? In the little leagues, I always had # 23 and always played second base because of him. I got a chance to head to Wrigley a few times and watch him play, always amazed me (as a fellow 2nd baseman). He set a crap load of records at 2nd, too bad most people don't remember him. :(
Here's hoping that he makes it this year...
Also, a couple piddly little plan-B signings by the Twins to cover for Guzy and Blanco leaving the Twins. Still working on BRadke and Coskie I hope... :-\
Interesting to see that the A's finally got the deal done to nab Kendall from the Pirates. Should make them better a better at catcher than Miller did I'd say.
Jeff
-
More BALCO! (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=1936592)
"Jason Giambi admitted to a federal grand jury that he took steroids and human growth hormone in 2003, according to transcripts of testimony obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle and published in the newspaper's Thursday editions."
Can Barry be far behind??? :-X
Jeff
-
If you had a Vote who would you put on your Hall of Fame Ballot?
The complete ballot (x-first time eligible): x-Jim Abbott, Bert Blyleven, x-Wade Boggs, x-Tom Candiotti, Dave Concepcion, x-Chili Davis, Andre Dawson, Steve Garvey, Rich Gossage, Tommy John, x-Mark Langston, Don Mattingly, x-Jack McDowell, x-Willie McGee, x-Jeff Montgomery, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, x-Otis Nixon, Dave Parker, x-Tony Phillips, Jim Rice, Ryne Sandberg, Lee Smith, x-Terry Steinbach, x-Darryl Strawberry, Bruce Sutter, Alan Trammell
Here's mine:
Bert Blyleven - 5th All Time in Strike Outs won a World Series, he deserves a spot
Jack Morris - Greatest Pitcher of His Era behind Ryan, won 2 rings, one of the best big game pitchers of all time, plus he completes the Saint Paul trio of Winfield, Molitor and him
Wade Boggs - The AL equivalent of Tony Gwynn, best pure hitter in his era, little less than Puck only due to his lack of rings and power
Ryne Sandberg - Again, best 2B of his era and maybe of any era, he'll get in eventually
Not making the cut:
Don Mattingly - Hrbek was a better 1st Baseman and Mattingly won all of the Gold Gloves, his bat was good but I just couldn't vote for him)
Andre Dawson How many average power hitters does the hall need?
Lee Smith - Pitched in the closer era and was never as dominant as Eck and heck as even Reardon, him getting in lets anyone in to Cooperstown
Alan Trammell Next year for Alan
Jim Rice See Andre Dawson and Lee Smith
Dave Parker See Jim Rice
Dale Murphy See Dave Parker
-
If you had a Vote who would you put on your Hall of Fame Ballot?
Bert Blyleven - 5th All Time in Strike Outs and won a World Series. Agreed, he needs to be there.
Jack Morris - TWO rings, one of the best big game pitchers of all time - Game 7 1991, baby.
Ryne Sandberg - The best 2B of his era, holds too may records at 2B to NOT be in the HoF
I always go back and forth on Goose and Lee Smith, but ultimately pass on them. As for Boggs, he can wait a year. I think he'll get in , but not on his first try.
Jeff
-
Like I said, you let Lee Smith or Goose in there and suddenly you'll have to be letting in Reardon and Aggie and Tom Henke and and and and
Eck deserved it...Mariano Rivera will deserve it, the rest of those guys, no way
-
More BALCO! (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=1936592)
ESPN. Cliff notes. Blah. Go straight to their source (http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/12/02/MNG80A523H1.DTL)
-
More BALCO! (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=1936592)
"Jason Giambi admitted to a federal grand jury that he took steroids and human growth hormone in 2003, according to transcripts of testimony obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle and published in the newspaper's Thursday editions."
Can Barry be far behind??? :-X
Jeff
Not far!!
http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3214132
Oh happy day!!!
-
Lengthier article (http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/12/03/MNGGFA0UDU65.DTL) from the SF Chronicle.
On a sidenote, I wonder if Conte's interview tonight on 20/20 forced the Chronicle to print the Bonds and Giambi articles sooner than they wanted.
-
I'm reserving judgement for a little bit on this whole thing. I'd like to know how in the hell SEALED Grand Jury testimony was leaked like this! What does that say about the legal system? I guess anything is fair game now, that's the biggest thing that bothers me about this, not the roids since that's been widely known for years
-
Radke signs two-year deal (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20041208&content_id=919590&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp)
Whew! ;D
Looks good on keeping Koskie too. Now, all the Twins have to do is go get this guy back since the Phillies passed on him by not offering arbitration:
(http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/5944.jpg)
Can you imagine a Santana/Radke/Milton/Lohse/Mays rotation next year?!? That's a huge L-R-L wallop!
It would make me so happy I could :'(. Get on it Terry Ryan!
Jeff
-
Well Cubs sign Nomar. Hows that paycut working for Nomar now? Sox offer him 15million, then 12million and now gets screwed with 9million from the Cubs. These athletes are just nobs for thinking they cant support a family on 5-6 million a year.
Also, looks like D Lowe wont take the 9 million a year over three years from the Sox. Is he even worth that? Cabrerra is definitely gone since we wont offer him a 5 year deal. Hopefully the focus will remain on Varitek, Martinez and another starter.
-
Some of the happenings today:
Jon Lieber signs with Phillies
Tony Womack and Jaret Wright sign with Yankees
Al Leiter signs with Marlins
-
You know its cool the Twins got Radke back, it really is, but why are they bringing back Koskie and Jones? Why not dump a little salary and go after someone with Power...someone that can hit 40 homers. Especially playing in the dome. Do they forget that that was the cornerstone of the 87 and 91 teams?
Hopefully Morneau continues to develop in to that kind of guy but they need more. I'm sick of winning the division, if their serious, start opening the wallet you crusty old son of a bitch and bring in a free agent or two. Because as the last three years has shown, its not enough
-
I don't know how to feel about the Yankee's getting Jaret Wright. I've never liked the guy, but he did have a really good year, and it's nice to bring in a guy that's actually under 30. Losing Leiber is a big "Meh" in my book.
-
I don't know how to feel about the Yankee's getting Jaret Wright. I've never liked the guy, but he did have a really good year, and it's nice to bring in a guy that's actually under 30. Losing Leiber is a big "Meh" in my book.
Getting Jaret will be a steal if he maintains his health and velocity. Sam and I saw him pitch against the Dodgers and he had wicked stuff. He was consistently around 96 all day.
I LOVE the pickup of Womack. The Yanks get a leadoff hitter and 2Bman in one swoop.
-
I always take a "wait and see" approach to the offseason. I think the Yanks letting Leiber go might be a mistake. He had some great outings where he was nearly unhittable.
Al Leiter being effectively shown the door by the Mets is something of a surprise. He was one of the clubhouse leaders, but I think Omar Minaya wants the team to go in a different direction.
