Moronika
General Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: metaldams on October 31, 2011, 01:39:00 PM
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You know what folks, I just realized that since the Cardinals beat Texas and won #11, the 2011 season is officially over and any baseball things going forward will begin to effect the 2012 season, so I think it's time to start a new thread.
I don't expect this to completely pick up until the spring, but there are off season moves which we can discuss here.
D-Lowe to Cleveland, LaRussa retires on top, and in a move that has sent shockwaves throughout the sports world, the Red Sox have picked up Marco Scutaro's option (and all kidding aside, I do think that seems like a good move).
I know Jim remembers this game we used to play on Stoogeworld where we'd predict games and do a competition, and I'd like to restart that again for 2012. More info in the upcoming months, but hopefully enough of us will participate.
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At 883 replies the 2011 thread is not only by far the biggest baseball thread of all time but also the second biggest thread in threestooges.net history. Big props to Doug, false, Quad 4's, Justin and everyone else who had a hand in that; I find that to be quite remarkable.
Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin was interviewed for the Red Sox manager spot. He's got the credentials but I wonder if he has the temperament the Sox NEED right now. According to the article on ESPN.com Dale Sveum is another candidate. Having more knowledge of Sveum I think he's all wrong for the position at this moment. I just hope they resolve the managerial spot quickly so they can move on to player issues.
CC makes a money grab, opting out of then signing a new contract with the Yankees. I think it's disgusting and the Yankees are fools for offering such deals (as they did Gay-Rod Bitchtits).
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At 883 replies the 2011 thread is not only by far the biggest baseball thread of all time but also the second biggest thread in threestooges.net history. Big props to Doug, false, Quad 4's, Justin and everyone else who had a hand in that; I find that to be quite remarkable.
Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin was interviewed for the Red Sox manager spot. He's got the credentials but I wonder if he has the temperament the Sox NEED right now. According to the article on ESPN.com Dale Sveum is another candidate. Having more knowledge of Sveum I think he's all wrong for the position at this moment. I just hope they resolve the managerial spot quickly so they can move on to player issues.
CC makes a money grab, opting out of then signing a new contract with the Yankees. I think it's disgusting and the Yankees are fools for offering such deals (as they did Gay-Rod Bitchtits).
Unless if it's somebody who's a household name, I probably won't have much opinion on the Red Sox manager until the games begin. I'm still interested to find out who he is and like you, just want to find a guy so player issues can be resolved.
If this game I have planned works out, the 2012 thread might get more posts than the 2011.
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Unless if it's somebody who's a household name, I probably won't have much opinion on the Red Sox manager until the games begin. I'm still interested to find out who he is and like you, just want to find a guy so player issues can be resolved.
If this game I have planned works out, the 2012 thread might get more posts than the 2011.
I think these Sox need more of a dictator than an easy-going sort like Francona or LaRussa. To be honest I'd like to see them have an older, more crotchety manager.
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I think these Sox need more of a dictator than an easy-going sort like Francona or LaRussa. To be honest I'd like to see them have an older, more crotchety manager.
I basically said what I'm about to say in another post, but I'm a believer in chemistry, and while Francona was great with the media over the years, I also think the Red Sox currently need a stricter manager and have needed one the past few seasons. The team is great when we're scoring 8 runs an inning, but whenever fundamental baseball is needed in an extra inning game, more times than not the team falls short. We also lack a comeback ability, only winning 2 games all season after trailing after 7? Pitiful.
Tito was great for years, and I'll always admire him, but it's definitely time for a change, and we really do need a stricter type who preaches fundamentals. If Ortiz gets resigned, I would not mind seeing him chewed out for lackadasically running out a grounder like he always does. There's no excuse for that.
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CC makes a money grab, opting out of then signing a new contract with the Yankees. I think it's disgusting and the Yankees are fools for offering such deals (as they did Gay-Rod Bitchtits).
"It's not about the money, C.C. said. Maybe because it's only $100 a pound -- or is that 20 minutes to a pound? Ha, ha, we'll be here a month.
If someone paid me $30 million, I'd root for the Yankees.
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Too bad Pinella retired... he'd fit the old and crochety mold.
Larry Bowa also comes to mind.
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If someone paid me $30 million, I'd root for the Yankees.
For me, it'd have to be at least 15 years, 30 million a year, a fan option for another 3 years, and an offering of Cindy Crawford for a weekend every year the Yanks don't make the World Series. Nothing less will do.
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For me, it'd have to be at least 15 years, 30 million a year, a fan option for another 3 years, and an offering of Cindy Crawford for a weekend every year the Yanks don't make the World Series. Nothing less will do.
LOL thats a hell of a deal, if i wasn't already a fan I would take it in a heartbeat.
So Cashman stays and CC stays, a good start to the offseason for the Yankees. CC could have gotten
more money but at least it wasn't some drawn out drama like when A-Rod got his second and obscenely huge and ridiculous contract.
What is with all this talk about Ortiz thinking about coming to Yankees? Is this just wild rumors or is there something to it? I just dont see it, but weirder things have happened.
If it happened, would it be considered a big knife in the back to Red Sox fans?
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I think shemps#1 will like this??
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I think shemps#1 will like this??
Ha! Tweedle-Dum and Tweedle-Dumber looking all sad. The combined IQ of those two doesn't reach double-digits.
I haven't heard anything about Papi joining the Yankees, and all of this conjecture always comes up whenever a big Red Sox star reaches free agency, ever since Boggs did it back in the day. Now it's just there to bring more heat to an already heated rivalry. Would I be upset if he joined the Skanks? Yes. Do I think it will happen? No.
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R.I.P Bob Forshe. Great baseball player, he will be missed.
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I think he just threw out the first pitch before game 7 too.
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I think he just threw out the first pitch before game 7 too.
Yeah, he did.
Looked fine at that point. Probably was a heart-attack.
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From the "Where Are They Now?" files:
Former Red Sox GM Dan Duquette is set to become the new GM of the Baltimore Orioles. Good luck dealing with one of the dumbest owners in team sports.
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The Hot Stove starts to heat up with Yankees GM Brian Cashman (has there ever been a more ironically perfect name for someone with the job title Yankees GM?) kicking off talks with Rangers free agent Starter CJ Wilson. Wilson is considered the best free agent Starter on the market; if that's so then the pickings are slim this year.
I can see the Yankees grabbing him but my fear is not that it will make their rotation "so much better" but rather they will set the market curve by vastly over-paying for him. Sure he had a good regular season but he shit the bed in the playoffs with the Rangers getting as far as they did DESPITE Wilson not because of him. On an ideal rotation he is middle of the rotation at best.
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The Hot Stove starts to heat up with Yankees GM Brian Cashman (has there ever been a more ironically perfect name for someone with the job title Yankees GM?) kicking off talks with Rangers free agent Starter CJ Wilson. Wilson is considered the best free agent Starter on the market; if that's so then the pickings are slim this year.
I can see the Yankees grabbing him but my fear is not that it will make their rotation "so much better" but rather they will set the market curve by vastly over-paying for him. Sure he had a good regular season but he shit the bed in the playoffs with the Rangers getting as far as they did DESPITE Wilson not because of him. On an ideal rotation he is middle of the rotation at best.
1.) In baseball, tie goes to the runner. Yes, Cashman is an appropriate name for the Yankees, just as McPhail is appropriate for the Orioles. It does look like Duquette is now the O's new GM, though.
2.) I hope Boston stays the hell away from Wilson. The thing is, though, the guy murders the Red sox, though the last time the Yankees got a Red Sox killer, his name was A.J. Burnett, so perhaps they should get Wilson after all!
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Odds are anyone who signs Wilson will regret it. He's a solid mid-rotation starter, but that's as far as I go with him. He's definitely not any kind of #1 (or #2) starter. Some guys I just don't trust and he's one of them... not my money though. Wouldn't be shocked if his ERA is near 4.00 next year.
He's not the best guy on the market, but the best "value" might be Edwin Jackson. At 28 (recently turned), he's younger the most (or all) of the top FA SP. Hard thrower, still some untapped upside IMO. I'd rather give Jackson 3 at 10-12 a year than Wilson 5 yrs /80 M (which I could see him getting).
PS - Maybe it was discussed earlier (a quick search indicated it wasn't) but has anyone seen MONEYBALL? Probably going to see it at a second-run theatre tomorrow night. FWIW, Seinfeld tweeted last month that it's his favorite movie of all time now.
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C.J. Wilson should join the Yankees. That way, C.J. would fit in the rotation with C.C. and A.J., and maybe they can get R.A. Dickey and D.J. Carrasco to round out the rotation. Then they can hire J.R. Richard as pitching coach; have U.L. Washington play shortstop, and B.J. Upton in the outfield. Then W.B. Mason, P.C. Richard and Son, and L.L. Bean can be the Yankees' main advertisers; M.C. Hammer can do the national anthem, the Yankees can raise ticket prices to make a lot of E.Z. Money, ...
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Great trade for KC, swapping Melky Cabrera to SF for Jonathan Sanchez. Cabrera was basically a good 4th outfielder prior to this past season. Maybe the breakout was for real, maybe not... I'm hesitant to believe it was. Sanchez is a 29 year old lefty with more strikeouts than innings pitched in his major league career. He's erratic, but a guy I'd definitely take a chance on. Only one year removed from a 200 K season. SF did need a bat, but I think they'll be disappointed in what they get from Cabrera.
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Great trade for KC, swapping Melky Cabrera to SF for Jonathan Sanchez. Cabrera was basically a good 4th outfielder prior to this past season. Maybe the breakout was for real, maybe not... I'm hesitant to believe it was. Sanchez is a 29 year old lefty with more strikeouts than innings pitched in his major league career. He's erratic, but a guy I'd definitely take a chance on. Only one year removed from a 200 K season. SF did need a bat, but I think they'll be disappointed in what they get from Cabrera.
Believe it or not, KC had a good line-up this year, pitching was their issue. I don't think Melky will get the same protection with SF he got in KC, even with Posey back in the line-up.
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Horrible move for the Giants. Cabrera is a complete waste who just had the best season he will ever have (and it was "good" not "great"). Sanchez is just entering his prime and will help out the Royals immensely.
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If Sanchez rebounds to what he did in 09 and 10, he'll net KC more than Melky if they move Sanchez at the deadline next summer. Free agent in a year. The Giants sold low on their guy and KC sold high on theirs.
I did see MONEYBALL tonight. For what it's worth, I thought it was pretty good. I'd give it a solid B. Worth watching at least once.
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If Sanchez rebounds to what he did in 09 and 10, he'll net KC more than Melky if they move Sanchez at the deadline next summer. Free agent in a year. The Giants sold low on their guy and KC sold high on theirs.
I did see MONEYBALL tonight. For what it's worth, I thought it was pretty good. I'd give it a solid B. Worth watching at least once.
I do want to see that movie. I usually like Jonah Hill, well except for that awful cartoon on FOX.
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Rumors have Madson nearing a 4 year / 44 M deal with the Phillies. Not a smart move, IMO. That's a lot of years (and a lot of dollars) to give to a closer, especially considering how volatile most closers are.
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Interesting story on several hot stove topics -
http://espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove11/story/_/id/7208778/seven-offseason-questions-baseball-executives
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Rumors have Madson nearing a 4 year / 44 M deal with the Phillies. Not a smart move, IMO. That's a lot of years (and a lot of dollars) to give to a closer, especially considering how volatile most closers are.
It's a lot of money, all right, but less than what I thought Scott Boras would demand. (Hope he doesn't read this. LOL) And I won't believe any of it until the deal is signed, sealed, and delivered.
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Those Madson rumors have all but died but the Philly media reports Papelbon is nearing agreement with Philly, pending physical. The Red Sox would get a first round pick as compensation if this all goes through. If it does, I'm a little surprised. I'm a big Papelbon believer but figured he'd end up in Boston again. Papelbon should be great in Philly. Unlike Madson, he has a long track record closing games.
Bard probably can turn into a pretty good closer, so it's not all that bad for Boston.
http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/news/Phils-reach-contract-agreement-with-Pape?blockID=592376&feedID=704
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Bard probably can turn into a pretty good closer, so it's not all that bad for Boston.
Bard's got the stuff, but he's very spotty. Sometimes he's lights out, other times he's dreadful. I guess you can say that for just about any closer, though. Mid season in 2011 he was untouchable, but he didn't start and end so well.
If Papelbon does become a Phillie, I wish him luck. He's the best Red Sox closer ever, and always gave his best, plus he was damn entertaining when we'd win, I have nothing bad to say.
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Looks like it might be 4 years / 50 M: http://www.nesn.com/2011/11/report-jonathan-papelbon-agrees-to-deal-with-phillies-ending-seven-year-career-with-red-sox.html
One reason I thought he'd stay was Bard's awful September, perhaps casting doubt in their mind about Bard. But that month was kind of fluke and even with it his season numbers were very good (3.33, 0.96 whip, K an IP). The Red Sox probably had more important things to spend 50 M on.
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1. Hopefully Papelbon will pass the physical.
2. I guess Boras isn't Papelbon's agent.
3. Isn't Papelbon some kind of spice?
4. Madson will probably end up in one of Bore-@$$'s cities (Boston or St. Louis).
5. Papelbon will wear number 58A and Bastardo will wear number 58B.
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Apparently Paps wanted out of Boston as he didn't even give them the chance to match or top the Phillies' offer. I wish him the best personally but hope the Phillies continue to bomb out. I have to admit it was fun watching them steamroll the NL during the season only to fall in the first round.
Bard I think is ready to take the closer spot but we have to be patient, which is not a virtue held by many Red Sox fans. He is only 26 after all. Boston has three main spots to worry about: manager, starter and RF. I don't know if they will "settle" for Reddick to inherit Drew's spot with all that has gone on: Henry might think he needs to make a big splash and take a big run at Beltran.
Note to Marco Scutaro and all other Venezuelan players: stay the fuck out of Venezuela!
The Marlins of all teams seem to be going balls out: going after Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Albert Pujols in the hopes that they will drive attendance up in their new park. Nothing short of an OF of Williams, Ruth and Musial would drive up attendance in Miami, which is a horseshit sports town. I would honestly be surprised if any of them signed with Miami (no longer Florida), especially Pujols.
