Official 2007 MLB Season Thread

[nathanjosephs]

mos def

and ruiz, boy is he looking solid. batting over 300 as a rookie, who saw that walk off!

but our line up is crazy

rowand (tanking it up)
victorino
rollins
utley
burrell
helms
nunez
barajas

now granted we dont have ruiz or howard in that lineup, we are looking crazy

defensively, vitorino and burrell are 1 and 2 in outfield assists, actually, i beleive they are 2 and 3 now, but they are crazy. with rowands catches and his blue collar outfield (playing?), they could all be gold glovers

cant wait till allstar break also, they always are SOO solid after the break

[MacNut]

Boston looks like a wash tonight and tomorrow afternoon, maybe a double dip Sunday.

New York might play tonight, maybe get the game in Saturday.

[mattscott306]

Boston looks like a wash tonight and tomorrow afternoon, maybe a double dip Sunday.

New York might play tonight, maybe get the game in Saturday.

Bad news if we rain out tonight and tomorrow... triple header ever?

[MacNut]

The union would never allow a triple header. The game should get in Saturday night, might be a late game.

[mattscott306]

The union would never allow a triple header. The game would get in Saturday night, might be a late game.

Worst comes to worst (it rains 'till the "curfew" on Saturday night) they'd have to move the third game to the Atlanta series wouldn't they?

[MacNut]

Or they just skip the game. I think they will get 3 in this weekend just not tonight.

[mattscott306]

Or they just skip the game. I think they will get 3 in this weekend just not tonight.

Yeah, thats what our local paper was saying. Looks like the series isn't gonna be as intense pitching wise as I had hoped (good for us I guess) with Becket and Wakefield switching out for Hansack and Gabbard. The smoltz v dice-k game should be a good matchup though.

Perhaps we need to split off a rivalry thread to use for these two series? (this month's and june's)

[furcalchick]

Worst comes to worst (it rains 'till the "curfew" on Saturday night) they'd have to move the third game to the Atlanta series wouldn't they?

we'll have to go back to boston on an off day.

[furcalchick]

Or they just skip the game. I think they will get 3 in this weekend just not tonight.

but we'll never know what's in chipper's locker...:(

[mattscott306]

but we'll never know what's in chipper's locker...:(

Oh crap, a rainout means we're subject to the god-awful american's funniest bloopers reel.

[fotografica]

Boston looks like a wash tonight and tomorrow afternoon, maybe a double dip Sunday.

New York might play tonight, maybe get the game in Saturday.

Tonight's probably def a wash.Worst of the rain is supposed to be between later this afternoon and tomorrow morning.Tomorrow could see a long delay,but later in the day looks playable.Sunday should be fine for a DH. It'll be interesting to see how these two pitchers handle the pressure for the Sox.

[furcalchick]

boston-atlanta ppd, dh tomorrow.

night game at 7 on tbs. i wonder if they will do saturday night extra or will chipper's locker remain a mystery to us all? i hope dice-k is the night cap.

[mattscott306]

boston-atlanta ppd, dh tomorrow.

night game at 7 on tbs. i wonder if they will do saturday night extra or will chipper's locker remain a mystery to us all? i hope dice-k is the night cap.

They'll probably run the same programing agenda that they would have used tonight.

As far as tonight goes looks like we'll be treated to "Saved By the Bell: The College Years" instead. No good baseball available for me tonight. :(

[MacNut]

Yankees/Mets is on for tonight.

[mattscott306]

Yankees/Mets is on for tonight.

Not nationally broadcasted (to my knowledge)

[MacNut]

Not nationally broadcasted (to my knowledge)No but they are not rained out. Actually if you own DirecTV you can get Red Sox and Yankees all season long.

Yankees/Mets is on Fox tomorrow and ESPN Sunday night.

[furcalchick]

They'll probably run the same programing agenda that they would have used tonight.

As far as tonight goes looks like we'll be treated to "Saved By the Bell: The College Years" instead. No good baseball available for me tonight. :(

they'll probably just can the xtra stuff because it isn't friday night...they did it before...and they'll nix the stuff.

and i get treated to a devil rays game and dum dum kim. nice.

and it looks like dice-k will still be day, or will they move them to the night cap with the red sox knowing he'll get more exposure?

[MacNut]

My guess is that Dice-K will pitch the night game. They haven't announced the lineup yet.

[fotografica]

My guess is that Dice-K will pitch the night game. They haven't announced the lineup yet.

Depends on the weather.They'll want Dice K pitching in the most optimal conditions,be it night or day...

[MacNut]

The latest forecast is for showers off and on all weekend.

[fotografica]

The latest forecast is for showers off and on all weekend.

Showers they can play in.A steady downpour,with a 30+mph NE wind at Fenway,no go.They're actually forecasting breaks of sunshine on Sunday afternoon..

[furcalchick]

great, now how are we going to play these games? i think boston is cursed.:mad:

[furcalchick]

i see possible make up days for the braves vs. red sox series on may 31st and june 11th, both during red sox homestands and braves road trips.

do you see any games this weekend in boston? i'm hearing a no.

[mattscott306]

i see possible make up days for the braves vs. red sox series on may 31st and june 11th, both during red sox homestands and braves road trips.

do you see any games this weekend in boston? i'm hearing a no.

no games at all?
where'dyou get that from?

[fotografica]

i see possible make up days for the braves vs. red sox series on may 31st and june 11th, both during red sox homestands and braves road trips.

do you see any games this weekend in boston? i'm hearing a no.

Well the rain has let up a bit as of this AM.Not the steady downpours of yesterday..Last nite the local channels revised the forecast downward,not as bad as expected.Worst weather looks to be more toward southern MA,RI...I could see a late game today (would be soggy as hell tho)..And a DH tomorrow.They'll do whatever they can to get games in this weekend.Interleague games are hard to make up...

Well as of right now,they're still planning a day/nite DH today.Dice K pitching game one,Hansack game two. Soggy/slippery field for sure..

[mattscott306]

Well as of right now,they're still planning a day/nite DH today.Dice K pitching game one,Hansack game two. Soggy/slippery field for sure..

So then it'll be Dice-K vs our rookie Lerew. He pitched great his first time out, and then botched it up against the pirates, so who knows how he'll pitch today.

[furcalchick]

So then it'll be Dice-K vs our rookie Lerew. He pitched great his first time out, and then botched it up against the pirates, so who knows how he'll pitch today.

i doubt we play any games today. it's that bad...i'm looking forward to that doubleheader in a few weeks.

[fotografica]

I'd be shocked if they get a DH in today.One game maybe..

[MacNut]

Right now there is no rain anywhere in CT, Boston looks cloudy and a chance of showers and cold but no heavy rain as of now. Showers in NY but they should be able to play in it.

Looks like its a go in Boston.

[furcalchick]

please show us chipper's locker tbs...if you don't....hate mail time.

[MacNut]

please show us chipper's locker tbs...if you don't....hate mail time.For us northerners would you care to explain.

[fotografica]

Looks like its a go in Boston.

Gonna be a cold day tho.Any kind of east wind at Fenway means it coming right off the habah..

[zioxide]

Lead off home run JULIO LUGO!

Sox 1-0

[mattscott306]

please show us chipper's locker tbs...if you don't....hate mail time.
Meh- I'm not a huge fan of the locker deals, Sports South does interviews that ask the players things like what foods they hate, what foods they'd win an eating contest with and so on.
For us northerners would you care to explain.
It's a little thing that TBS does- you should be able to watch it today if you watch the nightcap on TBS
Lead off home run JULIO LUGO!

Sox 1-0
Thanks I hadn't noticed, now don't say anything about Manny's double.

[furcalchick]

Meh- I'm not a huge fan of the locker deals, Sports South does interviews that ask the players things like what foods they hate, what foods they'd win an eating contest with and so on.

It's a little thing that TBS does- you should be able to watch it today if you watch the nightcap on TBS

Thanks I hadn't noticed, now don't say anything about Manny's double.

i don't get tbs, so i don't get any of that stuff. all i get is stinky teams.:(

and i'm not so sure about the xtra stuff...they knew that the game got canned hours beforehand...so it shouldn't be too hard to get the stuff set up today.

[mattscott306]

i don't get tbs, so i don't get any of that stuff. all i get is stinky teams.:(

and i'm not so sure about the xtra stuff...they knew that the game got canned hours beforehand...so it shouldn't be too hard to get the stuff set up today.

You don't get TBS? I thought that was a standard channel? Did ou mean you don't get sports south?

Edit: Crap. Lerew= Not looking good.
Dice-K= looking good.

[furcalchick]

You don't get TBS? I thought that was a standard channel? Did ou mean you don't get sports south?

Edit: Crap. Lerew= Not looking good.
Dice-K= looking good.

yeah, i meant ss. brain laspe.

[mattscott306]

Ok- I know we shouldn't be doing a play by play- but Diaz tagged up with about 4 inches left before the tag was applied. Bad call. :mad:

[furcalchick]

great, redman blows it open...lowell with a santa maria...ugh.

