The Briefing Room

General Category => Sports/Entertainment/MSM/Social Media => Topic started by: EasyAce on January 01, 2019, 07:40:21 pm

Title: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on January 01, 2019, 07:40:21 pm
It's 42 days before pitchers and catchers report.

It's 51 days before the first spring training exhibition game.

It's 86 days until Opening Day.

The World Series occurs four times as frequently as the Iowa caucuses. What a wonderful country America is.---George F. Will.

If it isn't him, I'll keep him anyway.---Casey Stengel.

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.---Yogi Berra.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on January 06, 2019, 06:17:48 am
Yankees bringing back Zach Britton on three-year, $39 million deal
Jeff Passan

Reliever Zach Britton agreed to a three-year, $39 million deal to return to the New York Yankees on Saturday, league sources told ESPN, fortifying one of the game's best bullpens after it lost reliever David Robertson in free agency earlier in the week.

Britton's deal includes both a club option and a potential player opt-out, according to sources. The Yankees can exercise a fourth-year option after the 2020 season worth $14 million, making the total value of the deal up to $53 million, sources said.

If the team chooses not to trigger the option, Britton can opt out of his deal, at which point he'll have made $26 million, according to sources.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25693480/zach-britton-new-york-yankees-agree-three-year-deal (http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25693480/zach-britton-new-york-yankees-agree-three-year-deal)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oh Shit!!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on January 06, 2019, 06:51:00 am
Yankees bringing back Zach Britton on three-year, $39 million deal
Jeff Passan

Reliever Zach Britton agreed to a three-year, $39 million deal to return to the New York Yankees on Saturday, league sources told ESPN, fortifying one of the game's best bullpens after it lost reliever David Robertson in free agency earlier in the week.

Britton's deal includes both a club option and a potential player opt-out, according to sources. The Yankees can exercise a fourth-year option after the 2020 season worth $14 million, making the total value of the deal up to $53 million, sources said.

If the team chooses not to trigger the option, Britton can opt out of his deal, at which point he'll have made $26 million, according to sources.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25693480/zach-britton-new-york-yankees-agree-three-year-deal (http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25693480/zach-britton-new-york-yankees-agree-three-year-deal)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oh Shit!!
@DCPatriot
If he stays healthy, the Yankees get deadly in the late innings.

Next up: will Cardiac Kimbrel end up returning to the Red Sox? (And will they trust him with the ninth inning too readily?)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on January 06, 2019, 06:58:33 am
@DCPatriot
If he stays healthy, the Yankees get deadly in the late innings.

Next up: will Cardiac Kimbrel end up returning to the Red Sox? (And will they trust him with the ninth inning too readily?)

It will be a reminder of days of old.  Except, IMO, Britton has much better stuff than Rivera.

Who in the hell can hit that 12 to 6?  We haven't met him yet.

Their games are shortened by at least 4 outs.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on January 06, 2019, 07:25:32 am
It will be a reminder of days of old.  Except, IMO, Britton has much better stuff than Rivera.
Better stuff (and it's debatable whether Britton's stuff is or was ever better than Rivera's cutter) doesn't make a better pitcher. If it did, Steve Dalkowski---who had arguably the fastest fastball of the 1960s---would have been a Hall of Famer and not an inconsistent wild man who drank himself out of baseball and, as it turned out sadly, life.

Who in the hell can hit that 12 to 6?  We haven't met him yet.
Somebody's hitting that and his other pitches---his lifetime batting average against is .239, and the hitters seemed to do a lot better against him lifetime when they swung at his first pitch. (Intriguingly, that's also the BA against him whether at home or on the road.) And his lifetime strikeout-to-walk ratio is 2.25. That ain't The Mariano. (Lifetime BA against: .211; lifetime strikeout-to-walk rate: 4.10. Britton's lifetime OPS against: .646; Rivera's: .555.) As a matter of fact, the only manner in which Britton is a near-equal to Rivera is that they're both just about impossible to hit one out against: Britton has a lifetime 0.6 home runs per nine innings rate; Rivera's was 0.5.

Their games are shortened by at least 4 outs.
I say again, it depends on Britton's health allowing him to pitch at least the way he did in September for the Yankees. It wasn't exactly vintage (read: the Britton of 2014-2016), but it was solid work. If he gives them three seasons of just that, the Yankees still get a little better than they're bargaining for.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on January 06, 2019, 06:48:58 pm
It's 42 days before pitchers and catchers report.

It's 51 days before the first spring training exhibition game.

It's 86 days until Opening Day.

The World Series occurs four times as frequently as the Iowa caucuses. What a wonderful country America is.---George F. Will.

If it isn't him, I'll keep him anyway.---Casey Stengel.

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.---Yogi Berra.


(https://media1.giphy.com/media/l0ExtLXXJ5FiBozPa/giphy.gif)   (https://i.imgur.com/NWFDC1q.gif)

(By the way, I quite like that last quote on your post.   happy77)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on January 12, 2019, 11:31:02 pm
Should Bryce Harper, Manny Machado suitors spread wealth instead?

Bradford Doolittle

College football season is over, and the NFL already has trimmed its field of championship hopefuls from 32 to eight. The NBA has only 11 days left in its All-Star balloting process. On Sunday, will we be one month away from the initial spring training reporting date for pitchers and catchers. Yet we do not know where this year's top free agents -- Manny Machado and Bryce Harper -- will be playing this season.

Is this unusual? You bet it is. I maintain a database of various free-agent-related data, which ranks each class according to a simple 10-year projection, even if that length of projection is likely to extend well past the end of a player's career. The error bar on any one of these projections is enormous, but it's meant more to look at group dynamics than to pin down a decade of any individual's future production.

Anyway, including this hot stove season, there have been 86 players ranked first or second in a free-agent class by this system. Only 15 of those elite targets were unsigned as of the month and day on which you are reading this -- Jan. 11. That includes the system's top two last winter (Lorenzo Cain and Jake Arrieta) and this winter (Machado and Harper).

http://insider.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/25730404/mlb-bryce-harper-manny-machado-suitors-better-spreading-wealth (http://insider.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/25730404/mlb-bryce-harper-manny-machado-suitors-better-spreading-wealth)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++\
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++\


It's my personal feeling that from observing both of these players up close over the years (Baltimore and DC) are both less than 30 minutes away, that the contention of owners everywhere has changed.

IMO, Bryce Harper's career numbers 'SCREAM' quicksand/tarpit.  The guy couldn't even get himself mentally ready for his contract season...instead still trying to jack the outside 80mph breaking pitch to right field.

I've seen enough.   And apparently, so have the Lerners and Rizzo.

I don't even want him in a Nationals' uniform next year.  Give Robles, Eaton, Soto and Michael A a chance to compete for a spot.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Manny is second to none defensively.  But, is the wear easier on him as a hot corner man with Tuto playing SS?  You bet.

That said, his knees are made of Alien Skull Crystal, and he comes with a log on his shoulder.   

Is he worth tying up $300 Million over a decade?  Hell no!!

Didn't A-Rod teach them anything??

@EasyAce
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on January 13, 2019, 05:28:51 am
Is he worth tying up $300 Million over a decade?  Hell no!!
If I've learned nothing else in a lifetime of watching baseball, its games on the field and off alike, it's that the owners---whether pre- or post-free agency era---are the Republican Party of sports. They will preach the gospel of economic sensibility . . . until it gets in the way of what they think a) their team needs and b) the other guys need to be kept away from.

The impeccably classic case in point: Jerry Reinsdorf (White Sox) and Albert Belle.

Reinsdorf was il supremo among the owners who pushed for and got the 1994 strike. He preached the loudest and the longest about fiscal sanity and salary escalation and all that. Now, guess what happened the moment (just about) that strike got settled in 1995.

You guessed it. I'll let Whitey Herzog (from You're Missin' a Great Game), who was in a position to know how these things worked having been a GM as well as a manager, take it from here:

Here's the biggest antilabor hawk of all time. The guy who spent years lecturing [then-Angels owner] Jackie Autry and the other owners on financial restraint. He wanted to force a strike and he wanted to cancel a World Series, if only just to break the players' backs. He got his way in '94 and put the game on a respirator. Yet the second the thing was settled who was there backing the Brinks truck up to Albert Belle's house? Reinsdorf gave him so much money it bent the whole salary structure out of whack. He needed a big name draw. He didn't want his division rivals, the Indians, to [re-sign] Belle. He wanted what he wanted and screw the rest of it.

As a matter of fact, Ebenezer Reinsdorf got so damned excited he forgot to count. The top [annual] salary at the time was $8 million. Reinsdorf skipped right past nine and ten and went straight to $11 million a year! That was the biggest fast-forward in the history of the salary spiral . . . [W]e know it screwed the game. Was it even good for Jerry Reinsdorf? Does a slugger with personal problems and holes in his game merit that kind of money? You have to get twenty-seven outs a game to win. How's his defense? How's his arm, his running? Off the field, will his PR kick you in the ass? For $55 million over five years, you need to be getting a guy who'll transform your organisation . . . did Jerry take all those factors into account? Does any owner?


And that, ladies and gentlemen, was several years after the contract that really started the wrong ball rolling---the Bud Black deal of 1990-91. Where then-Giants GM Al Rosen, against just about all logic, handed a pitcher who was at best the third or fourth man in a starting rotation a four-year, $10 million deal that made him, on a ledger anyway, the equal of baseball's best pitchers at the time. If Bud Freaking Black was worth that kind of money, just wait until the Orel Hershisers and Frank Violas and Roger Clemenses and their ilk hit free agency again or for the first time, never mind the Danny Jacksons and the Mike Boddickers and the Tom Brownings. They could also have called the winter of 1990-91 the Darren Daulton market, since the Phillies concurrently handed a catcher who'd spent about half his career to that point on the disabled list three years at $6.75 million. Suddenly it wasn't going to be that easy to keep the dollars down on position players, and watch when the best ones hit the market.

Someone's going to show Bryce Harper and Manny Machado the money. I still think Jim Bouton was right: As much as I don't think the players deserve all that money, I don't think the owners deserve it more.

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on January 13, 2019, 07:57:01 pm
If I've learned nothing else in a lifetime of watching baseball, its games on the field and off alike, it's that the owners---whether pre- or post-free agency era---are the Republican Party of sports. They will preach the gospel of economic sensibility . . . until it gets in the way of what they think a) their team needs and b) the other guys need to be kept away from.

The impeccably classic case in point: Jerry Reinsdorf (White Sox) and Albert Belle.

Reinsdorf was il supremo among the owners who pushed for and got the 1994 strike. He preached the loudest and the longest about fiscal sanity and salary escalation and all that. Now, guess what happened the moment (just about) that strike got settled in 1995.

You guessed it. I'll let Whitey Herzog (from You're Missin' a Great Game), who was in a position to know how these things worked having been a GM as well as a manager, take it from here:

Here's the biggest antilabor hawk of all time. The guy who spent years lecturing [then-Angels owner] Jackie Autry and the other owners on financial restraint. He wanted to force a strike and he wanted to cancel a World Series, if only just to break the players' backs. He got his way in '94 and put the game on a respirator. Yet the second the thing was settled who was there backing the Brinks truck up to Albert Belle's house? Reinsdorf gave him so much money it bent the whole salary structure out of whack. He needed a big name draw. He didn't want his division rivals, the Indians, to [re-sign] Belle. He wanted what he wanted and screw the rest of it.

As a matter of fact, Ebenezer Reinsdorf got so damned excited he forgot to count. The top [annual] salary at the time was $8 million. Reinsdorf skipped right past nine and ten and went straight to $11 million a year! That was the biggest fast-forward in the history of the salary spiral . . . [W]e know it screwed the game. Was it even good for Jerry Reinsdorf? Does a slugger with personal problems and holes in his game merit that kind of money? You have to get twenty-seven outs a game to win. How's his defense? How's his arm, his running? Off the field, will his PR kick you in the ass? For $55 million over five years, you need to be getting a guy who'll transform your organisation . . . did Jerry take all those factors into account? Does any owner?


And that, ladies and gentlemen, was several years after the contract that really started the wrong ball rolling---the Bud Black deal of 1990-91. Where then-Giants GM Al Rosen, against just about all logic, handed a pitcher who was at best the third or fourth man in a starting rotation a four-year, $10 million deal that made him, on a ledger anyway, the equal of baseball's best pitchers at the time. If Bud Freaking Black was worth that kind of money, just wait until the Orel Hershisers and Frank Violas and Roger Clemenses and their ilk hit free agency again or for the first time, never mind the Danny Jacksons and the Mike Boddickers and the Tom Brownings. They could also have called the winter of 1990-91 the Darren Daulton market, since the Phillies concurrently handed a catcher who'd spent about half his career to that point on the disabled list three years at $6.75 million. Suddenly it wasn't going to be that easy to keep the dollars down on position players, and watch when the best ones hit the market.

Someone's going to show Bryce Harper and Manny Machado the money. I still think Jim Bouton was right: As much as I don't think the players deserve all that money, I don't think the owners deserve it more.

Don't forget, @EasyAce

... Max Scherzer's seven year deal included delayed payment stretched out until something like 2028.   An annuity of sorts.

Before long, they'll accept stock certificates in the organization in lieu of $$$.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on January 13, 2019, 08:34:27 pm
Before long, they'll accept stock certificates in the organization in lieu of $$$.
@DCPatriot
You laugh, but that actually might not be a half cracked idea at that! Depending, of course, on whether a team is a publicly-traded organisation by itself or part of a publicly-traded company. Imagine the Cubs, for example, working, say, a contract extension for someone like Anthony Rizzo or Kris Bryant, and between the team and the players' agents they come up with a package in which the players get X million dollars a year in base salary plus enough Tribune Company stock options. The Cubs wouldn't have to lay out as much money immediately in salary, they'd have enough remaining in the till to work elsewhere on building/rebuilding/fortifying the team, and the players still stand to be very wealthy men for long years to follow.

Ballplayers aren't exactly ignorant of such things---in fact, in the final years of the reserve era, Joe Torre worked as a stock broker in the offseason, and Jim Bunning worked in both the insurance and the stock businesses in the offseasons (long before Bunning thought of entering politics). Dave Kingman worked for United Airlines in the pre-free agency offseasons (his father was a United lifer) and who's to say he didn't collect a few stock options there himself? George Altman, a Cubs/Mets/Cardinals outfielder of the 1960s, was a stock and commodities trader in the offseason and stayed there after his baseball career ended. And when Yogi Berra was first approached to endorse Yoo-Hoo chocolate drink in his Yankee playing days, Berra was canny enough to turn his genuine liking for the stuff into introducing other investors to the company and gaining himself both a company vice presidency and a small boatload of stock options enough to help make him a millionaire in due course. (Berra was also fabled for sharing the wealth---he brought many a Yankee teammate over to the Yoo-Hoo company to get them endorsement deals and maybe a little stock in the bargain.)

I think of something else that might have gone huge in alleviating the future pressures of free agency if only baseball's owners of the time had actually heeded the idea:

In 1928, Hall of Famer Earl Averill was in the thick of a Pacific Coast League pennant stretch drive with the San Francisco Seals when the Indians decided they had to have him and bought him from the Seals for $50,000. Averill learned of the sale when he picked up a newspaper that included a story about the deal. When he asked the Seals how much of that price he was going to get, the Seals practically told him to seek psychiatric attention. Averill said he was going home, then.

Enter Kenesaw Mountain Landis, baseball's then and autocratic commissioner, to whose attention the Averill flap had come. Now, get this: Landis actually took Averill's side in the scrap. He not only told the Seals that Averill's demand wasn't unreasonable, he actually suggested baseball should decide that whenever a player was sold, rather than traded, the player should get a cut of the sale price.

You may remember that, decades later, Bowie Kuhn unilaterally ruled that players couldn't just be sold. He did it just to stick it to Charlie Finley, who was trying to sell his stars off as free agency was about to hit after the Messersmith ruling (you remember Finley trying to fire-sale Joe Rudi, Rollie Fingers, and Vida Blue, no?), and who'd gotten under Kuhn's skin a few too many times as it was. Kuhn's only reason for the ruling was to stuff Finley and try to drive him out of baseball. The problem was, Kuhn wounded the whole game just to spank one owner. If Kuhn really wanted to help the whole game, he might have harked back to the Landis suggestion. Let teams continue selling players, but let about 20 to 30 percent of the money go to the sold players. If he'd done that, two things could have been possible: 1) The richer teams could still strengthen themselves without overweight salary structure inflation; and, 2) the not-so-rich teams could still remain competitive financially by way of profiting from the players they developed until they could be competitive teams again.

By the way, the Averill controversy got settled when the Indians agreed to give him a $5,000 bonus and a salary well above whatever the major league rookie salary was at the time, and Averill went on with his Hall of Fame career; when his back went out in a 1937 game, his swing was ruined. After he retired, the Earl of Snohomish turned one of his off-field passions into his livelihood: Averill liked to visit botanical gardens and zoos when the Indians were on the road, and after he retired from baseball he opened a greenhouse business with his brother.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on January 13, 2019, 08:59:44 pm
Don't forget, @EasyAce

... Max Scherzer's seven year deal included delayed payment stretched out until something like 2028.   An annuity of sorts.
@DCPatriot
Hark back to when Hall of Famer Catfish Hunter was made a free agent, pre-Messersmith, after Charlie Finley reneged on a contracted-for insurance payment to the pitcher. The teams came a-calling en masse and turned Hunter's North Carolina hamlet into the hottest spot in the state. And the offers were yummy. But there was one thread running through the entire process: Hunter wanted a package that would include annuities to guarantee his children's education. Working through that, the offers he fielded included:

* $2 million for four years from the Mets.
* $3 million for four years from the Red Sox.
* A reported $4 million plus a lucrative McDonald's franchise from the Padres, and the Padres were the first of the bidders to agree to the education annuities.
* A package offer from the Pirates that would have included $750,000 in salary for five years, $1 million in annuities, $400,000 deferred money, and partnerships in a small group of Wal-Marts.
* A package from the Phillies that included $2 million for five years and unlimited hunting rights on owner Bob Carpenter's family estate. (Hunter's passions included the one suggested by his surname.)

Nobody saw the Yankees in the picture, but the Yankees turned out to have something nobody else did: a representative Hunter trusted---Clyde Kluttz, the former catcher turned scout who'd first discovered Hunter for the A's and remained a friend. Now working for the Yankees as their scouting director, Kluttz high tailed it to Hunter's neck of the woods and convinced him that no pressure in New York could have been worse than the pressure of Charlie Finley from whom he'd been liberated. And as it was getting close to Christmas, Hunter was getting antsy to get a deal done---deer season had only another week to go and he was itching to get out there at last after all the negotiating.

Kluttz got to Hunter quickly enough. He invited Hunter out to breakfast and put it right to him: what would it take to make him a Yankee?

Hunter laid it out:

* A signing bonus.
* Life insurance.
* Salary over five years.
* Deferred money.
* Legal expense money if they came up.
* His children's education.

Hunter's only question was, could the Yankees do all of it, and what were the dollars? Kluttz wrote the terms down on a napkin like this: $1 million for the bonus and for the life insurance; $750,000 salary over five years; $500,000 deferred money; $200,000 for legal expenses; $50,000 per child for the education annuities. As long as the Yankees were willing to do all six (other teams were willing on some but not all of it), Hunter was all in.

The total was $3.5 million. Even though the Padres and other teams were willing to go even higher. The Yankees hurried to get the deal done to keep things along their 1974 tax picture. The Yankees probably also got an advantage after the Padres tried to strong-arm Hunter into agreeing to something he'd never have done---commercials for McDonald's. (Hunter was a non-drinking, non-smoking, non-fast-food-eating type and McDonald's mortified him.) And Hunter high-tailed it back to North Carolina after his introductory press conference in New York to get that last couple of days of deer season in.

The deal that showed baseball players what was really out there for them if they were allowed to negotiate on an open market (Ken Harrelson in August 1967 was just a drop in the bucket, though it did show the same thing on a smaller level) turned out to be the third-highest dollar amount of all the deals Hunter was offered.

And all things considered---including Hunter's eventual sad death from an ALS-related injury---the Hall of Famer and the Yankees turned out to be pretty prescient.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on January 13, 2019, 09:04:50 pm
@DCPatriot
Hark back to when Hall of Famer Catfish Hunter was made a free agent, pre-Messersmith, after Charlie Finley reneged on a contracted-for insurance payment to the pitcher. The teams came a-calling en masse and turned Hunter's North Carolina hamlet into the hottest spot in the state. And the offers were yummy. But there was one thread running through the entire process: Hunter wanted a package that would include annuities to guarantee his children's education. Working through that, the offers he fielded included:

* $2 million for four years from the Mets.
* $3 million for four years from the Red Sox.
* A reported $4 million plus a lucrative McDonald's franchise from the Padres, and the Padres were the first of the bidders to agree to the education annuities.
* A package offer from the Pirates that would have included $750,000 in salary for five years, $1 million in annuities, $400,000 deferred money, and partnerships in a small group of Wal-Marts.
* A package from the Phillies that included $2 million for five years and unlimited hunting rights on owner Bob Carpenter's family estate. (Hunter's passions included the one suggested by his surname.)

Nobody saw the Yankees in the picture, but the Yankees turned out to have something nobody else did: a representative Hunter trusted---Clyde Kluttz, the former catcher turned scout who'd first discovered Hunter for the A's and remained a friend. Now working for the Yankees as their scouting director, Kluttz high tailed it to Hunter's neck of the woods and convinced him that no pressure in New York could have been worse than the pressure of Charlie Finley from whom he'd been liberated. And as it was getting close to Christmas, Hunter was getting antsy to get a deal done---deer season had only another week to go and he was itching to get out there at last after all the negotiating.

Kluttz got to Hunter quickly enough. He invited Hunter out to breakfast and put it right to him: what would it take to make him a Yankee?

Hunter laid it out:

* A signing bonus.
* Life insurance.
* Salary over five years.
* Deferred money.
* Legal expense money if they came up.
* His children's education.

Hunter's only question was, could the Yankees do all of it, and what were the dollars? Kluttz wrote the terms down on a napkin like this: $1 million for the bonus and for the life insurance; $750,000 salary over five years; $500,000 deferred money; $200,000 for legal expenses; $50,000 per child for the education annuities. As long as the Yankees were willing to do all six (other teams were willing on some but not all of it), Hunter was all in.

The total was $3.5 million. Even though the Padres and other teams were willing to go even higher. The Yankees hurried to get the deal done to keep things along their 1974 tax picture. The Yankees probably also got an advantage after the Padres tried to strong-arm Hunter into agreeing to something he'd never have done---commercials for McDonald's. (Hunter was a non-drinking, non-smoking, non-fast-food-eating type and McDonald's mortified him.) And Hunter high-tailed it back to North Carolina after his introductory press conference in New York to get that last couple of days of deer season in.

The deal that showed baseball players what was really out there for them if they were allowed to negotiate on an open market (Ken Harrelson in August 1967 was just a drop in the bucket, though it did show the same thing on a smaller level) turned out to be the third-highest dollar amount of all the deals Hunter was offered.

And all things considered---including Hunter's eventual sad death from an ALS-related injury---the Hall of Famer and the Yankees turned out to be pretty prescient.

Wow!   I had no idea, @EasyAce     :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Restored on January 13, 2019, 09:28:41 pm
Hertford, NC. Schools in that part of the world are terrible and people send their kids to private schools if they can afford it.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on January 13, 2019, 09:38:18 pm
Wow!   I had no idea, @EasyAce     :laugh:
Curt Flood stood up for us. Jim Hunter showed what was out there. Andy Messersmith showed us the way.---Ted Simmons.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on January 13, 2019, 09:39:22 pm
Hertford, NC. Schools in that part of the world are terrible and people send their kids to private schools if they can afford it.
@Restored
I think at the time of his unexpected free agency Hunter was considering his children's college educations.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Restored on January 13, 2019, 10:19:14 pm
That cost about $3,000  a year in those days.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: TomSea on January 15, 2019, 07:19:56 pm
Quote
We remember Sandy Valdespino
January 14, 2019 by Silvio Canto Jr.   
(https://sabr.org/sites/default/files/SandyValdespino.JPG)
https://babalublog.com/2019/01/14/we-remember-sandy-valdespino/

Previously, unknown to me, an interesting article. Yes, he is still alive.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Valdespino

Looks like he became a bit of a journeyman.

Valdespino, Rojas, and so on... though, Spanish names, the Cuban and Dominican and maybe Puerto Rican names often seem different than say the ones we generally hear from Latin America or at least, Mexico.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on January 29, 2019, 11:11:54 pm
@EasyAce

My apologies if this already known, but I found this jewel last night .......

Game 7 of the 1952 World Series (televised) is available in its entirety on You Tube.  Amazing how much has changed in the game since.

Enjoy....

Sorry... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqZnPQnxO9U#)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on January 30, 2019, 12:40:45 am
@EasyAce

My apologies if this already known, but I found this jewel last night .......

Game 7 of the 1952 World Series (televised) is available in its entirety on You Tube.  Amazing how much has changed in the game since.

Enjoy....

Sorry... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqZnPQnxO9U#)
And a good find! I saw that one the other day.

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on February 04, 2019, 07:23:09 pm
Some of the new batting practise/spring training lids for baseball teams . . .

Washington Nationals (tell me this cap logo wouldn't have been great for the ancient Senators, as in "Washington---First in war, first in peace, and last in the American League"):
(https://lf.lids.com/hwl?set=sku[21072362],c[2],w[1000],h[750]&call=url[file:product])

Oakland Athletics (they really threw back . . . to the white elephant logo of the team in the earlier 20th Century) . . .
(https://lf.lids.com/hwl?set=sku[21072348],c[2],w[1000],h[750]&call=url[file:product])

Milwaukee Brewers (all hail the glove logo!) . . .
(https://lf.lids.com/hwl?set=sku[21072342],c[2],w[1000],h[750]&call=url[file:product])
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on February 04, 2019, 07:28:04 pm
I'm looking forward to baseball.
After the Super Bowl last night, I told my wife, she has the rest of February and March to get me to do the honey-do list.
I wonder how that's going to work out for me?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on February 04, 2019, 07:41:35 pm
I'm looking forward to baseball.
After the Super Bowl last night, I told my wife, she has the rest of February and March to get me to do the honey-do list.
I wonder how that's going to work out for me?
@GrouchoTex
She'd better make it a short honey-do list---pitchers and catchers report in seven days!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on February 04, 2019, 08:40:22 pm
@GrouchoTex
She'd better make it a short honey-do list---pitchers and catchers report in seven days!

Yes!!!  The SuperBowl is over, so it is officially baseball season!

 :0012: :cheerlead:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on February 04, 2019, 09:59:59 pm
Yes!!!  The SuperBowl is over, so it is officially baseball season!

 :0012: :cheerlead:
@Polly Ticks

Evvin' . . .

(https://lf.lids.com/hwl?set=sku[20953168],c[2],w[1000],h[750]&call=url[file:product])

sistah!  wink777
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on February 04, 2019, 10:49:45 pm
@Polly Ticks

Evvin' . . .

(https://lf.lids.com/hwl?set=sku[20953168],c[2],w[1000],h[750]&call=url[file:product])

sistah!  wink777

Hmmmm. Good point there ... I should probably Photoshop a Spring Training hat onto my avatar. Oh, well, close enough!

Play ball!!!

 :beer:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: jmyrlefuller on February 16, 2019, 07:36:39 pm
From The Onion
Climatologists Find Pitchers And Catchers Reporting Further South Every Spring
https://sports.theonion.com/climatologists-find-pitchers-and-catchers-reporting-fur-1832655368
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Machiavelli on February 24, 2019, 12:58:07 am
Spring training (that's what it's always been called even though it begins in winter) is here!  happy77

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr0wonW9u1A#)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on February 24, 2019, 02:58:58 am
Contrary to what anyone has heard otherwise, when Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara threw the first pitch of today's exhibition game, Marlins fans did not hold up placards saying, This year is next year!

 wink777
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: TomSea on February 24, 2019, 03:33:38 am
Quote
Pirates players wearing 'Freedom for Venezuela' shirts to show support
9:01 PM CT

    ESPN

A group of Pittsburgh Pirates players are wearing T-shirts that read, "Freedom for Venezuela" amid the country's battle over humanitarian aid.

Catcher Francisco Cervelli is leading the effort to raise awareness for the crisis in his native country.

"There have been 20 years of dictatorship in my country, and it's time for it to stop," Cervelli told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "They're trying to stop the aid. We are fighting to get aid to our people. Our people are dying. The army doesn't want to let them get in. So we are fighting. Our people need freedom. We have been fighting for this for a long time."

Read more at: http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26065402/pirates-wearing-freedom-venezuela-shirts (http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26065402/pirates-wearing-freedom-venezuela-shirts)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: TomSea on March 10, 2019, 03:22:31 am
Happy #77
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/78/ae/01/78ae011cfd9ca5d31414e29d79a9620d.jpg)
https://babalublog.com/2019/03/09/happy-77-bert-campaneris/ (https://babalublog.com/2019/03/09/happy-77-bert-campaneris/)

Maybe it is unfair, this is what he seems to be remembered for ... I don't mean to disparage him in any way, he was a great player...

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEBMZBEgxQI#)

It cuts into black a few seconds in but comes back into full view.

Bert "Campy" Campaneris...
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on March 14, 2019, 07:39:07 pm
Life after Harper? Juan Soto can be what Bryce was ... and more

Eddie Matz

(http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2019%2F0311%2Fr512747_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&w=920&h=518&scale=crop&cquality=80&location=origin&format=jpg)



WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- If you think Juan Soto is feeling pressure, think again.

Last May, Soto exploded onto the scene as a 19-year-old outfielder with the Washington Nationals. Due to injuries in D.C., he was rushed to the majors after just eight games above Class A. Over the next four and a half months, he wrecked big league pitching and developed a habit of doing things few, if any, teenagers before him had accomplished. But that was then, and this is now.

Following a freshman campaign that, were it not for Atlanta's Ronald Acuna Jr., would have made him the runaway Rookie of the Year, Soto isn't sneaking up on anyone. What's more, now that a certain superstar and his big bat have moved just up the road to Philly, Soto is being counted on to do even more. Suddenly, he's the face of the outfield -- and the heart of the lineup -- on a Nationals team trying to conquer a stacked NL East and prove that there is, in fact, life after Bryce Harper.

continued at:  http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26227865/life-harper-juan-soto-bryce-was-more (http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26227865/life-harper-juan-soto-bryce-was-more)


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Machiavelli on March 19, 2019, 02:59:58 pm
Report: Angels, Mike Trout Finalizing 12-Year, $430+ Million Extension for Largest Contract in Pro Sports (https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/03/19/mike-trout-contract-extension-angels-12-years-430-million-largest-professional-contract-sports)

@EasyAce
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on March 19, 2019, 07:06:00 pm
Report: Angels, Mike Trout Finalizing 12-Year, $430+ Million Extension for Largest Contract in Pro Sports (https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/03/19/mike-trout-contract-extension-angels-12-years-430-million-largest-professional-contract-sports)

@EasyAce
@Machiavelli
And he's worth every nickel plus.

I did a tabulation I've been experimenting with called real batting average. (RBA.) The traditional batting average's number one flaw is that it doesn't measure everything you do at the plate, it counts all hits as equal (and all hits are not equal) and measures them by official at-bats only, not total plate appearances. (Maybe they should call the traditional batting average a hitting average and not a true batting average?) And, on-base percentage (a better way to measure a hitter than traditional batting average, anyway) is flawed slightly because it, too, considers only official at-bats and not total plate appearances. So, since Trout is so often compared not to his contemporaries but to the best of the best post-World War II Hall of Famers, I added total bases (you get one for a single, two for a double, three for a triple, four for a homer), walks, and sacrifices (they should count, since you're doing what the late broadcaster Bob Murphy---the only announcer in baseball I ever heard put it this way---called building runs; or, in the case of a sacrifice fly, scoring them), then divided by total plate appearances:

TB + BB + SAC / PA

The average RBA by that formula among all the Hall of Famers who played the majority of their careers in the post-World War II/post-integration/night ball era is .531.

The highest RBA among them is Ted Williams, with a .708. The other Hall of Famers with RBAs of .600 or better: Chipper Jones (.600), Mike Schmidt (.600), Hank Aaron (.603), Jeff Bagwell (.606), Willie Mays (.611), Stan Musial (.615), Ralph Kiner (.620), Jim Thome (.629), Frank Thomas (.629), and Mickey Mantle (.636). (Jones, Schmidt, Mays, and Mantle, of course, played two of the toughest field positions in the game; between them, Schmidt was the far better defensive third baseman than Jones, and Mays and Mantle were about equal as defensive center fielders, though you wonder how Mantle's defensive statistics would really have shaken out without all those leg injuries.)

[Joe DiMaggio would have played the majority of his career pre-integration/night ball if he hadn't lost three seasons to military service. He comes out as playing exactly one more season post-World War II than pre-service, so I didn't include him in the survey, but for the record his RBA is .619. He might have come out higher except for costing himself a lot of home runs because of (stop me if this sounds familiar to you when talking about a lot of today's players) his insistence that the only "legitimate" hitting was pull hitting. (Once, when someone suggested to him that he might have some more home runs and drive in some more runs if he thought about going with the pitch on the outer region of the plate and aiming for the fabled Yankee Stadium short porch in right field, DiMaggio dismissed it with, "I could p@ss them over that wall. That's not hitting.")]

Mike Trout also plays one of the three toughest field positions in the game. (I'd have to say catching qualifies, which is why you won't see any postwar/post-integration/night-ball Hall of Fame catchers with RBAs above the average or at .600 or better: the highest RBA among them is Mike Piazza's .590, but he wasn't a great defensive catcher. Yogi Berra's .526 is below the average for the Hall of Fame catchers and Johnny Bench's .534 is just below the HOF average overall, but Berra was the greatest all-around catcher who's probably the most underrated defensive and pitcher-handling catcher with Bench his extremely close second. The lowest RBA among the HOF catcher: Ivan Rodriguez, .494.) And he can say that 43 percent of his lifetime hits have gone for extra bases.

Trout has an RBA through the end of last season of---wait for it---.698.

.698.

That's higher than every .600+ RBA postwar/post-integration/night-ball era Hall of Famer by a very wide margin and only ten points shy of Ted Williams's mark. It's also far higher than Bryce Harper's .587 and Manny Machado's .527, calculated by the same formula. (In case you were wondering, you can also look up how often a player took extra bases on followup knocks---and Trout's done it 57 percent of the time he's been on base.)

If the Angels really are going to make Trout an Angel for life, good for them. They've got the money. Now, all they have to do is finish building a team the best player in baseball and in Angel history can be proud of.

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on March 24, 2019, 03:04:45 pm
(http://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/55546955_1135037400017947_4813932665436635136_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=79bb3ef2c4944a548688cda666082f58&oe=5D17B8DA)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on March 25, 2019, 02:59:02 pm
Verlander got an extension, so he's with the Astros this year and 2 more.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Jazzhead on March 25, 2019, 04:14:45 pm
Quote

 If you think Juan Soto is feeling pressure, think again.

Last May, Soto exploded onto the scene as a 19-year-old outfielder with the Washington Nationals. Due to injuries in D.C., he was rushed to the majors after just eight games above Class A. Over the next four and a half months, he wrecked big league pitching and developed a habit of doing things few, if any, teenagers before him had accomplished. But that was then, and this is now.

Following a freshman campaign that, were it not for Atlanta's Ronald Acuna Jr., would have made him the runaway Rookie of the Year, Soto isn't sneaking up on anyone. What's more, now that a certain superstar and his big bat have moved just up the road to Philly, Soto is being counted on to do even more. Suddenly, he's the face of the outfield -- and the heart of the lineup -- on a Nationals team trying to conquer a stacked NL East and prove that there is, in fact, life after Bryce Harper.


For what it's worth,  I just started my APBA Dice Baseball league season,  against my opponent who took Juan Soto as the number #1 pick in our draft.   In our three-game set,  Soto hit five homers,  two doubles and two singles.    I complained to our league's commish that his card needs to be tested for steroids.   
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on March 28, 2019, 01:10:42 pm
:cheerlead: :0012:    IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!     :0012: :cheerlead:

(https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/t_16x9/t_w1024/mlb/p0kxwp0nzlzmpp0asfoa)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Jazzhead on March 28, 2019, 01:40:18 pm
:cheerlead: :0012:    IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!     :0012: :cheerlead:

(https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/t_16x9/t_w1024/mlb/p0kxwp0nzlzmpp0asfoa)


And it's here in PHILLY against the Braves!    Mrs.  Jazz and I will be at the game this afternoon, cheering on the new-look Phightins.

@Polly Ticks , it's going to be one heck of a scrum this year in the NL East.  May the best team win!!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on March 28, 2019, 01:45:54 pm

And it's here in PHILLY against the Braves!    Mrs.  Jazz and I will be at the game this afternoon, cheering on the new-look Phightins.

@Polly Ticks , it's going to be one heck of a scrum this year in the NL East.  May the best team win!!

@Jazzhead
Color me jealous.  I hope you and the Mrs. have a great time!  I'm going to be in a conference call at 3pm, but I will absolutely be live streaming the game on MLB.TV on mute.   :laugh:

It's going to be a fun season in the NL East, any way you slice it.  Your guys are definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with.
 :beer:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Jazzhead on March 28, 2019, 02:32:59 pm
Thanks, @Polly Ticks   What is Johan Camargo's status?   Will he be getting regular playing time, do you think?   
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: dfwgator on March 28, 2019, 02:53:18 pm
The Texas Rangers have already been mathematically eliminated.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on March 28, 2019, 03:08:24 pm
Thanks, @Polly Ticks   What is Johan Camargo's status?   Will he be getting regular playing time, do you think?   

Tough to say.  I think it probably depends on how healthy Josh Donaldson stays and how well Dansby Swanson can rebound from a tough year offensively.  He's a talented guy, though, so I'm still hoping to see plenty of good things from him.



The Texas Rangers have already been mathematically eliminated.
:rolling:
That's just mean!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Jazzhead on March 28, 2019, 03:43:31 pm
Tough to say.  I think it probably depends on how healthy Josh Donaldson stays and how well Dansby Swanson can rebound from a tough year offensively.  He's a talented guy, though, so I'm still hoping to see plenty of good things from him.

That sounds about right.   I drafted Camargo for my dice league team, so I'm hoping he gets to play a lot this year,  and punishes NL pitching (other than against the Phillies, natch).   
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: jmyrlefuller on March 28, 2019, 03:54:03 pm
For all this talk of baseball and tradition, the fact that Opening Day isn't in April anymore draws surprisingly few complaints.

It's like Christmas creep: rushing the season.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on March 28, 2019, 04:18:15 pm
The Texas Rangers have already been mathematically eliminated.

LOL.

Did they get the new ballpark this year or is that next year?

I am taking a 1/2 day vacation here in a few minutes.

Off to the icehouse with friends and relatives to watch Astros-Rays.

 :beer:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Jazzhead on March 28, 2019, 04:50:17 pm
For all this talk of baseball and tradition, the fact that Opening Day isn't in April anymore draws surprisingly few complaints.

It's like Christmas creep: rushing the season.

Heck,  only the last six days of the Phillies' Spring Training this year took place in the spring.   
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on March 28, 2019, 08:19:14 pm
Opening Day.

Duel of the Cy Young winners in Washington---Jacob deGrom for the Mets, Max Scherzer for the Nationals.

The Mets win, 2-0.

DeGrom punches out 10 in six innings and the Mets bullpen doesn't blow it for him for a change.

Scherzer punches out 12 in 7 2/3 but surrenders a first-inning bomb to Robinson Cano, and Cano drives in the second run (charged to Scherzer) in the eighth.

First final of the day.

But the only two words in the English language sweeter than "Opening Day" are, of course, "World Series." Welcome to baseball season!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on March 28, 2019, 08:20:11 pm
The Texas Rangers have already been mathematically eliminated.
@dfwgator
Aw, cut them some slack---at least it took until Opening Day. I know two teams who were mathematically eliminated when spring training began, and they don't play in Texas.  wink777
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Jazzhead on March 29, 2019, 12:53:25 pm
A delirious,  sellout crowd in Philly yesterday - and things got off with a bang with McCutcheon's towering blast leading off the first inning of the season.    The depth of the Phils lineup was illustrated by bombs from our leadoff hitter,  eight-hole hitter (Maikel Franco, who nearly lifted the park off its foundations with his three-run shot) and, of course,  clean-up man Rhys Hoskins.     

And clean up Rhys did.    With men on second and third and nobody out,  the Bravos walked Bryce Harper and the place reverberated with boos like some runaway subway train from hell.   And that brought up Hoskins,  who deposited the second pitch into the stands.    And unless you've been to Cape Canaveral to hear a Saturn V take off,  I doubt you've heard a louder roar.   

Baseball's back!    The Phils are back!    And next time I go I may need earplugs! 
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on March 29, 2019, 01:00:41 pm
A delirious,  sellout crowd in Philly yesterday - and things got off with a bang with McCutcheon's towering blast leading off the first inning of the season.    The depth of the Phils lineup was illustrated by bombs from our leadoff hitter,  eight-hole hitter (Maikel Franco, who nearly lifted the park off its foundations with his three-run shot) and, of course,  clean-up man Rhys Hoskins.     

And clean up Rhys did.    With men on second and third and nobody out,  the Bravos walked Bryce Harper and the place reverberated with boos like some runaway subway train from hell.   And that brought up Hoskins,  who deposited the second pitch into the stands.    And unless you've been to Cape Canaveral to hear a Saturn V take off,  I doubt you've heard a louder roar.   

Baseball's back!    The Phils are back!    And next time I go I may need earplugs!

@Jazzhead
I thought about you and the Mrs. when Hoskins hit that grand slam.  What an amazingly fun time to be at the ballpark!

Congratulations to your guys; they played a heck of a game.   Nola's curveball was exquisite, by the way.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Jazzhead on March 29, 2019, 01:09:27 pm
@Jazzhead
I thought about you and the Mrs. when Hoskins hit that grand slam.  What an amazingly fun time to be at the ballpark!

Congratulations to your guys; they played a heck of a game.   Nola's curveball was exquisite, by the way.

Thanks - phun it was, @Polly Ticks !    Tehran looked good yesterday; other than Cutch's shot he arguably outpitched Nola,  who was a bit wild.    Most of our damage came against your pen. 

The atmosphere at the yard was like ten years ago.   So pleased to see it.   I saw the Mets and Nats were locked in a doozy of a pitchers' battle yesterday.  The NL East is going to be the NL Beast!   
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on March 29, 2019, 03:16:50 pm
Astros outfielder George Springer hit an opening day home run for the 3rd consecutive year, a 3 run center field shot.
It was his 2nd at bat. The previous 2 years, he led off with home runs.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: skeeter on March 29, 2019, 04:30:41 pm
Life after Harper? Juan Soto can be what Bryce was ... and more

Speaking of Harper, I heard he received his first warm Philadelphia welcome after striking out with a runner on third yesterday.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Jazzhead on March 29, 2019, 04:40:33 pm
Speaking of Harper, I heard he received his first warm Philadelphia welcome after striking out with a runner on third yesterday.

Don't believe what you hear.  I was there.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on April 03, 2019, 12:25:35 am
Max Scherzer gets Bryce Harper in 1st AB on an 85 mph change-up, with two men on.   :laugh:

video at link:   http://www.espn.com/mlb/ (http://www.espn.com/mlb/)

...and another swinging strikeout...slider under the hands in the 3rd inning.    :laugh:  :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on April 03, 2019, 02:56:12 am
Memo to: Nationals Fans.
Subject: The English Language.

