Official MLB Discussion Thread

[BHK1978]

You were saying....

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=310413110

 

Man the Orioles did so great against the Yankees in that weekend series.

 

I was watching the Baseball Network and they had a Prime Nine show talking about the best Center Fielders of all-time. And they put Tris Speaker on the list. One thing I found interesting about a stat he had was he made 449 career outfield assists! I think it is safe to say that is a record that will not be broken. They also talked about how in one game he made a double play by catching the ball and then running over to second base to record the second out of the double play.

[GatorBait19]

Man the Orioles did so great against the Yankees in that weekend series.

 

I was watching the Baseball Network and they had a Prime Nine show talking about the best Center Fielders of all-time. And they put Tris Speaker on the list. One thing I found interesting about a stat he had was he made 449 career outfield assists! I think it is safe to say that is a record that will not be broken. They also talked about how in one game he made a double play by catching the ball and then running over to second base to record the second out of the double play.

 

I have only read a little about Tris, but from what I read Tris didn't have the strongest arm and many ran on him which could lead to that high number. Hell I remember one year Manny had like 8 OF assist.

[BHK1978]

I have only read a little about Tris, but from what I read Tris didn't have the strongest arm and many ran on him which could lead to that high number. Hell I remember one year Manny had like 8 OF assist.

 

Well they said he played very shallow along with most of the other players of the Deadball Era. I really do not know much about that time in baseball, so I am not really sure how he managed to get such a high number.

[GatorBait19]

Well they said he played very shallow along with most of the other players of the Deadball Era. I really do not know much about that time in baseball, so I am not really sure how he managed to get such a high number.

 

if it was the deadball era then I could understand. Pretty much it was a time when pitchers were just bonkers good. Each team had starters that could post under 3.50 ERA. Speed was king back then and fundamentals were huge (bunts, stealing, defense)

[BHK1978]

What are your thoughts on the added round to the MLB playoffs?

 

I personally hate it, hell they do not even want to cut back on the number of games in the regular season. Now I understand that money is the reason why they want to do this but they are taking an already long season and tacking on what three or five extra games. And when will the season end?

 

I really do not want to be watching Baseball on Thanksgiving.

[GatorBait19]

What are your thoughts on the added round to the MLB playoffs?

 

I personally hate it, hell they do not even want to cut back on the number of games in the regular season. Now I understad that money is the reason why they want to do this but they are taking an already long season and tacking on what three or five extra games. And when will the season end?

 

I really do not want to be watching Baseball on Thanksgiving.

 

It depends. I love the wildcard because it adds more excitement to the end of the year. I am a big believer that MLB, NBA, NHL, and College Basketball season doesn't start till finale month of the regular season. They have long seasons and people really only care about their playoffs. If that one round is going to add to the excitement that the wildcard provides then I am all for it, but will this mean that Albert Pujols will become Mr. November/beginning of December?

 

One thing I find funny is they say that they want to take teams away from baseball (which I am for in a lot of sports). They are saying teams like Marlins, Rays, etc leaving and I think those aren't the teams to take. If the Rays can get a new ball park in an area that isn't a retirement area and place them in a more central location of Hillsborough County then I think you could see the Rays avg what the Yankee do a night. Florida Fans (outside of Jacksonville) are really good about attending winning teams with nice stadiums. Marlins haven't because well honestly Pro Player Stadium isn't a baseball park and it's not in the greatest location. The Trop is also in a horrible location and near more people from up north then people who grew up here.

 

I would think teams like Blue Jays, Brewers (never happen as long as Selig is in office) Royals, Pirates, Oakland (unless they get a new stadium), Washington (wont happen with that new stadium), Astros, being more worthy of being taken out.

 

Mainly the Royals and Pirates.

