Official 2007 MLB Season Thread [Archive] - Page 3

mattscott306

Apr 26, 2007, 01:17 PM

If thats true I would call that a form of cheating and a huge scam to get the Yankees of guard.

I don't think I'd call it cheating. Baseball deals alot with misleading ones opponent as to ones actions, so I'd more qualify it in that department.

What would they convict him on? A Dress Code violation? I think not.

It's no where near as bad as other post season game tactics, such as the twins feild manager turning on the fans when the twins were at bat to slow the ball down during the world series against the braves.

MacNut

Apr 26, 2007, 01:19 PM

If this is true and he wasn't hurt then he purposely lost the first game on purpose to make everyone think he was injured, Then he comes back and throws a great game.

mattscott306

Apr 26, 2007, 01:20 PM

If this is true and he wasn't hurt then he purposely lost the first game on purpose to make everyone think he was injured, Then he comes back and throws a great game.

He didn't necessarily lose the first game on purpose... he could still have been injured without the ankle actually bleeding.

aloofman

Apr 26, 2007, 01:36 PM

It's no where near as bad as other post season game tactics, such as the twins feild manager turning on the fans when the twins were at bat to slow the ball down during the world series against the braves.

Forget postseason, teams have done that in the regular season since the beginning. The Astros were often accused of manipulating the air conditioning in the old Astrodome. Various teams would cut the grass short or long depending on their hitters. Teams used to water their basepaths until it was mud to slow down base stealers like Ty Cobb and Maury Wills. Bill Veeck once installed an outfield fence that he could raise and lower depending on who was at bat. (That one was banned after one game.) And of course, people have alleged that the Dodger Stadium pitcher's mound is higher than regulation pretty much since it was built.

As for the bloody sock thing, it doesn't sound made-up to me. If it were, why would Mirabelli be dumb enough to tell a broadcaster? And with all the people surrounding the team, wouldn't more people know? On the other hand, I wouldn't put it past an attention whore like Schilling to try something like that.

It sounds more like a fun conspiracy theory to me, but I remember thinking at the time that the media was having way too much fun talking about it.

zioxide

Apr 26, 2007, 08:15 PM

Anyone saying that it's paint is a goddamn fool. First of all, the sock is now in the HOF, and the stain is brown. Blood turns brown after a while, and paint doesn't. Secondly, why the **** would he go out and paint a sock red? Everyone knew he was injured, he was limping and we all knew about the procedure he had to secure his tendon. Finally, just look at the ****ing video of it. It's obvious that if it was just painted on the outside (like Kevin Millar did for warmups tonight as a joke), it would have a different texture than the rest of the sock. You can clearly see that the blood is saturated through the fabric of the sock. It's just ridiculous for some random sports commentator to come out and say this ****. Mirabelli said he's never even talked to the guy.

If thats true I would call that a form of cheating and a huge scam to get the Yankees of guard.

Yeah.. it's cheating O_o Whatever you need to tell yourself to sleep at night after the Yankees had the biggest choke in sports history

Also: http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070426&content_id=1931740&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos

Thorne admitted he was wrong.

fotografica

Apr 27, 2007, 08:50 AM

LOL..I've never seen such backpedaling/backstroking as I have seen with Thorne in the past 24 hours. Nice to watch a guy that doesn't check his facts that runs with the story squirm...As well as all the other so called "sports reporters", Red Sox bashers/haters etc..What a bunch of frauds. Good to see all these clowns get called to the mat.I'm surprised one of these reporters hasn't come out and said that the procedure on his ankle never happened :rolleyes: Gotta love it.....

mattscott306

Apr 27, 2007, 09:01 AM

fotografica

Apr 27, 2007, 10:08 AM

Good to see Curt fire back at these frauds:

Ignorance has its privileges

Apr 27th, 2007 by Curt Schilling

"Take Gary Thorne, John, Jack Joe or whatever his first name is, Heyman, Karen Vescey, Woody Paige, CHB, Jay Marriotti, Bill Plaschke, and a host of other people that litter the media landscape, and put them all on an island somewhere.
Watching Woody Paige or the plastered made up face of Jay Marriotti spew absolutely nothing of merit on sports, day after day, makes it easy to understand how Gary Thorne could say something as stupid, ignorant, and uninformed as he did the other night.

Before last night I’d only known who Gary Thorne was due to becoming a hockey fan and enjoying his calls of the NHL playoffs. I’ve always thought he was an awesome hockey announcer. Can’t say I’ve ever met him though so we certainly don’t know each other.
So Gary Thorne says that Doug told him the blood was fake. Which even when he’s called out he can’t admit he lied. Doug never told Gary Thorne anything. Gary Thorne overheard something and then misreported what he overheard. Not only did he misreport it, he misinterpreted what he misreported.

Doug is a good friend of mine and I knew the second I saw him that he felt horrible. He didn’t have to. I knew the second I was told what had happened that he didn’t say it. I felt horrible for him feeling bad and told him to forget about it. I also knew that being the friends we are, he wouldn’t. But even after they spoke Gary Thorne still covered his ass by lying about the conversation and twisting it in a way that absolved him from blame. Tito got phone calls all day, I did as well, and some other guys did too. It’s 2007 and this team has got a great thing going. The last thing we need is an idiotic distraction that shouldn’t even exist.
Remember this, the surgery was voluntary. If you have the nuts, or the guts, grab an orthopedic surgeon, have them suture your ankle skin down to the tissue covering the bone in your ankle joint, then walk around for 4 hours. After that go find a mound, throw a hundred or so pitches, run over, cover first a few times. When you’re done check that ankle and see if it bleeds. It will. There was less visible blood in game two because we recognized the amount of bleeding from the first game and Doctor Morgan put extra covering to stop the blood from running to the bottom of my shoe as it did the first game."
----
Just some exerpts...Off to the Bronx...

furcalchick

Apr 27, 2007, 10:42 AM

Take Gary Thorne, John, Jack Joe or whatever his first name is, Heyman, Karen Vescey, Woody Paige, CHB, Jay Marriotti, Bill Plaschke, and a host of other people that litter the media landscape, and put them all on an island somewhere.

Watching Woody Paige or the plastered made up face of Jay Marriotti spew absolutely nothing of merit on sports, day after day, makes it easy to understand how Gary Thorne could say something as stupid, ignorant, and uninformed as he did the other night.

i wish i can do that too. it's too bad i can't, the media is annoying at times.

fotografica

Apr 27, 2007, 11:25 AM

i wish i can do that too. it's too bad i can't, the media is annoying at times.

Agreed..it's always nice when one of their targets calls them out..

MacNut

Apr 27, 2007, 01:07 PM

You can't deny that Schilling has to be the center of attention so it would not of surprised me if the sock was doctored. He needs to pitch more and talk less.

mattscott306

Apr 27, 2007, 01:09 PM

You can't deny that Schilling has to be the center of attention so it would not of surprised me if the sock was doctored. He needs to pitch more and talk less.

Talk? A-Rod, Jimmy Rollins, Barry Bonds- they talk.
Schilling? Not so much.

fotografica

Apr 27, 2007, 05:03 PM

You can't deny that Schilling has to be the center of attention so it would not of surprised me if the sock was doctored. He needs to pitch more and talk less.

Wow,what a shock.That coming from the mouth of Yankee's fan?:rolleyes: Worry about your own rotation.It's got a few problems of its own right now...

MacNut

Apr 27, 2007, 05:09 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2851544
A former employee of the New York Mets has pleaded guilty to distributing steroids and human growth hormone to dozens of major league players between 1995 and 2005, several media outlets are reporting.

According to court documents obtained by The Washington Post and other newspapers, Kirk J. Radomski admitted to supplying drugs to players throughout the league and laundering the proceeds of those sales.

The Post and San Jose Mercury News are reporting that Radomski has agreed to cooperate with Major League Baseball's investigation into steroids led by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell.

Radomski, 37, surrendered Friday in U.S. District Court, scene of the BALCO steroid proceedings and prosecutions, and pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a controlled substance -- anabolic steroids -- and one count of money laundering.

"This individual was a major dealer of anabolic steroids and performance-enhancing drugs whose clientele was focused almost exclusively on Major League Baseball players," assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Parrella said, according to The Post. "He operated for approximately a decade."

Radomski, a former Mets batboy who said he also worked as an equipment manager and clubhouse assistant while with the team from 1985-95, faces up to 25 years in prison and $500,000 in fines.

mattscott306

Apr 27, 2007, 05:13 PM

just what we need- another steroids episode.

MacNut

Apr 27, 2007, 05:15 PM

just what we need- another steroids episode.I hope Selig doesn't try to brush this off like he did with Bonds, Sosa, and Marky.

mattscott306

Apr 27, 2007, 05:17 PM

I hope Selig doesn't try to brush this off like he did with Bonds, Sosa, and Marky.

True- we don't need to brush it under the carpet, but baseball does need to get past the 'roids issue.

MacNut

Apr 27, 2007, 05:18 PM

True- we don't need to brush it under the carpet, but baseball does need to get past the 'roids issue.As soon as Bonds breaks the record and goes into the HOF we will never get past it.

mattscott306

Apr 27, 2007, 05:52 PM

As soon as Bonds breaks the record and goes into the HOF we will never get past it.

Hopefully then this era will be nothing more then a black mark on the history of the sport, baseball will get past it.

MacNut

Apr 27, 2007, 06:04 PM

Hopefully then this era will be nothing more then a black mark on the history of the sport, baseball will get past it.It depends on how big the players are and how long this has been going on. If we find out that 25 Hall of Famers were using that would be a big blow.

zioxide

Apr 27, 2007, 08:16 PM

You can't deny that Schilling has to be the center of attention so it would not of surprised me if the sock was doctored. He needs to pitch more and talk less.

Umm... Schilling wasn't the one who brought this up.. it was the ****ing media. So blame them, not him.

Also, Schilling's Response (http://38pitches.com/2007/04/27/ignorance-has-its-privileges/)

furcalchick

Apr 27, 2007, 08:24 PM

asypr released iquiz making software and i suggest that we make up a quiz for our ipods for all the baseball people to have fun with at their ipods...who's willing to do this? offer up some questions.

Sayhey

Apr 27, 2007, 09:38 PM

I hope Selig doesn't try to brush this off like he did with Bonds, Sosa, and Marky.

We've had this discussion before, MacNut, but the problem isn't that Selig is brushing off any player's sins, it is rather that Selig and the owners as a whole actively promoted players and results they knew to be the product of wide spread use of steroids. They made money, hand over fist, promoting players they had every reason to believe were using the drug and never said "boo." So, the problem isn't whether or not Selig will get "tough" after this new round of scandal, but whether the owners will ever accept any responsibility for their own actions. Their only real defense is that this has been going on forever, in every major sport, and they were just continuing the wanton disregard for players health that they inherited.

Sayhey

Apr 27, 2007, 10:18 PM

mattscott306

Apr 27, 2007, 10:41 PM

On a more baseball friendly theme, I'm quite happy with the Giants starting rotation which leads the majors (or is it just the NL) with a 3.08 ERA. The bullpen is even looking good. Jason Schmidt? Who's he? ;)

Ech- we aren't doing so hot in the starting rotation department.