If you're going to boo, hiss, and protest a guy who went elsewhere as a legitimate free agent after your team actually kinda lowballed him (https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/how-bryce-harper-went-from-im-gonna-be-a-national-to-were-going-to-philly/2019/04/01/8727f018-5495-11e9-9136-f8e636f1f6df_story.html?utm_term=.0be84f2e8a99), at least learn to effing spell! . . .

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D3Md1NKVYAARbZN.jpg:large)

P.S. The "tratior" just conked a two-run homer in the top of the eighth. He's 3-for-5 on the night. (No disgrace to come up short against Max Scherzer, folks, a lot of people do.)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Jazzhead on April 03, 2019, 01:12:29 pm
That was one epic bat-flip!

Mrs. Jazz and I were high-fiving most of the night.    From Eflin's stellar start  - 9 Ks! -  to Franco's five straight times on base,  to Segura's clutch bases-clearing double, to Hoskins'  aggressive play on a bunt to cut down the lead runner,  to Bryce's 450-foot stake driven through the hearts of those few Nats fans left in attendance,  this was a true statement game!   

 
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on April 03, 2019, 02:36:26 pm
That was one epic bat-flip!

Mrs. Jazz and I were high-fiving most of the night.    From Eflin's stellar start  - 9 Ks! -  to Franco's five straight times on base,  to Segura's clutch bases-clearing double, to Hoskins'  aggressive play on a bunt to cut down the lead runner,  to Bryce's 450-foot stake driven through the hearts of those few Nats fans left in attendance,  this was a true statement game!

I swear the dinger pitch was nothing more than batting practice or HR Derby.   

...like he changed his mind on what to throw in mid-toss.  Watch it!    :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Jazzhead on April 03, 2019, 04:04:26 pm
I swear the dinger pitch was nothing more than batting practice or HR Derby.   

...like he changed his mind on what to throw in mid-toss.  Watch it!    :laugh:

Harper certainly smacked it like it was batting practice - over 450 feet!   What gave me a kick was that the lower right field stands were at that point filled with cheering Phillies phans,  and the right field upper deck was practically deserted.    Bryce could have given one of those Phils phans a cool souvenir - but instead he hit it right over their heads!   
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on April 03, 2019, 05:18:14 pm
Harper certainly smacked it like it was batting practice - over 450 feet!   What gave me a kick was that the lower right field stands were at that point filled with cheering Phillies phans,  and the right field upper deck was practically deserted.    Bryce could have given one of those Phils phans a cool souvenir - but instead he hit it right over their heads!

Oh...your knife cuts me the deepest, @Jazzhead

Only 4 games into a season and already, you and your wife are referring to him by his first name....sob....     :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Jazzhead on April 03, 2019, 05:48:17 pm
Oh...your knife cuts me the deepest, @Jazzhead

Only 4 games into a season and already, you and your wife are referring to him by his first name....sob....     :laugh:

Philly's in love with the guy -  he must have hired a consultant to advise him how to best make a first impression, both on his new city and his new teammates.   So far, he hasn't made a wrong move.     
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on April 03, 2019, 11:52:10 pm
What does a certain Nationals relief pitcher, the poor guy, have in common with a classic television doctor? (Hint: it's his ERA this season thus far, alas.)

Answer:

(https://scontent.flas1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/56431048_10156645324942912_1000230211733684224_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_ht=scontent.flas1-1.fna&oh=d64ef5196d5ec8e183266ad98c74786b&oe=5D38E283)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on April 04, 2019, 05:16:50 pm
What does a certain Nationals relief pitcher, the poor guy, have in common with a classic television doctor? (Hint: it's his ERA this season thus far, alas.)

Answer:

(https://scontent.flas1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/56431048_10156645324942912_1000230211733684224_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_ht=scontent.flas1-1.fna&oh=d64ef5196d5ec8e183266ad98c74786b&oe=5D38E283)

Isn't he recovering from Tommy John surgery?  He'll be fine...physically.   Psychically?   Not so much!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on April 04, 2019, 05:25:19 pm
While I more than a bit concerned about the state of the Nationals' bullpen, I'm more concerned with Victor Robles getting picked off 3 times in 2 games.

Rendon is hitting .474, Gomes .308.  Eaton and Soto are each at .300 with Robles at .294.

A small sample size, to be sure.

...but it was against deGrom, Syndergaard, Nola,

Martinez needs to kick Robles in the ass.  His super agility and speed may have excited minor league fans, but "...Law Dog don't work 'round here". 

These kids at this level can catch.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Jazzhead on April 04, 2019, 05:30:32 pm
Nola wasn't Nola yesterday afternoon.   And Robertson didn't even resemble a big league pitcher.   

I can't believe that play in the top of the eighth that almost nabbed Kingery at the plate.   That's as good a relay from dead center,  and as acrobatic a slide from Kingery, as I've ever seen.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on April 04, 2019, 05:45:24 pm
Nola wasn't Nola yesterday afternoon.   And Robertson didn't even resemble a big league pitcher.  

I can't believe that play in the top of the eighth that almost nabbed Kingery at the plate.   That's as good a relay from dead center,  and as acrobatic a slide from Kingery, as I've ever seen.

LOL!  You're right!

One could see during the between innings warm-up pitches that Nola's were all 'flat' and looked fat.

Remember several years ago, watching a postseason game with my grandson, I said, "Joey Bats is going to hit one this inning.  Go bet your father".   We still laugh about it.

But isn't that the ages-old argument, @Jazzhead

Great pitchers are pitching great...until suddenly, everybody is squaring up on you.

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on April 04, 2019, 06:16:03 pm
Isn't he recovering from Tommy John surgery?  He'll be fine...physically.   Psychically?   Not so much!
@DCPatriot
He took off all last year recovering from the surgery.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on April 05, 2019, 05:34:59 pm
Going to the Astro's home opener tonight against the A's
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: NavyCanDo on April 10, 2019, 11:54:18 pm
Mariners 11 and 2 and breaking MLB records 12 games in including the most Homers in history. Someone pinch me. Who are these guys? 
With most of the team being new and not knowing each other, there is a joke that Staples has run out of Hello My Name Is stickers.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on April 11, 2019, 01:08:24 am
Mariners 11 and 2 and breaking MLB records 12 games in including the most Homers in history. Someone pinch me. Who are these guys? 
With most of the team being new and not knowing each other, there is a joke that Staples has run out of Hello My Name Is stickers.

As an Astros fan, I can honestly tell you these guys will be lucky to be above .500 come season's end.  They just aren't that good. 
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on April 11, 2019, 02:55:16 am
@Jazzhead

My NATS spanked them in Philly tonight!  15-1  And take the series.


Even Rosenthal got much needed work.   :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on April 11, 2019, 03:02:07 am
Even Rosenthal got much needed work.   :laugh:
@DCPatriot
Three walks, a run, and a strikeout.

Brought his ERA down to a mere 72.00.

The poor sonofabitch. I really do feel for him.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on April 11, 2019, 03:07:26 am
@DCPatriot
Three walks, a run, and a strikeout.

Brought his ERA down to a mere 72.00.

The poor sonofabitch. I really do feel for him.

"...that little sonofabitch is a millionaire!"

LOL!  He was probably "this" close to being put on a bus tomorrow.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on April 11, 2019, 03:10:30 am
"...that little sonofabitch is a millionaire!"

LOL!  He was probably "this" close to being put on a bus tomorrow.
He might be a millionaire, but that doesn't mean you can't feel for a guy who opened the season with an infinite ERA, brings it down to a mere 72.00 ERA, and probably has no clue what's not working for him after spending all last year recovering from TJ surgery.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on April 11, 2019, 03:14:31 am
He might be a millionaire, but that doesn't mean you can't feel for a guy who opened the season with an infinite ERA, brings it down to a mere 72.00 ERA, and probably has no clue what's not working for him after spending all last year recovering from TJ surgery.

That's why I"m saying that it was great to see him work with a FIFTEEN run lead with 3 outs to go.

His pitches were much sharper to left-handed batters.  Took him about 2 dozen pitches on that mound to find himself.

Like I said. One more chance....with a 10 run lead. :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on April 11, 2019, 03:18:31 am
That's why I"m saying that it was great to see him work with a FIFTEEN run lead with 3 outs to go.

His pitches were much sharper to left-handed batters.  Took him about 2 dozen pitches on that mound to find himself.

Like I said. One more chance....with a 10 run lead. :laugh:
Then five . . . then . . . baby steps back.  wink777
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: NavyCanDo on April 11, 2019, 05:04:56 am
As an Astros fan, I can honestly tell you these guys will be lucky to be above .500 come season's end.  They just aren't that good.

Baseball is a long season, and the momentum they have now may not last,  but tonight with 6 runs they have passed the 1932 Yankees record of 12 games with 6 or more runs in the first 14 games, and have a tie for the most home runs in 14 games at 34 HR.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on April 11, 2019, 12:12:06 pm
As an Astros fan, I can honestly tell you these guys will be lucky to be above .500 come season's end.  They just aren't that good.

The Astros have just swept the A's and the Yankees.
Jose Altuve had 4 home runs, two last night.
Off to Seattle for the weekend.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Jazzhead on April 11, 2019, 12:28:32 pm
@Jazzhead

My NATS spanked them in Philly tonight!  15-1  And take the series.


Even Rosenthal got much needed work.   :laugh:

@DCPatriot, I turned the game off after the fourth,  went to the liquor store and bought a bottle of Wild Turkey.    That game is known in the trade as a good old-fashioned country butt-whipping.   
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on April 11, 2019, 12:32:02 pm
@DCPatriot, I turned the game off after the fourth,  went to the liquor store and bought a bottle of Wild Turkey.    That game is known in the trade as a good old-fashioned country butt-whipping.

@Jazzhead

And I'm not about to get cocky here...cause we both know it could have been 15-1, Philly.   :beer:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Jazzhead on April 11, 2019, 12:37:45 pm
@Jazzhead

And I'm not about to get cocky here...cause we both know it could have been 15-1, Philly.   :beer:

That's the reality of baseball -  the best teams that ever were still lost a third of the time.   And the worst teams still win about a third.   

Pivetta could easily have had a different fate.    He was getting ahead of hitters in the first,  but couldn't put 'em away.   And the Nats' initial hits were squibbers.    Get him out of the first  with no runs and 15-20 pitches thrown,  and who knows how the game would have ended up. 
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on April 11, 2019, 01:37:25 pm
That's the reality of baseball -  the best teams that ever were still lost a third of the time.   And the worst teams still win about a third.   

Pivetta could easily have had a different fate.    He was getting ahead of hitters in the first,  but couldn't put 'em away.   And the Nats' initial hits were squibbers.    Get him out of the first  with no runs and 15-20 pitches thrown,  and who knows how the game would have ended up.

I'm of the mindset that the first couple weeks of the season are mentally brutal for ballplayers...especially the 'stars' that start of with a week of O-fers.

Pitchers seem to be affected throughout the leagues...most bullpens are shit.

It's easy to press and 'get lost'.   :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on April 11, 2019, 04:47:46 pm
@DCPatriot
@Jazzhead
Always remember Andujar's Law (as in, the late Joaquin Andujar, pitcher/human time bomb): In baseball, there's just one word: You never know.

Marry that to Berra's Law (It ain't over until it's over), and in two sentences you will have baseball wisdom.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Jazzhead on April 11, 2019, 04:54:16 pm
@DCPatriot
@Jazzhead
Always remember Andujar's Law (as in, the late Joaquin Andujar, pitcher/human time bomb): In baseball, there's just one word: You never know.

Marry that to Berra's Law (It ain't over until it's over), and in two sentences you will have baseball wisdom.

And of course (from Bull Durham):  "Sometimes you win,  sometimes you lose and, sometimes, it rains." 
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on April 11, 2019, 05:22:37 pm
And of course (from Bull Durham):  "Sometimes you win,  sometimes you lose and, sometimes, it rains."

And sometimes there's a blizzard. 
I'm guessing Colorado is happy to be heading to San Francisco today.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: jmyrlefuller on April 12, 2019, 02:45:00 pm
MLB’s home run nightmare worsens with no end in sight

Through the first 180 games this season, there have been 467 home runs. That projects to 6,318 for the season. The record is 6,105, set in 2017. In 2018 those four types of plays represented a record 34.8 percent of plate appearances. It was 37 percent in 2019 through Wednesday. The sport is on a per-game record pace for homers, strikeouts and hit by pitch, and walks are at a two-decade high.

What has been lost? Essentially action plays that involve multiple players coordinating and base-to-base action. In the history of the modern game (since 1900), 2019 is on pace for the lowest per-game rate ever for triples, sacrifice bunts, and double plays, and the lowest for steals since 1958.

https://nypost.com/2019/04/11/mlbs-home-run-nightmare-worsens-with-no-end-in-sight/
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on April 13, 2019, 12:02:03 pm
Baseball is a long season, and the momentum they have now may not last,  but tonight with 6 runs they have passed the 1932 Yankees record of 12 games with 6 or more runs in the first 14 games, and have a tie for the most home runs in 14 games at 34 HR.

@NavyCanDo
The Mariners did score 6 again last night, but the Astros scored 10.
Grand Slams by Gurriel and Altuve, and a Springer Dinger.
It was a 9:00pm start for us at home in Texas.
I managed to stay awake, but it wasn't easy.
I started to nod off around the 8th.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on April 17, 2019, 10:20:54 pm
@EasyAce

Hey there!  Would like your take on this topic:

This afternoon, White Sox' Anderson worked the count full to Royals' pitcher Keller.

The next pitch, what seemed like a 98mph fastball, left the bat squarely at 130mph.  (I may be exaggerating) 

Anyway, Anderson stood still...admired..carried the bat too far..and threw it toward his dugout like a javelin, barking MF-YEAH!  (I may be exaggerating)

The next time up, as the sun rises in the East, Keller plunked Anderson squarely on his ass.

It gets more interesting because the Royals' catcher seems to have Anderson patting him gently on his chest protector as if to say, "It's cool, I understand".

But before he reached 1st base, someone said something that Anderson didn't like...Anderson gets tossed.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ME?  Yeah, he may have admired his work a bit too long.  But, in his mind he was in a battle of his life and he GOT IT ALL!!  I get as excited making called 3 and 4-rail shots with $$$ on the line.   happy77

Yet, having had time to dwell on it while he's waiting for his next AB, he knew GD well he was going to take one for the team.

...and then there's that gaudy silver chain nonsense.   :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on April 17, 2019, 11:08:59 pm
@EasyAce

Hey there!  Would like your take on this topic:

This afternoon, White Sox' Anderson worked the count full to Royals' pitcher Keller.

The next pitch, what seemed like a 98mph fastball, left the bat squarely at 130mph.  (I may be exaggerating) 

Anyway, Anderson stood still...admired..carried the bat too far..and threw it toward his dugout like a javelin, barking MF-YEAH!  (I may be exaggerating)

The next time up, as the sun rises in the East, Keller plunked Anderson squarely on his ass.

It gets more interesting because the Royals' catcher seems to have Anderson patting him gently on his chest protector as if to say, "It's cool, I understand".

But before he reached 1st base, someone said something that Anderson didn't like...Anderson gets tossed.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ME?  Yeah, he may have admired his work a bit too long.  But, in his mind he was in a battle of his life and he GOT IT ALL!!  I get as excited making called 3 and 4-rail shots with $$$ on the line.   happy77

Yet, having had time to dwell on it while he's waiting for his next AB, he knew GD well he was going to take one for the team.

...and then there's that gaudy silver chain nonsense.   :laugh:
@DCPatriot
Funny you should ask. I've written four times recently about bat flips and the like (not to mention pitchers fanning their hands like pistols after recording strikeouts, in one of them):

Let the kids play---unless they hit you into the river (https://throneberryfields.com/2019/04/08/let-the-kids-play-unless-they-hit-you-into-the-river/)
The night of the living T-R-A-T-I-O-R (https://throneberryfields.com/2019/04/03/the-night-of-the-living-t-r-a-t-i-o-r/)
If you can't beat the Phun Phillies, drill them (https://throneberryfields.com/2019/04/01/if-you-cant-beat-the-phun-phillies-drill-them/)
Take this, Fun Police: A Nats reliever wants bat flips, even at his own expense (https://fancredsports.com/Articles/take-this-fun-police-a-nats-reliever-wants-bat-f)

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on April 17, 2019, 11:35:11 pm
@DCPatriot
p.s. Joe West is still a horse's ass.  wink777
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on April 17, 2019, 11:58:15 pm
OK, gang, try this one on for size:

Joey Votto popped out to first base in the top of the eighth today.

What's the big deal, you ask?

Easy---it's the first time in his entire major league career that Votto popped out to first.

It only took him 6,828 major league plate appearances to do that.

Andjuar's Law, baby. (In baseball, there's just one word---you never know.)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on April 20, 2019, 03:12:26 am
From Hall of Fame baseball writer Tracy Ringolsby: 1960s-1970s Tigers slugger Willie Horton named his three sons the same, with the numerals I, II, and III, because he liked the name he gave them.

Soooooooo, any one of those sons can introduce the trio as, "I'm Darryl, and this is my brother Darryl, and this is my other brother Darryl" . . .
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on April 21, 2019, 10:36:48 pm
Sunday afternoon in Oakland . . . the double play of the season, so far. And maybe the century, so far.

Top of the second, Justin Smoak on first for the Jays. Teoscar Hernandez looks like he's hit one over the center field fence. Except that A's center fielder Ramon Laureano runs it to the track, takes a flying leap, and pulls it back over the fence for the out.

Laureano overthrows his cutoff man first baseman Kendrys Morales but A's catcher Nick Hundley on the run backs Morales and grabs the ball as Smoak tags for second. Then he fires to second. Second baseman Jurickson Profar is right at the pad to take the throw. Smoak is one dead mallard.

Area code 8-2-4.

I know I've never seen a double play like that at all, never mind one starting when the center fielder pulls back a sure home run.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on April 23, 2019, 09:29:07 pm
The Astros won 10 in a row, but have turned around and lost 3 in a row.
Still, 11-4 record last 15 games.
I'll take it.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on May 08, 2019, 01:35:00 am
If I were a Major League Baseball owner, I would call for radical changes/amendments added to these multi-million $$$ annual contracts.

When you sign up for the U.S. Military, that branch owns your ass, 24/7.   You kiss your family goodbye and you don't see them for months on end.

When you are finished with your 'work day', you report to your 'barracks', whether they be hotel floors on road games or literal barracks in your city's suburbs.

In baseball, Spring Training should be Boot Camp.  it should be Gunny Sgt Hartman/Private Pyle.

If I'm paying your ass millions of $$$ per year, I own your ass too!   You will eat, sleep, dream, and consistently work on your craft.

What kind of idiot lets himself get hit on the fingers trying to bunt?   TWICE??   Super hot shortstop Trey Turner, that's who?

And eff you, Ryan Zimmerman...and your little Plantar Fasciitis too!!   TWICE??

It's my contention that these guys are sitting around playing video games and playing on their phones too many hours of the day.

They are NOT in prime physical condition.

They are NOT providing 'me' as on owner, the product, as advertised.

Starting pitchers should be going at least seven innings or 120 pitches, if the game allows it. 

Defenses that continuously take innings away from their starters with their shitty fielding and throwing.   In MAY??   I'd have them riding a GD bus in Fresno.

Same with relievers.

You've got ONE JOB!   Attack the strike zone and force weak contact.   GEEZUS...can anybody throw strikes around here??    9999hair out0000
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on May 21, 2019, 05:12:47 pm
I've heard of winter ball but this is ridiculous . . .  wink777

(https://scontent.flas1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/60596052_10156759894447912_6614635087679979520_o.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_ht=scontent.flas1-1.fna&oh=f8ac7ff108879647a9b0b09fb1e09f8a&oe=5D99ED6C)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on May 21, 2019, 05:28:42 pm
Stros still doing well.
Springer and Diaz both injured, but not serious, day-to-day.
Altuve probably going for a stint in the minors these week, for a tune up, then back.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on May 21, 2019, 09:00:56 pm
I've heard of winter ball but this is ridiculous . . .  wink777

(https://scontent.flas1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/60596052_10156759894447912_6614635087679979520_o.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_ht=scontent.flas1-1.fna&oh=f8ac7ff108879647a9b0b09fb1e09f8a&oe=5D99ED6C)

 :cool:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on May 21, 2019, 09:22:18 pm
Stros still doing well.
Springer and Diaz both injured, but not serious, day-to-day.
Altuve probably going for a stint in the minors these week, for a tune up, then back.

...while my NATS are sucking Fat Lady's A**.

2-14 in Series Openers

10 games under .500

A bullpen that's essentially Doolittle and then pray for rain.

And now they've lost the chance of signing Rendon...per Scott Boras.    :shrug:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on May 21, 2019, 09:24:38 pm
...while my NATS are sucking Fat Lady's A**.

2-14 in Series Openers

10 games under .500

A bullpen that's essentially Doolittle and then pray for rain.

And now they've lost the chance of signing Rendon...per Scott Boras.    :shrug:

You could always focus on the Orioles!!   :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on May 21, 2019, 09:30:21 pm
You could always focus on the Orioles!!   :laugh:

 8888crybaby

 :laugh:

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on May 21, 2019, 10:26:05 pm
:cool:
I still wonder if any pitchers have yet mastered the snowball.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on May 22, 2019, 04:01:27 am
...while my NATS are sucking Fat Lady's A**.



DCP...

At least seeing Harper batting .229 and 63K's at the quarter pole ought to give you somewhat of a smile. :cool:

(I love the smell of the burning of a 1/4 of billion dollars in the morning.)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on May 22, 2019, 04:19:03 am
DCP...

At least seeing Harper batting .229 and 63K's at the quarter pole ought to give you somewhat of a smile. :cool:

(I love the smell of the burning of a 1/4 of billion dollars in the morning.)

Ain't THAT the truth??    :beer:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on May 23, 2019, 04:14:58 am
Anthony Rizzo channels his inner Roy Hobbs in Wrigley Field . . . (watch the 'd' in the Budweiser sign atop the right field bleachers' scoreboard . . . )

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amt1wNf8G_8#)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on May 23, 2019, 03:59:36 pm
White Sox beat the Astros 9-4 last night.
Odd thing, the White sox hit a grand slam and had a triple play against the Astros.
I don't believe I've ever seen both of them in the same game before.
Not live, anyway.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on May 24, 2019, 09:38:00 pm
Lucas Giolito and the White Sox shut out the Astros last night.
I don't like seeing the Astros lose, let alone shut out, but Giolito was on.
I had been hearing about him but this was the first time I had seen him.
Last year, he looked like a bust, but he has turned it around now, so far.

I read an article that said he dropped his sinker for a 4 seam fastball, throwing it elevated.
The thought being that he'd get more outs with it in the era of launch angle baseball, and it has worked.
The second thing they say he changed was moving to the 1st base side of the rubber.
Previously, he stood roughly in the middle.
Jake Arrieta and Blake Snell both did this, and we know how well they can pitch now.

It just shows how simple thing can mean a lot in baseball.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on May 27, 2019, 05:43:02 pm
Hot take: Whenever Matt Adams of the Nationals checks in at the plate in a home game, the Nationals Park organist plays the theme from the original television version of The Addams Family . . . if he hits a home run, maybe they should play the sound of the gong and Lurch purring, "You rang?"
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on May 27, 2019, 06:07:18 pm
Idle thought: matching baseball players to comic book heroes.

Easy match---the Fantastic Four. You'd have Willie (Stretch) McCovey as Reed Richards, Frank Howard as The Thing, and this year's Nationals bullpen (minus Sean Doolittle) taking turns as the Human Torch. You'd have to reach back to the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League for the Invisible Girl, but my money's on pitcher Olive Little.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on May 27, 2019, 06:24:56 pm
Idle thought: matching baseball players to comic book heroes.

Easy match---the Fantastic Four. You'd have Willie (Stretch) McCovey as Reed Richards, Frank Howard as The Thing, and this year's Nationals bullpen (minus Sean Doolittle) taking turns as the Human Torch. You'd have to reach back to the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League for the Invisible Girl, but my money's on pitcher Olive Little.


Why.... I oughta.....    :bullie smokin:


 :beer:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on May 29, 2019, 06:01:54 pm
Carlos Correa, out 4-6 weeks, broken ribs
George Springer, out, probably a month, hamstring issue.
Jose Altuve, on rehab from hamstring issue, had his knee he had off-season surgery on flare up with "fatigue and soreness", unknown how long he will be out.
Aledmys Diaz, Altuve's back up, out with hamstring issue.
Max Stassi, #2 catcher, out with hamstring issue
Collin McHugh, out with an elbow issue.
Of course, Lance McCullers Jr., starts off the year with Tommy John surgery and will not be back until next year.

Last night, the Astros fielded a line up with 4 guys on it who started the year in Triple A Round Rock.
They beat the Cubs, 9 to 6, mainly off of 2 Alex Bregman Home runs, who was playing DH last night.

The Astros are deep. but c'mon now!
You can't lose everybody!

Brantley, Bregman, Gurriel, Reddick , and a Marisnick, who found his stroke, do have enough firepower to keep them going, but for how long?

Marisnick has been impressive in the outfield.

2/3 of the earth is covered in water,

The other 1/3 is covered by Jake Marisnick.

 :cool:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on May 29, 2019, 06:07:22 pm
Last night, the Astros fielded a line up with 4 guys on it who started the year in Triple A Round Rock.
They beat the Cubs, 9 to 6, mainly off of 2 Alex Bregman Home runs, who was playing DH last night.

The Astros are deep. but c'mon now!
You can't lose everybody!
@GrouchoTex
Unfortunately, says whom? The Astros are discovering what the Yankees already have---the only thing harder to overcome than a knee-trembling forkball is the injured list. Theoretically, they could end up in an American League Championship Series that'll be nicknamed St. Elsewhere.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on May 29, 2019, 06:12:38 pm
@GrouchoTex
Unfortunately, says whom? The Astros are discovering what the Yankees already have---the only thing harder to overcome than a knee-trembling forkball is the injured list. Theoretically, they could end up in an American League Championship Series that'll be nicknamed St. Elsewhere.

I've added a few things to my original post.
Yes, both may just be deep enough to face off in the post-season.
May.....
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on May 30, 2019, 04:12:13 am
I've added a few things to my original post.
Yes, both may just be deep enough to face off in the post-season.
May.....

Did you see the report that Correa's rib fracture injury was allegedly from  a massage?   WTF!?!?!?!?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on May 30, 2019, 12:25:16 pm
Did you see the report that Correa's rib fracture injury was allegedly from  a massage?   WTF!?!?!?!?

Yeah, I heard that last night.
Sounds made-up, or maybe just weird enough to be true, but I have my doubts.

Could there be a malpractice suit brought on by the Astros management for a message therapist injuring one of their players?
I don't know.

If they can be and are not sued, I'd say it is bogus.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on June 04, 2019, 08:41:55 pm

Quote from: NavyCanDo on April 10, 2019, 07:54:18 PM
Mariners 11 and 2 and breaking MLB records 12 games in including the most Homers in history. Someone pinch me. Who are these guys? 
With most of the team being new and not knowing each other, there is a joke that Staples has run out of Hello My Name Is stickers.

As an Astros fan, I can honestly tell you these guys will be lucky to be above .500 come season's end.  They just aren't that good.

Since that 11-2 start the M's have gone 14-36....   (25-38 to date, and have the 6th worst record in MLB)
Just goes to show how fortunes change on a dime in this game.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on June 04, 2019, 09:03:44 pm
Just goes to show how fortunes change on a dime in this game.
Sometimes they change on a nickel.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on June 04, 2019, 09:52:02 pm
Quote from: NavyCanDo on April 10, 2019, 07:54:18 PM
Mariners 11 and 2 and breaking MLB records 12 games in including the most Homers in history. Someone pinch me. Who are these guys? 
With most of the team being new and not knowing each other, there is a joke that Staples has run out of Hello My Name Is stickers.

Since that 11-2 start the M's have gone 14-36....   (25-38 to date, and have the 6th worst record in MLB)
Just goes to show how fortunes change on a dime in this game.

Crazy, right.
The Astros are now 41-20, with one half of their team on the field from triple A Round Rock.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on June 04, 2019, 10:19:23 pm
Geez...my NATS are like the "Noise in the Trunk"...Billy Batts.   


I'm not superstitious....nope....not at all.      *****rollingeyes*****   
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on June 05, 2019, 03:35:26 am
Geez...my NATS are like the "Noise in the Trunk"...Billy Batts.   


I'm not superstitious....nope....not at all.      *****rollingeyes*****

@DCPatriot

Your Nats are 8-2 in their last 10, and on a roll.  I also think they are maybe the best "underperformer" this year thus far. 

They're only 6 back of WC2 position, so I sure wouldn't count them out yet.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on June 05, 2019, 03:40:32 am
Crazy, right.
The Astros are now 41-20, with one half of their team on the field from triple A Round Rock.

First line of business Luhnow....   Ban messages.   :cool: 

BTW, did you see where the Yankees are the team that very likely going ot sign Keuchel? 

Of course, his agent Bora$$ says he is "mid season game ready".  :silly:

If Cashman believes that sack of sh__, he's a bigger fool that I ever thought.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on June 05, 2019, 12:44:33 pm
First line of business Luhnow....   Ban messages.   :cool: 

BTW, did you see where the Yankees are the team that very likely going ot sign Keuchel? 

Of course, his agent Bora$$ says he is "mid season game ready".  :silly:

If Cashman believes that sack of sh__, he's a bigger fool that I ever thought.

I did see that on the news last night, that the Yankees are interested in Kuechel.
"Mid season ready?"
Unlikely.
I'd bet Kuechel still won't make anything near what Kuechel thinks he's worth.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on June 06, 2019, 01:46:36 am
Breaking news: Craig Kimbrel may have signed a deal with the Cubs.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on June 06, 2019, 04:07:23 am
No maybe about it:

Source: Cubs, Kimbrel reach 3-year, $43M deal (https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26907181/source-cubs-kimbrel-reach-3-year-43m-deal)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on June 06, 2019, 04:36:29 am
@DCPatriot

Your Nats are 8-2 in their last 10, and on a roll.  I also think they are maybe the best "underperformer" this year thus far. 

They're only 6 back of WC2 position, so I sure wouldn't count them out yet.

9-2 in their last eleven.

:bolt:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on June 09, 2019, 10:35:31 pm
Geez...I'm feeling concerned for ex-NAT reliever Craig Stammen

Pitches the top of the 8th inning in a 1-1 tied game   (NATS vs PADRES)

Kendrick homered to left (421 feet)   2-1
Turner homered to center (425 feet)  3-1
Eaton homered to center (402 feet)   4-1
Rendon homered to right (391 feet)   5-1

Hope they put him on suicide watch or something.  Seriously. 





Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on June 10, 2019, 03:18:21 am
Geez...I'm feeling concerned for ex-NAT reliever Craig Stammen

Pitches the top of the 8th inning in a 1-1 tied game   (NATS vs PADRES)

Kendrick homered to left (421 feet)   2-1
Turner homered to center (425 feet)  3-1
Eaton homered to center (402 feet)   4-1
Rendon homered to right (391 feet)   5-1

Hope they put him on suicide watch or something.  Seriously.

(http://hitbullwinblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/got-outta-here.gif)
Title: David Ortiz: Former Boston Red Sox star shot in back in Dominican Republic
Post by: TomSea on June 10, 2019, 06:33:30 am
One story I saw says shot in leg, another, this one, "shot in back"... hopefully, he can turn out okay. Big Papi:
Quote

David Ortiz: Former Boston Red Sox star shot in back in Dominican Republic


Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz was shot in the back in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, police say.

The three-time World Series champion, 43, is recovering after surgery, the Red Sox said in a statement.

"David's family has confirmed that he sustained a gunshot wound to the lower back/abdominal region," it added.

"We have offered David's family all available resources to aid in his recovery and will continue to keep them in our hearts."   

Read more at: https://www.bbc.com/sport/baseball/48578907 (https://www.bbc.com/sport/baseball/48578907)

BNO (Breaking News Online):

Quote
BREAKING: David Ortiz has undergone surgery and his life is no longer in danger
https://twitter.com/BNONews/status/1137922513592299521 (https://twitter.com/BNONews/status/1137922513592299521)

See link, there appears to be a vague video of showing when this situation in a bar broke out:
https://twitter.com/BNONews (https://twitter.com/BNONews)

So, this already transpired some hours ago.

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on June 10, 2019, 12:39:04 pm
Yordan Alvarez had his first MLB start for the Astros Yesterday, at DH.
He hit a 2 run shot to the gas pump, located above the 404 sign.
Left field.
He did it batting left-handed.
he had 23 HR's and was hitting .343 at Triple A Round Rock when he was called up.
 :cool:
Title: Re: David Ortiz: Former Boston Red Sox star shot in back in Dominican Republic
Post by: EasyAce on June 10, 2019, 05:32:53 pm
One story I saw says shot in leg, another, this one, "shot in back"... hopefully, he can turn out okay. Big Papi:
BNO (Breaking News Online):

See link, there appears to be a vague video of showing when this situation in a bar broke out:
https://twitter.com/BNONews (https://twitter.com/BNONews)

So, this already transpired some hours ago.
Apparently, Ortiz was ambushed and shot in the back by a young man on a motorcycle who was subsequently sort of ambushed himself by some of the Dial Bar and Lounge crowd and underwent surgery to remove part of his intestine, part of his colon, and his gall bladder.

Red Sox legend Ortiz stable after shooting in DR (https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26937958/red-sox-legend-ortiz-stable-shooting-dr)

This was the last occasion I had to write about Ortiz before his retirement:

"Let me wear this uniform one more day!" (https://www.sports-central.org/sports/2016/10/12/let_me_wear_this_uniform_one_more_day.php)
12 October 2016

Both American League Championship Series combatants get there by way of division series sweeps. For the Indians, it had to be a little extra special to get there by sweeping the Red Sox.

Twelve years ago, Indians manager Terry Francona managed an entirely different club of Red Sox to the Promised Land the franchise hadn't seen since a kid named Ruth was in the starting rotation.

That was then: Francona's charges had to figure out a way to keep an entirely different gang of Yankees from sweeping them out of the ALCS when they were down to their last out. This is now: His Indians — who haven't seen the Promised Land since the Truman Administration — will have to figure out ways to keep the Blue Jays' bats quiet and arms at bay.

It wasn't supposed to be that simple against the Red Sox, was it? Even as youthful as they'd become?

But who could bargain that the formidable Red Sox youth corps who'd all but carried the Olde Towne Team to the postseason in the first place, pocketing the American League East to get there, would finally run out of fuel?

As adroitly as Francona shepherded his Indians, especially his bullpen, Red Sox manager John Farrell turned out to have his hands full with young players getting their first tastes of postseason play and a grand old man, who'd meant so much to the franchise's championship revival for three World Series rings worth, finally spent by the time the postseason arrived.

Rookie left fielder Andrew Benintendi had a decent first trip, going 3-for-9 overall, but all three hits came in Game One, including a solo home run to lead off the third and give the Red Sox a 2-1 lead that lived for exactly that half inning — before the Tribe hit three homers in a sequence of four plate appearances in the bottom of the inning, before Francona answered a too-close 4-3 Indians lead by going to Andrew Miller when starter Trevor Bauer was spent in the fifth.

But Mookie Betts, a young sprout and a Most Valuable Player award candidate, finished 2-for-10 in the series and found himself struggling to adjust when he realised the Indians plan was to keep pitches out of his reach. Fellow young sprout Jackie Bradley, Jr. struck out in seven of his first nine at-bats and had only one hit all series long, a single to right in the Game Three ninth.

And Xander Bogaerts, first seen in 2013 in brief flashes including in the World Series, finished the set 3-for-12 overall, seeming to spend most of his plate time trying to find the target on sliders all over the place.

The homegrown Red Sox trio learned the hard way that your first trip to the postseason can turn into your worst nightmare.

"It's a great experience, a lot of pressure," said Bogaerts, whose brief 2013 Series sightings weren't quite the equal of being thrown full tilt into the postseason fire. "But we have to learn how to control it, how to think in that moment. Just not overthinking a lot of stuff. Just trying to be in the moment and being focused."

Veteran second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who'd been there/done that himself, concurred. "I think the tough part is you play every day during the year and then you have a few days off," he told reporters about the young trio's initiation. "You wait different times between games. It just throws you out of whack. I think they didn't know what to expect out of that because it is different. It's hard to get into a rhythm."

Manager John Farrell, who shepherded the 2013 Series winner, gets it.

"There's been a lot of conversation for the first-year guys, for the guys going through it for the first time, and not just with the staff but with their teammates," he told reporters. "But there's the old adage: You can't replace experience. There's a different feel to it. The fact that we had three days down, a later [Game One] start, five guys in our lineup being their first postseason, there were some things that were firsts, and I'm sure that lent to swinging at far too many pitches below the zone and above the zone."

"Now we kind of know what to expect," said Betts, rather thoughtfully, when the sweep was finished. "It's going to be really important in the years going forward. We'll know what to expect and how to handle adversity and how to go about the games and whatnot. It's going to definitely be a positive."

Attitudes like that should carry this coming generation of Red Sox back to postseason contention next year and for several seasons to come. But they'll miss the big man.

David Ortiz won't be retiring as a World Series champion. He won't even see one more American League Championship Series. He'd never admit it, but just maybe, as much fun as it might have been for him to bask in the farewell tributes other Show teams gave him in his final season, it finally wore him down.

His final plate appearance? A four-pitch walk from Indians closer Cody Allen. It triggered an eighth-inning rally that put Fenway Park on gleeful edge for awhile, at least to the extent that Hanley Ramirez moved him to second as the potential tying run with a bullet single to left. Then Bogaerts lined out just as sharply to Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis, one of the Tribe's Game 1 bombardiers.

He got a final round of twenty-one guns from the Fenway faithful when it was over and the Red Sox were going on winter vacation. And loved it. Tipping his cap, he tried to keep a stone face but his tears betrayed the effort.

"Those moments, they are always going to be special. They are always going to stay with you," said the man who left Red Sox Nation with about a hundred times more special moments. "I've been trying to hold my emotions the best I can, but that last second I couldn't hold it no more."

"He's helped us in so many ways," Pedroia said. "We wanted to win the World Series and send him out the way we all wanted to, but that didn't happen."

He'll have to step into the next part of his life without a fourth World Series ring. But Ortiz knows how blessed he's been in baseball terms. Most never get a single Series ring, never mind the love of a city that Ortiz has known.

And he left the younger Red Sox something, too. In the Game Three sixth, with the Indians up 4-1 and Pedroia on third, Ortiz battled Miller, who's become the Indians' relief star this postseason thus far. The big left-handed slugger wrestled the big left-handed lancer and finally hit a low-flying line drive to center field. Indians sub centerfielder Rajai Davis caught it practically at his knee.

It was enough to send Pedroia home with the second Boston run. If only it could have been more. When he came off the field for a pinch runner in the eighth, he was heard to holler at his teammates, "Put me back in it! Let me wear this uniform one more day!"

They tried with two gone in the ninth. Bradley singled and Pedroia wrung out a walk off Indians closer Cody Allen, but Travis Shaw wrung a full count for naught as he flied out modestly to right field.

So Ortiz settled for telling the younger team he would now depart to be proud of having gone from last to first in the AL East on the regular season and build on it. Even if he wasn't going to be there. Except maybe in spirit.

Then, he settled for one more bath of Fenway Park love on a night it seemed to hurt Red Sox Nation less to lose the division series in a sweep to a remarkable club of Indians than to realize the big man with the big heart who often held Boston's hand when the city needed him most (This is our f@cking city! he bellowed to a city bludgeoned by the Boston Marathon bombing) and wanted him best.

And Francona, who'd never dismiss the meaning of the two World Series rings to which he managed the Red Sox, rings he'd never have won without Big Papi, is probably telling his own youthful enough Indians that right there was the example of what you might do when the rest of the world has its doubts. The Indians will need a big shot of that going forward now.

Speedy recovery, Big Papi. And justice for the bastard who ambushed and shot you in the back.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on June 10, 2019, 09:16:39 pm
Lighting a candle in front of my Baby Jesus....that the Yankees sweep the Mets in their series starting tonight.

NATS are 'only' 7 games back.

SHUT UP, DC!!!

    22222frying pan

DC          Baseball Gods
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on June 16, 2019, 07:21:23 pm
Cheese n' crackers....  are the damned Atlanta Braves possessed or what??     :laugh:

@Polly Ticks
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on June 16, 2019, 08:42:34 pm
Cheese n' crackers....  are the damned Atlanta Braves possessed or what??     :laugh:

@Polly Ticks

@DCPatriot
If they are, I sincerely hope nobody calls for the priest to perform an exorcism.   :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: FeelNoPain on June 16, 2019, 09:02:03 pm
@DCPatriot
If they are, I sincerely hope nobody calls for the priest to perform an exorcism.   :laugh:

Watching the Phillies get violated by the Braves...Dayum!

No team has haunted my life like the Braves. Just a well run organization since I can remember.

Atlanta Delenda Est.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on June 16, 2019, 09:20:26 pm
Watching the Phillies get violated by the Braves...Dayum!

No team has haunted my life like the Braves. Just a well run organization since I can remember.

Atlanta Delenda Est.
@FeelNoPain
Was hoping that the series would be at least...SPLIT.   My NATS can at least tread water...but the Braves are HOT!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: FeelNoPain on June 16, 2019, 09:46:48 pm
@FeelNoPain
Was hoping that the series would be at least...SPLIT.   My NATS can at least tread water...but the Braves are HOT!

Phils are not hitting for power and their starting pitching is weak. Bullpen stinks, too, but at least I can blame that on injuries.

I wanted them to sign Keuchel. So, of course, the Braves get him.  9999hair out0000

Oh well, hopefully Bryce can talk Tony Two Bags into joining him in Philly next year.   :whistle:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on June 16, 2019, 11:08:16 pm
Phils are not hitting for power and their starting pitching is weak. Bullpen stinks, too, but at least I can blame that on injuries.

I wanted them to sign Keuchel. So, of course, the Braves get him.  9999hair out0000

Oh well, hopefully Bryce can talk Tony Two Bags into joining him in Philly next year.   :whistle:

If it makes you feel any better, a lot of Braves fans are still upset that we didn't manage to get Kimbrel back home in Atlanta...
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on June 16, 2019, 11:28:41 pm
If it makes you feel any better, a lot of Braves fans are still upset that we didn't manage to get Kimbrel back home in Atlanta...
@Polly Ticks
You want Kimbrel forcing the Braves to keep on-call crash carts in the postseason---for the players as much as the fans?  wink777
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: FeelNoPain on June 16, 2019, 11:33:24 pm
If it makes you feel any better, a lot of Braves fans are still upset that we didn't manage to get Kimbrel back home in Atlanta...

Yes, it does. Thanks for that. lol
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on June 16, 2019, 11:46:42 pm
@Polly Ticks
You want Kimbrel forcing the Braves to keep on-call crash carts in the postseason---for the players as much as the fans?  wink777

Yes, but have you noticed how many runs our current closer, Luke Jackson, has given up lately?  We're in a great position overall due to the offensive production, but we definitely have bullpen/closer issues we need to solve.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on June 16, 2019, 11:47:25 pm
Yes, it does. Thanks for that. lol
 

My pleasure.  I'm just happy to make the acquaintance of another baseball fan!
 :beer:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on June 17, 2019, 12:13:24 am
Yes, but have you noticed how many runs our current closer, Luke Jackson, has given up lately?  We're in a great position overall due to the offensive production, but we definitely have bullpen/closer issues we need to solve.
@Polly Ticks
Yes, you do, but I don't think Kimbrel would have been the answer for you. Good luck to the Cubs signing him.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on June 17, 2019, 01:22:55 am
@Polly Ticks
Yes, you do, but I don't think Kimbrel would have been the answer for you. Good luck to the Cubs signing him.