7-0 sox. i hope the yankees can win today. (that hurts just saying that).

[MacNut]

I can't wait for the Red Sox to hit that brick wall, its gonna be sweet to watch the carnage of crying fans in Boston.

[mattscott306]

great, redman blows it open...lowell with a santa maria...ugh.

7-0 sox. i hope the yankees can win today. (that hurts just saying that).

He gave me hope after that first inning- damn him.

Go yankee's!

[zioxide]

I can't wait for the Red Sox to hit that brick wall, its gonna be sweet to watch the carnage of crying fans in Boston.

You're gonna be waiting until next year at least.

[swiftaw]

I can't wait for the Red Sox to hit that brick wall, its gonna be sweet to watch the carnage of crying fans in Boston.

Even if they do, they'll have such a big lead that they could play .500 ball for a month and still win the division.

[MacNut]

You're gonna be waiting until next year at least.You are dreaming if you think the Red Sox can keep this up all season.

[zioxide]

You are dreaming if you think the Red Sox can keep this up all season.

Keep up playing .700 ball? Maybe not, but we're still going to do better than the Yankees.

Yankees fans are the ones who are dreaming, thinking Clemens is going to save them from horrible pitching and lead them to a world series.

[MacNut]

Clemans alone won't lead the Yankees to anything if the hitters don't start to hit. Clemans starting every 5 days isn't going to do anything. We need a team to produce not just one player.

[swiftaw]

Just heard a bizarre stat. The Yankees are 0-8 in Friday night games this season.

[furcalchick]

8-0 sox. i hope they implode. ugh.

beat the mets!!

[nickster9224]

they'll keep it up until the all star break if they're lucky.

[zioxide]

chea baby 12-0 sox now.

osnap post 800

[fotografica]

You are dreaming if you think the Red Sox can keep this up all season.
Obviously the Sox aren't going to keep up this run production all year.They'll cool off eventually.They're pitching on the other hand,is stacked,front and back. And that's what wins championships ;)

[MacNut]

Beckett on the DL Schilling Im sure will be at some point.

[furcalchick]

is it just me, or is everything on fox all about the yankees-red sox angle? that's annoying...what about the much closer (but not for long if the braves keep losing) nl east?

[MacNut]

Isn't that just dandy, another pitcher goes down.:(

Why do the Mets insist on the annoying sound effects.

[swiftaw]

Isn't that just dandy, another pitcher goes down.:(

Why do the Mets insist on the annoying sound effects.

What happened to Rasner?

[MacNut]

Im thinking broken hand, or at least a sprain.

[swiftaw]

Im thinking broken hand, or at least a sprain.

Did he get in the way of a come-backer of something? We don't get the game here, stuck watching white sox - cubs

[MacNut]

Did he get in the way of a come-backer of something? We don't get the game here, stuck watching white sox - cubsI think he got his hand on a come backer, he threw a few pitches and clutched his hand while running off the mound. I think its broke because thats how I help my hand after I broke it.

[swiftaw]

I think he got his hand on a come backer, he threw a few pitches and clutched his hand while running off the mound. I think its broke because thats how I help my hand after I broke it.

That sucks. Even as a red sox fan I can feel sympathy for the run of pitching injuries you guys have had this season, although that doesn't excuse the weak offense.

Looks like another long day for your bullpen. (3-run home run David Wright)

[MacNut]

Ya Mike Myers just gave up a 2 run shot.

[swiftaw]

MacNut, Do you think this is just a slump that the Yankees will eventually play their way out of, or do you think changes have to be made?

[zioxide]

MacNut, Do you think this is just a slump that the Yankees will eventually play their way out of, or do you think changes have to be made?

They need to make changes. Need better pitching obviously, but it seems like the players aren't even trying.

Did you see Cano try to throw the guy out at first? He fielded the ball and just tossed the ball over and it bounced and the 1st baseman couldn't control it. He could have easily stopped and made a perfect throw, but he was just being lazy.

Cano just kind of made up for that though with a solo home run to right, but still. That doesn't excuse him from being that lazy in the field.

[MacNut]

The hitting will work itself out, the pitching has to get healthy, Hughes is coming back soon, Clemans might give enough to slow the bleeding but it all comes down the the bats. I think the team can turn it around but they need to do it soon. What they need is to resign Bernie Williams.

edit: Home run by Cano
Meyers on second: ground rule double.

[swiftaw]

Maybe it's due to lack of fear. All these guys know they are never going to be benched no matter how badly they play or how little effort they give because they are paid too much and they 'are too big of a name'.

Although, you could make the same argument about most teams. However, I think it helps teams to have some youngsters around pushing the veterans hard to keep them honest.

[MacNut]

A lot of this game comes down to luck and the Yankees haven't gotten the breaks they usually do.

[swiftaw]

Also, it seems that alot of the players the Yankees have acquired in recent years are not 'Yankee type' players.

When the Yankees had guys like Paul O'Neil, Scott Broscus, Bernie Williams etc they scared me to death even though none of these players were necessarily the best at their position.

Recently it seems they have just tried to assemble an all-star team and gotten away from 'yankee-type' players.

[MacNut]

I wanted the Yankees to rebuild the team a few years ago with younger talent rather then to resign the older players. Eventually they will need to have a bad year of rebuilding to get the team back to where it was in the late 90's

[furcalchick]

can you guys start winning RIGHT NOW?!

otherwise we're three back of the mets.

[zioxide]

Recently it seems they have just tried to assemble an all-star team and gotten away from 'yankee-type' players.

Exactly. You can't buy a championship. You can get all the all-star players that you want, but if there's no team chemistry or anything, then you're not going to win ball games.


You can say that the Sox have been becoming more like the Yankees because we've gone out and picked up some big contracts with Matsuzaka, Drew, and Lugo. But we also have Pedroia and pitchers like Papelbon and Lester who have helped out a lot. And we have Jacoby Ellsbury who might be pushing Crisp for his job by the end of the year.

The farm program plays a huge part of baseball, and you can't rely just on signing big-name free agents to make your team win. You need to bring in new guys to help compete with the vets and make everyone play better.


Go Mets!

[swiftaw]

can you guys start winning RIGHT NOW?!

otherwise we're three back of the mets.

Could be worse, could be 11 back of the red sox :D

[furcalchick]

Go Mets!

boooooooo

[swiftaw]

David Wright homered again

[fotografica]

Beckett on the DL Schilling Im sure will be at some point.

15 days for Beckett in May with a 10 game lead,I'll take that no problem.Schilling will end up there at some point.Key word with the Red Sox pitching is depth.

[zioxide]

yay Mets 8-2 lead.

[furcalchick]

great, game isn't on tbs tonight:(

guess i'll have to get used to devil rays baseball only now....

[zioxide]

derrek lee just hit a grand slam! cubs lead 11-6 in the bottom of the 8th.

[mattscott306]

great, game isn't on tbs tonight:(

guess i'll have to get used to devil rays baseball only now....
Yeah I just saw that too- perhaps you should look into mlb.tv?

[furcalchick]

Yeah I just saw that too- perhaps you should look into mlb.tv?

probably next season...not this year though, don't have much cash...and it seems like every year espn shows less and less games (and most of them is always yankees vs. red sox and other teams i tire of).

i'm just tired of being stuck with sorry teams like the devil rays all the time...it's boring.

[mattscott306]

probably next season...not this year though, don't have much cash...and it seems like every year espn shows less and less games (and most of them is always yankees vs. red sox and other teams i tire of).

i'm just tired of being stuck with sorry teams like the devil rays all the time...it's boring.

Yeah- I think they're running a five day trial, so you could catch tonight and tomorrow if you wanted...

Congrats to A-Rod breaking the HR drought.

Edit: Here come the yankee's- this game just got a LOT more exciting.

[zioxide]

woooo yankees lose!

[furcalchick]

yuck. and even worse, i have to watch devil rays.

[MacNut]

woooo yankees lose!:mad:
Looks like someone pulled the fire alarm at Fenway. You guys can't get out of this game that easy.:p

[furcalchick]

:mad:
Looks like someone pulled the fire alarm at Fenway. You guys can't get out of this game that easy.:p

he he he he...payback for that nasty loss earlier today.

meanwhile, you failed yankees!!! thanks for nothing. looks like we'll have to deal with it ourselves...

[MacNut]

I blame the whole loss on Cano.

[mattscott306]

We outscored y'all 17-13 :D

[furcalchick]

We outscored y'all 17-13 :D

nice. and huddy is going out against a no name....i bet this game isn't on and i have to watch the devil rays...again.

[mattscott306]

nice. and huddy is going out against a no name....i bet this game isn't on and i have to watch the devil rays...again.

Damned rain.... at least you'll be able to watch it if it ever comes on.

[furcalchick]

Damned rain.... at least you'll be able to watch it if it ever comes on.

they'll probably do something sneaky and put the game on ss...again.

guess i'm looking forward to yankees vs. mets.

