Official 2007 MLB Season Thread [Archive] - Page 5

fotografica

May 31, 2007, 05:20 AM

see what happens if all you are fed is yankees-red sox dribble? there has to be another way to get all the stats i need for teams i care about, not the yankees and red sox, two teams i cannot stand now. espn is dragging all of the fans into this black hole, and soon, they will come out of it unknowing of baseball outside of those two.

:rolleyes: A little dramatic no?There's a group of people who post in this thread regularly.A bunch of them are Yanks/Sox fans.So what? At least they are posting and supporting their teams. I can't say that for alot of others out here.Some post on the occasion,like when they're team wins one or two. Where all these "other fans" you talk about? I don't see many of them in here. And as far as this so called "black hole":rolleyes: ,if there's a real fan out there,they're well aware that there's baseball beyond Bos/NY. Anybody that gets "fed" ESPN's dribble and thinks otherwise,isn't a real fan in the first place. So I could care less whether they follow the game or not.

mattscott306

May 31, 2007, 08:12 AM

all i gotta say dodger blue will be in the world series this year...they are the team to beat in the NL...
Umm... As much as it pains me to say it... the Mets are the team to beat in the NL. 33/18 vs 31/21.
The dodgers may very well be the team to beat in the NLW, but lets look at who the national league leaders are. Oh and to support IJ- the worst NLW team is only 2 games under .500. Not bad at all.
Anybody that gets "fed" ESPN's dribble and thinks otherwise,isn't a real fan in the first place. So I could care less whether they follow the game or not.

I get fed their dribble because 1. I like watching baseball games, and most of the time they are the only ones on. 2. I like seeing what happened in baseball games I did not watch, and lets face it: Baseball Tonight is the best way to do that. 3. The only other option is that Fox Sports end of the night show, and I'm not a huge fan of that one, even though it is really straightforward.

MacNut

May 31, 2007, 11:21 AM

:rolleyes: A little dramatic no?There's a group of people who post in this thread regularly.A bunch of them are Yanks/Sox fans.So what? At least they are posting and supporting their teams. I can't say that for alot of others out here.Some post on the occasion,like when they're team wins one or two. Where all these "other fans" you talk about? I don't see many of them in here. And as far as this so called "black hole":rolleyes: ,if there's a real fan out there,they're well aware that there's baseball beyond Bos/NY. Anybody that gets "fed" ESPN's dribble and thinks otherwise,isn't a real fan in the first place. So I could care less whether they follow the game or not.For once I agree with a Red Sox fan.:eek: ESPN follows the headlines, When the Royals start to have a miracle season then they will show some of their games. As for the people who are complaining about their teams not getting any support, Why should I care to talk about the Dodgers, they are not my team so I won't talk about them.:rolleyes:

I would love to see every team supported here, it is not happening. Why, either nobody cares or nobody is speaking up.
Nobody has mentioned the Brewers in here, maybe the biggest surprise team of the year.

furcalchick

May 31, 2007, 11:28 AM

Nobody has mentioned the Brewers in here, maybe the biggest surprise team of the year.

they dropped seven of their last eight though...and the nl central looks to be lackluster to say the least this season. i would watch the nl west, three teams within one game of first, and personally i think the padres win again.

MacNut

May 31, 2007, 11:31 AM

they dropped seven of their last eight though...and the nl central looks to be lackluster to say the least this season. i would watch the nl west, three teams within one game of first, and personally i think the padres win again.No body is stopping you from watching those games, "Extra Innings. (http://www.indemand.com/sports/mlb/index.jsp)" The reason that ESPN does not show west coast games is because they all start at 10pm.

fotografica

May 31, 2007, 11:38 AM

For once I agree with a Red Sox fan.:eek: ESPN follows the headlines.

Well,stranger things have happened..For me,ESPN is a bunch of talking head, media frauds.They jump on the latest trend,or hot team etc. I would rather stick needles under my fingernails than listen to Chris Berman,Stuart Scott, Joe Morgan etc. Instead,I follow MLB.com or the local papers of the teams I'm interested in. This is and MLB thread after all..I have no idea where all the fans of the Padres,D'Backs,Rockies,Orioles,Indians etc are..

mattscott306

May 31, 2007, 11:42 AM

I would love to see every team supported here, it is not happening. Why, either nobody cares or nobody is speaking up.
Nobody has mentioned the Brewers in here, maybe the biggest surprise team of the year.
I don't think we even have thirty members on the this thread... No support for every team.
No body is stopping you from watching those games, "Extra Innings. (http://www.indemand.com/sports/mlb/index.jsp)" The reason that ESPN does not show west coast games is because they all start at 10pm.

The problem with that is it costs money. I'd love to purchase MLB tv or an MLB package from comcast, but I don't have the money to blow on it.

MacNut

May 31, 2007, 11:43 AM

I've always said that the best fans are Yankees and Red Sox fans, and this thread proves it. Aside from a few Braves fans no body else is talking about their teams.

iKwick7

May 31, 2007, 11:47 AM

I'm surprised no one has said anything about the ARod incident yet (the pop up drop). I'll agree that it's a low class move, but I am sure that it is done a lot.

I LOVED Damon's response though, something to the effect of "I didn't know that was allowed. I'll have to do that more often."

MacNut

May 31, 2007, 11:48 AM

I don't think we even have thirty members on the this thread... No support for every team.50 members have posted in this thread, most of them only have 1 or 2 posts.

I love A-Rod, he is a classic playground rules player. He wants to win any way he can.

mattscott306

May 31, 2007, 11:49 AM

I've always said that the best fans are Yankees and Red Sox fans, and this thread proves it. Aside from a few Braves fans no body else is talking about their teams.

We have a couple west costs fans in here. IJ Reily, I think is a SF fan, and there was that Dodger fan in here too. No doubt Red Sox/Yankee's fans are vocal and in larger numbers.

MacNut

May 31, 2007, 11:51 AM

IJ is a Dodger fan SayHey is SF.

mattscott306

May 31, 2007, 11:58 AM

IJ is a Dodger fan SayHey is SF.

There ya go, but we don't hear from SayHey too often, but that makes 2 doger fans (albertfreestyle and IJ).

Silencio

May 31, 2007, 12:57 PM

There ya go, but we don't hear from SayHey too often, but that makes 2 doger fans (albertfreestyle and IJ).

I thought Aloofman and IJ were the Dodger contingent here. SayHey and myself reprazent Los Gigantes.

aloofman

May 31, 2007, 01:26 PM

I love A-Rod, he is a classic playground rules player. He wants to win any way he can.

That's a fairly recent development for you. For quite a while you didn't think much of him. :rolleyes:

MacNut

May 31, 2007, 01:29 PM

That's a fairly recent development for you. For quite a while you didn't think much of him. :rolleyes:Right now he's maybe the only thing we have hitting so ill route for him.

mattscott306

May 31, 2007, 01:29 PM

I love A-Rod, he is a classic playground rules player. He wants to win any way he can.

I dunno how I missed that comment before...

I don't really have a problem with what he did yesterday (if what they are saying is true), I think it's rather brilliant.

Didn't they do something like that in Major League?

IJ Reilly

May 31, 2007, 01:49 PM

I've always said that the best fans are Yankees and Red Sox fans, and this thread proves it. Aside from a few Braves fans no body else is talking about their teams.

No, just the most tiresome and chronically unaware of anything going on in the game outside of the ALE.

A lot of other teams and topics have been brought up in this thread, they just get shuffled aside by the latest Yankees or Red Sox scores. You guys just don't seem to want to pick up on any subject that doesn't relate directly to these two teams.

Frankly I read and contribute to this thread far less often than I might for that very reason. If you're wondering where the fans of the other teams have gone, consider whether you've shown much interest when they do post.

cycocelica

May 31, 2007, 01:50 PM

Right now he's maybe the only thing we have hitting so ill route for him.

I would take Posada over him right now.

Big 3 game series coming up this weekend. Bring back the curse.

cycocelica

May 31, 2007, 01:54 PM

No, just the most tiresome and chronically unaware of anything going on in the game outside of the ALE.

A lot of other teams and topics have been brought up in this thread, they just get shuffled aside by the latest Yankees or Red Sox scores. You guys just don't seem to want to pick up on any subject that doesn't relate directly to these two teams.

Frankly I read and contribute to this thread far less often than I might for that very reason. If you're wondering where the fans of the other teams have gone, consider whether you've shown much interest when they do post.

Honestly, why would I want to talk about another team? I understand there are 28 other teams, but do I care how they did for the day? Not really. I follow some players from other teams, but other than that, nothing else excites me.

I was born in San Diego and grew up in Seattle. Neither the Padres or Mariners excite me. I could talk about them because I have some "connection" to them, but I don't want to talk about things that don't interest me. Do you like to talk about things that don't interest you? Probably not.

aloofman

May 31, 2007, 02:05 PM

fotografica

May 31, 2007, 02:08 PM

No, just the most tiresome and chronically unaware of anything going on in the game outside of the ALE.

Just an FYI..I would avoid making blanket statements about a group of fans or anything for that matter.That would be like me saying that anybody sitting in Dodger Stadium is a sun worshipping,tree hugging,granola munching liberal.

Of course,what was I thinking.The Sox/Yankees rivalry is the demise/downfall of baseball as we know it today :rolleyes: ..The pissing and moaning,whining and snide remarks towards Sox/Yankees fans is getting old.This an MLB thread…It would be nice to see some posts from other fans of other teams (ie Padres,Astros,D’backs,Orioles,Indians etc) on a regular basis.But that doesn’t seem to be happening.The great thing about the internet is the ability to skip over or pass over a post or thread that doesn’t interest somebody.And believe me,there are posts in this thread that I wouldn’t bother printing out and wiping my *** with.So I just skip them..I don’t feel the need to post a reply with a snide comment or remark or keep belaboring a point and pontificating and whining over and over. It’s too bad the Yankees aren’t competitive so their fans would post more.This way we could really torque off the Sox/Yanks haters :rolleyes:

cycocelica

May 31, 2007, 02:15 PM

Here's an attempt to start something less partisan.

Something made me wonder after Josh Hancock's death: how different would the reaction have been if it had been an African-American NBA player instead of a white baseball player? Drunk, speeding, talking on a cellphone with his groupie, with weed and a bong in his car. Wouldn't he be the poster child for what's wrong with the game?

I often think that baseball is held to much higher standards than other sports, especially the recent steroids investigations. But in this case I wonder if it's more a matter of race. If a black athlete had died the same way, wouldn't a lot of people have shrugged it off? And what about the Patriots lineman that recently died after a jetski accident? Has that gotten nearly as much attention as the death of a little-known white pitcher on the Cardinals?

Absolutely if it was a NBA African American player, David Stern would be up in arms and making new rules left and right to protect "his" NBA. The media would have been reporting it as the lifestyle of said player. For all we know that could be Hancock's lifestyle

As with it being a white male in baseball, I do believe that people just see it as an unfortuante accident, a one time thing that Hancock did, and he got unlucky.

mattscott306

May 31, 2007, 02:22 PM

Something made me wonder after Josh Hancock's death: how different would the reaction have been if it had been an African-American NBA player instead of a white baseball player? Drunk, speeding, talking on a cellphone with his groupie, with weed and a bong in his car. Wouldn't he be the poster child for what's wrong with the game?

I often think that baseball is held to much higher standards than other sports, especially the recent steroids investigations. But in this case I wonder if it's more a matter of race. If a black athlete had died the same way, wouldn't a lot of people have shrugged it off? And what about the Patriots lineman that recently died after a jetski accident? Has that gotten nearly as much attention as the death of a little-known white pitcher on the Cardinals?
If it either NBA or NFL there would be a huge deal about it. As far as the patriots lineman who died, the issue there was he was a complete unknown. Hancock was better known than the lineman was (is), thus causing a larger stir. Had he been a black player, that would have caused a stir as well, because with baseball I think you tend to know the players and identify them a little easier. Had this been an NBA death, there would have been a HUGE to do about it.
I honestly don't think it has anything to do with race, I think it's mainly revolving around the fact that he was well enough known to merit the shock.

aloofman

May 31, 2007, 02:29 PM

If it either NBA or NFL there would be a huge deal about it. As far as the patriots lineman who died, the issue there was he was a complete unknown. Hancock was better known than the lineman was (is), thus causing a larger stir. Had he been a black player, that would have caused a stir as well, because with baseball I think you tend to know the players and identify them a little easier. Had this been an NBA death, there would have been a HUGE to do about it.
I honestly don't think it has anything to do with race, I think it's mainly revolving around the fact that he was well enough known to merit the shock.