I hear you - I wasn't convinced, either.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on June 18, 2019, 02:08:11 am
Oh, how Casey Stengel would have loved this one: bottom of the fifth, two out in St. Louis. The Marlins have the overshift on to the right against Matt Carpenter, lefthanded hitter. Carpenter bunts one to the third base side. Compels the Marlins pitcher to run after the ball . . . all the way to the grass in short left field. Carpenter made it to second standing up. "It'll be the shortest double of his career!" crows a Cardinals announcer. Imagine Stengel: " Now there's this fella Carpenter, he hits those beautiful home runs sometimes when he's not making the pitcher cover the whole exterminated left side of the infield . . . "
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on June 18, 2019, 02:39:13 pm
@Polly Ticks
You want Kimbrel forcing the Braves to keep on-call crash carts in the postseason---for the players as much as the fans?  wink777

Yep, we saw him collapse against the Astros.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on June 18, 2019, 03:36:08 pm
Yep, we saw him collapse agains the Astros.
Cardiac Kimbrel was the perfect illustration of what's wrong with the save rule in the last postseason: You tell someone he has a 6.74 ERA in the 2018 postseason and they come back with, "He had six saves!!" Somehow, getting credit for six saves while putting his team on a high wire almost every time he took the mound last postseason just isn't my idea of the guy you want to bring in from the pen when the Promised Land is really on the line and you need a stopper like five minutes ago, or when you have a chance to nail the game down tight shut.

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on June 20, 2019, 02:12:21 am
OMG!   NATS sweep a double-header from the Phillies!

Max Scherzer 117 pitches in 7 shutout innings...with a broken nose yesterday trying to bunt in batting practice.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on June 22, 2019, 02:11:50 am
The BRAVES/NATS game was sensational!  4-3 NATS.

Robles comes out of nowhere to snag the final out and his and Suerro's celebration.... reliever almost threw out his back!

My heart!!!!         :thud:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on June 24, 2019, 05:43:02 pm
Astros snapped a 7 game losing streak yesterday.

 :amen:

In his first 12 games, Yordan Alvarez has hit 7 home runs and has 16 RBI.
No one in the history of MLB has done this in 12 games before.
He still leads the AAA Pacific Coast League in Home Runs, and he hasn't played there in 2 weeks!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on June 26, 2019, 04:59:08 pm
Anybody else having trouble accessing the All Star Starters ballot?

I'm guessing the server is just overloaded since voting just opened up in the last hour.  Will have to try again later ...

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on June 26, 2019, 05:01:33 pm
Anybody else having trouble accessing the All Star Starters ballot?

I'm guessing the server is just overloaded since voting just opened up in the last hour.  Will have to try again later ...

I don't know, I stopped voting when they changed it from those punch cards you got at the ballparks....

 :shrug:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on June 26, 2019, 05:05:47 pm
I don't know, I stopped voting when they changed it from those punch cards you got at the ballparks....

 :shrug:

My local AAA team still has punchcards for Ballpark Bingo.  Maybe you could get a quick fix that way.   :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on June 26, 2019, 05:12:48 pm
My local AAA team still has punchcards for Ballpark Bingo.  Maybe you could get a quick fix that way.   :laugh:

 :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on June 27, 2019, 04:37:56 pm
@GrouchoTex
@EasyAce

As I newbie to MLB, I find that there are so many things I don't understand -- not the least of which (but not limited to) the farm system. Drafts. Trades. Etc. Plus, quirky rules, certain strategies. So many questions come to mind as I watch my Astros, but there's no one to ask. Can either of you direct me to a site/video that explains all the aspects of MLB so I can enjoy the experience of being a baseball fan to the fullest?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on June 29, 2019, 04:42:32 pm
@GrouchoTex
@EasyAce

As I newbie to MLB, I find that there are so many things I don't understand -- not the least of which (but not limited to) the farm system. Drafts. Trades. Etc. Plus, quirky rules, certain strategies. So many questions come to mind as I watch my Astros, but there's no one to ask. Can either of you direct me to a site/video that explains all the aspects of MLB so I can enjoy the experience of being a baseball fan to the fullest?
@AllThatJazzZ
One thing you can do it search for the MLB rule book. It's just about all over the Net now.

Another thing: hunt out some of the books by the like of Rob Neyer, Thomas Boswell, Bill James, Roger Angell (one more time: he isn't baseball's Homer, Homer was ancient Greece's Roger Angell); and, such Websites as MLBTradeRumours.com, Baseball Reference, ESPN, NBC Sports's MLB coverage, and MLB.com itself.

The most important thing: watch as many games as you can!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on June 29, 2019, 05:01:04 pm
My grandsons watch a ton of instructional/coaching videos on YouTube, have to see if I can find some of the channels....  great way to learn a lot about the game...
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on June 29, 2019, 05:13:11 pm
I had the pleasure of taking my son and his girl friend to an Angels game Thursday night, his graduation present. (He graduated Friday from a special pre-college program for disabled students in southern California.) When they start announcing the Angels' starting lineup, the PA system plays this vintage record (with the vocals edited out, but it's still a kick) . . .

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeHVfUJJfok#)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on June 29, 2019, 05:26:01 pm
@AllThatJazzZ
One thing you can do it search for the MLB rule book. It's just about all over the Net now.

Another thing: hunt out some of the books by the like of Rob Neyer, Thomas Boswell, Bill James, Roger Angell (one more time: he isn't baseball's Homer, Homer was ancient Greece's Roger Angell); and, such Websites as MLBTradeRumours.com, Baseball Reference, ESPN, NBC Sports's MLB coverage, and MLB.com itself.

The most important thing: watch as many games as you can!

@EasyAce

Thanks for responding. I have done some of the things you suggested, but I find that there's a certain baseball-speak that is used by many who are steeped in the knowledge of the game that whiz right past us novices. Even so, I'm tapping into sites, reading articles, Googling stuff and watching videos as much as possible. I listen to our announcers (love them!) as they call the game, but there's still much that goes over my head or leaves me with additional questions.

Regarding watching as much baseball as I can -- I have perfect attendance for the Astros regular-season games this year, all from the comfort of my couch. In a perfect world, I'd have a baseball geek to watch those games with who could answer the myriad of questions that pop up in my mind.

Again, thanks for the time and recommendations. I'll be sure to look into them. 
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on June 29, 2019, 07:12:54 pm
@GrouchoTex
@EasyAce

As I newbie to MLB, I find that there are so many things I don't understand -- not the least of which (but not limited to) the farm system. Drafts. Trades. Etc. Plus, quirky rules, certain strategies. So many questions come to mind as I watch my Astros, but there's no one to ask. Can either of you direct me to a site/video that explains all the aspects of MLB so I can enjoy the experience of being a baseball fan to the fullest?

Jazz, as a fellow Astros fan, if you have any game questions, feel free to PM me. 
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on June 29, 2019, 10:56:36 pm
@EasyAce

Thanks for responding. I have done some of the things you suggested, but I find that there's a certain baseball-speak that is used by many who are steeped in the knowledge of the game that whiz right past us novices. Even so, I'm tapping into sites, reading articles, Googling stuff and watching videos as much as possible. I listen to our announcers (love them!) as they call the game, but there's still much that goes over my head or leaves me with additional questions.
@Jazzhead
I've been watching and loving baseball ever since I was six years old---when my maternal grandfather took me to the old Polo Grounds to see the Original Mets. (Yes, considering that team and its comic calamity, there may be those who'd have considered doing that child abuse. But everything you may ever have heard about them is absolutely true: it was like Abbott pitching to Costello, with the four Marx Brothers covering the infield [I don't recall for dead last certain but I think Groucho's on first, Harpo's on second, Chico's on third, and Zeppo in the I-don't-give-a-darn position), the Three Stooges in the outfield, the Harlem Globetrotters in the bullpen, the Keystone Kops on the bench, and Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton on the coaching lines.) Lots of teams have sucked? The Original Mets sucked . . . with style.

So, yes, I have been a Met fan since the day they were born (rumour has it that lifelong Met fans are eligible for disability benefits, but I have yet to see that confirmed) and a Boston Red Sox fan since the 1967 pennant race. (These were the ancient days when man's imagination ranneth not to the concept of more than three major networks, one public television network, a couple of indie networks in the second string---in my New York is was DuMont's successor Metromedia on Channel 5, WOR-TV on Channel 9who just so happened to carry the Mets---and WPIX, Channel 11, in those years the Yankees' station---and UHF, on which you could pick up out-of-area stations if the currents were right, and in 1967 I was picking up so many Red Sox games as they surprised one and all but getting into the pennant race for keeps that I became a fan.) Would you like to see my class-A drug bills from October 1986?

Don't let baseball-speak unnerve you. As you learn it and master it, you will discover two things: 1) It's a glorious language, when 2) it isn't overrun by cliches that actually injure as much as instruct. (I wrote about baseball's language recently (https://throneberryfields.com/2019/05/15/watching-your-language-baseball-division/).)

Some of the books in the baseball half of my home library include:

Roger Angell, Five Seasons, Late Innings, Season Ticket, Once More Around the Park, and Game Time. Splendid anthologies of the New Yorker essays that ultimately made him the first non-newspaper or daily baseball writer to be inducted into the writers' wing of the Hall of Fame.

Allen Barra, Clearing the Bases and Brushbacks and Knockdowns---Two collections of Barra's exquisitely logical self-instigated debates on assorted baseball questions. (Including a classic argument that the answer is: He said ninety percent of the game is mental and the other half is physical, with the question being, Who was the single greatest team player in baseball and in any sport in the 20th Century?)

Thomas Boswell, How Life Imitates the World Series, Why Time Begins on Opening Day, The Heart of the Order, Game Day, and Cracking the Show---Anthologies of the third best baseball columnist of the 20th Century who's still pretty sharp.

David Claerbaut, Durocher's Cubs: The Best Team That Didn't Win---A splendid analysis of why the 1969 Cubs blew the National League East in divisional play's first year.

Wayne Coffey, They Said It Couldn't Be Done---An equally splendid analysis of why the 1969 Mets didn't blow the NL East . . . and went all the way to a surreal World Series triumph.

Robert W. Creamer, Stengel: His Life and Times; and, Steven Goldman, Forging Genius: The Making of Casey Stengel---Two books that tell you everything you need to know to debunk any lingering sentiment that just anyone could have managed and won with the 1949-1960 Yankees. And neither book neglects Stengel the character, either.

Jay Jaffe, The Cooperstown Casebook---The single best analysis I've ever read (and you'll ever read) of the Hall of Fame.

William C. Kashatus, September Swoon---How and why the 1964 Phillies blew the pennant they had in their hip pockets and then never really contended again for the rest of the 1960s. Also recommended: Kashatus's biography of Dick Allen, those Phillies' most controversial and completely misunderstood player.

Ring Lardner, Lardner on Baseball and The Lost Journalism of Ring Lardner---Gathers his classic and forgotten (but imperative) baseball writing.

Keith Law, Smart Baseball; and, Brian Kenny, Ahead of the Curve---The two best books I've ever read about sabermetrics and advanced baseball analysis.

Jane Leavy, Sandy Koufax---The best biography you'll ever read about a pitcher who lived up to his legend on the mound and was (and is) an even better man off it.

Rob Neyer, Rob Neyer's Big Book of Baseball Blunders---The single best gathering of some of the game's classic foul-ups, bleeps, blunders, and boners. (And we don't mean Merkle's Boner, either . . . )

George Plimpton, One for the Record---Plimpton's classic account of Henry Aaron's pursuit of and passing Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list.

Shirley Povich, All Those Mornings at the Post---Posthumous anthology of the second-best baseball columnist of the 20th Century.

Michael Shapiro, Bottom of the Ninth: Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball From Itself---The story of Rickey's bid to form a third major league after the Dodgers and Giants left New York, and how it had ramificatoins for baseball well into the future.

Red Smith, Red Smith on Baseball---Posthumous collection anthologising perhaps the best baseball columnist of the 20th Century.

Neil J. Sullivan, The Dodgers Move West; and, Michael Shapiro, The Last Good Season---The real story of the Dodgers' leaving New York, and it wasn't just Walter O'Malley on a gold rush, either.

Jason Turnbow, Dynastic, Bombastic, Fantastic---The best book you'll ever read about Charlie Finley and the 1970s Oakland Athletics.

Tom Verducci, The Best of Tom Verducci---An anthology of perhaps Sports Illustrated's best contemporary baseball writer.

George F. Will, Men at Work, Bunts, and A Nice Little Place on the North Side---The first is Will's dive into the inner workings of baseball, those who play and manage it, and the minds behind it; the second, a collection of the baseball columns he wrote to break up the monotony of covering such lesser pursuits as politics and government; the third, his love letter to Wrigley Field on its centenary. (He grew up a Cub fan, the poor soul.  wink777 Bunts includes the two columns that would ultimately be mashed up into the much-anthologised "The Chicago Cubs, Overdue.")

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 01, 2019, 02:08:58 pm
@GrouchoTex
@EasyAce

As I newbie to MLB, I find that there are so many things I don't understand -- not the least of which (but not limited to) the farm system. Drafts. Trades. Etc. Plus, quirky rules, certain strategies. So many questions come to mind as I watch my Astros, but there's no one to ask. Can either of you direct me to a site/video that explains all the aspects of MLB so I can enjoy the experience of being a baseball fan to the fullest?

@AllThatJazzZ

I like Roger Angell and Thomas Boswell a lot.

The acronyms for all of the statistics have gotten way out of hand, in my opinion.
There are a lot of new ones that have come up in the last decade or so.
I have to still use google to figure out what they are referring to.

The trade rules can be tricky, but here are some basics to that:

A player, in his 1st 3 years in the major leagues, has to take the money the ball club offers him, which could be (and oftentimes is) the league minimum.
Years 4 to 6, the player can accept a contract offer or go to arbitration.
That's where the club picks a number and so does the player, and an arbitrator picks one or the other offer put forth, and that's binding.
After year 6, a player becomes a free agent, and can sign with any team that wants them.
That last bit I can remember off the top of my head is the 10-and-5 rights.
A player who has been in the league 10 years, the last 5 of them being with the same team, can veto any trade that he doesn't agree with, and remain with the ball club his is currently with.

Lastly, I think once you start figuring out the strategies and nuances, you'll be hooked.
I think it a wonderful game, our glorious pastime.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 02, 2019, 04:13:34 am
Jazz, as a fellow Astros fan, if you have any game questions, feel free to PM me.

Thanks, @catfish1957. I think I'll take you up on your kind offer.





@Jazzhead
I've been watching and loving baseball ever since I was six years old...

...the much-anthologised "The Chicago Cubs, Overdue.")

Wow, @EasyAce! You're a baseball-writing machine! Thanks for the recommendations. I'll check into them.

P.S. I'm still not Jazzhead. Maybe my tagline's too subtle?  :seeya:





@AllThatJazzZ

I like Roger Angell and Thomas Boswell a lot.

The acronyms for all of the statistics have gotten way out of hand, in my opinion.
There are a lot of new ones that have come up in the last decade or so.
I have to still use google to figure out what they are referring to.

The trade rules can be tricky, but here are some basics to that:

A player, in his 1st 3 years in the major leagues, has to take the money the ball club offers him, which could be (and oftentimes is) the league minimum.
Years 4 to 6, the player can accept a contract offer or go to arbitration.
That's where the club picks a number and so does the player, and an arbitrator picks one or the other offer put forth, and that's binding.
After year 6, a player becomes a free agent, and can sign with any team that wants them.
That last bit I can remember off the top of my head is the 10-and-5 rights.
A player who has been in the league 10 years, the last 5 of them being with the same team, can veto any trade that he doesn't agree with, and remain with the ball club his is currently with.

Lastly, I think once you start figuring out the strategies and nuances, you'll be hooked.
I think it a wonderful game, our glorious pastime.

@GrouchoTex

I see that I have much to learn. Thanks for your input. Feel free to post whatever info that pops into your mind. BTW, I'm already hooked. Here's a text exchange I had with my son-in-law who lives in the L.A. area and is a season ticket holder for the Dodgers. We had some fun smack-talking during the 2017 World Series. I was only watching because getting to the World Series was a much-needed boost for the entire Southeastern Texas Gulf Coast area after the horrible events of Harvey. Having my SIL to banter with just added to the fun. Here's an excerpt from our texts after the win:

Nov. 1, 2017
Me: I won’t be watching anymore baseball after tonight unless the Astros manage to go to the WS again. It’s not my game. The reason it matters so much this years is because (1) we actually made it to the WS, and (2) the devastating year Houston has been (is still going) through.

SIL: I get it. But I’m a baseball guy. No other sport even matters to me for watching except cricket. It’s all about bat and ball for me.

Me: I know how that feels. I was lost after football season was over, but now I’ve weaned myself off football.


And here's my text to him a few months later:

March 28, 2018
Me: I’m deciding if I want to be a baseball fan. You seem to enjoy it so much, and I had a great time watching last year’s post-season games, especially those last seven! There are an awfully lot of games to keep up with, though. I’ll be watching tomorrow and see how long that lasts. Knowing me, I’ll probably be planning my days around MLB games. Oh, well, it’s not like I actually have a social life so what the hey! Go Astros!

And as predicted, I'm now planning my days around the games. Perfect attendance so far in 2019. Kinda lost when there are off days like today. I think it's safe to say that I'm hooked.  :yowsa:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 02, 2019, 05:57:19 am
Wow, @EasyAce! You're a baseball-writing machine! Thanks for the recommendations. I'll check into them.

P.S. I'm still not Jazzhead. Maybe my tagline's too subtle?  :seeya:
Damn I can't believe I made that mistake!  :beer:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 02, 2019, 02:52:04 pm
@AllThatJazzZ

Right after Harvey, The first Astros homestand was against the Mets, who had the unfortunate luck of one of their starting pitchers being named Harvey during that series.
@EasyAce has written an article about him.
I think he started on a Saturday, but I do remember he got rocked pretty good.
My wife and I went to the ballpark on Sunday, a game we won as well.

Yes, the Astros World Series win was a wonderful remedy for a city torn up by Harvey.
Let's hope it doesn't take floods, hurricanes, famine, drought or pestilence to get us to the next one!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 02, 2019, 02:53:56 pm
And as predicted, I'm now planning my days around the games. Perfect attendance so far in 2019. Kinda lost when there are off days like today. I think it's safe to say that I'm hooked

@AllThatJazzZ

LOL, I can relate.
I wasn't sure what to do with myself last night, with the Astros having an off day.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Jazzhead on July 03, 2019, 12:41:03 pm
Excellent list of baseball books,  @EasyAce      I have to add one more  - The Glory of Their Times, by Lawrence Ritter.    An early example of oral history,   Ritter interviewed many of the greats of the deadball era and assembled a truly enchanting panorama of how it all was a hundred years ago - and not so much different than it is today.

Baseball is the best sport in part because of its history.    The greats of yesteryear could compete with the greats of today,  and the records and accomplishments of Cobb and Mathewson can and are compared with the feats of Altuve and Bregman.   Like jazz,  that other great American contribution to the Meaning of Life,  it is that continuum and respect for what came before that lies at the heart of so many fans' obsession with the greatest game.   
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on July 07, 2019, 02:45:27 am
NOTICE!!  NOTICE!!  NOTICE!!

If you ever get the chance, get yourself and your children to go and see Max Scherzer when the NATS' pitcher is starting.


....Thank Yewwwww!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 07, 2019, 03:17:14 am
NOTICE!!  NOTICE!!  NOTICE!!

If you ever get the chance, get yourself and your children to go and see Max Scherzer when the NATS' pitcher is starting.


....Thank Yewwwww!

I probably won't ever be able to do that, but I didn't mind watching Gerrit Cole shut out the Angels tonight.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 07, 2019, 03:36:13 am
Any Rangers fans here? I have a cousin in North Texas who is not able to watch their games that are on any channel other than their local Fox. She's on satellite, but I don't know which one.

Except for the occasional local Fox broadcast, I'm able to watch all Astros games on ATTSW which is on the basic, no-bells-or-whistles cable package. How does all that work in the various markets? Why can't my cousin watch the Rangers games without a special sports package?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 08, 2019, 06:14:35 pm
I probably won't ever be able to do that, but I didn't mind watching Gerrit Cole shut out the Angels tonight.

Whew, how about that 5 hour, 11-10, 10 inning game yesterday?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on July 08, 2019, 06:25:58 pm
Bryce Harper vs. Juan Soto at the AS Break...


BRYCE HARPER: Ranked 57th in the NL  $33 MILLION PER YEAR FOR TEN YEARS   http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/30951/bryce-harper (http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/30951/bryce-harper)

His replacement at NATS Park, JUAN SOTO: Ranked 12th in the NL  $578,300 PER YEAR currently ... http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/36969/juan-soto (http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/36969/juan-soto)

The Lerner family has proven to be geniuses for letting that Diva walk away.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 08, 2019, 07:52:44 pm
Whew, how about that 5 hour, 11-10, 10 inning game yesterday?

@GrouchoTex

I was exhausted, physically and emotionally. It was one of the wildest game I've seen in my entire year-and-a-half career of being a rabid Astros fan. :pop41: I learned a lot about strategies, etc., listening to Berkman explaining things to the kids.

The collision was upsetting in numerous ways. That it happened. That Jake has been demonized. That baseball is a tough game but the umps can woosify if they want to. Yes, I'm a newcomer, but I can't see a way to keep such collisions from happening when you have a fast-moving ball and a fast-moving runner headed for a base at any point in the game. Someone, please tell me where I'm wrong.

How did you hold up? Did you watch it all?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 08, 2019, 07:57:52 pm
Someone, please tell me where I'm wrong.

Cervelli, Lucroy, and baseball’s most vulnerable beasts (http://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,367761.msg2005497.html#msg2005497)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 08, 2019, 08:14:31 pm
Whew, how about that 5 hour, 11-10, 10 inning game yesterday?

On the forum I particpate in, the bigger debate is around the Lucroy v. Marsinick collision.   
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 08, 2019, 08:18:11 pm
@GrouchoTex

I was exhausted, physically and emotionally. It was one of the wildest game I've seen in my entire year-and-a-half career of being a rabid Astros fan. :pop41: I learned a lot about strategies, etc., listening to Berkman explaining things to the kids.

The collision was upsetting in numerous ways. That it happened. That Jake has been demonized. That baseball is a tough game but the umps can woosify if they want to. Yes, I'm a newcomer, but I can't see a way to keep such collisions from happening when you have a fast-moving ball and a fast-moving runner headed for a base at any point in the game. Someone, please tell me where I'm wrong.

How did you hold up? Did you watch it all?

I think is going to get a suspension, based on the wussifcation of baseball trending and the Posey rule.  I have watched the collision at least 10 times, and still ask .....   When a backstop TOTALLY BLOCKS the plate.....   What is a baserunner supposed to do?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 08, 2019, 08:25:11 pm
When a backstop TOTALLY BLOCKS the plate.....   What is a baserunner supposed to do?
How about a backstop moving forward left away from the plate, which is exactly what Lucroy did just moments before Marisnick clearly left the proper baseline toward the large dirt area in front of the plate (https://deadspin.com/jake-marisnick-should-probably-be-suspended-for-this-1836180059) and hit Lucroy when Lucroy wasn't even close to the plate?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 08, 2019, 08:28:54 pm
How about a backstop moving forward left away from the plate, which is exactly what Lucroy did just moments before Marisnick clearly left the proper baseline toward the large dirt area in front of the plate (https://deadspin.com/jake-marisnick-should-probably-be-suspended-for-this-1836180059) and hit Lucroy when Lucroy wasn't even close to the plate?

Bullshit.  I've watched the replay 10 times.  By the time Lucroy made that move, Marsinick had already made his move to "unobstruct the plate". Your 3 second narrative on the how the play unfolded is fallacy versus the capabilities of the human body to process information,
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 08, 2019, 08:33:41 pm
Bullshit.  I've watched the replay 10 times.  By the time Lucroy made that move, Marsinick had already made his move to "unobstruct the plate". Your 3 second narrative on the how the play unfolded is fallacy versus the capabilities of the human body to process information,
I've watched several replays several times, and my conclusion stands. Marisnick moved after Lucroy moved out forward left from the plate and Marisnick was clearly out of the baseline. If an Angels runner had done the same thing regarding Astros catcher Matt Stassi and the movements went the same way, with the same result, I'd have called it the same way and hoped Stassi might escape the worst, too, however futile the hope might be. (Lucroy does indeed have a broken nose and a concussion; he's due to leave the hospital today but how long he'll be on the IL especially under the concussion protocol is anyone's guess.)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 08, 2019, 08:53:12 pm
Marisnick did go inside the base line that part is true.
@GrouchoTex

I was exhausted, physically and emotionally. It was one of the wildest game I've seen in my entire year-and-a-half career of being a rabid Astros fan. :pop41: I learned a lot about strategies, etc., listening to Berkman explaining things to the kids.

The collision was upsetting in numerous ways. That it happened. That Jake has been demonized. That baseball is a tough game but the umps can woosify if they want to. Yes, I'm a newcomer, but I can't see a way to keep such collisions from happening when you have a fast-moving ball and a fast-moving runner headed for a base at any point in the game. Someone, please tell me where I'm wrong.

How did you hold up? Did you watch it all?

Oh yeah, I watched it all.
Marisnick and Lucroy  have started quite the discussion.
I'll watch it again.
Marisnick was inside the line, which he was not supposed to be, that I'll concede.  He would be out, but that is rarely called now.
It appears to me at first glance that he did so more to avoid the collusion, than to cause it.
Lucroy was going left back across the line more, towards his left looking down the third baseline from home, but didn't make it back out of the way fast enough.
That's what I recall but I'll have to look at again to be certain.

Not so sure it was intentional, Marisnick's crash or Lucroy's block, but that was the ultimate result, that the crash took place.
Had Marisnick stayed correctly on the base path, the results could have been much worse, Helmet-to-face, instead of shoulder-to-face.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 08, 2019, 08:56:55 pm
Had Marisnick stayed correctly on the base path, the results could have been much worse, Helmet-to-face, instead of shoulder-to-face.
Actually, if Marisnick stayed straight on the baseline there wouldn't have been a collision. Watch the replays very carefully. Lucroy moved forward left before Marisnick banked hard to his own left---Lucroy had to make that move anyway to take Calhoun's throw home on the short hop, but if Marisnick stayed on the straight baseline a) he had a better chance to score, with Lucroy just enough away from the plate, even if b) Lucroy concurrently still had a solid chance to tag him out.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 08, 2019, 09:07:59 pm
Actually, if Marisnick stayed straight on the baseline there wouldn't have been a collision. Watch the replays very carefully. Lucroy moved forward left before Marisnick banked hard to his own left---Lucroy had to make that move anyway to take Calhoun's throw home on the short hop, but if Marisnick stayed on the straight baseline a) he had a better chance to score, with Lucroy just enough away from the plate, even if b) Lucroy concurrently still had a solid chance to tag him out.
I'll take another look.
I haven't seen it since yesterday when it happened live.
They did replay it at the time, but I had thought initially Lurcoy, while he was in front plate, spun to apply the tag, and put himself in the baseline at that point.
I'll check it again.

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 08, 2019, 09:09:43 pm
How about a backstop moving forward left away from the plate, which is exactly what Lucroy did just moments before Marisnick clearly left the proper baseline toward the large dirt area in front of the plate (https://deadspin.com/jake-marisnick-should-probably-be-suspended-for-this-1836180059) and hit Lucroy when Lucroy wasn't even close to the plate?

100% fiction!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 08, 2019, 09:19:53 pm
100% fiction!

He wrote an article a few days ago, about going to an Angels game.  Homerism probably at its best.  I believe Jake will be suspended, but only because of the Posey rule. That's pretty black and white.  I totally stand by the fact (check the replay) that Jake did not have time to uncommit to a collision (inner baseline), by the time Lucroy made his last second move toward mid-plate.

My hopes are with Mr. Lucroy for a speedy recovery.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 08, 2019, 09:24:23 pm
He wrote an article a few days ago, about going to an Angels game.  Homerism probably at its best.  I believe Jake will be suspended, but only because of the Posey rule. That's pretty black and white.  I totally stand by the fact (check the replay) that Jake did not have time to uncommit to a collision (inner baseline), by the time Lucroy made his last second move toward mid-plate.

My hopes are with Mr. Lucroy for a speedy recovery.

And I join you in wishing Lucroy a speedy recovery.  If Jake gets suspended it will be a TOTAL miscarriage and will further lower my regard for the game of baseball as it is played today.  I thought that was impossible but maybe not.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 08, 2019, 09:29:35 pm
And I join you in wishing Lucroy a speedy recovery.  If Jake gets suspended it will be a TOTAL miscarriage and will further lower my regard for the game of baseball as it is played today.  I thought that was impossible but maybe not.

I think the assinine MLB move that will be the straw that breaks the camel's back, is if they decide to implement the designated runner rule, to reduce the number of extra inning games. 

MLB is hellbent on ruining the game I grew up with and loved. 

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 08, 2019, 10:22:41 pm
Cervelli, Lucroy, and baseball’s most vulnerable beasts (http://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,367761.msg2005497.html#msg2005497)

Unfortunately, your link couldn't show me where I was wrong. http://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,367761.msg2005728.html#msg2005728 (http://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,367761.msg2005728.html#msg2005728)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 08, 2019, 10:25:23 pm
He wrote an article a few days ago, about going to an Angels game.  Homerism probably at its best. 
I took my son and his girlfriend, both of whom live in Norwalk, California as opposed to myself living in Las Vegas, to an Angels game as a graduation present for him. Aside from that, only someone who actually didn't read what I wrote about that night could possibly accuse me of homerism, especially since my primary focus was the home runs hit in the game by both sides (the Angels, the Athletics), in light of a) the bitching this season over the home run spike and b) the fact that the loudest cheers in the ballpark that night came for---you guessed it---the home runs, and it wasn't just Angel fans making a racket over the homers, either: there was a sizeable contingency of A's fans (yes, the A's actually have fans, believe it or not) in the park making almost as much noise for their guys' home runs as the Angels' fans did for theirs.

And if I included a photograph of myself, my son, and his lady wearing assorted Angel caps, so what? The principle of when in Rome to one side, I happen to be a collector and wearer of historic baseball hats, including the reproduction of the 1961 Angels' hat I wore in the photo: it was the hat they wore in their first season in the American League, without the halo embroidered in the top of the crown yet. (That feature arrived in 1962.)

In the context of the article's major thrust of some people never being satisfied, I also mentioned the Orioles (and there are probably no fans in baseball less satisfied these days than Oriole fans) having won back-to-back shutouts in which they scored thirteen or more runs while their fans . . . bitched about the celebratory uniforms they wore that weekend, on which their jersey sleeves, the bills of their hats, and the "Orioles" script on the jersey fronts, were occupied by images of Maryland's state flag. (It was a state holiday that weekend.) And as it happened, a day or so before I departed for California for my son's graduation festivities, there arrived in my mail this hat . . .

(https://scontent.flas1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/65261502_10156850035027912_4173190988744884224_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQldI3vnPBmxr8EFklNA08I0V0Vkg_X8fo9r9A_K8g9agK_d_OBXE1O7pVlK9oSeC3g8zswPMpwIia0wIV4Mrh3x&_nc_ht=scontent.flas1-1.fna&oh=c773d5e32a4b9d1582ca7b8340ec6c97&oe=5DB23438)

It's the hat the Orioles wore from 1958-1962, my personal favourite of all the hats the Orioles have worn in my lifetime. I also have this one . . .

(https://di2ponv0v5otw.cloudfront.net/posts/2018/11/18/5bf1bcf5baebf69c8f8ee279/m_5bf1bd01bb7615fdce41cccc.jpg)

. . . which I bought in 1998 at Camden Yards itself, when I was traveling around the country, spent a couple of days in Baltimore, and a) took a guided tour of that ballpark (for those who haven't been there, it's everything you heard it was and more), before b) watching a game in the park that night.

I also have these hats (and you may rest assured I removed the tags and stickers from mine!):

(https://dks.scene7.com/is/image/dkscdn/17NEWMMLBNTSRDGMCAPA_is/?$DSG_ProductCard$) (https://slimages.macysassets.com/is/image/MCY/products/9/optimized/9611599_fpx.tif?bgc=255,255,255&wid=169&qlt=90,0&layer=comp&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.7,1.0,0.5,0&fmt=jpeg) (https://dks.scene7.com/is/image/dkscdn/17NEWMMLBNDNSNVYLAPA?wid=425) (https://www.hatland.com/hatscatimg/chicago-cubs-hats.jpg) (https://d2h1pu99sxkfvn.cloudfront.net/b0/7685184/434939969_TnzxFOMwJS/P6.jpg) (https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/223476979590_/New-Era-Kansas-City-Royals-GAME-59Fifty-Fitted.jpg) (https://fanatics.frgimages.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productimages/_3380000/ff_3380866-11f006738fc44058de86_full.jpg&w=340) (https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/201812180457_/MLB-Vintage-Brooklyn-DODGERS-Snapback-Cap-Hat-American.jpg) (https://fanatics.frgimages.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productimages/_2659000/ff_2659885_full.jpg&w=340) (https://www.hatland.com/prodimg/m1/browns-1927-coop-fitted-new-era-14301.jpg) (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81UjZp4ie4L._SX466_.jpg)

(The Tigers hat I happened to buy during the aforesaid travel around the country, when I was fortunate enough to get tickets for a game at old Tiger Stadium.)

Plus . . .

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9e/3f/ac/9e3fac6317bea6ca2edcfe3417f71eed.jpg)
Las Vegas's AAA level minor league team, known as the 51s from the time I first came to Vegas in 2007 until last season. And . . .

(https://scontent.flas1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/57059866_10156666361292912_4229731166590074880_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_oc=AQlETb9nP-J90dAjfpbshFdEkcBwfjZLezm-c_yf4gywTB3XQ0sppid8AWvdjH6JiHg1GWobol7Tvvac5a80hAaC&_nc_ht=scontent.flas1-1.fna&oh=adb08b53db6c5d401f98131f5c0f7e1e&oe=5DA8A09A)
An alternate hat of the team, known as the Aviators since the beginning of this season.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 09, 2019, 02:51:59 am
. . . and, your 2019 Home Run Derby champion is . . . Pete Alonso (Mets), who faced Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (Blue Jays) in the final round and beat him.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 09, 2019, 12:56:48 pm
Actually, if Marisnick stayed straight on the baseline there wouldn't have been a collision. Watch the replays very carefully. Lucroy moved forward left before Marisnick banked hard to his own left---Lucroy had to make that move anyway to take Calhoun's throw home on the short hop, but if Marisnick stayed on the straight baseline a) he had a better chance to score, with Lucroy just enough away from the plate, even if b) Lucroy concurrently still had a solid chance to tag him out.

I watched it again last night.
When that throw came in, Lucroy had to move up and left to get it. Marisnick hadn't anticipated that and had the inside track already picked out that point.
He had figured Lucroy would stay where he was, or even move more "south".
It didn't work that way obviously.
That, according to Gerrit Cole, (not just me), was the ironic part.
Where Lucroy started,and where Lucroy wound up, are 2 different spots.
If Lucroy doesn't move up and left, the collusion doesn't take place.
The ironic part being that Marisinick move north to avoid it, but so did Lucroy.
Just a sad chain of events, but I do believe Marisnick was moving inside the line to avoid it, but  Lucroy also moved that same direction to catch the one-hop, off-line throw.

Yes, at the end of the day, if Marisnick takes the outside track, it doesn't happen, but that's hindsight now, after Lucroy moved to get the throw.
How could he know that the throw would be off line at that instant that it happened?
It was awfully quick.
Marisnick, under the rules, is out for leaving the base path, but we've all seen people sliding in "front" of home plate and reaching a hand out to tag the plate, and it is rarely called that the runner had left the base path.
Looking at it all over again, I do not believe it was malicious, but I do believe Marisnick still may get an suspension out of it.

Let's hope for a speedy and 100% recovery for Lucroy.


Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 09, 2019, 01:06:22 pm
I watched it again last night.
When that throw came in, Lucroy had to move up and left to get it. Marisnick hadn't anticipated that and had the inside track already picked out that point.
He had figured Lucroy would stay where he was, or even move more "south".
It didn't work that way obviously.
That, according to Gerrit Cole, (not just me), was the ironic part.
Where Lucroy started,and where Lucroy wound up, are 2 different spots.
If Lucroy doesn't move up and left, the collusion doesn't take place.
The ironic part being that Marisinick move north to avoid it, but so did Lucroy.
Just a sad chain of events, but I do believe Marisnick was moving inside the line to avoid it, but  Lucroy also moved that same direction to catch the one-hop, off-line throw.

Yes, at the end of the day, if Marisnick takes the outside track, it doesn't happen, but that's hindsight now, after Lucroy moved to get the throw.
How could he know that the throw would be off line at that instant that it happened?
It was awfully quick.
Marisnick, under the rules, is out for leaving the base path, but we've all seen people sliding in "front" of home plate and reaching a hand out to tag the plate, and it is rarely called that the runner had left the base path.
Looking at it all over again, I do not believe it was malicious, but I do believe Marisnick still may get an suspension out of it.

Let's hope for a speedy and 100% recovery for Lucroy.

I saw it happen and watched replays till my eyes hurt. STILL cannot fathom where anyone gets the idea that Marisnick ever left the basepath!  He did not!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on July 09, 2019, 01:18:36 pm
. . . and, your 2019 Home Run Derby champion is . . . Pete Alonso (Mets), who faced Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (Blue Jays) in the final round and beat him.

That 2nd round between Pederson and Guerrero was epic.

Having said that, what do you think of the current format for the Home Run Derby?  I think on the whole it's pretty entertaining, but there's a definite advantage to whoever goes second.  I liked the previous "10 misses and you're out" format for a more even playing field.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 09, 2019, 02:39:52 pm
I saw it happen and watched replays till my eyes hurt. STILL cannot fathom where anyone gets the idea that Marisnick ever left the basepath!  He did not!

Detractors do not realize that on a north south path to the plate, a juke move by the back stop is hard to discern, especially when your eyes are peeled on the catcher rather than the basepath.  Easy Ace blew this one.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 09, 2019, 03:08:58 pm
Detractors do not realize that on a north south path to the plate, a juke move by the back stop is hard to discern, especially when your eyes are peeled on the catcher rather than the basepath.  Easy Ace blew this one.

 :yowsa:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 09, 2019, 03:41:02 pm
That 2nd round between Pederson and Guerrero was epic.

Having said that, what do you think of the current format for the Home Run Derby?  I think on the whole it's pretty entertaining, but there's a definite advantage to whoever goes second.  I liked the previous "10 misses and you're out" format for a more even playing field.
@Polly Ticks
If we must have the Home Run Derby, I agree with you about the former ten-out format.

Otherwise, I'm even more in favour of doing away with the Home Run Derby entirely. Oh, sure, it's great fun. But it's also a) little more than hyped and glorified batting practise; and, b) bearing at least a 50-50 chance that those who win will have lesser second halves of seasons than they did first. I did an analysis of it in March and discovered that, among 34 Home Run Derby champions including six Hall of Famers (in order of wins: Andre Dawson, Ryne Sandberg, Cal Ripken, Frank Thomas, Ken Griffey Jr. twice, and Vladimir Guerrero Sr.), exactly one shy of half of them had lesser second halves of seasons than first. (Anomaly: Eric Davis, in the season he won the Derby, had exactly the same OPS before the All-Star break as he did after it.)

Aaron Judge declined to participate in this year's Derby because he feared either being injured while participating or incurring an injury after it. It's not an illegitimate fear, but I couldn't find anything to make an overwhelming case for that happening to Derby winners. But when he said concurrently that the Derby impacts a player's second half, I saw a stronger case for that even if it's only been 50-50 so far. Judge himself is evidence for that: he won the 2017 Derby (and put one helluva show on while he was at it), but his regular season second half was pronouncedly less than his first half was. His first half: 1.139 OPS; 208 total bases; his second half: .939 OPS; 132 total bases. And his second half was still a second half a lot of players would kill to deliver.

Sure, Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. put one helluva show on Monday night, whether he competed against Joc Pederson or Pete Alonso. (The best line about the Derby anywhere turned up on Twitter: "Joc Pederson's going after that $1 million like he's behind in his rent.") But two things to remember:

* He actually isn't an All-Star; talented as he is, his rookie season is one of making more adjustments to major league competition than was thought he'd need after he overwhelmed in the minors.

* The Home Run Derby may be great entertainment, but it isn't baseball. Say what you will about how the All-Star teams are composed and arranged, but at least the All-Star Game is baseball.

Pete Alonso, who did win the Derby, came into the All-Star break with a fat case as the National League's Rookie of the Year in the making: he's broken his team's record for homers in a season by a rookie (his 30 eclipsed Darryl Strawberry's 26 in 1983) and tied his team's record for most bombs before the All-Star break (his 30 equal Dave Kingman's 30 in 1976); and, he has a) a 1.006 OPS and a 166 OPS+ (he's sixth in the Show in the former and fourth in the latter) and b) tied with Cody Bellinger for second in the Show with his 30 bombs. It's not that his Mets are necessarily going anywhere this year (that team is riddled with issues not even a sliver of his making), but it's to see whether Alonso will have a second half equal to his first or close enough to it.

By contrast, it should be interesting to see the second half of the Astros' Alex Bregman. He was eliminated in the Derby's first round. when Joc Pederson out-homered him 21-16. But Bregman had the second-best line of the night when he was asked about the semi-final showdown between Pederson and Guerrero that went to a pair of swing-offs before Guerrero took it to set up his showdown with Alonso: I couldn't imagine three rounds of that. I was gassed after two minutes of it.

Not to mention the second halves of the others who were eliminated: Ronald Acuna Jr., Josh Bell, Matt Chapman, Carlos Santana.

On the other hand, Guerrero Jr. swung his way into a record book: he's part of the first father-and-son tandem to win Home Run Derbies. Whether he eventually becomes half of the first father-and-son tandem of players to become Hall of Famers is, of course, a wide open question the answer to which won't be known for a long enough time.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 11, 2019, 06:18:52 pm
Marisnick just received a 2 game suspension and a fine of an undisclosed amount.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 11, 2019, 06:42:01 pm
Marisnick just received a 2 game suspension and a fine of an undisclosed amount.

  **nononono* 
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 11, 2019, 07:41:59 pm
  **nononono*

@GrouchoTex
@Bigun

 :#@$%:

Y'all are taking this better than I am. I shall have to part company with those who pushed for this in an attempt to keep my blood pressure down.

 :soangry: *mad* :chairbang:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 11, 2019, 07:45:22 pm
@GrouchoTex
@Bigun

 :#@$%:

Y'all are taking this better than I am. I shall have to part company with those who pushed for this in an attempt to keep my blood pressure down.

 :soangry: *mad* :chairbang:

Don't check social media around this issue.  Opposing fans have been absolutely disgusting in their comments about Jake.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 11, 2019, 07:46:23 pm
Marisnick just received a 2 game suspension and a fine of an undisclosed amount.

Wonder how much he would have gotten if he was a Red Sox or Yankees player.   :pondering:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 11, 2019, 07:47:25 pm
@GrouchoTex
@Bigun

 :#@$%:

Y'all are taking this better than I am. I shall have to part company with those who pushed for this in an attempt to keep my blood pressure down.

