Official MLB Discussion Thread

[BHK1978]

Greatest game I've ever seen in my life.

 

I would rank it high on the list of best games, but for me game six of the the 2011 World Series would probably be the best game I have ever watched live (Based on the excitement factor). As a Yankees fan, game four of the 1996 World Series would have to rank pretty high as well.

 

Oh well, at least we are still NBA Champions and the holders of the AHL's Calder Cup.

 

Really? You're going to use a minor league championship win as your, "In your face Cleveland still rocks!", brag. I remember when the Providence Bruins won it back in the 90's and nobody really cared because well...it's a minor league championship.

 

Just wanted to add that you could not pay me to go anywhere near Chicago for like the next week. With the record number of homicides that have been happening there and the way the city reacted when the Bulls won their championships...well yeah something tells me Chicago is going to be even more wilder than usual.

[Jaysin]

Really? You're going to use a minor league championship win as your, "In your face Cleveland still rocks!", brag. I remember when the Providence Bruins won it back in the 90's and nobody really cared because well...it's a minor league championship.

 

Wasn't a brag in the slightest. All I was saying was that it's not like we're the loser town the media is trying to paint us as. It was a great series with a lot of drama. I don't even like baseball and I found the hype infectious, but I also love the city of Cleveland.

 

In all honesty though, Monsters games have good attendance and have brought quite a bit of money to the city in the process. So while it might not be a big deal to non-Clevelanders or NE Ohioans, it's still a cool thing for us.

[D-Lyrium]

Greatest game I've ever seen in my life.

 

Truth! Move over, mid-season Pirates/Cardinals series in 2015! The whole world series was great, but game 7 was amazing!

 

I mean, Anthony Rizzo is a world champion now, that really sucks. But... Zobrist, Theo, Joe Maddon, Bryant, Old Man Ross (who homered!), the whole pitching staff (except Chapman, but he blew a 3 run lead so he kinda got what he deserved).

 

It's no secret I was pulling for the Indians, but can't deny how awesome the game was, or how much most of the Cubs deserve it.

[titlebelt]

Maddon did everything he could to lose that game and show how smart he is. He's lucky his club picked him up.

[The Final Countdown]

Always great when a guy suspended for domestic violence is the winning pitcher of the World Series.

[CQI13]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="The Final Countdown" data-cite="The Final Countdown" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26724" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Always great when a guy suspended for domestic violence is the winning pitcher of the World Series. <img alt=":rolleyes:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/rolleyes.png.4b097f4fbbe99ce5bcd5efbc1b773ed6.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> REDEMPTION </p><p> </p><p> Edit: And I don't say it lightly. He served the supension handed down by the league and came back. At least it's ot the NFL with the original joke suspension on Ray Rice and Greg Hardy...not to mention the kicker for the Giants. </p><p> </p><p> And Theo needs to go into the HoF right now. Don't wait whatever the window is. Don't even vote - just put him in.</p>

[The Final Countdown]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="CQI13" data-cite="CQI13" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26724" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>REDEMPTION </div></blockquote><p> Yeah, sure. Inspirational story of the year for sure. Remember, kids: it doesn't matter what a piece of garbage you are, as long as you can throw a baseball really hard!</p><p> </p><p> EDIT: I feel like I should add that I'm not trying to rain on the parade of any Cubs fans we might have on the board. Even if I was rooting for Cleveland to win the series, I have no real grudge against the Cubs and am genuinely happy that their fanbase finally got to see them win it all.</p>

[CQI13]

<p>Eh, I get it. I was only rooting for Theo. Francona being part of breaking two curses would have been cool too.</p><p> </p><p>

If your point on Chapman is that the punishment should be stricter on the part of MLB, I'm all for that. But as it stands, it went through all the proper channels, did it not? (not defending the guy).</p><p> </p><p>

I know Reyes couldn't even practice with the team until his domestic abuse case went through the court system. </p><p> </p><p>

The NFL on the other hand is a joke handing Brady a suspension that was 2 games less than what Hardy ended up serving.</p>

[BHK1978]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="CQI13" data-cite="CQI13" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26724" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>REDEMPTION <p> </p><p> Edit: And I don't say it lightly. He served the supension handed down by the league and came back. At least it's ot the NFL with the original joke suspension on Ray Rice and Greg Hardy...not to mention the kicker for the Giants. </p><p> </p><p> And Theo needs to go into the HoF right now. Don't wait whatever the window is. Don't even vote - just put him in.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I think Theo gets way too much credit for Boston breaking their "curse". It was Dan Duquette who brought in most of the players on that Red Sox team. Theo was just there to reap the rewards of Duquette's work. Now I cannot speak on how much of Theo's fingerprints were on the Cubs team because I honestly do not know. But Theo being the architect of both teams winning is a bit of a stretch.</p><p> </p><p> That was like in the 90's when Bob Watson and Brian Cashman got the credit for the Yankees' dynasty. Yes they added some pieces but Gene Michael was the guy who laid the groundwork for those teams to win.</p>

