Moronika
General Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: metaldams on October 29, 2008, 09:36:41 PM
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Congratulations to the Phillies! Lidge striking out Hinske closes the book on the 2008 season, so from this point on, any off-season trades and free agent signings effect the 2009 season, therefore, it's time for a new thread. Hot stove discussion begins here, and this thread ends with the 2009 World Series.
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ESPN is reporting that former Oakland manager Ken Macha will be the new manager of the Milwaukee Brewers. A smart choice in my opinion, although I wouldn't have gotten rid of Ned Yost in the first place. Now let's see how many of their key players they can keep.
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Royals get Mike Jacobs from the Marlins for Leo Nunez. The Marlins have plenty of young power hitters and the Royals could use some help in that department. I don't know much about the Marlins bullpen, but it sounds like Nunez should be a good pick up as well.
In the most important baseball news of the past week, the Red Sox have claimed Virgil Vasquez from the Tigers.
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I thought the Jacobs move was shitty on the Marlins part. They have prospects that aren't ready for the majors, not someone who can step in for Jacobs right away. It was a classic case of "this guy got to be too good of a player and we're cheap so let's get rid of him". On top of that he gets traded to the Royals, who will need a lot more to even think of competing. Good move for Kansas City, bad move for Jacobs and the Fish.
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If it helps the Phillies, that's fine with me. :) That was a great championship parade to watch yesterday on TV, and I was nowhere near that mob scene. With so many people absent from the bowling alley, I wonder how much of a percentage was out because of Halloween or for the parade. I can hardly wait till 2036 for the Phillies' next championship -- that's based on them only winning during my lifetime when Leap Year Day is a Friday. Yeah, I think it's time to try another calendar pattern.
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Hi guys!
Okay, I need some help; I guess I'll post here since I can't start new topics. I was unable to login under Afa Dollah with my old password, and I'm not receiving the emails about my password, I keep getting an "invalid activation code" when I tried to change it. Anyway, I had to re-register so I was wondering why the old password and user ID aren't usable. I'd sort of like to be just Afa Dollah, is there a way to reopen that account? Oh, and that's not the avatar I selected. I seem to be having a bunch of problems....sorry about that.....
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Hi guys!
Okay, I need some help; I guess I'll post here since I can't start new topics. I was unable to login under Afa Dollah with my old password, and I'm not receiving the emails about my password, I keep getting an "invalid activation code" when I tried to change it. Anyway, I had to re-register so I was wondering why the old password and user ID aren't usable. I'd sort of like to be just Afa Dollah, is there a way to reopen that account? Oh, and that's not the avatar I selected. I seem to be having a bunch of problems....sorry about that.....
Post that here: http://threestooges.net/forums/index.php?topic=778.0
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Hi guys!
Okay, I need some help; I guess I'll post here since I can't start new topics. I was unable to login under Afa Dollah with my old password, and I'm not receiving the emails about my password, I keep getting an "invalid activation code" when I tried to change it. Anyway, I had to re-register so I was wondering why the old password and user ID aren't usable. I'd sort of like to be just Afa Dollah, is there a way to reopen that account? Oh, and that's not the avatar I selected. I seem to be having a bunch of problems....sorry about that.....
I'm on it...
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I'm offline a few days and I come back to Afa! 'Bout time, welcome back.
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rotoworld.com
"According to the Boston Herald, agent Scott Boras said Tuesday that Jorge Posada's four-year, $52.4 million contract "will serve as a benchmark for any team looking to land" Jason Varitek."
Just sayin'.
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Tek will not get that kind of money after having a down offensive year. What I'm wondering is will any other team be stupid enough to top the Dodgers' offer to Manny?
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http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081110&content_id=3673065&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp
The Oakland A's are close to acquiring left fielder Matt Holliday from the Colorado Rockies, a baseball source told MLB.com.
Though the source said the "talks are fluid," the Rockies would net three players in the deal: closer Huston Street, outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and left-handed pitcher Greg Smith.
Gonzalez and Smith were obtained from Arizona last offseason in the deal that sent Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks. The Rockies needed the right-handed Street because of the inevitability of losing left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes on the free-agent market this offseason.
Holliday, a National League MVP candidate on the 2007 pennant-winning Rockies, is slated to earn $13.5 million this season and can become a free agent after the 2009 World Series. Prior to the start of this past season, the Rockies offered Holliday an $85 million deal over five years that included four years guaranteed at $65 million.
But Holliday, who is a client of agent Scott Boras, turned down the offer.
Holliday was in Dana Point, Calif., last week at the General Managers Meetings to visit with Boras, whose current free-agent clients include Manny Ramirez, Derek Lowe, Jason Varitek and Oliver Perez.
Holliday had a banner year in 2007 when the Rockies were swept by the Red Sox in their first trip to the World Series. He batted .340 with 36 homers and 137 RBIs in 158 games and scored the winning run in the 13th inning of the one-game playoff for the NL's Wild Card berth that sent Colorado into the playoffs for only the second time.
Last season, the Rockies slumped to a third-place finish behind the NL West-winning Dodgers, and Holliday, nursing a left hamstring injury, played in only 139 games, hitting .321 with 25 homers and 88 RBIs.
Holliday's high salary would be a departure for the economically conscious A's, but renting a player for one year prior to free agency would fit right into their philosophy.
Street was the American League's Rookie of the Year in 2005 and has saved 98 games in his four seasons, including a career high of 37 in 2006. But he fell out of favor last season in Oakland and was replaced in the closer's role by Brad Ziegler, who was 3-0 with a 1.06 ERA and 11 saves in 13 opportunities after he was called up in late May. Ziegler set a Major League Baseball record by opening his career with 39 1/3 scoreless innings.
Smith was 7-16 with a 4.16 ERA in 32 starts. Gonzalez, considered to be one of the top prospects in the Arizona organization at the time he was traded for Haren, bounced back and forth from Oakland to Triple-A Sacramento. He hit .242 with four homers and 26 RBIs in 85 games for the A‚s and .283 with fours homers and 28 RBIs in 46 games for Sacramento
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This is my first (apart from a few posts in the 08 thread to find a team to support) venture on a Baseball topic. I hope my Cubs (can i call them "my" yet?) do well in the upcoming season.
I hope to chat to you all about the season and i'll promise not to intrude too much or i'll try not look foolish doing it.
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http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081110&content_id=3673065&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp
The Oakland A's are close to acquiring left fielder Matt Holliday from the Colorado Rockies, a baseball source told MLB.com.
Though the source said the "talks are fluid," the Rockies would net three players in the deal: closer Huston Street, outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and left-handed pitcher Greg Smith.
Gonzalez and Smith were obtained from Arizona last offseason in the deal that sent Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks. The Rockies needed the right-handed Street because of the inevitability of losing left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes on the free-agent market this offseason.
Holliday, a National League MVP candidate on the 2007 pennant-winning Rockies, is slated to earn $13.5 million this season and can become a free agent after the 2009 World Series. Prior to the start of this past season, the Rockies offered Holliday an $85 million deal over five years that included four years guaranteed at $65 million.
But Holliday, who is a client of agent Scott Boras, turned down the offer.
Holliday was in Dana Point, Calif., last week at the General Managers Meetings to visit with Boras, whose current free-agent clients include Manny Ramirez, Derek Lowe, Jason Varitek and Oliver Perez.
Holliday had a banner year in 2007 when the Rockies were swept by the Red Sox in their first trip to the World Series. He batted .340 with 36 homers and 137 RBIs in 158 games and scored the winning run in the 13th inning of the one-game playoff for the NL's Wild Card berth that sent Colorado into the playoffs for only the second time.
Last season, the Rockies slumped to a third-place finish behind the NL West-winning Dodgers, and Holliday, nursing a left hamstring injury, played in only 139 games, hitting .321 with 25 homers and 88 RBIs.
Holliday's high salary would be a departure for the economically conscious A's, but renting a player for one year prior to free agency would fit right into their philosophy.
Street was the American League's Rookie of the Year in 2005 and has saved 98 games in his four seasons, including a career high of 37 in 2006. But he fell out of favor last season in Oakland and was replaced in the closer's role by Brad Ziegler, who was 3-0 with a 1.06 ERA and 11 saves in 13 opportunities after he was called up in late May. Ziegler set a Major League Baseball record by opening his career with 39 1/3 scoreless innings.
Smith was 7-16 with a 4.16 ERA in 32 starts. Gonzalez, considered to be one of the top prospects in the Arizona organization at the time he was traded for Haren, bounced back and forth from Oakland to Triple-A Sacramento. He hit .242 with four homers and 26 RBIs in 85 games for the A‚s and .283 with fours homers and 28 RBIs in 46 games for Sacramento
Can we say "rental"? If this goes through there is no way in hell Oakland resigns him.
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As long as the Phillies don't trade for Holliday, that will be good. You know he won't sign with anyone until he becomes a free agent, so why would the Phillies want to give up any decent player for him? After what Snot Bore-ass did to the Phillies with J.D. Screw, and Kyle Lose, 'nuff said, even though Holliday hits well in two parks -- ours and the Rockies'.
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As long as the Phillies don't trade for Holliday, that will be good. You know he won't sign with anyone until he becomes a free agent, so why would the Phillies want to give up any decent player for him? After what Snot Bore-ass did to the Phillies with J.D. Screw, and Kyle Lose, 'nuff said, even though Holliday hits well in two parks -- ours and the Rockies'.
I have to reiterate that the Phillies were told not to draft JD Drew because they most likely wouldn't be able to match his price. They did draft him, and wouldn't match his price so he didn't sign. The Phillies were told this beforehand so they screwed themselves on that deal.
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Holliday's definitely a rental, I agree. I can't picture a long-term deal for him in Oakland, and it seems like they gave up a lot to get him. Makes no sense.
As far as J.D. Drew and the Phillies, I think Red Sox fans have gotten over Johnny Damon quicker, and that situation was both more recent and worse.
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True, the Phillies should not have drafted Drew. But the difference between him and Damon is that Damon was a legitimate free agent who could go anywhere. Unfortunately, it was to the Yankees. But Drew was to be Phillies' property. I'm sure he would not have signed with any team that picked him except for the big spenders. What baseball needs for the draft is that the team drafting a player gets to keep his rights until he's 21, or 2 years after graduating from college, whichever is later, "except February, which has 28." Or at least whatever is best for the Phillies. ::)
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Can someone explain this to me ? How the hell did Lou Piniella win manager of year in the NL this year ? He took a team that was picked to go to the World Series and and got swept in three games in the first round of the play-offs. I guess Charlie Manuel would of had to come out of nowhere and win the World Series in order to win manager of the year. Oh wait a minute, he did.
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The awards (Manager of the year, Rookie, Cy Young, etc.) are voted on following the regular season, so the writers can't base things on the playoffs. I do agree that Piniella managed a team that was already good, and as a Phillies' fan, my vote would have been for Manuel (and Lidge for Cy Young), but that's the way the ice cube crumbles. And how did Dale Sveum get 3rd-place votes for being on the job only 2 weeks? As the late Richie Ashburn said so many times to Harry Kalas, "Hard to believe, Harry!"
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The awards (Manager of the year, Rookie, Cy Young, etc.) are voted on following the regular season, so the writers can't base things on the playoffs.
Thats right, I forgot about that. Thanks for reminding me.
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I would be remiss if I didn't mention Dustin Pedroia winning the 2008 AL MVP award. I always find it refreshing when someone other than slugger wins the award...and seeing as though slugging was down all around this past season it was a prime time for it. Also congrats to fellow Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis for finishing third in the voting.
