2005 Baseball Season [Archive]

Sayhey

Mar 5, 2005, 01:54 AM

I thought this might need its own thread, so here is my post from the old thread, MLB Offseason Moves (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=1311132#post1311132), to start it off.

OK, since Spring Training is now under way here are my predictions for how the season looks this far out.

NL West
1 - San Francisco Giants - they did what they needed in the off season to put them deep into the post season. Bonds and Schmidt must stay healthy.
2 - San Diego Padres - a very good young club, especially in their pitching staff and at short.
3 - Los Angeles Dodgers - last year's champs lost too much in the off season. Their competitiveness rests on the fragile arm of Brad Penny, the even more fragile body of J.D. Drew, and Derek Lowe pitching like he did in the playoffs for the whole season.
4 - Arizona Diamondbacks - they improved themselves more than any other club, but it is still a long way to the top.
5 - Colorado Rockies - other than Todd Helton this is just a very bad team.

NL East
1 - Florida Marlins - with the late addition of Carlos Delgado, this is again a very dangerous team. Look for Mota to have a breakout year as a closer and the starting rotation to get even better.
2 - Atlanta Braves - they won't win the division this year, but with the addition of Hudson and Smoltz back in the rotation, they will find a way to compete.
3 - Philadelphia Phillies - with just the removal of Larry Bowa this team gets better. With Thome, Abreu, and Rollins this will be an exciting team to watch - just not quite good enough.
4 - New York Mets - Will Beltran be as good as he was in the playoffs? I don't think so, more like the .260 hitter he was in the regular season. Still a great addition, but not enough to make the post-season.
5 - Washington Nationals - nobody will care in D.C. that they aren't that good as fans flock to see the new team.

NL Central
1 - St. Louis Cardinals - Still the great run producers and they added Mulder. A very good team.
2 - Chicago Cubs - a distant second. Nomar better bounce back in a big way for these guys to challenge.
3 - Cincinnati Reds - the explosive bats in Cincinnati need more pitching.
4 - Houston Astros - suffered more losses than any other team. If Pettitte or Clemens falter with injuries this team could drop to the bottom.
5 - Pittsburgh Pirates - Pirates and Brewers fight it out for last place every year. This won't be any different.
6 - Milwaukee Brewers - the Colorado Rockies of the Central Division.

Wild Card - Atlanta Braves

Later for the AL and post season picks. :D

Sayhey

Mar 5, 2005, 03:38 AM

AL West
1 - Seattle Mariners - the addition of Sexson and Beltre will put them over the top in a very close race.
2 - Los Angeles Angels - an outfield of Anderson, Finley, and MVP Vladie Guerrero will lead them back into the hunt.
3 - Texas Rangers - Young, Blalock, Teixeira, and Soriano have the talent, but they still need more arms.
4 - Oakland As - lost too much, but next year as rookies develop?

AL East
1 - New York Yankees - Johnson and Pavano make this staff strong enough to beat the Sox this year.
2 - Boston Red Sox - Miller and Wells don't make up for the loss of Pedro and Lowe. Although, I like the addition of Renteria.
3 - Baltimore Orioles - Slammin' Sammy won't be good enough to get them passed the Yanks or the Sox
4 - Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Does anyone really care if they do better than the Blue Jays? I just wish Rocco was healthy as he added excitement.
5 - Toronto Blue Jays - couldn't keep Delgado and they look to sink to the bottom.

AL Central
1 - Minnesota Twins - Pitching, led by Santana, give the Twins the edge in the Central.
2 - Detroit Tigers - I like young players like Pena and they also have some catcher called Rodriquez. I think they will do better than most people think.
3 - Cleveland Indians - If Juan Gonzalez comes back from injury, they could contend.
4 - Chicago White Sox - With Ordoñez and Lee gone they need some pitchers to step up big time. Not out of the question given the veterans in the staff.
5 - Kansas City Royals - someone has to be last in Baseball's tightest division.

Wild Card - Boston Red Sox.

Sayhey

Mar 5, 2005, 03:50 AM

howard

Mar 5, 2005, 09:29 AM

I've just been starting to get into baseball again and joined up in a fantasy sports team. Anyone have tips on some players who will be better than usual this year?

dotdotdot

Mar 5, 2005, 09:45 AM

I'm pretty upset that I haven't been following too much...

...in April is my dad's fantasy draft and I always go, then in April later is another fantasy draft which I watch...

... those predictions, Sayhay, IMO, are pretty off.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

NL EAST: I'm a mets fan and I can say now they are not a 4th place team anymore: New Manager, pretty good moves, and lets not forget their young amazing players who were injured last year, but are still amazing: David Wright and Jose Reyes, plus Kaz Matsui at 2nd will be better than him at SS, and Reyes is natural at SS... the Mets defence is enough to get them out of last to 4th but with the offence, if they don't do too well they will most likely finish in 3rd or 2nd... or the NL east can be horrible like a few years ago and the mets could be 1st - if they are 2nd they WILL NOT win the wild card...

Atlanta will not win the wild card just as florida will not be in first.

NL WEST:

I agree, the Rockies are out - they won't be doing anythinng this year, and the diamondbacks lost too much talent and gained almost nothing to be considered good, so those predictions are correct...

The Giants are a strong team but won't finish 1st I think, but if they come in 2nd they WILL win the wild card.

NL Central I never liked/followed so no comments there.

---

AMERICAN LEAGUE

AL EAST: The Yankees-Redsox rivalry is, IMO, not as strong now that BoSox won the World Series... it isn't lost though, and Boston WILL be complaining when the Yankees come in first and they come in second but win the wild card and play the yanks in the playoffs but loose...

the rest of the AL East is weak, the Orioles will be better - but the orioles have the nicest ballpark of them all!

AL WEST:
First off, its Anaheim Angels, not the LA Angels... they will be against the Mariners but no contest really... the AL West is weak as well.

AL CENTRAL: They are pretty good, but kind of too close to call - not really a GOOD devision as much as they all equally suck...

WORLD SERIES PREDICTIONS Someone in the AL West vs. someone in the NL East... Mariners vs. Atlanta maybe?

Sayhey

Mar 5, 2005, 09:52 AM

AL WEST:[/B]
First off, its Anaheim Angels, not the LA Angels...

They have changed their name again. They are now called the "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim" (http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp?c_id=ana). Stupid name, I know, but they changed it, not me.

grapes911

Mar 5, 2005, 10:32 AM

dotdotdot

Mar 5, 2005, 11:31 AM

They have changed their name again. They are now called the "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim" (http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp?c_id=ana). Stupid name, I know, but they changed it, not me.

What is that supposed to mean, the Los Angelas Angels Of Anaheim?? lol

Their Innitials: LAAOA...

Anaheim Angels was cooler... but Los Angelas Angels works better - the best of both worlds...

yoda13

Mar 5, 2005, 12:37 PM

AL West-Anaheim
AL Central-Minnesota
AL East-Yankees
AL Wildcard-Boston

NL West-Giants
NL Central-Cards
NL East-Braves
NL Wildcard-Marlins

Both Texas teams could figure into the mix as could both Chicago teams. Don't claim to be an expert, and I am not ready to predict post season matchups or anything, but I thought that I would drop in my two cents. :D

Studawg7

Mar 5, 2005, 02:18 PM

jmsait19

Mar 5, 2005, 03:15 PM

I've just been starting to get into baseball again and joined up in a fantasy sports team. Anyone have tips on some players who will be better than usual this year?

Hate to sound bias as I am a Cardinals fan, but Albert Pujols should be at the top of any fantasy lists. He's extremely consistent in hitting everything. He has amazing power to the opposite field. He shows no signs of slowing down. I think taking second to only Bonds in the last two years in the MVP race speaks a little too.

Another Cards player to look at, call me crazy, Rick Ankiel. He is healthy and his curveball is one of the nastiest I have ever seen, near unhittable. If he gets playing time, he will put up some numbers. Keep your eye on him.

Sayhey

Mar 5, 2005, 03:49 PM

First off, I'm a Philly fan. I hate the rest of the NL East by that fact alone, espically the Brave because they win and we don't. But how can you not have Atlanta winning the division? I'm not saying they will it, but they win it every year and they may have gotten even better this year.

I figure the Braves have to lose the Division sometime, right? :eek:

Seriously, I like the Marlin's addition of Delgado and Leiter to an already strong team. No team has the speed to match them, their defense is excellent, the starting rotation of Beckett, Burnett, Leiter, Willis, and Valdez, matches up well with anyone, and now they have serious pop in their line up with Delgado and Lowell. What's not to like?

wrc fan

Mar 5, 2005, 04:24 PM

my crazy predictions which will no doubt turn out totally incorrect:

AL West:

1. Anaheim
2. Texas
3. Seattle
4. Oakland

I think Texas and Anaheim will duke it out for 1st, with Anaheim eventually winning out. Oakland will be in last cause their offense sucks the same as it did last year, and their pitching is worse. Seattle will sorta sit alone in third as their team underperforms as usual (Doesn't everyone know Seattle is where good 3rd basemen go to die).

AL Central:

1. Minnesota
2. Detroit
3. Cleveland
4. Chicago
5. Kansas City

No commentary is really nessesary, Minnestoa is still the best in the central

AL East:
1. Boston
2. New York
3. Baltimore
4. Tampa Bay
5. Toronto

Boston really isn't hurt by their off season losses. Most of the Red Sox Nation are happy to see Pedro and Lowe gone. Schilling is back. Arroyo is poised to have a breakout season. Clement and Miller are good additions who have the capability to do as well as Pedro and Lowe combined. On offense their only loss is Cabrera, which they promptly replaced with Rentaria. No loss there. Oh did I mention they still have Manny and Ortiz? nuff said.

New York will finally end up in second place. Randy Johnson alone isn't enough to carry the team, and the rest of their aging stars are not going to be having career years. They will probably win the Wild Card though.

--

NL West:

1. San Francisco
2. Los Angeles
3. San Diego
4. Arizona
5. Colorado

Like NY, SF's aging wonders will not pull the team through to the world series. If Penny and Lowe pitch like they can, LA might end up in first.

NL Central:

1. St. Louis
2. the rest will be so far out it doesn't matter

no commentary neccessary

NL East:

1. Atlanta
2. Florida
3. Philadelphia
4. Mets
5. D.C.

Atlanta has only gotten better from last season. They will stilll win the east, but they will not get into the World Series. Florida will probably get the wild card.

Pittsax

Mar 5, 2005, 04:29 PM

April -- Pirates above .500
Rest of season -- below .500
Other clubs -- don't care! lol except the yanks, man I like watching them play!

happens every year, i wish i could buy a ball club!! donations welcome :D
Hey, looks like I've found another Pirates fan to commiserate with! I'm betting this team is going to be like last year -- they'll be a .500 ballclub, but have one stretch where they go something like 4-24, so they have no shot at actually being above .500.

Bibulous

Mar 5, 2005, 04:38 PM

I've just been starting to get into baseball again and joined up in a fantasy sports team. Anyone have tips on some players who will be better than usual this year?

Jeremy Bonderman (http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/player.jsp?player_id=425827) 20 game winner

Sayhey

Mar 5, 2005, 04:48 PM

What is that supposed to mean, the Los Angelas Angels Of Anaheim?? lol

Their Innitials: LAAOA...

Anaheim Angels was cooler... but Los Angelas Angels works better - the best of both worlds...

I don't get it either. It would be like the Giants moving to Oakland and calling themselves the "San Francisco Giants of Oakland." It's a name tailor-made for selling more merchandise and that's about all. It makes no sense. Anaheim isn't even in LA county much less the city limits. They should've stayed with the "California Angels."

MacNut

Mar 5, 2005, 08:38 PM

Post Season

NLDS
San Francisco over Atlanta
St. Louis over Florida

NLCS
San Francisco over St. Louis

ALDS
Seattle over Boston
New York over Minnesota

ALCS
New York over Seattle

World Series
San Francisco over New York in seven.I am not a fan of the Red Sox at all but they are better than Seattle and I see another Yankees Red Sox rematch but the Sox don't have the pitching to stop the Yankees this year. As for the Giants making the World Series they need to keep Bonds healthy to have a chance, If he misses any games this year they could be in jeopardy

saabmp3

Mar 6, 2005, 12:21 AM

I am not a fan of the Red Sox at all but they are better than Seattle and I see another Yankees Red Sox rematch but the Sox don't have the pitching to stop the Yankees this year. As for the Giants making the World Series they need to keep Bonds healthy to have a chance, If he misses any games this year they could be in jeopardy

Yeah, Seattle got some good players, but it takes more than one season to rebuild and then beat a consistantly good baseball team. Sorry, but its not gonna happen. Red Sox repeat! (Yanks look good this year tho with pitching)

BEN

Sayhey

Mar 6, 2005, 12:15 PM

MacNut

Mar 6, 2005, 12:25 PM

AL
East Yankees
Central Twins
West Anaheim
Wild Card Red Sox

NL
East Braves
Central St Louis
West Dodgers
Wild Card Phillies

saabmp3

Mar 6, 2005, 03:38 PM

Macnut and saabmp3, I'll be more than happy to argue the wisdom of my fearless predictions, but the purpose of this thread is also to post how you think the season will go. Jump right in guys, the water's fine. ;)

My Seattle pick is based largely on the impact of Sexson and Beltre to a lineup that already includes such players as Ichiro and Boone. It's not often that a club goes out and picks up both a number three and a number four hitter in the same off season. Both are capable of over 40 homeruns and they transform Seattle into a very potent team. They also are a huge plus on defense. Beltre is a gold glove caliber guy at third and Sexson is very underrated at first.

My pick of Seattle to beat the Sox in the playoffs comes not only from Seattle's improvements, but also from what I see as a drop off in Boston's pitching prowess. Combine that with the difficulties of repeating and I pick Seattle. Of course, it's all crazy at this point, but that's the fun of it.

But this is more fun. Anyways, I'd like to give my take on ichiro (as I moved to seattle and now see alot of Mariners games). He makes alot of base hits, when it is not in the teams best interest to make a small in field base hit. I've seen other people agree with me on this stance.

Don't get me wrong, he's a great hitter, but in more than one situation, I've seen him HURT his team (get a intended small in field base hit when an easy sac fly could have scored or advanced another man on base. You can't do that with an infield hit.

Losing Pedro in Boston will hurt us. He is truly a great pitcher, but he's just not what he used to be. Lowe had a great finish to an awful season. I hate to say it, but everbody knows that it's true. Wells will more than fill the lost pitching the Lowe gave us. Clement isn't all I had hoped seeing in his first pre-season game, but that's probably going to change. Arroyo is coming into his prime now and I expect great things from him this season (15 games??).

My reason for picking the sox over seattle lies in the pitching quality. Beltre and Sexson are excellent hitters, but the combination of David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Renteria just puts everything else to shame. Talk about 40 homers each from those guys? I wouldn't be surprised to see 100 homers come out of a combination of these three players. We're talking BIG bats here. Edgar will also add some excellent defense into the infield (better than cabera, but not much. Cabera was an excellent player too IMHO, just not a great hitter).

To match Ichiro as a lead off man, we have Johnny Damon. Not as many hits, but more extra base hits, usually in crucial times.

Now, why I think the Sox will win. Their pitching. Seattle just doesn't have it up to snuff this year yet. They got the bats, but as we saw last year with the Yankee's. You can hit as many balls as you want, but without a front line defense (the pitcher), opponents can and will beat you.

None the less, I'm looking forward to watching alot of good Mariners games. I plan on going to the Boston one and some of the Yankee's too.

BEN

Sayhey

Mar 6, 2005, 05:12 PM

saabmp3

Mar 6, 2005, 05:54 PM

All fair points, although I wouldn't count on Renteria for much power. Pick another Bosox player and we will see which trio has more homers at the end of the season. I get to throw in Boone along with Sexson and Beltre, ok? ;) If you guys ever want to get rid of Ichiro, then kindly let Brian Sabean know first, please! As good as Johnny is, there is no real comparison.

I agree, Edgar isn't going to hit 40, but I think he will double what he did last year (~10 if memory serves me correctly). Johnny - Ichiro (which I just noticed that they're only 13 days apart in age), is harder. Johnny has 20 HR's, a .380 OBP (that's what matters in a lead off spot, getting on base), .477 SLG, .304 AVG, 92 RBI's. Ichiro has 8 HR's, a .414 OBP, .455 SLG and .372 AVG, 60 RBI's. Both excellent stats for a lead off. Ichiro wins in OBP (one of the biggest stats up there) and AVG. However, Johnny's OBP is very respectable (only .034 below) and is made up with a better slugging %. His AVG is much lower than Ichiro's, I don't think any of the stats can make up for that. Here's the kicker, 20 HR's and 92 RBI's. This goes back to what I was saying about Ichiro in the first place. RBIies are what can make and break a game and Johnny just takes the cake here.

