Baseball 2023

[Bigun]

https://twitter.com/jakedc6/status/1715847172153905599?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

This is personal.   Change my mind.

They don't like teams from flyover country showing them up! Won't stand for it!

[catfish1957]

https://twitter.com/jakedc6/status/1715847172153905599?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

This is personal.   Change my mind.

Unless MLB rules have changed he can appeal the ruling  and stay in uniform through out the post season.  Then take his two days off at the beginning on next season, which isn't shit for a reliever.

But this is bullshit, there is no reason on earth the team would risk the entire season on this matter.  Now....  if was 10-0, and in the late innings?  Now that's another point to discuss.

[catfish1957]

They don't like teams from flyover country showing them up! Won't stand for it!

Bothersome to me is the fact now that Abreu has now lost the inner 1/3 of the plate to this farce.  Anything close is going to be construed as a bean ball attempt.

I hope a few Houston fans tonight can bait this hot head, and maybe have him rush the stands.  $10 says he's roided POS.

[AllThatJazzZ]

They don't like teams from flyover country showing them up! Won't stand for it!

Exactly, plus still exacting revenge from the Astros. This irks the snot out of me. I'd love to hear how those incompetent umps decided that the Astros would deliberately hit a base runner late in a PLAYOFF game that gets us closer to the World Series would be smart baseball. The Astros didn't get where they are by playing dumb baseball. How exactly did they come to that decision?

Please, Lord, let the Astros win another World Series so we can enjoy the spectacle of Rob Manfred getting booed at 95 decibels in MMP.

[DCPatriot]

MLB Playoffs 2023: Complicated legacy of Astros' Jose Altuve
Jeff Passan - ESPN

HOUSTON -- HERE, JOSE ALTUVE is safe. From the boos and hisses, the anger and loathing, the emotion his mere existence conjures. This man, baseball's smallest player and yet one of its biggest stars, lives a binary existence. He is a villain in 29 stadiums. And then he comes home.

Here, in this proud and protective city, Altuve is not a hero. He is the hero, the face of the Houston Astros, the reigning World Series winners intent on becoming the first back-to-back champions in Major League Baseball this century. When Altuve steps to the plate in the bottom of the first inning tonight in the sixth game of the American League Championship Series against the Texas Rangers, the sold-out crowd at Minute Maid Park will rise and fete him -- and with good reason. The Astros are one win shy of the World Series because of Altuve's latest opus, a go-ahead three-run home run in the ninth inning of Game 5 that should burnish his legacy.

Altuve's, though, is a legacy already written. In Houston, he can't be touched; outside of it -- fair or not -- he is defined by the Astros' actions in 2017, when they implemented a sign-stealing scheme en route to the franchise's first World Series title. It matters not that several of his 2017 teammates say Altuve declined to use the system in which Astros employees banged on a trash can to inform hitters when an off-speed pitch was coming, nor that an analysis of regular-season games that year validated such claims.

How MLB handled the franchise's scandal -- the league validated the championship and opted not to punish the players despite commissioner Rob Manfred's report twice referring to the scheme as "player-driven" -- did Altuve no favors. He receives justice by voice box. The criticism never abates, except along the I-10 corridor from San Antonio into Louisiana and especially in Houston, where orange clothing connotes membership in a group that treats Altuve with a particular sort of veneration. Outside of it, the general public believes what it wants to believe.

Nearly four years after the breadth of the Astros' cheating was exposed, the stain on Altuve is indelible. He lives with it -- with the public perception about his involvement with the trash can bangs, with the charges that his knowledge of the system amounted to complicity no matter his level of involvement.

"I just don't really have a lot to say about it," Altuve told ESPN earlier this month. "I play for these guys, for my team. We have a big opportunity to win again. I want to put all my energy toward winning for my team versus getting distracted by paying attention to other things."

Continued at link   https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38711912/mlb-playoffs-2023-astros-jose-altuve-alcs-world-series-legacy

**********************************************

The slimy SOB literally screamed to his teammates not to tear off his jersey as he was trotting toward home plate...because HE WAS WIRED...a "buzz" or stimulus as to what kind of pitch was coming.