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I would be remiss if I didn't mention Dustin Pedroia winning the 2008 AL MVP award. I always find it refreshing when someone other than slugger wins the award...and seeing as though slugging was down all around this past season it was a prime time for it. Also congrats to fellow Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis for finishing third in the voting.
His ego will go through the roof now, bless his heart. Can't wait to read the new quotes!
Well dererved too, he's a hell of a ball player.
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Per Rotoworld
"Sports Radio 810 WHB in Kansas City reports that the Red Sox have traded Coco Crisp to the Royals in exchange for Ramon Ramirez.
Former Royals outfielder Brian McRae broke the story, which hasn't been confirmed elsewhere. Ramirez had an excellent rookie year for the Rockies in 2006 before struggling in 2007, but bounced back following a trade to the Royals last season, posting a 2.64 ERA and 70/31 K/BB ratio in 71 2/3 innings. Dealing for Crisp would leave the Royals with a very crowded outfield and could indicate that the team is on the verge of dealing Mark Teahen or David DeJesus."
If true, Coco was a good fourth outfielder last season, and I'll miss the guy's glove. With the bat, he'd have the occasional hot streak, but was more often than not one of the reasons why we couldn't depend on the bottom of the order to drive in a run these past few years. Supposed to be the successor to Johnny Damon, he turned out to be merely a good utility guy. I wish him all the luck in KC.
Favorite Coco moments: Too many great catches to name, and the game tying triple against Mariano, after which he "hulks up."
As for Ramon Ramirez, it sounds like he could be good when on, but like most relievers, are very hard to predict. He's right handed, so perhaps he'll take over the Timlin role? Or maybe Masterson role if Masterson is in the rotation? Who knows? Depends on how good this guys is and what they plan for Masterson, obviously.
Coco PS: Like I said in a previous post, he came up gold whenever I was at the park. Game winning 8th inning hit against Baltimore in '07 and a two run blast off Jamie Moyer in '08.
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The Red Sox website is reporting it too so it's legit. I'd give a slight edge to the Sox as far as this deal is concerned because they addressed a need while KC doesn't really "need" another OF but getting Coco on your team is always nice. As you said it looks like KC is going to deal one of their OFs anyway.
A couple of interesting tidbits from MLB.com indicate that the Sox and Yanks could be in a bidding war AJ Burnett and/or Derek Lowe and that the Washington Nationals of all teams could be major player in the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes. No that wasn't a typo, I said the Washington Nationals.
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A couple of interesting tidbits from MLB.com indicate that the Sox and Yanks could be in a bidding war AJ Burnett and/or Derek Lowe and that the Washington Nationals of all teams could be major player in the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes. No that wasn't a typo, I said the Washington Nationals.
One of my good friends is a Marlins fan (he's 21 and became a baseball fan when the Marlins were a championship team, sooooo....), and the Red Sox already have Beckett. If we do win the Burnett wars and the crap contract for crap contract Lugo/Willis trade goes through, I'll be messing with him non-stop.
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One of my good friends is a Marlins fan (he's 21 and became a baseball fan when the Marlins were a championship team, sooooo....), and the Red Sox already have Beckett. If we do win the Burnett wars and the crap contract for crap contract Lugo/Willis trade goes through, I'll be messing with him non-stop.
I haven't heard anything about a Willis/Lugo trade, but that would be interesting on a crap for crap scale. In my fantasy world Willis would return to his old form after the trade which would give Boston the most lethal rotation in the Majors. I can dream can't I?
I'd be happy with just about anything to get rid of Lugo though, my blood boils any time I see him.
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Oh, and as for the Nationals and Texiera, make sense. They're an expansion team trying tbuild a club, and they need a franchise player the same way the Marlins are trying with Hanley Ramirez. Perhaps with Texiera, a Marlins Vs. Nationals game can draw 1,500 people instead of 500.
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I haven't heard anything about a Willis/Lugo trade, but that would be interesting on a crap for crap scale. In my fantasy world Willis would return to his old form after the trade which would give Boston the most lethal rotation in the Majors. I can dream can't I?
I'd be happy with just about anything to get rid of Lugo though, my blood boils any time I see him.
The rumor is either Willis or Nate Robertson for Lugo. All have big contracts and have underachieved as of late.
I'd take those pitchers anyday for Lugo. They may absolutely suck, but they're young and their upside is strong. John Farrell may be able to work wonders with them. Lugo is a 33 year old injured sack of shit who makes too many errors and hit .139 with RISP. Coco could be frustrating but had his good points. Lugo's a complete disaster. I hate to admit this, but I actually cheered when he got injured running to first against Baltimore.
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Yeah, I read up on it at the Red Sox board and absolutely agree with you. Willis is more intriguing but either would be big step up from Lugo in my eyes (although that isn't saying much).
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The more I'm reading about this guy, I like the potential.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2008/11/the_ramon_ramir.html
The Red Sox have traded outfielder Coco Crisp to the Royals for pitcher Ramon Ramirez.
Who?
Our thoughts exactly. Here's what we were able to dig up about the 27-year-old reliever:
SCOUTING REPORT
(Getty Images Photo)
A summation of new Red Sox reliever Ramon Ramirez from a major league scout who watched him six times live this season (courtesy of Nick Cafardo):
"Throws 92-95 [mph] with a heavy, late-life fastball . . . Gets away with mistakes over the middle of the plate because his fastball has so much late life . . . second-best arm in that bullpen [to Joakim Soria] . . . Likes to challenge hitters . . . Definitely a setup man with potential to be a closer down the road . . . Plus fastball, plus slider, has a splitter or something that resembles a splitter . . . Average command . . . Deceptive delivery makes it hard for righthanded hitters to pick up his fastball . . . Hitters can't pick up his arm slot on the backside . . . Needs to tweak his off-speed pitches . . . Can throw his slider too hard . . . Very athletic. Fields his position well . . . Has an above-average 1.22 [second] release point [from the breaking of his hands to catchers mitt] on his slide step, 1.3 from the windup . . . Works fast."
Major league facts and figures
He made his major league debut on April 14, 2006 and didn't allow a run until May 15, setting a Rockies rookie record for scoreless relief innings to start a career (15 1/3). It was the longest such streak since 2001.
He posted a 2.92 ERA in the first half of the 2006 season before hitters figured him out. His July ERA was 6.23, and his second-half ERA was 4.11.
Despite the struggles, he set Colorado franchise marks for ERA (3.46) and strikeouts (61) by a rookie reliever. Opponents hit just .230 against him, second-best on the team behind closer Brian Fuentes (.209).
He struggled in spring training in 2007 and elbow problems limited him to 22 appearances (8.31 ERA, 1.55 WHIP).
Former Colorado teammate Jose Mesa took Ramirez under his wing in 2007.
He had issues last year with some former teammates, allegedly throwing at ex-Rockies batterymate Yorvit Torrealba.
After pitching in nine spring games in 2008 and posting a 1.42 ERA with 13 strikeouts and three walks in 12 2/3 innings, he was traded to the Royals for a player to be named later (Jorge De La Rosa).
He spent the entire 2008 season with the Royals, going 3-2 with one save and a 2.64 ERA as the bridge to closer Joakim Soria.
His 21 holds in 2008 ranked him seventh (tie) among American League relievers, and he was among AL relief leaders in innings (71 2/3 IP, 11th) and strikeouts (70 K, 13th).
His 71 appearances were the 10th-best in the AL and the 10th-highest total in Royals history.
Has struck out 146 hitters in 156 2/3 innings for his career.
Stats against the Red Sox: 3 innings in 3 appearances, 2 hits, 3 strikeouts, no runs allowed.
In his only appearance at Fenway (May 20, 2008) he faced the heart of the Red Sox order, and whiffed Dustin Pedroia, forced a David Ortiz tapper to first, and struck out Manny Ramirez swinging.
According to ESPN's Peter Gammons, he had the second-lowest home runs per innings pitched rate in the AL last year. He has allowed 9 home runs in his career.
He held righties to a .153 average, lowest in the AL and third-best in the majors among pitchers with at least 50 games. Only Chicago's Carlos Marmol (.103) and Philly's Brad Lidge (.105) were better.
Another key stat: In 2008, batters swung at 33.3 percent of his pitches outside the strike zone. Among AL relievers with more than 50 innings pitched, only Jonathan Papelbon (34.3 percent) and Mariano Rivera (36.3) had a better rate.
He is under Boston's control for at least two more seasons and is not arbitration eligible until 2011. He made $397,000 in 2008.
Before reaching the majors
The vitals: Born Aug. 31, 1981. He is 27 years old. Stands 5-foot-11, 190 pounds.
Born in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, the same birthplace of former Diamondbacks infielder Tony Batista.
The Rangers signed him as a 15-year-old free agent on Dec. 27, 1996, though Texas believed him to be 16.
He hit .245 in 39 games for the Rangers' Dominican Summer League squad in 1997. He failed to progress at the plate and was released on June 4, 98.
According to a story, he worked in a Coca-Cola bottling factory after the Rangers released him.
He spent the late 90s on the fringes of pro baseball, presumably learning how to pitch.
He joined the Hiroshima Carp Dominican Republic academy in 2000 and in 2002, pitched in two games for the Carp in Japan.
The Yankees picked him up via the posting system in Feb. 2003 for $300,050.
That year, he shot up the ranks, from the Single-A Tampa Yankees to Triple-A Columbus, going 3-10 with a 4.43 ERA in 20 games.
Baseball America ranked him the No. 5 pitcher in the Yankees' system for 2003.
In 2004, he was sent down to Double-A ball after going 0-3, 8.50 to start the year at Triple-A. With Double-A Trenton, he went 4-6, 4.62 in 18 starts. According to Baseball-Reference, he led the league in strikeouts per 9 innings ratio with 10.1 K/9 IP.
In 2005, Ramirez again struggled in Triple-A, going 1-3 with a 5.33 ERA in 6 games. He was demoted again, going 6-5 with a 3.84 ERA in 15 games for Trenton.
Just before the 2005 trade deadline, he was traded to Colorado with righthanded pitcher Eduardo Sierra for righthanded pitcher Shawn Chacon.
Ramirez was assigned to Double-A Tulsa and went 2-1 with a 5.33 ERA in 9 games.
Information from Globe and Boston.com Staff, MLB.com, the Red Sox' public relations department, The Denver Post, Baseball-Reference.com and other sources were used in this report.
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Another news item of interest. If so, hats off to the man for a great career.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081119&content_id=3685153&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp
As expected, Mike Mussina will be announcing his retirement.
The veteran right-hander will make an official announcement later in the week, according to a report by Ken Rosenthal on Foxsports.com.
Mussina will be 40 on Dec. 8 and is coming off the first 20-win season of his career, posting a 20-9 mark with a 3.37 ERA in 34 starts with the Yankees this past season. The report mentioned that Mussina was waiting out the award season to announce his intent to retire. He won his seventh Gold Glove this year and first since 2003.
In a career that spanned 18 seasons, Mussina spent the last eight in the Bronx and compiled a 270-153 record with a career ERA of 3.68.
That may appear shy of the magic 300-win plateau seemingly required for immediate admission to the Hall of Fame, but Mussina was a five-time All-Star, appeared in 16 postseason series and had six top-five finishes in voting for the American League Cy Young Award. Mussina finished second to Pedro Martinez in 1999 and was sixth in voting this year.
The Yankees have expected Mussina to retire and have not figured him into their plans to rebuild their pitching staff. The club has already offered a six-year, $140-145 million deal to CC Sabathia and is pursuing right-hander A.J. Burnett, according to published reports.
