BASEBALL 2017---Bring it On!!!

[Gefn]

Anyone see the cat at the Cardinals game?

[Cyber Liberty]

Anyone see the cat at the Cardinals game?

There was a video posted here.  Kitty clawed the snot out of a grounds crewman tho tried to run off the field with him like a football. 

[Machiavelli]

Power Rankings: Red Sox, Cardinals soar toward the top

What the Hell are power rankings? 

[EasyAce]

Power Rankings: Red Sox, Cardinals soar toward the top

What the Hell are power rankings? 

@Machiavelli
In ESPN.com's case, it's ranking each team according to how they performed in the previous week
measured against their season-long performance to date.

[EasyAce]

Don't look now, but the Angels just snuck into the lead for the second American League wild
card slot after sweeping the Mariners and knocking a lot of wind out of the Mariners' sails.

[Machiavelli]

How the Los Angeles Dodgers Built a Juggernaut

[TomSea]

Cuban born (1941) Paul Casanova has passed.  He played for the Senators and then, Braves.



http://babalublog.com/2017/08/14/we-remember-paul-casanova-1941-2017/

    Casanova set career highs in games played (141), plate appearances (551), and RBIs (53) in 1967. One particularly memorable game started on the evening of June 12. In Washington, the Senators and the Chicago White Sox played a 22-inning marathon. Casanova caught the whole thing, receiving 268 pitches.

    As he recalled in 2012, “The reason the game went so long was because of my defense” – he wiped out a number of runners. He went 1-for-9, missing a chance to end it in the 20th inning when he hit into a third-to-home-to-first double play with the bases loaded – but his one hit was the game-winner at 2:44 A.M.”

http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/a96308de

[Machiavelli]

Hyde: Is Stanton the legit HR king if he hits 62? Even he wonders | Commentary

Dave Hyde
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
August 16, 2017

If I’m Giancarlo Stanton, I’d feel conflicted about the Steroid Era, too. I’d think Roger Maris’ 61 home runs in a season is the legitimate record, too.

“Considering some things, I do,’’ he said Wednesday.

If I’m Stanton, I’d note the only three players to hit more than 61 home runs – Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa – had more performance-enhancing drugs in them than an East German swim team.

“But at the same time it doesn’t matter,’’ Stanton said. “The record is the record. But, personally, I do [think 61 is the record]...

If PED users like Bonds, McGwire and Sosa need an asterisk by their name, he said, so does Babe Ruth since he only faced white pitchers...

More

Wikipedia

Career stats

@EasyAce

[Cyber Liberty]

If PED users like Bonds, McGwire and Sosa need an asterisk by their name, he said, so does Babe Ruth since he only faced white pitchers...

I've heard that before, and I think it's a crap argument.  How many pitchers did Dimaggio face that were named "Alouicius?"  None?  Then he gets an asterisk by any record he may have set.

[EasyAce]

I've heard that before, and I think it's a crap argument.  How many pitchers did Dimaggio face that were named "Alouicius?"  None?  Then he gets an asterisk by any record he may have set.

No need for an asterisk next to Babe Ruth's name, but it is true that---through absolutely no fault of his own
---Ruth didn't face a complete offering of baseball talent pool in his time and place. He also didn't play night
baseball, which really would have had an impact on his statistics. I've seen assorted calculations that
say if he'd played in the night ball era his batting average would have been somewhere around .303 lifetime
(and that would only have put him in the company of, oh, Willie Mays), whereby someone like Ralph Kiner
(to whom Branch Rickey insanely compared Ruth in his bids to keep Kiner's salaries suppressed, when
Rickey ran the Pirates) would have seen his batting average jump to about .312 if he'd played in the
strictly day-ball era. Those calculations debated whether Ruth would have hit 714 lifetime home runs
in the night ball era, though he might have gotten within the neighbourhood.

Sometimes forgotten factor involving Babe Ruth: All those triples he hit. He was mostly a dead pull hitter
but when he went the other way, especially in Yankee Stadium, he could pick up a lot of extra triples
no matter how much of a leadfoot he was on the bases because of that left center field you usually
needed to call a cab to reach from the plate. He had the same benefit when the Yankees played in the
Polo Grounds during his first three Yankee seasons.