It's a tough comparison, I think I've shown my side of the argument pretty well.

BEN

wrc fan

Mar 6, 2005, 05:56 PM

Sayhey

Mar 6, 2005, 07:13 PM

I'd have to agree with saabmp3 regarding Ichiro. Especially last season when he was going for the hits record. He would get stupid dinky little hits that did noting instead of doing a sacrifice to move a runner or score a runner. I'd much rather have people that play for the team rather than themselves. The last four teams to win the world series won because of their team chemistry, not because they had glory seeking players.

Whoa! How'd we get to Ichiro as a selfish, glory-seeking player? oaklandbum, step back from the rivalry and look at a player widely respected as one of the most unique offensive and defensive threats in the game. Playing for a last place team he set an incredible record; breaking one of the most revered records in the game. Many thought Sisler's record couldn't be broken. If you don't like him, ok, but let's respect his game.

saabmp3, I have nothing against Damon, he is an excellent player and a great leadoff man. I give you the advantage of power on Damon's part, but that is not the most important stat for the role he and Ichiro play. I'll give you one more stat that's relevant. Who do you think led the AL in BA with RISP? Ichiro with .372 average. I don't think that's hurting your team. I like Damon's average as well, in fact he raises his average with RISP to third with a .355 average. He is almost as good as Ichiro. As to sacrifices, if we are to condemn Ichiro for his 3 SF and 2 SH all last year, what are we to say about Damon's figures of 3 SF and 0 SH? For both of these hitters, what their team wants from them is to get on base and cause havoc there. Both are great at it, but Ichiro is better.

wrc fan

Mar 6, 2005, 08:27 PM

Whoa! How'd we get to Ichiro as a selfish, glory-seeking player? oaklandbum, step back from the rivalry and look at a player widely respected as one of the most unique offensive and defensive threats in the game. Playing for a last place team he set an incredible record; breaking one of the most revered records in the game. Many thought Sisler's record couldn't be broken. If you don't like him, ok, but let's respect his game.

I never said he was selfish. I guess people figure only selfish people are glory-seeking, but that's not really true. I also think Shilling is glory-seeking, but I'd also hardly say he's selfish - yes, risking your health to play baseball and where everyone can see your bloody sock is glory-seeking. He could have easily said, "sorry I can't play," and nobody would have thought the lesser of him. You seem to think I have something against Ichiro and that there is some sort of rivalry I have with them, but I fail to see how the Cubs and Mariners have any real rivalry. Oh I guess cause my name is "oaklandbum" you just assume I'm an A's fanatic? I do root for the A's in regards to the AL west, but they are hardly my favorite team. The only problem I have with Ichiro is that I don't think people coming from another professional league should get Rookie of the Year, but that's just my personal opinion.

wrc fan

Mar 6, 2005, 09:03 PM

Sorry if I seem a bit disgruntled, but the cancelled NHL season hasn't left me in very high spirits regarding pro sports. How am I supposed to keep my sanity when I can't watch the Bruins loose in the playoffs like usual? Anyway, just wanted to let you know I'm not trying to be totally negative. And if you can't tell my sports alligances are scattered throughout the country.

Kwyjibo

Mar 6, 2005, 09:22 PM

a *healthy* cubs rotation is the best in baseball. but theres no data to support this and there may never be because it has yet to happen. i believe the cubs can contend this year again for the NL central, the cardinals shouldn't run away with it like they did last year, they aren't that improved ... david eckstein is not an upgrade from edgar renteria, but i won't diss grudz, he'll his for average as always, the infield isn't as killer as it was. I'm not saying the cardinals will flop, because I dont' think they will I just don't expect the total domination, and it will take quite a bit for me to count out the stros because I did that last year ...

Sayhey

Mar 6, 2005, 09:53 PM

saabmp3

Mar 6, 2005, 10:03 PM

As to sacrifices, if we are to condemn Ichiro for his 3 SF and 2 SH all last year, what are we to say about Damon's figures of 3 SF and 0 SH? For both of these hitters, what their team wants from them is to get on base and cause havoc there. Both are great at it, but Ichiro is better.

Where did you find this data? I've been using mlb.com for all of my data and don't see it up there (tho I did want to use it in my comparison because I thought it was MUCH higher than that (like 3 SF and 3 SH for the post season alone).

I'd like to know! Thanks,

BEN

wrc fan

Mar 6, 2005, 10:10 PM

sorry, oaklandbum, I did make the assumption you were an Oakland A's fan. Now as an ever-suffering Cubs fan, I can see why you would hate every other team. :D Not to worry, we are 50 years and counting on this side of the bay. May not be in the Cubbies league yet, but we're getting there. Just remember, the Bosox showed us the pain can end.

I'm being patient, I don't expect they'll pull it off this year, but the Cubs will win it in 2015... or at least "Back to the Future" says so. heh. It is great that the Red Sox finally broke their curse. It does prove that it is possible, and maybe it will inspire the Cubbies to finally get the goat off their backs.

SFs loss in 2002 was totally disheartening. I think that shows that the Giants have a curse of their own. heh. If only they had moved to LA instead of SF...

Sayhey

Mar 6, 2005, 10:12 PM

Where did you find this data? I've been using mlb.com for all of my data and don't see it up there (tho I did want to use it in my comparison because I thought it was MUCH higher than that (like 3 SF and 3 SH for the post season alone).

I'd like to know! Thanks,

BEN

If you go to mlb.com and check under their "stats" link you will find a menu for "league leaders." These are still the stats from last year. There you will find Ichiro and Damon listed and can click on them to see their individual stats. You will have to also click on the link, "next stats" to see the ones in question.

edit: btw, Damon is 0 SF and 0 SH for his entire post-season career.

Sayhey

Mar 6, 2005, 10:23 PM

I'm being patient, I don't expect they'll pull it off this year, but the Cubs will win it in 2015... or at least "Back to the Future" says so. heh. It is great that the Red Sox finally broke their curse. It does prove that it is possible, and maybe it will inspire the Cubbies to finally get the goat off their backs.

SFs loss in 2002 was totally disheartening. I think that shows that the Giants have a curse of their own. heh. If only they had moved to LA instead of SF...

Oh God! I'd be a Dodger fan! I understand O'Malley convinced Stoneham to take SF while he took LA. I'm sure it wasn't such a bad deal back in 1958. Anyway, what they have in numbers, we make up for in style and beauty. :p

wrc fan

Mar 6, 2005, 11:14 PM

Oh God! I'd be a Dodger fan! I understand O'Malley convinced Stoneham to take SF while he took LA. I'm sure it wasn't such a bad deal back in 1958. Anyway, what they have in numbers, we make up for in style and beauty. :p

Yeah, Safeco Field and Pacbell... er SBC Park are the two nicest stadiums I've been to.

saabmp3

Mar 6, 2005, 11:30 PM

Yeah, Safeco Field and Pacbell... er SBC Park are the two nicest stadiums I've been to.

Safeco is got to be one of the best 'new' and 'modern' stadiums that I've been to, but, for me, I like the historic parks. Fenway just gives me a little twitch every time I see it, so much history, so many good memories. It's just impossible to get those in a new park I don't think. Wrigley field makes me feel the same way too.

I want to point out one thing, most Sox fans would pick the Cubs as their team in the NL (unless they have a specific reason to like another one). The two clubs just have the same kind of loyal fan base it seems like.

BEN

Note: All Sox comments, especially the ones about the fans are based on 'old' fans. None of this bandwagon jumping stuff. I've been watching them for about 15 years now. It would be longer, but I just didn't understand the game in kindergarden.

wrc fan

Mar 6, 2005, 11:58 PM

Safeco is got to be one of the best 'new' and 'modern' stadiums that I've been to, but, for me, I like the historic parks. Fenway just gives me a little twitch every time I see it, so much history, so many good memories. It's just impossible to get those in a new park I don't think. Wrigley field makes me feel the same way too.

I want to point out one thing, most Sox fans would pick the Cubs as their team in the NL (unless they have a specific reason to like another one). The two clubs just have the same kind of loyal fan base it seems like.

BEN

Note: All Sox comments, especially the ones about the fans are based on 'old' fans. None of this bandwagon jumping stuff. I've been watching them for about 15 years now. It would be longer, but I just didn't understand the game in kindergarden.

That's true. The Sox are probably my favorite AL team. It also helps that my Dad grew up in Boston then moved to Chicago, though. I've never been to any ballparks not on the west coast, so I can't comment on what Fenway and Wrigley are like.

One interesting thing I have noticed, regarding the bandwagon fan stuff, is that Cubs and Sox fans tend to welcome new fans, that are serious about it, unlike other fans that seem bitter when their team has success and the get more fans (like in Seattle). I have a friend from Boston who said, "Anyone is welcomed to join the Red Sox Nation" (or something of the sort). So I just find that interesting.

Sayhey

Mar 7, 2005, 12:58 PM

One interesting thing I have noticed, regarding the bandwagon fan stuff, is that Cubs and Sox fans tend to welcome new fans, that are serious about it, unlike other fans that seem bitter when their team has success and the get more fans (like in Seattle). I have a friend from Boston who said, "Anyone is welcomed to join the Red Sox Nation" (or something of the sort). So I just find that interesting.

After so many years at the worst park in the majors, I'm just happy the Giants have a great park to sell tickets for. It looks like over 3 million again this year, and I don't care how long they've been fans.

aloofman

Mar 7, 2005, 02:56 PM

I'll take that bait.

NL West
1 - Los Angeles Dodgers - Deeper and with more contract and position flexibility than last year, which makes July improvements likely. The big unknown is violatility. If Kent and Bradley decide to be crazy, it could sink them.
2 - San Francisco Giants - Look pretty good on paper, but the odds of their old players staying healthy are slim. If Bonds or Schmidt go down, they have no chance to finish first.
3 - San Diego Padres - Pretty good rotation, but their hitters were psyched out by Petco last season. It remains to be seen if they can adjust because the offense can't rely on Nevin's health and Loretta having another career year.
4 - Arizona Diamondbacks - Won't be as terrible if only because monumentally bad teams almost always get a little better. But they paid a lot of money for not very much help.
5 - Colorado Rockies - Still no solution found to make a Coors field team a contender.

NL East
1 - Florida Marlins - A very good all-around team. My only doubt is that this would finally break the string of a team that has defied doubters for years. That would be the
2 - Atlanta Braves - Don't know if they have the offense or rotation this year, but they've proven us all wrong before.
3 - Philadelphia Phillies - Completely agree that the removal of Bowa makes them a legitimate wild card contender. And is there a more unsung and complementary all-around player than Bobby Abreu? Every team should want that guy.
4 - New York Mets - The same crazy combination of overpaid mercenaries we're used to seeing. Someday they'll learn the error of their ways and the rest of the NL East will be sorry.
5 - Washington Nationals - outside chance that they'll be better than the Mets if everyting goes their way. But I'm looking forward to the next televised game at RFK, with that wacky upper-deck sombrero.

NL Central
1 - St. Louis Cardinals - The only major downgrade was Epstein for Renteria. That is one powerful lineup. They can win 7-8 games less than last year and still win the division.
2 - Chicago Cubs - Don't see how they replace the bats of Sosa and Alou. But the rotation will keep them in more games than they deserve.
3 - Houston Astros - Lost a lot of bats, but in their bandbox stadium they will probably still score. In another division they'd be lower.
4 - Cincinnati Reds - I don't see these guys getting it together because of their lack of pitching.
5 - Pittsburgh Pirates - I really wish these guys could get it together because their stadium looks so nice. But they just don't know how to get or develop good players these days.
6 - Milwaukee Brewers - Not enough bad things can happen to Bud's team. It's only a matter of time before someone makes them an offer for Sheets that they can't refuse.

Wild Card - Atlanta Braves or Giants. Florida and St. Louis have to be considered the favorites for the pennant at this point.

aloofman

Mar 7, 2005, 03:13 PM

AL West
1 - Los Angeles Angels - They should have more offensive help for Guerrero compared to last year, without having to worry about Glaus. Rodriguez will be at least as good a closer as Percival, if not better.
2 - Seattle Mariners - I don't see Sexson and Beltre duplicating their last great seasons at the same time. They will be greatly improved though.
3 - Texas Rangers - How Showalter got them so far last season with a joke of a rotation is beyond me. Something tells me he can't duplicate it again. On the other hand, if their starters are decent in 2005, they could be in 2nd.
4 - Oakland As - Agreed, they lost a lot of experienced players. Now we'll find out if it was all about OPS or just the Big Three.

AL East
1 - New York Yankees - So many great players all on one team that it's hard to bet against them. However, I've felt for the last couple years that the Yanks have been straying toward insane Mets-style free agent hunting and that eventually the team chemistry will just collapse. Historically, quite a few teams with a lot of mercenaries have underachieved, but the Yankees have avoided this so far.
2 - Boston Red Sox - They might just be better offensively than last year and if the Yanks have any trouble they have an outside chance at 1st. But who knows how they'll react to being defending champs? Uncharted territory, for sure.
3 - Baltimore Orioles - the Sosa/Tejada tandem could potentially be something special, but I don't think they've got much pitching.
4 - Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Piniella's magic finally works and he gets them all the way up to 4th.
5 - Toronto Blue Jays - Time to rebuild.

AL Central
1 - Minnesota Twins - Still the class of a mediocre division. Who else can stop them?
2 - Detroit Tigers - They have a "hit bottom with that historically bad season and now on the rise" vibe to them. They've got some veterans and could make some noise in this division.
3 - Chicago White Sox - Honestly, any of these middle three teams could end up here. Your guess is as good as mine.
4 - Cleveland Indians - I haven't really been following them the last couple years, but I don't think they're poised to make a big leap.
5 - Kansas City Royals - Prettiest stadium in the AL. That's all I got.

Wild Card - Boston Red Sox. Don't see how it could be anyone else unless the Yankees really slip up. The AL really looks like a redux of last season.

aloofman

Mar 7, 2005, 03:24 PM

I don't get it either. It would be like the Giants moving to Oakland and calling themselves the "San Francisco Giants of Oakland." It's a name tailor-made for selling more merchandise and that's about all. It makes no sense. Anaheim isn't even in LA county much less the city limits. They should've stayed with the "California Angels."

Since I stopped rooting for the Angels in the early '90s, I don't really care what they call themselves. But I don't think it's a good move. This will alienate a lot of people in Orange County, which is their main fanbase and those folks don't want ANYTHING to do with Los Angeles. They hate LA almost as much as Nocals do, if you can believe that. I find it hard to believe that there are enough Angels fans in outlying areas that will be more attracted to the team because of the name change. How many people really live within the city limits of their favorite team anyway?

The name change itself is really not that crazy, what with "New York" football teams playing New Jersey and many, many teams playing in suburbs (Texas Rangers, Detroit Pistons, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots, etc.).

The "of Anaheim" is only the official name, left on there to satisfy the requirements of their stadium lease with the city of Anaheim. They don't expect anyone to say the full name, just "Los Angeles Angels". The abbreviations I've seen so far are "LAA" and now -- wha? -- "LAD" for the Dodgers.

aloofman

Mar 7, 2005, 03:32 PM

I agree, Edgar isn't going to hit 40, but I think he will double what he did last year (~10 if memory serves me correctly). Johnny - Ichiro (which I just noticed that they're only 13 days apart in age), is harder. Johnny has 20 HR's, a .380 OBP (that's what matters in a lead off spot, getting on base), .477 SLG, .304 AVG, 92 RBI's. Ichiro has 8 HR's, a .414 OBP, .455 SLG and .372 AVG, 60 RBI's. Both excellent stats for a lead off. Ichiro wins in OBP (one of the biggest stats up there) and AVG. However, Johnny's OBP is very respectable (only .034 below) and is made up with a better slugging %. His AVG is much lower than Ichiro's, I don't think any of the stats can make up for that. Here's the kicker, 20 HR's and 92 RBI's. This goes back to what I was saying about Ichiro in the first place. RBIies are what can make and break a game and Johnny just takes the cake here.

It's a tough comparison, I think I've shown my side of the argument pretty well.

BEN

I think you're right that it is a tough comparison, but I submit that most of that difference in RBIs is a result of who hit behind them last year. 92 RBIs by a leadoff man is considered pretty unusual and that only happens on a team with a bunch of big bats like the Sox. If Ichiro had played for the Sox last year, I bet he'd have at least 92 RBIs too.