Mike Scarr is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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It's refreshing to see a pitcher leave like Mussina has done, with a career high in wins in his final season. Usually you have to pry them off of the mound or they will finally step down in disgrace (turns an eye to Randy Johnson) after shitting the bed in their final year. It's also refreshing to see that he didn't try to stick around well past his expiration date to try to reach the 300 win mark (turns the other eye to Randy Johnson then looks away because the man is fugly).
With that said I'm glad the fucker never got a ring.
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With that said I'm glad the fucker never got a ring.
Me too, but that's more because of the teams he played for than the man himself.
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Is it just me or is the "hot stove season" moving a bit too slowly? I've been checking my regular sites at least daily and so far there has been next to nothing. The Sox have only gotten a couple of bullpen arms and apparently a Japanese prospect, and almost everything else has been moving at a snail's pace. Hurry up Winter Meetings!
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We got Wes Fucking Littleton! :-\ He may be good, and I guess the scouts see somethng in the guy. I think he'll be playing on the team unless if he's trade bait, 'cause I think he's out of options. It seems like bullpen depth's a priority, always a good thing.
The strange thing about Tazawa is that it seems like he's CHOOSING Boston in the face of bigger offers from other teams. A few years ago, this never would have happened.
As for the hot stove in general, things will heat up. There are too many big free agents not too. I think the depth that's out there and the supposed slowing down on big offers because of the economy is why things aren't moving as fast.
Just curious, what are your Red Sox joints? I check the official site, Boston Dirt Dogs, and while I've never posted or even signed up (I like stats and all, but some of those guys scare me), the talksox.com and Sons of Sam Horn boards.
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One of my favorite for hot stove news in general is MLB Trade Rumors (http://mlbtraderumors.com). I found it just recently but have been on it every day since. Another good one is Fire Brand of the American League (http://firebrandal.com)
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Is Javier Vazquez going to the Braves a major story? I've been under the impression that he's been nothing but a bust since departing Montreal. He was a victim of being a young stud pitcher on some sad teams back then.
The Chi Sox are robbing the Braves blind with this deal in my opinion, those are some good looking prospects the Braves are giving up.
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Is Javier Vazquez going to the Braves a major story? I've been under the impression that he's been nothing but a bust since departing Montreal. He was a victim of being a young stud pitcher on some sad teams back then.
The Chi Sox are robbing the Braves blind with this deal in my opinion, those are some good looking prospects the Braves are giving up.
Mike Hampton to the Astros as well through free agency. I'm telling 'ya, I think the owners are afraid to bite first on the big names due to the supposed economic limitations.
As for Javier Vasquez, I'll always love the guy for those two beach balls he threw to Damon.
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In shortstop news it looks like Edgar Renteria will sign with the Giants and the Pirates have traded overrated shortstop Jack Wilson to the Tigers.
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In shortstop news it looks like Edgar Renteria will sign with the Giants and the Pirates have traded overrated shortstop Jack Wilson to the Tigers.
Edgar's always been a better National League guy for some reason.
The Red Sox also locked up Pedroia until 2014. Very good move, and I wonder how and when Paps, Youk, and Lester will be locked up.
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To correct my previous statement it looks like Detroit has signed SS Adam Everett instead of trading for Jack Wilson. Smart move, because despite the drop in average both men are great defensively and produce basically the same power numbers. Wilson had basically the same kind of season Julio Lugo had and made not much less than Mr. Lugo yet Wilson is sought after while Lugo is a pariah. Go figure!
If I could be anywhere in the world right now it would be in Las Vegas at the Winter Meetings. So tell me Doug, do you think the BoSox should acquire Teixeira, or keep Lowell? Speaking of Boston, it looks like they are close to getting local guy Rocco Baldelli for a 4th OF (excellent pick-up if they do and he'll be instantly loved as is anyone from New England in a Red Sox uniform) along with ulitily man Willie Bloomquist. I love this time of year almost as much as the season itself.
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To correct my previous statement it looks like Detroit has signed SS Adam Everett instead of trading for Jack Wilson. Smart move, because despite the drop in average both men are great defensively and produce basically the same power numbers. Wilson had basically the same kind of season Julio Lugo had and made not much less than Mr. Lugo yet Wilson is sought after while Lugo is a pariah. Go figure!
If I could be anywhere in the world right now it would be in Las Vegas at the Winter Meetings. So tell me Doug, do you think the BoSox should acquire Teixeira, or keep Lowell? Speaking of Boston, it looks like they are close to getting local guy Rocco Baldelli for a 4th OF (excellent pick-up if they do and he'll be instantly loved as is anyone from New England in a Red Sox uniform) along with ulitily man Willie Bloomquist. I love this time of year almost as much as the season itself.
Look, I love Mike Lowell, but he's in his mid 30's and coming off surgery. Of course he may still have a few good seasons left in him as well, but Mark Texiera's probably got a whole of a lot more than that, so yeah, go for Texiera if you can. Youklis can play third no problem. However, if the Sox don't get Texiera and stick with Lowell, I won't complain that much.
Rocco Baldelli would be a sweet fourth outfielder, I agree. Bloomquist, didn't he play for Seattle? Don't know much about him, but I can easily do the reaserch.
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Well what I'm hearing is that the Red Sox are front-runners for Teixeira, although the Yankees might try to get in there and at the very least drive up the price if CC Sabathia doesn't work out. At this point CC seems intent on playing for a west coast team, most likely the Dodgers or Angels because he just built a home near LA. Most of the "experts" seem to be leaning towards Boston signing Tex because he seems to be their #1 target. I've also heard that Boston is interested in Burnett, put out feelers for Pettitte (no chance and I wouldn't want him at this point) and they talked to CC but are not serious players for him.
The Mets seem very close to signing K-Rod for something in the neighborhood of 3 years/$37 mil, and the Cubs seem to be closing in on a Peavy trade that will either involve the Orioles, Phillies or both...something convoluted like that. The Pads seem to be doing most of the heavy lifting as far as the particulars go and Peavy seems to have his sights set on the Cubbies. It's somewhat shocking since the Padres were a perrenial playoff team just a few short years ago.
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It appears as though Kerry Wood will be signing with the Cleveland Indians, which is significant improvement in regards to their closer situation the past couple of seasons. Anybody else remember when Wood was striking out 20 batters in a game and was heralded as the next Roger Clemens?
Also, Ramon Hernandez is going from Baltimore to Cincinnati for Ryan Freel, cash and prospects. The K-Rod/Mets deal appears to have gone down, so with K-Rod off the table the other closer dominoes should fall into place shortly. In an afterthought, Casey Blake and Mark Loretta have both signed with the Dodgers. Oh, and the Giants are seemingly major players in the CC sweepstakes.
The ball is finally starting to roll.
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Perhaps Sarah (curlysdame) or someone else from either Norcal or Socal can enlighten me (an ignorant east coaster) on the bitter war between the two areas as far as sports is concerned. I've been reading through the fan comments section of an ESPN.com article about the Giants making themselves known to CC Sabathia, originally from Vallejo, which the author referred to as "southern California" and there were almost calls to lynch him/her (it's just credited to "ESPN.com news services").You would have thought ESPN took a collective shit on Norcal or something from the outrage.
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I would also be remiss if I didn't mention the retirement of one of the top two pitchers of his era, Greg Maddox. If Mussina was great then Maddox was a deity amongst mortals. As weird as it was to see Maddox coming out of the bullpen during the playoffs it will be even more weird to realize he isn't pitching at all next season.
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Perhaps Sarah (curlysdame) or someone else from either Norcal or Socal can enlighten me (an ignorant east coaster) on the bitter war between the two areas as far as sports is concerned. I've been reading through the fan comments section of an ESPN.com article about the Giants making themselves known to CC Sabathia, originally from Vallejo, which the author referred to as "southern California" and there were almost calls to lynch him/her (it's just credited to "ESPN.com news services").You would have thought ESPN took a collective shit on Norcal or something from the outrage.
All I know is The Dodgers and Giants are considered rivals. Hey, it makes sense. Same division, both in California and both used to play in New York.
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All I know is The Dodgers and Giants are considered rivals. Hey, it makes sense. Same division, both in California and both used to play in New York.
I know that much in that they were rivals even since their New York/Brooklyn days, but these comments indicated an overall bitter rivalry between the northern part of California and the southern part that ventures beyond baseball, and being a guy who's only ventured as far west as Denver I found it interesting. Hopefully Sarah or one of our other Cali members can shed light on it.
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I know that much in that they were rivals even since their New York/Brooklyn days, but these comments indicated an overall bitter rivalry between the northern part of California and the southern part that ventures beyond baseball, and being a guy who's only ventured as far west as Denver I found it interesting. Hopefully Sarah or one of our other Cali members can shed light on it.
Oh well, ummm, that I have no clue of.
Well, actually, being a metal fan, I know the early - mid 80's metal scenes had L.A. (Glam/Hair) Vs. San Francisco (Thrash) rivalries. Minor in of itself, but hinting that there might be something deeper there? Yeah, California members, speak up.
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The Yanks got C.C. Sabbathia, well fuck me running.
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The Yanks got C.C. Sabbathia, well fuck me running.
I expected it, their offer was just too much to turn down. Notice the opt-out clause after two years though, that tells me he did not want to sign with them but he had no choice. He'd much rather play in Cali but their offers were too small by comparison. I'm going to predict he opts out in 2011.
With CC signed that makes Boston the clear front runners for Teixeira. There's no way the NYY are still in the mix. Let's hope this ends up biting them in the ass down the road. ;D
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With CC signed that makes Boston the clear front runners for Teixeira. There's no way the NYY are still in the mix. Let's hope this ends up biting them in the ass down the road. ;D
I just hope it doesn't feel like your signature........not that there's anything wrong with that.
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I'm not suprised, I know CC probably would have prefered to stay on the West Coast
but no team over there could come close to matching the Yankees offer.
I hope this works out for us, wonder who else the Yankess will be picking up now
that CC is just about in the bag here. Don't know if they can get Teixeira but
perhaps another pitcher?
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I'm not suprised, I know CC probably would have prefered to stay on the West Coast
but no team over there could come close to matching the Yankees offer.
I hope this works out for us, wonder who else the Yankess will be picking up now
that CC is just about in the bag here. Don't know if they can get Teixeira but
perhaps another pitcher?
They'll need another pitcher if they plan on trying to be competitive. CC and Wang will not be enough to keep pace with Sox and Rays. It seems to me they are ignoring their glaring bullpen needs as well. Hitting should be a low priority since they are pretty well stacked. The Swisher deal puzzles the shit out of me. I wonder if they'll overpay to try to get Lowe; as much as I love D-Lowe he is definitely not worth what he's asking for and what people think he will get. Also I think two sinker ballers on the same rotation is counter-productive because it helps the opposing lineups wait on that pitch and time it better.
I fully expect them to be out of the running for Teixeira. Two multi-year nine figure contracts in the same season is too much for any team to take on, even the Yankees: not to mention that bringing such high profile talent all at once will most likely destroy any shot at creating team chemistry. I think Tex will either go with Boston, Baltimore or Washington, with Boston being the front runner.
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They'll need another pitcher if they plan on trying to be competitive. CC and Wang will not be enough to keep pace with Sox and Rays. It seems to me they are ignoring their glaring bullpen needs as well. Hitting should be a low priority since they are pretty well stacked. The Swisher deal puzzles the shit out of me. I wonder if they'll overpay to try to get Lowe; as much as I love D-Lowe he is definitely not worth what he's asking for and what people think he will get. Also I think two sinker ballers on the same rotation is counter-productive because it helps the opposing lineups wait on that pitch and time it better.