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The Marlins of all teams seem to be going balls out: going after Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Albert Pujols in the hopes that they will drive attendance up in their new park. Nothing short of an OF of Williams, Ruth and Musial would drive up attendance in Miami, which is a horseshit sports town. I would honestly be surprised if any of them signed with Miami (no longer Florida), especially Pujols.
I wouldn't sign with the Florida Marlins. It may bring in the people for a couple of years, but after that when they start sucking again, and the fans stop coming, how will they pay Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Albert Pujols? If these players are after a long term money stream, i wouldn't sign with Florida.
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I wouldn't sign with the Florida Marlins. It may bring in the people for a couple of years, but after that when they start sucking again, and the fans stop coming, how will they pay Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Albert Pujols? If these players are after a long term money stream, i wouldn't sign with Florida.
I concur: if I were any of those players I would avoid Miami (remember it's the Miami Marlins now) like The Plague. They have raised their payroll a bit, but every time they do or they actually win they set out to dismantle the team the next season. That's because the fan support is nil and Miami is a shitty sports town (shit, Florida is a shitty sports state). I don't think they have enough of a payroll to sign all three players so if one does sign the others might be off the table.
Speaking of the Miami Marlins, here are their new uniforms: yuck.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/937411-miami-marlins-uniforms-orange-jerseys-among-worst-in-history
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I concur: if I were any of those players I would avoid Miami (remember it's the Miami Marlins now) like The Plague. They have raised their payroll a bit, but every time they do or they actually win they set out to dismantle the team the next season. That's because the fan support is nil and Miami is a shitty sports town (shit, Florida is a shitty sports state). I don't think they have enough of a payroll to sign all three players so if one does sign the others might be off the table.
Speaking of the Miami Marlins, here are their new uniforms: yuck.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/937411-miami-marlins-uniforms-orange-jerseys-among-worst-in-history
They are beyond awe-full. Halloween colors=Yuck indeed.
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Not surprisingly, Verlander was the unanimous AL CY winner. But the story is some moron gave a fifth place vote to David Robertson, the Yankees set up man. That's just dumb.
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Well a smattering of MLB news today: Kershaw wins the NL Cy Young, Red Sox to meet with Valentine, Sveum to manage the Cubs and the biggest of all is the Astros will be moving to the AL by 2013 and there will be an extra wild card team in each league, perhaps as early as the upcoming season.
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Well a smattering of MLB news today: Kershaw wins the NL Cy Young, Red Sox to meet with Valentine, Sveum to manage the Cubs and the biggest of all is the Astros will be moving to the AL by 2013 and there will be an extra wild card team in each league, perhaps as early as the upcoming season.
The Astros going to the AL will mean there has to be an Interleague series going on throughout the entire season.
Looks like Boston's now looking into Bobby Valentine. I have no clue if it's still around, but I remember when I was a kid he owned a sports bar in Milford I used to see often.
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Whats your Red Sox fans thinking on Theo Epstein? The Chicago media pretty much have this guy walking on water. He's been so hyped up that anything less than a world series championship next year will be considered a failure.
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Whats your Red Sox fans thinking on Theo Epstein? The Chicago media pretty much have this guy walking on water. He's been so hyped up that anything less than a world series championship next year will be considered a failure.
With draft picks and the farm system - awesome. Expect more Starlin Castro's.
With free agents, he was good the first two years and pretty awful the last six, with a few exceptions. Expect more Alfonso Soriano's.
Any Cubs fan who thinks they'll win it all next year is delusional. When Theo went to Boston, he inherited a good team who needed some tweaks here and there. The Cubs need an overhaul and as tough as it is to say to a fan base who hasn't won since 1908, they need to be patient.
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The Astros going to the AL will mean there has to be an Interleague series going on throughout the entire season.
You would love this: Last series of the year -- Mets vs. Yankees. Mets knock Yankees out of playoff spot.
MLB has those 2-game series to squeeze in the season a bit. Next year, the Phillies host Houston May 14-15 and then go to Chicago for 2. That wouldn't seem to work out very well for the teams involved in Interleague play when the time comes.
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Some somber news - 24 year old Mariners outfielder Greg Halman was stabbed to death, possibly by his own brother. Very sad. Halman was one of those super toolsy types who had a lot of potential but hadn't put it together yet. Long, lean and athletic, he was one of those players "you could dream on". Just an awful tragedy.
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Wow that is awful news. Kind of the takes the wind of the "Verlander won the AL MVP" sails.
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Some somber news - 24 year old Mariners outfielder Greg Halman was stabbed to death, possibly by his own brother. Very sad. Halman was one of those super toolsy types who had a lot of potential but hadn't put it together yet. Long, lean and athletic, he was one of those players "you could dream on". Just an awful tragedy.
Was that the kid who made that awesome home run robbing catch in his debut?
Very, very tragic indeed, especially if his brother did it.
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You can find a zillion articles on the web, but it looks like it's being announced Bobby Valentine is the new Red Sox manager.
Tito was great for several years, but Valentine's more aggressive style is what this team needs now, so it seems. Looking forward to see what happens, and I know I'll at least be entertained.
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....of course, the greater question we now must ponder - who will be the new analyst on Sunday Night Baseball?!
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It's a good hire. I was a Mets fan during his time there and remember him fondly. He knows how to win in a big market, having won about 53% of his games with the Mets. He's also the only manager to guide the Mets to the World Series since 1986, having done so in 2000. He had a good run in Japan after leaving the Mets.
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Drama already surrounds this hire -
One WEEI scribe says they should have kept Francona - http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/kirk-minihane/2011/11/30/end-sox-should-have-stuck-francona
An ESPN Boston story indicates some players won't be happy about the hire: http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/7299027/source-bobby-valentine-type-not-boston-red-sox-early
Gammons rips Boston's handling of this and says Gene Lamont was "disrespected" - http://audio.weei.com/a/49117713/peter-gammons-mlb-insider.htm
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Schilling says Bobby V has the wrong personality for the Boston job: http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2011/12/bradley_curt_schilling_confuse.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
Lasorda, Piazza, and Steve Philips paint a far more positive feel: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/the_party_over_OzVia5w1tIOg3RLicOz8JL?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=
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Drama already surrounds this hire -
It's the Boston media, you can't expect anything less.
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Hmm, I'm not sure about Bobby Valentine...I'm going to have reserve my judgement for the season. Personally I would have went with Gene Lamont, and I wonder if Valentine was chosen because he was the "sexy" choice. It will be interesting to say the least, and Valentine is being handed the keys to a Lamborghini instead of the Pintos he had before so I'm going to wait to see.
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Hmm, I'm not sure about Bobby Valentine...I'm going to have reserve my judgement for the season. Personally I would have went with Gene Lamont, and I wonder if Valentine was chosen because he was the "sexy" choice. It will be interesting to say the least, and Valentine is being handed the keys to a Lamborghini instead of the Pintos he had before so I'm going to wait to see.
Well, let's see what he can do with this Lamborghini, he did take one of those Pintos to the World Series.
Terry Francona publically admitted he lost control of the 2011 team, so I think, on paper anyway, a different style manager is needed. Valentine is just that, so we'll see what happens.
I was listening to weei radio yesterday, and listening to Tito's interview, it really dawned on me I'm going to miss the guy. I didn't agree with every move he made, but he always handled the media well (important in Boston) until the last month, and he seems like a good guy I'd love to have a beer with and chat baseball. I hear he's going to possibly be an announcer, I wish him well.
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.....and now for a baseball story that kicks serious ass, a legally blind 15 year old throws a no-hitter.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/10/doug-wells-legally-blind-_n_1003306.html?ncid=txtlnkushpmg00000050
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Well, let's see what he can do with this Lamborghini, he did take one of those Pintos to the World Series.
Terry Francona publically admitted he lost control of the 2011 team, so I think, on paper anyway, a different style manager is needed. Valentine is just that, so we'll see what happens.
I was listening to weei radio yesterday, and listening to Tito's interview, it really dawned on me I'm going to miss the guy. I didn't agree with every move he made, but he always handled the media well (important in Boston) until the last month, and he seems like a good guy I'd love to have a beer with and chat baseball. I hear he's going to possibly be an announcer, I wish him well.
Tito should be managing. He was great in his impromptu post season announcing gig replacing the aged and terrible Tim MacCarver, but he has such a great baseball mind and acumen that any team needing a manager should have been ringing his phone off the hook instead of getting lesser known managers (Cubs, Cards). Speaking of that, does it make me old when I can remember when quite a few current managers were playing (Sveum, Matheny, Girardi to name the ones that come to mind)?
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Tito should be managing. He was great in his impromptu post season announcing gig replacing the aged and terrible Tim MacCarver, but he has such a great baseball mind and acumen that any team needing a manager should have been ringing his phone off the hook instead of getting lesser known managers (Cubs, Cards). Speaking of that, does it make me old when I can remember when quite a few current managers were playing (Sveum, Matheny, Girardi to name the ones that come to mind)?
Yes it makes you old, and me too. You probably cringed just like I did hearing the name Sandy Alomar, Jr. as a Red Sox managerial candidate, not because of his credentials, but because of his age. Alomar's another player we grew up watching.
Both of my parents are born in 1950, as is Bobby Valentine. When I started watching baseball, Valentine was the only manager my parent's age, every other manager was older. These days, Valentine is now considered an old guy and this is his last chance. That also makes me feel a bit old.
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....it could be worse though, Jim.
Last year, I was over my Uncle's house, and me, my Dad, my Uncle, and my Aunt's boyfriend were watching the 1960 WS game 7 on MLB network, and my Dad had all these childhood memories watching these old Yankee players. Then he realized he was the only one in the room even born when this world series happened. The other two missed out by only a few years, and it was 18 years later for me.
We all have our getting old obstacles, I guess having players we watched growing up become managers is a current one. Wait until the players are young enough to be our children.
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The Mets are smart to let Reyes walk (he's reportedly going to Miami for 6 yrs/111 m). He's one of the most dynamic players in the game and plays a premium position, but his history of leg injuries can't be ignored and giving that kind of money to a guy who relies so much on his legs wasn't a risk I'd make either. As he ages, it might just get worse and he hasn't topped 133 games in a year since 2008. It's not like the Mets are contending in the next couple years either. I expect them to finish dead last in the NL East next year. Washington will be better as will Miami.
It's good to see Miami spend some serious money and they did get themselves a heckuva player, at least when he's healthy. A left side of the IF of Reyes and Hanley (3B) could be scary good. They need to make a splash as they move into their new park.
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It's good to see Miami spend some serious money and they did get themselves a heckuva player, at least when he's healthy. A left side of the IF of Reyes and Hanley (3B) could be scary good. They need to make a splash as they move into their new park.
This scenario has Jeter and A-Rod written all over it, except this time, the incoming player is moving an existing player out of position. Should be a scary combo if these two can stay both professional and healthy, a big if on both counts.
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Ron Santo is elected to the HOF by the Veteran's Commitee; it's a shame he didn't get in while he was alive as he deserved to. This year's class is noticeably weak as all get out: beyond the McGuire's and whatnot that will most certainly not get in due to PEDs (I say McGuire deserves it even with the PEDs) newcomers include Bernie Williams, Ruben Sierra, Vinny Castilla, Eric Young, Tim Salmon and Brad Radke. None of these guys deserve to get in whatsoever.
Then again, the HOF isn't a true HOF until Pete Rose gets in.
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Who replaces Valentine on Sunday Night Baseball? Terry Francona: http://proxy.espn.go.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/15639/francona-joins-espn-for-snb-and-more
As much as I liked Valentine as a manager, he wasn't that good in the booth. Francona will be a big upgrade there.
As for the HOF, Santo should have already been in. I think Larkin gets in, but nobody else next month. I can see arguments for Bagwell, Martinez, and Raines but don't think any of them get in now.
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Larkin doesn't deserve to get in and out of all those you listed none of them deserve to get in. The HOF should be deserved for the elite of their generation. Santo was one of the elite, the others not so much. We don't need more Phil Rizzutos clogging up Cooperstown undeservingly.
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Albert Pujols signs with Los Angeles Angels, outbidding Marlins and Cardinals
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/albert-pujols-signs-with-los-angeles-angels-outbidding-marlins-and-cardinals/2011/12/08/gIQAYI9ufO_story.html
Not a good day for cardinal nation. We lost a legend. Yea for greed!! >:(
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The Angels also signed CJ Wilson for 5yr/77.5 mil. They are overpaying immensely and here's why. $25 million a year is too much to pay anyone to play baseball, I don't care how good they are. Nevermind he'll be well into his 40's when the contract ends. As for Wilson, is he really worth $15.5 million a year? Hell no, not even close. At least you can justify the Pujols contract based on other contracts for top players at the time, Wilson isn't even a Top 25 starter in MLB. He'll probably end up being the 3-4 guy in the Halos rotation and it is asinine to pay THAT MUCH for a middle rotation starter. This is going to effect every team because now all teams looking for middle rotation guys will be pointed to this contract.
I hoping Pujols would have stayed and retired a Cardinal.
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I hoping Pujols would have stayed and retired a Cardinal.
You and thousands of fans here in St. Louis also.
I agree, its too much to pay anyone that kind of money. Where will it all end? Just fucking crazy.
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In 1978, one Michael Jack Schmidt's salary was $500,000. I always thought that was waaaaaaaaaay too much. Now with the new contract, it will be the minimum salary for all of these overpaid prima donuts.
As for Jose Alberto Pujols the 6 & 7/8ths, that he's now in the American League should make some N.L. East teams happy, but he really wasn't as much of a PITA to the Phillies like many other Redbirds are.
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And I do not envy the Miami Marlenes when the novelty of the new building wears off and ownership is stuck with their quadrillion-dollar salaries.
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You and thousands of fans here in St. Louis also.
I agree, its too much to pay anyone that kind of money. Where will it all end? Just fucking crazy.
I thought for sure he'd stay a Cardinal when the Marlins dropped out. As a baseball fan, sad to hear, you'd like to see one of the all-time greats stay with the same team for once not named the Yankees.