Branch Rickey's nastiest lie about Ralph Kiner: that the Pirates built a short-porch specifically for Kiner
whereas the Yankees didn't for Babe Ruth. It simply wasn't true. The Yankees built Yankee Stadium
especially to accommodate Ruth's primary power, and why would they not? If you have a left-
handed hitter with that kind of thump and you're building a new park, and he's your number one
box office draw before Lou Gehrig arrives to match him, are you really going to build
a park that would kill him? Or build one that's great for him? The Pirates actually brought in the fence
not for Kiner but for Hank Greenberg, whom they acquired before bringing up Kiner. Greenberg in
fact became Kiner's mentor, teaching him how to modify and control his powerful swing and how
to play the outfield two batters ahead. The new short porch was first nicknamed Greenberg Gardens;
when Greenberg retired and Kiner became the power hitting draw for the Pirates the nickname
was changed to Kiner's Korner.

[Cyber Liberty]

No need for an asterisk next to Babe Ruth's name, but it is true that---through absolutely no fault of his own
---Ruth didn't face a complete offering of baseball talent pool in his time and place. He also didn't play night
baseball, which really would have had an impact on his statistics. I've seen assorted calculations that
say if he'd played in the night ball era his batting average would have been somewhere around .303 lifetime
(and that would only have put him in the company of, oh, Willie Mays), whereby someone like Ralph Kiner
(to whom Branch Rickey insanely compared Ruth in his bids to keep Kiner's salaries suppressed, when
Rickey ran the Pirates) would have seen his batting average jump to about .312 if he'd played in the
strictly day-ball era. Those calculations debated whether Ruth would have hit 714 lifetime home runs
in the night ball era, though he might have gotten within the neighbourhood.

Precisely.  Because the game has always been changing the rules here and there, one can make the case that it's impossible to compare any players at all who came from different eras.  We have the "limp ball" era, the high mound era, the pre-DH era...the list goes on.

[dfwgator]

Don't look now, but the Angels just snuck into the lead for the second American League wild
card slot after sweeping the Mariners and knocking a lot of wind out of the Mariners' sails.

The Rangers have played well since getting rid of Darvish,  it's like he was a cloud hanging over them all year.

I like their chances of getting the second wild card, since of all the teams battling for it, they are the only ones with a positive run differential for the season. 

[EasyAce]

Precisely.  Because the game has always been changing the rules here and there, one can make the case that it's impossible to compare any players at all who came from different eras.  We have the "limp ball" era, the high mound era, the pre-DH era...the list goes on.

The forgotten factoid about the era of actual or alleged performance-enhancing substances: power
numbers might have spiked anyway . . . because of a large volume of yummy new ballparks coming
into use that favoured hitting rather remarkably. (Which makes men like Greg Maddux and Tom
Glavine even more great, considering they weren't power pitchers and had to make their Hall of
Fame cases pitching with finesse and brains against both the big boppers and ballparks
that usually killed pitchers.)

[Cyber Liberty]

The forgotten factoid about the era of actual or alleged performance-enhancing substances: power
numbers might have spiked anyway . . . because of a large volume of yummy new ballparks coming
into use that favoured hitting rather remarkably. (Which makes men like Greg Maddux and Tom
Glavine even more great, considering they weren't power pitchers and had to make their Hall of
Fame cases pitching with finesse and brains against both the big boppers and ballparks
that usually killed pitchers.)

A friend of mine showed me Barry Bonds' stats, and he made a good case when comparing pre-juice Bonds to the later numbers he could have broken Aaron's record without the juice.

[Machiavelli]

A friend of mine showed me Barry Bonds' stats, and he made a good case when comparing pre-juice Bonds to the later numbers he could have broken Aaron's record without the juice.

I think that Bonds' pre-juice stats were good enough to get him into the HOF in the first year of his eligibility.