I fully expect them to be out of the running for Teixeira. Two multi-year nine figure contracts in the same season is too much for any team to take on, even the Yankees: not to mention that bringing such high profile talent all at once will most likely destroy any shot at creating team chemistry. I think Tex will either go with Boston, Baltimore or Washington, with Boston being the front runner.
I read a poster on a Red Sox board say Sabbathia can give the Yanks no more than what Mussina gave last year, and I agree. You could consider this a wash, HOWEVER, that doesn't take into account Wang was hurt last year, so a healthy Wang should also help the rotation. I agree the Yanks need another strong starter in case the young guys don't work out, but if the below rotation is firing on all cylanders, they could be nasty.
Sabbathia
Wang
Free Agent
Chamberlain
Hughes/Aceves
Get another free agent and have a few guys duke it out for the fifth spot in spring training.
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Chamberlain is not cut out to be starter...he practically had to retire after his few starts last year. I fully expect Hughes to continue to shit the bed and was not too impressed with Aceves either. You have to remember this is an organization that has systematically destroyed their own farm system over the past near decade in order to field a list of self-absorbed superstars. With that rotation and the fact that their bullpen is the shits I can see the Yanks doing what the Brewers did last year and ride CC until he drops if they are anywhere near a playoff spot. I really think the best thing for the Yankees would have been to accept the downtime and rebuild their farm system thereby creating their own superstars (then keep them afterwards). At this rate they will be in this continuous limbo of pissing away $200 million plus a year on payroll to win 90-93 games a year.
Apparently looking up at teams like the Red Sox and Rays the past couple of years has taught them nothing. The only ones that get hurt in all this are Yankees fans.
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Chamberlain is not cut out to be starter...he practically had to retire after his few starts last year. I fully expect Hughes to continue to shit the bed and was not too impressed with Aceves either. You have to remember this is an organization that has systematically destroyed their own farm system over the past near decade in order to field a list of self-absorbed superstars. With that rotation and the fact that their bullpen is the shits I can see the Yanks doing what the Brewers did last year and ride CC until he drops if they are anywhere near a playoff spot. I really think the best thing for the Yankees would have been to accept the downtime and rebuild their farm system thereby creating their own superstars (then keep them afterwards). At this rate they will be in this continuous limbo of pissing away $200 million plus a year on payroll to win 90-93 games a year.
Apparently looking up at teams like the Red Sox and Rays the past couple of years has taught them nothing. The only ones that get hurt in all this are Yankees fans.
You may be right, heck, I hope you are, but I think making a prediction like that on Hughes, or any 22 year old kid, is premature. Joba just needs to be put in one place, and then we'll see how his health holds up.
I've heard D-Lowe has a huge offer from the Yanks as well and may take it. I admit this all does smack of desperation, but to this organization, 2000 was eons ago. I agree a year or two to rebuild would be smart, but I think Hank wants the new stadium to open better than the old one closed.
Just a rumor, I'm hearing that Boston is eyeing a deal on JOHN SMOLTZ. Supposedly similar to what Colon had last season, we shall see. Just a rumor.
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There was absolutely nothing about Phillip Hughes that impressed me at all. I think the whole Hughes/Kennedy slathering reeks of the "Yankees boost", meaning that they will be viewed as better than they are just because they are wearing the gaudy pinstripes. I may be wrong but I'm standing by my prediction: it's been years since the Yankees farm system has churned out a half-way decent player (and Cano does not count). Many people I knew thought I was insane when I said Lester would turn out to be a great pitcher.
Yeah, I heard about Smoltz too...Theo loves the low/no risks gambles. Right now I'm going to put as much stock in the Smoltz rumor as I am in the Pettitte rumor (which is none at all).
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Well to get this thread up to date, the Mets acquired JJ Putz from the Seattle Mariners in a blockbuster three team trade that included the Indians. The 1-2 punch of Putz and K-Rod is absolutely lethal and should make for an exciting NL East. Now if they can get some starting pitching they might be the preseason favorites to win the division.
The Peavy to Cubs deal appears to be dead.
Teixeira has apparently four finalists vying for his services: Boston, LA Angels, Baltimore and Washington. I would think Boston would be the front runners here because they are on the east coast which the Angels aren't and are immediate contenders for the near (and likely distant) future, unlike the Nationals and Orioles. I wonder if the Nats and O's would be able to afford to build around him, though a marquee name like Tex would definitely help drum up interest in the Beltway. There are mild Yankees rumors but the consensus seems to be that they are only in it because they don't want Tex in Boston (thus the pissing contest continues...yawn).
Speaking of the Bronx Bitches, there are talks of a Mike Cameron for Melky Cabrera trade with the Brewers. While Cameron is vastly overrated Melky is an overhyped scrub who should in AA so I would hope the Brewers would get more in such a trade.
In non-baseball related site news I wanted to give a quick plug to the new feature The Master Debates, where you can win a one-year subscription to the Three Stooges Journal, as well as let people know that I'll be finishing my countdown of the lamest wrestling characters that got over: which features a #1 that is in my opinion one of the "all time greats".
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What do you think of the new Red Sox unis Doug? The hanging socks caps I think are ok for an alternative cap for fans to wear but I still think they should stick with the red B on the uniforms.
While the alternate blue away jerseys look shitty, the new road grays look awesome.
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Well, the Yankees have struck again, now word has leaked that free agent pitcher A.J. Burnett
has also agreed to a contract with the Yankees.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3765754
5 years, 82 million is what he's agreed to.
I may be a Yankee fan, but this throwing money around does bother me a bit. Now, I wonder
if their going to try and get Derek Lowe as well. I know Cashman has been trying to get
Pettite to resign but honestly, as much as I used to love Andy, I dont want him back.
So now we got Sabathia and Burnett added to the rotation, not bad at all.
I think Boston is going to nab Teixeira unless the Angles make him an offer he can't refuse, I doubt
the Yankees have really tried to get him or there would have been more news about it.
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Well, the Yankees have struck again, now word has leaked that free agent pitcher A.J. Burnett
has also agreed to a contract with the Yankees.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3765754
5 years, 82 million is what he's agreed to.
I may be a Yankee fan, but this throwing money around does bother me a bit. Now, I wonder
if their going to try and get Derek Lowe as well. I know Cashman has been trying to get
Pettite to resign but honestly, as much as I used to love Andy, I dont want him back.
So now we got Sabathia and Burnett added to the rotation, not bad at all.
I think Boston is going to nab Teixeira unless the Angles make him an offer he can't refuse, I doubt
the Yankees have really tried to get him or there would have been more news about it.
Those late 90's teams had home grown guys like Jeter, Pettite, Bernie, Posada and Mo to go along with the Strawberrys, Rockets, Cones, and Wells of the world.
The Red Sox have Pedroia, Paps, Youk, Ellsbury and Lester to go with the Dice-K's, Lowells, Drews, and Becketts.
This 2009 Yankee team? A bunch of paid mercenaries.
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What do you think of the new Red Sox unis Doug? The hanging socks caps I think are ok for an alternative cap for fans to wear but I still think they should stick with the red B on the uniforms.
While the alternate blue away jerseys look shitty, the new road grays look awesome.
Eh, kind of disinterested, frankly. I'm sure my opinion will grow more intense once I actually watch games with these uniforms.
That said, ticket prices will remain the same as last year, so they gotta find some way to raise revenue. I'll stick with my old Papelbon and Ortiz shirts myself.
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Well, the Yankees have struck again, now word has leaked that free agent pitcher A.J. Burnett
has also agreed to a contract with the Yankees.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3765754
5 years, 82 million is what he's agreed to.
I may be a Yankee fan, but this throwing money around does bother me a bit. Now, I wonder
if their going to try and get Derek Lowe as well. I know Cashman has been trying to get
Pettite to resign but honestly, as much as I used to love Andy, I dont want him back.
So now we got Sabathia and Burnett added to the rotation, not bad at all.
I think Boston is going to nab Teixeira unless the Angles make him an offer he can't refuse, I doubt
the Yankees have really tried to get him or there would have been more news about it.
They still aren't going to make the playoffs.
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They still aren't going to make the playoffs.
I guess we'll C.C. about that.
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I guess we'll C.C. about that.
Think about it: Sabathia and Burnett give the Yankees the third best rotation in the Al East on paper. That's not factoring in team synergy, of which they have none. The Yankees ownership is all sorts of retarded and not only does it hurt the Yankees and their fans but all of baseball. In the current sports world tradition sells and teams with tradition are more popular than ever, so it makes sense that if those teams (like the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, etc) then baseball prospers as well.
Grabbing headlines in December does equal rings in October.
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That's not factoring in team synergy, of which they have none.
So true. I believe the Phillies of last year had a ton of this synergy that you speak of.
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Speaking of the Phils, they resigned Jamie Moyer to a 2 year contract. I hope both he and Wakefield pitch until they are 50.
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Apparently the Braves look to be the front runners for Rafael Furcal, with a 3-year $30 million offer with a vesting option for a fourth. Oakland has a 4 year $40 million offer but it looks like Furcal doesn't want to go there. Furcal's agent said he told him to "sleep on it" and not rush to an emotional decision and seems to hope the Dodgers will increase their offer to retain him.
There are also rumors that Boston has made an 8 year $200 million offer to Mark Teixeira, which would be by far the largest offer this ownership group has made. It appears to be between the Sox and Halos, with the O's and Nats as also-rans. The Yankees aren't considered serious contenders for Tex, but could pursue Manny Ramirez, who has allegedly been very disappointed with the lack of movement on his front. He should realize that maybe, just MAYBE, being a block of dick cheese might effect him in a negative way.
There are still rumors of a Melky Cabrera/Mike Cameron trade that would also involve the Yankees unloading Kei Igawa on the Brewers. Don't do it Milwaukee.
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The Yankees aren't considered serious contenders for Tex, but could pursue Manny Ramirez, who has allegedly been very disappointed with the lack of movement on his front. He should realize that maybe, just MAYBE, being a block of dick cheese might effect him in a negative way.
Hey, watch it, I just launched two home runs with Manny in one game against Kazmir. He's been a good citizen in my video game season, no doubt something Boras should include in his media spiel.
I agree though, 36 years old, demanding tons of money, and the maturity of 14 year old, he'll get a deal, but only the Yanks would be dumb enough to give him what he wants....maybe.
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Hey, watch it, I just launched two home runs with Manny in one game against Kazmir. He's been a good citizen in my video game season, no doubt something Boras should include in his media spiel.
I agree though, 36 years old, demanding tons of money, and the maturity of 14 year old, he'll get a deal, but only the Yanks would be dumb enough to give him what he wants....maybe.
I am absolutely hooked on MLB 2K8 and am already well into the 09 season. I try to keep the rosters as close to the real rosters as well, so Manny is no longer on the Red Sox. Funny thing happened shortly after I put CC on the Brewers: they traded him to the Yankees. That game is psychic I tells ya!
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I am absolutely hooked on MLB 2K8 and am already well into the 09 season. I try to keep the rosters as close to the real rosters as well, so Manny is no longer on the Red Sox. Funny thing happened shortly after I put CC on the Brewers: they traded him to the Yankees. That game is psychic I tells ya!
The game's getting too easy. I play HOF difficulty, no pitch guide when I pitch, no pitch guessing when I hit, and I'm 30 - 6.
Sad real life coincidence: Beckett Vs. Joba, I lose 1 - 0.