Good pick up for the Angels, but it should be interesting to see how this looks 10 years from now.
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Maybe they could have signed him if the cardinal organization didn't drag their feet and take so long. If that $250 million dollar carrot wasn't dangled in from of his face, maybe he would've signed with us?
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Burn baby burn!! :P ::)
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I guess we have the new Lebron James. :(
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Burn baby burn!! :P ::)
The guy helped you win two World Series, played for you for about 10 years, and put up some of the best numbers in the history of the game, and you want to burn his jersey?
I can understand if he went to the Cubs because they're your rival, but other than that, baseball's a business, deal with it. I sure as Hell hope the Cardinal fans give Pujols a standing ovation if he comes back to play against St. Louis.
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I didn't burn his jersey, was just showing how some ppl are so pissed over his leaving.
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I didn't burn his jersey, was just showing how some ppl are so pissed over his leaving.
I thought you were advocating it.
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I thought you were advocating it.
No, i'm not insane like those idiots. :-\
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I hear Man-Ram is trying to find a team that will take him. Maybe Ozzie will help him out in Florida. They seem to be going after everyone.
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This is a great parody of P Diddy's "I'll Be Missing You," sung about Jose Reyes:
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/12/13/bc-morning-show-listeners-parody-song-bids-farewell-to-jose-reyes/
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I swear, I was making fun of this guy to Boid Brain, and now the Red Sox have to go and sign him!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Punto
Nick Punto, Kelly Shoppach, Mark Melancon (who I'm OK with if he sets up), I don't know where this team is going right now.
Take Kelly Shoppach. We already have Lavarnaway and Salty, I thought we were fine at catcher. If they trade the former to get, say Felix Hernandez, then I understand, but if they plan on keeping both, then why? Lavarnaway is major league ready as far as I'm concerned.
Oh well, it's only December, just gotta tell myself there's more off-season to go.
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I'll have to take notes on the romantic department here. Perhaps signed copies of my Three Stooges Journal article years back would do?
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/13/derek-jeter-gives-his-hookups-autographed-baseballs
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That was a good trade by Houston. I liked that they moved a set up man caliber reliever for a solid young MI in Lowrie and a potential #4 starter or swing man in Wieland. I'd rather have Lowrie and Wieland than just Melancon. But I can't blame Boston. I don't think Wieland and Lowrie were going to have a lot of opportunity there and Melancon should be good in the 7th/8th innings. He's not a closer in ideal circumstances.
And I agree Shoppach wasn't really needed. Lavarnway has nothing left to prove in the minors and should be in the bigs for good.
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I'll have to take notes on the romantic department here. Perhaps signed copies of my Three Stooges Journal article years back would do?
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/13/derek-jeter-gives-his-hookups-autographed-baseballs
What issue was your article in? I've only had one thing in there myself (Calling Dr. Howard, Issue 126) though you'll find my name in issue 139 as well (lost/found players).
I may have read your article without even knowing it was by our own Metaldams.
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What issue was your article in? I've only had one thing in there myself (Calling Dr. Howard, Issue 126) though you'll find my name in issue 139 as well (lost/found players).
I may have read your article without even knowing it was by our own Metaldams.
Quite sad, but I had to look it up on threestooges.net.
I co-wrote it with Bobby "Bruckman" Winslow, and it's the Summer and Fall 2004 issues. The title of the article was "Gag Crazy" and it compared similar gags Harold Lloyd and The Three Stooges used. Surely will go for more on e-bay than a Derek Jeter autograph in a perfect world.
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While the mere fact that he is on the Yankees does cheapen the value of his autograph amongst the non Jersey Shore casting rejects, I don't think his autograph has been cheapened that much. It would be absolutely tits if he handed out t-shirts that said "I Blew Derek Jeter And All I Got Was A Salty Load And This Lousy T-Shirt".
I hear A-Roid hands out autographed bras to his conquests.
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Hey falsealarms, what do you think about Carlos Beltran going to the cardinals?? Good for us. :D Makes the Albert departure a little less painful.
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I'm not trying to put down Pujols or anything, his heading over to the Wherever Angels is a big deal; but this offseason so far has been not only notable for Pujols and the Miami Marlins but the inactivity of two high profile, high profit teams as well that happen to come from the Northeast (and I'm not talking about the pathetic Mets).
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I'm not trying to put down Pujols or anything, his heading over to the Wherever Angels is a big deal; but this offseason so far has been not only notable for Pujols and the Miami Marlins but the inactivity of two high profile, high profit teams as well that happen to come from the Northeast (and I'm not talking about the pathetic Mets).
We got Nick Punto, what more do we need? (All Punto jokes aside, he might be a good bench guy).
What do you think of Bard being a starter? I'd feel more comfortable with a Cordero type closing if we have to make Bard a starter, but this is a risk. He could be C.J. Wilson or D-Lowe, or he could also be Joba. Should be interesting, anyway, but the 4th and 5th spots are big question marks now.
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Boston gets their closer by acquiring Andrew Bailey from Oakland for Josh Reddick, Miles Head, and Raul Alcantara. Pretty good move for Boston to fill the 9th with a high upside closer (if healthy) without giving up anything they'll regret. Reddick might be a decent starting outfielder, but probably wasn't going to happen in Boston. A change of scenery will be good for him. Head is a decent but not great prospect who tore up Low-A but his numbers fell off quite a bit upon hitting High-A. Still just 20 years old, though. Alcantara is a long ways off, but he's the lesser of the three prospects here.
Bailey is under team control through 2014. Bailey puts Melancon where he really belongs (set up) though I don't like the idea of making Bard a starter. His career was almost ruined as a starter. I wouldn't be messing with him now that he's established himself as an up and coming relief ace.
Boston also got Ryan Sweeney in the deal. He'll hit for a good average but not much else, though he is a good defender.
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Boston gets their closer by acquiring Andrew Bailey from Oakland for Josh Reddick, Miles Head, and Raul Alcantara. Pretty good move for Boston to fill the 9th with a high upside closer (if healthy) without giving up anything they'll regret. Reddick might be a decent starting outfielder, but probably wasn't going to happen in Boston. A change of scenery will be good for him. Head is a decent but not great prospect who tore up Low-A but his numbers fell off quite a bit upon hitting High-A. Still just 20 years old, though. Alcantara is a long ways off, but he's the lesser of the three prospects here.
Bailey is under team control through 2014. Bailey puts Melancon where he really belongs (set up) though I don't like the idea of making Bard a starter. His career was almost ruined as a starter. I wouldn't be messing with him now that he's established himself as an up and coming relief ace.
Boston also got Ryan Sweeney in the deal. He'll hit for a good average but not much else, though he is a good defender.
I say between Bailey, Melancon, Bard, and Aceves if the latter two don't start, Boston now have plenty of options to replace Papelbon. Not that I'm high on Jenks, but he's good for a 5th guy on the closer's depth chart.
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By the way, Okajima signed a minor lg deal with the Yankees.
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By the way, Okajima signed a minor lg deal with the Yankees.
Yeah, I heard that. I say Boston doesn't win in '07 without him. He was phenomenal most of the regular season and the hero in game 2 of the World Series. I still remember, 28 pitches, 7 outs, and Boston won that game 2 - 1. Part of me wants to wish him luck, but then again, he's wearing THAT uniform. Still, can't blame him, Boston gave up on him and he found an opportunity elsewhere.
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With the Red Sox trade for Andrew Bailey, he gets to come home this year during the May interleague series. He played in Philly last year with the A's, so he gets to pay the highest wage tax in the country again.
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Carlos Zambrano is a Marlin, which means he'll be sharing a clubhouse with Ozzie Guillen. I don't know about you guys, but as far as watching this goes, I'll be sitting back in the recliner chair and grabbing a cold one.
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I was disappointed in the Zambrano trade, only because the Phillies will face Chris Volstad no more than twice a year instead of the six times they would beat on him. BTW, Los Marlins will provide the opposition in the Phillies' home opener.
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Prince Fielder with The Tigers, 9 years - $214 million! He'll be 36 when the deal ends, but with his body type, a very risky deal.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120124&content_id=26452690&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb
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I did see MONEYBALL tonight. For what it's worth, I thought it was pretty good. I'd give it a solid B. Worth watching at least once.
Rented money-ball tonight, and i liked it. Very interesting look into one aspect of baseball. Did the Red Socks really use this philosophy to finally win a world series, like it said at the end of the movie?
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Rented money-ball tonight, and i liked it. Very interesting look into one aspect of baseball. Did the Red Socks really use this philosophy to finally win a world series, like it said at the end of the movie?
Theo Epstein was/is a Billy Beane disciple, so, yeah, you can say it's true. To this day, the Red Sox are a huge OBP team, but especially those '03 - '05 teams.
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Hall of Famer Gary Carter died today, but he had been battling brain cancer for awhile. The news of his passing is sad, but not a surprise. I'm too young to remember him but he was the heart and soul of those 1986 Mets as much as anyone. Nice little remembrance video here: http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7583267/hall-fame-catcher-gary-carter-dies-age-57
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Hall of Famer Gary Carter died today, but he had been battling brain cancer for awhile. The news of his passing is sad, but not a surprise. I'm too young to remember him but he was the heart and soul of those 1986 Mets as much as anyone. Nice little remembrance video here: http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7583267/hall-fame-catcher-gary-carter-dies-age-57
Gary Carter was one of the first baseball players I was ever aware of. Very sad indeed. R.I.P. Gary.
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Bittersweet announcement that Tim Wakefield's announcing his retirement. It's good because for the present, it's definitely time. Bad because he was dependable for years and I think he'll be missed by Red Sox fans. My favorite Wakefield moment was game 5 of the 2004 ALCS pitching I believe 3 scoreless innings to hold the Yanks at bay so Ortiz could deliver the walk-off in the 14th. He did this in spite of 3 passed balls in one inning! Varitek (a similar announcement soon?) was catching instead of Mirabelli, but the baseball gods were on our side. Glad he won such an important game after the Aaron Boone walk-off the year before.
Thanks for everything Tim.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2012/02/wakefield_annou.html
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Gary Carter was one of the first baseball players I was ever aware of. Very sad indeed. R.I.P. Gary.
I remember a few years back, when a colleague of mine and I were discussing which Hall-of-Famers we’d even seen play. As I was considering catchers, the first two who quickly came to mind were Bench and Fisk—and then I remembered having seen Carter play in L.A. during his time as a Dodger. Carter is also, I believe, the first such Hall-of-Famer (whom I saw play) to pass away.
I’ll also never forget a story in a local paper about the 1980 All-Star Game, titled something such as “A Tale of Two Gar(r)ys.” The story was about Gary Carter, a young catcher who claimed (echoing a sentiment often attributed to Ringo Starr) that he’d be happy to be on the team just as a reserve—irrespective of whether got to play. Carter did make the team and did get to play, as a backup to perennial starter Johnny Bench. The following year, Carter was the starter, hit two homers, and was named MVP of the ’81 (post-strike) All-Star Game, the first of four consecutive starts (and of 7 starts in his next 8 years on the NL team).
The story was also about Garry Templeton, who the previous year infamously declared, “If I ain’t startin’, I ain’t departin’”; and in 1980, after Bill Russell ultimately won in a close vote for starting NL shortstop, Templeton got his wish and was NOT selected as a reserve—even though he was batting .327 with 23 steals at the break. He went on to make just one more appearance in the Midsummer Classic, as a non-starter with the Padres in 1985—and he never quite lived up to his billing as THE player to watch for the ‘80s, a lead-pipe cinch for Cooperstown. (Interestingly, the man whom the Cards traded Templeton for, Ozzie Smith, wound up departin’ for 15 All-Star games from 1981 to 1996, also startin’ in 11 games, 10 of those consecutive—and, along with Carter, is now enshrined at Cooperstown.)
R.I.P., ‘Kid’! Baseball today needs more players with your spirit, enthusiasm, and overall approach to the game!
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Gary Carter was one of the first baseball players I was ever aware of. Very sad indeed. R.I.P. Gary.
He was my high school math teacher's favorite player. RIP, Gary.
Very sad also to hear about Tim. He was one of my favorites, but like Doug said, it's time.
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I remember a few years back, when a colleague of mine and I were discussing which Hall-of-Famers we’d even seen play. As I was considering catchers, the first two who quickly came to mind were Bench and Fisk—and then I remembered having seen Carter play in L.A. during his time as a Dodger. Carter is also, I believe, the first such Hall-of-Famer (whom I saw play) to pass away.
I’ll also never forget a story in a local paper about the 1980 All-Star Game, titled something such as “A Tale of Two Gar(r)ys.” The story was about Gary Carter, a young catcher who claimed (echoing a sentiment often attributed to Ringo Starr) that he’d be happy to be on the team just as a reserve—irrespective of whether got to play. Carter did make the team and did get to play, as a backup to perennial starter Johnny Bench. The following year, Carter was the starter, hit two homers, and was named MVP of the ’81 (post-strike) All-Star Game, the first of four consecutive starts (and of 7 starts in his next 8 years on the NL team).
The story was also about Garry Templeton, who the previous year infamously declared, “If I ain’t startin’, I ain’t departin’”; and in 1980, after Bill Russell ultimately won in a close vote for starting NL shortstop, Templeton got his wish and was NOT selected as a reserve—even though he was batting .327 with 23 steals at the break. He went on to make just one more appearance in the Midsummer Classic, as a non-starter with the Padres in 1985—and he never quite lived up to his billing as THE player to watch for the ‘80s, a lead-pipe cinch for Cooperstown. (Interestingly, the man whom the Cards traded Templeton for, Ozzie Smith, wound up departin’ for 15 All-Star games from 1981 to 1996, also startin’ in 11 games, 10 of those consecutive—and, along with Carter, is now enshrined at Cooperstown.)
R.I.P., ‘Kid’! Baseball today needs more players with your spirit, enthusiasm, and overall approach to the game!
Nice post Tony. 1986 was the first year I remember baseball, and I have distinct memories of Gary's extra inning go ahead hit in the 1986 NLCS, one of my very earliest baseball memories. Still, at age 7, I didn't 100% grasp the significance of it. Strange seeing a guy from my childhood die, but I have to get used it it. That said, he was only 57, much too young.