 :soangry: *mad* :chairbang:

UH! No!  Not so at all!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 11, 2019, 07:48:42 pm
@GrouchoTex
@Bigun

 :#@$%:

Y'all are taking this better than I am. I shall have to part company with those who pushed for this in an attempt to keep my blood pressure down.

 :soangry: *mad* :chairbang:

@AllThatJazzZ

Angels fans will probably be more upset about it than I am.
2 games isn't much.
It's enough to say that upon review, the league said, "This wasn't on purpose, but don't do it again."
Fair enough.
It's what I've felt all along.
No, Marisnick wasn't necessary trying to do this, but he did do it.

(Think about it this way, if the suspension starts today, he misses playing in Arlington. The only think worst than July in Arlington, is August in Arlington).
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 11, 2019, 07:52:26 pm
@AllThatJazzZ

Angels fans will probably be more upset about it than I am.
2 games isn't much.
It's enough to say that upon review, the league said, "This wasn't on purpose, but don't do it again."
Fair enough.
It's what I've felt all along.
No, Marisnick wasn't necessary trying to do this, but he did do it.

(Think about it this way, if the suspension starts today, he misses playing in Arlington. The only think worst than July in Arlington, is August in Arlington).

Bullsh*t!  Marisnick didn't do a damned thing other than play baseball!

There goes MY blood pressure!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 11, 2019, 08:01:49 pm
Relax, Everybody...

Marisnick is one of my favorite players.
As great as he plays in the field, if he ever hit above .250 consistently, he'd be an everyday player.
He's saved us a lot of runs being that good, and on a part-time basis.
And, he seems like a genuine nice guy.

The joke I heard the other day about how great he is in the outfield:

"The earth is covered in 2/3 water, the other 1/3 is covered by Jake Marisnick"


Shoot me now, if you like, but I think he made a mistake by going in front of home plate.
That's what I saw, and what I keep seeing, on the replay.
Fire at will...............



Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on July 11, 2019, 08:32:38 pm
Bullsh*t!  Marisnick didn't do a damned thing other than play baseball!

There goes MY blood pressure!

Are you kidding??

Super-Slo-Mo says that his suspension was warranted.   He CHOSE to lower his shoulder and go THRU the catcher.

Be honest about it.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 11, 2019, 08:36:08 pm
Are you kidding??

Super-Slo-Mo says that his suspension was warranted.   He CHOSE to lower his shoulder and go THRU the catcher.

Be honest about it.
@DCPatriot
I was honest about it (http://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,367761.0.html). And was almost crucified for it.  wink777

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 11, 2019, 09:06:29 pm

"The earth is covered in 2/3 water, the other 1/3 is covered by Jake Marisnick"

 :thumbsup:






Shoot me now, if you like, but I think he made a mistake by going in front of home plate.
That's what I saw, and what I keep seeing, on the replay.
Fire at will...............

I won't shoot you. I might like to give you a healthy thump on the head.

I will always maintain that this same play would never have come to this if Marisnick and Lucroy had collided in the exact same way but Lucroy didn't get hurt. (Collision an inch off; ball 1/2 inch closer; Lucroy's head turned slightly; any number of reasons.) If Lucroy had been able get up and continue play, no fine or suspension for Jake. Run would have counted. Prove that I'm wrong. In fining and suspending him, the statement made is that they expected Marisnick to be clairvoyant and to be able to screech to a halt or make a quick move to the right when he was already in speed-of-Jake motion.

But maybe there are those who would rather have seen Jake stop, throw his hands up and acquiesce to the catcher. Or try tiptoeing to home plate. Yeah, that's baseball. Wussified baseball. Bubblewrap, anyone?

Just in case there's anyone who is of the mind that I don't care that Lucroy sustained terrible injuries, you are wrong. I hate that he got hurt. I pray that he makes a full recovery and goes on to play many years of outstanding baseball. I believe athletes know what the possibilities of injury are when they sign up to play. They accept the risk because they love the game. Robinson Chirinos could tell you about that.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 11, 2019, 09:11:47 pm
@DCPatriot
I was honest about it (http://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,367761.0.html). And was almost crucified for it.  wink777

As opposed to those who disagreed and were therefore dishonest about it.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 11, 2019, 09:16:16 pm
As opposed to those who disagreed and were therefore dishonest about it.

His thread, therefore he is automatically 100% right...  (/S)

 :silly:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on July 11, 2019, 09:16:28 pm
A few clips from the video @Lando Lincoln posted in the original thread:

(http://i66.tinypic.com/20jsoza.jpg)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 11, 2019, 09:33:50 pm
 **nononono*

I'll blame it on the errant throw.....
It's the closest thing to the truth we may ever really know.
The throw was off-line.

Everybody happy now?

 :cool:

 :beer:

 :amen:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 11, 2019, 09:39:25 pm
A few clips from the video @Lando Lincoln posted in the original thread:

(http://i66.tinypic.com/20jsoza.jpg)

Perfectly  illustrates my contentions and counters earlier in this thread. 

In slide (1) Say at zero seconds- Lucroy is blocking the plate.  Even at this camera angle.

Slide (2) at .5 seconds, Lucroy makes his juke move in toward inside of the plate.  Marsinick mistakenly adjusts, and Jake at this tiny time frame has probably lost focus on the plate.

Slide (3) At 1+ seconds-  Yes Marsinick is within the base path, but the camera angle is misleading. Lucroy has completed his juke move.  Look at this same shot from the opposite angle below.  Jake appears to be just within the base paths, while Lucroy is blocking the plate.  My best guess is Jake was still thinking he is within baseline guidelines , and rules are specific that catcher can not block plate without possession of the ball.  Simply, He was trying to beat the ball, but chose a wrong way to slide.

In the most technical of technicalities, Marsinick is violation of the Posey rule.....    Fair or not. 

Sadly, the ESPN / MSM media won't give all the camera angles to fans to make a sound judgement of intent or maliciousness.

I'm ready to move on.  How about everyone else.



(https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_912,h_516,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/Screen-Shot-2019-07-07-at-63934-PM-adc55efb7eb5760274b46899756b7748.jpg)
At this camera angle, Marsinick seems to be within the baseline as little as a foot, and Lucroy seems to be blocking the plate.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 11, 2019, 09:50:37 pm

Perfectly  illustrates my contentions and counters earlier in that thread. 

In slide (1) Say at zero seconds- Lucroy is blocking the plate.  Even at this camera angle.

Slide (2) at .5 seconds, Lucroy makes his juke move in toward inside of the plate.  Marsinick mistakenly adjusts, and Jake at this tiny time frame has probably lost focus on the plate.

Slide (3) At 1+ seconds-  Yes Marsinick is within the base path, but the camera angle is misleading. Lucroy has completed his juke move.  Look at this same shot from the oppisite angle below.  Jake appears to be just within the base paths, while Lucroy is blocking the plate.  My best guess is Jake was still thinking he is within baseline guidelines , and rules are specific that catcher can not block plate without possession of the ball.  Simply, He was trying to beat the ball, but chose a wrong way to slide.

In the most technical of technicalities, Marsinick is violation of the Posey rule.....    Fair or not. 

Sadly, the ESPN / MSM media won't give all the camera angles to fans to make a sound judgement of intent or maliciousness.

I'm ready to move on.  How about everyone else.



(https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_912,h_516,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/Screen-Shot-2019-07-07-at-63934-PM-adc55efb7eb5760274b46899756b7748.jpg)
At this camera angle, Marsinick seems to be within the baseline as little as a foot, and Lucroy seems to be blocking the plate.

Yep!  Even baseball fans fall victim to seeing only what they want you to see..  SAD!

From any angle you care to view it, the collision may have occurred very slightly inside the base LINE, nothing occured outside the base PATH!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 11, 2019, 09:55:35 pm
Yep!  Even baseball fans fall victim to seeing only what they want you to see..  SAD!

I frequent other baseball forums, and some of the disgusting things that have been said about Marsinick will turn your stomach. 

Like I mentioned, the wuss Posey rule does show Jake in violation. I'll grant that.  I thought a one game suspension and no fine would have been the most equtiable punishment. 
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 11, 2019, 10:05:37 pm
On to Arlington, where the temperature is only 93 degrees right now.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on July 11, 2019, 10:22:25 pm
I frequent other baseball forums, and some of the disgusting things that have been said about Marsinick will turn your stomach. 

Like I mentioned, the wuss Posey rule does show Jake in violation. I'll grant that.  I thought a one game suspension and no fine would have been the most equtiable punishment.

That's just crazy (trash talking Marsinick on this play).

I have no dog in the fight, not a fan of either team.

And, was not a fan of the Posey rule when it went into effect.  But as you say, yes, this ended up being a violation.

And I understand about camera angles, but am hard pressed to believe that the images shown above (which clearly place the bodies of both players well inside of the base line), can distort it to the degree that these are not realistic images.  (No part of the body of either player was even close to the line at the point of collision.  And in the 2nd image it is very clear that Marsinick has changed direction heading to the inside.  I doubt that he was intending to crash into the catcher, because it is as someone else mentioned, the errant throw is what is drawing the catcher into that position.)

Truly an accident that ended up in a (stupid) rules violation. 

1 game or 2 games suspension?  Doesn't seem all that significant in the long run....  JMO.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on July 11, 2019, 10:24:42 pm
To me it looks like he make up his mind to go inside, since the catcher was essentially in front of the plate.

He had to choose.  The ball wasn't going to get there in time and the catcher shortened the distance.

A classy runner would have dived over the catcher and patted the plate for the ump.

In that deciding moment, he was going thru a brick wall.   :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 11, 2019, 10:33:31 pm
Quote
:6.01(i)(1).

  (2) Unless the catcher is in possession of the ball, the catcher cannot block the pathway of the runner as he is attempting to score. If, in the judgment of the umpire, the catcher without possession of the ball blocks the pathway of the runner, the umpire shall call or signal the runner safe.

Why is no one talking about this little tidbit?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on July 11, 2019, 10:37:08 pm
Why is no one talking about this little tidbit?

@Bigun

Because the catcher moved so he couldn't be charged with blocking the plate.

Problem is, they both went the same way and the runner committed himself a bit over zealously.   :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on July 11, 2019, 10:40:14 pm
I think Lucroy wanted to have it both ways (like most catchers), leaving his foot and shin to block, with the rest of his body out of the path....
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 11, 2019, 10:42:17 pm
@Bigun

Because the catcher moved so he couldn't be charged with blocking the plate.

Problem is, they both went the same way and the runner committed himself a bit over zealously.   :laugh:

@DCPatriot  Buff feathers!  Jake Marisnick did nothing but play baseball and him being punished for that is a travesty!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 11, 2019, 10:42:36 pm


Truly an accident that ended up in a (stupid) rules violation. 



Well stated
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 11, 2019, 10:48:13 pm

A classy runner would have dived over the catcher and patted the plate for the ump.



An athletic version of Jake M.  might have been able to leap frogged Lucroy. 

Have you seen Marisnick?  He's built like a linebacker.  Based on alternate camera angles, and intent.  I don't think the inferred "classy", or lack of is really descriptive of this unforunate event. 

Just my take of it, my baseball friend.    :beer:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 11, 2019, 10:49:35 pm
Well stated

It is!  But I'm still pizzed that Marisnick was called out! Forget about suspended and fined!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 11, 2019, 10:51:02 pm
It is!  But I'm still pizzed that Marisnick was called out!

Can you imagine the uproar if AJ had called for a replay, while Lucroy was being placed on a stretcher?   

He made the right move.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 11, 2019, 11:05:39 pm
As opposed to those who disagreed and were therefore dishonest about it.
@AllThatJazzZ
Uh, no.  I never implied and wouldn't imply disagreement to be equal to dishonesty. I spoke only of expressing my honest view.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 12, 2019, 01:02:20 am
Marisnick is appealing and I hope he wins!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 12, 2019, 03:13:37 am
@AllThatJazzZ
Uh, no.  I never implied and wouldn't imply disagreement to be equal to dishonesty. I spoke only of expressing my honest view.

@EasyAce

Fair enough. Apologies for misunderstanding.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 12, 2019, 03:23:32 am
Marisnick is appealing and I hope he wins!

 :yowsa: Yes. Yes he is. He's very appealing. All my friends and I think so.

Wait! You meant that's he's trying to get his punishment overturned.  :facepalm2: ***blushing***
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 12, 2019, 01:02:22 pm
:thumbsup:





I won't shoot you. I might like to give you a healthy thump on the head.

I will always maintain that this same play would never have come to this if Marisnick and Lucroy had collided in the exact same way but Lucroy didn't get hurt. (Collision an inch off; ball 1/2 inch closer; Lucroy's head turned slightly; any number of reasons.) If Lucroy had been able get up and continue play, no fine or suspension for Jake. Run would have counted. Prove that I'm wrong. In fining and suspending him, the statement made is that they expected Marisnick to be clairvoyant and to be able to screech to a halt or make a quick move to the right when he was already in speed-of-Jake motion.

But maybe there are those who would rather have seen Jake stop, throw his hands up and acquiesce to the catcher. Or try tiptoeing to home plate. Yeah, that's baseball. Wussified baseball. Bubblewrap, anyone?

Just in case there's anyone who is of the mind that I don't care that Lucroy sustained terrible injuries, you are wrong. I hate that he got hurt. I pray that he makes a full recovery and goes on to play many years of outstanding baseball. I believe athletes know what the possibilities of injury are when they sign up to play. They accept the risk because they love the game. Robinson Chirinos could tell you about that.

@AllThatJazzZ

I don't think it would be wise to give me a healthy thump on the head.

The ensuing massive echo that it would cause inside that skull of mine would radiate out and take us both down, perhaps a whole city block!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Lando Lincoln on July 12, 2019, 03:55:30 pm
Just my two-cent opinion which is grossly over-priced:

Marisnick went in to blow up Lucroy as in old school baseball.  Old school baseball umpires would not have called it as anything but "safe".  Can anyone list anything in today's culture that remains "old school"?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 12, 2019, 04:04:32 pm
Just my two-cent opinion which is grossly over-priced:

Marisnick went in to blow up Lucroy as in old school baseball.  Old school baseball umpires would not have called it as anything but "safe".  Can anyone list anything in today's culture that remains "old school"?

I seem to interchange the words baseball and wussification on a daily basis now.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Lando Lincoln on July 12, 2019, 04:36:07 pm
Home plate collisions were once a common occurrence in baseball. Here are the most famous (https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/home-plate-collisions-were-once-a-common-occurrence-in-baseball-here-are-the-most-famous/ar-AAEckYU?ocid=spartandhp)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 12, 2019, 04:42:10 pm
Home plate collisions were once a common occurrence in baseball. Here are the most famous (https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/home-plate-collisions-were-once-a-common-occurrence-in-baseball-here-are-the-most-famous/ar-AAEckYU?ocid=spartandhp)

My own playing days were ended on a play very much like that.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 12, 2019, 06:43:48 pm
MLB Testing Strange New Rule Allowing Players to Steal First Base

https://www.westernjournal.com/wc/mlb-testing-strange-new-rule-allowing-players-steal-first-base/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=thenewvoice&fbclid=IwAR0zHs1b9AWtkRmNI0incpXkWtUepXp3shQL8aHDLEaKvjJp9CPhBiXP2wI (https://www.westernjournal.com/wc/mlb-testing-strange-new-rule-allowing-players-steal-first-base/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=thenewvoice&fbclid=IwAR0zHs1b9AWtkRmNI0incpXkWtUepXp3shQL8aHDLEaKvjJp9CPhBiXP2wI)

 **nononono*
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 12, 2019, 06:49:51 pm
MLB Testing Strange New Rule Allowing Players to Steal First Base

https://www.westernjournal.com/wc/mlb-testing-strange-new-rule-allowing-players-steal-first-base/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=thenewvoice&fbclid=IwAR0zHs1b9AWtkRmNI0incpXkWtUepXp3shQL8aHDLEaKvjJp9CPhBiXP2wI (https://www.westernjournal.com/wc/mlb-testing-strange-new-rule-allowing-players-steal-first-base/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=thenewvoice&fbclid=IwAR0zHs1b9AWtkRmNI0incpXkWtUepXp3shQL8aHDLEaKvjJp9CPhBiXP2wI)

 **nononono*
@Bigun

Remember Germany Schaefer! (https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/2594238c)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 14, 2019, 03:03:42 am
Get the prayer kits working . . .

HOFer Bob Gibson says he has pancreatic cancer (https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27184110/hofer-bob-gibson-says-pancreatic-cancer)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 15, 2019, 02:00:51 pm
Get the prayer kits working . . .

HOFer Bob Gibson says he has pancreatic cancer (https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27184110/hofer-bob-gibson-says-pancreatic-cancer)

Damn.
One of my favorite pitchers from that era.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 17, 2019, 06:23:41 pm
The Angels have taken 2 so far, in the 4 game series in Anaheim against the Astros.
I haven't stayed awake to see them.

I didn't hear that Marisnick got hit by a pitch.
That seemed to get people up in arms on both sides of the diamond.
At noon today, when a co-worker showed me the video, was the first news I had about this.

Seems like Marisnick was playing the role of peacemaker in what I saw.

He is originally from Riverside.
He probably enjoyed going close to home, to Anaheim, to play.
Not so sure he will for a while.
 


Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 17, 2019, 08:37:07 pm
The Angels have taken 2 so far, in the 4 game series in Anaheim against the Astros.
I haven't stayed awake to see them.

I didn't hear that Marisnick got hit by a pitch.
That seemed to get people up in arms on both sides of the diamond.
At noon today, when a co-worker showed me the video, was the first news I had about this.

Seems like Marisnick was playing the role of peacemaker in what I saw.

He is originally from Riverside.
He probably enjoyed going close to home, to Anaheim, to play.
Not so sure he will for a while.

Again, I will preface my remarks by admitting that I'm (1) new to baseball, and (2) a girl. I do NOT like the practice of deliberately hitting a pitcher. It's concerning when you hear your own announcers pass it off as acceptable. Anyone who condones it needs to drop all the holier-than-thou pretense that there's a problem with unsportsmanlike conduct in baseball. For the home-plate collision, Jake has been fined and suspended for breaking a rule (that I'm not convinced is completely observable due to the pace of play, but let's just go with the notion that it is). Apparently, the fine and suspension weren't enough. Apparently, it's the fine + the suspension + being hit by a pitch. That stinks.

BTW, this exacting revenge mentality is one of the reasons I disagree with the NL rules requiring the pitcher to be in the batting rotation. Who's to say some pitcher on Team A might try to take out Team B's pitcher as he bats due to a legitimately accidental HBP or even an aggressive play by that Team B pitcher that resulted in a Team A player getting hurt? Such a thing presumes to discern the motives of the player, which seems unfair. Reminder that there were many who were convinced that Marisnick intended to hurt Lucroy and couldn't/wouldn't be convinced otherwise. Therefore the revenge was deemed justifiable. As the Astros slog through this rough time with pitching injuries and an overused bullpen, I'm learning the importance of a healthy pitching staff. Pitchers (and their teams) should NEVER have to be concerned about taking one at the plate, even if it doesn't result in an injury.

All that said, I agree @GrouchoTex. Marisnick was the adult on the field.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 18, 2019, 07:50:41 pm
@DCPatriot

Spotted on Twitter: " "Go Nats! Score more points than the Braves!"

And hit more touchdowns, send more baskets home, and drive in more field goals.  wink777
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on July 18, 2019, 07:56:02 pm
@DCPatriot

Spotted on Twitter: " "Go Nats! Score more points than the Braves!"

And hit more touchdowns, send more baskets home, and drive in more field goals.  wink777
  @EasyAce

LOL!

Was thinking of you after watching last night's NATS vs. Orioles game.  Their bullpen gave up 7 runs total.... in the 7th and 8th and lost 9-2.

...to the ORIOLES pitching staff.


Then, I thought perhaps Davey Martinez did it on purpose to get the Lerners to spend $$$ for relief help before the trading deadline.

...always trying to find a silver lining.

The weekend series in Atlanta is HUGE for us to keep the momentum going.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 18, 2019, 08:03:03 pm
  @EasyAce

LOL!

Was thinking of you after watching last night's NATS vs. Orioles game.  Their bullpen gave up 7 runs total.... in the 7th and 8th and lost 9-2.

...to the ORIOLES pitching staff.
@DCPatriot
I think David Bowie had a song about the Nats bullpen once: "Putting Out Fire with Gasoline."

Then, I thought perhaps Davey Martinez did it on purpose to get the Lerners to spend $$$ for relief help before the trading deadline.

...always trying to find a silver lining.
Better a silver lining than aluminum foil or zinc.  :beer:

The weekend series in Atlanta is HUGE for us to keep the momentum going.
"Huge: may be an understatement. This set could possibly decide how the Nats take hold of the trade deadline period.

Meanwhile, hark here to remember a Washington baseball legend:

Joe Grzenda, RIP: Holding a riot ball (http://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,368749.0.html)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on July 19, 2019, 12:39:20 am
8-1 NATS leading the BRAVES in the middle of the 3rd inning.

Strasburg lumbers home from 1st base on Eaton's 'triple' and then hits a 3-run HR later in the inning.  Amazing.

So, too, was the ritual dance line they do in their dugout after a guy goes yard....ritual started by Parra earlier in the season.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 19, 2019, 12:36:30 pm
Astros evened the series with the Angels. with wins of 11-2, and 6-2.
Home this weekend to take om the Strangers, ahem, Rangers.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 19, 2019, 07:55:03 pm
Astros evened the series with the Angels. with wins of 11-2, and 6-2.
Home this weekend to take om the Strangers, ahem, Rangers.

Laying out my accessories for tonight...

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 19, 2019, 08:53:20 pm
Laying out my accessories for tonight...
@AllThatJazzZ
Clearly you are a lady with style and class to burn!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 19, 2019, 09:41:30 pm
Laying out my accessories for tonight...

@AllThatJazzZ

A-ha, Silver Boots for the Silver Boot series.

Nice Touch!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 19, 2019, 10:17:57 pm
@AllThatJazzZ

A-ha, Silver Boots for the Silver Boot series.

Nice Touch!

Relative from the DFW area recently reminded me of how the rump rangers have won more silver boots than us.   

My only simple reply is whether he can state where the only world series trophy in Texas resides.... :cool:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 20, 2019, 04:13:52 pm
@AllThatJazzZ
Clearly you are a lady with style and class to burn!

@EasyAce

Yes, clearly. And my ensemble worked out well for us last night, so 3 guesses what I'll be wearing for the rest of the series. I'm not superstitious. I like the bling. And winning.






@AllThatJazzZ

A-ha, Silver Boots for the Silver Boot series.

Nice Touch!

@GrouchoTex

So far, so good. Nothing but respect for Minor, though, keeping his cool after the 4 homers, especially the back-to-back-to-backs.






Relative from the DFW area recently reminded me of how the rump rangers have won more silver boots than us.   

My only simple reply is whether he can state where the only world series trophy in Texas resides.... :cool:

@catfish1957

Ba-dum-tssss!

Bless their hearts. They're trying awfully hard to measure up, even starting out with their own Mimic Maid Park. We're not supposed to notice so they're naming it Globe Life Field to divert our attention.

Here's some fun rivalry smack talk...
https://www.reddit.com/r/Astros/comments/b077d8/mimic_maid_park_aka_arlingtons_new_stadium/?sort=confidence (https://www.reddit.com/r/Astros/comments/b077d8/mimic_maid_park_aka_arlingtons_new_stadium/?sort=confidence)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 20, 2019, 04:25:58 pm
Laying out my accessories for tonight...

@AllThatJazzZ  Watched the game last night waiting for them to find your decked out self and put the camera on you.  Didn't happen.   :crying:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 20, 2019, 06:11:00 pm
@AllThatJazzZ  Watched the game last night waiting for them to find your decked out self and put the camera on you.  Didn't happen.   :crying:
@Bigun
She looked too classy for the camera people.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 20, 2019, 06:17:14 pm
@Bigun
She looked too classy for the camera people.

Probably right!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 22, 2019, 02:52:39 pm
Relative from the DFW area recently reminded me of how the rump rangers have won more silver boots than us.   

My only simple reply is whether he can state where the only world series trophy in Texas resides.... :cool:

@catfish1957

Here's a visual reminder you can send to your relative. Try to resist reminding him that they've dropped to 4th place. That would be tacky, right?  wink777
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 22, 2019, 02:58:56 pm
I wasn't at the park that night, y'all, but look for me sans bling on Wednesday. Astros vs. Oakland A's. Verlander starts. Third base side near the Crawford Boxes. I'll wave.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 22, 2019, 03:16:51 pm
I wasn't at the park that night, y'all, but look for me sans bling on Wednesday. Astros vs. Oakland A's. Verlander starts. Third base side near the Crawford Boxes. I'll wave.

 :yowsa:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 23, 2019, 05:54:16 am
Where are my Astros buddies? I hope y'all didn't miss tonight's game against Oakland. Eleven was a magical number. The night that was set aside to commemorate Apollo 11 was peppered with elevens all night long! I snapped a pic to text to my cousin and thought maybe I'd share it on this thread. Then I changed my mind ... until I noticed that this is page 11 of the thread. I took that as a sign, so here's a pic of the TV graphic with a few of the elevens.

Enjoyed the 3rd-inning interview with Neil Armstrong's son (who wore a jersey with #11 as he threw out the first pitch). Seven runs scored during that inning, bringing the score to 11-0. I'm not really superstitious, but I wouldn't mind if he visited the booth frequently. Just in case.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 23, 2019, 11:41:44 am
Where are my Astros buddies? I hope y'all didn't miss tonight's game against Oakland. Eleven was a magical number. The night that was set aside to commemorate Apollo 11 was peppered with elevens all night long! I snapped a pic to text to my cousin and thought maybe I'd share it on this thread. Then I changed my mind ... until I noticed that this is page 11 of the thread. I took that as a sign, so here's a pic of the TV graphic with a few of the elevens.

Enjoyed the 3rd-inning interview with Neil Armstrong's son (who wore a jersey with #11 as he threw out the first pitch). Seven runs scored during that inning, bringing the score to 11-0. I'm not really superstitious, but I wouldn't mind if he visited the booth frequently. Just in case.

@AllThatJazzZ
The 11th batter of the inning drove in the 11th run on their 11th hit.
All on Apollo 11 commemoration night.
Gerrit Cole?
He had 11 strikeouts.

A very potent line up now, and Correa should be back next week.

Be afraid, American League, be very afraid.......

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on July 24, 2019, 11:50:27 am
NATS have Fette and Corbin going today in the Day-Night Doubleheader versus the ROCKIES today.

The NATS are 'only' 4 games back in the 'Lost Column' behind the Atlanta BRAVES.

...with Max Scherzer slated to pitch tomorrow for the finale of the 4 game series.    :patriot:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 26, 2019, 04:09:51 am
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/07/astros-to-designate-tony-kemp-activate-carlos-correa.html (https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/07/astros-to-designate-tony-kemp-activate-carlos-correa.html)

I didn't realize I was signing up for this when I decided to become a baseball fan. My first taste of losing a beloved player was when the 2019 season started and Marwin was gone. Others, too, but losing Marwin was the hardest. Now -- and I understand the business decisions behind it -- we're losing Tony. I know for a fact that I'm not the only one who's shed a few tears over it. Maybe guys don't, but women do.

I'm sure I'll make the adjustment, but my heart will forever miss the presence of Tony Kemp on the Astros. And I'll probably feel a bit jealous of the next team he ends up on.

https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Remembering-all-Tony-Kemp-Hugs-for-Homers-Astros-14135188.php (https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Remembering-all-Tony-Kemp-Hugs-for-Homers-Astros-14135188.php)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 26, 2019, 01:29:45 pm
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/07/astros-to-designate-tony-kemp-activate-carlos-correa.html (https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/07/astros-to-designate-tony-kemp-activate-carlos-correa.html)

I didn't realize I was signing up for this when I decided to become a baseball fan. My first taste of losing a beloved player was when the 2019 season started and Marwin was gone. Others, too, but losing Marwin was the hardest. Now -- and I understand the business decisions behind it -- we're losing Tony. I know for a fact that I'm not the only one who's shed a few tears over it. Maybe guys don't, but women do.

I'm sure I'll make the adjustment, but my heart will forever miss the presence of Tony Kemp on the Astros. And I'll probably feel a bit jealous of the next team he ends up on.

https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Remembering-all-Tony-Kemp-Hugs-for-Homers-Astros-14135188.php (https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Remembering-all-Tony-Kemp-Hugs-for-Homers-Astros-14135188.php)

I understand how you feel @AllThatJazzZ but I look at it this way. Tony will likely land on his feet and become an everyday player wherever he lands. That probably would never happen for him with the Astros.  I wish nothing but the very best for him!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 26, 2019, 01:47:59 pm
I understand how you feel @AllThatJazzZ but I look at it this way. Tony will likely land on his feet and become an everyday player wherever he lands. That probably would never happen for him with the Astros.  I wish nothing but the very best for him!

When I was young, Rusty Staub leaving the Astros had a saddening effect.  Then at some point realizing how much money these guys made......   Didn't really feel sorry for those that got traded.  It's a business, and you got to put that in that frame of mind.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 26, 2019, 05:30:05 pm
I understand how you feel @AllThatJazzZ but I look at it this way. Tony will likely land on his feet and become an everyday player wherever he lands. That probably would never happen for him with the Astros.  I wish nothing but the very best for him!


When I was young, Rusty Staub leaving the Astros had a saddening effect.  Then at some point realizing how much money these guys made......   Didn't really feel sorry for those that got traded.  It's a business, and you got to put that in that frame of mind.

@Bigun
@catfish1957

Y'all give my friends and me too much credit. Our tears are selfish. We assume that Tony will have a bright future regardless of where he ends up. We're emotionally attached to him. The loss of his energy and personality leaves a terrible void for us. And as I said, I understand the business decision behind the move. I'm just surprised at the sadness I feel.

I'm getting an education in baseball. One thing I've learned is how much more personal the game is than football. Not that I would have heeded the warning, but it almost seems like new baseball fans should be issued this WARNING: Affection for individual players may be stronger than expected. Possible heartbreak ahead.

BTW, Tony's salary is modest. He's not one of those making mega bucks. I hope that changes for him.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 26, 2019, 05:52:05 pm
Quote
BTW, Tony's salary is modest. He's not one of those making mega bucks. I hope that changes for him.

If he becomes an everyday player somewhere that is sure to happen.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 26, 2019, 07:46:35 pm
WARNING: Affection for individual players may be stronger than expected. Possible heartbreak ahead.
@AllThatJazzZ
I'll tell you a little secret: it might be applied to old baseball fans, too. Just ask, among others . . .

* Indians fans heartbroken over trading Rocky Colavito for Harvey Kuenn, 1960. (When Indians GM Trader Frank Lane, who was as addicted to making trades as some people are to coffee at the breakfast table, said he'd just traded hamburger for steak---never mind that hamburger was more than twice the run creator/run producer steak was.)

* Cub fans. Brockforbroglio. (It was said with such coordination that it sounded a) like one word; and, b) almost as though it were the actual surname of ill-fated Ernie Broglio, God rest his soul.)

* Astros fans who couldn't quite believe Trusty Rusty Staub was left to be snatched in the expansion draft that made him a Montreal Expo. (Where he became nicknamed, memorably, Le Grande Orange.) Or, that the Astros would trade solid double-play combination Denis Menke and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan to the Reds, where Morgan became one of the big keys to the Big Red Machine's mid-1970s success (not to mention a couple of World Series rings) and Menke would shift to third base. (Menke, as it turned out, was aging rapidly enough, but not before he suited up for the Reds and set a still-standing World Series record for fielding chances at third base without an error in the 1972 Series.)

* Mets fans over the "Saturday Night Massacre" trades involving Hall of Famer Tom Seaver and slugger Dave Kingman. (Said one banner at Shea Stadium after the Seaver trade: I WAS A BELIEVER/BUT NOW WE'VE LOST SEAVER. Even future commissioner and then-Yale president A. Bartlett Giamatti mourned the deal, writing---with a reference to that banner---"that among all the men who play baseball there is, very occasionally, a man of such qualities of heart and mind and body that he transcends even the great and glorious game, and that such a man is to be cherished, not sold.")

* Royals fans who thought then-manager Whitey Herzog lost his mind running slugging first baseman John Mayberry out of town and to Toronto. (They didn't know what the White Rat knew: Mayberry showed up hung over and high on pot for a critical American League Championship Series and was in no shape to play; the Royals got knocked out of the pennant and Herzog blamed Mayberry, spending the next season looking for a taker for him.)

* Cardinal fans who wanted to broil and baste Herzog (then the general manager as well as the manager) in due course for trading Keith Hernandez for three also-rans and allowing Hernandez, as the White Rat himself eventually acknowledged, "to get in our kitchen and rattle our pans" as the leader of the resurrecting 1980s Mets. (Those fans weren't aware of just why Herzog made the deal: Hernandez then had trouble with cocaine and, unlike other such players by whom Herzog stood if and when they cried for help, most notably catcher Darrell Porter and outfielder Lonnie Smith, didn't yet think he needed it. The trade scared Hernandez straight enough that he featured at the notorious Pittsburgh drug trials testifying that cocaine was "the devil on earth.")

* Angel fans watching the team let its most popular player of the mid-to-late 1980s, Wally Joyner, walk as a free agent. Unaware of team officials accusing Joyner of malingering when a staph infection took him out of most of the 1986 American League Championship Series, or of being a softie when he suffered rounds of injuries to follow, accusations that didn't exactly amuse Joyner. After Joyner signed with the Royals for 1992, Whitey Herzog himself---who'd been hired to examine the Angels' farm system and help with contract talks---said Joyner could have been kept an Angel, except that, "If there wasn't animosity on all sides, this deal would have been done by now. I feel like a damn divorce lawyer trying to decide who gets custody of this kid."

Among others . . .
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 26, 2019, 10:31:52 pm
we're losing Tony. I know for a fact that I'm not the only one who's shed a few tears over it.



@AllThatJazzZ

ATJ.....

Thought you might enjoy this.....

(https://media1.tenor.com/images/6ea9187ad0aeff77015bdf6a2fd5830e/tenor.gif?itemid=12384779)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 27, 2019, 04:40:27 pm
"...that among all the men who play baseball there is, very occasionally, a man of such qualities of heart and mind and body that he transcends even the great and glorious game..."

@EasyAce

Way to get the tears flowing again.  8888crybaby

Thanks for the examples of some of the heartbreaks and regrets in baseball. When I first took up this new addiction, I thought the only emotional rollercoaster part would be the wins and losses. Obviously I was naïve, but I'm already hooked. I'll take the highs and lows, but not without a box of Kleenex nearby.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 27, 2019, 04:46:47 pm
@AllThatJazzZ

ATJ.....

Thought you might enjoy this.....

(https://media1.tenor.com/images/6ea9187ad0aeff77015bdf6a2fd5830e/tenor.gif?itemid=12384779)

@catfish1957

A bittersweet gif, but I love it. Thanks!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 27, 2019, 04:52:14 pm
@EasyAce

Way to get the tears flowing again.  8888crybaby

Thanks for the examples of some of the heartbreaks and regrets in baseball. When I first took up this new addiction, I thought the only emotional rollercoaster part would be the wins and losses. Obviously I was naïve, but I'm already hooked. I'll take the highs and lows, but not without a box of Kleenex nearby.
@AllThatJazzZ
A. Bartlett Giamatti's original essay, "Tom Seaver's Farewell," was originally published (https://harpers.org/archive/1977/09/tom-seavers-farewell/) in Harper's in the September 1977 issue. It was also collected in the posthumous A Great and Glorious Game: Baseball Writings of A. Bartlett Giamatti (https://www.amazon.com/Great-Glorious-Game-Baseball-Writings/dp/1565121929/ref=sr_1_1?crid=60W7U67Y3E5E&keywords=a+great+and+glorious+game+baseball+writings+of+a.+bartlett+giamatti&qid=1564246293&s=gateway&sprefix=A.+Bartlett+Giamatti%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1).
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 27, 2019, 04:57:00 pm
@EasyAce

Way to get the tears flowing again.  8888crybaby
p.s. I had two occasions to write about Tom Seaver earlier this year:

The Franchise could use a miracle. (https://throneberryfields.com/2019/03/07/the-franchise-could-use-a-miracle/)
When miracle workers re-convene. (https://throneberryfields.com/2019/05/02/when-miracle-workers-re-convene/)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 27, 2019, 05:50:02 pm
To my fellow Astros fans...

What's wrong with this July 2 StroPoll?

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 27, 2019, 08:46:40 pm
To my fellow Astros fans...

What's wrong with this July 2 StroPoll?

Brantley missing as a choice?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 27, 2019, 10:17:56 pm
Brantley missing as a choice?

@catfish1957

While I can agree that Brantley needed to be on that list, I was thinking of someone else -- someone who's hot as a jalapeño these days.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 28, 2019, 01:00:34 am
@catfish1957

While I can agree that Brantley needed to be on that list, I was thinking of someone else -- someone who's hot as a jalapeño these days.

YULI!!!!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 28, 2019, 04:31:26 am
@AllThatJazzZ
A. Bartlett Giamatti's original essay, "Tom Seaver's Farewell," was originally published (https://harpers.org/archive/1977/09/tom-seavers-farewell/) in Harper's in the September 1977 issue. It was also collected in the posthumous A Great and Glorious Game: Baseball Writings of A. Bartlett Giamatti (https://www.amazon.com/Great-Glorious-Game-Baseball-Writings/dp/1565121929/ref=sr_1_1?crid=60W7U67Y3E5E&keywords=a+great+and+glorious+game+baseball+writings+of+a.+bartlett+giamatti&qid=1564246293&s=gateway&sprefix=A.+Bartlett+Giamatti%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1).

Interesting reading. Having only recently discovered the sport, I get lost in the esotericism at times. Therefore, I sometimes cheat and skim over certain parts, but I got the big picture. I also read your pieces that you linked in your next post. I'm glad Seaver was having a good day when his friends came to visit.

BTW, from looking at your numerous articles, I came away with two observations: (1) You're Canadian (or were educated there or in some Commonwealth nation), and (2) You're a writing machine! You must be very disciplined. It's possible I could have been as prolific as you had I been disciplined enough to make the effort. By the time I sat down to write down all those profound or witty or casual thoughts I'd been collecting in my mind, they weren't there. Kudos to you for your writing skills and for your dedication to the craft.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 28, 2019, 04:37:07 am
YULI!!!!

@Bigun

YOU BET!!!!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 28, 2019, 05:30:49 am
BTW, from looking at your numerous articles, I came away with two observations: (1) You're Canadian (or were educated there or in some Commonwealth nation) . . .
@AllThatJazzZ
I have a little surprise for you: I'm a native New York Jew, born in the Bronx and raised there and in Long Beach on Long Island. (Today I am a Jew who believes in Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah, though I'm not a member of any such formal congregation of similar believers just yet.) I learned British English from an eighth-grade English teacher who took a particular liking to me and thought I had some potential with a pen. In due course I went to college and graduated . . . and I received an education in spite of it. 
wink777

My formal and informal concentrations were literature as a major with minors in political science and journalism. Asked once why I didn't major in journalism, I answered that other than the elemental courses in news writing, editing, and the like, I was getting better training for journalism as an Air Force intel analyst---including a full year on the old Strategic Air Command's daily intelligence watch at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, where I also finished college (at the University of Nebraska at Omaha)---than I could possibly get in college or in a news internship.

(Any reporter who thinks daily deadlines in newspapers or radio are trying should have given that daily intel watch a pull, especially in the wee small hours of the morning when some lieutenant colonel in desperate need of a vacation would come blasting into our little shop every fifteen minutes or so on the brink of a nervous breakdown purring, "Dammit, the general doesn't know what he wants but he wanted it fifteen minutes ago!" Nothing in journalism ever seemed quite as trying after that!)

. . . and (2) You're a writing machine! You must be very disciplined. It's possible I could have been as prolific as you had I been disciplined enough to make the effort. By the time I sat down to write down all those profound or witty or casual thoughts I'd been collecting in my mind, they weren't there. Kudos to you for your writing skills and for your dedication to the craft.
Thank you for the kind words! As it happens, after my Air Force service I worked in regional daily newspapers, regional daily news radio, trade, and Internet journalism, in upstate New York, northern California, Louisville briefly, then southern California, before becoming what I am now and have been since I came to Las Vegas to live in 2007---a free-lance editor/writer (and blues guitarist).

I was plenty enough burned out on news before then, especially on too much of the phoniness in and around it, as it was. (You'd be amazed how much actual fake news gets ginned up at the regional level, away from the big media areas, too, and it takes a toll on people like me who simply had no stomach for that kind of fakery and not just in terms of regional government, law, and politics, either.) At long enough last, I began writing about the game I love in earnest during the early Aughts and I've stayed with it since. The free-lance life has allowed me to live the most stress-free life I've ever lived, and I'm grateful to God for every hour of it.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on July 28, 2019, 10:11:56 am
After watching the two games vs. the Dodgers, it's painfully apparent that the NATS can't compete with the big boys.

...and that Davey Martinez is an idiot.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 28, 2019, 12:53:23 pm
After watching the two games vs. the Dodgers, it's painfully apparent that the NATS can't compete with the big boys.

...and that Davey Martinez is an idiot.

@DCPatriot

Still think the Nationals go to the playoffs.

And as far as being competitive, I'll just painfully bring up the '98 Astros who beat up almost everyone up to playoff time.

The Astros were great that year, and positoned themselves well with one of the greatest midseason acquistion in Randy Johnson.  On paper, we, (outside the Yankees maybe)  were the best in baseball.

But as the old saying goes .....   you don't play it on paper, and we ran into a buzz saw named Kevin Brown, and the results sucked.  (3-1 NLDS loss to the Padres)

What i am leading up to is, you already have Scherzer.  Just one more pitcher getting red hot come October, just might give the Nationals a fightong chance, especially in a 5 game NLDS.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on July 28, 2019, 02:48:13 pm
@DCPatriot

Still think the Nationals go to the playoffs.

And as far as being competitive, I'll just painfully bring up the '98 Astros who beat up almost everyone up to playoff time.

The Astros were great that year, and positoned themselves well with one of the greatest midseason acquistion in Randy Johnson.  On paper, we, (outside the Yankees maybe)  were the best in baseball.

But as the old saying goes .....   you don't play it on paper, and we ran into a buzz saw named Kevin Brown, and the results sucked.  (3-1 NLDS loss to the Padres)

What i am leading up to is, you already have Scherzer.  Just one more pitcher getting red hot come October, just might give the Nationals a fightong chance, especially in a 5 game NLDS.
@catfish1957
Starters rarely go into the 8th inning today.   The NATS' bullpen can't get anybody out.

Anybody have little boys?   Teach them to throw a baseball from the mound to the plate at 95mph with control.

"Instant" millionaires...you'll never have to work another day in your life.   :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 28, 2019, 10:16:23 pm
Stephen Strasburg pitches a jewel against Walker Buehler. The Nats win, 11-4. Adam Eaton and skipper Dave Martinez get tossed for arguing a strike call on which a) Eaton thought he had ball four and was halfway up the first base line; b) every replay I saw of the pitch showed it should have been called ball four; and, c) Martinez hustled out trying to protect his player and he got thrown out. All in the first inning.

Breaking news: Marcus Stroman of the Blue Jays is traded to the Mets. Whom the Mets are sending the Jays isn't yet revealed. The Mets are doing this mostly for 2020 since Stroman has one more year of team control and the Mets might consider extending him before his current deal expires. It also means, likely, that at least Zack Wheeler is going to have a change of address with Stroman joining the Mets rotation. More to come . . .
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 29, 2019, 06:11:04 pm
YULI!!!!

