Baseball 2016---Season On!

[DCPatriot]

My two memorable childhood baseball events...seeing the famous Willie Mays over-the-shoulder catch in CF and seeing Mickey Mantle cry after Bill Mazerowski's walk-off HR to beat the Yankees in the 1960 World Series that had the pirates lose 3 games by scores of 16-3, 10-0, and 12-0.


.....on my grandmother's 13 inch black and white Admiral television.

[GrouchoTex]

Ryan's my all time favorite too.  Actually got to see every home start '83 - '85.  One of my favorite snapshots was the one I took on the exact pitch he recorded his 4000th K.  Would always go to the game early, and watch him warmup.  Bullpen at the dome was along the foul lines, so you could watch pretty closely.  the sound of the ball hitting the mitt was incredible.  Throwing that fast, just warming up.

Great minds think alike.
I was thinking about  the sound of the Ryan fastball hitting the mitt.
It would sound like a shot!
Went there when he was chasing Walter Johnson.
Packed against Phillies.
Jose Cruz hit a line drive foul towards me that made my life flash before my eyes!
Hit the aisle next to me.
Ryan didn't break the record that start, but did it the next, on the road in Montreal (3,803, i think?).

BYW, did you see last night?
Tribute to 1986.
Showed Ryan, Scott, Bass, Garner, others.
Scott was in the booth with Brown and Ashby.

[Cripplecreek]

Don't look now Indians.

[Gefn]

Has anyone seen the news that A Rod is FINALLY retiring as of Friday?

Don't know why this makes me happy but it does. So, I'm buying 


Btw, are Yankee fans allowed in here? I realize once you get out of the NY/NJ area we aren't very loved.

[Cripplecreek]

Has anyone seen the news that A Rod is FINALLY retiring as of Friday?

Don't know why this makes me happy but it does. So, I'm buying 


Btw, are Yankee fans allowed in here? I realize once you get out of the NY/NJ area we aren't very loved.

Hoping the Tigers sweep the other New Yarkers out of Detroit today.

[Gefn]

Hoping the Tigers sweep the other New Yarkers out of Detroit today.

That picture of the tyger you posted surely will have have them running. So beautiful but so scary. I actually want to steal it for wallpaper.

[catfish1957]

Great minds think alike.
I was thinking about  the sound of the Ryan fastball hitting the mitt.
It would sound like a shot!
Went there when he was chasing Walter Johnson.
Packed against Phillies.
Jose Cruz hit a line drive foul towards me that made my life flash before my eyes!
Hit the aisle next to me.
Ryan didn't break the record that start, but did it the next, on the road in Montreal (3,803, i think?).

BYW, did you see last night?
Tribute to 1986.
Showed Ryan, Scott, Bass, Garner, others.
Scott was in the booth with Brown and Ashby.

Sadly, my little spot here in SE Texas does not have Root Sports, and I don't think I would l get enough use out of MLB TV for the costs.  Plus don't they black out some?   I Do get to see them play when they play the Rangers on FSSW though.

Sounds like you did get a shot a foul ball.  Believe it or not, I've gone to somewhere between 500-600 Astros games in my life, and haven;t come within 10 feet of a foul ball.  Did snag a couple that landed in foul territory during bp, but that doesn't count.

[GrouchoTex]

@DCPatriot
I guess I am a little younger than you.
I've seen the what you have described, but not live.
My childhood memories go about 1967 to 1975.
Guys like Mays,Aaron, Banks, Brock, Clemente, Brooks and Frank Robinson, Yazstremski, Bench.
Pitchers like Bob Gibson, Ryan,Seaver, catfish, Palmer.

....and alot more names that I am sure will come to mind as soon as I hit the "post" button.

[Gefn]

Breaking News

Japanese outfielder Ichiro Suzuki of the Miami Marlins becomes 30th MLB player to reach 3000 career hits.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ichiro-suzuki-becomes-30th-player-in-mlb-history-with-3000-hits-223904192.html

[GrouchoTex]

Nice for Ichiro.
Good job.

[Polly Ticks]

Breaking News

Japanese outfielder Ichiro Suzuki of the Miami Marlins becomes 30th MLB player to reach 3000 career hits.

And it was a triple, no less. Very well done!

[GrouchoTex]

And it was a triple, no less. Very well done!

Yeah, he's a lock for the HOF.

[catfish1957]

Yeah, he's a lock for the HOF.

Add 1278 hits from Japan, and he now has 22 more than Rose.  Amazing

[EasyAce]

And it was a triple, no less. Very well done!