I think defense puts Ichiro over the top here. He's the best right fielder in baseball: runs like the wind, super-accurate arm, great at playing the angles. He makes a Mariners game worth watching all by himself. His style isn't for everyone and he doesn't play to the statheads' liking, but he's great for the game. Damon is still a better than average center fielder, but not what he once was.

aloofman

Mar 7, 2005, 03:41 PM

After so many years at the worst park in the majors, I'm just happy the Giants have a great park to sell tickets for. It looks like over 3 million again this year, and I don't care how long they've been fans.

I love the story about the city leaders showing the team owner Candlestick Point in the early morning when the wind is calmest. By comparison, LA's people took O'Malley up in a helicopter, showed him Chavez Ravine and said, "Can I have that?"

One of my proudest moments as a Dodger fan was back in 1998 when I took a few college friends to a game at Dodgers Stadium. It was a lovely spring evening and the sunset was glowing off the hills over the outfield. Both of them were from the Bay area and had followed the Giants and A's all their lives. At one point, one turned to the other and said, "The Giants deserve a stadium as nice as this one instead of Candlestick." And now they have one.

Postscript: I remember that this was in May 1998 because it was the day of the Piazza trade. Rumors were swirling as we left for the park and he didn't play in the game. It wasn't confirmed until after we got back to my house. So that quote was really the only good thing that happened that day. :mad:

PPS: A couple years ago I went to a 49ers preseason game at Candlestick, my only trip there. I'd heard about the wind, but was amazed to see the flags on top of one corner of the stadium all facing in different directions. At various times one would be wrapped completely around its flagpole, one would flap lightly, the other looked like it was starched sideways. Then they'd switch off. Crazy!

Sayhey

Mar 9, 2005, 06:57 PM

I love the story about the city leaders showing the team owner Candlestick Point in the early morning when the wind is calmest. By comparison, LA's people took O'Malley up in a helicopter, showed him Chavez Ravine and said, "Can I have that?"

One of my proudest moments as a Dodger fan was back in 1998 when I took a few college friends to a game at Dodgers Stadium. It was a lovely spring evening and the sunset was glowing off the hills over the outfield. Both of them were from the Bay area and had followed the Giants and A's all their lives. At one point, one turned to the other and said, "The Giants deserve a stadium as nice as this one instead of Candlestick." And now they have one.

Postscript: I remember that this was in May 1998 because it was the day of the Piazza trade. Rumors were swirling as we left for the park and he didn't play in the game. It wasn't confirmed until after we got back to my house. So that quote was really the only good thing that happened that day. :mad:

PPS: A couple years ago I went to a 49ers preseason game at Candlestick, my only trip there. I'd heard about the wind, but was amazed to see the flags on top of one corner of the stadium all facing in different directions. At various times one would be wrapped completely around its flagpole, one would flap lightly, the other looked like it was starched sideways. Then they'd switch off. Crazy!

The coldest I've ever been without snow was an evening Giants-Dodger game at the 'Stick. My brother and I huddled against the wall behind the left-field bleachers trying to keep warm. It was impossible and I don't know how the players could continue to play. We all made it through the game somehow and the Giants won. The 'Stick was a pit. Now it is called Monster Park and there couldn't be a more appropriate name. I love the Giants and 'Niners, but it truly takes a commitment to watch games there. It's not quite as bad in football season, but the 'Niners still need a new park - and a new owner, but that's another topic all together.

Sayhey

Mar 9, 2005, 07:01 PM

This is a strange twist.

03/09/2005 12:14 PM ET

Ankiel to switch from mound to outfield

Former Cards pitcher excited about 'new challenge'

By*Matthew Leach*/*MLB.com

JUPITER, Fla. -- As of Tuesday, the Cardinals expected Rick Ankiel to be their starting pitcher in a "B" game against the Marlins on Wednesday morning. By 9 a.m. CT on Wednesday, rain had washed out that game and Ankiel was ready to announce he wouldn't be pitching anymore, anywhere.

Ankiel, once considered a future Cy Young Award winner, has decided to pursue a career as an outfielder, leaving the pitcher's mound behind for good. The telling wording in a release by the Cardinals was that Ankiel "has chosen to retire as a Major League pitcher." He will begin working out as an outfielder immediately.

General manager Walt Jocketty admitted he was "disappointed." Manager Tony La Russa seemed resigned, while supportive of Ankiel's move. Teammates expressed surprise.

For Ankiel, though, it was a relief...

Good luck, Rick. Just where is he going to play in the Cardinals' outfield? Not in the majors is my guess.

aloofman

Mar 9, 2005, 07:14 PM

This is a strange twist.

Good luck, Rick. Just where is he going to play in the Cardinals' outfield? Not in the majors is my guess.

Maybe the thinking is that he needs to take desperate measures to preserve his career, and if he can make it as an outfielder, then someone will want him. In order to make the Cards even as a backup outfielder would be unprecedented in modern times. All of the successful switches I can remember involved a position player becoming a pitcher in the minors, then making the majors as a pitcher.

Bill James had an article about this in one of his abstracts, about how at a certain point over a century ago, the skills of pitchers started to become more valuable than those of position players, leading to the end of two-way players at the major league level. This was also the exact same time when pitchers stopped trying to hit with any meaningful impact, and the tradition of very weak-hitting pitchers began.

Sounds like just a desperate move by Ankiel to me, although not a very risky one. He's at about rock bottom right now.

Sayhey

Mar 10, 2005, 01:33 AM

The funny thing is I kept reading that he was on the verge of a major comeback. I have to think that new arm troubles forced his decision. I remember him as a good hitter for a pitcher, but he better be a lot better than that.

MacNut

Mar 17, 2005, 05:10 PM

Looks like Big Mac used roids as he pleaded the fifth today, another sad day for baseball. Looks like Maris is still the REAL home run king. :rolleyes:

Sun Baked

Mar 22, 2005, 06:47 PM

What are the chances?Mar 22, 7:24 PM EST

Bonds: I may miss entire baseball season

By KEN PETERS
AP Sports Writer

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Coming off knee surgery and caught up in baseball's steroids scandal, Barry Bonds said he may not play at all this season - despite standing on the doorstep of the sport's most hallowed record.

The San Francisco Giants slugger also said he was physically and mentally "done," and blamed the media for at least part of his troubles.

"I'm tired of my kids crying. You wanted me to jump off a bridge, I finally did," Bonds told reporters Tuesday, shortly after returning to training camp. "You finally brought me and my family down. ... So now go pick a different person."

Bonds, whose 703 career homers are 11 short of Babe Ruth's total and 52 behind Hank Aaron's record, was back in camp following last week's arthroscopic surgery on his right knee...

MacNut

Mar 22, 2005, 06:55 PM

Looks like someone may have stopped taking the roids and need a year off to recoup?

aloofman

Mar 22, 2005, 07:11 PM

Looks like someone may have stopped taking the roids and need a year off to recoup?

Even if there are no steroids (or similar substances) involved, what would his skills be like if he has to take a whole year off? If he misses 2005, he will be 41 by the time he plays again. Has there ever been any star baseball player of that age that's missed that much time and made a successful comeback? I suppose even if he only gets back to the level of, say, today's Rafael Palmeiro, he could still play long enough to get the home run record. But what looked pretty sure last fall is not so sure at all now.

This is assuming that it's even accurate. Bonds might just be reacting to the recent furor combined with another surgery. It's possible he could be back in June/July and play well again.

MacNut

Mar 22, 2005, 07:41 PM

Do you think he could retire next season if he is not healthy or will he push his body to go after the record.

jmsait19

Mar 22, 2005, 09:43 PM

Do you think he could retire next season if he is not healthy or will he push his body to go after the record.

i believe, and i dont follow his every step so i could be wrong, that he said that the record isn't everything to him. i think he craves a championship more. but im not really a fan of him, so i dont know.

roids or not, the guy is solid for being 40, minus the knee thing. as much as i dont really like him, i gotta give him his props, hes been spankin the hide around.

however, living in st louis and being a huge cards fan, im ecstatic that pujols finally has a chanced for his well deserved MVP.

Sun Baked

Mar 22, 2005, 11:05 PM

Randy Johnson showed that you can make a comeback from career ending knee surgery at that age if you want to.

But for the Giants, this is taking out one of the key players before the season starts.

Any significant time out at all, changes the NLW landscape just a bit.

Sayhey

Mar 23, 2005, 01:06 AM

aloofman

Mar 23, 2005, 11:36 AM

Randy Johnson showed that you can make a comeback from career ending knee surgery at that age if you want to.

That's a bad generalization. All knees are not alike and people vary in how much they can recover from knee surgeries. Although rehab requires a strong work ethic, it's not always a matter of "if you want to."

aloofman

Mar 23, 2005, 11:47 AM

The Giants are still sticking to the 4 to 6 weeks schedule for his comeback. That means late April. If so, it won't hurt them too much. If he is out until mid-season, it likely means their chances for the division will be radically diminished.

I think Barry is just having a bad day after the stories of his "mistress" hit the local papers. No doubt explaining that to his kids was a tad difficult. If true, it puts him in the company of great ballplayers like Ruth, Mantle, Boggs, etc.

macnut, not everything must be steroid related. I know you have already convicted Bonds of a crime worse than murder, but even if he did take steroids it doesn't follow that the surgeries on his knees have anything to do with it. As far as I know, steroids don't cause fraying of your mcl. Over 2700 games in the major leagues? Now that could cause it.

My guess is that the Giants bring him along slower than that. They'd rather he came back in July than rush it again and risk the season. If they have a prolonged slump, they may feel the pressure to hurry him along. This puts the Giants in a tough position because they signed several free agents this offseason with the expectation that they needed to make a move before Bonds finally breaks down. They're kind of shooting for the moon. Alou in particular only seems to be there to try to give Bonds some protection in the lineup. But they were saying 4-6 weeks rehab from his previous knee surgery this offseason. It seems unlikely to me that they would bring him back sooner than that this time.

I think all this is a bit of an overreaction right now. Obviously Bonds is down more than usual with the recent attention he's getting and the injury. Anybody probably would be. But like I mentioned above, the longer he's out, the harder it will be for him to come back and play at a high level. That would be extremely hard to do, but then he's proven everyone wrong about his age before, so if anyone can do it, it's probably him. And it's impossible to know if steroids are involved in a knee injury to an outfielder. Those joints are under so much stress already. Steroids might even strengthen a knee enough to delay surgery for all we know. However, carrying around all the extra muscle mass would put more stress on his joints.

Besides, I've always dreamed of Bonds' last at-bat being a strikeout against the Dodgers with the division title on the line. How is that gonna happen if he hangs 'em up now? :D

Kwyjibo

Mar 23, 2005, 11:56 AM

So a few of my opinions on the this whole bonds thing ...

1. injuries happen. ask the cubs last year. look at the cardinals success , very few serious injuries and even when they did have some they were look overable .... injuries hurt the stros during they're down slump not tthat they didn't come back

2. maybe barry should be done? He should hang it up and retire as an arguable greatest player ...

3. giants atleast "kind of " knew this was coming ... they weren't fully expecting it but adding a good hitter like Moises Alou .... that wasn't just to protect barry, the first thought yes but the final thought no, they saw this as possible. Plus Alou plays well under his father, and he can pee on his hands all he wants ... They added some talent that could maybe hold up a team if barry was down

4. I care to an extent but I don't want to hear about this everyday until july ...

Lord Blackadder

Mar 23, 2005, 12:29 PM

I'm looking forward to another perfectly mediocre season in Cleveland... :rolleyes:

Juan Gonzalez put up good numbers last time he played for the Tribe, but our hope rests squarely in the hands of all our young prospects, and C.C. Sabathia maturing into a true ace.

As for Bonds, the media firestorm certainly must have a negative psychological effect on him. He'll beat the record, if he has to drag himself dying to the plate for years to get the last few dingers. And 41 years old isn't all that amazing - look at Julio Franco, heck I remember rooting for him in Cleveland back in the 1980's...he should come back. :D

I'd post some predictions but I'm not that well read on this stuff. I'd like to see the Cardinals go all the way this time though.

Sun Baked

Mar 23, 2005, 12:41 PM

That's a bad generalization. All knees are not alike and people vary in how much they can recover from knee surgeries. Although rehab requires a strong work ethic, it's not always a matter of "if you want to."Not really, Randy Johnson did have career ending knee surgery (they basically had to remove the cartiledge in the knee and left him with bone-on-bone contact) -- from what they're saying about Barry, the cartiledge problem in Barry's knee wasn't anywhere near that severe -- he reinjured the knee days after the surgery.

The team was expecting him back...

Edit: Of course the Giants may be lying, it's not unusual for that to happen. Look at what they said about Schilling originally, and the story that is now being told...

Kwyjibo

Mar 23, 2005, 12:54 PM

Edit: Of course the Giants may be lying, it's not unusual for that to happen. Look at what they said about Schilling originally, and the story that is now being told...

i don't think its the redsox saying that I think its schilling ...

first "I won't be ready for the opener"
then R. Johnson to the Yanks obvious opening day starter ...
"I'll be ready"
then after a few setbacks
"I dunno"

and now he's pitched in a minor league game so we'll see but I wouldn't expect him ...

aloofman

Mar 23, 2005, 12:56 PM

Not really, Randy Johnson did have career ending knee surgery (they basically had to remove the cartiledge in the knee and left him with bone-on-bone contact) -- from what they're saying about Barry, the cartiledge problem in Barry's knee wasn't anywhere near that severe -- he reinjured the knee days after the surgery.

How could Randy's surgery have been career-ending if he's still playing now? Tony Gwynn also played a few years with no cartilage left in one knee. I didn't say it can't be done. But these are two different people with two different bodies. You can never be sure how well someone will recover and how good the recovered athlete will be. Medical science accomplishes amazing things, especially at the elite athlete level, but it's not a sure thing. Saying "Randy did it so it should be easy for Barry" doesn't really mean anything. It's like saying that Excedrin made my headache go away so it must work for you too.

Sun Baked

Mar 23, 2005, 01:06 PM

How could Randy's surgery have been career-ending if he's still playing now? Tony Gwynn also played a few years with no cartilage left in one knee. I didn't say it can't be done. But these are two different people with two different bodies. You can never be sure how well someone will recover and how good the recovered athlete will be. Medical science accomplishes amazing things, especially at the elite athlete level, but it's not a sure thing. Saying "Randy did it so it should be easy for Barry" doesn't really mean anything. It's like saying that Excedrin made my headache go away so it must work for you too.No it's based on the vibe from the team and Barry making it sound like an emotional issue and not something physical.

It's not that he's too old to come back, it's more like he's too drained right now to come back -- it's not like the last few years haven't been an emotional rollercoaster.

Of course, he'll probably end up with an $18 million vacation.

And yes, for a great number of athletes, what they did to Randy is a career ending surgery.

MacNut

Mar 23, 2005, 01:07 PM

But will Bonds be the same player when he returns, even if he is not on the juice he wont be the same as he was before the surgery. What did he have done to his knees anyways? This sounds a lot like when Michael Jordan retired the first time, he said the pressure was getting to him and he wanted to spend time with his family. Is it possible that Bonds is kicking around the same thoughts.

Kmacripple

Mar 23, 2005, 02:11 PM

Bonds is playing with the media. He is trying to distract them from his ex-girlfriend testifying that he told her he used steroids. Bonds talks a lot, and usually doesn't do what he says. He will be back. I highly doubt he would sit out the whole year. As a Dodger fan it wouldn't bother me if he did miss this year, though.

Kwyjibo

Mar 23, 2005, 02:22 PM

yay! steve stone is announcing for espn on the cubs for preseason baseball, i'm gonna miss him in the booth this year and I wish he hadn't been forced out ...

but this brings back some memories, some happy some bad but I hope I get to hear him on a bunch of espn games.

wdlove

Mar 23, 2005, 05:04 PM

The Red Sox have officially announced today that they will be remaining at Fenway Park. The oldest and smallest park in MLB.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/sports/4312036/detail.html

MacNut

Mar 27, 2005, 10:53 PM

Only 1 week till baseball season starts again with the rematch of the Yankees and Red Sox on Sunday night. Will the Big Unit Randy Johnson get the Yankees to another championship. Will the Red Sox pay for not having Pedro, only time will tell as one of the best seasons is about to begin.

Sox

Mar 28, 2005, 09:42 AM

How could Randy's surgery have been career-ending if he's still playing now?

It nearly was, and in fact probably should have been. Johnson had his knee injected with what is essentially motor oil to alleiviate the bone-on-bone pain and subsequent deterioration. This is a pretty radical procedure in that it can only be perfomed once - Johnson opted for it because it's not as evasive as the surgery to replace the cartilage. When it wears off later this season (good for less than a year, I think), we'll see a lot of Alex Graman.

