Baseball Season 2006

[xsedrinam]

The current NL batting champion not chosen. That's why we love the All Star Game.

Ya, back in "the day" batting .359 was pretty good. It must be another paradigm shift. That, or STL assertiveness and LA apathy. I haven't seen an All Star Game in years. Doesn't that coincide with Home Run Derby?

 

[IJ Reilly]

It really is just a popularity contest. If you aren't from New York or Boston good luck getting on the starting roster (Two Yankees, Three Red Soxs, and Four Mets).

To bad a meaningless game determines home field advantage in the World Series.

Yes, I noticed that too -- nine of the 16 starting position players are from New York and Boston.

 

[Tanglewood]

Ya, back in "the day" batting .359 was pretty good. It must be another paradigm shift. That, or STL assertiveness and LA apathy. I haven't seen an All Star Game in years. Doesn't that coincide with Home Run Derby?

Yeah the Homerun Derby will be on Monday 8 PM EDT on ESPN.

 

[aloofman]

Yeah the Homerun Derby will be on Monday 8 PM EDT on ESPN.

I have to watch it with the sound off, otherwise I'll suffer through hearing Chris Berman say "backbackbackbackbackback" a hundred times. That, and the total monotony of Joe Morgan analyzing why yet another gopher ball went really, really far.

 

[Sayhey]

The current NL batting champion not chosen. That's why we love the All Star Game.

You got your wish, IJ. Not that I voted for him.

Actually, I forgot to vote for anyone for the last position, but Nomar deserves to go. So did Vizquel, but that is another matter.

 

[Kwyjibo]

If you're not willing to understand that the all star game is mostly a popularity competition ... then I don't think you understand it at all.

I was pretty mad about Paul Lo doca making it, Johhny Estrada and Michael Barrett are having MUCH better season than he is, he's just on a better team than the two players I mentioned.

Liriano deserved to go over AJ ... the dude has had a great half, and I think it was a little snub.

I also like how the white sox fans need an act of violence to make a solid campaign to elect in their 7th player ... then again their high caliber of baseball this year helps too

Chris Capuano has shut out the cubs for like 25+ innings now, and I think he's coming in for the CG, wow this cubs team is sadder than sorry. bad teams find a way to lose, thats one that true in every sport.

 

[Tanglewood]

Does anyone know who are shaping up to be good rookie-of-the-year candidates for the NL. I've been following Josh Barfield of the Padres and he hit 4-4 last night and he's done reasonably well during the first half of the year and was wondering who he might be going up against.

 

[aloofman]

Does anyone know who are shaping up to be good rookie-of-the-year candidates for the NL. I've been following Josh Barfield of the Padres and he hit 4-4 last night and he's done reasonably well during the first half of the year and was wondering who he might be going up against.

How about Andre Ethier?

 

[IJ Reilly]

How about Andre Ethier?

No way, he's a Dodger. Made a pretty spectacular play in left the other night, not to mention continuing to hit big league pitching as if he always could.

Have to bring it up though: Gagne looks like he might be finished. This is sad news, and not just for Dodger fans. Back trouble this time. Nothing to do with the elbow. Good grief.

 

[Tanglewood]

How about Andre Ethier?

#16 Andre Ethier - LF
AVG .334 / HR 6 / RBI 30 / OBP .391 / SLG .548

#29 Josh Barfield - 2B
AVG .279 / HR 5 / RBI 25 / OBP .315 / SLG .396

Looks like Either's got it if we ended today.

Have to bring it up though: Gagne looks like he might be finished. This is sad news, and not just for Dodger fans. Back trouble this time. Nothing to do with the elbow. Good grief.

That's too bad about Gagne.

 

[aloofman]

Have to bring it up though: Gagne looks like he might be finished. This is sad news, and not just for Dodger fans. Back trouble this time. Nothing to do with the elbow. Good grief.

Hate to say it, but I almost wish it would be finished already. If Gagne's done, I'd rather just know now so we can get some closure, rather than constantly thinking he's close to returning. Herniated disks mean it's very likely that he won't play the rest of the season, the Dodgers won't pick up the mutual option for next year, and Gagne will be a risky free agent. Not that some team won't take a chance on him, but it's hard to imagine the Dodgers taking him back without a really big pay cut.

 

[Sayhey]

No way, he's a Dodger. Made a pretty spectacular play in left the other night, not to mention continuing to hit big league pitching as if he always could.