Redman is teh suxxorz with his bloated ERA, Davies is erratic, chuck james didn't look so hot his last out (looking decent tonight), and smotlz didn't do too great his last two. Our bright spot is the ERA leader Hudson, who's stuff is just nasty lately.

furcalchick

Apr 28, 2007, 01:33 AM

Ech- we aren't doing so hot in the starting rotation department.

Redman is teh suxxorz with his bloated ERA, Davies is erratic, chuck james didn't look so hot his last out (looking decent tonight), and smotlz didn't do too great his last two. Our bright spot is the ERA leader Hudson, who's stuff is just nasty lately.

agreed. it seems like i can't trust this team anymore. i hope it's not 2006 again.:mad:

mattscott306

Apr 28, 2007, 10:36 AM

agreed. it seems like i can't trust this team anymore. i hope it's not 2006 again.:mad:

No- we're a lot stronger then 2006, I don't think we're gonna end up having to worry about much. James looked great in this outing, our bullpen pulled it through- Wickman new he was having issues and voluntarily pulled himself.

Give Redman and Davies on more start before you worry. We're likely getting Lance Cormier back in the next few weeks (his MRI was fine), so that should bring some strength to replace whichever of the two back end pitchers are the weakest.

Teh Don Ditty

Apr 28, 2007, 07:23 PM

Holy snikes!!! The Yankees won a game!!! Rivera didn't blow a save! I'm shocked.

MacNut

Apr 28, 2007, 07:27 PM

Looks like Igawa got his spot back in the rotation.

MacNut

Apr 28, 2007, 07:55 PM

Jeff Karstens is on the DL with a cracked fibula.

fotografica

Apr 28, 2007, 09:04 PM

Holy snikes!!! The Yankees won a game!!! Rivera didn't blow a save! I'm shocked.

Even a broken clock is right twice a day :p

Teh Don Ditty

Apr 28, 2007, 09:25 PM

Even a broken clock is right twice a day :p

Apparently so.

As much as I loathe the fact that you're a Red Sox fan, I'm going to have to agree with your sig.

MacNut

Apr 28, 2007, 09:29 PM

Apparently so.

As much as I loathe the face that you're a Red Sox fan, I'm going to have to agree with your sig.agreeing with Red Sox fans
never ever do that.:p
It was nice to see Ortiz sit down today.:)

fotografica

Apr 28, 2007, 09:36 PM

Apparently so.

As much as I loathe the face that you're a Red Sox fan, I'm going to have to agree with your sig.

It's all good..Even tho as Sox/Yanks fans we despise,abhor and are repulsed by each other there is this sick kind of respect that we share for each other ;)

Teh Don Ditty

Apr 28, 2007, 09:38 PM

agreeing with Red Sox fans
never ever do that.:p
It was nice to see Ortiz sit down today.:)

I know, I usually don't. This one does have a point though. I guess you can call me a logical Yankee fan. You know the one's that can admit when they are right or wrong.

It's all good..Even tho as Sox/Yanks fans we despise,abhor and are repulsed by each other there is this sick kind of respect that we share for each other ;)

Yea, 'tis be strange.

mattscott306

Apr 28, 2007, 09:41 PM

This thread just began to confuse me.
Did it just show that two teams with fans that hate each other can have fans that mutually agree with each other?

Wow.

Teh Don Ditty

Apr 28, 2007, 09:42 PM

This thread just began to confuse me.
Did it just show that two teams with fans that hate each other can have fans that mutually agree with each other?

Wow.

No, that must be the vodka you've drank.

fotografica

Apr 28, 2007, 09:48 PM

This thread just began to confuse me.
Did it just show that two teams with fans that hate each other can have fans that mutually agree with each other?

Wow.

Yes,very possible..There are fans of the team,and fans of the game. As a Sox fan,I would rather stick needles under my finger nails than root for the Yankees. BUT,I can enjoy watching Jeter play the game. That guy is a player. The game three years ago against the Sox when he went into the stands on that foul ball was one of the best plays I've seen (and also began the end of Nomar in Boston). Or watching Rivera close when he was at his peak..He owned then. It's just like here in Boston..There are Sox fans and there baseball fans..Two different types for sure.....

mattscott306

Apr 28, 2007, 09:54 PM

No, that must be the vodka you've drank.

Ok, I was getting worried.

Teh Don Ditty

Apr 28, 2007, 09:55 PM

Again, I'll agree with fotografica. I'm a Yankee Fan, but I'm also a fan of the game. For what it's worth, it's always about the game (cue Field of Dreams).

As much as I hate Manny and Ortiz, they down right own the Yankees. FOX put some ridiculous statistic up today that last season Manny was batting like over .550 with 14 HRs against the Yankees. Or how AROD tries to emulate Ortiz (hitting wise), but Ortiz delivers when it counts. (See postseason, more specifically 2004. And yes, it hurt to type that). As much as I hate them, I respect them. Well, Manny not so much simply because I think he treats the Sox and their faithful like crap each and every season.

EDIT: More to the point, is that we're passionate. We love our teams, but we love baseball above all else.

Ok, I was getting worried.

Yea, so was I. How's that Absolut treating ya? (O/T, did ya like the wrap job?)

fotografica

Apr 28, 2007, 10:00 PM

Again, I'll agree with fotografica. I'm a Yankee Fan, but I'm also a fan of the game. For what it's worth, it's always about the game (cue Field of Dreams).

As much as I hate Manny and Ortiz, they down right own the Yankees. FOX put some ridiculous statistic up today that last season Manny was batting like over .550 with 14 HRs against the Yankees. Or how AROD tries to emulate Ortiz (hitting wise), but Ortiz delivers when it counts. (See postseason, more specifically 2004. And yes, it hurt to type that). As much as I hate them, I respect them. Well, Manny not so much simply because I think he treats the Sox and their faithful like crap each and every season.

EDIT: More to the point, is that we're passionate. We love our teams, but we love baseball above all else.

Yea, so was I. How's that Absolut treating ya? (O/T, did ya like the wrap job?)

Agreed.. It's about the game..Tho the Sox have coddled their superstars back to Rice and Yaz..It's nothing new here really.We've grown accustomed to it. As long as they produce,we deal ;)

mattscott306

Apr 28, 2007, 10:01 PM

Yea, so was I. How's that Absolut treating ya? (O/T, did ya like the wrap job?)

MMM..... I'm doing decently well, I have a friend coming to pick me up to take me to the store so we can get more martini mix, but becky over there... just a little bit out of it. :D

Teh Don Ditty

Apr 28, 2007, 10:05 PM

Agreed.. It's about the game..Tho the Sox have coddled their superstars back to Rice and Yaz..It's nothing new here really.We've grown accustomed to it. As long as they produce,we deal ;)

So how do we proceed? Do we pretend this never happened and go back to hating each other now? :p

Manny produces alright, he's such a bastard though. Ortiz just plays and I really respect that. I'd respect him more if he played 1B more often ;)

MMM..... I'm doing decently well, I have a friend coming to pick me up to take me to the store so we can get more martini mix, but becky over there... just a little bit out of it. :D

My job is done then! Just make sure the wife is ok, otherwise you'll never hear the end of it!

Do you find it strange that we can turn any thread into a discussion of alcohol?

mattscott306

Apr 28, 2007, 10:07 PM

So how do we proceed? Do we pretend this never happened and go back to hating each other now? :p

Manny produces alright, he's such a bastard though. Ortiz just plays and I really respect that. I'd respect him more if he played 1B more often ;)

Yes, go back to the way things were- otherwise the world will not be right.

My job is done then! Just make sure the wife is ok, otherwise you'll never hear the end of it!

Do you find it strange that we can turn any thread into a discussion of alcohol?

Between, you me and Bartelby, anything is possible.

Teh Don Ditty

Apr 28, 2007, 10:09 PM

Yes, go back to the way things were- otherwise the world will not be right.

Between, you me and Bartelby, anything is possible.

I guess Hell hath frozen over ;)

Well said sir, well said.

fotografica

Apr 28, 2007, 10:11 PM

So how do we proceed? Do we pretend this never happened and go back to hating each other now? :p

Manny produces alright, he's such a bastard though. Ortiz just plays and I really respect that. I'd respect him more if he played 1B more often ;)

Well we're not going to sit around a campfire,hold hands and sing kumbaya :p We'll keep a safe distance. Ortiz is one of the best signing's in years.What didn't Minnesota see in him??:confused: :confused: Manny..Well..As the song says.. "The beat goes on".....

Teh Don Ditty

Apr 28, 2007, 10:14 PM

Well we're not going to sit around a campfire,hold hands and sing kumbaya :p We'll keep a safe distance. Ortiz is one of the best signing's in years.What didn't Minnesota see in him??:confused: :confused: Manny..Well..As the song says.. "The beat goes on".....

I'll sit along the campfire as long as we get to roast marshmallows, but I won't sing!!!! We'll keep that mutual hatred respect.

Yea, I'm going to have to say WTF to Minnesota. Worst. Deal. Evar.

That picture is priceless! It says it all.

mattscott306

Apr 28, 2007, 10:17 PM

Campfire... marshmallows...

SMORES!

fotografica

Apr 28, 2007, 10:20 PM

Marshmallows and smores are otay..I'll wash mine down with a distilled spriit tho. Given the fact that it's rainy and raw here tonite,chilled vodka will work just fine..

Teh Don Ditty

Apr 28, 2007, 10:20 PM

Campfire... marshmallows...

SMORES!

Drunken matt has arrived!

Mmmmm, Smores.

Ok back to baseball....

Marshmallows and smores are otay..I'll wash mine down with a distilled spriit tho. Given the fact that it's rainy and raw here tonite,chilled Grey Goose will work just fine..

I loves me some Grey Goose. Mmmmm.... vodka.

fotografica

Apr 28, 2007, 10:23 PM

Yes,vodka is good....Now what's with Wang and Messina???

mattscott306

Apr 28, 2007, 10:24 PM

Matt Drunk?

I swear to drunk ocifer I'm not God!

Teh Don Ditty

Apr 28, 2007, 10:26 PM

Yes,vodka is good....Now what's with Wang and Messina???

I'm sorry all I saw in that post was Vodka....

Wang and Mussina

Wang has been doing some rehab stints down in the minors and I haven't got a clue what's up with Moose.

Matt Drunk?

I swear to drunk ocifer I'm not God!

Riiiight. Teh vodka strikes again!!!

fotografica

Apr 28, 2007, 10:28 PM

Ahhh,I C I C..Should get interesting as we get into the summer/warmer weather..