[BHK1978]

It depends. I love the wildcard because it adds more excitement to the end of the year. I am a big believer that MLB, NBA, NHL, and College Basketball season doesn't start till finale month of the regular season. They have long seasons and people really only care about their playoffs. If that one round is going to add to the excitement that the wildcard provides then I am all for it, but will this mean that Albert Pujols will become Mr. November/beginning of December?

 

One thing I find funny is they say that they want to take teams away from baseball (which I am for in a lot of sports). They are saying teams like Marlins, Rays, etc leaving and I think those aren't the teams to take. If the Rays can get a new ball park in an area that isn't a retirement area and place them in a more central location of Hillsborough County then I think you could see the Rays avg what the Yankee do a night. Florida Fans (outside of Jacksonville) are really good about attending winning teams with nice stadiums. Marlins haven't because well honestly Pro Player Stadium isn't a baseball park and it's not in the greatest location. The Trop is also in a horrible location and near more people from up north then people who grew up here.

 

I would think teams like Blue Jays, Brewers (never happen as long as Selig is in office) Royals, Pirates, Oakland (unless they get a new stadium), Washington (wont happen with that new stadium), Astros, being more worthy of being taken out.

 

Mainly the Royals and Pirates.

 

I would hate to see the Pirates go, mainly because of their history. Granted they would only have themselves to blame, because if they would have drafted smarter they could be like the Devil Rays. I mean the fanbase and tradition are there in Pittsburgh but their front office just sucks.

 

Really I am not a fan of contraction in Baseball. Even for teams like the Rays, Royals, etc., I just think they need to get better baseball people working in the front office. I think the Devil Rays, Reds, and even the Giants are prime examples of teams that cannot compete money wise with the Yankees and Red Sox, so they have to do it through the draft and selective free agent signings.

 

Now if we are talking Hockey I would love to see contraction come to the NHL. That league is way too bloated with teams playing in markets where the fans could give two craps about them.

[The Final Countdown]

What are your thoughts on the added round to the MLB playoffs?

Remember how, during our little discussion on instant replay in baseball, you were a "purist" who argued against it, while I was a "modern" fan who fully supported it?

 

On this, I am 100% purist. Baseball's playoff system is perfect as is. Every other sport has way too many teams in their postseason, and it waters things down and makes the regular season less important. This playoff expansion is one change I do not agree with in the least.

 

You're totally right about NHL contraction, too--or at the least, relocation. Seriously, get the Coyotes the hell out of Phoenix, put them in Winnipeg, and watch the sell-outs pile up.

[jbergey_2005]

I hope they dont start eliminating teams. There is plenty of talent to go around and what was the purpose of adding Tampa and Florida if they were just going to get rid of them.

 

Also I am against adding playoff teams. Im not even sure how they would do a 10 team playoff. They cant just have 2 teams take 10 days off. For the most part rest is bad for baseball players. The hitters get rusty the pitchers lose their command. This is just a stupid idea.

[BHK1978]

Remember how, during our little discussion on instant replay in baseball, you were a "purist" who argued against it, while I was a "modern" fan who fully supported it?

 

On this, I am 100% purist. Baseball's playoff system is perfect as is. Every other sport has way too many teams in their postseason, and it waters things down and makes the regular season less important. This playoff expansion is one change I do not agree with in the least.

 

You're totally right about NHL contraction, too--or at the least, relocation. Seriously, get the Coyotes the hell out of Phoenix, put them in Winnipeg, and watch the sell-outs pile up.

 

I hope they dont start eliminating teams. There is plenty of talent to go around and what was the purpose of adding Tampa and Florida if they were just going to get rid of them.

 

Also I am against adding playoff teams. Im not even sure how they would do a 10 team playoff. They cant just have 2 teams take 10 days off. For the most part rest is bad for baseball players. The hitters get rusty the pitchers lose their command. This is just a stupid idea.

 

Well I am not even a fan of the Wild Card because to me it negates the regular season. I was happy with the two division set-up but I know we will never see that again. I would hate to see a really crappy team get into the playoffs and win the whole thing. Because with the Wild Card in place that does happen.