I saw a future hall of famer pitch at Fenway Park as a starter, but he got lit up that day. Definitely a hall of fame third baseman played this game.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS199109070.shtml
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First, Wakefield: The Phillies' record for consecutive games played without being shut out is 174. It started after Doug Drabek blanked them in Pittsburgh on 9/19/92, and it ended 3 days before the 1993 season finished (9/30), also in Pittsburgh, when Wakefield did it.
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Second, Carter: A coworker of mine called into a radio station in Jersey and he told the world that when his son was 10, the two of them went down to Florida for a vacation in spring training to the Mets' place. He said that just about every player scattered when their practice sessions were done, but every day, Gary Carter would hang around, giving autographs and taking pictures with fans until everyone had their opportunity.
As a Phillie-killer, Carter was very much disliked around here. Other than that, I reckon he was quite a guy. R.I.P., Kid!
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Nice post Tony. 1986 was the first year I remember baseball, and I have distinct memories of Gary's extra inning go ahead hit in the 1986 NLCS, one of my very earliest baseball memories. Still, at age 7, I didn't 100% grasp the significance of it. Strange seeing a guy from my childhood die, but I have to get used it it. That said, he was only 57, much too young.
I saw a future hall of famer pitch at Fenway Park as a starter, but he got lit up that day. Definitely a hall of fame third baseman played this game.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS199109070.shtml
Thanks for the baseballreference link, Doug (indeed, one of my favorite websites!). Yes, Johnson (also a Trojan) is sure to make the Hall, despite a relatively inauspicious start to his career; at the time you saw that game, he was likely still considered more so a curiosity (or a ‘freak’) than someone with a viable shot at 300 victories. Coincidentally, Johnson, like Wakefield, pitched until his mid-40s—but the Unit was zipping 95-100(+) MPH fastballs much of the time (and his knuckles remained relatively callus-free).
I have a similar memory, of a young Mariano Rivera pitching in Anaheim—as a starter, and likely before he’d recorded even a single save! (I remember some people I went to the game with making comments such as, “Who the heck is that guy pitching for the Yankees?! At the rate he’s going, he won’t be around for long!”)
Your 9/7/91 experience at Fenway may also prove to have even bigger Cooperstown implications. As you’ve already noted, the game featured Wade Boggs, also one of the three HOF third baseman whom I’ve seen play (the other two: Schmidt and Brett).
But the guy playing third for Seattle that day, Edgar Martinez, has received over 30% of the vote in each of his first three years of candidacy. (But then again, Steve Garvey actually got more support early on in his 15 years, and Garvey is still not in the Hall; but yet AGAIN, Garvey has a lot of personal baggage, Martinez has long been well respected both on the field and off—and the award for the top DH is named for Edgar!) Some have opined that Martinez would (or should) be the second guy (after Molitor) voted in who played primarily as a DH—but the ‘Big Hurt’ is now likely to beat Edgar there. Martinez may not have had the cumulative career totals, but he did have over 2200 hits, over 1200 runs scored AND batted in, two AL batting titles, and one of the top career BAs for a right-handed hitter of his era (plus an over-.900 OPS, for a guy who was not even a traditional power hitter).
Then there’s Omar Vizquel, who played some at SS in your game. In another discussion I had with my colleague a few years back, we addressed which currently active players are likely to make the HOF, which would make it based on their current numbers and other accomplishments, which would make it on the first ballot, what certain other players still had to do to be considered viable candidates, and the like. And one of my outside picks, which shocked my colleague somewhat, was none other than Vizquel—and he’s STILL planning to play this year, when he’ll also be 45. Compare his numbers, both defensive and offensive, with those of Ozzie Smith or Luis Aparicio (Little O’s countryman). In fact, with nearly 2850 hits thus far, Vizquel seems to want to keep playing until he reaches the vaunted 3000 mark—even if he has to play until he’s 50!
And let’s not forget about Ken Griffey, Jr.—interestingly, another guy who was known as ‘the Kid’—who’s a lock as a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer. Over 600 homers, other great numbers and accomplishments, and nary a hint of chemical performance enhancement.
A side note on Wakefield: I’ve long waited for Chris Berman to refer to him as “Tim ‘The Vicar of’ Wakefield.”—but I guess that Berman wasn’t that big a fan of Oliver Goldsmith. (And for anyone who claims that such a reference is too obscure, how do you explain Todd “Avenging Annie” Pratt?!)
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Thanks for the baseballreference link, Doug (indeed, one of my favorite websites!). Yes, Johnson (also a Trojan) is sure to make the Hall, despite a relatively inauspicious start to his career; at the time you saw that game, he was likely still considered more so a curiosity (or a ‘freak’) than someone with a viable shot at 300 victories. Coincidentally, Johnson, like Wakefield, pitched until his mid-40s—but the Unit was zipping 95-100(+) MPH fastballs much of the time (and his knuckles remained relatively callus-free).
I have a similar memory, of a young Mariano Rivera pitching in Anaheim—as a starter, and likely before he’d recorded even a single save! (I remember some people I went to the game with making comments such as, “Who the heck is that guy pitching for the Yankees?! At the rate he’s going, he won’t be around for long!”)
Your 9/7/91 experience at Fenway may also prove to have even bigger Cooperstown implications. As you’ve already noted, the game featured Wade Boggs, also one of the three HOF third baseman whom I’ve seen play (the other two: Schmidt and Brett).
But the guy playing third for Seattle that day, Edgar Martinez, has received over 30% of the vote in each of his first three years of candidacy. (But then again, Steve Garvey actually got more support early on in his 15 years, and Garvey is still not in the Hall; but yet AGAIN, Garvey has a lot of personal baggage, Martinez has long been well respected both on the field and off—and the award for the top DH is named for Edgar!) Some have opined that Martinez would (or should) be the second guy (after Molitor) voted in who played primarily as a DH—but the ‘Big Hurt’ is now likely to beat Edgar there. Martinez may not have had the cumulative career totals, but he did have over 2200 hits, over 1200 runs scored AND batted in, two AL batting titles, and one of the top career BAs for a right-handed hitter of his era (plus an over-.900 OPS, for a guy who was not even a traditional power hitter).
Then there’s Omar Vizquel, who played some at SS in your game. In another discussion I had with my colleague a few years back, we addressed which currently active players are likely to make the HOF, which would make it based on their current numbers and other accomplishments, which would make it on the first ballot, what certain other players still had to do to be considered viable candidates, and the like. And one of my outside picks, which shocked my colleague somewhat, was none other than Vizquel—and he’s STILL planning to play this year, when he’ll also be 45. Compare his numbers, both defensive and offensive, with those of Ozzie Smith or Luis Aparicio (Little O’s countryman). In fact, with nearly 2850 hits thus far, Vizquel seems to want to keep playing until he reaches the vaunted 3000 mark—even if he has to play until he’s 50!
And let’s not forget about Ken Griffey, Jr.—interestingly, another guy who was known as ‘the Kid’—who’s a lock as a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer. Over 600 homers, other great numbers and accomplishments, and nary a hint of chemical performance enhancement.
A side note on Wakefield: I’ve long waited for Chris Berman to refer to him as “Tim ‘The Vicar of’ Wakefield.”—but I guess that Berman wasn’t that big a fan of Oliver Goldsmith. (And for anyone who claims that such a reference is too obscure, how do you explain Todd “Avenging Annie” Pratt?!)
Tony, when I saw "Griffey," I assumed it was Sr., but clicking on the link, you're right, it's Jr! Definitely a hall of famer soon. You're right about Omar Vizquel and Edgar Martinez too, both good ball players. Though probably not a hall of famer, I see Tino Martinez played that game too as did Tony Pena, a good catcher who's now coaching for the Yankees.
The only reason I'm positive I was at this game was because I remember seeing Randy Johnson pitch against Boston at Fenway, and my mother took a picture of the scoreboard that day which she still has! The line-ups were all listed, so because of this, I was able to look the game up online. I was near the pole in right field and have distinct memories of seeing Randy Johnson warming up in the pen and being freaked out by how tall he was.
I saw two Red Sox/Yankee games at the old stadium in the pre-Jeter early 90's, but I have no clue what exact games they were. All I remember is seats were much cheaper and easier to come by back then as I was sitting behind home plate and I believe the yanks won the 1st game and Boston the 2nd.
I can remember games I've been too of a more recent vintage, but the one that stands out the most is May 31, 2008 in Camden Yards in Baltimore. Manny Ramirez hit his 500th home run that game.
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Of interest to Red Sox fans: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Fenway-Park-small-fire-put-on-out-by-Boston-Fire-Department-Boston-Red-Sox-022712 (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Fenway-Park-small-fire-put-on-out-by-Boston-Fire-Department-Boston-Red-Sox-022712)
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Of even more interest, our captain is calling it a career.
http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/7622232/source-boston-red-sox-jason-varitek-retire-thursday
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(https://threestooges.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcache.boston.com%2Fbonzai-fba%2FGlobe_Photo%2F2004%2F10%2F31%2F1099231237_4494.jpg&hash=1b81609140ab7bb8a5460c4546f0a769ec2ad856)
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Here's what some Sox players had to say about Varitek. No doubt his physical skills are diminishing, so it's good he's retiring, but he still has a great baseball mind, and I hear he'll still be in the organization in some capacity. I hope they retire his number.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2012/02/red_sox_react_t.html
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Fenway Park, as of today, is on the National Register of historic places. A shame they couldn't do the same for old Yankee Stadium.
http://www.boston.com/Boston/metrodesk/2012/03/fenway-park-listed-national-register-historic-places/h6o533dRwnbK8phH7rOvbM/index.html
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Of all things—just found out today that Any Pettitie is likely to be back in pinstripes by this summer. Next thing you know, the Bombers might be bringing back Whitey Ford. (And who knows?—I might even get to see Sandy Koufax pitch alongside Clayton Kershaw this year!)
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So, how is that Boston media doing after the Sox pen pissed away a 9 to nothing lead. The fans must be burning Bobby V. in effigy right about now...
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So, how is that Boston media doing after the Sox pen pissed away a 9 to nothing lead. The fans must be burning Bobby V. in effigy right about now...
Today was not Bobby V's fault. Leaving Bard in too long the other day was, today was not.
The Red Sox simply have no bullpen. Boston tried to get two closers this past off-season, by Andrew Bailey is out until the all-star break and Mark Melancon and his 49.50 ERA is back in Pawtucket. Now Aceves is the closer and I don't think he's mentally cut out for it. He should be the long man. Morales is the set up man now, but he's a better left handed specialist. Let Bard close and hopefully solidify the closer role, bring up Aaron Cook to take Bard's rotation spot, and for set up, I'd go with Tazawa for now, but on a very short leash.
Ultimately, there is a very disgruntled clubhouse with issues dating at least since last season, and since I'm not privy to the specifics, I can't say what exactly needs to be done. Henry, Lucchino, and Valentine met behind closed doors after the game, and they need to figure it out.
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Want something to feel good about? Will Middlebrooks, a 23-year-old 3B, is tearing it up in AAA. He already has 7 homers down there.
Middlebrooks will make 33-year-old Youkilis very expendable after the season when Youk is set to become a FA. There's no way his $13 M 2013 club option is going to be picked up.
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Want something to feel good about? Will Middlebrooks, a 23-year-old 3B, is tearing it up in AAA. He already has 7 homers down there.
Middlebrooks will make 33-year-old Youkilis very expendable after the season when Youk is set to become a FA. There's no way his $13 M 2013 club option is going to be picked up.
Yeah, I know about Middlebrooks, no doubt he will be the third baseman next season barring a major Youk comeback, a trade for an established third baseman, or injury.
Boston also has a shortstop named Jose Iglesias who is supposed to have Ozzie Smith like skill with his glove but needs major work on his bat, but I think he's only 21 or 22 years old, so there's time.
Ryan Lavarnaway is also a catcher who has 25 - 30 HR a year power, but they say he needs to work on his defense. All I know is something needs to kick this team in the ass.
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Good read from today about Middlebrooks: http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/04/will-middlebrooks-homers-in-fourth-straight-for-red-sox/
In part,
Middlebrooks has plus power to the middle of the field and showed last year that he could routinely drive the ball out of the park to the opposite field. Now he's starting to show he can turn on the ball and hit balls out to any part of the park in games; two of his home runs have gone to left field, one to left-center, two to center field, one to right-center and today's flew over the wall in right field. Scouts have said he's showing that he can turn on good fastballs inside and go the other way when he's pitched on the outer half.
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Another bomb for Middlebrooks, up to 8 on the year with 25 RBI.
http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=3B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=519025
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Another bomb for Middlebrooks, up to 8 on the year with 25 RBI.
http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=3B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=519025
That's incredible. The 8 HR is one thing, but 25 RBI's this early? Wow.
Bard actually got his 1st win of the season tonight.....in relief! Cody Ross has been a good pick up so far, a 2 HR night that tied the game and gave us the lead, and he has 5 bombs so far.
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http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/if_it_closing_time_for_rivera_it_LpJPPqm0d9mQs41CV9R6ZK
Mariano Rivera may be done. I'm a Red Sox fan and even I have to say this is tragic. If it indeed is the end for Mariano, he is easily the greatest closer of his era and he always carried himself with class. Loved the way he tipped his cap to Boston fans in '05 after the mock ovation he got for blowing a couple of playoff saves. He handled that so well.
I did watch the Yankees and O's game on Monday night, I believe that was his last save. I didn't know that may be the case at the time, but if it turns out to be that way, I'm glad I saw it. Let's see if Robertson can step up now, I hope not.
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Youkilis who? http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21206609&c_id=mlb
Here's another farmhand to get excited about: Matt Barnes: http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=598264
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Youkilis who? http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21206609&c_id=mlb
Here's another farmhand to get excited about: Matt Barnes: http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=598264
Yeah, that Middlebrooks grand slam got me excited yesterday, but we still lost a 17 inning game where a position player shut us out for two innings. This team has not had any clutch or heart in a while, and I think if things don't turn around by the end of the month, they need to let Middlebrooks and some of the other kids play more, because if I'm going to follow a bad team, I'd rather it be with a bunch of young up and comers as opposed to a bunch over entitled veterans.