MacNut

Apr 29, 2007, 01:00 AM

Ok someone explain what happened during the Cleveland Baltimore game.Veteran umpire Ed Montague took the blame for a run being added to Baltimore's total three innings after it appeared to be waved off in the Orioles' 7-4 victory over Cleveland on Saturday night.
The Indians played the game under protest after Montague, the crew chief, called the official scorer in the bottom of the sixth to add the third-inning run which scored on a sacrifice fly.The bizarre sequence started with Baltimore leading 2-1 in the top of the third. Nick Markakis was on third base and Miguel Tejada on first with one out when Ramon Hernandez hit a line drive to center field.
Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore made a diving catch. Markakis tagged up, headed for home and appeared to cross the plate before Tejada doubled off first. Plate umpire Marvin Hudson waved off the run.
Orioles bench coach Tom Trebelhorn disputed Hudson's call before the start of the fourth, and Hudson then conferred with Montague and the other umpires.
"We kicked it around and now I'm having a brain cramp on it," Montague said. "So I sent Bill (umpire Bill Miller) in, I said 'You know what, cause we're debating, you go in. Lets make it 100 percent sure."'
Miller checked the rule and said the run should have counted. Montague was vague about why it took until the sixth to make the change, saying "it kind of went on" with the umpires conferring with the managers.
"It was my screw up and we can't go off of umpire's error," he said. "What's right is right. We have to score the run."
Montague said he couldn't remember anything like it happening and didn't blame Wedge for his protest, which will be decided by commissioner Bud Selig's office.
Wedge protested the game because the change was not made immediately.
"I know the umpires have a tough job to do, but there is a process and there are rules," he said. "When the next pitch is thrown, that's it. The fact is the home plate umpire waved it off. I've never seen runs put on the board three or four innings later."
Baltimore manager Sam Perlozzo said Trebelhorn alerted him that the run should count.

mattscott306

Apr 29, 2007, 01:04 AM

I just watched it on ESPN.com. It seems the umps realized they made a mistake in an earlier inning so they counted runs that they had previously said did not happen, thus causing Clevand to lose. should be interesting to see how this turns out.

MacNut

Apr 29, 2007, 01:06 AM

The thing I don't get is how the umps don't know the rule. Im sure they did not have to check the rule book for such an obvious rule. Might they have been watching a replay?

MacNut

Apr 29, 2007, 01:15 AM

Wang has been doing some rehab stints down in the minors and I haven't got a clue what's up with Moose.Moose was out with a pulled hammy. He will return to the lineup on Thursday.

mattscott306

Apr 29, 2007, 01:51 AM

The thing I don't get is how the umps don't know the rule. Im sure they did not have to check the rule book for such an obvious rule. Might they have been watching a replay?

A replay? You mean baseball get with the current century?

It wouldn't surprise me, but until teh rulez™ change then we'll never know.

Between the entire officiating team, someone should have (and most likely did) know the rule. Just a strange occurance, I look forward to what seligs gonna say.

Teh Don Ditty

Apr 29, 2007, 11:45 AM

STL P Josh Hancock dies in car accident.

EDIT: Card/Cubs game has been cancelled (PPD)

thedude110

Apr 29, 2007, 01:49 PM

Absolutlely crazy stuff about Hancock, and hoping it, and the metaphor it represents, doesn't get lost in all this Red Sox/Yankees banter.

Apparently Hancock failed to wake up on time for Thursday's game and received "20 phone calls" (seems like hyperbole) from "anxious teammates" before picking up his phone.

Eerie line from the St. Louis Dispatch just two days ago:

With righthander Darryl Kile dying before a game in Chicago five years ago, the Cardinals don't take it lightly when a player doesn't show up at the park on time.

Reliever Jason Isringhausen, the only pitcher still on the club who played with Kile here, said, "(Hancock's) phone always shuts off. Everybody was trying to reach him. That's why it's so different here because of what happened with Darryl. So everybody worries. That's got more to do with it than oversleeping.

Link. (http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/6DD32DFE615BEB86862572CA0013E95A?OpenDocument)

Teh Don Ditty

Apr 29, 2007, 02:04 PM

Absolutely tragic. The Yankees had a moment of silence for him before the start of the game.

Anyways, Doug Mientkiewicz just hit a 3 run homerun. Yea, I'm just as surprised as you are.

IJ Reilly

Apr 30, 2007, 01:53 AM

So now it looks like we've got two Yankees-Red Sox threads. I think I can speak for fans of the other 28 major league baseball teams, when I say: :rolleyes:

xsedrinam

Apr 30, 2007, 01:59 AM

So now it looks like we've got two Yankees-Red Sox threads. I think I can speak for fans of the other 28 major league baseball teams, when I say: :rolleyes:
Couldn't have said it, better.

Tragic Sunday for STL. They also seem to have the worst home record of any team, this season. Hoping things will turn around for them.

zephead

Apr 30, 2007, 02:18 AM

mattscott306

Apr 30, 2007, 10:08 AM

So now it looks like we've got two Yankees-Red Sox threads. I think I can speak for fans of the other 28 major league baseball teams, when I say: :rolleyes:
Meh- While I'd love to talk about the Braves- it seems only me and furcalchick care enough to do that. It's just the red sox and yankees are a big overhyped rivalry that everyone can talk about.
Wow, what a marathon in San Diego. The Dodgers finally manage to scratch across a run in the top of the 17th, and they go on to win it, 5-4.

It's a good thing it didn't go one more inning, or else Petco Park would've had to charge everyone for 2 ballgames. :eek: :p

Imagine an 18 inning post-season game with your postseason dreams on the line.

Thats a marathon- (I think it took years off my life)

IJ Reilly

Apr 30, 2007, 11:47 AM

Wow, what a marathon in San Diego. The Dodgers finally manage to scratch across a run in the top of the 17th, and they go on to win it, 5-4.

It's a good thing it didn't go one more inning, or else Petco Park would've had to charge everyone for 2 ballgames. :eek: :p

I turned that one off in the 14th. I had to leave, but probably I couldn't have taken another inning of it anyway. I'll be at Dodger Stadium tonight to watch an exhausted Dodger team face the streaking D-backs.

It's just the red sox and yankees are a big overhyped rivalry that everyone can talk about.

Yeah, we can talk about what a crushing bore it is to hear about almost nothing else.

Look at the NL West -- it's already a brawl between three very good and closely-matched teams, fierce rivals all. This one's probably going to be a nail-biter right into September.

mattscott306

Apr 30, 2007, 11:51 AM

Look at the NL West -- it's already a brawl between three very good and closely-matched teams, fierce rivals all. This one's probably going to be a nail-biter right into September.

And the NL east between the Braves and Mets isn't? First place has changed hands how many times in the past week?

There is alot of great baseball everywhere.

IJ Reilly

Apr 30, 2007, 12:25 PM

And the NL east between the Braves and Mets isn't? First place has changed hands how many times in the past week?

There is alot of great baseball everywhere.

That being my actual point. ;)

mattscott306

Apr 30, 2007, 01:06 PM

That being my actual point. ;)

Oh ok, just didn't want the focus to shift on you west-coasters, after all east coast baseball is teh shiz :p

Sayhey

Apr 30, 2007, 01:42 PM

Oh ok, just didn't want the focus to shift on you west-coasters, after all east coast baseball is teh shiz :p

"teh shiz"? Unless it's a new way to spell "the sh..s" to get it past the profanity filter, I'll take the west coast varity that actually involves some pretty good pitching over your east coast version. ;)

Now, if the Giants could swing a trade for another legit hitter, they may really be in this race. You folks in Atlanta want to give up Andruw? :D

mattscott306

Apr 30, 2007, 01:55 PM

"teh shiz"? Unless it's a new way to spell "the sh..s" to get it past the profanity filter, I'll take the west coast varity that actually involves some pretty good pitching over your east coast version. ;)

Touche my friend, touche. (shiz is supposedly Hebrew for *****).
But we will ignore the fact that we have the ERA leader... :cool:

Now, if the Giants could swing a trade for another legit hitter, they may really be in this race. You folks in Atlanta want to give up Andruw? :D

sadly he'll be a free agent after this season- it doesn't appear that our new owners are gonna pay to keep him 'round.

mattscott306

Apr 30, 2007, 02:13 PM

It's official- I hate (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=keri/070430&sportCat=mlb) espn.

MacNut

May 2, 2007, 12:54 PM

Early reports is that Phil Hughes might be out 4-6 weeks with a pulled hamstring. We went into the 7th with a no hitter and felt a "pop".Dazzling.
That's just one of many adjectives that can be used to describe Phil Hughes' performance against the Rangers on Tuesday. One by one, members of the Texas lineup fell like dominos as Hughes fooled them with his pitches, primarily a low-to-mid-90s fastball with location plus a looping Barry Zito-esque curveball. Thanks to a hamstring injury, fans will never know if the 20-year-old would have become the youngest pitcher in American League history to throw a no-hitter, but just like his first start against Toronto when he showed no visible signs of nerves, Hughes' performance was another validation that his future is now and it's at the Major League level.

"He was really dominating," said Mike Mussina after the game. "He felt well and knew where the ball was going. It's everything you hope for when you take the mound. To have to leave ... in that fashion in that kind of game is disappointing and frustrating."http://www.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070502&content_id=1423555&oid=36019&vkey=4

twoodcc

May 2, 2007, 01:55 PM

Griffey hit his 2nd home-run of the season! :cool:

Silencio

May 2, 2007, 02:43 PM

Now, if the Giants could swing a trade for another legit hitter, they may really be in this race. You folks in Atlanta want to give up Andruw? :D

The time is right to trade Noah Lowry for a good bat. His value will never be higher, and I think his long term future is more or less Kirk Rueter: capable of winning games and a good guy to have in the rotation, but not a dominant pitcher.

That will also free up a rotation spot for Tim Lincecum, who's spinning his wheels at AAA with something like a 0.40 ERA and some seriously gaudy strikeout numbers. Now that's a mind-blowing pitching prospect...

Another bat is really, really needed, as teams are once again figuring out that it's best to pitch around Bonds. I thought he'd have a better year this year, but not quite this good...

Sayhey

May 2, 2007, 04:30 PM

The time is right to trade Noah Lowry for a good bat. His value will never be higher, and I think his long term future is more or less Kirk Rueter: capable of winning games and a good guy to have in the rotation, but not a dominant pitcher.

That will also free up a rotation spot for Tim Lincecum, who's spinning his wheels at AAA with something like a 0.40 ERA and some seriously gaudy strikeout numbers. Now that's a mind-blowing pitching prospect...

Another bat is really, really needed, as teams are once again figuring out that it's best to pitch around Bonds. I thought he'd have a better year this year, but not quite this good...

I'd rather they trade Morris than Lowry, but depending on who they get back I'd be ok with such a trade. Sure be sorry to see Noah go though.

Timmy looks great and he's going to force the Giants to move sooner than later. You can't just keep him down in Fresno with those kinds of numbers (http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Tim%2520Lincecum&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=453311). In a notoriously hitter friendly league he is now 4-0 with a 0.29 ERA. He also has 46 Ks to 11 BBs in 31 innings pitched. Lincecum looks to be a star in waiting.

mattscott306

May 2, 2007, 04:36 PM

Both McCann and Pena got hurt last night- jeez! We called up our top prospect catcher Jarrod Saltamacchia but they're waiting to activate him till after (or during) batting practice. This should be good.

thedude110

May 2, 2007, 04:50 PM

IJ Reilly

May 2, 2007, 04:50 PM

I'd rather they trade Morris than Lowry, but depending on who they get back I'd be ok with such a trade. Sure be sorry to see Noah go though.