[zioxide]

Red Sox vs Braves rubber match of the series first pitch is going to be about 4:35 EDT according to WEEI/WRKO.

edit: Here we go! GAME TIME

[mattscott306]

Here we go again... I guess hudson is allowed ONE bad start in two months.

[furcalchick]

Here we go again... I guess hudson is allowed ONE bad start in two months.

i don't see anything...expect rain and bored...stupid tbs gypping us again.

[zioxide]

woo 5-0 sox right now in the top of the 3rd

gabbard is doing very well so far, already got 4 strikeouts

[furcalchick]

i wish i can see something instead of a black screen. tbs hates me now.:(

[zioxide]

storms might be coming back in.. im like 30 miles south of boston and its raining here again.. looking at the radar there might be rain there again soon



in other news, HOME RUN YOUUUUUUUUUUK

6-0

[furcalchick]

storms might be coming back in.. im like 30 miles south of boston and its raining here again.. looking at the radar there might be rain there again soon



in other news, HOME RUN YOUUUUUUUUUUK

6-0

why didn't you just call the game earlier? that would have been much better.

[mattscott306]

why didn't you just call the game earlier? that would have been much better.

It's six two now- going into the seventh... against that bullpen? Crap

[zioxide]

time for oki :D

SWING AND A MISS.. STRIKE THREE. SOX WIN 6-3

[fotografica]

Ahhh,what better way to spend a rainy,dreary weekend in Boston than watching the Sox take the Braves. Picking up where they left off sweeping the Braves last June. Our no name pitcher did pretty good against Huddy ;) People can hate the Sox as much as they want.This team is for real.And the best part of it is... Ortiz and Manny aren't even hitting yet.....

[zioxide]

Ahhh,what better way to spend a rainy,dreary weekend in Boston than watching the Sox take the Braves. Picking up where they left off sweeping the Braves last June. Our no name pitcher did pretty good against Huddy ;) People can hate the Sox as much as they want.This team is for real.And the best part of it is... Ortiz and Manny aren't even hitting yet.....

hehehe i love it.

but ortiz has been hitting.. just not as many home runs. his average is over .300

how about youk and lowell, both above .320

once manny gets going and drew gets out of this slump, the offense is going to be so crazy. pedroia is heating up too.

Gabbard did awesome today. lets see if he can keep it up later this week because he will most definitely be filling in for beckett's next start after today's performance

[furcalchick]

andruw jones emanating suck like nothing else...struck out five times today. ugh. a bunch of fans are done with him.

[fotografica]

hehehe i love it.

but ortiz has been hitting.. just not as many home runs. his average is over .300

how about youk and lowell, both above .320

once manny gets going and drew gets out of this slump, the offense is going to be so crazy. pedroia is heating up too.

Gabbard did awesome today. lets see if he can keep it up later this week because he will most definitely be filling in for beckett's next start after today's performance

Youk is one of the hottest hitters in the league right now..Sox have L-R-L-R all thru the lineup.Nice balance.Even Coco is hitting..Lowell is just a player. Guy does whatever you ask of him. Like I said,Sox have major pitching depth. The bullpen is sick. Add Lester to the mix,and I'm liking it ;)

[MacNut]

and the Yankees win.

[zioxide]

and the Yankees win.

about time. that win might have saved torre's job :O

[MacNut]

about time. that win might have saved torre's job :OWe will know in 3 days.

[swiftaw]

We will know in 3 days.

Indeed, although I think the pitching match ups favor the yankees.

[zioxide]

Indeed, although I think the pitching match ups favor the yankees.

And everyone thought the pitching matchup favored the Braves today.

[Sayhey]

andruw jones emanating suck like nothing else...struck out five times today. ugh. a bunch of fans are done with him.

We will take him. How about Morris and a few prospects? ;)

[mattscott306]

andruw jones emanating suck like nothing else...struck out five times today. ugh. a bunch of fans are done with him.
As much as I dislike him right now, I think he'll eventually get to the point where he realizes that Terry P is there to help him- and he'll actually listen. It's the freaking batting stance he reverts to, he needs to shorten the distance between his feet becuase he moves his head too much.
We will take him. How about Morris and a few prospects? ;)
How 'bout a 4 and 5 spot pitcher?

[Sayhey]

How 'bout a 4 and 5 spot pitcher?

As long as it's not our current 4 and 5 spot pitchers (or our 1 and 2 pitchers,) I'd be quite happy to pull the trigger on that deal. I like Matt Morris, but I was serious, I'd be willing to part with him and more for the struggling Andruw. You have one of the great defensive centerfielders in baseball, who also has power to spare, and you all are ready to give up on him because he is in a slump? My only concern with Jones is the ability to lock him up to a long term contract after this year.

[mattscott306]

As long as it's not our current 4 and 5 spot pitchers (or our 1 and 2 pitchers,) I'd be quite happy to pull the trigger on that deal. I like Matt Morris, but I was serious, I'd be willing to part with him and more for the struggling Andruw. You have one of the great defensive centerfielders in baseball, who also has power to spare, and you all are ready to give up on him because he is in a slump? My only concern with Jones is the ability to lock him up to a long term contract after this year.

I wouldn't let go of Jones for any small deal, we need to shore up our rotation, and that would be the only reason I'd let him go this season. Harris can cover a good bit of distance, as can Franceour, the only concern would be Diaz- he's not as great of a fielder as Langerhans was. While it wouldn't be optimum to lose a gold glover- we need starting pitchers.

[Teh Don Ditty]

Holy Snikes! A 2 game winning streak for the Yankees! Break out the champagne! This deserves a celebration! :rolleyes:

Seriously though, glad they got the win.

[zephead]

Holy Snikes! A 2 game winning streak for the Yankees!

According to George Knox of the California Angels, 3 games won in a row constitutes a "winning streak". "It has been done before."
That's "Angels in the Outfield" for those of you who don't know.
:p

[Teh Don Ditty]

According to George Knox of the California Angels, 3 games won in a row constitutes a "winning streak". "It has been done before."
That's "Angels in the Outfield" for those of you who don't know.
:p

LOL!

I thought it was the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim? LAAA for short. :Shoots person who decided to rename team.... again:

[zephead]

LOL!

I thought it was the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim? LAAA for short. :Shoots person who decided to rename team.... again:

Nah, he's done pretty much everything right except for that one thorny detail.

You know what we need to do? Get Jack Bauer in there and force Arte Moreno (the owner) to change the name back to Anaheim Angels. I'm sure he won't hesitate with Jack holding a gun to his head. ;)

[zioxide]

Nah, he's done pretty much everything right except for that one thorny detail.

You know what we need to do? Get Jack Bauer in there and force Arte Moreno (the owner) to change the name back to Anaheim Angels. I'm sure he won't hesitate with Jack holding a gun to his head. ;)

They need to just go back to being called the California Angels.

[zephead]

They need to just go back to being called the California Angels.

Ehh, but the thing is that there's 4 other teams in California. It makes sense with other teams to have the state's name as part of their name (Minnesota, Colorado, Arizona, etc) because they're the only team in the state. Not so with California. I think that may have been at least part of the reason that they decided to go from California Angels to Anaheim Angels in '97, although they've never been the only team in the state, with the Dodgers and Giants moving there before the Angels were created in '61. :confused:

[aloofman]

Ehh, but the thing is that there's 4 other teams in California. It makes sense with other teams to have the state's name as part of their name (Minnesota, Colorado, Arizona, etc) because they're the only team in the state. Not so with California. I think that may have been at least part of the reason that they decided to go from California Angels to Anaheim Angels in '97, although they've never been the only team in the state, with the Dodgers and Giants moving there before the Angels were created in '61. :confused:

The Angels were originally called the L.A. Angels because for the first several years they played within the city limits of Los Angeles, for one year at a minor-league park called Wrigley Field, then they were tenants of the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium from 1962-65. If I had to guess I'd say they didn't call themselves the Anaheim Angels right after the move because Anaheim wasn't a big city then.

They changed the name in the late 1990s as part of a stadium renovation deal. The city of Anaheim owns the stadium, and they asked for a name change from Disney (the team owners at the time) in exchange for the city paying for part of the stadium redo. You might remember that for almost 20 years the outfield was enclosed and the Los Angeles Rams played there. Now the stadium has an open outfield again.

That name change agreement ended up being the issue when the L.A. Angels of Anaheim thing came up. The deal with Disney was that "Anaheim" had to be in the name. It was kind of assumed at the time that no other city's name would be included, but it wasn't in writing. :rolleyes:

[furcalchick]

i personally think it should be la angels. anahiem seems so small time, to me at least. la sounds like big market team.

but big series starts tonight, mets vs. braves, all games on tbs.

[aloofman]

i personally think it should be la angels. anahiem seems so small time, to me at least. la sounds like big market team.


That was the rationale of the Angels owner. The problem: people in Orange County hate Los Angeles. Actually, people from almost every other part of the state hate Los Angeles.