EFF JOSE ALTUVE!  Hope they get crushed tonight.

That said, I'd give him an intentional walk ...bottom of 1st inning.     

[AllThatJazzZ]

Unless MLB rules have changed he can appeal the ruling  and stay in uniform through out the post season.  Then take his two days off at the beginning on next season, which isn't shit for a reliever.

But this is bullshit, there is no reason on earth the team would risk the entire season on this matter.  Now....  if was 10-0, and in the late innings?  Now that's another point to discuss.

Yes, he can appeal, but he shouldn't even be facing suspension. He should never have had to leave the game. Garcia is just a big titty baby who was sitting at the ready for some kind of drama. I get that it hurts to be hit. But how you choose to react reveals who you are. I want the sorry Rangers to head north with their hearts heavy.

[AllThatJazzZ]

MLB Playoffs 2023: Complicated legacy of Astros' Jose Altuve
Jeff Passan - ESPN

Continued at link   https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38711912/mlb-playoffs-2023-astros-jose-altuve-alcs-world-series-legacy

You can entertain yourself with Pissant's article. I'm not in the mood for yet another one of these pieces. I'm sure it's good for clicks by the haters. I'm weary of the incessant carrying on.

Please, Houston. Make America Mad Again!

[Bigun]

@DCPatriot

YOU are so FOS your eyes are brown!

[DCPatriot]

@DCPatriot

YOU are so FOS your eyes are brown!

@Bigun


        

[DCPatriot]

@DCPatriot

YOU are so FOS your eyes are brown!

@Bigun   

Just trying to get us talking beisbol, that's all Earl!

LOL!  I would have him batting leadoff for the Orioles in a New York Minute! 

[catfish1957]

MLB Playoffs 2023: Complicated legacy of Astros' Jose Altuve
Jeff Passan - ESPN

All I needed to see was "ESPN" to parse the integrity of this article.  As left leaning woke-meisters, coastal mentality, and your strong knowledge of the game, I am really surprised you'd stoop to citing them with any substance or authority.

[DCPatriot]

All I needed to see was "ESPN" to parse the integrity of this article.  As left leaning woke-meisters, coastal mentality, and your strong knowledge of the game, I am really surprised you'd stoop to citing them with any substance or authority.

Come on man...I posted an article about Jose Altuve.

When @mystery-ak  stops posting articles from The Hill and Politico, I'll ease up on Jose.   

[Polly Ticks]

I've been out of town since Thursday night, so I haven't had a chance to watch any of the games this weekend.  Looks like I missed some good ones.

[berdie]

Alright guys, I know most of ya'll are 'Stros fans. I'm a Rangers fan. However...

It's a win win to me if either team goes to the Series. It's always fun when a Texas team gets there.

[DCPatriot]

Can anybody picture the number of television network execs, getting ready to jump out their office windows?

A possible Arizona Diamondbacks versus Texas Rangers World Series???   

[DCPatriot]

Alright guys, I know most of ya'll are 'Stros fans. I'm a Rangers fan. However...

It's a win win to me if either team goes to the Series. It's always fun when a Texas team gets there.

@berdie

Looks like Congratulations are in order for the Texas Rangers...leading 10-2 middle of 6th inning.

[DCPatriot]

ASTROS need to score 9 runs with only 8 outs to give. 

Altuve may only get 1 more plate appearance...and that's if somebody gets on base and doesn't get doubled off.

...and Bregman just hit a double.

...and WTF???  did everybody go mute?               

[DCPatriot]

Does George W. Bush still maintain partial ownership of the Rangers? 

And that SOB Altuve hit it over the railroad tracks in his last PA (plate appearance)

RANGERS 11    ASTROS 4   

[catfish1957]

I still think they will pull it off.  Outside a weak Max Scherzer, the Astros haven't hit  anybody in this ALCS.  Including what may be one of the worst bullpens in MLB history.  And that sometimes supposed vaulted post season experience, sometimes comes across as lackadaisical play and  over confidence.  Rangers in 7.