Timmy looks great and he's going to force the Giants to move sooner than later. You can't just keep him down in Fresno with those kinds of numbers (http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Tim%2520Lincecum&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=453311). In a notoriously hitter friendly league he is now 4-0 with a 0.29 ERA. He also has 46 Ks to 11 BBs in 31 innings pitched. Lincecum looks to be a star in waiting.

Those are great numbers to be sure, but as we know, funny things can happen to pitchers between A-ball and the majors. We've seen quite a few sure-things fold like the proverbial tent, or take several years of up and down between the minors and majors, and in and out of the bullpen, to adjust. The only point being, it's always risky to throw over a veteran starter for a rookie, no matter how good they look.

furcalchick

May 2, 2007, 05:46 PM

sorry i didn't tell you this last week, but i filled out two ballots so far for the all star game and will fill out more soon. i filled out the first on the first day of balloting on april 24th at the ballpark. alot of fun at that game.

also, salty is making his big debut tonight.

mattscott306

May 2, 2007, 06:49 PM

I'm assuming it was pena that was put on the DL but the story doesn't say.

furcalchick

May 2, 2007, 07:13 PM

I'm assuming it was pena that was put on the DL but the story doesn't say.

redman was put on the dl, toe problem. perhaps that was his last start in a braves uniform (i hope so, that was terrible).

mattscott306

May 2, 2007, 09:38 PM

redman was put on the dl, toe problem. perhaps that was his last start in a braves uniform (i hope so, that was terrible).

Hmm.... if he has a legitimate toe injury (which I think they probably falsified it to get rid of him) then that would effect his release point- thus causing the problems we have seen.)

Hey- why isn't ESPN showing this?

furcalchick

May 2, 2007, 10:35 PM

Hmm.... if he has a legitimate toe injury (which I think they probably falsified it to get rid of him) then that would effect his release point- thus causing the problems we have seen.)

Hey- why isn't ESPN showing this?

you're blacked out in atlanta...fss south has the game i think locally.

Teh Don Ditty

May 2, 2007, 10:39 PM

Hmm.... if he has a legitimate toe injury (which I think they probably falsified it to get rid of him) then that would effect his release point- thus causing the problems we have seen.)

Hey- why isn't ESPN showing this?

Because ESPN has placed you in a glass cage of emotion.

mattscott306

May 2, 2007, 10:44 PM

you're blacked out in atlanta...fss south has the game i think locally.
Ah- that makes sense. I was watching it on FSN but I wanted to hear the crap the ESPN commentators had to say.
Because ESPN has placed you in a glass cage of emotion.
Oh, that makes sense, all is clear now.

furcalchick

May 2, 2007, 11:13 PM

Ah- that makes sense. I was watching it on FSN but I wanted to hear the crap the ESPN commentators had to say.

not much. they kept making fun of salty's name and berman was in the booth (ugh). i would have preferred boog instead of the espn garbage. but it's better than nothing.

Silencio

May 2, 2007, 11:15 PM

Those are great numbers to be sure, but as we know, funny things can happen to pitchers between A-ball and the majors.

The same is true for AAA, which is where Lincecum is current mowing 'em down.

And I too would rather trade Matt Morris, but who'll take him with his fat contract and obviously diminished fastball?

At least he's not on the DL like Jason Schmidt...

IJ Reilly

May 2, 2007, 11:51 PM

The same is true for AAA, which is where Lincecum is current mowing 'em down.

And I too would rather trade Matt Morris, but who'll take him with his fat contract and obviously diminished fastball?

At least he's not on the DL like Jason Schmidt...

DL happens. In Schmidt's case it would be nice to know why, at least. In the meantime the Dodgers are getting quality work from Tomko and Erickson, so it's not hurting. When the Dodgers get Schmidt back and the top of the order starts producing, we're really going to see what this team can do.

As for minor league pitchers, I'm not predicting any melt-downs, but we've all seen what can happen when a top prospect is advanced too quickly. The Dodgers spent the better part of last season trying to break Chad Billingsley into the majors, and he was mowing them down pretty good in the minors too.

Sayhey

May 3, 2007, 01:36 AM

Have been pretty avid in my Lincecum watch and he does seem to be the real deal. Have to imagine he'd come up something Santana like -- start working in the bullpen, then force his way into the rotation. Wouldn't be surprised to see Morris or Lowry get moved before the deadline, assuming the rest of the rotatoin stays healthy....

...Would be curious to know if anyone roundabout Fresno has seen Lincecum pitch?

From what I read the Giants don't want to move him to the bullpen. They'd rather he stayed in AAA and got the innings under his belt. The only way he comes up is with an injury to a starter or a trade of a starter. Trouble is, because it's still so early in the season, no one wants to move a middle of the order type guy. I wouldn't mind seeing Morris go in such a trade, but if it's going to be Lowry it had better be a top notch prospect or established player.

Those are great numbers to be sure, but as we know, funny things can happen to pitchers between A-ball and the majors. We've seen quite a few sure-things fold like the proverbial tent, or take several years of up and down between the minors and majors, and in and out of the bullpen, to adjust. The only point being, it's always risky to throw over a veteran starter for a rookie, no matter how good they look. I agree, but Lincecum looks to be the exception to the rule. I don't know what else he has to prove in AAA.

DL happens. In Schmidt's case it would be nice to know why, at least. In the meantime the Dodgers are getting quality work from Tomko and Erickson, so it's not hurting. When the Dodgers get Schmidt back and the top of the order starts producing, we're really going to see what this team can do.

As for minor league pitchers, I'm not predicting any melt-downs, but we've all seen what can happen when a top prospect is advanced too quickly. The Dodgers spent the better part of last season trying to break Chad Billingsley into the majors, and he was mowing them down pretty good in the minors too. Is Schmidt coming back this season? I read a rumor he might be done for the year with surgery coming soon. If he's not coming back, I think you'll see the difference between him and his replacement pretty quick.

IJ, I know Billingsley is a great young talent, but I've got to tell you, what Lincecum is doing in his accelerated minor league career is truly amazing. It's just domination at every level he's been at since they drafted him last year. I'm excited to think of Cain, Zito, and Lincecum in the rotation for years to come.

mattscott306

May 3, 2007, 08:45 AM

not much. they kept making fun of salty's name and berman was in the booth (ugh). i would have preferred boog instead of the espn garbage. but it's better than nothing.

You'da prefered BOOG?! Wow- I know they were bad then!

In other news: Langy got himself traded AGAIN! Poor guy- I hope he's able to settle down this time.

furcalchick

May 3, 2007, 10:35 AM

btw, saltalamacchia (yes, that's spelled correctly, i spent last night trying to spell it correctly), went 0-2 with a walk and a hbp. too bad.

mattscott306

May 3, 2007, 10:52 AM

btw, saltalamacchia (yes, that's spelled correctly, i spent last night trying to spell it correctly), went 0-2 with a walk and a hbp. too bad.

yeah but he had a couple of well hit balls, the first at bat he hit that warning track one straight to center, and his third at bat he had a liner that curved foul right at the last moment.

Btw- I spent a few minutes learning it last night too, I broke it down.... salt-ala-macchia to help myself out.

aloofman

May 3, 2007, 12:15 PM

DL happens. In Schmidt's case it would be nice to know why, at least. In the meantime the Dodgers are getting quality work from Tomko and Erickson, so it's not hurting.

And Hendrickson has pitched surprisingly well too (1 run in 6+ innings last night). We're really not in a position to complain. Give his psychologist/guru/hypnotist a bonus.

What really bothered me about the Schmidt thing is it started with the same kind of thing that felled Gagne the last couple years. Tells the media that he's fine, in no pain, even though something's clearly off. Then he goes on the DL and it's "oh, I've been sore for a while". Why lie about it? It just makes it harder to treat these things, especially with pitchers.

Right now, no one seems to know how serious Schmidt's injury is. It also fits with my nagging fear that the Giants let him go so easily because they knew he didn't have much left.

IJ, I know Billingsley is a great young talent, but I've got to tell you, what Lincecum is doing in his accelerated minor league career is truly amazing. It's just domination at every level he's been at since they drafted him last year. I'm excited to think of Cain, Zito, and Lincecum in the rotation for years to come.

Take a deep breath, Sayhey. I know it's exciting to finally have some good prospects again, but they're still just prospects. And even when they pan out....well let's just say that five straight ROYs in the '90s didn't win us any playoff series.

Silencio

May 3, 2007, 12:52 PM

What really bothered me about the Schmidt thing is it started with the same kind of thing that felled Gagne the last couple years. Tells the media that he's fine, in no pain, even though something's clearly off. Then he goes on the DL and it's "oh, I've been sore for a while". Why lie about it? It just makes it harder to treat these things, especially with pitchers.

Right now, no one seems to know how serious Schmidt's injury is. It also fits with my nagging fear that the Giants let him go so easily because they knew he didn't have much left.

Thus fitting in perfectly with his established pattern up north. We had gotten used to it up here. I don't know that the Giants thought he had much left or not, but based on what they got out of him the past few years, they decided it wasn't worth the money (and then they promptly dropped wheelbarrows of dough on Zito).

In the end, Schmidt's career as a Giant was a disappointment to me. He did a lot of great things and had a few very dominating stretches where he was probably the best starter in all of baseball, but had maddening bouts of inconsistency and injuries. Those 20 win seasons and Cy Young awards were not to be.

Take a deep breath, Sayhey. I know it's exciting to finally have some good prospects again, but they're still just prospects. And even when they pan out....well let's just say that five straight ROYs in the '90s didn't win us any playoff series.

I don't know, I have to say that Matt Cain is working out really nicely, thanks. And I'm very satisfied with how Noah Lowry developed, though I don't think there's much more upside there (I keep thinking "Kirk Rueter" with him). You'll see us get really excited if the Giants ever develop another good hitter again...

I've seen plenty of good/great prospects come and go over the past 25 years, but Lincecum is off the charts. Still doesn't mean he's a guaranteed All-Star or anything, of course.

Sayhey

May 3, 2007, 03:20 PM

And Hendrickson has pitched surprisingly well too (1 run in 6+ innings last night). We're really not in a position to complain. Give his psychologist/guru/hypnotist a bonus.

What really bothered me about the Schmidt thing is it started with the same kind of thing that felled Gagne the last couple years. Tells the media that he's fine, in no pain, even though something's clearly off. Then he goes on the DL and it's "oh, I've been sore for a while". Why lie about it? It just makes it harder to treat these things, especially with pitchers.

Right now, no one seems to know how serious Schmidt's injury is. It also fits with my nagging fear that the Giants let him go so easily because they knew he didn't have much left. What we Giants' fans knew (can't speak for the Giants organization obviously) was that Schmidt has a history of nagging injuries. Those injuries seemed to rob him of 3 to 4 miles off his best fastball, but as long as he was healthy his combination of 93-95 mph heat and excellent change made him a top of the rotation pitcher. When he had control of his curve as well, he was near unhittable. What you guys may have gotten is another Kevin Brown. If you can keep him healthy he will help.