[EasyAce]

I think that Bonds' pre-juice stats were good enough to get him into the HOF in the first year of his eligibility.

Exactly.

Some time back, I did a little research on the players who did use actual or alleged performance-enhancing
substances, and I noticed something: the majority of those players, whether they played in the Show or
never got out of the minor leagues, showed no noticeable spikes in their batting statistics while they were
thought to have been juicing---and, if anything, a considerable volume of those players showed drops
in their batting stats while on the juice. Two major leaguers I can think of who never showed Bonds-
like jumps in their statistics and also showed noticeable dips in their stats during their juicing periods
were Jose Canseco (who likes to think he's the Johnny Appleseed of actual or alleged PEDs) and Jason Giambi
(who fessed up on his own).

[EasyAce]

I've heard that before, and I think it's a crap argument.  How many pitchers did Dimaggio face that were named "Alouicius?"  None?  Then he gets an asterisk by any record he may have set.

The one thing that put a crimp in Joe DiMaggio's style---he was a stubborn power hitter who believed to his
soul that hitting the opposite way wasn't "legitimate" hitting, and thus Yankee Stadium arrested his power
numbers. There was once a rumour that DiMaggio might be traded for Ted Williams, and such a trade
would have benefitted both players: DiMaggio would have produced fatter power stats hitting in Fenway
Park as his home park, and Williams would have gone from off-the-charts to Ruthian territory in his
power numbers hitting in Yankee Stadium. They were both off-the-chart hitters no matter where
they played, but that trade if consummated would have put a shot of rocket fuel into both men's
slugging stats.

[Machiavelli]

The 25 Highest-Paid MLB Players in 2017

[Machiavelli]

MLB to implement code of conduct for fans at ballparks in 2018

Scott Lauber
ESPN
August 23, 2017

Effective next season, Major League Baseball intends to implement a universal code of conduct for fans who attend games.

More

Things I would like to see:

• No more towel twirling. It interferes with play and it's stupid.
• No more interviews with game participants while the game is in progress. Leave it to before or after the game. These during game interviews disrupt the game.

@EasyAce

[EasyAce]

MLB to implement code of conduct for fans at ballparks in 2018

Scott Lauber
ESPN
August 23, 2017
More

Things I would like to see:

• No more towel twirling. It interferes with play and it's stupid.
• No more interviews with game participants while the game is in progress. Leave it to before or after the game. These during game interviews disrupt the game.

@EasyAce

@Machiavelli
Ban the Wave!!!

[EasyAce]

This one's gotta hurt---Bad enough: Rich Hill (Dodgers) loses a perfect game on
a ninth-inning error. Worse: He loses the no-hitter in the bottom of the tenth when
Josh Harrison leading off hits one out for the 1-0 Pirates win.

[Polly Ticks]

MLB to implement code of conduct for fans at ballparks in 2018

Scott Lauber
ESPN
August 23, 2017
More

Things I would like to see:

• No more towel twirling. It interferes with play and it's stupid.
• No more interviews with game participants while the game is in progress. Leave it to before or after the game. These during game interviews disrupt the game.

@EasyAce

Ban people who insist on shrilly whistling the "let's go" chant in between pitches.

[Polly Ticks]

This one's gotta hurt---Bad enough: Rich Hill (Dodgers) loses a perfect game on
a ninth-inning error. Worse: He loses the no-hitter in the bottom of the tenth when
Josh Harrison leading off hits one out for the 1-0 Pirates win.

Heart-breaking.

[EasyAce]

Heart-breaking.

@Polly Ticks
In 1965, Jim Maloney of the Reds took a no-hitter against the Mets into the eleventh inning,
including eighteen strikeouts, before Mets outfielder Johnny Lewis led off the bottom of the eleventh
and hit one out for the 1-0 Mets win. But later the same season Maloney became the first pitcher
to consummate an extra-innings no-hitter, beating the Cubs 1-0.