OTOH, Yordan Alvarez is a bad ass hitting machine.  Jim Crane......   Pay the man now for 10 more years in Houston.

Well,  my interest in baseball this season ended tonight.

Yep, Called this one.  Any chance we had tonight was blown by Crusty's mismanagment of the pen.  If there is one positive thing that came out of this ALCS this year, is maybe we've seen the last of Baker's ass in the dugout.  Ass hole is way wa overrated.  Media makes a big deal about his managerial career, but honestly he's blown more pennants than he's won.

[dfwgator]

You're welcome, America!


Go Rangers!

[catfish1957]

IMO.....

The most interesting fact going into the WS, is the Arlington Rangers are the first team in MLB history to have more blown saves in a season than saves.  The fact the Astros couldn't captialize on this shitty bullpen?  They didn't deserve to win the ALCS.

Go Phillies....  (but I won't be watching)

[catfish1957]

 
 

https://theathletic.com/4992336/2023/10/23/dusty-baker-astros-final-season/?source=twitterhq

[DCPatriot]

Well,  my interest in baseball this season ended tonight.

Yep, Called this one.  Any chance we had tonight was blown by Crusty's mismanagment of the pen.  If there is one positive thing that came out of this ALCS this year, is maybe we've seen the last of Baker's ass in the dugout.  Ass hole is way wa overrated.  Media makes a big deal about his managerial career, but honestly he's blown more pennants than he's won.

LOL!  Easy there on "Crusty" Baker.

And I already know your 'retort' that coming.    ... Dusty has the 4th or 5th most managerial playoff wins...in MLB HISTORY!

[Polly Ticks]

Well,  my interest in baseball this season ended tonight.

Yep, Called this one.  Any chance we had tonight was blown by Crusty's mismanagment of the pen.  If there is one positive thing that came out of this ALCS this year, is maybe we've seen the last of Baker's ass in the dugout.  Ass hole is way wa overrated.  Media makes a big deal about his managerial career, but honestly he's blown more pennants than he's won.

I saw a little factoid on some sports show or other yesterday while my hubby and I were out to lunch that Dusty had never won a Game 7 and Bochy had never lost a Game 7.  Looks like both of their records remain intact.

[Bigun]

The most interesting FACT about this year's ALCS is that neither team won a game at home. Think about that for a minute.

[catfish1957]

The most interesting FACT about this year's ALCS is that neither team won a game at home. Think about that for a minute.

Same thing happened in the '19 series with the Nationals.  Astros were on the short end of both anamolies.

[AllThatJazzZ]

This one was hard to take. Losing to the Arlington Rangers with 2 major jackasses on their team (Simien and Garcia) was stomach turning. I'd like to wish my fellow Texans well, but until and unless those two jerks have moved on (or earnestly apologized), they can kiss my lovely Texas tush.

I would love to see Arizona end up crushing them in the WS. That would be my best-case scenario. No one wants to see another East Coast team in the WS. So since the Diamondbacks took care of the Dodgers, I hope they can take care of the Phillies as well. They will have much respect from me if they can eliminate both of those coastal teams and keep it here in flyover country. Will MLB allow it to happen? Will the umps attempt to prevent it? 

I would be ecstatic if Dusty called it a day. He ticked me off all season, but the mistakes he made during the playoffs were just maddening. 

I still miss Stromy, but he's probably thrilled to have been a part of developing a winning ballclub in Arizona. I like to think he could have helped our pitchers this year, but we'll never know. All I know is that we didn't get to enjoy the anticipation of having Framber or Javi or whoever on the mound because there was a 50/50 chance we wouldn't get the pitcher we had once depended on. It was pitiful at times. I'd pretty much written the 'Stros off this year because our pitching was so erratic. It was good to be wrong, but I do wish we could have gone all the way.

Oh well, I've got to shake it off and wait for what develops next year. I'm probably baseballed out for this year unless someone (hopefully Arizona) is about to put a fork in the Rangers. I'd tune in for that.



