Baseball 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (3 Viewers)

[lancer]

Well Al maybe brighter days are ahead for our beloved O's, I'm hoping anyway, just this last week was exciting for me to remember the good ol' days ha!! don't know if it's Showalter or just a change in the lineup or what, but hope they play this well for the balance of the season give me a.... O-R-I-O-L-E-S!!!!!!!!...Sammy

I hope so, too, Sammy. I sure miss the O's as contenders. O's now 8-1 under Showalter and I am completely confused. How can this be the same team? Can the manager really make that much difference? The hapless pitchers are now good and the hitters are actually hitting with runners in scoring position. Neither of these has happened all year. Where did this sudden competence come from? This is the team I expected at the beginning of the year. Maybe the manager IS that important. Anyway, the O's now have a chance to avoid 100 loses and play spoiler. -- Al

 

[Spitfrnd]

I hope so, too, Sammy. I sure miss the O's as contenders. O's now 8-1 under Showalter and I am completely confused. How can this be the same team? Can the manager really make that much difference? The hapless pitchers are now good and the hitters are actually hitting with runners in scoring position. Neither of these has happened all year. Where did this sudden competence come from? This is the team I expected at the beginning of the year. Maybe the manager IS that important. Anyway, the O's now have a chance to avoid 100 loses and play spoiler. -- Al

I'm simply speechless. It is a treat to see this spark but sad to see it wasted in a doomed cause for this season. I hope it lasts.

 

[sammy719]

I hope so, too, Sammy. I sure miss the O's as contenders. O's now 8-1 under Showalter and I am completely confused. How can this be the same team? Can the manager really make that much difference? The hapless pitchers are now good and the hitters are actually hitting with runners in scoring position. Neither of these has happened all year. Where did this sudden competence come from? This is the team I expected at the beginning of the year. Maybe the manager IS that important. Anyway, the O's now have a chance to avoid 100 loses and play spoiler. -- Al

Showalter has done alot of great things in this league, so I am hoping it was just a need of a good manager, I know this team has talent, so let's hope this winning streak continues and sets the O's up for next year, it sure is exciting to check the box scores again to see if the O's have won again I thought I'd forgotten what that was like!!!...Sammy

 

[Louis Badolato]

It's funny you mention the Twins as last night on the local news they showed the wildcard standings and there they are right behind the Red Sox, the Twins, who have a 47.00 payroll and are always in the hunt for either the central division or the wild card.

And you are correct, they play in that marshmellow division down the stretch while we get the Yankees, Rays and Blue Jays, don't forget about the Orioles as even though they are 200 games out of first, they are playing well under their new skipper.

Speaking of which, I always find it odd a team plays like wretches under one manager, he gets canned and they catch fire under the new guy.

Why didn't you play like that for the first guy, I just don't get it............

See George, I told you. The Red Sox are only 3-1/2 games out of the playoffs, the Rays are imploding, and your team is about to get a huge boost when Pedroia comes off the DL. I think it will be Yankees vs. the Central winner and Boston vs. Texas in the ALDS. There is a very good chance it will be Yankees vs. Boston in the ALCS, just the way it is supposed to be. The way I see it, either team should be able to beat Atlanta, St. Louis, San Diego or the wildcard team (Reds or Phillies) comng out of the NL, even without home field advantage.

 

[lancer]

Just a little further O's trivia for 2010. In the first 105 games, the 4 major O's starters won a total of 12 games. Since the Showalter hiring, those same 4 starters have won 4 of 9 games with no losses. The team as a whole was 3 - 54 in games where they scored 3 or fewer runs before Showalter. Since the hiring, the team is 3-1 in games where scoring 3 or fewer runs. What's all this mean? Granted, it is only 9 games (8-1) into the Showalter era, but he obviously is some sort of miracle working genuis. I expect a World Series title next year. -- Al

 

[Louis Badolato]

Just a little further O's trivia for 2010. In the first 105 games, the 4 major O's starters won a total of 12 games. Since the Showalter hiring, those same 4 starters have won 4 of 9 games with no losses. The team as a whole was 3 - 54 in games where they scored 3 or fewer runs before Showalter. Since the hiring, the team is 3-1 in games where scoring 3 or fewer runs. What's all this mean? Granted, it is only 9 games (8-1) into the Showalter era, but he obviously is some sort of miracle working genuis. I expect a World Series title next year. -- Al

Al,

You have to wait until he leaves to win the World Series. He left the Yankees after the 1995 Season, the team he built won in 1996.

He left the Diamondbacks after the 2000 season, and the team he built won in 2001.

Give him a couple of years to build your team, then ship him out and you are guaranteed a Championship.