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While we're on a Middlebrooks watch, two more home runs for him today! The Red Sox need some fire, and he may be it. That said, 2 errors in 4 games as well, hopefully the defense will improve, but his bat....wow.
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Can Middlebrooks Wally Pipp Youkilis? Probably not, but you never know.
Middlebrooks has a good reputation with the glove, so I think that'll be there eventually.
5/7 HR 1 http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21236623&c_id=mlb
5/7 HR 2 http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21244337&c_id=mlb
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Can Middlebrooks Wally Pipp Youkilis? Probably not, but you never know.
Middlebrooks has a good reputation with the glove, so I think that'll be there eventually.
5/7 HR 1 http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21236623&c_id=mlb
5/7 HR 2 http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21244337&c_id=mlb
The great thing about those home runs is that he hit them to both fields.
No, I don't think he'll Wally Pipp Kevin Youkilis. If Boston is going to get any value trading Youk, they'll need to play him. After this year though? Youk has about a 13 million dollar option next year while Middle brooks is under team control. Barring any injuries or scandals, I can't see Middlebrooks not having the job next year if he continues to play like this.
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If you're like me and enjoy the theatrics that ejections bring, this was a good night -
Charlie Manuel gets tossed and goes brim to brim with old timer ump "Balkin" Bob Davidson: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21456561
Toronto's manager and third baseman get tossed after a few horrible strike calls. Lawrie, the third baseman, is likely facing a suspension - http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21468797
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I was listening to the Phillies' game on the way home when Uncle Cholly got tossed by that clown who should never have been given his job back (okay, there were 22 of them in 1999 who never should have been allowed near a baseball field again), and as it turned out, that did not cost the team. The refusal of said clown to call strike 3 on Jordan Schafer in the 9th inning, which turned into a double, which turned into a tie game, which cost Cliff Lee a win, fortunately did not harm the Phillies.
Either way, it's time to stop treating these 300-pound slobs like those 9 black-robed beauties in D.C. and make them accountable -- too many mistakes, too much instigation, and Donald Trump should come down to home plate and say, "You're fired!"
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Congratulations Johan Santana and the Mets, on your first No-Hitter in franchise history.
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Congratulations Mets, on your first No-Hitter.
....and to False for getting a chance to live through one. So glad it happened, The Mets were a tad overdue.
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....and to False for getting a chance to live through one. So glad it happened, The Mets were a tad overdue.
Yes, very over due indeed. Wonder if this was the first no-hitter of the season?
Congrats to falsealarms too. :D I'm glad our team could help you out. lol :P
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Yes, very over due indeed. Wonder if this was the first no-hitter of the season?
More like the 3rd.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/news/humber_perfectgame/index.jsp
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/news/weaver_nohitter/index.jsp
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I never thought it would happen. So many former Mets have managed to throw one... Humber, Nomo, Ryan 7 times, Gooden, Cone, Seaver.... but never as a Met.
I'm lucky I saw it on TV tonight. I wasn't watching the game, but just happened to hop online to check the scores and it was the 8th inning and there was an alert that the Mets had a no hitter going. So I turned it on just in time for the 9th and couldn't believe it finally happened. Even with two outs, I figured something would go wrong. But I was proven wrong. It only took the franchise 8,020 games. A couple of the outs in the 9th looked like potential bloop hits, but they were caught. Apparently, a foul call earlier in the game should have been a hit, but most no-no's have close calls like that.
Just based on the TV broadcast, there was an energy in that crowd that I haven't sensed in a longtime. The past few years have been filled with a lot of misery.
What Santana has done this year after major shoulder surgery has been nothing short of remarkable. He's hardly missed a beat.
Final out: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21938903&c_id=mlb
Controversial fair/foul call: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21935393&c_id=mlb
Hit saving catch by Mike Baxter: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21940177
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More like the 3rd.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/news/humber_perfectgame/index.jsp
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/news/weaver_nohitter/index.jsp
Wow, three already and were not even half way thru the season. Seven is the record for a season. We could beat that record?
1991 (5 individual and 2 combined)
May 1 ? Nolan Ryan, Texas def. Toronto, 3-0.
May 23 ? Tommy Greene, Philadelphia def. Montreal, 2-0.
July 13 ? Bob Milacki (6), Mike Flanagan (1), Mark Williamson (1) and Gregg Olson (1), Baltimore def. Oakland, 2-0.
July 28 ? x-Dennis Martinez, Montreal def. L.A. Dodgers, 2-0.
Aug. 11 ? Wilson Alvarez, Chicago White Sox def. Baltimore, 7-0.
Aug. 26 ? Bret Saberhagen, Kansas City def. Chicago White Sox, 7-0.
Sept. 11 ? Kent Mercker (6 innings), Mark Wohlers (2) and Alejandro Pena (1) vs. San Diego, 1-0.
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I'm lucky I saw it on TV tonight. I wasn't watching the game.
I dont blame you, the cards are very boring to watch lately. ::)
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The Mets haven't been "must see TV" in awhile, but tonight goes to prove you never know what a baseball game is going to bring.
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It's about time Los Mets got a no-no, eh? I'm glad it wasn't done against the Phillies. Now San Diego is the only team in search of one, but only because that nitwit manager in 1970, Preston Gomez, pulled Clay Kirby from one against the Mets after 8 innings because the Padres trailed 1-0. The Mets then got 4 hits and 2 more runs in the 9th inning. Gomez said after the game that he "was trying to win the ballgame," even though the Padres were 39 games out of first place on July 21st.
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Last Friday, Johan Santana had a no-hitter all by himself. Last night, 6 Seattle pitchers combined for one against the Dodgers. Last night, the Phillies won for the first time since last Friday (and beat an A.L. team at that). So I reckon we'll need a no-hitter each day the Phillies play for them to win this month. (And that would be no surprise the way this team is going.)
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On the night that the Dodgers were no-hit, I was at a game at which one of the Dodgers’ opening-day starters—third baseman Juan Uribe—went 2 for 3 with a triple and a homer. This was in a rehab start with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. Uribe, both at the plate and in the field, seemed ready to rejoin the Boys in Blue—who could certainly have used his bat on Friday!
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Looks like Youkilis has been moved to the White Sox. Any Boston fans here sad to see him go?
I'm not a Boston fan, but it was time to give full reign to Middlebrooks and Youkilis had to go... the arrangement with Youkilis at first and Gonzalez in RF made little sense, as Gonzalez is one of the best defensive first baseman. It doesn't seem like Youkilis is the same player he was a few years ago, either.
On another note, this Mets team has genuinely surprised me. That they're 39-33 is a big surprise - if they were 33-39, I would have been surprised. This is a team that was widely picked to finish last, including by me. The lineup isn't that good, and the bullpen is leaky, but it goes to show that good starting pitching (Dickey, Santana, Niese, Gee) can give you a chance most days. I'm still skeptical about this team but they've been better than expected so far.
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Looks like Youkilis has been moved to the White Sox. Any Boston fans here sad to see him go?
I'm not a Boston fan, but it was time to give full reign to Middlebrooks and Youkilis had to go... the arrangement with Youkilis at first and Gonzalez in RF made little sense, as Gonzalez is one of the best defensive first baseman. It doesn't seem like Youkilis is the same player he was a few years ago, either.
On another note, this Mets team has genuinely surprised me. That they're 39-33 is a big surprise - if they were 33-39, I would have been surprised. This is a team that was widely picked to finish last, including by me. The lineup isn't that good, and the bullpen is leaky, but it goes to show that good starting pitching (Dickey, Santana, Niese, Gee) can give you a chance most days. I'm still skeptical about this team but they've been better than expected so far.
You pretty much hit the nail on the head concerning Youk and Middlebrooks, even throwing in the fact it was forcing Gonzalez in right field. It's a move that had to be done, and while I'm sad to see Youk go, I'm excited about Middlebrooks just the same. I'm glad Youk got that last at bat triple and the send off by the Fenway crowd, and shit, the only game I attended this past decade in Fenway, Youk tied the game with one out left in the 9th and won it in the 11th. So yeah, lots of good memories. I hope both players succeed.
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Sad to see Youk go, he was one of my favorites.
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I sure am glad the Red Sox decided to dump Kevin Youkilis. He's been outstanding since coming to Chicago. We had no real 3rd baseman to speak of till he got here.
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I sure am glad the Red Sox decided to dump Kevin Youkilis. He's been outstanding since coming to Chicago. We had no real 3rd baseman to speak of till he got here.
Yeah, I'm happy for Youk. I can't place my finger on it, but there's something about the Red Sox culture these past few years where so many players don't succeed in Boston but do fine elsewhere. Even the players we trade, Lowrie and Reddick are doing great for Houston and Oakland.
My parents were at the night game in Fenway, glad to see they got a win.
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My version of your quote, Metaladams:
I can't place my finger on it, but there's something about the [insert Philly team name here] culture these past few years where so many players don't succeed in Philadelphia but do fine elsewhere.
Ask the L.A. Kings, St. Louis Cardinals, and others about that.
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Anybody want Rube "The Boob" Amaro? How about "Chucklehead" Cholly Manuel? Rich "Booby" Dubee? Greg "That's So" Gross? Juan "The Met" Samuel?
$5 each, or all 5 for $49.95 -- cheep!
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I saw this and laughed my ass off.
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Cubs suck!
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Following a questionable call, a minor league stadium DJ plays THREE BLIND MICE (a song we all know....) and the ump ejects the DJ.
SEE: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/329916
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Well the BoSox have been "under-performing" to say the least ("sucking ass" is more apt) and the Phillies (who have a strong following on the site) have somehow been even worse, but I wanted to give a shout-out to Mar-Jean and any other fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates for the excellent season they have been having. Talk about some deserving fans who have had to suffer through season after season of awful. If the season ended today the Pirates would be Wild Card #2 playing the Braves in Atlanta and I for one hope they do reach the postseason.
I may be in the minority but while I'm surprised that the Washington Nationals have baseball's best record so far I am not shocked that they are a playoff contender. They have had years of top 5 draft picks and have drafted well. I can't really cheer for them though since I still think the city of Montreal got hosed and with the Baltimore Orioles (another team that if the season ended today would surprisingly be in the WC game) already long established in the market I don't think DC needed a MLB team. All in all it is nice to see some blood in the postseason mix; now we can only get rid of certain fucktacular team in the Bronx.
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In a sense I'm OK with Boston doing bad because I understand teams should have rough stretches, and 3 years in a row without a playoff spot qualifies as a semi rough stretch. People can point to Bobby Valentine, Ben Cherrington, Henry, Lucchino, beer, chicken, team meetings, injuries, etc. all they want, but the bottom line is this team can't pitch at all or hit in clutch situations. Period. As a Yankee hater, this 17 playoffs in 18 years is growing beyond obnoxious, and even the one year they didn't make the playoffs, which was 2008, they weren't a bad team. I yearn for the day when the Yankees will struggle to be a .500 team in August, and it's sad to think there's now an entire generation of Yankee fans who don't know that feeling.
As for Pittsburgh, Washington, and Baltimore, I hope they all make the playoffs and nothing would make me happier, barring a miraculous Boston comeback, then to see Baltimore sweep the Yanks in the division series.
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I was having a discussion with a Yankees fan about this last night and basically said what you said. I made the argument that true fandom bonds are forged stronger during down periods and when you go through those down periods it makes the championships all that much sweeter and meaningful. None of the Yankees championships mean a thing compared to (in the past decade alone) the Angels in '02, Red Sox in '04, White Sox in '05, Phillies in '08 and Giants in '10. Heck, the last two championships in particular are meaningless. They are championships without value because since they lost their minds and have spent obscene amounts of payroll they have been expected to win practically every year. The most meaningful accomplishment the Yankees have had since the "aughts" is the spectacular way in which they lost the 2004 ALCS. Now they have a bunch of pretentious fans who are not really connected to this team.
Sports franchises need the ups and downs and sports should be cyclical. Today's top teams fall and switch places with today's bottom teams tomorrow. Sure you have the occasional dynasty, but even that dynasty falls and becomes a cellar dweller. Spending obscene amounts of money to counteract that flow hurts baseball (or other sports) because while the Yankees are spending to always contend someone has to suffer. I'm not saying the Yankees or other high payroll teams are the reason why the Royals continuously suck, but they are a contributing factor.
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I've always said, that the best thing that can happen in sports is for a Philadelphia team to win. The worst thing is for a New York team to win. Concerning the Phillies and the Yankees, over the past several years there has been little difference between the teams, as they try to buy titles. The problem is, the Yankees know who to buy (steroid abusers and umpires), while the Phillies buy over-the-hill has-beens and never-weres. With interleague play being every day starting next year, I would love to see the faces of the league office and the network executives if the last day of the year, the Phillies have to beat an American League team to put themselves AND the Yankees in the playoffs.
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I was having a discussion with a Yankees fan about this last night and basically said what you said. I made the argument that true fandom bonds are forged stronger during down periods and when you go through those down periods it makes the championships all that much sweeter and meaningful.
I have a Yankee fan friend (who follows the team regularly), and in 2009, I shit you not about the conversation we had. It was paraphrased like this.
Me: How can you go out when your team is in the World Series? If the Red Sox are in, there's no way I'd be able to, I'd have to watch the game.
Friend: It's only game two, I'll get into it more as the series goes deeper.
That conversation really took place. If that does not sum up being unappreciative, I don't know what does.
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I have a Yankee fan friend (who follows the team regularly), and in 2009, I shit you not about the conversation we had. It was paraphrased like this.
Me: How can you go out when your team is in the World Series? If the Red Sox are in, there's no way I'd be able to, I'd have to watch the game.
Friend: It's only game two, I'll get into it more as the series goes deeper.
That conversation really took place. If that does not sum up being unappreciative, I don't know what does.
Through both Red Sox WS runs i watched every game from start to finish except Game 3 of the ALCS because it had become a blowout. Even then I checked in on it just to see what was going on. I don't understand that kind of mentality from someone who calls themselves a "true fan".