[CQI13]

<p>Completely fair assessment I'd say. Obviously we don't know if they would have won with Duquette still there.</p><p> </p><p>

As for Cashman now - he has put the Yankees in a great position: they're young and won't Yankees level, but if they are patient they will have a ton of money to spend on big names in two years (on what will be a great FA class). If ownership isn't patient and they fire Cashman before that, he will get all the blame and the new GM (who would sign the big FAs) would get the credit for "bringing back" the Yankees.</p><p> </p><p>

I almost see it the same with Theo - he gets the credit because he finished what Duquette started. And obviously I don't follow Chicago too much, but they were not *this* when he got there. So I would say he gets more credit here than Boston. But it wasn't like he won with Boston the first year (did he?). So there was obviously work he did.</p>

[D-Lyrium]

Theo was hired in 2001 and took over full time GM duties after the 2002 season (they won in 2004, obvs). So it's totally unfair to say he didn't do any of the work, but yeah, it was hardly 'his' team. Of course, the 2007 Sox WAS 'his' team...

 

He took over the Cubs in 2011. Anyone not giving him credit for this World Series win is just delusional.

[BHK1978]

Theo was hired in 2001 and took over full time GM duties after the 2002 season (they won in 2004, obvs). So it's totally unfair to say he didn't do any of the work, but yeah, it was hardly 'his' team. Of course, the 2007 Sox WAS 'his' team...

 

He took over the Cubs in 2011. Anyone not giving him credit for this World Series win is just delusional.

 

I was only talking about the myth of him being the only reason/main reason Babe Ruth's Curse was broken. Obviously the other championship team in Boston (2007) was thanks in large part to his work, heck I would even say he had a hand in 2013 team as well. As with Bob Watson and Brian Cashman for the Yankees he added some players that pushed them over the edge. Let us not forget that he did inherit a team that won 93 games the year prior.

 

I do not know if the delusional comment was directed at me or it was just an in general comment. That being said if it was directed at me I would ask you to point out where I said that he was not the reason why the Cubs won (If it was in general then disregard what I am saying). I said I honestly do not know how much of an impact he had on the team because I do not follow the Cubs (I pretty much only pay real attention to the AL East teams). The last bit about it being a stretch to say he was the architect for both teams was based squarely on what I said previously about the Red Sox and had nothing to do with the Cubs. One cannot take full credit for building a house when a good portion of the house was already built and just needed some finishing touches.

[D-Lyrium]

I was only talking about the myth of him being the only reason/main reason Babe Ruth's Curse was broken. Obviously the other championship team in Boston (2007) was thanks in large part to his work, heck I would even say he had a hand in 2013 team as well. As with Bob Watson and Brian Cashman for the Yankees he added some players that pushed them over the edge. Let us not forget that he did inherit a team that won 93 games the year prior.

 

I do not know if the delusional comment was directed at me or it was just an in general comment. That being said if it was directed at me I would ask you to point out where I said that he was not the reason why the Cubs won (If it was in general then disregard what I am saying). I said I honestly do not know how much of an impact he had on the team because I do not follow the Cubs (I pretty much only pay real attention to the AL East teams). The last bit about it being a stretch to say he was the architect for both teams was based squarely on what I said previously about the Red Sox and had nothing to do with the Cubs. One cannot take full credit for building a house when a good portion of the house was already built and just needed some finishing touches.

 

It wasn't directed at you at all. I know you said you didn't know the impact he'd had on the Cubs, but I've seen people elsewhere trying to say that Theo just picks teams he knows are already built, which is BS.

 

With the Red Sox he basically inherited a sturdy house that was a bit bland inside, and gave it a makeover. Fair enough, he didn't 'build' the 2004 team as much as he renovated it.

 

But with the Cubs he took an abandoned fire-ravaged building in a rough neighbourhood and turned it into a highly sought-after piece of real estate.

 

Cubs playoff roster. Players drafted or acquired by Epstein in bold.

 

Pitchers (11): Jake Arrieta, Aroldis Chapman, Carl Edwards Jr., Justin Grimm, Kyle Hendricks, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Mike Montgomery, Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop, Travis Wood

Catchers (3): Willson Contreras, Miguel Montero, David Ross

Infielders (6): Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell, Tommy La Stella, Ben Zobrist

Outfielders (5): Albert Almora Jr., Chris Coghlan, Dexter Fowler, Jason Heyward, Jorge Soler

Coaching Staff: Joe Maddon, Dave Martinez, Chris Bosio, John Mallee (and Bill Mueller before him), Brandon Hyde, Gary Jones, etc, etc.