[mattscott306]

but big series starts tonight, mets vs. braves, all games on tbs.

Huge series, I'm trying to go to Thursday's game (another smoltz v glavine) to see smoltz hopefully get victory 200.

[jayb2000]

and the Yankees win.

And then they lose :D

[MacNut]

As long as they win tonight they take 2 of 3.

[furcalchick]

kyle davies can pitch and hit...8 innings of shutting the muts down, then a three run homer for a 8-1 win.

the other two braves vs. mets games are on tbs, xtra thursday (moved from friday vs. the red sox).

[mattscott306]

the other two braves vs. mets games are on tbs, xtra thursday (moved from friday vs. the red sox).

You'll get to finally see your chippers locker segment?

[furcalchick]

You'll get to finally see your chippers locker segment?

knowing me, i'll forget to turn it back to tbs early from the marlins and miss it anyway.:(

[mattscott306]

knowing me, i'll forget to turn it back to tbs early from the marlins and miss it anyway.:(

I'll be sure to summarize it if you miss it. ;)

You think James can recover this start? (or do you think we can get enough hits off the big man on the mound for the mets)

[Teh Don Ditty]

I'm surprised nobody posted this:

Yanks GM says Pavano likely headed to surgery (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2880745)

Season over, Yankee career finally over.

[MacNut]

I'm surprised nobody posted this:

Yanks GM says Pavano likely headed to surgery (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2880745)

Season over, Yankee career finally over.Who?;)
I say good riddance, right it off as a loss and move on.

[Teh Don Ditty]

Who?;)
I say good riddance, right it off as a loss and move on.

Time for a little accounting....

A=L+OE

Pavano's Worthlessness - $40m
Cash ----------------------------- $40m

To pay off Carl Pavano's contract.

[MacNut]

Jason Giambi was reported to have failed an amphetamines test, but now reports are claiming that the report was false.

Giambi also met with MLB officials to discuss his remarks regarding his steroid use.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2879878

[cycocelica]

Jason Giambi was reported to have failed an amphetamines test, but now reports are claiming that the report was false.

Giambi also met with MLB officials to discuss his remarks regarding his steroid use.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2879878

It is really hard to believe some of the stuff the Daily News reports.

[nickster9224]

the whitesox almost scored 3 runs on a homer but swisher knocked it down, so noone scored, grr the sox lost

[WildCowboy]

Even though Hancock was drunk, speeding, talking on a cell phone, and not wearing a seat belt, his father is suing the bar that served him, the driver of the stalled car Hancock hit, and the towing company that stopped to help the stalled driver. :rolleyes:

Linky (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/05/24/hancock.lawsuit.ap/index.html?cnn=yes)

[MacNut]

I feel sorry for Hancock's father and all but there comes a point when you have to let your son take responsibility for his own actions. He better be glad that nobody else was killed or he would be the one being sued.

Why not sue the Cardinals for having such a weak policy about drinking.

[furcalchick]

curses, the marlins are on rain delay...

looks like it's just the braves and mets.

[MacNut]

When are the Marlins not in a rain delay.

[WildCowboy]

Why not sue the Cardinals for having such a weak policy about drinking.

Well, he apparently hasn't ruled out suing the Cardinals and MLB yet.

[furcalchick]

chipper is a pack rat. but good news for steelers fans, he has a signed ball from heins ward from super bowl 40 (he loves the steelers and uf).

[mattscott306]

curses, the marlins are on rain delay...
looks like it's just the braves and mets.
What a great game that was- congrats to John Smoltz on win 200! Only 1 1/2 games back now.
chipper is a pack rat. but good news for steelers fans, he has a signed ball from heins ward from super bowl 40 (he loves the steelers and uf).
Ah good, you saw it- I was surprised at all the gloves he had- but his locker was no where near as bad as McCan's.

Even though Hancock was drunk, speeding, talking on a cell phone, and not wearing a seat belt, his father is suing the bar that served him, the driver of the stalled car Hancock hit, and the towing company that stopped to help the stalled driver. :rolleyes:
Linky (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/05/24/hancock.lawsuit.ap/index.html?cnn=yes)
Somebody's looking to make money off their son's death is what it sounds like. Absolutely no need to sue to Stalled Driver, there bar I can maybe understand, but I recall something was said about asking him if he wanted a cab.
Well, he apparently hasn't ruled out suing the Cardinals and MLB yet.
There's no need for that either, that's just kind of infuriating.

[furcalchick]

i missed mccann's locker. was that against the fish?

[mattscott306]

i missed mccann's locker. was that against the fish?

I don't really remember when it was. I just remember it was a stinkin' mess, and he said he cleaned it before the game, he said Andruw (who he's next to) would throw his trash away in McCan's locker and that was why it was so messy.

Doubtful that that one's true...

[MacNut]

NEW YORK -- Despite constant speculation about manager Joe Torre's job, New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner says someone else also needs to deliver as the team looks to reverse its floundering start: general manager Brian Cashman.

"We hope we have turned it around," Steinbrenner said of the Yankees' fortunes.
"He's on a big hook," a spirited Steinbrenner told The Associated Press in a rare interview from this Tampa office. "He wanted sole authority. He got it. Now he's got to deliver.
Steinbrenner's comments came with the Yankees' record at 21-24, sitting 9½ games behind the American League East-leading Boston Red Sox. The Boss said he was encouraged by the Yankees' performance this week in taking two out of three games from Boston -- and he felt the return of Roger Clemens could provide another boost.

"We hope we have turned it around," Steinbrenner said emphatically. The 44-year-old Clemens brings "a winning attitude," he continued. "I think Roger is capable of sparking the team. He is a veteran and will bring stability. I am happy he is coming back. I love him."

Steinbrenner, 76, felt "The Rocket" needed at least one more minor-league start to sharpen his stuff, and Yankees officials said Thursday that the right-hander will likely pitch Monday in a Triple-A game." http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2882684As for Torre, the Yankees manager since 1996, Steinbrenner said "we are not considering a change." The owner did say he was impressed with Torre's bench coach, ex-Yankee great Don Mattingly, and that he "could possibly" become manager someday.

"Mattingly is a good one," Steinbrenner said. "He is very thorough guy. He understands what it is to be a Yankee."He was less generous toward Jason Giambi, whose recent comments to USA Today that was "wrong for doing that stuff" were interpeted by some as an admission of steroid use. Giambi reportedly admitted to a 2003 grand jury that he used steroids.

"He should have kept his mouth shut," Steinbrenner opined. "The matter is in the hands of the baseball commissioner."The Yankees' owner is also known for his generosity to those in need off-the-field especially young people.

He said he was deeply moved by the April massacre at Virginia Tech. The Yankees made a $1 million contribution to the school's "Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund" to assist the victims' families, and honored the victims before playing the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night. Virginia Tech's president threw out the first pitch and the Yankees wore VT logos on their caps.

"I feel very strongly about the young people," Steinbrenner said. "I feel so strongly about the teachers and the school, all the people affected by this. We wanted to help in the healing process."

As far as the Yankees' fate, the message of the legendary Boss was as strong and clear as ever:

"We just have to get out there and compete, compete hard, and win," he said.

[furcalchick]

stupid espn....no games monday...i hate them now.

[mattscott306]

stupid espn....no games monday...i hate them now.

You're only just now learning to hate them?

[furcalchick]

You're only just now learning to hate them?

no. hated them for i think four years now. last time i watched that network as a fan was 2002-ish. after that, something happened to espn and i slowly stopped caring and got my news from the net. espn turned into self promotion and hype and their bloated egos and most of the talk turned into northeast sports. we need sspn and wspn.

i'm so getting mlb.tv next season.

[mattscott306]

no. hated them for i think four years now. last time i watched that network as a fan was 2002-ish. after that, something happened to espn and i slowly stopped caring and got my news from the net. espn turned into self promotion and hype and their bloated egos and most of the talk turned into northeast sports. we need sspn and wspn.

i'm so getting mlb.tv next season.

Good for you, you'll be able to actually see the games.
Some bad news for you though: Gonzalez is out- he'll be undergoing Tommy Johns. Not a good new, but it's why we've got three lights out late inning pitchers.

[mattscott306]

Bobby Cox now 2 ejections away from tying the all time record.

[furcalchick]

Bobby Cox now 2 ejections away from tying the all time record.

and hudson's back to normal...

[mattscott306]

and hudson's back to normal...

Not quite- he's overworking this game, and he's throwing a ton more balls than normal. He's still not in the same form as his previous starts (before getting roughed up by the Red Sox). Nothing to worry about right now, I'm sure he'll bounce back, but I think Roger or Terry or whoever's calling the shots with Bobby out has left Tim in a little too long this game. He's at 119 pitches with the bases loaded and two out. Sigh.

Edit: Two run single. Hudson's done for the night. Braves down 5-3. Like I said, they left him in too long. He should have been taken out when he let that last walk in.

[furcalchick]

did i mention i hate the mets? 6-1 mets.

and i know a friend of mine that will start calling huddy names now.