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Through both Red Sox WS runs i watched every game from start to finish except Game 3 of the ALCS because it had become a blowout. Even then I checked in on it just to see what was going on. I don't understand that kind of mentality from someone who calls themselves a "true fan".
I watched every game as well, INCLUDING the end of the blowout of game 3. I remember joking with the company I was with that Boston would come back, not knowing what was to come ahead. Hell, game 1 of the 2004 WS and game 3 of the 2007 WS took place while my ex was holding her annual Halloween party, and I insisted the game be on in the other room. Some of the other guys at the party in 2004 would also rather watch the game and we all got pissed when she turned off the game in the middle of a Red Sox rally becase it was time to bob for apples. The only way I'd miss a World Series game is if it were a family emergency or something work related I absolutely could not get out of and even then I'd be checking in on my cell phone.
The thing with my friend is you don't need to put true fan in quotes, he is a true fan. He knows the 25 man roster, who's pitching on any given night, top Yankee prospects, team history, etc. I'm sure he followed game 2 on his phone, but I would never voluntarily go out during a World Series game when my team is involved. His mentality stems from the fact he's seen 9 Yankee World Series as a fan and there even more in his lifetime that took place but he's too young to remember. He's spoiled, that's the bottom line, but at least he saw the dog days of the late 60's/early 70's, and 80's - early 90's. People slightly younger than us who are Yankee fans literally don't know what it's like to root for a losing team.
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If you're a Met fan or just enjoy the Mets misery or just want a good laugh listen to this:
http://cbsloc.al/Rj0Vry
WFAN's Mike Francesa goes on a classic tirade on the Mets. Sad thing is, he's generally right.
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If you're a Met fan or just enjoy the Mets misery or just want a good laugh listen to this:
http://cbsloc.al/Rj0Vry
WFAN's Mike Francesa goes on a classic tirade on the Mets. Sad thing is, he's generally right.
The Mets need to unleash Jason Bay and Johan Santana to the Giants where the Giants take on 95% of their salaries. Hey why not, it works for Boston.
So what do you guys think of the trade? It's a video game trade and I can't believe it's getting done! I think all players and teams involved need a fresh start, and Boston will be dumping major salary and have the ability to go with the kids or pursue other free agents. If anything, they've hit the reset button for the most part and I'm looking forward to see what comes out of this.
But back to the Mets....if they really want to compete, they need to trade their top 3 prospects, whoever they may be, straight up for John Lackey. While the mood is right, let's get 'er done.
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I'm glad I wasn't one of those suckers who bought into the Mets earlier this year when they were halfway decent. The team was never any good this year. What you see lately is more indicative. I can't look at them with rose colored glasses. They already took the Giants for a ride last summer, getting them to give up a stud pitching prospect (Wheeler) for a 2 month rental. The Giants didn't even get to the playoffs.
It's a great trade for Boston. Getting out from most of these salaries is huge. Crawford was never worth what he's getting, Gonzalez is overpaid, and Beckett's not the same guy anymore.
Allen Webster is a good pitching prospect, a potential #3 starter down the line. De La Rosa has an electric arm, but could be a better fit in the bullpen. DeJesus is probably a utility guy.
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Clever headline:
(https://threestooges.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-KxGQsNe6uow%2FUDjt_66-rsI%2FAAAAAAAAFFk%2FKEkVd32JVOA%2Fs1600%2FBums%252BAway.jpeg&hash=97eba4dcf2512be5468de6b8a848682c15601c81)
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Well let's see...smoking some herb I had to make sure I read the trade right; I couldn't believe it. It's a great trade for Boston, getting Loney and some good prospects. What's more telling is the enormous amount of salary they are dumping which means should there be any Grade A free agents in the obvious holes this trade leaves (an OF, preferably with power and starting pitching) they will obviously be in the market. I think ownership has made its choice to stick with Valentine.
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Well let's see...smoking some herb I had to make sure I read the trade right; I couldn't believe it. It's a great trade for Boston, getting Loney and some good prospects. What's more telling is the enormous amount of salary they are dumping which means should there be any Grade A free agents in the obvious holes this trade leaves (an OF, preferably with power and starting pitching) they will obviously be in the market. I think ownership has made its choice to stick with Valentine.
Until a few days I ago, I thought there's a 0% chance Valentine stays, but after this video game trade of the ages, I bring the number up to 50%. What this trade tells the players is no matter your contract or star status, nobody is guaranteed a spot and they need to continually earn that Boston uniform.
The salary dump aspect is awesome, and I hope ownership spends the money wisely this time around. It's unusual a team gets a second chance like this. I'm not a fan of getting Josh Hamilton as I feel the Boston media will destroy his already fragile psyche with the chance of a relapse (and for the record, I HATE the Boston media), but I do know Felix Hernandez in a Red Sox uniform seems like a great idea.
As far as the 2012 Red Sox, look, I don't mind losing as I have given up on this season. That said, if they're gonna lose, can they at least have the decency to lose normal 5 - 4 or 7 - 2 games and not blow multi-6 run leads in a week. Also, learn how to win an extra inning game at home, I think the team is 0 - 6 this year as far as that goes. Just lose normally is all I ask.
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If you're a Met fan or just enjoy the Mets misery or just want a good laugh listen to this:
http://cbsloc.al/Rj0Vry
WFAN's Mike Francesa goes on a classic tirade on the Mets. Sad thing is, he's generally right.
Now that was funny. Not just the Noo Yawk accent (paging Ethelreda Leopold!), but what he said about the team. I plan on forwarding this to Mets fans at work (maybe some Yankee fans too).
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Well, that Boston-L.A. trade is one for the ages. Of course, Rube the Boob, a/k/a Ruin Tomorrow Jr., would never do anything like that, because he would only want to overpay for has-beens while giving up tons of prospects. Interestingly, now Josh Beckett and Hanley Ramirez are teammates. And Shane Victorino will definitely be testing the free-agent market at the end of this season.
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My, what an AL discussion this is. One would think that the NL is less than an after thought. I know that the Phils are a dark horse, but I give them a 50/50 chance of getting a wild card berth.
If the floundering Cards can cling to a spot, they will be very hard to beat in a 5 game series, and my very well win the NLCS agaain. SF may be the best team in the NL (no disrespect Nats)
My point is that the NL will win the WS no matter WHO represents the AL. The best team in baseball could not win it 2 years in a row. The Jonah is on them.
Ahem...just my opinion. (Oops! I forgot to mention the Braves) For a reason. ;)
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Ignoring the outdated "Al/NL debate" that Boid Brain is babbling about (by the way Boid, if you even so much as break wind without excusing yourself you will promptly be thrown out on your ass with no warning whatsoever...I should just ban you now but I'm in an uncharacteristically charitable mood) I thought I'd prognosticate and hopefully remove from my mind all memories of the 2012 Boston Red Sox.
Wild Card:
Orioles over Rangers: Josh Hamilton is a self-righteous, Bible banging junkie who is vastly overrated and if I were Grand Dictator of the United States I would force Mexico to take Texas back. I'm sorry Texans, but "ass-backwards" only begins to describe your screwy state. The Rangers have lost the last two World Series' and I hope they never win one. They are backing into the playoffs while the O's have shocked the baseball world by not only getting in but nearly taking the division from the Whores in the Bronx. They are one of the "fresh blood" teams that help make this year's postseason more intriguing, and although Baltimore is no Paradise (once you leave the Inner Harbor area you enter a warzone) I'm going to say they will beat the Rump Rangers 8-4. Clap clap clap FUCK TEXAS!
Braves over Cardinals: If another slightly above mediocre Cardinals team (without Pujols mind you) somehow manages to win the WS again and no one outside St. Louis gives a flying fuck do they really win anything? As much as I hate to pick a Deep South team the Braves are much better than the Cards and should win easily. Key word is "should".
After the games tomorrow I'll look at the DS round.
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It's true that the Braves starter is a beast, with them winning like 23 strait games when he's started, but the Cards have no slob on the mound, Lohse, with a 16 and 3 record.
The Cards have the better offence and have been bolstered @ SS with the addition of farmhand Kosmos, the Homerin' Hungarian, taking the place of the futile Furcal. Only played in Sept, but has all the regulars beat in OPS and slugging %
I hope somebody is around tomorro (today) to chat about the game with me while it's on.
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I'll second Jim's picks.
Baltimore, while division rivals of my team, are really easy to admire and I'm happy for them. The amount of one run and extra inning wins for this team is incredible, so with their proven ability to win when it counts, I give my pick to Baltimore. Texas has proven to be a great team who chokes when it counts, so if they do beat Baltimore, I imagine it will improve their moral.
I'll barely give the nod to Atlanta over St. Louis, but this can go either way. May possibly be Chipper Jones's last game.
Ultimately though, anybody but the Yankees.
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The Braves, if they can get past this one game playoff, should be a dangerous team with that starting rotation & I would give them the edge over the Nationals because they would get the first two games in Atlanta. Of course, this is all a moot point if they don't beat the Cardinals and I hope they do.
As for the AL wild card, I don't care who wins, I just hope the winner beats the hell out of the Yankees.
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Odd...I HATE the Yankees and that's why I hope we meet them in the WS, but if the Cards don't make it I gotta pull for whatever NL team does.
K. Lohse (16-3, 2.86) K. Medlen (10-1, 1.57) TBS 4PM est
St. Louis
J. Jay cf
C. Beltran rf
M. Holliday lf
A.Craig 1b
Y. Molina c
D. Freese 3b
D. Descalso 2b
P. Kozma ss
K. Lohse p
Atlanta
M. Bourn cf
M. Prado lf
J. Heyward rf
C. Jones 3b
F. Freeman 1b
D. Uggla 2b
d. Ross c
A. Simmons ss
K. Medlen p
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Jim, when the Red Sox were playing Baltimore a couple of weekends ago, were you rooting for Baltimore so they could have a better chance of beating the Yanks in the division? I was. While I was pulling for certain young Red Sox players to have good performances, overall I figured the Orioles beating Boston would do more for my hate of the Yankees than my love for Boston. It sucked to be in that position, and when I explained my dilemma to an Orioles friend fan, he says, "Welcome to my past 15 years."
PS: I can tell I'm going to be bombarded by Springsteen this post-season. Like my baseball season hasn't been miserable enough.
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Chipper sails a possible DP throw and the Cards take advantage...3-2 Cards in the 4th
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Chipper sails a possible DP throw and the Cards take advantage...3-2 Cards in the 4th
After hearing Kyle Lohse's post season career numbers, I wouldn't get too comfortable yet. Good game so far, though.
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This game is terrible, lol. If the Cards win it all then I say MLB should launch an investigation on whether or not St. Louis is somehow poisoning their opponents. Atlanta is giving a whole new meaning to "shitting the bed", kinda reminds me of the '06 Cards run. I gotta tell you the truth Doug, I haven't watched very meant games at all and I kinda gave up on the Sox when it felt like they gave up on themselves, which was very early on. I didn't really care who won and am only watching now as a detached observer hoping anyone but New York wins.
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I'm stoned off my ass on some high grade shit and I know that was a terrible call. Bullshit on the Braves fans for showing themselves to be unruly rednecks.
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Amazing developement there....replay showed that the Ump did signal an out....Kozma fooled him into thinking it was an easy catch I guess.....this is turning into a comedy of errors!
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I'm stoned off my ass on some high grade shit and I know that was a terrible call. Bullshit on the Braves fans for showing themselves to be unruly rednecks.
Remember when the Yankee fans did that in game 6 in '04 after the Bellhorn home run and A-Rod bitch slapping the ball out of Arroyo's hands? Debris on the field and the NYPD riot squad had to be called out. I don't see a riot squad this time (?) and it appears there is more debris in this case.
Either way, what a joke of a game.
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Don't get me wrong, this is all entertaining as hell to watch, but in a "complete train wreck" kind of way.
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Remember when the Yankee fans did that in game 6 in '04 after the Bellhorn home run and A-Rod bitch slapping the ball out of Arroyo's hands? Debris on the field and the NYPD riot squad had to be called out. I don't see a riot squad this time (?) and it appears there is more debris in this case.
Either way, what a joke of a game.
Yeah, there really is no place at all for this shit. I'll bet those tickets cost a pretty penny (never had a chance to go to a playoff game) but it doesn't give you the right to throw shit on the field. This is not boding well for the whole 5 team playoff thing.
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In this obscure American League game, Baltimore 6 outs away from beating Texas with a 2 run lead as I type. I'm actually pulling for Baltimore. After seeing them first hand being whipping boys for years and having a real tradition (unlike Tampa Bay), this is a feel good story.
In more obscure American League news, congrats to Miguel Cabrerra, being the 1st triple crown winner since Yaz in '67, which would be before I was born. Appropriate a Red Sox was the last player, as this Red Sox team is also the worst of my lifetime.
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Good game going on in Texas tonight. Much better than that mess from the National League. The Birds are only 3 outs away now.
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Good game going on in Texas tonight. Much better than that mess from the National League. The Birds are only 3 outs away now.
Jim Johnson's a tough closer too.
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Joe Nathan is an awful post season pitcher. It's nice to see another team besides the Yankees kick his ass for once.
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Alright Orioles. Now go home and beat the fucking Yankees! [cool]
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Alright Orioles. Now go home and beat the fucking Yankees! [cool]
Wiser words were never spoken.
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Boy, it's gotta suck to be a Texas fan. You gag away the division lead that put you into a one game playoff situation & now the Birds smoke you at home. Tough to swallow.
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Wiser words were never spoken.
It should be a great series.
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It's too early for me to gloat, but I must say that getting to the next round is awsome.
But now I'm conflicted: I want to see the O's win the AL but I want to face the YANKMEES! So I guess I have a win/win thing going.
Have no fear: The Cards will beat the Nats in 4.....and will beat the Reds in the NLCS, but if SF wins over the Reds.....I dont think we beat them.
As a baseball fan since I was 13, I never saw any shit like I saw last year in the final day of the season, and now Texas and Atl. come close again this year....I don't like the wild card thing, but I must admit that I have been thrilled....I thought I would have a heart attack in game 6 last year...TWICE.