@berdie Please don't take it personally about the Rangers. There's even one more factor that forms my opinion of them and that's my snotty cousin who lives up there. For all she does to remove the joy from the lives of others, she doesn't deserve to celebrate a pennant victory.

[berdie]

I don't take sports personally any more @AllThatJazzZ . I can tell you are far more knowledgeable about this than I. I just jump on board when there is a major game involved. In the case of the World Series I'll get interested if Texas is involved or there is some great story involved. Like breaking the curse of the Babe or such.

Houston is a great team so I don't have any issues with them. The interstate rivalry is fun. That being said, I don't have a competitive nature...so I'm really not a good one to say anything.

[AllThatJazzZ]

I don't take sports personally any more @AllThatJazzZ . I can tell you are far more knowledgeable about this than I. I just jump on board when there is a major game involved. In the case of the World Series I'll get interested if Texas is involved or there is some great story involved. Like breaking the curse of the Babe or such.

Houston is a great team so I don't have any issues with them. The interstate rivalry is fun. That being said, I don't have a competitive nature...so I'm really not a good one to say anything.

@berdie, the fun thing for the fans is the atmosphere in the air when your team is either on the brink of winning or has won the WS. Even during the regular season, it's fun to encounter people in store who are wearing the team merch. I hope that doesn't go away for us after this outcome. The Astros are a great team, but they haven't lived up to their potential. This should give every fan something to talk about when they're out and about. 

[AllThatJazzZ]

One more thing for my fellow Astros fans...

Reggie Jackson was sitting with Big Papi and the rest of the panel before one of the games. He talked about how Jim Crane was devoted to diversity in the front office. My heart sank. As a fan, I want them devoted to winning. NOT diversity. Now I'll question every move made that includes some "victimized" group. There's no way to keep from asking, "Hmmm. Is he here on merit or for the sake of diversity?"

[catfish1957]

One more thing for my fellow Astros fans...

Reggie Jackson was sitting with Big Papi and the rest of the panel before one of the games. He talked about how Jim Crane was devoted to diversity in the front office. My heart sank. As a fan, I want them devoted to winning. NOT diversity. Now I'll question every move made that includes some "victimized" group. There's no way to keep from asking, "Hmmm. Is he here on merit or for the sake of diversity?"

Our Astros are just one of 30 teams of that mindset right now.  Watch any MLB commerical and see the outright blatant pandering and exclusive catering to minorities.  It's like the game is giving white peole the middle finger, and asking them to stay away.

This is the primary reason, I pretty much ignore this game during the regular season.  If they don't want my fan $....  hell with them.

[Bigun]

It's ALL just show business today! None of it is for real like it used to be.

[catfish1957]

This one was hard to take. Losing to the Arlington Rangers with 2 major jackasses on their team (Simien and Garcia) was stomach turning. I'd like to wish my fellow Texans well, but until and unless those two jerks have moved on (or earnestly apologized), they can kiss my lovely Texas tush.

I would love to see Arizona end up crushing them in the WS. That would be my best-case scenario. No one wants to see another East Coast team in the WS. So since the Diamondbacks took care of the Dodgers, I hope they can take care of the Phillies as well. They will have much respect from me if they can eliminate both of those coastal teams and keep it here in flyover country. Will MLB allow it to happen? Will the umps attempt to prevent it? 

I would be ecstatic if Dusty called it a day. He ticked me off all season, but the mistakes he made during the playoffs were just maddening. 

I still miss Stromy, but he's probably thrilled to have been a part of developing a winning ballclub in Arizona. I like to think he could have helped our pitchers this year, but we'll never know. All I know is that we didn't get to enjoy the anticipation of having Framber or Javi or whoever on the mound because there was a 50/50 chance we wouldn't get the pitcher we had once depended on. It was pitiful at times. I'd pretty much written the 'Stros off this year because our pitching was so erratic. It was good to be wrong, but I do wish we could have gone all the way.