You really think either of them was well-known? I mean, I follow baseball pretty closely, but if you had mentioned Hancock's name to me a week before he died, I wouldn't have remembered he played for the Cardinals, or even that he was a major leaguer. He wasn't a star. I'm not sure he was that much more famous outside of St. Louis. Obviously the Cards fans follow all of their players very closely.

mattscott306

May 31, 2007, 02:32 PM

You really think either of them was well-known? I mean, I follow baseball pretty closely, but if you had mentioned Hancock's name to me a week before he died, I wouldn't have remembered he played for the Cardinals, or even that he was a major leaguer. He wasn't a star. I'm not sure he was that much more famous outside of St. Louis. Obviously the Cards fans follow all of their players very closely.

Hmm... I knew his name and I knew he was a central player, but I didn't know what team he was on.

I guess I assumed since I knew of him, others did as well.

Do you think it's an issue of race?

MacNut

May 31, 2007, 02:49 PM

It was more an issue that it was the second pitcher to die within 2 years for the Cards. Plus having a manager arrested for DUI months before added to the media coverage.

mattscott306

May 31, 2007, 02:50 PM

It was more an issue that it was the second pitcher to die within 2 years for the cards. Plus having a manager arrested for DUI months before added to the media coverage.

I thought it was the second in five years...

MacNut

May 31, 2007, 02:52 PM

I thought it was the second in five years...I thought it was 2 or 3 years ago.

As for the NBA and NFL I think they have a reputation of being bad boy players. I think it is more expected to happen there then in baseball.

mattscott306

May 31, 2007, 02:54 PM

Link (http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/mlb/news/tributes/mlb_obit_darryl_kile.jsp)

Coming up on five years.

IJ Reilly

May 31, 2007, 03:05 PM

Just an FYI..I would avoid making blanket statements about a group of fans or anything for that matter.

Honestly, why would I want to talk about another team? ... Do you like to talk about things that don't interest you?

Case closed, your honor.

MacNut

May 31, 2007, 03:07 PM

Case closed, your honor.Rather then sit here and yell at the Yankee fans, why not discuss the Dodgers.:rolleyes:

Zito shut out the Mets last night, where are the Giants fans to discuss that.

mattscott306

May 31, 2007, 03:16 PM

Rather then sit here and yell at the Yankee fans, why not discuss the Dodgers.:rolleyes:

Zito shut out the Mets last night, where are the Giants fans to discuss that.

I'm up for discussing the NLW. As for Mets fans... I don't think we have any who have popped their heads in at least.

MacNut

May 31, 2007, 03:20 PM

Arizona is only a half a game out, do they have any chance of taking the west.

mattscott306

May 31, 2007, 03:26 PM

Seven game winning streak... yeah I'd say they're hot enough to take it down. Who'd have thought it though? That's like the Blue Jays coming in and winning their division in two years time. I remember when they were looked at as just another easy series win. Going up against the Mets this weekend should show how well they can really play.

IJ Reilly

May 31, 2007, 04:23 PM

The D-Backs are the big surprise in the NLW this season. Absolutely the most improved in the division. Not sure if they have enough depth to keep it going, but they're going to make it interesting for sure. We'll know more end of July, when the trading deadline comes and goes. The Dodgers will be dealing, that's certain, and probably also the Padres. Does the Arizona management have a commitment to winning? We'll see.

aloofman

May 31, 2007, 05:05 PM

Arizona is only a half a game out, do they have any chance of taking the west.

My feeling is that the D'backs have some decent pitching and no gaping holes on offense. Their lineup is full of good young players, but no one that worries opposing teams. I wonder if they can maintain their current pace relying on that many young guys. And if anything happens to Brandon Webb, they don't have a chance of keeping up.

There's a very real possibility of the NL wild card coming out of the west again. The Central is weak again, so weak that it's not implausible for the Brewers to win it by 10 games. Atlanta is the only East team with real wild card potential right now.

Silencio

May 31, 2007, 11:28 PM

And the Giants dump Benitez! And get a warm body from the Marlins in return. I assume the Giants have to eat the rest of his salary, but it's a small price to pay to expunge that cancer from the team.

Buh bye, Benitez!

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/05/31/SPGP5Q5MDJ2.DTL

fotografica

Jun 1, 2007, 06:05 AM

asxtb

Jun 1, 2007, 06:47 AM

The Central is weak again, so weak that it's not implausible for the Brewers to win it by 10 games.
The Central is horribly weak. But I don't think the Brewers are going to win it. Houston always seems to be a late bloomer and they are not too far off this year. I won't be suprised to see Houston take it.

...stupid good for nothing Cubs...:(

asxtb

Jun 1, 2007, 06:54 AM

I've always said that the best fans are Yankees and Red Sox fans, and this thread proves it. Aside from a few Braves fans no body else is talking about their teams.
And I'd be posting and talking about my team a lot more if I wasn't on the other side of the world. :o So hard to keep track of things over here.

Now if anyone wants to talk about Japanese baseball... :D :cool:

mattscott306

Jun 1, 2007, 08:51 AM

Never a good thing when you call out your teammates for not scoring runs,and then a blow a save...Anybody have any thoughts/ideas on who may be traded before the deadline? I'd say Willis,but with the Marlins,you never know..

I doubt the fish will trade their ace. He's the one bright spot to that entire lineup.

For us- I think we'll be dealing Saltalamacchia somewhere for a pitcher. He's not going to get enough playing time as a catcher, and he stated he didn't really want to play 1b. All I can say is, if we have to let him go, let it be for a strong stater.

fotografica

Jun 1, 2007, 08:57 AM

I can see the Sox packaging Pena and Hanson or moving Hanson on his own....I think a change would do Hanson some good.He's had enough hand holding here.

furcalchick

Jun 1, 2007, 10:30 AM

i would trade salty to the fish...he is from south florida, and i would take dontrelle anytime.

i doubt houston is winning this division....they just broke a 10 game losing streak. but you never know.

here are my picks with two months in the books.

nle: braves
nlc: brewers
nlw: padres
nlwc: d'backs

ale: red sox
alc: indians
alw: angels
alwc: tigers

braves face the cubs today in the first of three. cubs on a four game losing streak.

asxtb

Jun 1, 2007, 10:39 AM

braves face the cubs today in the first of three. cubs on a four game losing streak.
$50 the Braves sweep them!

Go Cubbies!

mattscott306

Jun 1, 2007, 10:43 AM

i would trade salty to the fish...he is from south florida, and i would take dontrelle anytime.

braves face the cubs today in the first of three. cubs on a four game losing streak.
I would gladly take dontrelle, but trading within the division is not something we do...
As for the cubs, I think we take to out of three, but a sweet would be delicious. The only problem with it is we're doing what #'s 3,4, and 1 starters?
$50 the Braves sweep them!
Go Cubbies!
So much for the eternal hope of cubs fans.

IJ Reilly

Jun 1, 2007, 10:46 AM

here are my picks with two months in the books.

You're picking the Dodgers to finish third? On what basis, pray tell?

mattscott306

Jun 1, 2007, 10:52 AM

You're picking the Dodgers to finish third? On what basis, pray tell?

Yeah, I'd put the Padre's in third, and give the division to the Dodgers.

I'd also give say the Wildcard will either be the braves or the mets...

furcalchick

Jun 1, 2007, 10:56 AM

You're picking the Dodgers to finish third? On what basis, pray tell?

they usually gag and choke around this time. and the padres have the better pitching and i think they will win the west. too many talk about the dodgers winning the west because they are the big market team and they expect big things from big market teams. and plus i like the padres, and don't really like the bums, so i kicked them out. same for the mutts, who i hate more than anyone in mlb.

MacNut

Jun 1, 2007, 11:55 AM

Don't the Mets have a better shot at winning the east then the Braves?

IJ Reilly

Jun 1, 2007, 11:57 AM

they usually gag and choke around this time. and the padres have the better pitching and i think they will win the west. too many talk about the dodgers winning the west because they are the big market team and they expect big things from big market teams. and plus i like the padres, and don't really like the bums, so i kicked them out. same for the mutts, who i hate more than anyone in mlb.

Actually, they don't usually gag or choke around this time. Not sure where you get that impression. As for pitching, the Padres' rotation is anchored by two 40+ guys. Even their closer, as good as he's been in his long career, is now 40. I think we know the risks there. The Dodgers have been in first place for weeks now without their intended rotation anchor. Schmidt is on his way back. For the first time this season, the rotation will be as Colletti designed it.

Don't get me wrong, it's going to be close. We've got a three-way tie for first right now. But if any team is going to melt down it's going to be the Padres, with their old pitching, or the D-backs, who's management might not be willing or be in the position to make the big July deal that keeps them in contention. All that being said, I would not start making predictions until the beginning of August.

mattscott306

Jun 1, 2007, 11:59 AM

Don't the Mets have a better shot at winning the east then the Braves?

Yeah- but we have a young team with a bunch of heart for the game, so if we can solidify our starting rotation we stand a great chance of catching and beating the mets.
Let's not ignore the fact that we have won every series we've played against the mets this year. We've got a god-awful June scheduale- so everything really hinges on that month. (We're playing the AL best)

The mets are a great looking team, lots of power, lots of talent, but I don't think the braves are going to lay down and die, they'll make a "fight" of it.

furcalchick

Jun 1, 2007, 12:02 PM

it's just what i think through two months.

i know the mets are in first right now...don't remind me.

i just think the dodgers are overrated and we'll see their true colors (choke blue) come the end of the year. and you forgot peavy and chris young, both very young pitchers, and the #5 spot in the rotation is pretty good with germano, so don't think the padres will just go away.

every division (expect the al east) is up for grabs still, and we have a long way to go.

furcalchick

Jun 1, 2007, 12:04 PM

Yeah- but we have a young team with a bunch of heart for the game, so if we can solidify our starting rotation we stand a great chance of catching and beating the mets.
Let's not ignore the fact that we have won every series we've played against the mets this year. We've got a god-awful June scheduale- so everything really hinges on that month. (We're playing the AL best)

The mets are a great looking team, lots of power, lots of talent, but I don't think the braves are going to lay down and die, they'll make a "fight" of it.

plus the mets are old (expect wright and reyes). beltran messed up his knee, but he'll be back soon. and we own them, unless it's oliver perez.

aloofman

Jun 1, 2007, 12:06 PM

furcalchick

Jun 1, 2007, 12:08 PM

Says the person who named herself after one of their players.

Sounds like you haven't watched any of their games, but I suppose one guess is as good as another. :rolleyes:

he was a brave before going over to bumland. still like him, just not the team he plays for. you understand.

mattscott306

Jun 1, 2007, 12:11 PM

I think there is still some rivalry blood running from when we were all in the same division....

Can't we all just bash the redsox/yankee's together? ;)

MacNut

Jun 1, 2007, 12:14 PM

Don't count out the AL east yet. Everyone is so quick to pull the plug.

djbahdow01

Jun 1, 2007, 12:16 PM

I can see the Sox packaging Pena and Hanson or moving Hanson on his own....I think a change would do Hanson some good.He's had enough hand holding here.

Hansen was a 2005 draft pick if I remember correctly. he made it up to the Majors in less than a year considering I don't think he signed till the fall. So he's done quite well for a pitcher. Figure the sox don't usually bring someone up that quick. Look at Papelbon and a few others, took more than 3 years to get up.