Happy real life coincidence: Pavano and Joba both on DL.
I stick with the roster that was initially in the game, so I even have Schilling in my rotation. I desperately need a real back up 1B and don't feel like getting Casey on the FA market. I have Mirabelli as mt back up 1B (!), but I'm trying to trade Brandon Moss for one. The computer would actually allow me to trade Moss for either Giambi or Aubrey Huff! Since i don't care about future seasons, that's too unfair, so I'm waiting for a more "realistic' trade option. Y'know, perhaps I should just try Bailey and put Moss in the minors.
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Yeah, it is too easy. I went 159-3 and swept Cleveland, the Yankees and Milwaukee to win the World Series in 08 and am thus far undefeated in 09. You're going to have to toggle with the controls yourself, lower your hitting attributes and increase those of the CPU. You could also lower the pitcher's stamina so he's blown up after two innings but I found that to be unsatisfying and nowhere near realistic.
In 09 both A-Rod and Cano are on the 60 day DL and the Yankees are in last place.
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Yeah, it is too easy. I went 159-3 and swept Cleveland, the Yankees and Milwaukee to win the World Series in 08 and am thus far undefeated in 09. You're going to have to toggle with the controls yourself, lower your hitting attributes and increase those of the CPU. You could also lower the pitcher's stamina so he's blown up after two innings but I found that to be unsatisfying and nowhere near realistic.
In 09 both A-Rod and Cano are on the 60 day DL and the Yankees are in last place.
Yeah, perhaps I should just mess with the "sliders," as they're called. I leave everything neutral. I also notice the way relievers are set up they could go 2 or 3 innings regularly, and the computer does the same. It's ridiculous when looking at the league leaders, guys like Al Reyes, Scott Downs, and Alan Embree on pace to pitch more than 120 innings a season!
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With the pitching sliders it's more difficult to get a realistic setting than the batting sliders. You've got to hit it just right or else the starters won't last more than 3 innings max (on a good outing).
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Here's a hypothetical for you Doug (and any other baseball fan that cares to chime in with their own thoughts) concerning this whole Teixeira drama.
Let's say your Mark Teixeira and are in line for a monster (too much for any player, in my opinion) payday. The Red Sox and Angels are each offering somewhere around 8ys/175MM while the Nationals and Orioles are offering somewhere in the neighborhood of 8yrs/200MM with an option for 25MM 9th year. Which do you take?
Pros for the Halos:
* They will most likely remain competitive for most of or the entire run partly because both have a great, loaded farm system and partly because they have the money to build around you (not to mention being in a weak division with teams that cannot keep up financially).
* The great SoCal weather.
* Less pressure than Boston.
Cons for the Halos:
* They are offering less than Baltimore and Washington are.
* They are out west, and apparently you'd prefer to play on the East Coast, closer to home if possible.
* You will take a backseat to the Yankees/Red Sox as far as the national spotlight is concerned.
Pros for the BoSox:
* Like the Halos, they will most likely remain competitive for most of, if not your entire run due to their farm system and the financial resources to build around you.
* You will be in the national spotlight.
* Awesome fan base that extends beyond the New England borders.
* They are on the East Coast.
Cons for the BoSox:
* They are offering less than Baltimore and Washington.
* The local sports media can be a bunch of intolerable dickholes (ex: CHB).
* The pressure of playing in the AL East, the toughest division in baseball.
* The spotlight can be blinding, especially during Sox/Yankees games.
Pros for the O's:
* They are offering more than Boston or LA.
* They are your home town team, and you were a fan growing up.
* Oriole Park is the most beautiful baseball stadium in MLB.
* Less pressure than Boston.
Cons for the O's:
* Asshole ownership.
* A weak farm system and not enough funds to financially compete, especially in AL East: your mega contract will most likely handcuff them from building around you.
* When the Red Sox and Yankees are in town home games feel more like away games.
* You're in Baltimore, a shitty city (my apologies to anyone from Baltimore but let's face it, that place is a fucking dump).
Pros for the Nats:
* They are offering more than Boston or LA.
* Less pressure than Boston.
* A chance to become the franchise's first hero in the new city.
* The NL East is weaker than the AL East, so you have a better change of eventually competing than Baltimore.
* Close to home.
Cons for the Nats:
* No real fan base to speak of, you'll be expected to create one by your mere presence.
* Just like Baltimore, the farm system is weak and your contract will handcuff the team from building around you: so you will mostly not be competitive.
* Having to suffer through the obligatory "President throws out the first pitch" every year, all the while trying not to vomit.
* Ugh, they're the fucking Nats, what more needs to be said?
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Here's a hypothetical for you Doug (and any other baseball fan that cares to chime in with their own thoughts) concerning this whole Teixeira drama.
Let's say your Mark Teixeira and are in line for a monster (too much for any player, in my opinion) payday. The Red Sox and Angels are each offering somewhere around 8ys/175MM while the Nationals and Orioles are offering somewhere in the neighborhood of 8yrs/200MM with an option for 25MM 9th year. Which do you take?
Pros for the Halos:
* They will most likely remain competitive for most of or the entire run partly because both have a great, loaded farm system and partly because they have the money to build around you (not to mention being in a weak division with teams that cannot keep up financially).
* The great SoCal weather.
* Less pressure than Boston.
Cons for the Halos:
* They are offering less than Baltimore and Washington are.
* They are out west, and apparently you'd prefer to play on the East Coast, closer to home if possible.
* You will take a backseat to the Yankees/Red Sox as far as the national spotlight is concerned.
Pros for the BoSox:
* Like the Halos, they will most likely remain competitive for most of, if not your entire run due to their farm system and the financial resources to build around you.
* You will be in the national spotlight.
* Awesome fan base that extends beyond the New England borders.
* They are on the East Coast.
Cons for the BoSox:
* They are offering less than Baltimore and Washington.
* The local sports media can be a bunch of intolerable dickholes (ex: CHB).
* The pressure of playing in the AL East, the toughest division in baseball.
* The spotlight can be blinding, especially during Sox/Yankees games.
Pros for the O's:
* They are offering more than Boston or LA.
* They are your home town team, and you were a fan growing up.
* Oriole Park is the most beautiful baseball stadium in MLB.
* Less pressure than Boston.
Cons for the O's:
* Asshole ownership.
* A weak farm system and not enough funds to financially compete, especially in AL East: your mega contract will most likely handcuff them from building around you.
* When the Red Sox and Yankees are in town home games feel more like away games.
* You're in Baltimore, a shitty city (my apologies to anyone from Baltimore but let's face it, that place is a fucking dump).
Pros for the Nats:
* They are offering more than Boston or LA.
* Less pressure than Boston.
* A chance to become the franchise's first hero in the new city.
* The NL East is weaker than the AL East, so you have a better change of eventually competing than Baltimore.
* Close to home.
Cons for the Nats:
* No real fan base to speak of, you'll be expected to create one by your mere presence.
* Just like Baltimore, the farm system is weak and your contract will handcuff the team from building around you: so you will mostly not be competitive.
* Having to suffer through the obligatory "President throws out the first pitch" every year, all the while trying not to vomit.
* Ugh, they're the fucking Nats, what more needs to be said?
Well thought out post Jim, and I agree with most of your points about the pros and cons. The only problem is I can't think in Mark Teixeira's position because I'm simply not him. For one, I don't think I could ever hire a snake like Boras, so I KNOW I'm not him. Personally, I guess I'd go to Boston because I'd be filthy rich, on the east coast, unlike the Angels, and on a competitive team year after year, unlike Baltimore and Washngton.
My thinking, personally, is that once you're talking the kind of money these players make, what difference is a few million dollars? That's why I don't get people like Boras. Capitalism's OK, to an extent.
As for Baltimore the city, I've only been to the inner harbor portion, but I love that area. Good food, by the water, and lots of Red Sox fans floating around before the games. Like the Hard Rock Cafe, ESPN place, Hooters, etc.
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I'd hire Boras because whether he's a snake or not doesn't matter; he's the best snake in a business of snakes. Also, in the very end it's the player's decision and not the agent's. The Inner Harbor (where Camden Yards/Oriole Park is located) is the only decent part of Baltimore, venturing outside of the IH is downright depressing. Orioles DH Aubrey Huff got in trouble for going on the Bubba the Love Sponge radio show and calling Baltimore a "horse shit town". The only problem was that he was right.
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Apparently Teixeira is supposed to announce which team he going to grace with the honor of severely overpaying for his services today. This shit has dragged on for long enough. The consensus seems to be Boston at the moment despite Henry's "not a factor" statement to the press a while back, but it also looks like the Nationals have kicked up their offer. The Angels have withdrawn publicly, the Orioles' offer is substantially less than those of Boston and Washington and the Yankees seem to only be popping up to pester the Red Sox much like Boston did with Sabathia.
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Apparently Teixeira is supposed to announce which team he going to grace with the honor of severely overpaying for his services today. This shit has dragged on for long enough. The consensus seems to be Boston at the moment despite Henry's "not a factor" statement to the press a while back, but it also looks like the Nationals have kicked up their offer. The Angels have withdrawn publicly, the Orioles' offer is substantially less than those of Boston and Washington and the Yankees seem to only be popping up to pester the Red Sox much like Boston did with Sabathia.
Looks like the Yankees got Teixeira too! 8 years, $180 million, I hear. This is getting BEYOND ridiculous. I hope Lars Anderson comes on over and produces the same numbers before he's arbitration eligible.
I actually support the Red Sox on this decision if only because two championships in six seasons have made me confident in the front office. They have their price for players and they stick with it, and it has seemed to work so far. I'm hoping this is no exception.
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I couldn't stop laughing when I found out. I'm relieved, this ownership group has never signed such a massive contract (Manny was the Yawkee Trust) and I thought that trading away Lowell just to bring Teixeira in could disrupt the clubhouse chemistry in a negative way. The Yankees have committed well over $400 million for Teixeira, Sabathia and Burnett this offseason, and we all know how well their vast overspending has worked out in the past. It does make more sense for the Yankees to sign him because their farm system is an absolute joke and I didn't think they'd settle with Swisher at 1st, while the Sox do have Lars Anderson (who's name came up immediately when it was announced they were in pursuit of Teixeira) who is almost major league ready.
The Yankees seem to be content with making big splashes in the winter instead of winning in the fall, and that's fine by me. Along with A-Rod they now have the three biggest contracts in baseball and I've still got them penciled in 3rd place in the AL East. The Rays and Red Sox are actual baseball teams while the Yankees are conglomerate of overpriced free agents.
Can everybody else now stop referring to Boston as the second Evil Empire? The biggest free agent signings the Henry group has made are Drew and Dice-K, and those are pocket change by comparison.
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I couldn't stop laughing when I found out. I'm relieved, this ownership group has never signed such a massive contract (Manny was the Yawkee Trust) and I thought that trading away Lowell just to bring Teixeira in could disrupt the clubhouse chemistry in a negative way. The Yankees have committed well over $400 million for Teixeira, Sabathia and Burnett this offseason, and we all know how well their vast overspending has worked out in the past. It does make more sense for the Yankees to sign him because their farm system is an absolute joke and I didn't think they'd settle with Swisher at 1st, while the Sox do have Lars Anderson (who's name came up immediately when it was announced they were in pursuit of Teixeira) who is almost major league ready.
The Yankees seem to be content with making big splashes in the winter instead of winning in the fall, and that's fine by me. Along with A-Rod they now have the three biggest contracts in baseball and I've still got them penciled in 3rd place in the AL East. The Rays and Red Sox are actual baseball teams while the Yankees are conglomerate of overpriced free agents.