MacNut, I am very much looking forward to ALCS Game 8, as I'm sure you are. This will be fun.

aloofman

Mar 28, 2005, 11:07 AM

It nearly was, and in fact probably should have been. Johnson had his knee injected with what is essentially motor oil to alleiviate the bone-on-bone pain and subsequent deterioration. This is a pretty radical procedure in that it can only be perfomed once - Johnson opted for it because it's not as evasive as the surgery to replace the cartilage. When it wears off later this season (good for less than a year, I think), we'll see a lot of Alex Graman.

MacNut, I am very much looking forward to ALCS Game 8, as I'm sure you are. This will be fun.

I appreciate that fact that the surgery wasn't a guarantee at all, even that it was unlikely to work. But either it's career-ending or it's not. If he can't play anymore after the surgery, then it is. If he plays again, then it isn't.

Sox

Mar 28, 2005, 11:36 AM

True, the Unit will take the ball this Sunday, but I think this injury will end up being career-ending. I don't think I made it clear in my previous post, but Johnson's type of knee problem usually precludes intense physical activity, even after surgery - i.e. he has surgery to live without pain, but can never pitch again.

The "Motor Oil" injection is akin to players getting shots of cortisone, except that it can only be administered once, or else it does more harm than good. After it wears off, he's toast. It's bizarre, because the Yankees MUST have known this, and yet gave him, what was it, three years?

aloofman

Mar 28, 2005, 03:45 PM

MacNut

Mar 28, 2005, 06:08 PM

I kind of think the Yankees have looked into it and would know more about the condition of his knee than either of us. They must think it's manageable or they wouldn't have signed him. We'll find out.I agree they would not of giving him 3 years if he is only useful for 6 months. They must know something that we don't. He did go for a physical before he was signed and I think that would of come up.

Sayhey

Mar 28, 2005, 10:02 PM

Besides, I've always dreamed of Bonds' last at-bat being a strikeout against the Dodgers with the division title on the line. How is that gonna happen if he hangs 'em up now? :D

Funny how close our dreams are. Bonds' last regular season at-bat against the Dodgers and the division on the line. So far it's all the same. However, mine ends with the ball getting wet in McCovey Cove. ;)

Sox

Mar 29, 2005, 06:55 AM

He did go for a physical before he was signed and I think that would of come up.

Yes, and Pedro and his torn labrum "passed" his Mets physical.

However, upon further review, it turns out that I have no idea what I'm talking about. Johnson is taking injections of Synervis, which will lubricate his knee joint and last for six months at a time. He can in fact have the procedure done again. I'm an idiot.

MacNut

Apr 2, 2005, 05:17 PM

Wash your baseball cap and clean the cleats as baseball season is only a day away.

Sun Baked

Apr 2, 2005, 05:22 PM

Wash your baseball cap and clean the cleats as baseball season is only a day away.What are the chances the Diamondbacks will lead baseball in walks this year.

Could even set a record.

They took the top 3 pitchers for walks in the NL last year and put them on a single team.

---

Oh well, as long as they don't lead baseball in losses.

Sox

Apr 3, 2005, 11:00 AM

What are the chances the Diamondbacks will lead baseball in walks this year.

Could even set a record.

They took the top 3 pitchers for walks in the NL last year and put them on a single team.

---

Oh well, as long as they don't lead baseball in losses.

It all depends on whether Vasquez pitches like he did before the All Star Break last year. When he's on, he throws strikes and misses bats. I think he'll benefit from being out of the NY media circus. More importantly, he's had an offseason to recover from the past three years, where he logged roughly 3,000,000 innings of work. Although the Yankees would never talk about it, Vasquez obviously lost his arm in the second half last year. They gave up on this guy too quickly, and I think he'll have a great season.

I'd be more worried about the DBacks offense. Green hasn't earned his contract for two or three seasons now, and Glaus has a horrendous injury history. However, I think they'll win more games than the Royals.

MacNut

Apr 3, 2005, 05:19 PM

From ESPN.com
Devil Ray Alex Sanchez has become the first player suspended for violating MLB's new steroids policy. Steroids and other performance-enhancers are the only drugs that draw a 10-day penalty

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2029037

wdlove

Apr 3, 2005, 08:13 PM

This is the day that Red Sox fans have been waiting for, 86 years since they have been defendign a World Title. Red Sox playing the Yankees in New York for the season opener. :D

Sun Baked

Apr 3, 2005, 08:16 PM

This is the day that Red Sox fans have been waiting for, 86 years since they have been defendign a World Title. Red Sox playing the Yankees in New York for the season opener. :DThe first few innings of the season opener are looking rather ugly for the Red Sox right now. :eek:

MacNut

Apr 3, 2005, 09:08 PM

The first few innings of the season opener are looking rather ugly for the Red Sox right now. :eek:It's nice to see isn't it. :D :p

dotdotdot

Apr 3, 2005, 09:37 PM

It's nice to see isn't it. :D :p

6-1 Yanks bottom of the 7th...

LETS GO METS!!

dotdotdot

Apr 3, 2005, 09:39 PM

MacNut

Apr 3, 2005, 10:21 PM

6-1 Yanks bottom of the 7th...

LETS GO METS!!Correction, 9-2

MacNut

Apr 3, 2005, 10:35 PM

The Yankees are out for blood as they just won 9-2. :) :cool: :D :p

dotdotdot

Apr 3, 2005, 10:49 PM

MLB Season 2005:

Yankees: 1-0
Red Sox: 0-1
Every Other Team: 0-0

Sox

Apr 4, 2005, 07:24 AM

The Yankees are out for blood as they just won 9-2. :) :cool: :D :p

That's it. Blow up the team. We'll never ever beat the Yankees! Woe is me!

Things we learned last night:

1. David Wells either needs to drink more or less before gametime.

2. Baseball umpires will NEVER ajudicate the HBP rule correctly.

3. The rivalry (as usual) is going to come down to pitching. Last night was a horrible mismatch going in (especially with the weather. No one had any semblence of control last night, but RJ has power to fall back on while Wells tops out at 89 mph). I'm not saying that the Sox win that game with Schilling, but it's not a 9-2 laugher. The more realistic comparison will come tomorrow afternoon, with Clement vs. Pavano.

aloofman

Apr 4, 2005, 12:33 PM

This is the day that Red Sox fans have been waiting for, 86 years since they have been defendign a World Title. Red Sox playing the Yankees in New York for the season opener. :D

I think the home opener will be a bigger day. Something about revealing a championship banner at Fenway. I hear tickets were selling on e-bay for $5,000 apiece.

aloofman

Apr 4, 2005, 12:48 PM

I'd be more worried about the DBacks offense. Green hasn't earned his contract for two or three seasons now, and Glaus has a horrendous injury history. However, I think they'll win more games than the Royals.

Being in Socal, I've been observing both these guys for several years. I think the Angels let Glaus go mainly because they had a cheaper third-base prospect moving up (MacPherson), more than thinking that Glaus was past his prime. Which makes sense considering the other big contracts they have. The good news for them is that Glaus came back in the last part of 2004 and hit pretty well. His injury does not make him as risky as, say, Richie Sexson, but I don't know that he's that much more injury-prone than the average star player. I don't know that he'll hit 40 homers again though, if only because he's now playing a lot more games in SF, SD, and LA, which don't give up many home runs.

I'm less optimistic about Green. I don't see him ever hitting 35 homers again. His shoulder injury (frayed labrum) is not the type that baseball players ever fully recover from. In his first full year after his injury, he set a Dodger season record for doubles. Sounds good, right? Wrong. He pulled a bunch of doubles down the right-field line because he no longer had the power to hit them over the fence. (The Dodger front office is not blameless here. They hid his injury and made it seem like his power outage was just a product of age or bad mechanics instead of a physical problem. They were also kind of disrespectful to him in all their trade talks last season.) Green has always been a streaky hitter and at the end of last season he had a nice run that made his season seem respectable. He also has not been a great fielder the last several years. He doesn't have the range or the arm that he used to.

Having said that, I think Green can still be a decent player for a while. But he's overrated now like many veteran power hitters are. As crazy as it seemed at the time, I approved of the trade even though it didn't save LA that much money. I really think they're better without him. And it's possible that the change of scenery will to Shawn some good. He was a popular player here and I'm sure the Arizona fans will like him. But I wouldn't expect to him to earn that contract extension.

Sox

Apr 4, 2005, 01:02 PM

A few years ago, I seem to recall a Glaus suffering a similar injury to his shoulder problems from 2004. He's certainly not past his prime, by any means. He and Vlad were the only two Angles who hit in the ALDS last year. And you're right - he's no Richie Sexon.

MacPherson was sent to AAA to start the season. Is he injured?

Also, what's your take on the "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim" boondoggle?

buryyourbrideau

Apr 4, 2005, 01:10 PM

tigers will at least get 2nd in their division this year....if not first....huge turn around this year...just wait and see ;)

MacNut

Apr 4, 2005, 01:17 PM

How weak is that division if the Tigers can take 2nd. They are currently killing the Royals right now up 5-0.

Sox

Apr 4, 2005, 01:20 PM

Seems that the media hype around Bonderman was right...

buryyourbrideau

Apr 4, 2005, 01:47 PM

yea now 8-1 top 6th.....dmitri young two long shots today :) man they look good so far

MacNut

Apr 4, 2005, 02:17 PM

Pedro seems to be holding his own so far as a Met, But he's no Randy Johnson.

buryyourbrideau

Apr 4, 2005, 02:43 PM

okay i know you people dont care about the tigers but know dmitri young just got his third jack of the day and if this dosnt raise any eyebrows about the tigers offensive ability this year then i dont know what will...11-2 bottom 8 :)
man this is just making my day

MacNut

Apr 4, 2005, 02:50 PM

They are playing Kansas City tho so in not sure if thats a good judgement of the Tigers. :rolleyes:

buryyourbrideau

Apr 4, 2005, 02:55 PM

agreed...will have to wait a little while to get some respectful bragging rights, we did beat the yanks in spring trainng but thats not too much to holler about....but hey they are 150% better then last year so that at least makes me happy :)

aloofman

Apr 4, 2005, 03:52 PM

MacPherson was sent to AAA to start the season. Is he injured?

Yes.

http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/8341613

Also, what's your take on the "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim" boondoggle?

It's way overplayed. The scoreboards will say "LAA", but the team refers to itself generically as "the Angels." Most of Socal doesn't care and changing the name won't attract many new fans, as the team owner hopes. Their main fan base in Orange County will be peeved, but if the Angels play well, they'll still show up to the games. The "of Anaheim" is only there for contractual reasons to prevent the city of Anaheim from stopping them. Nobody expects people to say the whole official name.

Overall, I'd say it's a creative marketing move that won't yield much in extra revenue.

Sun Baked

Apr 4, 2005, 04:46 PM

It all depends on whether Vasquez pitches like he did before the All Star Break last year. When he's on, he throws strikes and misses bats. I think he'll benefit from being out of the NY media circus. More importantly, he's had an offseason to recover from the past three years, where he logged roughly 3,000,000 innings of work. Although the Yankees would never talk about it, Vasquez obviously lost his arm in the second half last year. They gave up on this guy too quickly, and I think he'll have a great season.Well he's throwing strikes all right, unfortunately -- he's throwing them right at the bats. :(

Threw for 8 hits and 6 runs in his first 5 outs before they called the bullpen, and it got a little worse before somebody could replace him.

At least they weren't a bunch of walks. :rolleyes:

MacNut

Apr 4, 2005, 04:51 PM

The Mets are off to a good start, Pedro pitches good and they still find a way to lose. :rolleyes:

Sox

Apr 4, 2005, 05:13 PM

Yikes, Javier Vasquez, yikes.

Is it too late to take May 7th as the day that Pedro finally snaps and tries to kill Branden Looper? Enjoy that fourth year, buddy. I'm going to miss those Ks.

Aloof,

That's kind of what I thought, in re: LAAoA. Moreno must think it's going to add significant revenue, or else it's really not worth the trouble. Clearly, it's an attempt to tap into the Dodgers' market, but I don't know how successful that's going to be.

MacNut

Apr 4, 2005, 05:18 PM

Don't bad mouth Pedro you have Wells as your second starter. :p

Sox

Apr 4, 2005, 08:01 PM

Don't bad mouth Pedro you have Wells as your second starter. :p

Wow, they really let Boomah have it last night, didn't they?

I think he's more of our 3rd-4th starter, even farther down if he's pitching in a 33-degree rainstorm. Clement would have fared much better last night (like RJ) because he's got significant power. Wells is a control pitcher and needs precise grip and touch to be effective. Same with Wakefield. Boomah got the start because he's a "big game" pitcher. And that Schilling guy is injured. Something about an ankle. :cool:

To be honest, I'm going to miss the Pedro Martinez Era. From 98-2001, he threw a baseball better than any other human alive. I hope he wins the Cy Young.

But he won't, because the Mets bullpen couldn't get anyone on this board out, let alone major league hitters. Pedro knew that going in (I think), but his leaving came down to some nebulous definition of "respect." He would have been a god in New England until the end of time, but now you just don't know.

dotdotdot

Apr 4, 2005, 08:04 PM

The Mets are off to a good start, Pedro pitches good and they still find a way to lose. :rolleyes:

Same old Mets... Starter = Good, Hitting = Great, 8th and 9th inning = give up like 5 runs...

I miss the 1999 and 2000 mets...

MacNut

Apr 5, 2005, 03:32 PM

Jeter comes up big with a walk off home run as the Yankees beat the Red Sox again, :p 4-3

Sox

Apr 5, 2005, 05:41 PM

You have no idea (or maybe you do) how agonizing it is to try to follow a game through ESPN gamecast. There's a ridiculously long lag, nothing's accurate, it's terrible. My MLB TV didn't come through at work today (bandwidth problem) so I spent the entire afternoon having heart attacks.

I speed home during the seventh, and get back in time to see Jeter tagging Foulke. Argh.

The wonderful thing about baseball, is that no matter how frustrating a game can be, there's always a brand new clean slate the next day.

Pavano looked (supposedly, hard to tell through radio snippets and the gamecast) very good. Clement was a bit erratic, and wasn't helped by the defense, or lack thereof. I do think that Trot needs to be batting sixth in between Tek and Millar, and Bellhorn should slide back into the second slot.

Koodauw

Apr 5, 2005, 08:23 PM

Its always a good start to the season when the BoSux drop a few to the Yankees to start things off right. I like what I see.

Sayhey

Apr 6, 2005, 12:12 AM

Sox

Apr 6, 2005, 08:16 AM

Sayhey, I think you're going to enjoy the Derek Lowe Era in Dodgertown. Unless you meet him in the playoffs.

Its always a good start to the season when the BoSux drop a few to the Yankees to start things off right. I like what I see.

Yes, it's an almost insurmountable 2 game lead. I don't know what will happen if the Sox lose a third game to the Yankees. Down 0-3, wow, I don't think any team has ever come back from such a hole. Can you think of any?

Koodauw

Apr 6, 2005, 09:25 AM

Yes, it's an almost insurmountable 2 game lead. I don't know what will happen if the Sox lose a third game to the Yankees. Down 0-3, wow, I don't think any team has ever come back from such a hole. Can you think of any?

HOW'S your pitching this year?

Sox

Apr 6, 2005, 09:55 AM

HOW'S your pitching this year?

Well, gee, over the first two games of the season, it's been pretty mediocre, and hasn't been helped by the defense. As for the year? Well, I think I'll have to reserve my judgement until everyone plays a few more games. Don't you think that's a good idea?

I'm thrilled at your overconfidence after your #1 and #2 beat our #3 and #4 at home in Stade Fasciste. I'm sure Randy Johnson's knee and back won't give out, Pavano won't regress to the mean (remember, this guy has a .500 record pitching all his games in the NL in a pitcher's park with stellar defense), and Jaret Wright is going to be the first pitcher who's been successful after leaving Atlanta (Mazzone knows pitchers). Oh, and who's your fifth starter? Kevin Brown? That Chen Wing AAA guy?

As long as 764 year-old Bernie Williams is patrolling centerfield, Tom Gordon is puking in the dugout, and Rivera keeps going to the well with that cutter, I like the Sox pitching, thanks.

Sayhey

Apr 6, 2005, 10:29 AM

Sayhey, I think you're going to enjoy the Derek Lowe Era in Dodgertown. Unless you meet him in the playoffs.