Absolutely.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 29, 2019, 07:48:39 pm
Absolutely.

Does Luhnow make a trade dealine deal? 

My sources say that all the prime targets are wanting suitors to empty the farm.  I'm hedging he tweaks at the most, and no blockbusters
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 29, 2019, 10:12:43 pm
Does Luhnow make a trade dealine deal? 

My sources say that all the prime targets are wanting suitors to empty the farm.  I'm hedging he tweaks at the most, and no blockbusters

I know there's a July 31 deadline coming up and that players will be moving here, there and everywhere, but I don't know what @catfish1957's post actually means. Can anyone put that in layman's English so I can understand?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 29, 2019, 11:09:30 pm
I know there's a July 31 deadline coming up and that players will be moving here, there and everywhere, but I don't know what @catfish1957's post actually means. Can anyone put that in layman's English so I can understand?
@AllThatJazzZ
It means he thinks that

a) if the Astros want to acquire a player, that player's team may demand a nice haul out of the Astros' solid minor league system; or,
b) if the Astros want to move a player, they may want a good haul back from another team's minor league system.

I'm not sure the Astros need much of anything except maybe one pitcher who can start in a pinch and work out of the bullpen, but that's just my observation. Overall they're in immaculate shape for another postseason run. And I can't think of anyone off the top of my head right now whom they'd want to move.

But as one-time Astros pitcher Joaquin Andujar once said, "In baseball, there's just one word: you never know." There's still a lot of time between now and the trade deadline Wednesday afternoon, so who knows what GM Jeff Luhnow may or may not be thinking between now and then . . .
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on July 30, 2019, 12:54:06 am
@AllThatJazzZ
It means he thinks that

a) if the Astros want to acquire a player, that player's team may demand a nice haul out of the Astros' solid minor league system; or,
b) if the Astros want to move a player, they may want a good haul back from another team's minor league system.

How did you do that?! It's like you translated text from a foreign language into English. I read what @catfish1957 wrote about four times and could never come up with the meaning.


@AllThatJazzZ
I'm not sure the Astros need much of anything except maybe one pitcher who can start in a pinch and work out of the bullpen, but that's just my observation. Overall they're in immaculate shape for another postseason run. And I can't think of anyone off the top of my head right now whom they'd want to move.

Music to my ears. I'm with you about the pitching. I'll be watching how it plays out this year. Last year I was just getting my feet wet in baseball. This year I'm really trying to learn as much as I can about the game.


Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 30, 2019, 05:22:11 pm
How did you do that?! It's like you translated text from a foreign language into English. I read what @catfish1957 wrote about four times and could never come up with the meaning.


Music to my ears. I'm with you about the pitching. I'll be watching how it plays out this year. Last year I was just getting my feet wet in baseball. This year I'm really trying to learn as much as I can about the game.
@AllThatJazzZ
Situation update: MLB Trade Rumours says reliably that the Astros are going all-in to try landing Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler. So does The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. The Astros seemingly stand to lose two starting pitchers (Wade Miley and Gerrit Gole) to free agency this fall, not to mention half a bullpen (Will Harris, Hector Rondon, Collin McHugh, and Joe Smith), but Wheeler makes sense for them only a) to solidify their postseason run this year; and, b) if they think they can sign him longer term.

Wheeler wouldn't cost the Astros much because as good as their farm system is some of their pitching talent were injured or regressed on the farm this year, so GM Luhnow may not have the leverage he'd need to go after a major league pitcher who's under team control for longer than the rest of this season, someone like Robbie Ray (Arizona; under contract through the end of the 2020 season) or Noah Syndergaard (Mets; under contract through the end of 2021). But there could still be a surprise.

Right now, these are the top pitchers on the trade market with Marcus Stroman gone to the Mets and Madison Bumgarner likely off the market with the Giants yanking themselves back into the races: Syndergaard, Wheeler, Edwin Diaz (Mets reliever, though the rumours include that the Red Sox are hot for him and might even be willing to surrender Andrew Benintendi in a trade), Mike Minor (Rangers starter), Shane Greene (Tigers starter), Matthew Boyd (Tigers starter), Felipe Vasquez (Pirates reliever), Ken Giles (Blue Jays reliever having a resurgence in Toronto until his elbow started to bark; if the Jays think about moving him as part of their rebuild they may have to wait until after the season), Craig Stammen (Padres reliever), Daniel Hudson (Jays reliever, and the word is that at least one team, the Nationals, was thinking about trying to land Giles and Hudson in a package to bolster their pen behind Sean Doolittle until Giles' elbow issue re-flared), and Mike Leake (Mariners starter).
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 30, 2019, 05:32:51 pm
Does Luhnow make a trade dealine deal? 

My sources say that all the prime targets are wanting suitors to empty the farm.  I'm hedging he tweaks at the most, and no blockbusters
I still think they would like one more in the starting rotation, but the cost may be too high, as you have mentioned.
They still have a good farm system, but they have depleted it some, with trades they've made the last few years.
A lot of teams seem to be interested in Kyle Tucker.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 30, 2019, 06:19:37 pm
Trade alert: At 12:40 Central time MLB Trade Rumours reported the Astros are actually talking to the Giants about Madison Bumgarner---who's supposedly not that much on the market with the Giants looking now like they have a wild card run in them yet. The 'Stros may still be all-in trying to land the Mets' Zack Wheeler while preferring to land more controllable pitchers like Robbie Ray, but just that they're "discussing" about Bumgarner adds to the stew. Unless something drastic changes, the Astros are liable to pull the trigger on landing a pitcher before tomorrow afternoon's trade deadline.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 30, 2019, 09:04:21 pm
Trade alert: At 12:40 Central time MLB Trade Rumours reported the Astros are actually talking to the Giants about Madison Bumgarner---who's supposedly not that much on the market with the Giants looking now like they have a wild card run in them yet. The 'Stros may still be all-in trying to land the Mets' Zack Wheeler while preferring to land more controllable pitchers like Robbie Ray, but just that they're "discussing" about Bumgarner adds to the stew. Unless something drastic changes, the Astros are liable to pull the trigger on landing a pitcher before tomorrow afternoon's trade deadline.

Just as long as the names "Whitley and Tucker" are out of those discussion.   
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 30, 2019, 10:10:35 pm
Just as long as the names "Whitley and Tucker" are out of those discussion.
Nobody's said yet what the Giants would ask of the Astros in any Bumgarner deal, assuming the Giants are still listening to offers.

Meanwhile, another rumour has the Angels casting eyes back upon Zack Greinke . . .
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 31, 2019, 05:11:58 pm
@catfish1957
Meanwhile, for the second straight season the Astros bring catcher Martin Maldonado aboard, getting him from the Cubs for Tony Kemp. Apparently, the Cubs weren't kidding about getting Maldonado from the Royals two weeks ago: he really was there to hold down the fort until Willson Contreras returned from an injury. Maldonado has a spaghetti bat but he's terrific defensively and with pitching staffs. Guess the Astros missed him more than they thought they would.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on July 31, 2019, 05:15:37 pm
@catfish1957
Meanwhile, for the second straight season the Astros bring catcher Martin Maldonado aboard, getting him from the Cubs for Tony Kemp. Apparently, the Cubs weren't kidding about getting Maldonado from the Royals two weeks ago: he really was there to hold down the fort until Willson Contreras returned from an injury. Maldonado has a spaghetti bat but he's terrific defensively and with pitching staffs. Guess the Astros missed him more than they thought they would.

And Tony will do wonders for the Cubs!

Win Win!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 31, 2019, 05:24:13 pm
@catfish1957
Meanwhile, for the second straight season the Astros bring catcher Martin Maldonado aboard, getting him from the Cubs for Tony Kemp. Apparently, the Cubs weren't kidding about getting Maldonado from the Royals two weeks ago: he really was there to hold down the fort until Willson Contreras returned from an injury. Maldonado has a spaghetti bat but he's terrific defensively and with pitching staffs. Guess the Astros missed him more than they thought they would.

That was an area in need of an upgrade.
Chirinos is older and Stassi isn't the answer.
Maldonado isn't young, either, but will upgrade the position for the stretch run.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 31, 2019, 05:36:00 pm
Observation:
While anything can still happen in the next few hours, none of the current front runners have made any blockbuster moves.
No Yankees, Twins, Astros, Dodgers, RedSox, Tampa bay, Nationals, etc.
The biggest moves have been made by the Mets and Reds.
Can you imagine having a Puig and a Bauer in the same clubhouse?
Yikes!
Correction: I just read (thanks @EasyAce) that Puig was dealt to Cleveland in the trade for Bauer.

On the Astros front:

A lot of dynamics here. I think if they get someone, it will be a loaner, not long term.
Why?
Gerrit Cole will most likely be gone after this year.
Stupid money, about 300 million, has been talked about with for him.
The Astros still will make a run at him, and he likes it here, but the price will be too high.
They've extended Bregman and Altuve's contracts, look for them to do this with Correa and Springer, who would become free agents after 2020.
Won't leave a ton of money for a free agent.
All is not lost.
McCullers should be back from Tommy John surgery, and a lot of pitchers have improved from where they prior to the surgery.
Also, locking down Altuve, Bregman and (hopefully) Springer, Correa, and Alvarez you have a good team for 5+ years.
That is still a powerful line up.
You would just have to fill in the missing pieces around them, as required, and the Astros do very well at scouting players, both up and coming and established players.

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 31, 2019, 05:50:46 pm
@catfish1957
Meanwhile, for the second straight season the Astros bring catcher Martin Maldonado aboard, getting him from the Cubs for Tony Kemp. Apparently, the Cubs weren't kidding about getting Maldonado from the Royals two weeks ago: he really was there to hold down the fort until Willson Contreras returned from an injury. Maldonado has a spaghetti bat but he's terrific defensively and with pitching staffs. Guess the Astros missed him more than they thought they would.

Wasn't Maldonaldo the one with the pass ball meltdown a while back?  Sight upgrade anyway from Stassi.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 31, 2019, 05:52:55 pm
Observation:
While anything can still happen in the next few hours, none of the current front runners have made any blockbuster moves.
No Yankees, Twins, Astros, Dodgers, RedSox, Tampa bay, Nationals, etc.
The biggest moves have been made by the Mets and Reds.
Can you imagine having a Puig and a Bauer in the same clubhouse?
Yikes!
Correction: I just read (thanks @EasyAce) that Puig was dealt to Cleveland in the trade for Bauer.

On the Astros front:

A lot of dynamics here. I think if they get someone, it will be a loaner, not long term.
Why?
Gerrit Cole will most likely be gone after this year.
Stupid money, about 300 million, has been talked about with for him.
The Astros still will make a run at him, and he likes it here, but the price will be too high.
They've extended Bregman and Altuve's contracts, look for them to do this with Correa and Springer, who would become free agents after 2020.
Won't leave a ton of money for a free agent.
All is not lost.
McCullers should be back from Tommy John surgery, and a lot of pitchers have improved from where they prior to the surgery.
Also, locking down Altuve, Bregman and (hopefully) Springer, Correa, and Alvarez you have a good team for 5+ years.
That is still a powerful line up.
You would just have to fill in the missing pieces around them, as required, and the Astros do very well at scouting players, both up and coming and established players.

Add the fact, we have a sound farm system, and among the best GM's......    I think we will be competitive for some time.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 31, 2019, 06:03:00 pm
Wasn't Maldonaldo the one with the pass ball meltdown a while back?  Sight upgrade anyway from Stassi.

Yes, for all his defensive prowess he showed in the regular season, he did lose in the playoffs, against the Red Sox.

I don't know what happened, maybe he was just wore out from the long season, I don't know.
Uncle Charlie Morton and Lance McCullers throw a lot of curve balls, and all of a sudden, Maldonado couldn't block low curves.

You could even see A.J. Hinch hollering at him during a mound visit.
Can't read lips real well, but I did make out the words "Block" and "Plate" pretty clearly.

Maybe just a slight upgrade, but Maldonado has at least played good defense.
Who knows, maybe this will be his chance to redeem himself.

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 31, 2019, 07:10:15 pm
@catfish1957
@GrouchoTex
@DCPatriot

The latest from the trading floors and other matters . . .

* The Yankees' medical parade continues with Luke Voit facing sports hernia surgery. He's not expected back until "well into September," according to manager Aaron Boone.

* The surrealistic three-way between the Indians, the Reds, and the Padres barely settled in when the Reds sent pitcher Tanner Roark and cash (to cover most of Roark's salary) to the Athletics for a minor league player Wednesday.

* Noah Syndergaard's terrific outing against the White Sox Tuesday night pretty much pulled him off the trading floor for the Mets, who might still think about moving Zack Wheeler (starter) and Edwin Diaz (reliever). The Yankees and the Braves were thought still interested in Wheeler as of 11:30 Pacific time today. The Astros and the Rays are also still in the mix of teams talking to the Mets about Wheeler.

* The Nationals' bid to remodel their season-long-dubious bullpen (behind closer Sean Doolittle) got a bump when they landed Daniel Hudson from the Blue Jays for Kyle Johnston (prospect), and added Roenis Elias from the Mariners while they were at it.

* Barely half an hour after nailing Hudson and Elias, the Nationals dealt for . . . Hunter Strickland, the former Giant renowned for carrying almost three-year-old grudges and doing something about them at Nats' expense. (Shame Bryce Harper isn't a Nat anymore. P.S. The brawl Strickland set off by hitting Harper helped put paid to Michael Morse's career after his collision with Jeff Samardzjia.) The Nats sent the Mariners Aaron Fletcher.

* The Phillies dealt for Pirates outfielder Corey Dickerson, looking to fortify for a last-ditch stretch run without sacrificing heavy prospects. Dickerson homered twice in the Tuesday night game against the Reds---and those bombs were almost forgotten when the scrum heard 'round the world (thanks to Reds outfielder Yasiel Puig being traded to the Indians during the game) broke out in the ninth.

* There's word as I write that the Brewers and the Giants have a big deal in the making but that it may not involve Madison Bumgarner after all.

* Tigers reliever Shane Greene may be going to the Braves. May.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 31, 2019, 07:16:02 pm
@EasyAce

Well, there is still 45 minutes left....
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 31, 2019, 07:24:19 pm
More trade news---the Cardinals traded infielder Jedd Gyorko (prounounced "jerko," the poor guy) to the Dodgers.

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 31, 2019, 07:24:47 pm
This just in: the Braves may have landed Shane Greene from the Tigers, pending medicals.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 31, 2019, 07:47:14 pm
The Braves have, apparently, also traded for Mark Melancon of the Giants (relief pitcher) . . .
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 31, 2019, 08:01:21 pm
And, after reliever Joe Biagini pitched a scoreless inning against the Royals, the Jays traded him to the Astros . . .
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 31, 2019, 08:05:17 pm
And, it looks like Madison Bumgarner, Zack Wheeler, and Felipe Vasquez are staying put.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on July 31, 2019, 08:16:21 pm
Also, the Braves are looking to trade Luke Jackson for a stick of gum.
(http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/eating/blowing-bubble-gum.gif)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 31, 2019, 08:18:34 pm
But it ALSO looks like Zack Greinke is . . . going to the Astros!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 31, 2019, 08:22:40 pm
But it ALSO looks like Zack Greinke is . . . going to the Astros!

For who?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 31, 2019, 08:32:20 pm
Also, the Braves are looking to trade Luke Jackson for a stick of gum.
(http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/eating/blowing-bubble-gum.gif)
@Polly Ticks
I didn't think he was worth that much.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 31, 2019, 08:33:01 pm
For who?
For two righthanded pitchers---Corbin Martin and J.B. Bukauskas---plus first baseman Seth Beer and infielder Josh Rojas.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on July 31, 2019, 09:13:21 pm
This just in: Jayson Stark (now a Hall of Fame baseball writer) says the Greinke deal to the Astros got done when the trade deadline had four minutes left . . .
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 31, 2019, 09:22:40 pm
For two righthanded pitchers---Corbin Martin and J.B. Bukauskas---plus first baseman Seth Beer and infielder Josh Rojas.

I've seen Corbin Martin.
He was called up on Mother's Day and did well.
A local boy, went to Texas A & M.
Had some rough outings, said there was an arm issue, and he went back down to triple A.
Seth Beer is pretty good, but I think when Gurriel retires, Yordan Alvarez is our 1st baseman.
Not familiar with the other 2.
Gotta admit, I didn't see this coming.
Zack Greinke will be 36 in October, so this look very much like a "lets go this year" type of move.
Lends more creedence to Gerrit Cole leaving next year, I think, depending on how long this deal is for.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on July 31, 2019, 09:23:47 pm
This just in: Jayson Stark (now a Hall of Fame baseball writer) says the Greinke deal to the Astros got done when the trade deadline had four minutes left . . .

Just like the Verlander deal.
They can't seem to do this any other way....
(Hey, I should be thrilled, but as an Astros fan, I have to complain about something....)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 31, 2019, 09:27:20 pm
This just in: Jayson Stark (now a Hall of Fame baseball writer) says the Greinke deal to the Astros got done when the trade deadline had four minutes left . . .

Verlander was traded at 11:59 p.m, back when the deadlines were at midnight.

Luhnow has the flair for the dramatic
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on July 31, 2019, 09:29:55 pm
Just like the Verlander deal.
They can't seem to do this any other way....
(Hey, I should be thrilled, but as an Astros fan, I have to complain about something....)

JB and Seth Beer had excellent potential.  IMO their 3rd and 5th best prospects.  Tucker and Whitley stayed, and that is most important.

In the long run, I think the Dbacks will love this trade.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on July 31, 2019, 11:38:31 pm
The NATS unbelievably signed Hunter Strickland.   They should let him wear Harper's number.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on August 01, 2019, 02:13:32 am
The NATS unbelievably signed Hunter Strickland.   They should let him wear Harper's number.


Yeah, but it gives us another chance to laugh at this:

(https://chumley.barstoolsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/29/helmet.gif)

 :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 01, 2019, 01:00:57 pm
Just hours after the trade, Vegas odds makers made the Astros the favorite to win the World Series.

If only they played on paper........
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Jazzhead on August 01, 2019, 05:12:05 pm
And so the strong get stronger.   

The new single trade deadline of July 31, coupled with the wild card only guaranteeing entry to a one-game playoff,  appear to have perversely combined to encourage the strong to get stronger.    The only clubs that made big deadline deals were division titans Houston and Atlanta, whose huge division leads make it worthwhile to fortify their rotations and  bullpen, respectively,  for the playoffs.   The dozen or more teams with mere wild card aspirations apparently don't believe it is worth the cost of valuable prospects if the benefit may be no more than one extra afternoon of baseball.

The result appears to be that the Astros may be the Golden State Warriors of MLB.   I'm not so sure that's a healthy development.  On the other hand, the most powerful teams in MLB history still lost a third of their games.   
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 01, 2019, 05:32:28 pm
Just hours after the trade, Vegas odds makers made the Astros the favorite to win the World Series.

If only they played on paper........

Amen....

And on the downside, anything less than a WS victory will be considered an utter failure.  (Based on cost.)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 01, 2019, 06:05:29 pm
And so the strong get stronger.   

The new single trade deadline of July 31, coupled with the wild card only guaranteeing entry to a one-game playoff,  appear to have perversely combined to encourage the strong to get stronger.    The only clubs that made big deadline deals were division titans Houston and Atlanta, whose huge division leads make it worthwhile to fortify their rotations and  bullpen, respectively,  for the playoffs.   The dozen or more teams with mere wild card aspirations apparently don't believe it is worth the cost of valuable prospects if the benefit may be no more than one extra afternoon of baseball.

The result appears to be that the Astros may be the Golden State Warriors of MLB.   I'm not so sure that's a healthy development.  On the other hand, the most powerful teams in MLB history still lost a third of their games.   

@Jazzhead

Sour Grapes, man.

Didn't your team sign Bryce Whats-his-name for a gazillion dollars in the off season?

The Astros are in their 57th season.
It took them 43 years to reach the world series.
It took them another 12, 55 total years to reach the world series for a second time and to win their one and only so far.
Old owners like John McMullen and Drayton McClain put just enough stars on the roster to keep fans interested, but not many.
The list of Astros that left and went on to bigger and better things via trade and free agency is staggering, and would make a championship team, or one heckuva all-star team.
Now we finally have an owner willing to wheel and deal and sign extensions to his own all-star players.

The rich getting richer?
Did the Dodgers make any significant moves?
How about the Yankees?
Red Sox?
Cardinals?

I'd say they'd be the rich, both in tradition and finances.

Houston has now passed Philadelphia in both population and baseball talent.

 :cool:


Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 01, 2019, 06:25:38 pm
The new single trade deadline of July 31, coupled with the wild card only guaranteeing entry to a one-game playoff,  appear to have perversely combined to encourage the strong to get stronger.
Alas, though, without its Goliaths baseball's Davids have no one to slay.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 01, 2019, 06:34:55 pm
Alas, though, without its Goliaths baseball's Davids have no one to slay.

Goliaths like a team that has been to the World Series 5 times since the Astros have been in business?
A Goliath that would sign  Bryce Harper, Jean Segura, Andrew McCutchen, David Robertson and J. T. Realmuto in the 2018 off-season?
You mean those Goliaths?

Oh, wait.....
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 01, 2019, 06:50:10 pm
Goliaths like a team that has been to the World Series 5 times since the Astros have been in business?
A Goliath that would sign  Bryce Harper, Jean Segura, Andrew McCutchen, David Robertson and J. T. Realmuto in the 2018 off-season?
You mean those Goliaths?

Oh, wait.....
*laughing* Believe it or not, the Phillies are just outside the top ten 2019 major league payrolls. Here are the top ten, in descending order:

Red Sox---$226.9 million 2019 payroll. Trade deadline: Losers.
Cubs---$217.6 million 2019 payroll. Trade deadline: Non-factor.
Yankees---$217.1 million 2019 payroll. Trade deadline: Maybe the biggest loser. (They needed rotation help bad and didn't get it despite Marcus Stroman and, it turned out, Zack Greinke on the trading floor well before deadline day.)
Dodgers---$199.7 million 2019 payroll. Trade deadline: Maybe the second biggest loser.
Giants---$171.1 million 2019 payroll. Trade deadline: Stood pat on Bumgarner now that they're back in the wild card hunt. Neutral.
Astros---$168.8 million 2019 payroll. Trade deadline: Biggest winner.
Nationals---$165.8 million 2019 payroll. Trade deadline: Winner.
Cardinals---$163.6 million 2019 payroll. Trade deadline: Non-factor.
Angels---$159.1 million 2019 payroll. Trade deadline factor: Loser. (They were rumoured in play for Greinke, but that's all it was. They weren't the biggest losers, though.)
Mets---$158.9 million 2019 payroll. Trade deadline factor: Winner.

The Braves have the number 14 2019 payroll ($139.2 million) but might have been tied with the Nationals for the National League's biggest trade deadline winner with their bullpen fortifications. The Indians have the number 19 2019 payroll ($121.1 million) but until the Astros swooped in with the Zack Greinke deal the Tribe looked like the biggest winners of the trade deadline period; their three-way with the Reds and the Padres Tuesday night put the rocket fuel into deadline day.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 01, 2019, 06:59:14 pm
@EasyAce
I had forgotten about the Angels payroll.
I remember the late 70's they were gathering up all-stars like Reggie Jackson and Fred Lynn.
Does the Autry family still have anything to do with the Angel's ownership?
Old Gene was worth a lot of money.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 01, 2019, 07:04:58 pm
@EasyAce
I had forgotten about the Angels payroll.
I remember the late 70's they were gathering up all-stars like Reggie Jackson and Fred Lynn.
Does the Autry family still have anything to do with the Angel's ownership?
Old Gene was worth a lot of money.
@GrouchoTex
Gene Autry's widow, Jackie, sold the Angels to the Disney group in the late 1990s. Current owner Arte Moreno bought the Angels not long after they won the 2002 World Series. And Moreno's money makes the old Singing Cowboy look like a pauper.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on August 01, 2019, 07:15:01 pm
The Braves have the number 14 2019 payroll ($139.2 million) but might have been tied with the Nationals for the National League's biggest trade deadline winner with their bullpen fortifications.

... and the fans were getting restless
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7B6oG9WwAUKoQu.jpg)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 01, 2019, 08:58:27 pm
... and the fans were getting restless
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7B6oG9WwAUKoQu.jpg)
@Polly Ticks
The way I saw it, they were having kittens every time Luke Jackson poked his nose out of the bullpen.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on August 01, 2019, 09:25:11 pm
@Polly Ticks
The way I saw it, they were having kittens every time Luke Jackson poked his nose out of the bullpen.

Oh, 100%, no question.  It has felt like we needed to be at least 5 or 6 runs up in the 9th to really be comfortable.  Fortunately, that has been a fairly regular occurrence.  :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 01, 2019, 09:27:29 pm
Oh, 100%, no question.  It has felt like we needed to be at least 5 or 6 runs up in the 9th to really be comfortable.  Fortunately, that has been a fairly regular occurrence.  :laugh:
@Polly Ticks
If only the Braves could have been as confident as Casey Stengel's Yankees, when Stengel would see Satchel Paige warming up in the pen and hector his players, "Get your runs now---Father Time is coming!"  wink777
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on August 01, 2019, 09:30:24 pm
@Polly Ticks
If only the Braves could have been as confident as Casey Stengel's Yankees, when Stengel would see Satchel Paige warming up in the pen and hector his players, "Get your runs now---Father Time is coming!"  wink777

Heckling is as much a tradition at the ballpark as hotdogs!
 :beer:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 01, 2019, 09:32:44 pm
Heckling is as much a tradition at the ballpark as hotdogs!
 :beer:
Yes, but wouldn't it be nice if a Braves manager could urge his players to get their runs early knowing they'd do just that, Father Time coming or no? ;) You don't always have to win it the hard way in the last two innings . . .
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on August 01, 2019, 09:36:08 pm
Yes, but wouldn't it be nice if a Braves manager could urge his players to get their runs early knowing they'd do just that, Father Time coming or no? ;) You don't always have to win it the hard way in the last two innings . . .

(https://media1.giphy.com/media/l4q8gHsCDRGTR0MfK/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 01, 2019, 09:43:32 pm
Catch of the day, gang . . . Jeff McNeil (Mets) can pick 'em WITH a net!

Jeff McNeil's net catch . . .  (https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/video/watch-mets-jeff-mcneil-leaps-protective-net-while-making-catch)

(https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/sites/csnchicago/files/2019/08/01/net_catch_1920x1080_1579971651777.jpg)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 04, 2019, 01:32:56 am
Our new No. 5 starter just got pulled after 6 innings during a "no-no"

Ahhhhhh....  Life is good on Crawford Street.

==========================================

Make it a full blown no-no. 

Yeah we are giddy about the post season.  October ...hurry up.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on August 04, 2019, 04:38:08 am
Our new No. 5 starter just got pulled after 6 innings during a "no-no"

Ahhhhhh....  Life is good on Crawford Street.

==========================================

Make it a full blown no-no. 

Yeah we are giddy about the post season.  October ...hurry up.

@catfish1957
@Bigun
@GrouchoTex

What a night! Still basking in the thrill of it all.

https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-sanchez-astros-no-hit-mariners (https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-sanchez-astros-no-hit-mariners)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 04, 2019, 06:11:42 am
@catfish1957
@Bigun
@GrouchoTex

What a night! Still basking in the thrill of it all.

https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-sanchez-astros-no-hit-mariners (https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-sanchez-astros-no-hit-mariners)
@AllThatJazzZ
It's also the second time this season that the Mariners were victims of a combined no-hitter. (The first, of course, was when the Angels played their first home game after the death of Tyler Skaggs and two Angels pitchers joined to no-hit them that night, too.)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on August 04, 2019, 07:56:31 am
@AllThatJazzZ
It's also the second time this season that the Mariners were victims of a combined no-hitter. (The first, of course, was when the Angels played their first home game after the death of Tyler Skaggs and two Angels pitchers joined to no-hit them that night, too.)

I remember that game but didn't realize it was the Mariners they were playing when it happened. I've witnessed some scenarios in baseball that seem like movie scripts.

1. Astros win 2017 World Series (as predicted a few years earlier -- weird!) after Houston and all of Southeast Texas is devastated by Hurricane Harvey. Celebrating the win was such a pick-me-up for so many on the Texas Gulf Coast. Finally something to take our minds off the devastation, even if just for a while.

2. Angels have their no-no on the night when Skaggs' mother throws out the first pitch and all the teammates place their jerseys with the number 45 on the mound after the game. It was a beautiful and touching tribute to a much-loved young pitcher who slipped those surly bonds way too early. IIRC, there were a number of numerical coincidences that night.

3. Right after the Astros rock the baseball world (I'm sorry but I just can't get Jomboy's reaction out of my head) by making a last-minute trade to acquire Greinke, two other pitching acquisitions (mostly treated as afterthoughts in the media coverage) are instrumental in producing a combined no-hitter on the night that the franchise celebrates its Hall of Fame inductees. It's especially meaningful that inductee Nolan Ryan is present to witness the moment.

If Hollywood wrote these scripts, the critics would say they weren't believable.

I'm sure there are numerous other such stories, but these are the ones I've seen in the short time I've been following baseball which, thanks to Harvey, began in late October 2017 when I watched my first World Series.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 04, 2019, 05:23:09 pm
I remember that game but didn't realize it was the Mariners they were playing when it happened. I've witnessed some scenarios in baseball that seem like movie scripts . . .

If Hollywood wrote these scripts, the critics would say they weren't believable.

I'm sure there are numerous other such stories, but these are the ones I've seen in the short time I've been following baseball which, thanks to Harvey, began in late October 2017 when I watched my first World Series.
@AllThatJazzZ
You'd be right about numerous other such stories, including but not limited to . . .

Willie Mays's famous Game One catch, 1954 World Series:
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vrsg_-dV7Q#)
What was so great about it? Have a look at the Polo Grounds from the air and see just how far Mays had to run to the warning track to make the catch:

(https://www.mylespaul.com/media/pologrounds-jpg.110904/full)

Bill Mazeroski wins the 1960 World Series for the Pirates:
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIjHo4xwyr4#)

Roger Maris breaks ruthsrecord (so help me, that's how they pronounced it that year)---despite even some in his own team's front office hoping he wouldn't:
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI9jGRPZNSE#)

Sandy Koufax, who'd pitched a no-hitter in each of three previous seasons, proving that practise makes perfect:
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WINiz0Bfb-0#)

Henry Aaron beats Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjqYThEVoSQ#)

Cal Ripken, Jr. breaks Lou Gehrig's consecutive-game streak and goes long in the same game:
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djCqNPPBkB4#)

. . . and at long last the Red Sox return to the Promised Land in 2004, to start the 21st Century's apparent trend toward breaking real or alleged baseball curses:
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCBFjmtLgSI#)

David Freese, Game Six, 2011 World Series, beginning with the Cardinals a strike away from losing the Series:
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZVCrKcOl78#)

Fenway Park, Opening Day 2013---after Boston was rent by the Marathon bombing:
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMjmUeYeTPg#)

Speaking of actual or alleged cursebusters . . . 2016 World Series finish:
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAXl9Dtcz90#)

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 05, 2019, 03:36:24 pm
@catfish1957
@Bigun
@GrouchoTex

What a night! Still basking in the thrill of it all.

https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-sanchez-astros-no-hit-mariners (https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-sanchez-astros-no-hit-mariners)

@catfish1957
@AllThatJazzZ
@Bigun

Crazy.
I was at the local Ice House watching it with a 1/2 dozen friends.
I figured it out early on.
I was disappointed when they didn't let Sanchez keep on going, but I'll take it.
Anyway, only 2 of us figured out what was going on and just spoke with nodding and grinning.
We couldn't tell the others, in case we might jinx it.
Funny with every out in the 9th, I started cheering louder, and one friend said, "I've never seen you this excited about a win before."
When the last out was recorded, I turned to that person and said, "You've just witnessed a no-hitter."
Then the "a-Ha" moment hit them, and they understood.
Then they new why I was cheering but not letting them in on it.
I wanted to say something, but knew better.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 05, 2019, 03:50:27 pm
@catfish1957
@AllThatJazzZ
@Bigun

We couldn't tell the others, in case we might jinx it.

I wanted to say something, but knew better.

I'm just as bad.  I have an old Astros orange mesh and fabric hat that I wore for every moment and every inning between October 7, 1980 (Astros first playoff game) to November 1, 2017 (Astros win WS)

On November 2nd that hat was put under glass, and will never be worn again, and will only see the light of day near the TV while watching Astros playoff games. 

Yeah....that's how baseball fans roll.

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 05, 2019, 04:02:29 pm
 :cool:

That's great.

The oldest thing I found that I have was a t-shirt with the MLB teams on it, that had the Astros Logo featured, and the others faded in a background.
No Marlins, Rockies, Rays, or Diamond-Backs.
It still had the Expos on it.
Not quite as old as your hat you've held onto all these years..
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on August 05, 2019, 04:42:47 pm
@AllThatJazzZ
You'd be right about numerous other such stories, including but not limited to . . .


@EasyAce

As I suspected, I've missed a lot by not coming to baseball earlier. I've watch about half of them so far. The Cal Ripken thing was unbelievable. Baseball made me cry yet again, but this time they weren't tears of sadness as when we lost Tony Kemp. I appreciate your sharing your knowledge with this newbie.

Thanks again, Kaepernick and NFL. If not for your unpatriotic shenanigans, I never would have discovered baseball.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on August 05, 2019, 04:54:13 pm
@catfish1957
@AllThatJazzZ
@Bigun

Crazy.
I was at the local Ice House watching it with a 1/2 dozen friends.
I figured it out early on.
I was disappointed when they didn't let Sanchez keep on going, but I'll take it.
Anyway, only 2 of us figured out what was going on and just spoke with nodding and grinning.
We couldn't tell the others, in case we might jinx it.
Funny with every out in the 9th, I started cheering louder, and one friend said, "I've never seen you this excited about a win before."
When the last out was recorded, I turned to that person and said, "You've just witnessed a no-hitter."
Then the "a-Ha" moment hit them, and they understood.
Then they new why I was cheering but not letting them in on it.
I wanted to say something, but knew better.

@GrouchoTex
@catfish1957
@Bigun 

Hahaha! I'm starting to see how wary baseball fans are of the jinx. TK and Blummer were noticing as well but not daring to speak it. :scared smiley:

I'm having great fun watching, not just the games, but all the machinations of the pro baseball system. I sincerely wish there would be a community college course that those of us new to baseball or those desiring a deeper understanding could take in the off season.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on August 05, 2019, 04:55:26 pm
I have many great memories (mostly all before the expansion) about baseball. Some as a player and many more outside of my own involvement.  Got to watch the final game of that 1960 Series on live TB in the Jr. High gym.  Not going to try and name all of them because I would surely miss a few. 

Loved the Yog, Micky, Warren Spann, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, and many others.

Still love the game but not fond of many of the changes that have been made in recent years.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on August 06, 2019, 06:27:15 pm

Zack Greinke on the mound for the Stros tonight!  I can't wait!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 07, 2019, 04:29:20 pm
Zack Greinke on the mound for the Stros tonight!  I can't wait!

I watched it last night.
He did okay except for the 3 run homer given up.
He had 2 outs in the 6 th and would have gotten out of there with a 5-2 lead, if not for that.
Still won 11-6. Homers by Alvarez, Correa, and 2 by Gurriel.
Alvarez has hit 14 home runs in 42 games thus far.
Over 162 games in a season, that would average 54 a year.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 07, 2019, 04:42:01 pm
I watched it last night.
He did okay except for the 3 run homer given up.
He had 2 outs in the 6 th and would have gotten out of there with a 5-2 lead, if not for that.
I wouldn't worry too much about Greinke. Over his entire career, he's managed to shake off the odd bad outing or spell, figure out just where he erred, correct it, and return solid. That's what great pitchers do. The home run was hit on a curve that hung a little; until that point it looked like Greinke's two best pitches of the night were his curve ball and his changeup. I'm betting he's going to re-think the one he threw Tapia (maybe he didn't grip it quite right?), and trust his changeup a little bit more, on any night where his slider isn't working properly. Sometimes I think Greinke's most underrated pitch is that changeup, and I noticed that when he fought Alonso to the final out, he threw four changeups including the one turned into a side-retiring line out. The first three changeups were strikes (the third was fouled off). Greinke's is one of the better changeups in the game, and it'd be good to see him go to it more.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 07, 2019, 04:57:34 pm
I watched it last night.

Alvarez has hit 14 home runs in 42 games thus far.


a month ago, I think everyone thought Vlad, Jr had the ROY wrapped up.  But guess what has happened?

             WAR.   AB.   HR.   RBI.     OPS         BA

Vlad.        1.6   317     13     49     .803      .274
Alvarez     1.9.   154    14     43      1.119    .338

Kid is a monster.  Reminds me so much of a slightly buffed Roberto Clemente
===============================================================

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 07, 2019, 04:57:45 pm
I wouldn't worry too much about Greinke. Over his entire career, he's managed to shake off the odd bad outing or spell, figure out just where he erred, correct it, and return solid. That's what great pitchers do. The home run was hit on a curve that hung a little; until that point it looked like Greinke's two best pitches of the night were his curve ball and his changeup. I'm betting he's going to re-think the one he threw Tapia (maybe he didn't grip it quite right?), and trust his changeup a little bit more, on any night where his slider isn't working properly. Sometimes I think Greinke's most underrated pitch is that changeup, and I noticed that when he fought Alonso to the final out, he threw four changeups including the one turned into a side-retiring line out. The first three changeups were strikes (the third was fouled off). Greinke's is one of the better changeups in the game, and it'd be good to see him go to it more.

Agree with all this, and it has been a while since I've noticed anyone throwing a curve ball in the 60+ mph range.
That was interesting.
It was driving one of our friends nuts, which made it all the better, more fun to see.
 :cool:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 07, 2019, 05:09:18 pm
Agree with all this, and it has been a while since I've noticed anyone throwing a curve ball in the 60+ mph range.
That was interesting.
Probably because you usually hear about the high speeds on fastballs, of course. The average major league curve ball hits 77 mph these days; Clayton Kershaw's curve ball was (and still is) known to hit 80+ at its best. The speed doesn't hurt the pitch, of course, but the curve ball's break is what makes or breaks it, still. And a good slow curve can still fool a hitter the way a good last-minute-breaking changeup does.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on August 07, 2019, 05:21:44 pm
Probably because you usually hear about the high speeds on fastballs, of course. The average major league curve ball hits 77 mph these days; Clayton Kershaw's curve ball was (and still is) known to hit 80+ at its best. The speed doesn't hurt the pitch, of course, but the curve ball's break is what makes or breaks it, still. And a good slow curve can still fool a hitter the way a good last-minute-breaking changeup does.

It's the number of rotations per second that affects the break, isn't it?    :shrug:

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on August 07, 2019, 05:53:15 pm
Probably because you usually hear about the high speeds on fastballs, of course. The average major league curve ball hits 77 mph these days; Clayton Kershaw's curve ball was (and still is) known to hit 80+ at its best. The speed doesn't hurt the pitch, of course, but the curve ball's break is what makes or breaks it, still. And a good slow curve can still fool a hitter the way a good last-minute-breaking changeup does.

As I have said here previously, the world is full of guys who thought they could make it in the bigs by throwing heat. 
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 07, 2019, 06:21:08 pm
As I have said here previously, the world is full of guys who thought they could make it in the bigs by throwing heat.
Some can and do make it by throwing heat. But when you have scouts, minor league skippers and coaches, and major league skippers, coaches, and brain trusts seeing that heat and going ooooh and aaaaaah over it nigh unto death, too many of those alleged brains decide they need nothing more than more of that and forget that guys can make it in the bigs without throwing heat.

Even though I notice today that a lot more pitchers are living with their non-heat stuff very nicely, I still tremble to think that if Whitey Ford (for one) was a prospect today nobody would know who he is and nobody would care. Or, one look at Juan Marichal and too many of today's alleged brains would think, We gotta get this kid to trim down to one windup and one leg kick and one delivery, he's gonna kill himself or get killed with those fifteen windups and seven leg kicks! (And didn't the geniuses of the 1986 Mets think it was a great idea to tell Dwight Gooden he didn't have enough despite owning the game for two years? How'd that end up working out for them when it turned Gooden into a half shot confidence mess?)

Which is why I admire how the Astros work with pitchers. You come to the Astros and the first thing you're going to discover is that they've done their homework on you and they've figured out what your previous team(s) didn't have the foresight or the brains to figure out---that you weren't really maximising your repertoire, you weren't working your absolute best pitch more often (and if your best pitch wasn't a supersonic fastball so be it), and you were killing yourself because of it. You're going to be shown film, video, heat charts, strike zone spray charts, everything the Astros could possibly think of to show you that you've got what it takes but you didn't really get shown how to use it the right way. If you're a young'un like, say, Ryan Pressly was when he came to Houston, you're going to learn early and often. If you're a veteran like Justin Verlander, you're going to see keys to prolonging your career and remaining excellent. If you're Gerrit Cole, you're going to have your jaw dropped wondering just what the hell the Pirates weren't doing smart with you while the Astros had their eyes on you for longer than you realised.

There's a terrific new book that breaks down how the Astros are able to fix or remake/remodel pitchers: Ben Lindbergh and Travis Sawchuk's The MVP Machine: How Baseball's New Nonconformists Are Using Data to Build Better Players. Think of their analysis and the Astros' ways as the contemporary progression from how teams Branch Rickey ran dominated their leagues at their best, from the 1920s/1930s Cardinals to the 1947-56 Dodgers (never mind that Rickey was maneuvered out of Brooklyn after the 1950 season, the Boys of Summer were, essentially, Rickey teams)---long before anyone else thought of it, Rickey saw and implemented ways of developing professional ballplayers that were well ahead of his times and drove the purists of those times to the rye bottle. In certain ways, today's Astros can be called, fairly, Branch Rickey's great-grandchildren.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 07, 2019, 09:00:22 pm
@EasyAce

They don't call Astros pitching coach Bret Strom The pitch whisperer for nothing.

Heck, he may be as old as Branch Rickey, were he still among us.

This is one of the reasons I was excited about getting Aaron Sanchez.
He wasn't doing so well in Toronto, but he had lots of potential, is still young, and was once (2015?) a Cy Young candidate.
While they are different pitchers to be sure, this was similar to the Gerrit Cole situation, in my view.
A highly touted prospect, has a good year or two, goes down hill a bit, then comes to the Astros, and, Viola!



Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 07, 2019, 09:37:47 pm
@EasyAce

They don't call Astros pitching coach Bret Strom The pitch whisperer for nothing.



My term for Strom  at my board is the Wizard of Hurl.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on August 08, 2019, 10:04:21 pm
I have many great memories (mostly all before the expansion) about baseball. Some as a player and many more outside of my own involvement.  Got to watch the final game of that 1960 Series on live TB in the Jr. High gym.  Not going to try and name all of them because I would surely miss a few. 

Loved the Yog, Micky, Warren Spann, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, and many others.

Still love the game but not fond of many of the changes that have been made in recent years.

@Bigun

What are the those changes and why do they make the game less enjoyable for you?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on August 08, 2019, 10:30:29 pm
My NATS are off tonight, but looking forward to the Phillies vs Giants (Nola vs. Bumgarner) tonight at 9:45pm eastern.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on August 08, 2019, 11:11:18 pm
@Bigun

What are the those changes and why do they make the game less enjoyable for you?