Take a deep breath, Sayhey. I know it's exciting to finally have some good prospects again, but they're still just prospects. And even when they pan out....well let's just say that five straight ROYs in the '90s didn't win us any playoff series. I'll start my Lamaze classes right away. ;)

But my finely tuned insult detector thinks you might be taking a shot at the Giants' farm system? Actually we've had lots of pitching prospects over the last decade or so, most of who are gone in trades, but few position players coming out of the minors. That's not terribly surprising as the Giants have been drafting pitchers with their high picks for a very long time. If Lincecum takes over for Morris, the Giants will have 4/5 ths of the rotation coming from their own ranks, and much of the bullpen is homegrown (Sanchez, Taschner, Hennessey, and Correia.) With Lowe, Schmidt, Penny, Wolf, and Tomko as your starting rotation, I don't see any home grown talent until you get to the pen. There you at least have Billingsley and Broxton, who are good arms signed and developed out of the Dodgers' system.

I'd just as soon not compare the two farm systems regarding position players. ;)

mattscott306

May 3, 2007, 04:37 PM

This article (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2848182) is about a week old but it's still kind of infuriating. It doesn't even mention Kelly Johnson amongst the top leadoff men. He has the sixth (fifth if you don't count Saltalamacchia and his 4 AB's) highest on base percentage in the NL (above all the mentioned leadoff men); the second highest run scored in the NL (behind Jose Reyes); and the third most walks. (I wish there was a stat that showed average pitches per AB) Yet he got no mention?

While he sits in the shadow of Reye's (undoubtedly the best leadoff man out there) he should have at least been in the top nine list.

IJ Reilly

May 3, 2007, 05:10 PM

I don't have that much to add to the prospects debate, except the observation that many great position players made little impact until they were promoted to the majors, and that effectiveness in the minors is at best a mediocre indicator of success. Baseball is at least 50% a head game. A lot of guys with the physical tools just don't have the psychological makeup to deal with the expectations and pressures of playing in the bigs. Until they arrive, determining whether they've got the mentality for the game is pretty much a guess.

Silencio

May 3, 2007, 07:40 PM

Russ Ortiz was placed on the 15-day DL today. IF Kevin Frandsen was brought up from Fresno to take his place on the roster, but the starting pitcher for the Giants to take Ortiz's place in Sunday's nationally televised game in Philly is TBA. The rumor is Lincecum will get the call:

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/05/03/BAG4OPKPFE3.DTL

aloofman

May 3, 2007, 07:58 PM

But my finely tuned insult detector thinks you might be taking a shot at the Giants' farm system? Actually we've had lots of pitching prospects over the last decade or so, most of who are gone in trades, but few position players coming out of the minors. That's not terribly surprising as the Giants have been drafting pitchers with their high picks for a very long time. If Lincecum takes over for Morris, the Giants will have 4/5 ths of the rotation coming from their own ranks, and much of the bullpen is homegrown (Sanchez, Taschner, Hennessey, and Correia.) With Lowe, Schmidt, Penny, Wolf, and Tomko as your starting rotation, I don't see any home grown talent until you get to the pen. There you at least have Billingsley and Broxton, who are good arms signed and developed out of the Dodgers' system.

Actually no, that wasn't really intended as an insult. Yes, I meant that the Giants have more guys with major-league potential now than than in recent years, but I was really comparing to the Dodgers farm system turnaround. We went a long period where the prospects were traded away or didn't pan out. (Thank you, Kevin Malone.) Off the top of my head, Adrian Beltre is the only one I can think of from that era that was highly touted and stuck around in the majors for several years. The last few years the Dodgers farm system has done pretty well, ranked near the top for two or three years now. But it's easy to get impatient when the new guys that you've heard about finally come up to the show. I would say that the Dodgers' young guys are doing fairly well so far, but the team is still heavily dependent on free agents.

I realize now I wasn't explicit enough in my point: having good minor-leaguers doesn't mean they'll be good major-leaguers, and even if they are, it doesn't mean the team will win more games, much less contend.

Now here's my little insult to you, since you were waiting for it: maybe you're really, really hoping the young guys kick butt soon because if they don't, then a Giants team without Bonds' homers will suck big time? :D

twoodcc

May 4, 2007, 12:21 AM

Ken Griffey Jr is looking good. hitting .300 now :) another homer tonight

MacNut

May 4, 2007, 12:31 AM

Yankees sweep the Rangers, and what happened to Dice-K, 5 runs in the first.:eek: :D

fotografica

May 4, 2007, 06:16 AM

MacNut

May 4, 2007, 11:33 AM

Dice K is trying to throw too many kinds of pitches,without any location on them. He needs to focus on getting a couple down really good before going all over the place.Not exactly a pitching exhibition last nite...I thought the reason everyone wanted this guy was because he was really good, now they are saying he doesn't know how to control his pitches? I really think he was over hyped, I have not seen overpowering stuff.

Sayhey

May 4, 2007, 11:57 AM

Actually no, that wasn't really intended as an insult. Yes, I meant that the Giants have more guys with major-league potential now than than in recent years, but I was really comparing to the Dodgers farm system turnaround. We went a long period where the prospects were traded away or didn't pan out. (Thank you, Kevin Malone.) Off the top of my head, Adrian Beltre is the only one I can think of from that era that was highly touted and stuck around in the majors for several years. The last few years the Dodgers farm system has done pretty well, ranked near the top for two or three years now. But it's easy to get impatient when the new guys that you've heard about finally come up to the show. I would say that the Dodgers' young guys are doing fairly well so far, but the team is still heavily dependent on free agents.

I realize now I wasn't explicit enough in my point: having good minor-leaguers doesn't mean they'll be good major-leaguers, and even if they are, it doesn't mean the team will win more games, much less contend.

Now here's my little insult to you, since you were waiting for it: maybe you're really, really hoping the young guys kick butt soon because if they don't, then a Giants team without Bonds' homers will suck big time? :D

I hope you know I was just messing with you about the "insults." Taking shots at each other's favorite teams is what this thread is all about, isn't it? :D

I know the caution towards minor league players is valid, but it is hard not to throw caution to the wind in Lincecum's case. We may see very shortly as, as Silencio noted, Ortiz is on the DL and all the rumors are the Giants will call up Timmy to pitch his start.*

And, yes, I'm worried how bad the Giants will be in a "post-Bondsian" world. Although, that era seems to be postponed a little based on Barry's current stats. If the Giants have the pitching I think they will have, maybe they won't be so bad, but I don't see where the young hitting stars are right now - unless you look at the Giants' low minors (Vilalona, etc.) Perhaps we will have a team built like the Dodgers of the 60s - all pitching and defense with little in the way of power hitters? I'd take the same results of those teams. After all, turn about is fair play, isn't it? ;)

*edit: today's Chronicle (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2007/05/04/SPG9GPK40V1.DTL) confirms Lincecum will pitch on Sunday.

MacNut

May 5, 2007, 10:02 PM

Chien-Ming Wong pitched a perfect game into the 8th inning before giving up a home run to Ben Broussard

zioxide

May 5, 2007, 10:33 PM

I thought the reason everyone wanted this guy was because he was really good, now they are saying he doesn't know how to control his pitches? I really think he was over hyped, I have not seen overpowering stuff.

He's still just a rookie.

MacNut

May 5, 2007, 10:36 PM

He's still just a rookie.Technically yes, but not if you count the years in Japan.

zioxide

May 5, 2007, 10:40 PM

Technically yes, but not if you count the years in Japan.

Years in Japan = Years in Minor Leagues

Worry about your own pitching. :P

Teh Don Ditty

May 5, 2007, 10:45 PM

Years in Japan = Years in Minor Leagues

Worry about your own pitching. :P

Uhhh, if memory serves me right didn't they win the World Baseball Classic? I wouldn't exactly be calling Japan the Minor Leagues there.

zioxide

May 5, 2007, 10:55 PM

Uhhh, if memory serves me right didn't they win the World Baseball Classic? I wouldn't exactly be calling Japan the Minor Leagues there.

Yes, but that was an all-star team. I'm not saying Japan is bad, I'm just saying it's not the same as the major leagues.

Give Daisuke a year or so. He's still adjusting to life in the USA and playing in MLB.

Teh Don Ditty

May 5, 2007, 11:01 PM

Yes, but that was an all-star team. I'm not saying Japan is bad, I'm just saying it's not the same as the major leagues.

Give Daisuke a year or so. He's still adjusting to life in the USA and playing in MLB.

I still think you underestimate Japanese baseball. With that said, I can see Dice-K settling down and getting back on track. He's got the stuff, it just seems that he has lost his control (can't find strike zone). But, if he turns out to be a bust that's going to be teh suck™. When I say bust see Heidki Irabu aka Fat Toad.

iKwick7

May 6, 2007, 03:12 PM

Roger Clemens just announced, in the middle of the Yanks game, from the owner's both, live, that he is now a Yankee again.

The crowd went nuts. I am loving this. :)

MacNut

May 6, 2007, 03:16 PM

Roger Clemens just announced, in the middle of the Yanks game, from the owner's both, live, that he is now a Yankee again.

The crowd went nuts. I am loving this. :)This is very unexpected, He was not going to make a decision until the end of May.

iKwick7

May 6, 2007, 03:21 PM

This is very unexpected, He was not going to make a decision until the end of May.

Exactly. Very cool way of coming out and saying it, too. A lot of people think this is a bad move, a lot of people think it's a good move. I think it's a great move, provided that the Yanks don't make special concessions and whatnot to Clemens (i.e. he has to come on road trips).

Think about it- there are now 4 SOLID starters on the Yanks- C.M.Wang, Moose, Pettite, and Clemens. Rasner has been doing good and Hughes is as great as they say he is, and he'll be back in a month or two. The Playoffs are starting to look very promising. :)

furcalchick

May 6, 2007, 03:29 PM

MacNut

May 6, 2007, 03:29 PM

Sounds like its full time.

iKwick7

May 6, 2007, 03:35 PM

scum. well, not really, but this is very cheap and cheesy. i know about his family, but it's like he can pick and choose who he likes to play for halfway through the season like a hired gun and it just sounds very cheap.

i'm sure he's a nice guy, i met his son once, and my friend is in the astros system and knows him a bit. i have both roger's and koby's autographs. just in a digusted mood right now because of his cheesyness.

and the braves just tied up the game at 4-4.

Cheesey? Yeah. Hired gun? Absolutely.

The thing is, he is still one of, if not the best pitchers out there. I love the guy (he's been my favorite pitcher since I was a little kid and had a Roger Clemens glove- funny side note, I thought his name was Roper Clemens when I was really little, because that's what his autograph looked like :)) )

MacNut

May 6, 2007, 03:50 PM

I can hear the huge gasp of horror from Boston.:) :p :cool:

Teh Don Ditty

May 6, 2007, 03:52 PM

You love it MacNut and so do I.