It makes him only the second player to join the 3,000 hit club with a triple. (The first: Paul Molitor.)

[EasyAce]

Ichiro Suzuki's favourite American expression, as told to Bob Costas

[sinkspur]

I see where Tim Tebow is going to try baseball.

Will he have to be a designated hitter so he won't have to throw the ball?

[Cripplecreek]

Wow, looks like the Tigers "stupid" trade of Prince Fielder was really dodging a bullet in the long run.

Looks like his career is over with this 2nd neck injury.

He was always fun to watch.


www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT7FGQls0KM

[GrouchoTex]

Wow, looks like the Tigers "stupid" trade of Prince Fielder was really dodging a bullet in the long run.

Looks like his career is over with this 2nd neck injury.

He was always fun to watch.


www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT7FGQls0KM

Weird,
he is standing in front of a sign that probably has something to do with health, but you can't see the "h".

[Cripplecreek]

Seeing these two 1 after the other in the line up probably gave a lot of pitchers nightmares. I hated to see Fielder go but Kinsler was a good trade.

[jmyrlefuller]

Breaking News

Japanese outfielder Ichiro Suzuki of the Miami Marlins becomes 30th MLB player to reach 3000 career hits.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ichiro-suzuki-becomes-30th-player-in-mlb-history-with-3000-hits-223904192.html

I never realized he was still playing in MLB. I remember the big splash when he came over from Japan, but he's been very much under the radar for the past decade or so, it seems.

[catfish1957]

Weird,
he is standing in front of a sign that probably has something to do with health, but you can't see the "h".

Early word also has it that Fielder will not forgo the $128M the Rangers owe him the next 5 years.

Sorry Rangers fans

[DCPatriot]

A-ROD, 'retiring' Friday, is NOT in the lineup tonight or tomorrow in Boston.

Currently at 696 HRs...with the Green Monster mooning him out there...WTF is going on?

That's rhetorical, of course. 

Although, people offer different opinions, it should be pointed out that Yankee skipper, Girardi said, when asked about Alex not being in the lineup...(paraphrased)...."Sure...of course he wants to play.  Who wants to sit on the bench...but we've got [important] games to win."

Uh, Joe....your brass traded Miller and Chapman just 5.5 games short of the Wildcard berth.   

Don't tell me you are trying to put your best players out there to win the game.   You traded for prospects and cash.

Did the Steinbrenner family suddenly get 'buyer's remorse' of sorts about their new arrangement with Alex?  Do they just want him gone now?

Meh....


I think Girardi's sort of telling the truth, because he's got to be empathetic to the other guys in that lineup who signed with the Yankees on their tradition of winning and ruling the baseball world...and they all bought-in to the idea that we're contending.

Who the hell wants to throw in the towel in August?  'Only' 6 games back in the WC slot?

A manager never wants to lose him team...at game time, he's got to be thinking of only one thing.  WINNING.   

[DCPatriot]

David Ortiz Bobbleheads are pulled for being "racially insensitive".

 



   

[DCPatriot]

I have thought he'd complain about the stomach girth, but the bobblehead doesn't feature that visual asset whatsoever.

Plus, the raised right hand doesn't match the color of the face.   

I couldn't see anybody tying a horse to it.     LOL

[DCPatriot]

The Nationals’ Werth walk-off bobblehead is borderline obscene and completely terrifying



WJLA’s Alex Parker has been blessing the D.C. sports market with gems this week, but Thursday he tweeted a couple of photographs of a new Nationals giveaway that features Jayson Werth. The pose is from the 2012 NLDS, when Werth hit a walk-off home run against the Cardinals on Oct. 12. It was arguably the most exciting moment in Nationals playoff history, and certainly worthy of commemoration.

But, this bobblehead? This is an abomination.

We won’t even bother with the whole “this thing doesn’t even really look like the guy” bit, because they never really do. That’s fine. But the open mouth? Yes, he did that, but in no way was that the iconic aspect of the play. The jump? Sure. But the state of his face was not.

You have to wonder: who greenlit this? Did they not realize that beyond looking marginally inappropriate, that it’s gross to just have something with a gaping hole in a head as the major feature? And since they didn’t, take a look at this.

more at:   http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2015/08/21/the-nationals-werth-walk-off-bobblehead-is-borderline-obscene-and-completely-terrifying/

[EasyAce]

Early word also has it that Fielder will not forgo the $128M the Rangers owe him the next 5 years.