Have to bring it up though: Gagne looks like he might be finished. This is sad news, and not just for Dodger fans. Back trouble this time. Nothing to do with the elbow. Good grief.

I agree no Dodgers should be allowed to win this award anymore. It's a little like the Yankees record in the World Series. Not quite sure what the A's were thinking when they gave the kid up, but it must have been something on the order of the brain freeze that Brian Sabean had when he traded Liriano to the Twins.

Sorry, about Gagne. I loved seeing he and Barry go at each other.

 

[IJ Reilly]

If Gagne's done, I'd rather just know now so we can get some closure,

Literally in this case?

The word as of Saturday morning is that he'll be out for the rest of the season, but probably be ready for Spring training. I agree, as a free agent I doubt he'd come back to the Dodgers though assuming the worst did not occur, he probably would find a club willing to sign him to a performance-related contract. How discouraging for all of us in Dodger Town, especially since Baez hasn't worked out very well so far.

Great game last night though (I was in attendance). Bonds' HR number 12 wasn't enough to win it, another example of his poor sportsmanship (loudly and enthusiastically booed), and more bat wizardry from Nomar. He's rapidly becoming a fan favorite in LA. I'd be very disappointed if the Dodgers didn't offer him another year.

 

[IJ Reilly]

I agree no Dodgers should be allowed to win this award anymore. It's a little like the Yankees record in the World Series. Not quite sure what the A's were thinking when they gave the kid up, but it must have been something on the order of the brain freeze that Brian Sabean had when he traded Liriano to the Twins.

Presumably the A's thought they were getting a proven veteran for an unproven prospect. It's nice to see the Dodgers getting the better end of a trade once in a while. That being said, winning the ROY can be the kiss of death for some players.

 

[Sayhey]

Great game last night though (I was in attendance). Bonds' HR number 12 wasn't enough to win it, another example of his poor sportsmanship (loudly and enthusiastically booed), and more bat wizardry from Nomar. He's rapidly becoming a fan favorite in LA. I'd be very disappointed if the Dodgers didn't offer him another year.

Barry was a presumably a poor sport because you interpreted his facial expressions as less than perfect or because he tried to beat the boys in blue with four rbis? It was a nice swing and all the fortunate few who were privileged to see it should say three times "we're not worthy" and repent of your evil Dodger ways.

I still can't believe Accardo laid that 0-2 fastball right out over the plate with a huge "HIT ME, NOMAR" sign on it.

btw, Nomar and Barry seemed to be getting along well last night when Barry got to first base.

 

[IJ Reilly]

Barry was a presumably a poor sport because you interpreted his facial expressions as less than perfect or because he tried to beat the boys in blue with four rbis? It was a nice swing and all the fortunate few who were privileged to see it should say three times "we're not worthy" and repent of your evil Dodger ways.

I still can't believe Accardo laid that 0-2 fastball right out over the plate with a huge "HIT ME, NOMAR" sign on it.

btw, Nomar and Barry seemed to be getting along well last night when Barry got to first base.

No, he was a poor sport when once again he ripped off his arm protector and hurled it towards the dugout while being intentionally walked. This time he couldn't even wait for ball three, it was on ball two. I realize he's just baiting the crowd, but that's no excuse.

Accardo pitched Nomar like he couldn't hit a fastball. Not very smart. And what about letting Morris bat with the bases loaded? My friend the Giants fan who was sitting next to me couldn't believe it.

 

[Counterfit]

I miss Lou. It made going to the Mariners worth going to, when the Yankees were not in town.

Wow, that was hilarious.

And how many times has Nomar been plunked in the last few weeks?

 

[Tanglewood]

Presumably the A's thought they were getting a proven veteran for an unproven prospect. It's nice to see the Dodgers getting the better end of a trade once in a while. That being said, winning the ROY can be the kiss of death for some players.

Well if its a kiss of death Jason Bay has been able to avoid it (starting in the all-star game)

Wow, that was hilarious.

And how many times has Nomar been plunked in the last few weeks?

Nomar has only been hit by 7 pitches this season though I believe 6 came within the last month and 5 within the last week.

 

[Sayhey]

No, he was a poor sport when once again he ripped off his arm protector and hurled it towards the dugout while being intentionally walked. This time he couldn't even wait for ball three, it was on ball two. I realize he's just baiting the crowd, but that's no excuse.