Yanks win 5-0.

O/T: MacNut, Sharapova is looking delicious.

fotografica

May 6, 2007, 03:54 PM

I can hear the huge gasp of horror from Boston.:) :p :cool:

Keep listening guy..You won't be hearing it from here..If he's your saviour and a ticket to the World Series,good luck to ya :D

MacNut

May 6, 2007, 03:59 PM

MacNut, Sharapova is looking delicious.Its getting harder to find good pics of her.;)

thedude110

May 6, 2007, 09:52 PM

I can hear the huge gasp of horror from Boston.:) :p :cool:

We'll let you have the 45 year old who had a nice run in that league where they let pitchers hit. ;)

Teh Don Ditty

May 6, 2007, 09:57 PM

We'll let you have the 45 year old who had a nice run in that league where they let pitchers hit. ;)

Knowing the Yankees luck, Carl Pavano will touch Clemens (ie pat on the butt or touch his throwing arm for some odd reason) and he will fall apart. Forearm injury, hamstring, bruised buttocks (what kind of lame ass exuse is that?!?!?!)

twoodcc

May 7, 2007, 10:29 AM

Griffey is batting .317 now :cool:

MacNut

May 7, 2007, 12:10 PM

Griffey is batting .317 now :cool:When is his next scheduled injury?

mattscott306

May 7, 2007, 12:16 PM

Sayhey

May 7, 2007, 01:15 PM

I love that howard is second in the league in strikeouts, and only six (strike-outs that is) behind him is Andruw Jones. Has anyone else noticed that (with the exception of the cheater) very few of the heavy hitters seem to be hitting?

The "cheater"? I thought that was "Chipper," but then again I don't follow Mr. Jones' career closely enough to know what you all call him. I agree he is doing well.

Say, did you see Barry "the almost home run champ" Bonds is doing very well also? :p

Funny, how he does that with all the pressure and scrutiny of a very hostile press, and how he does it while subject to steroid testing as well. Heck, the guy might have some talent?

mattscott306

May 7, 2007, 01:51 PM

The "cheater"? I thought that was "Chipper," but then again I don't follow Mr. Jones' career closely enough to know what you all call him. I agree he is doing well.

Say, did you see Barry "the almost home run champ" Bonds is doing very well also? :p

Funny, how he does that with all the pressure and scrutiny of a very hostile press, and how he does it while subject to steroid testing as well. Heck, the guy might have some talent?

Talent? I never denied he had talent. I will never deny he has talent, heck I might even say he could have broken the HR record without steroids. But the problem is, we all believe he did use steroids. The fame of the all time HR leader, will go from an honorable man to one who has been part of the group that has stained the name of baseball.

Please note: I am not just blaming this on Bond's. I am expressing my disappointment that the HR King is part of a group of people who have stained baseball.

MacNut

May 7, 2007, 10:19 PM

So the Yankees lost the game because of maybe the WORST call ever made by an ump.

mattscott306

May 7, 2007, 10:56 PM

So the Yankees lost the game because of maybe the WORST call ever made by an ump.

There seems to be quite a bit of that going around lately. It's really starting to piss me off, thats the third game in the past week I've heard of that the game could have changed had the ump made the right call.

I support a fifth official in an instant replay booth being able to overturn a call made on the field.

furcalchick

May 7, 2007, 10:58 PM

So the Yankees lost the game because of maybe the WORST call ever made by an ump.

i saw that....terrible call. he was so out.

some umpires annoy me so much...

mattscott306

May 8, 2007, 10:07 AM

Zumaya has been injured- uh-oh, looks like throwing the speedball caused some problems. Kind of a shame, it was fun to watch batters try to catch up.
link (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6786148)

fotografica

May 8, 2007, 05:26 PM

So the Yankees lost the game because of maybe the WORST call ever made by an ump.

Yeah,even as a Red Sox fan,I gotta say that call sux. Hate to get a loss because of an ump..Hope this doesn't become a pattern thru the year..

IJ Reilly

May 8, 2007, 05:49 PM

There seems to be quite a bit of that going around lately. It's really starting to piss me off, thats the third game in the past week I've heard of that the game could have changed had the ump made the right call.

I support a fifth official in an instant replay booth being able to overturn a call made on the field.

Yeah, umpires making bad calls is a brand new thing to baseball. :rolleyes:

It's part of the game. Always has been, always should be. No instant replays!

mattscott306

May 8, 2007, 05:55 PM

Yeah, umpires making bad calls is a brand new thing to baseball. :rolleyes:

It's part of the game. Always has been, always should be. No instant replays!

how is the umpires ********** things up a good part of the game?! Replays are desperately needed!

IJ Reilly

May 8, 2007, 06:15 PM

how is the umpires ********** things up a good part of the game?! Replays are desperately needed!

I didn't say umpiring errors are a "good" part of the game, only that it is part of the game, and always has been. Nobody is out unless the umpire says so. Nobody is safe unless the umpire says so. That's just the way it works in baseball. Overruling umpire's calls with high tech gadgetry just because it's possible is a terrible idea. Don't screw around with the game. It doesn't need any "improvement."

aloofman

May 8, 2007, 06:20 PM

Knowing the Yankees luck, Carl Pavano will touch Clemens (ie pat on the butt or touch his throwing arm for some odd reason) and he will fall apart. Forearm injury, hamstring, bruised buttocks (what kind of lame ass exuse is that?!?!?!)

Yankees luck? Did you really just write that? Takes a lot of nerve to claim that the Yankees are unlucky when they can afford to give an ancient mercenary about $1 million per start.

mattscott306

May 8, 2007, 06:21 PM

I didn't say umpiring errors are a "good" part of the game, only that it is part of the game, and always has been. Nobody is out unless the umpire says so. Nobody is safe unless the umpire says so. That's just the way it works in baseball. Overruling umpire's calls with high tech gadgetry just because it's possible is a terrible idea. Don't screw around with the game. It doesn't need any "improvement."

But the game does get "improved" from time to time. Lower mounds, outlawing spitballers, and so on. And we can't change it so that the right calls are made?

IJ Reilly

May 8, 2007, 06:40 PM

But the game does get "improved" from time to time. Lower mounds, outlawing spitballers, and so on. And we can't change it so that the right calls are made?

And the DL? Bad changes get made too, usually when somebody thinks they need to monkey around with the fundamentals for some well-meaning but poorly considered reason. If you think this through, I believe you will see that undermining the authority of the field officials would fundamentally alter the dynamics of the game. It would also not assure that the "right" calls are made, just potentially different calls made by people who didn't have their eyeballs on the playing field and are reliant on technology which is far from objective. No, I think decisions about the outcome of the game should be made on the field of play. No way is perfect. I prefer the imperfect way it's been done for the last 100+ years.

nickster9224

May 8, 2007, 11:05 PM

Looks like zumaya has been playing too much guitar hero again, those dang buttons and your fingers

mattscott306

May 9, 2007, 05:46 PM

Note: to anyone looking for the Rev Jackson/Braves information it has been moved to the PRS forum.

Link (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=303344)

Teh Don Ditty

May 9, 2007, 09:12 PM

Yankees luck? Did you really just write that? Takes a lot of nerve to claim that the Yankees are unlucky when they can afford to give an ancient mercenary about $1 million per start.

Yea the Yankees Luck or should I say recent luck. What's so hard to see past that. Luck meaning bad luck as in injuries that have plagued the pitching the staff.

MacNut

May 10, 2007, 12:16 AM

What happened to Toronto, they are falling fast.

MacNut

May 10, 2007, 12:29 AM

The guy who might, just might, force Major League Baseball to break into a full sweat -- and break out the asterisks -- is a 37-year-old nobody, a career jockstrap picker-upper, a glorified gofer who used to work for tips in the Shea Stadium visitors clubhouse. He wasn't the lowest person on the New York Mets' organizational food chain, but he was close.

Kirk Radomski is his name. He was a clubbie, and clubbies are supposed to shine up your cleats, fetch you the latest issue of Maxim and make sure there are enough forks and knives for the postgame food spread. They aren't supposed to be chirping to the feds like a robin in a birdbath.

But Radomski took the baseball service industry to a new level. He followed up his years of finding new shoelaces for the fellas by becoming, for dozens of yet-unnamed ballplayers both past and present, the one-stop shopping destination for human growth hormone and steroids, among others.

MLB, its players, their union and the record book could be on the verge of a massive cluster migraine. And all because a former no-name clubhouse assistant recently pleaded guilty in a San Francisco federal court to supplying dozens of big leaguers with performance enhancers and then laundering the drug money. He's looking at as many as 25 years in the big house and $500,000 in fines.

So Radomski is talking to federal investigators. And talking some more. And the more he talks, the more MLB commissioner Bud Selig and players union executive director Donald Fehr squirm in their suits. Isn't this great?
continued....http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=2858983

These names are going to come out sometime this summer and things are going to get interesting.

fotografica

May 10, 2007, 05:42 AM

What happened to Toronto, they are falling fast.

Don't they always start off great and then fall apart?Can't figure out why,some good talent on that team..

On the Radomsky issue,Selig's gotta be sweating bullets right now. If it gets to the point of players being named publically,that's when it could get real interesting...

aloofman

May 10, 2007, 11:38 AM

Yea the Yankees Luck or should I say recent luck. What's so hard to see past that. Luck meaning bad luck as in injuries that have plagued the pitching the staff.

So far the Yankees have had enough money to overcome bad luck.

furcalchick

May 10, 2007, 11:52 AM

smoltz beat his old friend maddux for win 198. and he's turning 40 soon. he's 3-1 against maddux now.

tbs has the game today with wells and huddy (those of you on my calendar would know this), and the dodger fans are complaining that their game starts at 9 am pt.

MacNut

May 10, 2007, 11:54 AM

So far the Yankees have had enough money to overcome bad luck.Clemans hasn't even thrown a pitch but the starters have started to turn it around. So maybe its not luck but strength.

mattscott306

May 10, 2007, 12:09 PM

Clemans hasn't even thrown a pitch but the starters have started to turn it around. So maybe its not luck but strength.

Like they said on sports center- it seems no one wants to give up their spot.

IJ Reilly

May 10, 2007, 01:00 PM

Clemans hasn't even thrown a pitch but the starters have started to turn it around. So maybe its not luck but strength.

Close to $200 million for a .500 team. Nice show of strength!

fotografica

May 10, 2007, 09:41 PM

Wow..Beating down the Jays for the sweep. What the hell happened to Toronto? They came to Boston and swept then went to New York and split and then down hill from there. This is the 9th loss in a row for the Jays :eek:

thedude110

May 10, 2007, 09:51 PM

Having given up 12 hits in 5 ip two starts ago and 11 hits in 5 ip tonight, the better -- and more devastating -- question might be:

"What's wrong with Roy Halladay?"

fotografica

May 10, 2007, 09:54 PM

True,but they're not exactly scoring runs either..Or hitting for that matter. But there's something def not right with Halladay.He usually does well against the Sox..