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When I was a wee lad in the 1960s, the Stooges were on TV in Baltimore three times a day. I wouldn't miss a single one, and the local stations would never disappoint me. When I went to school, everyone there knew exactly what to say when someone would mention Niagara Falls. Between local Stooges, we could usually pick up Channel 5 in DC so we could get interstitial Stooge fixes. Anyone my age from there was steeped in Stoogiana, and my wife's eyerolling notwithstanding, it is an integral part of me thanks to the environment in which I grew up.
This is a roundabout way of saying that even though I left Baltimore more than 35 years ago, succeeding administrations that were not Don Schaefer turned the city into a shithole, and the Evil Irsay (cursed be his name) single-handedly destroyed the greatest football team-fan love affair that ever existed, I still love Baltimore for what it was and still bleed Orioles Orange.
It was a marvelous evening.
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When I was a wee lad in the 1960s, the Stooges were on TV in Baltimore three times a day. I wouldn't miss a single one, and the local stations would never disappoint me. When I went to school, everyone there knew exactly what to say when someone would mention Niagara Falls. Between local Stooges, we could usually pick up Channel 5 in DC so we could get interstitial Stooge fixes. Anyone my age from there was steeped in Stoogiana, and my wife's eyerolling notwithstanding, it is an integral part of me thanks to the environment in which I grew up.
This is a roundabout way of saying that even though I left Baltimore more than 35 years ago, succeeding administrations that were not Don Schaefer turned the city into a shithole, and the Evil Irsay (cursed be his name) single-handedly destroyed the greatest football team-fan love affair that ever existed, I still love Baltimore for what it was and still bleed Orioles Orange.
It was a marvelous evening.
Welcome to the site. I think you are our first diehard O's fan, at least that I remember. You must have some fond memories of those O's back then (3 AL Pennants in a row 1969-1971 and a championship in 1970). Palmer, and the two Robinson HOF'ers (Brooks and Frank) must have made for one hell of a time to grow up an Orioles fan.
That was the way baseball should be played, an excellent game to make up for the travesty of the NL WC. Now for my picks...
ALDS
Baltimore over New York in 4. The best time to get rid of the Bronx Plague is the first round and there is no fuckin' way I'm picking the Yankees. Going purely with my heart here but I do believe the Orioles are more than capable of pulling off an upset and that the upset would not be as big as some people might think (the O's split the season series with NYY).
Detroit over Oakland in 5. This was a very difficult pick but I think Detroit's weak season record is a mirage and they are better than their 88 wins suggest. I'm not knocking Oakland and I wouldn't be shocked if the A's won, but as the old saying goes the cream rises to the top and with Justin Verlander and triple crown winner Miguel Cabrera for starters Detroit is "creamer". It's the time when elite players step up.
NLDS
Washington over St. Louis in 3. The Nationals, even if they are sitting Strausburg for some stupid reason, are a much better team and St. Louis didn't impress in that WC win. Let's hope the Nats don't shoot themselves in the foot and can get rid of this, to be blunt, shitty Cardinals team that would actually drive people away from watching the World Series were they somehow to make it.
Cincinnati over San Francisco in 5. I think this will be the best DS and it was the toughest to call personally. With an inexperienced Nationals team or a shitty Cardinals team awaiting the winner, whomever it is might be the pennant fav.
Before I forget, how shitty is it that the lower seeds get to start the DS at home?
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Thank you. Die hard enough that I invoked the name of Don Stanhouse during some of Saunders' jams last night. Saw a bunch of games at Memorial Stadium starting in '64, Brooks Robinson's Annus Mirabilis. To my wife's distress (as if my Stooge fandom weren't distressful enough), I have a Chuck Thompson bobblehead on our fireplace mantle.
We seem to have finally shaken the curse that Angelos put on the team by firing Davey Johnson and Jon Miller. I really hope they end up in a World Series with the Giants (I was a Bay Area resident for nearly 15 years)...
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Texas leads their division for 178 days, loses it on the last day of the season (actually, the last 3 days), and is eliminated in a one-game playoff. Atlanta blows the wild card spot on the last day (the Phillies screwed up by beating them) last year; this year the Braves run away with the top wild card spot and are bounced out of the playoffs in one game. This might not exactly be what Dud Selig and the owners thought about when they agreed to this extra "round" of playoffs.
I was at the bowling alley last night, just like any of 35 Fridays throughout the non-summer part of the year, this time bowling on lanes where there was a TV screen above the lanes between the scoreboards, and I happened to look up and see the Six Stooges huddling with each other, and a lot of junk on the field in Atlanta. There is neither sound nor closed captioning on, so it took a while or three to figure out what was going on while I waited my turn to bowl. I don't care for either team, but I think the Braves may have been somewhat shafted by the call. Amazingly, neither Joe West nor C.B. Bucknor were involved. Either way, this call was nothing compared to Bruce "Hermann Goering" Froemming's deliberate mistake that cost the Phillies a playoff game with the Dodgers in 1977.
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Now for my prediction for the rest of the post-season:
It will be the Cardinals vs. Yankees in the World Series, and that's the bottom line, 'cause Fox says so!
That would be the absolute nightmare -- the A.L. team the vast majority of fans despise vs. the N.L. team -- well, even excluding last year's first round disaster, let's just say that whenever an umpiring crew leaves St. Louis, each member seems to have put on 10 pounds -- not that going from 250 to 260 makes much difference. "Ein bier, bitte!"
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Thank you. Die hard enough that I invoked the name of Don Stanhouse during some of Saunders' jams last night. Saw a bunch of games at Memorial Stadium starting in '64, Brooks Robinson's Annus Mirabilis. To my wife's distress (as if my Stooge fandom weren't distressful enough), I have a Chuck Thompson bobblehead on our fireplace mantle.
We seem to have finally shaken the curse that Angelos put on the team by firing Davey Johnson and Jon Miller. I really hope they end up in a World Series with the Giants (I was a Bay Area resident for nearly 15 years)...
As an old school Oriole fan, you may or may not realize that Boog Powell is very easy to meet these days. He has his sausage/hot dog stand at Camden Yards and is always there giving free autographs at home games. I met him, he's a nice guy.
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I was lucky enough to have met Brooks a few times and he was always a real pleasure, didn't mind talking to you and was happy to answer questions I knew he'd been asked a million times. I felt like Chris Farley and he put me at ease. Fine person.
I only got to see one major league game live this year, Giants at Cubs, Lincecum pitching. One of his few really good outings this year, hope he steps it back up for the playoffs. Giants looked impressive, but I temper my enthusiasm by remembering that it WAS the Cubs.
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Predictions: Oakland vs. Detroit. I like the Tigers in Game 1 with Verlander on the bump but for the series I'm taking Oakland in 5.
Red vs. Giants - Giants in 4.
Nats vs. Cardinals - I'm agnostic, but I have to say Dear Lord, please don't let the Cardinals make it to another World Series. I think I might puke if they do. Nats in 5.
Yankees vs. O's - O's in 5, hopefully.
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Count me among the "No Yankees vs Cardinals Bangwagoneers". I was thinking about that prospect earlier and dreading it. If it is NYY/StL I will skip the Series for the third time (the first two being 2003 and 2009).
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I don't get all this hate for the Cardinals! WTF makes them the bad guys??! They have done amazing things concidering the shit La Russa put on them last year, and the most inane managing I ever saw this year with Matheny.
I won't go into detail, but trust me...the team wins in spite of the manager. As far as the WC thing goes: it IS a crock of shit, but don't blame it (or the umpiring) on the Cards. >:(
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I don't hate the Cardinals, I'm just a little tired of them. They have 11 rings, that's enough. It's time for some new blood in the World Series.
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I don't hate the Cardinals, I'm just a little tired of them. They have 11 rings, that's enough. It's time for some new blood in the World Series.
I pretty much feel the same way. Nothing but respect to the Cardinals and their fans and history, but I also want to see fresh blood. A Orioles Vs. Nationals WS, what I would call the MASN World Series (for those who don't live in my area, MASN is the channel that shows both teams), would be beyond awesome. Cardinals Vs. Yankees? I wouldn't go as far as boycotting it, I mean, go Cardinals if that happens, but it would be disappointing to these those two teams face off.
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What "shit" are you blaming LaRussa for? They won the World Series if I recall.
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What "shit" are you blaming LaRussa for? They won the World Series if I recall.
You would have to have seen his day to day managing to understand...the national media was either blind to it, or chose to ignore it because he was a better story as "The man who invented baseball", as the Cincinatti anouncer calls him.
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Hats off to the Reds for doing one of the finest jobs of improv I've ever seen (despite them beating my favorite NL team). I rate their effort a Triple Curly.
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G. Gonzalez (21-8, 2.89) A. Wainwright (14-13, 3.94)
NATS
J. Werth
B. Harper, cf
R. Zinnerman 3b
A. LaRoche, 1b
M. Morse, lf
I. Desmond, ss
D. Espinosa, 2b
K. Suzuki, c
G. Gonzalez, p
St. Louis
J. Jay, cf
C. Betran, rf
M. Holliday, lf
A. Craig, 1b
Y. Molina, c
D. Freese, 3b
D. Descalso, 2b
P. Kozma, ss
Oakland and Detroit are slugging it out as I type, nothing much doing yet in my game.
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Well, the Cards could not hit shit in this loss....I hate Matt Holliday.
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The Cards dropped 26 on the Nats in their last 3 game series and came a hair from a sweep. Todays game was de javu. Garcia was pulled in the 2nd with a return of his shouder problem....he's prolly out for the year, opening the door for 18 game winner Lance Lynne. Holliday continues to suck. >:(
Looks like to me that either the Cards or the Reds will be in the WS.....with Baltimore, whom we have not faced since '46, when we shared the same ballpark. ;)
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Well, my stomach is in knots and my game is hrs. from starting....it may be a relief to finally lose an elimination game and just exhale!
As far as Yanks/O's I don't care who wins. But I will be glued to the set from the 7th on.
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As far as competitive baseball goes, the first round of the playoffs was awesome. Mostly close games, and all four series went to five games. Awesome as far as that goes.
As far as actual results this season? I'm a Red Sox fan who just watched the worst Red Sox team since 1965. There were three phenomenal stories in Oakland, Baltimore, and Washington this year, and all three get eliminated in the division series. Drew Storen had the eye of Schiraldi out there, and The Cardinals, to their credit, pull off another amazing comeback when they needed it the most.
Still, what am I left with? My team was the worst in my lifetime, the Cinderella stories all suffer defeat, and of the four teams remaining, we have three of the last World Series champs. Two of those teams have the most championships by far and one of them is my team's hated rival. I can live with a Tigers victory, I mean, it's been what, 28 years? Other than that though, there's really not much for me to enjoy. Probably the least enjoyable baseball season of my life, and I hope some of you others are enjoying it more.
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Oh my. We're one step closer to my own personal nightmare, a Yankees/Cardinals world series. I don't know if I can even watch the rest of these playoffs. Fucking Drew Storen!
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Oh my. We're one step closer to my own personal nightmare, a Yankees/Cardinals world series. I don't know if I can even watch the rest of these playoffs. Fucking Drew Storen!
Im amazed by the Cardinal hatered....2 WS wins in 25 years ....what
...
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It's not that people hate the Cardinals, at least I don't. However, 3 championships in 30 years is better than every team in baseball except the Yankees. 2 out of the last 6 WS championships also belong to you guys (better than any team), and you have the second most in MLB history. Compare that to Texas, who's never won, Washington, the team's heart you just broke, whose city hasn't won a World Series since Walter Johnson was striking out Babe Ruth, the Indians, who haven't won since 1948, and your rival Cubs............need I say more? You have to admit you guys have it pretty good and any fan whose team is eliminated rooting for the under priveliged franchise can do better than the Cardinals.
Also, as a Red Sox fan, as upset as I am about our season, I expect no non Boston fan to shed a tear for us in a post 2004/2007 world. I would imagine you can at least understand why a non-Cardinals fan wouldn't be thrilled with another Cardinals win due to your success that beats everybody not named the Yankees.
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OK Metal...I get your frustration.....2 hour later I can't believe we won the game.
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2009: Phillies lose to Yankees.
2010: Phillies lose to Giants.
2011: Phillies lose to Cardinals.
2012: Gotta root for Detroit.
The only good thing about the playoffs so far is that putz Scott Rolen struck out to end his team's season for the second time in three years -- and that was the only way I wanted the Reds to lose their series.
Had Raul Ibanez taken steroids last October instead of this year, the Phillies would have beaten St. Louis and delayed Ryan Howard's Achilles tear by another couple of days, and the Skankees would be meeting the Nationals in Philly to drown their sorrows.
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Im amazed by the Cardinal hatered....2 WS wins in 25 years ....what
...
This is one small reason why you are so annoying, Boid. It's 2 WS wins in 5 years and possibly 3 in 6. Fuck you and the Cardinals, both annoy me.
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It's not that people hate the Cardinals, at least I don't. However, 3 championships in 30 years is better than every team in baseball except the Yankees. 2 out of the last 6 WS championships also belong to you guys (better than any team), and you have the second most in MLB history. Compare that to Texas, who's never won, Washington, the team's heart you just broke, whose city hasn't won a World Series since Walter Johnson was striking out Babe Ruth, the Indians, who haven't won since 1948, and your rival Cubs............need I say more? You have to admit you guys have it pretty good and any fan whose team is eliminated rooting for the under priveliged franchise can do better than the Cardinals.
Also, as a Red Sox fan, as upset as I am about our season, I expect no non Boston fan to shed a tear for us in a post 2004/2007 world. I would imagine you can at least understand why a non-Cardinals fan wouldn't be thrilled with another Cardinals win due to your success that beats everybody not named the Yankees.
Why you give that shitstain Boid the time of day is beyond me, I'm now actively rooting for anyone but the Yankees or Cardinals just so he has no joy this year.
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Why you give that shitstain Boid the time of day is beyond me, I'm now actively rooting for anyone but the Yankees or Cardinals just so he has no joy this year.