There are many @AllThatJazzZ  but taking the selection of all stars away from the players and giving it to the fans is high on the list along with lowered pitcher's mounds and juiced baseballs.

Edit to add: These endless interruptions for the reviewing of plays really gets on my last nerve as well.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on August 08, 2019, 11:54:10 pm


There are many @AllThatJazzZ  but taking the selection of all stars away from the players and giving it to the fans is high on the list along with lowered pitcher's mounds and juiced baseballs.

I dislike the organ music...the video screen telling me to 'YELL!!".

And I REALLY hate the artificial piped-in crowd noise on nightly MASN telecasts.   
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on August 09, 2019, 12:14:42 am
I dislike the organ music...the video screen telling me to 'YELL!!".

And I REALLY hate the artificial piped-in crowd noise on nightly MASN telecasts.

There's plenty of things to go around for sure.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 09, 2019, 12:19:22 am
I dislike the organ music...
@DCPatriot
Depends on the organ music.

But then today's ballpark organists haven't got half the wit of such legends as Gladys Gooding, the organist in Ebbets Field who, among other things, would play "Three Blind Mice" whenever close umpire calls went against the Brooklyn Dodgers. (She was actually baseball's first full-time organist.) She was also known, I think, for playing "Happy Trails" whenever the Dodgers knocked an opposing pitcher out of the box.

Or, Jane Jarvis, when she had the job in Shea Stadium from the park's opening through 1980. Among other things, Jarvis even had ways of trying to help settle the hash whenever the Mets got into a fight on the field: she'd play Charlie Parker's "Scrapple from the Apple." That wasn't just Jarvis being puckish---she was actually an accomplished jazz pianist:

Jane Jarvis, "Satin Doll"
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hS0RusBlH8#)

Jane Jarvis, "Love for Sale"
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tWHtIuWmZA#)

Jane Jarvis, "Cut Glass"
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWj13L-K_ag#)

Jarvis also worked the entire day and night when the Mets and the Giants played a doubleheader that included the 24-inning second game marathon. When it all ended, Jarvis couldn't resist serenading what was left of the crowd departing with "Gee, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning."

Back when I was a kid going to games at Shea Stadium, this photograph of Jarvis appeared in the Mets' 1965 yearbook, part of an ad for Thomas organs. (Jarvis preferred the Thomas instrument over Hammond, intriguingly.) The day I got my copy, I happened to meet her leaving the ballpark and recognised her from the ad. The lady was actually kind enough to autograph the photo for me: "To Jeff---Thank you! Jane Jarvis." I only wish I still had it. She was gracious and friendly. But I didn't have the nerve to tell her I also thought she was as attractive as the day was long even to a kid pushing ten.

(https://metsmerizedonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/jane-jarvis.png)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on August 09, 2019, 12:36:32 am
@DCPatriot
Depends on the organ music.

But then today's ballpark organists haven't got half the wit of such legends as Gladys Gooding, the organist in Ebbets Field who, among other things, would play "Three Blind Mice" whenever close umpire calls went against the Brooklyn Dodgers. (She was actually baseball's first full-time organist.) She was also known, I think, for playing "Happy Trails" whenever the Dodgers knocked an opposing pitcher out of the box.

Or, Jane Jarvis, when she had the job in Shea Stadium from the park's opening through 1980. Among other things, Jarvis even had ways of trying to help settle the hash whenever the Mets got into a fight on the field: she'd play Charlie Parker's "Scrapple from the Apple." That wasn't just Jarvis being puckish---she was actually an accomplished jazz pianist:

Jane Jarvis, "Satin Doll"
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hS0RusBlH8#)

Jane Jarvis, "Love for Sale"
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tWHtIuWmZA#)

Jane Jarvis, "Cut Glass"
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWj13L-K_ag#)

Back when I was a kid going to games at Shea Stadium, this photograph of Jarvis appeared in the Mets' 1965 yearbook, part of an ad for Thomas organs. (Jarvis preferred the Thomas instrument over Hammond, intriguingly.) The day I got my copy, I happened to meet her leaving the ballpark and recognised her from the ad. The lady was actually kind enough to autograph the photo for me: "To Jeff---Thank you! Jane Jarvis." I only wish I still had it. She was gracious and friendly. But I didn't have the nerve to tell her I also thought she was as attractive as the day was long even to a kid pushing ten.

(https://metsmerizedonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/jane-jarvis.png)

LOL!  Thanks for the lesson.  Back in the days, all the men in the stands wore fedoras.  Or white shirts and ties.

Played a Farfisa in clubs back in the 60's 

Under My Thumb, House of the Rising Sun, Green Onions.      David's Mood by the Kingsmen was our break song.   :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 09, 2019, 12:37:35 am
LOL!  Thanks for the lesson.
@DCPatriot
Not bad for a guitar player, eh?  :beer:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 09, 2019, 12:39:15 am
Played a Farfisa in clubs back in the 60's 

Under My Thumb, House of the Rising Sun, Green Onions.      David's Mood by the Kingsmen was our break song.   :laugh:
Here's the best "Green Onions" I ever heard by people not named Booker T. & the MGs . . .

Mike Bloomfield & Al Kooper, "Green Onions"
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKl6Vzyjb-0#)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on August 09, 2019, 12:50:15 am
Here's the best "Green Onions" I ever heard by people not named Booker T. & the MGs . . .

Mike Bloomfield & Al Kooper, "Green Onions"
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKl6Vzyjb-0#)

 :beer:

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 11, 2019, 02:19:16 am

Astros win 23-2 tonight against the poor O's.   Alvarez hits 3 HR's (17) and 7 rbi's. (51)  It's going to be tough to deny him the ROY at this rate.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on August 11, 2019, 02:30:38 am
Astros win 23-2 tonight against the poor O's.   Alvarez hits 3 HR's (17) and 7 rbi's. (51)  It's going to be tough to deny him the ROY at this rate.

I think that was pretty much a lock already but if it wasn't, tonight should do it for sure.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 11, 2019, 02:42:57 am
I think that was pretty much a lock already but if it wasn't, tonight should do it for sure.

Even though his batting stats are blowing Vlad away, I am afraid he is lacking name recognition, and add the fact he's a DH, and might be penalized for no defensive cred. 

It's got to be close at this point.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 11, 2019, 03:37:17 am
Astros win 23-2 tonight against the poor O's.
That's like saying you won a nuclear war against an invader that has nothing but spears and stones to throw at you.  wink777
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 11, 2019, 03:40:04 am
Even though his batting stats are blowing Vlad away, I am afraid he is lacking name recognition, and add the fact he's a DH, and might be penalized for no defensive cred. 

It's got to be close at this point.
He has more name recongition than you think. A poll at ESPN.com shows Alvarez the runaway AL Rookie of the Year favourte. As I write, he's leading with 64 percent of the poll vote.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on August 11, 2019, 02:41:29 pm
That's like saying you won a nuclear war against an invader that has nothing but spears and stones to throw at you.  wink777

@EasyAce

I have no problem feeling über proud of the Astros. After all, it wasn't all that long ago that they were in baseball's basement with multiple years of losses of 100+. They've known what being on the other side of such games and what it feels like to be a laughingstock. They've worked hard to get where they've gotten, so no apologies for last night's blowout from me.

Incidentally, last night was especially sweet since we barely squeaked by the Orioles (3-2) the previous night.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 11, 2019, 02:57:10 pm
@EasyAce

I have no problem feeling über proud of the Astros. After all, it wasn't all that long ago that they were in baseball's basement with multiple years of losses of 100+. They've known what being on the other side of such games and what it feels like to be a laughingstock. They've worked hard to get where they've gotten, so no apologies for last night's blowout from me.
@AllThatJazzZ
Nobody should ask for apologies. The Orioles just aren't a good team. They're barely a mediocre one. And unlike the Astros, who tore down to reconstruct (hence the multiple 100-loss seasons) with a defined plan and executed the plan, the Orioles---for all their proclamation about rebuilding---just don't seem to have the brains to do a proper rebuild. They've come a long, sad way from the years in which they spoke of the "Oriole Way" with the kind of respect the Astros' way now garners.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 11, 2019, 03:47:28 pm
@EasyAce

I have no problem feeling über proud of the Astros. After all, it wasn't all that long ago that they were in baseball's basement with multiple years of losses of 100+. They've known what being on the other side of such games and what it feels like to be a laughingstock. They've worked hard to get where they've gotten, so no apologies for last night's blowout from me.

Incidentally, last night was especially sweet since we barely squeaked by the Orioles (3-2) the previous night.

Luhnow has done an absolutely outstanding job of building this team, and continuing to load up for the future.  With a 3rd consecutive 100 W season in the bag pretty much done. (Which will tie the MLB record).  This time next year, I feel that this team will have a good shot of breaking that record, and getting a fourth season.  They are that loaded.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on August 17, 2019, 02:02:42 am
@Lando Lincoln

Sean Doolittle strikes out Christian Yelich swinging for 1st out in the ninth inning....  thought of you right away.

I thought for sure he was going to kill us.   :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 17, 2019, 06:26:18 am
Dang it!
Astros have just dropped there 2nd in a row to the A’s.
5th loss in 6 games.
I should have gone to bed instead of staying up and watching this.
Just ended, after 13 innings.
1:25 am now.
At least the next 2 games start at 3:00 pm central.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on August 17, 2019, 07:58:53 am
Dang it!
Astros have just dropped there 2nd in a row to the A’s.
5th loss in 6 games.
I should have gone to bed instead of staying up and watching this.
Just ended, after 13 innings.
1:25 am now.
At least the next 2 games start at 3:00 pm central.

@GrouchoTex

Resist discouragement. They have all the components of a championship team. This road trip has been a grueling one. They even look exhausted, but they'll rebound. I'm sure you remember the terrible slump in June. They fought back. They'll do it again.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/team/schedule/_/name/hou/seasontype/2/half/1 (https://www.espn.com/mlb/team/schedule/_/name/hou/seasontype/2/half/1)




Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 17, 2019, 12:24:02 pm
Dang it!
Astros have just dropped there 2nd in a row to the A’s.
5th loss in 6 games.
I should have gone to bed instead of staying up and watching this.
Just ended, after 13 innings.
1:25 am now.
At least the next 2 games start at 3:00 pm central.

Yep, team is starting to get complacent under the glow of  it's own press.  They had a chance to deal a death blow this weekend, instead they are giving the A's hope. 
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 17, 2019, 12:28:19 pm
@GrouchoTex

Resist discouragement. They have all the components of a championship team. This road trip has been a grueling one. They even look exhausted, but they'll rebound. I'm sure you remember the terrible slump in June. They fought back. They'll do it again.



We'll try.  But I still have memories of 1998.  In '98 we secured the help of Randy Johnson (trade deadline) , and he played masterfully.  Many many pundits had us as WS favories going into the post season.  Problem is, you don't play this game on paper, and we ran into a buzz saw named Kevin Brown in the NLDS.  AJ and Luhnow needs to somehow breath some life into what I am thinking is becoming a complacent team. 
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 18, 2019, 01:17:43 pm
We'll try.  But I still have memories of 1998.  In '98 we secured the help of Randy Johnson (trade deadline) , and he played masterfully.  Many many pundits had us as WS favories going into the post season.  Problem is, you don't play this game on paper, and we ran into a buzz saw named Kevin Brown in the NLDS.  AJ and Luhnow needs to somehow breath some life into what I am thinking is becoming a complacent team.

Baseball is such a funny game.  Thanks to Jeff Luhnow a post trade deadline team has been amassed, that might be the best in the past 20 years.   A week or so later, ......  It loses 5 in a row.

The baseball gods hath urinated on us?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on August 18, 2019, 01:24:54 pm
Baseball is such a funny game.  Thanks to Jeff Luhnow a post trade deadline team has been amassed, that might be the best in the past 20 years.   A week or so later, ......  It loses 5 in a row.

The baseball gods hath urinated on us?

Playing 3 games in less than 24 hours will take the wind out of just about any team.  And Cole missing a turn on the mound didn't help matters much either.  I'm not worried.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on August 18, 2019, 01:37:45 pm
Goshdarnnit!

Those Astros had a simple chore in front of them, sweep 4 games from the damn A's to help out the Rays....

Can't you Texans get anything done??

 :tongue2:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 19, 2019, 03:10:23 pm
Goshdarnnit!

Those Astros had a simple chore in front of them, sweep 4 games from the damn A's to help out the Rays....

Can't you Texans get anything done??

 :tongue2:

Naw, It's too darned hot to get anything done.
We have to wait until October....
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on August 19, 2019, 03:16:11 pm
Naw, It's too darned hot to get anything done.
We have to wait until October....

I was just funnin'

Was counting on the damn Yankees to sweep Cleveland and Astros to sweep Oakland....

Didn't work out that way....

Rays end up after the weekend, 1.0 game behind Cleveland for the first wild card, and 1.5 games ahead of Oakland for the second....

Still a lot of baseball to be played!!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on August 19, 2019, 03:53:59 pm
I was just funnin'

Was counting on the damn Yankees to sweep Cleveland and Astros to sweep Oakland....

Didn't work out that way....

Rays end up after the weekend, 1.0 game behind Cleveland for the first wild card, and 1.5 games ahead of Oakland for the second....

Still a lot of baseball to be played!!

Reckon the Rays will play any of it @EdJames? :bolt:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 19, 2019, 04:10:03 pm
I was just funnin'

Was counting on the damn Yankees to sweep Cleveland and Astros to sweep Oakland....

Didn't work out that way....

Rays end up after the weekend, 1.0 game behind Cleveland for the first wild card, and 1.5 games ahead of Oakland for the second....

Still a lot of baseball to be played!!

 :cool:

The Ray's aren't bad.
It is a shame that they don't draw better crowds at home.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 19, 2019, 04:44:53 pm
Naw, It's too darned hot to get anything done.
We have to wait until October....

Not a good weekend.  This team had no business losing 3 of 4 to the A's.  Strom needs to pull out the cattle prod, and work over the bullpen.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 19, 2019, 04:46:22 pm
Not a good weekend.  This team had no business losing 3 of 4 to the A's.  Strom needs to pull out the cattle prod, and work over the bullpen.
A rough week to be sure.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on August 19, 2019, 05:29:29 pm
Reckon the Rays will play any of it @EdJames? :bolt:

Well, they will at least be playing through to September 29th!

Beyond that?  TBD

They aren't doing too badly for the team with the lowest payroll in MLB!! 

Opening day payroll, 25 man roster: $49,084,731, IR: $4,360,200

Compare to top AL East competitors:

- Boston: $187,232,500, IR: $15,689,000
- Damn Yankees:  $118,832,077, IR: $87,252,771

- Your boys: $147,619,666, IR: $12,100,000

Rays are doing pretty well (73 wins) with that payroll!!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on August 19, 2019, 05:36:21 pm
:cool:

The Ray's aren't bad.
It is a shame that they don't draw better crowds at home.

That is a source of constant discussion here.....   no one seems to have the "real" or primary answer....

The park is great....  for an indoor dome.....  ticket prices are pretty cheap....  the staff is the most Friendly and Fantastic that I've ever seen...

The fans that do attend don't let the small numbers impact the enthusiasm level.....  always cheering the boys, NEVER booing any of them....  always stay through extra innings to the last out....  I usually will catch 10 or so games each season....  I would go to more but it is just so comfortable and convenient to just watch on TV....

My theory: anger and dissatisfaction with the ownership....  never spending what it takes to resign good players....  just let them walk or trade away for prospects.....  been going on for too many years....  it is why Madden picked up and left....

 :shrug:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on August 19, 2019, 05:59:55 pm
Well, they will at least be playing through to September 29th!

Beyond that?  TBD

They aren't doing too badly for the team with the lowest payroll in MLB!! 

Opening day payroll, 25 man roster: $49,084,731, IR: $4,360,200

Compare to top AL East competitors:

- Boston: $187,232,500, IR: $15,689,000
- Damn Yankees:  $118,832,077, IR: $87,252,771

- Your boys: $147,619,666, IR: $12,100,000

Rays are doing pretty well (73 wins) with that payroll!!

They are indeed!  Just yankin your chain on Monday morning.  wink777
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on August 20, 2019, 03:04:56 pm
They are indeed!  Just yankin your chain on Monday morning.  wink777

 888high58888
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 20, 2019, 04:57:46 pm
Carlos Correa out again with what they are calling back....






....discomfort.

the Astros medical staff's favorite new word.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on August 20, 2019, 05:13:50 pm
Astros win percentage for the first 126 games this season is .635. To get to 100 wins the need a .555 win percentage for the last 36 games.  Will they make it?   I personally like their chances.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on August 20, 2019, 06:01:59 pm
My NATS have scored 43 runs in the last 3 games...where the heck has this offense come from??
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 20, 2019, 06:14:04 pm
Carlos Correa out again with what they are calling back....






....discomfort.

the Astros medical staff's favorite new word.

I tell ya.  The quality of back massages must have really gone to sh__ the past few years.  :cool:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 20, 2019, 06:37:32 pm
I tell ya.  The quality of back massages must have really gone to sh__ the past few years.  :cool:
@catfish1957

I was going to make some crack about Correa being the backbone of the team but thought better of it.
 :cool:
Hinch says best case scenario is 3 days, and he doesn't want to think of worse case.
He says he is definitely not playing tonight.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 20, 2019, 07:34:11 pm
My NATS have scored 43 runs in the last 3 games...where the heck has this offense come from??
@DCPatriot
You've never heard of awakening the sleeping giant?  wink777
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 20, 2019, 07:47:37 pm
Astros win percentage for the first 126 games this season is .635. To get to 100 wins the need a .555 win percentage for the last 36 games.  Will they make it?   I personally like their chances.

That's 20-16 which should be doable, for sure.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on August 20, 2019, 08:22:36 pm
Is it me, or does it seem like Correa is fragile? I love having him healthy and playing, but in the two years I've been a baseball fan, he's spent a lot of time on the DL/IL.

(Please, no smart-a$$ answers. I truly want to learn.)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 20, 2019, 08:23:25 pm
That's 20-16 which should be doable, for sure.
Especially with the near cream puff-looking schedule they have the rest of the season: except for two games with the Brewers (2-3 September) and four with the A's (9-12 September), the Astros don't play against anyone with a winning record the rest of the regular season. That's 36 games, by the way. They should go 20-16 on a remaining schedule like that.

But . . . beware the spoilers. Who won't take the AL West from the Astros but might keep them from 100 wins.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on August 20, 2019, 08:25:09 pm
@DCPatriot
You've never heard of awakening the sleeping giant?  wink777

I shutter at the thought that Ryan Zimmerman is rehabbing in Hagerstown, Maryland....and planning on returning. 

UGH...How in the hell are they going to sit Adams OR Kendricks...it will ruin the chemistry of the dugout.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 20, 2019, 08:33:26 pm
I shutter at the thought that Ryan Zimmerman is rehabbing in Hagerstown, Maryland....and planning on returning. 

UGH...How in the hell are they going to sit Adams OR Kendricks...it will ruin the chemistry of the dugout.
Not necessarily. Both those guys have been Zimmerman teammates before, and I thought Zimmerman was considered one of the genuinely good guys in their clubhouse.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 20, 2019, 08:33:46 pm
Is it me, or does it seem like Correa is fragile? I love having him healthy and playing, but in the two years I've been a baseball fan, he's spent a lot of time on the DL/IL.

(Please, no smart-a$$ answers. I truly want to learn.)

@AllThatJazzZ

I'm not sure, to be honest.

Rookie year is in 2015.
He seemed healthy in 2015 and 2016.

In 2017 had a ligament issue in his thumb, which what happened probably would have injured anyone.
First he slid into a catcher's shin guard, then hurt it further 2 weeks later on a swing.
The ligament required surgery.
He came back labor day weekend, and for 2017, the rest is history.

Last year 2018, he missed  8 weeks with back issues and never seemed the same until this year.

Of course, the broken ribs issue this year, which seems to be a fluke.
Now the back again.

I'd say he has one major concern (the back) and 2 flukes (the ligament and the broken rib).

Would I say he is fragile?
No, 2 of the 3 injuries were just weird, odd things.

Would I say his back is a concern?
Yes, 2nd time now.

Maybe this never happens again.
Maybe this never goes away.

I don't know.
Time will tell.



Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on August 20, 2019, 08:49:01 pm
@AllThatJazzZ

I'm not sure, to be honest.

Rookie year is in 2015.
He seemed healthy in 2015 and 2016.

In 2017 had a ligament issue in his thumb, which what happened probably would have injured anyone.
First he slid into a catcher's shin guard, then hurt it further 2 weeks later on a swing.
The ligament required surgery.
He came back labor day weekend, and for 2017, the rest is history.

Last year 2018, he missed  8 weeks with back issues and never seemed the same until this year.

Of course, the broken ribs issue this year, which seems to be a fluke.
Now the back again.

I'd say he has one major concern (the back) and 2 flukes (the ligament and the broken rib).

Would I say he is fragile?
No, 2 of the 3 injuries were just weird, odd things.

Would I say his back is a concern?
Yes, 2nd time now.

Maybe this never happens again.
Maybe this never goes away.

I don't know.
Time will tell.

Thanks, @GrouchoTex. I appreciate the history and your take on it. My first awareness of him was WS 2017, so I knew nothing before that. I'm with you ... that back thing could prove concerning.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 20, 2019, 09:08:22 pm
Thanks, @GrouchoTex. I appreciate the history and your take on it. My first awareness of him was WS 2017, so I knew nothing before that. I'm with you ... that back thing could prove concerning.

I had thought the back issues were gone this year.
However, do they ever really go away?
I do know that medical science improves all the time, and treatments get less evasive and heal faster.
Here's to hoping it was just a muscle strain.

To me, Correa, Altuve, Springer, and Bregman make up the nucleus of the team, as far as position players go.
Altuve is signed for 10 more years and Bregman 5.
I hope Springer and (a healthy) Correa can be signed for 5 or more each.
Add Alvarez to this, too.

I fear with the high price of pitching, some hard choices may be coming after 2020.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 20, 2019, 09:14:57 pm


(Please, no smart-a$$ answers. I truly want to learn.)

 888mouth
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 20, 2019, 09:17:27 pm
I had thought the back issues were gone this year.
However, do they ever really go away?
I do know that medical science improves all the time, and treatments get less evasive and heal faster.
Here's to hoping it was just a muscle strain.

To me, Correa, Altuve, Springer, and Bregman make up the nucleus of the team, as far as position players go.
Altuve is signed for 10 more years and Bregman 5.
I hope Springer and (a healthy) Correa can be signed for 5 or more each.
Add Alvarez to this, too.

I fear with the high price of pitching, some hard choices may be coming after 2020.

I really expect Correa to be gone next year.  His prospective wife yearns for the big city LA or NY exposure.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 20, 2019, 09:21:32 pm

I fear with the high price of pitching, some hard choices may be coming after 2020.

The board I follow had some lengthy discussion about the luxury tax, and  it is one very complicated matter.  Crane has done well in investing in talent, but doesn't have the fiancial resources to keep this talented roster long term.  I see Cole and Correa being jettiosned in 2020, hopefully being supplanted by Whitley, Tucker, and lower cost option at short.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on August 20, 2019, 10:34:26 pm
I really expect Correa to be gone next year.  His prospective wife yearns for the big city LA or NY exposure.

If the Astros win it all this year the will likely be several members of the team playing elsewhere next season as their price tags will exceed the avaliable resources.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on August 21, 2019, 12:05:19 am
It seems to me that if Correa has a propensity for injuries and for losing a lot of playing time, he would be less marketable. I don't know how things work in baseball, but that would be how things work in the "real world." Where am I wrong?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 21, 2019, 02:32:57 pm
Although not MLB related, my wife and I went to a Sugar Land Skeeters game last night.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on August 21, 2019, 02:39:40 pm
It seems to me that if Correa has a propensity for injuries and for losing a lot of playing time, he would be less marketable. I don't know how things work in baseball, but that would be how things work in the "real world." Where am I wrong?

I don't think you are wrong @AllThatJazzZ.  Many things enter into these kid of decisions and the day to day reliability of players is definitely one of those things.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 21, 2019, 02:59:02 pm
Although not MLB related, my wife and I went to a Sugar Land Skeeters game last night.

Maybe the apt team mascot ever.  They still sell Cutters there by the barrel?.   :cool:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 21, 2019, 03:00:27 pm
I don't think you are wrong @AllThatJazzZ.  Many things enter into these kid of decisions and the day to day reliability of players is definitely one of those things.

Sadly in Correa's case, I don't think anyone really knows how much of his plight is being injury prone, or in his or his finacee's head.

I'll just leave it at that.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 21, 2019, 03:50:47 pm
Maybe the apt team mascot ever.  They still sell Cutters there by the barrel?.   :cool:

LOL, yeah, and sunscreen.

They have a new deal called the Silver Skeeters club.
People age 55+ can sign up for 35.00 each.
It gets you 11 games, all tuesdays.
Brings the ticket price down to $3.11 per game.
My wife got a ticket from one of here friends, who went out of town.
( I had to buy a separate one at full price $ 14.00)
My wife and I are going to sign up for it next year.
You get a t-shirt, a soft drink voucher per game.
Pretty good deal.
The t-shirts are sponsored by a hearing aid company, which will be pretty appropriate for me soon, LOL.
Not a bad deal.


Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on August 21, 2019, 04:15:09 pm
Sadly in Correa's case, I don't think anyone really knows how much of his plight is being injury prone, or in his or his finacee's head.

I'll just leave it at that.

A player not wanting to be somewhere is also a big factor in how trades go down.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on August 23, 2019, 09:13:47 pm
The MLB is playing baseball, while the NATS are playing softball.

Last NINE games, they've had 90 hits to their opponents 37.

They are right now ahead of the CUBS in Chicago 9-0 in the ninth inning.

Anibal Sanchez has a one-hitter going.

Ends up 9-3!  Go NATS!   :patriot:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on August 26, 2019, 01:39:14 pm
... and now we can all breathe a sigh of relief that the Players Weekend uniform fiasco is finally over and done.

(https://faxesfromuncledale.com/wp-content/uploads/woody-allen-sperm.jpg)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on August 26, 2019, 01:42:36 pm
... and now we can all breathe a sigh of relief that the Players Weekend uniform fiasco is finally over and done.

(https://faxesfromuncledale.com/wp-content/uploads/woody-allen-sperm.jpg)

 :silly:

They need to fire whoever thought that one up. I'm sure they'll hear about it for a long time.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on August 26, 2019, 01:43:55 pm
... and now we can all breathe a sigh of relief that the Players Weekend uniform fiasco is finally over and done.


 :amen:  :amen: and  :amen: again!  I absolutely HATED those uniforms and hot to never ever be subjected to that again!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 26, 2019, 03:37:25 pm
Goods news, the Astros are now tied with the Yankees for the best record in the American league.
No, I didn't like those Good Humor man uniforms, either.
I thought the bats were and shoes were fun.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on August 26, 2019, 04:00:49 pm
No, I didn't like those Good Humor man uniforms, either.
I thought the bats were and shoes were fun.

Agreed. The bats and shoes were the parts where the players were actually able to express their individuality and their own interests, and that's what made them fun.

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Jazzhead on August 26, 2019, 04:01:55 pm
The players looked like Spy vs. Spy.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on August 26, 2019, 04:05:43 pm
The players looked like Spy vs. Spy.
I'm convinced that the players were used as pawns....FREE pawns, in the quest to create a baseball video game.

With black and white uniforms and virtually no contrast to see names and numbers...in fact, 'nicknames' were used so that individual player has no recourse for compensation, it's easy to edit player numbers, etc..

Nothing else makes any sense in this entire BLACK/WHITE weekend of games.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on August 26, 2019, 04:06:34 pm
Agreed. The bats and shoes were the parts where the players were actually able to express their individuality and their own interests, and that's what made them fun.

HEY!!!

When in hell are the BRAVES ever going to lose another game?   WTH???     :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on August 26, 2019, 04:26:12 pm
HEY!!!

When in hell are the BRAVES ever going to lose another game?   WTH???     :laugh:

@DCPatriot
LOL - I could ask the same question about your boys!
They're both on a tear, that's for sure.
 :beer:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on August 26, 2019, 04:44:29 pm
@GrouchoTex

Goods news, the Astros are now tied with the Yankees for the best record in the American league.

I took this screen shot a few weeks ago to get me through some of the nail-biting times.



I thought the bats were and shoes were fun.

La Piña's bat was my fave.

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on August 26, 2019, 04:49:47 pm
@DCPatriot
LOL - I could ask the same question about your boys!
They're both on a tear, that's for sure.
 :beer:

@Polly Ticks

 :beer:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 26, 2019, 06:05:09 pm
Assuming the Nationals snatch the first National League wild card and win the wild card game, I suspect a postseason duel between the Nationals and the Braves is liable to be a duel to the death. Or, to suicide by bullpen. Whichever comes first. Though lately the Braves' bullpen seems to have ironed out their kinks. But still: If you were to start the postseason now with a Braves-Nationals set, each team's got to be thinking---get past their effective enough starters to abuse the bullpen, the earlier the better. Not to mention, putting muzzles on (for the Braves) Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto, or (for the Nationals) Ronald Acuna, Jr. and (the sleeper surprise for the Braves) Josh Donaldson.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on August 27, 2019, 12:38:58 am
@Polly Ticks

LOL!  Spoke too soon!    They finally lost a game.

NATS are now 4 back in the lost column.   happy77
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on August 27, 2019, 01:49:55 am
@Polly Ticks

LOL!  Spoke too soon!    They finally lost a game.

NATS are now 4 back in the lost column.   happy77

@DCPatriot
Darn it, you jinxed us!
 :chairbang:

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on August 27, 2019, 06:29:28 am
@DCPatriot
Darn it, you jinxed us!
 :chairbang:

 :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on August 27, 2019, 02:14:19 pm
FYI for Tuesday, August 27

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-tv-celebrates-17th-anniversary-with-free-baseball (https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-tv-celebrates-17th-anniversary-with-free-baseball)

STREAM EVERY GAME FREE TODAY (8-27-19)
By Matt Kelly @mattkellyMLB
12:01 AM EDT

MLB.TV will be completely FREE for today only -- so plan accordingly.

The renowned state-of-the-art service is celebrating the 17th anniversary of its first streamed game in 2002 by offering a one-day free trial, with all 15 Major League games streaming for free. Yes, you read that correctly -- it’s a full slate of big league baseball, from first pitch to last out, at your fingertips free of charge. Simply login and watch any available out-of-market game tonight (blackout and other restrictions apply).

Watch today's games

With the September postseason chase just around the corner, there’s no better time to jump in on the action. In Queens, the Cubs and Mets -- a pair of marquee clubs currently chasing the National League Wild Card -- begin a crucial three-game series. Another pair of NL Central contenders in the Cardinals and Brewers will battle in Milwaukee, while the Rays and Astros will stage a potential AL postseason preview in the Lone Star State -- with Cy Young Award contenders Charlie Morton and Justin Verlander dueling on the mound. Elsewhere, the Orioles and Nationals will write another chapter of their Beltway Series rivalry, and the Yankees will take on the Mariners in the Pacific Northwest.

An MLB.TV subscription provides fans with access to...
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on August 28, 2019, 12:28:22 am

The Astros’ Secret Weapon: Tons of Strikeouts—and Never Striking Out
Houston could become the first team to have the most strikeouts from the mound and the fewest at the plate in the same season since strikeouts were first tracked MLB-wide in 1913

by Jared Diamond
Aug. 27, 2019 7:52 am ET

The Houston Astros are among the favorites to win the World Series, and the reason is shockingly simple: They are really, really good at hitting the ball and really, really good at preventing their opponents from hitting it.

This explanation might sound insultingly obvious. But in reality, what the Astros are doing right now is beyond remarkable—it’s on the verge of being unprecedented. The Astros entered Tuesday with the most strikeouts in the major leagues from the mound and the fewest strikeouts in the major leagues at the plate. No team has done that over a full season since batters’ strikeouts were first tracked MLB-wide in 1913.

That powerful combination isn’t a coincidence. Under the leadership of general manager Jeff Luhnow and his data-driven front office, the Astros have beaten all of their competitors in the race to weaponize perhaps the most important statistic in modern baseball: the strikeout. And it has made them a juggernaut.

“That’s an attribute that a lot of people building teams would like to have,” reliever Will Harris said. “I don’t think that’s by accident. They want guys who have bat-to-ball skills and pitchers that can put guys away.”

Scanning the Astros’ roster, it isn’t difficult to figure out...


https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-astros-secret-weapon-tons-of-strikeoutsand-never-striking-out-11566906733 (https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-astros-secret-weapon-tons-of-strikeoutsand-never-striking-out-11566906733)

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on August 28, 2019, 02:37:14 am
@DCPatriot
(https://emojipedia-us.s3.dualstack.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/socialmedia/apple/198/zipper-mouth-face_1f910.png)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on August 28, 2019, 09:56:05 am
@DCPatriot
(https://emojipedia-us.s3.dualstack.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/socialmedia/apple/198/zipper-mouth-face_1f910.png)

Come on, @Polly Ticks !    This is bullsh*t!!!!

I don't care how the BRAVES are playing...one does NOT lose to the ORIOLES!   One does not get SHUT OUT by the ORIOLES!

What.  The.   Hell.

 9999hair out0000
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on August 28, 2019, 11:06:28 am
Come on, @Polly Ticks !    This is bullsh*t!!!!

I don't care how the BRAVES are playing...one does NOT lose to the ORIOLES!   One does not get SHUT OUT by the ORIOLES!

What.  The.   Hell.

 9999hair out0000


I know! Both our teams were doing well until we made the fatal error of talking about it out loud!
 
 888mouth

Hopefully they'll be able to right their respective ships tonight.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 28, 2019, 11:43:32 am


I know! Both our teams were doing well until we made the fatal error of talking about it out loud!
 
 888mouth

Hopefully they'll be able to right their respective ships tonight.

Y'all both just Dodger  snacks anyway.

See you later gotta run.......    :cool:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on August 28, 2019, 12:09:52 pm
Y'all both just Dodger  snacks anyway.

See you later gotta run.......    :cool:

@catfish1957

LOL!   I'm afraid, you're right!    happy77
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on August 28, 2019, 04:21:59 pm
Let's start a rumor.....    :smokin:

Is Rush Limbaugh involved in the ongoing negotiations to buy the Kansas City Royals for $1Billion??

He's on 'vacation' this week...just announced last Thursday on air.    happy77
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 28, 2019, 04:29:14 pm
Let's start a rumor.....    :smokin:

Is Rush Limbaugh involved in the ongoing negotiations to buy the Kansas City Royals for $1Billion??

He's on 'vacation' this week...just announced last Thursday on air.    happy77

Would be nice, but his interest in  NFL team ownership was squished at square 1 several years ago.  SJW laden professional sports would never allow it.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 28, 2019, 04:41:28 pm
Would be nice, but his interest in  NFL team ownership was squished at square 1 several years ago.  SJW laden professional sports would never allow it.
Even without the SJW factor, forget it. From what I've seen, El Rushbo knows about as much about baseball as Connie Mack knew about quantum physics.

Besides, I can't help thinking about an exchange between Brooklyn Dodgers outfield legend Carl Furillo and The Boys of Summer author Roger Kahn, when Kahn bought and owned for awhile the minor league Utica Blue Sox. When Kahn called Furillo (while Kahn was writing the book, he and Furillo rekindled and kept for life a friendship that began when Kahn covered the Boys of Summer for the old New York Herald-Tribune) to tell him about the purchase, Furillo came back with, "You? An owner? You'll be lucky if you don't have two ulcers before Opening Day." If Limbaugh were crazy enough to buy the Royals, he'd be lucky if he didn't have two ulcers before Opening Day.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on August 28, 2019, 04:45:05 pm
I guess you Houston Astros fans are happy that your boys got lucky and squeaked by the Rays last night, 15-1.....


 :silly:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on August 28, 2019, 04:49:17 pm
Even without the SJW factor, forget it. From what I've seen, El Rushbo knows about as much about baseball as Connie Mack knew about quantum physics.

Besides, I can't help thinking about an exchange between Brooklyn Dodgers outfield legend Carl Furillo and The Boys of Summer author Roger Kahn, when Kahn bought and owned for awhile the minor league Utica Blue Sox. When Kahn called Furillo (while Kahn was writing the book, he and Furillo rekindled and kept for life a friendship that began when Kahn covered the Boys of Summer for the old New York Herald-Tribune) to tell him about the purchase, Furillo came back with, "You? An owner? You'll be lucky if you don't have two ulcers before Opening Day." If Limbaugh were crazy enough to buy the Royals, he'd be lucky if he didn't have two ulcers before Opening Day.

IF Limbaugh is involved in any negotiations to buy the Royals you can bet your @$$ that a guy who knows plenty about baseball is sitting right there beside him.  Fellow by the name of George Brett.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on August 28, 2019, 04:51:40 pm
I guess you Houston Astros fans are happy that your boys got lucky and squeaked by the Rays last night, 15-1.....


 :silly:

 :yowsa:  Had me on the edge of my chair for two whole innings!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 28, 2019, 04:59:44 pm
IF Limbaugh is involved in any negotiations to buy the Royals you can bet your @$$ that a guy who knows plenty about baseball is sitting right there beside him.  Fellow by the name of George Brett.
Doesn't mean he'd listen to Brett.

I can think of a considerable gathering of owners who had that kind of knowledge to call upon and ignored it like the proverbial plague anyway. George Steinbrenner had tons of it to call upon in the 1980s and his Yankees still went down the drain little by little over that decade. (Reality check, folks: the Yankees didn't return to greatness until Steinbrenner's early 1990s suspension over the Howard Spira/Dave Winfield shenanigans left room for the real baseball people in that front office, particularly GM Gene Michael, to re-tool the team completely without having to worry about Steinbrenner's usual King of Hearts crap every other minute.)

I can even think of owners who got rid of that kind of knowledge when they took over a team or decided it was time to break up a successful team. Or, who did little to nothing after bringing in the people who'd turn good teams into rubble. (The Frank Lane Indians, anyone? The Cam Bonifay-Dave Littlefield Pirates, anyone?)

Come to think of it, I wonder if George Brett might put together a group to buy the Royals. It'd be a rarity, and he'd sure do a better job of it than Derek Jeter seems to be doing with the Marlins so far. And if you can think of any more popular move in Kansas City than George Brett co-owning the Royals . . .

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 28, 2019, 05:03:13 pm
I guess you Houston Astros fans are happy that your boys got lucky and squeaked by the Rays last night, 15-1.....


 :silly:

Should have been a pitcher's duel.

Uncle Charlie, who I like a lot (aka "CFM") got rocked a bit.

Those most interesting thing was Verlander getting tossed.

The Astros won 11-2 against the Angels on Sunday.
Had an off day Monday, and then beat the Rays 15-1.

This team is scary when clicking.

Some people I have asked me why I am following them so closely,watching every game that I possibly can.
Well, I always have, but these last few years, 2015-2019, have been special to me.

I may be exaggerating, but not by much, when I say this is like watching the 1929 Yankees, or the Big Red Machine of the 70's.
These types of teams don't come around everyday.
To have a team in our city for a change is a blessing.

I don't want to miss it.

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 28, 2019, 05:25:50 pm

I don't want to miss it.

Fangraphs has us winning the WS, at right at 30% right now.  Can't remember a team having that good of odds at FG, pre-Septmember.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on August 28, 2019, 05:26:06 pm
Should have been a pitcher's duel.

Uncle Charlie, who I like a lot (aka "CFM") got rocked a bit.

Those most interesting thing was Verlander getting tossed.

The Astros won 11-2 against the Angels on Sunday.
Had an off day Monday, and then beat the Rays 15-1.

This team is scary when clicking.

Some people I have asked me why I am following them so closely,watching every game that I possibly can.
Well, I always have, but these last few years, 2015-2019, have been special to me.

I may be exaggerating, but not by much, when I say this is like watching the 1929 Yankees, or the Big Red Machine of the 70's.
These types of teams don't come around everyday.
To have a team in our city for a change is a blessing.

I don't want to miss it.

That was the one game that I thought the Rays might be able to win....  Uncle Charlie on the mound..... and yes, I expected a great pitcher's duel!!   oh well....

I don't blame you for following them as closely as you can....  you guys have a special team there!!

Enjoy them to the max!!


 :beer:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 28, 2019, 05:29:55 pm
That was the one game that I thought the Rays might be able to win....  Uncle Charlie on the mound..... and yes, I expected a great pitcher's duel!!   oh well....

I don't blame you for following them as closely as you can....  you guys have a special team there!!

Enjoy them to the max!!


 :beer:

C(F'n)M will always hold a warm spot in Astros fan's hearts.  His gutsy (while exhausted) 4 last innings of relief in G7 of the '17 WS, is part of the reason why we won it that year.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on August 28, 2019, 05:35:24 pm
That was the one game that I thought the Rays might be able to win....  Uncle Charlie on the mound..... and yes, I expected a great pitcher's duel!!   oh well....

I don't blame you for following them as closely as you can....  you guys have a special team there!!

Enjoy them to the max!!


 :beer:

Will do as this is likely the last year this team will be together.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 28, 2019, 05:37:11 pm
That was the one game that I thought the Rays might be able to win....  Uncle Charlie on the mound..... and yes, I expected a great pitcher's duel!!   oh well....

I don't blame you for following them as closely as you can....  you guys have a special team there!!
The wildest part: the Astros are doing it despite rivaling the Yankees for injured-list residents for the most part. A lot of their injuries kill teams without their depth.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 28, 2019, 05:44:12 pm
Will do as this is likely the last year this team will be together.

Maybe not as bad as we think.  Cole and Correa are the 2 pieces I think are the most likely to go.  If we get even 50% production from farm (Tucker and Whitley, offensively and pitching) we should be just fine.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 28, 2019, 05:49:07 pm
Will do as this is likely the last year this team will be together.
@Bigun
Not necessarily. They'll be together at least for another run in 2020 and I wouldn't bet against them at all for that.

Major key number one beyond: Re-signing Jose Altuve, if they can. They're in a position to think about extending him and getting it done before the last two years on his current contract expire. Right now, they are. A lot will depend on whether those players not yet arbitration eligible become more expensive over time and how much more so in arbitration before Altuve hits his first free agency. If they do to enough extent and the Astros decide they can't afford to keep Altuve, that would be the biggest blow to them. If any Astro is the real heart and soul of this team, it's him. Losing him would be tantamount to the day Duke Ellington lost his great alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges forever.

The better news: George Springer, Carlos Correa (when he returns from the IL), and Lance McCullers Jr. (when he returns) are still early in their primes. Alex Bregman probably hasn't reached his highest potential just yet and he's already one of the best in the American League. And there are more coming through the organisational pipeline who have upside enough to keep the Astros competitive enough that they can play the free agent markets prudently, maybe enough so that all those factors combine to tell them keeping Jose Altuve is worth it, after all.

I see the Astros still able to make runs in 2020 and even 2021. Beyond that? It's a crap shoot. Even as brainy as the Astros' brain trusts are, they're not that far from their greatest challenge.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 28, 2019, 05:56:49 pm
@Bigun
Not necessarily. They'll be together at least for another run in 2020 and I wouldn't bet against them at all for that.

Major key number one beyond: Re-signing Jose Altuve, if they can. They're in a position to think about extending him and getting it done before the last two years on his current contract expire. Right now, they are. A lot will depend on whether those players not yet arbitration eligible become more expensive over time and how much more so in arbitration before Altuve hits his first free agency. If they do to enough extent and the Astros decide they can't afford to keep Altuve, that would be the biggest blow to them. If any Astro is the real heart and soul of this team, it's him. Losing him would be tantamount to the day Duke Ellington lost his great alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges forever.