MacNut

May 10, 2007, 11:07 PM

B.J. Ryan is out for the season as well. Looks like the Blue Jays might be done for the season.Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan will miss the rest of the season after having Tommy John surgery on his left elbow Thursday, a difficult blow for struggling Toronto.

Ryan, who signed a $47 million, five-year contract before the 2006 season, is expected to ready for spring training next year.http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2866486

fotografica

May 11, 2007, 06:18 AM

Wow,that hurts! Tommy John surgery is never a good thing for a pitcher..tho Ryan's always been hurt,this one could be it...

mattscott306

May 11, 2007, 08:30 AM

Wow,that hurts! Tommy John surgery is never a good thing for a pitcher..tho Ryan's always been hurt,this one could be it...

Not necessarily- some pitchers (For some reason) have been known to throw a bit faster after Tommy John's.

fotografica

May 11, 2007, 09:50 AM

Not necessarily- some pitchers (For some reason) have been known to throw a bit faster after Tommy John's.

I know,but it seems to be the exception and not the rule.Tough break anyway you look at it..

Sun Baked

May 11, 2007, 12:38 PM

Anybody need a young utility infielder with anger issues?

Seems the Diamondbacks may soon be offering one of their hot young prospects to another team after Alberto Callaspo got arrested for domestic violence and criminal damage.

After their tighter morals standards after the anger incidents and the steroid clouds over the past few years, he may be gone from the team rather quick -- likely as soon as the criminal investigation is complete.

furcalchick

May 11, 2007, 07:21 PM

B.J. Ryan is out for the season as well. Looks like the Blue Jays might be done for the season.http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2866486

now they are buried.

Former Cy Young winner Roy Halladay is expected to miss four to six weeks because of appendicitis, the latest bad break for the struggling Toronto Blue Jays. Halladay was set to have an appendectomy Friday night. Halladay lasted only five innings Thursday night and was hit hard in an 8-0 loss to Boston.

http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/top/SIG=12jdh280j/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-bluejays-halladayout&prov=ap&type=lgns

thedude110

May 11, 2007, 10:12 PM

Hardly the appendix that crapped out his last two starts, but tough news for Toronto, anyway.

My guess is this will probably good for the Jays long term -- rest Halladay in May and have him strong come October.

MacNut

May 11, 2007, 11:18 PM

My guess is this will probably good for the Jays long term -- rest Halladay in May and have him strong come October.Thats assuming they make it to October.

IJ Reilly

May 12, 2007, 11:41 AM

fotografica

May 13, 2007, 06:15 PM

Nice come from behind win for the Red Sox today..That ninth inning was fun to watch...:D

furcalchick

May 13, 2007, 08:42 PM

found this not too long ago, chipper jones rips the interleague play format. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-braves-cjones-interleague&prov=ap&type=lgns

I don't think there's any question it's not fair, but I don't think major league baseball is concerned with fair. If you play the top teams in the American League and everybody else doesn't, it's pretty unfair.

Is it fun? Yeah. It's fun playing in new cities. It's fun playing in front of new crowds, it's fun playing new teams. What's not fun is when they're all contenders and your competition doesn't have to play the same competition you do.

It's a factor (in the pennant race). We play Boston six times, and they've got the best record in the American League. We play the top three teams in the toughest division in baseball (the AL Central). We, without a doubt, have the toughest schedule in baseball, bar none. You don't play in our division and play the interleague schedule we play and not say we don't have the toughest schedule.

If we're going to play the American League Central, everybody has to play all the teams in the American League Central. This split-it-up and we have to play our rival in the American League East stuff, I don't get it. It's unfair for us and the Mets on a year-in, year-out basis to have to play the Yankees and Red Sox when other teams don't. This is no disrespect to the rest of the teams in the American League East, because Tampa is up and coming, and in two or three years, Tampa might be the class of the American League East and the Florida Marlins are going to have to deal with it. We should do it the way we did it the first five or six years of interleague play, and that's play every team in the American League East, every team in West and so on.

steamboat26

May 13, 2007, 08:50 PM

I'm worried about the Yankees, they usually start of bad, but they are 8 games out and we are only mid May! I have no doubt that they will close the gap, but the Red Sox are looking pretty good, while the Yankees are plagued by inconsistency.

Also, where was run support for Pettitte today?

xsedrinam

May 13, 2007, 09:03 PM

I hope to go to a STL home game this summer. I haven't been to the new ballpark, yet. They can't win at home (7-11), this year. Nobody in the NLCentral has a winning record at home but the Brewers. Aren't teams 'posed to win, at home? :confused: Just pitiful.

IJ Reilly

May 13, 2007, 09:06 PM

MacNut

May 13, 2007, 09:18 PM

The Red Sox will not keep up the pace they are on all season long. I am not worried yet. If at the All Star break the Yankees are 8 behind Boston then I will worry. Once the Yankees get on a role the hitting and pitching will fall into place.

IJ Reilly

May 13, 2007, 09:26 PM

Or Steinbrenner will buy more of both.

thedude110

May 13, 2007, 10:11 PM

Fred Lewis -- a Giants rookie who, as far as I can tell, is a no-name -- hit for the cycle today. This is the same Fred Lewis who hit a robust .248 in AAA last year while striking out 117 times.

It's somehow redeeming. If Fred Lewis can do it, don't you think, just maybe, at the right moment, you could have done it, too?

xsedrinam

May 13, 2007, 10:13 PM

Counterfit

May 14, 2007, 02:49 AM

I dunno, the Dodgers are seriously shopping for a power-hitting third baseman, but management is not into anger issues (see: Milton Bradley).

Just hope they look at his knees before they have him sign. You don't need two coaches making over $1m this year.
now they are buried.

http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/top/SIG=12jdh280j/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-bluejays-halladayout&prov=ap&type=lgns

They can't catch a damn break. I hope this doesn't go around the division like a cold through college students.

Other notes: the WSox got blown out by the ROYALS. So sad. Other blowouts tonight: SF 15 Col 2, Pit 13 Atl 2, Dodgers 10, reds 5 (is that a big enough gap for a blowout? I'm not sure...), and the Twins 16-4 over the Tigers.

The Red Sox will not keep up the pace they are on all season long.

A .694 winning percentage over the entire season is 112 wins. 4 shy of the record

MacNut

May 14, 2007, 01:36 PM

A .694 winning percentage over the entire season is 112 wins. 4 shy of the recordThats if the pitching holds up. The Red Sox are notorious for falling off mid season. Someone will get injured and the bats will fall asleep.

IJ Reilly

May 14, 2007, 02:06 PM

Just hope they look at his knees before they have him sign. You don't need two coaches making over $1m this year

I'm sure they always do. The Bill Mueller thing was tough break for all involved. Anyhow, Miguel Cabrera looks pretty good. Maybe come July the Marlins will hold one of their famous fire sales.

aloofman

May 14, 2007, 02:11 PM

found this not too long ago, chipper jones rips the interleague play format. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-braves-cjones-interleague&prov=ap&type=lgns

It's a criticism that has been brought up before, but the teams like the extra revenue more than the unfairness. What surprises me is that Chipper even figured any of that out on his own. :p

aloofman

May 14, 2007, 02:14 PM

I'm sure they always do. The Bill Mueller thing was tough break for all involved. Anyhow, Miguel Cabrera looks pretty good. Maybe come July the Marlins will hold one of their famous fire sales.

Considering how good and young Cabrera is, that's going to be expensive. Then again, there aren't many good and young third basemen around. In fact, a third baseman with decent power of any age is hard to come by.

Big if: if La Roche can play this well the whole season, I've got no problem with playing him. And if Betemit is going to pinch hit like that, then I've got no problem with keeping him on the bench either.

IJ Reilly

May 14, 2007, 02:25 PM

Considering how good and young Cabrera is, that's going to be expensive. Then again, there aren't many good and young third basemen around. In fact, a third baseman with decent power of any age is hard to come by.

Big if: if La Roche can play this well the whole season, I've got no problem with playing him. And if Betemit is going to pinch hit like that, then I've got no problem with keeping him on the bench either.

LaRoche (I believe he's dropped the space) will get a chance to prove himself over the next month or so. We'll see what happens when the pitchers start to learn him. For now it's working out -- with Anderson on the DL, they need the left hand bat on the bench so Betemit is it.

I don't think Cabrera is all that great defensively, but he's got the power, that's for sure. Colletti would probably sign him in a heartbeat if he had the opportunity.

Counterfit

May 14, 2007, 02:32 PM

Thats if the pitching holds up. The Red Sox are notorious for falling off mid season. Someone will get injured and the bats will fall asleep.

Well, there was an exception to that one year...
I'm sure they always do. The Bill Mueller thing was tough break for all involved. Anyhow, Miguel Cabrera looks pretty good. Maybe come July the Marlins will hold one of their famous fire sales.

From his Baseball Almanac page (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=muellbi02): "Baseball players are often pigeonholed into various categories. Slugger. Contact hitter. Base thief. Fireballer. Junkballer. Good field, no hit. Giants third baseman Bill Mueller does not fit neatly into any of these categories. He won't hit 30 home runs, drive in 90 runs, steal 20 bases, or pull a Ken Caminiti and nail a speedy runner at first from his knees with a rifle throw. Nevertheless, this small, nondescript 26-year-old has earned one label, and it's quite an exclusive one. Ballplayer." - by Jackie Krentzman in Giants Magazine (1998)
I think that sums him up pretty well. (As a player anyway, certainly not a person)

fotografica

May 14, 2007, 03:23 PM

Thats if the pitching holds up. The Red Sox are notorious for falling off mid season. Someone will get injured and the bats will fall asleep.

Spoken like a true Yankee's fan :p

aloofman

May 14, 2007, 04:36 PM

I don't think Cabrera is all that great defensively, but he's got the power, that's for sure. Colletti would probably sign him in a heartbeat if he had the opportunity.

For a guy who until recently was an outfielder, I'd say he's acceptable at third. I don't think he's going to lose you many games with the glove.

Anyone would sign him if they could, which is the problem. He's going to cost a lot, probably Alfonso Soriano-type money.

MacNut

May 14, 2007, 04:42 PM

Spoken like a true Yankee's fan :pI speak the truth.:cool: ;)

furcalchick

May 14, 2007, 04:46 PM

millwood came back too soon...re-injured his hamstring...expect him back on the dl. too bad.

IJ Reilly

May 14, 2007, 05:47 PM

For a guy who until recently was an outfielder, I'd say he's acceptable at third. I don't think he's going to lose you many games with the glove.

Anyone would sign him if they could, which is the problem. He's going to cost a lot, probably Alfonso Soriano-type money.

When does he become a free agent?

aloofman

May 14, 2007, 06:02 PM

When does he become a free agent?

This is either his fourth or fifth year. I'm not sure if his first season of 80+ games counts as a full year, free agency-wise.

The way I see it, he's close enough to free agency that only a team that thinks they're one slugger away from pennant contention would trade for him without thinking they can sign him too. And he's so valuable that the Marlins would want a lot of prospects for him, probably so many that only one of the richer teams could pay up that way either.