[mattscott306]

Well, one shy of the ejection record now. And the braves fall deeper back.

Thank God we get hot in june.

[gauchogolfer]

Headline on ESPN.com right now: "Angels jump on Wang early".

:D :D

[furcalchick]

Well, one shy of the ejection record now. And the braves fall deeper back.

Thank God we get hot in june.

as in 6-21 hot? that killed our season last year.

smoltzy was also ejected in today's game. and did you hear kurjican say smoltz isn't hall of fame worthy yet? is he a complete dope?! 200 wins and 154 saves aren't enough? and if he says shelling is a hof'er, he needs to take back what he said about smoltz.

[nathanjosephs]

if there be any philly fans out here, i could use a hand


http://www.fannation.com/throwdowns/show/11539

[MacNut]

I disappear for 2 days and the place turns into Braves chat.:rolleyes:

[fotografica]

Does anybody wanna tell the Yankees it's ok to start playing baseball anytime they want :D Man,what's up in the Bronx??:eek:

[swiftaw]

The Angles own the Yankees. Actually, the Angels are the only team to have a winning record against the Yankees in the Torre era.

[furcalchick]

andruw robbed the phillies of a home run today. should be #1 web gem tonight.

[zioxide]

Tek just hit a 3-run shot so the Sox lead the Rangers 3-0 in the top of the 4th.

[furcalchick]

mets sweep fish, we get swept by the phillies, and now 4.5 games back.

deja vu?

[zioxide]

woo yankees lost again

[mattscott306]

as in 6-21 hot? that killed our season last year.

smoltzy was also ejected in today's game. and did you hear kurjican say smoltz isn't hall of fame worthy yet? is he a complete dope?! 200 wins and 154 saves aren't enough? and if he says shelling is a hof'er, he needs to take back what he said about smoltz.
Last season though- looks at our junes for the years prior to that and they were impressive.
I disappear for 2 days and the place turns into Braves chat.:rolleyes:
Ahh- the world was how it should be :p none of this sox/yankee's crap :p
mets sweep fish, we get swept by the phillies, and now 4.5 games back.

deja vu?
Yeah- and the phillies are edging closer to us (the sweep helped...), should be the three team race everyone thought at the beginning of the year.

[furcalchick]

Ahh- the world was how it should be :p none of this sox/yankee's crap :p

the yankees are actually one game ahead of the cellar dwelling devil rays and like 100 games out. it's over and boring. let's talk about real races.

[mattscott306]

the yankees are actually one game ahead of the cellar dwelling devil rays and like 100 games out. it's over and boring. let's talk about real races.

If only it were that easy, but there are certain groups of people who refuse to admit that at some point you have to count the yankee's out. We'll see how it ends up though.

Braves should be able to pull this game out and gain a half game on the mets lead. We need to go on a tear and get back to winning series.

[MacNut]

the yankees are actually one game ahead of the cellar dwelling devil rays and like 100 games out. it's over and boring. let's talk about real races.In the words of the great Yogi, "It ain't over till it's over".

[Teh Don Ditty]

Hmm... Blue Jays, Red Sox and the White Sox. We are 4-9 vs these teams this season. Those cellar doors could be opening quite soon.

[cycocelica]

woo yankees lost again

They had the win, it was in the bag. Then good ol' Proctor blows it, damnit!

I can only pray now that the Yankees win 2 of 3 against the Jays.

[MacNut]

Im giving the Yankees one more week before I call it a season. Stranger things have happened, I do recall the Astros coming back from a 15 game deficit to pull within 2 last year.

[swiftaw]

C Posada
1B Youklis
2B BJ Upton
3B A-Rod
SS Jeter
OF Ordonez
OF Hunter
OF Guerrero

As a red sox fan it pains me to select 3 yankees, but Posada is clearly the best catcher right now, and A-Rod and Jeter are slightly ahead of Lowell and Carlos Guillen respectively.

[Teh Don Ditty]

Im giving the Yankees one more week before I call it a season. Stranger things have happened, I do recall the Astros coming back from a 15 game deficit to pull within 2 last year.

Hence my reason for posting who we're playing over the next week. There comes a time when you have to be a realist and admit or know when the season is over or slipping away. Granted the 'Stros pulled within 2, but that's because the Cardinals forgot they were playing baseball. Then somehow they won the World Series. I'm still scratching my head about that one.

[IJ Reilly]

the yankees are actually one game ahead of the cellar dwelling devil rays and like 100 games out. it's over and boring. let's talk about real races.

Or as a Yankee fan would put it, "only one game out!"

Meanwhile, the NL West is once again the toughest division in baseball.

[MacNut]

Meanwhile, the NL West is once again the toughest division in baseball.Or equally weak.:p

[mattscott306]

Or as a Yankee fan would put it, "only one game out!"

Meanwhile, the NL West is once again the toughest division in baseball.
They are really a far cry of "The NL Worst," the nickname they earned a few seasons ago.
Hence my reason for posting who we're playing over the next week. There comes a time when you have to be a realist and admit or know when the season is over or slipping away. Granted the 'Stros pulled within 2, but that's because the Cardinals forgot they were playing baseball. Then somehow they won the World Series. I'm still scratching my head about that one.
The cards woke up down the stretch, and the post season is all about how hot you play in the last two or so weeks of the regular season.
Edit: Skid stops at three. Braves win. **phew**

[Teh Don Ditty]

The cards woke up down the stretch, and the post season is all about how hot you play in the last two or so weeks of the regular season.

I know that Matt. It's not that Cards even played that well against your favorite team the Mets. That was the Mets series, and they should've won it all last year. I chalk up the Cards beating the Mets luck. Cards beating the Tigers however was more of the Tigers forgot to show up.

[IJ Reilly]

Or equally weak.:p

Like I thought. Not that anyone east of the Hackensack River would notice. :rolleyes:

[IJ Reilly]

They are really a far cry of "The NL Worst," the nickname they earned a few seasons ago.

We went through this same nonsense last season too. It was easy to show then that the NL West had the best combined record in baseball, just as it is now. Current combined divisional records ± .500:

NLW +17
NLC -24
NLE +11

ALW -2
ALC +12
ALE -4

The complete absence of a doormat team in the NLW fools many baseball fans into thinking that this is a weak division, as does the absence of team from Boston or New York.

[fotografica]

Unfortunately the division won't get recognized until it has some post season success.If one or two teams from the NL West gets in and goes far,that'll get people to pay attention..Unless you follow the game closely,the casual fan will overlook the regular season...

[IJ Reilly]

The NL West got recognized plenty when the Padres won it two years ago one game over .500, not that this aberration can ever be lived down. In fact, as we can see, it's still being recognized as weak, but really only by people who follow the eastern divisions to the exclusion of the rest of the sport. The NL West has had lots of postseason success, just not in the last couple of years.

[fotografica]

Believe it or not,there are people in Boston in New York who ACTUALLY follow games beyond Boston and NY as well as have a passion for the game itself, not just localized yahooism..

[IJ Reilly]

Yes, I believe such people do exist, we just don't hear from them very often. I have the advantage of having grown up in New Jersey, as a Mets fan, so I know from long experience about the many fans who live happily in the Yanksox black hole of baseball.

[furcalchick]

Believe it or not,there are people in Boston in New York who ACTUALLY follow games beyond Boston and NY as well as have a passion for the game itself, not just localized yahooism..

but those are very few and far between. and also for fans of the other 28 teams, espn buys into this black hole and thinks everyone is either a yankees or a red sox fan. it's getting very old very fast. i think espn likes al teams better than nl teams, and if they have to cover the new york team, go for the mets instead...they are actually in a race and are better than the sorry yankees.

[IJ Reilly]

Good point. I was absolutely furious over the way ESPN broadcasted the playoff games between the Dodgers and the Mets last season. The bias in favor of New York was total, and nonstop.

[Teh Don Ditty]

No arguments from me over here.

[fotografica]

Good point. I was absolutely furious over the way ESPN broadcasted the playoff games between the Dodgers and the Mets last season. The bias in favor of New York was total, and nonstop.

No different than when McCarver and Buck do a Yankee's game on Fox. I like the game,not just Red Sox. It all goes back to "fan of the team or fan of the game argument"

[Teh Don Ditty]

No different than when McCarver and Buck do a Yankee's game on Fox. I like the game,not just Red Sox. It all goes back to "fan of the team or fan of the game argument"

Please don't get me started on those two failures of life. Hate them both with a passion.

[xsedrinam]

Please don't get me started on those two failures of life. Hate them both with a passion.
I never watch them or listen to them, period. Though their common denominators take them through St. Louis where McCarver has '64 Series hero history, and Joe was Jack's offspring, their commentary holds nothing in comparison to the "old gang" of Garagiola, Caray and Jack Buck back in the KMOX days.