 

It all comes down to which team is the hottest at that time. Sure it happened in the two team playoff system as well but there was a lesser chance of a lucky team making a run. Now with this new proposal you are adding even more teams into the mix which makes it even worst.

 

And yeah I am not even sure how they would work a ten team playoff format. It is just weird.

[jbergey_2005]

Well I am not even a fan of the Wild Card because to me it negates the regular season. I was happy with the two division set-up but I know we will never see that again. I would hate to see a really crappy team get into the playoffs and win the whole thing. Because with the Wild Card in place that does happen.

 

It all comes down to which team is the hottest at that time. Sure it happened in the two team playoff system as well but there was a lesser chance of a lucky team making a run. Now with this new proposal you are adding even more teams into the mix which makes it even worst.

 

And yeah I am not even sure how they would work a ten team playoff format. It is just weird.

 

What has really started bothering me about the MLB playoffs lately is the fact that its a completely different game. They have so many breaks between games now to make TV happy that the playoffs are not even close to the regular season. It seems most teams always get to start the next series with their #1 pitcher well rested. It really doesnt reward teams with a deep pitching staff at all.

[GatorBait19]

What has really started bothering me about the MLB playoffs lately is the fact that its a completely different game. They have so many breaks between games now to make TV happy that the playoffs are not even close to the regular season. It seems most teams always get to start the next series with their #1 pitcher well rested. It really doesnt reward teams with a deep pitching staff at all.

 

in the long run it's all going to come down to money. How much more money are we going to make by adding to the playoffs. If it's enough (which is probably is) they will add.

[BHK1978]

<p>I found the following to be interesting:</p><p> </p><p>

<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/FBI-docs-say-Steinbrenner-was-an-international-m;_ylt=Al6XT_2kfwL13KJGUaHkOjU5nYcB?urn=mlb-wp5855" rel="external nofollow">http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/FBI-docs-say-Steinbrenner-was-an-international-m;_ylt=Al6XT_2kfwL13KJGUaHkOjU5nYcB?urn=mlb-wp5855</a></p>

[JackKnifed72]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="BHK1978" data-cite="BHK1978" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26724" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I would hate to see the Pirates go, mainly because of their history. Granted they would only have themselves to blame, because if they would have drafted smarter they could be like the Devil Rays. I mean the fanbase and tradition are there in Pittsburgh but their front office just sucks. <p> </p><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> NOOOOOOOO!!! Not the Pirates <img alt=":mad:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/mad.png.69834f23b9a8bf290d98375f56f1c794.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> ...it only took <strong><em>18 Freakin' Years</em></strong> but they might actually almost have a team that's nearly .500 this year!!!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> ...</p>

[BHK1978]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="JackKnifed72" data-cite="JackKnifed72" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26724" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>NOOOOOOOO!!! Not the Pirates <img alt=":mad:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/mad.png.69834f23b9a8bf290d98375f56f1c794.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> ...it only took <strong><em>18 Freakin' Years</em></strong> but they might actually almost have a team that's nearly .500 this year!!!<p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> ...</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I was watching something on the MLB Network and they were saying that when the Pirates were playing the Braves in the 1992 NLCS, Andy Van Slyke told Barry Bonds to play in on the last batter and Bonds chucked him the bird. Well Cabrera's hit fell in and both Justice and Bream scored. If Bonds would have just listened to Van Slyke things could have been different.</p><p> </p><p> Which goes to show that it was always Barry first. Funny how the Giants could not win with him on their team. However, once they got rid of him they won the whole thing.</p>

[BHK1978]

Did anyone happen to catch the Phillies/Reds game last night? I was going to watch it but decided to catch the Ultimate Fighter and the Mavs game so I missed it. Well it seems to have turned out to be an interesting game with a position player becoming the winning pitcher.