What's very galling about off-season goings on is this: Barry Bonds has the last 6+ years of his career being called into question and still has the nerve to hold a $1,000 + ticketed autograph event in NYC. A-Rod is also a part of the event, but you would think that Bonds would lay low in light of the Balco scandal and the recent revelations. I can't believe he has the nerve to do something like this now.
-
I always take a "wait and see" approach to the offseason. I think the Yanks letting Leiber go might be a mistake. He had some great outings where he was nearly unhittable.
Al Leiter being effectively shown the door by the Mets is something of a surprise. He was one of the clubhouse leaders, but I think Omar Minaya wants the team to go in a different direction.
What's very galling about off-season goings on is this: Barry Bonds has the last 6+ years of his career being called into question and still has the nerve to hold a $1,000 + ticketed autograph event in NYC. A-Rod is also a part of the event, but you would think that Bonds would lay low in light of the Balco scandal and the recent revelations. I can't believe he has the nerve to do something like this now.
This is Barry Bonds we're talking about bud. I'm not surprised at all.
-
So what do you think of Glaus to the D'Backs for $45 million Matt? Took the money and ran didn't he?
I think Jeff Kent will end up at 1B, but if the Dodgers don't resign Beltre (which I don't believe they will) and miss out on Koskie, he'll play 3B.
-
Yeah, losing Glaus totally bummed me out. Loved that guy, though he'd gotten a bit injury prone over the last couple seasons. Sounded like the Dodgers were in talks with him too. Wish he could've at least stayed in town. But the D'backs would be my third choice though, since that's where my parents live, and I like to root for those teams a little as well...
I don't blame Glaus for leaving though, and don't really consider him to have just been chasing the money. Angels were going to let him go regardless, I think. He could've offered to take a pay cut and Moreno would've still ditched him in favor of young (and unproven) Dallas McPherson, who they can practically get for the minimum (for now). So Glaus has pretty much been a lame duck player for the past several months.
Sucks though, since he was Mr. Clutch come playoff time - in both the World Series run, and this past season (despite the early exit). Gonna miss him. Percy too, though that move was pretty obvious when Troy said he didn't want the setup role to K-Rod. Halos let their resident hot head go too. Times, they are a changin'...
Hopefully they'll still make some noise on the free agent market though, now that they've cleared some space.
Wonder if the always idle Dodgers will pull their heads outta the sand long enough to do something as well. Not holding my breath on that one though. Plus, they're surely gonna lose Beltre... :-\
In closing, I'd just like to say that the Twins suck.
-
In closing, I'd just like to say that the Twins suck.
(http://www.jedidefender.com/news/images/7-04/mad.gif)
In closing, I'd just like to say that JediMAC is mean. >:(
-
How many World Series have the Dodgers won in the last 22 years?
How about the Angels?
How many division titles combined?
Hmmm...I think you meant, My Teams Suck
-
Wonder if the always idle Dodgers will pull their heads outta the sand long enough to do something as well. Not holding my breath on that one though...
Well surprise, surprise. We landed Jeff Kent yesterday, for 2 years. I like it! Not many 2B's with much pop in the league. I've always liked Kent, even if his teammates often don't. So long as he's not popping wheelies on his motorcycle, and stays healthy, his bat should bring some partial relief to our lineup as it says goodbye to Beltre...
Kudos to the Blue for actually makin' a move.
-
How many World Series have the Dodgers won in the last 22 years?
How about the Angels?
I like your cutoff date of 22 years there, making sure I can't add the Dodgers 1981 World Series victory in there... ::)
But I'll go ahead and do that anyway, and say:
Dodgers: 2
Angels: 1
Eh, could be/should be better, but at least we've both got titles under our belts in that time, so I guess I won't complain too much.
Division titles? I dunno, and don't care to do the research. You should just thank your lucky stars that the Twinkies have been playing in the worst division in baseball for years now. That certainly helps... :-*
P.S. Kirby Puckett beats women. Criminal.
-
More good news for Matt: Peter Gammons is reporting the Dodgers and A's are talking about a Tim Hudson trade. Also said the Angels may get Orlando Cabrera.
-
Wells to Boston. Not sure how I feel about this one. He was literally telling Boston to **** off a few years back when we were interested in him. His back problems definitely worry me. His personality would fit in here though.
-
The Yankees signing Carl Pavano is a solid move. We need pitching dammit. We really had a great rotation last year, that didn't have a great year. On paper, Mussina, Vazquez, Brown should have been the best "top 3 of the rotation" in baseball based on the previous year's performance. Vazquez and Brown were outstanding in the NL. I guess their numbers were slightly inflated because every 9th batter was a pitcher, and their K's did go down at least 2 K's/9 I'm sure. But I hope they don't stop here, we really need 1 more pitcher like Pavano...maybe something like Brad Penny or Ben Sheets. Not too stoked about Lieber leaving. And they better sign Beltran. With a solid staff and Beltran-Jeter-Sheff-ARod-Matsui-Posada in the lineup, that's unbeatable to the tune of 110 wins.
And please, get Giambi the hell out of here. Punk.
-
More rumblings today that Hudson is on his way to the Dodgers for Edwin Jackson and Perez (2b prospect.) We'll see what happens.
-
Was that the fourth best 1-2-3 behind Houston, Oakland and Florida? Or were you just dreaming...Brown was like 50, Mussina is past his prime and Vasquez was probably the biggest bust of '04
-
Was that the fourth best 1-2-3 behind Houston, Oakland and Florida? Or were you just dreaming...Brown was like 50, Mussina is past his prime and Vasquez was probably the biggest bust of '04
Going into the season, Brown and Vazquez were coming off of Cy Young quality years. They were both in the top 5 in the NL in ERA and K's.
Oakland was okay, Zito is junk, he had one good year. Mulder's best season was last year, so no, not going into the season.
Houston was intriguing, but again, Oswalt's last year was his best. And nobody thought Clemens would be that good.
And Florida, hell no. Pavano had done nothing yet, Penny and Beckett were .500 pitchers. Not even close there.
-
OCB - listen to the champion :-*
BALCO!!!
-
Didn't the Marlins just win the World Series the year before with Beckett? The Yanks did not have a top 3 rotation going in to the year and I think almost everyone except delusional Yankee fans will agree with me
-
Didn't the Marlins just win the World Series the year before with Beckett? The Yanks did not have a top 3 rotation going in to the year and I think almost everyone except delusional Yankee fans will agree with me
Based on 2003 stats, they did.
Josh Beckett was 9-8 with an average-good ERA and a low K total.
-
Oakland has (could soon be "had") the best 1-2-3 punch in baseball. Zito's biggest problem since his Cy Young season has been his consistency. I think he's had problems mechanically as well. Every team in baseball would love to have the guy. He's by no means "junk."