Actually, I was impressed with Lowe yesterday. I've taken note of his much documented struggles in the regular season versus his heroic effort during last year's playoffs, but he has one of the better sinkers in the game and that means a lot if he continues to throw like yesterday. I know a very big "if," but like you Red Sox fans we followers of the Orange and Black have a long history of looking for the black cloud in the silver lining. ;)

Kwyjibo

Apr 6, 2005, 12:03 PM

i miss steve stone.

emw

Apr 6, 2005, 12:23 PM

Nice to see the Cardinals starting things off right again this year, slamming the Astros at Houston. Should be another good year.

Sox

Apr 7, 2005, 07:15 AM

HOW'S your pitching this year?

Hmm?

aloofman

Apr 7, 2005, 11:39 AM

OK, I'm officially happy! Another opening day win and this one over the hated Dodgers. Last year's team would have lost this game, but the improved Giants defense put on a show. And I've got to say I like this new slimmer version of Alfonso. Giants win, Dodgers lose - all's right with the world. :D

(ok the may be few problems left, but the baseball world is spinning in the right direction! ;))

What's that thumping noise I hear? Is it the sound of Kirk Reuter getting knocked on his ass?

Yesterday the naysayers had a ball talking about how Valentin's defense cost the Dodgers a game already. Will they say the same thing about how slow the Giants' outfielders looked last night? Probably not.

Whenever I get too caught up in the ups and downs of the Dodger-Giant rivalry, I just remember....

http://athleticsbleacherbums.com/giants.jpg

Koodauw

Apr 7, 2005, 11:49 AM

Hmm?

The point was your pitching staff is not as good this year as last year. You lost alot when Pedro went to the Mets. He may not be what he was, but he's still a better # 2 than Wells, Wakefield or that PAB Arroyo. As for the 5th starter, that would Brown if he's healthy, Sturtze if he's not.

As for 768 year old in the outfield, its better than that caveman you have runnin around out there. And Bernie's pretty darn good in the post season. Matsui can center too.

Rivera needs to find that groove again, there is 16 more games against the Bosux. He'll have his chance.

Johnson only gonna get better as the season wears on, Ill take the Yanks pitching. After all who took 2 out out of 3?

Sox

Apr 7, 2005, 01:43 PM

The point was your pitching staff is not as good this year as last year.

When you lose a Pedro Martinez, your pitching staff isn't improving. Just like the 2004 Yankees after losing Pettite and Clemens.

However, in 2004 through roughly 400 combined innings, the tandem of Clement and Wells had an ERA of 3.71. Pedro/Lowe combined for 4.66. Have we lost an Ace in Pedro? Absolutely. Is the staff worse? Time will tell, but the numbers say no. We've replaced the production, to be sure, but is "the presence" of Pedro worth any wins?

Not against the Yankees, obviously. Aren't you his Daddy? Would Pedro have fared any better than Wells on Sunday night in the cold at the Toilet?

If I were you, I wouldn't dismiss Timmy Wakefield like so much chaff. In his eleven starts against the Yankees since 2002:

70 IP
46 Hits
31 Walks
46 Ks
22 ER

2.83 ERA
1.10 WHIP
.179 BAA

At Yankee Stadium, his ERA is 2.58 in the same span (playoffs included). This doesn't even count his relief appearances, but I'm sure you remember Game 5.

The Sox relievers are markedly better as well, as proven over the last two postseasons. Timlin, Embree, and Foulke were absolute NAILS, while Gordon was puking in the bullpen and Rivera was busy blowing two games in the same day. International Serial Killer Mike Myers is a better LH specialist than whatever Stottlemeyer cobbles together.

Manny Ramierz has a 1.104 OPS against Tanyan Sturtze, the only man dumb enough to try to pick a fight with Gabe Kapler (World's Strongest Jew) during the brawl. I pray that Joe Torre trust Sturtze enough to use him in high-leverage situations the rest of this season.

Kevin Brown isn't healthy NOW, so was that your fifth starter throwing relief the last two games?

Do you really want Kevin Brown as your fifth starter? How exactly is he better than Arroyo? As far as PAB's go, I would think that ARod fits the description best, what with all the slapping going on.

And then there's Wade Miller. If he comes back healthy (granted that's a huge "if"), he's better than anyone on either staff other than RJ and Schilling.

Rivera needs to find that groove again

What groove is that? The one where he isn't mortal against the Sox? Since 2001, 11 of his 27 blown saves have come against the Sox, including the last 4 in a row.

As for 768 year old in the outfield, its better than that caveman you have runnin around out there. And Bernie's pretty darn good in the post season. Matsui can center too.

This is just plain wrong. Damon has no arm, but neither does Bernie. At least Damon still has his legs an reflexes. Every defensive metric known to man has Williams as one of the worst defensive centerfielders in the game. If I get around to buying the Neyer-James book, I'll throw the numbers up. Bubba Crosby is an upgrade at this point.

Look, I don't mean to go off on every little detail, and I apologize for the long post (it's better that actually working). Sorry.

aloofman

Apr 7, 2005, 02:54 PM

This is just plain wrong. Damon has no arm, but neither does Bernie. At least Damon still has his legs an reflexes. Every defensive metric known to man has Williams as one of the worst defensive centerfielders in the game. If I get around to buying the Neyer-James book, I'll throw the numbers up. Bubba Crosby is an upgrade at this point.

I think the consensus is that Williams should have been moved to DH at least a year ago, but hasn't because:

1) Torre is a player's coach who gives his veterans a lot of leeway, and he doesn't want to force Williams to move.

2) Giambi is a mediocre first baseman, so he often has to DH instead.

The Yankees don't have anyone that's really well-suited to play centerfield, but moving Matsui there wouldn't be bad because he's very fundamentally sound. Assuming that he keeps hitting OK, putting Williams in left would be a better move, in my opinion.

leekohler

Apr 7, 2005, 03:23 PM

2 - Chicago Cubs - a distant second. Nomar better bounce back in a big way for these guys to challenge.
[/QUOTE]

Do you really think they'll be that good? I don't think so. 2 seasons ago was their year, and they blew it. :(

aloofman

Apr 7, 2005, 03:58 PM

2 - Chicago Cubs - a distant second. Nomar better bounce back in a big way for these guys to challenge.

Do you really think they'll be that good? I don't think so. 2 seasons ago was their year, and they blew it. :([/QUOTE]

Assuming they get Prior and Wood back within the next two months or so, I think they could contend for the wild card. Figure the second-place team in the NL West will end up in the 88-90 win range, and the Cubs are capable of that too. But it's less likely in the NL East because everyone figures that the Braves and Marlins will have a close race and both could end up with more wins than that. The Cubs would seem to have second place locked up because Houston won't be as good as last year and St. Louis figures to take the division. Again, this is assuming that their two top pitchers can contribute.

leekohler

Apr 7, 2005, 04:06 PM

Do you really think they'll be that good? I don't think so. 2 seasons ago was their year, and they blew it. :(

Assuming they get Prior and Wood back within the next two months or so, I think they could contend for the wild card. Figure the second-place team in the NL West will end up in the 88-90 win range, and the Cubs are capable of that too. But it's less likely in the NL East because everyone figures that the Braves and Marlins will have a close race and both could end up with more wins than that. The Cubs would seem to have second place locked up because Houston won't be as good as last year and St. Louis figures to take the division. Again, this is assuming that their two top pitchers can contribute.[/QUOTE]

We'll see. These guys have broken my heart so many times I just get cynical about them now. I'm sure you understand.

MacNut

Apr 7, 2005, 04:45 PM

I hate to say it but it looks like the Red Sox have figured out Rivera or he is not throwing his perfect stuff yet.

aloofman

Apr 7, 2005, 04:46 PM

We'll see. These guys have broken my heart so many times I just get cynical about them now. I'm sure you understand.

The fact that we're even talking about the Cubs being playoff contenders for the third year in a row is a drastic improvement over almost every other time since Ernie Banks retired.

leekohler

Apr 7, 2005, 04:48 PM

Sun Baked

Apr 7, 2005, 04:56 PM

The fact that we're even talking about the Cubs being playoff contenders for the third year in a row is a drastic improvement over almost every other time since Ernie Banks retired.They'll have to make some improvement over the start they made, since they lost their opening series of the year to the Diamondbacks. ;)

And I can't even remember the last time the Diamondbacks actually won a series.

aloofman

Apr 7, 2005, 06:11 PM

They'll have to make some improvement over the start they made, since they lost their opening series of the year to the Diamondbacks. ;)

And I can't even remember the last time the Diamondbacks actually won a series.

The funny thing is, the D'backs could be the most improved team in baseball this year and still not sniff the postseason. They have to improve by thirty games to get to .500. I think it will be more like twenty games.

And does anyone else think that the early firing of Bob Brenly was one of the dumbest moves any team did last year? I mean, I think Brenly is moron, so it's not like I'm defending him. But the D'backs were just bad (or worse) the rest of the season. When your team loses 111 games with two different managers, then it clearly wasn't the managers' fault. Seems like they couldn't have done much worse to keep paying Brenly to manage the team!

Sox

Apr 7, 2005, 06:16 PM

I thought it was great that the D'Backs honored Ryno the other day, made even more appropriate by Mark Grace pulling him into the infield. Love to see that sort of thing.

I think the Cubs will be ok, but a lot of it rests on Prior and Wood, as you guys have said. The hitting will be there, with a healthy Nomar, Todd Walker, and Ramirez. Wasn't one of their problems last year the lack of situational hitting (ton of HR, but no timely hits)? That should change.

I hate to say it but it looks like the Red Sox have figured out Rivera or he is not throwing his perfect stuff yet.

You know what freaked me out? That down and away two-seamer he struck out Nixon with. I haven't seen that from Rivera before.

Right now, I'm not sure what to make of him. It will be interesting to see what kind of success he has over the next few days against the Os - is this just a Sox thing, or something more? The rest of the AL East hitters have seen him only a little less than the Sox, so I wonder whether it's really a mental block on his part or if hitters are adjusting to the cutter through familiarity.

Sun Baked

Apr 7, 2005, 06:33 PM

And does anyone else think that the early firing of Bob Brenly was one of the dumbest moves any team did last year? I mean, I think Brenly is moron, so it's not like I'm defending him. But the D'backs were just bad (or worse) the rest of the season. When your team loses 111 games with two different managers, then it clearly wasn't the managers' fault. Seems like they couldn't have done much worse to keep paying Brenly to manage the team!Don't think it was a front office decision to get rid of Brenly, if you remember Collangelo was backing him fully.

Then Brenly got fired, a new owenership group takes over, and Jerry Collangelo abruptly quits.

So he was most likely a casualty of the political war waged by the new ownership group and their dissatisfaction with the direction of the team.

And after the dust settles, they basically don't make the major front office changes that usually occur after these battles. They liked the talent of the organization, but not the final decisions on how to spend the money.

aloofman

Apr 7, 2005, 07:13 PM

I thought it was great that the D'Backs honored Ryno the other day, made even more appropriate by Mark Grace pulling him into the infield. Love to see that sort of thing.

As Gary Miller pointed out on ESPN.com, it's kind of weird that the D'backs are honoring two guys that are pretty much known for being Cubs. But when your team doesn't have much history yet, you've gotta expand your horizons.

Or.....it could have just been a shameless gimmick to get a bunch of Cub fan transplants -- of which there are many in Arizona -- to buy tickets.

Next week the Lakers are honoring the 20th anniversary of the 1984-85 championship team by having former players show up for a pre-game ceremony. You know, so the fans have a reason to come to a Laker game. And I say that as a Laker fan. :rolleyes:

MacNut

Apr 10, 2005, 12:47 AM

So the Yankees won the Red Sox lost, and then there are the Mets. :eek:

wdlove

Apr 10, 2005, 02:53 PM

Finishing touches have been added to Fenway. Opening Day for the 2005 season is tomorrow, oldest and smallest ballpark in baseball.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/sports/4356295/detail.html

Lacero

Apr 10, 2005, 02:57 PM

Koodauw

Apr 10, 2005, 09:40 PM

Any of the BoSux fans miss Pedro yet?

Kwyjibo

Apr 10, 2005, 10:22 PM

its sort of nice ... as a cubs fan ... i'm out of expectation mode and I'm happy as a fan
1. It doesn't seem like in late innings with defecits we NEED HOMERUNS to get back it seems like theres atleast a little small ball helping us get back in games.
2. The pitching still needs work but I've got my fingers crossed that it will be clicking soon ... we need a closer so badly.
3. Len Kasper and Bob Brenly aren't that great kind dull but I suppose i'll get used to thme.

dotdotdot

Apr 10, 2005, 10:49 PM

METS WIN!! METS WIN!!!!

The mets won their first game today!!!

They are 1 and 5!!!

Woo hoo!!! 1st Place!!! WORLD SERIES!!!!!

Sun Baked

Apr 10, 2005, 10:54 PM

its sort of nice ... as a cubs fan ... i'm out of expectation mode and I'm happy as a fan

3. Len Kasper and Bob Brenly aren't that great kind dull but I suppose i'll get used to thme.You can keep Bob Brenly for awhile (even though he still lives here), but I doubt the fans will let you have Mark Grace and Thom Brennaman back. ;)

Koodauw

Apr 10, 2005, 11:39 PM

You can keep Bob Brenly for awhile (even though he still lives here), but I doubt the fans will let you have Mark Grace and Thom Brennaman back. ;)

What is Mark Grace doin these days? Last I heard He resigned at the same time Brenly was fired.

Sun Baked

Apr 10, 2005, 11:50 PM

What is Mark Grace doin these days? Last I heard He resigned at the same time Brenly was fired.Bench Coach Robin Yount resigned when Brenly was fired.

Since last year Mark Grace has been in the television Diamondback's broadcast booth with Thom Brennaman, and fellow castoff Matt Williams is back in the Diamonbacks front office after spending a year on another teams radio show -- but will be doing some Diamondbacks radio and television in addition to being the front office duties.

So we got Mark Grace, Thom Brennaman, Joe Gargiola, Matt Williams doing television duty this year.

Actually quite a few players from the World Series team are back, though not many on the field.

aloofman

Apr 11, 2005, 12:33 PM

The last four teams to win the world series won because of their team chemistry, not because they had glory seeking players. John Wooden was right. Learn the fundamentals before you go sprouting around the court like a jackass.

I think that's true only in a general sense. Winning teams have chemistry because they're winning teams. Nobody touts the togetherness of the Milwaukee Brewers, no matter how much the players might like each other.

The Red Sox had the same core of players in 2003 and only missed the World Series because they couldn't hold the lead in Game 7 of the ALCS. That series was so close that any number of random events could have won it for Boston. Would they have that "chemistry" if things had gone their way and they'd won the championship in 2003? Can it really be all about the chemistry when Boston has the second-highest payroll in baseball?

I think a better word for it is "alchemy". It's more like a combination of a well-designed team, talent, performance and luck, compared to the combination that the opposition has. I say this not to diminish the Red Sox in any way, just to say that somebody has to win the title every year and the team's chemistry seems more obvious after the fact.

I watched this firsthand when the Dodgers won in 1988. In hindsight they really had no business making it to the World Series, much less winning it, but they were the better team during that last month or so. Gibson won the NL MVP with less than 30 homers, a sub-.300 batting average, and less than 100 RBIs, something that would probably never happen now. They had a lot of guys who were better than average, but except for Gibson and Hershiser, nobody really impressed you. Now the former players can talk about their team chemistry and how something "magical" happened, etc. But it's easy to say that now. The 1991 Dodgers had similar interlocking pieces, but they came in second to the Braves, so none of the players or media will ever talk about them like that. Guess they didn't have enough "chemistry".

MacNut

Apr 11, 2005, 01:37 PM

Anyone else find it wrong that Lowe was allowed to go to Fenway and wear a Red Sox jersey to get his ring.

aloofman

Apr 11, 2005, 02:46 PM

Anyone else find it wrong that Lowe was allowed to go to Fenway and wear a Red Sox jersey to get his ring.

I think that Yankee fans are looking for things wrong about the whole day's proceedings. Pretty immature. :p

MacNut

Apr 11, 2005, 02:50 PM

I think that Yankee fans are looking for things wrong about the whole day's proceedings. Pretty immature. :pThe whole day was wrong. :mad:

Kwyjibo

Apr 11, 2005, 02:59 PM

Anyone else find it wrong that Lowe was allowed to go to Fenway and wear a Red Sox jersey to get his ring.

he was on the world series team and in the area ... if anybody who was on the team could go I'm sure they would ... they shouldn't take a day off for it tho

aloofman

Apr 11, 2005, 04:19 PM

he was on the world series team and in the area ... if anybody who was on the team could go I'm sure they would ... they shouldn't take a day off for it tho

He wasn't in the area. He flew directly to Boston just for the ceremony. But he also didn't "take a day off for it" either. The Dodgers don't have a game today.