[SHaynes23]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="BHK1978" data-cite="BHK1978" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26724" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Did anyone happen to catch the Phillies/Reds game last night? I was going to watch it but decided to catch the Ultimate Fighter and the Mavs game so I missed it. Well it seems to have turned out to be an interesting game with a position player becoming the winning pitcher.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Yeah, I heard about it too. I'm friends with OOTP on Facebook and it popped up in my feed today talking about how Valdez is the first position player to get a W since 2000. The Reds are in a massive slide too. They swept the Cards a few weeks back to take a 1.5 game lead, now they are 2-8 in their last 10 and are 4 games back and have passed up by both St. Louis and the Brewers (both of whom are on fire right now).</p><p> </p><p> How about the news about Buster Posey? Broken bone in his leg and torn ligaments in his ankle, probably done for the season. Does this take the Giants out of it? They really don't have an offense without him.</p>

[PoisonedSuperman]

<p>They're have been rumors about the Giants making a big splash in a trade (Jose Reyes) or bringing up their number one prospect Brandon Belt, I"m guessing they're going to have to do both now and they're still going to need a catcher. </p><p> </p><p>

But they won last year without much of an offense.</p>

[SHaynes23]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="PoisonedSuperman" data-cite="PoisonedSuperman" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26724" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>They're have been rumors about the Giants making a big splash in a trade (Jose Reyes) or bringing up their number one prospect Brandon Belt, I"m guessing they're going to have to do both now and they're still going to need a catcher. <p> </p><p> But they won last year without much of an offense.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Yeah, I think they have to go make a big trade to pick up a bat since Buster is going to be out for so long. Reyes would definitely help but I don't really think he'd give them the pop that they are missing without him. Belt got called back up yesterday too, but he really struggled his first time around this year. I know their pitching can take them far, but without Posey, this year or last, I don't really think they have a shot at the playoffs, much less a title.</p>

[PoisonedSuperman]

<p>Who do you see them getting catcher wise? Not that I'm a Giants fan, just making conversaton. Yahoo says that they could be looking into Ryan Doumit, but I was thinking... what if this Posada thing in NY isn't over? I mean I don't think he can catch anymore, the Yankees don't think he can but he believes that he can, all you need is one team to believe in ya.</p><p> </p><p>

Now I don't think that would happen but it would be quite interesting. </p><p> </p><p>

And what do you guys think about Wilpon talking down on his OWN team? I've never seen anything like that in my life. I live in Buffalo and we used to have a great minor league baseball team when we were affliated with the Indians, but now we're the mets and I don't even like going anymore. Although Bobby Keilty did give me a ball on one of the two times that I went. Obviously the Indians had wayyyy better talent but I don't know, it just seemed "funner" I guess, maybe it's the way things are ran? IDK.</p>

[SHaynes23]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="PoisonedSuperman" data-cite="PoisonedSuperman" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26724" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Who do you see them getting catcher wise? Not that I'm a Giants fan, just making conversaton. Yahoo says that they could be looking into Ryan Doumit, but I was thinking... what if this Posada thing in NY isn't over? I mean I don't think he can catch anymore, the Yankees don't think he can but he believes that he can, all you need is one team to believe in ya.<p> </p><p> Now I don't think that would happen but it would be quite interesting. </p><p> </p><p> And what do you guys think about Wilpon talking down on his OWN team? I've never seen anything like that in my life. I live in Buffalo and we used to have a great minor league baseball team when we were affliated with the Indians, but now we're the mets and I don't even like going anymore. Although Bobby Keilty did give me a ball on one of the two times that I went. Obviously the Indians had wayyyy better talent but I don't know, it just seemed "funner" I guess, maybe it's the way things are ran? IDK.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I have heard lots of people say that they've contacted the Nationals about Ivan Rodriguez. Personally I think they'll get Bengie Molina to come back and catch for them. He has history there, and he was looking at teams in the offseason, so it's not like he's retired for good. Neither would be the best offensive option, but they can both call a great game.</p><p> </p><p> On the Doumit situation, I just don't see the Pirates moving him. I see them trading Chris Snyder, they owe him a lot of money and Doumit is playing very well this season. Snyder would be a good offensive addition to the Giants if it happened.</p><p> </p><p> I personally loved hearing Wilpon rip Reyes and Beltran. It's what the fans are thinking anyways. They are both good players, but they got paid wayyyyyy too much by the previous leadership. He was dead on with Beltran, he got paid for one postseason full of work. He tore apart my Cardinals in that offseason so at the time I was thinking he was worth it, but hindsight is 20/20. I think once the Mets get those awful contracts off the books they will start to turn things back around. At the time they signed the big stars everything looked good and they were a favorite, but they couldn't have known the franchise would implode like it did.</p>