Oh well, I've got to shake it off and wait for what develops next year. I'm probably baseballed out for this year unless someone (hopefully Arizona) is about to put a fork in the Rangers. I'd tune in for that.



@berdie Please don't take it personally about the Rangers. There's even one more factor that forms my opinion of them and that's my snotty cousin who lives up there. For all she does to remove the joy from the lives of others, she doesn't deserve to celebrate a pennant victory.

Jazzy....  I too thought having to lose to the rangers was a worst case loss.  But.....  think about it.  How many fans are lucky enough to have their team go to 4 World Series in 7 years, win 2 of them?  And actually go to the LCS 7 straight years?  Heck the Mariners have been around 50 years, and have yet to make it to the World Series.

We've been blessed with good teams, and have gotten a little to used to and comfortable with winning.  Maybe time to share......
Still with that, I hope the Dbacks or Phils embarass these dip sh__'s rangers with a sweep.

[catfish1957]

It's ALL just show business today! None of it is for real like it used to be.

Yep Reason no. 2-100.  MLB and COB office has done masterful job of destroying the traditions of the game.  Turning the stadiums into cheap looking pinball machines, ghost runners, among others......... etc.

[DCPatriot]

Yep Reason no. 2-100.  MLB and COB office has done masterful job of destroying the traditions of the game.  Turning the stadiums into cheap looking pinball machines, ghost runners, among others......... etc.

This is what I saw last night in the 9th inning with Jose Altuve getting one last AB.

Diamondbacks catcher stops and throws a 'new' ball to pitcher.  SAME ball travels FOUR HUNDRED and GAZILLION FEET over the railroad tracks.  11-4 Diamondbacks.   

You're damned right this is all show business.

But I love it.  Especially, when you see Garcia cupping his ear and shushing the crowd of 50K with an index finger across his lips...while rounding the bases during his grand slam.

He pissed me off in the 1st inning when he missed a HR *yellow line* by about 3 feet...and only ended up on 1ST BASE!

Next pitch or so, he steals 2nd.   

MVP gets tossed out of a game where he gets INTENTIONALLY BEANED (don't kid yourselves...call it a brain fart) he was hit and slapped at catcher's facemask.

Meanwhile Abreu can serve his two games in 2024?  What kind of happy horse poop is that?

[Bigun]

This is what I saw last night in the 9th inning with Jose Altuve getting one last AB.

Diamondbacks catcher stops and throws a 'new' ball to pitcher.  SAME ball travels FOUR HUNDRED and GAZILLION FEET over the railroad tracks.  11-4 Diamondbacks.   

You're damned right this is all show business.

But I love it.  Especially, when you see Garcia cupping his ear and shushing the crowd of 50K with an index finger across his lips...while rounding the bases during his grand slam.

He pissed me off in the 1st inning when he missed a HR *yellow line* by about 3 feet...and only ended up on 1ST BASE!

Next pitch or so, he steals 2nd.   

MVP gets tossed out of a game where he gets INTENTIONALLY BEANED (don't kid yourselves...call it a brain fart) he was hit and slapped at catcher's facemask.

Meanwhile Abreu can serve his two games in 2024?  What kind of happy horse poop is that?

I'm genuinely glad YOU love it @DCPatriot but I remember when professional baseball was still a sport.

Now it's no different than wrestling and football. ALL showbiz and I HATE it.

[DCPatriot]

I'm genuinely glad YOU love it @DCPatriot but I remember when professional baseball was still a sport.

Now it's no different than wrestling and football. ALL showbiz and I HATE it.

@Bigun

LOL!  Come on!   If it weren't for the Latin American, there would be only a dozen teams in the MLB.

"Joey Batts"...aka Joe Bautista of the Blue Jays was atune to Mark Gastineau of the Jets.

The former with a BAT FLIP...the latter a QB SACK.   Tatis, Jr. has turned the bat flip and the complete stop before touching 3rd base on a HR trot...an Art Form!   

It's a completely different strikezone from when you and I played the game.  Letters to knees.

