Baseball 2012 (1 Viewer)

[lancer]

I have to respectfully disagree, gentlemen. I have no dog in this fight (I could care less whether the Braves or the Cardinals advance), but that was an abysmal call. On the replay, you could see the ball was on its way down, about 40 feet off the ground, with neither the short stop, who was ducking away, nor the outfielder, who was just watching the ball fall, in position to catch it, when the umpire belatedly raised his arm to invoke the infield fly rule. It would have been bases loaded with one out. As it was one run scored in the inning. Absent the brain dead umpire's (I think the regular baseball umpires are almost as bad as the NFL replacement officials) bad call, this is a different game entirely.

Well, on the game I am actually interested. Baltimore is up 1 nothing, but Texas got its lead off man on in the bottom of the first.

Louis, I don't think we disagree. It was a terrible call and maybe it would have been a different game, but the Braves just didn't play up to snuff in the field.
How do you think the Yanks will do? CC is on a roll but I'm a little leary of Kuroda and Hughes. I've seen them both several times and they seem to be either good or bad on any given night with no real consistent streak, one way or the other. Nova seems lost and can't be trusted. As usual, the Yankee hitting should be dangerous. Just don't know about the pitching. -- Al

 

[Louis Badolato]

Louis, I don't think we disagree. It was a terrible call and maybe it would have been a different game, but the Braves just didn't play up to snuff in the field.
How do you think the Yanks will do? CC is on a roll but I'm a little leary of Kuroda and Hughes. I've seen them both several times and they seem to be either good or bad on any given night with no real consistent streak, one way or the other. Nova seems lost and can't be trusted. As usual, the Yankee hitting should be dangerous. Just don't know about the pitching. -- Al

As I stated back in July, I thought the Yankees would have the best record in the AL, but probably would lose in the first round. The Yankees just don't situationally hit, and frankly, their starters just don't stack up to the best starters on the other teams. CC isn't really an ace, he is a really good number two, just look at his record head to head against true aces, like Verlander or Cliff Lee, he almost always loses, because you can count on him to lose focus and give up one 3 run inning just about every start. Kuroda will be in the two slot, and he is an iffy proposition since September 1st. I see the Yankees down 0-2 if Texas comes back and wins, and tied 1-1 if Baltimore holds on (much more likely, they just tacked on a couple and went up 5-1). Pettite and Phil Hughes will at best split, leaving a game 5 with CC, a probable win against Baltimore, but a probable loss against Texas. If they make it out of the first round, the winner of Detroit/A's should bounce them, unless that series goes 5, and they can't use their top two pitchers in the first two games of the ALCS. The team that scared me most in the NL, the Braves, got bounced tonight, so if they find a way to make it to the series, I have no idea who they will be up against, or the likely outcome.

 

[jazzeum]

With Darvish going, the Rangers have the edge and I just don't think the game stacks up well for the Rangers. They played the worst series they could against the As but they've gotten a reprieve and I think they'll make the most of it. If they do, losing the Division is probably just a bad, fading memory.

Well, shows what I know: nothing!

Now, we get the series that many want to see and the Forum contest for the ages: who will do the most gushing about their team: Louis or Sammy? ^&grin. That's a contest where I just can't pick a winner {eek3}

 

[sammy719]

Biggest game in 15 years for the O's tonight in Texas. Buck has decided to start late-season pick-up Joe Saunders, who went 3-3 in limited action with the O's. I thought Johnson might get a shot but he has a sore knee (and VERY limited big league experience). Saunders is probably the best option for what the O's had left after burning through their best pitchers trying to catch the Yanks. The big down side to Saunders is his horrible career record when pitching in Texas. He is 0-6 with an ERA north of 9 in 6 total starts. The whole year now rests on a 3-3 pitcher with a bad track record in Texas. Wonderful. But this is the way the O's have done things almost all year with the starting pitching. Saunders will have to pitch the game of his life, but it can be done and the O's NEVER give up. All they need to do is stay close, get a 1 run lead or send the game to OT and I like the odds. GO O's! -- Al