Can everybody else now stop referring to Boston as the second Evil Empire? The biggest free agent signings the Henry group has made are Drew and Dice-K, and those are pocket change by comparison.
Well, I wanted Teixeira, but the askin price was ridiculous and I'm hoping plan B works out. All I know is I hate the Yankees even more , and this is a good thing!
By the way, though it's not talked about quite as much, the Yankees officially clinched the division yesterday by signing Kevin Cash to a $700,000, one year deal. Two things disturb me about this. One, I have no clue how Cash will be able to survive on such a low income, and two, I think he'll be a huge threat to the Red Sox this spring during our annual Grapefruit League showdown.
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If there is any poetic justice to this, the Yankee's won't make the playoffs. I can't see how they will have any type of team chemistry with this group.
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Hell I'm pumped! I know it's only a video game, but after the family leaves, I decide to get a game in my MLB '08 season and I throw a perfect game with Jon Lester against the O's (on Hall of Fame difficulty). Nothing but cutters, sliders, and a change painting the corners. Happy friggin' birthday to me, a perfect game's hard to throw.
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Hell yeah it is, I have only thrown one perfect game (Dice-K against the Indians) and one no-no (Beckett against the Royals).
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If there is any poetic justice to this, the Yankee's won't make the playoffs. I can't see how they will have any type of team chemistry with this group.
I honestly don't think they will Bill, for the very reason you mentioned. Like I said, they are not a team but a conglomerate.
Let's say they somehow win the World Series (which I doubt), would it be at all fulfilling? Of course not, because in building your team this way you're not building true team members...no true Yankees that came up through the system. Jeter, Rivera and Posada are the last of a dying breed (don't even mention Melky and Cano, they suck): true Yankee greats.
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The Red Sox might have lost out on overpaying Teixeira, but they added a fourth outfielder and another starter today with the signings of Rocco Baldelli and John Smoltz. If I am an opposing batter and looking at facing a rotation that includes Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, John Smoltz and Brad Penny I'd toss my bat in the air and walk away shaking my head (let's not forget Tim Wakefield should Smoltz or Penny not pan out). If Smoltz and Penny return from injuries to their normal forms this will be beyond a shadow of a doubt THE greatest pitching rotation in MLB.
Smoltz, Penny and Baldelli are low risk/high reward signings and very smart on the part of Theo Epstein. Anybody who thinks the Yankees overspending was going to send the Sox to third place has another think coming.
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The Red Sox might have lost out on overpaying Teixeira, but they added a fourth outfielder and another starter today with the signings of Rocco Baldelli and John Smoltz. If I am an opposing batter and looking at facing a rotation that includes Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, John Smoltz and Brad Penny I'd toss my bat in the air and walk away shaking my head (let's not forget Tim Wakefield should Smoltz or Penny not pan out). If Smoltz and Penny return from injuries to their normal forms this will be beyond a shadow of a doubt THE greatest pitching rotation in MLB.
Smoltz, Penny and Baldelli are low risk/high reward signings and very smart on the part of Theo Epstein. Anybody who thinks the Yankees overspending was going to send the Sox to third place has another think coming.
Smoltz won't be ready to pitch until late May or early June the earliest. He's 41 and coming off surgery, so he's not a lock. I still like picking him up because he's great insurance, and it would be awesome if he can contribute like his normal self down the stretch. Smoltz is also a GREAT postseason pitcher, and my Aunt, who's a die hard Braves fan, should have plenty to say to me next time we speak. He's also versatile, as he can start or work out of the pen. At one year, this sounds like a risk worth taking, and the same can be said with Brad Penny, except he should be ready right away. Even without Penny and Smoltz, Boston has plenty of starting pitching depth, so we should be fine as far as that goes.
As for Rocco, I hope whatever strange disease is bugging him is under control and if so, he should be great off the bench. I sort of became a Rocco fan this post season when he wasn't kicking Boston's ass. Let's also not forget Josh Bard, no doubt ready for a second round of knuckle sandwiches.
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The board has been dead the past couple of days and spring training is starting, so I kind of put two and two together and thought I should revive this thread. Things'll be busy here over the next six - eight months.
Anybody wanna talk A-Rod? Manny? the A. L. East? Dodgers?
My opinion on A-Rod - not surprised one bit. The Arroyo bitch slap in '04 told me all I need to know about A-Rod playing the game fairly, and I hate to say this, but Canseco said A-Rod's on the juice and he's been pretty accurate so far. I hope Cashman enjoys his "asset" over the next nine years. No matter the uniform, A-Rod's so easy to dislike.
As a baseball fan, I'm still disappointed to hear about him juicing because he's one of the best and I hoped he was doing it all clean. I'm sure there are plenty of other players out there who've done it or are doing so, even players I really admire.
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Am I the only US Citizen that is actually following the WBC? Two great games yesterday including the US barely hanging on to beat Canada (Pedroia and Youk had great games for the US while Bay had one for Canada) and the Netherlands beating the Dominican Republic in a huge upset. While the DR lost a game they should have won easily Pedro Martinez looked great in 3 innings of relief.
China and Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) were both easily eliminated, the only time either team won was when they played against each other in the Pool A losers bracket.
Pool A:
Japan 4, China 0
Korea 9, TPE 0
China 4, TPE 1 (TPE eliminated)
Japan 14, Korea 2 F/7 (mercy rule, JPN advances to Pool winner match)
Korea 14, China 0 F/7 (mercy rule, CHN eliminated)
Japan vs Korea (determines Pool A winner)
Pool B
South Africa vs Cuba (2pm today)
Australia vs Mexica (9pm today)
Losers Bracket (loser is eliminated)
Winners Bracket (winner qualfies rd 2)
Winner of Losers Bracket vs Loser of Winner's Bracket (winner qualifies rd 2, loser eliminated)
Pool Winner game
Pool C
USA 6, Canada 5
Venezuela 7, Italy 0
Canada vs Italy (loser is eliminated)
USA va Venezuela (winner advances rd 2)
CN/IT winner vs US/VN loser (loser is eliminated, winner advances rd 2)
Pool Winner game
Pool D
Netherlands 3, Dominican Republic 2
Puerto Rico 7, Panama 0
Dominican Republic vs Panama (loser is eliminated)
Netherlands vs Puerto Rico (winner advances to rd 2)
DR/PN winner vs PR/NED loser (winner advances to rd 2, loser is eliminated)
Pool Winner game
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Am I the only US Citizen that is actually following the WBC? Two great games yesterday including the US barely hanging on to beat Canada (Pedroia and Youk had great games for the US while Bay had one for Canada) and the Netherlands beating the Dominican Republic in a huge upset. While the DR lost a game they should have won easily Pedro Martinez looked great in 3 innings of relief.
China and Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) were both easily eliminated, the only time either team won was when they played against each other in the Pool A losers bracket.
Pool A:
Japan 4, China 0
Korea 9, TPE 0
China 4, TPE 1 (TPE eliminated)
Japan 14, Korea 2 F/7 (mercy rule, JPN advances to Pool winner match)
Korea 14, China 0 F/7 (mercy rule, CHN eliminated)
Japan vs Korea (determines Pool A winner)
Pool B
South Africa vs Cuba (2pm today)
Australia vs Mexica (9pm today)
Losers Bracket (loser is eliminated)
Winners Bracket (winner qualfies rd 2)
Winner of Losers Bracket vs Loser of Winner's Bracket (winner qualifies rd 2, loser eliminated)
Pool Winner game
Pool C
USA 6, Canada 5
Venezuela 7, Italy 0
Canada vs Italy (loser is eliminated)
USA va Venezuela (winner advances rd 2)
CN/IT winner vs US/VN loser (loser is eliminated, winner advances rd 2)
Pool Winner game
Pool D
Netherlands 3, Dominican Republic 2
Puerto Rico 7, Panama 0
Dominican Republic vs Panama (loser is eliminated)
Netherlands vs Puerto Rico (winner advances to rd 2)
DR/PN winner vs PR/NED loser (winner advances to rd 2, loser is eliminated)
Pool Winner game
I caught the last few innings of U.S.A. Vs. Canada. Kind of strange cheering for Putz to get Bay out. My day's kind of full today and I'm starting a new job tomorrow, so I can't follow it as much as I'd like. That said, I did hear Pedro pitched well.
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Holy shit, I'm hooked on this thing now. I watched that Netherlands Vs. Dominican Republic game, one of the greatest ball games I ever watched, and a HUGE upset! The fucking NETHERLANDS beats the D.R.?! Wow, awesome, since I always love the underdog.
Now Big Papi can go back to camp with Jason Bay.
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Julian Tavarez just joined The Nationals. Big deal, right? Here's his quote about it.
"Why did I sign with the Nationals? When you go to a club at 4 in the morning, and you're just waiting, waiting, a 600-pounder looks like J-Lo. And to me this is Jennifer Lopez right here. It's 4 in the morning. Too much to drink. So, Nationals: Jennifer Lopez to me."
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Damn, how wrong is that? How TRUE is that?
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Anyone else catch USA vs Puerto Rico last night? What a great game and a great comeback win for the US, which eliminates PR and puts USA in the semifinals. Youk hit a moonshot and David Wright had a game-winning single. We beat those Puerto Ricans like we own them...oh yeah, we do!
So far USA, Venezuela and Korea are in the semis, with Japan and Cuba (2006 winner and runner-up, respectively) playing later tonight for the last semifinal spot.
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Anyone else catch USA vs Puerto Rico last night? What a great game and a great comeback win for the US, which eliminates PR and puts USA in the semifinals. Youk hit a moonshot and David Wright had a game-winning single. We beat those Puerto Ricans like we own them...oh yeah, we do!
So far USA, Venezuela and Korea are in the semis, with Japan and Cuba (2006 winner and runner-up, respectively) playing later tonight for the last semifinal spot.
I wish I could have seen it, that was one hell of a game. Great comeback win for Team USA.
Hopefully they can do well in the Semi's.
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For a combination of great ball playing and entertainment value, Dustin Pedroia is my favorite player right now. Check out this quote about him not being able to face Japan in the WBC.
"Daisuke is lucky I'm not there," quipped Pedroia. "I'd hit a line drive right off his back, and you guys can put that in your paper. I would hit him right in his back. He better hope the Red Sox don't trade him."
Friggin' hysterical, the most entertaining Napoleon complex in the world. I also love the story how in '07, when the Red Sox were playing the Giants, Pedroia went up to Barry Bonds and said, "I'm sorry for breaking all your records at ASU."
[youtube=425,350]F5b9YdMbG1I[/youtube]
[youtube=425,350]7QGqQIlRibY[/youtube]
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Congrats to Japan on winning the WBC again. If the US had this countries best players (and gave a shit) I'm sure the outcome would have been different.
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Amazing we've gone into May without any baseball discussion.
Anybody else following Zack Greinke? As somebody who also has bouts with depression and social anxiety, I find his story totally inspiring.
6 - 0 0.40 ERA
WOW!
I think I'm going to make it a point to watch his next start on Saturday night.
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(https://threestooges.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcache.boston.com%2Fimages%2Fbostondirtdogs%2F%2FBDD_MR_stooges_9.18.07_ap.jpg&hash=ae8cf6565d89a2e5832be4c6762033cfc437d1e4)
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Amazing we've gone into May without any baseball discussion.
Anybody else following Zack Greinke? As somebody who also has bouts with depression and social anxiety, I find his story totally inspiring.
6 - 0 0.40 ERA
WOW!
