BASEBALL 2019---LET'S DO IT!

[EasyAce]

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.

[catfish1957]

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.

[catfish1957]

@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)

[EasyAce]

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.

[catfish1957]

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

[catfish1957]

I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach over the BREWERS vs NATIONALS winner-take-all game tonight.   

Scherzer getting lit up early.  Still plenty of baseaball left though.

[GrouchoTex]

I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach over the BREWERS vs NATIONALS winner-take-all game tonight.   

@DCPatriot

Congratulations,

Old man Zimmerman getting that broken bat single warmed my heart.

[GrouchoTex]

@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.

[GrouchoTex]

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......
 

[AllThatJazzZ]

I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach over the BREWERS vs NATIONALS winner-take-all game tonight.   

@DCPatriot

Feel better? 

[DCPatriot]

I can't believe it.

Turned it off and went to bed in the 8th inning.     

[Polly Ticks]

I can't believe it.

Turned it off and went to bed in the 8th inning.     

Oh no!!! 

On the bright side, you now have more games to watch.
 

[AllThatJazzZ]

I can't believe it.

Turned it off and went to bed in the 8th inning.     

@DCPatriot

No, you didn't! You're kidding us, right?

[DCPatriot]

@DCPatriot

No, you didn't! You're kidding us, right?

Wish I was....

Damnit!   

[AllThatJazzZ]

Wish I was....

Damnit!   

@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. 

Anyway, congrats to the Nats. Now, go forth and pull the Dodgers down from their lofty perch. And stay awake this time!

[EasyAce]

My BFF and I were texting, talking about what great fans the Nats have. Almost as amazing as our 'Stros fans. 

@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.

[GrouchoTex]

I can't believe it.

Turned it off and went to bed in the 8th inning.     

Oh, man..............

[catfish1957]

@DCPatriot
 My BFF and I were texting, talking about what great fans the Nats have. Almost as amazing as our 'Stros fans. 

I hope no one slipped at the stadium on all that wasted $30 beer. 

[catfish1957]

Oh no!!! 

On the bright side, you now have more games to watch.
 

Starting Kuechel in Game 1?   Brave souls aren't ya'll?

[Polly Ticks]

Starting Kuechel in Game 1?   Brave souls aren't ya'll?

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.

[EasyAce]

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.

[DCPatriot]

@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. 

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.   

[catfish1957]

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.

[Polly Ticks]

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.

[DCPatriot]

@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.

@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"!!!!!