Too late. My season is already made. I was convinced that we would lose the Wainwright start because he's gassed and everybody knows it. Plus, we are over due for some post season bad luck. It would be nice to get back to the WS but the way Matheny mismanaged this talent rich team we damn sure don't deserve it.
Cards are playing with house money again. BTW... i tried to get a bet with ALL of my baseball buddies betting on the GIANTS. (who I think will win in 6) but no bites.
On the Yanks: I'm sure the Yankee fans are freaking out, but I think they will play better with Jeter OUT. It may jumpstart them.
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I'm watching Game 3 of the ALCS as I'm typing this and I don't think it's Jeter they have to worry about with both Man Boobs and Swisher (no need for name alteration) both sucking so bad they are riding the pine while down 0-2 in the series and facing Verlander. I bet they are wishing they can get rid of some crazy contracts like the Sox did this year.
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Well, 3-0 Tigers with the next two in Detroit looks like it will be a Yankee Free World Series. I'll root for them in the Series no matter who wins the NLCS.
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Well, 3-0 Tigers with the next two in Detroit looks like it will be a Yankee Free World Series. I'll root for them in the Series no matter who wins the NLCS.
The 2004 Red Sox watched MIRACLE for inspiration and it served them well. Perhaps the Yankees need a feel good film that will inspire them out of their dire situation. I propose 4 DAYS IN OCTOBER.
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The 2004 Red Sox watched MIRACLE for inspiration and it served them well. Perhaps the Yankees need a feel good film that will inspire them out of their dire situation. I propose 4 DAYS IN OCTOBER.
Or if they are in the mood for silent films they could go with 1904's THE SWEEP.
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The Yanks have not hit this bad since '63 vs. the Koufax/Drysdale Dodgers....this team is in a major funk. I wonder what the Vegas odds are that they win the next 4? :-\
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I think they have a good chance of winning tonight with Sabbathia on the mound, although Scherzer is no dog either. However I don't think they make it out of Detroit. In other news, basketball douche bag Kobe Bryant gave a pep talk to the Man With The Golden Bra (shout out for the 50th anniversary of Bond films and the upcoming Skyfall, which I am super jacked to go see in a couple weeks). Apparently this is big news and merits an article on espn.com.
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The Yankees are dead! (https://threestooges.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-dance013.gif&hash=02f0f49159090cc339d39bbe836bf5b073115378)
Now the question is, will the days off waiting for the winner of the NLCS hurt the Tigers? I hope the Giants can come back and take the series, but I'll be rooting for the Tigers regardless of who comes out of the National League.
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The Yankees are dead! (https://threestooges.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-dance013.gif&hash=02f0f49159090cc339d39bbe836bf5b073115378)
Now the question is, will the days off waiting for the winner of the NLCS hurt the Tigers? I hope the Giants can come back and take the series, but I'll be rooting for the Tigers regardless of who comes out of the National League.
I've always been a Detroit Tigers fangirl. They routed Yankees, I think for the second time in the teams history to get to the WS directly. But I am not completely sure on that. Ontop of that resting will indeed help instead of hurt the team because regardless who wins between STL/SF, the winner of that series has only a day or so to rest up before facing Detroit
What amazed me personally was the fact that Detroit barely allowed any runs in the last two games alone {two} overall six runs, I remember reading that Delman Young had "hit more times then the Yankees even scored!" whatever that meant, I think it is good though. Detroit is a good team, they got the Triple Crown winner {Go Miggy!} and Cy Young winner {Verlander's awesome!}
I for one look forwards to a very active World Series championship game series!
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Ontop of that resting will indeed help instead of hurt the team because regardless who wins between STL/SF, the winner of that series has only a day or so to rest up before facing Detroit
Don't be so sure about that. Sometimes when a team gets too much rest they come into a series rusty. The 2007 Rockies had 8 days rest between the NLCS and World Series, had previously won 21 out of their last 22 games (!), and then got swept by Boston. Hopefully Detroit will fair better, I'm rooting for them either way, as a Yankee collaspse is the only joy I got all year, and it's been what, 28 years for the Tigers? They're due.
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Don't be so sure about that. Sometimes when a team gets too much rest they come into a series rusty. The 2007 Rockies had 8 days rest between the NLCS and World Series, had previously won 21 out of their last 22 games (!), and then got swept by Boston. Hopefully Detroit will fair better, I'm rooting for them either way, as a Yankee collaspse is the only joy I got all year, and it's been what, 28 years for the Tigers? They're due.
At this point I am not sure about anything, seeing Tigers vs Cards is going to occur again, and the last time these two teams met the Tigers lost, the time before that, the Tigers had won. Baseball is the only sport I follow, and I root for my team, so far they have not let me down. Besides, being too sure of anything can lead to a letdown. as seen by the sweep of the Yankees, a very good team during the normal season. but then it started to show, they lost all four games to Detroit for a reason, the cracks in the foundation of the Yankees was showing what was really there, with Jeters ankle going to lunch on him, plus their batters in a blue funk unable to hit. iot showed the world what is really there, guys on the verge of needing to retire.
The good thing however, is that Jeters injury is not life ending! I myself am praying for his recovery to be as painless as possible. I saw the video of the injury occuring, and even then I felt for him, that really had to hurt the poor guy.
Detroit has done well so far, lets see how long they keep it up!
Cheers!
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Girl, I like the Tigers chances. I'm a Cards fan but I know you are due.
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I like their chances too, personally though, this is shaping up to be one heck of a Series week!
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I like their chances too, personally though, this is shaping up to be one heck of a Series week!
Yep. One good thing for the Cards is that Molina is starting to hit....Beltran getting hurt was bad, but M. Carp has done very good in his place. I was wondering who would be the DH if we made it...looks like Beltran will get that assignment now.
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I'm glad Jeter's injured, not from a personal standpoint but perhaps it will be a wake-up call to the Bronx like the Red Sox had theirs. Jeter is an overrated, overpaid jackass at about $18 million a year and 40 years old. He held out because he wouldn't accept a pay cut for his declining skill set, somehow forcing me to side with the Yankees and take an acid bath afterwards. Maybe they will stop looking at the past and look at the present with their team of relics and fossils and get rid of them.
The sweep is a bittersweet dessert for this Sox fan who filled up on shit salad this year. It's the first time they have been swept since the 1980 ALCS and the first best-of-7 sweep since the 1976 WS.
I wouldn't count the Giants out yet, if Barry Zito can be dusted off to shut down St. Louis then anyone can do it.
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Needless to say, it was a bit more quiet at work yesterday among the Skankees' fans, who realize that their team just ain't what it used to be. Of course, the Junkies will just go out this winter and buy a new bunch of mercenaries and some more "vitamins." Maybe the current players will realize that their next contracts won't be for as much money, unless Rube the Boob overpays for any of them.
Here's an interesting story from this morning: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/new-york-yankees-booing-alcs-101912 (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/new-york-yankees-booing-alcs-101912)
Maybe the Bronx Bums should hire Honey Boo Boo.
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Well it was a great run for the Cardinals, but now the party's over. Now I can watch and enjoy the World Series. :laugh: Hope that 6 day layoff doesn't hurt the Tigers.
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HA! I said "don't count out the Giants" and sure enough they rid of the stench that is the St. Louis Cardinals. Here's hoping the WS is a good one.
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The Cards had a good run and now it's over. Carpenter, Wainwright and Garcia are pretty much shot as starters. (age and injury) Our best, Lohse is bolting to the highest bidder....Beltran and the incredibly overpaid Holliday are rounding the bend, in and out of slumps and nagging injuries. And of course, the clueless Matheney will return to botch things up ala' LaRussa.
The next few years will be dreary for St. Louisans indeed. As to the WS, I must root for the NL, but I won't be sad to see Leland get another ring.
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I see Florida dumped Ozzie today. Not much of a surprise there.
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Yep...that Castro talk pretty much ruined him in Miami. (if he did not win) I like the guy. I don't think he will have any trouble getting another gig. It's Valentine that we won't see for a LONG time!
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Well, what an anticlimatic start that was to the World Series. Pablo Sandoval was unbelievable. Hope Game 2 is better.
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It's amazing. The Detroit Tigers have become the New York Yankees and at the worst possible time. They couldn't hit a fucking beachball right now. Oh well, such is life in the major leagues. A sweep is a coming.
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It's amazing. The Detroit Tigers have become the New York Yankees and at the worst possible time. They couldn't hit a fucking beachball right now. Oh well, such is life in the major leagues. A sweep is a coming.
My friend stated it well tonight. Every time a team is up 3 - 0, the announcers will always remind the audience of the 2004 ALCS. At least there's that and I suppose Fisk's home run to offshoot years of Billy Buckner/Bucky Dent/Aaron Boone TV flashbacks.
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My friend stated it well tonight. Every time a team is up 3 - 0, the announcers will always remind the audience of the 2004 ALCS. At least there's that and I suppose Fisk's home run to offshoot years of Billy Buckner/Bucky Dent/Aaron Boone TV flashbacks.
What is it with the Tigers sucking ass during the Series? I believe in '06 they were better than and should have beaten the Cards and now they are better than and should be beating SF. I caught a little bit of last night's game, enough to see Cabrera pop up with the bases loaded. For a playoff that started out hot with so much potential (all DS go 5, fresh blood in the mix) they sure have turned out disappointing.
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Every time a team is up 3 - 0, the announcers will always remind the audience of the 2004 ALCS.
1. It may be the only way they'll get people to watch the rest of the Series.
2. Detroit had a 3-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Finals 70 years ago before losing that series, so maybe the localites can dream of a reversal.
3. Where were all of these broken-bat hits by Hunter Pence when he was with the Phillies?
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My personal thought is this; I think the Umpires were playing favorites, I watch the games on GameChannel on the internet {I don't get sports channels here in Harbin, mostly local news channels and the Weather Channel}, I've noticed that there were so many, too many in fact, called strikes when there should have been a ball or a foul. but no, for every twenty or so called strikes on the Tigers the Giants got one called strike, its like the games were rigged.
Even so, the Tigers gave it their best shot, and personally, there's always next year, I just have to put up with football and basketball now that there is no hockey going on. I just hope the SF fans don't gloat, I'm just unhappy at how it turned out personally.
I'll shut up
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My personal thought is this; I think the Umpires were playing favorites, I watch the games on GameChannel on the internet {I don't get sports channels here in Harbin, mostly local news channels and the Weather Channel}, I've noticed that there were so many, too many in fact, called strikes when there should have been a ball or a foul. but no, for every twenty or so called strikes on the Tigers the Giants got one called strike, its like the games were rigged.
Even so, the Tigers gave it their best shot, and personally, there's always next year, I just have to put up with football and basketball now that there is no hockey going on. I just hope the SF fans don't gloat, I'm just unhappy at how it turned out personally.
I'll shut up
The lament of a fan of the losing team.
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Joe Worst was probably calling strikes from his position at second base. >:D
I can't vouch for last night's game, but the San Francisco Treats who did the 2010 NLCS certainly helped their team then.
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I'll offer my congrats to the Giants and say I was happy to see Marco Scutaro come up big. One of the few recent Red Sox who played like he gave a shit.
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The lament of a fan of the losing team.
And apparently I am not the only one, I saw some of the forums on MLB some people were complaining of the games being fixed, I didn't join the forums there because I'm barely where I am now.
Guess I have to wait for April now. To heck with end of the world I WANT TO WATCH BASEBALL :D
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And apparently I am not the only one, I saw some of the forums on MLB some people were complaining of the games being fixed, I didn't join the forums there because I'm barely where I am now.
Guess I have to wait for April now. To heck with end of the world I WANT TO WATCH BASEBALL :D
Of course you're not the only one; you're not the only Tigers fan. If the Series were close or even interesting I'd sympathize with you more but the Tigers just got flat out beat.
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Josh Hamilton to the Angels? Good grief! They think they need more OFFENSE?!! Like pitching and defense mean nothing???
I admit that a lineup including Trout, Trumbo and Pujols and now Josh is a fucking monster, but I don't see them finishing any higher than 3rd again. The way I see it, all the Angels want is huge marquis names to keep them the adopted favorite of ESPN. Winning would just be a bonus.
Any thoughts on this?
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The Angels are spending money like it's going out of style. Will it be enough is another question, with that lineup you got to think it's playoffs or bust and that Mike Scioscia's ass will be put to the fire if they come up short again.
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Then there are the Phillies, overspending in the bargain basement, giving away prospects, and thinking that the Wheeze Kids will make the postseason. If Team Geritol doesn't make the playoffs, Ruin Tomorrow Jr. and Chucklehead Charlie should be kicked upstairs -- to the top of Billy Penn's hat on City Hall, and good luck to them getting off it.
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How bout my Jays? We just got Dickey to add to our all star roster...Reyes, Cabrerra...WATCH OUT YANKEES WE COMIN FOR YA!!!
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How bout my Jays? We just got Dickey to add to our all star roster...Reyes, Cabrerra...WATCH OUT YANKEES WE COMIN FOR YA!!!
Toronto getting Dickey should be a good move as knuckleballers tend to last longer. As a Red Sox fan, I wish he was not in the East.
How bout Youk as a Yankee? I must be mellowing in my old age, but this does not piss me off like it would have previously. Perhaps the fact Boston traded him and he ain't what he used to be softens the blow, but of course it still sucks. By my count, that's now 6 2004 Red Sox who have worn pinstripes.
The Red Sox now have a journey man feel which can either be great or mediocre, but in no way worse than last year's team. Napoli's numbers will sink lower now that he doesn't have to face Red Sox pitching.
As for Hamilton to the Angels, that will be one hell of a line up.
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How bout my Jays? We just got Dickey to add to our all star roster...Reyes, Cabrerra...WATCH OUT YANKEES WE COMIN FOR YA!!!
Your Jays do indeed look good for 2013.....this Dicky dude: I can't hardly believe how effective he's been. All knuckleheads get shelled every other game or so, but not him. He's seems to be a freak 'O nature.
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All the experts seem to love the Jays, but I got a feeling come the All Star break they will be hovering around or below .500. The AL East belongs to the O's or the Yanks, maybe the Rays. Just my $0.03 on the matter.