I think I'm going to make it a point to watch his next start on Saturday night.
Amd he's comin' to Anaheim, baby! I'm goin' on Saturday to see this wunderkind, and hopefully to see the Angels SQUASH this wunderkind, as well. (But, with that nasty stuff HE'S got, i'm guessin' that ain't happenin'. :D )
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Have a good time, man. I'll probably be watching (I get the MLB package), so swim in the waterfall or something so I'll know where you are.
Last night, I'm cursing the Red Sox line up for its lack of regulars, so what do they do? Break an American League record by scoring 12 runs without recording a single out! Sheesh. Looks like we have another good team his year, and Boston will be really scary if the starting pitching outside of Tim Wakefield would be more consistent. I believe they will, especially Lester.
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By the way, my parents and Braves fan Aunt and her boyfriend are going to Fenway this year to catch a Red Sox Vs. Braves game. I can't go cause it's in the middle of the week and I don't have the vacation time! [3stooges] I haven't been to Fenway since 2000.
I will be catching a Red Sox Vs. Orioles game at Camden Yard later in the year. Boston's on a 4 game winning streak with me at the park.
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Ahh, the Braves, with their first-baseman that they stole from Anaheim, Casey Kotchman. Man, I miss that guy..... I understand the making of the play to get Teixiera, but CRAP...lol
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Teixiera
Never heard of him!
I was actually happy when Kotchman went to the N.L. I don't know if the stats bear it out, but from memory, he killed the Red Sox.
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It's time for that bane of the Phillies, interleague play. This weekend it's Philly & Boston vs. New York. I predict that the Yankees' 9-game winning streak will end tonight -- and remember, you read it here last!
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I always say, because of where I live, the Phillies are a very distant second as my second favorite baseball team. For this weekend, take away the words "very distant."
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Just watched Mark Buehrle throw a PERFECT game for the White Sox. He owes Dewayne Wise big time.
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Just watched Mark Buehrle throw a PERFECT game for the White Sox. He owes Dewayne Wise big time.
Very impressive, considering it's the 2nd no-no he's thrown since 2007! Glad it was against Tampa Bay as well. Congrats to him!
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A couple of observations after watching the 9th inning on replay.
1.) Thank God I'm not a White Sox fan. I always forget how annoying those announcers are.
2.) Amazing friggin' catch! Just about every perfect game or no-no has some defensive gem to thank, and this one's no exception.
3.) ...and most importantly, the White Sox female reporter is pretty hot. The Red Sox's Heidi Watney takes the cake (nothing to do with my team bias either, but seriously..... (https://threestooges.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.totalprosports.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2009%2F05%2Fheidi-watney-1.jpg&hash=f4563432d2997c44fa406f855085b98d0bb4fbd9)
but the White Sox gal ain't bad.
Congrats to Mark Buehrle, he's the man.
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I went to the new Citi Field in New York which replaced Shea Stadium to see Paul McCartney's July 21st concert there. The parking lot of Citi Field is where Shea once stood and there are markers showing where the original bases were located. I had a picture of myself taken at Second Base as that's where the stage was set for The Beatles historic 1965 Shea Stadium concert.
(https://threestooges.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi456.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq286%2FOldFred_photos%2FPaulCiti2.jpg&hash=38552489cde86fddb9b23c9b80db6d23ffcaf602)
(https://threestooges.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi456.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq286%2FOldFred_photos%2FPaulCiti3.jpg&hash=c6ad3e54621943723447bde50c487194b2b563b7)
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Very impressive, considering it's the 2nd no-no he's thrown since 2007! Glad it was against Tampa Bay as well. Congrats to him!
Indeed, any pitcher who can throw more than one no-hitter in his career should be commended. Nolan Ryan has the most no-no's
of any Major League pitcher in history, he threw 7. That's amazing. Too bad none of Ryan's no-hitter's were a perfect game, but there's
a reason why only 18 pitchers have ever thrown a perfect game.
With Mark Buehrle's the White Sox (Charlie Robertson's in 1922 and Buehrle's in 09) now join the Indians (Addie Joss and Len Barker) and
the Yankees (Don Larsen, David Wells, and David Cone) as the only other teams to have more than one perfect game. Id' say that's
pretty impressive also.
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Indeed, any pitcher who can throw more than one no-hitter in his career should be commended. Nolan Ryan has the most no-no's
of any Major League pitcher in history, he threw 7. That's amazing. Too bad none of Ryan's no-hitter's were a perfect game, but there's
a reason why only 18 pitchers have ever thrown a perfect game.
With Mark Buehrle's the White Sox (Charlie Robertson's in 1922 and Buehrle's in 09) now join the Indians (Addie Joss and Len Barker) and
the Yankees (Don Larsen, David Wells, and David Cone) as the only other teams to have more than one perfect game. Id' say that's
pretty impressive also.
I saw Nolan Ryan's last no hitter in 1991 on the MLB network against Toronto (who were a good team back then). Incredible! He was 44 years old and he struck out 16, or some ridiculous number.
I met Don Larsen at a baseball card show as a kid.
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The season's winding down and I'd like to think some of us wanna talk baseball. Really the AL Central and NL Wild Card the only halfway decent races now, everything else seems to be a blowout.
I was at today's Red Sox game, which brings the Red Sox win streak to 6 with me at the park. Of course, playing Baltimore four of those times helps. The games I was at:
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=200605190PHI *
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=200709090BAL
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=200805310BAL **
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=200806170PHI
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2009_08_01_bosmlb_balmlb_1
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2009_09_20_bosmlb_balmlb_1
* David Ortiz's home run lands a few rows in front of me, second upper deck in right field.
** Manny Ramirez hits his 500th home run, David Ortiz injures himself and is out for two months
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Perhaps I'm spitting in the wind trying to talk baseball, but if anyone's interested....can anybody here remember the last time the pennant races seemed so unexciting? Other than a 3 game lead in the AL Central, it feels like everything's decided. I hope Detroit and Minnesota remain close so we can have some interesting late September baseball.
As a Red Sox fan, I really like the direction the team is at right now. Victor Martinez was an excellent pick up and has been a far superior alternative to Jason Varitek, as much as it pains me to say it. V-Tek is done in my opinion, which is normal for 38 year old catchers. Alex Gonzalez has solidified short stop this season, and Buchholz has given the team a much needed 3rd starter. The Sox are looking strong going into October.
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Perhaps I'm spitting in the wind trying to talk baseball, but if anyone's interested....can anybody here remember the last time the pennant races seemed so unexciting? Other than a 3 game lead in the AL Central, it feels like everything's decided. I hope Detroit and Minnesota remain close so we can have some interesting late September baseball.
As a Red Sox fan, I really like the direction the team is at right now. Victor Martinez was an excellent pick up and has been a far superior alternative to Jason Varitek, as much as it pains me to say it. V-Tek is done in my opinion, which is normal for 38 year old catchers. Alex Gonzalez has solidified short stop this season, and Buchholz has given the team a much needed 3rd starter. The Sox are looking strong going into October.
I can't recall the last time it was this boring myself. Just about everything is locked up at this point. No real drama or excitement.
Seems alot of the playoff teams have some issue or other, Boston seems to be solid for now. Yankess are getting the pitching back on track, Burnett's last 2 starts were very good, but still don't know about Joba though. If he gets hammered this weekend against the Sox I don't want to see him as the 4th Starter in the playoffs. I wish I knew what the hell is wrong with him. The way things are looking it might be Yankess vs Red Sox in the ALCS unless either one of us blows it in the playoffs, which can happen very easily in baseball. The Angels have always been a pain the ass for the Yanks esp in October, but we just won 3 of the last 4 games against em which is good.
Over in the NL, I don't see how the Phillies can repeat when they have the WORST closer in baseball in Lidge. The guy blew his 11th save of the season this week and his ERA is nearly 8. Not having a good closer in the playoffs is a recipie for disaster. The Cards are pretty darn good, don't know about the Dodgers and the Rockies are a nice surprise. My Uncle is a Rockies fan so I'm kinda pulling for them to do well.
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Over in the NL, I don't see how the Phillies can repeat when they have the WORST closer in baseball in Lidge. The guy blew his 11th save of the season this week and his ERA is nearly 8.
Not to mention their set up guy, Ryan Madson, is 8 for 14 in save opportunities. The Phils need to find their version of a 2006 Adam Wainwright if they stand a chance.
Of course, just as I'm all optimistic about Boston, Melky Cabrerra lines a ball off Jon Lester's knee. There is no emoticon for what I am feeling right now. Rob could create one, but if anyone were to gaze upon it, their computer would explode.
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Not to mention their set up guy, Ryan Madson, is 8 for 14 in save opportunities. The Phils need to find their version of a 2006 Adam Wainwright if they stand a chance.
Of course, just as I'm all optimistic about Boston, Melky Cabrerra lines a ball off Jon Lester's knee. There is no emoticon for what I am feeling right now. Rob could create one, but if anyone were to gaze upon it, their computer would explode.
Yeah, that was really painfull to watch tonight. Thankfully it didnt hit the knee or it could have been even worse.
I hate it when freak things like that happen. I'm not a Boston fan, but I don't like seeing anyone get hurt. Hopefully Lester will be ok.
Was happy to see Joba pitch well tonight, hopefully he can keep it up.
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Yeah, that was really painfull to watch tonight. Thankfully it didnt hit the knee or it could have been even worse.
I hate it when freak things like that happen. I'm not a Boston fan, but I don't like seeing anyone get hurt. Hopefully Lester will be ok.
Was happy to see Joba pitch well tonight, hopefully he can keep it up.
They say Lester suffered a contusion on his right quad and is day-to-day. It sounds like he'll be OK. At least I hope so, but he looked like he was in some serious pain. At least we have the luxury of resting him until the playoffs. Hopefully he'll be OK by then. Just when I thought Boston's rotation looked unbeatable.
That Yankee line-up should be illegal. Wind tunnel or no wind tunnel, 7 or 8 guys hitting 20 + home runs is just unfair.
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That Yankee line-up should be illegal. Wind tunnel or no wind tunnel, 7 or 8 guys hitting 20 + home runs is just unfair.
Commissioner Lefty would solve that problem the way the NHL (supposedly) has -- with a salary cap. And for the Junkies, lots more drug testing. So how DID Mark Tex-Steroid, batting right-handed, break his bat and still hit one into the 5th row of the left-field seats when the wind was blowing to right field? Well, maybe it's 218 feet to left instead of 318.
The Phillies look as though they want to win the division at home, which they may if they and the Nationals don't win both tonight and tomorrow. Today is the 33rd anniversary of their first division clinching, in Montreal's Jarry Park, before about 15 people. Nowadays, a clinching like that would have a sellout with all Phillies' fans.
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It's the darn maple bats.
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Red Sox and the Cards are done for the year. ;D
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Red Sox and the Cards are done for the year. ;D
Fuck you. ;D
Congrats to the Angels for beating the Red Sox. They're a great team and were bound to do it sometime. I just didn't think Papelbon had a Calvin Schiraldi in him. That was painful to watch.
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I'm surprised the Red Sox and Cardnials got swept out of the playoffs like that, I thought
both series would be close affairs.
Hopfully the Yankees can finish a sweep of the Twins tonight, winning Game 2 like they did
was mindblowing. Twins are playing their hearts out though, I have to hand it to em. They
have alot of talent and I respect them.
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I'm surprised the Red Sox and Cardnials got swept out of the playoffs like that, I thought
both series would be close affairs.
Hopfully the Yankees can finish a sweep of the Twins tonight, winning Game 2 like they did
was mindblowing. Twins are playing their hearts out though, I have to hand it to em. They
have alot of talent and I respect them.