As for Pena I can see him going but for who. We'll know better when the deadline comes up and see if the Sox have a need. If not they could hold onto him. I really feel he will be Manny's replacement when the time arises although that could be 2 years from now.

IJ Reilly

Jun 1, 2007, 12:18 PM

i just think the dodgers are overrated and we'll see their true colors (choke blue) come the end of the year. and you forgot peavy and chris young, both very young pitchers, and the #5 spot in the rotation is pretty good with germano, so don't think the padres will just go away.

I didn't forget, but they are still relying very much on three old pitchers. That's just a fact with obvious implications. I certainly don't expect the Padres, or Arizona for that matter, to just go away. Any team can choke at some point, but you generally look for that in the teams that have the most old or injury-prone players to lose key pieces late in the season. The Padres clearly have the greatest exposure there. Again I point to the July trading deadline. That's when the rubber really hits the road. The Dodgers were well positioned from the start, by design, to be in a strong trade position in July. I'm not sure if the Padres or the D-backs are.

No matter how you cut it, this is a hell of a division. Nobody is going to run away with it.

fotografica

Jun 1, 2007, 12:22 PM

Hansen was a 2005 draft pick if I remember correctly. he made it up to the Majors in less than a year considering I don't think he signed till the fall. So he's done quite well for a pitcher. Figure the sox don't usually bring someone up that quick. Look at Papelbon and a few others, took more than 3 years to get up.

As for Pena I can see him going but for who. We'll know better when the deadline comes up and see if the Sox have a need. If not they could hold onto him. I really feel he will be Manny's replacement when the time arises although that could be 2 years from now.

The thing with Hansen is that he seems too good for the minors,but not good enough for the majors..When they send him up to Boston,he gets shelled. The one major knock on him when he was drafted,was his release point. And that hasn't changed a bit.So yeah,they've held his hand enough.It's time for him to show something,and so far,he hasn't..
It's too bad WMP hasn't materialized.If he did,it would have negated the need to sign Drew,who has been a major disappointment to date..Ellsbury and Brandon Moss are being groomed for the outfield. Crisp has had a decent year so far..

djbahdow01

Jun 1, 2007, 12:22 PM

Don't count out the AL east yet. Everyone is so quick to pull the plug.

Sox win 2 of 3 or Sweep and then the East is almost out of reach. I never count out the Yanks but if the Yanks win 2 of 3 and go on a losing streak like they did the last series they beat the Sox, then its as close as over.

The Yanks are powerful but unless they can get healthy then they are in trouble. If Hughes can stay healthy, and have a career rookie year then maybe they will be ok.

It will also be tough to deal any of the high profile players the Yanks have like Abreu, or Giambi(which will be tough if he's out for the year), their best chip is either Cano (who won't lower the budget, or Melky Cabrera as he has potential, as well as Matsui since he is a solid player but I don't see him going anywhere he's to valuable.

djbahdow01

Jun 1, 2007, 12:27 PM

The thing with Hansen is that he seems too good for the minors,but not good enough for the majors..When they send him up to Boston,he gets shelled. The one major knock on him when he was drafted,was his release point. And that hasn't changed a bit.So yeah,they've held his hand enough.It's time for him to show something,and so far,he hasn't..

It's too bad WMP hasn't materialized.If he did,it would have negated the need to sign Drew,who has been a major disappointment to date..Ellsbury and Brandon Moss are being groomed for the outfield. Crisp has had a decent year so far..

As for WMP, when I saw the trade I thought it was a good if not great deal, I knew his potential, he just never has gotten the AB's, especially in Boston, but then with the team we have I can see why he wouldn't. As for Drew I thought it was a decent signing but not for the price. Having a good friend in the Cardinals orginization I ask him a lot about former Cards. Including Tavarez and Drew. He was dead on with Tavarez but Tavarez has grown up in the last year. Doesn't get emotional on the mound any more. As for Drew, he just warned for injury which I am totally aware of. As for that, hopefully he can pull through and start hitting.

Im up for trading Hansen but we better get something good in return. A decent prospect. Considering Hansen was a top of the line Closer prospect we should get someone decent.

Silencio

Jun 1, 2007, 12:32 PM

No matter how you cut it, this is a hell of a division. Nobody is going to run away with it.

Yeah, the NL West should be a great race. I just don't expect the Giants to be seriously competitive in it, though. Great starting pitching, actually pretty decent relief pitching with the ouster of Benitez (we'll see how Hennessey handles closing). The problem is hitting, or extreme lack thereof. Besides Winn and Molina, who's going to get hits on a regular basis? And besides Bonds, who's going to hit the ball out of the yard, like, ever?

The only hope is if one of the "excess" starters can be traded for a good bat. Noah Lowry seems like the most attractive chip right now, but maybe someone would be interested in the resurgent and more experienced Matt Morris.

Then again, I'd almost rather see the Giants flounder this year because it would guarantee that GM Brian Sabean will get canned. It would be nice to have a GM that isn't allergic to quality young hitters.

fotografica

Jun 1, 2007, 12:36 PM

As for WMP, when I saw the trade I thought it was a good if not great deal, I knew his potential, he just never has gotten the AB's, especially in Boston, but then with the team we have I can see why he wouldn't. As for Drew I thought it was a decent signing but not for the price. Having a good friend in the Cardinals orginization I ask him a lot about former Cards. Including Tavarez and Drew. He was dead on with Tavarez but Tavarez has grown up in the last year. Doesn't get emotional on the mound any more. As for Drew, he just warned for injury which I am totally aware of. As for that, hopefully he can pull through and start hitting.

Im up for trading Hansen but we better get something good in return. A decent prospect. Considering Hansen was a top of the line Closer prospect we should get someone decent.

When WMP makes the contact,the ball goes a mile..Problem is he doesn't make contact that often,lol. Defensively,he's become somewhat of a liability lately..Sometimes he looks Cerano from "Major League" out there.
I hope Drew is able to turn it on,esp in the second half.That's a whole lotta money for what we've seen so far.I just hope he doesn't become a fixture on the DL as the year goes on.Tavarez has been a surprise this year. He outlasted Santana and would have got that win if he had any run support. I think he'll do fine in middle relief.
The big three are Lester,Papelbon and Hansen.First two are doing good. Lester is making a rehab start this weekend and will probly get called up once he gets the 100 pitch mark. Hansen was drafted with high hopes.So far,he hasn't delivered. A change to the NL might do him some good..

aloofman

Jun 1, 2007, 01:13 PM

I hope Drew is able to turn it on,esp in the second half.That's a whole lotta money for what we've seen so far.I just hope he doesn't become a fixture on the DL as the year goes on.

As a Dodger fan, I saw a lot of Drew the last couple years. When I saw he was going to the Red Sox, my first thought wasn't whether he would hit but whether he had the right mindset to play in Boston. He doesn't talk much, doesn't show emotion on the field, and doesn't feed off the crowd in any visible way. Even if he starts producing, I doubt the fans there will ever warm to him, so if he keeps slumping, it could get ugly. It's one thing to stay stoic when you're hitting well, but when you're slumping it looks like you don't care. I'm not sure it qualifies as a personality flaw, but it doesn't go over well with fans.

When he was in L.A., I found myself defending him more than a lot of Dodger fans. By many measures he was their most productive hitter, but I could also see how hard it is to like him. You don't root for him like you would for Nomar or Martin. (He's kind of like Jeff Kent that way. Maybe you can only have one unlikeable guy per team?) But when he duped the team into thinking he wouldn't opt out of his contract, I washed my hands of him.

mattscott306

Jun 1, 2007, 01:16 PM

I noticed a lot of the same traits in Drews short time in Atlanta. I was never thrilled with him, never felt attached as I do to most player, I just never really cared for him.

Needless to say I wasn't too dissapointed when he left.

fotografica

Jun 1, 2007, 01:22 PM

As a Dodger fan, I saw a lot of Drew the last couple years. When I saw he was going to the Red Sox, my first thought wasn't whether he would hit but whether he had the right mindset to play in Boston. He doesn't talk much, doesn't show emotion on the field, and doesn't feed off the crowd in any visible way. Even if he starts producing, I doubt the fans there will ever warm to him, so if he keeps slumping, it could get ugly. It's one thing to stay stoic when you're hitting well, but when you're slumping it looks like you don't care. I'm not sure it qualifies as a personality flaw, but it doesn't go over well with fans.

When he was in L.A., I found myself defending him more than a lot of Dodger fans. By many measures he was their most productive hitter, but I could also see how hard it is to like him. You don't root for him like you would for Nomar or Martin. (He's kind of like Jeff Kent that way. Maybe you can only have one unlikeable guy per team?) But when he duped the team into thinking he wouldn't opt out of his contract, I washed my hands of him.

Well that's a whole nuther issue..Sometimes he's so laid back,I think they should check for a pulse..He shows zero emotion,and barely cracks a smile. The Boston media has been giving him a mulligan for now,but that's starting wear off.Post game,he doesn't handle questions all that well..The fans are getting very impatient with him,especially since he replaced a fan favorite. Hopefully he starts to turn it around and produce,or it's going to be a long summer for him.Fenway seems like a great park for him.Hope he gets it going.

djbahdow01

Jun 1, 2007, 02:21 PM

Well that's a whole nuther issue..Sometimes he's so laid back,I think they should check for a pulse..He shows zero emotion,and barely cracks a smile. The Boston media has been giving him a mulligan for now,but that's starting wear off.Post game,he doesn't handle questions all that well..The fans are getting very impatient with him,especially since he replaced a fan favorite. Hopefully he starts to turn it around and produce,or it's going to be a long summer for him.Fenway seems like a great park for him.Hope he gets it going.

Considering he's giving numbers that we could have gotten from Trot it makes sense that we would be irritated with his play. He is almost the polar opposite from Trot. Yeah he trys hard in the field but he isn't at the moment the full package that Trot gave. WEEI is letting things go to far with him, hope soon he just gives a **** and gets kicked in the pants or something and gets hot like he started out as.

IJ Reilly

Jun 1, 2007, 02:37 PM

When he played for the Dodgers, J.D. Drew always seemed like he was sleepwalking through the game (not that he didn't play well for a guy who didn't appear to be awake). His flame seemed to be permanently set on pilot light. Even Jeff Kent shows more emotion, and that's saying a lot. It's an intangible, but you get no leadership out of player like that, maybe even negative leadership. A team needs two upbeat players in the clubhouse just to neutralize the affect. No, I guess I don't miss him!

zioxide

Jun 1, 2007, 02:44 PM

I'm sick of WMP and we need to get rid of him. I thought the trade was bad at the start and we should have never got rid of Arroyo. We need to trade WMP to pick up a better backup fielder. He sucks at defense and strikes out way too much while batting. We need to pick up a utility guy who can fill in as a fielder and has batting skills equivalent or better to WMPs.

We need to get someone like Kapler or Roberts used to be and like Cora is for the infield.

As for Hansen, he just needs more time in Pawtucket. I saw him pitch on Tuesday and he definitely is not ready for the big leagues. He did okay last year but a lot of that was because of Tek. Once Tek got hurt, Hansen sucked. He still needs more time to mature. Maybe by next year he will be good. I'd love to see us keep him and develop him more, then go from there.

fotografica

Jun 1, 2007, 02:57 PM

His flame seemed to be permanently set on pilot light.

Drew and Manny side by side on the bench is something to see. Either one doesn't know what to make of the other..Then on again,on planet Manny,anything goes...

fotografica

Jun 1, 2007, 03:02 PM

Considering he's giving numbers that we could have gotten from Trot it makes sense that we would be irritated with his play. He is almost the polar opposite from Trot. Yeah he trys hard in the field but he isn't at the moment the full package that Trot gave. WEEI is letting things go to far with him, hope soon he just gives a **** and gets kicked in the pants or something and gets hot like he started out as.