Florida's staff is not dominating. The year they won the WS they just pitched out of their minds. Pavano is solid, but he's had 1 good year (hopefully he'll be great in NY), Dontrelle is still developing, Beckett seemed like a future 20 game winner but he too has been inconsistent.
Houston is awesome, but only if healthy. If Clemens returns, if Miller and Pettite are healthy and if Backe continues to develop then they will have an incredible staff. '
The Yankees have a good staff on paper, but they have to get it done on the mound. Moose will be back, Pavano is apparenlty in, Brown will probably be dealt, not sure if Vazquez will be back and Wright apparenlty took another physical and passed so I guess he's in. I still don't like the lack of a lefty in the rotation even though everyone keeps saying Milton is on his way to The Bronx. The bullpen is one of the best in baseball (behind Anaheim's I believe.)
Anyone see that Smoltz is a starter again? Think his arm will hold up?
-
I forgot about the Cubs too with Prior, Wood and pick between Clement and Maddux, I think the Yankees problem was ignoring Pitching for Offense (that they really didn't need last year) and this was showcased in the Playoffs quite nicely
And the Red Sox with Schilling, Martinez and Lowe or Wakefield was better too going in to 2004. Yankees were lucky to be top 5
-
I forgot about the Cubs too with Prior, Wood and pick between Clement and Maddux, I think the Yankees problem was ignoring Pitching for Offense (that they really didn't need last year) and this was showcased in the Playoffs quite nicely
I think the Twins showcased nothing in the playoffs quite nicely. They were 1st round playoff fodder.
As usual.
-
I seem to remember that not so clearly, 2 extra inning games doesn't mean they were pushovers. With 5 less superstars I think they did fine for what they have.
-
The Twins are not pushovers by any means, but they also played in the weakest division in the AL and have done a good job of being better than everyone in said division. They definitely are not a championship caliber team though and the LA Times reported this morning that Corey Koskie is close to accepting a deal with the Blue Jays. That only hurts the Twins.
I left Boston off the list simply because Wakefield is pretty inconsistent, Arroyo hasn't proven anything yet and Lowe may not even be back. Wells helps their depth, but he's not what he used to be.
I also left the Cubbies off for several reasons: 1) Wood and Prior's health, 2) because it looks like Clement is gone (possibly to the Angels), 3) Maddux isn't the dominant force he used to be and 4) Zambrano is still maturing.
-
I definitely think the American League East will be won by whomever gets the next great starter. Meaning the Yanks or Sox. Im pretty disappointed that we werent able to grab Pavano, and he is going to help NY tremendously I think. I definitely think D-Lowe is gone. Wells concerns me and Arroyo I think is still immature but has possiblities. Wakefield needs to be moved out of the starting rotation and into some kind of middle relief role if the Sox can find another solid starter. Pedro will be back I think.
Starters
Schilling
Martinez
Wells
Arroyo
?
Relief
Wakefield
Mantei (dont know much about this guy)
Timlin
Embree
Foulke
-
Dressel was talking going in to 2004 not next year...Pavano makes them back to where they were before thanks to Leiber leaving
-
The Twins are not pushovers by any means, but they also played in the weakest division in the AL and have done a good job of being better than everyone in said division. They definitely are not a championship caliber team though and the LA Times reported this morning that Corey Koskie is close to accepting a deal with the Blue Jays. That only hurts the Twins.
Looks like Koskie has basically accepted a deal with the Jays, pending a physical....
Blue Jays reach terms with Koskie (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20041213&content_id=921819&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp)
Hmmm... I am starting to get a bit worried, as the Twins infield defense was one of their strongest points. Now, with Doug Mientkiewicz no longer at 1B, Guzman gone from SS, and Koskie gone from 3B, our outstanding infield defense is average at best. :-\
Jeff
-
1B: Morneau
2B: Rivas
SS: Bartlett
3B: Cuddyer
The only good thing about that is that they could now maybe still trade Jones and sign someone. Their lack of power is pathetic. As I've said already, I liked Koskie, he was always hurt though and never really did anything in the 3 postseasons. He plays a mean third base though and he should have won a Gold Glove by now over Chavez
-
Pedro Martinez is officially a New York Met.
Thank God he's not a Yankee.
-
I knew Pedro wasn't going back to Boston and couldn't hammer that point home enough to all the Bo Sox fans on Spawn.com, but it isn't official yet.
Just saw on ESPN's Bottom Line that the White Sox have traded Carlos Lee to the Brewers for Scott Podsednik, Luis Vizcaino and a player to be named and Mike Matheny signed a 3-year deal w/ the Giants.
-
...and Mike Matheny signed a 3-year deal w/ the Giants.
Which means A.J. Pierzynski is probably going to be traded since you don't need two AS caliber Catchers. I don't think they would have signed Matheny unless they already had a deal in the works for AJ.
I wonder where he'll end up? :-\
Jeff
-
...and Mike Matheny signed a 3-year deal w/ the Giants.
Which means A.J. Pierzynski is probably going to be traded since you don't need two AS caliber Catchers. I don't think they would have signed Matheny unless they already had a deal in the works for AJ.
I wonder where he'll end up? :-\
Jeff
LA Times said the Giants were shopping him before this deal was announced. I had heard all season that he was a cancer in the clubhouse, so I'm not suprised. I could see the Dodgers trying to make a push for him, but hell will probably freeze over first.
-
Angels sign Paul Byrd and trade Ramon Ortiz to the Reds for a minor leaguer.
-
Looks like Rentieria is going to accept the Red Sox offer (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1946831)
As much as I liked OC, I think Rentiera is a better all around player. And the multi year signing means that their top prospect, Hanley Rameriz, could be huge trade bait for a high end pitcher to replace Petey.
-
So much for the Nationals:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1946925
-
Looks like Rentieria is going to accept the Red Sox offer (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1946831)
As much as I liked OC, I think Rentiera is a better all around player. And the multi year signing means that their top prospect, Hanley Rameriz, could be huge trade bait for a high end pitcher to replace Petey.
Let us hope on that one. Im really concerned now with starting pitching. Looks like Wells will be our opening day pitcher ??? I am also disappointed that Manny's name is being mentioned again for trade. He has to be one the best hitters of the last 20 years in my opinion. Plus the fact that his name was associated with Cliff Floyd for a trade was disheartening. Would be sweet if we could somehow aquire one of Oaklands big 3 pitchers.
-
...and Mike Matheny signed a 3-year deal w/ the Giants.
Which means A.J. Pierzynski is probably going to be traded since you don't need two AS caliber Catchers. I don't think they would have signed Matheny unless they already had a deal in the works for AJ.
I wonder where he'll end up? :-\
Jeff
Times said today that the Giants put AJ on waivers. Now it would be easy for the Dodgers to grab him.
-
Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson are both Mariners. Add that to Ichiro and Bret Boone and suddenly the Mariners are back in the playoffs next year. What a scary lineup that's gonna be.