Mind blowing? You had 15, count 'em, FIFTEEN walk off wins this year in the regular season and just pulled off another walk off against a team who has won a grand total of two games in Yankee Stadium since 2002. You already posted three regular season walk off wins against the Twins this season. That wasn't mind blowing, that was about as predictable as they come. Blown umpire call aside, the question wasn't IF the Yankees would pull that off, it was what inning and who would deliver the final blow.
The Angels are the only team I think capable of beating New York. Whoever wins the ALCS wins the World Series. I just hope Carl Pavano throws a gem tonight, at least that would be funny.
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Mind blowing? You had 15, count 'em, FIFTEEN walk off wins this year in the regular season and just pulled off another walk off against a team who has won a grand total of two games in Yankee Stadium since 2002. You already posted three regular season walk off wins against the Twins this season. That wasn't mind blowing, that was about as predictable as they come. Blown umpire call aside, the question wasn't IF the Yankees would pull that off, it was what inning and who would deliver the final blow.
The Angels are the only team I think capable of beating New York. Whoever wins the ALCS wins the World Series. I just hope Carl Pavano throws a gem tonight, at least that would be funny.
It would be funny and ironic after the injury-riddled years he spent in NY.
I know what you mean, after all the walkoff and come from behind wins this season its easy to look at it and say "Well they did it again".
For me, I have never seen a Yankee team play so well, fight so hard, and come from behind when they need it since the 90's. It's just
amazing to me how they just keep doing it.
If we can get past the Twins, facing the Angles in the ALCS is going to be a dogfight. Thankfully we would have homefield. They have
been a pain the ass for the Yankees this decade, but we finished the regular season strong against them winning 3 of the last 4.
I know we can beat them, but it's not going to be easy.
And I agree, whoever comes out of the AL is probably going to win the World Series, the Yankees or the Angels could beat
any of the NL teams left easily
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It would be funny and ironic after the injury-riddled years he spent in NY.
I know what you mean, after all the walkoff and come from behind wins this season its easy to look at it and say "Well they did it again".
For me, I have never seen a Yankee team play so well, fight so hard, and come from behind when they need it since the 90's. It's just
amazing to me how they just keep doing it.
If we can get past the Twins, facing the Angles in the ALCS is going to be a dogfight. Thankfully we would have homefield. They have
been a pain the ass for the Yankees this decade, but we finished the regular season strong against them winning 3 of the last 4.
I know we can beat them, but it's not going to be easy.
And I agree, whoever comes out of the AL is probably going to win the World Series, the Yankees or the Angels could beat
any of the NL teams left easily
The Red Sox had an absolutely disappointing 2006, but there was one shining light named David Ortiz. Whenever the game was on the line in Fenway, he just about ALWAYS hit a walk off that year. It was ridiculous. Whenever he stepped up to the plate with the game on the line, Fenway went apeshit because they knew something big was about to happen, and it usually did. These days we really don't want to see Ortiz up there with the game on the line, but back then he was an automatic victory. It literally got to the point where the shock wore off and an Ortiz walk off was predictable, an expectation. I imagine it must feel the same way for a Yankee fan this year, except with their entire line-up.
On paper this year Boston looked fine but there was a spark missing from this team whenever they were outside of Fenway or Camden Yards. I can't even logically say what it was, which makes for terrible conversation, but there was some killer instinct missing. Just a gut feeling I had which proved to be true. Perhaps starting the season 8 - 0 against the Yankees and failing to win the season series was it, or maybe that meltdown against Baltimore - I don't know. All I know is there's something missing from this team, something intangible, and I hope they regain it next year.
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Well, Yankees came from behind...again, to beat the Twins 4-1 to complete the
3 game sweep. A-Rod came up with another big home run, so did Posada. Pettitte
pitched a gem and the bullpen put the final nails in the coffin, great game.
Next up, the Angles in the ALCS starting Friday. That's going to be one hell of a series.
Meanwhile in Denver, the Rockies are up 2-1 on the Phillies. Only 2nd inning
so that game is far from over.
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Meanwhile in Denver, the Rockies are up 2-1 on the Phillies. Only 2nd inning
so that game is far from over.
When I first read this, I thought that you meant that the Rockies were up 2-1 in the SERIES. :) This morning I watched the 9th inning and thoroughly enjoyed the end result. I taped the game from 12:30 to 2:30, and that was only because I figured long delays by commercials (and possibly snow). I made it with 10 minutes to spare. At least tonight I can hopefully watch the hopeful clinching. Tomorrow begins the work week, meaning "Sunday night bedtime" for my wife and me, so I'll probably have to tape the end of the game again.
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I taped the game from 12:30 to 2:30, and that was only because I figured long delays by commercials (and possibly snow). I made it with 10 minutes to spare.
The game went on until 12:30 am local time, on a Sunday night no less. I can't even imagine it lasting until 2:30 am; I feel sorry for the Phillies fans. On Saturday, when the game was postponed, it never got out of the 20s & snowed most of the day (although it had been too warm the week before for much of it to stick). The weather here in Denver isn't usually like that in early October, although we have had a few Rockies games snowed out in September & April. On Sunday, it was partially sunny & the temperature got up to about 40. But by game time, it was back down below freezing again. It cools down fast after the sun sets in this semi-arid climate, even in summertime. Whoever at TBS or MLB who scheduled that Sunday game ought to have their heads examined.
Huston Street is a terrific closer, & I'm still a big fan of his, but he just didn't have it in the 9th inning of either game 3 or game 4. Not to take anything away from the Phillies; their players are among the best.
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Huston Street is a terrific closer, & I'm still a big fan of his, but he just didn't have it in the 9th inning of either game 3 or game 4. Not to take anything away from the Phillies; their players are among the best.
This has been an awful post season for closers in general. Street, Nathan, Papelbon and Franklin all blew leads. Street also gave up the walk off shot to Magglio Ordonez in '06 that sent the Tigers to the World Series. Papelbon, on the other hand, pitched 27 scoreless post-season innings until his meltdown on Sunday.
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Well, one half of the World Series is set. The Phillies will be defending the championship after a 10-4 beatdown
of the Dodgers in Game 5 of the NLCS to win the series 4-1. They are a hell of a team.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are up 3 games to 1 on the Angles going into Game 5 Thursday night. Thanks to the
awesome pitching of CC and A-Rod's dominance at the plate were almost there. Hopefully they can put them
away ASAP and prepare to welcome the Phillies to town next week in Game 1 of the World Series.
First, we have to win one more game.
Oh, and the 3 blown calls in Game 4 of the ALCS were beyond horrible. Baseball needs to do something before
a bad call costs someone a World Series game.
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Yawn. This year the playoffs have been incredibly dull and uncompetitive. Hopefully the Yankees will lose because their fans are absolutely intolerable, but I can really care less. Snore.
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Yawn. This year the playoffs have been incredibly dull and uncompetitive. Hopefully the Yankees will lose because their fans are absolutely intolerable, but I can really care less. Snore.
The only "positive" I can gather out of this is this will give me a chance to legitimately "cheer" for the Phillies with the locals if the Yanks don't blow it against the Angels.
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Oh, and Jim, with the exception of the past two ALCS's, the playoffs have been boring and uncompetitive for the last few years. Sometimes the results make it seem otherwise ('07), but there have been very few good series as of late.
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Well, the Angels have gotta win two in a row in Yankee Stadium. Good luck with that. At least we're getting a game six.
Do you realize there hasn't been a game six in the World Series, nevermind seven, since 2003? 2002 was the last seven game series.
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Well, the Angels have gotta win two in a row in Yankee Stadium. Good luck with that. At least we're getting a game six.
Do you realize there hasn't been a game six in the World Series, nevermind seven, since 2003? 2002 was the last seven game series.
Yeah, its been awhile since a WS went 6 or 7 games, shows you how dominating the World Series winners have been the
last several years.
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Tell me about it: the last time we had a DS go 5 was in 2005 when the Angels beat the Yankees. Baseball needs more competitive playoff series', and the World Series in particular.
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Tell me about it: the last time we had a DS go 5 was in 2005 when the Angels beat the Yankees. Baseball needs more competitive playoff series', and the World Series in particular.
I would love to see some other teams in the playoffs someday. Call it jealousy or envy (I live in Pittsburgh), but I am really, really sick of the Yankees, Dodgers, and Red Sox.
It was fun to cheer for the Rays last year!
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Whether the World Series goes 4 games or 7, I'd be happy to see the Phillies have as many world championships as the Yankees. So it's only fair that the Phillies win this year and the next 25. LOL
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I would love to see some other teams in the playoffs someday. Call it jealousy or envy (I live in Pittsburgh), but I am really, really sick of the Yankees, Dodgers, and Red Sox.
It was fun to cheer for the Rays last year!
The Pirates will make the playoffs when 12 of the 16 National League teams all die in plane crashes, and even then they'll probably get swept in the DS.
Don't hate because those teams actually have owners who are willing to spend money and supportive fan bases. :P
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Whether the World Series goes 4 games or 7, I'd be happy to see the Phillies have as many world championships as the Yankees. So it's only fair that the Phillies win this year and the next 25. LOL
Damn dude, even I know that having the Red Sox win every year would be horrible for baseball. MLB needs more competitive playoffs and different franchises building winners, not the same team winning over and over. With that said I will be pulling for the Phillies no matter who wins the ALCS because it would be nice to see one back-to-back this decade.
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It's called revenue sharing, and MLB should support the other small-market teams. You never see small market teams on ESPN or other national broadcasts. Its always the same teams.
If your team was shit, and continued to be shit because of no money to spend on good players, you wouldn't support them either. Pittsburgh is one helluva sports town, as the Sporting News named us this year, and also the best major-league farm team for the Red Sox, Yankees, and Braves.
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Revenue sharing is bullshit. Why should the Yankees/Red Sox/etc. give away the money they earn to the Pirates/Royals/etc.? The reason you don't see those small market teams on ESPN is because no one watches them. If they brought in good ratings ESPN would have them on.
PS: I would support the Red Sox no matter what.
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It's not always the money teams that win it all, though it may very well be the Yankees this year in no small part to the bloated contracts of A-Rod, Sabbathia, and Texiera (I don't know if I spelled his name right and I don't care).
The Yankees are # 1 in payroll and the Red Sox #4. I believe the 2 and 3 teams are the Mets and Cubs, and they both were awful this year. On the other hand, Tampa Bay last year had a relatively low payroll and made the World Series. The reason, which a lot of people tend to forget, is because after years of suck, they were rewarded with high draft picks and able to develop players like Evan Longoria. The problem is their idiotic cowbell waving fanbase STILL doesn't care.
The Pirates, year in and year out, get high draft picks and still haven't had a team worth a damn since '92. Trading players like Jason Bay for Brandon Moss (a decent ball player, but not Jason Bay), and Craig Hansen (a total disappointment) doesn't help either. I would LOVE to see Pittsburgh put up a good team, it would make baseball more interesting. Unfortunately, their ownership doesn't know how.
Oh, and pet peeve of mine, I HATE it when people say the Red Sox (who are cutting back payroll), owe all their success to big spending. Yeah, that's part of it, but a lot of the big spending is geared towards keeping players they've already developed. Ellsbury, Pedroia, Lester, Papelbon, Youkilis, Bard and Buchholz have all been developed in the Red Sox farm system. Victor Martinez? They had to give up Justin Masterson. Beckett and Lowell? They had to give up Hanley friggin' Ramirez.