Well that's the point.We could have kept Trot for way less $$$$..I didn't like that deal then,and not now.Even if Drew manages to come to life and not end up as a cadaver,he got a gift from Theo..No doubt,Theo's made some nice deals,but he's also had some busts too..He gets a pass for the bad ones due to winnning it in 04,but even that's coming to an end for him..

mattscott306

Jun 1, 2007, 03:46 PM

Jones is on the 15 day disabled list.
He made it 1/3 of the season before going on it- quite impressive.

link (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6875194?MSNHPHMA)

Edit: Apparently Lance Cormier has "retired"
That basically means we're screwed unless we can find ourselves a pitcher. I can't check to see if it's 100% accurate or not, as I DVR the games to watch when I get home, so I don't want to risk finding out the score.

But God if it's true its bad news.

fotografica

Jun 1, 2007, 04:02 PM

Wow,that's pretty good for Chipper,June 1st...What's the feeling with Andruw?Is he staying or going?

furcalchick

Jun 1, 2007, 04:16 PM

mattscott306

Jun 1, 2007, 04:42 PM

Wow,that's pretty good for Chipper,June 1st...What's the feeling with Andruw?Is he staying or going?

This season? He'll stay. Next season? He's gone.

Edit:
you mean rheal.

Indeed, your right! My boss only showed me where it said Cormier retired, didn't have an R or L in front of the last name. Thank the baseball gods.

2nd Edit: Damn, Zambrano is fighting with his own catcher. That team needs help.

furcalchick

Jun 1, 2007, 10:41 PM

asxtb

Jun 1, 2007, 10:56 PM

met fans...you hear that? that's the sound of the braves breathing down your necks...don't think you'll get away with the division without a fight this time around. you have to earn it. just three games back now.

and we gave big z a great birthday present..a whooping. and he had a birthday fight with barrett. that team is over.
Worthless good for nothing Cubs. They need to get rid of both of them. Start rebuilding for the next 100 years. :(

I'm done with the Cubs. Who's my next team? Let's see.... I lived in Kansas City for a while.... What they're losers too!?!? Uhhhhhhh.....

furcalchick

Jun 1, 2007, 11:33 PM

Worthless good for nothing Cubs. They need to get rid of both of them. Start rebuilding for the next 100 years. :(

I'm done with the Cubs. Who's my next team? Let's see.... I lived in Kansas City for a while.... What they're losers too!?!? Uhhhhhhh.....

try the white sox.

fotografica

Jun 2, 2007, 09:47 AM

Yeah,it's gotta be tought being a Cub's fan these days..Lotta love in that clubhose..

mattscott306

Jun 2, 2007, 09:48 AM

Have they announced what the disciplinary action taken against Zambrano and Barret was?

fotografica

Jun 2, 2007, 09:56 AM

Oh yeah, the Cubs lost again, 8-5 to the Atlanta Braves on Friday.

"I only have so many players that I can play. You know?" manager Lou Piniella said during a postgame media session with reporters that escalated into shouting. "And it's about time some of them start playing like major leaguers! Or, get somebody else in here that can catch the damn ball or run the bases properly! All right? That's all I can say!"

Piniella left the interview room, muttering a profanity along the way. It wasn't clear if he was singling out Barrett, who had a baserunning blunder earlier in the week, or referring to the whole team.

Both players will be disciplined Saturday, according to the manager.
-----------------------

Should find out today...

IJ Reilly

Jun 2, 2007, 01:35 PM

Yeah,it's gotta be tought being a Cub's fan these days..Lotta love in that clubhose..

When has it ever been easy?

Cubs fans are an example of being loyal to a fault. If they showed their dissatisfaction more openly maybe the management would get the message and the fans would get a more competitive team. But instead they lavished all that dough on Soriano -- and for what, third place, maybe?

fotografica

Jun 2, 2007, 01:56 PM

When has it ever been easy?

Cubs fans are an example of being loyal to a fault. If they showed their dissatisfaction more openly maybe the management would get the message and the fans would get a more competitive team. But instead they lavished all that dough on Soriano -- and for what, third place, maybe?

Maybe the ownership is just happy with filling the seats and not bringing home a championship?Judging by some of their recent moves,I'd tend to say yes...

IJ Reilly

Jun 2, 2007, 02:08 PM

Maybe the ownership is just happy with filling the seats and not bringing home a championship?Judging by some of their recent moves,I'd tend to say yes...

Exactly. They get the revenue without the effort, so why make the effort? Pretty much the same thing happened to the Dodgers during the Fox ownership period. The fans were being exploited by a corporate owner that didn't give a hoot for the game. I suppose I'm starting to agree with MacNut some on this subject. If a team's owners doesn't seem to care about winning, then the fans have to express their displeasure in the only effective way they can -- by staying home. Cubs fans won't, though, so the Tribune Corp says thank you very much, and now presenting your newest cast of lovable losers.

fotografica

Jun 2, 2007, 02:15 PM

Exactly. They get the revenue without the effort, so why make the effort? Pretty much the same thing happened to the Dodgers during the Fox ownership period. The fans were being exploited by a corporate owner that didn't give a hoot for the game. I suppose I'm starting to agree with MacNut some on this subject. If a team's owners doesn't seem to care about winning, then the fans have to express their displeasure in the only effective way they can -- by staying home. Cubs fans won't, though, so the Tribune Corp says thank you very much, and now presenting your newest cast of lovable losers.

What's the feeling amongst Dodger fans with McCourt?Are they happy with him and DePodesta's moves/direction? And are you guys going to resign Lowe or does he walk?

Kwyjibo

Jun 2, 2007, 03:45 PM

Being a cubs fan isn't hard. We spent boatloads and have some top talent on the time. I want to win, but I don't expect it. Every single win is a surprise to me.

Barrett and Zambrano have a temper ????? OMG ITS NOT LIKE THIS HAS BEEN A MYSTERY. Of course we've never seen them act violently towards each other BUT, come on both guys are super passionate, and not in a positive light.

Cubs fans show dissatisfaction plenty, but I mean theres only so much you can do. They did fire the manager last offseason, and the President left so he can likely become the next commish.

You want to know why I'm not worried? show me the team in the NL central thats going to run away with anything. Brewers might be in it at the end but they won't be running very far.

furcalchick

Jun 2, 2007, 03:49 PM

sweet lou blew up again today, after salty threw out pagan in the eighth inning. he threw his hat down and was tossed, kicked dirt on the umps and kicked his hat. during this time, the cubs fans threw their giveaway travel mugs on the field and had to delay the game. all is wrong in wrigleyville....

but i'm a braves fan. another win for us, and the mets better watch out. we win 5-3.

mattscott306

Jun 2, 2007, 03:50 PM

Well that was a fun game.

Cub's fans looked quite happy. (not)
We got to see sweet lou go off again and get ejected, and the cubs fans throw garbage on the field a plenty.

Mm... Can't wait to see Lou's postgame on this one.

twoodcc

Jun 2, 2007, 04:37 PM

well Griffey hit another homer last night. up to 12 on the season, and 575 on his career. :cool:

aloofman

Jun 2, 2007, 04:38 PM

What's the feeling amongst Dodger fans with McCourt?Are they happy with him and DePodesta's moves/direction? And are you guys going to resign Lowe or does he walk?

Mostly we're OK with McCourt. There was a lot of skepticism when he took over because he didn't seem to have much money of his own to put up, and there was a concern that MLB wanted a debt-laden owner who wouldn't spend too much money. Since signing Lowe, Furcal, and Pierre, no one's really worried that he's stingy. (In Pierre's case, maybe McCourt is TOO willing to spend money.) The Ravine has also gotten a bit better, with new seats and now the parking situation seems to have gotten a bit better since the opening day issues. Concession lines are still a big problem though. After the Fox era, he would have had to really bomb to not impress us.

DePodesta is no longer the GM. Ned Colletti replaced him in spring 2006. I would say that so far Colletti's biggest error has been the Pierre signing. It's a little early to tell if the Schmidt deal will turn out to be an albatross. But most of his other moves have gone OK. We're very interested in seeing what happens at the trading deadline. My biggest worry is that at some point he'll break the bank for an overrated player like Andruw Jones or Torii Hunter. There have been rumors about maybe pursuing Scott Rolen, but considering how poorly he's been hitting, I'm not sure how good an idea that is.

I would say that Lowe has earned an extension at this point, although I'm sure his agent wants to test free agency ASAP. It will depend somewhat on the health and performance of the other pitchers. Penny was considered trade bait before the season, but he's pitched very well the last two months. There are several young guys, plus Hendrickson and Tomko, that could be starters by the end of the season. I think where Lowe goes will depend partially on how comfortable the Dodgers are with their rotation at the end of the season and on what insane amount of money it will take to sign him.

fotografica

Jun 2, 2007, 05:33 PM

Mostly we're OK with McCourt. There was a lot of skepticism when he took over because he didn't seem to have much money of his own to put up, and there was a concern that MLB wanted a debt-laden owner who wouldn't spend too much money. Since signing Lowe, Furcal, and Pierre, no one's really worried that he's stingy. (In Pierre's case, maybe McCourt is TOO willing to spend money.) The Ravine has also gotten a bit better, with new seats and now the parking situation seems to have gotten a bit better since the opening day issues. Concession lines are still a big problem though. After the Fox era, he would have had to really bomb to not impress us.

DePodesta is no longer the GM. Ned Colletti replaced him in spring 2006. I would say that so far Colletti's biggest error has been the Pierre signing. It's a little early to tell if the Schmidt deal will turn out to be an albatross. But most of his other moves have gone OK. We're very interested in seeing what happens at the trading deadline. My biggest worry is that at some point he'll break the bank for an overrated player like Andruw Jones or Torii Hunter. There have been rumors about maybe pursuing Scott Rolen, but considering how poorly he's been hitting, I'm not sure how good an idea that is.

I would say that Lowe has earned an extension at this point, although I'm sure his agent wants to test free agency ASAP. It will depend somewhat on the health and performance of the other pitchers. Penny was considered trade bait before the season, but he's pitched very well the last two months. There are several young guys, plus Hendrickson and Tomko, that could be starters by the end of the season. I think where Lowe goes will depend partially on how comfortable the Dodgers are with their rotation at the end of the season and on what insane amount of money it will take to sign him.

McCourt was always a likeable guy here in Boston,esp when he was one of the final bidders for the Sox. To the point where his buying the team would have led to a new stadium in the South Boston waterfront on land he owned. That probably was what got him in the end as far as owning the Sox.
Didn't know about Colletti.Gotta look at the GM list. Is Pierre being considered a bust,or just someone who got way more than their worth?
Lowe has a knack for pitching over his head in a contract year. He did the same thing in 04 with the Sox. Was ok at best in the regular season,but post season,you could tell he was pitching for that contract.Personally,I would have loved to kept him. We didn't want to give him the money,but yet we gave it to Clement :rolleyes: It's too bad ownership was more concerned about his off field goings on.
And how's Grady? Do fans like his style/approach to the game? I know the players must as he was a player's coach..

mattscott306

Jun 2, 2007, 05:35 PM

One of our farm system managers went a bit nutzo today.

link (http://wbztv.com/video/?cid=51&id=32168@wbz.dayport.com)

fotografica

Jun 2, 2007, 05:38 PM

One of our farm system managers went a bit nutzo today.

link (http://wbztv.com/video/?cid=51&id=32168@wbz.dayport.com)

Lol!..Wow,guess he thought the ump couldn't see the plate. Some pent up frustration there...

zioxide

Jun 2, 2007, 05:42 PM

They're just reporting that Clemens has been scratched for Monday and will be out for two weeks with a sore groin.

mattscott306

Jun 2, 2007, 05:50 PM

Lol!..Wow,guess he thought the ump couldn't see the plate. Some pent up frustration there...

I don't quite know what he was getting at.
The catcher during that rant was Bryan Pena, one of ours, yet it looked like he was saying that the ump was calling balls strikes. I haven't been able to locate a news story on it, I got the video from a friend of a friend of a friend.