-
Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson are both Mariners. Add that to Ichiro and Bret Boone and suddenly the Mariners are back in the playoffs next year. What a scary lineup that's gonna be.
See, I was only off by a year ;)
AL West: Mariners
-
Yeah that is pretty good line up but who do they have throwing? All they need to do is look at Texas and see that hitting means nothing
-
Good point Scott, I think that Jamie Moyer and Joel Piniero are their best 2 pitchers. That ain't gonna cut it, even if they have a closer like Eddie Guardado. I think the M's let Freddy Garcia go to the ChiSox last season, that was a mistake. He was the victim of low run support.
And what the HELL are the Dodgers doing not signing Adrian Beltre? He's young and getting better, and if not for Barry Bonds, was the NL MVP this season.
M's got a nice start here, but need a pitcher or two.
(http://espn-att.starwave.com/media/mlb/2004/1216/photo/smh_msfas_ft.jpg)
-
Let me tell you, now that I think about it, the Dodgers also let Steve Finley walk to the Angels. So now they've recently lost Finley, Beltre, Lo Duca, and Mota, and basically all they've gained is Brad Penny, if he even ever recovers from that bicep/elbow injury he suffered right after the trade.
Dodgers: No pitching, no offense, and are basically comprised of a regressing Shawn Green and an overrated Milton Bradley. Oh there is no joy in Los Angeles.
-
And Moyer is decent, he's not a #1 guy though and their park isn't one where someone is going to hit a lot of homers either. I think they are much improved though
Not sold on Eddie, wasn't when he was here either. He'd walk a guy 50% of the time he was in there
And agreed on the Dodgers not signing Beltre, aren't they in the top 10 for payroll/earnings?
Heard the Twins are actually asking Jacque Jones and Luis Rivas to take pay cuts to try and get under their payroll budgets. Damn you Scrooge, damn you
(http://images.forbes.com/media/lists/10/2002/75UU.jpg)
2 billion isn't enough is it Carl? Gotta make more? Don't you realize people might actually come and watch the team if you put out high caliber players? Instead of letting them go (although I wouldn't have signed Koskie for what he got)
-
ESPN said the deal between Beltre isn't official yet, but it's close. The Mariners have a couple of big bats now, but their pitching is still very suspect. They're the new Texas Rangers I guess.
The Dodgers are really hurting now that this has also happened:
Hudson to the Braves:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1947892
Don't really like the deal for the A's, but if Meyer pans out it could be a good move because, let's face it, they weren't going to pay Hudson.
-
Whoa, in my opinion, Hudson is the best of the big 3 there over Zito and Mulder. Nice catch for the Braves. NL East champs again I foresee.
-
Excellent news about Beltre. Hope it ain't too blue a Christmas for the folks down south. (Yes Sweater, Boy, that means you. :-*)
Letting AJ go was pretty much a given, moreso, I think, because of the money than his reputation. He won $3.5 mil in arbitration last year, they weren't prepared to lose a $5 mil case, and they weren't willing to sign him for what he wanted considering his so-so defense. Matheny and Torrealba give the Giants an excellent defensive tandem... albeit just a so-so offense. :-X Win some, lose some.
Not being able to land Finley when they were so close was huge. He's a slicker outfielder than anyone SF has now, and he has more pop than any other Giant not named Bonds.
-
Yanks about to get Big Unit!
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1947995
-
Yanks about to get Big Unit!
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1947995
Pavano, Brown, Mussina, Randy Johnson on the mound.
Jeter, A Rod, Sheffield, Beltran, Matsui at the plate.
World Series Champions '05
(Barring injury and steroid withdrawals)
-
I really don't think they are going to get Beltran but I have to agree they are the favorites. But again, with a 1 billion dollar payroll, they should be ::) ;)
-
I don't see them making a play at Beltran unless they move Brown.
-
Excellent news about Beltre. Hope it ain't too blue a Christmas for the folks down south. (Yes Sweater, Boy, that means you. :-*)
>:(
Yeah, losing Beltre sucks, though it was far from unexpected. Sounds like Green's next to go, and maybe with Penny along with him. This ****'s going from bad to worse. Wouldn't be surprised to see the Dodgers dump Bradley too.
So that leaves us with who, exactly? Just Jeff Kent? Excellent. First place is definitely going to be ours, barring any unforseen motorcycle accidents...
God, DePodesto SUCKS.
Big Unit to the Yanks (and Pedro away from the Sox, and Schilling laid up for a while) makes that race a no-brainer now. Of course, that's what a lot of people said last year too. But as we've seen, Top Dogs like the Yanks and Lakers are definitely susceptible to screwing the ol' pooch come crunch time... ;)
-
Well those trades are all well and good but I've really been impressed with the Cubs. They have not added a damn thing yet except Blanco as a backup catcher. Yippe :(
-
Well those trades are all well and good but I've really been impressed with the Cubs. They have not added a damn thing yet except Blanco as a backup catcher. Yippe :(
Newest rumor has the Cubs talking to the O's about Sosa.
-
Mark Mulder has been traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for 3 no-names.
WTF is Oakland doing??!
-
(http://espn-att.starwave.com/media/mlb/2004/1218/photo/markmulder_hatswap_ft.jpg)
The guy was signed through 2006!! That's it, I'm turning in my A's gear. I'm out.
-
I just don't get it. What's their plan here? What, sign Beltran?
-
I just don't get it. What's their plan here? What, sign Beltran?
The Cubs you mean? Or some other team? As far as the Cubs go supposedly if they trade Sosa to another team they will offer Beltran a contract. But they still have to pay Sosa's contract. So, I don't know why it makes a difference if they trade him or not. They still have to pay it regardless.
-
The Angels sign Orlando Cabrera to a 4-year deal. They called his agent and 8 hours later the deal was done. They also did not offer arbitration to David Eckstein.
The Big Unit deal is in the hands of the commish now, so it should be done soon. Word around LA is that Vasquez is gonna get shipped to the White Sox for Paul Konerko. Dodgers are going after JD Drew, Derek Lowe and others.
Beltran is meeting w/ Steinbrenner today.
As for the A's, I'm as clueless as the next guy. Mulder was signed through next year w/ an option for '06. I just see no reason why they would get rid of him. Hudson was a no-brainer since they weren't going to re-sign him. Obviously they aren't going to make a move at any of the free agents. That's not their style.
-
Dodgers pull out of proposed 3-team deal that would have sent Big Unit to the Bronx. I really hate the Dodgers. I love how Frank McCourt called the Yanks and D'Backs and told them not to worry, that the deal would get done. If I'm a GM, I don't want anything to do with the Dodgers. Who's gonna do business w/ these guys now? One way or another, Unit will end up in pinstripes. I'm guessing another team like the White Sox will get involved now.
Looks like they Dodgers have agreed to terms w/ JD Drew (ESPN reporting it.)