Didn't even need the 1 run Al, but 5 runs will do and yes Saunders did pitch the game of his life!!! so great win for the O's and now on to Camden Yards Sunday against the evil Yanks!!! hoping the Yard is as loud as M&T stadium for football...Sammy

 

[lancer]

Didn't even need the 1 run Al, but 5 runs will do and yes Saunders did pitch the game of his life!!! so great win for the O's and now on to Camden Yards Sunday against the evil Yanks!!! hoping the Yard is as loud as M&T stadium for football...Sammy

Yes indeed, Mr. Saunders stepped up and did what the O's no-name starters have done all year. He won. Wasn't perfect but it was an excellent job of pitching under pressure and stranding runners (Texas left 8 on base for the game) by all the O's pitchers. Once again the O's bullpen did their job. I'm glad to see Matusz has found a spot as the situational lefty after so much trouble as a starter. It was a fine victory for the O's return to the playoffs. Now the O's have the Yanks in Baltimore. It's taken 15 years but now we have a chance to payback Mr. Maier.:wink2: My TV is going to be in danger of exploding this weekend, especially on Sunday when the O's, Nats, and Redskins are all going to be in action. A sports addicts dream weekend. ^&grin -- Al

 

[Warrior]

Now, we get the series that many want to see and the Forum contest for the ages: who will do the most gushing about their team: Louis or Sammy? ^&grin. That's a contest where I just can't pick a winner {eek3}

I know who my money is on.

Wow, what a win for the O's; just goes to show if you say "This is our year" enough, sooner or later, it will happen, might take 15 years, but there you go. The Rangers never had a shot, they went from best record in the AL, to wild card, to out within about 48 hours, they never knew what hit them.

Yesterday and this weekend in general prove what a joke baseball is. The two teams that won the idiotic one game play in game would not have been in the playoffs were it not for the additional wild card team this year.

Not to mention the higher seeds all start on the road? They used to do this back in the 70's but stopped as it's so moronic, not sure why they went back to it.

All of this comes down to one thing; MONEY. The more teams you can keep involved in the playoff race, the more money the league makes.

So you play 162 games to get to the playoffs, then one game and your out.

That's just brilliant.

 

[lancer]

I know who my money is on.

Wow, what a win for the O's; just goes to show if you say "This is our year" enough, sooner or later, it will happen, might take 15 years, but there you go. The Rangers never had a shot, they went from best record in the AL, to wild card, to out within about 48 hours, they never knew what hit them.

Yesterday and this weekend in general prove what a joke baseball is. The two teams that won the idiotic one game play in game would not have been in the playoffs were it not for the additional wild card team this year.

Not to mention the higher seeds all start on the road? They used to do this back in the 70's but stopped as it's so moronic, not sure why they went back to it.

All of this comes down to one thing; MONEY. The more teams you can keep involved in the playoff race, the more money the league makes.

So you play 162 games to get to the playoffs, then one game and your out.

That's just brilliant.

You are right George. It is all money. If MLB had any sense, and wants to stick with the 5 team per league playoff structure, they should seriously consider cutting the regular season to 154 games, make the initial WC play-in a best of 3 series, and go from there. The 1 game and you're out stuff just doesn't cut it. Why bother? MLB needs to re-think it. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

I actually think what they did is a great idea. It made the division races relevant again. A best of three would be nice but unless you start the season earlier its not doable. Forget 154. That was 50 years ago. It's not happening. Next year the home field advantage reverts back.

Of course it's about the money. That's just a throw away statement that doesn't mean much anymore.

Al, I thought you were a Yankee fan so what happened? How can you root for two teams in the same division. At least, I pick different leagues and coasts

 

[lancer]

I actually think what they did is a great idea. It made the division races relevant again. A best of three would be nice but unless you start the season earlier its not doable. Forget 154. That was 50 years ago. It's not happening. Next year the home field advantage reverts back.

Of course it's about the money. That's just a throw away statement that doesn't mean much anymore.