IJ Reilly

Jun 2, 2007, 06:28 PM

McCourt was always a likeable guy here in Boston,esp when he was one of the final bidders for the Sox. To the point where his buying the team would have led to a new stadium in the South Boston waterfront on land he owned. That probably was what got him in the end as far as owning the Sox.
Didn't know about Colletti.Gotta look at the GM list. Is Pierre being considered a bust,or just someone who got way more than their worth?
Lowe has a knack for pitching over his head in a contract year. He did the same thing in 04 with the Sox. Was ok at best in the regular season,but post season,you could tell he was pitching for that contract.Personally,I would have loved to kept him. We didn't want to give him the money,but yet we gave it to Clement :rolleyes: It's too bad ownership was more concerned about his off field goings on.
And how's Grady? Do fans like his style/approach to the game? I know the players must as he was a player's coach..

This Dodger fan is pretty much in agreement with Aloofman, but I'm not so quick to say that the Pierre signing was a mistake. Too early to tell, IMO. Remember it was only last year when the same complaints were being made about how much they paid Furcal. Those critics are pretty quiet now.

McCourt made some mistakes in his first year as owner, but I believe he's learning, and I believe he's also in better financial shape now. I'm pretty sure he's now retired the paper Fox was holding against the purchase. IMO, the parking situation at Dodger Stadium hasn't really been improved. But it has been made more expensive.

Credit to McCourt for firing DePodesta and hiring Ned Colletti. He was the former assistant GM in San Francisco. I think a lot of Giant fans wish they'd fired Sabean and promoted Colletti. Too late!

Lowe will go to the money. Isn't that what they all do?

Grady Little is growing on us. He takes more chances than the string of overly cautious managers who came before him. Personally, I like his aggressive style of managing, even if it leads to mistakes sometimes.

Sayhey

Jun 2, 2007, 07:35 PM

Credit to McCourt for firing DePodesta and hiring Ned Colletti. He was the former assistant GM in San Francisco. I think a lot of Giant fans wish they'd fired Sabean and promoted Colletti. Too late!

The same folks who hate Sabean would still hate Colletti. There is a group of fans of every club who thinks they could takeover the club themselves and run it better than the professionals. Usually this is after discovering the received wisdom of "Moneyball" or after reading their first Bill James book.

Truth is that there is many ways to build a winning ballclub, and Sabean's way has been very successful over his tenure. Colletti's way in LA is very similar, which is to be expected given his training. Not many San Francisco fans would want to trade Colletti for Sabean. There are those who would trade Sabean for Billy Beane in a second, but I'm not one of them. In LA, it's the same group of people who think DePodesta was the answer to all of your prayers.

IJ Reilly

Jun 2, 2007, 07:52 PM

The same folks who hate Sabean would still hate Colletti. There is a group of fans of every club who thinks they could takeover the club themselves and run it better than the professionals. Usually this is after discovering the received wisdom of "Moneyball" or after reading their first Bill James book.

Truth is that there is many ways to build a winning ballclub, and Sabean's way has been very successful over his tenure. Colletti's way in LA is very similar, which is to be expected given his training. Not many San Francisco fans would want to trade Colletti for Sabean. There are those who would trade Sabean for Billy Beane in a second, but I'm not one of them. In LA, it's the same group of people who think DePodesta was the answer to all of your prayers.

I never ran into anyone who thought DePodesta was the answer to anybody's prayers. He was advertised to be Billy Beane, Jr., but it didn't take long before it became painfully obvious that his mandate was to make lousy trades for low budget players and had a talent for alienating everybody who came in contact with him.

zephead

Jun 3, 2007, 03:49 AM

Sayhey

Jun 3, 2007, 05:19 AM

I never ran into anyone who thought DePodesta was the answer to anybody's prayers. He was advertised to be Billy Beane, Jr., but it didn't take long before it became painfully obvious that his mandate was to make lousy trades for low budget players and had a talent for alienating everybody who came in contact with him.

IJ, I don't disagree with what you say about DePodesta, but believe me if you go to any "stathead" web site you are likely to find pages upon pages about the wonders of DePodesta, Billy Beane, Theo Epstein, etc. - as if these are the only guys who understand the game of baseball. It's crap.

With Sabean, the push to get rid of him comes most forcefully from this contingent of fans. They can't abide the idea of building a team through well-paid veteran players. Instead, a player's salary is almost more important than his talent level.

Now, the last two years - coinciding with Bonds' ailments - have led to others getting impatient with Sabean, but I think a fair assessment has him looking pretty good. Not only do the Giants have the best winning percentage in the division over his tenure, but the present and future pitching staff is looking great. We will see how he assembles the rest of the team for the coming years, but his track record is pretty good.

Counterfit

Jun 3, 2007, 07:56 AM

One of our farm system managers went a bit nutzo today.

link (http://wbztv.com/video/?cid=51&id=32168@wbz.dayport.com)

I could have sworn I've seen video of a minor league manager tossing a base into shallow right field before.
Anyone have word on Mientkiewicz?

Edit: Ouch, concussion, cervical sprain, and a fractured bone in the right wrist (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070602&content_id=2001208&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb).

furcalchick

Jun 3, 2007, 12:26 PM

sweet lou suspended indefinitely for that tirade yesterday. i suggest he goes on vacation now to prepare for the big bombshell that is chicago media when he comes back.

IJ Reilly

Jun 3, 2007, 01:19 PM

IJ, I don't disagree with what you say about DePodesta, but believe me if you go to any "stathead" web site you are likely to find pages upon pages about the wonders of DePodesta, Billy Beane, Theo Epstein, etc. - as if these are the only guys who understand the game of baseball. It's crap.

With Sabean, the push to get rid of him comes most forcefully from this contingent of fans. They can't abide the idea of building a team through well-paid veteran players. Instead, a player's salary is almost more important than his talent level.

Now, the last two years - coinciding with Bonds' ailments - have led to others getting impatient with Sabean, but I think a fair assessment has him looking pretty good. Not only do the Giants have the best winning percentage in the division over his tenure, but the present and future pitching staff is looking great. We will see how he assembles the rest of the team for the coming years, but his track record is pretty good.

"Pretty good" sounds like faint praise to me. ;)

Really, I'm not trying to judge. I'm just hearing more and louder gripes from Giant fans these days, maybe having something to do with the number of markers the team placed on Bonds. I think everybody knows what that kind of money can buy on the free agent market, and that signing Bonds was more about marketing than winning.

I'm sure GMs like DePodesta have many admirers among the baseball geek crowd, but this is a small minority of fans, and his techniques were obviously not paying off in Los Angeles. Instead, we were hearing constantly about player's agents not getting return calls in the thick of negotiations. I lot of potential deals were queered as a result. It's fine knowing how to work the computer, but you also need to know how to work the phones.

Sayhey

Jun 3, 2007, 02:13 PM

"Pretty good" sounds like faint praise to me. ;)

Not faint, but not unqualified either. I think Sabean is a as good as it gets in assembling a team, but he has made a few very bad moves. The most important being the trade of Nathan/ Liriano/ Bonser for A.J. Pierzynski. Horrible, horrible trade. That combined with the understandable at the time signing of Armando Benitez that turned disastrous has got to make some folks think twice about our GM.

I think that is balanced out by a winning record that is one of the best in baseball and the development of young pitchers that look to take this team well into the future. But that's just my assessment.

IJ Reilly

Jun 3, 2007, 02:24 PM

Sayhey

Jun 3, 2007, 02:42 PM

So you'd call this a building year for the Giants then? I've seen some signs of a youth movement, but overall I've watched the team get older and older over the past few seasons. But maybe that's just my imagination.

Look at the pitching side of the equation. The Giants have Cain, Lowry, and Lincecum in their starting rotation - all 26 or younger. Zito is 29, which leaves only Matt Morris as an over 30 starter. The Giants are grooming Jonathan Sanchez to replace him. What you have is the best rotation the Giants have had in many years, and one that is very young as well. It could well be that next year four-fifths of the rotation is young home grown talent.

In the bullpen, the Giants have some quality young arms as well. Hennessey and Corrieia qualify as veterans by now, but both are talented young arms. Jack Taschner looks like he can be a fixture as a lefty specialist. Add the prospects in Fresno (Wilson, Sadler, Blackley, Misch, and most especially the aforementioned Sanchez) and the Giants have good young pitching all over the 40 man roster.

With the position players the Giants have gone with a patchwork quilt of signings that gets them a little younger, but still a veteran team. None of these signings are long term and they will help while the young players in the Giants lower minors are developed and new stars are signed. Of these Bengie Molina looks to be the best. I also like the young Fred Lewis whose speed game is fun to watch.

What Sabean is trying to do is rebuild while contending. So far this year, the Giants have shown they need another bat, but have the quality to do better than they have. I'm looking for that trade Sabean is famous for pulling off to help their chances.

Kermit the frog

Jun 3, 2007, 02:48 PM

Go Brewers!!!

furcalchick

Jun 3, 2007, 11:06 PM

today's game sucked six ways to sunday. 10-1 whipping by the cubs, but you can't win them all. only thing i'm concerned about is lance cormier, horrible outing, 8 er and three bombs.

next, it's the marlins series, four games in 48 hours. that's going to wear us down fast.

aloofman

Jun 4, 2007, 11:55 AM

One of our farm system managers went a bit nutzo today.

link (http://wbztv.com/video/?cid=51&id=32168@wbz.dayport.com)

The bizarre part of that is that all of his actions after the yelling with the umpire are so slow and methodical, like he'd rehearsed it. I can see throwing the bases, and the redrawing of home plate was pretty funny, but that grenade thing was a sign of a demented mind. :p

This Dodger fan is pretty much in agreement with Aloofman, but I'm not so quick to say that the Pierre signing was a mistake. Too early to tell, IMO. Remember it was only last year when the same complaints were being made about how much they paid Furcal. Those critics are pretty quiet now.

It's not so much how he's playing right now, but that he's a player whose raw stats make him look better than he really is, and his production has been declining for a couple years now. I cringed when I heard they signed him because Furcal is more than adequate batting leadoff and Pierre's defense is weak. So far he's been caught stealing too many times too.

Grady Little is growing on us. He takes more chances than the string of overly cautious managers who came before him. Personally, I like his aggressive style of managing, even if it leads to mistakes sometimes.

I think he's managed the bullpen quite well so far. Deep outings by the starters have made that easier, but so far he's juggled everyone reasonably well. I was skeptical about using lefty specialist Joe Beimel against more batters, but that's worked out OK.

I always thought he got a bad rap about leaving Pedro in back in 2003. The next hit he gave up was a blooper that in many game situations would have been caught. Pretty much just bad luck.

I wish Grady would wear a jacket out there though. I've seen enough man-boobs now to last me a lifetime.

I never ran into anyone who thought DePodesta was the answer to anybody's prayers. He was advertised to be Billy Beane, Jr., but it didn't take long before it became painfully obvious that his mandate was to make lousy trades for low budget players and had a talent for alienating everybody who came in contact with him.

My only quibble with that is that I don't think most of his trades were lousy. In fact, most of them made the team better. I agree that his people skills were seriously lacking though. He has "assistant GM" written all over him.

sweet lou suspended indefinitely for that tirade yesterday. i suggest he goes on vacation now to prepare for the big bombshell that is chicago media when he comes back.

Lou Piniella is my favorite cartoon character. :D

furcalchick

Jun 5, 2007, 04:04 PM

this thread died out pretty fast...

Sun Baked

Jun 5, 2007, 04:32 PM

this thread died out pretty fast...

Nah, it is just that a lot of the people with high hopes for their teams are looking at another sport right now ... so they don't have to watch the painful losing streaks. :p

MacNut

Jun 5, 2007, 04:47 PM

Nah, it is just that a lot of the people with high hopes for their teams are looking at another sport right now ... so they don't have to watch the painful losing streaks. :pWell they are not watching hockey, nobody is.:p

Counterfit

Jun 5, 2007, 04:55 PM

Yeah, this 2-game losing streak is KILLING me. :rolleyes:

IJ Reilly

Jun 5, 2007, 04:59 PM

I wish Grady would wear a jacket out there though. I've seen enough man-boobs now to last me a lifetime.