-
If this all does come to pass, the Yanks adding Unit, Beltran, and Pavano is HUGE especially since the Sox lost Pedro. Even though they got Renteria, he does not scare me any more than Nomar did at SS.
-
Yep, Dressel if you guys can get Beltran, Pavano, and Big Unit I don't see how the Yankees can lose. Unless your team falls to injuries. Very, very impressive.
-
I just don't get it. What's their plan here? What, sign Beltran?
The Cubs you mean? Or some other team? As far as the Cubs go supposedly if they trade Sosa to another team they will offer Beltran a contract. But they still have to pay Sosa's contract. So, I don't know why it makes a difference if they trade him or not. They still have to pay it regardless.
I was talking about Oakland. I don't know why they would trade Mulder who was signed through '06. They let Giambi walk to tie up Zito and Mulder in contracts, then they let Tejada go to Baltimore, and then FINALLY decided to pay an offensive player in Eric Chavez. Then, I can see they were going to have to pay Hudson big bucks so they let him go to Atlanta, but then traded Mulder for a bunch of prospects who may never pan out. The whole strategy seems retarded. Look at them now, they've got a big time 3rd baseman in Chavez and 1 good starter in Barry Zito. They are not going to compete this year with Anaheim and Seattle both improving. Anaheim was good and now they added Finley, Seattle added Beltre and Sexson and are going to be offensive BEHEMOTHS when you add that to Suzuki and Boone.
Oakland's plan here? They threw up a white flag.
-
I disagree that Oakland threw up the white flag. Bottom line is that they don't have the funds and they show that year in and year out. We all knew Hudson was a goner, but Mulder too? Still not sure about that one. And the A's didn't just get prospects for Mulder. They got Haren who spot-started for the Cards before going to the pen for the playoffs and Calero who was in the pen all year. They just got younger and cheaper guys in return, but not all are prospects. I also disagree about Seattle being offensive behemoths. Sexson is coming off majorshoulder surgery. Everyone is wondering if Beltre will be a 1-hit wonder. Boone's production has dropped. Edgar has retired. They aren't that much better if you ask me. The Angels clearly are the class of the division and the reason why? They have pitching. Seattle's starting rotation is weak. Their ace? Jamie Moyer. I rest my case there. The Mariners are basically the new Texas Rangers, a team that can score 12 runs a nite but gives up 13 (and I'm referring to the Rangers teams that had Juan Gone, Pudge, Raf, etc. not the new younger squad.)
-
Agreed...and I do think the Angels are better as well. What still torques me off is that there are basically 10 teams doing all of the spending and signing. I don't see how that is good for the game
-
Well something finally positive out of Boston. Varitek signed a 4 yr 40 million deal. Still wont make up for some of the bad pitching signings we have had ::) Clement is the biggest disappointing signing this season. 8.5 million a year for a pitcher with a losing record ???
-
I was glad to see the Dodgers pull out of that mega 3-team deal involving Randy Johnson, despite how bad it pissed the Yanks and D-backs off. We were getting screwed in that thing. Glad to see the Dodgers pick up JD Drew, and look like they're still showing signs of life. We've actually get a pretty decent offensive lineup now, we're just a little iffy on the starting pitching and the catcher's spot is a HUGE glaring hole right now.
Sad to see the Halos dump Eckstein last week too (though I'm sure Scott was thrilled). Hopefully he winds up on the Twins, for Scott to enjoy for the next several years! :-* Sadly, one by one, a lot of my longtime Angels are disappearing, like Glaus, Percival, Eckstein... Not that they've been bad moves, or that they haven't been replaced with other suitable players - just sad. Still wish we'd kept Glaus though. That hurt.
Sounds like Arizona's completely pulled the Big Unit off the table for good now. Poor Steinbrenner... 8)
-
Glad to see the Dodgers pick up JD Drew, and look like they're still showing signs of life. We've actually get a pretty decent offensive lineup now, we're just a little iffy on the starting pitching and the catcher's spot is a HUGE glaring hole right now.
No way. You lost Beltre, last year's NL MVP if not for Bonds' popularity, and you lost LoDuca and Finley. You got JD Drew back to add to the regressing Shawn Green, and then there' s Milton Bradley, perhaps the most overrated offensive player in baseball. Look at his career stats, the guy has not had a good season yet. The Dodgers will be the worst hitting team in their division with the D'Backs.
-
I disagree that Oakland threw up the white flag. Bottom line is that they don't have the funds and they show that year in and year out. We all knew Hudson was a goner, but Mulder too? Still not sure about that one.
Their pitching staff was clearly their strong point. Now it's gone. And Mulder was dealt for no reason. They surrendered.
They got Haren who spot-started for the Cards before going to the pen for the playoffs and Calero who was in the pen all year.
They got who?
-
I disagree that Oakland threw up the white flag. Bottom line is that they don't have the funds and they show that year in and year out. We all knew Hudson was a goner, but Mulder too? Still not sure about that one.
Their pitching staff was clearly their strong point. Now it's gone. And Mulder was dealt for no reason. They surrendered.
They got Haren who spot-started for the Cards before going to the pen for the playoffs and Calero who was in the pen all year.
They got who?
Sorry dude. They didn't "surrender." This organization has no money and they show that each and every year. Maybe there's more to the Mulder deal than we know (injury perhaps?)
You seem like such a smart baseball guy. I figured you'd know those names.
Read:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=bayless/041223
-
I know the names, I just think they're non-impact players. Especially in the wake of losing Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder being dealt leaves only Barry Zito, the worst of what was their 3 big starters. Let's just say you won't see who they got in return for Mulder on anyone's fantasy team next year. And when Oakland has such little offense to start with (they lost Dye too), they relied fairly heavily on their pitching. Anaheim is going to win the division, and Seattle will finish ahead of Oakland as well. Probably Texas too.
-
I know the names, I just think they're non-impact players. Especially in the wake of losing Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder being dealt leaves only Barry Zito, the worst of what was their 3 big starters. Let's just say you won't see who they got in return for Mulder on anyone's fantasy team next year. And when Oakland has such little offense to start with (they lost Dye too), they relied fairly heavily on their pitching. Anaheim is going to win the division, and Seattle will finish ahead of Oakland as well. Probably Texas too.
Well I doubt Billy Beane had people's fantasy teams in mind when he made the deal. My guess is he was focusing more on Oakland's tiny budget. Dye isn't a huge loss because the guy missed so much time while in Oakland. He wasn't worth bringing back. Oakland's strength has always been pitching and clearly in the deals of Hudson and Mulder they focused on getting pitching in return (4 pitchers total in the deals.) I think anyone would be dumb to pick against Anaheim now, but don't underestimate the A's. The Mariners still have no pitching.
-
Moving the two pitchers was a calculated risk brought about partly because of escalating salary/limited budget and fears they're breaking down -- drop 'em now while they still have trade value. The first reason was widely speculated and the second is an interpretation of what Beane said in a radio interview following the trades.