Al, I thought you were a Yankee fan so what happened? How can you root for two teams in the same division. At least, I pick different leagues and coasts

Brad, you have hit upon my own personel Hades. I actually root for 3 teams; Nats in the NL and the O's and Yanks in the AL. Does it cause angst? You betcha. Been a NYY since 1961 and O's fan since 66. Lots of years invested in both. Depending on how their seasons go, rooting for the Yanks or the O's usually is not a problem unless they are playing each other and even that depends on the standings, which really hasn't been a problem for a long time, until this season. I have pulled for the O's over the Yanks this season primarily because it has been such a long time since the O's have tasted success. I will root for the O's in this series as well, with the knowledge that they have had a great year and that if the Yanks win, the O's gave it their best. I will then support the Yanks against all others, UNLESS, they end up against the Nats in the WS. Any WS that ends up with one of my three teams will be fantastic. A WS with two of my teams will cause me some stress along with the euphoria of not really being able to lose. Nats vs NY will see me happy but rooting for the Nats with little problem (but, again, not unhappy if NY wins). Nats vs O's will be harder for me but I will pull for the Nats because DC hasn't won a WS since 1924 but I would be just about as happy if the O's were to win. I have three chances in ten to come out a winner, so, with my luck, none of them will make it. I will then revert to football. :rolleyes2: -- Al
P.S. -- Actually, I'm a big SF Giant fan from the 60's, as well. So I really have 4 teams in the mix. Jeesh!

 

[Rutledge]

Real classy move by the Breaves fans. Yup, that's real class :rolleyes2:

No real argument. Two classless acts dont negate each other, however. Both remain classless.

That said, the fans were protesting the only way they could against a blatantly bad and erroneous call that effectively wiped out an entire season. I wasn't there but umderstand their emotional response to the feeling of being "screwed".

Throwing garbage is not the worst response possible -- by far. Still, the majority of fans clearly did not engage in such behavior. There are always bad apples in any large crowd.

Shoot, I'm sure some folks out there were classless enough to cheer the call as yet another act of "revenge" against Chipper in his truly final game. Never mind his coming hall of fame status and (all too rare) acts of class exhibited by his staying with the same team his entire career and bowing out gracefully of his own volition. Another night ruined for Chipper... Yea! :rolleyes2:

 

[jazzeum]

Passions having calmed down, it appears now that the call was now the right one and there have been examples of where similar calls were made.

That being said, the reaction was wholly unacceptable. No class.

As far as Chipper goes, I actually felt bad that he ended his career on such a negative note when it was an error that opened the floodgates.

Getting back to your earlier post, if you think that I as a Met fan should root for Chipper and not delight when we beat the Braves then you don't really understand baseball or competition. Just because you delight when your team beats a divisional rival doesn't mean you don't appreciate a player's talents or contributions to the game. He was a wonderful player, HOF'er I'm not sure, but I'm very selective as who gets in. I had my doubts about Gary Carter, and the Mets wouldn't have won in 1986 without him. To me admission is an instinctive thing. You don't need to think about it. If you ask me if Maddux or Glavine belong, no question. You don't have to think about it. Chipper is not the same. He will probably get in, although maybe not initially.

 

[Rutledge]

Passions having calmed down, it appears now that the call was now the right one and there have been examples of where similar calls were made.

That being said, the reaction was wholly unacceptable. No class.

As far as Chipper goes, I actually felt bad that he ended his career on such a negative note when it was an error that opened the floodgates.

Getting back to your earlier post, if you think that I as a Met fan should root for Chipper and not delight when we beat the Braves then you don't really understand baseball or competition. Just because you delight when your team beats a divisional rival doesn't mean you don't appreciate a player's talents or contributions to the game. He was a wonderful player, HOF'er I'm not sure, but I'm very selective as who gets in. I had my doubts about Gary Carter, and the Mets wouldn't have won in 1986 without him. To me admission is an instinctive thing. You don't need to think about it. If you ask me if Maddux or Glavine belong, no question. You don't have to think about it. Chipper is not the same. He will probably get in, although maybe not initially.