And a breaking ball coming at you downhill ...with the standard height of the pitcher's mound...no wonder I could never barrel up.  LOL!

[Bigun]

@Bigun

LOL!  Come on!   If it weren't for the Latin American, there would be only a dozen teams in the MLB.

"Joey Batts"...aka Joe Bautista of the Blue Jays was atune to Mark Gastineau of the Jets.

The former with a BAT FLIP...the latter a QB SACK.   Tatis, Jr. has turned the bat flip and the complete stop before touching 3rd base on a HR trot...an Art Form!   

It's a completely different strikezone from when you and I played the game.  Letters to knees.

And a breaking ball coming at you downhill ...with the standard height of the pitcher's mound...no wonder I could never barrel up.  LOL!

Enjoy it @DCPatriot I'll watch college sports until they ruin that. (It's coming.)

[Hoodat]

Reggie Jackson was sitting with Big Papi and the rest of the panel before one of the games. He talked about how Jim Crane was devoted to diversity in the front office.

They're going to hire more white center fielders?

[DCPatriot]

They're going to hire more white center fielders?

 

"PUT ME IN COACH!!"

[AllThatJazzZ]

They're going to hire more white center fielders?

@Hoodat

  I'm confused. What does center fielders have to do with front office diversity?

[AllThatJazzZ]

I would love to see Arizona end up crushing them in the WS. That would be my best-case scenario. No one wants to see another East Coast team in the WS. So since the Diamondbacks took care of the Dodgers, I hope they can take care of the Phillies as well. They will have much respect from me if they can eliminate both of those coastal teams and keep it here in flyover country. Will MLB allow it to happen? Will the umps attempt to prevent it? 
 

Yay! I got my wish. Arizona goes to the WS and Phillies stay home! If this is my consolation prize, I'll take it.

[Polly Ticks]

Yay! I got my wish. Arizona goes to the WS and Phillies stay home! If this is my consolation prize, I'll take it.

 

[DCPatriot]

@Cyber Liberty

Congratulations to 'your' Diamondbacks!!   

Cannot imagine the $$$ lost in endorsements for the Phillies...and individual stars. 

Also, in re-negotiated commercial spot costs without the Eastern market.

[Cyber Liberty]

@Cyber Liberty

Congratulations to 'your' Diamondbacks!!   

Cannot imagine the $$$ lost in endorsements for the Phillies...and individual stars. 

Also, in re-negotiated commercial spot costs without the Eastern market.

How do you think they'll do against the Rangers?

[corbe]

   Speaking as an Astros fan, I hope the Diamondbacks kick their azz.

[DCPatriot]

How do you think they'll do against the Rangers?

@Cyber Liberty

Hmmm...

Well...as an ORIOLES' fan who watched them win 101 Games and play better on the road...and get absolutely CRUSHED by the RANGERS? 

Gotta go with the RANGERS. 

But the Diamondbacks are a helluva lot of fun to watch. 

...and THEY BEAT THE BLEEPING PHILLIES!!!   

[Cyber Liberty]

@Cyber Liberty

Hmmm...

Well...as an ORIOLES' fan who watched them win 101 Games and play better on the road...and get absolutely CRUSHED by the RANGERS? 

Gotta go with the RANGERS. 

But the Diamondbacks are a helluva lot of fun to watch. 

...and THEY BEAT THE BLEEPING PHILLIES!!!   

 

[catfish1957]

Can you imagine the payoff at Vegas, if you'd put money on a DBacks-arlington WS this year?

[DCPatriot]

Don't care what your W-L record is after 162.

Postseason champions are nothing but a crap-shoot.  Billy Beane was right.

Screw the coast teams with multi-million $$$ starting line-ups.

Somedays' the ball looks like a cantaloupe...somedays it's a white pea.

To me, it's one of the most fascinating aspects of The Game...and of life itself.

Certainly not all of them, but I've always suspected that the most stubborn anti-Trumpers on our board have never played team sports in organized leagues while growing up and leaving your teens.

@catfish1957  excepted...he's simply nuts!