Here's an article (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/12/27/SPGG4AHFLV1.DTL) with Schott from today's SF Chronicle. In it he explains why of the three, Zito was kept. "He's been healthy the whole time."
-
Moving the two pitchers was a calculated risk brought about partly because of escalating salary/limited budget and fears they're breaking down -- drop 'em now while they still have trade value. The first reason was widely speculated and the second is an interpretation of what Beane said in a radio interview following the trades.
Here's an article (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/12/27/SPGG4AHFLV1.DTL) with Schott from today's SF Chronicle. In it he explains why of the three, Zito was kept. "He's been healthy the whole time."
This basically amounts to a rebuilding process. They are not going to compete with Texas or Anaheim this year, and at the rate Seattle is adding players, Oakland could finish last in the AL West this year.
-
I hesitate to call it a rebuilding; maybe just a re-model. They still have very good talent, though not widely known around the country. Like I said, it was a calculated risk. There's big expectations from the guys they're getting, not so much how each will fair as an individual, but how they'll work together. <insert "sum of the parts" cliche here> And there's plenty of time for more deals... and I don't mean deals to gut the roster even more.
-
Looks like the Yanks are gonna land The Unit after all since Selig OK'd the trade today, and that the Dodgers are still gonna unload Shawn Green to the D'Backs. That bites.
But that doesn't bite nearly as bad as Angels owner Arte Moreno wanting to rename the team the "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim". What the **** is that all about?!? Absolutely the most idiotic thing I've ever heard. Two entirely different cities in the same team's name? Hell, they're even two different COUNTIES! Orange County people HATE being associated with Los Angeles County. Two totally different worlds, despite both being "SoCal". Pisses me off somethin' fierce, dammit! All for a few extra marketing bucks? ****, please. *******. Makes me practically want to root AGAINST them... >:(
Glad to see the city of Anaheim is sueing their stupid asses because of it. Violates the terms of their lease with the city and it's stadium.
On a happier note, the HOF voting is tomorrow. One of my all-time favorites - Wade Boggs - is up for election. He better be freakin' unanimous. No other new shoo-ins this year, so that should open the door for another deserving great - Ryne Sandberg - to get in there this year as well (after falling short last year).
One last note, my dad went golfing with HOF'er Robin Yount a couple weeks ago (they have common friends in AZ), and got me a cool customized autograph from him. 8)
-
Yeah, that Anaheim name change is stupid. The Chicago Bears almost had something like that happen to them. Only a sponsor was going to link it's name with the Bears. I can't remember how that was to be now? Something like Chicago Bears Property of the Coca Cola Bottling Company. That was not the ponsor but you get the idea. The name was supposed to be tagged along with the Bears all the time. I guess that fell through.
-
It's official, Boggs and Sandberg.
Boggs, Sandberg are Hall choices (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20050104&content_id=927196&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp)
Congrats to the best 2B of all time finally getting his due. ;D
Sutter was closer than ever with 67% of the vote, maybe next year relievers will start getting the nod as well? :-\
Considering the whiffers on the ballot next year (Albert Belle, Will Clark, Gary Gaetti and Orel Hershiser) hopefully Goose or Sutter will get in next year... after that, in 2007 you start seeing some big names pop up (like Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken and Mark McGwire) and they are running out of eligibility.
Jeff
-
It's official, Boggs and Sandberg.
Great news! Glad to see Rhino make it too - just barely, by a measely 6 votes. Phew!
Man, next year's gonna be wide open. Have they ever had a year where nobody made it? Doesn't seem like too many seriously deserving candidates to pick from in 2006. Should be interesting. Maybe a reliever or two finally...
-
Man, next year's gonna be wide open. Have they ever had a year where nobody made it?
I think the last year with no one being voted in was in the 90s, about 10 years ago. I think there was 2-3 guys with 65-70% of the vote, but none of them got in... 1996 maybe?
Hasn't happened for a while though...
Jeff
-
Here's the final voting:
Player Votes %
Wade Boggs 474 91.9%
Ryne Sandberg 393 76.2%
-----------------------------------------
Bruce Sutter 344 66.7%
Jim Rice 307 59.5%
"Goose" Gossage 285 55.2%
Andre Dawson 270 52.3%
Bert Blyleven 211 40.9%
Lee Smith 200 38.8%
Jack Morris 172 33.3%
Tommy John 123 23.8%
Steve Garvey 106 20.5%
Alan Trammell 87 16.9%
Dave Parker 65 12.6%
Don Mattingly 59 11.4%
Dave Concepcion 55 10.7%
Dale Murphy 54 10.5%
Willie McGee 26 5.0%
Jim Abbott 13 2.5%
Darryl Strawberry 6 1.2% :P
Jack McDowell 4 0.8%
Chili Davis 3 0.6%
Tom Candiotti 2 0.4%
Jeff Montgomery 2 0.4%
Tony Phillips 1 0.2%
Terry Steinbach 1 0.2%
Mark Langston 0 0.0%
Otis Nixon 0 0.0%
Love seeing Daaaaryl garner all of 6 whopping votes. Classic.
-
If you had a Vote who would you put on your Hall of Fame Ballot?
The complete ballot (x-first time eligible): x-Jim Abbott, Bert Blyleven, x-Wade Boggs, x-Tom Candiotti, Dave Concepcion, x-Chili Davis, Andre Dawson, Steve Garvey, Rich Gossage, Tommy John, x-Mark Langston, Don Mattingly, x-Jack McDowell, x-Willie McGee, x-Jeff Montgomery, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, x-Otis Nixon, Dave Parker, x-Tony Phillips, Jim Rice, Ryne Sandberg, Lee Smith, x-Terry Steinbach, x-Darryl Strawberry, Bruce Sutter, Alan Trammell
Here's mine:
Bert Blyleven - 5th All Time in Strike Outs won a World Series, he deserves a spot
Jack Morris - Greatest Pitcher of His Era behind Ryan, won 2 rings, one of the best big game pitchers of all time, plus he completes the Saint Paul trio of Winfield, Molitor and him
Wade Boggs - The AL equivalent of Tony Gwynn, best pure hitter in his era, little less than Puck only due to his lack of rings and power
Ryne Sandberg - Again, best 2B of his era and maybe of any era, he'll get in eventually
Not making the cut:
Don Mattingly - Hrbek was a better 1st Baseman and Mattingly won all of the Gold Gloves, his bat was good but I just couldn't vote for him)
Andre Dawson How many average power hitters does the hall need?
Lee Smith - Pitched in the closer era and was never as dominant as Eck and heck as even Reardon, him getting in lets anyone in to Cooperstown
Alan Trammell Next year for Alan
Jim Rice See Andre Dawson and Lee Smith
Dave Parker See Jim Rice
Dale Murphy See Dave Parker
WHere's the love for Bert and Jack? >:(
-
Where's the love for Otis Nixon? Not even a single vote?? ???