[Counterfit]

C Posada
1B Youklis
2B BJ Upton
3B A-Rod
SS Jeter
OF Ordonez
OF Hunter
OF Guerrero

As a red sox fan it pains me to select 3 yankees, but Posada is clearly the best catcher right now, and A-Rod and Jeter are slightly ahead of Lowell and Carlos Guillen respectively.

Too bad Youk isn't on the AL ballot. :( Stupid NL!
Hard to argue with you on Posada though, as he started today leading the majors in AVG.


their commentary holds nothing in comparison to the "old gang" of Garagiola, Caray and Jack Buck back in the KMOX days.

I get better commentary out of my ass after eating real Mexican food. I love that if you search for Tim McCarver on Google (http://www.google.com/search?q=tim%20mccarver), his website isn't first. :D

[MacNut]

In other news....the Yankees can't pitch......:mad:

[furcalchick]

In other news....the Yankees can't pitch......:mad:

and also tied for the cellar with the devil rays.

[cycocelica]

In other news....the Yankees can't pitch......:mad:

No ****. I saw DeSalvo pitch in Seattle and he looked really good, especially for being a rookie. I thought he would be one of the answers to saving the Yankees, but clearly he has proven me wrong.

[nickster9224]

the whitesox are starting to piss me off, blew another 1 run lead and lost 10 to 5.

[mattscott306]

In other news....the Yankees can't pitch......:mad:

Smotlz and Hudson
and three days of cussin' for the braves...

Good news is Cormier made what should be his last rehab start, six and 2/3 innings of shut out ball. James also did decently yesterday, so we may end up with a very strong 1 2 punch and a decent 3 4 spot

[aloofman]

Im giving the Yankees one more week before I call it a season.

By that do you mean you won't be complaining about them on a game-by-game basis? Or are you just teasing?

[MacNut]

By that do you mean you won't be complaining about them on a game-by-game basis? Or are you just teasing?Im already starting to give up on them. After the way they keep playing there is no reason to support them if they don't want to win.

[IJ Reilly]

Spoken like a true Yankee fan -- support is conditional on victory.

I really don't like being continually snide about this, but the truth of the matter is, if fans of the rest of the teams in baseball thought this way, then there would be no baseball. Think of that -- no teams for the Yankees to play!

Seriously. Yankee fans need some reality therapy. Maybe they're getting it this season.

[MacNut]

Spoken like a true Yankee fan -- support is conditional on victory.

I really don't like being continually snide about this, but the truth of the matter is, if fans of the rest of the teams in baseball thought this way, then there would be no baseball. Think of that -- no teams for the Yankees to play!

Seriously. Yankee fans need some reality therapy. Maybe they're getting it this season.I support my team, always have always will. But there comes a time when the team has to return that fan support by winning and putting a team that wants to win on the field. I have always said that I think the fans care more about the game then the players do. The Yankees play this season proves that point. What is so bad about wanting to see a quality team play. If a team that is promised to be contenders tanks the season what are the fans supposed to do. Say its ok you still deserve our money to go out and play like a bunch of no names. Sometimes the only way to show management that you don't approve of the product is to not watch and tell them that you want to see a change.

[iKwick7]

I support my team, always have always will. But there comes a time when the team has to return that fan support by winning and putting a team that wants to win on the field. I have always said that I think the fans care more about the game then the players do. The Yankees play this season proves that point. What is so bad about wanting to see a quality team play. If a team that is promised to be contenders tanks the season what are the fans supposed to do. Say its ok you still deserve our money to go out and play like a bunch of no names. Sometimes the only way to show management that you don't approve of the product is to not watch and tell them that you want to see a change.


Couldn't agree more. That really seems to be the problem here- the majority of the Yankees just don't seem to be trying or just don't seem to care.

I'm a Yankee fan, always have been, always will be. Have I give nup hope this season? Just about- there's still some hope, but I really have no expectations going into any games anymore. Will I still watch every game? Hell yes. I want to watch my team and, more importantly, the players that I like, go out there and give it their best (I'm talking Jeter, Posado, Pettite, specifically).

[IJ Reilly]

I support my team, always have always will. But there comes a time when the team has to return that fan support by winning and putting a team that wants to win on the field. I have always said that I think the fans care more about the game then the players do. The Yankees play this season proves that point. What is so bad about wanting to see a quality team play. If a team that is promised to be contenders tanks the season what are the fans supposed to do. Say its ok you still deserve our money to go out and play like a bunch of no names. Sometimes the only way to show management that you don't approve of the product is to not watch and tell them that you want to see a change.

Ah, well, this is where Yankee fans and the rest of baseball seem to part company. We all like to root for winners, but nobody else thinks we're entitled. Fans all over the country follow teams with little hope of seeing them win. Fans of other teams watch them do well one year then collapse the next (e.g., St. Louis). My own Dodgers have recorded exactly one playoff game victory since 1988. I also grinned and bared that ugly season when they had one of the best starts in franchise history, then ended up losing over 90 games. Maybe growing up a fan of the hapless mid-'60s Mets toughened my hide, but it did make '69 an incredibly euphoric moment, one I'll never forget. Such are the fortunes of baseball -- of which Yankee fans believe they are not a part.

So it's possible to field a mediocre $200 million team. Welcome to baseball. As I say, a little reality therapy can be a good thing.

[MacNut]

I grew up during the 80's Yankees, I watched them tank every season until 1995. So to say that I am a spoiled Yankee fan is a little extreme. Yes we have had a good run and that run was expected to continue. If at the beginning of the season the Yankees said, oh by the way we are going to tank the season this year I would of been ready to deal with it. But when they say we have a great team this year and then they tank that makes it hard to chew. It is not like I am a Royals fan and expect to lose every season.

[steamboat26]

The yankees situation could have happened to any other team. If the red sox lost half their rotation, i'm sure they'd be far behind in the division.
Anyways, i'm much more disappointed with or relievers and closers, and our lack of consistent run support. Last season, Johnson had an ERA above 5, but still won 15 games because the Yankees averaged something like 8 runs per game when he pitched.
Cano, Abreu, Giambi, and everyone else who is tanking really need to start producing. We can turn things around, last season beckett started off amazing, but bombed after the all star break, as did paplebon. Once we get a solid rotation (Mussina, Wang, Pettitte, Clemens, and Hughes/De Salvo/Karstens/anybody else) then i think we will start doing better.

[mattscott306]

If the red sox lost half their rotation, i'm sure they'd be far behind in the division.

.... Hmm, because the braves didn't lose their planned rotation either.

Cormier: Out a quarter of the season (but will be back in the next week or so)
Hampton: Yet another season where he won't be pitching for us, so we got
Redman: Went on the DL with an ingrown nail (still never pitched worth a crap)

so 3/5 > 1/2
Yup, we lost half our planned rotation, yet still find ourselves contenders

[IJ Reilly]

I grew up during the 80's Yankees, I watched them tank every season until 1995. So to say that I am a spoiled Yankee fan is a little extreme. Yes we have had a good run and that run was expected to continue. If at the beginning of the season the Yankees said, oh by the way we are going to tank the season this year I would of been ready to deal with it. But when they say we have a great team this year and then they tank that makes it hard to chew. It is not like I am a Royals fan and expect to lose every season.

This answer sounds a little contradictory to me. You're not a spoiled Yankee fan, but you do expect them to produce every year. What team owner ever predicts poor performance? And be honest, what Yankee fan wouldn't faint dead away if Steinbrenner said his team is less than wonderful this year -- especially given that he spends far more than anyone else can?

This is what I mean by reality therapy. Somebody in New York -- and if it isn't the management, then it should be the fans -- needs to look into their souls and ask themselves if winning teams aren't about more than lavishing huge salaries on veteran players. I wish they would, if only because I think the Steinbrenner way has harmed the game. It might also bring you guys a better team, not to mention, more reasonable expectations.

[mattscott306]

This is what I mean by reality therapy. Somebody in New York -- and if it isn't the management, then it should be the fans -- needs to look into their souls and ask themselves if winning teams aren't about more than lavishing huge salaries on veteran players. I wish they would, if only because I think the Steinbrenner way has harmed the game. It might also bring you guys a better team, not to mention, more reasonable expectations.
I totally agree with you there. When we won the '05 division, it was the greatest one that I had been around for. (I was there that night, it was quite a surreal experience)
Why? Because it was won on the backs of 21 rookies who all put their heart and soul into the game. Not players that we brought in for just a year and paid lavish amounts of money to.

The game is much greater when you can tell a player loves it, and puts their all into it every day and every game. Players that are in it for the money aren't nearly as good as players that are in it for the game itself.

[xsedrinam]

Please, keep talking. I'm rather enjoying this. :) And I doubt STL will snap out it, the second half. Seems like LaRussa's pre-season antics were a bit of foreshadowing. Hmm, wonder if we could get Torre, back. ;)

[MacNut]

The biggest problem with the Yankees in age, 2/3's of the team is to old. Every Yankee fan I have talked to over the weekend agrees that the team won't win with the age of the players they have. They payroll is high but most of the players are over priced and over aged. I would rather pay the same salaries to younger more productive players. Until Steinbrenner realizes that until he drops the dead weight from the team that things will not improve.