IJ Reilly

May 14, 2007, 06:20 PM

This is either his fourth or fifth year. I'm not sure if his first season of 80+ games counts as a full year, free agency-wise.

The way I see it, he's close enough to free agency that only a team that thinks they're one slugger away from pennant contention would trade for him without thinking they can sign him too. And he's so valuable that the Marlins would want a lot of prospects for him, probably so many that only one of the richer teams could pay up that way either.

I had a look here (http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/cabremi01.shtml). Apparently he's in his fourth season. Given what the Marlins are paying him (under $500,000), he's not going to be mid-season rental material unless, as you say, some team is willing to hand over a bunch of prospects in return.

mattscott306

May 15, 2007, 12:46 PM

Anyone see Smoltz dislocate his pinky last night?

furcalchick

May 15, 2007, 12:48 PM

Anyone see Smoltz dislocate his pinky last night?

:( i know. i hope this doesn't turn into 2006. last year sucked. also can't believe we got no hit for seven innings.

mattscott306

May 15, 2007, 12:50 PM

:( i know. i hope this doesn't turn into 2006. last year sucked. also can't believe we got no hit for seven innings.

Bergmann was on fire, no shame in losing to his pitching there, he's the bright spot in the Nat's rotation, he's just suck with a really bad team. He's pitched well all season and deserved a win, I just wish it hadn't been against us.

aloofman

May 15, 2007, 12:52 PM

I had a look here (http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/cabremi01.shtml). Apparently he's in his fourth season. Given what the Marlins are paying him (under $500,000), he's not going to be mid-season rental material unless, as you say, some team is willing to hand over a bunch of prospects in return.

That was last year's salary. He's getting over $7 million this year after winning arbitration in the offseason. But I think the logic still stands.

IJ Reilly

May 15, 2007, 01:08 PM

That was last year's salary. He's getting over $7 million this year after winning arbitration in the offseason. But I think the logic still stands.

Yeah, thanks. I could not find that number. Still $7 million is a bargain for guy with his talent, even in Florida.

aloofman

May 15, 2007, 04:40 PM

Yeah, thanks. I could not find that number. Still $7 million is a bargain for guy with his talent, even in Florida.

Not just a bargain for his talent, but in terms of the stats he's already put up too. As Verducci pointed out on SI.com last week, he's one of the few young players any team would want to build a team around.

nickster9224

May 15, 2007, 04:44 PM

its been rainin here for an hour off and on, i hope tonights game between the whitesox and yankees dont get rained out. im lookin forward to the whitesox kicking some yankee ass

MacNut

May 15, 2007, 04:46 PM

its been rainin here for an hour off and on, i hope tonights game between the whitesox and yankees dont get rained out. im lookin forward to the whitesox kicking some yankee assYou mean like that beating you gave the Royals Sunday.:p

mattscott306

May 15, 2007, 04:47 PM

You mean like that beating you gave the Royals Sunday.:p

Ouch- match point goes to MacNut

nickster9224

May 15, 2007, 04:54 PM

you got me on that one. but the sox still have the better record at 2 over, and the yanks are 2 under. we'll let the game do the talking.

mattscott306

May 15, 2007, 04:57 PM

you got me on that one. but the sox still have the better record at 2 over, and the yanks are 2 under. we'll let the game do the talking.

One game doesn't mean much, we'll see how the season series ends up.

nickster9224

May 15, 2007, 05:00 PM

i think the whitesox will win the season series 6-4

MacNut

May 15, 2007, 05:03 PM

i think the whitesox will win the season series 6-4Where is the 4 game series.

zioxide

May 15, 2007, 05:03 PM

MacNut

May 15, 2007, 05:06 PM

Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched a complete 9 innings last night, gave up 6 hits and only 1 run, along with 0 walks and 5 strikeouts. :D

Sox have their biggest lead on the AL East (8.5 games) since 1995 (the last year the won the division).http://deephousepage.com/smilies/yawn.gif The season is still early. Wake me when the usual All Star break collapse happens.

zioxide

May 15, 2007, 05:07 PM

http://deephousepage.com/smilies/yawn.gif The season is still early. Wake me when the usual All Star break collapse happens.

You're going to be sleeping all summer them :p

MacNut

May 15, 2007, 05:11 PM

You're going to be sleeping all summer them :pWell somebody is dreaming and its usually the Red Sox fans.:D

nickster9224

May 15, 2007, 05:11 PM

Where is the 4 game series.

Chicago july 4-7

mattscott306

May 15, 2007, 05:25 PM

Well somebody is dreaming and its usually the Red Sox fans.:D

We'll see- their pitching is the best in baseball- no doubt about that, and something like that you really can't lose unless someone gets hurt.

fotografica

May 15, 2007, 05:31 PM

Well somebody is dreaming and its usually the Red Sox fans.:D

And the Yankee's fans are dreaming that Roger is the answer:p Keep spending Georgie.....

zioxide

May 15, 2007, 05:34 PM

We'll see- their pitching is the best in baseball- no doubt about that, and something like that you really can't lose unless someone gets hurt.

And that's with Tavarez as the 5th starter. He's been doing decent, but once Lester comes back, the pitching will be even better.

Let's hope that getting Beckett out of that game early will have prevented him having to go on the DL.

nickster9224

May 15, 2007, 05:39 PM

Beckett needs to suck it up, he came out b/c he cut his finger, boooohooooo, almost as big of a whiner as prior/wood on the cubs

fotografica

May 15, 2007, 05:40 PM

Tavarez isn't doing bad at all.He outlasted Santana and if he had any kind of run support,he would have won.It's going to take Lester a few MLB starts to get back into stride.He's looked good in Pawtucket,but it's not the majors..

IJ Reilly

May 15, 2007, 05:50 PM

Not just a bargain for his talent, but in terms of the stats he's already put up too. As Verducci pointed out on SI.com last week, he's one of the few young players any team would want to build a team around.

So does he get free agency next season, or the one after?

zioxide

May 15, 2007, 06:04 PM

Beckett needs to suck it up, he came out b/c he cut his finger, boooohooooo, almost as big of a whiner as prior/wood on the cubs

Francona took him out so the cut wouldn't turn into something worse. A couple years ago Beckett had blisters on his hand that put him on the disabled list. Better to be safe than sorry.

aloofman

May 15, 2007, 06:22 PM

So does he get free agency next season, or the one after?

Free agency comes after six seasons, so if this is his fourth year, then he won't be a free agent until November 2009. (Again, I don't know if his first half season counts as a first year free agency-wise. Then this would be his fifth year.) I think there's still a good chance he'll be traded before then because he could be in arbitration twice before that, and if he keeps putting up these numbers, his salary will keep going up.

He already takes up about a quarter of the team's payroll. At some point they will probably get an offer that is too sweet to pass up. Criticism of the Nats for losing Soriano for mere draft picks instead of trading was nearly universal.

nickster9224

May 15, 2007, 06:53 PM

Francona took him out so the cut wouldn't turn into something worse. A couple years ago Beckett had blisters on his hand that put him on the disabled list. Better to be safe than sorry.

as i recall seeing on sportscenter franconca didnt take him off beckett walked off the field and went straight into the clubhouse, thus a trainer a few minutes later had to explain to francona why beckett walked off the field

nickster9224

May 15, 2007, 10:20 PM

yanks-sox doubleheader tomorrow 105 CT

MacNut

May 16, 2007, 03:36 PM

Cabrera robs Uribe of a 2 run homerun.:)

nickster9224

May 16, 2007, 03:45 PM

AJ leads off the 6th with a solo homer, and then Dye doubled. Mussina just hit Macowiak. Crede Singled, its 4-2 sox. And Mussina is done, heck yesss.

zioxide

May 16, 2007, 03:55 PM

AJ leads off the 6th with a solo homer, and then Dye doubled. Mussina just hit Macowiak. Crede Singled, its 4-2 sox. And Mussina is done, heck yesss.

Good news. :D

MacNut

May 16, 2007, 03:57 PM

Cabrera did have a double play by the way, he was out at the plate just the ump didn't see it.

nickster9224

May 16, 2007, 04:02 PM

he wasnt out, rob slid under the tag, the tag was also late.

IJ Reilly

May 16, 2007, 04:16 PM

Oh, puleeeze, do we really need a play-by-play?

nickster9224

May 16, 2007, 04:18 PM

Oh, puleeeze, do we really need a play-by-play?

yea, gotta problem with it, i take it your a yankees fan and your team is losing 5-2

aloofman

May 16, 2007, 04:27 PM

yea, gotta problem with it, i take it your a yankees fan and your team is losing 5-2

You must be new around here. :rolleyes:

No, it's that a discussion board really isn't a good way to talk about a baseball game minute-by-minute.

mattscott306

May 16, 2007, 04:29 PM

^^^^
He's right, we talk about things in general, play by play is a little spamalicious (and annoying)

nickster9224

May 16, 2007, 04:35 PM

i summarized the sixth inning and i edited my post, i didnt just keep posting to add more.

furcalchick

May 16, 2007, 04:36 PM

i wonder who's going to cheer for the yankees this weekend?

i'm going to, only because they are playing the twice as annoying mets.

nickster9224

May 16, 2007, 04:48 PM

i think im gonna start the chisox cubs rivalry spinoff thread soon, nothing like a crosstown classic w/fights

zioxide

May 16, 2007, 04:57 PM

i wonder who's going to cheer for the yankees this weekend?

i'm going to

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

furcalchick

May 16, 2007, 05:24 PM

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

btw, you will lose three straight to us this weekend;)

no hard feelings, i hate the yankees too....

zioxide

May 16, 2007, 05:47 PM

btw, you will lose three straight to us this weekend;)

no hard feelings, i hate the yankees too....

ooh a braves fan :p

we've got beckett, daisuke, and wakefield going, so you should be scared :D :p

nickster9224

May 16, 2007, 06:16 PM

the bosox will lose 3 this weekend.

mattscott306

May 16, 2007, 06:26 PM

ooh a braves fan :p

we've got beckett, daisuke, and wakefield going, so you should be scared :D :p

We've got a rookie then Smoltz and Hudson pitching. I'll take our chances.

furcalchick

May 16, 2007, 06:34 PM

We've got a rookie then Smoltz and Hudson pitching. I'll take our chances.

no beckett friday. no smoltz saturday?

mattscott306

May 16, 2007, 06:44 PM

no beckett friday. no smoltz saturday?

AJC says Smoltz is still on for Saturday.

Edit: Here's a link (http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/braves/entries/2007/05/16/gonzalez_on_dl.html) saying smotlz is good, but the bad news is Gonzo is on the DL. Chipper is also on for tonight too.

zephead

May 16, 2007, 07:05 PM

furcalchick

May 16, 2007, 07:13 PM

MLB has approved the sale of the Braves to Liberty Media. link (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070516&content_id=1968390&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb)

Does that mean no more national Braves games on TBS?

that was actually settled last year, this is the 35th and final year of braves on tbs (at least nationally). next year, they are going to some cheesy game of the week format for more mets and yankees games.

as far as i know, braves will still be on tbs for the 50 or so games left on the network's schedule.