MacNut

Apr 11, 2005, 04:23 PM

The problem is not that he went but that he wore a jersey of an opposing team.

aloofman

Apr 11, 2005, 06:43 PM

The problem is not that he went but that he wore a jersey of an opposing team.

Geez, can't you think of something better to complain about? A real Yankee fan would be saying things like, "They're getting all excited about winning once in 86 years?"

:D

Sox

Apr 12, 2005, 08:37 AM

The whole day was wrong. :mad:

Yesterday was the most profoundly well-orchestrated, most emotionally moving, most poignant ring ceremony in the history of civilized athletics, perhaps only to be rivaled by a future event at Wrigley Field. It highlighted the connection between generations of fans and players, the hallmark of what it means to be a member of Red Sox Nation. No matter what happens, no matter how many more championships the Yankees purchase, no matter how many ticker-tape parades down Broadway you witness, no matter how many statues you erect or numbers you retire or players you overpay, in your sporting life you will never ever not EVER be as happy as Red Sox fans were yesterday, and have been since October 27th, 2004.

Having DLowe and Dave Roberts there in uniform was not only appropriate, but downright moving. Knowing that the fans, the city, the region, the nation, the world will never forget what they did last year, man, why would anyone want to deny a player that opportunity? Roberts ran around bowing and hugging everyone in sight, the happiest moment in a life of happy moments. Derek got a much deserved boistrous ovation from the crowd and tipped his cap, something not even the great Ted Williams ever did. They wore the uniforms because the ceremony was all about Last Year (instead, finally, about Next Year), and Last Year they wore the home whites.

Roberts and Lowe had the blessings of their organizations to come back for the ceremony, but the Cubs and Mets had games to play, so Pedro and Nomar were unfortunately absent from the proceedings. Those with commitments fulfilled them, and those who were able to participate yesterday did so with aplomb and reverence. I see no problem with that.

Welcome to the New Normal. Enjoy the complimentary Sour Grapes.

Kwyjibo

Apr 12, 2005, 11:27 AM

He wasn't in the area. He flew directly to Boston just for the ceremony. But he also didn't "take a day off for it" either. The Dodgers don't have a game today.
well yeah for some reason I thought Lowe was playing in a series on the east coast this week or I thought I hear that but upon further research that is simply not true. I was saying that players SHOULD NOT take a day off for it IE: Nomar and Pedro, but since the dodgers had the day off why not go? I think the controversy over the jerseys is too much ... what about O-Dawg? Pokey Reese? That whole pen thats scattered now? Minkewieiewireireieticz.... oh wait he doesn't need that memory he's the proud owner of that ball.

MacNut

Apr 12, 2005, 01:22 PM

Welcome to the New Normal. Enjoy the complimentary Sour Grapes.This is abnormal, the planets are out of line, we will be hurdled into the sun soon and the ghost of Babe Ruth will haunt everyone.

aloofman

Apr 12, 2005, 01:30 PM

well yeah for some reason I thought Lowe was playing in a series on the east coast this week or I thought I hear that but upon further research that is simply not true. I was saying that players SHOULD NOT take a day off for it IE: Nomar and Pedro, but since the dodgers had the day off why not go? I think the controversy over the jerseys is too much ... what about O-Dawg? Pokey Reese? That whole pen thats scattered now? Minkewieiewireireieticz.... oh wait he doesn't need that memory he's the proud owner of that ball.

I believe that Mientkiewicz gave up the ball eventually.

aloofman

Apr 12, 2005, 01:31 PM

This is abnormal, the planets are out of line, we will be hurdled into the sun soon and the ghost of Babe Ruth will haunt everyone.

Maybe you should take that "Mac" part off your name.

MacNut

Apr 12, 2005, 01:33 PM

I believe that Mientkiewicz gave up the ball eventually.He owns the ball but the Red Sox get to keep it for 1 year and put it on display.

Kwyjibo

Apr 12, 2005, 02:03 PM

He owns the ball but the Red Sox get to keep it for 1 year and put it on display.

yup ... its a loan

Sox

Apr 12, 2005, 05:49 PM

This is abnormal, the planets are out of line, we will be hurdled into the sun soon and the ghost of Babe Ruth will haunt everyone.

I'm loving the psychosis. Loving it.

MacNut

Apr 12, 2005, 11:32 PM

I'm loving the psychosis. Loving it.What do you think would happen if the Cubs ever won. :eek:

Sun Baked

Apr 12, 2005, 11:46 PM

What do you think would happen if the Cubs ever won. :eek:I'd say the ghost of Mrs. O'Leary's cow would revisit the city for a 2nd installment.

stevietheb

Apr 13, 2005, 05:11 AM

What do you think would happen if the Cubs ever won. :eek:Can't happen...

stevietheb

Apr 13, 2005, 05:31 AM

I'm glad my Astros have gotten off to such a decent start (currently 4-2), I believe--meanwhile, the Mets are floundering...(though they did beat us on Monday).

Never got my predictions in there:

NL EAST
Florida Marlins
Atlanta Braves
Philadelphia Phillies
New York Mets
Washington Nationals

NL CENTRAL
Houston Astros
St. Louis Cardinals
Milwaukee Brewers
Chicago Cubs
Cincinnati Reds
Pittsburgh Pirates

NL West (All losers...)
LA Dodgers
San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants
Colorado Rockies
Arizona Diamondbacks

The NL Central (the best and most exciting division in baseball) will continue to fight amongst themselves, and thus the Braves will sneak into the playoffs as the Wild Card.

My boys from Houston lost a lot less than people think. Carlos Beltran is not worth the $$$ that the Mets paid him (or the $$$ that the Astros were going to pay him)--look at his career numbers they are good, but he's not exactly Willie Mays. Beltran's October hitting probably earned him an extra $25M -- that said, his October hitting was marvelous! Jeff Kent moving on opened up a spot for future HoF'er Craig Biggio to return to a more familiar position (Kent is probably the worst defensive 2B the Astros have ever had), and for Willy Taveras to begin his development as the team's next arm in CF and leadoff hitter. It remains to be seen how Taveras' defense compares to Beltran--but I think, overall, we're improved up the middle. Finally, I think once Berkman is back, Ensberg will develop into a great 5 hitter and those of you in NL-only Rotisserie Leagues would be happy to have him on your team. I'm, surprisingly, pleased with the job that Tim Purpura has done since Gerry Hunsicker's departure.

Finally, let's not forget that last year's National League Cy Young Award winner is the THIRD starter in our rotation (though, some say he should be second)...the Oswalt-Pettitte-Clemens trio will go a LONG way, if healthy (fairly big IF).

The American League is worthless, and I prefer not to talk about them...but I do want to mention that both Boston and NYY are under .500 at the moment--and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Boston hovered around the .500 mark for the remainder of the season. The Yankees, unfortunately, will win 100 games with that starting rotation.

It's a lot of fun to live in Boston and boo the Sox and all of their AL companions.

So, I'm a total Astros fan--if you hadn't noticed.

Sox

Apr 13, 2005, 07:33 AM

What do you think would happen if the Cubs ever won. :eek:

Ron Santo would finally get into the Hall of Fame. And everyone would start wearing Harry Carey glasses.

Stevie, do the Cubs finish fourth because their pitching never gets healthy, or because Dusty Baker is prominently involved? Because if Prior and Wood are healthy, throwing Zambrano and Maddux in there gives them a better rotation than the Astros.

aloofman

Apr 13, 2005, 11:41 AM

So, I'm a total Astros fan--if you hadn't noticed.

Well, it took one of the biggest hot streaks of recent years for the Astros to get into the playoffs last year. Seems unlikely that they could have another streak like that, but they also might not underachieve like in the first half of last year either.

It's one thing to be a fan, but to think the Astros are better than the Cardinals seems too optimistic. I suppose anything is possible, but be realistic here. Biggio and Bagwell will probably be worse than last year. Replacing the offense of Kent and Beltran will certainly be cheaper and it might work, but then it might not. Maybe they'l overachieve and St. Louis will underachieve, but how likely is it that this will make 13 games of difference? That's the margin that St. Louis won the NL Central by in 2004. The wild card is much more realistic, especially considering all of the Cubs' uncertainties.

NL West "losers"? I wonder if a division that includes the Brewers and Pirates would qualify?

aloofman

Apr 13, 2005, 11:47 AM

Can't happen...

I find it interesting that the Cubs' drought gets so much more attention than the White Sox's. The Chisox have gone longer without a championship than the Red Sox did and haven't played in the World Series since 1959. Is it only because of Wrigley Field that we have an affection for the Cubs instead?

Now, consider the cosmic implications of a Cubs-White Sox World Series. It happened in 1906....

Sox

Apr 13, 2005, 01:09 PM

I find it interesting that the Cubs' drought gets so much more attention than the White Sox's. The Chisox have gone longer without a championship than the Red Sox did and haven't played in the World Series since 1959. Is it only because of Wrigley Field that we have an affection for the Cubs instead?

Now, consider the cosmic implications of a Cubs-White Sox World Series. It happened in 1906....

Tidal waves on Lake Michigan...Al Capone wakes from the dead...Northwestern becomes Big Ten powerhouse...

aloofman

Apr 13, 2005, 02:51 PM

Tidal waves on Lake Michigan...Al Capone wakes from the dead...Northwestern becomes Big Ten powerhouse...

Well, Northwestern did go to the Rose Bowl back in the '90s, so if THAT can happen....

MacNut

Apr 13, 2005, 04:10 PM

Tidal waves on Lake Michigan...Al Capone wakes from the dead...Northwestern becomes Big Ten powerhouse...The tidal waves already happened and LA flooded over thanks to the Red Sox. :rolleyes:

Koodauw

Apr 13, 2005, 07:43 PM

Yesterday was the most profoundly well-orchestrated, most emotionally moving, most poignant ring ceremony in the history of civilized athletics, perhaps only to be rivaled by a future event at Wrigley Field. It highlighted the connection between generations of fans and players, the hallmark of what it means to be a member of Red Sox Nation. No matter what happens, no matter how many more championships the Yankees purchase, no matter how many ticker-tape parades down Broadway you witness, no matter how many statues you erect or numbers you retire or players you overpay, in your sporting life you will never ever not EVER be as happy as Red Sox fans were yesterday, and have been since October 27th, 2004.

Congrats on being losers for 86 years! I wish the Yankees would go on streak like that so I can witness a real ceremony :rolleyes: And say all you want about purchasing championships, but please do remind who was #2 in payroll?

I also, congrats to Schilling for going 0-1.

Sox

Apr 14, 2005, 12:55 PM

Congrats on being losers for 86 years! I wish the Yankees would go on streak like that so I can witness a real ceremony :rolleyes: And say all you want about purchasing championships, but please do remind who was #2 in payroll?

I also, congrats to Schilling for going 0-1.

Yes, the Red Sox are #2 in payroll...by over $80 million. The Yankees spend more on their starting rotation that the Devil Rays do their entire team. Stade Fasciste, indeed. David Ortiz makes $5 million a year (but was signed in 2003 for $1.25 million). A-Rod makes five times that.

I have a question: Since you as a Yankees fan have a fixation with past glory, why do you gloss over the past four seasons, a period that saw the Yankees increase their payroll exponentially from year to year, but, for lack of a better phrase, continuously choked? Or, do those immense failures not count?

The Yankees have won more championships than any other sports team in the USA, perhaps the world. However, the Yankees are also the only team to ever lose a best-of-seven series when leading 3-0. That's never happened before, in all of history, to the point that it was deemed impossible as of October 16th, 2004. From now until Forever, the Yankees will be the Team That Choked, in a way and with more magnitude than any other sports team in the history of the USA, perhaps the world.

The Red Sox celebrated IN YOUR HOUSE. Or, does that not matter? If, like Mark McGwire, you are "not here to talk about the past," then you can forget Luis Gonzalez's single, the Anaheim Angels, and Josh Beckett. And you can expunge from mind the painful memories of David "Senor Octobre" Ortiz, Dave Roberts, and Bloody Socks. You can never bring them up again. But, if you choose to do that, you have to forget about bragging about those 26 champoinships, most of which happened before you were even born. As long as you fall back on your past glory, you must face your past failure. And the past failure of the Yankees is more profound than any in history.

***

Schilling lost a game? Damn, there goes the perfect season. First the gilded 162-0, now a 35-0 mark for Schill. All down the tubes. At this rate, he'll have a bigger ERA than Rivera. We're doomed.

MacNut

Apr 14, 2005, 01:24 PM

I think the Red Sox forgot to invite a few people, I didn't see Bill Buckner anywhere at Fenway Park. Lets not forget the Red Sox past. The Sox were 1 out away from a championship in 86 when a ball went between the legs of Buckner and the Sox choked game 7.

MacNut

Apr 14, 2005, 01:32 PM

Sox

Apr 14, 2005, 01:49 PM

The Red Sox should of easily of have had 5 or 6 championchips over the past 86 years. Don't blame the Yankees for all of your problems over the years. I think every team in baseball that was better than you should take some blame for the Curse of the Bambino. The past is over and its time to look to the future, all the way to the year 2090, :p the next time the Red Sox will ever win again.

Oh, I completely agree with you. 1946, 1949, 1967, 1978, 1986, 1988, and that's just for starters.

I'm not "blaming" the Yankees for anything. They're a great team. Where have I said otherwise? I've only mentioned certain parts of their history which fanboys like your Yankee compatriot conveiniently forget about.

And, let's be clear, the "Curse" was a media invention to sell books, nothing more, nothing less. If you think a ghost spooked Mike Torrez into giving up that pop fly in '78, then you're delusional. The "Curse" as a phenomenon only arrived a few years ago, and only because Dan Shaughnessy's an idiot.

And thank you for agreeing with me - the past IS over and it IS time to look to the future. And I'll be happy to do so with any Yankee fan, as long as he does the same. If 2004 is "over," than so are the Yankees 26 championships. See? It's the hypocrisy that kills me. We should look to the future, to 2005, where the Toronto Blue Jays are in first place.

You saying that the Sox won't win for another 86 years has about as much validity as me saying that the Yankees won't ever win again because they'll play the final four games of the ALCS with their hands placed firmly around their throats.

MacNut

Apr 14, 2005, 02:41 PM

We both know that as long as the Yankees and Red Sox are competitive that the trash talking will continue and families and friends will be ripped apart until both teams equally suck.

Sox

Apr 14, 2005, 05:07 PM

Agreed. As it should be.

Sox

Apr 14, 2005, 09:30 PM

A knucklehead in right field at Fenway took a swing at Sheffield, who was going after a hit by Varitek. What a drunk idiot. It amounted to a graze; apparently he was going for the ball, per ESPN reporting. He was tossed out. Still, despicable. Sheffield hit him back, more of a shove. Terrible.

The crack security guard jumped right in before anything could escalate, but we cannot have these things happen. Fans need to stay in the stands, players in the field.

This is a great rivalry, but it must be played out between the lines. We had cops on the field in game 6 of the ALCS at Yankee Stadium, and now this at Fenway. No good, and I condemn it.

Let's just play ball.

dotdotdot

Apr 14, 2005, 09:49 PM

Just Wondering: Does anyone here have MLB Extra Innings? My dad gets it every year, and I always watch it - every game thats on at that time in MLB is broadcasted to you.

MacNut

Apr 14, 2005, 11:00 PM

I was in a bar trying to catch replays of that play with no sound, from what I saw a fan tried to swing at Sheif and lots of beer was spilled.

Sox

Apr 15, 2005, 07:50 AM

ESPN replayed the heck out of it just after it happened and on Baseball tonight just after the game. The fan was swinging down, as if to grab the ball as it bounced around the RF corner wall. It looked like he grazed Sheffield's hat, but I can't be sure from the camera angle. Sheffield says he was hit in the mouth. Who's to say. Either way, it wasn't a "punch" persay, and didn't make significant contact. This, however, doesn't excuse the fan, who should be banned from Fenway for the rest of the season. I HATE it when fans interfere with balls in play, leaning over the wall, etc. I HATE it, no matter which teams are playing, or which teams the interference benefits. Spectators need to SPECTATE, that is all.

What will be interesting to follow is MLB's reaction to Sheffield. He clearly hit the fan, something that you're simply not allowed to do. I don't necessarily fault him for his reaction, but I'll listen very closely to see if all the mediots who said Artest shouldn't have gone into the stands maintain the same line with Sheffield. By those standards, he should be suspended. I'm not saying it's right, but what's the determinate? I'm of the understanding that it's NEVER okay to cross the line.

decksnap

Apr 15, 2005, 08:48 AM

If you watch the replay a couple more times- you'll see something much funnier- The guy two seats to the left of the 'swinger' dumping his beer all over Sheffield. You can see him pondering it, and then he flicks his wrist and dumps it all over Sheffield's back- priceless. Clearly not an accident. The trying to hit a player or throwing things are bad things- make no mistake, but the beer dumps are part of the game and are truly priceless.