[IJ Reilly]

The yankees situation could have happened to any other team. If the red sox lost half their rotation, i'm sure they'd be far behind in the division.

I don't know about the Red Sox, but the unexpected happens to other teams and they don't necessarily tank. The secret is depth, and having talent at AAA level waiting for promotion.

[zioxide]

The biggest problem with the Yankees in age, 2/3's of the team is to old. Every Yankee fan I have talked to over the weekend agrees that the team won't win with the age of the players they have. They payroll is high but most of the players are over priced and over aged. I would rather pay the same salaries to younger more productive players. Until Steinbrenner realizes that until he drops the dead weight from the team that things will not improve.

Thats what happens when you try to buy championships by signing a team full of veteran all-stars to huge contracts. Now they're getting older and they're performance is dropping.

You have to rely at least partially on your farm systems, and build up young talent to eventually play in the the majors, like the Red Sox have done with Youkilis, Pedroia, Papelbon, Lester, and soon Jacoby Ellsbury (he'll replace Coco Crisp as center fielder in 2008).

[IJ Reilly]

The game is much greater when you can tell a player loves it, and puts their all into it every day and every game. Players that are in it for the money aren't nearly as good as players that are in it for the game itself.

No kidding. I'd rather watch a bunch of talented, motivated rookies lose, than a team of prima-donna veterans win. My great joy this year as a Dodger fan is Russell "Hustle" Martin. He still makes some kid mistakes, but in every game his intensity burns like a magnesium fire. And Jonathan Broxton (22 years old) throwing 98 MPH strikes (or as Vin Scully put it the other day, "Broxton is throwing very, very tiny baseballs.") Win or lose, young ballplayers are fun to watch.

[holamiamigos]

the giants finally have a national game tonight!! giants vs. mets... espn at 7 et... watch lincecum people! he's the future!

[fotografica]

like the Red Sox have done with Youkilis, Pedroia, Papelbon, Lester, and soon Jacoby Ellsbury (he'll replace Coco Crisp as center fielder in 2008).

Not to mention Gabbard,Bucholz and Kattaras...Sox farm system is loaded..

[zioxide]

Not to mention Gabbard,Bucholz and Kattaras...Sox farm system is loaded..

Yes it is :D

Speaking of the farm system, I'm going to the Pawsox tonight to see Lester pitch :D

[fotografica]

Yes it is :D

Speaking of the farm system, I'm going to the Pawsox tonight to see Lester pitch :D

Nice nite for that..He had five good innings last time out..I'm sure Tavarez hears his footsteps...

[steamboat26]

I used to think the yankees had a decent farm system with hughes, karstens, humberto sanchez, rasner, etc; but we've used almost all of them.
To macnut: I see your point with having a young team- we won in the late 90s because we had young players like jeter, posada, williams, and a young(er) but experienced rotation. I had always thought that after Jeter, A-rod, Giambi, and most of our rotation retires, we would bring in people like hughes who would lead us to more world series.

[MacNut]

The problem with farm systems is that the teams baby the young talent to much by leaving them in AAA for to long. By the time they finally bring them up its to late. Pitchers have been so babied for so long now that if a starter goes more then 7 innings its considered a long outing. I wish that the young players would be brought up sooner and given more time to play in the majors.

The problem with baseball is that the players are given 7-8 year contracts and by the time they hit year 6 they are to old. I wish we could cycle in the younger talent sooner.

[fotografica]

we won in the late 90s because we had young players like jeter, posada, williams, and a young(er) but experienced rotation.

You also had guys that were just "players" like Tino,Brosius (who was a Red Sox killer) and O'Neill..They just played their asses off for the team. They weren't overpaid,underperforming all stars..

[MacNut]

You also had guys that were just "players" like Tino,Brosius (who was a Red Sox killer) and O'Neill..They just played their asses off for the team. They weren't overpaid,underperforming all stars..And that is the problem, we don't have any clutch players anymore but all stars that don't care about anything but a pay check.

[mattscott306]

the giants finally have a national game tonight!! giants vs. mets... espn at 7 et... watch lincecum people! he's the future!

I plan on checking that game out tonight, i wanna see what all the fuss is about.

[zioxide]

And that is the problem, we don't have any clutch players anymore but all stars that don't care about anything but a pay check.

Yeah, but obviously the Yankees don't really care about that. If they did, they wouldn't have went out and signed Clemens for $20 million because of the pitching injuries.

What they should have done was taken one of the all-star position players (someone like Abreu) and traded him to get a young pitcher or two. If the Yankees were smart, they would definitely trade him to pick up some younger players.

2007 is going to turn out to be a rebuilding year for the Yankees. They need to dump off some of the old guys and get some new players on there. For example, trade 38 year old Mariano Rivera who is starting to get too old and pick up someone new to close.

[steamboat26]

And that is the problem, we don't have any clutch players anymore but all stars that don't care about anything but a pay check.

except jeter ;)

I was always banking on someone from our farm system becoming a successor to rivera
Anyways, we need to dump giambi, find a good backup catcher to replace posada, and a get a younger outfield.

[mattscott306]

great start for the giants, Perez seems quite off tonight, very different from the last time the braves saw him. Every ball has been hit hard, keep it up! :D

[aloofman]

To macnut: I see your point with having a young team- we won in the late 90s because we had young players like jeter, posada, williams, and a young(er) but experienced rotation. I had always thought that after Jeter, A-rod, Giambi, and most of our rotation retires, we would bring in people like hughes who would lead us to more world series.

This was the point I was about to make. It's hard to remember now, but the 1990s Yankees were not yet the team of mercenaries that they would become in the 2000s. That 1998 team that wiped the floor with the whole league was not criticized for buying a championship the way recent ones have been. The Yankees hadn't been contenders long enough for everyone to be completely sick of them, and you had to admire how well their pieces fit together. Their individual stats weren't as awesome as their record suggested, but guys came through when needed and no one else could touch them. Even though the recent Yankee teams have had the talent, they never fit together like the earlier ones did. I'm not sure that you can entirely chalk up their lack of World Series titles to that because there are so many random factors in the postseason. But they've had to overpay repeatedly to stay on top, and there's definitely been diminishing returns.

For an example of how teams retool and stay in contention, the Braves are the recent model (as much as it pains me to admit it). Except for Smoltz, I don't think there are any players left from the 1991 team. And several positions have had a revolving door of players. But even losing Maddux and Glavine didn't sink them. There's some luck there, of course, but they didn't break the bank over and over like the Yankees did. I consider their lack of World Series titles a matter of some bad luck and Cox being an overrated manager.

And that is the problem, we don't have any clutch players anymore but all stars that don't care about anything but a pay check.

Fans have complained about greedy players for about 150 years, so that's kind of tired. And over the long term, clutch players really don't exist. There are very few players (probably less than 20 all-time) who have really overachieved in pennant-winning and postseason situations over many seasons, much less for entire careers.

[Counterfit]

The yankees situation could have happened to any other team. If the red sox lost half their rotation, i'm sure they'd be far behind in the division.


They lost nearly half in 2006, and still finished above .500. :p

[mattscott306]

For an example of how teams retool and stay in contention, the Braves are the recent model (as much as it pains me to admit it). Except for Smoltz, I don't think there are any players left from the 1991 team. And several positions have had a revolving door of players. But even losing Maddux and Glavine didn't sink them. There's some luck there, of course, but they didn't break the bank over and over like the Yankees did. I consider their lack of World Series titles a matter of some bad luck and Cox being an overrated manager.
You're right, smoltz is the only brave from the worst to first season, but not only that Smoltz and Chipper Jones are the only two from the 95 world series season. The braves have, undoubtedly, one of the best, if not the best, farm system in baseball. Thats the reason the braves can stay in contention while being the 15th ranked team in payroll. I wouldn't trade our 14 division championships for another world series, it's something to be proud of, something that likely won't happen for any team for many years to come.
As far as Cox being an overrated manager, who would you rank higher than that man? He and schurholtz (I miss-spelled that) have been dynamic, two strong points that have helped the braves hit fourteen division titles in 16 years. I'd take Cox over any manager, and it will be a sad day when he retires.

[aloofman]

As far as Cox being an overrated manager, who would you rank higher than that man? He and schurholtz (I miss-spelled that) have been dynamic, two strong points that have helped the braves hit fourteen division titles in 16 years. I'd take Cox over any manager, and it will be a sad day when he retires.[/COLOR]

I'll let this one make most of my argument for me:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/jon_heyman/04/24/scoop.tuesday/index.html

I think the Braves' success is more Schuerholtz than Cox, constantly getting the personnel in and out of the roster. In the postseason, there's nothing Schuerholtz can do, it's Cox making the decisions. And it's in October that the Braves have underachieved. I have a hard time believing that this was all bad luck. Several of those non-World Series winners won over 100 games.