The better news: George Springer, Carlos Correa (when he returns from the IL), and Lance McCullers Jr. (when he returns) are still early in their primes. Alex Bregman probably hasn't reached his highest potential just yet and he's already one of the best in the American League. And there are more coming through the organisational pipeline who have upside enough to keep the Astros competitive enough that they can play the free agent markets prudently, maybe enough so that all those factors combine to tell them keeping Jose Altuve is worth it, after all.

I see the Astros still able to make runs in 2020 and even 2021. Beyond that? It's a crap shoot. Even as brainy as the Astros' brain trusts are, they're not that far from their greatest challenge.

????

Altuve's under contract until 2024......  That's 5 years, and 35 years old.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 28, 2019, 05:58:34 pm
@EasyAce

Altuve's contract extension already happened in March:

www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Astros-Jose-Altuve-sign-long-term-contract-million-12763890.php (http://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Astros-Jose-Altuve-sign-long-term-contract-million-12763890.php)

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 28, 2019, 06:04:00 pm
@EasyAce

Altuve's contract extension already happened in March:

www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Astros-Jose-Altuve-sign-long-term-contract-million-12763890.php (http://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Astros-Jose-Altuve-sign-long-term-contract-million-12763890.php)
@GrouchoTex
@catfish1957
I've never been so relieved to sit corrected. I must have missed that one while watching a lot of other things, around the Astros and elsewhere. (Like everyone else, just about, I was watching the Harper/Machado sweepstakes and thrown for the loop when the Angels made Mike Trout an Angel for life. Talk about sneaking a great one under the radar, which is just what the Astros did with the Altuve extension!)

That's great for the Astros. Like I said, Altuve's their heart and soul. But even with Altuve locked down, the Astros still look like they'll face a couple of challenges come 2021-2022. One of them may be named George Springer, who's probably tied for second with Alex Bregman (he's locked in until after the 2024 season) in the heart-and-soul department. If I'm the Astros, I'd like very much not to lose Springer, either.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 28, 2019, 06:05:36 pm
@GrouchoTex
@catfish1957
I've never been so relieved to sit corrected. I must have missed that one while watching a lot of other things, around the Astros and elsewhere. (Like everyone else, just about, I was watching the Harper/Machado sweepstakes and thrown for the loop when the Angels made Mike Trout an Angel for life. Talk about sneaking a great one under the radar, which is just what the Astros did with the Altuve extension!)

That's great for the Astros. Like I said, Altuve's their heart and soul. But even with Altuve locked down, the Astros still look like they'll face a couple of challenges come 2021-2022. One of them may be named George Springer, who's probably tied for second with Alex Bregman (he's locked in until after the 2024 season) in the heart-and-soul department. If I'm the Astros, I'd like very much not to lose Springer, either.

Springer, Alvarez and (yes) Correa.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 28, 2019, 06:10:18 pm
Springer, Alvarez and (yes) Correa.
Correa becomes a free agent for the first time in 2022; his first arbitration will be for next season, I think. If he returns to health and stays there with even his current productivity level, the Astros may find him becoming a little on the pricy side, too, by the time he reaches his free agency eligibility. Things are really going to start getting tricky for them in 2022.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 28, 2019, 06:16:29 pm

One of them may be named George Springer, who's probably tied for second with Alex Bregman (he's locked in until after the 2024 season) in the heart-and-soul department. If I'm the Astros, I'd like very much not to lose Springer, either.

Crane has done a great job of opening up the checkbook.  But you are right about the Springer-Bregman predicament. I just don't see how Luhnow signs both without blowing the lid on salaries, and Luxury Taxes.

IMO, Bregman has a higher ceiling, but Springer is a better choice as a solid consistent dependable high end contributor.  Glad I won't have to make that decison.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 28, 2019, 06:19:35 pm
Correa becomes a free agent for the first time in 2022; his first arbitration will be for next season, I think. If he returns to health and stays there with even his current productivity level, the Astros may find him becoming a little on the pricy side, too, by the time he reaches his free agency eligibility. Things are really going to start getting tricky for them in 2022.

There are a lot of whispers in Astroville about Correa, his mystery injuries, and his fiance' who I believe has aspirations for them in the  LA / NY bright lights.  I don't think Correa will stay in Houston.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 28, 2019, 06:21:33 pm
Crane has done a great job of opening up the checkbook.  But you are right about the Springer-Bregman predicament. I just don't see how Luhnow signs both without blowing the lid on salaries, and Luxury Taxes.

IMO, Bregman has a higher ceiling, but Springer is a better choice as a solid consistent dependable high end contributor.  Glad I won't have to make that decison.
@catfish1957
Luhnow's on the threshold of learning (hopefully not the hard way) the biggest differences between building/rebuilding an organisation and sustaining it. I'm glad I won't have to make those decisions either.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on August 28, 2019, 06:27:19 pm
Crane has done a great job of opening up the checkbook.  But you are right about the Springer-Bregman predicament. I just don't see how Luhnow signs both without blowing the lid on salaries, and Luxury Taxes.

IMO, Bregman has a higher ceiling, but Springer is a better choice as a solid consistent dependable high end contributor.  Glad I won't have to make that decison.

Bregman is locked in for 5 more years also:

www.si.com/mlb/2019/03/19/alex-bregman-astros-deal-extension (http://www.si.com/mlb/2019/03/19/alex-bregman-astros-deal-extension)

Springer, Alvarez and Correa.....

who stays?

Who goes?

Who knows?

Obviously, I'd like all 3, but............
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 28, 2019, 06:34:04 pm
Bregman is locked in for 5 more years also:

www.si.com/mlb/2019/03/19/alex-bregman-astros-deal-extension (http://www.si.com/mlb/2019/03/19/alex-bregman-astros-deal-extension)

Springer, Alvarez and Correa.....

who stays?

Who goes?

Who knows?

Obviously, I'd like all 3, but............

I'd forgotten about the Bregman extension.  Alvarez, being a rookie shouldn't be FA eligible until 2024 too, though at his rate of ascension, his arbitration numbers might get pretty lofty till then.

Based on that, jettison Correa.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 28, 2019, 06:37:51 pm
I'd forgotten about the Bregman extension.  Alvarez, being a rookie shouldn't be FA eligible until 2024 too, though at his rate of ascension, his arbitration numbers might get pretty lofty till then.

Based on that, jettison Correa.
Especially if I'm right about Bregman and he's only just begun reaching maximum potential. Alvarez will bear definite watching, of course, but if Bregman continues breaking his ceilings the Astros' pickle will get even more picklish in a few years.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on August 28, 2019, 07:07:49 pm
My prediction FWIW:    Gerrit Cole and Carlos Correa will both be gone before the 2020 season rolls around.
Probably Chris Devinski as well.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on August 28, 2019, 07:18:52 pm

Probably Chris Devinski as well.

 888mouth
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on August 28, 2019, 07:37:32 pm
IF Limbaugh is involved in any negotiations to buy the Royals you can bet your @$$ that a guy who knows plenty about baseball is sitting right there beside him.  Fellow by the name of George Brett.

Exactly, @Bigun !!   :beer:

He and Brett are very good friends.   

Even if Rush only owns 15%...that's a sh*tload of $$$  !!!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 28, 2019, 07:44:33 pm
Well, it looks so far as though the inside track on buying the Royals, if indeed they are for sale, belongs to a group headed by John Sherman, a fellow from Kansas City who has about a 25 percent stake in the Indians but is ready to sell that stake to buy the Royals. And Sherman seems to be very well respected (https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article234451357.html) in Kansas City.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 31, 2019, 04:32:30 am
@DCPatriot
Thought you'd like this . . .

(https://scontent.flas1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/69739334_106461147392465_2727897526857367552_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_eui2=AeE_88QPI7Npr2_gd9_dMw2amPyqCw-O1h5zzE4U4K78I8hBDYCi8CuDeqEE1F4SbaouN0EgsLk4kVTfe8LIC7m2zz7koxqId68ybChK0_ZXgA&_nc_oc=AQneke04_--LCpIvTqYsM93Bv9M9gbGhoKdwBQu265ru4jHWBivEvFP2mxHFQ8NKuR5cuT47I2fl6zEGfCdhLsC0&_nc_ht=scontent.flas1-2.fna&oh=1beafeba5ba5eaccca82d4d833154f9c&oe=5DD31716)

You can get one through Legend-Tee.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on August 31, 2019, 04:35:20 am
Royals sold to K.C. businessman, investors group (https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27501703/royals-sold-kc-businessman-investors-group)
Led as previously reported by Kansas City area businessman John Sherman.

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on September 03, 2019, 07:46:28 pm
I'm just going to leave this here ...

(https://usatthebiglead.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/rajai-davis-joe-west.jpg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on September 03, 2019, 07:55:12 pm
I'm just going to leave this here ...

(https://usatthebiglead.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/rajai-davis-joe-west.jpg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1)
I'm surprised Rajai Davis didn't need oxygen after that!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on September 03, 2019, 08:00:09 pm
I'm surprised Rajai Davis didn't need oxygen after that!

Oxygen?  I was thinking he might need counseling.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on September 03, 2019, 08:45:56 pm
Oxygen?  I was thinking he might need counseling.
That too!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on September 05, 2019, 01:02:51 am
A snapshot on September 4

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on September 06, 2019, 02:51:23 pm
Joe west is without doubt THE worst caller of balls and strikes in the history of baseball! 
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on September 06, 2019, 03:08:14 pm
Joe west is without doubt THE worst caller of balls and strikes in the history of baseball!

Not very good with home runs, either, as I recall.....

I didn't make it through all the innings last night.
I fell asleep just after the ninth. Pretty, amazing, to be down 7-0 after 2 innings and come back to win the thing 11-9 in the 13th.

So I started thinking....

The 1980/1981:  Astros were a very good team , made the playoffs, J.R. richards, Nolan Ryan picthed a no-hitter.

1986: A good year, a lot of come from behind games, made the playoffs, Mike Scott, Nolan Ryan, Glen Davis (the big bopper).

1998/2005: Consistently in the playoffs, killer B's, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt, Billy Wagner. Made a World Series appearance.

2015/present day:  My humble opinion, the best Astros team of all time.
When healthy, the line-up is scary.
This year, 4 starters leading in ERA (well Miley may drop off this list now).
Leading in both strike outs, and not getting struck out.
3 playoff appearances in 4 years (soon to be 4 out of 5).
1 world series win.

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on September 06, 2019, 03:11:55 pm
Joe west is without doubt THE worst caller of balls and strikes in the history of baseball!
@Bigun
It's possible he's also one of the most corrupt.

I found a USA Today story from May that I'd missed the first time around, discussing former catcher Paul Lo Duca becoming quite the storyteller in his retirement: when Lo Duca was catching for the Mets and Billy Wagner was the Mets' closer, Wagner told Lo Duca to set up a couple of extra inches on the inside of the plate when West was the plate ump. Lo Duca thought Wagner was putting him on---especially since Lo Duca didn't seem to be one of West's favourite catchers. (I've been thrown out of fifteen games in my life and eight or nine of them were Joe . . . He used to tell me before every game, "Hey, Lo Duca, you gonna stay in this one?" and I used to go, "[Fornicate] you, Joe.")

So Lo Duca was shocked when Wagner came into a game against the Phillies and told him to set up those extra inside inches. "I was like, ‘Are you kidding me? Joe hates me.’ He’s like, ‘No, no, no, no, no, no. Joe loves me'," Lo Duca said. “I go, ‘He hasn’t given us the corner all day.’ [Wagner]’s like, ‘Don’t worry about it.’ He literally throws 10 pitches and strikes out three guys. Joe rings up all three guys. Eight out of the nine pitches were at least three to four inches inside, not even close. Guys were throwing bats and everything. Joe walks off the field.”

Lo Duca couldn't resist buttonholing Wagner after the game demanding answers. And Wagner replied, "Eh, Joe loves antique cars so every time he comes into town I lend him my ’57 Chevy so he can drive it around so then he opens up the strike zone for me."

I guess that means that, if you want a little love from Joe West, it helps if you have an antique car. If West would open the strike zone for Billy Wagner based on a '57 Chevy, imagine what he'd do for you if you let him drive, say, your '55 Lincoln Continental, your '54 Studebaker Starlight, your '49 Hudson Hornet, or your '48 Packard, if you happened to have one.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on September 06, 2019, 03:16:44 pm
@Bigun
It's possible he's also one of the most corrupt.

I found a USA Today story from May that I'd missed the first time around, discussing former catcher Paul Lo Duca becoming quite the storyteller in his retirement: when Lo Duca was catching for the Mets and Billy Wagner was the Mets' closer, Wagner told Lo Duca to set up a couple of extra inches on the inside of the plate when West was the plate ump. Lo Duca thought Wagner was putting him on---especially since Lo Duca didn't seem to be one of West's favourite catchers. (I've been thrown out of fifteen games in my life and eight or nine of them were Joe . . . He used to tell me before every game, "Hey, Lo Duca, you gonna stay in this one?" and I used to go, "[Fornicate] you, Joe.")

So Lo Duca was shocked when Wagner came into a game against the Phillies and told him to set up those extra inside inches. "I was like, ‘Are you kidding me? Joe hates me.’ He’s like, ‘No, no, no, no, no, no. Joe loves me'," Lo Duca said. “I go, ‘He hasn’t given us the corner all day.’ [Wagner]’s like, ‘Don’t worry about it.’ He literally throws 10 pitches and strikes out three guys. Joe rings up all three guys. Eight out of the nine pitches were at least three to four inches inside, not even close. Guys were throwing bats and everything. Joe walks off the field.”

Lo Duca couldn't resist buttonholing Wagner after the game demanding answers. And Wagner replied, "Eh, Joe loves antique cars so every time he comes into town I lend him my ’57 Chevy so he can drive it around so then he opens up the strike zone for me."

I guess that means that, if you want a little love from Joe West, it helps if you have an antique car. If West would open the strike zone for Billy Wagner based on a '57 Chevy, imagine what he'd do for you if you let him drive, say, your '55 Lincoln Continental, your '54 Studebaker Starlight, your '49 Hudson Hornet, or your '48 Packard, if you happened to have one.

Wouldn't doubt that a bit @EasyAce.  Pitchers in last night's Astros game had no idea where the strike zone was with him behind the plate!  Sheech!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on September 06, 2019, 03:18:47 pm
Wouldn't doubt that a bit @EasyAce.  Pitchers in last night's Astros game had no idea where the strike zone was with him behind the plate!  Sheech!
West isn't exactly the only umpire who causes that problem for both teams in a game. He's merely the most flagrant about it as often as not.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on September 06, 2019, 03:31:42 pm
West isn't exactly the only umpire who causes that problem for both teams in a game. He's merely the most flagrant about it as often as not.

Why bother with instant replay and allow that kind of s%*t behind the plate?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on September 06, 2019, 03:33:23 pm
West isn't exactly the only umpire who causes that problem for both teams in a game. He's merely the most flagrant about it as often as not.

I had a friend years ago who loved the guy.
Every time we would go to an Astros game, he'd be excited when he'd be one of the umps.
He used to tell me, all the time, "Joe West is a country singer".

All the time...........

If Joe West was On TV,  mentioned on the Radio, or live, my friend would bring up the singing.
I had to finally say,"Yes, you've told me several times that he is a Country singer, you don't need to tell me anymore, I got it, and, no, he is not a very good umpire".
We still remained friends, but he's passed on since this all happened.
He would have agreed with all of us today.
Joe West has been around since the 80's at least.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on September 06, 2019, 03:36:56 pm
Joe west is without doubt THE worst caller of balls and strikes in the history of baseball!

Joe West is the guy that 99 times out of 100 when my son and I watch a game, he undoubtedly leaves us:  9999hair out0000

(And it has been forever with him!!)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on September 06, 2019, 03:39:38 pm
Joe West is the guy that 99 times out of 100 when my son and I watch a game, he undoubtedly leaves us:  9999hair out0000

(And it has been forever with him!!)

That A$$hole by himself caused the Astros to have to win the game at least three times last night!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on September 06, 2019, 03:39:59 pm
Joe West is the guy that 99 times out of 100 when my son and I watch a game, he undoubtedly leaves us:  9999hair out0000

(And it has been forever with him!!)

West, Bucknor, and Hernandez will be the reason that MLB adopts electronic strike zones 10 years sooner than I thought.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on September 06, 2019, 03:42:55 pm
West, Bucknor, and Hernandez will be the reason that MLB adopts electronic strike zones 10 years sooner than I thought.

West is enough all by himself if you ask me!  Don't get me wrong, I don't like any of this modern crap but enough is enough!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on September 06, 2019, 03:46:42 pm
West is enough all by himself if you ask me!  Don't get me wrong, I don't like any of this modern crap but enough is enough!

The modern crap just makes it all so much more "in your face!!"
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on September 06, 2019, 03:54:24 pm
The modern crap just makes it all so much more "in your face!!"

Yeah!  I think you're right @EdJames.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on September 06, 2019, 03:55:59 pm
West, Bucknor, and Hernandez will be the reason that MLB adopts electronic strike zones 10 years sooner than I thought.

Angel Hernandez threw A.J. Hinch out of a spring training game.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on September 06, 2019, 04:55:59 pm
Joe West has been around since the 80's at least.
@GrouchoTex
@Bigun

Sometimes forgotten: Joe West was one of the 22 umpires foolish enough to walk off the cliff when the executive director of the old umpires' union, Richie Phillips, devised the mass-resignation strategy to try forcing baseball government to back the hell off when it began demanding---oh, the horror!---umpire accountability. The whole story was written by the late Doug Pappas in "Summer 1999: 22 Men Out." The general drift:

* Phillips announced the mass resignation of 57 major league umpires effective 2 September 1999.

* He said the umpires wanted "to feel good about themselves and would rather not continue as umpires if they have to continue under present circumstances. They feel in the past seven months or so, they have been humiliated and denigrated."

* The "humiliation and denigration" included umpire outrage when Tom Hallion was suspended for bumping a player. You can imagine the umps' outrage if a player bumped an ump and didn't get suspended.

* MLB redefined the strike zone over umpires refusing to call strikes at the top of the strike zone. Phillips claimed MLB couldn't do it without the umps' approval. (As with many other things, Phillips was dead wrong about that.)

* When the players' union ran a survey of players, coaches, and managers ranking umpires, Phillips dismissed at "subjective." When the commissioner's office asked teams to chart pitches and file reports on umpire strike zones, Phillips denounced it as "Big Brother watching over us." As Pappas observed wryly, "An employer evaluating the competence of its employees. The nerve!"

* When Phillips (on the HBO program Real Sports) equated umpires to federal judges who shouldn't be subject to voters' whims, Sandy Alderson---who then worked in the commissioner's office---shot back, "Federal judges can be impeached. I got worried when I found out that players were more concerned with who was umpiring the next day than they were about who was pitching."

* Phillips's announcement of the mass resignations included the news that, as of 2 September, the umps would be part of a new outfit, Umpires Inc., that would negotiate to provide umps to major league baseball . . . and that they'd have no supervision or umpire assignment except that provided by, what do you know, Umpires, Inc. "To owners and players alike," Pappas wrote, "this demand was tantamount to a municipal police union demanding an end to civilian control of the police force. Even if the owners had been willing to cede such authority, the screams of the MLBPA would have killed the deal. And the owners weren't willing. When informed of the umpires' move, Sandy Alderson . . . termed the resignations 'either a threat to be ignored or an offer to be accepted'."

* A few of the umpires who didn't have carrot juice for brains got an a-ha!---the mass resignation tactic was really a bid to evade the no-strike clause in the umpires' labour agreement with MLB and, thus, the umps would "abandon the protections of their contract and [leave] themselves at MLB's mercy," as Pappas put it. These umps consulted with their own attorneys and rescinded their resignations.

* Most of Phillips' support came from National League umps including Joe West; the dissenters were a larger group among the American League umps. The American League dissenters not only formerly wanted to dump Phillips in favour of a less confrontational union director, they denounced Phillips publicly and begged colleagues to do likewise.

* By 23 July, MLB hired 25 minor league umps for major league umpiring jobs effective (what do you know) 2 September---and all those minor league umps happened to have major league experience: they'd filled in for the MLB umps taking midseason vacations.

* At the same time, MLB said they'd take back any MLB umpires who rescinded their resignations but said the offer was a limited time offer.

* Phillips shot back with a federal lawsuit demanding MLB give the umps until 2 September to withdraw their resignations.

* Then-American League president Gene Budig said the nine American League umps who didn't rescind their resignations would lose their jobs on 2 September.

* Those nine plus 33 National League umps withdrew their resignations. Oops. The National League said it had only 20 openings.

* John Hirschbeck and Joe Brinkman led a group of dissenters to the Phillips strategy in a statement attacking Phillips and the union, saying, "major league umpires have been seriously harmed because union leadership adopted a flawed strategy that was doomed to fail from the beginning. The advice to quit jobs in order to keep them made no sense at all, especially under a collective bargaining contract that not only ruled out strikes, but also ruled out 'other concerted work stoppage'."

* West was one of the thirteen National League umps now stuck without a job. Meanwhile, the wife of about-to-be-ex-NL ump Ed Montague sent Hirschbeck's wife a thunderous letter denouncing Hirschbeck as "a Judas in our midst who sold us out for 20 pieces of gold." And Phillips himself vowed to fight "absolutely to the death" over, basically, his right to destroy the careers of a third the membership of the umps' union.

* Phillips audaciously filed a complaint with the National Labour Relations Board claiming MLB had no "right" to accept the umps' signed resignations---because they "must" be seen "as a symbolic gesture aimed at inducing discussions between the two sides.''

The postscript:

* Hirschbeck and Brinkman led the creation of the new and still-operating World Umpires Association, with Brinkman saying publicly there'd be no room for Richie Phillips.

* When Hirschbeck and Brinkman's new group held the certification vote, the ballots sent out included ballots sent to the umps whose resignations were accepted in the self-immolating Phillips strategy. The new union beat the old union soundly in the certification vote. The old union filed a grievance with the NLRB but lost, and the World Umpires Association was certified.

* West was one of the umpires who'd be re-hired in 2002 under an agreement between the WUA and MLB. The other rehires included Gary Darling (who retired in 2004), Larry Poncino (retired in 2007), Bill Hohn (retired in 2010), Larry Vanover, Paul Nauert, Bruce Dreckman, Sam Holbrook, and Rich Garcia---who didn't return to umpiring on the field but was hired as an umpire supervisor, instead.

* More of the umps were rehired by 2005, including Tom Hallion and Ed Hickox. Bob Davidson was rehired in 2007 and retired in 2016.

* The formation of the WUA also led to longtime umps Derryl Cousins and John Shulock joining the umpires union; they'd been rejected for membership in the old union after they were forced to cross picket lines during a 1979 umps' strike.

* John Hirschbeck served as the first president of the World Umpires Association. His successor since 2009: Joe West. Hirschbeck retired as an umpire in 2016.

* Last year, the WUA re-branded itself as the Major League Baseball Umpires' Association.

* Richie Phillips died of a heart attack in 2013. The New York Times headline on his obituary: "Richie Phillips, Union Leader Who Helped and Hurt Umpires . . ."
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on September 06, 2019, 04:56:40 pm
Angel Hernandez threw A.J. Hinch out of a spring training game.
@GrouchoTex
Angel Hernandez would probably throw his own mother out of the ballpark for hollering over one of his blown calls.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on September 06, 2019, 05:02:12 pm
@GrouchoTex
Angel Hernandez would probably throw his own mother out of the ballpark for hollering over one of his blown calls.

LOL, yeah, probably so.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on September 06, 2019, 05:10:16 pm
Quote
His successor since 2009: Joe West.

 9999hair out0000 9999hair out0000 9999hair out0000
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on September 10, 2019, 06:15:34 pm
Thank you Astros for beating Oakland....  please, three more in a row....  thanks in advance!!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on September 10, 2019, 06:19:45 pm
Thank you Astros for beating Oakland....  please, three more in a row....  thanks in advance!!

Our pleasure @EdJames!  Astros scored 36 runs in the last two games.  Six homers in the first two innings last night alone.  And then Thor-Don hit one where no one goes!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on September 10, 2019, 06:21:11 pm
Our pleasure @EdJames!  Astros scored 36 runs in the last two games.  Six homers in the first two innings last night alone.  And then Thor-Don hit one where no one goes!

I saw that!!

 888high58888
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on September 19, 2019, 05:08:11 pm
@GrouchoTex
@Bigun
@catfish1957

I'm not on Twitter, but I always play along on the Stropolls. I'm almost always in agreement with the people participating, but there was one on the 15th that left me yelling at the TV. Guess who was right (she asked, pridefully). Of course it would be Yuli! How could they have gotten it so wrong? Tell me y'all got it right, too.




Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on September 19, 2019, 05:39:42 pm
@GrouchoTex
@Bigun
@catfish1957

I'm not on Twitter, but I always play along on the Stropolls. I'm almost always in agreement with the people participating, but there was one on the 15th that left me yelling at the TV. Guess who was right (she asked, pridefully). Of course it would be Yuli! How could they have gotten it so wrong? Tell me y'all got it right, too.

Think of it this way....

Altuve bats 2nd, Alvarez 5th, and Gurriel 6th.
There can always be a situation where Altuve has one more at bat in the game than the others do, and he was closest to 30 already.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on September 19, 2019, 05:44:22 pm
@GrouchoTex
@Bigun
@catfish1957

I'm not on Twitter, but I always play along on the Stropolls. I'm almost always in agreement with the people participating, but there was one on the 15th that left me yelling at the TV. Guess who was right (she asked, pridefully). Of course it would be Yuli! How could they have gotten it so wrong? Tell me y'all got it right, too.

@AllThatJazzZ I don't play but I agree with you never-the-less.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on September 19, 2019, 11:41:03 pm
Think of it this way....

Altuve bats 2nd, Alvarez 5th, and Gurriel 6th.
There can always be a situation where Altuve has one more at bat in the game than the others do, and he was closest to 30 already.

@GrouchoTex

Overthink much? :tongue2:  Sometimes you just know things in your bones. Maybe that's one of the advantages of being a newcomer to the game.  wink777
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on September 20, 2019, 01:43:19 am
@AllThatJazzZ

 :cool:

LOL, yep, guilty as charged.
However, even @EasyAce, in a different article, apologized, and said I wasn’t wrong about thinking the Brewer’s weren’t going to through In the towel, after Yelich went down for the year.
(Okay, @EasyAce, I am stretching the truth, and having fun at your expense).

My point being, emotion and logic are all part of this game.
Who has the biggest heart can have an impact as much as who has the best mechanics.

Baseball plays so many games a year, it almost resembles a normal work week, but not quite.

It makes us all relatable to the streak versus the slump, because we all can understand.

Heart and ability, and every once and awhile, things that just.........are.



Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on September 20, 2019, 04:48:36 am
Who has the biggest heart can have an impact as much as who has the best mechanics.
. . . Heart and ability, and every once and awhile, things that just.........are.
@GrouchoTex
@AllThatJazzZ

And, unfortunately, all the heart and ability won't stop equal heart and ability on the other side.

All the heart and ability Ralph Branca had didn't stop Bobby Thomson from hitting the Shot 'Heard Round the World. (Nor did it stop Leo Durocher's then-high tech chicanery from enabling that year's Giants to cheat their way back to forcing that playoff in the first place.)

All the heart and ability Mike Torrez had didn't stop B.F. Dent from hitting the playoff game home run in 1978.

All the heart and ability Tom Niedenfeuer had didn't stop Jack (the Ripper) Clark from hitting a monstrous three-run homer with the Dodgers one out from going to the 1985 World Series.

All the heart and ability Donnie Moore had didn't stop Dave Henderson from sending what looked like an unhittable down-and-away forkball over the left field fence with the Angels a strike away from going to the 1986 World Series.

All the heart and ability left to Bill Buckner didn't stop Mookie Wilson's grounder from skipping beneath his mitt and through his legs in Game Six, 1986 World Series.

All the heart and ability Mariano Rivera had didn't stop Luis Gonzalez from lofting the World Series-winning single in Game Seven, 2001 World Series.

All the heart and ability Tim Wakefield had didn't stop Aaron Boone from sending one into the left field seats with a Yankee pennant attached in 2003.

And all the heart rusty Michael Wacha had (not to mention the brains his manager Mike Matheny lacked) couldn't stop Travis Ishikawa from sending a three-run homer to the top of Levi's Landing with a Giants pennant attached in 2014.

It was said best, perhaps, by . . . well, no he isn't baseball's Homer; Homer was ancient Greece's Roger Angell:

We want our favorites to be great out there, and when that stops we feel betrayed a little. They have not only failed but failed us. Maybe this is the real dividing line between pros and bystanders, between the players and the fans. All the players know that at any moment things can go horribly wrong for them in their line of work — they’ll stop hitting, or, if they’re pitchers, suddenly find that for some reason they can no longer fling the ball through that invisible sliver of air where it will do their best work for them — and they will have to live with that diminishment, that failure, for a time or even for good. It’s part of the game. They are prepared to lose out there in plain sight, while the rest of us do it in private and then pretend it hasn’t happened.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on September 20, 2019, 09:44:45 am
@GrouchoTex
@AllThatJazzZ

And, unfortunately, all the heart and ability won't stop equal heart and ability on the other side.



In all your zeal to convey baseball's most iconic moments, I can't believe you left off the one that demonstrated the heart point the most.

'88 WS Kirk Gibson's bottom of the ninth , 2 strike dinger off the great Eck,  when he could barely walk.

And I don't even really care for the Dodgers.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on September 20, 2019, 02:36:20 pm
In all your zeal to convey baseball's most iconic moments, I can't believe you left off the one that demonstrated the heart point the most.

'88 WS Kirk Gibson's bottom of the ninth , 2 strike dinger off the great Eck,  when he could barely walk.
@catfish1957
Frankly, I can't believe I left it off, either! (Even though it didn't win the Series for the Dodgers, who needed four more games to win it.)

Especially considering how Eckersley faced the music after the game: What did I learn? Never throw a slider to a cripple.

I also left out another such moment that was caused as much by a managerial brain fart as by the heart and will of the direct participants: the monstrous three-run homer Edwin Encarnacion smashed to send the Blue Jays into the 2016 division series, after Orioles manager Buck Showalter elected to stick with his faltering Ubaldo Jimenez rather than reach for baseball's best relief pitcher that season, Zach Britton (now a Yankee), who hadn't surrendered an earned run since April of that year, because, well, The Book said he wasn't supposed to reach for his closer until or unless there was something to save.

Not to mention Bill Mazeroski's 1960 World Series-winning homer off Yankee pitcher Ralph Terry. Or Chris Chambliss's pennant-winning homer off Mark Littell---which proved a real game-changer above and beyond being a pennant-winning blow: the Yankee Stadium crowd burst and swarmed the field, to the point where Chambliss couldn't even touch the plate when he ran down the third base line to complete the circuit. In the celebrating clubhouse, Yankee third baseman Graig Nettles told Chambliss plate umpire Art Frantz was waiting on the field for Chambliss to touch home to make the bomb official. Chambliss obliged and returned to the field---only to discover home plate had been removed by some celebrating Yankee fans.

So Chambliss touched the spot where the plate had been. And baseball actually amended its rules to make a single exception to touching all bases on a game-ending hit or home run: An exception will be if fans rush onto the field and physically prevent the runner from touching home plate or the batter from touching first base. In such cases, the umpires shall award the runner the base because of the obstruction by the fans. The rule is known colloquially as the Chris Chambliss Rule.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on September 26, 2019, 04:53:41 pm
Greinke pitch 8-1/3 innings of no-hit baseball last night.

This close.....

This close to having the 3rd no-hitter for the Astros pitching staff this season.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on September 26, 2019, 05:24:44 pm
Greinke pitch 8-1/3 innings of no-hit baseball last night.

This close.....

This close to having the 3rd no-hitter for the Astros pitching staff this season.

IIRC the first 6 innings were perfect.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on September 26, 2019, 05:35:24 pm
IIRC the first 6 innings were perfect.
First five-and-a-third; he walked Dee Gordon after striking out Tom Murphy to open the inning, then got a double play to end the inning.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on September 26, 2019, 06:24:34 pm
First five-and-a-third; he walked Dee Gordon after striking out Tom Murphy to open the inning, then got a double play to end the inning.

Correct, he did walk Dee Gordon, and got the double play.
While it was no longer a perfect game, at that point he had still faced the minimum.
Pretty impressive.

I am tired today.
I stayed up for both Cole's and Greinke's starts.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on September 26, 2019, 10:50:19 pm
Greinke pitch 8-1/3 innings of no-hit baseball last night.

This close.....

This close to having the 3rd no-hitter for the Astros pitching staff this season.

Our Astros have a chance to pull off MLB history during the award season.  Win the MVP, ROY, and Cy Young Awards for the first time in MLB history.  Right now the Bregman v. Trout argument is about the only thing preventing it. 

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/columnists/smith/article/Could-Astros-make-MLB-history-during-awards-14458218.php (https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/columnists/smith/article/Could-Astros-make-MLB-history-during-awards-14458218.php)

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on September 27, 2019, 02:17:57 pm
Our Astros have a chance to pull off MLB history during the award season.  Win the MVP, ROY, and Cy Young Awards for the first time in MLB history.  Right now the Bregman v. Trout argument is about the only thing preventing it. 

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/columnists/smith/article/Could-Astros-make-MLB-history-during-awards-14458218.php (https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/columnists/smith/article/Could-Astros-make-MLB-history-during-awards-14458218.php)

Yep, and if Bregman can finish strong this weekend, it could happen.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on September 29, 2019, 02:16:35 am
The great news: Justin Verlander nailed his 3,000th career strikeout in the bottom of the fourth in Angel Stadium tonight.

The not-so-great news: catcher Robinson Chirinos couldn't hold onto the pitch and batter Kole Calhoun reached first. And the next batter up for the Angels, Andrelton Simmons, hit the first pitch over the center field fence.

I'll have to look it up, but I can't think of any other pitcher who nailed his 3,000th strikeout on a wild pitch and then surrendered a first-pitch home run immediately to follow. (And from what I saw of the pitch, it probably should have been ruled a passed ball. It didn't look that hard to handle.)

But you still have to hand it to Verlander. As Casey Stengel would say, he's still rather splendid in his line of work.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on September 29, 2019, 03:10:56 am
More great news for Verlander. Strikeout #300 for the season. Not a minor achievement.  wink777
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on September 29, 2019, 04:00:31 am
More great news for Verlander. Strikeout #300 for the season. Not a minor achievement.  wink777
LMAO...
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on September 30, 2019, 01:41:59 pm
More great news for Verlander. Strikeout #300 for the season. Not a minor achievement.  wink777

 :cool:

Looking forward to Friday!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on September 30, 2019, 01:52:05 pm
More great news for Verlander. Strikeout #300 for the season. Not a minor achievement.  wink777

Two guys on the same team accomplishing that in the same season is anything but a minor achievement.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on September 30, 2019, 03:45:54 pm
Two guys on the same team accomplishing that in the same season is anything but a minor achievement.

@Bigun

Okay, now you're just shamelessly bragging.  :yowsa:   (Pssst, I'm fine with that.)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on October 01, 2019, 02:10:25 pm
Quote
NEW YORK -- The umpire who was at the center of an infield fly dispute during the 2012 National League wild-card game between Atlanta and St. Louis will be the crew chief when the Braves and Cardinals meet this week in the division series.

Ump at center of 2012 infield fly flap to work Braves-Cardinals NLDS (https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27739363/ump-center-2012-infield-fly-flap-work-braves-cardinals-nlds)

 :thud:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 01, 2019, 02:57:57 pm
:thud:

Also if I see the likes of Hernandez, Bucknor, or West in the post season, I will know that the COB office doesn't give a shit about the quality of this aspect of the game.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on October 01, 2019, 03:29:42 pm
Also if I see the likes of Hernandez, Bucknor, or West in the post season, I will know that the COB office doesn't give a shit about the quality of this aspect of the game.

You will see them all!  I'd bet money on it!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on October 01, 2019, 03:37:19 pm
In case you all wondered, this is the price for division series tickets this year including the wild card teams who are obviously each feeling optimistic about winning the wild card games. (And, yes, it does take a certain amount of chutzpah for the Rays to be the fourth-most expensive LDS ticket considering their dump of a dome can't even fill up with the diehards on the regular season . . . ):

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EFwOx1UUYAANLV0?format=jpg&name=medium)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on October 01, 2019, 03:48:12 pm
You will see them all!  I'd bet money on it!

Pass the Rol-aids and the Tums.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on October 01, 2019, 03:48:23 pm
You will see them all!  I'd bet money on it!
@Bigun
@catfish1957

In the immortal words of Gabriel Heatter, there's good news tonight (well, this morning)---the list of umps for the wild card games and the division series is posted, and it looks like neither Country Joe, Charlie Brown, or the Devilish Angel are on the list:

Wild Card Games
National League---Cory Blaser, Kerwin Danley, Mike Everitt, Jeff Nelson, David Rackley, Carlos Torres.
American League---Lance Barrett, Fieldin Culbreth, Chad Fairchild, Chris Guccione, Adam Hamari, Bill Miller.

Division Series
National League---Dodgers v. wild card winner: Jordan Baker, Ted Barrett, Doug Eddings, Tripp Gibson, Wil Little, Alfonso Marquez; Braves vs. Cardinals: Tom Hallion, Ed Hickox, Pat Hoberg, Sam Holbrook, Alan Porter, Jim Wolf.

American League---Astros v. wild card winner: Bruce Dreckman, James Hoye, Jerry Meals, D.J. Reyburn, John Tumpane, Mark Wegner; Yankees v. Twins: Lance Barksdale, Gary Cederstrom, Eric Cooper, Manny Gonzalez, Adrian Johnson, Todd Tichenor.

Not a C.B. Bucknor, Angel Hernandez, or Joe West among them.

For now.  wink777
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on October 01, 2019, 04:01:36 pm
@Bigun
@catfish1957

In the immortal words of Gabriel Heatter, there's good news tonight (well, this morning)---the list of umps for the wild card games and the division series is posted, and it looks like neither Country Joe, Charlie Brown, or the Devilish Angel are on the list:

Wild Card Games
National League---Cory Blaser, Kerwin Danley, Mike Everitt, Jeff Nelson, David Rackley, Carlos Torres.
American League---Lance Barrett, Fieldin Culbreth, Chad Fairchild, Chris Guccione, Adam Hamari, Bill Miller.

Division Series
National League---Dodgers v. wild card winner: Jordan Baker, Ted Barrett, Doug Eddings, Tripp Gibson, Wil Little, Alfonso Marquez; Braves vs. Cardinals: Tom Hallion, Ed Hickox, Pat Hoberg, Sam Holbrook, Alan Porter, Jim Wolf.

American League---Astros v. wild card winner: Bruce Dreckman, James Hoye, Jerry Meals, D.J. Reyburn, John Tumpane, Mark Wegner; Yankees v. Twins: Lance Barksdale, Gary Cederstrom, Eric Cooper, Manny Gonzalez, Adrian Johnson, Todd Tichenor.

Not a C.B. Bucknor, Angel Hernandez, or Joe West among them.

For now.  wink777

Glad you posted that @EasyAce before someone took my money.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on October 01, 2019, 04:05:46 pm
Glad you posted that @EasyAce before someone took my money.
@Bigun
You can pay me now.  wink777
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 01, 2019, 04:25:47 pm
I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach over the BREWERS vs NATIONALS winner-take-all game tonight.    :3:


Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on October 01, 2019, 04:31:01 pm
I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach over the BREWERS vs NATIONALS winner-take-all game tonight.    :3:

I hear you.  Those Wild Card games are definitely gut-wrenching.
Hang in there!

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 01, 2019, 04:45:41 pm
I hear you.  Those Wild Card games are definitely gut-wrenching.
Hang in there!

Max Scherzer has morphed into 'Mike Mussina' where even with a quality start, a couple 'mistakes' go over the wall, and his offense is AWOL.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on October 01, 2019, 04:47:00 pm
I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach over the BREWERS vs NATIONALS winner-take-all game tonight.    :3:
@DCPatriot
A few points toward your comfort:

* This years Nationals were the majors' best two-strike hitting team.
* They have enough of a left-right balance at the plate to make things tough for the Brewers' bullpenning.
* Max Scherzer.
* Stephen Strasburg in relief if Max Scherzer runs into too much hot water.
* The Nats' bullpen actually tightened up just enough over the last couple of regular season days, but going all-hands-on-deck for this game may mean Patrick Corbin in relief of Strasrbug if Strasburg runs into critical trouble behind Scherzer.
* The Brewers may not be at full non-Yelich strength with Lorenzo Cain and Ryan Braun being hurt for the final regular season game. They're likely to play today but they may still be just uncomfortable enough to make a difference for the Nats, however small.
* Without Yelich, a third of the Brewers' power is gone. The Nats are at full power with enough power bats in the lineup.
* Anthony Rendon.

Frankly, I like the Nats' chances today.

But if they don't make it, take further comfort: the Brewers are liable to get destroyed by the Dodgers in a division series.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on October 01, 2019, 04:51:22 pm
@Bigun
You can pay me now.  wink777

The check is in the mail @EasyAce
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on October 01, 2019, 05:02:41 pm
@Bigun
@catfish1957

In the immortal words of Gabriel Heatter, there's good news tonight (well, this morning)---the list of umps for the wild card games and the division series is posted, and it looks like neither Country Joe, Charlie Brown, or the Devilish Angel are on the list:

Wild Card Games
National League---Cory Blaser, Kerwin Danley, Mike Everitt, Jeff Nelson, David Rackley, Carlos Torres.
American League---Lance Barrett, Fieldin Culbreth, Chad Fairchild, Chris Guccione, Adam Hamari, Bill Miller.

Division Series
National League---Dodgers v. wild card winner: Jordan Baker, Ted Barrett, Doug Eddings, Tripp Gibson, Wil Little, Alfonso Marquez; Braves vs. Cardinals: Tom Hallion, Ed Hickox, Pat Hoberg, Sam Holbrook, Alan Porter, Jim Wolf.

American League---Astros v. wild card winner: Bruce Dreckman, James Hoye, Jerry Meals, D.J. Reyburn, John Tumpane, Mark Wegner; Yankees v. Twins: Lance Barksdale, Gary Cederstrom, Eric Cooper, Manny Gonzalez, Adrian Johnson, Todd Tichenor.

Not a C.B. Bucknor, Angel Hernandez, or Joe West among them.

For now.  wink777

@EasyAce

Did you add that last line just to torture us?!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on October 01, 2019, 05:03:23 pm
@EasyAce

Did you add that last line just to torture us?!
@AllThatJazzZ
Not at all---they simply haven't decided on the crews for the two League Championship Series and the World Series yet.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 01, 2019, 05:04:54 pm
@DCPatriot
A few points toward your comfort:

* This years Nationals were the majors' best two-strike hitting team.
* They have enough of a left-right balance at the plate to make things tough for the Brewers' bullpenning.
* Max Scherzer.
* Stephen Strasburg in relief if Max Scherzer runs into too much hot water.
* The Nats' bullpen actually tightened up just enough over the last couple of regular season days, but going all-hands-on-deck for this game may mean Patrick Corbin in relief of Strasrbug if Strasburg runs into critical trouble behind Scherzer.
* The Brewers may not be at full non-Yelich strength with Lorenzo Cain and Ryan Braun being hurt for the final regular season game. They're likely to play today but they may still be just uncomfortable enough to make a difference for the Nats, however small.
* Without Yelich, a third of the Brewers' power is gone. The Nats are at full power with enough power bats in the lineup.
* Anthony Rendon.