Johnson got rocked by the way. That's the best you got?

decksnap

Apr 15, 2005, 09:52 AM

Here's a pic.

Sun Baked

Apr 15, 2005, 10:20 AM

Here's a pic.I watched that a couple of times (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050415&content_id=1016357&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb), the fan wasn't even looking at him when he made contact. So it's doubtful it was deliberate -- but I can still see them prosecuting him. :rolleyes:

Sox

Apr 15, 2005, 10:23 AM

Yep, and there's Sheffield "not throwing a punch," like he's claiming in the papers now. Everyone involved in this is an idiot.

That's two straight starts where The Big Eunuch gets roughed up. And the Sox continued to dominate Gordon.

aloofman

Apr 15, 2005, 10:47 AM

decksnap

Apr 15, 2005, 10:53 AM

Sox

Apr 15, 2005, 11:19 AM

Every time a Yankees-Red Sox game is on, I'm reminded that it's a fine rivalry because the games often involve so much drama.

And every time a Yankees-Red Sox game is on, I'm reminded that the two teams have the most immature fans in the country. It's like watching kindergartners argue.

I think Oakland's got to be in that discussion. It's a shame that a few d-bags have to ruin things for the thousands of fans who do nothing wrong.

aloofman

Apr 15, 2005, 11:53 AM

Oh come on now... don't tell me it doesn't make it all that much more exciting. There's nothing immature about it- funny, yes. Stupid, yeah.

The Yankees getting into it with the Red Sox bullpen attendant was pretty stupid- but it made it all that much more exciting, didn't it?

On the contrary, it interrupted an exciting play and inning with a long delay of scuffling and yelling. Right after it happened, I switched to another channel for about ten minutes because I knew they wouldn't get their ****** together anytime soon. If I wanted to see fans misbehaving, I'd watch a European soccer game.

Sox

Apr 15, 2005, 12:43 PM

On the contrary, it interrupted an exciting play and inning with a long delay of scuffling and yelling. Right after it happened, I switched to another channel for about ten minutes because I knew they wouldn't get their ****** together anytime soon. If I wanted to see fans misbehaving, I'd watch a European soccer game.

And, though it may seem a dismissal of this whole fiasco, at least we aren't throwing flares.

MacNut

Apr 15, 2005, 01:20 PM

Arn't they supposed to stop serving beer in the 7th inning, those cups looked pretty full. :rolleyes:

MacNut

Apr 16, 2005, 11:11 PM

Ok so now I'm a little stressed, The Mets who started 0-5 have won the last 6 games and are on a role. The Yankees. have dropped 3 straight and the relief pitching (Gordon) is horrible.

Then there's this....
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2038623

NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees are close to reaching an agreement with city and state governments to build a new stadium, the Daily News reported Saturday.

Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper reported that lawyers from the city, state and team are completing a "memorandum of understanding" and that an announcement is expected around May 1.

While government and team officials did not comment directly about plans or the pending agreement, the newspaper said they did confirm that they are in the final stages.

"We're working very closely with the city and the state and trying to finalize our current plan," Yankees president Randy Levine told the Daily News. "We expect to announce it in the near future, and we hope to break ground in 2006 and be ready to play in 2009."

Very upset over that. :(

dotdotdot

Apr 16, 2005, 11:15 PM

Ok so now I'm a little stressed, The Mets who started 0-5 have won the last 6 games and are on a role. The Yankees. have dropped 3 straight and the relief pitching (Gordon) is horrible.

I am not stressed!!! I am so damn happy!!!

I was at todays game - for guessing the Mets would win I got an iPod shuffle from my dad... (also I needed it for school...)

I was told by my friends I was on TV two times... one because of a foul ball and one because they were showing fans w/ cool t-shirts and I had one from the 2000 world series that had mets and yankees on it...

dotdotdot

Apr 16, 2005, 11:27 PM

Arn't they supposed to stop serving beer in the 7th inning, those cups looked pretty full. :rolleyes:

For Yankee Red Sox games, they don't because they want drunk fights to boost TV ratings! :rolleyes:

Sox

Apr 17, 2005, 04:30 PM

MacNut

Apr 17, 2005, 05:01 PM

The new stadium will be built just north of the existing facility in the Bronx and is designed to seat 50,800. That's smaller than the current capacity of 57,478, but the new ballpark will have more luxury suites.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2038623

Mav451

Apr 17, 2005, 05:16 PM

O's sweep in the series =D

And Nat's aren't doing too bad either. With a team finally in the DC area, I may be getting into baseball (heck, and go to a game too). Not that the series with the Yankees isn't entertaining, its just not the same cheering a team in B'more when you live closer to DC.

People from Moco would know what i mean here.

saabmp3

Apr 17, 2005, 08:24 PM

For Yankee Red Sox games, they don't because they want drunk fights to boost TV ratings! :rolleyes:

Nah, they actually have threatened not to sell beer at these games at certain times. I'm not exactly sure why the guy had his hand out there, he wasn't looking at sheff, so the chances of him actually trying to hit him are low. The guy who "threw" the beer was falling down.

On a baseball note, the yank's got swept and we swept the D rays (nothing impressive there!). But, the yank's games were much more interesting. They fell apart twice in relief. I think we're going to see some more relievers get bought soon. This seems to hold true since last year.

Anyways, the standings as they are now won't last long. Does anybody really thing Toronto is going to be in first for very long? So far they've had a semi difficult schedule (inter league play for opening day??) but nothing too hard. We (boston) were in a slump when we played them, CIN is one above 500, texas one below, oakland exactly even. TB (who we swept) is in last place. Heck, they're one of the only teams I don't expect to move around much this season :-p.

Not to be too critical, I see TB getting much better in a year or two. They have some excellent young players that I'd like to see when they mature a little.

BEN

MacNut

Apr 17, 2005, 11:13 PM

A message from the boss George Steinbrenner,"Enough is enough. I am bitterly disappointed as I'm sure all Yankee fans are by the lack of performance by our team, It is unbelievable to me that the highest-paid team in baseball would start the season in such a deep funk. They are not playing like true Yankees. They have the talent to win and they are not winning. I expect Joe Torre, his complete coaching staff and the team to turn this around."

Sox

Apr 18, 2005, 02:15 PM

A message from the boss George Steinbrenner,

It's the "true Yankee" part of that which rings the loudest. Last year, you had Jeter telling reporters not to compare the 2004 team to the teams that won in the 90s.

Whenever the Big Stein calls out his team like this (and he did the same thing last spring), he always sounds like a pompous a$$. Not playing like "true Yankees?" What exactly does that mean? Shaving your facial hair and taking the field with an elegant gait?

Prediction: If the Yankees keep Womack in the leadoff spot, they miss the playoffs.

I'm thrilled to see the Nats doing well, just as I always enjoyed them as the Expos, especially when both they and the Twins had good seasons immediately after Selig marked them for Death. But what the hell kind of TV deal did Peter Angelos swing? I live north of Baltimore in Pennsylvania, but TBS had the game blacked out when the Braves played Washington. Once the novelty wears off, the Nats are going to need some TV revenue outside of Alexandria, VA.

ijimk

Apr 18, 2005, 04:08 PM

I was at the Saturday O's yankees game and let me say it was the best game i have been too ever. i was really surpised the O's were able to comeback. If all goes well I really hope the O's make it to the playoffs. Whether its wild card or division leader i dont care, i just want post season baseball back in baltimore.

And my prediction for the yankees, the yankees will not finish in last place. They will get better, but they will continue to loose if their opponents make them turn to their bullpen. The yankkees breakdown like this

Starting Pitching: B+
Offense: A-
Bullpen: C-

If a team can shake up the yankkees starter and make them go to the bullpen early, the yankees will have a tough time winning.

As for the Orioles our game plan is quite different. We are willing to give up some runs and just out score our oppents. breaks down like this

Starting Pitching C+
Offense A++
Bullpen A-

Its a good time to be a baseball fan in the baltimore area!

MacNut

Apr 18, 2005, 04:09 PM

BOSTON -- The spectator who interfered with New York Yankees right fielder Gary Sheffield had his season tickets for 2005 revoked Monday by the Boston Red Sox.

A fan who spilled beer on Sheffield was prohibited from buying tickets for the rest of the season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2040064

MacNut

Apr 18, 2005, 04:12 PM

The only problem with the bullpen is the same problem they had last year, Tom Gordon, He chokes in the big spot.

decksnap

Apr 18, 2005, 04:18 PM

them turn to their bullpen. The yankkees breakdown like this

Starting Pitching: B+
Offense: A-
Bullpen: C-

If a team can shake up the yankkees starter and make them go to the bullpen early, the yankees will have a tough time winning.

As for the Orioles our game plan is quite different. We are willing to give up some runs and just out score our oppents. breaks down like this

Starting Pitching C+
Offense A++
Bullpen A-

Its a good time to be a baseball fan in the baltimore area!

As much as I HATE the Yankees, this doesn't seem like a fair assessment. The Yankees and the Red Sox still have the two best offenses in the league. Glad to see the Orioles beating up on the Yanks, but come on.

decksnap

Apr 18, 2005, 04:20 PM

Hey MacNut- don't you know Peter Griffin is a Sox fan?

MacNut

Apr 18, 2005, 04:26 PM

Hey MacNut- don't you know Peter Griffin is a Sox fan?As you can see he's also a drunk. :p

dotdotdot

Apr 18, 2005, 06:21 PM

As you can see he's also a drunk. :p

But a funny drunk! :p

aloofman

Apr 18, 2005, 06:31 PM

A message from the boss George Steinbrenner,

Once again, Big Stein shows that he's second only to Tommy Lasorda in dishing out ************.

Give me a break. Were Mattingly and Winfield not "true Yankees"? Maybe if they had a few more homegrown players left, they'd play like "true Yankees." (The only ones, by my count, are Rivera, Williams, Jeter, and Posada. Please correct me if I'm wrong.) Hiring mercenaries at premium prices can only take you so far and they've been experiencing diminishing returns. At some point, even such a large collection of talent will underachieve in a big way.

That said, it's a little early for ominous declarations. (I'm not doing cartwheels for my Dodgers yet either.) I'm sure it's just a public motivation on his part, but the idea of Steinbrenner firing Joe Torre is laughable. Regardless of whether he's to blame, there's no obvious replacement anywhere that the players would respect in the same way. I'm not saying he won't ever fire Torre, but it would be stupid to do so.

Sox

Apr 18, 2005, 06:42 PM

The only problem with the bullpen is the same problem they had last year, Tom Gordon, He chokes in the big spot.

I think the verb you're looking for, in regards to Gordon, is "vomited."

I agree with aloofman, it's still April and there's plenty of baseball left to play. No one is as good, or as bad, as they look in the first few weeks, with the possible exception of the Royals and DRays.

That said, if Gordon keeps spitting the bit, the Yanks will be in serious trouble. They need that bridge to Rivera, and Torre has a bad habit of distrusting his young arms. If I were a Yankees fan, Tanyan Sturtze coming into a tie game in the eighth would give me the willies.

As you can see he's also a drunk.

And on that note, it's time for a Pawtucket Patriot.

MacNut

Apr 18, 2005, 09:56 PM

19-8 Yankees win :p

Kwyjibo

Apr 18, 2005, 10:04 PM

That said, if Gordon keeps spitting the bit, the Yanks will be in serious trouble. They need that bridge to Rivera, and Torre has a bad habit of distrusting his young arms. If I were a Yankees fan, Tanyan Sturtze coming into a tie game in the eighth would give me the willies.

thats how I feel when they bring latroy into a save situation ..

saabmp3

Apr 19, 2005, 12:25 AM

19-8 Yankees win :p

I would like to congratulate the Yankees on a blow out win against.....the Devil Rays!!!! We all know how good of a team they are. The Yankee's are no longer tied for last place!!!

Here's some interesting information that actually might make you cringe as a Yankee's fan. The highest paid player on the Devil Rays, Charles Johnson making 9 million is out paid by 10 members of the yankees (tied with #11 Carl Pavano). We all know the Yankee's scored 19 runs. Let's look at the eight....8!!!! runs that the devil rays scored. This is no 10-0 blow out that Boston had last week. How can you let a team with some of their best players making less than the lowest paid member of the yankees (we're talking a bench player here) score this many runs? The yankee's still have not improved their starting rotation. Randy Johnson is a god of pitchers, but obviously he's not helping a 5-8 team.

Next, of course the big Stein made this statement after playing a decent team. He knew there was no way in hell the Devil Rays would beat them. A true last place team (and I am not bashing the DR's) with a 0-10 away record to the Yankees. This is a money in the bank bet. The worst Yankee's team can beat them any day of the week.

The fact of the matter is, last year's World Series champions...the Boston Red Sox had a very similar game to this one. Basically, the Yankee's can't hold any team to less than 5 runs. Sure, a great offense is just that, but we've learned year over year that offense just can't do it.

Here this Yankee's. You have turned NOTHING around. nothing.

When they beat a team not in last place we're going to have a story.

BEN

PS. Congrads to Mrs. Schilling for finishing the Boston Marathon!!!!!!

MacNut

Apr 19, 2005, 01:15 AM

PS. Congrads to Mrs. Schilling for finishing the Boston Marathon!!!!!!Arn't you supposed to root for the Mariners in WA
:rolleyes:

MacNut

Apr 19, 2005, 01:19 AM

The Devil Rays are there so teams in a slump can feel better about themselves and have something to beat, Its kinda like fighting the slow fat kid on the playground. :rolleyes:

Sox

Apr 19, 2005, 07:02 AM

Arn't you supposed to root for the Mariners in WA
:rolleyes:

That's why it's called Red Sox NATION.

Did anyone watch Clemens v. Hudson??? Wow. What a game.

decksnap

Apr 19, 2005, 07:41 AM

Ah, the Yankees and high scoring games...

saabmp3

Apr 19, 2005, 09:11 PM

Arn't you supposed to root for the Mariners in WA
:rolleyes:

Hehe, I moved out here from Boston temporarily for work. My heart is still in Boston.

Anyways, I was right, the yanks are back in last place! 6-2 loss with their ace on the mound. Too bad the sox lost in a heartbreaker.

BEN

Kwyjibo

Apr 19, 2005, 09:14 PM

too bad the yankees couldn't move some ofthe runs from yesterday to today .... in other news ... prior looked damn good today. I don't want to speak too soon but man 13 innings 0 ER ... so his stat line reads as so ...

Mark Prior 2-0 0.00

This was without Burnitz in the lineup with Hairston (who I"m glad to have ironically filling the spot SOSA used to hold) .... the team is looking up, now a critical series with the cardinals maybe they can reverse how things went last year ... 8-11 against the cards.

Sun Baked

Apr 20, 2005, 08:08 AM

You could sort of see this one coming after all the pressure the team, team owner, manager, and player were putting on police in the media. :rolleyes: Charges sought against fans
Boston police, not Sheffield pressing case

Associated Press
Apr. 20, 2005 12:00 AM

BOSTON - New York outfielder Gary Sheffield isn't sure whether he wants to press charges against two fans who were involved in a scuffle with him during a game last week at Fenway Park. Boston police already have made up their minds to do just that.

Sheffield met Tuesday with officials from the baseball commissioner's office, and Boston police filed applications for misdemeanor criminal charges against the two fans - one allegedly made contact with the outfielder as he attempted to get the ball near the right-field wall and the other tossed a beer at him...

[delete to end]

decksnap

Apr 20, 2005, 08:50 AM

Get over it Gary.

Anybody been watching Manny smack the **** out of the ball lately? The one he hit last night went OVER the light tower above the monster.

Sox

Apr 20, 2005, 09:56 AM

Get over it Gary.

Anybody been watching Manny smack the **** out of the ball lately? The one he hit last night went OVER the light tower above the monster.

That sucker bounced onto the Mass Pike on one hop. Remy was in the booth saying it was longer than the shot Rice hit back in the 80s. Nice to see The Man in a groove; hopefully he can keep it going at Camden Yards the next few days. I would like to see Foulke iron out his mechanics, however.

I saw some highlights of Prior, and he looked pretty filthy. If he is indeed fully recovered from the leg, I think he'll be okay. The Cubs need to get Wood going. If he's not spitting the bit, they can outpitch the Cards and just about anyone else. I'm not sold on Mulder.

IJ Reilly

Apr 20, 2005, 10:56 AM

Dodger fan here. Gloating.