I played four years of college baseball. So I'm thinking I actually understand the sport, and competition, pretty well.

It's not a matter of rooting for. It's a matter of not rooting against. Hoping your pitcher strikes him out, or the outfielder catches what would have been a home run ball is one thing. Cheering an injury or other unfortunate circumstances is low rent, at least in my book. It speaks to character.

Chipper was an ionic player who has earned respect from all true fans of the game, IMO. MVPs aren't given away.

Being a fan is not competition. Your support for a team has no impact upon its season. To pretend or believe it matters is kind of silly.

The call was a bad one. Previous similarly bad calls do not validate it.

 

[jazzeum]

Where did I say I wished for his injury? Perhaps you need to go back and read. I'm glad that the Mets beat the Braves on his night. Still do.

Rooting against is the flip side of rooting for. You pull for your team and you hope the other team loses. You may have played baseball but you don't seem to know what being a fan is all about.

 

[Rutledge]

Where did I say I wished for his injury? Perhaps you need to go back and read. I'm glad that the Mets beat the Braves on his night. Still do.

Rooting against is the flip side of rooting for. You pull for your team and you hope the other team loses. You may have played baseball but you don't seem to know what being a fan is all about.

No, I actually did play baseball. It's not a "may have".

Really, you think I'm confused about the only way for one team to win is the other must lose? Thanks, but ive got that figured out.

And yea, I think being a fan is overrated. Whatever "your" team does will not affect your life, really. Unless you bet on them, and that's just a great way to lose money. Ask any bookie.

It's like golf. The classy way to play against another is not to hope they play poorly or unluckily, but rather to hope you play to your fullest capability. Very different mindsets.

Maybe there is some truth in what you say, being I'm accustomed to looking at things from an active participants perspective, rather than as a passive follower.

 

[jazzeum]

It's always good to have different perspectives so I hope you continue to bring yours to this thread now that your team is out.

 

[gk5717]

I,m from St Louis and I thought it was a horrible call! BUT, I think it evened things out. Remember earlier in the game where the Braves hitter called for a time out and the home plate umpire gave it to him even as the Cardinal pitcher was in his windup and threw the pitch that the hitter swung and missed which would have been strike 3. When he threw the next pitch the hitter hit that 2 run home run. I thought that time out call was equally as bad.
Yes I,m forced to watch baseball as those idiots in the National Hockey League have the Lock Out!
Gary

 

[Warrior]

I'm pulling for the Giants (2nd favorite team), Cardinals (3rd favorite), Tigers and none of the above in the fourth series.......................

 

[Rutledge]

It's always good to have different perspectives so I hope you continue to bring yours to this thread now that your team is out.

The Falcons are 5-0 and the SEC rules college football - again. Somehow I'll manage....^&grin

 

[lancer]

Oakland is in trouble. -- Al

 

[lancer]

Whew! Nats took the first game in St. Louis in a real nail-biter, 3-2. Cards had the Nats starter, Gonzalez, on the ropes because Gio couldn't locate his pitches and walked a season high 7 men in 5 innings. Cards could only score 2 runs off of him because they couldn't hit him, getting only 1 hit in those 5 innings. Nats hung close at 2-1 when the Cards loaded the bases with 0 out in the bottom of the 7th. Nats changed pitchers and the Cards lost patience at the plate. Pitch #1 from the new pitcher, Mattheus, resulted in a ground ball to shortstop Desmond, who instead of taking the double-play and conceding the run, came home with the ball and forced the runner out. 1 down, bases still loaded. Pitch #2 resulted in a ground ball to 3rd, where Zimmerman promptly initiated the 5-6-3 double play. Two pitches, inning over, 0 runs scored. The Nats then scored twice in the top of the 8th with a pinch-hit, 2 out single by Moore. Clippard pitched a scoreless 8th for the Nats and Storen closed the Cards out in the 9th. Wasn't pretty, but we'll certainly take the win. -- Al