Sorry Rangers fans

This is the actual breakdown of how Fielder will be paid through the end of the 2020 season (from
now until then it's only 4.3 years, folks), assuming he stays on the DL and it rolls over to the end of
the deal:

* The Rangers pick up $9 million a year.

* The Tigers pick up $6 million a year.

* $9 million a year is covered by insurance the Rangers took on Fielder.

* The Rangers, basically, pick up 37.5 percent of Fielder's annual $24 million, and likewise
regarding the insurance policy; the Tigers pick up the remaining 25 percent.

If Fielder outright retires, he leaves the rest of his money on the table. All $96 million of it.

[catfish1957]

This is the actual breakdown of how Fielder will be paid through the end of the 2020 season (from
now until then it's only 4.3 years, folks), assuming he stays on the DL and it rolls over to the end of
the deal:

* The Rangers pick up $9 million a year.

* The Tigers pick up $6 million a year.

* $9 million a year is covered by insurance the Rangers took on Fielder.

* The Rangers, basically, pick up 37.5 percent of Fielder's annual $24 million, and likewise
regarding the insurance policy; the Tigers pick up the remaining 25 percent.

If Fielder outright retires, he leaves the rest of his money on the table. All $96 million of it.

Looks like its official now.  Still....  glad it's not my team

[Lando Lincoln]

Saturday in St. Louis during a game between the Braves and Cards, a friend of mine was struck in the face by a line-drive foul ball. He has lost his eye and has many shattered bones. Horrific accident.

[DCPatriot]

Saturday in St. Louis during a game between the Braves and Cards, a friend of mine was struck in the face by a line-drive foul ball. He has lost his eye and has many shattered bones. Horrific accident.

That's awful!

With the wide use of cell phones, they're going to have to put up screens along the sidelines.  People aren't paying attention to what's going on.

[Lando Lincoln]

That's awful!

With the wide use of cell phones, they're going to have to put up screens along the sidelines.  People aren't paying attention to what's going on.

I agree. 

In this case, he said the bat shattered and he just lost track or mis-tracked the ball.

[TomSea]

Lando Lincoln; sorry for your friend.

[Polly Ticks]

Saturday in St. Louis during a game between the Braves and Cards, a friend of mine was struck in the face by a line-drive foul ball. He has lost his eye and has many shattered bones. Horrific accident.

Oh, no!  I'm so sorry to hear that. 

I take my #5 son to a couple of Braves games each year, and I'm always hyper-vigilant about foul balls, precisely because I know he is not ... but I also worry about whether I would be able to prevent an injury even if I could see it coming.  They really are going to have to extend the net at some point. 

I hope your friend has a speedy (as possible) recovery.

[Lando Lincoln]

Oh, no!  I'm so sorry to hear that. 

I take my #5 son to a couple of Braves games each year...

#5 son!  What a blessing.

Thank you (to all) for the well wishes towards my friend. He was planning to visit me today but he is back home in Atlanta.

[sinkspur]

Looks like its official now.  Still....  glad it's not my team

7 games up in the West with Mazzara, Beltre, Beltran, Desmond, and Odor in the lineup?

I'm glad the Rangers ARE my team. 

[catfish1957]

7 games up in the West with Mazzara, Beltre, Beltran, Desmond, and Odor in the lineup?

I'm glad the Rangers ARE my team.

You got me there.   Wait till next year.

[DCPatriot]

7 games up in the West with Mazzara, Beltre, Beltran, Desmond, and Odor in the lineup?

I'm glad the Rangers ARE my team.

I absolutely hated Ian Desmond in his 'final' contract year with the Nationals.

His defense cost at least 3 direct losses that year.  And his bat was nothing special.

Now...from a distance, I'm glad that he's playing with a contender.  Always thought his looks and stats could find him a spokesman for Hugo Boss or Armani, etc..

[GrouchoTex]

You got me there.   Wait till next year.

They were winning today (the Astros) when I saw to score about a half hour ago

[EasyAce]

They were winning today (the Astros) when I saw to score about a half hour ago

15-7 your final, Astros win. Jose Altuve---four hits, three steaks, three runs scored. Nineteen hits
for the Astros. Fifth win in their last sixteen games. Game one of a weather-necessitated doubleheader.

[skeeter]

I absolutely hated Ian Desmond in his 'final' contract year with the Nationals.

His defense cost at least 3 direct losses that year.  And his bat was nothing special.

Now...from a distance, I'm glad that he's playing with a contender.  Always thought his looks and stats could find him a spokesman for Hugo Boss or Armani, etc..