[Polly Ticks]

@Polly Ticks
In 1965, Jim Maloney of the Reds took a no-hitter against the Mets into the eleventh inning,
including eighteen strikeouts, before Mets outfielder Johnny Lewis led off the bottom of the eleventh
and hit one out for the 1-0 Mets win. But later the same season Maloney became the first pitcher
to consummate an extra-innings no-hitter, beating the Cubs 1-0.

I love a happy ending!!

[EasyAce]

I love a happy ending!!

@Polly Ticks
If only Maloney could have had one to his pitching career. He was one of the National League's
hardest throwers---Sandy Koufax himself thought Maloney had the deadliest fastball in the league
that didn't belong to a fellow named Koufax---and should have been a big winner, but for a few
problems:

* He pitched in near constant shoulder pain.

* The 1963-69 Reds weren't very good teams, despite the 1964 edition making an eleventh-hour
play for the pennant as the Phillies collapsed down the final stretch.

* He was dogged by unfair speculation that he declined a key start against the Phillies on the
final weekend, the one that could have ended in a three way tie, when Dick Sisler went with
John Tsitouris instead of Maloney inexplicably despite Maloney going 12-3 down the stretch---
Sisler claimed Maloney was "still exhausted" from an eleven-inning no-decision start against
the Pirates. (Tsitouris and the Reds got bombed 10-0 by the Phillies but it was too late to
stop the Cardinals from snatching the pennant on the final day, beating the Mets after the
Mets beat them twice to open the weekend.)

* He had a terrible 1965 spring training and missed enough of it in 1966 during a contract
holdout that inspired the Reds to plant a bunch of negative stories implying questions about
his fortitude.

* The Reds' training staff was uncertain how to handle and moderate a pitcher as muscular
as Maloney was, and he may never have really loosened himself properly enough to avoid
injury.

* After 1966, his last truly good season (2.68 ERA; 200+ strikeouts), the chronic shoulder
and arm miseries plus numerous cortisone shots began taking their toll, but to that would
be added mental strain as he battled constantly against accusations that he was dogging
it, with several teammates questioning how sore his shoulder and arm really were.

* He was virtually finished after he never really recovered from a severed Achilles tendon
on, of all things, a baserunning play.

* The Reds traded him to the Angels after leaving him off their 1970 postseason roster.
After his retirement in 1972, following stops in the Giants and Cardinals organisations,
Maloney---who'd been a hard drinker later in his playing days---lapsed into full-blown
alcoholism, costing him his marriage and three children. He later remarried happily,
sobered up, and made a second career as his native Fresno, CA's Alcoholism and Drug
Abuse Council, retiring in 2012.

[Cripplecreek]

Anybody see this crazy game between the Yankees and Tigers today?

Benches clear 3 times, 8 ejections as Tigers top Yankees 10-6

http://www.myrecordjournal.com/sports/nationalsports/10773491-154/benches-clear-3-times-8-ejections-as-tigers-top-yankees.html

[EasyAce]

Anybody see this crazy game between the Yankees and Tigers today?

Benches clear 3 times, 8 ejections as Tigers top Yankees 10-6

http://www.myrecordjournal.com/sports/nationalsports/10773491-154/benches-clear-3-times-8-ejections-as-tigers-top-yankees.html

@Cripplecreek
I did, and it was a disgrace. Plate umpire Carlos Torres should have thrown Michael Fulmer the hell out
of the game after Fulmer hit Gary Sanchez in the fifth after Sanchez took him over the fence in
the fourth. That should have and probably would have been the end of it.
It would have kept all that crap from happening

[Suppressed]

@Cripplecreek
I did, and it was a disgrace. Plate umpire Carlos Torres should have thrown Michael Fulmer the hell out
of the game after Fulmer hit Gary Sanchez in the fifth after Sanchez took him over the fence in
the fourth. That should have and probably would have been the end of it.
It would have kept all that crap from happening

Exactly!

[Jazzhead]

Rhys Hoskins just hit his tenth homer,  in the first 55 at bats of his career.  After going hitless in his first dozen.

It's never been done before.   It's getting like Philly pauses when this guy approaches the dish.   

[Cyber Liberty]

My wife just scored an amazing piece of memorabilia.  I'm afraid to say what it is until I get it in my hands.