And how the hell does Dave Concepcion get more votes than Dale Murphy? Ridiculous.
-
As a Cubs fan I am glad one of my all time favorite players made it in. It just pisses me off that he just barely squeaked by the third time when he should have been in the first ballot.
So, out of all those players only 2 make it in? Me thinks it's time to lighten up the rules a bit so more of these deserving players actually has a shot in hell of making the Hall.
-
When the Halos stadium was called "Edison International Field of Anaheim", what did everyone call it? Edison Field. The Angels will be the "Los Angeles Angels" because no one is going to tag on the "of Anaheim" part. Personally, I think the move is pure genious. Moreno has committed himself to being an owner who 1) keeps the payroll high and 2) keeps ticket prices down. In order to keep doing those 2 things, the team had to explore alternate revenue sources. Labeling the team "Anaheim" pidgeon holes it as a small market team associated w/ 3 million people. Attaching "Los Angeles" associates the team w/ the greater Los Angeles area and 13 million people. The Angels TV ratings went up significantly last season and this move will allow the Angels to get more money out of advertisers. Right now, the Angels bring in less broadcast money than the Brewers and Pirates. WTF? This is a brilliant long-term move and if people think it's dumb, then don't go to games for dirt cheap. Be thankful your team doesn't have to raise ticket prices.
-
Well, I don't think it's "dumb", at least not in the financial sense. I understand why he's doing it and all, and yeah, it'll probably help bring in some more coin to keep the payroll up and the ticket prices down (which is obviously great).
I just think it's wrong 'cause the Angels are not IN Los Angeles. They're not even in L.A. County. And like I mentioned earlier, most OC'ers HATE being associated with L.A. in any way, especially in something as publicly renowned as this. That's where my biggest beef comes from anyway. Always hated it when the Rams were known as the L.A. Rams. Don't like sharing my teams with the neighbors up to the north/west, even though I'm one of them myself now...
They should just go back to "California Angels". That'd be fine with me, and would broaden their audience a bit, I'm sure. Oh well...
-
Despite beating the Giants in the WS, the Angels were lacking that "something" that could rile me up. But now... Now I have two Los Angeles baseball teams to boo.
Vlaaaad-meer. Vlaaaad-meer.
Pitchers and catchers report in 6 weeks, Johnson out of the NL, the Dodgers falling faster than Skylab... I'm getting all goose pimply.
-
Well sure I understand the financial part is not dumb. LOL! Speaking of finances. Have you all heard the offers for Carlos Beltran?
Mets - 6-7 years possibly 8 years over $100-119 million
Astros and Cubs 5-6 years a little over $90 million
Yankees have not offered...yet.
-
Craziest thing I've heard in a while (http://channels.netscape.com/wrap/linker.jsp?floc=ms-main-5-L2&ref=http://channels.netscape.com/ns/news/story.jsp?floc=FF-APO-2010&idq=/ff/story/0001%2F20050107%2F1232684143.htm&sc=2010)
-
Craziest thing I've heard in a while (http://channels.netscape.com/wrap/linker.jsp?floc=ms-main-5-L2&ref=http://channels.netscape.com/ns/news/story.jsp?floc=FF-APO-2010&idq=/ff/story/0001%2F20050107%2F1232684143.htm&sc=2010)
Nice. Way to go Douggie Baseball! ::)
It's times like this I am glad he's NOT a Twin any longer...
Jeff
-
I think he's got a right to own that though especially if nobody asked for it until recently. It's no different than Bonds getting a certain ball back from a fan etc and I guess its pretty rare a fielder keeps a ball after making a play like that
I never really liked him that much although he plays a mean First Base
-
I guess I should chime in. This was reported this morning by Dan Shaughnessy in the Boston Globe. Shaughnessy, from here on out to be CHB (curly haired boyfriend. Name courtesy of Carl Everett), originally called Doug M to talk about about him and Kevin Millar (one of them is going to be traded). Doug respectfully declined that request, opting to wait to see what happens. A discussion then starts, half heartedly, about what happened to the ball. Up until this point, no one - MLB, the HOF, the Red Sox - asked about the ball. Doug then made the comments about selling the ball, joking the entire time. CHB then runs with the story. And from the looks of it, it spread mighty quickly.
Doug felt he was misrepresentive, so he calls into WEEI (the local sports radio station here) to set the record straight. He sounded sincere. He has no intention of selling the ball and would gladly loan it to the Red Sox if they requested. He knows what it means to Red Sox Nation and said he would stand out in front of Fenway Park to show the ball if the FO asked.
CHB is a hack writer who was made a career of stretching the truth. He was the dip**** who invented the whole "Curse" thing to sell a few books. Most people here in Boston thinks he sucks and tend to not believe a word he writes.
I don't know Doug M. as well as Scott and Jeff, but I liked what I saw from him in his short time here. He made a mistake talking to CHB and unfortunately his reputation is tarnished. I hope most RS fans see pass this and not believe what CHB wrote.
-
I guess I should chime in. This was reported this morning by Dan Shaughnessy in the Boston Globe. Shaughnessy, from here on out to be CHB (curly haired boyfriend. Name courtesy of Carl Everett), originally called Doug M to talk about about him and Kevin Millar (one of them is going to be traded). Doug respectfully declined that request, opting to wait to see what happens. A discussion then starts, half heartedly, about what happened to the ball. Up until this point, no one - MLB, the HOF, the Red Sox - asked about the ball. Doug then made the comments about selling the ball, joking the entire time. CHB then runs with the story. And from the looks of it, it spread mighty quickly.
Doug felt he was misrepresentive, so he calls into WEEI (the local sports radio station here) to set the record straight. He sounded sincere. He has no intention of selling the ball and would gladly loan it to the Red Sox if they requested. He knows what it means to Red Sox Nation and said he would stand out in front of Fenway Park to show the ball if the FO asked.
CHB is a hack writer who was made a career of stretching the truth. He was the dip**** who invented the whole "Curse" thing to sell a few books. Most people here in Boston thinks he sucks and tend to not believe a word he writes.
I don't know Doug M. as well as Scott and Jeff, but I liked what I saw from him in his short time here. He made a mistake talking to CHB and unfortunately his reputation is tarnished. I hope most RS fans see pass this and not believe what CHB wrote.
I heard the interview too Mikey. It is definitely getting blown out of proportion and misrepresented. It sounds like it will make a wonderful heirloom to be passed on in his family. If it was me, i'd keep it for memory sake. No one gave too shi*ts about this ball for the last two months ??? Now if he goes ahead and sells it any time soon then i'll think hes a douche.
-
Mets and Beltran have agreed in principle on a 7year, $119 million deal.
-
Do you think anyone else is going to try and sneak in an offer to Beltran before he signs this deal with the Mets?