I felt exactly the same way about Beltran when he came to SF in 2011, supposedly with the offense the Giants sorely needed at the time. Turned out to be no big deal at all. He just phoned it in.

Hope he's picked his game up.

[GrouchoTex]

15-7 your final, Astros win. Jose Altuve---four hits, three steaks, three runs scored. Nineteen hits
for the Astros. Fifth win in their last sixteen games. Game one of a weather-necessitated doubleheader.

They are just 4 games above .500 now.
I had hoped they would right the ship, but they have been a little banged up lately.
There may still be hope.

[catfish1957]

There may still be hope.

Sadly our 5-9 place hitters are all Mendozans.   They scare no one.  Now we are rooting for Altuve to win the MVP.

[Cripplecreek]

Michael Fulmer first rookie to ten wins this season in his first complete game and first shutout of the Rangers.

[dfwgator]

Michael Fulmer first rookie to ten wins this season in his first complete game and first shutout of the Rangers.

Back-to-back shutouts.....Whatever happened to this big offensive explosion the Rangers were supposed to get with their recent acquisitions.

[Cripplecreek]

Back-to-back shutouts.....Whatever happened to this big offensive explosion the Rangers were supposed to get with their recent acquisitions.

The Tigers real problem is that they're streaky. They went from an 8 game winning streak directly to a 5 game losing streak. They've also got several players out due to injuries.

[catfish1957]

Back-to-back shutouts.....Whatever happened to this big offensive explosion the Rangers were supposed to get with their recent acquisitions.

Don't worry.  Neither the Astros or M's have a ghost of a chance this season. 

Bannister is now just trying to tweak the lineup and chemistry for your playoff run.   

OTOH, I'd be a little disappointed what they gave up to make this run

[DCPatriot]

COWABONGA!!!!!


Astros at Orioles...1st inning.

Leadoff hitter Springer hits HR.....Houston 1...Orioles 0

Wade Miley, O's pitcher, then strikes out the side.


O's bottom half of 1st.

Adam Jones hits HR on 1st pitch

Kim singles to center

Manny Machado HRs to Center Field

Chris Davis HRs to Right Field

Mark Trumbo HRs to Center Field


ORIOLES 5 - HOUSTON 1.

[DCPatriot]

COWABONGA II


Wade Miley pitching for Baltimore   HOU   BAL
Gattis singled to center.                    1   5
González struck out swinging.            1   5
Reed struck out swinging.                    1   5
White doubled to deep center, Gattis scored.   2   5
Hernández singled to left center, White scored.   3   5
Springer hit by pitch, Hernández to second.           3   5
Bregman doubled to center, Hernández scored, Springer to third.   4   5
Altuve doubled to deep right, Springer and Bregman scored.   6   5
Jiménez relieved Miley.   6   5
Correa grounded out to shortstop.   6   5
   

5 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors

[catfish1957]

My Stros aren't going to playoffs this year, but we just might have the MVP.......



Through 121 games

Year          Age   Tm   Lg   G   PA      AB       R        H      2B      3B     HR   RBI   SB   CS   BB   SO   BA   OBP   SLG   OPS
2016 ★   26   HOU   AL   121   546   480   88   175   35   4   20   80   26   7   50   54   .365   .427   .579   1.006

[DCPatriot]

My Stros aren't going to playoffs this year, but we just might have the MVP.......



Through 121 games

Year          Age   Tm   Lg   G   PA      AB       R        H      2B      3B     HR   RBI   SB   CS   BB   SO   BA   OBP   SLG   OPS
2016 ★   26   HOU   AL   121   546   480   88   175   35   4   20   80   26   7   50   54   .365   .427   .579   1.006

He's having a helluva year, @catfish1957

Did you know that NEVER before in professional baseball has a team hit FOUR HRs before recording an out?

Shame the O's lost that game.....a real indictment of their bullpen, IMO.

[catfish1957]

He's having a helluva year, @catfish1957

Did you know that NEVER before in professional baseball has a team hit FOUR HRs before recording an out?

Shame the O's lost that game.....a real indictment of their bullpen, IMO.

The O's are bashers. I'm betting Trumbo hits 50 alone.   Looked it up and like I thought they lead MLB with 188 HR's.  Did you know (like it really matters though), that they have only 5 triples all year, or about 1 every 25 games.  That's weird. 

Good luck to your O's.  Like everyone else, I get sick of the Red Sox and Yankees show.