Okay. I'm done. :D

saabmp3

Apr 20, 2005, 10:48 PM

Get over it Gary.

Anybody been watching Manny smack the **** out of the ball lately? The one he hit last night went OVER the light tower above the monster.

Manny's still on fire, today's game was quite impressive. We're no longer shutting out the D rays, this time it's the first place Orioles (with a great lineup).

BEN

MacNut

Apr 20, 2005, 11:09 PM

That sucker bounced onto the Mass Pike on one hop.If I was driving and got a baseball in my windshield I would be suing some people.

The Yankees looked good tonight hitting the bats and Pavano pitched a good game.

MacNut

Apr 20, 2005, 11:18 PM

NEW YORK -- Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield won't be punished for his role in a scuffle with fans at Fenway Park last week.

Sheffield was praised by the discipline committee for showing restraint during the encounter with fans.
Bob Watson, baseball's vice president in charge of discipline, made the decision Wednesday, a day after meeting with Sheffield and the right fielder's agent at Yankee Stadium.

"It just proves that I was right," Sheffield said before Wednesday night's game at Toronto. "I'm just glad I was an example of how to handle a situation without making it worse or hurting the Yankees or any organization for that matter, or any sport.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2042089

Sox

Apr 21, 2005, 06:53 AM

It would appear that ever since Sheffield stopped applying that $50K-a-bottle flaxseed oil, he's been a model citizen and showing restraint. Bravo, Sheff, bravo.

Bruce Chen, meet Jason Varitek. KAPOW.

I caught the last few innings of Cubs-Cards last night after the Sox game, and I'm officially a fan of Carlos Zambrano. 8.2IP, 1 ER, 4H and an RBI triple. He storms around the mound like he's looking for something to break and then fires BBs at the plate, one after another, with like 30 seconds in between pitches. He throws smoke and breathes fire. To bad they wouldn't let him get the CG.

saabmp3

Apr 21, 2005, 09:00 PM

So who saw that injury coming to Nomar? It's really disappointing how such a great player (and nobody can say he wasn't) can have such a major train wreck of a career. Same goes for the cubs (but the player they brought up looks decent).

That homer in question made it about 15 feet from the pike according to NESN.

BEN

Kwyjibo

Apr 21, 2005, 09:09 PM

I caught the last few innings of Cubs-Cards last night after the Sox game, and I'm officially a fan of Carlos Zambrano. 8.2IP, 1 ER, 4H and an RBI triple. He storms around the mound like he's looking for something to break and then fires BBs at the plate, one after another, with like 30 seconds in between pitches. He throws smoke and breathes fire. To bad they wouldn't let him get the CG.

yeah he's grown up in certain ways but the fire inside is still there and I think he may be the 1-2 punch of prior - zambrano ... which could be sick. Even today Dempster gave up 1 run over 6 ... with 4 hits that should be good enough for a while.

as for nomar ... he's quickly turning into a Ken Griffey or a Grant Hill, I'm glad the cubs only signed him for a year ... Neifi is alright but he's not an everyday guy.

Sox

Apr 22, 2005, 08:47 AM

I feel terrible for Nomar. This is a guy once lauded by Ted Williams, for both his exceptional hitting and overall approach to the game. The Splinter's opinion should be good enough for anyone.

He was also the face of the Boston Red Sox for the late 90s. I grew up as a baseball fan alongside Nomar's ascension into the baseball elite, and he was my favorite player. I remember spending summer nights watching him tear through the Cape league, spraying frozen ropes into the outfield sunset in Eldridge Park. I was overjoyed when he broke in with the Sox, where he patrolled the infield with the reckless abandon and joy of an eight-year-old kid fielding fungoes with his old man.

There's a special place in hell for Al Reyes, who shattered Nomar's wrist and effectively marked the end of his era in Boston. When he finally returned, all those first pitch frozen ropes became pop-ups, the laser throws to first lost thier zip and accuracy. He was never the same player.

I was sad when he was traded away last summer, but I knew that it was something that had to happen. Nomar's relationship with the FO had soured even further after the near-trade for A-Rod, and he wanted a "Jeter money" extension that no SS in baseball would be worth. But it should never have had to come to that, the perfect storm of a declining market, injuries, and vitriol. He should have been on the field last October, healthy and happy, piling on top of Foulke and getting doused in Veuve Cliquot. He should have been adding to a First-Ballot HOF career this year in Boston, putting holes in the Monstah and gobbling up grounders with the reckless abandon of an eight-year-old kid fielding fungoes with his old man.

aloofman

Apr 22, 2005, 12:05 PM

It would appear that ever since Sheffield stopped applying that $50K-a-bottle flaxseed oil, he's been a model citizen and showing restraint. Bravo, Sheff, bravo.

Sheffield has never been a model citizen and never will be. Wait till he finds something to complain about.

aloofman

Apr 22, 2005, 12:07 PM

So who saw that injury coming to Nomar? It's really disappointing how such a great player (and nobody can say he wasn't) can have such a major train wreck of a career. Same goes for the cubs (but the player they brought up looks decent).

It's getting to be very Junior Griffey or Grant Hill-like now, isn't it? Some players just can't stay healthy or are unlucky somehow.

Sox

Apr 22, 2005, 12:25 PM

Sheffield has never been a model citizen and never will be. Wait till he finds something to complain about.

I don't know if it was obvious, but I wrote that with my tongue planted firmly in my cheek. I suppose that I should have included some sort of smiley face, but I just can't bring myself to use them.

MacNut

Apr 24, 2005, 04:42 AM

So the Yankees and Red Sox are on a 2 game skid, Schilling blew a game and is now 1-2 and Wright left the game with a shoulder problem and is on the 15 day DL. Might have to give Baltimore some more respect as they are in first place.

saabmp3

Apr 24, 2005, 04:21 PM

Well, with the yanks, orioles, sox (pre-emptive, but they just hit a grandslam making it 10-3) all winning today, that's stopping the 2 games "slide". Finally NY is atleast tied for last place!

But, hear this, not a short term prediction. The Yankee's are a much better team than last place. Boston is playing much worse than they should be (besides the back to back homers that they hit while I'm posting :p ). The Orioles are playing better than any of the past couple years. I like seeing the yanks lose, but it's not going to last forever.

Boston's got a 3 game series against the o's coming up (home stand). The yanks have got a 3 game series against LAA (pretty good season). I think we're going to see some more shifting of positions coming up (I predict boston taking 2/3 from the o's, yanks losing 2/3 to the angle's).

BEN

Sox

Apr 24, 2005, 07:50 PM

Any word on Wright's shoulder? I think he was supposed to have an MRI today.

Schilling is still in Spring Training. Unfortunately, these games count. He's a month behind where he should be due to the offseason ankle surgery. If he's still spitting the bit in May/June, I'll start worrying.

The Yankees are actively decomposing right now, on nearly every front. This may be the year that the wheels come off. I know it's early, but none of their pitchers have been effective in consecutive starts, they already have two guys on the DL, Big Stein is issuing threatening emails, and Tony Womack and his .304 OBP are batting leadoff. They still have the big four in their lineup, but this will be the most difficult season in recent memory for the Yanks with regards to making the playoffs.

That said, the Sox are having some serious issues with the back end of the pen. Walk-off HR twice so far this season; it only happened 4 times total in 2004. Maybe today's brawl with wake everyone up.

Baltimore hits the cover off the ball (and did last year, too) but I don't think their starting pitching will be able to hold up for the entire season. They'll certainly make it interesting.

MacNut

Apr 24, 2005, 11:33 PM

No word on Wright's shoulder yet, But Randy Johnson pitched a gem of a game, looked like close to classic Unit.

Im shocked in the Red Sox behavior, I expect that from Pedro :rolleyes: but you guys have to get over him, he's a Met now. :p

Jaret Wright Update.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2045145

NEW YORK -- Jaret Wright was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with yet another shoulder injury, and the New York Yankees right-hander will miss at least four to six weeks.

Wright walked off the mound with one out in the sixth inning of a 10-2 loss to the Texas Rangers on Saturday because of pain in his right shoulder. This is the eighth time he has been on the disabled list in a nine-year career and the sixth time because of a problem with the shoulder -- including season-ending surgery in 2000 and 2001.

Tests on Sunday showed torn scar tissue in Wright's shoulder, and he was relieved by that.

"There wasn't a whole lot of sleep with everything going through your mind what it could be," Wright said. "I think tearing scar tissue is better than anything else."

Wright will have a cortisone shot in four or five days, once the swelling goes down, and then will go to the Yankees' complex in Tampa, Fla., for a rehabilitation assignment.

"He will be treated very conservatively," general manager Brian Cashman said. "Four to six weeks is the earliest timetable for him to get back."

Cashman said Chien-Ming Wang will be called up from Triple-A Columbus this week to take Wright's spot in the rotation -- Saturday against Toronto.

Sox

Apr 25, 2005, 08:18 AM

Interesting. Everyone has been touting this Wang kid lately, so we'll see what he's made of. Although, being the best minor leaguer for the Yankees doesn't mean that much. At this point, their farm system is more barren than a 50 year-old pornstar.

IIRC, Arroyo's "retaliatory" pitch hit the guy in the a$$. If you're going to plunk a guy, that's the most gentlemanly way to do it. Carter throwing at Ortiz's head was what escalated the whole thing. Of course, I'm sure Sheffield would have showed restraint and simply taken his base, and perhaps sent Carter flowers after the game to show that there were no hard feelings. It's the Yankees and he's a professional. It's those kinds of intagibles that win championships.

MacNut

Apr 26, 2005, 04:52 PM

The Yankees may not be the only ones with pitching problems as the Red Sox favorite David Wells is on the 15 day DL and maybe out 4 weeks.

MacNut

Apr 27, 2005, 12:11 AM

Arod 3 Home Runs and 10 RBI's Pavano pitched a good game, Might be the start of something good for the Yankees. Red Sox cant hold off the Orioles. We may have a pennant race now.

decksnap

Apr 27, 2005, 07:44 AM

The Yankees may not be the only ones with pitching problems as the Red Sox favorite David Wells is on the 15 day DL and maybe out 4 weeks.

Believe me- Wells is not a Red Sox favorite. You think we like watching that slob yank on his crotch all game?

Orioles are looking powerful- but will their pitching staff hold up?

Survey says... no.

Sox

Apr 27, 2005, 08:51 AM

Well, as long as Jorge Julio and BJ Ryan keep pitching like they are in the back end of the O's pen, color me concerned. Their starting pitching can crap the bed all they want, but their bats will carry them to victory in the last three innings. Vaguely reminiscient of the 2004 Yankees.

The bright side to Wells going down is that it puts off the "Who goes to the pen when Wade Miller comes back?" decision for about a month. He may make his first start on Tuesday.

The emergence of the Os brings up a salient point: the WC may not come out of the AL East this year. If there are three teams beating up on each other over here instead of two, it gives the second-place finishers in the West and Central a much better shot. This happened to the Oak-Ana-Tex group last August. They had like three weeks in a row when they each played .500 against each other, and then the Sox came through and went something like 8-2 and effectively clinched the wild-card.

aloofman

Apr 27, 2005, 11:20 AM

Arod 3 Home Runs and 10 RBI's Pavano pitched a good game, Might be the start of something good for the Yankees. Red Sox cant hold off the Orioles. We may have a pennant race now.

Three weeks into the season, isn't everyone still in the pennant race? I'm as big a baseball fan as the next person (probably bigger), but you can't live and die with every game.

Sun Baked

Apr 27, 2005, 11:40 AM

Strange the Diamondbacks have moved to .5 game out of first in the NL West.

Koodauw

Apr 27, 2005, 12:51 PM

IIRC, Arroyo's "retaliatory" pitch hit the guy in the a$$. If you're going to plunk a guy, that's the most gentlemanly way to do it. Carter throwing at Ortiz's head was what escalated the whole thing. Of course, I'm sure Sheffield would have showed restraint and simply taken his base, and perhaps sent Carter flowers after the game to show that there were no hard feelings. It's the Yankees and he's a professional. It's those kinds of intagibles that win championships.

If your a MLB batter, and someone throws at your head, go out and pound the guy. Esp if you know it was on purpose. Manny came back and crushed that next pitch after being thrown at, but thats not gonna stop him form throwing at you. A 250+ lbs David Ortiz charging you like a mad bull is going to be tough to shake next time your thinking of throwing at someone. Seriously.

MacNut

Apr 27, 2005, 01:11 PM

Not looking good for the Red Sox right now as Schilling is on the DL now for 2 weeks.

saabmp3

Apr 27, 2005, 07:41 PM

Three weeks into the season, isn't everyone still in the pennant race? I'm as big a baseball fan as the next person (probably bigger), but you can't live and die with every game.

Thanks aloofman, I really agree here. Teams go on 500 streaks, it's not the end of the world. Sure, I'm a little pissed at Folke blowing all these saves (don't get my started on Embree), but I'm still buying tickets for may. Let's talk in late August and September about a pennant race.

For now.....Wells out for a month, Schilling (who never really got out of spring training) for 15 days. Heck, this might be a great thing for Schilling to go back to training and get back his A game.

3 days ago there was an article on Boston.com about how we have a surplus of pitchers! (got one coming up from the AAA team) They were talking about who to cut from the rotation. Schilling will be back soon, we're filling Wells spot, this isn't the end of the world. I just wish that our relief pitching could win some 1 run games (2-6 now I think).

Not looking good for the Red Sox right now as Schilling is on the DL now for 2 weeks.

It happens. That's life. Remember our star shortstop that had these issues last year?

BEN

MacNut

Apr 27, 2005, 09:29 PM

Im sure the Red Sox would like to have Pedro back right about now. He's on a role in NY. ;)

Sun Baked

Apr 28, 2005, 12:25 AM

Bad NL West...

Letting the Diamondbacks take first place for at least a day. :p

saabmp3

Apr 28, 2005, 12:29 AM

Im sure the Red Sox would like to have Pedro back right about now. He's on a role in NY. ;)

No, but maybe D. Lowe. Pedro was a great pitcher, but we don't need an emotional baby on our hands...again.

BEN

MacNut

Apr 28, 2005, 12:47 AM

Sayhey

Apr 28, 2005, 02:35 AM

I'm depressed. Benitez is out until September at the earliest. There goes the Giants bullpen. :(

MacNut

Apr 28, 2005, 03:33 AM

I'm depressed. Benitez is out until September at the earliest. There goes the Giants bullpen. :(Is there any timetable for Mr Bonds return, If he's not back soon you wont need to even worry about September.

Sayhey

Apr 28, 2005, 04:42 AM

Is there any timetable for Mr Bonds return, If he's not back soon you wont need to even worry about September.

No timetable yet, but he's optimistic about his rehab. I'm not so pessimistic about the Giants if Bonds is not back real soon; the have a good enough lineup to contend in a weak division. Without a legit closer, however, it is unlikely they can hang in the race. If you see Matt Herges closing again, you know they are desperate. We will see if some one will step up within the organization because a trade now is very unlikely.

Sox

Apr 28, 2005, 07:52 AM

Wells is turning out to be a bust for the Sox and thats why the Yankees didn't want him. Schilling isn't close to being ready yet and may have done more harm to his ankle, Maybe the Sox should of kept Pedro or Lowe as insurance and spent the money just to have one more good year.

The Yankees may be better off with Wright on the DL, he cant be any worse if he's not pitching. The problem is Mussena, He is not stepping it up yet, Arod is finally looking to be finally becoming classic arod again.

And therein lies the seminal difference between the Yankees and everybody else. "Spending the money just to have one more good" year leaves you with a lineup of aging former All-Stars, a bench thinner than Calista Flockhart, and a farm system berefts of any discernable talent. Keep Pedro and Lowe? Maybe the Yanks should have kept Lieber and Halsey.

But the argument is distinctly flawed. In both cases, we're comparing pitchers who switched leagues. Going to the NL, of course Pedro, Lowe, Lieber, and even Halsey are going to have better years. The lack of a DH accounts for a lot. NL batters have never seen these guys before (at least not very much and for many years - interleague play, former teams, etc), and it will take a half-season or so to adjust.

Is Classic Arod the guy who hits the cover off the ball in the regular season, or the guy who plays with both hands placed firmly around his throat in the postseason?

"An Arod Experience? How about getting some balls through the infield in the postseason. That's an Arod Experience I'd like." - Barry Halpren, Yankee minority owner

Injuries happen. It was a miracle that no Boston pitcher missed a start in 2004 - a miracle. Better that this happens now than in September. If the Red Sox can win a World Series while having Kevin Millar play RF for 40% of the season, they can certainly weather this storm.

Sayhey - so, does Pedro Gomez live in a tent on Barry's front lawn?