[dfwgator]

Cleveland just completed a 3-game shutout sweep of the Royals, outscoring them 20-0 in the 3 games.

[Cyber Liberty]

Diamondbacks just did back to back to back.

[Wingnut]

@EasyAce Almost finished with "The Umpire Strikes Back"

I lol'd so many times. 

[dfwgator]

So much for the Rangers.

[EasyAce]

@EasyAce Almost finished with "The Umpire Strikes Back"

I lol'd so many times.

@Wingnut

Wing, I'd have been shocked only if you didn't lol twice that much! ;)

Wait till you get to Strike Two

[Wingnut]

@Wingnut

Wing, I'd have been shocked only if you didn't lol twice that much! ;)

Wait till you get to Strike Two

Strike Two and the Fall of the Roman Umpire  are in the Mail.   

Can't believe he killed himself.

[Machiavelli]

Pujols carrying Halos out of contention: Albert Pujols is putting this team and this sorry offense onto his back and carrying it right out of being a playoff contender.

[dfwgator]

Pujols carrying Halos out of contention: Albert Pujols is putting this team and this sorry offense onto his back and carrying it right out of being a playoff contender.

The Twins have a very favorable schedule.  Right now I think they are the favorites to get the 2nd WC.

[Jazzhead]

Pujols carrying Halos out of contention: Albert Pujols is putting this team and this sorry offense onto his back and carrying it right out of being a playoff contender.

The Angels have to get a strong month of September out of Mike Trout.  He's historically tended to finish the year slowly, and indeed has been slumping the last couple of days.  Hopefully, the time off due to his thumb injury can help keep him strong and productive through the end of the year.   

[EasyAce]

The Angels have to get a strong month of September out of Mike Trout.  He's historically tended to finish the year slowly, and indeed has been slumping the last couple of days.  Hopefully, the time off due to his thumb injury can help keep him strong and productive through the end of the year.

Unless he still has grip issues related to the thumb injury and is playing through it.

[dfwgator]

Will the Royals ever score another run? 

37 innings and counting. 

[EasyAce]

Will the Royals ever score another run? 

37 innings and counting.

That equals a streak the Marlins suffered in 2013, and is five short of the streak suffered by the
1985 Astros.

[dfwgator]

That equals a streak the Marlins suffered in 2013, and is five short of the streak suffered by the
1985 Astros.

Now 42.  Royals have mustered only 1 hit and are an inning away from being shutout for a 4th straight game.

[GrouchoTex]

So much for the Rangers.

Disappointed in their decision not to swap series with the astros and have them play in Arlington the week.

[EasyAce]

Disappointed in their decision not to swap series with the astros and have them play in Arlington the week.

Meanwhile, the Astros' ownership group said they'll kick in $4 million to Harvey relief efforts.

[dfwgator]

The Royals now scoreless in 43 consecutive innings, tying AL record. They are 10th team in MLB history to be shut out 4 consecutive games.

[GrouchoTex]

Meanwhile, the Astros' ownership group said they'll kick in $4 million to Harvey relief efforts.

Oriole's, Nationals, Cardinals, and Rangers have all stepped up so far, not to mention the Rays.
Think Rangers should have swapped series.
They claimed it was unfair to their fans that bought tickets to their late September home series.
I guess playing in Tampa is fair to the Astros fans?

Change the name to the Arlington Rangers.
Texas shouldn't be on their uniform.

Yep, I said it!

[catfish1957]

?

Change the name to the Arlington Rangers.
Texas shouldn't be on their uniform.

Yep, I said it!

I agree.

Rangers....   Way to kick a team / city while they are down.  We won't forget.

[Slip18]

I know nothing about posting here, but I do want to mention to dwfgator that the D-Backs will play the Royals the final three games of regular season.  The Royals was a really good team, but their decline does please me in so many ways.  Rockies will be playing the Dodgers for the final three games of the regular season.

Which means.... [drum roll, please] --- D-Backs just may get the Wild Card!!!  Wheeee!