Oh thanks, now there's an image I won't get out of my head any time soon.

I liked the way Grady got himself ejected in Sunday's game arguing that play at the plate, and then the next day said that the umpire had made the right call after all. He was out there just to protect Martin. It worked. The team rallied and won. One of those intangibles of managing a baseball team.

this thread died out pretty fast...

I think we've settled down for the long midseason slog.

Besides, what could we possibly have to talk about when the Yankees aren't playing the Red Sox? :)

mattscott306

Jun 5, 2007, 05:09 PM

I think we've settled down for the long midseason slog.

Besides, what could we possibly have to talk about when the Yankees aren't playing the Red Sox? :)

Dunno, I heard something about baseball having 28 other teams, but I know ESPN tells me differently.

In other news: Sweet Lou is only out for 4 games.

Lance Cormiers performance worries me, but I'm going to give him another start or two and see how that turns out.

MacNut

Jun 5, 2007, 05:51 PM

This thread always slows down in the summer, last year it went quite for a month.

aloofman

Jun 5, 2007, 06:23 PM

I liked the way Grady got himself ejected in Sunday's game arguing that play at the plate, and then the next day said that the umpire had made the right call after all. He was out there just to protect Martin. It worked. The team rallied and won. One of those intangibles of managing a baseball team.

I'm not sure how much it had to do with the rally, but yeah, it was about backing up his player on the call. If ejecting the manager keeps one of your starters in the game, it's worth it.

As opposed to Piniella's, which was purely for our entertainment. Does anyone else root for him to throw a base, or is it just me? :D

fotografica

Jun 5, 2007, 06:35 PM

As opposed to Piniella's, which was purely for our entertainment. Does anyone else root for him to throw a base, or is it just me? :D

I miss Earl Wever :D I think Lou is the heir apparent,lol..

Teh Don Ditty

Jun 5, 2007, 07:33 PM

Well they are not watching hockey, nobody is.:p

Ahem. I take offense to that.

holamiamigos

Jun 5, 2007, 07:50 PM

i love watching the ejections.. worth all the money

MacNut

Jun 5, 2007, 08:06 PM

Ahem. I take offense to that.You might be the only person watching.Saturday night's Game 3 equaled NBC's lowest rating ever for a prime-time program. Ottawa's 5-3 victory over Anaheim received a 1.1 national rating and a 2 share, the network said Tuesday. That matched a rerun of "The West Wing'' on July 23, 2005, which also drew a 1.1 rating.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19056548/

Teh Don Ditty

Jun 5, 2007, 08:17 PM

You might be the only person watching.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19056548/

Yea, I'm well aware of hockey's ummm problems :p I pretty much single handedly carried the NHL Season thread lol.

It's so sad, such a great sport. In anycase back to baseball.

Yanks/White Sox just started up.

aloofman

Jun 6, 2007, 11:33 AM

Yea, I'm well aware of hockey's ummm problems :p I pretty much single handedly carried the NHL Season thread lol.

I still love hockey, but I've given up on the NHL. I used to be one of those people that defended it against much ridicule, but since the strike they've fallen off the U.S. sports map. There's no point in denying that hockey is no longer a major sport in the U.S., not when more people are watching arena football and professional poker. Bettman ran the league into the ground.

MacNut

Jun 6, 2007, 11:42 AM

aloofman

Jun 6, 2007, 12:10 PM

NASCAR has over taken Hockey as the number 4 sport.

I don't think you can put full blame on Bettman, the league was hemorrhaging money for years, its not like they could afford all the high priced contracts they had. The Lockout was just the last step in killing hockey.

Baseball almost didn't survive 94 so they introduced steroids.

At the risk of diverting our MLB thread here, NASCAR passed them long before the NHL killed itself in this country. And big contracts were handed out by millionaire and billionaire owners who were willing to pay them, regardless of what their accountants said. They've completely failed to market the sport and the lockout killed their national TV contract, both of which are Bettman's responsibility.

Baseball's "survival" was never really in question. The owners and players cancelled the 1994 World Series because they couldn't agree on how much money each of them should get, not something more fundamental about the game.

MacNut

Jun 6, 2007, 12:29 PM

It took a while for the fans to come back tho, some argue that the steroid home run chase is what got the fans back. Does hockey have any big stars that can get the fans interested again.

So the Red Sox have lost 3 straight, The Blue Jays have moved into 2nd and the Yankees are only 11.5 out.

fotografica

Jun 6, 2007, 02:22 PM

So the Red Sox have lost 3 straight, The Blue Jays have moved into 2nd and the Yankees are only 11.5 out.

Like I've said,still alot of baseball to be played..Should be an interesting summer.

Counterfit

Jun 6, 2007, 03:41 PM

Wait, the Stanley Cup finals are now? :confused: I've only been hearing about the NBA post-season (which is also WAY too long) and baseball.

aloofman

Jun 6, 2007, 04:21 PM

Wait, the Stanley Cup finals are now? :confused: I've only been hearing about the NBA post-season (which is also WAY too long) and baseball.

Exactly my point. Here in the Los Angeles area, the Ducks are one win away from the Cup, but there isn't nearly as much hype here now as in 1993 when the Kings made the finals (which they didn't win, sob). The NHL has just lost so much status in the last five years and it's a real shame.

Back to baseball, even though the Dodgers lost a tough one in San Diego last night 1-0 (the game-winning RBI was on only their second hit of the game in the eighth), Jason Schmidt looked pretty good. The second inning was the only time he got in trouble, and that was because Schmidt tried to nibble at the bottom of the strike zone even after the ump wasn't given it to him. Fingers crossed that it's the start of a pattern.

mattscott306

Jun 6, 2007, 06:29 PM

So... we've gotten so bored with baseball we've moved to... nhl?

God.

Teh Don Ditty

Jun 6, 2007, 07:57 PM

My hockey influence reins supreme! bwhahahaha!!!!

Anyways, hockey hasn't been on the map for a long time. There are plenty of stars in the league. (The NHL is really trying to market the crap out of Sidney Crosby). It's really an incredible sport. Such a shame.

Back to baseball...

mattscott306

Jun 6, 2007, 08:29 PM

(The NHL is really trying to market the crap out of Sidney Crosby).

It's obviously working because my first reaction was

"Who?"

Teh Don Ditty

Jun 6, 2007, 08:33 PM

It's obviously working because my first reaction was

"Who?"

Yea they market the crap out of him.... only during hockey games :p

mattscott306

Jun 6, 2007, 08:35 PM

Yea they market the crap out of him.... only during hockey games :p

Yeah that makes sense in promoting the sport...

Teh Don Ditty

Jun 6, 2007, 08:45 PM

Yeah that makes sense in promoting the sport...

Yea, please I could go on all day about what's wrong with the NHL.

Well I see the Braves lost and the Yankees are in the 2nd.

MacNut

Jun 6, 2007, 09:37 PM

Either the Yankees bats are waking up or the White Sox really suck, maybe a combination of the 2.:D

Counterfit

Jun 6, 2007, 10:23 PM

Yeah, it's probably both.
Exactly my point. Here in the Los Angeles area, the Ducks are one win away from the Cup, but there isn't nearly as much hype here now as in 1993 when the Kings made the finals (which they didn't win, sob). The NHL has just lost so much status in the last five years and it's a real shame.

I actually watched the last 5 minutes or so of the Cup finals before the lockout. :eek:
Maybe I'd watch more if the Bruins weren't quite so bad. :rolleyes:

furcalchick

Jun 6, 2007, 10:35 PM

oh no, hockey talk.

anahiem to win the cup in seconds. i actually like hockey, it's just hard to find anymore since the lockout and all.

braves suck, we lose again.

Teh Don Ditty

Jun 6, 2007, 10:40 PM

Yup, the Anaheim Ducks are Stanley Cup Champions.

Best trophy is the Stanley Cup, none of you can deny it!

MacNut

Jun 6, 2007, 10:53 PM

Lord Stanley's Cup is the most famous trophy,

Yankees win 5-1 Wang gets a complete game.

PS Wakefield at it again, in the dirt.

Teh Don Ditty

Jun 6, 2007, 10:57 PM

Lord Stanley's Cup is the most famous trophy,

Yankees win 5-1 Wong gets a complete game.

Amen.

Err it's Wang. Pronounced Wong.

MacNut

Jun 7, 2007, 12:13 AM

Add Francona to the list of booted managers.

holamiamigos

Jun 7, 2007, 01:57 AM

yay we got a championship in california!

djbahdow01

Jun 7, 2007, 03:23 PM

Add Francona to the list of booted managers.

Been a good few weeks for it. He was due. Hope it sparks the team up a little bit.

mattscott306

Jun 7, 2007, 07:38 PM

oh no, hockey talk.

anahiem to win the cup in seconds. i actually like hockey, it's just hard to find anymore since the lockout and all.

braves suck, we lose again.

Ye of little faith. :p
We're really slumping right now, but we'll see how it looks at the all star break.

Anyone else watch the draft? Or am I the only pathetic individual who would do such a thing?

furcalchick

Jun 7, 2007, 07:42 PM

i followed the draft in 2005 when my friend was in it. he was drafted in the 22nd round by the astros and last i heard is in high a. his name is sean walker and he's a pitcher. i know that's harsh for many braves fans to cheer for an astro because of what happened in the playoffs the last two years (but we knocked them out last year). sean got me that clemens ball that was personally signed and knows clemens a bit. koby clemens is nice and looks alot like his dad.

and we're losing again (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=270607115).

aloofman

Jun 7, 2007, 09:34 PM

Curt Schilling (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270607111&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines) was one out away from a no-walk, no-hitter in Oakland before a single spoiled it. The only other baserunner he allowed reached on an error.

fotografica

Jun 7, 2007, 09:36 PM

furcalchick

Jun 7, 2007, 09:53 PM

we lose.

furcalchick

Jun 7, 2007, 10:31 PM

yuck, texas is awful this year. the pitching is the worst ever and they have nothing apon nothing. loe has a 7+ era and is still pitching in their rotation. they truly are sad.

i think it's the reverse showwalter curse, since they fired him without a playoff appearance, they will be the worst team in baseball.

furcalchick

Jun 8, 2007, 01:20 AM

or at least broxton does. blew a 5 run lead in the bottom of the ninth, padres win on a walk off walk, and at least i'm happy. padres win 6-5.

arod had a santa maria in the yankees game today though.

and texas is in deep doo doo.

MacNut

Jun 8, 2007, 01:25 AM

Joe Torre became the 10th manager to get 2,000 career wins.:)

mattscott306

Jun 8, 2007, 08:03 PM

Here's an interesting thread (http://forums.sportingnews.com/viewtopic.php?t=200507).

furcalchick

Jun 8, 2007, 08:53 PM

i hate soriano...he's on the public enemy list now. 3 pitches, three homers. ugh.

mattscott306

Jun 8, 2007, 09:01 PM

I'm hating cormier right now.

Can the mets drop five straight?
Doesn't look like it.

furcalchick

Jun 8, 2007, 09:02 PM

I'm hating cormier right now.

Can the mets drop five straight?
Doesn't look like it.

he's lance corny. time to bring back buddy. four home runs is automatic demotion in my book.

mattscott306

Jun 8, 2007, 09:05 PM

he's lance corny. time to bring back buddy. four home runs is automatic demotion in my book.

He needed to spend another few weeks in triple a thats for sure, the only thing that made me think he was ready is he was pitching a bunch of scoreless innings. (insert: Good God that foul by salty was huge)
I think we need to get salty over to another team for a number 3 starter. I'm tired of "smoltz and huddy and hope we get lucky".

furcalchick

Jun 8, 2007, 09:07 PM

He needed to spend another few weeks in triple a thats for sure, the only thing that made me think he was ready is he was pitching a bunch of scoreless innings. (insert: Good God that foul by salty was huge)
I think we need to get salty over to another team for a number 3 starter. I'm tired of "smoltz and huddy and hope we get lucky".

but sometimes dudson shows up.

mattscott306

Jun 8, 2007, 09:09 PM

but sometimes dudson shows up.