Frankly, I like the Nats' chances today.

But if they don't make it, take further comfort: the Brewers are liable to get destroyed by the Dodgers in a division series.

LOL!   Thanks, my friend!   

If the 2014 GIANTS can win it all as a Wildcard, why not us?     :bolt:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on October 01, 2019, 05:21:18 pm
LOL!   Thanks, my friend!   

If the 2014 GIANTS can win it all as a Wildcard, why not us?     :bolt:
@DCPatriot
Actually, five wild card teams went on to win the World Series: the Marlins (1997, 2003), the Angels (2002, and they beat the NL wild card-winning Giants in that Series), the Red Sox (2004), the Cardinals (that thriller of a 2011 Series), and the '14 Giants. (Who just so happened to beat the AL wild card-winning Royals.)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 01, 2019, 05:39:11 pm
I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach over the BREWERS vs NATIONALS winner-take-all game tonight.    :3:

We've been through 1 game WC stress monster too.  It sucks.

If I was Commish, I'd suggest dropping the regular season to 160 games, so it could allow for a best of 3 WC round.

Really not fair for a team winning almost 100 games (i.e. A's and Rays), and base your entire season fortunes on 9 innings of fear.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 01, 2019, 05:44:04 pm
LOL!   Thanks, my friend!   

If the 2014 GIANTS can win it all as a Wildcard, why not us?     :bolt:

Remember....  in all the despair a few months ago , I told you I thought the Nats would make the playoffs.

To me an Astros v.  Nats WS would be the most compelling of all.  The starting pitching matchups would be epic.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on October 01, 2019, 05:44:32 pm
We've been through 1 game WC stress monster too.  It sucks.

If I was Commish, I'd suggest dropping the regular season to 160 games, so it could allow for a best of 3 WC round.

Really not fair for a team winning almost 100 games (i.e. A's and Rays), and base your post season fortunes on 9 innings of fear.

2015, Astros beat Yankees 3-0 in Yankee stadium was the last time we did, right?

It was nerve wracking.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on October 01, 2019, 05:45:16 pm
Remember....  in all the despair a few months ago , I told you I thought the Nats would make the playoffs.

To me an Astros v.  Nats WS would be the most compelling of all.  The starting pitching matchups would be epic.

I agree.
I thought that might be the eventual match up one of these last 2 years.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 01, 2019, 05:47:35 pm
Remember....  in all the despair a few months ago , I told you I thought the Nats would make the playoffs.

To me an Astros v.  Nats WS would be the most compelling of all.  The starting pitching matchups would be epic.

I sincerely hope we get to see it, @catfish1957 !      :beer:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 01, 2019, 05:50:53 pm
2015, Astros beat Yankees 3-0 in Yankee stadium was the last time we did, right?

It was nerve wracking.

Yeah, we got the the flip of the shiny coin that time, and rode the hot hand when Kuechel was dominant.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on October 01, 2019, 06:00:04 pm
Yeah, we got the the flip of the shiny coin that time, and rode the hot hand when Kuechel was dominant.

He's not so shabby now, either.  We kind of like him, anyway.

(https://media0.giphy.com/media/uWWfmiPCyRyhai616M/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 01, 2019, 06:00:06 pm
Yeah, we got the the flip of the shiny coin that time, and rode the hot hand when Kuechel was dominant.

LOL!

I'm not gonna talk sh*t until we win tonight.  Then...watch out!    :laugh:

Trey Turner getting on base is an automatic RISP.  Adam Eaton behind him sees a lot of fastballs, because Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto are on deck.

And right now, the lower end of the batting order is barrelling up, too!

Now, add a dose of Scherzer, Strasburg, Corbin, Sanchez and [fill-in-the-blank] in a short series??

Please LORD!!!   Let me celebrate tonight.   I've been good.    :0001:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on October 01, 2019, 06:04:30 pm
If I was Commish, I'd suggest dropping the regular season to 160 games, so it could allow for a best of 3 WC round.
Much as I love what could happen today and (with the American League wild card game) tomorrow, if I was the commish, I'd demand, not suggest . . .

* Doing away with the damn wild cards. I'm personally exhausted from all the thrills, chills, and spills of watching teams fighting to the last breath to finish . . . in second place. Time to return real pennant race incentive: you want to play in the postseason, park your ass in first place. Which means . . .

* Doing away with the three-division setup and returning to two-division leagues.

* Doing away with regular-season interleague play. It ain't the big deal they cracked it up to be when they came up with the idea, not even Cubs/White Sox, A's/Giants, or even Yankees/Mets. (And how stupid was it to schedule the Nats finishing the season against . . . the Indians?)

* If I can't get rid of the three-division setup, then I'll insist on the division champ with the best record getting a round-one bye while the other two division champs play a best-of-three division series and that winner facing the champ with the best record in a best-of-five League Championship Series. (Which is how the LCS was set up in the first place half a century ago.) That'll provide some pennant race incentive, too . . . and remove the saturation factor from the postseason while restoring the World Series's primacy once and for all.

* Joe West, Angel Hernandez, and C.B. Bucknor will never again get to within two state lines of any postseason series unless they want to buy their way into the stands to watch.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on October 01, 2019, 06:06:10 pm
. . . Trey Turner getting on base is an automatic RISP.  Adam Eaton behind him sees a lot of fastballs, because Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto are on deck.
@DCPatriot
Juan Soto's also worth two outs going in in the outfield, he's that good.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 01, 2019, 06:06:58 pm
I hear you.  Those Wild Card games are definitely gut-wrenching.
Hang in there!

It occurred to me just now again....the last time my baseball heart was broken was 1982, when my Orioles were beat in an elimination game 9-2 or 9-3.

By the Brewers.   Robin Yount and the boys.

Was at that game with my six-month old daughter.    happy77
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 01, 2019, 06:08:27 pm
@DCPatriot
Juan Soto's also worth two outs going in in the outfield, he's that good.

@EasyAce

Do you mean charging the ball?  Or, do you mean he's going to get 2 catches the average LFer wouldn't?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on October 01, 2019, 06:08:59 pm
By the Brewers.   Robin Yount and the boys.
@DCPatriot
AKA Harvey's Wallbangers. Who went on to be dispatched in the World Series by the first of Whitey Herzog's Runnin' Redbirds . . .
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on October 01, 2019, 06:09:43 pm
@EasyAce

Do you mean charging the ball?  Or, do you mean he's going to get 2 catches the average LFer wouldn't?
@DCPatriot
Yes to both. He's that good in left field.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 01, 2019, 06:20:11 pm
Much as I love what could happen today and (with the American League wild card game) tomorrow, if I was the commish, I'd demand, not suggest . . .

* Doing away with the damn wild cards. I'm personally exhausted from all the thrills, chills, and spills of watching teams fighting to the last breath to finish . . . in second place. Time to return real pennant race incentive: you want to play in the postseason, park your ass in first place. Which means . . .

* Doing away with the three-division setup and returning to two-division leagues.

* Doing away with regular-season interleague play. It ain't the big deal they cracked it up to be when they came up with the idea, not even Cubs/White Sox, A's/Giants, or even Yankees/Mets. (And how stupid was it to schedule the Nats finishing the season against . . . the Indians?)

* If I can't get rid of the three-division setup, then I'll insist on the division champ with the best record getting a round-one bye while the other two division champs play a best-of-three division series and that winner facing the champ with the best record in a best-of-five League Championship Series. (Which is how the LCS was set up in the first place half a century ago.) That'll provide some pennant race incentive, too . . . and remove the saturation factor from the postseason while restoring the World Series's primacy once and for all.

* Joe West, Angel Hernandez, and C.B. Bucknor will never again get to within two state lines of any postseason series unless they want to buy their way into the stands to watch.

Hey, if you can get my Astros back to the National League Central where they belong, you got my vote as Commish.  NO Arguments at all with any of those bullet points.  Of course I could write books on my rage around the damage  Selig/Manfred has done to this game, but in the spirit of the seaon (Baseball Playoffs), I will calm down.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on October 01, 2019, 06:24:49 pm
Much as I love what could happen today and (with the American League wild card game) tomorrow, if I was the commish, I'd demand, not suggest . . .

* Doing away with the damn wild cards. I'm personally exhausted from all the thrills, chills, and spills of watching teams fighting to the last breath to finish . . . in second place. Time to return real pennant race incentive: you want to play in the postseason, park your ass in first place. Which means . . .

* Doing away with the three-division setup and returning to two-division leagues.

* Doing away with regular-season interleague play. It ain't the big deal they cracked it up to be when they came up with the idea, not even Cubs/White Sox, A's/Giants, or even Yankees/Mets. (And how stupid was it to schedule the Nats finishing the season against . . . the Indians?)

* If I can't get rid of the three-division setup, then I'll insist on the division champ with the best record getting a round-one bye while the other two division champs play a best-of-three division series and that winner facing the champ with the best record in a best-of-five League Championship Series. (Which is how the LCS was set up in the first place half a century ago.) That'll provide some pennant race incentive, too . . . and remove the saturation factor from the postseason while restoring the World Series's primacy once and for all.

* Joe West, Angel Hernandez, and C.B. Bucknor will never again get to within two state lines of any postseason series unless they want to buy their way into the stands to watch.

 :yowsa: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

How about we just go back to two leagues with the pennant winners playing in the series.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on October 01, 2019, 06:32:46 pm
Hey, if you can get my Astros back to the National League Central where they belong, you got my vote as Commish.
@catfish1957
That was one hell of a bad trade, naming the Astros as the team to be named later when trading the Brewers to the National League. I'd undo it in a heartbeat.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 01, 2019, 06:32:56 pm
:yowsa: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

How about we just go back to two leagues with the pennant winners playing in the series.

Problem is the Rubicon has been crossed.  That and Ace's ideas fly well with us as purists, but the attention deficit (esp. millienals) want arcade baseball, flashy lights, a million runs, and NBA like playoff structure, where some teams get in like a consolation trophy.

That is why I parsed the issue in between by suggesting a longer WC round.  At least it would be more equitable among the two teams participating.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 01, 2019, 06:34:54 pm
@catfish1957
That was one hell of a bad trade, naming the Astros as the team to be named later when trading the Brewers to the National League. I'd undo it in a heartbeat.
Do you remember the circumstances?  Very suspicious, and possibly illegal (IMO)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on October 02, 2019, 12:16:53 am
Do you remember the circumstances?  Very suspicious, and possibly illegal (IMO)
It came as a long-term ramification out of the last expansion that created the Rays and the Diamondbacks and when the leagues agreed to re-balance to an equal number of teams.

Illegal it wasn't, but you could think it suspicious when Bud Selig (who was then still acting commissioner as well as still the Brewers' owner) moved the Brewers to the National League.
What's often forgotten---to re-balance the divisions by numbers, an American League Central team would need to move to the NL. Selig actually gave the Royals first option on the idea but the Royals turned it down.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 02, 2019, 12:44:11 am
It came as a long-term ramification out of the last expansion that created the Rays and the Diamondbacks and when the leagues agreed to re-balance to an equal number of teams.

Illegal it wasn't, but you could think it suspicious when Bud Selig (who was then still acting commissioner as well as still the Brewers' owner) moved the Brewers to the National League.
What's often forgotten---to re-balance the divisions by numbers, an American League Central team would need to move to the NL. Selig actually gave the Royals first option on the idea but the Royals turned it down.

I believe it is a bit more sinister.  Selig basically told Drayton McLane that his sale of the team to Jim Crane, was contingent on his acceptance of moving the Astros to the AL.  Otherwise he would withhold a vote, or make sure the vote went negative for Crain.

Selig supposedly also dug up what was unsavory business dealings of Crain, and was to blow the whistle if the Astros did not submit.

And again, as you stated.....    Selig's team had everything to gain. 

Not too many people in the world I wish would burn in hell.....  Selig is the exception
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 02, 2019, 12:48:20 am
I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach over the BREWERS vs NATIONALS winner-take-all game tonight.    :3:

Scherzer getting lit up early.  Still plenty of baseaball left though.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on October 02, 2019, 03:10:05 am
I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach over the BREWERS vs NATIONALS winner-take-all game tonight.    :3:
@DCPatriot

Congratulations,

Old man Zimmerman getting that broken bat single warmed my heart.

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on October 02, 2019, 03:14:22 am
@DCPatriot
AKA Harvey's Wallbangers. Who went on to be dispatched in the World Series by the first of Whitey Herzog's Runnin' Redbirds . . .

Yep, Harvey’s softball team against the Red Rabbits.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on October 02, 2019, 03:39:09 am
I’d like it to aligned as much as possible, geographically, and come as close to possible to leave them in the original leagues

(1) Boston, Yanks, Mets, Blue jays, Phillies (A)
(2) Nats, Orioles, Braves, Rays, Marlins. (N)
(3) Tigers, Twins, Brewers, Pirates, Indians (A)
(4) Cards, Royals, Cubs, White Sox, Reds (N)
(5) Astros , Rangers, D- Backs, Rockies, Padres (N)
(6) Dodgers, Angels, Giants, A’s, Mariners (A)

..... Or something like this.

The divisions which have the most American league teams would be in the American league.
The same way with the National league.
So, I've modified the above with an (A) or (N) at the end.

I might as well go ahead and get everyone mad......
 :cool:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on October 02, 2019, 04:46:49 am
I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach over the BREWERS vs NATIONALS winner-take-all game tonight.    :3:

@DCPatriot

Feel better?  wink777
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 02, 2019, 09:01:24 am
I can't believe it.

Turned it off and went to bed in the 8th inning.     9999hair out0000
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on October 02, 2019, 01:00:08 pm
I can't believe it.

Turned it off and went to bed in the 8th inning.     9999hair out0000

Oh no!!! 

On the bright side, you now have more games to watch.
 :beer:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on October 02, 2019, 01:05:58 pm
I can't believe it.

Turned it off and went to bed in the 8th inning.     9999hair out0000

@DCPatriot

No, you didn't! You're kidding us, right?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 02, 2019, 01:15:15 pm
@DCPatriot

No, you didn't! You're kidding us, right?

Wish I was....

Damnit!    :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on October 02, 2019, 01:54:22 pm
Wish I was....

Damnit!    :laugh:

@DCPatriot

OHMYGOSH! Were you sleepy? Had you given up on the game? I hate that you missed such an exciting comeback. My BFF and I were texting, talking about what great fans the Nats have. Almost as amazing as our 'Stros fans.  wink777

Anyway, congrats to the Nats. Now, go forth and pull the Dodgers down from their lofty perch. And stay awake this time!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on October 02, 2019, 02:15:43 pm
My BFF and I were texting, talking about what great fans the Nats have. Almost as amazing as our 'Stros fans.  wink777
@AllThatJazzZ
Actually, and unfortunately, that's not quite true---I watched enough games featuring both teams at home this year to tell you I saw lots of empty seats in Nationals Park on the season a lot more often than I saw empty seats in Minute Maid Park. That's allowing for the trend I've noticed the last few years whenever I've gone to the ballpark: lots of fans milling about the park under or behind the stands, either just hanging out or indulging the attractions away from the playing field itself. (You may recall Nats pitcher Stephen Strasburg lamenting during the regular season---and after the Nats recovered from that 19-31 horror to open the season---that the Nats hoped more of their fans would get to the park and show the love.)

I took my son and his lady to an Angels game the night before he graduated his college prep program for special needs students. When I got up to get them fresh drinks between innings at one point, it seemed like about a third of the seats inside Angel Stadium were empty. (The game was a sellout: the Angels vs. the A's remain a rivalry no matter how either team is doing.) I got to the concession stand and saw the walkway around the inside of the structure almost as crowded as Grand Central Station during rush hour, and that wasn't just lines at the other concession stands. I was absolutely amazed. Oh sure, you could still see the game on monitors all around the inside of the park, but who the hell goes to the ballpark to watch the game on television?

For years before that game, the answer actually would have been Dodger fans---with a qualifier, and I saw it myself the first time I went to Dodger Stadium: many brought their little portable TV sets to the park, turning off the picture, but still listening to Vin Scully for all those years. It was as if they wouldn't believe what they were seeing with their own eyes unless they heard it from Scully. Which tells you something of how respected and beloved Scully was until the day he finally retired. And being an admirer of Scully myself, I got that completely.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on October 02, 2019, 02:51:46 pm
I can't believe it.

Turned it off and went to bed in the 8th inning.     9999hair out0000

Oh, man..............
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 02, 2019, 03:17:00 pm
@DCPatriot
 My BFF and I were texting, talking about what great fans the Nats have. Almost as amazing as our 'Stros fans.  wink777



I hope no one slipped at the stadium on all that wasted $30 beer.  :cool:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 02, 2019, 03:20:02 pm
Oh no!!! 

On the bright side, you now have more games to watch.
 :beer:

Starting Kuechel in Game 1?   Brave souls aren't ya'll?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on October 02, 2019, 03:49:35 pm
Starting Kuechel in Game 1?   Brave souls aren't ya'll?

(https://thumbs.gfycat.com/ConfusedTightBandicoot-max-1mb.gif)
LOL, I see what you did there.


Yep, they're counting on him being the least nervous considering post-season experience and such. I think we'll be just fine.

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on October 02, 2019, 04:15:21 pm
Not too many people in the world I wish would burn in hell.....  Selig is the exception
Along that line, you should wish him joined by White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf---the man who did the absolute most to push for and get the 1994 players' strike. The man who hammered the "responsibility" theme to a fare-thee-well. The man who did the absolute most to cost baseball a postseason that year, knowing good and bloody well that the players' association had rejected salary caps every previous time the proposal was put to them.

And . . . drumroll, please . . . the man who showed just how fiscally responsible he was really willing to be when, practically the moment the strike was settled in 1995, he backed up the armored car to Albert Belle's house and refused to leave until the (shall we say) mercurial outfielder signed with the White Sox for annual salaries three jumps higher than 1994's highest single-season salary was. Reinsdorf's bleating about the common good of the game showed what his real definition of it was: making sure Belle couldn't get anywhere near possibly re-signing with the division-rival Indians from whence he came.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 02, 2019, 05:04:43 pm
@DCPatriot

OHMYGOSH! Were you sleepy? Had you given up on the game? I hate that you missed such an exciting comeback. My BFF and I were texting, talking about what great fans the Nats have. Almost as amazing as our 'Stros fans.  wink777

Anyway, congrats to the Nats. Now, go forth and pull the Dodgers down from their lofty perch. And stay awake this time!

@AllThatJazzZ

LOL!  Thanks.   I recorded it.

Couldn't take the disappointment overtaking me...especially with that left-hander coming in throwing 150 mph.

Woke up in the middle of the night...as usual, and checked the score.  WOW!

Loved the way Jim Thome on MLB broke down that inning and the players involved.

If that ball hit the bat first instead of Michael A. Taylor's hand...Rendon's take on that 3-2 pitch...and of course Zimmerman fighting off that 98 mph fastball on the fists with a 70 mph exit velocity Texas Leaguer to Centerfield.

And then he talked about "The Kid" being tackled and hugged by his dad and little brother...Juan Soto!

The highlight videos show a virtual rain shower of BEER falling onto the crowd...a delirious crowd.   :laugh:

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 02, 2019, 05:06:20 pm


And . . . drumroll, please . . . the man who showed just how fiscally responsible he was really willing to be when, practically the moment the strike was settled in 1995, he backed up the armored car to Albert Belle's house and refused to leave until the (shall we say) mercurial outfielder signed with the White Sox for annual salaries three jumps higher than 1994's highest single-season salary was. Reinsdorf's bleating about the common good of the game showed what his real definition of it was: making sure Belle couldn't get anywhere near possibly re-signing with the division-rival Indians from whence he came.

Olde saying. Paybacks are Hell......

Belle (IMO) was probably one of the most ill mannered jerks in baseball of that era.   Reinsdorf got more in grief from Belle's behavior than what Belle delivered at the plate.  Just rewards, and wore out his welcome in 2 years.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on October 02, 2019, 05:36:31 pm
I recorded it.
@DCPatriot
I'm glad to hear that.  It's better than missing it altogether anyway.


And then he talked about "The Kid" being tackled and hugged by his dad and little brother...Juan Soto!

Oh my gosh, Juan and his dad were the best part of the whole thing!  That was just amazing.

(https://www.washingtonpost.com/resizer/R1BZp4tK2Xckls_cQEDl46vHhP0=/1484x0/arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/IVMZ2KXEZEI6TMFGHUBXEG4F54.jpg)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 02, 2019, 06:12:46 pm
@DCPatriot
I'm glad to hear that.  It's better than missing it altogether anyway.


Oh my gosh, Juan and his dad were the best part of the whole thing!  That was just amazing.

(https://www.washingtonpost.com/resizer/R1BZp4tK2Xckls_cQEDl46vHhP0=/1484x0/arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/IVMZ2KXEZEI6TMFGHUBXEG4F54.jpg)

@Polly Ticks
We love Juan Soto.

Grant Paulsen this morning on talk-radio recalled an interview with him when he reminded him the time a starter would take a day off, and Soto wouldn't hear of it.

When asked about it, Soto said that he came to play baseball and he was afraid that if he took a day off he'd lose his position...and "I don't want to stay poor"!!!!!    :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on October 03, 2019, 03:35:29 am
Congratulations to @EdJames and all the other TB fans out there!  See ya Friday!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 03, 2019, 03:48:40 am
Congratulations to @EdJames and all the other TB fans out there!  See ya Friday!

CFM- Zero earned runs in 5 IP. 

Man is developing a reputation for clutch post season performances.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on October 03, 2019, 03:56:34 am
Congratulations to @EdJames and all the other TB fans out there!  See ya Friday!

Congratulations to you and all of the TBR Astro fans for the 2019 best record in baseball!!

May the best team win the series!!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on October 03, 2019, 04:48:51 am
Congratulations to you and all of the TBR Astro fans for the 2019 best record in baseball!!

May the best team win the series!!

 :yowsa: On paper, the Astros should be a lock but they don't play baseball games on paper do they?  They are played by human beings on fields of dirt and grass with a few chalk lines thrown in and no one knows what the outcome is going to be until the last out of the last inning is recorded! I wouldn't have it any other way!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on October 03, 2019, 01:51:24 pm
Congratulations to you and all of the TBR Astro fans for the 2019 best record in baseball!!

May the best team win the series!!
@EdJames
@Bigun
@catfish1957
@AllThatJazzZ

I've already taken a 1/2 days worth of vacation to watch the game tomorrow.
Damn Yankees took the prime time game.
No matter who wins the series between our Astros and Rays, I think we should root for Minnesota............
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 03, 2019, 02:53:45 pm
he game tomorrow.
Damn Yankees took the prime time game.
No matter who wins the series between our Astros and Rays, I think we should root for Minnesota............

Yankees lose their ALDS?  Put the COB office, and media on suicide watch.

The other 3 teams are ratings poison for these bastards.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on October 04, 2019, 06:22:56 pm
@EasyAce

No Live thread for our matinee today?

⚾️
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on October 04, 2019, 07:09:04 pm
@EasyAce

No Live thread for our matinee today?

⚾️
@EdJames
I wish I could, but I'm a little tied up with business right now. Hoping to get to either the Cardinals/Braves or the Nationals/Dodgers later today!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on October 04, 2019, 07:42:24 pm
@EdJames
I wish I could, but I'm a little tied up with business right now. Hoping to get to either the Cardinals/Braves or the Nationals/Dodgers later today!

S’alright...

This is too intense for me to type much anyway!

⚾️
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 04, 2019, 07:53:05 pm
S’alright...

This is too intense for me to type much anyway!

⚾️

Geez....the very second the TV picture comes on, I'm watching Jose Altuve admiring his moon shot for a 2-0 lead.

Tampa remove the pitcher, who had only given up 3 hits over 5 innings in a scoreless game up to that point.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EdJames on October 04, 2019, 08:01:36 pm
Only Glasnow’s 5th start from coming off DL....  he was going to give about 85 pitches max...  went out after 76.... I guess he was gassed....  a lot of high stress pitches too....
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 04, 2019, 09:05:55 pm
Only Glasnow’s 5th start from coming off DL....  he was going to give about 85 pitches max...  went out after 76.... I guess he was gassed....  a lot of high stress pitches too....

Verlander is built for this stage, it seems.  Rays can't do anything.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 05, 2019, 02:08:36 am
@EasyAce

No Live thread for our matinee today?

⚾️

Surprised?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 05, 2019, 11:18:35 am
Scherzer coming in to pitch in relief...striking out the side...surprised even his teammates.

Dodgers/Nationals tied at 1 game apiece.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 05, 2019, 02:56:16 pm
Scherzer coming in to pitch in relief...striking out the side...surprised even his teammates.

Dodgers/Nationals tied at 1 game apiece.

Congratualtions on a clutch win against their ace on the road.

I am convinced that Clayton Kershaw is baseball's version of Jim Kelly.

Kershaw's lifetime post season record is now 9-11.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 05, 2019, 03:01:08 pm
Verlander is built for this stage, it seems.  Rays can't do anything.

Gerrit Cole tonight  (20-5, 2.50. era).  Zack Grienke Monday- (18-5, 2.93 era).

Add Bregman, Altuve, Springer, Alvarez, and Correa?

Yeah, I like our chances.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 05, 2019, 04:54:40 pm
Gerrit Cole tonight  (20-5, 2.50. era).  Zack Grienke Monday- (18-5, 2.93 era).

Add Bregman, Altuve, Springer, Alvarez, and Correa?

Yeah, I like our chances.

LOL!  Same way I'm feeling with Scherzer, Strasburg, Corbin, Sanchez.

Dodgers don't hit Southpaws.   Looking to win Game 3 in D.C. Sunday night.

Here's to a Nationals vs, Astros World Series, @catfish1957      :beer:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 05, 2019, 05:39:20 pm
LOL!  Same way I'm feeling with Scherzer, Strasburg, Corbin, Sanchez.

Dodgers don't hit Southpaws.   Looking to win Game 3 in D.C. Sunday night.

Here's to a Nationals vs, Astros World Series, @catfish1957      :beer:

It would be a great series......

 :beer:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on October 05, 2019, 05:48:16 pm
It would be a great series......

 :beer:

It would indeed but I'm not making any predictions.  I  know how crazy baseball is.  Anything can happen.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on October 05, 2019, 06:00:18 pm
I  know how crazy baseball is.  Anything can happen.
@Bigun

And, usually does!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on October 05, 2019, 06:07:13 pm
@Bigun

And, usually does!

Yep!  :beer:

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 05, 2019, 09:58:10 pm
Yep!  :beer:

Myself?, I 'd like to see a Minnesoata  v. St. Louis series and see the COB office go on suicide watch.   :silly:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on October 05, 2019, 11:45:31 pm
Here's to a Nationals vs, Astros World Series, @catfish1957      :beer:

@DCPatriot

That would be my 2nd choice, but it's nothing personal. I have a BFF (since 1951) who lives in Atlanta. I'd really like to engage in a little smack talk with her as we pound the Braves into the ground. That would serve her right for leaving Texas.  22222frying pan

Will be rooting for the Nats tomorrow.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 06, 2019, 12:12:17 pm
I swear.....  ESPN's baseball homepage wants a Yankees/Dodgers World Series so badly, it's pathetic.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on October 07, 2019, 03:58:24 pm
I swear.....  ESPN's baseball homepage wants a Yankees/Dodgers World Series so badly, it's pathetic.

FS1 also.
All they talked about for 3 innings Saturday night was how great Snell looked, and how to beat Gerrit Cole.
Osuna made me nervous.......
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on October 07, 2019, 04:11:11 pm
FS1 also.
All they talked about for 3 innings Saturday night was how great Snell looked, and how to beat Gerrit Cole.
Osuna made me nervous.......

@GrouchoTex

Me too. How does he come out and finish up the 8th inning with such efficiency and then fall apart in the 9th? Thank God for Will Harris.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 08, 2019, 11:48:13 pm
Come on Astros....do your part.      :2popcorn:


...a dreaming Nats' fan.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: dfwgator on October 10, 2019, 04:47:12 am
Come on Astros....do your part.      :2popcorn:


...a dreaming Nats' fan.

Hey Dodgers...

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 10, 2019, 04:47:21 am
Come on Astros....do your part.      :2popcorn:


...a dreaming Nats' fan.

@DCPatriot  :beer:

Congratulations on the exciting conclusion of Gm 5 tonight.  The Nats ticket as been punched for the NLCS.

Now my team has to get to work tomorrow.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 10, 2019, 04:48:52 am
Hey Dodgers...

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!


 :silly:

Can we offically call the Dodgers the Buffalo Bills of MLB?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: dfwgator on October 10, 2019, 04:54:48 am

 :silly:

Can we offically call the Dodgers the Buffalo Bills of MLB?

Actually that's what the Braves are. 
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 10, 2019, 07:26:08 am
@DCPatriot  :beer:

Congratulations on the exciting conclusion of Gm 5 tonight.  The Nats ticket as been punched for the NLCS.

Now my team has to get to work tomorrow.

ROFL!!!

Still can't believe it!   I'm numb.

...and the GD announcers on MLB, including Harold Reynolds act like somebody died.   Sooooo Solemn.    :laugh:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 10, 2019, 09:29:52 am
(http://scontent.fphl2-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/72132224_10219911273993426_5764262276383113216_o.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_oc=AQl4YIjL7MQ275ZCpd5md6bi6EDF691VAOQLClAJ5AISLd9Ju24NaPol22-DfczfemA&_nc_ht=scontent.fphl2-4.fna&oh=b0be228d96751a9d84835b7ce88f86fc&oe=5E2A3428)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 10, 2019, 11:27:07 am
(http://scontent.fphl2-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/71940519_10211489640836286_6326741114841726976_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_oc=AQnw7yvciMUA-aTvGJ4tKYSqPAEDFumnGnyfM5Th9LHwG0yB7PI6NfCk1WibquCVG9M&_nc_ht=scontent.fphl2-4.fna&oh=f854f59ddd431ababd87b6d5cf61e64b&oe=5E234672)


Anyone watching last night...the diving final out of the Series by Michael A. Taylor, could see that he still doesn't feel like he's contributed enough to celebrate like his teammates.

He's so humble...being sent down to Triple A for most of the season because of his high number of strikeouts.

Dusty Baker called him the best Centerfielder he's ever seen. ....back then.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 10, 2019, 12:02:13 pm
ROFL!!!

Still can't believe it!   I'm numb.

...and the GD announcers on MLB, including Harold Reynolds act like somebody died.   Sooooo Solemn.    :laugh:

Now If the Yankees don't make it  to the WS, they'll need to put the COB office, and coastal baseball illuminati of suicide watch.

Here is a fun fact....   Kershaw's post season record is now 9-11, 4.43 era, and 1.105 WHIP.  He may be Cooperstown bound, but it won't be for his post season record.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on October 10, 2019, 01:45:21 pm
ROFL!!!

Still can't believe it!   I'm numb.

...and the GD announcers on MLB, including Harold Reynolds act like somebody died.   Sooooo Solemn.    :laugh:

Good thing that Kendrick guy can hit cause his glove SUCKS!!!!  :bolt:

Congrats @DCPatriot and all the other Nats fans out there.  Hoping the Astros bats will wake up again tonight.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on October 10, 2019, 03:03:36 pm
Hoping the Astros bats will wake up again tonight.

@Bigun

Hear! Hear!


-----------------------------------


@Polly Ticks

Checking on you. You okay? What a gut punch yesterday for the Braves.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on October 10, 2019, 03:52:51 pm

@Polly Ticks

Checking on you. You okay? What a gut punch yesterday for the Braves.

@AllThatJazzZ

LOL - thank you!  Yes, I'm hanging in there.  I actually missed most of the carnage. I had to leave home right when the game started to go to my son's house to babysit (very few things trump baseball, but my baby granddaughter definitely does!), and by the time I got there it was pretty much all over but the shouting.  Or maybe I should say the cursing?

Ah, baseball, you do break my heart ... but I still love you!

Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on October 10, 2019, 04:33:13 pm

Ah, baseball, you do break my heart ... but I still love you!

@Polly Ticks

Now see, no one told me about that part before I got hooked.  **nononono*

Tonight is our night to move up or to stay home. Our starting pitchers have struggled and our bats have been fairly cold. I'd love to watch the game like this  :pop41: But I fear it might be more like this  :0001:.

BTW, I have such a soft spot for Brian McCann. I'm glad for him that he's finally able to retire, relax and rest those knees. I remember his saying that he was so exhausted at the end of game 7 of the 2017 WS, he didn't have another inning left. God bless him.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: EasyAce on October 10, 2019, 04:37:56 pm
@Polly Ticks

Now see, no one told me about that part before I got hooked.  **nononono*
@AllThatJazzZ
@Polly Ticks

It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone. You count on it, rely on it to buffer the passage of time, to keep the memory of sunshine and high skies alive, and then just when the days are all twilight, when you need it the most, it stops.

---A. Bartlett Giamatti, from "The Green Fields of the Mind," Yale Alumni Magazine, 1977---a decade before he became president of the National League.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on October 10, 2019, 05:51:08 pm
@AllThatJazzZ
@Polly Ticks

It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone. You count on it, rely on it to buffer the passage of time, to keep the memory of sunshine and high skies alive, and then just when the days are all twilight, when you need it the most, it stops.

---A. Bartlett Giamatti, from "The Green Fields of the Mind," Yale Alumni Magazine, 1977---a decade before he became president of the National League.

@EasyAce

You forgot the Kleenex alert.  :nono:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 10, 2019, 05:54:43 pm
Quote

You forgot the Kleenex alert.  :nono:

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a0/bf/24/a0bf24bae89dab562e56c2e9894c0f82.jpg)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on October 10, 2019, 06:10:20 pm
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a0/bf/24/a0bf24bae89dab562e56c2e9894c0f82.jpg)

@catfish1957

No such rule in my house. It's my Astros and I'll cry if I want to.  22222frying pan
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on October 17, 2019, 11:01:57 pm
In case anyone is interested, the Kindle version of Dwight Gooden's autobiography is $0.99 today.


(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41WcRWjaH%2BL.jpg) (https://www.amazon.com/Doc-Memoir-Dwight-Gooden-ebook/dp/B00AQMH0EQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=doc+a+memoir&qid=1571353148&sr=8-1)

Quote
A brutally honest memoir of talent, addiction, and recovery from one of the greatest baseball pitchers of all time. As a shy nineteen-year-old, Dwight Gooden swept into New York, lifting a team of crazy characters to World Series greatness and giving a beleaguered city a reason to believe. Then he threw it all away.
Now, with fresh and sober eyes, the Mets’ beloved Dr. K shares the intimate details of his life and career, revealing all the extraordinary highs and lows: The hidden traumas in his close-knit Tampa family. The thrill and pressure of being a young baseball phenom in New York. The raucous days and nights with the Mets’ bad boys (and the real reason he missed the 1986 World Series Victory Parade). The self-destructive drug binges and the three World Series rings. His heartbreaking attempts at getting sober, the senseless damage to family and friends, and the unexpected way he finally saved his life—on VH1’s Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.

In Doc, Gooden details his close friendships with many of baseball’s greats: Pete Rose, George Streinbrenner, Joe Torre, and nephew Gary Sheffield. For the first time ever, he reveals the full story of his troubled relationship with fellow Mets superstar Darryl Strawberry. And he tells the moving story of the Yankees no-hitter he pitched for his dying father. Doc is a riveting baseball memoir by one of the game’s most fascinating figures, and an inspiring story for anyone who has faced tough challenges in life.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 18, 2019, 12:16:04 pm
How the new dead ball is faking out players, fans and even cameramen
Sam Miller

(http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2019%2F1017%2Fr613453_2_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&w=920&h=518&scale=crop&cquality=80&location=origin&format=jpg)

It was a deep fly ball off the top of the wall that set up one of the loudest storylines of this postseason: Ronald Acuna Jr. "hoisted a mighty blast that wasn't quite as mighty as he believed" in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, began an early home run trot that cost him a double, then got chastised by his Atlanta Braves teammates and his "beyond miffed" manager. Acuna's presumption was, presumably, also noted by his opponents. "I was always aware when a runner made a mistake like that," TBS broadcaster Ron Darling said during the game.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27853940/how-new-dead-ball-faking-players-fans-even-cameramen (https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27853940/how-new-dead-ball-faking-players-fans-even-cameramen)
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 18, 2019, 03:04:35 pm
Hello??    Buehler?   Bueller??

@EasyAce
@Polly Ticks
@catfish1957
@dfwgator
@Right_in_Virginia
@Bigun   
@AllThatJazzZ
@GrouchoTex

I feel like that pajama-wearing geek in the Coca-Cola spot sitting in the bleachers watching his team get their asses handed to them...standing up yelling:

"Just because 'Your' team wasn't good enough or lucky at the right moment to advance...there's STILL a lot of exciting baseball to be played."

Screw the Yankees and their 'trillion' dollar payroll.  They've been trying to buy pennants since Jesus was a boy in Nazareth.

The pitching and hitting matchups between the Astros and Nationals are the best in the sport.

(If it's truly a 'Dead' ball for the playoffs, it has to benefit the Nationals...who, IMO have more 'Punch n Judy' gap busters among their lineup bats)
 
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Polly Ticks on October 18, 2019, 03:10:09 pm
Hello??    Buehler?   Bueller??

@EasyAce
@Polly Ticks
@catfish1957
@dfwgator
@Right_in_Virginia
@Bigun   
@AllThatJazzZ
@GrouchoTex

I feel like that pajama-wearing geek in the Coca-Cola spot sitting in the bleachers watching his team get their asses handed to them...standing up yelling:

"Just because 'Your' team wasn't good enough or lucky at the right moment to advance...there's STILL a lot of exciting baseball to be played."

Screw the Yankees and their 'trillion' dollar payroll.  They've been trying to buy pennants since Jesus was a boy in Nazareth.

The pitching and hitting matchups between the Astros and Nationals are the best in the sport.

(If it's truly a 'Dead' ball for the playoffs, it has to benefit the Nationals...who, IMO have more 'Punch n Judy' gap busters among their lineup bats)

I'm still here, @DCPatriot  and still watching as much of the games as I can.  And I can totally get behind your 'screw the Yankees cheer'!
 :cheerlead:
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 18, 2019, 04:06:18 pm
Hello??    Buehler?   Bueller??

@DCPatriot

(If it's truly a 'Dead' ball for the playoffs, it has to benefit the Nationals...who, IMO have more 'Punch n Judy' gap busters among their lineup bats)

Altuve, Brantley, and Correa are pretty nice in the capacity too, when needed.  Still with the arms being paraded by both sides out there, I have a sneaking suspicon that we might be seeing some low scoring games.

If we can finish off the Stankees, it will be an outstanding series, featuring 8-10 probable future HOF'ers.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 18, 2019, 04:08:15 pm
How the new dead ball is faking out players, fans and even cameramen


I think I have seen about 3 "bat flips" on long outs this post season.  Kind of "Willie Mays Hayes" funny if you ask me.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on October 18, 2019, 10:00:12 pm
Altuve, Brantley, and Correa are pretty nice in the capacity too, when needed.  Still with the arms being paraded by both sides out there, I have a sneaking suspicon that we might be seeing some low scoring games.

If we can finish off the Stankees, it will be an outstanding series, featuring 8-10 probable future HOF'ers.

@DCPatriot @catfish1957

We need one out of three and they need to run the table.  I like our chances.

I'm trying to recall the last world series that was anything like what I imagine a 2019 Astros vs Nats series would be like.  1960 maybe?
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 18, 2019, 11:03:59 pm
@DCPatriot @catfish1957

We need one out of three and they need to run the table.  I like our chances.

I'm trying to recall the last world series that was anything like what I imagine a 2019 Astros vs Nats series would be like.  1960 maybe?

You think the games are going to be that lopsided?   Or, just that the Nationals in your mind are underdogs?

I suspect low-scoring games from starters and will be relieved solely because of pitch-count. 

...there a small part of me that wishes we would play the Yankees just for the opportunity to bitch-slap them.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: catfish1957 on October 19, 2019, 02:34:59 am
   Or, just that the Nationals in your mind are underdogs?



Astros team batting average through 1st 5 in the ALCS?  .177

If they don't start being able to hit out a wet paper bag, this may be a Nats v. Yankees series.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: AllThatJazzZ on October 19, 2019, 04:57:20 am
Astros team batting average through 1st 5 in the ALCS?  .177

If they don't start being able to hit out a wet paper bag, this may be a Nats v. Yankees series.

@catfish1957
@Bigun
@GrouchoTex
@EasyAce

What happened to them? Their bats cooled off at the same time -- seems like all of September, IIRC. They were going strong and then, similar to Miley's pitching, the bottom dropped out. How does that happen? Yordan was a beast. Yuli was hitting home runs in his sleep. Bregman. Altuve. Springer. You expected good things when they came to the plate and you were rarely disappointed. Then it felt like a proverbial blue norther swept in and cooled down their bats.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on October 19, 2019, 01:23:56 pm
You think the games are going to be that lopsided?   Or, just that the Nationals in your mind are underdogs?

I suspect low-scoring games from starters and will be relieved solely because of pitch-count. 

...there a small part of me that wishes we would play the Yankees just for the opportunity to bitch-slap them.

I was thinking more along the lines of an Ali/ Frazier fight @DCPatriot but  :shrug:.
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: Bigun on October 19, 2019, 01:35:40 pm
@catfish1957
@Bigun
@GrouchoTex
@EasyAce

What happened to them? Their bats cooled off at the same time -- seems like all of September, IIRC. They were going strong and then, similar to Miley's pitching, the bottom dropped out. How does that happen? Yordan was a beast. Yuli was hitting home runs in his sleep. Bregman. Altuve. Springer. You expected good things when they came to the plate and you were rarely disappointed. Then it felt like a proverbial blue norther swept in and cooled down their bats.

I'll offer my thoughts FWTAW.  MANY moons ago I played a little baseball myself and, I'm told, I was fairly good at it so this is just a somewhat informed theory.  The one thing most ballplayers hate above all things is having to play in cold weather as it greatly amplifies everything.  Just getting your body ready to play in those conditions is a chore. Even hitting a ball squarely with the bat hurts but hitting is less than squarely hurts more. Getting hit by a pitch or fouling one off into the arch of your foot is bad enough in warm weather but when it's cold OMG! Catching a hot liner in the palm of your glove will get your attention as well. In short, playing in the cold flat out sucks and I'm going to blame it on that at least partially although the bats were cold in TB as well weren't they?  I'm hoping that getting back to Minute Maid will do the trick!
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: DCPatriot on October 19, 2019, 02:23:41 pm
@catfish1957
@Bigun
@GrouchoTex
@EasyAce

What happened to them? Their bats cooled off at the same time -- seems like all of September, IIRC. They were going strong and then, similar to Miley's pitching, the bottom dropped out. How does that happen? Yordan was a beast. Yuli was hitting home runs in his sleep. Bregman. Altuve. Springer. You expected good things when they came to the plate and you were rarely disappointed. Then it felt like a proverbial blue norther swept in and cooled down their bats.

Ah....the MOAB (mother of all baseball) arguments..... 

"What Happened" is that GREAT PITCHING beats GREAT HITTING...otherwise they wouldn't be considered "great" pitching.    happy77
Title: Re: BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!
Post by: GrouchoTex on October 21, 2019, 02:54:43 pm
Ah....the MOAB (mother of all baseball) arguments..... 

"What Happened" is that GREAT PITCHING beats GREAT HITTING...otherwise they wouldn't be considered "great" pitching.    happy77

True, the last two bullpens we faced were supposed to be the 1st and 2nd best in the league, so, there's that to consider.