 

So, yeah. The only player on the WS-winning roster Theo didn't sign was Javy Baez, who was the first round draft pick the year Theo arrived (and almost cost them the World Series, twice. ¬_¬).

 

So it's difficult for anyone to argue it wasn't Theo's doing. Especially as they lost 87 games in 2010, 90+ games in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 89 games in 2014 (though the last couple were basically by design to get better draft picks ).

 

Whether or not he inherited a good team in Boston, the man's a genius and deserves a HoF spot.

 

 

 

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've just noticed he signed a 5 year deal in 2011. So I'm off to start a GoFundMe to bring him to Pittsburgh, because Christ knows Robert Nutting isn't going to fund it himself.

[BHK1978]

<p>I read something that I think is complete and utter bull poop. MLB plans to put a runner on second base at the start of every extra inning game in Rookie Ball. This will be on a trial basis with the thought of bringing it to the majors. </p><p> </p><p>

The thought process behind it is that it could potentially make extra inning games shorter. Which in theory I guess I could get behind but at the same time I think it is b.s. because a player should earn the right to be on base, not just put there because it might make the game shorter and more exciting.</p>

[K-Nection]

I read something that I think is complete and utter bull poop. MLB plans to put a runner on second base at the start of every extra inning game in Rookie Ball. This will be on a trial basis with the thought of bringing it to the majors.

 

The thought process behind it is that it could potentially make extra inning games shorter. Which in theory I guess I could get behind but at the same time I think it is b.s. because a player should earn the right to be on base, not just put there because it might make the game shorter and more exciting.

 

And so the transition to Blurnsball begins

[CQI13]

<p>What are the drawbacks to overly long extra inning games?</p><p> </p><p>

If you had a solution to them (aside from the man on second), what would it be?</p>

[BHK1978]

What are the drawbacks to overly long extra inning games?

 

If you had a solution to them (aside from the man on second), what would it be?

 

Besides the wear and tear on a pitching staff I personally do not see any. I mean some folks might finding them boring but I hardly ever do.

 

I have no solution because I really do not think it is that much of a problem to begin with.

[The Final Countdown]

<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>Besides the wear and tear on a pitching staff I personally do not see any. I mean some folks might finding them boring but I hardly ever do.<p> </p><p> I have no solution because I really do not think it is that much of a problem to begin with.</p></div></blockquote><p> And I'd bet that the people who would find them boring are generally the people who find baseball boring to begin with. But of course MLB is worried on how to get those people interested in baseball, which is why they keep trying to "fix" it and make it more appealing to that audience.</p><p> </p><p> It's not broken, guys. Stop trying to fix it.</p>

[CQI13]

<p>I don't care enough about it to really look into it. I just wonder if it affects TV ratings.</p><p> </p><p>

I know in football teams who go to OT fare substantially worse the following week.</p>

[BHK1978]

<p>I must say I was surprised/happy to see the Yankees win. Do I think they have a chance at beating Houston? Probably not, but I also did not think they would beat the Indians so what do I know.</p><p> </p><p>

I just loved the fact that a team that was basically in a rebuilding phase came in and beat the best team in the American League.</p>

[BHK1978]

Bryce Harper...

 

$330 million for 13 years? Why would the Phillies offer such a contract?

 

That is insane to offer a 13 year contract, even if he is still very young. I don't know to me that contract is madness, but then again I am not a Baseball expert and I am not a moneyball person. So maybe statistically speaking he is "worth" that kind of money.

[BHK1978]

I am not a fan of the Nationals, but man was their win against the Brewers satisfying. The stupid Brewers players taunting the fans, they deserved to lose.

[BHK1978]

I was glad to see the Expos/Nationals finally win a World Series. They were the true definition of comeback kids. Also, how insane was it that the road teams won every single game. It has to suck for the hometown fans that were there because you shell out all that cash only to see your team lose.

 

It was a great World Series.

[BHK1978]

Got to laugh at the Red Sox having to cheat to win. I guess it is a New England thing.

 

What sucks is the Dodgers twice lost the WS to teams who were stealing signs. Funny that the common denominator was Alex Cora in both sign stealing scandals.

[The Final Countdown]

Got to laugh at the Red Sox having to cheat to win. I guess it is a New England thing.

 

What sucks is the Dodgers twice lost the WS to teams who were stealing signs. Funny that the common denominator was Alex Cora in both sign stealing scandals.

Imagine being me, a 34-year old Dodger fan who has only gotten to experience those two World Series appearances. (I was obviously alive when they won in '88, but not like 3-year old me got to enjoy that celebration.)

 

I came into this thread to rant about this dumb new playoff proposal MLB is floating out there. Half the league in the playoffs, first round byes, a best 2-out of 3 wild card, and a "playoff draft" where the top teams choose their opponents? I already thought Manfred was garbage before this, and he's only digging himself a bigger hole.