For the most part he's had a bunch of great stars. He's been slowing as of late, but he'll bounce back. You could say we've had some bad starts from Smoltz as well, it's just the nature of the game. You want guys that can start well 3/4ths for 7/8ths of the time.

Jschultz

Jun 9, 2007, 02:24 AM

Here in Chicago: White Sox lose again! To the Astros, no less.

The only good thing is that I can readily and cheaply find good seats for the games. I always wanted to know what AAA baseball was like, and now I know. 7 of the rostered White Sox are fro AAA Charlotte!

MacNut

Jun 9, 2007, 04:06 PM

Here's an interesting thread (http://forums.sportingnews.com/viewtopic.php?t=200507).Interesting no, sad yes. To say that Bobby Cox is a better manager is asinine.

While Joe Torre isn't the best manager he has had to fight tougher teams over his 10 years in the American League. What has Bobby Cox had to do in a weak NL East. By default he is the best manager. Anyone can coach the Braves to 1 World Series win.

furcalchick

Jun 9, 2007, 04:29 PM

Interesting no, sad yes. To say that Bobby Cox is a better manager is asinine.

While Joe Torre isn't the best manager he has had to fight tougher teams over his 10 years in the American League. What has Bobby Cox had to do in a weak NL East. By default he is the best manager. Anyone can coach the Braves to 1 World Series win.

i doubt torre would have won alot of those divisions in the 2000's with those teams he had. torre wasn't really a good manager until he went to the yankees. most managers could succeed with the yankees roster which was bought for.

and the weak nl east sounds like an espn argument, say it's strong when they pick the mets or phillies to win, and then when they fall, call it weak because the braves won again. the braves did it with pitching, then hitting and home grown talent. so don't say the nl east is weak, cox is the better manager. and i think the nl is the tougher league to manage because of the pitcher hitting and double switches and all that. the al is just wait for a three run shot.

MacNut

Jun 9, 2007, 04:43 PM

i doubt torre would have won alot of those divisions in the 2000's with those teams he had. torre wasn't really a good manager until he went to the yankees. most managers could succeed with the yankees roster which was bought for.

and the weak nl east sounds like an espn argument, say it's strong when they pick the mets or phillies to win, and then when they fall, call it weak because the braves won again. the braves did it with pitching, then hitting and home grown talent. so don't say the nl east is weak, cox is the better manager. and i think the nl is the tougher league to manage because of the pitcher hitting and double switches and all that. the al is just wait for a three run shot.Who was the better team in 1996. If the Braves were so good why could they only win 1 World Series in 12 years.

furcalchick

Jun 9, 2007, 04:46 PM

Who was the better team in 1996. If the Braves were so good why could they only win 1 World Series in 12 years.

oh no, here we go AGAIN. the playoffs is a crapshoot, the best team doesn't always win.

why haven't the yankees won since 2000? they were supposed to be the best team for the past 5 years now.;)

MacNut

Jun 9, 2007, 04:50 PM

When the Yankees won in 96 98 99 2000 they were the best team. In 2001 they lost on 1 pitch. For the most part the Yankees have lived up to the hype. What have the Braves done every year in the playoffs, they usually choke.

zioxide

Jun 9, 2007, 07:06 PM

why haven't the yankees won since 2000? they were supposed to be the best team for the past 5 years now.;)

it's the curse of a-rod. :)

furcalchick

Jun 9, 2007, 07:20 PM

we're losing again to the cubs, 1-0 in the first.

Counterfit

Jun 9, 2007, 08:25 PM

he's lance corny. time to bring back buddy. four home runs is automatic demotion in my book.

Tim Wakefield gave up 6 dingers to Detroit in 2004, but still won the game.

twoodcc

Jun 10, 2007, 03:29 PM

Griffey now has 15 homers!

zioxide

Jun 10, 2007, 07:22 PM

man julio lugo ****ing sucks. he was supposed to be an offensive upgrade over gonzales but he's batting ****ing .210. he should be ****ing benched and cora should be playing.. or we can trade him and ****ing wily mo "swing and a miss" pena and get someone who actually knows how to play..

****ing theo.. why didn't he sign cabrera to a long deal.

MacNut

Jun 10, 2007, 07:39 PM

Griffey now has 15 homers!Sooo, A-Rod has 24.

zioxide

Jun 10, 2007, 08:01 PM

time for timlin to retire

twoodcc

Jun 10, 2007, 08:06 PM

Sooo, A-Rod has 24.

ok, Griffey has 578 career homers, 15 on the season. and he's 37 years old.

so ha!

Teh Don Ditty

Jun 10, 2007, 08:07 PM

ok, Griffey has 578 career homers, 15 on the season. and he's 37 years old.

so ha!

Imagine how many he would've had if he wasn't injured for like those 5 seasons.

mattscott306

Jun 10, 2007, 08:31 PM

Ten bucks says that we get a fight tonight between the braves and the cubs.

MacNut

Jun 10, 2007, 08:35 PM

9.5 games back.:D

mattscott306

Jun 10, 2007, 08:47 PM

9.5 games back.:D

6 straight, with more clutch work from ARod. Yankee's are surprising me.

Teh Don Ditty

Jun 10, 2007, 08:49 PM

6 straight, with more clutch work from ARod. Yankee's are surprising me.

Did you just use the word clutch in the same sentence with Arod?

twoodcc

Jun 10, 2007, 09:52 PM

Imagine how many he would've had if he wasn't injured for like those 5 seasons.

yeah i know. but i haven't given up on him yet :)

Teh Don Ditty

Jun 10, 2007, 10:30 PM

yeah i know. but i haven't given up on him yet :)

Nor have I. He'll crack the 600 club, probably end up around 4th or 5th on the all time list. (That's if I'm doing my math correctly and remembering who's on the list)

twoodcc

Jun 11, 2007, 12:09 AM

Nor have I. He'll crack the 600 club, probably end up around 4th or 5th on the all time list. (That's if I'm doing my math correctly and remembering who's on the list)

glad to see i'm not the only one. yeah, he should get 600 this year. i think he's 8th all time right now. just depends on how long he plays

aloofman

Jun 11, 2007, 10:21 AM

man julio lugo ****ing sucks. he was supposed to be an offensive upgrade over gonzales but he's batting ****ing .210. he should be ****ing benched and cora should be playing..

Dodger fans could have told you about Lugo. In his short time here he wasn't that good and still bitched that he deserved to play more. And if you consider Cora an offensive upgrade, then wow. Just wow.

MacNut

Jun 11, 2007, 04:19 PM

Rumors of Griffey being traded to the Braves.

mattscott306

Jun 11, 2007, 04:22 PM

Rumors of Griffey being traded to the Braves.

What?? Can you link to that. I haven't heard a single thing. As much as I'd love to see him wearing a tomahawk, we need another starting pitcher, not a bat.

MacNut

Jun 11, 2007, 04:35 PM

What?? Can you link to that. I haven't heard a single thing. As much as I'd love to see him wearing a tomahawk, we need another starting pitcher, not a bat.There is no hard evidence but the rumblings I heard on the radio is that the Reds want to dump players and Griffey was said that he would accept a trade to the Braves.

mattscott306

Jun 11, 2007, 04:40 PM

There is no hard evidence but the rumblings I heard on the radio is that the Reds want to dump players and Griffey was said that he would accept a trade to the Braves.

Unless he want to play first base here there's really nowhere for him, maybe next season with Jones gone he could play center, but I have a feeling we'll see a harris/diaz/franceour (or harris/franceour/diaz) outfield. They're all cheap players, with hot bats, and decent fielding skills. While Griffey would bring some great fielding skills and hitting, he'd cost too much for us.

MacNut

Jun 11, 2007, 04:50 PM

From espn.com.
We're not sure it's even possible to fall out of the NL Central race. But the Reds have given it a try, by losing 25 of their last 34 games. If that full gainer continues for another few weeks, then get ready for the birds of prey to start circling over these two guys. An official of one team that inquired about Griffey says Griffey has informed the Reds he won't oppose a trade "in the right scenario." But outside of the Braves, a club he has told friends for years he'd go to, it's tough to say what he'd consider "the right scenario."

fotografica

Jun 11, 2007, 05:47 PM

Dodger fans could have told you about Lugo. In his short time here he wasn't that good and still bitched that he deserved to play more. And if you consider Cora an offensive upgrade, then wow. Just wow.

Why we ever let Gonzo walk and gave the money to Lugo is def beyond me. Def one of Theo's F ups...

zioxide

Jun 12, 2007, 01:58 AM

Why we ever let Gonzo walk and gave the money to Lugo is def beyond me. Def one of Theo's F ups...

Should have just signed Cabrera to a long deal after 04.

cycocelica

Jun 12, 2007, 04:33 AM

The Mariners are red hot right now. They just swept the Padres who had the best record in the NL and then just beat the AL Central leading Indians. J.J. Putz is really making a name for himself as a closer this season as well.

Oh and they are 2nd in the AL in batting average.

Still 4 games out, but they are making a run for it.

aloofman

Jun 12, 2007, 11:36 AM

J.J. Putz is really making a name for himself as a closer this season as well.

When you're a "Putz", I think you've got a name for yourself already. :p

fotografica

Jun 12, 2007, 06:16 PM

Should have just signed Cabrera to a long deal after 04.

Hard to sign a guy that didn't want to stay.He got his ring and wanted to get back to CA with Vlad.Plus the $$$ the Angels were offering.....
Pedroia bats leadoff tonite with Lugo dropped to ninth...

furcalchick

Jun 12, 2007, 06:21 PM

jake peavy is doing excellent, i knew since 2002 that he was going to be great, and he won may's pitcher of the month. currently leading the league in era and just one behind cole hamels for strikeouts.

here's his numbers: 7-1, 1.97 era, 1.02 whip, 95 k, 24 bb. pretty impressive.

and he's super cute too. look at his photos (i'm a peavy fanatic.)

i think the padres are looking to be like the braves of the 90's. peavy=smoltz, young=glavine and maddux is here too (although i'll look for another crafty righty soon).

furcalchick

Jun 12, 2007, 07:19 PM

WFAN in New York is reporting Griffey has been sent to to Braves or is about to be sent to the Braves. He has agreed to waive his no-trade clause to go to Atlanta and has already signed off on paperwork to do so. Details to follow as they become available, but it may be part of a huge fire sale in Cincinnati as there are also rumors out that Adam Dunn could be sent to the Dodgers.

hmm...

mattscott306

Jun 12, 2007, 07:22 PM

hmm...

my question still stands... where?
But- holy crap- it'll make me pretty happy inside to see such a great player join ranks with some of the greats we already field.

MacNut

Jun 12, 2007, 10:40 PM

Yankees 7 in a row, 31-31:)

mattscott306

Jun 12, 2007, 10:53 PM

Yankees 7 in a row, 31-31:)

Yankee's are exciting to watch right now. I'm really interested in seeing if they can turn the east into a race. It will be really amazing to see it if they can make things interesting. With the sox being kind of stalling as of late it should be possible.

steamboat26

Jun 12, 2007, 11:21 PM

This is essentially what i predicted a couple of weeks ago, the red sox have cooled off, and the yankees are getting things together
Granted, we are still 9.5 games out, and the sox are playing the rockies, but they only put up 2 runs against them tonight.
Any news on when we can expect hughes back? All i remember is he had a problem with his hamstring, and would be out 3 weeks, but that seems like it was a long time ago :(
Another point to those who doubted the rocket- Cashman, Torre, Steinbrenner, and everyone knew who they were getting in Clemens. They weren't looking for someone to pitch a complete game every start. He's a reliable arm, a veteran, and brings a huge morale boost to a club that was struggling.
Once again, I still understand we are 9.5 games out :D

twoodcc

Jun 12, 2007, 11:27 PM

hmm...

if Griffey went to the braves.......i'd be one happy camper. let's just say i'd be going to more braves games....