 

[lancer]

Al,

You have to wait until he leaves to win the World Series. He left the Yankees after the 1995 Season, the team he built won in 1996.

He left the Diamondbacks after the 2000 season, and the team he built won in 2001.

Give him a couple of years to build your team, then ship him out and you are guaranteed a Championship.

Thanks, Louis. That makes sense even though it bursts my bubble. I guess I can wait a couple more seasons, if I have too. At any rate, it is fun to dream. We O's fans have had a small drought (small compared to, say, THE CUBS) and are just a bit impatient. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

Unfortunately for the Birds, he also managed the Rangers. I guess it was unfortunate for them also.

 

[Warrior]

See George, I told you. The Red Sox are only 3-1/2 games out of the playoffs, the Rays are imploding, and your team is about to get a huge boost when Pedroia comes off the DL.

Guess you missed that monumental gag job today up 5-2 in the bottom of the ninth, Lackey gives up a home run, Papelbon comes in, double, base hit, stolen base, base hit, tie game, base hit, runners on first and third, Bard comes in, sac fly. Jays 6, Red Sox 5.

Absolutely pathetic.

 

[lancer]

O's still hot. 10-4 under Showalter. Pitching and timely hitting at last. I'm sure bubble will burst but hope is stonger. PS- NYY better heat up. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

I guess over here it's safe to have a discussion about who's better Willie, Mickey or the Duke

Can't derail any scale discussions now can we

Hard to think of three center fielders today in their class (but I guess I'm showing my age)

 

[lancer]

I guess over here it's safe to have a discussion about who's better Willie, Mickey or the Duke

Can't derail any scale discussions now can we

Hard to think of three center fielders today in their class (but I guess I'm showing my age)

Gotta agree, Brad. I know the whole "who's best" argument tends towards generational favoritism but there was something special about those three players of that generation. There are simply no better outfielders that played during or since. I won't debate "before" because I didn't see "before". I wish those 3 guys were still playing. Today's game could sure use them even though there isn't enough money to pay them what they would be worth. -- Al

 

[Spitfrnd]

... There are simply no better outfielders that played during or since. I won't debate "before" because I didn't see "before". I wish those 3 guys were still playing. Today's game could sure use them even though there isn't enough money to pay them what they would be worth. -- Al

I would agree and best among that group is a toss up that depends on your more specific criteria.

For third base though, generational bias and all, I would have to go with Brooks.

 

[lancer]

I would agree and best among that group is a toss up that depends on your more specific criteria.

For third base though, generational bias and all, I would have to go with Brooks.

Great minds. Brooks was the best I have ever seen. No contest. -- Al

 

[Combat]

More bad news for MLB:

Pitching legend Roger Clemens will be indicted by federal authorities for making false statements to Congress in 2008 during testimony related to his alleged performance-enhancing drug use, according to the New York Times.

The story, which appeared on the Times' website, said a formal announcement would be coming "in the near future."

 

[jazzeum]

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Maybe they can find a joint cell for him and Bonds.

 

[Warrior]

More bad news for MLB:

Pitching legend Roger Clemens will be indicted by federal authorities for making false statements to Congress in 2008 during testimony related to his alleged performance-enhancing drug use, according to the New York Times.

The story, which appeared on the Times' website, said a formal announcement would be coming "in the near future."

Gee, what a shame, the Texas con man will be indicted for being a liar.

Was a sub .500 pitcher the last four years he was with Boston, he leaves as a free agent because he wanted to be closer to home (Texas), so he signs with Toronto, guess geography wasn't his best subject in High School.

Hooks up with a steroid dealer, comes into camp looking like a bodybuilder and pitches lights out with Toronto, gets traded to the Yankees and wins a couple of world series titles, goes to Houston, still pitches lights out, then ends up back with the Yankees to finish his career.

During his time with the Yankees, he gets Petite on the sauce too, he's what, 110 years old and still pitching great?

What a farce..........

 

[lancer]

Clemens indicted. Another proud moment in the history of American sports. -- Al

 

[Combat]

Clemens is not the brightest of bulbs. Reminds me of the guy in "Eastbound and Down"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OW_EUDGp88

 

[lancer]

37 games to go and the AL East is still a dogfight. As a NYY fan (since the O's were eliminated in April), I am beginning to worry. Their once solid starting pitching suddenly is in trouble. Both Vasquez and Burnett have been useless for a month now. I don't think those two have posted 2 wins between them in the last 4 weeks. With Pettitte still out the NYY have been riding CC and Hughes to stay even with the Rays. Hughes, I believe, is on an inning count, so could be a problem. Assuming Pettitte comes back, a 4th starter still needs to be found. Been a great race and will stay so. Meanwhile, the O's are 12-8 under Showalter and the pitchers look like a new staff. Go figure. -- Al