Accardo pitched Nomar like he couldn't hit a fastball. Not very smart. And what about letting Morris bat with the bases loaded? My friend the Giants fan who was sitting next to me couldn't believe it.

I watched the game and had no reaction whatsoever to Bonds' behavior with his gear (and didn't see any from anyone else.) I think this arm protector thing is becoming an obsession for you my friend. Of all the things about Bonds to focus on this has got to be the most obscure. With Accardo he just blew it with his location. I didn't mind him throwing a fastball in that count but his location - right out over the heart of the plate - stunk to high heaven. Don't get me wrong, I still like the kid and think he has lots of talent, but hopefully he won't make that kind of mistake too often.

 

[IJ Reilly]

I watched the game and had no reaction whatsoever to Bonds' behavior with his gear (and didn't see any from anyone else.) I think this arm protector thing is becoming an obsession for you my friend. Of all the things about Bonds to focus on this has got to be the most obscure. With Accardo he just blew it with his location. I didn't mind him throwing a fastball in that count but his location - right out over the heart of the plate - stunk to high heaven. Don't get me wrong, I still like the kid and think he has lots of talent, but hopefully he won't make that kind of mistake too often.

Really, and it was also an "obsession" with the other 54,000 people in the stadium? You might do yourself a favor, and accept that Bonds is disliked for his attitude in every city but San Francisco, and he's not universally loved there either.

 

[cycocelica]

Work has consumed my life recently and have not been able to keep up with baseball as much as I would like to.

I did see that guy steal home though. That is great baseball.

 

[Sayhey]

Really, and it was also an "obsession" with the other 54,000 people in the stadium? You might do yourself a favor, and accept that Bonds is disliked for his attitude in every city but San Francisco, and he's not universally loved there either.

IJ, I have no doubt Bonds is HATED by LA fans and thoroughly disliked in many other cities as well. That was hardly my point. I'm not at the games in LA, but no where else but in this forum is this aspect of Bonds behavior mentioned. Not in any press report I've seen or in any other report I can name. Bonds can be a royal pain in the rear; he can say some really stupid things, and a lot of people have been convinced he is evil incarnate, but nobody else is bugged by the fact he sometimes takes his arm protector off before the final pitch on an intentional walk and tosses the damn thing to his own on-deck circle. He doesn't throw it AT anyone. He doesn't taunt the opposing manager about walking him or anyone else (ala Eric Karros.) He never does anything other than unwrap the arm protector before you think he should. In fact, I've never seen a manager or player complain about it. I've never seen the league or an umpire warn him about this behavior. In short, you're the only one who seems to think this, above all other things he does, is something to be upset about. Even the 54,000 people you mention weren't booing about this - it starts as soon as his name is announced and continues his entire at bat. I don't know what it is about this that so obviously ticks you off, but, my friend, if we need to argue about Barry or the Giants and Dodgers let's find something more substantive to debate.

 

[IJ Reilly]

Bonds was loudly booed the moment he pulled off the arm protector. I was there, so I know. The Giants fan who was my guest that night rolled his eyes and confessed that he doesn't like Bonds' antics either. My sense is that you don't care to be objective about this, and certainly aren't interested in entertaining other opinions about it. Since I don't care to be condescended to, and don't want to lose respect for you, perhaps it's best that we agree not to discuss Barry Bonds any further.

 

[Sayhey]

Bonds was loudly booed the moment he pulled off the arm protector. I was there, so I know. The Giants fan who was my guest that night rolled his eyes and confessed that he doesn't like Bonds' antics either. My sense is that you don't care to be objective about this, and certainly aren't interested in entertaining other opinions about it. Since I don't care to be condescended to, and don't want to lose respect for you, perhaps it's best that we agree not to discuss Barry Bonds any further.

Condescension was not my aim and I'm doing my level best to be objective about a subject you seem to take personally. Sorry, for any ill feelings and perhaps we can just agree to disagree.

 

[IJ Reilly]

Condescension was not my aim and I'm doing my level best to be objective about a subject you seem to take personally. Sorry, for any ill feelings and perhaps we can just agree to disagree.

No, I don't take the subject personally. Far from it, in fact. What can't help taking personally is the implication that my views (not to mention, the views of quite possibly several millions of baseball fans) are based on an "obsession" and are therefore instantly dismissible as irrational.