MacNut

Jun 12, 2007, 11:35 PM

Any news on when we can expect hughes back? All i remember is he had a problem with his hamstring, and would be out 3 weeks, but that seems like it was a long time ago :(
Another point to those who doubted the rocket- CashPhil Hughes should be back in July.

Teh Don Ditty

Jun 12, 2007, 11:36 PM

Gee nobody mentioned that Jason Verlander pitched a No Hit Game....

MacNut

Jun 12, 2007, 11:38 PM

Gee nobody mentioned that Jason Verlander pitched a No Hit Game....Ya and what's with all the birds in Detroit.

IJ Reilly

Jun 12, 2007, 11:39 PM

Adam Dunn? Why in the world would the Dodgers want Adam Dunn?

mattscott306

Jun 12, 2007, 11:40 PM

Gee nobody mentioned that Jason Verlander pitched a No Hit Game....

I'm a bit drunk... I forgot about that. :o

I wish I had been able to watch that game, oh well. 2nd no hitter before the all star break, I wonder how many more we'll have?

Teh Don Ditty

Jun 12, 2007, 11:43 PM

Adam Dunn? Why in the world would the Dodgers want Adam Dunn?

Best question of the night.

I'm a bit drunk... I forgot about that. :o

I wish I had been able to watch that game, oh well. 2nd no hitter before the all star break, I wonder how many more we'll have?

Ahhh I see that vodka is treating you well my son. So proud.

I don't think we'll see too many more no-nos

djbahdow01

Jun 13, 2007, 11:49 AM

Why we ever let Gonzo walk and gave the money to Lugo is def beyond me. Def one of Theo's F ups...

Lugo was just one of Theo's binkys. He has wanted him for the longest time just like Drew, and they just have the idea that we want him and we will get him even if it is too late.

Hopefully Lugo pulls though with the bump to 9th and will get the avg back on track.

fotografica

Jun 13, 2007, 09:37 PM

Lugo was just one of Theo's binkys. He has wanted him for the longest time just like Drew, and they just have the idea that we want him and we will get him even if it is too late.

Hopefully Lugo pulls though with the bump to 9th and will get the avg back on track.

Yeah well his binky is sucking big time. His swings look like matador swings, even when he makes contact. If he can't make it in the ninth hole,then they should sit him and put Cora at short for a switch. Not to mention that the boo birds at Fenway are raining down on him,which won't make it any easier for him. The bats have cooled off and Manny needs to pick it up. The 7-8-9 nine hitters are looking like automatic outs..With SF coming in for the weekend,it could get real interesting here...

Teh Don Ditty

Jun 13, 2007, 10:11 PM

8 Straight for the Yankees.

Mussina was masterful tonight.

MacNut

Jun 13, 2007, 10:15 PM

A-Rod 25 Home runs, 65 rbi's. Yankees 8 in a row 8.5 games back on a Red Sox loss.:)

MacNut

Jun 14, 2007, 02:18 AM

Bud Selig told Jason Giambi that he better cooperate with former Sen. George Mitchell's investigation of steroid use or else. The else might be coming.

A high-ranking MLB official who had spoken to Selig told USA Today on Wednesday that the commissioner is leaning toward suspending the New York Yankees slugger. The official was not given permission to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, the paper said.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2903721

furcalchick

Jun 14, 2007, 02:29 AM

i would check arod too...he hit another homer.

but the braves suck...

djbahdow01

Jun 14, 2007, 08:59 AM

Yeah well his binky is sucking big time. His swings look like matador swings, even when he makes contact. If he can't make it in the ninth hole,then they should sit him and put Cora at short for a switch. Not to mention that the boo birds at Fenway are raining down on him,which won't make it any easier for him. The bats have cooled off and Manny needs to pick it up. The 7-8-9 nine hitters are looking like automatic outs..With SF coming in for the weekend,it could get real interesting here...

Yeah very true. Its tough couple of weeks coming up with the trip to ATL, SD, and SEA. Another West coast trip, luckily they have a day off to travel. Just hope they don't get rained out like they always seem to, and have to play on the day off.

Atill amazing that the Yanks win 8 straight and are still down 8.5. I'm just hoping the Sox can keep it this way until atleast the break. Then again they still have 19 games against Tampa. Yanks already have played 4 against them and lost 3 of the 4. Granted Tampa seems to do well against the Sox and Yanks, but I still feel the sox can win 12 of 19 atleast.

Sox are in good shape as long as the 2,3,4,5 guys can get it in gear. Luckily Youk and Lowell have helped the team out a ton, and Pedroia is looking unreal for a rookie. Could potentially be rookie of the year.

fotografica

Jun 14, 2007, 11:02 AM

Yeah very true. Its tough couple of weeks coming up with the trip to ATL, SD, and SEA. Another West coast trip, luckily they have a day off to travel. Just hope they don't get rained out like they always seem to, and have to play on the day off.

Atill amazing that the Yanks win 8 straight and are still down 8.5. I'm just hoping the Sox can keep it this way until atleast the break. Then again they still have 19 games against Tampa. Yanks already have played 4 against them and lost 3 of the 4. Granted Tampa seems to do well against the Sox and Yanks, but I still feel the sox can win 12 of 19 atleast.

Sox are in good shape as long as the 2,3,4,5 guys can get it in gear. Luckily Youk and Lowell have helped the team out a ton, and Pedroia is looking unreal for a rookie. Could potentially be rookie of the year.

The Sox always seem to have a tough time on West Coast trips. I hate to see them go out there either losing a few in a row,or suffering from a silence of the bats. Two runs for Wake and two for Schilling?This team is much better than that offensively. Youk is out of his mind right now. He's not missing much at the plate.Wish I could say the same for Manny.He'll probably get it in gear,hopefully sooner than later,but he's taking a lot of called third strikes this year..Gonna be an interesting summer around here.. We don't play the Yankees again til August 28th...

IJ Reilly

Jun 14, 2007, 11:20 AM

MacNut

Jun 14, 2007, 11:54 AM

The Mets have lost more then enough for the Braves to be able to take first but they suck just as bad and remain 2 games back. Looks like the Phillies might take the east.

furcalchick

Jun 14, 2007, 11:56 AM

The Mets have lost more then enough for the Braves to be able to take first but they suck just as bad and remain 2 games back. Looks like the Phillies might take the east.

i know. our pitching staff is a total mess...and santana goes tonight on tbs...who is going to beat him?

fotografica

Jun 14, 2007, 12:28 PM

In news from elsewhere in baseball, the Dodgers sweep three from the Mets and made it look easy. The highlight of the series was Tuesday night, the three no-doubt home runs off of John Maine on three consecutive pitches, from the bottom of the order (Betemit, Kemp and pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo) no less. As he watched it go out, Kuo performed a bat-flip worthy of Barry Bonds.

Are the Dodgers seriously interested in Jermain Dye?Or is Rosenthal just filling up his blog??
Other suitors for Dye: the Padres or Dodgers. The two NL West competitors rank 10th and 12th in the league in slugging, respectively. No doubt the Dodgers have the goods, but what reasonable trade could the Padres work out? Kenny Williams and Kevin Towers have matched up twice before, but on minor trades involving guys like D'Angelo Jimenez and Geoff Blum.

IJ Reilly

Jun 14, 2007, 01:35 PM

Are the Dodgers seriously interested in Jermain Dye?Or is Rosenthal just filling up his blog??

Unlikely, but who knows? The Dodgers already have a worthy everyday right fielder with lots of upside potential in Andre Eithier and Matt Kemp right behind. Kemp especially could hit with as much power as Dye, once he gets going. Dye makes about as much sense as Adam Dunn. For my money, I say if the Dodgers can't score a reliable power-hitting third baseman, they should stand pat.

MacNut

Jun 14, 2007, 04:15 PM

Yankees won 9 in a row 8 games out of first.:)

IJ Reilly

Jun 14, 2007, 05:43 PM

Yankees won 9 in a row 8 games out of first.:)

Wowie zowie. In the NLW, the Giants are also eight games out. In last place. :p

MacNut

Jun 14, 2007, 08:17 PM

Becket just gave up a grand slam.:D

furcalchick

Jun 14, 2007, 09:51 PM

Becket just gave up a grand slam.:D

good. i don't like him.

btw, braves beating santana 2-0 in the seventh. first place, here we come.

and you yankees better do your job, beat the mets...OR ELSE...

mattscott306

Jun 14, 2007, 10:18 PM

My money's on the yankee's in that series. As far as us being in first place, we're still two out :p, and don't look now but here come the phillies.
Then the marlins are just 5 out of first place (though they're losing tonight) this could turn into a four team race.

fotografica

Jun 14, 2007, 10:19 PM

Now playing at Fenway Park,"The Silence of Bats"..Starring Manny Ramirez and JD Drew,costarring Julio Lugo..What an ugly series.Bring on the Giants. Bats better wake up or it's gonna be a long West Coast trip....

And GO METS this weekend!!!! Put the screws to the two teams that I loathe and abhor the most..The Yankees and the Braves...

mattscott306

Jun 14, 2007, 10:20 PM

And GO METS this weekend!!!! Put the screws to the two teams that I loathe and abhor the most..The Yankees and the Braves...

You just hate the braves 'cuz furcalchick and I are vocal about our team. :p

MacNut

Jun 14, 2007, 10:40 PM

You just hate the braves 'cuz furcalchick and I are vocal about our team. :pI think its a fear of winning teams. Altho I loathe the Braves as well. Yankees 7.5 back.:p

furcalchick

Jun 14, 2007, 10:44 PM

i hate domes...blow up the triple h please....

MacNut

Jun 14, 2007, 10:47 PM

i hate domes...blow up the triple h please....It will be gone soon enough.;) Of course a outdoor stadium doesn't make sense.

furcalchick

Jun 14, 2007, 10:53 PM

we lose 3-2 :(

we're getting close to being a mediocre team...

Counterfit

Jun 14, 2007, 11:24 PM

good. i don't like him.

That's okay, I don't like anyone on the Braves. :D

But seriously, where'd the offensive anemia for the Sox come from? And WTF happened to Schilling and Beckett for these last two games?
Well, at least only two teams have a winning record against the Sox so far this season (Oakland and Colorado).

twoodcc

Jun 14, 2007, 11:44 PM

Griffey hit another homer tonight....but the reds lost again.

i can't believe the braves blew it tonight....i never did like Wickman

edit: now Griffey is tied for 2nd in homers in the NL

fotografica

Jun 15, 2007, 08:22 AM

You just hate the braves 'cuz furcalchick and I are vocal about our team. :p

Hated them for years..I just don't drone on and on and on about it in every other post I make :p :D

fotografica

Jun 15, 2007, 08:27 AM

That's okay, I don't like anyone on the Braves. :D

But seriously, where'd the offensive anemia for the Sox come from? And WTF happened to Schilling and Beckett for these last two games?
Well, at least only two teams have a winning record against the Sox so far this season (Oakland and Colorado).

Dunno about the absence of the bats. We need a good series against the Giants. Zito hasn't faired in well in Fenway in the past.Hope it continues. Morris will be tough. Bats need to come alive and get some runs across. Manny needs to wake up fast.These called third strikes are getting old....

IJ Reilly

Jun 15, 2007, 11:22 AM

Dodgers fire batting coach Eddie Murray. Interim batting coach will be Bill Meuller. Maybe they'll be going after fewer first pitches now.

fotografica

Jun 15, 2007, 12:06 PM

Let me guess..Nomar's still swinging at every first pitch that comes at him?

IJ Reilly

Jun 15, 2007, 12:20 PM

Let me guess..Nomar's still swinging at every first pitch that comes at him?

Not quite, but he's still a notorious first-pitch fastball hitter. Kent is the same way, so the 3-4 hole batters aren't taking enough pitches. These guys are veterans so they should know what brings them success, but still a batting coach should be there to make adjustments. Apparently Murray's problem was a lack of proactive work. He'd talk mostly to the players who came to him. I understand he was dinged for the same approach in Cleveland. As if we didn't know, a great ballplayer is not necessarily a great coach.