-
Do you think anyone else is going to try and sneak in an offer to Beltran before he signs this deal with the Mets?
Doubtful since a) the Astros can no longer negotiate w/ him and b) the Yankees never formally made an offer. What other team is there?
-
Let me tell you something about the Mets. They SUCK with or without Carlos Beltran. They sign high priced overaged free agents (not Beltran though), then they rebuild, then they go on a spending spree, then they rebuild. They're all over the map. And they still aren't going to win the NL East this year. You can take that to the bank. The Mets suck.
-
And don't even get me started on trading Scott Kazmir to the Devil Rays last year, who went on to outduel Pedro Martinez TWICE afterwards. And Kris Benson? Ugh. The Mets suck.
-
Yes, the Mets do suck that is why I am surprised he turned down the Astros offer. It was basically the same deal and he could have played for a decent team. I guess the extra few millions he will get can comfort him during the month of October that he won't be playing in for quite awhile if ever again.
-
Hmmm....
And Kris Benson? Ugh. The Mets suck.
I'm not sure what to make of the Mets, but you've got to give new GM Omar Minaya credit.
He was able to scoop up both Pedro Martinez AND Carlos Beltran to try to give the Mets a little more credibility at least and not fall totally under the Yankees shadow. Considering that the Cross-town rival Yanks were persuing BOTH Pedro and Beltran and the Mets scored them both, I'm pretty impressed.
Minaya did good things with le Expos, especially under tight restrictions from MLB. It's nice to see Minaya have some sucess with the Mets in getting big name guys. Also, it appears that Carlos Delgado may be working to get with the Mets too... and rumors of them trying to trade for Sammy Sosa too.
Now, if the Mets just play well they may give the Marlins and Braves something to watch for this year.
Jeff
-
I'm still not ready to give anything to the Mets yet. Look at the Phillies. Each of the last 2 years, their off season moves were to have put them over the top, and each time, they fall flat as the Braves win yet another championship. I can easily see the same thing happening to the Mets this year.
Sure, on paper, Pedro and Beltran look great, but lets take a look at each of their numbers from last year. Pedro had a career high in ERA, hits allowed and walked the most guys he has since '98. Perhaps he is on the downside of his career, or maybe arm problems. Either way, it's not the best of signs heading into this year. And sure, he won 16 games last year, but last time I checked, the Mets offense was not the Sox offense. He'll miss all those runs they scored. I'm sure he'll love having the 3rd worse defense in the majors last year playing behind him too.
On to Beltran. He's a solid player but not an elite kind of offensive player. Not someone who hit .267 last year and only .258 since coming to the NL. Also, last year was the first year his hit more than 30 homers. He's never had more than 108 rbis in year. I don't don't why Beltran, who is basically a 30hr, 100rbi, below .300 hitter, is all the sudden worth 17 mil a year. Those types of hitters are a dime a dozen. I'll also be interested in seeing how he handles the pressure of a huge contract to play up to and playing in a big market, as opposed to small market teams such as Houston and KC. He better hope he gets off to a hot start or he'll probably get eaten alive by the media there.
So basically what I'm saying is, don't be surprised if the Mets finish in 3rd and around .500 again this year. Behind my Braves. :P
-
Looks like the Cubs may land Magglio Ordonez. Which I like but not if Sammy is traded to the Mets. I think Sammy will snap out of his 2004 funk this season.
Corey Patterson - CF
Nomar Garciaparra - SS
Magglio Ordonez - LF
Aramis Ramirez - 3B
Sammy Sosa - RF
Derrek Lee - 1B
Todd Walker - 2b
Michael Barret - C
I like that lineup except that there are not many lefties.
-
Unless he's on some new kind of Juice, I think Sammy's slump may be permanent
-
The only reason the Mets are even able to do all of this is because they are starting their own cable network. If they weren't, they wouldn't have signed any of these guys. They just need the star power so they are over-paying for guys like Pedro and Beltran. Now they're going after Carlos Delgado.
As for Sosa, his best years are behind him, no question and there is talk that they still want to trade him and that the Mets may just revisit those talks.
-
Is it news that Randy Johnson is a Yankee now?
-
Is it news that Randy Johnson is a Yankee now?
I think everyone knew that was coming. Personally, I don't care. They want to put their stock in a 41 year age pitcher with a bum knee, fine by me.
-
Is it news that Randy Johnson is a Yankee now?
I think everyone knew that was coming. Personally, I don't care. They want to put their stock in a 41 year age pitcher with a bum knee, fine by me.
I think you may be oversimplifying Johnson a bit. He is the last pitcher that I want to face if I'm a batter in a big spot. Give me anyone but him.
-
He's a great pitcher, no doubt. But he is almost 42 and he is pitching in New York. I'm not saying the added pressure will get to him, but the NY media is a hell of a lot tougher than anything he saw in Seattle and Arizona. Hell, he got into a beef with them before he even took a physical.
One thing, Sox-Yankees just got a lot intenser, not that it wasn't already. Looking forward to Schillng-Johnson on opening night (if Schill's ready).
-
Does anyone think Sosa with the O's gives them any better shot at catching the Yanks or BoSox (or even Toronto)? Anyone think Sosa will ever hit more than 45 HR again (corked bat and 'roids not withstanding)? :-\
...
I didn't think so.
On a positive note, only 2 weeks to the start of spring training! ;D With no NHL and a sub-par Wolves team, I will probably be turning my attention the the Twinkies much earlier than planed.
Jeff
-
Sammy will bring in the crowds for Angelos. Maybe he'll stop whining about the Nationals infringing on his territory. Maybe not. I think Sammy will still hit his share of HR, but it won't help the O's. They just don't have the pitching. The Cubs will be better off without Sammy. He was a cancer in the clubhouse. It was time for him to move on. I think Jeromy Burnitz will offset most of what they lost with Sammy gone. They need another hitter to replace Alou, though. The Cards will probably win the division again.
I hear you about the Twins. The Vikings were a huge letdown this year, the T-Wolves are becoming one, there is no Wild. We need the Twins to win the division again. Hopefully Morneau lives up to his reputation and the Twins have a guy hit 30 HR for the first time in forever. It's embarrasing that they've gone so long without one.
-
Does anyone think Sosa with the O's gives them any better shot at catching the Yanks or BoSox (or even Toronto)? Anyone think Sosa will ever hit more than 45 HR again (corked bat and 'roids not withstanding)? :-\
Nope. I saw the O's play the Yanks plenty of times last season, and it was their pitching that was their weakness. They put up a lot of hits, but their pitching didn't keep them in it. The O's need at least 2 good starters and someone good in their bullpen to be contenders.
-
As a Cub fan I am not all that thrilled with Burnitz coming over. Unless they also sign Magglio. I doubt that will happen. Hairston Jr and Burnitz at the corner outfield spots is not that great IMO. We'll see though.