[GatorBait19]

I have heard lots of people say that they've contacted the Nationals about Ivan Rodriguez. Personally I think they'll get Bengie Molina to come back and catch for them. He has history there, and he was looking at teams in the offseason, so it's not like he's retired for good. Neither would be the best offensive option, but they can both call a great game.

 

On the Doumit situation, I just don't see the Pirates moving him. I see them trading Chris Snyder, they owe him a lot of money and Doumit is playing very well this season. Snyder would be a good offensive addition to the Giants if it happened.

 

I personally loved hearing Wilpon rip Reyes and Beltran. It's what the fans are thinking anyways. They are both good players, but they got paid wayyyyyy too much by the previous leadership. He was dead on with Beltran, he got paid for one postseason full of work. He tore apart my Cardinals in that offseason so at the time I was thinking he was worth it, but hindsight is 20/20. I think once the Mets get those awful contracts off the books they will start to turn things back around. At the time they signed the big stars everything looked good and they were a favorite, but they couldn't have known the franchise would implode like it did.

 

I think the Giants will go for someone defensive over offensive. Molina would be the best option, but I think there are options outside of him for them.

 

On the Mets front, the winner of the whole deal is the new owner. He bought what like 33% for only 200 million!!!!! then in a couple years he can by majority. If Wilpon blocks it he gets his 200 million back and still keeps the 33%. He has a chance to own 33% of the team without even actually paying for any of the team.

[PoisonedSuperman]

Yes the way I understand it is if Wilpon gives him 200 million over the next few years, he will own ONLY 33 percent. Basically owns 33 percent of the mets for giving them a loan. But if that money is not paid back he can own the majority, which I believe was 60 when I read it? But that is a hell of a deal to own a third of something for basically a loan.

[GatorBait19]

Yes the way I understand it is if Wilpon gives him 200 million over the next few years, he will own ONLY 33 percent. Basically owns 33 percent of the mets for giving them a loan. But if that money is not paid back he can own the majority, which I believe was 60 when I read it? But that is a hell of a deal to own a third of something for basically a loan.

 

they are cash strapped

[GatorBait19]

It hurts to see two very old historical franchise like the Mets and Dodgers being destroyed by it's owners.

 

I have no rejections to the MLB taking over the Dodgers, growing up I use to love listening to my grandfather telling me the days about Gibson gimp around the bases, Sandy being the best pitcher he'd ever seen, and other great things about Dodger blue.

 

I have never been against a league taking over a team as long as it's for the better of the team. Look at what the leagues did with the Coyotes in the NHL, the Nationals in MLB. NBA took the Hornets over recently and MLB took over the Dodgers.

 

When McCourt took over the Dodgers I was all for it, but I once thought the former ownership the Lightning just got out of was great to. McCourt started out well but it seems like one of those incidents where the MLB's owners didn't look hard enough into an owners finances and was more impressed with his action in taking the team. This happened with the Lightning as one of the owners ponzi his way into the team pretty much.

 

I hope the Dodgers get everything under control as well as the Mets. Those are two teams that should improve.