But you're right that they shouldn't look forward to Cox stepping down. There aren't that many better out there. By "overrated" I didn't mean that he sucked, only that he's not one in the all-time elite like some are saying.

[steamboat26]

They lost nearly half in 2006, and still finished above .500. :p

Yeah, and you finished 3rd place :p

I'm banking on the same thing happening this year- beckett and paplebon fall apart, schilling gets injured, something happens to your rotation...

[zioxide]

Yay Red Sox won 4-2

Beckett was very sharp coming off the DL, pitched 7 strong innings giving up only 3 hits and 2 runs and he struck out 7.

I went to see Lester pitch in Pawtucket too. He pitched 5 shutout innings, giving up only 4 hits and striking out 6. I think he'll make 2 more starts in Pawtucket and then he'll be back up in Boston.

Pics from my ****** camera phone:

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/9691/0529072021xo2.jpg
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/1030/0529072024zq7.jpg

Timlin also pitched but he did pretty bad. Loaded up the bases with walks/hits. He was lucky to get out of the inning with only one run scored.

And the Yankees also lost :D

[Silencio]

Another gutless performance by Armando Benitez with a game on the line. TWO balks to bring in the tying run, followed by a batting practice fastball to Carlos Delgado for the game-winning homer.

Attention, Brian Sabean: Shea Stadium is located not too far from the East River. You don't even need to send out for concrete shoes: a guy of Benitez' girth will sink straight to the bottom on his own. :mad:

[mattscott306]

Another gutless performance by Armando Benitez with a game on the line. TWO balks to bring in the tying run, followed by a batting practice fastball to Carlos Delgado for the game-winning homer.

Attention, Brian Sabean: Shea Stadium is located not too far from the East River. You don't even need to send out for concrete shoes: a guy of Benitez' girth will sink straight to the bottom on his own. :mad:

I don't know whats more disappointing? The braves losing, or the giants dropping one I was sure was in the bag.

[furcalchick]

I don't know whats more disappointing? The braves losing, or the giants dropping one I was sure was in the bag.

smoltzie's shoulder.

save the pitcher, save the season.

[fotografica]

Yay Red Sox won 4-2

Beckett was very sharp coming off the DL, pitched 7 strong innings giving up only 3 hits and 2 runs and he struck out 7.

I went to see Lester pitch in Pawtucket too. He pitched 5 shutout innings, giving up only 4 hits and striking out 6. I think he'll make 2 more starts in Pawtucket and then he'll be back up in Boston.

Pics from my ****** camera phone:

Timlin also pitched but he did pretty bad. Loaded up the bases with walks/hits. He was lucky to get out of the inning with only one run scored.

And the Yankees also lost :D
Beckett looked very good coming off the DL.Youk is absolutely on fire. Willie Mo can't leave town soon enough.Saw Lester's line last nite.Very encouraging. With 79 pitches thrown,they'll probly give him one more rehab start to get him up to the 100 pitch count zone..Looks like Timlin's career maybe coming to a close....

[mattscott306]

smoltzie's shoulder.

save the pitcher, save the season.

I think Smoltz will be fine, five games back is not fine so fine. We really need to go on a tear. When is our next series with the Mets? We'll at least gain a game on them. We really need back to back mets losses (combined with a win today- Huddy's on the mound we have a great chance) to whittle that lead down enough where it doesn't look as scarry to me.

Something just doesn't seem to be clicking right with the ballclub, maybe getting Cormier back will be the shot in the arm we need? I can't see where we need to get rid of anyone- I think we did all the cutting we needed when we dropped Redman and Wilson. We'll see what the next week brings, and if we can't get things rolling again.

(Go Giants!)

[furcalchick]

you didn't get the message. we have to save the pitcher to prevent all of it from happening again.

[MacNut]

Another gutless performance by Armando Benitez with a game on the line. TWO balks to bring in the tying run, followed by a batting practice fastball to Carlos Delgado for the game-winning homer.

Attention, Brian Sabean: Shea Stadium is located not too far from the East River. You don't even need to send out for concrete shoes: a guy of Benitez' girth will sink straight to the bottom on his own. :mad:Benitez is a punk, I have always hated this guy after he drilled Tino Martinez in the back after the Yankees served a few home runs off if him.

[MacNut]

As a Yankee fan I only have 1 glimmer of hope left.On July 14, 1978, the Yankees were 14.5 games behind the Red Sox. Suddenly, the Yanks went on a tear, and by the time they met up for a pivotal four-game series at Fenway Park in early September, they were only four games out. The Yankees would sweep the Red Sox in what would become known as the "Boston Massacre", winning the games 15-3, 13-2, 7-0, and 7-4. The third game was a shutout pitched by "Louisiana Lightning" Ron Guidry, who would lead the majors with nine shutouts, 25 wins (only three losses), and a 1.74 ERA.

On the last day of the season, the two clubs finished in a tie for first place in the AL East. A one-game playoff (the 163rd game of the regular season) between the two teams was held to decide who would go on to the playoffs, with the game being held at Boston's Fenway Park. With Guidry matched up against former Yankee Mike Torrez, the Red Sox took an early 2-0 lead. In the seventh inning, the Yankees drove a stake through the hearts of their rivals' fans when Bucky Dent drove a three-run home run over the "Green Monster", putting the Yankees up 3-2. Reggie Jackson's solo home run in the following inning would seal the eventual 5-4 win that gave the Yankees their 100th win of the season and their third straight AL East title; it also gave Guidry his 25th win. (The outcome of this game, for Red Sox fans, was one of several emotional moments in their team's history that had their fans wondering if the Red Sox were under some kind of Yankee curse.)

[mattscott306]

As a Yankee fan I only have 1 glimmer of hope left.

The problem is, you don't have a 25 game winner. Nobody does these days. I mean come on, 25 games?! That's incredible. Hope for the wildcard is all you've got.

[cycocelica]

I guarantee the Yankees win the AL East Division. So positive in fact that I am willing to change my name to "Go BoSoxs" and changed my avatar to a Red Sox logo on MR if they don't.


What am I doing? :confused:

[Counterfit]

Bucky ****ing Dent.


The problem is, you don't have a 25 game winner. Nobody does these days. I mean come on, 25 games?! That's incredible. Hope for the wildcard is all you've got.

Not even Santana won 20 last year. NOBODY did. I think Beckett and Lackey have a shot, but I don't think 25 is going to happen.

[mattscott306]

Not even Santana won 20 last year. NOBODY did. I think Beckett and Lackey have a shot, but I don't think 25 is going to happen.

Beckett's got a definite shot if he stays healthy. Santana's good enough, but I don't think that he'll get enough help from the twins to do it. The only other person I can see going the 20 game distance would be D Train (Willis), but ya know... the fish.

[fotografica]

As a Yankee fan I only have 1 glimmer of hope left.

LOL!! I was waiting for that to be dug/brought up here..Not only do you not have a 25 game winner,but in 78,the Sox stopped hitting after Labor Day.

[MacNut]

LOL!! I was waiting for that to be dug/brought up here..Not only do you not have a 25 game winner,but in 78,the Sox stopped hitting after Labor Day.The sad thing is that it is in the back of every Red Sox fans mind. They wait for the collapse every season.

[fotografica]

The sad thing is that it is in the back of every Red Sox fans mind. They wait for the collapse every season.

As a longtime fan I can honestly say,of course.Part of being a Sox fan. Alot of the pink hat fans have no clue who Bucky Bleepin Dent even is...

[MacNut]

As a longtime fan I can honestly say,of course.Part of being a Sox fan. Alot of the pink hat fans have no clue who Bucky Bleepin Dent even is...Wanna bet a lot of the players don't know who he is either.

[zioxide]

As a longtime fan I can honestly say,of course.Part of being a Sox fan. Alot of the pink hat fans have no clue who Bucky Bleepin Dent even is...

Yeah, let's not talk about Bucky ****ing Dent anymore.


Daisuke Matsuzaka is pitching tonight :D

[swiftaw]

The sad thing is that it is in the back of every Red Sox fans mind. They wait for the collapse every season.

Can you imagine how insanely worried the red sox fans would be about blowing this lead if they hadn't won the world series in 2004.

[IJ Reilly]

Here we go again. The black hole of baseball. :rolleyes:

[mattscott306]

Here we go again. The black hole of baseball. :rolleyes:

What the sox and yankees?

[furcalchick]

braves score seven in the eighth to beat the brewers 9-3. that was a good series.

[mattscott306]

braves score seven in the eighth to beat the brewers 9-3. that was a good series.

Very stressed until that ninth inning. Here's hoping a mets loss comes down the line tonight. A set against the cubs give me some hope too, they don't look so tough. :D

[Teh Don Ditty]

Yeah, let's not talk about Bucky ****ing Dent anymore.


Daisuke Matsuzaka is pitching tonight :D

Why does that even matter to you anymore? You got your title now.

[mattscott306]

Stray Rod? I just heard about that one. Link (http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/05/30/ap3772327.html)